wilderness | paul lahote

{29}

I was left confused, and dizzy from the events that just had happened on the driveway. A part of me felt like everything that had occurred had just been a dream. It didn't feel real that Paul had just told me he thought he was in love with me. 

I guess, in a way, he doesn't quite have any other chance. He imprinted on me after all. But this all had been so quick. We were both silent, lounging around in the living room. He was being weird. To be fair, we both were. I felt bad for not saying anything back. Or not talking almost at all after all of that. But it didn't feel like it was that that had been bothering him. 

He sat close to me on the couch. His body was tensed, and his brow was furrowed. He seemed more alert than usual. His arm was around my shoulders, giving off that familiar, ever so homely warmth I had missed during these weeks of his absence. I looked up at him, biting my lower lip. He was deep in thought. 

"Is everything okay?" I whispered, pulling him out of whatever world he was in. He looked down at me, his eyes softening, but there was still worry lingering on in the glint of his eyes. He nodded.

I shifted myself so that I could look at him better now. I softly caressed his cheek with my hand. "I can see that you're tense and something's bothering you. You can talk to me." 

He looked down at his lap, before his eyes flickered back to mine. 

"I'm just thinking about what I put you through. The disappearing. Leaving you confused, unsafe, alone." His jaw tensed. 

"But it's okay, Paul. You did it for a good reason. Plus I had Sam here, I was safe. And I know how to take care of myself." 

He shook his head and removed my hand from his cheek. "No, A, you don't get it. I should've explained everything to you. Why I was gone. I'm not used to this," he motioned his hand between us two. "It's all very new to me. It's exciting but it's also very scary." 

I smiled. "It's new to me too, Paul. And I'm sorry for lashing out on you like that. I didn't know." 

"You don't have to be sorry. I deserved that." He smirked. 

"So does this mean you're staying?" 

He nodded. "I already texted Sam." 

My face fell. "You were supposed to go with Sam?" 

He nodded again. "It's okay. He understood. He had a feeling I'd be staying anyway since Emily had told me to. Sam already got Jacob with him." 

"Sure it's okay?" 

He chuckled before pinching my cheek. "Yes, I'm sure. Now let's get up to bed. It's late and I don't want you to be tired tomorrow." 

He got up from the couch and held out his hand for me. "What's tomorrow?" 

"I'm taking you out. I'll be at your service for the whole day." He smiled widely. My face lit up as well. 

"Really?" 

He rolled his eyes playfully before nodding. "Yes, really. Now come on." He gestured with his hand for me to grab it, and so I did. 

I was on cloud nine. I guess this was what being with Paul would be like, you never knew what you got, you never knew what happened. In a way, if you pushed the frustration to the side, it was interesting. It kept you waiting. It always got you surprised. 

When we arrived upstairs, Pauls hand tensed in mine. When I looked up at him, his face had done the same. His jaw clenched, a frown on his face as he was concentrating on something I didn't quite understand. Within a second he pulled me behind his back, still gripping onto my hand. I winced as the hold hurt a little. 

"What's wrong?" I asked, scared by his actions. He didn't answer as he stepped towards my room, letting go of my hand, that was now left white from the squeeze. I rubbed my palm with my other hand, it felt like there was no blood in my hand anymore. Something really must've been up, but Paul didn't tell me, leaving me scared and frustrated. 

He opened up the door and walked in, looking from wall to wall, corner to corner. He walked over to the window, his shoulders shaking ever so slightly. I quickly stepped into my room as well, closing the door securely behind me. Scared out of my mind. Yet I didn't show it. I didn't want to let him know I was afraid. I guess I was just stubborn like that.

"Paul-" he turned around, looking at me now. His eyes were dark, the wrinkles on his forehead showed his emotion of angry and concerned. 

"Did you leave your window open?" His voice was low, raspy almost. I looked over to my window. It was unlocked and completely pushed open. I gasped slightly. 

"Ariah, did you?" Concern was evident. I gulped before I shook my head.

"I-I didn't. I must've left it unlocked. I- I think at least. I don't know, I don't remember. Paul what is it, please just tell me?" I rambled on, my voice shaky.

He growled as he grabbed the wooden chair in the corner of my room and pushed it, making it fall down onto the floor. I jumped at the sound it made on the collision. Tears were brimming my eyes now, looking at him pacing my room with his hands on his head, as I stood near my door, frozen at the sight.

"Someone's been here." He finally said. My heart fell. My knees got weak. Everything around me spun as I registered what he had just told me. 

"W-who?" 

"I don't know, a bloodsucker. I don't know, Ariah. I don't fucking know." 

It was clear now. Victoria was back. But why? What would she want from me? It would've made more sense for her to be after Bella, as she originally was? What did I have, or do, that made her want to come after me? 

Something on the bed caught my attention. A piece of paper. An envelope. Red lettering stood out from the white. 

I took a step closer and picked it up from the bed. With one swift movement I opened it. I could tell Paul was watching me now. 

"What is it?" He asked. But I didn't answer. As I ripped the envelope, I hastily took out the piece of paper, neatly folded up.

As I read it, everything within me seemed to have stopped. My legs gave out as I fell onto the floor, onto my knees. I felt the pain of them scraping against the wood, but my body didn't register the feeling enough for me to react. My face was frozen in shock as tears fell down my cheeks unwillingly.

"It's my mum."