Alone

Claire

Sunday morning and the sun was shining bright once again. Summer was getting closer and everyone around here seemed to spend their weekends doing bonfires and going fishing. Seth and Embry had invited me to a little girls birthday party for today. They told me I didn't have to get her a gift but I decided too anyways. I had Paul go with me to the store to pick out something she would like. Of course something pink or princess related I thought would do, but Paul said she was more of a purple baby doll kind of girl. I bought her a cute baby doll with several outfits most of them in purple. I even got her a stroller for the doll. The entire time at the store Paul and I held hands like we were a couple. I didn't mind holding his hand, but I kind of didn't want people to think we were together. We aren't together, at least not yet.

When we got back to my house I asked Paul to wrap the gifts for me while I got ready for the party. I curled my hair and wore a nice short summer dress in a coral color with tan gladiator shoes. My makeup light with a peachy gloss. As I walked out of my room all dressed and ready Paul turned to look at me. I could have sworn his jaw dropped the second he looked at me.

"You look, beautiful." He said with his eyes wide as he sat up from the couch. I smiled and walked over to him.

"Thanks," I said as I bent down to pick up the gifts.

"So you're ready?" He asked as he took one of the gifts from my hands.

"Yup, let's go." I said.

We had to drive to the party since it was going to be like 10 minutes away from the beach and walking there would take too long. We had to pick up Seth, Embry and Jared on our way there. Since we were in Paul's truck they had to ride in the back. They didn't mind since it looked like they were having fun spitting in the air as we drove down the road. They were so childish but it was so adorable to watch them fight over who could spit further or get theirs to hit a car near by. When we got to the party I saw Quil outside tying purple balloons to the mailbox. He waved at us as we parked right in front of it. It looked like we were some of the first ones there. Sam and Emily were there too, even though Emily was on bed rest she was allowed to come to the party. She was sitting in the back yard at a table near the birthday cake and waved for me to go sit with her. I went over and sat next to her while Paul and the others greeted Sam.

"So how was your first bonfire?" She asked me. I looked at her in confusion wondering how she knew that I had gone to the bonfire last night.

"How'd you know I went?" I asked.

"Paul told me. After he dropped you off at home he and the guys came over last night to talk with Sam and we had a talk." She said.

"oh, what else did he tell you?" I asked hoping he hadn't told her about our kiss.

"He told me you finally let him kiss you." I blushed and looked away. Bad idea I looked the wrong way, Paul was still talking with Sam and I ened up looking right at him. I blushed even more and turned back to Emily.

"He asked permission to kiss me," I said shyly.

"Oh, he didn't mention that part. That's so sweet." She said with a smile.

"Yeah, but I don't think I want to get serious with anyone yet, so I don't know if I'll be kissing him again any time soon." I said honestly.

"Why not? Just because of what happened with your sister doesn't mean you have to shy away from a great guy. Trust me, he's one of the nicest guys around here. Besides my Sammy," She said with a smile as she looked up at Sam. He winked at her and she just smiled and rubbed her now large belly. Wow her belly was getting big real fast.

"You and Sam look so in love. I want to find that one day, but I want to try and stear clear of any bad relationships along the way. That's why I don't wanna get serious with a guy till I know he would be the one." I said as I played with a napkin.