corsages | embry call

prologue

Embry Call was bored.

His mom had forced him into the second-hand suit she had purchase the week before, along with a crisp black tie he knew had belonged to his grandfather. He felt uncomfortable in the suit, standing loftily next to one of his best friends, Jacob, but tried to ignore his discomfort. The pair were awaiting the arrival of the third member of their group, Quil Ateara, and his 'date'.

"I still can't believe Quil's date is his cousin." Jacob laughed, downing the rest of his punch. Embry couldn't help but roll his eyes at his friend. He had heard this statement multiple times already - from multiple people - and he was starting to become annoyed.

"At least he's got someone." Embry retorted, slightly defensive of his friend. "You couldn't even grow some and ask your girlfriend."

Jacob narrowed his eyes at his friend, crossing his arms over his chest. "You two ruined it last week when you came over. I was just about to ask her!"

Embry murmured something incoherent in response and instead gazed around the gym, taking in the myriad of dark blue and gold balloons and twinkling lights. Some people were dancing, but most were stood in groups around tables, like himself. Random pop songs were blasting throughout the space, and Embry could feel the vibrations in his feet.

Something was wrong with him, Embry could tell. The past few days he hadn't felt right. His mother thought he was coming down with something, and he had no choice but to agree with her. He was becoming increasingly angry – the smallest things made him so mad – but he was trying so hard to compress it. Embry wasn't aggressive nor vexed by nature, so he was starting to stress about his change in moods. Not only that, his skin was feverish all the time, and his body ached – he sometimes felt as though a fire was spreading throughout his body.

He didn't know what to make of it.

"Dude... Embry," Jacob hissed at him, garnering his attention. "Is that Quil?"

Embry looked towards the entrance, almost instantly spotting his best friend striding towards him. "Yeah, that's him..." His voiced gradually trailed off as he gazed at the figure on his arm. He felt his voice leave him.

Embry was absolutely starstruck. Beautiful russet skin, seemingly glowing under the soft light, and long, shining dark hair curled down her back. She was just shorter than Quil, and she exuded elegance with every step she took. He couldn't help but glance at her figure and let out a breathy sigh as brown his eyes quickly ran over her blue dress.

She was so hot.

Embry didn't quite know what to do with himself as they approached. Butterflies swarmed in his stomach and he felt incredibly warm and flustered - even more than usual. How was Quil related to her? The box in his hand suddenly felt extremely heavy, and he quickly adjusted his suit in an attempt to placate his nerves. In his peripheral vision, he could see some of his friends check her out, which made him feel slightly better about his gawking.

When they finally approached, Jacob was quick to exclaim a greeting, while Embry had to force the words out of his mouth. It took every ounce of his self-control to keep his eyes trained on his friend.

Quil tugged his cousin forward and gestured to her with a flourish. "Guys, I'm sure you remember my cousin Lucy. Luce, if you don't recall these idiots they're dumb and dumber."

The Ateara cousin released a small, twinkling laugh that made Embry's cheeks flush. Jake, clearly not happy with the introduction, glared at his friend, hissing, "Jacob Black and Embry Call."

Lucy quickly glanced at them, recognition lighting her features, and Embry's heart almost stopped as her hooded, stunning eyes passed over him. Hot warmth flooded his cheeks. "I remember you," She affirmed, her voice like honey. Embry almost melted on the spot. "It's nice to see you guys,"

Quil was quick to capture his cousin's attention in a conversation about the high school, and Embry felt a nudge in his side. Jacob raised his brows at him, obviously seeing his current state, but Embry could only wave him off. They had met before – but she hadn't looked like that. Like a magnet, his eyes were drawn to her and he admired her high, elegant cheekbones, defined jaw and the soft curve of her small nose. Her pouty, glossy lips deepened his blush, and Embry had to look away.

She was literally the most attractive person her had ever seen.

As he unconsciously squeezed the box he gripped, Embry quickly came back to awareness with a jolt. "Uh... Quil?" He quietly stuttered out; eyes locked determinedly on his friend.

Quil looked over and was quick to answer him. "Whatsup?"

"You... uh..." Embry was embarrassed; he didn't want to say it in front of the Ateara cousin. "You... forgot to pick this up from me."

"Oh shit!" Quil cheerfully laughed, unabashed. He took the box from his friend's hands and transferred it into his cousin's grip. "I forgot that you got one for me. Here, Luce."

"For me?"

"Yeah," Quil cheekily smiled at the girl, teeth flashing. "It's prom after all."

As Lucy's nimble fingers lifted the lid, Embry's heartbeat increased dramatically. What he once thought was a simple favour for his best friend now had extraordinarily high stakes. Therefore, a bundle of nervous energy, he fixed his gaze on his polished shoes (thanks to his mom) and waited for the moment to pass.

"A corsage?" Her silky voice washed over him. Nervously, he glanced upwards, only to lock eyes with her. Her eyes, a stunning light green, transfixed him; it was as though she was glancing at his very soul. "Did you choose this, Embry?"

It took a moment for him to gather himself enough to respond. "Y-Yeah."

Her eyes lit up, and she delicately stroked the pale pink petals of the flowers. He was literally rendered speechless when she sent him a soft smile – much to her cousin's surprise – and questioned, "how did you know these were my favourite flowers?"

Embry didn't know. He didn't know why he chose that one, or why he was left like a gaping fish around her. He didn't know how his best friend could be related to someone so hot, or how he was supposed to talk to her.

At the same time, Quil was staring at his cousin with relief. He didn't know why she wasn't doing better, or why her smiles were so rare, or why she had arrived at his house yesterday in tears. He didn't know a lot of things about his cousin, or what she was going through, but he had seen that small smile on her face.

And he knew La Push was good for her.

to clarify - this is set a week after Quil + Embry meet Bella, before Embry shifts. I'm from Australia, and we don't do prom here (sad), so I'm unsure if students in Embry's year - sophmores - have prom? I looked online, and apparently it's only for upperclassmen, but in the movies Jacob says " Quil's taking his cousin to prom" so I allowed them to go lol (for sake of plot)