ılı.lıllılıı.ıllı
ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ
[ Just The Way You Are - Bruno Mars ]

════ ★: *.☪ .* :☆ ════

In any given moment we have two options: to step forward into growth or step back into safety. To say that Honey never expected such a change in her living by simply moving to Forks, Washington would be an understatement. She thought she'd come to Forks, stay until graduation before encouraging ─ forcing ─ Bella to leave the small town in search for adventure out in the world together. But now here she was, a Hybrid soulbound to a shifter who accepts her and is falling for her. Bella knew that the wolves weren't going to replace the former beasts in her heart but they were certaintly a happy bunch to be around and it was a great way to encourage Bella to move forward rather than bounce back.

Dressed to impress, both girls sat in Bella's truck as they drove into Seattle where there was currently a fair happening that came by once every few years. Following the car was Jacob on his new bike, Sam driving himself and Emily while Paul drove his own car with Embry and Jared annoying the shit out of him. Honey was wearing a baby pink sweater over a white floral dress that had a belt, her beige stockings underneath with some cute black ankle boots. Sam was a little concerned about leaving the Reservation unguarded for the day but Honey had reassured him that the nice weather was bound to deter any potential threats.

"So how are you and Jacob?" Bella asked Honey with a slight smirk, she had been the first outside the pack to learn about the two. It had been around a week since they decided to take it slow and let it build from friendship into something more. Though both of them were affectionate people who had been previously touch starved so they tended to be clingy when they were around each other ─ something that Bella and Jared would tease them about. "It's good. We went on a hike the other day, sat by the cliffs watching the waves crash into the rocks while asking each other the questions," Honey answered her. She had felt bad at first, almost like she was bragging about her developing relationship with Jacob but Bella had been quick to ease her woes.

Bella was beyond happy for Honey and Jacob, she looked forward to the day they were official. Bella knew about Ian Moore, everything he did to Honey and how he manipulated the poor girl and ruined a lot of her self confidence. She'd only want the best for Honey Parker and though she had moments watching them smile or laugh together where she wished it were her and Edward but seeing the joy and peace in Honey's eyes was enough for her to push those thoughts aside and be happy for them. "Oh yeah, what did you learn about Jacob Black?" Bella teased making Honey sigh with a smile on her face. What didn't she learn? was what she thought to herself.

The first thing she learnt that as long as Jacob continued to phase, he could live forever which is something that eased Honey who wasn't certain that she was immortal; only time would tell. She learnt that Jacob had older twin sisters, Rachel and Rebecca. Rachel was on scholarship at college while Rebecca was married living in Hawaii. She learnt that his mother had unfortunately died in a fatal car accident that left her so mangled they had a closed-casket ceremony with her coffin nailed shut long before the Cullens had moved into town. She had held him when he cried about it, sharing the familiar pain with each other; he told her as she had told him about her own parents.

She learnt that he found it easier to phase than the others, their assumption was his more pure blood connecting to the fact that both grandfathers on each side of his family were shapeshifters too. She learnt that the phase had changed almost everything about Jacob, his former eighteen-year-old body altered to match that of a twenty-five year old, heightening in strength and build to be a better protector. It fascinated Honey how shifters worked, she was in complete awe as Jacob told her everything he knew about his kind. Plus, his growth spurt took his former height to a tall 6"7 which made Honey feel small at her height of 5"5 but she also felt safe in his arms despite the height difference.

He also told her about how Sam wasn't supposed to be the Alpha of the pack, that the right falls on Jacob. She had smiled and laughed softly at that, not in a mocking way but simply because it made so much sense based on Jacob's personality. But he had explained how he didn't want that as for so long before Imprinting, he hated his life as a wolf but Honey changed that for him. And while he still resented some things, knowing that Honey would be by his side was enough to overpower the former hate. He didn't want to be the Alpha and Honey reminded him that he still had a right to that choice, Sam was a good Alpha and she wouldn't let them force Jacob into a position he didn't wish to take. Jacob had hugged her at those words, pulling her to sit across his lap.

"Earth to Honey!" Bella called out laughing at the dreamy expression on the blonde's face as she remembered her date with Jacob. "Sorry... got a little lost there for a moment," Honey replied as she looked over at Bella, the brunette laughed and shook her head as she brushed her hair behind her ear. "Well, out of the clouds, Honey. We're here," Bella told Honey who looked out the window seeing that she was right, they pulled into a park with Jacob parking the bike next to them before he shut it off and approached Honey's door. He was wearing some nice jeans, a black shirt with a leather jacket looking very attractive to Honey who smiled as he opened the door for her and held his hand out, she slipped her hand in his.

════ ★: *.☪ .* :☆ ════

Bella walked with Sam and Emily, she had been getting along with Emily pretty well due to their parallel placements in the world of beasts. Jacob had Honey by his side, their hands interlocked as Jacob spoke with Embry. Honey had been informed that Embry and Quil Aterea were Jacob's friends pre-shift which now leaves Quil as the last remaining in the friend group to not shift yet. Paul and Jared trailed behind them talking about what they were going to do around the fair, families walking by with children running amuck. Honey was once again reminded that the pack were still young compared to the way they look, you'd assume they were all in the twenties simply from their presence and build.

But Jacob was eighteen like Honey and Bella, Emily was twenty along with Sam Uley. Paul and Jared were both nineteen and Embry was still seventeen years old. It was a shock reminder that you wouldn't believe if you looked their way but it meant that no one would underestimate them. And then you witnessed their behaviour, moreso, the way Paul and Jared were racing away like unsupervised children towards the soda toss challenging one another. The way Embry agreed to entertain Bella by winning her anything she wanted ─ a chance for him to show off but Bella accepted with a small smile. Emily led Sam towards the balloon pop stand, smiling sweetly at him to win her the large stuffed panda.

"And that leaves us," Jacob said as he looked down at Honey, the blonde smiled up at him before she looked around until her eyes landed on the cutest thing. A large brown stuffed wolf hanging above a shooting game, she watched as some people tried it with limited success winning the smaller prizes but no one had their hands on the large prize. "What's got your eye?" Jacob asked, Honey made a soft squeak sound before leading him towards the game stand. "The wolf," Honey said as she bounced on his heels, she smiled sweetly up at Jacob who turned from her to the wolf plush making him laugh. "You have me though," Jacob told her with a teasing grin.

Honey pouted, tilting her head slightly while giving him doe eyes that almost made him purr ─ who knew wolves could purr. Jacob gave in, how couldn't he when Honey was looking at him that way. He pulled out his wallet and stepped up next, paying for the round before taking the toy gun and focusing on the moving targets. Honey watched in awe as Jacob focused deeply, the way his eyes narrowed like a predator stalking prey made a tingle sizzle in her lower stomach; she's never felt that before. Jacob hit all targets, hitting the new record leaving the guy running the stand awestruck. "The wolf, thanks," Jacob told the man, he cleared his throat and handed over the large wolf plush to Jacob.

A couple of girls nearby looked over at Jacob dreamily, one even daring to approach when Jacob turned to Honey. "Your prize, princess," Jacob said as he held it out to the blonde, she took it and squeezed it close to her chest before hugging Jacob. He laughed softly as he wrapped his arms around her, the girls nearby pouted upset and irritated before storming off. Honey turned her head and placed a lingering kiss on Jacob's cheek, the action burned pleasantly for Jacob and set his heart racing. "Thank you, Jake," Honey whispered before they pulled apart, the sound of Embry calling them over wanting to challenge Jacob made them laugh as they walked over. Honey and Bella stood together, the brunette holding three small plushes that Embry had won her.

════ ★: *.☪ .* :☆ ════

As the day came to a slow close, the group met up together by the picnic tables where people were slowly leaving from. "Anyone else feeling tired?" Jared asked as he and Paul slumped on the table, candy littered the table showing that the two had spent more time snacking and eating rather than playing games or going on the limited rides the fair had. "I think I'm ready for bed," Bella replied to them as she yawned, she hadn't had this much fun in a long time. It was enough to distract her for the time being, Honey was glad that Bella was happy and smiling ─ she wasn't sure how long till the girl could possibly spiral again.

Sam and Emily ─ who had yet to show ─ finally approached the group, she had a smile on her face while Sam held her close to him. "Where were you two?" Embry asked, somehow he still had plenty of energy to move constantly. "The Ferris Wheel. Sam had them stop us at the top," Emily answered with a slight blush. "Oh, the cliche kiss moment," Jared teased. The words seemed to resonate with Jacob who looked towards the Ferris Wheel, he grabbed Honey's hand in his. "I was waiting for sunset to ride the Ferris Wheel, it's a nice view," Jacob told them before looking at Honey, "Want to join me?" The others smirked at Jacob knowing his real motive.

"Sounds like fun," Honey said as she noticed how tired Bella was, "Bell, why don't you head home with the others. I'll ride back with Jacob." Bella smiled and nodded, she took the blonde's tote bag that held all of her prizes including the large wolf plush with her so the blonde didn't have to worry about it. The others said their goodbyes, the boys and Emily all hugging Honey as they left leaving Jacob and Honey to make their way towards the lit up Ferris Wheel. Jacob paid for their tickets, whispering something to the man before they stepped up into cart and sat down. Jacob slipped his arm around Honey's shoulders, she leaned into his side with a content sigh as the Ferris Wheel began to turn.

Once they reached the top of the Ferris Wheel, it stopped. The sight of Seattle and the horizon that the sun was lowering behind was breathtaking for both Jacob and Honey. "I'm glad we did this today," Honey told Jacob with a smile on her face, she hadn't felt such peace ever in her life but the days adventure built this new home for Honey, a home she would defend with her life. She would let the world burn for the people she now viewed as family and anyone who threatened them would suffer consequences far worse than death. "Hey, what are you thinking so deeply about?" Jacob asked as he gently brushed his finger from her brow down her nose, easing the tension in her face.

"How lucky I am. The people I've met becoming my new family, my new home and you... I guess Bella was right, maybe I'm one of God's favourites to be blessed with all of you," Honey told him honestly, Jacob's smile was soft as he cupped her cheek, her words were really resonating with him. "I know what you mean," Jacob whispered not wanting to break the moment, "For so long I felt like I was walking through the endless forest with no trail in sight and then I saw you, Honey Parker. And... I can see the blessing amidst the curse now." Honey didn't wait any longer, she pushed forward and kissed Jacob. His arms slipped around her, their lips moving passionately and pliant with one another.

Screw fireworks, screw butterflies and screw flames ablazing through you. Kissing Jacob Black was like breathing air for Honey Parker, it was like surfing the perfect wave, it was like tasting chocolate for the first time, it was like hearing your favourite song, it was like meeting your favourite band. There was an endless list of how absolutely perfect it felt to kiss Jacob. Honey felt like her life prior to this moment was nothing compared to the bright sun shining on her now. And Jacob felt like everything was how it should be, it was like rain in a drought, it was like sunshine after a hurricane, it was like oxygen entering your lungs after drowning at sea. It was all he wanted, all he needed and all he hoped for.

════ ★: *.☪ .* :☆ ════

════ ★: *.☪ .* :☆ ════

Rosemary Speaks. . .

Some fun times and a first kiss!

I got a little carried away with descriptions thinking about my first kiss when I was eight. It wasn't on a Ferris Wheel but it felt pretty similar to what Honey views it. It wasn't until my forth boyfriend to feel what Jacob did.

( he turned out gay though so... lol )

What did you think about this chapter?

Bella isn't gonna be a miserable mess in my book and she gets along with the pack, how do you feel about that?

What did you think of the first kiss?
Cliche but cute!

Thoughts, Suggestions or Questions?

See you all in the next chapter!