PERFECT PERIL; J. HALE [3]

FOURTEEN; CRESCENDO

WE ARRIVED AT THE HOUSE alongside Rose and Emmett. Carlisle was with Jacob and his family, he was the best person to be helping him heal and get better no matter their differences, that's what you do for someone that you love. Having spoken to Jasper on the way here and overhearing a few phone calls, it was apparent that Jacob had broken his back badly. It would've killed a human but Jacob was special, I can't imagine the amount of pain he went through.

Jasper and I were alright. I mean, honestly it was a bit awkward following our fight but in the end everything turned out alright, I could see where he was coming from even if I wished that he would believe in me. I still have time to show him how much of a strong badass I am. When you truly believe in yourself I guess nothing is impossible - even the word itself says 'I'm possible!'.

"And then what happened?!" Emmett stood like a puppy in front of me, padding his feet excitedly. I could basically see Rose roll her eyes behind me as she thumped down on the couch chuckling.  I think Emmett was slightly too involved in the story I was telling him about me taking on Riley alone. To be fair, Jasper had a lot of questions and assured me that if he found Riley first he would've ripped off more than just his head. 

"Dude, it was theatrical. He grabbed me from behind in a bear hug-" I wrapped my arms around myself tightly to add to the effect. "-I was sure i was a goner. I'm not even sure how I did it, I flipped him over me, onto his back. His face was priceless!"

Emmett boomed with laughter. "I wish I could've seen it!" 

"Then bam! Head popped right off" Smiling, I brushed imaginary dust off my shoulders. I have no idea why everyone was so interested in my accomplishment, they literally took down a whole newborn army and didn't even bat an eyelid. "Victoria's face when I had Riley's head in my hand was amazing. She deserved everything"

Jasper nodded and whispered under his breath. "An eye for an eye"

"Exactly" Rose grabbed Emmett's hand and pulled him off the couch. "And now it's all over, we celebrate" Emmett followed her out the room.

I cringed. "I hope they're going to hunt"

Jasper and I were the only ones left in the house. "I honestly wouldn't put anything past them at this point. They are Rose and Emmett after all" He was right, they probably weren't hunting, but I'm glad they're not doing it here - I'm not sure my vampire hearing could handle that.

Chuckling, I pulled my lips into a fine line, changing the atmosphere in the room. "You know, I understand why you didn't want me fighting. I'm sorry"

"I didn't want to put you in harms way, I couldn't live with myself if I was preoccupied and something bad happened to you, I couldn't bare it" I felt the same. "I'm glad you can hold your own though, it takes a weight off my shoulders"

I fake gasped. "You didn't think I could handle my own before? How very dare you sir!" 

"I never said that I just wasn't entirely sure you were confident in your own abilities" He held his hands up like I was arresting him and dug himself a hole. "I was-" stuttering over his own words? "- very confident in your abilities and know you are strong enough to take on anyone" finishing with a cheesy smile.

I sat up on my knees and cocked an eyebrow. "You think I can take on anyone?"

"Yes" he nodded, arrogantly and suddenly stopped. "Except me of course"

"Oh is that right?" Game on. I leaped forward, tackling him off of the couch and onto the floor, attempting to pin his arms down to finally prove I was his superior. He didn't let me, of course. Instead digging his fingers into my side, making me fold over and involuntarily laugh, giving him the upper hand and flipping me onto my back. 

He sat on my chest. "The student will never become the master, I thought that was the rule in movies?"

Huffing, my lip pouted. "Cmonnn, you couldn't let me have it this one time?"

"Maybe one day" he stopped. "-but not today"

He was enjoying this victory far too much. "Okay okay, fine. Can you at least get off me and spare me further embarrassment" Besides, he was heavier than he looks.

He jumped up and grabbed my waist, pulling my body closer to him and up off the ground. He looked so beautiful and still. Heat rose from within my chest as I leaned up to him on the tips of my toes, our faces only mere inches apart. My lips parted. "There's been something I've been meaning to say for a long time now" His head bowed towards me. Our fingers joined together like magnets. I felt him washing over me like a sea of warmth and comfort. His frame enveloped me, the feeling felt nearly forbidden. 

As if time had stopped, our lips came together in a perfect crescendo, gentle at first but then building up momentum. The knot in my stomach tightened and then unraveled with a feeling I've never experienced before. It just felt right. Like we were two jigsaw pieces finally coming together to finish the puzzle. It was beautiful, he was beautiful. 

I didn't want it to end, my eyes opening ever so slightly to take a peek and make sure what was happening was actually real. His heavenly voiced bounced around in my head, it was meant for me.

I love you too Scarlett Swan.