SPARK OF TENSION
THE SKY HAD JUST started its slow fade into dusky pinks and purples as Sunday and Kim made their way down the familiar driveway to Emily's place. The low hum of voices and the distant crackle of a fire reached them before the warm scent of smoke did.
Sunny hugged her arms around her torso as a cool breeze passed. The mid-May evenings had been unpredictable—one day warm enough for t-shirts, the next demanding hoodies. She silently cursed her optimism. Kim, ever prepared, had a thin cardigan draped around her shoulders.
The two had spent most of their day at the Conweller residence. Catching up on Kim's family gossip, and whatever boy talk the girl demanded they discuss.
Needless to say, Sunny was glad to finally be free of her friend's incessant badgering.
The commotion was thriving when they arrived, a modest blaze casting golden hues over the back yard. The usual table of food and drinks sat off to the side, but most of the group was already settled on long logs and folding chairs arranged in a loose half-circle around the flames.
Another bonfire, something that should be considered a bi-weekly occurrence by now. But, this gathering was different. No outsiders.
Just the select members of the tribe who knew of the big secret. It was meant to be something educational, rather than social.
Emily spotted the girls first. "There you two are!" she called, wide grin already present. Left over from a humorous conversation she'd already been having with Harry Clearwater.
"Sorry we're late," Kim said with a sheepish smile. Allowing the woman to pull her into a tight embrace. "We got a little sidetracked." She sent Sunny a pointed glance.
As the Young woman greeted the girls, neither of the teenagers had the heart to admit that they'd just eaten an hour ago at Kim's. so instead, they grabbed a few graham crackers, a chocolate bar, and some marshmallows to keep up appearances.
It was when Jared waved Kim over with a big grin and an open arm that Sunny registered where, exactly, he was sitting—and who was sitting right next to him.
Paul.
Who already had his eyes on her.
He wore a lazy, warm grin that didn't quite reach his eyes—there was a spark behind it, something unreadable. Familiar. Warm.
Sunny didn't even hesitate. Already trailing behind Kim in the two boys direction. Completely oblivious to just how natural everything seemed.
It had only been a couple short weeks since they'd discussed everything. Only fourteen days since Sunny had accepted whatever odd, supernatural thing that drew her towards the boy.
They hadn't spoken about it since.
And Sunday Uley had stopped psychoanalyzing everything about Paul Lahote.
She slid onto the log beside him, so close their knees brushed, despite the extra space on the other end of the seat.
"Hey," he spoke, eyes traveling between hers, failing to suppress his soft smile.
"Hey," she parroted, grinning without thinking. It came easily these days. She didn't even notice.
But Paul did.
He noticed everything.
From her change in demeanor towards him, and how easily she was able to slip into conversation with him recently.
It was enough to ease his worry and hesitation when it came to the girl.
"How was your day?" he asked, like he always seemed to now.
Sunny poked a marshmallow onto the skewer Kim had handed her, not giving it a second thought.
"Fine. Just at Kim's mostly. We went into town for a bit, checked out the antique store near the pier."
He nodded, watching her angle her marshmallow over the fire. "Sounds chill."
He cringed slightly at his awkward reply. Something else that'd become a regular occurrence recently.
"What about you?" Sunny continued, clueless to his nerves. "What've you been up to?"
Paul blinked, a little caught off guard. "Helped my dad move some stuff." He shrugged dismissively.
Sunny's interest piqued. "Your dad?"
He never said much about his family. It was always Sam stuff, school, or whatever dumb thing Jared was into.
"Yeah. He's a carpenter. Used to have a shop in town." Paul nodded, lips pursing tightly, hinting that the topic wasn't something he necessarily enjoyed talking about.
She raised an eyebrow. "That's kinda cool. Did he teach you?"
Paul shrugged, modest. "A little. I wasn't really into it back then." His gaze danced across her features, reveling in her distracted state.
Before Sunny could comment, her marshmallow ignited into a puff of flame. "Oh sh—"
She yanked it from the fire, flailing the stick and trying to blow it out. The blackened marshmallow hissed as the flame died, leaving a crusty, charred blob on the end.
Paul barked out a laugh. "I'm guessing you didn't mean to do that?"
"I hate burnt marshmallows," she grumbled, scowling at the stick.
"I'll take it."
Her neck moved with such velocity, she thought it might snap from her shoulders. Narrowing her eyes on him, like he was insane.
"You eat burnt marshmallows?"
A huff of laughter escaped him as he reached for the stick.
"They're the best," he said, peeling off the outer shell like he'd done it a hundred times. "See? Toasted armor. Gooey heart."
Sunny's nose pinched at his cheesy remark. Choosing to set her focus onto the fire ahead,
"You're ridiculous."
Paul popped the blackened layer into his mouth, smirking at her reaction.
Kim, who'd been eavesdropping from Jared's side, nudged her boyfriend and nodded discreetly toward the pair. Jared gave her a knowing smile, not even having to look, because they'd both picked up on the sudden shift between their two friends.
Instead, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders planting a kiss to her temple.
Sunny began prepping her s'more. Oblivious to her friend's prying eyes.
"You usually just toss the burnt ones?" Paul asked.
"Right into the fire," she admitted with mock solemnity. Giving him a sideways glance, as if challenging him to counter her.
Which he did,
"Wasteful."
She shrugged, unable to hide her amused smile, "guess it's a good thing you're here then, huh?"
Paul's smirk softened, his eyes traveling between hers. Noting the warm hue that danced across her features, causing streaks of gold to fleck her gaze.
He wanted to respond with something witty. Something that would curve her lips in that shy way he always admired. But before he could reply, a loud whistle split the air. Silencing all conversations, and drawing all attention to the large frame that stood opposite of the fire.
Sam, commanding attention with a glance. "Alright, listen up."
With one last stern look, he gestured to the elder that sat in a folding chair to his left.
Old Quil thanked him with a nod, clearing his throat. "We've got some new faces here tonight. First council meeting for a few. We welcome you."
His voice barely carried over the crackle of fire, and brisk wind. His tone was rough with age, like he'd spent most of his life talking.
"To the newest spirit warriors," Old Quil continued, eyes twinkling as he looked to Paul and Jared.
Sunny knocked her knee against Paul's, earning a pointed look from the boy. She quirked a teasing brow as she chewed her first bite of s'more.
"And the ones who walk beside them." The elder continued.
Sunny's eyes widened, just as a familiar cocky grin crossed Paul's lips. His eyes remained trained onto her, gauging her reaction. The two were caught in a quick staring match before Old Quil's voice cut through the air again
"It's time to remember our history," he began. "Legends passed down from our ancestors, the truth of our tribe."
The sudden delve into a history lesson allowed Sunny to break the teasing look from Paul. Instead, she focused on her half eaten s'more.
She'd heard all of this before, sure. From Billy Black, Harry Clearwater. From Old Quil himself on occasion, when she was a child.
But they were stories. Legends.
And as the elder continued his retelling, Sunny couldn't help but glance around the fire.
Everyone seemed completely tuned into Old Quil, as he spewed about Taha Aki, and the cold ones that their tribe supposedly had beef with back in the day.
Sunday Uley believed there was truth to the tale, sure.
Her brother was a prime example of its authenticity. Spirit warriors tasked with protecting the tribe.
That made sense.
It was all the other details that'd become fuzzy over the years. Things that didn't seem as important to the girl, because she wasn't entirely sure what they meant.
As Old Quil spoke on, describing the first transformations and the appearance of the cold ones,
Sunny tilted her head, chancing a side glance toward her friends.
Kim was on the edge of her seat, staring intensely across the fire, gripping Jared's arm. Jared allowed the close embrace, letting his hand rest limply against her thigh, his brows furrowed in thought.
Sunny had to remind herself that it was their first time hearing this story. She could only imagine she'd been just as invested when she was a kid.
Her eyes subconsciously settled onto Paul beside her. He leaned forward in his seat, elbows propped onto his knees, completely immersed.
________
By the time Sunny had finished her first s'more, the heat from the fire had started to fade into the crisp evening air. She was already preparing her skewer with two marshmallows, eagerly poking them onto the end of her stick and leaning closer to the flame. A smooth breeze nipped at her skin, brushing her hair over her shoulders. Prompting the girl to shuffle to the edge of her seat, subconsciously searching for warmth.
Completely distracted with her marshmallow roasting skills, the Uley girl missed how her knees brushed Paul's. In her body's attempt to seek warmth—something the boy seemed to radiate as of late.
At the sudden touch, Paul glanced her way. Assuming it was an accident. But as the seconds ticked by, the girl only seemed to move closer. Paul couldn't help but analyze her again. The slight pink of her cheeks from the cold, the way her hair danced in the breeze, the slight curve of her lips as her eyes suddenly connected with his.
"Want another?" she whispered, leaning even closer in attempt to not interrupt the story telling.
Paul's eyes lit up with amusement. "Sure," he matched her hushed tone, dipping his head to whisper back, "You offering?"
She gave a firm nod and turned the skewer over the fire, the light from the flames flickering across her features.
From across the circle, Sam's sharp eyes tracked the pair. He'd noticed the growing ease between his sister and Paul, and while it was something he had secretly hoped for, he wasn't sure how to feel about it.
He was prepared to motion for her to cut it out—not wanting any distraction from Old Quil. But when he saw the way Sunny casually leaned into Paul's side, almost instinctively, he realized he didn't need to intervene.
This was good for her. For both of them.
After everything that'd happened, this was exactly the kind of moment they needed—a reminder that things didn't have to be so serious all the time.
So, Sam refrained. He stayed quiet, watching the two of them with an—almost smug smile, even though his protective instincts were gnawing at him beneath the surface.
As Old Quil continued his stories, the night breeze picked up, causing a chill to roll through the campfire circle. Sunny puffed her cheeks in annoyance, instinctively wrapping her free arm around herself, wishing she had brought a jacket. She didn't want to interrupt the council meeting, but she made a mental note to run inside and grab one after she finished roasting her marshmallows.
But before she could even think that far ahead, she felt a familiar warmth at her side. This time, it was Paul leaning closer.
"You cold?" Paul asked, his voice remained low.
Sunny shook her head, trying to play it off. "I'm okay. I'll run inside after this."
Not even a second passed before he began shrugging off his pullover.
Sunny blinked, caught off guard. "It's really not that serious."
Sunny glanced around the campfire, to check if anyone else had clued into their hushed conversation. She worried the commotion would interrupt the heat of Old Quil's telling of the great battle against the cold ones.
Before she could quietly scold the boy, his grey zip up was already being placed over her shoulders.
She gave him a shocked, slightly annoyed look. "You're ridiculous," she muttered. But accepted the jacket from him anyway. It was warm, pre-heated if you will.
And any form of argument she might have prepared for the boy, vanished from her train of thought.
With a smug smirk he took her stick from her hand wordlessly, as if he'd been waiting for the moment. She wanted to protest, wanted to reiterate her stance on his stupidity.
But instead, she merely offered a sidelong look of mock annoyance. Adjusting the oversized jacket, slipping her arms into the sleeves, she begrudgingly zipped it up. The soft, worn fabric felt comforting in its weight. And she instantly noted the feint smell of evergreen and jasmine that seemed settled into the fabric.
With a heavy, forced sigh, Sunny focused back into the fire...where the two marshmallows she'd skewered had just burst into flames.
"Paul." She hissed, almost forgetting the group surrounding them. Sunny swiftly smacked the boy's arm. Earning a huff of amusement from him.
Kim caught the exchange from the corner of her eye, nudging Jared with a content smile. Prompting her boyfriend to pull his attention from the story, just long enough to catch his best friend's uncharacteristic grin for the Uley girl. Something that'd become a common occurrence recently.
Old Quil's voice rose again, drawing everyone's focus back to the tail end of his story. Sunny hadn't really been paying attention in the first place, worrying instead about her second s'more as Old Quil finished his retelling of the great battle.
Kim, however, was completely absorbed, hanging on every word. The girl's mouth hanging slightly agap as she huddled against her boyfriend.
"... and his wife," Old Quil was saying. "She sacrificed herself to save him, to save our people. She died a true warrior's death."
"Don't forget," Old Quil finished, "that you are now true spirit warriors." He bowed his head slightly toward the two younger boys.
After that the council meeting seemed to shift into its natural course of quiet conversations. Everyone began to chat, sipping from their cups and nibbling on the remaining snacks. Sunny finally settled into the comfortable quiet chatter of her friends. Choosing to listen in on a hectic volleyball routine that Kim was explaining, when Sam, across the fire, delved into embarrassing moments from her childhood.
"Remember when she let that raccoon in the house and tried to convince me it wandered in?" Sam began, grinning at the memory. Emily giggling into her palm from beside him.
Sunny's eyes widened in horror as the entire group of elders turned to look at her.
Out of all the stories he could've chosen, why was it her attempt to domesticate wildlife?
"Technically, he did wander in." She defended. Absolutely refusing to acknowledge her three friends quizzical looks.
Her sarcastic remark was ignored as her brother continued, "that thing had to have been ten pounds. She'd apparently been feeding it for weeks.," he chuckled.
Sunny pursed her lips at the collective laughter, heat crawling up her neck in embarrassment. Just as Sam started into his sister's tantrum that'd followed when he told her they couldn't keep the feral raccoon—Sunny quickly pushed herself to her feet.
The group roared with laughter, and even Old Quil was smiling softly in amusement. Sunny marched herself around the fire pit, using her brother's hysterical laughter to her advantage. She attempted to shove Sam backwards in the flimsy plastic chair. He caught her arms easily, pulling her to him in a bear hug.
Emily was cackling, barely able to breathe from laughing so hard at the sight of Sam tormenting his little sister. The two hadn't acted in such a way in years.
"Let me go!" Sunny wheezed, her legs kicking at the ground as she squirmed, attempting to free herself... but even she knew Sam was much stronger.
"Not until you apologize for almost getting us bit by a rabid raccoon," Sam teased, enjoying the power.
Sunny finally gave in, exasperated, though she shot him one last scowl over her shoulder, "Mr. Grilled cheese did not have rabies." She countered, earning another wave of laughter from the group.
Sam released her anyway laughing heartily. But Sunny was already gathering her strength, preparing for a counterattack. She stood straight, brushing imaginary dust from her clothes, gathering her momentum, and suddenly, with a swift forceful shove, she sent Sam's chair toppling backward.
The group burst into laughter, but the plastic chair didn't just tip—it snapped under Sam's weight, sending both him and Sunny tumbling to the ground in a heap of limbs and laughter.
"Oh my god," Sunny gasped, her laughter turning into gasps for air. "You're an idiot."
Sam sat up first, broad grin on display. "You didn't think that through, huh?"
The surrounding group continued their laughter, as Sam pushed himself to his feet. Brushing his jeans off before extending his hand out to his sister. Sunny, still gasping in laughter, clasped her hand into his thoughtlessly.
She didn't register the sly look that crossed his features as he abruptly yanked her to her feet. Using his unnatural strength to scoop her over his shoulder in one swift movement. Sunny squealed, laughing hysterically as she clung to him.
"Sam!" she shouted between giggles. Clinging to his shirt with white knuckles.
Sam inched closer to the fire, leaning them both near the flames. Emily grabbed hold of his belt, half expecting him to drop the girl on accident.
Sam, clearly enjoying himself, laughed heartily. "I think I deserve an apology."
Sunny's laughter died in her throat as she practically hung upside down over the flames. "Yeah? And I deserve a vacation in the Bahamas," She crooned, wriggling in his grasp, attempting to regain some form of stability. "Put me down!"
He did as she asked, but the moment her feet hit the ground, she used all her might to shove him as hard as she could. Earning another round of light laughter from the group as Sam stumbled a step back.
Flustered, Sunny ran her hand through her hair in attempt to tame the windswept mess. Eyes focusing on her three friends who remained laughing at her expense.
"Yeah, laugh it up," Sunny gasped, "but I'll get you back. Don't think I won't." She threatened.
Jared, grinning, shot her a mocking look. "Ooh, I'm so scared." His words melded with laughter, sarcasm clear in his tone.
Adrenaline pumping and a new wave of embarrassment washing over her, Sunny was charging toward Jared. Within seconds She hit him square in the chest, throwing her full weight against him, and with a heavy thud, both of them toppled to the ground.
Kim doubled over with laughter at the sight, Unable to tame her hysteria any longer.
Jared, barely fazed, propped himself onto his elbows, "damn, Uley."
But the only response he received was a low groan, as the girl rolled onto her back beside him. Eyes screwed shut in pain from where their heads had collided during impact.
The surrounding laughter died down, and by the time Sunny opened her eyes Paul was kneeled beside her. Before she could even form a thought to protest, he was pulling her into a seated position. He placed his hands gently over hers in order to remove them from her features.
"I'm fine," she was speaking before thinking. Her temples pounding in beat with her voice, causing the girl to wince.
Paul's eyes darted over her features as he used his right hand to brush her hair behind her ear. Instantly noting the blood that'd begun to accumulate on her lower lip.
Sam, now stood over the two, sighed heavily. "You should probably ice it."
Sunny glanced up to her brother, too caught up with the slight pounding in her head to acknowledge Paul's close proximity.
She opened her mouth to insist that he was overreacting, but Paul was already pulling her to her feet.
"I've got it covered," he said, keeping his hold on her arm, already leading her past the fire.
As they made their way toward the house, Sunny threw a playful glance over her shoulder. "I think Jared's head is full of cement or something."
That earned another round of laughter from the group, and Sunny couldn't help but smile, feeling strangely... content. Even with her head's slight pounding.
________
Once inside, the screen door slammed shut behind them, and the muffled noise of the bonfire crowd faded into a low hum outside. The shift in atmosphere was immediate—quiet, close, intimate. The warmth of the house settled around them like a blanket, but Sunny couldn't help the faint chill that still clung to her skin.
Paul glanced back at her and jerked his head toward the kitchen table. "Sit."
Sunny scoffed, "I know where the ice is. This is my house, remember?"
He didn't answer, moving past her into the kitchen, opening the freezer. She followed reluctantly, ignoring how comfortable he looked in a place he technically had no business being so familiar with. Instead of heading for the table like he asked, she pulled herself onto the counter, legs swinging slightly as she grabbed a few paper towels from beside the sink, tearing off a couple she dabbed at her lip. Only then did she realize how much it was actually bleeding. She cringed at the sight.
Paul turned to face her, now holding a small, makeshift ice pack wrapped in a clean dish towel from Emily's stash. His eyes were on her, a bit sharper than before. Without asking, he stepped forward, between her knees and took the paper towel from her hand, tossing it to the counter.
"Let me." His spoke lowly.
Sunny blinked, heart pounding in her ears, and she only hoped that he didn't possess some supersonic hearing.
She froze as he pressed the ice against her lip, slow and careful, his touch surprisingly gentle. Her words got stuck somewhere in her throat, her mind lagging behind as the moment hit her like a weight. It was too similar to her birthday—to the night she had found herself in a similar situation with the boy.
She inhaled deeply, letting her gaze wander while he was focused. His features were sharp and serious, but up close, she could see the little things that most people probably missed. The way his lashes curled. The scar at his jawline she hadn't noticed before.
Her stomach did a slow somersault.
Then her eyes flicked up—just for a second—and met his.
He was already watching her.
The breath caught in her throat, her mouth suddenly dry. Her entire body flushed, heart thudding like a drum in her ears.
She panicked.
"I've got it," she said too quickly, grabbing the ice pack from his hand, their fingers brushing. Sending another jolt of warmth through her body.
She half expected him to back off. Move away. Give her a chance to cool down and stop spiraling.
But he didn't.
Instead, he braced his palms against the counter—on either side of her legs—caging her in. Amused. Deliberate. And fully aware of what he was doing.
Sunny was frozen. Her fingers tightened around the ice pack as she held it to her lip, not even feeling the cold anymore.
"You really should be more careful," Paul said, voice low. "Didn't think you were actually crazy until tonight."
Sunny scoffed, eager for the distraction. "You're calling me crazy? My brother was literally holding me over a fire five minutes ago."
Paul laughed at that—an actual laugh. One that caused his eyes to squint in that way they seemed to, only when he was truly amused.
It made her chest tighten against her will.
And—he looked too good when he laughed. She caught Her eyes drifting again—trailing from his smile to his jawline—then immediately scolded herself for it.
Desperate to break her train of thought, she blurted, "So...do you think Kim's seen her wolfie Boyfriend yet?"
Paul tilted his head. "What?"
Sunny shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "I don't know. I might ask her. Just curious. Considering I Haven't seen either of you that way."
He frowned, brows pulling together, "Why would you want to? You hate it."
Her stomach dropped.
Nonono
She didn't expect that. Not the comment—nor the fact that it hurt. She hadn't realized how clearly she'd made her feelings known... or how dismissively he could throw them back at her.
She looked away, jaw clenched, the ice pack falling to rest idly in her lap.
"It's not that I hate it," she said softly.
Paul didn't move, but his gaze sharpened, catching the subtle change in her voice. If anything it caused him to lean closer.
Sunny's eyes stayed fixed on her hands in her lap. "It's just... it's been a part of my life for years, even before I really understood what it was. I spent so much time wondering why my brother was different. Why he disappeared. Why he became someone else. And I just... had to live with it."
Her voice wasn't angry. Just tired. Honest.
Paul didn't interrupt.
She let the silence settle for a second, then gave him a half-hearted shrug. "I don't hate it. I guess... I'm still working to accept it. Even after all these years."
For a moment, he didn't know what to say. He wasn't used to Sunny being so open. There was always a wall. A joke. A glare. But this? This was something different.
She was different.
He opened his mouth, ready to ask her more, to encourage her to continue—but the front door creaked open before he could speak.
Kim and Jared appeared, both with smug grins plastered on their faces. The sound of their arrival snapped Sunny back into reality—and made her realize just how close she and Paul still were.
"Uh, Thanks," she quipped, meeting his gaze once more. A silent urgency behind her eyes.
Instantly, Paul straightened, taking a half step back. Only allowing her enough room to slide from the counter. With just inches between them, Sunny looked to him once more, offering a pursed smile, before beginning for the front door.
"We came to tell you, everyone's heading out and Old Quil wants to say goodbye." Kim chimed through the stiff atmosphere.
"Right." Sunny nodded, absolutely refusing to meet her friend's gaze. She disappeared out the door in a rush, cheeks flushed.
The door slammed behind her.
Paul sighed running his hand over his face.
Kim and Jared stood expectantly, both sporting equally humorous smiles.
Paul shot them a look. "Don't start."
Jared crossed his arms. "Dude, what the hell were you doing, resetting her jaw? You two were gone forever."
Kim giggled, hugging herself against his side.
Paul rolled his eyes, but his chest was still buzzing from the moment. He could still feel the weight of her words. The way she flushed when he caught her staring.
"Both of you need hobbies." He grumbled.
Kim and Jared shared a knowing glance. Kim quirking a challenging brow.
____________________________________
Authors Note:
Ayee yooo!!! Finally a chapter, I. Am. So. Sorry. For the delay :,)
Thank you all for your kind words & encouragement during the wait! It means a lot to know so many of you enjoy this story.
Hopefully now, updates will become more frequent 😅
This chapter definitely needs some work, so hopefully during the editing process I can beef it up some more?? Somehow??
Anywhoooo!
Thankyouthankyouthankyou for your continued support and understanding!