Paul Lahote - Imprinted

*Chapter 11*

Rowan slumped forward at the table, still bummed with the previous events.''Can I skip today?'' she asked quietly, knowing the answer already, but wanted to still try. ''No'' Billy said, folding his newspaper and eyeing the teen. ''You're almost failing math, so no'' she glared at Jacob who was still frying eggs for them, he definitely snitched on her.

''Jake didn't tell me, your teacher called me this morning'' he said, crossing his arms. '' I'm not the only one that is failing, my math teacher sucks at explaining'' she played with the bacon as she whined, still thinking about what her father told her.

Billy reached over her arm, scolding her. ''Stop playing with your food''. Rowan groaned, feeling irritated with everything. '' Even if your teacher isn't good at teaching, that is not an excuse'' she covered her ears, just tired of all the babbling.

''Fine!'' she cried out, dropping her fork loudly at the plate. '' I'm going, sheesh'' Running upstairs and getting her backpack. ''Did I say something bad?'' Billy asked curiously at Jacob who looked baffled. ''She's been acting weird since she came home last night'' Jacob explained, recalling her being moody when she arrived home.

The teen in question, fled the stairs and loudly banged the door as she left. The two looked at each other , trying to figure her out. ''Well, eat now, you're going to be late'' Billy said, finishing his breakfast. ''I'll catch up to her''Jacob said but Billy shook his head. ''I think she needs some time alone''

Walking to the bus stop, Rowan felt angry. How can her father replace her mother? As she stood there, waiting , her face in a permanent scowl, she caught sight of the guy who could definitely make her day any better. Muttering things under her breath, she proclaimed her hatred for him silently. Rowan knew she was being mean, but she had to release her anger in some way, and Paul being there was just convenient.

Paul felt peace again, the comfort of having his imprintee near. Even though, all he wanted was to go closer to her, he refrained, remembering Billy Black's warning. While he waited with Sam and the others, he could not help but hear some murmurings.

Peanut face is here again, I hate him so much. Way to ruin my day! Oh gosh , why is he always around. Look at him , standing there all smug, like he owned the place. Even his face alone, annoys the crap out of me.

Paul straightened his posture, how could he be smug just by standing? He touched his face, trying to understand what made it annoying? Jared patted his shoulder, grinning. ''Yeah, your face definitely is annoying'' Kim, his imprintee, just chuckled. Paul shot him a dirty look, feeling jealous of their already close relationship.

Maybe I should tell Kim about the cliffs? He said through their linked mind, Jared's face dropped suddenly. ''Let's go shall we'' he said, wrapping his arms around Kim and dragging her away. Paul felt disgusted with their show of affections, if he was closer to Rowan, he imagined them playing soccer at the beach , not jumping on the cliffs though, that's too dangerous for her. Maybe he should just show her how amazing he is at cliff diving, maybe she would be impressed.

Paul watched as Rowan stepped in the bus, wondering about her odd behavior, she seemed disturbed by something. It bothered him now. What went wrong?

At school, Rowan eagerly waited for Bella, showing extreme relief as she showed up. ''Are you okay?'' she asked and Bella nodded, her face blank. As they ate lunch, both of them noticed the absence of many of the Cullens. ''Where did they go?'' she asked, ''It's not sunny outside'' Rowan has noticed that when the weather was great, they disappeared, apparently they go hiking or something.

''I don't know''Bella said, her tone flat, she seemed not to be in talking mood. Rowan moved closer to her, and while she knew that Bella didn't want to talk, Rowan wanted to, so she forced herself on her.

''Bella, your parents are divorced right?''

''Yeah''

''How do you feel if Charlie finds another woman for him?'' Rowan let her head rest with the support of her elbows, waiting for a response.

Bella looked awkward, not feeling comfortable with sharing her personal life. She liked Rowan, but she felt offended with her questionings. Rowan sighed, noticing how Bella stopped eating and just stared at the table. ''I didn't want you to feel uncomfortable, sorry, I was being dumb'' she said, laying her head flat on the table.

Moving her face to the right, she explained herself. ''My dad found someone, and I don't know how to deal with it'' Groaning at the sudden image of him , being with someone else.

''I hate it so much, I don't need a step mother'' she complained, and Bella , feeling sympathetic offered some words of advice.

''Maybe you can talk to him about it, explain how you feel?'' Rowan's head rose suddenly, her face brightening up. She remembered how her father told her that the woman had no knowledge of her, and with her suddenly showing up on them, maybe it will interrupt their romance. They've just met, and any woman in their right mind would freak out.

''Here's what I'm going to do, I'm going to visit him and his whatever, this weekend is perfect'' Bella found her smile not too innocent, raising her brows at her, she questioned. ''Just let him know you're coming , and Billy too. Maybe you can take Jacob with you''she wanted to drive her herself , but her recent accident made it impossible.

Rowan shook her head, her hands coming together. '' I'm going to tell grandpa that i'm having sleepovers with you, so I can surprise my father. My grandpa would tell him for sure, and it would ruin my plan.''

''Uh''Bella replied, feeling cornered and confused.

Rowan pointed at her. '' You're going to cover for me , so I won't get caught''

''Row I-'' Bella wanted to object but was interrupted. ''Have you been to Seattle? Which bus do I take?'' she said, googling directions on how to get there.