Paul Lahote - Imprinted

*Chapter 3*

It was the middle of the school year and still Rowan did not make a single friend, Bella was a Junior and she's just a freshman, so they did not share single class together. Rowan pouted as she remembered being alone during the lunchtime as well, Bella had friends of her own and just recently started hanging out with this Edward guy. She wanted to vent to her father but at this time he was busy working in Seattle, why did he make her go to Forks high school instead of the Reservation School? Embry and Quil was there, and they seemed to like or at least tolerate her. '' So unfair'' she told herself , trying to ignore the crushing feeling on her chest . " Think of good things Rowan ..flowers, butterflies , burgers, and dogs" she mumbled , hating that negativity seems to be winning lately.

Bella was quite nice and did her best to include her but Rowan wanted friends of her own age at least. It was already Friday morning and Rowan has it in her mind to skip school, texting Bella quickly so that she wouldn't bother to pick her up. She walked over to her bed and lay there back again , pulling her fluffy orange cover up , attempting to sleep. The constant state of loneliness weighing hard on her.

Jacob sang to himself downstairs as he carefully added the tomatoes on the burger, smiling with satisfaction on how good the burger looked. Usually it was Billy that prepared Rowan's lunch, but he saw that she was looking sad lately so he volunteered to cook Rowan's favourite food.

'' It would be better if we just enroll her to your school Jake'' Billy said, his eyes focused on the morning papers in front of him, though his attention was far from the paper in front of him. ''It's not doing her any good to stay there''

''John wanted her to go to Forks though'' Jacob said as he placed the bun carefully on top .

'' I wish that he would just listen to me'' Billy said, folding the newspaper and throwing it away. Rowan was a nice girl, but her personality was not something Forks was anticipating, she was just different. '' At least Quil would be there with her'' he added and Jacob could not help but agree , but it was simply not up to them. Jacob is just happy that John let her live with them , it was terribly boring without her , and he didn't want any conflict to start again between the two patriarchs.

Billy thought that she would have Rachel's gentleness and meekness, but instead she was bold and challenging. Billy attributed it more from her upbringing in the city and youthfulness. ''I'll have to talk to John soon'' Billy frowned , having trouble already finding the right words that would not offend his son in law.

Jacob gave his father a stern gaze
'' Just don't start anything alright'' he warned, ''Promise me you won't''. Jacob knew his father well, he was someone who has no trouble speaking his mind. The kitchen was quiet for a while as Billy crossed his arms, unwilling to give his word. Dropping his hands unto the wheelchair, he rolled the wheels to look at the clock on the wall. '' Rowan's not up yet, she's going to be late'' he said, attempting to steer the conversation to another subject.

Jacob follow his gaze and realized he was right . "Yeah, that's weird. She should be downstairs by now" Jacob felt suddenly anxious , Rowan has never been late like this before, and lately she hasn't been acting like herself. One time, she even wore black, and that was the time Jacob knew there was something up. Bella told him all of her troubles of course, but Jacob didn't know how to help.

"Go wake her up" Billy commanded , a faint smile playing on his lips as he gets away . " We are going to talk later" Jacob said , his tone more commanding than he intended to.

Billy raised his arms in surrender " Of course" he said , though he was planning on going later to Harry Clearwater's house to avoid him altogether. Clearwater , Billy's eyes widened as he recalled Seth the son of Harry, who's supposedly is the same age as Rowan. From what he has heard ,he was a good kid and certainly could become friends with his grandchild. "Maybe I should invite them for dinner" he said, a smile playing on his lips.

When Jacob has arrived upstairs , it was very quiet. He knocked twice on Rowan's door and when he did not hear any reply, he lets himself in. " Row, you're going to be late"

He was greeted by silence , his eyes searched for the long haired girl but did not find her immediately. After some time he noticed a significant lump underneath the bed sheet, approaching it slowly he called out again "Row?"

The lump suddenly moved and Jacob jumped backwards, clutching his chest. "Woah , you scared the crap out of me !" The teen in question slowly removed the sheet above her , and Jacob saw the mess of a hair first, it could very well looked like a bird's nest. " I don't want to go to school today" she said , her whole face visible now , and Jacob wanted to laugh at her pouting lips that made her look so much younger.

"Don't laugh at me , it's not funny "she groaned as she yanked the cover again to cover her face but Jacob managed to grab the sheet and pulled it towards him before the teen managed to hide completely .

"Hey now , you can't just skip school just because you don't want to"

There was a flicker of emotion that went quick from Rowan's eyes, it was fast but Jacob managed to catch it. " Is it that bad ?" Jacob seated himself closer to her after , his previously amused mood changing slowly to worry.

Rowan nodded slowly, lowering her eyes to her tightly clenched hands, she didn't want to see Jacob to see her this way. She has always been like an open book , her eyes alone can show the multitude of emotions she's feeling.

Jacob pulled her face upwards to face him , the sadness in her eyes mirrored his own . Jacob thought it was not fair that just because Rowan was a bit different , people didn't try to get to know how kind she actually is " It's going to be okay Row, you can stay at home for now okay"

Rowan grabbed Jacob's arm, her eyes pleading "Will you stay home today too?" she asked, her tone very low, she hated being like this. Being a burden to anyone is something that terrifies her , and she wanted to help others not cause trouble. But she needed Jacob, with her father gone , he was the only one she has.

Jacob smiled though it did not reach his eyes , he ruffled her hair gently " Yup I will"