Indignation - Paul Lahote

Chapter 3

Elizbeths POV

Me and Paul had a fight. 

We fought over how he thought a guy at the beach was flirting with me, he got really angry, really fast. He was really warm too. When I had tried to diffuse the situation, I pushed Paul away from the other guy. He was insanely warm.

I made him go home because I was so worried. I drove him home, Paul groaning the whole way. I had called Eve ahead of time, to let her know be ready.

I helped Paul onto the couch at his house. He played down, then lifted his head, I sit down, then lay his head on my lap. Stroking his long hair. He keeps whining and writhing in pain. It breaks my heart. He looks up at me, like I am the best thing since sliced bread, like he does when I comfort whenever he is sick.

"Why are you so nice after I was so mean to you?" Paul asks.

"Because Wauly, you are my best friend, I love you. You couldn't scare me away if you tried." I explain.

He grunts and whines, burning his face in my stomach. "You too, Wizbet."

I run my hand down his hair again. He is really hurting.

Eve comes in with a cold cloth, and a couple packages of frozen food. "Help me put these on him, we have to cool him down."

I grab the bags with her, and place then on top of Paul. Then grab the wet cloth. I pull his face away from my stomach, he groans, protesting. "It's okay, I just need to put this on your forehead." I explain, he nods.

I ace it on his head. He sighs in relief. I pull all his hair together and in a quick braid, just to get the warm curtain off the back of his neck.

He whines again, this time he sits up a little and pulls me down. I am awkwardly bent trying to get out of his hold. I am leaning over his face.

"Paul let go."

"No, cuddles." He says.

"You have to let go if you want cuddles." He groans but does as I ask.

I gently lift his head up and get up. I place his head back. "Make some room, I'm not falling off."

He smiles and turns on his side, I slide in front of him, facing him my face in his neck.

"Wizbet?" I smile at the childish nickname.

"Yes?"

"I like cuddles." I laugh.

"I know you do. Me too." I snuggle into his side and he sighs in content.

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After Paul had fell asleep Sue Clearwater arrived along with Harry. They made me go home.

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That was 2 weeks ago. I haven't seen or even talked to Paul. I just want to see him and make sure he is okay.

"Beth, it's time to get up." My brother lightly shakes me.

I groan. I'm usually the one walking everyone up but, my brother is.

I miss Paul. I've never been away from him and not heard from him since we were babies.

I get up and go to the kitchen. I grab the eggs and bacon out of the fridge. I make breakfast. Dad rolls in just as I plate his. His parks his chair at the table.

"Mornin Daddy." I say and kiss his cheek while placing his plate in front of him.

"Morning baby girl." He says.

Jake walks in. Plates his own breakfast and piles it really high.

"Uhh, Jake? You sure you can eat all of that?" I ask.

His cheeks go pink. "Positive" he nods.

"So Beth, anything from Paul?" Dad asks.

I shake my head. "No. Why can't I see him? I'm always with him if and when he gets sick, and he's always with me when I am. Why is this different?"

"Sweet heart, hes just worse now. He doesn't want you to catch what he has. Nobody does." Dad explained.

I nod and shut up.

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Jacob drives us to school in dad's old truck. I hop out and go to my locker. I look around as my locker buddy takes up the whole space. Not that I am in a rush right now.

I catch a glimpse of Jared Cameron, he hangs out with Sam Uley. Both are bad news.

It's not him that shocked me, it was who was standing beside him. It's like seeing a ghost. He looks completely different.

He chopped all his hair up, he has an even bigger muscle mass than before, he has a better than, and lastly he has the tattoo. That tattoo Sam and Jared have.

Hes looking anywhere but my direction. Him and Jared are walking closer to me. I can't help it, he is ok. I'm ecstatic.

I wrap him in a hug. He is now way taller than me. I just nicely meet his armpit now. 2 weeks ago it was the bottom of his chin.

He is still very warm. As warm as he was when he was sick on the couch after he and I fought.

I bury my head in his arm. And squeeze him tighter. He gripes my shoulders and pulls me tightly against him. Just like that, every worry I had about him washed away. He is Ok.

There is a throat cleared and I pulled away from Paul. I look at the person that made the noise. Jared Cameron. Just like that the feeling of content was replaced by anger and hate.

I look up at Paul. In his eyes. "How long?" I question.

He continues looking into my eyes and after a while looks disappointed. He looks over my shoulder and shakes his head.

I grab his hand, now its extremely large.

"How long have you been better? Why didn't you want me over when you were sick, or when you got better?! Do you know how worried I have been?! It was driving me insane Paul! You couldn't even call! What is wrong with me?!"

Paul shakes his head. "Elizabeth, I am sorry but, I couldn't okay? I couldn't risk it." He says, lowly.

"What couldn't you risk? What was so bad you couldn't tell me?!" I ask tears building in my eyes, to the point that I almost start crying.

"I couldn't risk my happiness." He says.

"I make you unhappy?" I question. A tear coming out.

He looks like he was going to say something. He closes his mouth and eyes, takes a breath in and nods.

"So unhappy. So, so unhappy. You just are so clingy and always have a problem. I was only friends with you because I pitted you. Living in your sisters and brothers shadows." He says. 

He looks like his is ready to take a hit. But I'm not gonna hit him. "If that's how you feel, then I guess we shouldn't be friends anymore." I say then storm out. Right out of the schools.

"Elli!!" I hear someone yell, but I just run faster.

I feel hands pull me and I fall into a person's arms. "What's wrong?" Embry questions. I look up at him. "Why are you crying?" He asks.

I shake my head and let it fall onto his shoulder. He hugs me tightly.

"Paul came back to school today. He said some pretty hurtful things  to her. Told her that their friendship was nothing but pity." Jacob said.

Embry is getting really warm. And he starts to shake. But I just hug him tighter.