Falling Slowly

"Amanda! I'm home!" Rhiannon yelled as she walked through the front door. Being in the kitchen, it seemed a lot louder than it would have if I was upstairs. I rolled my eyes about to scold my sister for being a dimwit, but that was when I realized she had company.

"Ah, Manda bear, I would like you to meet Embry, Paul and Quil. They're also attending school with you, they're juniors." My mouth hung open at the three gorgeous boys standing in the kitchen door way.

I smiled as I shook hands with Embry first. The first thing I noticed was how hot his hand was. His brown eyes were scrutinizing my blue ones, trying to look for answers that I didn't have. He was at least a foot taller than me and incredibly slender.

I kept the same smile on my face as I shook hands with Quil next. His hand was exactly the same as Embry, hot and suffocating. His black hair was really short, almost like a buzz cut. He wasn't as tall as Embry, but he was still taller than me.

The last boy was Paul. I was hesitant about shaking hands with him because of the scowl on his face at first, but in an instant it vanished. His hand was also hot, he was also shorter than Embry.

After introducing myself and shaking hands, I realized that I wasn't dressed appropriately, so I quickly dashed up the stairs and into my bedroom. I walked over to the window sill that my jeans were occupying, and grabbed them. While pulling the jeans up to cover myself, I looked out the window. I watched as that same shadow walked along the outskirts of the forest.

I threw on a regular shirt, I walked downstairs to meet four gazes from the living room. Rhiannon just smiled and continued watching the movie she put on. I rolled my eyes and quickly threw a thick, regular blue sweatshirt over my head.

"I'm going for a walk Rhi. I'll be back before it gets dark." I didn't wait for an answer, but walked out the door. I didn't even notice the three quick glances the boys made to each other.



Walking through the forest gave me chills, it reminded me to much of my nightmares that I've been having. I shivered as I finally reached a little place that looked like a beach. I remembered Rhiannon talking about the La Push beach, but I never thought it could look so ... nice?

Sitting on a large rock, I pulled my knees up to my chest. I just needed time to myself, get away from Rhiannon and the house. Sure I loved Rhiannon, but she could be so suffocating sometimes, especially now.

Thinking about Seattle just made me want to cry, I never cried for them, and I never will. Not because I don't want to but because I can't. Can't because they wouldn't want me to, and because Rhiannon was the one who cried for the both of us. She still does, she thinks I don't know but I hear her late at night sobbing and sniffling.

All my thoughts stopped at that moment, same as my heart. Hearing a branch behind me crack, made me go into hysterics. Sobs escaped my mouth, and tears started to fill my eyes. I shut my eyes tightly against my knees. This was my own personal nightmare. I was to afraid to turn around and see what was behind me, for fear of those familiar red eyes.

Letting out another sob, I slowly lifted my head and turned my neck slightly to the right. Instead of meeting the gaze of those eyes, I came to realize that a huge dog was sitting next to the rock. He, as I assumed since everyone and their mother always assumed dogs were males, had a rusty brown color fur coat. He looked much, much larger than a regular dog, but he might have been an abnormal one?

His dark eyes were looking up at me, as I looked down with tears still in them. I was shaking slightly as I released my legs from the grip of my arms. I heard a low growl escape from the dog as I landed on the ground. I backed up slowly, terrified of the abnormal dog that was now standing up.

I backed up more, trying to get away from him, but only to fall back on my butt and against another rock.

Stupid rocks.

The dog whimpered slightly, and trotted over to where I was. I flinched back when he sat in front of me lowering his head, which was only a few inches away from my face. An unwanted tear rolled down my terrified face, but was only licked away by the dogs tongue.

"What the hell was that for!" I shouted at the dog, finally regaining control of my voice. In response he let out a yelp that sounded almost like a laugh. I smiled slightly, happy to know this thing wasn't going to eat me.

I stared into his eyes for a brief moment, and couldn't help but recognize them. I just couldn't quite put my finger on it. I also noticed the sadness, it was evident and clear when you looked into them. I smiled, as I hesitantly let my hand travel towards his head. I was shocked when he plopped down onto the ground, resting his head into my lap. I laughed when he started to wag his tail when I started to stroke his fur.

I rested my head against the rock, still petting his head. I noticed the sun was going down and I had to go home, but I didn't want to disturb the peace I finally had. I shifted a little bit, which woke up my new friend, Bear. He looked up at me with puppy dog eyes and I couldn't help but melt inside, he was so adorable. I removed his head from my lap and stood up.

"Sweetie," I got a lick on the hand, "I have to go home. My sister is going to throw a fit if I'm not home in a few minutes." I knelt down and quickly threw my arms around his neck. I let go reluctantly, and started to walk away.

Not even a second later, I felt a head go in between my thighs. I yelped as I grabbed onto Bear's neck for dear life. I wrapped my legs around his waist, as he took off into the forest. Even though I was terrified, I smiled as the breeze past by me blowing my hair everywhere. I felt safe in Bear's presence, I couldn't comprehend the feeling I had towards him.

He stopped right next to my house, so if Rhiannon was looking out the window she wouldn't see us. I laughed quietly as I hopped off of the dogs back.

He started to trot away. "Bear?" I yelled quietly, he looked back at me and started to walk back. "Can you come by again tomorrow night?" I asked thinking I was talking to a person. He licked my face again, and looked like he nodded. I was only imagining things, I thought to myself as I watched him trot off into the distance.

I could get used to this.