Charlotte || Jacob Black & Paul Lahote

Twenty-Six: Guilty Chicken Tenders

Charlotte's POV

Sam called me around 7pm on Thursday night. I hadn't seen Jake or Paul since Monday. I missed them dearly, but I knew that if I showed up with a broken wrist, they'd panic and I needed them on their a-game for the fight. And not only that, I couldn't figure out a concrete excuse as to why it was broken. 

Sam told me he didn't care for any issues I had with the boys, that they were on patrol and I'd be expected at his house in the next hour.

"Why?" I questioned.

"You're staying over, so is Kim."

"Again, why?"

"We're putting all the imprints in one place whilst we go to the fight tomorrow, for safety."

"Well I'll come over tomorrow then."

"No, I'll come pick you up now. You're staying over."

"Will Jake or Paul be there?" 

"They're both on patrol, and will be until early hours of the morning."

"I'll get my dad to drop me off soon." And with that he hung up. I should've expected it, Bella was staying at a campsite tonight, with Edward and one of the wolves. I should've known that they'd have also decided some sort of safety detail for me. They'd even gotten Billy Black to take my dad out fishing tomorrow, just to make sure that we were all away from Forks and in a safer environment. 

I got out of bed, pulling on a baggy hoodie, one that went over my hands so it could cover my cast. Jake and Paul might not be there, but Sam could see it and relay it through the pack link, and the last thing they needed was a distraction. I only had pyjama shorts on, but they'd have to deal with it. I packed a pair of jeans into my backpack, and another hoodie, underwear, Wolfie, and toiletries. I then headed downstairs. 

"Dad, Emily asked if I could stay over tonight. Do you mind taking me?" I asked, standing in the way of the television.

"Course, that the Uley house?" 

"Yeah," I muttered. How did he know where Sam and Emily lived? Both of us pulled our shoes on, and piled into the car.

"Your sister's also out tonight, some camping trip apparently. Never thought I'd see Bells camping," Dad laughed. The thought was laughable, Bella freezing in a tent. Ha. And the leech couldn't even help her, as he was like ice. The rest of the drive was quiet, the only noise being the thundering rain and dull radio chatter. 

"Be careful on that wrist," Dad called as he dropped me off at the Uley's. I cringed, praying that somehow Sam hadn't heard him. I just nodded, thanked him and ran inside to the warmth.

"Charlotte! I've missed your face round here!" Emily spoke cheerily, pulling me into a hug. I winced as she knocked my wrist, but I hugged her back just as tightly.

"Hey Sam," I called, as Emily guided me to the dining table. She handed me a cookie, telling me that she'd tried a new recipe and needed a non-wolf  to tell her how it was.

"Em, these are amazing, seriously," I cried after taking a bite. It was so good and it was still warm, so the chocolate was still gooey. Oh my god. 

"Oh thank god, I never know with the boys. They'll just eat anything," Emily explained as she placed another cookie in front of me and a glass of milk. I hadn't even finished my first one, but I wasn't going to turn her down.

"Hey Charlotte," Kim called as she wandered into the kitchen and took a seat at the table. I mumbled a hello, mouth still full of cookie. 

"You're in the spare room with Kim, separate beds," Emily explained as she handed my bag to Sam. He followed her orders obediently, and took my bag upstairs. He didn't return though, I'm assuming he'd gone to bed. 

We stayed up late chattering away, a plate full of cookies in between us. Kim told us she'd finally lost her virginity, and how it'd been the best 5 minutes of her life. I snorted when she said that. Emily shared how her and Sam were beginning to talk about kids. I said very little. We'd only just got to the point of three-way make outs and there was definitely no talk of the future. 

At about 1AM, we all retreated to bed. It didn't take long for me to conk out, the sound of Kim's soft snored helping me drift off. 

-----

We woke late, around 11. Sam must've been long gone by the time we went downstairs, each of us bleary-eyed and fearful. In my tiredness, I didn't bother grabbing a jumper to go downstairs with, just heading down with a cami and bra on. The house was warm enough. 

"Charlotte, what've you done to your wrist?" Emily asked, her brows furrowed in concern as she took in the cast. I paled.

"I just, er, fell down the stairs the other day. No biggie," I brushed off. Emily didn't look convinced, but nodded, returning to her coffee and newspaper. She asked us questions, trying to fill out the crossword.

"Sam hates doing the crossword, I think it's just cause he can't read," she giggled, and we laughed along with her. Kim said the same about Jared and I admitted that Paul had struggled to read the name of a CD in my room the other day. Maybe it's a werewolf thing. 

I then took her questioning as a sign, heading back upstairs to get changed. I pulled my navy jeans on, struggling with the buttons as I didn't have the use of my right hand. I also struggled to get my black hoodie on but managed. I just brushed my hair, not bothering with anything more technical. I then plodded back downstairs.

I learned that Kim didn't like coffee, so she had green tea. She was also a vegetarian, but Jared had confirmed she was the best at making steak. I wasn't any good at cooking or baking. I could help Em, but that was with strict instruction. I knew I'd have to learn if I was expected to keep two wolves satiated in the future. 

Emily ended up showing me how to make her cookies, guiding me but not actually doing anything. The only aid I was offered was from Kim, when both arms were needed and I couldn't provide. It was fun, and made the day go quicker. But the fear was weighing on us, especially as the sun came back down. How long were they fighting for? Were they struggling?

"How do you cook meat so well if you don't eat it?" I asked Kim. I really was curious.

"I used to, just as I got older, felt weird eating animals. And also, I can like eyeball it. I know how it's supposed to look, I just don't taste it," she replied thoughtfully. I just nodded.

"But, don't tell Jared this. Sometimes, if my mom's not home, I'll go to the cafe in forks and have chicken tenders. They're my guilty pleasure," she admitted, cringing as she did.

I didn't have time to answer, the sound of a car door slamming alerting us.

Sam marched in, looking unharmed but concerned. He didn't even speak, just crossing the room in a few short strides and pulling Emily into a hug. Jared followed closely behind, doing the same to Kim.

Where was Paul and Jake? Were they okay? Why hadn't they come back yet?

As if he could sense my questioning, Sam turned to me,

"They're at Jake's. He needs you."