My footsteps seemed to get ever louder as I wandered down the hall, searching hard for my class. They made me uncomfortable, out of place and strange. But I was determined to find my classroom.
Hey, I'm Juliette Lechmere, a brand new student at La Pushes high school. My mother had insisted we moved here, with her artistic abilities, convincing me it was an inspirational outlet. My mother was single, never married, and we liked to travel. But this was a full blown move to La Push, a rainy and cold forest. Oh joy.
I sighed and ran a hand through my golden hair and slumped against the wall. I was never good at finding, anything, at all, I'm a blonde. I stared at my schedule: first hour English class 104…..where was that?
Just as I contemplated opening a nearby classroom to ask for directions, a boy walked out of the men's restroom, drying his hands on his jeans. But he was hardly a boy. He was huge, tan, and had shaggy-ish black hair. He looked up and noticed me, nodding and smiling warmly before heading down the hall.
"Uh, wait!" I called out, running after him. He stopped and turned to me.
"Yea?" he questioned with a raised brow.
"Um, do you know where 104 is? I'm new and completely lost." He smiled and pointed back where I had come from.
"Take a left and it's the last door on the right, can't miss it." I sigh in relief.
"Thank you so much…?" I questioned.
"Jacob Black, senior." He replied, holding out his gigantic hand. I shook it and noticed how hot it was.
"Thanks, im Juliette Lechmere. I hope I can see you again!" he smiled and patted my shoulder as I ran off in the direction he pointed me in. I hurried to the class and checked the label, yep, 104. I stuffed my schedule into my back pocket of my black skinny jeans and opened the door.
The moment I did, I regretted it. I regretted so hard.
There was this man, salt and pepper hair and glasses, positioning the limbs of a junior boy (guess) in a strange dance like stance, with his foot up and hands above his head.
The boy looked about my age, with the same shaggy black hair and tan skin like Jacob. But he didn't seem as large. His original facial expression was one of embarrassment or like a class clown who was enjoying the attention. But the moment he turned to me we locked eyes and he went blank. Just, static.
As much as I truly wanted to stare into his chocolate eyes, the charming side of me peered around the giggling class and then to the teacher.
"Um, am I in the right class?" I asked, motioning around with my finger. The teacher dropped the boy's arms and strutted to me, causing the boy to stumble a little, but still staring at me. The teacher peered at me over the rim of his glasses and asked swiftly
" Well, what exactly were you looking for?" he asked. I pulled out my schedule and he looked it over mumbling the names and numbers to himself.
I noticed the boy was still staring at me. We made eye contact and I gave a small smile, giving him my soft look on instinct. He goofily grinned back just before the teacher shot his head up and interrupted out silent exchange.
"Ah! You're in for my class as homeroom, took you long enough to get here, first periods almost over." He grinned at me and held his hand out "I'm Mr. Hannen, but Brian works." I smiled back and shook his hand.
"I'm Juliette Lechmere, but Juliette works." He laughed brilliantly and ushered me to the front of the class, shooing the boy back to his seat. He sat farther to the back, but not all the way, in a seat next to an empty one.
"Class, this is Juliette Lechmere, our new student and classmate. I expect only the best of behavior and manners from you all and that you make a good impression." A few of the guy snickered, but all were emitting shiny smiles. "Good, now, Juliette, please pick a seat, any you would like." I thanked him and tried to make it seem like I was trying to decide, but honestly, I already knew. I wanted that seat next to the boy….
I shyly walked to the back and set my bag on the floor as Brian began resuming his class.
I was very, very aware of the boy on my right staring my way. I took a few glances at which he abruptly turned away from, but his eyes kept coming back for more. I gathered some courage and whispered to him.
"Pay attention to the lesson!" he flinched, not anticipating my remark. I giggled and pointed forwards. He nodded and turned forward, but his eyes were still watching me. I sighed and rolled my eyes, training them on the front.
And I tried to focus on the last fifteen minutes of class.
Class ended, the bell rang, and I gathered my things. As I was heading out, Mr. Brian stopped me and quizzed me on where my classes were. When he approved my directions I was dismissed only to be confronted by my gawking admirer. He grinned widely to show pearly white teeth and introduced himself in a happy voice.
"Hey! I'm Seth Clearwater." I laughed at his enthusiasm.
"Hello Seth, I'm Juliette. "
"Yeah, I know. I'm mean, everyone knows. Because you told us- uuuh, you already know that-" I laughed and he sheepishly laughed with me. "Umm, you're new? Of course you are, idiot." He face palmed and I couldn't help but feel sorry for the poor thing.
"Yeah, me and my mom just moved here. I have to say, its really green." He nodded and walked with me to the lockers.
"mhm. You've got to really like green to be able to enjoy it. "he grimaced with his poor choice of words and blushed. He was so adorable, all nervous and flushed. I took time to really contemplate his features, sculpted face that still seemed round and adolescent, deep brown eyes, shiny hair and muscular frame.
Seth Clearwater was definitely a looker.
I came to my locker, and to what surprise, was right next to Seths. As we exchanged schedules we found we had first and third period together. That was English and PE.
"Well, that's great! I guess I can expect a good first term, huh?" he nodded in agreement. "I'll see you then!" he looked rather stunned.
"Wait! Um, you can come sit with me at lunch, if you want. I'll be sitting in a group of-"he cleared his throat "- guys. Really, that the only way to describe them." I smiled.
"Thanks for the offer!" he smiled broadly and I bit my lower lip, daring myself to do just what I had in mind. I ran up to him and swiftly kissed his cheek, then scuttled away giggling to myself with his flushed face.
Yes, a very good first term.
It was lunch. I had loaded my plate with pizza and fruit and cake and all they had to offer. I may be a girl, but I can eat like a boy, as my mom puts it. I scanned the lunchroom for a seat, and not seeing one, I went outside where many others were sitting in the grass or on the concrete. It was like a huge picnic.
I faintly heard my name being called and turned in the direction of the sound. To my right was a group of six or so boys all with the same tan skin and large stature sitting at a stone table with stone benches. In the middle of two larger boys was Seth, waving and calling to me. I smiled and quickly ran over. Seth shoved the guy at his left over and made a small wedge where my tiny frame was able to fit. I set my plate down and huffed, looking up to many pairs of intimidating eyes and goofy grins.
"Hey Juliette, glad you could come it with us!"
"Me too!" the boys laughed and Seth began introducing them.
"This is Sam, that Paul, Embry, Quil, Jared and Jacob." I recognized the huge senior and sighed inwardly, thankful I wasn't completely new.
"Hey Jacob! It's cool to see you again." He smiled and chuckled a little.
"Same goes for you. You and Seth get along well?" the whole group laughed and Seth flushed. But I was used to boys picking on me like this; being more of a tomboy.
"I guess you could say that." Took a bite of my pizza " we have two classes together, so we can't exactly hate each other." Seth stuttered something about incapable of hating while Quil on my left fingered a strand of my curly blonde hair.
"Where exactly did you come from Juliette?" he asked with a mischievous smirk. I took my hair back snidely.
"I'm from Louisiana, thank you very much."
"Ooh, I hear its wet there, right?" asked Embry. I tapped my finger to my chin in a thoughtful expression.
"Well, it's wet, yeah. But hot too. And full of bugs. It's like the air is sweaty." I made a displeased face that they all laughed at. "And our winter is all in three months, just get me started about summer." Again, they laughed. I really got along well with these guys; they were almost like older brothers. Just as I though this, Jacob motioned for attention.
"Juliette, theirs bonfire at the beaches tonight, I think Seth would love it if you came along." Seth flushed angrily.
"Shut up Jake." Paul smacked his shoulder laughing.
"Ah, were just messing with ya Seth. No need to get your panties in a bunch. But seriously, Juliette, it would be cool if you came. You would get to meet a bunch of the kids who live here, even some people from forks." I smiled happily.
"Of course! Although I'm not sure if I could find it." Jacob and I made eye contact and he gave me the 'yeah, right' face. Seth spoke up eagerly.
"I could pick you up! Or at least give you directions." I couldn't help but smile and felt a warmth in my cheeks as the guys made suggestive noises. I glared them down still smiling and turned to Seth.
"That would be great Seth, can I give you my address?" he nodded and I quickly got out a pen and a napkin. I scribbled down my new address and my phone number.
"There's my address and my number. It's my cell, so you can text or whatever; call me if you cant find it."
"What time should I pick you up?" he asked.
"Depends on when it starts." I said matter-of-factly.
"We go there right after school to gather wood and set up. People usually start arriving at 7 and stay through the night until morning, since it's a Friday." I nod.
"Okay, just tell me when you're ready and I'll be ready." Seeming as we all agreed to this plan, we continued to eat and all too soon we spilt up for third period.
So I went to PE with Seth. Then fourth period, and went home.