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SIX; SOULMATES

     DAYS UNTIL NEW YORK: 92.

     After three days of begging, pleading, and crying, June had finally gotten her way. Her mother gave her precisely three months in case she wanted to change her mind or make amends with friends who betrayed her. If she still wanted to leave by then, they would pack up all of their belongings and disappear from sight.

     When she received the good news, June decided it was time for a change. She cut her hair herself, leaving it at shoulder length. She figured shaving it all off wouldn't be a pretty look for her.

     Word had spread around quickly about June's departure because she made the accidental mistake of telling Amber, who loved to gossip. Girls at school were begging her to stay, but their eyes clearly read they were happy she was finally leaving. June was somehow more appealing to the boys, who thought it would be great to fall in love with her for three months without any commitment afterwards.

     Jake was the first pack member to hear the news. He requested to have a few days off from his patrol shifts, and Sam allowed it as soon as he heard what had happened.

     Quil was the last to find out. The pack did their best to keep it hidden from him, but Paul accidentally let it slip when they were scanning the perimeter. Quil immediately raced to June's house and four wolves had to pin him down to ensure he wouldn't reveal their secret.

     Quil had to be watched over carefully after that incident. One of the pack would always be with him, especially at school. Quil found it particularly difficult when he saw June's new haircut, and boys ambushing her with roses and posters every second of the day.

     "Looking sad isn't going to change Sam's mind."

     Quil glared at Paul, who was less than sympathetic about the situation. Personally, Paul thought June was smart to leave this crazy town. She got completely screwed over by both Jake and Quil and she had every right to leave.

     "She can't leave, alright? She doesn't know what she's doing," Quil sighed. He observed June from across the hallway. She was being escorted by another guy to her next class.

     "Don't be selfish. You and Jake treated her like dirt."

     "I would be with her right now if it wasn't for the stupid shapeshifting gene. I'm supposed to be normal. I'm supposed to be with her."

     Paul rolled his eyes. "We're all supposed to be normal, but we're not." He slapped Quil's shoulder and pointed out at the crowd of people swarming the school's hallways. "We're their protectors, Quil. We make sure they get home safe and sound."

     "If those damn bloodsuckers never existed, none of us would be in this mess," Quil replied. He saw June turn the corner, a different boy walking briskly behind.

     "Trust me, that's what Sam says everyday. We can't have it all."

     "I got it, Paul." Jake approached, assuring Paul he could stop watching over Quil. Quil scoffed. He didn't need a babysitter to be with him. He was perfectly capable of holding their secret, but he just wanted June to stay. If she left, he didn't think he could hold himself up for the rest of his sorry life.

     "You have to let her go. I've accepted it, and I was in love with her for the longest time. She's made her decision, Quil, and you know how headstrong that girl is. June doesn't need us anymore," Jake said, staring at his friend. Embry and Quil made up when Quil was introduced to the pack, but it took a little while longer for him to warm up to Jake again. The two didn't have the same bond they once had before.

     "An imprint." Quil tilted his head as if he was in deep thought. The first bell rang, but neither of the boys were in a rush to get to class. Their grades were worsening from the duties being placed upon their shoulders, but luckily, both of them had a parent who understood. "If I imprint on June, I can tell her about us, right?"

     "You think you can imprint on her? I dated her-"

     "Stop reminding me," Quil grumbled. "I don't need the constant reminder of you and June's track record. Just because you were in love with her doesn't mean I can't imprint."

     "Let's head to class. And no running away this time either."

     "You know I'm going to find a way to see her. One way or another, I'm telling her how I feel before she leaves me completely."

     "Good luck with that."

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     Days until New York: 90.

     "June! A girl named Emily just dropped this off for you!" Marah called for her daughter, holding a package in her hands. June emerged from her bedroom as her mother handed her the brown box.

     She ripped it open and a peach colored dress fell out, falling to the floor. "Oh!" Marah quickly picked it up and held it in the light. It was a long strapless dress with a silver colored belt across the waistline. "This is beautiful! Who would give you such a gift, June Bug?"

     June scanned the card inside. Her heart started to beat faster when she recognized the handwriting.

     June,

     I hope one day you'll forgive me and the two boys who have fallen head over heels for you. I ordered your bridesmaid dress early in case you wanted to travel from New York for our wedding. I really miss you, June. It'd be nice if you could drop by tomorrow at twelve. I promise I'll clear the house so you'll have no troubles or worries about seeing people you wouldn't wish to.

     With all my heart,
     Emily

     "Well? Who's it from, sweetheart?"

     June pursed her lips and folded the card, stuffing it into the back pocket of her jeans. "No one, mom. An old friend."

     "Remember, you have three months-"

     "To make amends. I know, I know."

     Marah grinned and kissed her forehead before leaving the dress with her, skipping downstairs to start preparing dinner.

     June reread the letter over and over until she finally decided what she wanted to do. She supposed she treated Emily unfairly and it was only right to attend her wedding and say her goodbyes. After all, the woman still held a special place in her heart.

     June trudged over to her house the next day. There were no cars or shirtless men in sight, and June felt relieved that Emily kept her promise. When she knocked on the door, she was enveloped in a hug and the two girls cried for a good ten minutes on Emily's porch.

     "Thanks for coming," Emily smiled. She made her a cup of tea and set it down in front of June. "I know how hard it was for you to actually come over."

     "I was being bitter," June shook her head. Emily took the seat across from her. "You're a great friend, Emily."

     "I'm really not. You had every right to be mad at me, June. I kept secrets from you and I wish I could tell you, but they're not my secrets to share."

     "I understand," June nodded. "You're only trying to protect your fiancé."

     "Oh, I really wish you wouldn't leave," Emily sighed, placing her hand over June's. "This town isn't the same without you. I swear I saw a boy from your school crying yesterday because he heard you were moving away."

     June couldn't help but laugh at that. "Yeah, it's been a bit hectic lately. Ever since Amber spread around that I was shipping off, guys took it as an invitation to start flirting with me constantly."

     "You're a gorgeous girl," Emily complimented. A sudden silence took over before Emily cleared her throat. "He misses you, you know."

     "Which one? Asshole number one or two?"

     "June," Emily said sternly. "Quil talks about you all the time."

     "Shame he can't bulk up and talk to me then."

     "He'll actually be back in a few minutes if you want to stay-"

     "That's my cue to leave." June stood from her seat and hugged Emily. "Let's grab lunch or something before I leave, okay? Just you and me."

     "Alright," Emily smiled softly. "Be careful, June. I know you'll turn into something amazing."

     Quil arrived at Emily's house five minutes after June's exit. He was panting frantically. "Where is she? I know she's here, Emily!" Quil began his frantic rampage, searching Emily's house. Sam came inside a few moments later to explain.

     "He found out June was here." Sam was also out of breath, and Emily assumed it was from chasing Quil around. The new addition to the pack was more challenging than Sam ever imagined.

     "Did she leave? Shit, I'm going to get her."

     "Quil, sit down. That's an order."

     "Fuck you and your orders! The love of my life is leaving me in three months and I don't give a shit about the tribe's secrets!" The boy raged at his alpha, shaking his head. Emily had to kiss Sam to calm him down. Subsequently after they pulled away, Quil was out of sight.

     Quil stormed out, slamming the screen door behind him. He tried to imagine what course of direction June would've taken. He knew she would've walked to Emily's because sometimes she enjoyed being left alone with her thoughts. She often expressed her liking towards the quiet scenery around her. It would probably be a feature she would miss about La Push.

     Quil found her when she was only a few feet away from her house. It was hard recognizing her without her long hair, and even harder when she didn't turn around to smile at him.

     "Hurricane June."

     June felt her blood run cold. She closed her eyes when she recognized his voice. He was the only person she trusted as her whole life fell apart, and all he did was let her down.

     "You have no right to say my name. You or Jake."

     "I know," he choked, holding back his tears. He was a few inches away from her now, but she looked straight ahead, refusing to meet his eyes. Her back was turned towards him and Quil examined her new haircut. He could obviously tell she had done it herself, since the ends were choppy and uneven. She must've done it in a fit of rage. "I know. I don't deserve you or your friendship. Hell, I don't even deserve to talk to you right now, but I'm going to do it. I love you, June. Please don't leave me. I promise things will be different. I simply need a few more days to work everything out."

     Jake arrived after receiving direct orders from Sam. He stopped when he saw a tearful Quil standing behind his ex-girlfriend. Jared was fast on his heels. "Wait," Jake hissed, extending his arm to stop Jared's movements.

     "What are you doing? We have to stop him before he does something stupid."

     "No. Let him speak to her," Jake took a deep breath. "He deserves it."

     June spun around. She kicked him in the shin, but a surge of pain drifted up her leg. Quil's eyes widened as he leaned down to catch her when she fell. "Shit! Is your leg made out of metal or something? Is that what they did to you? Turn you into a fucking robot?"

     June met his eyes.

     "Quil! C'mon, you slowpoke! We're going to be late!"

     Quil wiped the lipstick from his mouth and chuckled. He shut his front door and locked it. "I'm not the one who decided to make out with their boyfriend a hour before the wedding."

     June crossed her arms and huffed. Quil smiled at how cute she was and kissed the top of her forehead. "Relax. I'm sure Emily will understand that one of her bridesmaids is late."

     "Yeah, I'm late because I couldn't keep my hands off my partner. Great excuse," June rolled her eyes, wrapping her arms around Quil's neck and pressing her lips to his. He smiled and slithered his arms around her waist, lifting her from the ground. She squealed and hit his chest.

     They pulled apart and she winked. "Now, let's go watch Emily and Sam get married. Fucking finally after all of this vampire nonsense."

     Quil blinked. June was still ranting about how idiotic he was and attempted to balance herself as she stood back up.

     He stepped forward and cupped his hands around her cheeks. He smashed their lips together and June's body went stiff. Once she regained her composure, she grabbed a fistful of Quil's shirt and returned the kiss with as much passion.

     "Don't leave me, June. Not now, not ever."

YES QUIL YOU GO AND GET HER