Old Soul

Chapter Twenty: Three Little Words

"And you're sure Rosalie won't forget to pick up Will? If she does I'll never hear the end of it. Which means you'll never hear the end of it." I cross my arms in front of my chest, leaning against a row of lockers. Emmett picked me up today, citing that we had plans for a date.

"Raquel, we have photographic memories. She won't forget," Emmett assures me, gently tugging my arm so that he can hold onto my hand. "Besides, Rose loves him. I'm pretty sure your parents have a free babysitter whenever they want."

"Will has that effect on people." I grin to myself. For such a mischievous little scoundrel, Will has an intangible charm.

"Just like his sister."

"You want to babysit me?" I ask, raising an eyebrow. Emmett lets out a surprised laugh.

"No, but you do draw people to you."

"People are drawn to wisdom." I shrug.

"And who says you're wise, huh?" Emmett ruffles my hair, sending chestnut colored waves flying around in my vision.

"The several past lives I've had. Clearly."

"To be fair, you were killed in those." Emmett says tentatively, as though testing whether or not he can get away with mentioning the deaths of my past selves.

"To be fair, I was killed by a," I lower my voice after looking around to make sure the coast is clear. "supernatural being. So that doesn't count."

"You're right. You are the queen of wisdom. Would you deign to allow me to take you on a date?"

"I suppose. I do pride myself on charity work." Emmett rolls his eyes theatrically.

"Where do you want to go?"

"I don't know, I haven't explored much around here. Seattle? Port Angeles?"

"No to Seattle. It's... too far." There's a slight pause in Emmett's words, like he's monitoring what he says.

"Then Port Angeles?" I ask, hopeful.

"All right. You never got to go to La Bella Italia, right? Considering you needed your knight in shining armor to come save you." He says the Italian words with a dramatic emphasis.

"As I recall, you could barely breathe in my proximity. And I got in a few good punches. But you're right, I didn't get to eat there."

"It's settled then."

✧❉✧

"I swear, Angela," Jess sighs at lunch. "It's going to be just the two of us all over again. Bella's always with Edward, and Raquel's slowly ditching us. What will we do?"

Throwing her hand over her eyes and pretending to swoon, Jess falls onto my shoulder. I shrug her off.

"I'm not ditching you guys. When was the last time we did anything? Port Angeles before the last dance?"

"Then let's do something tonight." I cringe.

"Emmett invited me on a date. I can cancel though." I offer. I see Emmett's face turn towards me sharply, and I fight the urge to laugh.

"No, it's fine. Angela and I will just hang out like the old maids we are."

"Jess, you're younger than me." I point out. "How about we do something sometime soon? We can hang out, have a night on the town, whatever."

"You still haven't gone with us to La Push Beach!" Angela reminds me. "We should go soon. There's a lot to do, and with the weather being warmer it won't be as chilly."