Total eclipse of a heart (Embry Call)

06. Date, not date

"So, you going out with Embry or not?" Rachel leans on the door, trying to pick my mind for answers I'm reluctant to give. Although I'm not supposed to be emotionally invested with those I use for my investigations, I can't help but admit that Rachel had become a friend. My first friend ever. So, yes, it's rather hurtful to even assume she's been lying to me. Yes, it's very hypocritical of me, but I'm trying to do good in the world by getting rid of monsters who wouldn't even bat an eye if given a chance to kill her. She's protecting those things. That's worse.

I look up from my book, folding the page for later without looking and laying it on the bed beside me.

"I don't know yet." I confess, taking off my glasses. I set them on top of the book and lick my lips.

"Well, I can tell you he's a great guy. I think you'd really like him." Rachel steps closer and I tuck my feet up, pulling my knees to my chest.

Rachel sits, a small smile on her lips giving her face a softer look. It makes her friendly and inviting, warm and trusting and I don't think those words apply in regards  to our friendship anymore. Not for me, at least. I'm on edge with her, just as I am with the others and that's not friendship. My vigilance is never ending as sleep evades me with all these questions making a mess in my mind.

"You don't have to sell him." I narrow my eyes at her, scowling.

"I'm not selling him. I'm just saying he's someone you'd be grateful for down the line. I wouldn't suggest this if I wasn't absolutely certain. I have your back, Val." Rachel's assuring words only make me more suspicious. I know I'm difficult, but so is this situation I'm in. She's hiding too much from me and she's becoming all the things I thought I knew and yet, I'm faced with the realization she's far from it.

Was she pretending to be my friend too? Does she know who I really am?

"Got it. I'm still not sure." I grouch back, rubbing my temples. The lack of sleep is already getting to me, I can feel it thanks to the throbbing headache I'm fending off.

"Well...He's here a little early and I hope you figure it out soon." Rachel stands and my eyes widen with her statement. She walks out, leaving me alone with my thoughts. 

Embry's here?!

"Damn it." I whisper under my breath, jumping off the bed in panic. I walk two steps forward only to turn back and take two more steps in the opposite direction. I feel like the room is spinning and my racing heart isn't helping.

I look at myself in the mirror, the pyjama I'm wearing being anything but date material. Quickly taking it off, I stumble toward my bag and pull out a dress. It's a simple white dress, ending mid-thigh and showing off more skin than I anticipated. Since it's sleeveless, I put on a jeans jacket and black, ankle high boots with a small heel to help my disadvantage in height. Thankfully, my hair is wavy by nature and letting it down is acceptable as it goes perfectly with my look. A touch of mascara and eyeliner, little bit of lip-gloss and perfume and I'm almost ready to leave. I dig out a small, silver dagger and put it in the inside pocket of my jacket.

Better safe than sorry.

Huffing, I shake my head and take a deep breath to collect myself.
I walk out, waving goodbye to a very pleased Rachel huddled with Paul for a movie's night on the couch.

Nervous doesn't begin to describe what I feel at this moment as I'm standing on the poorly lit porch, looking at the back of his head while he paces in front of the house in his fancy looking white dress shirt and black pants.

I clear my throat awkwardly, watching him halt his movements and whip around to see me with a nervous chuckle escaping him. He looks at me, truly looks at me and his jaw drops. His lips part and his eyes widen and I've never felt the heat in my cheeks burn so intensely before as it does now with his eyes scanning my body like I'm a limited edition baseball card he has finally gotten a chance to see in person.
He raises his eyebrows in what I hope is a signal of pleasant surprise and I scurry toward him, feeling my legs are a little shaky and my steps are uncertain at best.