Imprints 2: Growing Up Quileute

Ch-24

=PJ POV=

As a new week started I found that since I decided to take Sara up on butting out of he relationship with Cullen... I could now find Masen much more tolerable.

Maybe this was Jessa's influence on me, she has always been so caring and kind.

And she may or may not have told me to back off of them too.

I sat at the lunch table and watched as my little cousin and Cullen made their way over to where I was.

I guess he really wasn't such a bad guy, he seemed to be a gentleman as he pulled the chair out for Sara, he also seemed to be somewhat respectful as I personally have never seen them kiss or even hold hands.

Slowly our other cousins began to join us and it wasn't long before the topic of our weekends came up.

"Well me and my parents went over to Masen's house so that I could meet his family but other than that I was at home or work." Sara filled us in.

"How bout you man?" Sean asked.

Sara shot me a look but I didn't care if they knew. It was about time I told everybody, I didn't want to feel like Jessa was a secret when really all I wanted to do was show her off to the world as mine, or rather that...I am hers.

"I worked on my bike a little here and there, went to the movies by myself since all you pricks were busy, and I also found my imprint."

Masen and a couple of my cousins gave me questioning looks, I couldn't believe Sara hadn't told Masen.

"You know, an imprint, it's something we (shifters) get, kinda like a soul mate but so much more." I reminded them and also filled in Masen.

"So who's the lucky gal" Chase asked playfully.

"...Yeah who's the future Mrs PJ?" Brandon added teasingly.

I could have reacted, but honestly I kind of like the thought of one day maybe marrying my imprint. "It's Jessa."

There were silent nods all around the table but it was Cullen who congratulated me first and then everyone else followed his example.

_____

As the rest of the day went on Sara approached me.

"So I know everything's still new and all but if you guys are anything like Masen and I, you and Jessa hardly get any time together right?"

I nodded my head as I closed my locker. "Yeah, I have school, football practice, and work." I said "None of it really phased me before but now I gotta find time for her as well and her time usually cuts into time with you and the guys."

She nodded her own head in understanding "Well I know it isn't ideal, but Masen and I are going to dinner tonight if you and Jessa want to join us, it's nothing fancy just the diner."

"Yeah that'd be cool, uh, I just gotta check with her."

"Great, this way I get to spend time with my best friend, my cousin, and my man."

I rolled my eyes but smirked at her calling Cullen her "man."

"And..." She sighed. "Look, I know you're not the biggest fan of us...but please just be nice to Masen, I know he respects you and tries really hard not upset you...so just please be cool okay?"

Now I genuinely felt like an asshole.

I could see just how much my cousin wanted me to accept her boyfriend and all I've done is bash the guy.

"Okay first off let me say that I might have judged him too quickly and I apologize for that, he seems like a decent guy and as long as your happy then I have no objections."

"Aww, can I get that in writing?" She teased.

"Second, men don't 'spend time together,' we hangout or chill, plus we don't get all in each others business like you think." I filled her in. "If we talk, we talk...I'm cool with him though if that's what you're worried about."

She just gave me a blank stare and I laughed as we walked off to our last class of the day.

_____

=Masen's POV=

I used my free period to sit up in the bleachers and watch my girlfriend as she finished up with Cheer ...since she's a senior, it's one of her electives.

It might be slightly pervy but I did love the way she looked in her practice uniform that consisted of short shorts and a super tight shirt, her lovely dark hair (Which she usually wore down) was also pulled back giving me full view of her face.

The sun was out and the weather was beginning to warm ever so slightly so gym was being held outside for her today.

Fortunately I was able to enjoy the sun in public, I didn't shine nearly as much as my parents...I'd also worn a thin long sleeve just in case...but no one ever got too close to really see my arms shining.

Well no one ever had before anyways.

I smiled down toward the field as I anxiously awaited our dinner date tonight.

Every since the evening at my house, it seems Sara's father had eased up on mine and her relationship. And I was absolutely grateful for what ever time I got to spend with her, because seeing each other at school just wasn't enough anymore.

The hour went by quickly and soon I was on my way home to get ready for tonight.

"Going out tonight?" My father asked knowingly.

"Yes sir, I thought I would take Sara out to dinner."

"But you didn't even ask us if it was alright." My mom suddenly injected herself into mine and my fathers conversation.

I ignored her and continued on.

"It's kind of a double date." I said to Dad. "Her cousin PJ and his imprint Jessa are joining us."

"I'm tired of this childish behavior Masen Charles Cullen...I am your mother and you need to remember that you are still a child and even if you want to have your little tantrums you still need our permission."

"Bella." Dad sighed.

I knew he hated to get in the middle of us. But that was Mom...always so hellbent on imposing her will...and she thought Aunt Alice was bad.

"Mom I'm 18," I replied. "I didn't think I still needed permission to go out with my girlfriend, and like I said it's a group thing and another shifter will be there if things somehow go south...which they won't... plus even Sara's dad seems alright with us now, so why do you still hate her?"

She sighed "son I'm not doing this because I hate her, I'm doing this because I like her."

I was more than confused, if mother's like a girl don't they usually push their son to date her, not try and keep them away.

"Look, I know what it's like to be a teenage girl who's boyfriend is a vampire." She began. "It was so wondrous and spectacular and it's easy to fall in love with Cullen men, but when things got bad they effected me horribly."

My father tensed up upon my mothers words, as old memories must've sprung forward now.

"But the good's gotta outweigh the bad right?" I asked

"It did and still does, I wouldn't have chosen a different life for myself and while I would love to see you happy with Sara I just don't want her to go through some of the things I went through." She finished.

"But I couldn't even imagine hurting her." I sounded.

"No one ever does, but something's are out of our control, even more so for vampires." Mom added.

"I hear what your saying mom, honestly I do, but I just can't give her up, I'm sorry." I knew how selfish that sounded, but Sara and I had to figure things out for ourselves...So we'll take the good with the bad and just go with it and hopefully we'll be better because of it.

Before she could say another word I walked silently passed them as I went up to my room to get ready for the night.

I value my mother's judgment, but she's wrong, I won't hurt Sara, if anything she's safest when she's with me.