Catharsis
By Mama4Dukes
Chapter 10:
Two months later…
“Did you hear the news?” Katie Marshall asked when Bella and Sam sat down at the lunch table.
“No, what’s up?”
“Jessica Stanley is preggers.”
“Preggers? As in she’s having a baby?” Bella’s eyes popped out of her eyes.
“Yep, knocked up from here to eternity.”
“I doubt that. It’s more for like nine months, not an eternity.”
“Who is the father?” Sam asked.
“Riley Biers. They’ve been seeing each other since the party at Ty’s house, when they were arrested for underage drinking. Their parents are fighting mad, and demanding that they get married.”
“Man alive! Riley is my age.”
“I know.” Katie nodded her head. “I made an appointment for a check up with Mrs. Call so I can get birth control pills right away. I don’t need to be having Mike’s baby right now.”
“You two should do the same,” Mike suggested.
“I’m already on the pill,” Bella admitted.
“You are?” Sam asked, thinking he was lucky that they were having this conversation, but also wondering when Bella and he would eventually take that step in their relationship. He loved her. She loved him. Still, he didn’t want to rush anything.
“Yeah, I have been since I was sixteen. My mom is really proactive about stuff like that.”
“My mom is, too,” Lauren added. “She put me on the pill as soon as I started high school.”
“I wish my mom would let me go on it. Ben and I are using condoms,” Angela admitted. “If she ever found out we were having sex, she’d send me to a convent to cleanse my soul.”
Sam found it amazing how his new friends were so open about everything. He recalled that his old group of friends only talked about getting laid and partying. His friendships had been so superficial back then.
He grimaced when he considered the fact that his first time had been with Leah. He thought he had been in love with her at the time. How wrong he had been. His one, true love was sitting next to him at the table now.
He glanced at Bella as she took a bite of her sandwich. She smiled, picked up his sandwich, and handed it to him.
“You’d better eat before the bell rings, Sam. You become a grouch when you’re hungry.”
“Good point.”
“Hey, guys, are we still on for the bonfire on Second Beach this weekend?” Mike asked. “It’s supposed to be nice out.”
Bella checked the weather forecast on her phone. “Nah-uh! It says it’s going to be 46 degrees out on Saturday.”
“Yeah, but no rain.”
“46 degrees, Mike! I become cold once the temperature drops below 75.”
“Arizona, you are going to the bonfire, and we’re going to make you a Forks girl if it’s the last thing we do.”
“Technically, she’ll be in La Push, so she’ll become a La Push girl.” Sam wagged his eyebrows at his friends.
“Oh, alright. I’ll go to the bonfire.”
“Don’t worry, Bella. Sam will keep you warm,” Katie assured.
“I will.” He nodded his head and gave her a quick kiss.
“So are we all in then?” Tyler asked.
Everyone gave their assent with the exception of Lauren. “I don’t think I’m going.”
“Why not?” Bella asked.
“Because I’ll feel out-of-place, that’s why. I’ll be the only single one among a bunch of couples.”
“We’ll just have to share Sam. He can keep you warm, too.”
“Besides, we’re all buddies. You’re a part of our group. We’re celebrating our friendship with this bonfire, Lauren,” Tyler said.
“Yeah, and it happens to fall on Valentine’s Day. The day of love and romance.”
“More the reason for you to come with us so you’re not alone.”
“Fine! I’ll go!” Lauren huffed.
Bella put an arm around her friend. “You’ll have fun. I promise.”
On Valentine’s Day, at twilight, the group of friends met at Second Beach for the bonfire. True to Mike’s word, the weather held and there was no rain. There was an abundance of food and drinks, which the kids shared together while sitting around the bonfire.
Eventually, the guys took off to play a little football, leaving the girls to converse together.
“So, I have the latest scoop on Jessica and Riley.”
“Okay, what’s the news now? Samantha asked.
They got married on Friday.”
“What?” They all turned to Katie with surprised expressions on their faces.
“I said that Jess and Riley are married.”
“How? Isn’t Jess underage?”
“No, her birthday was sometime in January. Anyway, remember I told you that their parents were insisting they get married?”
“Yeah,” Bella replied.
“Well, their parents insisted. Apparently, they got their marriage license on Monday and Reverend Weber officiated the wedding on Friday.”
“Wait a second! Friday was yesterday. Are you saying that my father officiated their wedding and didn’t tell me?” Angela sat pouting at Katie.
“It was all hush-hush.”
“Well, then, how come you know?” Bella asked.
“I know because my father is a cop, and cops know everything.”
“Um, Katie, might I remind you that Bella’s father is also a cop. In fact, he’s the police chief-your father’s boss. Where is your logic coming from?” Lauren pointed out.
“Easy. I eavesdrop on my parents when they talk. I can always tell when they have something serious to discuss because they always go to the laundry room to talk. In fact, they’re never in the laundry room together unless it is to talk. Anyway, I can hear things loud and clear since there’s a vent that connects to the closet in my room.”
Apparently, Katie’s parents were rabid gossips. Bella made a mental note not to mention anything in front of them.
“So, Jess and Riley were married yesterday? Where are they going to live? How are they going to survive? Can they even afford an apartment?” Bella questioned.
“Nope. Riley is moving in with the Stanley’s. The Biers are fed up with him.” Katie lowered her voice as if she had some salacious gossip. “You know how he was booted from college, right?”
They all nodded their heads. “Anyway, he’s joining the army. It’s the only option left for him.”
They all sat contemplating Jess’s predicament. It could easily happen to any of them. Of course, Bella and Sam hadn’t done the deed yet, but she had no doubt that they’d be at that point soon-very soon. She glanced up to see him laughing and playing football with the guys. He looked so happy. She was happy. She shuddered when she considered how Edward had treated her in the past, and how prettily he worded his abuse, lies, and manipulation.
She was so lost in her thoughts that she failed to see the group of teens approaching the area.
“Hey, Bella. What are you doing here?”
She turned to see Jacob Black, and all the pack and imprints, with the exception of Rachel-who was back at college, standing in front of her.
“Oh, hey, Jake. We’re just here having a bonfire and celebrating Valentine’s Day. Let me introduce you to my friends. Angela, Katie, Lauren, and Samantha meet my friends Jacob, Emily, Paul, Jared, Kim, Embry, Leah, and Quil.”
“You’re welcome to join us. We have plenty of food.” Samantha motioned to the spread in front of them. “Our boyfriends are playing football over by the water. I’m sure they won’t mind if you guys join them.”
“Do you all have boyfriends?” Quil asked, staring down at his feet, looking dejected.
“I don’t,” Lauren replied. “It’s always just me and a whole bunch of couples. I feel like a third wheel-or more like a ninth wheel.”
“It’s the same with me,” Quil informed her, looking into her eyes. Suddenly, he gasped and opened his mouth, but no words were coming out. He had a dazed expression on his face, and a smile was forming on his mouth.
“Hey, are you okay, Quil?” Bella asked. “You look kind of confused.”
“He imprinted,” Paul whispered quietly in her ear.
“Oh…” She had to get Quil out of the position he was in. They were in the presence of those who didn’t know of the pack. “Uh, Quil, let’s go for a walk. You look sick to your stomach.”
“I’m not. I…”
“You look sick, buddy. Trust me, you’re about to barf. Come on, Bella!” Paul fairly yanked Bella to her feet. “I could use your help.” They grabbed Quil and started walking, with Jacob on their heels. All those left behind looked bewildered.
“Did you imprint on Lauren?” Jacob asked.
“She’s the most beautiful girl in the world.”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever! Did you imprint on her?”
“I did. Isn’t she beautiful?”
“Oh my God! This is messed up! She’s Hok’wat! It’s going to cause so many complications.”
“Jacob, I’m white, too!” Bella protested.
“Uh, I’ve told you before that you’re just a Quileute Hok’wat. There’s a difference.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
It means you’re like one of us, only lighter skinned,” Paul explained. “Besides, you’re good with weird.”
“Are you calling me weird?”
“Yes!” Paul and Jacob said, meanwhile Quil sat down on a rock.
“Oh my God! How am I going to explain this all to her?” He turned to Bella. “You have to come with me.”
“Me! Why?”
“Because you’re one of the few non-bitchy, non-fake variety females I know.”
“It’s true,” Paul agreed. “I even like you, and I don’t like anyone except for Rachel and you.”
They all sat down to discuss the situation. “How are we going to tell her?”
“I’ll invite Lauren over to my house to hang out with me, and I’ll need to run an errand in La Push,” Bella offered. “Think of an errand.”
“Ooh! Ooh! I know. I’ll call you saying that I need help with figuring out what to get my dad for his birthday,” Jake suggested.
“It has to be urgent.”
Paul nodded his head, stood up, and snapped his fingers. “I’ve got it! Jake, you need to get Emily to call Bella to say she has female troubles.”
“Female troubles? Why would Emily have female troubles? She gets along with the other imprints.”
“Not that kind of problem! Tampon troubles! Maybe she can tell Bella that she’s having trouble with her tampon!”
“Really?” Bella folded her arms in front of her chest and glared at Paul. “Girls don’t call each other with issues like that. Besides, using a tampon is fairly straightforward-I highly doubt she’s going to have trouble with it.”
“They seem pretty complicated to me.”
“What the hell would you know about tampons?” Quil asked.
“My mom uses them.”
“And does she ask you for help using them?”
“No! But they look interesting so I’ve opened a few up to dismantle them so I could try to figure out how they work. They’re complicated like bras are. How come all female things are complicated?” Paul questioned, while staring expectantly at Bella.
“Why do you guys have my imprint all the way out here?” Sam asked, approaching the group. He gave Bella a searing kiss that sent tingles from her head to her toes.
“We’re talking.”
“About what?”
“Tampons,” everyone replied.
“Why are you discussing tampons?”
“I suggested to Bella that she help Emily with her tampon issue,” Paul explained.
“Emily has a tampon issue? Why would she need Bella’s help? Shouldn’t she ask Leah since she lives with the Clearwaters?”
“Emily doesn’t have a tampon issue,” Jacob said.
“Well, then why are you here discussing tampons?”
“Because I imprinted,” Quil informed him. “They’re trying to help me.”
“How the hell are tampons supposed to help with the fact that you imprinted?” Sam asked, completely annoyed.
“They don’t, Sam. We’re just trying to help Quil figure out how to tell Lauren.”
Sam’s jaw dropped. “You imprinted on Lauren? But she’s Hok’wat!”
“Samuel Levi Uley! I happen to be Hok’wat!” Bella huffed.
“Yeah, but you’re a special case, you’re more Quileute than Hok’wat. You just need a tan.”
Bella stared at her wolf, open-mouthed and incensed.
“He’s complimenting you. The least you can do is thank him,” Paul told her.
“Seriously? Can we get back to the topic? We need to figure out a way to get Lauren to La Push tomorrow, so Quil can tell her about the imprint. That way, she’s not kept in the dark for over three months like some imprints were!” She cut Sam a scathing look.
“Ouch! Alright, if you put it that way. I’ll just call you tomorrow, and ask you to come over with Lauren because one of my friends wants to meet her.”
“Why didn’t we think of that?” Bella inquired.
They all shrugged their shoulders before heading back to the main group.
The following day, Bella invited Lauren to her house to hang out. Right on cue, Sam sent a text message inviting the girls to his house because there was someone he wanted Lauren to meet. So, the girls were off to La Push armed with a tray of enchiladas that Bella had prepared.
“So, who is this guy that Sam wants me to meet?”
“You met him yesterday. His name is Quil.”
“Oh is he the one who got sick during the bonfire?”
“Yeah, he’s the one. He really thought you were pretty.”
“He did?” she asked surprised. It always amazed Bella how low Lauren’s self-esteem was. She really was a pretty girl and super nice, too. She tended to hold people at a distance. Ever since she had been raped in ninth grade, Lauren was very wary about trusting people.
“Quil is one of the nicest guys I know.”
“Nicer than Sam?”
“He’s just as nice, if not nicer.”
They arrived at the Uley residence where Quil was anxiously waiting. He came to the door with Sam when the girls knocked.
“Did you bring the goods?” Sam asked Bella in a whisper.
“Yes, you big lug. Here,” she handed him the tray of enchiladas and kissed him. “We just need to bake it for twenty minutes or so.”
They walked into the house to find Quil tongue-tied and staring at Lauren, absolutely mesmerized. Lauren, on the other hand, looked bewildered.
“Are you okay?” she asked him. “Are you still sick from yesterday?”
“Quil, you remember Lauren, don’t you?” Sam gave him a shake to bring him back to reality. “Quil, Lauren is asking how you’re feeling.”
“Oh, I’m… I’m… thank you…”
“Uh, okay.” Lauren rubbed her chin, completely confused by Quil’s nonsensical answer. She hoped to God that this wasn’t a ploy by Bella and Sam to set her up with one of their friends.
“Pull it together!” Sam whispered so only Quil could hear.
Quil finally hopped to attention, and blurted, “I think you’re the most beautiful girl in the world. Do you want to marry me? You’re my soulmate.”
Bella slapped a palm on her forehead while Sam threw his hands up in the air.
Surprisingly, Lauren cooed, “I’m your soulmate?”
“Yeah, you’re my forever.”
“Forever,” she whispered. She also had a moony expression on her face.
“Sam, take control of the situation,” Bella suggested.
“Why do I have to take control?”
“Because you’re a born leader.” Sam arched an eyebrow at his imprint. She huffed. “Fine, I’ll do it!”
“You do that, babe,” he encouraged.
“Ahem!” Bella cleared her throat loudly. When they didn’t response, she stood in between the moony eyed couple and announced, “Lauren, the guys have something very important to share with you.”
“They do?”
“Yes, they do. Have you heard any Quileute legends?”
“No, not really. Should I have?”
Bella thought back to her own experience with knowing the legends when she shouldn’t have and replied, “Probably not, but you will hear a story today. It’s a story about the Quileutes and how they’ve always had magic in their veins.”
“Okay, shoot.”
“Sure thing. So there was an old dude named Taha Aki.”
“Seriously, Bella? Should you be referring to Taha Aki as an old dude? He can probably hear you in the spirit world,” Sam said.
“I’m not lying, the dude was old when he phased. He had two grown sons by then. Gee whiz!” She turned back to her friend with a smile. “I’m going to make a long story short. Vampires have a history of passing through this area. Some Quileutes, through winning the genetic lottery, become vampire-killing wolves when there are vampires near. The Cullens were vampires. Many Quileute kids, including Quil and Sam, discovered that they had the ability to turn into wolves. Wolves have a special way of finding their lifelong mate. It’s called imprinting. You became Quil’s imprint yesterday just like I am Sam’s imprint. And now Quil and Sam are going to go into the woods behind the house to prove to you that my story is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Any questions?”
After Bella completed her story, the other three simply stared at her slack-jawed. When not one question came from her friends, Bella led Lauren out to the back, followed by Quil and Sam. “Okay, now go out there and strip and phase.”
“Oh my God! I get it now. This is like an intro to a male strip show! Cool!” Lauren chortled. “You had me there for a bit. Quil and Sam are going to strip for us aren’t they?”
“Uh, yeah.” Bella nodded her head. “They are going to strip their clothes off and perform. Just watch. Keep your eyes on them.” She smiled at the guys and shrugged her shoulders.
“Fine, let’s get to it, Quil,” Sam said.
“Do I really have to dance?”
“No, you don’t have to dance. Just take your damn clothes off, think of something that pisses you off, and phase!”
The boys took their shirts and shorts off.
“Excuse me, I’m no expert, but shouldn’t you wiggle your hips or something while you’re doing a striptease?” Lauren questioned. “And maybe you should play some music?”
Bella clutched her stomach and cackled out loud.
“Bella, please!” Sam implored.
She turned to her friend. “This is the big reveal. Now, just watch.”
Lauren did as Bella suggested and watched the boys, figuring she’d critique them later. They really needed to add some pizzazz to their act. That final thought was quickly forgotten as Quil and Sam transformed into two of the largest wolves she’d ever seen. She turned to her friend. “That crazy story you just told me wasn’t an intro to a strip show, was it?”
“Nope.”
“So, the Cullens were vampires for real?”
“For real.” Bella nodded her head.
“And those wolves are Quil and Sam?”
“Yep.”
Lauren sighed. “It’s a good thing I like the color brown then.”
Bella glanced at Quil’s chocolate brown fur, and noted, “It is a good thing. He’s actually the same color as hot cocoa mix, did you notice?”
“Well, then, it’s good that I like hot cocoa.” She pulled Bella in for a hug. “Thanks for telling me in such a chill way.”
“You’re welcome.”
And then Lauren slapped her across her face. “That’s for dating a vampire!”
“Um, ow!” Bella rubbed her left cheek. “That hurt.”
“Yeah, well, I bet if a vampire had bitten you, it would hurt even more.”
“True. Vampire bites do hurt.”
While the girls were chatting, the boys had returned to human form, threw their shorts back on, and approached their imprints.
“So I truly am your soulmate?” Lauren asked Quil.
“Yeah, is that okay?”
“Of course it is. It’s kind of cool knowing that I’ve already met the one person in the world who is made just for me.” She turned to everyone. “I suppose this all has to remain a secret from everyone, right?”
“Yes, but my dad and Sam’s mom know, and a few other people do,” Bella informed her.
“Cool. Your secret is safe with me.”
“Now, can we have enchiladas, Bella? I’ve been waiting all day for it,” Sam pleaded.
“Sure, but only because it’s you.”
On Monday morning, Lauren approached Bella and Sam as soon as they arrived at school.
“Okay, so I don’t know how to act,” Lauren said. “I mean… I have a boyfriend, a soulmate, a guy I’m going to marry. Really, when you think about it, I’m practically engaged. I feel funny. How am I supposed to act in public in front of our friends?”
“You act like you usually do,” Bella told her. “There’s nothing different about you.”
“But the world is different. I realized last night that everything we’ve been told doesn’t exist, exists. There are vampires and werewolves.”
“We’re not werewolves, Lauren. We’re shapeshifters,” Sam explained.
“But I’m told werewolves exist in Louisiana and Romania,” Bella informed her.
“Who the hell told you that?” Lauren asked.
“Carlisle Cullen did. Apparently, one of the leaders of the vampire royalty, is deathly afraid of werewolves. Anyway, werewolves shift with the full moon and don’t have control of their faculties when they’re in their wolf state.”
“Vampire royalty?” Sam exclaimed, while Lauren blurted, “Oh my God! What kind of a world do we live in?”
They both turned to her with expressions of incredulity.
“Oh, calm down. The world is just a bit twisted. You just have to accept all of it’s unique qualities as fact, and then the world will be a better place.”
Bella shook her head when she saw the looks of disbelief on both their faces, and simply walked into the school building.
“What are we supposed to do now?” Lauren asked Sam.
“We just follow her lead. If anyone is good with weird, it’s Bella.” Sam put an arm around Lauren to reassure her. “You’ll be fine. Just be yourself.”
“With secrets?”
“Yeah, with secrets.”
After school, there was a prom committee meeting. It was an important one because they had just received the final approval for their prom proposal from Principal Greene. This year, surprisingly, the helm of prom team captain was given to Sam since he was able to hook up the best deal for the catering. They were going through Joy Ateara’s diner in La Push. The idea had the added advantage of benefitting the residents of La Push and Forks. Joy’s diner always used local suppliers to bring in her fish, chicken, eggs, fruits, and vegetables.
“Okay, so I compiled this spreadsheet with data of the last five proms. This year, we have 160 kids in the junior and senior classes, combined. The majority will be bringing dates who attend Forks High School from either the junior or senior class, and some from other grades or other schools. Generally, in any given year, we have thirty to forty kids who choose not to attend the prom. That brings our number down to between 120 and 130 attendees. There are usually ten kids from other grades and ten from other schools. If we add those numbers back in, there should be between 140 and 150 students attending the prom. Now, we have to add faculty and staff who act as chaperones. That number remains at twenty-five each year, meaning, we have between 165 and 175 prom attendees. In the past, we’ve been ordering enough food for 300 people. I think that’s way overboard. I say we order for 200 people. If, after the final tally, we have more people, we can just add on. What do you guys think?”
“Bella, do you sit next to Sam when he puts this stuff together?” Tyler asked.
“No way. He’s on his own with that. All those numbers make my head spin. Believe it or not, he sits with my dad to figure this stuff out. Apparently, Daddy was the head of the prom committee when he was in high school.”
“Well?” Sam asked. “Can we vote on it?”
“Dude, we don’t have to put this to a vote. We agree with you,” Mike said.
Sam shrugged his shoulders. “I just wanted to be fair about it.”
“Cool, so I’ll let Mrs. Ateara know our tentative numbers when I get home tonight.” Sam checked his list. “So, the next thing on our agenda is prom theme. Mr. Greene told us we can’t do ‘Masquerade’ as a theme due to the no face coverings rule at our school. We have to decide between ‘Hollywood Nights’ or ‘Magical Nights’ or ‘Hawaiian Luau.’ Mr. Greene said that if we choose the luau theme, we have to stress that bathing suits are not allowed at the prom.”
“As if? Oh my God! He really said that?” Angela asked.
“Yep.”
“Can I just point out that I don’t have any issues at all with a swimsuit optional prom,” Tyler noted.
“Neither do I.” Sam wagged his eyebrows at Bella who rolled her eyes at him.
“I really like the idea of a luau. Can we get hula dancers?”
“That’s a great idea, Bella!” The guys nodded their approval.
“Oh, yeah, we can call one of those male hula dancing troupes in,” Katie said. “I like the way they appear bare chested and do their warrior dances.”
“Oh, yeah, and they have such sexy, sculpted chests,” Samantha said. “They’re all oiled up, too.”
“And such strong hips and legs,” Lauren added.
“Alrighty, shall we put it to vote?” Bella asked. The girls eagerly raised their hands. When she saw that none of the guys were voting, she asked, “Oh, you guys don’t like the idea of hula dancers?”
“Let’s go with the Magical Nights idea. We can hire magicians, fortune tellers, and all sorts of entertainers for fun,” Sam suggested quickly.
“I second that,” Bella agreed. “Besides, this year has been pretty magical.”
“It sure has,” Lauren agreed, giving her friend a brilliant smile.
Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction 
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