Death Wish ⤜ Jared Cameron

02 | cheyenne hewes

THE RAYS OF THE SUN peeked from the curtains that failed to block the window and the light began to cause Natalie to stir awake. She used her hand to cover her eyes before she opened them, slowly allowing them to adjust. The sudden loud knock on her bedroom door shocked the girl awake and she grumbled to herself.

"Embry's waiting for you, sweetheart," Tiffany spoke softly, yet loud enough for Natalie to hear.

"Okay, thanks!" Natalie responded, getting off her bed and searching for clothes to wear. She found herself a simple black t-shirt and a pair of skinny jeans, and put them on. Natalie brushed out her hair and brushed her teeth in her bathroom before grabbing her backpack and slipping on her shoes, then exiting her room.

"Took you long enough!" her brother complained, but let out a laugh, shoving his sister roughly before he made his way to the door.

Natalie could only huff at his childlike behavior and she followed him out of the house. The siblings had always walked to school together for as long as they could remember; with their mother working, they knew that she wouldn't be able to all the time. The walk seemed to take longer than usual, mainly due to how Embry was walking really, really slow, as though he dreaded the idea.

"What's wrong? Weren't you just excited to go to school this morning when you shoved me?" Natalie teased, elbowing her brother in the side.

"Yeah well, now that I'm here, I'm not as excited anymore," he lied, hoping she wouldn't catch it. Ever since he found out about Jared imprinting on his sister, he's been angry and the idea of school, where Jared and Natalie could meet, had put him on edge. He knew it was an involuntary act, but it still bothered him.

Natalie just gave a shrug of her shoulders and her eyes observed the school that she's learned to hate. There were lies and rumors that were spread about her from her ex-best friend from when they had begun their freshmen year. The lies revolved around the idea of being adopted because her skin tone was much lighter and she didn't look like her brother at all.

She waved to her brother as he jogged over to his group of friends, her eyes stealing a glance at Jared, who had looked away.

"Saying goodbye to your adoptive brother before school starts? How sweet," a feminine voice startled Natalie, causing her to turn her head to glance at the culprit.

It was Cheyenne Hewes, Natalie's ex-best friend, and she stood by her side tall and proud as the both of them observed Embry and his friends. She had straight black hair that came past her shoulders and her skin was russet like everyone else. Natalie never understood why she suddenly hated her.

"I heard that he doesn't even like you."

"You're such a bitch," Natalie retorted as her eyes narrowed and she could already feel her temper rising. Her nostrils flared as she took sharp breaths, eyes avoiding Cheyenne's gaze momentarily. When eyes met, she saw the innocent smile that was plastered on her face before she gracefully walked off to join her group of friends, all of them laughing.

She readjusted the strap of her backpack before she started weaving passed people, hoping to get to class before the bell even rings.

❖

Lunch came around and Natalie debated on whether she really wanted to enter the cafeteria or not. If she did, then eyes would be on her and she would hear the lies told by Cheyenne. If she didn't, then she'd suffer the loneliness of sitting by herself at the plaza of the school. It wouldn't be the first time she's sat alone during lunch.

Deciding to go with her gut, she turned away from the cafeteria doors and walked down the hall until she reached the plaza, where she sat down on one of the benches and took in a deep breath hoping to relax her nerves.

'Just two more classes,' she thought to herself.

A buzz in her pocket caught her attention and she pulled out her cellphone to reveal a message from Embry.

From: Embry

Where are you?

To: Embry

Not in the cafeteria.

She chuckled at her own response and set her phone on her lap, waiting for another response. A hand on her shoulder sent a shiver down her back and she glanced behind her to see Jared.

"Embry's worried about you," he began, hopping over the bench and sitting down next to her.

"And he sent you?"

"Yeah, I mean, not really. We all saw Cheyenne standing next to you this morning. You looked really upset," he explained, hand scratching the back of his head. He wasn't going to mention that all of them heard what she had said.

A deep breath was taken and slowly released, "I can handle Cheyenne. I know her, or I did." Natalie gazed down at her hands, brows furrowing. "We used to be best friends, but ever since we started freshmen year, she became a total bitch."

She stole a glance at her phone, checking the time. It would be a long thirty minutes before she would head to her next class. The atmosphere was awkward and it was like they both could sense it. Natalie fiddled with her fingers, while Jared scratched the back of his neck.

"Hey, what do you think about joining us for lunch? It's pretty boring out here, if you ask me." He suggested, his dark eyes observing his imprint with a hint of hope residing within them. He was praying that she'd say yes.

Natalie gave a small shrug of her shoulders, pulling her bottom lip between teeth and then she spoke. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure I'd lose my mind with how quiet it is right now."

Jared rose to his feet first, turning to face the brunette with a hand held out. Natalie accepted his off and grabbed his hand, pulling herself up before releasing him. The way the touch send tingles up her arm made a warm smile form. She walked ahead of him as they both made their way to the cafeteria, where she pushed open the door and they both stepped inside.

Her eyes scanned for her brother and when she found him, she confidentially made her way over with Jared trailing behind. "Heard you were worried? Getting soft, big brother?"

"Oh please, you think everything revolves around you," Embry responded defensively, brow furrowing.

Natalie took a seat beside her brother, which resulted in Jared taking a seat beside her. It was the first time she's ever sat with Embry's friends and she's glad that she did because time seemed to pass by much quicker now. They all asked questioned that revolved around getting to know her more.

Favorite color? Red. Favorite subject? Physical Education. Best childhood memory? When Embry got in trouble for picking on her. Favorite animal? Wolf.

A/N: HELLO! Sorry for such a long wait. I got sidetracked with work and couldn't really find time to write. I'll be updating Reckless soon, so stay tuned!