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FIVE; SECRETS REVEALED
JARED WAS ACTING as if the world was ending. He had taken Penelope into the woods, but they had been there for more than a hour and neither said a word. Penelope was patiently waiting for Jared's explanation, and Jared was scared out of his mind.
Paul and Embry came around a few times to check up on him, and he could hear their snickers from a mile away. Penelope was sitting on an old tree stump, her chin cradled in the palm of her hand.
Penelope cleared her throat. "Jared, it's almost time for dinner."
"Right, right." Jared nodded his head, ceasing his frantic pacing.
"You're scaring me," Penelope said, her eyes running over his trembling state. He immediately kneeled down and took her hands in his.
"Pen, I never want you to be scared of me, okay? I know kissing you wasn't right in that particular moment, but I'm so terribly sorry for doing that to you. I never want to make you feel that uncomfortable again." Penelope was staring straight into his eyes, as if she was looking at his soul. Jared was laying everything on the table for her.
"Jared, whatever it is, I promise I'll listen."
He sighed, standing up. He had never felt so nervous in his whole life, and Penelope's reaction meant everything to him. "You know, a lot's changed since you ended up in your coma. The Cullen family moved here, and it caused some of the people on the reservation to alter their personalities. We — me and the rest of the guys — are not the same teenagers we were before. We have responsibilities now, Pen."
"What kind of responsibilities? Like getting a job?"
Jared chuckled dryly. He took a few steps back, ensuring he wouldn't hurt her. "I'm about to show you something really odd, Pen. I need you to be open-minded."
When he began tearing off layers of his clothes, Penelope's eyes widened and she quickly averted her gaze. However, her attention was brought back when Jared transformed into a large wolf. For a few seconds, Penelope could hear her heart thumping so loudly in her ears. Her initial shock was brushed off and she stood up, slowly walking over to brown wolf.
Jared laid down on the ground, showing his compliance and dedication. So far, Penelope was reacting the way he wanted her to. No shouts of terror, no fainting, and no running away.
Penelope stroked his head, and Jared was surprised to see her lips curve upwards into a small smile.
"Hi, Jared."
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"Jake, your sister's crazy. She didn't freak out at all! We were at least expecting for her to pass out," Paul boomed, entering the Black household. Embry was right behind him, humming in agreement.
Jake looked up from his spot on the couch. "So he finally did it? Where's my sister now?"
Paul hopped over the couch and took a seat beside him. Embry mimicked his movements. "With him at Emily's. Apparently, Penelope thinks us being shapeshifter is the 'coolest thing to ever exist.'"
YOU ARE READING
Begin Again ▷ Jared Cameron
Fanfiction❝How does it feel to start all over?❞ ❝Twisted. I stare into the mirror, knowing I'm looking at myself, but the person gazing back at me is unrecognizable. I should've died in that hospital.❞ ❝Can you imagine what would've happened to me? I didn't e...