Veiled [Seth Clearwater]

Love and Living

"Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone - we find it with another." ~ Thomas Merton 

 The air was heavy with tension, even more so than usual because of the new threat of the newborn army. Seth knew that by now, everyone knew about his plan to keep 'the secret' from Grace for as long as possible but no body understood why he was doing it. Nearly the first thing Jared did when he imprinted was tell Kim, he couldn't wait to share his life with her and he knew it was the same for Seth, but why Seth was acting like this was beyond him. Sam wanted to take this time, now that the whole tribe was together and try and convince Seth to just come clean, it would be easier on everyone, but Sue insisted that he would come around and that fighting would only drive a wedge between everyone.

Seth went to sleep early that night, it was easier being away from Grace if he wasn't exactly conscious for it. But then his body made him get up early as punishment for going to sleep early, so he showered and got ready for school, impatiently waiting for Leah to do the same, but by the time she was up and at the table for breakfast, she wasn't even dressed, making Seth crazy.

"Why aren't you ready?" Seth demanded. Leah said nothing but cocked an eyebrow.

"If you wanted you be at school so early you could have just walked." She smirked, taking a slow sip of her orange juice. Seth gritted his teeth together to prevent himself from yelling.

"Fine." He hissed, turning around and walking out, being sure to slam the door behind him. Why was she being such a bitch? All because he had an imprint? It wasn't his fault! Why couldn't she be happy for him?

When Seth got to the school, Leah was of course already there, and so was Grace, he couldn't see her but the sweet scent of vanilla told him she was there. He followed the scent to her locker, where she was sitting and reading. She looked to natural, a few strands of hair falling out of her ponytail, around her face, Seth smiled as her eyes danced across the page and he couldn't help himself but so grin when she chuckled to herself, probably at something in the book. He slid onto the floor next to her.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," He joked. "They might lock you away." She chuckled at him, marking her page and closing her book.

"I don't mind. Insane asylums have great libraries." She shot back with a grin. Seth pretended to look horrified but couldn't help the smile that grew from hers. She checked the time on her watch, noting the bell was about to ring. "Do you need anything from your locker? Or do you want to just go right to class?" She asked him. He looked puzzled for a moment before she remembered that guys don't go with each other everywhere and she probably sounded clingy. She was about to apologize and tell him she was just used to a pattern with her old friends and ask if he would just see her in English but Seth remembered he actually did need something from her locker. And Grace was kicking herself when he got up, about to open her book again so she could read until the bell rung but Seth held his hand out with a smile. He helped her up and the walked to his locker together.

"I didn't see you after school yesterday, how were the rest of your classes?" He asked. She shrugged.

"School is school." She said, not wanting to nerd out on him.

"Really?" He asked with a raised eyebrow, already getting the sense of how much of a nerd she really was.

"No." She cracked a smile. "I loved english, Ms Penny is great! History is good to, Mr Roth is like a giant teddy bear. And bio is awesome, the school doesn't have new equipment like other schools but that doesn't stop Ms Stack!" She gushed. Seth smiled, absorbing every word. "And you know Tanya, I think I mentioned her- well shes super nice-"

The bell rang and students started heading to their classes. Seth was nearly done replacing the things in his backpack when the guys approached. Grace did everything she could to avoid eye contact with them. When Seth said his friends had a bad rep she didn't believe him, but that was before she knew 'the uley gang' were his friends. They were already intimidating enough without Tanya's added commentary. The gang eyed her, giving her dirty looks and stink eyes, making her shift uncomfortable from one foot to the other. Seth nodded at him before placing a hand on Grace's back, leading her away. Seth was about to move his hand when he felt Grace relax as they walked down the hallway. He felt bad that they stressed her out that much but he figured they would stop soon enough.

Lunch came around and Seth skipped the pack's table for the second time that week. Grace brought her own lunch but still waited in line with Seth. They chatted about English- well Grace mostly filled him in on what happened because Seth 'zoned out'.

"So the point of the book shows the underlying conscious of humanity as a whole." She said, as Seth paid for his lunch.

"That is one disturbing book." He said, leading them to a table.

"I think that's the point." She laughed, they sat down and she took her Biology work out of her bag.

"You are such a nerd." He teased.

"Homework done now means more time for reading later." She said cheekily, jotting down notes. Tanya plopped herself down beside Grace.

"I don't understand today's concept, can you come over and help me?" She asked Grace, poking her bottom lip out, pouting. Grace laughed and nodded. Tanya smiled victoriously and turned, noticing Seth sitting there. "Oh hey Seth, you can come too if you want." She offered. Seth wanted to say yes so he could hang out with Grace in a neutral environment but didn't want to get in the way of their girl time.

"Maybe next time." He smiled.

"Oh well if you want to come over tomorrow, I could help you get caught up in English." Grace offered, flicking her pencil around. "You too, Tan." She said turning to the short girl beside her, Seth felt disappointed that it wouldn't just be the two of them but it was better than nothing.

"I can't," Tanya shook her head. "I have a family thing." She frowned.

"What about you Seth?" She asked, turning back to him. He nodded his head so fast it made him dizzy.