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TWO; IMPRINTS

     PENELOPE MADE THREE MISTAKES in the course of two days.

     First, she coerced the nurse to allow her to take a shower by herself. She didn't dare to ask who was bathing her before she awoke. As soon as Penelope gazed at her reflection in the mirror, she gasped. She was expecting to see someone different, but she didn't comprehend how difficult the task would be. She didn't realize how long she was staring at herself before the nurse knocked on the door, asking if she was alright.

     Second, she began to think about her mother. It was on her mind every second of the day, including when Rachel and Rebecca returned to see her. They were a sobbing mess, collapsing in her arms and whispering about how much they missed her. Penelope wasn't affected in the slightest bit. It felt like she had seen them yesterday, although Rachel was wearing a college sweatshirt and Rebecca had a glorious new tan. Penelope dreamed of her mother when she went to sleep and thought about her when she woke up. It was constantly haunting her and the psychiatrist that came in everyday wasn't helping.

     And third, she looked into Jared Cameron's eyes.

     He visited on the third day after her awakening. Jacob had assigned a routine to watch over her, and Penelope already met Paul and Sam. She was intimidated by their tall stature, but she began to warm up to them. Sam had this dominating feature that made sure no one would challenge him, but he held sympathy for Penelope. She was still adapting to the new world around her, including the different environment and language. She had gone her whole life without hearing a curse word but Paul broke her streak. She liked him, but she wished he would keep his mouth closed when he was eating. She also noticed how Paul took a liking to her sister, Rachel.

     Jared wasn't excited to hover over Jake's sister. He was washed over with fatigue but Sam insisted his needs weren't the main priority. Getting Penelope back on her feet was.

     He was greeted with the smell of flowers, various pots and cards scattered on the ground and one of the tables. She had her arms folded, resting on her lap, staring up at the television screen. Jake was right about her eyes. They could pull you in with one look. He now understood why Penelope got whatever she wanted when she was little. He would sacrifice himself if she requested for him to do so.

     "Hi," she smiled when she saw him. She grabbed the remote and pressed the pause button. "Are you Jared?"

     He was speechless. Flashes of the future were filling his mind, the imprint bond becoming a strong hold. He stumbled a little bit, gripping the door frame with his hand. Penelope sat up, frowning. "Are you alright? Should I call Doctor Cullen?"

     "No," he shook his head. He cleared his throat once he realized how harsh he spoke. "Sorry, I just got distracted."

     He moved forward until he was at her bedside, extending his hand for her to shake. She stared at it for a long time before she realized she was meant to put her hand in his. Usually, people would envelope Penelope in a hug. Jared could observe her facial features more closely, her doe eyed look making his knees crumble.

     "It's nice to meet you," she nodded politely. Jared heard the door creak open and he quickly retracted his touch when he saw Billy wheel in. The man was more happy than he had ever been. He got a loan from the bank for Penelope's hospital bills and to pay her psychiatrist, but he wasn't worried about money. He was scared for her well being and her mental stability.

     "Jared, good to see you today," he grinned. He wheeled to the other side of Penelope, handing her a steaming cup of hot chocolate. "Got you your favorite, Pen." She thanked him and raised the cup to her lips, hissing when it burned her. Billy chuckled and scolded her. He forgot that she used to do it all the time, even when Sarah warned her of the temperature.

     He noticed Jared's look of endearment and tilted his head in confusion. His eyes widened when he realized what the boy had done. "Jared. Outside, now."

     He gulped back his fears and followed Billy outside, his stomach churning. Billy sighed when the door closed, running one hand down his face in frustration. "I didn't mean to, Billy, I swear." Jared began to reason his imprinting but Billy held up one hand to stop him.

     "Look, I'm glad she has a partner to protect her but you have to understand that Penelope can't stand on her own two feet right now. She's fragile, Jared. She's learning how to function in her own body and converse with the people around her. I'm not going to lose her again."

     "I'll keep my distance," he promised. "I know she needs a friend right now and that's what I'll be." Billy dipped his head as an acknowledgement and a thank you.

     Carlisle passed by, offering a friendly smile. Jared narrowed his eyes and Billy's body went stiff. He wasn't going to shoot any insults for Penelope's sake.

     "Take care of her," Billy sighed when Carlisle turned the corner, disappearing from sight. "She needs you."

     "Not as much as I need her, trust me."

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     "So, when you multiply these two numbers, you get this?" Penelope questioned, pointing at the paper. Jared smiled and nodded.

     He had been helping her with school work, which was going well. Penelope was a quick learner and she picked up math faster than Jared thought she would. Her elation was short lived when she glanced at her hand, a small scar covering her knuckles from the glass that pierced her skin. She had tiny wounds all over her body from the accident and she hated to look at them. They were a reminder of her mother.

     "Penelope," Jared started, being interrupted by the sound of the door opening. Penelope's counselor walked inside, clipboard held in hand. Jared sighed, knowing he would have to leave the room for her session. He didn't trust the man with his soulmate, but Penelope seemed comfortable around him.

     "Mr. Cameron," he bowed politely. "Nice to see you again. Will you give me and Penelope a moment?"

     Jared had been taking over Sam and Paul's routines since the imprint. Jake wasn't ecstatic about it, but he kept his issues to himself.

     Jared squeezed her hand for comfort and gathered the miscellaneous textbooks. He exited the room and the psychiatrist moved closer. The man was on the short side, with circle-shaped glasses and slick, jet black hair. His pale complexion matched Carlisle's own skin.

     He pulled up a chair and sat by her bedside. "How are we today, Penelope?" She shrugged and flicked at the scar on her right hand. She didn't enjoy seeing remnants of the aftermath of the accident.

     "Better, I guess. Doctor Cullen won't tell me when I'll be leaving. I want to go home," she confessed. "I don't like it here."

     "It's what's-"

     "Best for me? I've been hearing that a lot lately," she shook her head. "I know what's best for me. Everything's different, I get that. I've been asleep for seven years but that doesn't mean you can keep me locked in here for seven more."

     His eyebrows furrowed and he jotted something down on his clipboard, his hand clenching around the pen. Penelope was mesmerized by his skin. She had only ever seen colors of russet and copper on the people of the reservation. Billy never took her to Forks and the farthest Penelope had ever gone was Port Angeles. Carlisle and her psychiatrist were the first men she encountered to have milky skin.

     "Jared Cameron. How do you feel about him?" He asked, leaning back against the plastic chair.

     She stared at the door where he just left, wondering what he was doing now. The only boys she conversed with when she was ten was her brother and Seth Clearwater. She wouldn't go as far as to say she had a crush on him, but he definitely was a sight for sore eyes. She used to have the biggest infatuation with a boy in her grade who used to throw crayons at her for fun. She thought Jared was a much better choice than the boy back then.

     "I like him. He's one of Jake's friends and he's been taking care of me while my brother is at work," she voiced. He tapped his pen against his chin, deciphering a thought in his mind.

     "Is there any reason why he's been visiting you more often than Paul, Sam, or Embry? I checked the visitor schedule. He's seen you six times this week, Penelope." He was hinting at something, but she was oblivious to this fact. She just savored the fact that she had a new friend.

     "Maybe he needs someone to talk to," she suggested, raising her shoulders in question. "I don't care why he's here, I'm grateful he's helping." There was a small knock and Jake's head peered in, fingers tapping on the wood.

     "Sorry to interrupt. Can we cut the procedures short for today? I don't think Penny wants to talk much."

     Jared had stalked off to the cafeteria, his stomach rumbling with hunger. Jake had heard the conversation taking place when he arrived and he wasn't pleased. The guy was asking too many questions about Penelope and Jared's relationship, and he was a good enough friend to stop him before Penelope could question why Jared was dropping by so frequently.

     She heard the squeaking of the chair and the flash of his white coat. The counselor's presence was replaced with her brother's, and her smile widened. "Hey, Jake," she murmured. He was wearing an old gray shirt, a hole ripped in his left shoulder.

     She didn't exactly know where Jake was working at, but he looked exhausted. He had the same bags under his eyes as Jared and you could tell from a glance that he was worn out.

     "Hey, how's my favorite sister?" He pinched her cheek and she hissed, swatting his hand away. She glared at him playfully and he chuckled. "Don't tell Rachel and Rebecca I said that."

     "Are they still here?"

     As far as she knew, Rachel had gone off with Paul for a few dates. Jake had ranted to her about it, saying that Paul was a player and he would break Rachel's heart. Rebecca was at home if she wasn't in the hospital, but she expressed how much she missed Solomon. La Push's beach was nothing in comparison to the sandy shores of Hawaii.

     "Yeah," Jake grumbled under his breath. "Paul's having dinner at our house tonight. That's why I thought I could spend the night here."

     Jake wasn't keen on having both of his sisters being imprinted on in the same week. Speaking of the devil, Jared intruded, holding a bear in his two hands. The furry friend was adorned with a white shirt and flowers. It had to be six inches smaller than him and Penelope's eyes widened at the size as it towered over his body, concealing his face from sight.

     "Got the biggest one in the gift shop," he chortled. "The lady gave it to me for free because she knew you, Pen." Jake raised an eyebrow at his friend's gesture. He was aware of Jared's dating record and buying gifts for his girlfriends wasn't on the list. Penelope was definitely the special one.

     Her mouth hung wide open and she held her arms out, wiggling her fingers in excitement. Jared placed the bear right next to her and she giggled, hugging its neck. "Wow, I wonder what kind of bribe you're making," Jake joked, winking at him. Jared rolled his eyes but was over the moon at Penelope's reaction.

     The two werewolves were up on their feet when Carlisle infiltrated their moment. The vampire wasn't fazed at the hostility, keeping his vision on Penelope.

     "Nice present you got there," he said kindly. He stood at the end of her bed with Jared and Jake at the sides, scrutinizing his every move. "I talked to your counselor before he left. He said you're really desperate to leave."

     Her head moved so fast that it hurt but she didn't care. She wanted to go home. She would even join in on this dinner with Paul if she had to. "Yes, please. I'm fine, Doctor Cullen. I can get situated at home with no problem."

     "Well," he exhaled. "If you really want to leave, I can't stop you. It's not what I would recommend, but I can tell you are unhappy. You can leave tomorrow at the earliest."

     She shrieked in joy but Jared frowned. Penelope had just learned how to perform long division when she should already know the properties of a parallelogram. He wasn't saying she should be in the hospital forever, but long enough for her safety.

     "Thank you!" Carlisle queried when the girl would turn against him after she learned the secrets of the tribe. Jake's affiliation with Bella might change the situation, but she was certainly raised by wolves. After his departure, Jake turned to her, concern written in his face.

     "Penny, I-"

     "I'm getting out of here, no exceptions. I don't care if you or anyone else dislikes it. I know I'm not ready and I haven't learned everything, but let me go home, Jake."

      Every bone in his body was screaming for Penelope to stay, but he kissed her forehead and pursed his lips.

     "Whatever you want, Princess Penny."

penelope and jared are the cutest i'm in love with the both of them