CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Paul and Serena walked side by side, their hands clasped together, as they made their way toward Sam's home. Both were soaked from head to toe due to their playful water fight in the ocean, and they knew that Billy would likely have a fit if he saw Serena in such a state, especially alongside Paul, especially at this late hour.

As Serena and Paul continued walking, she couldn't resist throwing in a comment, muttering, "You know, if Jacob is at Sam's, you're dead."

Paul came to a halt, feigning annoyance, "Why do you have to ruin the moment like that?" he complained.

She snorted in response, her expression amused. "I'd rather have you warned than suddenly flung across the room, by my little brother" she explained, her tone matter-of-fact.

Paul looked at her with a mix of annoyance and fondness as she chuckled. He groaned in mock irritation, "Not helping, Serena. Not helping at all."

She reassured him, patting his chest gently. "Don't worry. Jacob is with Bella right now, so you're safe."

He narrowed his eyes at her, a mixture of disbelief and humor in his expression. "You are absolutely evil," he muttered, but a hint of a smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

As Serena and Paul entered, it was as if they had stepped onto a stage, with the boys, Leah, and Emily acting as the audience in the seats. The room fell silent as they caught sight of the couple, and a mixture of surprise and intrigue filled the air.

Serena couldn't help but feel as though she was suddenly in a live performance, each pair of eyes on her as she stood next to Paul, their damp clothes clinging to their bodies.

She became keenly aware that her grip on Paul's hand was firm, and she glanced at him to see an amused expression on his face. Her frown deepened, and with an edge in her voice, she muttered, "Wipe that smirk off your face, Lahote, before you regret it."

The others in the room could easily hear her words, and their laughter filled the air, clearly enjoying the exchange between Serena and Paul.

Jared, with his arms crossed, smiled and posed the question, "I take it you two are good now?"

Serena and Paul exchanged a glance, and Serena responded with a mix of certainty and slight hesitation, "Well, yes, but we're still working on it."

Embry, with a hint of sarcasm, used air quotes as he commented, "Working on it," only to receive a light smack on the shoulder from Quil, who joined in on the laughter.

Emily stepped forward, addressing Serena, "Enough boys. Serena, come with me; I've got some clothes you can borrow. You should take a shower before you catch a cold." With a stern glance, she scolded them for not noticing earlier.

"Thanks, Em," Serena responded as she walked past the boys, meeting Leah's gaze. Leah followed her into the restroom, sitting on the counter as Serena began undressing.

Leah leaned against the counter, her arms crossed, and posed the question, "So, you two are back together?" Her eyes studied Serena intently, awaiting her response.

Serena stepped into the shower, the stream of water rinsing away the day's events from her skin. She responded to Leah's question, "Well, yes and no, but like we said, we're going to work on it."

Leah leaned in, her tone not rude but genuinely curious, "How can you do it?" She sought an answer from Serena, wanting to understand her choice in returning to a relationship with Paul.

Serena peered out of the shower, the water still cascading over her hair and body. With a vulnerable honesty, she confessed, "I decided to stop running for once, and open my eyes to the fact that I can't blame him alone. Do you- Do you think that's foolish of me?"

Leah met her gaze and sighed before giving her an earnest response, "To be honest, I think it's brave of you to return to the thing that hurt you, and try to mend it."

Serena spoke with conviction, her voice carrying a sense of reassurance, "Leah, I promise you, you will find someone who is worth it all, someone who will love you and only you. Don't give up."

Leah smiled softly, looking at Serena and replied, "You got lucky, Serena, but I think after everything you went through, I believe you deserve it."

"Thank you, Leah. I appreciate your words and your support," Serena responded, genuinely touched by her friend's encouragement.

Leah nodded, and the room fell silent for a moment before she spoke up again," Can I ask you a question, Serena? It's about Paul"

Serena looked at Leah, her curiosity piqued. "Sure, go ahead," she responded, wondering what Leah wanted to know about Paul.

"Why did you decide to give him another chance?" Leah asked, her curiosity evident in her voice. "I mean, after everything he put you through...Why did you decide to forgive him?"

Serena paused for a moment, considering her answer. "Well, I guess I realized that holding onto anger and blame only hurts me more in the end," she explained.

"When I looked back, I recognized that we both made mistakes. We both played a part in the breakdown of our relationship. Holding onto the thought that it was all his fault doesn't help either of us."

Leah nodded, understanding Serena's perspective. "But can you really trust him not to hurt you again?" she questioned, her concern evident in her voice.

"That's the thing, Leah," Serena replied, her voice soft but steady. "Trust isn't something you just give away again immediately. It has to be earned back. We're both willing to work on rebuilding that trust. It's going to take time, but I believe it's worth the effort."

Leah stayed quiet, digesting what Serena said. She saw the determination in her friend's eyes. And while she still had her doubts, she couldn't help but admire Serena's courage to give it another shot.

"You're really something, Serena," Leah said finally, a small smile on her face. "I just hope he realizes how lucky he is to have you."

Serena smiled back at Leah, grateful for her friend's support. "Thank you, Leah. That means a lot coming from you," she replied.

The water continued to run in the background, the sound of the shower acting as a comforting ambient for their conversation.

"Just promise me one thing, okay?" Leah said, her tone serious.

Serena looked at her, sensing the importance of her words. "Anything. What is it?"

Leah held her gaze, her voice firm. "If he hurts you again, even in the slightest way, I'm coming after him"

Serena chuckled lightly, acknowledging the protective side of her friend. "I appreciate it, Leah. I really do," she said with a smile.

Leah's expression softened, but her protective instincts remained. "I'm serious, Serena," she said, her tone adamant. "Paul better treat you better this time around, or he'll have to answer to me."

Serena chuckled again, knowing that Leah meant every word. "Understood. I'll make sure he knows he's on thin ice," she replied with a hint of playful teasing.

Satisfied with Serena's response, Leah couldn't help but smirk. "You better," she replied. "And if he dares to hurt you again, I won't hold back"

The room fell silent as the shower water continued to run in the background, the sound acting as a reminder of the conversation they just had.