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𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐘-𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄

    𝐏𝐀𝐔𝐋 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐀𝐕𝐎𝐈𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐇𝐄𝐑. Liz shouldn't really be surprised, since he had become such a master at it. But Danny claims he was not in the right headspace after the imprint, that he is confused and needed time to process the whole situation.

    To be honest, Liz didn't mind that much. It gave her time to process the whole thing herself and the fact that Angela could be brought into the supernatural world. Liz never thought any of her friends would ever know the truth and she really does not know how to handle it. A part of her needed to make sure that she postponed the revelation for Angela as long as possible. The girl was going through too much to deal with all that crap on top of it. Telling her she was imprinted on by a shapeshifting werewolf was not something she needed on top of everything else.

    But there was another part of Liz, the selfish part, that was a bit happy that Angela could possibly share this secret with her. It will be nice to have someone during all this, and since she and Bella were no longer on speaking terms, Liz has felt alone in this. She has felt alone since Jasper left.

    However, Paul seemed to be done hiding. He had texted her last night, told her to meet him at Sam's place when school lets out. Liz knew this conversation was going to be more than just the imprint. Liz was ready to actually talk to him, ready to confront him. She needed this confrontation, she couldn't put it off any longer.

    "I did see something in the woods." Liz heard Angela say as she came over with her lunch tray and took a between her and Mike.

    "Saw what?" Liz questioned the group.

    "Angela thinks she saw bigfoot in the woods," Mike laughed and the dark hard girl reached across the blonde to whack him on the shoulder.

    "Shut up, I never said it was bigfoot!" Angela defended before turning to Liz. "Hallie and I went for a walk through the trail in our backyard and I swear I saw something deep in the woods. It was huge. It was like dark silver, it was hard to tell from so far away. It was on all fours, but it was still taller than a person. A bear, maybe?"

    Liz tried to keep her face calm and pretended to be surprised, but really she was trying not to show her realization as she knew exactly who Angela had seen. That fucking idiot.

    "Or an alien," Mike suggests. "You are lucky you didn't get probed."

    Angela rolled her eyes. "Well, I saw it and I grabbed Hallie and basically ran home. Wasn't about to be killed by whatever the fuck it was."

    Liz kept her mouth shut, not really sure what to say. If Angela wanted to believe it was a bear, then good. But now Liz really needed to talk to Paul and can not wait to knock some sense into him for his recklessness.

    Suddenly, the mood in the cafeteria shifted as a familiar figure around the table, all eyes turning to her curiously. Jessica and Liz were the only ones who really tensed when Bella appeared. Liz tried not to stand up and walk away as she took a seat, not going to let this bitch push her from her table and her friends, the one's Bella had neglected and ignored for several months now.

    "You know, you're not the only one." Bella explained, looking right at Angela as she took a seat beside Mike. "My dad's been getting reports at the station. Like five hikers have been killed by some bear. But they can't find the bear."

    Liz bit her tongue, taking in the information. Despite who it came from, the information was shocking and made her go still. Liz is the only one at this table who knows that it is not a bear they are talking about, but the five hikers being dead? She didn't know about that. That only means something else is here and the wolves are chasing it. Why hadn't she put this together? It makes sense since Embry phased and now Danny is worried Jake might be next.

    That is when the red eyes and matching hair came back into her vision, the night of the bachelorette party replayed in her mind as clear as day. Liz suddenly felt sick and pushed her tray away, not hungry anymore.

    She definitely has more to talk to Paul about now.

    Liz had zone the rest out, Angela looking towards Eric and Jessica, unaware of Mike asking Bella out on the date right next to her. She knew he and Jessica were once again on a break and since Mike knew better than to take his shot with her, he went to the girl just who ressurated from the dead.

    "Do you guys want to see Punch Face?" Bella asked the table, which brought Liz out of her own thoughts.

    "Face Punch? Yeah!" Eric said ethuscatically. "Mike, hey, we were supposed to watch that. Remember the trailer's like... 'punch faces'."

    Mike hummed. "I remember."

    "Yeah! Movie night with Bella." Jessica fake sang, glancing over at Liz, the two girls sharing a knowing look. Jessica and Liz are the only ones who have a good reason not to join Bella on another movie night, given what had happened last time. Angela is the only one who knows about it.

   "I mean, I need to see if it's a good night so I'll let you know." Angela said and everyone at the table understood besides Bella, who nodded nonetheless.

    "What about you, Liz? You gonna come?" Eric is the one to ask.

    Liz's gaze dropped to Bella and she gave the brunette the harshest glare she could muster, Bella squirmed in her chair and looked at her nervously. The blonde never tore her eyes from the Swan girl as she finally said, "I'd rather swallow bleach."

    The table went silent as Liz stood, the chair scraping against the floor. The girl grabbed her uneaten tray to the trash before walking out of the cafeteria, not having the strength to be near Bella without the chance of slapping her. 

✿

    November 10th, 2004

    "I'm sorry, the number you are trying to reach is not available. Please leave a message at the beep."

    It had taken everything in Liz Chambers to dial his number. The minute she had requested to borrow her Nana's cell phone, Vivian knew exactly who she needed to call. Nurses and staff were active and busy outside of her private room, so she made sure her Nana shut the door before she left. It took several deep breaths before Liz entered the number she had memorized since he was finally able to afford the phone.

    BEEP.

    "Pa-ul." Liz couldn't stop her throat from closing as a sob broke out. "Paul, I know I shouldn't be calling you. You made your feelings very clear the last time we spoke... but-" Liz breathed again, slowly this time, trying to control herself but was failing miserably. "Paul, they're dead. My p-parent are dead and I-I don't know what to do..."

    Liz wiped her face and hugged herself tightly. She inhaled sharply and sobbed into her hand. "I-I need you, Paul. Please- please come visit me. They transferred me to Forks Hospital. I need you now more than I've ever needed anybody—"

    Liz needed her best friend. Needed the person she considered a brother. Needed the person who had been on her side through the whole ordeal with her parents and Esters. He was her person. She needed her person.

    Liz took deep, attempting to calm herself, but she was still shaking very badly, her hand hardly able to hold the phone steady. "J-Just please come." She managed to get out before shutting the phone to end the call. She brought her arm to her mouth to muffle her sobs, praying that Paul gets her message and comes soon.

    She knows he will. Despite what has happened, despite his harsh words a couple weeks ago, he was still Paul. He was still her best friend.

><><><

     November 16th, 2004

    He never came. Almost a full week went by and Paul never came, never even called her back.

    Liz should be pissed off, but she wasn't. She wasn't anything really. She was numb, barely audible. Her knee killed her when the medication started to wear off, and she felt so drained despite spending most of her time in bed.

    She was being discharged today, mainly because her parents' funeral was tomorrow. She was going to have to be pushed in a wheelchair until she got used to her crutches. She didn't really care at this point. Nothing mattered anymore. Not her knee, not her deteriorating eyesight, not her Nana's comforting words or her sister's distraught and hysterical behavior.

    She was just... numb.

    Liz was in her room in the wheelchair, waiting for her Nana to get back from signing the discharge papers. She fumbled with the phone in her hands. It was her Nana's since hers was destroyed in the accident.

    She debated calling him again. If it was worth it. Maybe he didn't get the message?

    Despite everything, she was still holding out hope for him. That their past meant something for the both of them. They've grown up together. She refused to give up that hope.

    With that spark of encouragement, Liz opened her Nana's cell and dialed his number. She was calmer this time, she had cried herself out this past week. As the phone rang, she could feel her hands shaking with anticipation.

    "Please answer. Please answer." She mumbled to herself, but just like last time, she was met with disappointment.

   "I'm sorry, the number you are trying to reach is not available. Please leave a message at the beep."

    Liz almost hung up, but she decided to give it one last shot. "Hey. It's me again. Um, I honestly don't know why I am calling again. I know what you said, that our friendship was done, but I guess I'm still holding out that shred of hope that you will get over whatever the hell is going on with you and be there for me. Just like I keep telling you I am here for you, whatever it is, you know you can talk to me about it."

   Liz pinched the bridge of her nose, the pain between her eyes was getting worse, something her doctors said she can look forward to dealing with for a long while. "Look, Paul, I really need you. Can you please, please just come to the funeral? They were your parents too, blood or not. My dad taught you to drive and how to shave. My mom fed you whenever you came over. They always bought you Christmas presents and always got you a cake for your birthday. You were a son to them just like you are a brother to me.."

    "I will save you a seat next to me. Please, Paul. I am begging you."

    Liz hangs up just before her Nana returns, the older woman giving the girl the best smile she could muster. "Ready, sweetheart?"

    The blonde only nodded even if it was a lie. She wasn't ready. She will never be ready for this.

><><><

    November 17th, 2004

    Hot tears were pouring out of her eyes. She had managed to escape the reception which was being held at the house. Handled being able to be in there for longer than two minutes before she rolled herself onto the balcony and then grabbed the crutches she wasn't really supposed to be using yet and hauled herself outside. She may have swiped a bottle of vodka from her father's secret stash before calling.

    "I'm sorry, the number you are trying to reach is not available. Please leave a message at the beep."

    Beep.

    "Hey, Paul. It's me. Liz. Remember me? The best friend you fucking tossed aside like nothing? Yeah, well, we missed you at the funeral. Yeah, it was a fucking blast. I had to sit in the very front where everyone could watch me and look at the poor tragic girl who lost her parents and survived a massive pile up. Did you know it was a closed casket? Yeah, apparently the burn marks on their skin would have been too scarring for an open one."

    "Of course you don't! Because you are a god damn selfish, inconsiderate bastard! Why-Why did I even think for a second you would show up? I mean, like you said, we aren't friends anymore. I apparently mean nothing to you and neither do my parents- GOD!"

    Liz took a sip of the vodka, coughing at the strong taste but it was not erasing the pain or the migraine.

    "What did I do? Huh, Paul? What did I do to make you this malicious? W-Why do you hate me?"

    "Lizzie?" The sound of her Nana calling out to her, but she could barely hear them as she brought the phone back to her ear.

    "I hope you rot in fucking hell, Paul Lahote!" She seethed into the speaker, looking like a total mess. "You better never speak to me or look my way ever again! Because you, sir, are fucking dead to me! Dead!"

    "Liz, where did you get that bottle?" Vivian asked, trying to take the bottle but Liz snapped it back a little too hard and she lost balance on her crutch, falling down and landing with a loud bang.

    What followed next was a lot of crying and hyperventilating, which worried her Nana too much she paid to get her on the next flight to California that very night.

✿

    𝐋𝐈𝐙 𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐃 𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐓 not to let her emotions show as she pulled up to Sam Uley's place. She allowed her bike to slow to a full stop but kept it going for a good minute, not making any attempts to dismount or take off her helmet, seeing as it was doing a good job at shielding her face.

    Liz took a few deep, long breaths, trying to stop herself from wanting to burst into tears at what almost just happened. Her heart was still beating a mile a minute and her hands were shaking badly. Liz closed her eyes and shook out her hands to get rid of the trembling that had taken over.

    On the drive here, Liz had a piercing pain between her eyes so bad it was basically blinding, when she opened her eyes she had run a stop sign and was nearly hit by a car. She could still hear the loud horn as she skidded to stop, nearly falling off her motorcycle but had managed to catch herself. This is what her doctor had warned her about, that the episodes would start becoming more frequent which is why he suggested not driving on days when her migraines were at their worst.

    It had taken her a while on the side of the road to pull herself together long enough to make it Sam's place. She did her best to pull herself together, managing to calm herself just as the door opened and Paul came out. Liz pushed her helmet off and shook out her hair, finally dismounting and turning off the bike.

    Paul, however, was able to see through her facade. The benefit of knowing someone most of your life. "Are you alright?"

    Liz cleared her throat and placed her helmet on the seat, brushing her hair over her shoulders. "I'm fine."

    Paul knew she was lying but smartly didn't press her on it. "Come inside. Sam went with Emily to visit her sister to get a new rug or whatever that she doesn't want."

    "Okay." Is all Liz said. She grabbed the bat that was tied tightly to the back of the seat and brought it with her.

    Paul looked over his shoulder and paused midstep. "Did you bring a baseball bat?"

    "Uh huh."

    "Okay..." Paul blinked, perplexed. "Why did you bring a baseball bat?"

    "Well, Danny informed me that if I punch you with my fist as hard as I possibly can I could most likely break my hand. So if you say anything to piss me off, hopefully this will get the job done."

    "God, if I didn't know you any better I'd ask if you were serious. But I do know you better so I'm just gonna stand a few feet back."

     "Very wise decision."

     The two headed inside, Liz letting Paul hold the door open as she casually walked in. Neither of them bothered to move into the living room or sit down at the kitchen table. Paul just leaned against the kitchen counter, arms crossed and Liz stood awkwardly a few feet from him.

    Silence fell upon them and Liz was nervous for a whole other reason. She remembers the last time she had been alone with him. It was when he ended their friendship. But Liz didn't consider it ended until after the day of the funeral because until that day, she was holding onto whatever shred of pathetic hope she was holding out for him.

    It was clear they were both waiting for the other to start and Paul was a lot better at brooding and keeping quiet than Liz was, which is why she glared at him with such annoyance before stomping her foot on the ground to let out some aggression. "You imprinted on Angela? What the hell, Paul?"

    "It's not something you can control, Liz. It just... happened."

    Liz rolled her eyes, so tired of that excuse. "Of course it had to be my best friend."

    Paul pressed his lips together to keep from saying something, but Liz didn't miss the flash of hurt in his eyes from her words. "Like I said, an imprint is not something you can control."

    Liz cocked her head to the side. "She saw you, you know?"

    Paul didn't need her to explain to know what she was talking about and sighed. "I know."

    Liz raised her brow. "So... what? Imprinting takes away your common sense? How can you be so reckless and spy on her like that?"

    "I wasn't spying on her," Paul immediately defended. "I was patrolling and caught her scent. There have been-" But he hesitated, going immediately silent afterwards. Liz raised a brow, but already knew what he was about to say.

    "There's a vampire that's been killing hikers, hasn't there?"

    Paul gave a stiff nod and straightened his shoulders. "I caught Angela's scent and I followed it. The leeches have been sloppy with their kills. I needed to make sure Angela or her sister didn't become their next target."

    Liz frowned. "Leeches? There are more than one?"

    "We think so. Though the redhead has been hanging out for a while."

    Liz felt her entire body go stiff from his words. The redhead. She was right. She wasn't hallucinating. Victoria is back. She is back to finish the job. James' words echoed in her head.

    "It will be satisfying watching what she has planned for you. Trust me, you are going to wish it was me. If there is a human Victoria thinks can even compare to her in beauty, well lets just say she makes it so no one would ever question that again."

    Liz went pale and Paul was now standing up straight, noticing her change in demeanor. "What is it? Do you know these bloodsuckers?"

    Liz did not look at him. She knows she should tell him the truth, tell him about what happened that night with James, what led Victoria to returning. But talking about it meant talking about the Cullens... and damn it, she was a coward by not having the strength to do that at this moment. Especially with him.

    So, Liz lied.

    "No." She breathed out, choosing her words carefully. "They are probably just nomads passing through. They won't stay for long."

    Paul scoffed. "Did you learn that from your leech boyfriend?"

    Liz sent him a cold glare. "Do not bring him up."

    "I told you to break up with him at the prom. But then again, at the time, I was convinced you didn't know what he was."

    Liz hummed. "And when did you realize that I did know?"

    "I saw you guys during the summer," Paul said calmly. "He was running with you on his back. He got close to the treaty when I was patrolling with Jared. I heard you laughing."

    Liz pushed back the ache of the memory, multiple memories at multiple occasions Paul could have seen them, and crossed her arms over her chest. "I'm surprised you waited so long to say something."

    "Would you have listened? I'm dead to you, remember?" Paul stated bitterly.

    Liz narrowed her eyes at the wolf. "Are you trying to make me hit you with this bat?"

    "Go ahead if that's what you need to do to get it out of your system."

    "God, Paul, I don't know what you want me to say."

    Paul scoffed in disbelief. "You don't know what to say? That's a first."

    He pushed her to her limit as she wrapped her other hand around the base of the bat and swung at him, but Paul was able to block the blow with one hand. Liz wrestled to get it back but Paul wasn't relenting. She groaned and released it, a simmering glare directed at the male in front her. Paul then set the bat down on the counter behind him before turning back to Liz.

    "I want you to tell you what happened, why I cut you off."

    Liz only rolled her eyes. "I know what happened. You phased into a giant wolf and then turned into a giant dick."

    "That's only half of the truth."

     Liz was shaking, remembering those long days in the hospital, staring at the door begging for him to show up. After leaving two sappy voicemails, the first one asking him to visit her once she got transferred to Forks Hospital. The second being the day before she was released for the funeral, basically begging him to come because she didn't think could make it through without him.

    The last one was right after the burial. It did not end well for Liz, her mental breakdown during the call resulted in her Nana bringing her back to California with her and immediately put into therapy.

     "Only half the truth?" Liz repeated through gritted teeth. "The only truth I know is that you abandon me at the worst possible moment of my life! That is my truth!"

    Liz turned, not able to look at him any longer but Paul stood taller. "Liz, I didn't get the voicemails until the day after the funeral."

    She paused, remaining with her back turn as she did her best not to cry. "What are you talking about?"

    "I didn't know you or your parents were in that wreck until three days later. Apparently that is when you woke up for the first time since and the hospital was able to give the hospital proper identification. Your grandmother called Ester who called Danny while he was at work. Danny then told Sam and then that is when I found out."

    "We had all heard about that accident. It was all over the news. But no one knew you were involved in it until days later," Paul explained, a haunting look flashing over his face. "I had to learn from Sam that the first two people who ever gave a crap about me were dead and my best friend—" He stopped, catching himself and lowering his head to keep from letting emotions overwhelm him. He took a minute, sniffling before looking back up, his eyes shining with tears of his own. "You barely escaped with your life."

    Liz was looking at him again, not knowing what to do or say as a tear rolled down his face. "I was so angry, Lizzie. So pissed at the world for taking away two amazing people like Robert and Lori. I can't remember the last time I felt such primal rage and frustration. I couldn't control it when I phased. Something just came over me. And when I would try to phase back, I couldn't. It was like the first couple days after I phased for the first time. Last time it took me three days to phase back... this time it took me two weeks ."

    To say Liz was shocked would be an understatement. Two weeks? Two weeks Paul was stuck in his wolf form, unable to turn back?

    Paul took a step forward and surprisingly for the both of them, Liz did not retreat. She just stared at him, not with hatred or bitterness, but in exhaustion.

     "That is when I got your messages, Lizzie. I would have been at the hospital from that first voicemail if I could, screw Sam's gag order to stay away." Paul took another step. "I explained everything in that letter I had Danny give you, even the wolf thing. It's why I was so upset you didn't read it, but I understand why you didn't. I pushed you away because I thought I was protecting you. You are the closest thing I have ever had to a family, Liz. You are like a sister to me. Please, believe me, I never meant to hurt you."

    Liz took her time to process the information, her anger was simmering but only a little and her need to beat him with the bat was becoming less and less. Not able to stand anymore, Liz pulled out a chair from the kitchen table and took a seat rubbing her face stressfully and thoughtfully. Paul followed her lead, leaving the bat on the counter and taking a seat across from her.

    She was so frustrated. She didn't know what to do with all of this. Can she forgive him for not being there? Can she ignore all the pain he caused her?

    'I thought I was protecting you.'

    Finally, Liz met his eye, and licked her dry lips before speaking, her voice cracking as she spoke. "I am really sick and tired of everyone trying to protect me. It only leads to me being screwed over and over again. I-I don't deserve it. I'm seventeen years old for god sakes! I don't deserve to be dealing with this much abandonment and betrayal and lost all at once. It's not fair."

    "You're right, you don't." Paul agreed softly. "I'm sorry for my part in that."

    Liz didn't respond, just stared at the center of the wooden table. They didn't say anything for a long while, just sat there in each other's company in deep thought. Liz was thinking over everything, trying to understand exactly how she felt now that Paul told her the truth about the funeral.

    As far as excuses go... this isn't terrible.

    Why was this all so complicated? Why does she still feel angry and upset thinking about how he wasn't there despite what he just told her? Maybe if he had told her what was going on instead of pushing her away... maybe she would have understood better. But he kept her in the dark and all she knows is that her best friend abandoned her when she needed him the most.

     Not wanting to think about it anymore, Liz leaned her arms onto the table and finally looked up at Paul. "Look, I can't even begin to understand how this whole imprint thing works or how it affects you. But Paul... Angela can't know any of this. Not for a while. She is going through so much right now and she just broke up with her boyfriend because of these reasons. Speaking from experience, as an outsider in this world... It's a lot to handle.

     "I know I have no right to ask this, but I am going to ask. Please don't bring her into this world just yet. Wait a while. If not as a favor for me, then do it for her." Liz asked in a pleading manner. Her main goal with coming here was to make sure Paul does not abruptly tell her the truth.

    Paul stared at the blonde, leaning back in his chair and taking in her words. He didn't seem at all surprised with her change of topic, if anything he expected it. Liz watched as he molded over her request, before nodding softly. "Okay."

    Liz blinked. "Okay?"

    "I never planned on telling her right away anyway. If you say she is dealing with a lot, I don't want to add to that." Paul explained calmly. "Besides, I'm pretty sure she hates my guts."

    Liz frowned in confusion. "Why would you say that?"

    "Because like you said, she is your best friend and I was an ass to you this past year. I'm pretty sure she hates me on your behalf."

    Liz couldn't help the chuckle that escaped her lips. "Well, that's true. But you did save her little sister on the beach the other day. And Angela did ask me to thank you again the next time I saw you. So you might have a chance at redemption with her."

    Paul let out a breathless laugh, almost relief flashing on his eyes. "What about you? Any chance at redemption with you? Any chance at forgiveness?"

    Liz brushed a piece of her hair out of her face and folded her hands on the table. "I may need some more time, but forgiveness is definitely in the cards. But... I don't know if everything will ever go back to normal. You just need to bear with me on that."

    Paul grinned. "All I heard is that there is a chance. That's all I need."

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I love this chapter! But next chapter is gonna be better!

Hope everyone enjoyed.