Trouble // Paul Lahote [EDITING]

03.

The rocky sands of the First Beach crunched under my docs as we trudged towards the bonfire. I could hear some crappy indie band drifting from the radio and the sound of laughter. As I got close, I could make out the familiar shapes of Res natives.

"Yo Jacob!" someone yelled from around the fire. Two boys came racing towards Jacob. I remembered their names to be Quil and Embry. The shorter one, I think that one was Quil, grabbed Jacob roughly on the shoulder in greeting.

"Hey guys," Jake replied with a smile.

The other boy, Embry I think, greeted me with a small wave. I smiled softly in response.

"Come with us to get some drinks!" Quil told Jacob demandingly.

"Ok." Jacob hummed in response. "I'll be back Ro," he turned towards me with a smile.

I simply nodded my head in response. I was left alone again. I felt shy around so many people and I longed for Jacobs return. The sun had completely set and I was cold. A shiver ran down my back. Maybe a flannel wasn't such a good idea for a coat. I decided to make my way closer to the fire. Thinking the hot flames would warm me up.

As I began to reach the fire I saw the familiar shape of Jared accompanied by his friends. I gave him a small smile but kept away from him. As I looked away from Jared my grey eyes were met by a pair of intense opal ones. I steadily held the stranger's gaze. A sudden chill went through me, causing a shutter to leave me lips and my gaze to drop to my boots. When I looked up again the opal eyes were still there. Burning holes deep into mine.

The boy pushed out of the group walking past Jared, headed straight for me. I stood there uncomfortable from his intensity. Desperately looking for an escape, I search the crowd for a sign of Jacob. Just then a heavy hand landed on my shoulder making me jump and a small gasp escape my lips. I turned around to see Quil.

"Hey Jake and us are hanging over here," he said pointing towards a waving Jacob and an awkward looking Embry.

I let out a laugh. "Ok. I'll come hangout with you guys."

I followed Quil towards my friend. Grateful for his rescue. I glanced over my shoulder, only to met an opal gaze once again. I looked forward shivering. What's wrong with Jared's friends? They have always seemed daunting to me, but this was on another level. I shook my head as I stepped next to Jacob. I rubbed my arms from the cold and attempting to avoid the eyes I knew were still there.

"You ok?" Jacob asked with concern in his eyes.

"Uhh yeah. Just cold," I said with a smile.

He lazily placed his arm around my shoulders and I turned towards his warm chest.

"Thanks Jake," I said with a grin.

"Well, I am hotter than you," He laughed.

I lightly elbowed him.

"Dude, what the hell did you do to Paul Lahote?" Quil suddenly asked, interrupting our laughter. My concentration shifted from Jacob.

Jacob's arm tighten around me. His eyes suddenly intense.

"Who?" I asked.

"Him." Jacob said coldly meeting the opal eyes from before.

I sucked in a sharp breath. Once again meeting the dark eyes from before. "Paul" no longer looked intense, he looked furious. Quil and Embry followed Jacob's lead and stepped closer to me. I shifted my feet uncomfortably. If he wasn't so intimidating I would be mad, but his gaze made me feel small.

"I haven't even spoken to him," I said softly.

"Don't worry about it. They're just like that," Embry responded.

I shook my head and tired to pay attention to the boys conversation. My mind kept going back to Paul. What changed to make him mad?

"Hey I'm going to go get a drink," I told Jake.

He nodded in response. I shoved my hands in my pockets and left the group. My boots crunched over the beach as I headed to the coolers. I fished out a cool soda, not paying attention to what I grabbed.

"Hey," someone sounded softly in my ear.

I turned to see Jared. He looked at me strange. He must have noticed his friend's behavior.

"Hey," I said softly back.

"You seem cold. You should come with me over by the fire," He said gesturing behind him.

"Uh sure," I said.

Maybe this was my opportunity to see how I so deeply offended Paul. Jared nodded his head and started towards the fire. I followed closely behind him. Feeling brave hidden behind his broad shoulders. I looked over my shoulders to find Jacob, but he was hidden by a group of teenagers. I sighed and continued behind Jared. When we reached the edge of the fire, I was immediately hit with warmth causing my shoulders to relax. Jared took a seat on a blanket and I sat in the space next to him. 

"Hi," a warm female voice greeted me.

I looked up and was met with the smile of a beautiful women.

"Hello," I responded with a grin.

"I'm Emily," she said.

Oh. She's THE Emily. Not sure what to say I just nodded looking to the flames in front of me. I pulled my knees to my chest a place my chin on them. An attempt to relax.

"Hey let's go grab some food," Emily suddenly suggested. Her voice full of double meaning that I didn't understand.

I felt Jared get up from beside me and heard two other pairs of feet follow. I could feel someone's gaze on me. Paul's gaze. So I continued my focus on the flame. The air around me awkward. I heard someone get up and sit next to me.

"Hey," said a tenor voice softly. The way you would talk to a scared child. I looked up to met an opal gaze.

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Word count: 1008