Only the "Strong" Survive | Paul Lahote |

*chapter thirty-six*

"Okay let's do it." I said squeezing my fists, looking at Paul to let him know I was sure.

"Are you sure you're ready?" He replied, hand on my thigh.

I nodded. I had three days left until I could get the stitches out, hoping that my wound would've been almost healed by now I decided it was the time to look at it. Paul held eye contact with me for another moment before holding my shin down and using his other hand to pull on the band-aid. I yelped feeling the hair underneath it rip out, quickly at first and then slowly as he took his time trying not to hurt me.

"You can look when you're ready." Paul said gently, holding up the bandage so I could see it.

With a deep breath I looked down. I couldn't help but laugh a little, as it looked nothing like I expected. I thought it'd be big, gross, leaking blood maybe? Thought maybe I'd be able to see the skin on the inside of the stitches weren't done correctly. But it was none of that, it was just stitches with some mild bruising around the outside, purple and yellow. It was sound of ugly to look at, but it wasn't gross and nasty like I thought it would be. I laughed some more and laid back on the bed covering my face.

"What's so funny?" Paul asked, pushing my hands off my face.

I looked at him and still giggled some more, "It looks nothing like I thought. I'm just super dramatic."

Paul laughed too, before cleaning it off for me and covering it again. He laid back with me, and I rolled onto my side, putting my head on his shoulder. My leg didn't hurt so much so I've been able to move around more, Paul is still terrified of hurting me so he won't carry me, or tickle me or hold me, I've had to initiate everything so that he wasn't so afraid. But it was fine, it was only a week longer and I'd be free of stitches and crutches and free to walk around and move all on my own.

I yawned, throwing my arm over him - taking in his scent, I felt at peace in this moment. Calm and relaxed, happy for the first time in a few days. His heartbeat was steady, while mine was racing like it did every time I was this close to Paul. He kissed my forehead gently as I tucked my head in a little closer, I was seriously debating taking a nap on his chest in the middle of the day.

"What're you thinking baby?" Paul asked me as he stared up at the ceiling.

I sighed, there were so many things going on in my head. As there usually was. I was thinking about Ryan, my parents, all of it. How my life had never truly been normal and how coming here brought me into a world that was even more abnormal. I wondered if like would ever not be chaotic, I was thinking about the future, about what life I'd end up living. If Paul really would be here for all of it, if the imprint would last forever or only until he stopped shifting. I wondered if he felt forced to love me, that was a reoccurring thought I had every time he held me, kissed me, did something for me. Maybe he never wanted this, maybe he was just playing along.

I've never been the type of person someone loves or cares about. I was the third friend on the sidewalk, the one who got pushed to the back. I was the last call, the last invite, the last thought my whole life and I'd grown accustomed to expecting that. With Paul I was the first. If he was eating, he made sure I was too, if he got a drink for himself he'd check if I wanted one, if he wanted to go somewhere he always took me with him, and if he had responsibilities to take care of he let me know about them before just taking off. He treated me like the most important thing in his world - the way that, from what was explained to me of imprinting, he was supposed to. And truly, none of it felt forced, or awkward, or uncomfortable. It felt beautiful, it made me feel special. I think there would always be lingering doubts in my head though, after watching Sam and Emily and Jared and Kim they all made sense. Their personalities just clicked, the way they were with each other... well there's no other way to decribe it than saying the puzzle pieces fit.