Chapter Twenty-One

"This was an awesome idea!" I exclaimed turning to Leah and Quinn who had came home yesterday. I was spending the day with the two of them. Leah was almost out of the Sam break up funk.

"It was a nice warm and rare sunny day, so she wanted to go swimming, so Quinn and I joined her.

"It really was." She said as we approached our usual spot near a big rock, it was an empty spot.

Laying out our towels, I took off my clothes, so my bikini set was showing, I had a pair of white jean cut shorts on and matching flipflops.

The three of us relaxed, I was enjoying the warmth of the sun and the calming noises of the water.  Days like this didn't come all the time so the beach was pretty packed, people were talking, children playing the typical stuff you'd find here.  Everyone was enjoying the last few weeks of July before the August weather started to settle in.

I laid there for a while before sitting up, checking my phone really quick seeing a text from Paul, I smiled thinking of him, he knew I was hanging out with the girls today. After replying I put my phone back and grabbed a book I brought.

"Soo Elena..." Leah said after a while of just relaxing.

"Hmm?" I asked humming reading.

"What's the deal with you and Lahote?" Leah asked.

My eyes snapped over to her seeing the look on her face.

"There's no deal." I said calmly trying not to freak out.

"Come on, you've been spending most of your time with him, he stares at you thinking no one has noticed... and we all know you like him."

I stared at her with my mouth nearly on the sandy floor, glancing at Quinn.

When Quinn came home, the first thing I did was tell her about what happened. I was happy to finally tell someone, and thankful that Quinn took it well. She was over the moon over me and that's what I needed. Best part Quinn knew that Paul was a shifter so I could talk about things with her that I couldn't with anyone else other than Jasmine, Emily and Kim... Jasmine was going to be mad that I didn't tell her first but it wasn't like I knew Quinn was coming home... it just happened.

Quinn gave me a nod as if saying it was okay.

"Promise you won't tell anyone?" I asked giving Leah a pleading look.

She nodded.

"Paul and I are kind of dating."

"What?!" She exclaimed loudly.

I shushed her whipping my head around, eyeing all the people who stopped hearing her, her loudness had drawn a lot of attention.

I glared at my bestie.

"Sorry..." She muttered quietly.

She glared at everyone, people knew that Leah Clearwater was not the girl to mess with so they all slowly moved along.

"I just.. can't believe it I mean you and Lahote?" Leah said sounding it out. "Elena and Paul?.... Elena Lahote"

I smiled at her, wrinkling my nose at that.

"Yeah nah I'm not the girl who goes around doodling my name with his surname." I told her giggling. "But I have to say Elena Lovelace-Lahote doesn't sound so bad."

"You'd hyphenate?" Quinn asked tilting her head at me.

"Maybe." I said shrugging. "It's a little too early to be thinking marriage."

A flash of pain appeared on Leah's face, causing Quinn and I to share a look. I frowned feeling bad.

"Oh sorry Lee... I forgot you and Sa-" I trailed off remembering Sam and Leah were close to being engaged.

"No it's okay." Leah said shaking it off and smiled at me. "I'm glad your happy... I mean I'm not a fan of Lahote... but if you're happy then whatever... but I would be prepared."

Quinn and I shared another look.

"What do you mean by that?" Quinn asked.

She looked at us, gesturing for us to move closer so she could whisper.

"Rumors are Paul and Jared have gotten into drugs and stuff." Leah said all quietly. "They've been acting all weird... like Sam, he's been stalking Emily... after he dumped me, he started acting weird with her... he's been seen at her house but every time I go around there... she says he's not home..... people say he's the leader of the drug ring..." She started rambling a little.

"Leah?" Quinn said sighing, glancing at me. "This is supposed to be a fun relaxing in the sun, girly day."

We shared another look.

"I'm just saying Paul's been acting a lot like Sam did.... I don't want you to get your heart broken if he dumps you or starts messing with another girl... and then there's that temper of his..."

I frowned at her, staring at her in shock. I could feel my heart burning hearing those words, we've only been going out for a while. I knew it wasn't true, Paul was a hot head but he has been working on controlling the anger, he'd never harm me on purpose.

Quinn saw the look on my face and opened her mouth to say something but was cut off.

"Elena!"

Two shadows fell over my page, blocking the sun. I glanced up spotting Quil and Embry.

"Hey what are you up too?"

"Nothing was headed to the cliffs when I saw you girls." Em told me nodding towards Leah and Quinn. "Leah, Quinn."

"Call." Leah greeted; Quinn just smiled at him.

I smiled at them, nodding.

"You girls want to come with?" Quil asked.

I noticed Embry staring at Quinn with his Embry smirk, making me raise an eyebrow and turned to stare at the girls.

Leah stared at me for a few minutes before nodding making me smile.

"Don't see why not." I said looking up at the boys, putting my book back in the bag. "I can read anytime."

"Diving are you sure?" Quinn asked looking nervous, she wasn't a fan of it.

"You'll be fine Quinny." I told her smirking.

Hopping to my feet, I brushed some sand that had gotten on me and gathered our things and turned already knowing where to go.

We headed down the beach, and into the woods and to a little trail.

It was a bit of a walk and climb but we finally made it through the tree line and onto a patch of big rock, Jake was the only one up here. His head turned and smiled coming to meet us.

"Hey Lena." Jake greeted giving me a smile and turned to Quinn before Leah. "Girls." He eyed Leah a little bit before turning back to me. "So, you're going to dive with us?"

"Not like it's my first time." I told him shrugging, setting my things down.

"We would have been here faster if someone wasn't so slow." Quil said jokingly eyeing Embry pointedly.

Embry just shoved him playfully.

"Says the guy who spent an hour picking out which shorts to wear.." Embry retorted putting his hand on his hips and posed like he was walking a runway.

A picture of Quil standing on a runway, walking down it like a model popped into my head but instead of shorts, he was wearing a dress..... That's what Embry was thinking.

I had to cover my mouth to stop me from snickering out loud.

Quil glared at Embry with a mischievous look on his face and shoved him back.

That caused Embry to pull off his shirt which made Quil take off his. They chuckled, shoving each other around until they got to the edge and Quil tackled Em, both fell over.

I just giggled while Quinn had a horror look on her face, like they had just fallen to their death.

I glanced at her.

"You gonna be okay?" I asked quietly.

She stared at the edge swallowing deep and just looked at me letting out a nervous chuckle. She might be a witch and a strong one, but when it came to being ambitious like this, Quinn Yorkie was not.

I knew the guys were laughing.

"Yeah I think I'll just watch the stuff." She told me quietly, taking my bag from me and leaned in close so only I could hear. "If you die, I'm telling Paul."

"I'm not gonna die Quinn." I told her laughing loudly.

She just gave me a look before moving to sit on a rock where the rest of our stuff was, I stripped out of my white shorts, kicked off my flops and turned.

Jake ripped his shirt off and glanced over at Leah and I.

"Ladies first." He told us nodding his head to the water.

Leah took a big run and jumped off, Jake just looked at me.

I could hear Em, Quil and Leah laughing. I nodded, slowly stepping up to the edge of the cliff, glancing down.

I was nearly bouncing on the heels of my feet, I loved cliff diving.

In a second, I pushed myself off the cliff and felt nothing but open air. All I could feel was falling free, and excitement before I plunged into the deep peaceful water and moved over just in time for Jacob to land.

I felt calm and stayed underneath for a while until I kicked up to the surface and saw the blue sky, swimming over to where Em, Quil and Leah were. Jake followed.

I got a mouth full of water, and spat it out quickly, seeing Embry's smirk.

"So that's how you want to play?"  I taunted splashing him back.

The four of us were suddenly launched in a splash fight that ended when I shoved Em's head under water.

Giggling I headed to shore, ready to go again, I got out followed by Jacob, I glanced back at him for a second seeing the smile was wiped off and he was looking nervously to the side.

"What's up?" I asked following his vision, spotting Sam. He was flanked by Jared and Paul.

My eyes locked onto Paul instantly, his eyes scanned me over, a grin grew on his face.

'Hot outfit'

I rolled my eyes in amusement, earning a bigger grin. Turning away from my man, to Sam... Sam was staring at Jacob.

Sam's eyes flickered to mine. I knew what he was doing and why they were acting this way, He gave me a nod before walking off. Paul trailed after him glancing back at me.

I smiled at him, Jared noticed what Paul was doing and slapped him on the shoulder. Paul snapped over at Jared, glaring at him but continued following Sam.

"He gone?" Jake asked.

"Yeah." I muttered, he slowly looked at me frowning.

"It's getting worse now that Jared and Paul are with him." He told me softly.

"Look Jake, don't let Sammy get under your skin." I told him biting my tongue. "I don't know what's been happening to him or the other two boys but just don't take it to heart, they're just being creeps."

"Are you really saying stuff like that about your own boyfriend?" Jake asked.

My eyes went wide, staring at him.

"You know?"

"well yeah I'm not an idiot." Jacob told me rolling his eyes.

"Do Quil or Em know?"

He shook his head.

"What are you thinking, dating a guy like him?"

"What I do and who I date has nothing to do with you." I retorted earning a deep frown. "Look Jake, you're one of my best friends but you don't get to make decisions for me."

He stayed silent.

Embry, Quil and Leah started making their way to us.

"C'mon let's go again." Embry said without stopping, he ushered us back up the trail.

I hated that I couldn't tell Jacob or the others the truth but what was I supposed to do? Someday he'll understand, they all will... I just hope they won't be mad at me.

I spent the rest of the day jumping, and swimming and playing with my friends, attempting to forget the small fight with Jake.

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The week after that, I pulled up to the Cullen's house with Bella in the passenger and parked, getting out.

"What do you think Alice meant by it's an emergency?" Bella asked walking inside the house. "Could it be whatever it is Quinn has been talking about?"

"Doubt it." I told her shrugging my jacket off, meeting Edward. Bella went straight towards him. "Since school starts in a month, I'm pretty sure Alice wants to do what Alice does best...Which means shopping, shopping and more shopping."

We headed up the stairs, Bella looked at me in fear.

"I thought you loved shopping?" Alice said appearing out of nowhere and pulled me into one of her famous hugs.

"With you Alice, always." I told her pulling back, smiling.

She gave me one of her smirks and clapped her hands, before grabbing mine and pulled me into the living room where Emmett and Jasper were, Emmett was on his game system.

"Finally come for our rematch number 100." Emmett said smirking my way. "Let's see you cheat this time."

"The fact that you're accusing me of cheating when you're like way, way older like centuries older is hilarious." I retorted earning a snicker from Jasper.

Emmett's head snapped at him, before looking back at me.

"You just think you're funny huh?" He asked. "Little witch."

"Maybe a little." I told him shrugging and turned to Alice. "So, are we leaving? and is Rose coming with?" I glanced back at Emmett.

Emmett shook his head, since Bella has been hanging around, Rosalie really hasn't wanted to hang out, she always stayed in her room.

I frowned a little missing my spitfire, I made a mental note to bring something back for her.

Alice smiled brightly, flashing her perfectly white teeth and nodded.

"Yes!" She exclaimed. "We're taking my car."

"Do I have too?" Bella asked groaning.

Alice and I shared a look, turning to her and nodded.

"Yup." I told her grabbing her hand to pull her away from Edward. "I think some shopping will do you some good."

I feel like she and Edward could use some time apart, she's been attached to his hip since they got together and honestly, I understand they're in a relationship, but it was a little creepy to watch sometimes.

Paul and I were dating but we didn't act like that.  He was busy patrolling tonight, he knew where I was and what I was doing but he trusted me even if he didn't like it.

Alice squealed with delight and headed down the stairs, I let out a small chuckle at her and followed, pulling Bella behind me who looked like a wounded puppy.

Shopping with Alice was fun, and I liked going, while Bella hated it. Alice however shopped like a crazy person. She would buy the whole store if she could and believe me, she has.

We hopped into Alice's car and headed out.

----

Hanging out in Los Angeles. Alice had her arm linked with mine both of us had several bags already while Bella sulked behind us with only one bag.

"Oh my gosh, I'm in heaven." I said excitedly, feeling my eyes light up.

After Alice finished at her favorite dress shop, I decided to stop by my own favorite shop, a magic shop and felt my mood. change seeing all the candles, crystals and all things witchy. I nodded to the owner, she was a witch that I sold things too so a lot of what I bought I could use discounts and stuff.

Anyway I grabbed a hand basket.

I headed around grabbing a few things like a set of new candles, and some herbs I needed to restock. Alice was checking out some clothing.

"Hey what is this?" Bella asked quietly picking up a jar.

I turned to her, and my eyes nearly went wide, I carefully grabbed it from her hand and put it back.

"It's called graveyard dirt." I told her giving her a firm look. "It's for hexing, inside is dirt from a grave where a murderer was buried, it's bad juju."

She looked at me.

"Don't touch anything" I whispered so others shopping wouldn't hear me. "Ask me before you do."

She frowned nodding.

I turned and continued my shopping.

I found a few new things I wanted some crystals in the shape of mushrooms that looked really cool and a book: The Natural witches cookbook, that had some recipes I would love to try.

We finished shopping, I showed Bella a few things and then we headed to the mall and did some more shopping until we got our fill, with arms loaded with bags we made our way to the car and filled up half the trunk and back seat.

The day had gone, it was nearly dinnertime by the time we were making our way home.

"Should we get something to eat?" I asked sending a message to Paul, glancing at Alice. "It's about dinnertime."

Alice nodded, driving for a bit longer before she pulled up to a small fast-food restaurant, the place had a drive through, so we went through that and got our food. They didn't have a whole lot of options for a vegetarian, so I just ordered a salad and something to take home for Uncle Charlie. I couldn't help but think of him whenever I was out late, I always made sure I brought something back.

Bella and I ate in the car while Alice continued driving until we finally got back home.

Hopping out, I put all my stuff I got into my wrangler and headed into the house with Bella.

She just waved at me and headed up the stairs to Edward's room.

"Thanks Alice, this was needed." I told her smiling.

She grinned at me and pulled me into a tight hug.

"Anytime. I knew you would need it."

She pulled back and gave me a knowing look.

"Thanks for not saying anything." I told her earning a gentle nod.

"Don't worry secret is safe with me." She told me tapping her head. "When it's time for you to tell us, you have my support."

I smiled at her.

"I'd stay longer but I'm a little drained." I added.

We hugged again and I turned giving my goodbyes to everyone else before heading out to the jeep and got in the drivers seat and headed home.

---

At home I left the dinner I had gotten for Charlie in the fridge, leaving a note since he wasn't home yet before somehow carrying all my bags upstairs to my room.

I put all my new things away and took a quick shower, walking back into my room I spotted Piper cuddled up on my bed and sank down into my comfy inviting bed.

Reaching for my phone, I unlocked the screen and clicked on my messages, tapping Paul's contact and clicked new message.

'I'm home, be safe, I'll see you tomorrow'

I pushed send, laying my phone down and snuggled up to my pillow, I had my eyes closed for only a few minutes when my phone buzzed.

Smiling at how fast that was, I grabbed my phone again, reading the reply.

'Sweet dreams'

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New Chapter- Mini Chapter

4/23/ 2024

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