On Monday I couldn't help but think about Paul. He's been such a good friend to me these past couple of weeks. He's always there for me; he even came over when I was on my period. I asked him is if he was gay he got mad at me. I mean, come on, no straight guy can be "just friends" with a girl. I'm just saying ...
"Hey P-" my voice trailed off when I saw Vanessa. I turned the other way and started to walk away. But almost like clock-work, Paul stopped me. I swear if she says anything. I mentally rolled my eyes.
"Hey Leianna!" Paul piped. He grabbed me from behind and hugged me. I turned around and hugged him back. "Hey best friend," I muffled into his neck whilst I giggled a bit.
Vanessa pulled him off of me and kissed him.
Strike one.
"Hey baby," She said sickly sweet. My face contorted with pure disgust.
Strike two.
"Get away from me," Paul hissed.
"What does she have that I don't have huh? She can't make you feel as good as I do," Vanessa croaked with her voice cracking.
I don't have a body count of a hundred and five for one ...
I glared at her. "Slut," I mumbled.
"What?!" She screeched.
And that is strike three.
"You heard me! I called you a slut!" I threw back at her.
All of the sudden a big crowd formed.
"I heard but I think I shouldn't had," Vanessa sneered.
"Yeah but you did so leave my girl alone and go stand on the corner where you belong," Paul interjected. The crowd egged us on.
"I'm about to beat this bitch's ass!" Vanessa yelled--her fist balling up. That's what you think, and "T" for "Tried It".
"Then do it you ugly wanna-be-Barbie-ass bitch!" I retorted.
She slapped me. Oh, she's going down. I growled animalistically. I blacked out, and The next thing I knew I was getting pulled into the woods. I got so mad I lost concentration and my wings ripped through my shirt.
"Leianna?" Paul asked.
"What?" I questioned--irritation clear in my tone.
"Why do you have w-wings?" He stuttered. Oh, shit.
"I guess it's time to tell you," I sighed as I shrugged my shoulders.
"I guess it's time to tell you what I am," He admitted.
"B-but I already know," I convinced, but it sounded like I was mostly convincing myself.
"Yes, but I haven't told you everything. I need to tell you the stories about the tribe," He told me.
As soon as I think I know everything ...
"So let me get this straight, the Shapeshifters and the Vampires are natural enemies? And you all phase right around the time you turn like 16 or something like that? And you all don't age unless you stop phasing?" I asked. I definitely sound like I'm on acid.
"Yep you got it all. Down to the last detail," He chuckled trying to lighten the situation.
"Okay," I drew out my word. I've got to be clinically insane by now. I feel like the craziest person on earth. I feel on the same level as Jeffery Dahmer, and that's really saying something.
"So about the wings," Paul asked motioning his hand for me to "get on with it". Oh yeah.
"Yeah about that. You see- " I stopped talking for a second. "You know what," I started, "I'll just show you." I saw a pond nearby I waived my hand over it and the water followed my hand. I feel like a water-bender from Avatar. I saw a tree and ran over to it and picked it up and threw it. It hit another tree--knocking it down.
"Come here," I commanded. Paul came involuntarily.
Now he should know how I got him to stop right in front of me when I first found out what he was. I showed him my fangs and smiled with them showing. I decided to mess with him and get into his mind, "I know all your secrets Paul Lahote," I boomed in his head. He looked at me like I grew another head. I just smiled.
"So, what do you think?" I asked. He gave me a blank stare for a while.
"I think it's amazing. You're a walking gold mind, girl," He joked. Well, you know me man.
We walked in a awkward silence. Well not awkward but ... no I'm lying it was totally awkward.
"Okay the guilt is eating me alive. I still haven't told you everything," Paul gave me an uneasy look as he told me.
"What are you talking about?" I questioned, slowly.
"I haven't told you the most important thing about what Shapeshifters do. There's this thing we do called imprinting," He started.
"Uh huh. Go on," I encouraged as I was beginning to get impatient.
"Imprinting is like a having a soulmate for a Shapeshifter. But it's much more in powerful and deeper than that," He pauses, and begins to look at me deeply, "When you see her, your imprint, it's like the whole world just freezes, and it's no longer gravity holding you to the Earth ... it's her. You would do anything or be anything for her. She's the one, and the two are bonded for life. If she dies, the Shapeshifter will too. That's the Pack's number one rule: never hurt someone's imprint." It sounds like he can relate on a spiritual level.
My throat clenched tightly in fear. I cleared my throat.
"Have you- have you imprinted on anybody?" I questioned softly--not wanting to know the answer.
"Yes," He divulged. Oh well damn it. I mean dang it.. I really gotta stop cussing.
"Oh, who's the lucky lady? Vanessa?" I asked--trying to be petty.
He laughed softly. "No," He answered," "But she's smart, beautiful, athletic, talented, and really funny."
"Wow? Who is she? Does she go to our school? She sounds so perfect," I asked smiling at his happiness. This always happens. I always get my feelings hurt. Go figure. Way-to-go Leianna.
"Leianna!" He yelled impatiently. I jumped.
"Huh?" I responded back as I looked at him quickly. He shook his head.
"Did you hear me?" He asked--desperation clear in his tone. I shook my head "no".
"It's you," He replied almost plainly.
"Me? I'm your imprint?" I asked--confused. Tears began to swell in my eyes. Please God let this be real. PLEASE.
He took my hands into his. His earth-colored eyes swam in my soul.
"Leianna, I am deeply, unconditionally, and irrevocably in love with you. Please, don't ever leave me."
I took him in my arms and hugged him tightly as the tears fell down my cheeks softly--making my face warm and sticky.
"I'm yours, Paul."
