I Didn't Want An Imprint (Paul Lahote x Reader)

Moving On

READER POV

I honestly can't even remember what was going through my mind when I kissed Paul. I had promised him that no matter what, I would try my best to be the best imprint he could've ever been forced to have. When I saw him beginning to lose control, I knew I had limited time before he would shift.

I had tunnel vision as I ran toward him and the pack rushed Chaz away. I didn't see Chelsea's car pull up in the parking lot by the beach, and, even if I had, I can't say my decision to kiss Paul would have changed. And, even worse, I actually LIKED kissing him. It was perfect, and felt like a kiss between....soulmates.

I know he doesn't love Chelsea, and I don't love Chaz. But, why did Paul look so upset and chase after Chelsea?

I was brought out of my overthinking daydream to the sound of the final school bell. I hadn't spoken to Paul, the pack, or Kim and Emily in weeks. After the kiss at the beach, I stood in disbelief as I watched Paul chase after Chelsea. She sped off in her car, leaving Paul behind. He didn't come back to the beach, but instead took off down the street back toward Emily's.

Jared and Kim ended up taking Chaz back, and I drove myself home shortly after they left.

I hadn't spoken to Chaz since that day either. I didn't sit with him and his friends at lunch, nor did he call or respond to my texts. I tried to apologize, and I wanted to, but he acted as if I were a ghost when I approached him in the hallway. I knew he was hurt that I had kissed Paul, and I figured I should give him more time.

Kim and Emily reached out to see how I was doing and even invited me over for dinners, but I wasn't ready to see Paul. Not yet.

I was good at avoiding everyone. I started taking the back entrance in to the school just so I wouldn't have to walk past Paul in the entry, and I spent my lunch hour in the library getting ahead on some homework. I texted Paul a few times, and called once or twice, with no response back.

My grandparents had started to notice my frequency of being home, but I think they were just happy I was around more, even though they could tell something was wrong.

"Everything okay, Y/N?" my grandma asked during dinner.

A simple nod is all I gave her before stuffing another spoonful of her homemade cooking into my mouth. After we were finished, I helped with the dishes and placed the leftovers into Tupperware containers before saying goodnight to my grandparents and heading up to my room. I had become overly familiar with the surroundings of this space, especially the bulletin board of photos with my friends in Texas. The photos reminded me of a time before I became an imprint, and before I became hated by two of the people I cared about a lot. It became part of my routine to look at each of the photos before getting ready for bed, and each time, it would bring tears to my eyes remembering the good times.

This one in particular was of a time that my best friends, Mia, Rachel, and myself, were having a sleepover at my house and giving each other makeovers. We looked ridiculous, but the smiles in the photo spoke volumes. Looking ridiculous together was the only thing that mattered, and I missed that. I always found time to talk to them at least once a week, but lately, after everything, I felt less inclined to text or call, and preferred to sit in my own misery.

I threw on some pajamas and laid down in my bed, scrolling through old texts between me and Paul-

P: Hey Y/N! Come over to Emily's! She's making brownies, and I have the perfect prank for the pack that only you can help me pull off!

Y/N: LOL on my way!

.....

P: Thanks for helping me study for that math test, Y/N. I actually passed thanks to you!