Forest Blue

𓇼 6: The Summer Bash

Seth's POV
I had never seen anyone more beautiful in my life. I'd heard stories from Jake, Paul, Jared, and Sam about the experience of imprinting, but their words paled in comparison to the reality. I couldn't shake the moment we locked eyes. Her gaze was mesmerizing, a stunning blend of gray and violet that radiated a purple hue—almost otherworldly, almost divine.
Her olive skin, kissed by the sun, radiated warmth. Long, wavy hair cascaded down her back, its rich brown hues interwoven with caramel highlights that perfectly complemented her complexion and eyes. Everything about her felt flawless—her smile, her voice. I was eager to get to know her more.

"Hello? Earth to Seth?" Emily's voice cuts through my thoughts. I shake my head, snapping back to reality.
"Sorry, what's up?" I respond, noticing her awkward yet knowing smile.
"Dude, you're whipped," Quil chimes in, making me grin even wider. Yeah, I am.

"Whipped?" my mother exclaims, confusion evident in her voice.
"Seth imprinted," Leah casually says as she walks past. My mom drops her spoon, the clatter echoing in the room.
"What? When? Who?" she fires off, excitement bubbling beneath her astonishment.
"The new girl in town," Embry quips, wiggling his eyebrows playfully.
"New girl in town?" my mom muses, her expression a mix of curiosity and intrigue.
"It's Ni—" I start to say, but my mom interrupts me.
"Oh my god! You imprinted on Nixie?" she exclaims, her excitement palpable. I nod, and she squeals with joy, filling the room with her infectious energy. She quickly runs over to me and envelops me into a hug.

"I can't believe it. Oh my god, she's perfect for you," my mom exclaims, pulling back with excitement. "Did it happen while you were setting up?"
"Yeah, pretty much," Quil replies with a casual shrug.
"Remember how I mentioned that Quil and I had a fight? He knocked Nixie down, and Seth caught her just in time," Leah explains to our mom.
"Then, bada bing bada boom—imprint!" Embry adds, waving his hands dramatically. I can't help but laugh at his antics, but then the weight of the situation hits me. Nixie is my imprint, and she's only here for a year. How am I supposed to connect with her and explain everything in such a short time? People say a year is long, but it flies by. Plus, I remember her saying that her grandparents are strict, so I doubt I'll get any time alone with her.

I glanced at Leah, Quil, and Embry, their excitement palpable, but my heart raced with anxiety. I needed a plan. "How should I approach this? Should I just... tell her?" I suggested, though even I could hear the uncertainty in my voice.
"Good luck with that," Leah said, rolling her eyes. "You think she's going to take it well? 'Hey, Nixie, I'm kind of destined to be with you'? Sounds romantic, but it could also scare her off." Embry and Quil nodded at Leah's comment, a thoughtful look quickly crossing Embry's face.
"You'll need to find a way to show her who you are first. Build that connection. Just don't rush it." He states.
"Right," I said, trying to muster some confidence. "But how? With her grandparents watching her like hawks?"

"Watching her like hawks?" Mom chuckles at the comment. "Daria and Skipper are the most laid-back people I know." I raise an eyebrow at her in surprise.
"You know her grandparents?" I ask, slightly incredulous.
"Of course! Charlie and I hang out with them all the time. Charlie and Skipper watch sports together. I thought I mentioned that." Mom explains, prompting Leah and me to exchange glances.

"Mom, we have no idea who you're friends with," Leah points out simply. My mom shakes her head and heads back to the kitchen to help Emily with dinner.
"Yes, I'm friends with her grandparents," Mom reiterates. "And they are definitely not the type to keep a close eye on her." Confused, I glance at Embry, Quil, and Leah.
"But she said her grandparents are strict, which is why she can't stay the whole night for the Summer Bash," I clarify awkwardly. Mom gives me a puzzled look.

"They've never seemed that way to me," she replies, leaving an uneasy silence. Did Nixie lie to us? "I guess it could make sense, given everything that happened with Nerissa." At the mention of that name, we all turn to Mom.
"Nerissa? That was ages ago," Emily comments quietly.
"Not really, only six years," Mom counters.
"Are you suggesting they're related?" Quil asks.
"Well, yes. Nerissa is Nixie's older sister. She stayed with Daria and Skipper for a year, just like Nixie is now," Mom explains, leaving us all in stunned silence.