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SEVEN; EXPLANATIONS

     DAYS UNTIL NEW YORK: 75.

     June Haight felt incredibly torn.

     Quil Ateara was the first to blame — his sudden kiss sent her mind into a downward spiral, and afterwards, she pushed him away and requested for him not to see her until she could wrap her mind around it. Sure, she was thrilled he wasn't ignoring her anymore, but at this point, she didn't know what to expect of him. One day, he was acting as if she was the plague and the next, he was kissing her with so much passion that it made June feel dizzy.

     Amber was no help. Somehow, being her nosey self, she found out about Quil and June's kiss. June was adamant on not speaking to her about it, but Amber was too curious to know any better.

     Currently, she was sticking her nose into affairs that didn't pertain to her.

     "June, how much more affirmation do you need? Quil kissed you, and I'm sure that's a positive sign. Why would you- and hell, why are you still packing boxes?"

     "Because I'm leaving in less than three months, Amber."

     "Your parents haven't even made the effort to pack! They obviously don't want to move."

     June rolled her eyes at Amber's sense of reasoning. The Ateara girl was currently sitting on top of June's bed, her chin cradled into the palm of her hand as she continued to complain about June's departure. June had to admit — ever since Quil kissed her, moving to New York sounded less appealing. However, since she was still her stubborn self, she would continue to deny her feelings for Quil and board that plane just to prove her point.

     June sighed, tying up her hair in a high ponytail. Amber was pouting, spewing reasons as to why June should stay. After all, June was one of Amber's best friends and the center of the local gossip for the past few months. And if there was anything Amber loved over everything, it was drama.

     "Do you mind helping me sort out my closet? I need to figure out what to pack first."

     Amber shook her head, refusing to stand from her spot. "He's hurting, you know. Has been since you pulled away from that kiss."

     It was as if Amber was making June feel guilty on purpose. June didn't want to harm Quil's feelings, but she was at a loss of what to do. Would this be what their relationship would be like everyday? Constant mood swings and sudden changes in feelings? June didn't know if she could handle that. Quil was giving her mixed signals and June wasn't receiving them well.

     "Amber, what can I tell you? I tried my best with him until he abandoned me. We could've been something important, but he decided to hang out with my ex-boyfriend and ignore me for weeks. Right now, my only solution is to get the hell out of here," June huffed. Walking over to her closet, she started taking clothes off of the hangers.

     Amber was furiously typing away at her phone, but June paid no attention to her. That was, until the doorbell rang.

     Amber shot up. "I'll get it!"

     June waved her off, but ceased her packing when she heard whispering voices coming from downstairs.

     "Amber, I shouldn't be here. She doesn't want me here, remember?"

     "Who said she doesn't want you here? Besides, she's almost finished packing up everything and we can't have that. Go up there and say something!"

     June began recognizing the voice. It was Quil talking lowly to Amber.

     "Like what? Hey, June, sorry for kissing you that day but hey, I really wanted to kiss you! Great line, Amber."

     "You can be more suave than that. She used to date Jacob Black, the resident La Push hottie. You seriously have to step up your game."

     "Could you please refrain from using that terminology with the guy who used to kiss the girl I currently like?"

     June stepped out of her room and stood at the top of the stairs. "If you like me so much, why did you leave me alone?" Dead silence ensued, and Amber grabbed her shoulder bag from the hook beside her, rushing out the door. Once Quil heard the slam of June's front door, he knew he couldn't lie to her now. Everything they would become in the future was currently based upon this moment.

     "I'm sorry, Hurricane June. I wish I could apologize to you in several languages just to get the message across. I know how much you've been hurting and-"

     She took two steps down, teeth clenched. "No, you really don't. You don't understand what it's like to lose the guy you were supposed to marry — the guy you've been in love with since diapers to some pale girl in Forks!" One step. "You don't understand what it's like to finally feel safe in someone's arms again until they crush you down and leave you like the last one." One step. "I have been abandoned by the people I've loved the most, and it hurts." One step. "You hurt me, Quil, and I don't think I could ever forgive you for that."

     She finally ran down, shoving her arms into his chest. She was letting the tears escape and allowing her brain to speak for itself without any filters.

     "How dare you! How dare you kiss me when you know I'm going away. How dare you get me to trust you just when I lost Jacob. Everything you've done in these past few weeks, Quil, has really shined a light on your character. I can't trust you or Jacob or any of the boys on the reservation! I need to leave, and I need to do it soon. I won't be anyone's source of entertainment any longer."

     Quil grabbed ahold of her arms, a look of desperation in his eyes. "Please, June. Please don't leave. Look, everything will make sense once I explain it to you."

     June frowned. "Explain what? What else is there to explain, Quil? I think you're plenty out of excuses by now."

     "Just come outside with me. Everything will fall into place, I promise."

     He held his hand out for her to take and she simply stared at it; her brain was starting to make a quick list of pro's and con's.

     She wrapped her fingers around his.

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     Holy shit.

     Why? How is this even humanly possible? How does a woman give birth to a baby, who's bound to become a werewolf? What kind of sick logic was that?

     Questions were swirling around in June's mind. She was muttering quietly to herself as Quil sat across from her, biting his lip in an attempt to ease his growing nerves. Emily handed him a cup of tea and he thanked her for the gesture.

     After Quil exposed who he and the pack really were, Quil took June back to Emily's house so she could recover. She had been talking to herself for over twenty minutes, and Quil was getting worried.

     Her speculation continued. "I mean, everyone in the medical field must be upset. They completely skipped over this turning point in worldwide history! Do you think a werewolf's ever told a doctor just to see what the outcome would be?"

     Quil sighed, staring into his cup of tea. Obviously, June wouldn't be getting over her ideas any time soon.

     To make matters worse, Jake walked through the back door of Emily's home. As soon as he spotted June in the living room, his persona changed.

     "Junie," he whispered softly. Quil growled. He didn't appreciate the way Jake was speaking to June.

     "Jake, leave. June doesn't need more of your drama today."

     "My drama? In case you didn't know, we're both in this mess."

     June's head lifted. As she studied Jake's features, her eyes began to narrow. She scoffed. "Quil, don't tell me this moron is a werewolf too? If he is, all of La Push is in danger."

     Jake rolled his eyes. He left the two alone, and Quil smiled brightly. His eyes shifted back to June's, which were still bright and familiar. He felt like he was home when he was with her, and he hoped she was going to stay in La Push for as long as she possibly can.

     June shook her head. "I don't understand. How does you being a werewolf change anything between us? Were you ignoring me to protect me? Because if you were, I didn't need it. I'm perfectly fine as you can see." Quil examined June's form, which practically screamed that she was in a state of shock. He chuckled.

     "Hurricane June, I had to ignore you because I couldn't tell you the tribe's secret. Only certain people are allowed to know."

     "Okay, so when did I become one of those certain people? Why are you telling me all of this now?"

     Quil took a deep breath. This was going to be a long day for him.

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     Why does the universe do this to her?

     This must've been some cruel, sick joke. Not only was June an imprint, but she was bound to Quil for life.

     This must've been a dream. June must still be lying in her bed and when she wakes up, she'll continue to pack for New York. The image of Quil shapeshifting into a chocolate brown wolf would be erased from her memory. Sadly, it wasn't the case. No matter how many times June pinched herself, the situation was slowly becoming her reality.

     "June, you're scaring me. Say something, please." After another moment of silence, Quil sighed. He had his two hands on her knees, leaning down as he looked into her eyes. She had been staring at Emily's wall for a good thirty minutes. "I'm not saying you have to be with me, June. Although, it would be preferred-"

     "Are you just saying this to keep me here? To keep me in La Push?" June finally spoke. She gazed into his eyes. "How do I know this imprinting thing is real?"

     Quil laughed, as if the question was the funniest statement he had ever heard. June blushed, embarrassed by her prying inquiries.

     "June, I can't show you any proof that we're soulmates, but I can tell you this — I love you. I've loved you since I met you that summer at Jake's house. I've loved you all throughout your and Jake's relationship, and I loved you after. I love you now, and nothing's going to change that."

     June couldn't help herself. She grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him down to kiss her. Quil was shocked by her straightforward gesture, but smiled nonetheless.

     "Well, I see you've told her."

     June pulled apart from Quil to see Sam Uley standing in the doorway. He was smirking, one eyebrow raised.

     Quil wiped June's lipstick from his lips with the back of his hand. "Yeah, I did. I'm pretty sure she's still in shock."

     June cleared her throat. "No, I'm fine. I need to get adjusted, that's all."

     "Good," Sam nodded. "Have you gone over the rules and regulations yet?"

     "No, I was waiting for you."

     Sam nodded once again in approval. He walked closer to the couple and Quil sat next to June on Emily's couch. "June, you must know the tribe's imprints must follow the same rules as the pack when they learn of the secret."

     June released a dry chuckle. "Must? Since when must I listen to you?"

     "June, it's very important that you don't reveal our secret to anyone. We protect the lands and the people of La Push, and if they want to gossip about us, so be it. We keep them safe, and that's all that matters."

     She furrowed her eyebrows. "Aren't you mad, though? They speak behind your backs all the time."

     Sam shrugged. "It's the price we pay."

     Emily's head peeked inside. "Paul and Jared are going to be here soon. I've made snacks for everyone."

     After Sam left, Quil squeezed June's hand. He was whispering, as if everyone in the kitchen wasn't allowed to hear their conversation. "Do you know how Emily got those scars?"

     "Yeah, it was a bear attack. I saw her in the hospital — it was pretty gruesome."

     Quil exhaled loudly. "First of all, I want to let you know I'd never harm you in any way. My main intentions are to keep you safe, June." She frowned. What the hell was Quil prattling on about? "When Emily and Sam were in the beginning stages of their relationship, there were some rocky setbacks. After everyone found out about Emily's relationship with him, she began receiving plenty of backlash because Sam used to date Leah. Emily started pushing him away and they got into this really big fight. Emily said some insults she probably shouldn't have, and Sam-"

     June gasped. "He shifted?"

     Quil looked disheartened. "He was standing too close. Emily always reminds him that she forgives him but every time Sam looks at her, those scars are a constant image of what he did."

     June kissed his cheek. "Quil, I know you'd never hurt me that way. I understand Sam didn't mean to injure Emily."

     Jake entered the room, but stopped when he saw the position Quil and June were currently in. June was smiling at him, and Quil broke out into laughter to ease the tension. June joined him before pulling him into another kiss.

     Jake turned away.

quil and june reunion!!