Outsiders say that the Bene Gesserit brainwashes its Sisters. The Bene Gesserit says that outsiders are known to exaggerate; they condemn what they do not understand.

Embry Call, Explaining the Sisterhood

Lunchtime and I'm late. Of all the things I could be late for, I had to be late for the most interesting part of the day: lunch. It is one of the very few hours I get to spend with my friends. Not that I have many friends though, just the two. But since we don't share many classes and my mother makes it her sacred duty to 'properly educate' me after school, our quality time together means a lot to me.

For those of you wondering, my name is Embry Call. I'm a 15-year-old Native American girl with copper skin, long black hair and brown eyes. I'm 5 feet 6.9 inches tall, unfortunately resulting in a lanky figure and breasts slightly larger than mosquito bites. Furthermore, I live with my mother in the La Push reservation, home to the Quileute tribe. My mother is of French and Makah descent and according to her, my father was a full-blood Quileute.

I say "according to her" because I know very little about my father and my mother refuses to share any further information. Of course there are the usual rumors. If they are to be believed, I have three possible fathers: Billy Black, Quil Ateara IV and Joshua Uley. Now, the first two so happen to be my best friends' fathers, so I'm not eager to have a chat with them. Also, since all three men were married at the time of my conception, it isn't a pleasant conversational topic either.

At the moment, I'm swiftly making my way to the cafeteria, gracefully and silently striding through the corridors. Recently, my mother bought me a pair of silver ballerinas. Combined with my naturally silent stride, those new shoes have made me a phantom. I can now easily creep up on someone and they wouldn't even notice me until I purposely made a sound. I love it!

The moment I enter the cafeteria, the usually loud uproar subdues and I'm being stared at. Pretty strange, isn't it? Not so really when you know my mother and I are the social pariahs of La Push, because we belong to "that cult". That is what most everyone says and in a way we do, because my family has been a member of a sisterhood called Bene Gesserit since my great-grandmother.

The Bene Gesserit is an organization that creates, maintains and directs religions to whatever purpose it desires. Contradictory to its methods, the Sisterhood isn't a religious society, absolutely not! It is forbidden to practice religion, but because the Order acknowledges the great advantages of religion, it does allow the belief in a single female upper being, The Great Mother.

Heavy stuff, right? This is exactly the sort of thing my mother 'tutors' me in. I guess it is an upbringing like any other. Some learn how to bake a cake; I learn how to manipulate people into believing whatever I want them to. Also, if you think I find it embarrassing or absolutely dreadful to be stared at, you obviously don't know me. It leaves me cold whether everyone looks at me or not. It isn't important how they perceive me, but how I want them to perceive me.

That is also why I always go to school in robes. Today, I'm wearing chiffon yellow ones. They're also the official 'dress code' of the Bene Gesserit; my mother wears them too. Only she wears a long black cloak over them and I a white one. These different colors distinguish novices from fully-qualified Sisters.

Back to the cafeteria! While everyone continues to gawk at me for another second or two, I walk over to the soup kitchen, fill up my plate with semi healthy-looking food and keep a look out for my friends. But someone else catches my eye: Paul. He is a boy in my grade with the typical Quileute features: copper skin, black hair, dark eyes and high cheekbones. He also has quite a temper.

Although his looks may be common in La Push, I still find him attractive. Well, more than attractive. I kind of have a big crush on him, even though I'm not allowed to. Apart from a religious doctrine, our Sisterhood sees emotions as weaknesses. Therefore, Sisters need to keep a steady emotionless face at all times and we can't let our emotions cloud our judgment. When Paul discovers me staring, he glares at me and quickly darts off.

Then I spot my friends, Jacob and Quil. They're sitting across from each other on a small metal table. They're by themselves, as usual. Hanging out with me has sort of made them pariahs too, but they reassured me they don't care either. I make my way over to them as the last persistent stares dwindle to a halt. With a slight 'tack' as my lunch tray drops on the table, I make my presence noticeable.

"Hello gentlemen," I greet my friends as I sit down at the table. They look surprised when they see me. I told you I'm like a phantom.

"Hey Ems! Didn't hear y'a back there. That's kinda creepy," Jacob tells me. He and Quil are my best friends; my only friends I should say. Jacob is rather self-conscious. He doesn't like being in the spotlight and you'll never see him showing off, unlike Quil, who uses whatever opportunity he gets to prove "He's the man". I like Jacob, or simply Jake as we call him, a little better than Quil. Don't get me wrong! Quil is swell but Jake just has this...composure that I admire.

"Yeah Ems, what's up with that? Ain't it bad enough we're complete loners or do y'a wanna terrify everyone?" Quil grins broadly. He is just trying to rattle my cage because my emotionless expression drives him crazy. He is always spewing out things that might get me to react fiercely in an attempt to break through my stoic mask. So far he has been very unsuccessful.

"No Quil, I'll leave that for you. We all know how popular you are," I allow myself a slight smile, just visible enough for him to see. My expression strikes home. Quil's grin turns into a frown and he continues his meal. Jake looks at me and chuckles.

Even though they have two completely different personalities, Quil and Jake are physically very similar, like most Quileute boys. They're both slim, black-haired and copper-skinned, and have high cheekbones. Their eyes are a deep, dark-brown and their lips a soft pink. These similarities shouldn't come as a shock to me because I know Quil is Jake's second cousin. Still, I find the resemblance remarkable.

Then again, they do differ. First and far most, Jake is almost a head taller than Quil and his hair is nearly as long as mine; my hair reaches all the way to the bottom of my shoulder blades. Secondly, Quil is muscular and broadly shouldered, although still as thin as me, unlike Jake who prefers his boyish looks.

For the first time since I sat down, I'm going to take a bite from my lunch. Today they had enchilada on the menu. I tried it before and I quite liked it, so I decided to refresh my memory with its familiar taste. I prick a little piece of it on my fork and eat it. I can taste the mild spices they've added and find myself enjoying my meal.

I finish my enchilada as Jake and Quil devour their lunch and move to the little pudding cups they offered for dessert. While dining we keep the conversation light and friendly until Quil decides to taunt me again.

"Say Ems, enlighten us again, what was your mom teachin' you again which would 'surpass even our wildest dreams'?" his smile is as innocent as it is meaningful. He knows damn well what my mother is teaching me; he just wants to test me. I keep my cool.

"She's training me to perceive lies. Didn't I tell you already?" I act confused. All three of us can exactly remember what I said and when I did, but this is just the game we have to play to get to his true motivations.

"Yeah, I faintly remember somethin' like that, but it's still a bit hazy. Care to explain again?" For The Great Mother knows how many-est time, I think. His smile is still the same. Now even Jake is paying attention. I felt him adjust his posture next to me as he maneuvered into a better listening position.

I breathe in to calm myself down, whilst keeping my emotionless glare on Quil, and explain everything from start to finish. Both Quil and Jacob listen attentively as I speak. I thought I even saw some bystanders turn their heads to eavesdrop. When I end my explanation, I observe Quil as he takes in everything I just told him. That doesn't take very long since he has heard it countless times before.

"So, would y'a like to try your skills on me?" he is mocking me with his contempt smile. I feel like slapping him, but I quickly control myself. I won't let him have that satisfaction.

"Why not? Give me a minute to prepare." In order to test a statement for its veracity, I need to enter a truth trance. So, I close my eyes and steady my breathing. When I open my eyes again, I stare blankly ahead. I've reached a new level of awareness, capable of discovering even the toughest lies.

"I'm ready," my voice surprises me, although I barely notice. Quil moves uneasily as I look at him and he starts his 'test'.

"I broke my grandma's urn when I was seven and cleaned it up with the vacuum cleaner."

"Truth," I declare.

"I'm wearin' pink briefs."

"Lie." Come on Quil, give me a challenge!

"You scare me."

"Truth."

"Last week, Paul told me he thought you were cute."

"Lie." He is trying to upset me again. He knows I have romantic feelings towards Paul, even though my Bene Gesserit training tells me I shouldn't. He is licking his lips now. He is preparing for a big one. Jacob is anxious with anticipation. He feels it too.

"Jake's had a crush on you since the first grade."

My eyes dilate and I'm out of the truth trance. He has got me where he wants me. He was telling the truth, but I didn't want to know this. I knew Jake had certain feelings for me, but not like this. I mean, I love him as a friend. A guy-friend, not a boyfriend! O Quil, why did you tell me? Stop trying to ruin our friendship, you moron!

Jacob wasn't very pleased with this disclosure either. He gasped and instantly kicked Quil under the table, after which he obliviously just said 'auw'. Jake tries to evade my glance at him and I unsuccessfully try to regain my truth trance.

"Lie." That was a lie on my behalf, for the sake of our friendship. Jake sighs and Quil is confused. He doesn't know whether to call me out for a liar or to protect Jake's interests. Ultimately, he decides to let it go.

"Well, seems like you're foolproof," he giggles uneasily. For a moment, I stare at my empty plate. Next thing I know, I stand up with my lunch tray and move away. After two steps, I turn around and mock Jacob:

"Jake, for crying out loud, cut your hair! Even longer and you'd be my bitch."

Quil laughs and Jacob chuckles. I turn around once more and stride towards the exit. Yes, all is good again; I saved our friendship.