Hi all. First story here. This first part's short but PLEASE read because it gets SO MUCH BETTER I PROMISE!

I've been writing FF for 6 years, so I think I have a bit of experience, even though I've never posted them anywhere. So please, R&R!!


1. Cookout

Gemma

I sat on a large boulder facing the sea, criss-cross-applesauce. Behind me the normal scene of summer was roaring: a bonfire on the beach, all the locals gathered around the flames for a cookout. I, however, was not in the partying mood. This bonfire was different, for the occasion was not solely to have fun; it was to celebrate the end of a successful, happy summer (which didn't last long enough in my opinion). It was only a matter of hours before I was headed back to the Rez school, forced into a stuffy classroom for another eternity, my only solace being 5th period P.E.

Suddenly, hands were on my back, pushing me off balance, and my scream lurched into the night as my body dropped into the sand. The tide was coming towards me, and I shivered and feverishly attempted to climb back onto my rock. I hated water. No particular reason. I'd simply never been able to stand the idea of getting into it. Scared the living hell out of me. I turned around, seeing the culprit—my brother.

"Reece!" I yelled, flipping backwards onto the rock so that I landed on the ocean-free side to gave him a small pounding on his arm, which probably hurt me more than him. "That wasn't funny!"

"Aw, lighten up sis," he cooed with a smirk, turning to his friends. "We were just messing with ya. Wanna throw around a ball for a bit?" I sighed with resignation. The offer was too good to pass up, and I agreed. Snaking off my jacket, socks and shoes, I offered an open hand to him, and he passed me the football.

"Teams?" I asked. My brother's groupies, who had been my best friends my entire life, and I were usually split into the same two teams every game. Me, Embry, and Paul versus Sam, Jared and Reece. Now, I'll be honest. When junior high hit, these boys were like gods to me. Beautiful, tan, extremely built. But the idea of dating one of them now was completely ridiculous. They were my brothers. They protected me, rough housed with me, and made fun of me when I got my period.

Reece nodded to me. That meant the usual. We got into our group huddle, and soon, we were all playing down and dirty, throwing each other into the sand, and making touchdowns. It was a heated match, but in the end, my team prevailed.

"Yeah!" I yelled in Reece's face. "Ha ha!"

"Boys," Reece started in a menacing tone. This was never good. Usually what came after the word 'boys' involved me being lifted and swung around. "I think we need to teach little Gemma here about good sportsmanship." And who were they to disagree? Paul wrapped his arms around my waist, picking me up with sickening ease, and nearly dropped me so that his grip was adjusted to under my arms. I rolled my eyes.

"No, please," I called in a monotone. This little routine of theirs was starting to get a little boring. Embry began to tip toe over, giving his mad scientist expression, and began tickling me. That's when I lost it. "Okay, okay, I give I give!" I screamed through pained laughs.

Finally, they allowed me to surrender, and I gave each of them their rightful punch in the arm, again hurting myself more than them. They just laughed. I didn't.