fourteen.
::ready or not::

"i could be your kryptonite"
—bridgit mendler

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"Jake, I just don't see why it's such a big deal?" Althea groaned out as she followed the boy around in his garage. "It was a nice gesture."

"Sam and his cult are not people you need to befriend. Let alone people to be alone with," Jacob told her.

"It was Emily, his fiancée who invited me. Not Sam. She's a nice person. I feel like you're blowing this out of proportion here," Althea tried to reason with him. He hasn't ever given them a chance and it was frustrating Althea that now he wanted to tell her she couldn't hang around them.

"I'm blowing it out of proportion? Thea, do you want to be mind controlled by him? I can't lose you like that. I already lost, Embry. I can't lose you. I don't want you around him or any of them," Jacob hissed out, throwing one of his tools down.

"Well, then it's a good thing you're not the boss of me," Althea crossed her arms over her chest. "I already told Emily I would go."

"Why can't you ever just listen? I'm looking out for you and I don't want you to get hurt. Why can't you see that I care about you, Thea?" Jacob said, grabbing her hands to look her in the eyes. They stood there for a moment, Althea with a stone cold look on her face. The boy went to cup her cheek and lean in but she was quick to dodge him.

"Jake. No."

"What happened between us? I thought there was something there? And now it's like you'd rather kiss a frog than kiss me," Jacob asked. Althea looked to the ground in shame. It wasn't that she didn't like when they kissed that one time. Once upon a time he was her whole world, but the feelings for him that she had for a long time just weren't necessarily there anymore. There was no spark. And she refused to lead him on like that. She couldn't pretend there was a spark there like her mother had done to her father.

"There was something there. But not anymore, Jake. I can't do that to you," She told him, regret in her eyes as he looked at her like he was in pain.

"You just can't do what? Reciprocate the feelings anymore?" He questioned, slightly irritated.

"At one point in time I would've been over the moon about you sharing the same feelings I had. I liked you Jacob. I really did. But I don't know where my feelings are. I'm always going to care for you, you're my best friend. And I can't lead you on if I don't know what my heart wants anymore," Althea responded.

"I can wait."

There it was. Again. Why did anyone even feel the need to wait for her. She wouldn't let anyone do that, not when it wasn't fair to them.

Althea shook her head. "No, Jake. I don't want you to. Not if you'll be waiting for a long time. It's not fair to you."

"But you're worth it, Thea," He tried to tell her but she backed away.

"Jacob, stop. I don't want you to wait for me because if you do, you might even miss a chance at actual love. Nothing has to change with our friendship, I promise. But I can't be unfair to you and string you along when I don't know what my heart wants and is trying to say right now. What kind of person would I be if I did that to you?"

Silence fell between them, but there was no mistaking the sound of Jacob's heart being squashed, slowly breaking under the pressure. He clenched his fist, trying to keep it all together even though he wanted to just tear the garage to shreds. Althea might have told him that nothing would change their friendship, but it felt like that's what was happening.

It had felt like it had been changing for a while now. Yet neither one of them wanted to admit it. Especially since him and Bella started to hang out more again. He felt Althea slipping from between his fingers again. And he only blamed it on them. The cult. It was all Sam and his followers fault. They were taking her from him like they did with Embry. It made him furious.

"I gotta go, Jacob. I'll see you around," Althea said. She looked over him before stepping close to him to place a kiss on his cheek. Then she turned around and walked out of the garage. When she got out of view of him, she let the tears slide down her face silently. This was one of the things she tried so hard to avoid from the beginning. Why years ago she had been scared to act on her feelings when they were the strongest because she didn't want to lose him. But there she was walking away from the boy and it felt like it was a goodbye for now between them. Things were going to be drastically different. The only thing that made her know he would be okay for now was that he still had Bella.

For once Althea had waved the white flag in her head and her usual territorialism when it came to Jacob dissipated. Bella had been in a funk for far too long and needed someone else besides Althea. And the younger Swan knew that Jacob would be that saving grace for Bella. He'd be her rock like he had always been Althea's.

🐺🐺🐺

Althea looked up and back down at the paper with an address and time written down on it by Emily Young. Once she had turned off the main road and followed a gravel road surrounded by a ton of trees, Althea got confused. Wondering if she was even going the right way or if she was about to get stranded in the middle of the woods on the reservation. But she kept going down the gravel road until a house came into view. She let out a breath of relief that there was indeed a house. And out on the porch was Emily sitting in a chair with a smile on her face.

Althea had rubbed her face over slightly. Knowing it was a little puffy and red from crying the drive there. But she was certain it wasn't all that bad. She smiled at Emily, exiting her car.

"You made it. I was worried that you would bail," Emily spoke up, pulling Althea in for a hug.

"I don't think I could bail on you, Emily. You're too sweet to do that to. If it was anybody else I would've come up with a half-assed excuse and rolled with it," Althea admitted, Emily chuckling at her honesty.

"I have to put another batch of muffins in and take the other ones out. But you came at that perfect time because the guys should be back soon enough. And you're here first which means you get first dibs," Emily told her before leading her inside. Althea took in the house and it was cozy. It had this nice homey-warmth to it. It was nice and calming.

Althea had picked a chocolate chip muffin that she was eating slowly. Trying her best to savor the delicious baked goods. Emily had been checking on the other batch when she peered over at Althea who sat at the table in the kitchen.

"So, is everything alright? You look like you've been crying?" Emily wondered, a look of concern on her face. Althea let out a sad sigh, slumping a little in her seat. Emily made her way over to the table to sit down so she could be face to face with the girl who seemed to have a lot on her mind.

"Jacob wasn't very keen on me coming here. And he got a little mad with me because I basically said he didn't control what I could do. And he tried to kiss me again..."

"He kissed you?" Emily asked, a little in surprise at the news.

"Well, we first kissed months ago, the day of my junior prom. Years ago I would've gotten so excited at the idea of that moment ever happening for us. But when he did it, it just didn't feel right. The fireworks I always imagined that would go off when it occurred were nonexistent. I agreed with him not to let the kiss change our friendship. Then summer came and I threw myself into work because I was honestly scared. We might have agreed for nothing to change between us, but I felt it deep down that it would. And then when he tried to kiss me today in the heat of the moment, I pushed him away. I couldn't do that to him. You should've seen the look on his face. I feel like I'm a horrible person," Althea explained. Her eyes watering again as she went over it all. Emily grabbed her hand and gave it a comforting squeeze.

"You aren't a horrible person for not wanting to lead him on. If you let him kiss you again, he would've thought there was something still there. It's better to be honest where your head is at instead of stringing the boy along. He'll understand. If not now, one day he will," Emily told her.

Althea nodded her head, wiping her eyes, "I never meant for things to get completely lost in translation with us. I never wanted to lose what we had. But deep down, I know we had been losing it for a while."

"From what I had been told, you two were like two-peas in a pod. Embry got annoyed by it sometimes. But you and Jacob will figure it all out eventually. Sometimes you need to fall apart to fall back together. Just give it some time and your friendship could be even stronger," Emily assured Althea. Bickering was heard from outside which caused Emily to lightly smirk and shake her head. "Here comes the calvary."

"Yo, it's my home-girl Althea," Jared whooped once his eyes set on the girl. She couldn't help but laugh while he came over to the table. He gave her a fist bump before snatching a muffin from the center of the table.

"Hey, Al," Embry greeted with a genuine smile. Happy that he could see the girl again after it being weeks. Due to him shifting he wasn't allowed to talk to anyone in his old life such as Jacob and Quil. And for a while Althea was included mainly because he needed to get his shift under control. Though the girl was unaware about their world and the fact Paul had imprinted on her, she was now an important member of their pack.

Therefore, Embry wasn't allowed around her until he could control his temper so he wouldn't phase in front of her and hurt her. It was against the rules to hurt an imprint and he knew Paul would kill him if he ever hurt Althea. But Embry also couldn't bear the thought of hurting the girl, she was still his friend.

"Hi, Em. It's been a bit. Are you feeling better? Your hair looks nice," She complimented his new appearance. She adored his long hair, but his short hair wasn't too bad.

"Yeah. I feel much better. Just a little bug, but that can't keep me down," He lied. Althea couldn't help her nose twitched slightly, catching his little lie. Afterall, she knew him for a long time. Lying wasn't his strong suit. He once had taken her last starburst and he lied straight to her face. But his face contorted in this look of pain before he would click his tongue. It was his habit whenever he wasn't telling the truth and he had just done the same thing just then. Though she decided not to push for the truth.

"How are you, Althea? How was that essay?" Sam questioned while he wrapped his arms around Emily, sharing a brief kiss.

"I'm good. That essay was annoying. All the books are blending together now if I'm being honest, I don't even know if I wrote about the right one," She groaned slightly.

"I bet you got an A on it. Don't stress," Paul spoke up, taking a seat beside the girl. Jared and Embry shared a knowing look while Emily and Sam smiled at each other. They all saw how their faces lightened up when their eyes locked.

"Nothing can stop me from stressing about it. But I appreciate your sudden confidence in my bs-ing of an essay," Althea commented with a smile. The boy smiled back, his eyes seeming to twinkle at her own warming smile.

"I'll always root for you. Even if you only wrote your name on the paper," Paul blurted out which caused the girl to raise her brow before bursting out laughing.

"Wow. That's cheesy," Althea said while the boy's face flushed a bit.

"Oh, look at that. He's getting red," Jared poked fun at Paul.

"Who would've thought? I didn't know he could feel anything, let alone embarrassment," Embry snickered. Paul turned to glare at the two, a dark look in his eyes.

"That's enough you two. Paul, let it go," Sam instructed, trying to slightly deescalate everything knowing that the Lahote boy had a short temper. 

"It's fine. It was cheesy but it's fine. I didn't mind it. It was a little entertaining to me," Althea said, placing her small hand over Paul's that rested on the table top. He melted at her touch, turning to face her as the coldness of his face disappeared.

"I can be more than cheesy if you want me to be?" He told her with a small smirk growing on his face, him getting a little closer to her. Her eyes narrowed slightly, catching on to what he was meaning. She playfully scoffed before lightly pushing him away by his face.

"Oh, go kick rocks," Althea jokingly responded. Embry and Jared snickering slightly.

"She just told you. That's my home-girl!" Jared exclaimed, high-fiving Althea. A low growl admitted from Paul, jealousy radiating off of him. Sam coughed in response to cover up the growl that came from the boy.

"So, why don't we start that movie before the guys have to leave to run some errands?" Emily suggested.

"I'm down," Althea shrugged before she paused slightly. "Oh, can we watch–."

"Don't say it!" Embry shouted, knowing the movie she would want to watch instantly. Althea slightly glared at the boy.

"What is it called, Althea?" Emily wondered, causing Embry to let out a groan. Althea kicked him under the table to get him to shut up.

"10 things I hate about you," Althea answered.

"Ooo, I haven't watched that one in a while!" Emily exclaimed. A smile spread on Althea's face at the positive response.

"I'm going to gouge my eyes out," Embry commented.

"It can't be that bad," Paul shrugged, wanting to give it a chance especially because Althea seemed to really like whatever the movie was.

"Trust me, it's bad when that's the only thing she ever picks on movie night so she can stare at Patrick Verona and comment how he's such a dreamboat," Embry told him. Paul frowned slightly before looking at Althea.

"Are you sure there's not another movie you want to watch?" Paul questioned. Althea crossed her arms over her chest, giving him his answer with just that answer. "Well, guess that's what we're watching..."

🐺🐺🐺

"Wow, that was some movie," Jared commented from the floor with a happy smile on his face. Embry had a bored expression on his face to mask the happy tears that fell from his eyes when Kat and Patrick made up.

"Right?! I love it so much. They both just go together so well!" Althea exclaimed.

"I forgot how much I loved the movie," Emily said, Sam looked over to her with an adoring look before placing a kiss on her cheek.

"What did you think, Paul?" Althea questioned, turning to the boy who sat on the floor below where she was on the couch. He looked up to her and shrugged.

"It wasn't that bad. I liked it," He answered. Althea's smile brightened causing the boy to smile back. Then she pointed at Embry in victory.

"In your face, Embry!" She stuck her tongue out at the Call boy who rolled his eyes.

"I should probably head home before my dad starts to blow up my phone," Althea announced. Everyone moved around to get up.

"I could go with you if you want?" Paul offered, Althea peered up at the Lahote boy slightly amused.

"Don't you all have some errands to run?" Althea asked with a raised brow. Paul glanced at Sam who nodded his head.

"Paul can catch up with us," Sam told her.

"But how would you get back? I drove my car," Althea wondered.

"I can take a short-cut through the woods. Besides, it'll give me some time to clear my head," Paul responded. Hoping she would agree for him to tag-along.

"Are you sure? There's been some... bear attacks happening? I wouldn't want you to get hurt," Althea said with a look of worry. She knew they weren't bear attacks, now. But she clearly wasn't going to tell them of the chilling truth. Even though they were already aware of what was going on.

"It'll be fine," Paul told her.

"Alright," Althea made her way over to Emily to give her a hug goodbye. "Thank you for having me. I really enjoyed today."

"You're welcome here anytime, Althea," Emily said to her.

"It was nice seeing you all again. Even you, Embry," Althea teased the boy who let out a huff in annoyance.

"Like, Emily said. You're welcome here anytime. I'm sure we'll be seeing you sooner rather than later," Sam spoke from beside his Fiancee. Althea waved to them once more before she headed out with Paul in tow.

Once Althea got situated in the car. Putting her seatbelt on and making sure her mixtape was in the CD player, she turned to look at the boy. He caught her eye then saw her look down at the unbuckled seat belt.

"What?" Paul asked in confusion.

"Seat belt," She instructed him.

"I'm sure I'll be fine without it," Paul declared.

"Oh, trust me. You're going to want to be buckled up," Althea told him with a mischievous look in her eyes. He shook his head not seeming to take her seriously.

"I bet it won't be that bad," He said with confidence causing the girl to shrug.

"Alright. But I warned you, Lahote," Althea clicked her tongue before putting the car in drive and pressing her foot hard on the gas. As the car sped down the gravel road, the boy's brown eyes widened in slight fear for not just her safety but his own.

Althea had parked in her driveway, glancing over to the boy who seemed to be catching his breath slightly. Having held it in slight fear by her driving.

"Wow, who would've thought I'd have you out of breath so soon," Althea taunted. The boy looked over to her, raising an eyebrow slightly at her somewhat sexual jab.

"Don't worry. Soon enough I can return the favor," Paul smirked.

"Oh, I bet you'd love that," Althea said, letting out a small laugh. The boy melted at the sound of her soft laugh. It made butterflies erupt in his stomach. "Anyway, I don't believe you'd be able to even achieve that. I'm a picky person. And it's really hard to please me."

"I think I'd surprise you. You wouldn't be disappointed," Paul confidently said. Althea hummed in response before stepping out of her car. Once the boy had exited the car and shut the door while she was quick to lock it.

"You do also know that just because your dad is the chief of police doesn't mean you can speed like a mad woman," Paul pointed out with a raised brow.

"Please, I have a need for speed. They'd never be able to catch me regardless," Althea told him.

"Don't be too sure. You never know, there may come a day where you get pulled over for that deadly driving," Paul said.

"Well, then I'd deal with it when that day comes. But for now, I'll stay living in the moment. Now I should probably head inside," Althea nodded her head towards the front door.

"Yeah, I should get going before Sam bites my head off," He looked around to see no other cars there. "Where is everyone? Are you going to be home alone?" Paul slightly began to worry.

"I'm sure Bella will be back eventually. I have to check the calendar to see if dad's shift is tonight or if it was earlier," Althea informed him, not really seeing a problem with being alone. Yeah, vampires were real and present in the area. But she had been left alone for periods of time before with no problem.

"Well, just make sure the doors are locked. Don't need you disappearing in the night. Text me if you need anything. Maybe, if you wanted to, we could go to the little diner Sue Clearwater owns on the Rez sometime this week?" Paul wondered, feeling slightly nervous at what the girl's answer would be. But as he stumbled slightly with his words the girl couldn't help but smile. He was cute when he rambled.

"I would really like that."

"Really? Wow. Okay. Great. Yeah. We can plan a day to go," Paul nodded his head in slight surprise that she agreed.

"I'll see you around, Lahote. Be careful on your way back," Althea told him.

"I'm always careful," He responded, causing her to playfully scoff before waving at him and heading inside. He stood out there until he heard the click of the lock then he ran towards the woods, disappearing into the treeline.