Two Worlds Collide [Paul Lahote]

Eight

I froze, barely able to comprehend what was happening. In my house, stood some very worried, stressed, and confused people, all staring at me with a questioning look.

"Well?" Renesmee demanded. I looked away from her from where she was standing with Jacob, and over to Paul. Why was he there? Why was any of them there?

"Uh.. I've been visiting family. I had to play dress up with a bunch of kids, and then they dragged me through a woods. I just didn't bother changing before coming home." I told them, as if it wasn't the worst lie I could've told.

"You missed school for that? Where are your parents?" Paul questioned. I hesitated, trying to accurately remember the story I had come up with.

"My parents died when I was young. I moved here to live with my uncle, but he travels a lot."

"Oh, I'm sorry.."

"I fed Poppy and Daisy for you. I came here this morning so we could ride to school together and you weren't here even though your car was here, and I came back after school and you still weren't. I was really worried Ri, why would you visit them in a school day?" Nessie stressed, and I could see in her eyes just how worried she had been and it warmed my heart to know she cared after knowing her for such a short amount of time.

"Shit, my babies! Thank you Ness I appreciate it. I'm sorry I didn't think I would be gone for so long, I just hadn't seen my aunt and cousin for awhile." I lied through my teeth.

Nessie frowned. "I thought you didn't get along with your cousin?"

Shit. I laughed nervously. "Uh, I don't, but y'know, family is family."

"Hmm." She didn't look convinced. And I knew how strange it looked with my car still being here. "You're okay, that's all that matters."

I smiled. "I appreciate the concern though."

I wasn't sure why Nessie was so worried though. We're teenagers, we sneak away and miss school, it isn't uncommon. In the short time I'd known these people, they had been unusually protective and on edge and it had me wanting to know who they really are.

"We better get going Ness, it's really late." Jacob spoke up.

She didn't look like she was ready to leave right then, and I watched her face carefully as she seemed to debate whether to go to stay and demand more answers from me.

"Yeah, okay." Nessie replied to him before turning back to me and wrapping me in a tight hug. "I'll see you tomorrow, yeah?"

"For sure." I promised.

Nessie and Jacob both left after Jacob gave me a brief hug, but I could feel Paul's eyes still on me as I watched the couple walk towards Jacobs truck.

"I was worried y'know."

I snapped my eyes over to Paul and frowned. "Why? You barely know me."

He sighed. "I know, I just.. I feel connected to you."

"Because of the psychic?" I asked.

"Huh?" He seemed confused.

"Nessie and Jacob said that you went to see a psychic, and that they told you that you would marry a red headed girl with hazel eyes."

"Oh, uh, yeah. That's why." While his words confirmed it, his facial expression and body language didn't. He seemed so confused and slightly annoyed, though I wasn't sure why.