The Biggest Decision of His Life

A/N: Thank you to MintCcIceCream, toshii519, peacelovextwlight30, brankel1, Little Emily, Kesha Black and Evil-Angel-23 for reviewing! I sincerely appreciate the support! And now for chapter 12, which will be Karson's POV. Things take an interesting turn, and honestly speaking, it is probably the second most important chapter in the story. I hope you all like it! =) (oh and the italics is a flashback) and again, I really do apologize for the delay. It has been way too long, my lovelies. But college hates me, and keeps me away from writing. I'm undoubtedly genuinely grateful to all of you who are still reading. Makes my heart swell real big. Thank you so much. I would be nothing without you folks. =']

I woke up, and I couldn't help but beam. This was a regular occurrence nowadays. For the last couple of months, Nafia and I had become best friends, because she claimed that she wouldn't be able to fall in love with me until we became friends, best friends. And I'm pretty sure I could write a book on her life now, that's how well I knew her. And she knew me too, and it was nice, to get along, to not fight. Our parents were happy too, Jacob stopped listening on our conversations because I hadn't tried to kiss her again after our first non-date, which really was a date. I mean, she was bound to have fallen in love with me by now, right? We were always together, and rumors around had been pretty strong about us, saying that we were finally hooking up, and while I didn't like that people were saying such things about Nafi, I didn't do anything to stop them because eventually that is what would happen and I guess Nafia didn't stop them for the same reason. Christmas was almost here and I was delighted. Christmas was always a blast as we always had it at Jake's, Uncle Embry's, Quil's or my house, and the entire pack got together and we'd all exchange gifts. Well, the entire original pack of Mom, Jake, Embry, Seth and Quil. Everyone else wasn't nearly as close but we were all still family more or less. I was going to ask Nafia to be my girlfriend. I had never asked anyone that before. It was usually a quick hit in the sack and then over, unless the girl was really good, in which case she'd turn into a regular hook-up. I couldn't believe how much I had changed. It was like an entire 180. I quickly got ready and went downstairs, grabbed a couple of sandwiches and that would suffice for breakfast.

"Heading over to Nafia's?" My mom asked. I went over to give her a good morning kiss and just smiled.

"Yeah, she wanted to take me somewhere special she said, somewhere her and I haven't been before, not together at least." My mom turned around to look me in the eye, and said,

"You really love her, don't you?"

"Yeah…I mean, me of all people, Mom? Who'da thought? And I'm in love with Nafia, no less. In fact, I hadn't anticipated this earlier, but now, after talking to you, I think…I think I'm gonna tell her how I feel about her. I mean, I feel like she finally reciprocates my feelings, you know?"

"I'm really happy for you, honey. It's nice to see that you finally found someone. It's been really nice to not have to listen to those whores of yours all night."

"Mommmmm, all of that is over. I've changed. I'm a one-woman man now."

"Well, one-woman men get hungry too, so how about you grab a plate, grab some pancakes, and eat."

"Mom, I'm in a hurry. Christmas break just started and I want to spend as much time as I can with Nafia when I'm not running around on drills because of Jake. I swear, I think he's convinced there's going to be another Volturi attack or something. It hasn't happened for years, it won't happen again. I don't think La Push will be seeing any leeches for a while. But no, any potential danger for Nessie, blah, blah, blah."

"Karson, you and I both know any imprint would do the same. Jake is doing nothing wrong. He needs to keep you boys on his toes. And go sit down and eat, Nafia would want that too."

"Yeah, she hates it when I don't eat as much, especially if it's to come see her. She really does care a lot about me."

I walked into the Black household that evening where Noah was on the phone. He had imprinted on a girl he had met in New York last week when he went Christmas shopping with the leechy side of their family. Well, I guess I shouldn't say bad things about them. Knowing Nafia, she would want them to approve of me too, and since her grandfather was a mind-reader, even thinking bad things wouldn't really be good for me.

"Nafia, your bitch is here!" Noah screamed, putting a hand over the phone.

"Noah, why do you always have to be so rude?" Nafia screamed back from upstairs. "Karson, I'm on my way, just give me a minute or two."

"That means like an hour." Noah told me.

"I heard that, Noah! I'm superhuman too, you idiot." Nafia yelled from downstairs.

"Hello, dear." Aunt Nessie said, giving me a hug. Nafia came downstairs and she looked absolutely adorable in her jeans and simple blue button down. She grabbed a jacket, even though her temperature was just about the same as mine. I had asked her about this earlier, once winter really started, and she said it was something about keeping appearances. An idea she inherited from the leeches, I mean, vamps in her family.

"Hey Mom, I already ate dinner so don't worry about me, and don't stay up for me, and please tell Dad too.", and then she turned around and asked me, "You ready to go?"

"Yeah, let's head out."

I wasn't quite sure where we were going. Normally, if we went somewhere, we'd take my car but this time, Nafia insisted she wanted to drive.

"Would you like to go somewhere to eat something first? I have to tell you something really important to tell you." Nafia said.

"Are you hungry?" I asked.

"No, I was just wondering if you were. I didn't want you to be hungry or anything, because I know you get hungry pretty easily, and what I have to say to you isn't exactly sweet and short. That's all."

I turned in my seat, to look at her, and said,

"You care about me a lot, don't you?"

"Yeah.", she whispered softly, a content smile on her face. At that very moment, I swear, my heart skipped a beat, and my chest swelled with pride. Nafia cared about me. It had taken me longer than I would have ever liked, but in the end, it was more than worth it, because my imprint, Nafia Black, cared about me. What the hell? I was acting like a freaking fourteen year old girl. I'm just glad I didn't squeal from delight or whatever it is that young girls do. I cleared my throat, and pulled myself back together.

"No, Nafia, I'm sure whatever you have to say is more important than me eating. Plus, this way, you'd get hungry too, and we could eat together."

Nafia had a grim look on her face, and I felt something twist inside my stomach. The last time Nafia had that look on her face was when she still hated me…oh my God. I really hope she wasn't going to say something along the lines of her not wanting to hang out with me. After all that we had been through in the past two months?

It was my first hang out with Nafia since our non-date. She had made it pretty clear she only wanted to be friends, but at the same time, she also made it clear that she would like to get to know me better, and wanted me to get to know her better. Her parents were on a third honeymoon as part of a random gift from Edward, and Noah was in charge of the garage with Luke helping him, so Nafia said we could have the entire house to ourselves if we had just chilled at her place. I didn't mind in the least, but it didn't mean I wasn't nervous. Nafia and I seemed to be doing okay for the most part, but I didn't want to get ahead of myself because if I screwed up now, I knew I'd never get her, and that would such a waste of forever. I let myself in, looking around, taking in Jacob's house. I had been countless times before, but today was different. Today I didn't come for a barbeque or a potluck or Thanksgiving or any other wolf gathering. Today, I came for my imprint, my Nafia.

This used to be Billy Black's old house. Mom had always kept Billy Black in her prayers. The Blacks had been like a second family to her from a very early age. Come to think of it, Jacob's house had become like that for me, even before the imprint. My mother was always here, helping around the house, even helping Jake and Nessie get together. I had spent almost as much time here as a child as I had in my own house. I could reminisce later though. Today was about Nafia. I felt the pull, stronger than ever, and her scent consumed me. She was in the kitchen, smiling as she cooked, and I couldn't help but think how much she resembled both of her parents. Her smile was mesmerizing, much like her mother's. Her skin tone was almost like a light copper, with an inherent glow. I couldn't help but lose all sense of time or consciousness for that matter, had she not said anything.

"You know, I invited you over, so that we could talk and further get to know each other. However, if you want to just stand there, and watch me chop stuff, that's cool too. Whatever floats your boat, Karson."

"Maybe I just think it's cute to stare at you." I retorted. She was the one who started the flirting…well, flirting in my opinion at least. Hey, a guy can dream right?

She just giggled, and turned around to face me.

"Do you mind helping me out a bit?" She asked, a twinkle in her eye.

"Yeah, sure. I don't know how much help I'd be, though. Not really a culinary expert...although, you would be, since you're related to the Cullens. Hahaha, get it?"

Great, Karson. Lamest joke of all time, but because Nafia was nice, she chuckled at my excuse for a joke.

"I just need you to get some things out of the pantry and maybe the deep freezer out of the garage. Consider this bonding time for us."

She instructed me to go get the chicken out of the freezer and then rub my hands over it to defrost it in like ten minutes. One of the many advantages of being a wolf, I'd say. She set it to cook on the stove, and got a bag of mixed pasta out of the pantry.

"Oh my Jesus! Are you making chicken pasta with spicy Alfredo sauce?" I almost screamed. Note to self, kindly refrain from acting like a twelve year school girl with the quarterback of the high school football team, thanks.

"Well, it's not like it's your favorite or anything." Nafia said unenthusiastically, continuing to boil the pasta, and then proceeding to drain it.

"How'd you know?" I asked, not helping the grin on my face.

"You told me, idiot." She said, furrowing her eyebrows together, her hands up in disbelief.

"Oh yeah. I knew that." I said, looking at the ground sheepishly. She walked up and tipped my chin up.

"You know, I like it like this. I mean, us not fighting. It's…nice, or nicer than I ever thought it could be."

"Yeah, me too. It's like our whole lives, we could have been friends, but we weren't, and now look at us."

She turned back around and fell silent, and immediately, I figured I had done something to upset her. I still was paranoid about completely being myself, because I didn't want to her to take back her friendship. If I wouldn't even have that, I was pretty sure I wouldn't be able to survive. I opened my mouth and just closed it again, not knowing what to say to fill the awkward silence.

"I always wanted to know why…" Nafia didn't finish her question; because she knew hearing it would hurt me.

"I just…I don't know, Nafia. I really don't know what to tell you. I was jealous, more than anything, because you were everything I wanted to be and more. You're so talented in every way, shape, and form. You sing, you dance, you're smart, you're friendly, and everyone loved you. My mom would always chide me, asking why I couldn't be like you, and you know how I am, and I just wanted to take it out on you. I never thought of the consequences it would come with, and I mean, let's face it, I still don't think about the consequences of things. That's just me. I'm sorry for everything I did to you in the past, but I'm not sorry that I imprinted on you, and I promise, I will spend the rest of my life making up for the past, even it means forever."

I heard the tears falling from her eyes, despite her best efforts to hide them.

"Well, the pasta is ready." She said, pulling a plate out of the cabinet, and heaping the pasta onto it. She got out another plate, and put just at much, and handed both plates to me. Then she made herself a plate.

"It looks and smells really good." I said. She smiled. I took a bite. "Tastes really good too."

"How about we sit down and eat then?" She said, giggling, pulling a chair for me and then herself.

The rest of our dinner was just spent bantering, but I couldn't help feeling a lighter.

I snapped back from my memory. We seemed to have arrived at the graveyard, where I knew Billy Black had been buried. At that moment, I knew this was big news, because Nafia wouldn't have brought me here otherwise. We got out of the car, and we went inside, Nafia still not saying anything. As she stopped in front of Billy's grave, as I had much assumed she would, I heard her starting to cry. I stepped forward to comfort her, but she put her hand up.

"What I am going to tell you, I have never told anyone, even in my family before. The only person who knows is Aylen. Are you ready, Karson? And let me tell you right now, this isn't going to be easy for you to hear, but please keep in mind, it's ten times harder for me to say."

I gulped, and said,

"What is it, Nafia? I can handle it."

She shut her eyes tight, inhaling the cold wind, obviously trying to figure out where to start from. I had never seen her like this, before or after the imprint. I had always known a Nafia who knew what she was doing, knew what she wanted. This girl, here in front of me, wasn't her. This girl seemed scared, and almost resentful of something.

"So, you know how every summer, I go to a musical camp. It was where my grandfather had gone much earlier in his life, and where my mother went, and as tradition, I went too. The first summer I went, I was merely fourteen. Are you with me so far?"

"Yeah." I breathed. I resisted the urge to hold her, because I knew she wouldn't be able to talk then, and it was clearly important for her to get whatever it was off her chest. But she seemed to be in so much pain…it killed me to see her like this.

"Well, I met someone there…his name was Dunkan."

I felt a twang of jealousy. I didn't like where this story was going already.

"And, overtime, I fell in love with him, to the point of no return. He had become my world, and I couldn't imagine my life without him."

The air was like a boa constrictor, choking me, slowly, ensuring I die a slow, painful death. She loved someone else. She loved someone else. That was it. She could never be mine, because she loved someone else.

"Anyway, it was all fine and dandy, until I realized I could never be with him…do you wanna know why I could never be with him? Because I knew my family wouldn't accept him…and do you wanna know why my family wouldn't accept him?"

"Why?" I asked, afraid to hear the answer.

"Because he was…because he…was…is…he's…a…" Nafia bit her lip, and began sobbing hard.

"Just….just tell me, Nafia. Was he bad to you? Did he treat you badly? Did he hurt you in some way? I swear I'll kill him…just tell me what he did."

"NO! He was amazing. He treated me like I was the world to him. I suppose that's why I fell for him, so hard at that…he…is…a…vampire, Karson. Dunkan, is a vampire." Nafia let out, in between her sobs.

Oh my damn.

That wasn't something I was expecting at all. How could Nafia of all people fall in love with a leech? Okay, so half her family was leeches, but she had more Quileute pride than most people I knew.

"I knew I shouldn't have told you. You're judging me too, just like everyone else would have had they known. That's exactly why I didn't tell anyone. I don't even know why I bothered telling you." Nafia said, a look betrayal on her face, and I didn't blame her. I'm sure my expression wasn't welcoming. But I wouldn't let her go like that. I grabbed her arm, pulling her tiny body into my large one.

"I don't care, Nafia, I really don't. It doesn't matter to me, that you used to love a vampire. You know everything about my past, and I've obviously done much worse things." I tried chuckling at the end, hoping to lighten the mood, but what Nafia did next, completely took me by surprise. She turned around and fell, placing her head to my kneecap, almost as if she was begging.

"That's the problem, Karson. I still love him. But I promise, I'll be a good imprint. I'll forget him, and I'll force myself to love you. I will, really, I will. I promise. Please don't hate me. Please, I don't think I could bear to lose you in my life. Please, Karson…please."

And then she fell to the ground crying, and it hit me how much pain she must have been going through, the past three or four years. No one meant more to Nafia than her family, and the thought of falling in love with a vampire would have devastated Jacob. She was a daddy's girl through and through, and she knew she was Jacob's pride. She loved her father more than anyone in the world, and the thought of disappointing him killed her on the inside. I picked her up and put her back in the car, her clinging onto me with dear life. I settled her in the front seat, and got into the driver's seat myself. Before I knew it, she had already cried herself to sleep, and then her house arrived. I took her out gently, as to not wake her up and I heard her mumble,

"You don't hate me, do you, Karson? Please don't hate me. You really are my best friend."

I kissed her forehead and whispered back,

"No, Nafia. I could never hate you. Ever."

I knew everyone was perplexed as I brought her into her house, but I couldn't answer anyone's questions. I just quietly took Nafia up to her room, and laid her in her bed. Kissing her forehead one more time, I closed her door, only to bump into Jacob right outside.

"Now, care to tell me what's going on, son?" Jacob asked. I couldn't bear to look him in the eye.

"I think I should let Nafia tell you that, Jake…all I know is, there's something I have to do, and I won't be at rest until I do that. I have to go now. I'll see you soon."

"You can't just leave without giving me a decent answer, Karson. I expect to know what's going on with my daughter. I have never seen her like this, and if I find out that you're the cause of all this, I won't hesitate to rip you apart, limb by limb, you hear me?"

"Yes sir. But I promise, I didn't do anything to make Nafia like this. But I know how it can be fixed, and that's what I will do."

"And how exactly can this get fixed?" Jacob barked.

"You'll see soon enough, Jake. You'll see." And before he could ask anything else, I flew out the door.

I knew what I had to do. Because that was the only thing that would save my Nafia.

A/N: YAYYYYYYYY for me finally updating! I'm so so so sorry, it took so long. I hope the next update doesn't take this long. Things take an interesting turn from here, and it'll be exciting to see where it goes, I think. Also, if anyone is on formspring or would like to ask me anything, below is the link to my formspring. Feel free to ask me anything other than my name, and I shall answer anything you would like to know. Also, I have a one-shot in the works on FictionPress, if any of you are interested in reading that, just subscribe to me there. Here is a excerpt:

As he lay in bed, Yuvraaj couldn't help but think of her. Today was the day. Today was the day he would tell her how he felt. Today was the day he would put their entire friendship-if one could even call it that- on the line. Today. Why? Because today she would be leaving. He tried to tell her over the course of the summer, but it took him so long to come to terms with his own feelings, by the time he figured it all out, it was time for her to leave. As he glanced at his alarm clock, he smiled because it was seven in the morning. She was probably making breakfast in her apartment. Wait no! Not today, because her flight was at eleven and she had to be at the airport by eight...crap.

formspring: ask me anything:

http : / www. formspring .me /MiZZSaHurr

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