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Poncho - Lady Friend

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[19th June, 2006]

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HE'D HAVE DONE ANYTHING to extend the brief time he had with her. No matter how ridiculous his reasonings sounded, he wanted his beautiful mate by his side - and he would've done anything to make it happen.

Which included convincing her to leave her car at the repair shop under the pretext of getting her to reach her job on time.

"I don't think they'll get around to your car anytime soon, dear." Luckily, the shop had enough customers for that statement to ring true. A cacophony of drills and scantily-clad young men with grime on their hands and faces - walking around as they tried to find out what each customer wanted. Even luckier, when it was Jodha's turn to specify her problem, the guy informed her that it would be a while before they could get to her. The other cars had much more immediate problems to be taken care of.

"It's just a stupid tyre. How long does that take to change? Jeez!" She scoffed, glaring at the men who looked at her appreciatively - eliciting a low, possessive growl from his chest.

"Can you blame them? Some other repair jobs are worth more than a tyre change." He gestured to the cashier's window, his other hand ghosting over the small of her back. The urge to lay down some sense of ownership over her - to declare her his before those freely, openly, ogling her beauty - swarmed him. "Come, let's get your bill settled. I'll drive you back to collect during your lunch break."

"Actually," she spoke up, shooting him a nervous smile, "I can run away from Forks Elementary during the first recess. If you'll be available, that is."

His eyebrows shot up, astonished that this chit of a girl was already a teacher. She couldn't have been older than twenty-five.

Nevertheless, pride was a sin and the amount of it he felt for her achievements was remarkable in itself. This was the power of mates, of two about to become one.

"For you, Ms. Absalom, I will make time."

The sparkle in her earthy brown gaze would've had his palms clammy and heart pounding were he human - instead, he drowned in the innocence and purity he saw within. A dying man - or dead, in his case - who'd just found his nirvana, those eyes could compel a man to commit murder. He knew he'd be lost within those bewitching depths forever.

Her smile widened. "That's very sweet of you, Doctor. I definitely owe you more than one."

He took note of her every feature - exquisite, even in their imperfections. Her glowing cheeks, ripe with the flush of her blood, the scent of which resembled a bouquet of lilies, of lavender and the sweetness of freshly cut grass. Surrounding him, pulling him under its mouthwatering force...yet it didn't tempt him to drain her body dry. Not quite, at least.

Her scent comforted him almost, enveloping him like a security blanket, warding off the feeling that he didn't deserve to be this close to her.

Didn't deserve to be her mate.

Yet, it was impossible to step away from her now.

It was unimaginable.

And that, in itself, was terrifying.

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SHE MADE HIM WANT to talk. Talk his heart out until tomorrow. Have conversations that went beyond the pleasantries and politeness, that focused less on skin-deep opinions and wandered into territory that tested their comfort and imbued a sense of trust and rapport towards each other.

Ideas, notions and possibilities ran through his superior brain at an inexplicable rate - taking him seconds to realize that all he wanted was to have her contact in his mobile.

Considering he had the perfect opportunity, as he drove her towards her destination, all he had to do was ask. Unfortunately, her scent in the enclosed space overrode all thought for anything else. Warm yet cool, like the ever-changing seasons. Pure yet sinful, the most gratuitous and ruthless plucking from the tree of life.

A colourful personality and gentle spirit. He was delighted and honoured that someone unique - special - had been chosen for him. Destined to love him and be loved by him. To belong to him in heart, mind and body as he would belong to her. To breathe and live for him. To burn for his touch - as he would for hers.

It was written. Inevitable. Signed, sealed and delivered to Forks, Washington.

When damnation was assured, why resist it any longer than necessary?

His entire being was focused on her. Inexorably, his eyes were drawn to her as she looked out the window and observed the quaint town with a contented smile.

"It's a beautiful, lively place."

Those weren't the adjectives he'd personally use to describe the sleepy town but they indicated that his mate might have a different way of viewing things. An optimistic perspective that can illuminate the most desolate corners. Her awe incited a smile of his own - something he'd done more often in an hour than in over three-and-a-half centuries. "I couldn't agree more."

After all, what more did a town need than a lovely woman like her leading their children towards a prosperous future? Indeed, a carefree air replaced the heavy gloom drowning the town.

The steel-grey clouds still lingered, of course, but his dark emotions that accompanied them seemed to evaporate. If only his demons left him so easily.

His grip on the steering wheel tightened, wishing more than ever he could be human. To have an excuse to focus on the road without crashing; knowing his heightened abilities never would allow it to happen.

A blessing and a curse, depending on the situation at hand.

"Are you sure you're okay with driving me back later on, Doctor?"

He frowned, training his eyes to look straight ahead. "Of course, my dear, why wouldn't I be?"

The endearments, another thing he found he couldn't help. Couldn't find it in himself to be embarrassed even as he attempted to rein it in. Although, he sincerely hoped she wouldn't think him - as the modern ladies would say - a creep.

The terminology, while amusing at best, greatly sickened him at the possibility of his mate linking it to him.

No, he may be a monster - a selfish, soulless bastard - but he wasn't a creep.

Such were the worries of having a human mate.

"Well," Jodha began, fingers playing with the hem of her shirt sleeve, "I would hate if I'm putting you out of your way to help me, you know? I mean, you're doing so much for me and we hardly know each other."

He pondered her response, unsure what the problem was but hesitant to voice his opinion should he offend her. "I assume you're not accustomed to accepting help from people?"

A beat of silence. "Partially," came the meek confession. "But mostly from people I don't know that well. I'm sorry." Her sudden apology had him further knitting his brows as he turned, yet again, to look at her. "I'm being graceless and tactless about this whole thing but trust me when I say I'm so grateful for all what you've done and are doing for me so far and I just-"

"Breathe, Jodha." Her name tasted sweet on his tongue. Hoping his voice soothed her enough to catch her breath, to ease herself of the unwarranted tension, he continued. "Breathe. In...and out. Again. Easy does it." A soft smile remained etched on his face when she followed his advice, her fingers fidgeting to adjust the ostentatious pair of spectacles on her face. "I'm not offended. It's quite natural to feel like you've imposed on my kindness, but I'm happy to assist."

Her lashes fluttered against her delicate skin, total surprise on her countenance. "You are?"

"Certainly. If everyone accepted help from family and friends only, then what use are other Good Samaritans out there?" She opened her mouth to debate but he held up a finger. "And...how else would complete strangers become friends? All it takes is one act of kindness, Jodha. Don't feel bad when someone feels drawn to you and wants to help you. For some, it can be a short moment of redemption. For others, well...it can start a chain of life-changing events for both parties."

Out of the corner of his eye, he observed her mouth curve into a pretty smile. A curled strand of hair falling at the side of her face only added to her allure.

"Besides," he added, knowing his next words would drive the final nail of his reality into the dreaded coffin, "it's always good to have someone to look out for you. Being in a new place, acclimating yourself to a new culture." His next words were teasing, playful. "Friendship. Not a bad concept, is it?"

"Very funny." She rolled her eyes, a big grin on her face. "You have a way with words, Doctor. I've learned a lot from you in the little time we've known each other. You're a very wise man."

He should hope so, judging by the length of time he'd spent on this earth surrounded by fickle-hearted humans.

"You are too kind, my dear."

Stopping at a red light, the next turn-off her workplace, he heard the shaky breath she inhaled, a slight tremor on her body. "Are you cold?"

"A bit." She muttered under her breath in a language he was yet to decipher. "I knew I was forgetting something."

Light turning green, he entered her school street - slowing down as pedestrians crossed the road and hustled their children through the school gates.

"You can go further up and reverse. I'll walk back to the entrance."

It was what he planned to do, intent on ensuring she had everything she needed before he let her walk away.

Finding a suitable parking spot, he opened her door as she let herself climb out, glorying in the fact that her head reached up to his nose in her heels. She probably would reach his chin without them - the perfect height to bestow forehead kisses upon - and the cosy notion thrilled him.

He should reel it in, try not to get ahead of himself. A Herculean task.

"You can borrow my coat." He made to hand it to her but she gave it a tentative glance and he knew he'd have to employ a stricter measure. "The air-condition gets very cold in the school, Jodha. Your hands will start to feel numb. And from what I gather..." He carefully covered her shoulders with it, smiling when she shoved her arms through the large sleeves. "...teachers, especially the female ones, with cold fingers are the absolute worst to be around."

She gave him a curious look. "Why?"

"According to feedback from real children, they become witches."

It was sort of true, given the exaggerated complaints he heard from the little ones who came for check-ups when asked about school.

She giggled, the sound of a choir of angels descending upon him - ethereal and joyous. Brief, ending too soon for his liking. "Oh, Dr. Cullen, you're a riot. I'm glad I had your company."

He flashed her a grin. "The feeling is mutual, my dear."

Her hands smoothed over the coat material, engulfing her frame, making her look too fragile. She smiled gratefully when he handed over her purse and lunch-bag, their fingers brushing for a split second. A little gasp left her lips, concern lining her features. "You're freezing too, Doctor."

"I'm used to it by now, Jodha. Do not fret."

"Now I'm feeling bad again."

"Don't." He lifted a warning finger, humor dancing through his system when she gave a cute head-wobble of acceptance.

"That's two favours you'll have to cash in on."

"Fear not, I plan to." Battling the need to stroke her round face, feel the warmth of her soft skin, he feigned clearing his throat. "Have a wonderful start to your first day, Jodha. I'll see you soon."

Gracing him with a beautiful smile, her gaze seemed to shine as it settled on his face - meeting his own helpless stare. "Thank you, Dr. Cullen. For everything."

"You are most welcome."

She made to go but stopped, glancing back at him once more. He waited. "What Good Samaritan does that make you then?" She didn't wait for his reply. "I mean, are you in need of redemption or...life-changing friendship?" Her cheeks coloured, making her complexion all the more attractive.

He didn't need Edward's aid to know what she was thinking. That she asked in such a blunt manner astounded him, but it only proved that she was quite clever. Before he could surmise a response, the bell rang in the distance. The first class was about to start.

Saved by the bell. "You should hurry."

"Shucks! You're right. See you, Doctor."

She scurried off as fast as her heels would take her. He remained immobile, elbow resting on the roof of his Benz as he watched her retreating form, the ends of his coat flapping around her satin-covered legs, until she reached the gate. Even then, she took a second to turn and smile at him and he raised his hand in a wave before she disappeared inside.

It was only when he was speeding away to the hospital he realized, for the first time in his entire existence, he'd forgotten something important.

He didn't get her contact number.

• • •

I'm looking to do dual POV chapters rather than alternating POVs per chapter. Have no idea when it will start but be on the lookout. Perhaps in the next chapter itself.

I know I said I wanted this to be sexual but the way I'm planning this story might be more of a medium-burn. But yes, there will be sexy times.

Also, I might change up the timeline of Edward and Bella's wedding, to include more cultural diversity and DRAMA. I forgot most of the BD movies (horrible, I know) so I have some minor research to do before I start the next chapter.

On another note, how did you find THIS chapter?

Votes and comments to let me know how I'm progressing are much appreciated.

If you're interested in keeping up with my writing progress, do give my profile a follow!

Thank you kindly for reading ❤️

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