Defining Normal | EMBRY CALL

Courage

When Monday morning finally arrives, it takes all of Embry's self-restraint to wait until a reasonable hour to swing by Lex's house. She's already waiting outside for him when he does, a small figure drowned in a mass of clothing. Lex hops up from the stoop enthusiastically, jogging over to slide into the passenger seat. Her breath puffs out before her like a cloud, and as she belts herself in he can't tear his eyes away from her flushed cheeks. He's almost forgotten what it feels like to be cold, to suffer the winter chill, and Lex in all of her layers is a stark reminder of his lost humanity.

"Thank fuck. I thought I was going to freeze to death," Lex jokes, wiggling her frigid fingers in front of the AC vents. It still shocks Embry to hear her cuss, being all too used to her demure persona that she puts on for strangers. Seeing this other side of her is a treat, and as much as he'd like to tease her about her potty mouth, he resists.

Instead, Embry laughs a deep, throaty chuckle. "Hey, I never said you had to wait outside. That's your own death wish."

Lex's face crinkles into a smile as she sticks her tongue out at him playfully. She's in excellent spirits this morning, he observes, and Embry decides to chance his luck and give in to his cravings. He reaches out to grab her hands, entirely enveloping her small fingers in his. Warming her hands is a good move, he thinks - perfect plausible deniability if she tries to call him out - and he gently rubs her hands a little for good measure. Lex lets out a small, nearly inaudible sigh, and Embry silently thanks the spirits for his ridiculous body temperature.

"My own personal hand-warmer. What are friends for?" she laughs, bumping his shoulder. He tries to squeeze out a laugh in return but it feels hollow. Embry's not quite sure what he's expecting - they literally just had this discussion, she already told you she doesn't want to date you - but something about Saturday had him hoping for more. Trying to reconcile his own wants with her needs is a mission that he really wasn't prepared for, and he adds "grill Quil" to his mental to-do list. Surely Quil's theory of imprinting also comes with a survival guide, something that will help him maintain his sanity when approximately ninety percent of his brain is screaming to kiss her. Then again, that just seems to be his usual state of mind now.

Embry does his best to put his pining aside as they drive into town. He's grateful for the awful weather - he can focus some extra attention on the road, seemingly practising caution, while he works to rein his affections in. By the time they arrive at campus, he's back to messing around with Lex and keeping up their usual banter as if his heart wasn't stomped on ten minutes prior. He puts the truck into park beside Jared's beater and jogs around the cab to open the door for Lex. She thanks him, but not without a small shake of her head.

"Appreciated, but totally unnecessary. I know it's hard to believe but I do have functional hands," she says, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. She avoids his gaze, glancing around the lot, and he can't figure out what's suddenly gone wrong. Embry was sure that she liked tradition, appreciated manners, and yet she's displeased with the courtesy. He wants to say something, ask what her deal is, but he can see Jared and Kim watching from the lobby and he loses his nerve. Instead, Embry defaults to his usual joking, cursing himself as he does.

"I need the exercise," he shrugs, closing the door behind her. "It takes work to stay this fit."

He's hoping that she'll giggle at the very least, reigniting their previous banter, but she remains stoic. Lex rolls her eyes and he can feel his heart splinter for what seems like the billionth time that morning. Yeah, he's a dramatic piece of shit, but he's dying to be her dramatic piece of shit, and her rejection is slowly killing him. Mercifully, Jared jogs over, Kim trailing behind, calling out to greet them. Thank God for those two , Embry thinks, shooting Jared a grateful look as he approaches. Kim links elbows with Lex and begins dragging her off towards their class, the two discussing their upcoming assignment with gusto. Jared and Embry trail behind, in no real hurry to get to class. Eventually, Embry speaks.