Exhibit ~ Paul Lahote

V

We're driving back home from the beach. Neither of us are talking after my revelation. Imprints. What the fuck?

"So you just werent going to tell me this vital part of our relationship?"

"It's not as important as your making it."

"Imprints, Paul. Imprints. I've heard the stories from the tribe. Soul mates destined to be together. Did you never think that was important?" The fact that he didn't bother to tell me about this is very annoying. Especially since we're not really together. I knew of his reputation so I didn't want to get attached.

His eyes never look away from the road. I'm glad because he's a terrible driver, but I can't properly show my point without showing facial expressions.

"Imprint doesn't mean soulmate." He states like it's obvious.

"Sam and Emily are imprints though. And Jarad and Kim."

"Yeah, but so are Quil and Claire. They are never going to get together." My eyes widen at that. She's just a baby.

"Are you telling me that he LIKES a kid? And Emily still lets her niece around him." I grew up with these legends. They always have said soulmates and it's weird that he imprinted on a toddler.

"It's not like that." Paul is clearly frustrated with me, and he has no right to be. Did it never occur to him that it might be important for me to know that we are IMPRINTS?

"If it's not like that why couldn't Sam continue to date Leah. Seth told me he dumped her for Emily before I knew they were imprints."

"He wanted to continue the relationship so they did."

He pulls into my driveway. We were supposed to spend the night here, but now that I know what's going on I'm not letting him come.

"I guess you don't want to continue our relationship since you never told me. Goodnight Paul." I basically storm out of his car.

I know I am being aggravating but like he did this to himself. I deserved to know that. Right?

Setting down my stuff, I sit down at the kitchen table. There is a note from my dad.

"Sue, Harry, and Charlie are coming eat over tonight. Bella should be coming over too. Ill be home at 6."

Oh fun. I love them, but Bella, I haven't seen her since she slapped Paul, but honestly Im not even mad at that anymore.

Since I spent the whole day at the beach, I take a shower. Obviously, I spend that time thinking about the pack.

Im actually happy about SOME of the things I learned today. Like Jared and Kim. Ive seen her around school a lot, and her and Jared make a really cute couple. Jared told me about before i knew that they are imprints. He said that he never really noticed her, but hes glad that he imprinted on her because if he didnt he would have never have gotten to know how perfect she was. Thats really cute and I wish the imprint bond would have done something good like that for me and Paul. He's hot as hell but doesnt like me like that apparently.

I get out of the shower deciding Im not going to think about Paul for the rest of the day.

Knowing my dad doesn't know how to cook, just like me, I started cooking hamburgers because it was easy.

My dad showed up first and told me about his day. I told him that I went to the beach with Seth.

Soon enough, his friends showed up. I sat next to Bella,  and her dad is next to her. Everyone else is on the other side.

They begin to talk about work and how life has been going. Seth's parents ask why I havent been going much, and I say its because Seth and I have been visiting other people's houses.

Bella and I finish eating early, and I bring her up to my bedroom.

"So, how have you and Jake been doing?" I ask as I flip through the channels on my tv.

"Um we're not together or anything... you know." She tells me.

"Thats not how he has been acting." I tease. Theyve been hanging out a lot more lately.

"How are you and Paul?"

"We had a fight today. He doesn't think its a big deal but I do." I huff. Dude. That pledge I made to myself in the shower that i wouldn't think about him just went down the drain.

"Well, your imprints. It shouldnt be that bad." I blink and smack my lips.

"So even you knew damn." I roll my eyes. " He decided it wasnt important to tell me we were imprints."

"Why is it important?"

"Because. Weve treated our whole relationship so far like it was going to end in a couple months. When we're soulmates."

"Oh." We stayed quiet for a while because I barely knew her and I didn't know what to talk to her about.

"Your not just using Jacob, right? To get over Ethan."

"Edward."

"Whatever."

"Jake is my best friend. He's helping me a lot with Edward. He left me and he was my soulmate." She says dully.

I pause. Wait. "He was a shifter, too?"

"No..."

"Then how are you to soulmates? Unless you weren't being literal..." I cringe at myself.

"Oh, you didnt know. The Cullens are vampires." My eyes grow four times their size.

"What? Youre joking right." She shakes her head. "And your not afriad they're going to eat you?"

She bites her lip. "That's why they left, actually. One of them almost bit me."

I give an awkward smile. This girl is crazy to be with a vampire. She's their food source.

She spends the rest of the time explaining how they lived. Vegetarians. Thats better, I guess. She explains what happened to her with James. Shes been through a lot with that boy, and I feel bad for her. Imagine never being able to see the love of your life ever again.