AN: Hello everyone! Thunder is a new story I'm working on along with my other fic Let the River In. Eventually they'll all tie in together but I wanted to give some background & history on some of the couples that happened before Let the River In. If you're here from that story or just happened across this one, I hope you enjoy! And yes, I'm still updating this stories and will be throughout 2018+ : Fanfiction isn't dead yet!
"Come on Kim! You never do anything on the weekends but read in the woods like some kind of nerdy gnome or something. Just come out with me! It's not like we're going to the club, just some small bowling alley in Forks."
I groaned and placed the remainder of my morning textbooks in my locker.
"Fine, Anika! I'll go but you'll pay for this." I joked, narrowing my eyes at her. I went to close my locker when Anika's hand pushed me forward so that it closed on my head instead.
"Stay there and be quiet." She hissed.
I froze and directed my eyes to the floor, spotting familiar boots that made my heart flutter on the daily. Anika pulled the back of my jacket to let me know that it was okay to emerge and I sighed in relief. It may look odd to everyone else, because it was odd, but Anika and I developed this weird routine whenever Jared Cameron passed by. I've had a crush on Jared since I was young but I was always so shy and nervous that I simply froze anytime he was around.
"Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoy shoving your head in a locker for comedic purposes but my title as 'best friend who hides Kim from her forever crush' is getting to be a bit too much." Anika said with a sigh.
I rolled my eyes and closed my locker, swinging my much lighter backpack over my shoulder.
"Do you remember the last time he even made eye contact with me? I froze in the middle of the hallway and had about eight kids slam into the back of me. There are reasons why I have you hide me, Anika, lifesaving reasons!"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Now it was Anika's turn to roll her eyes. "I just don't understand why he has this effect on you! No offense, he doesn't even know you exist and someone like that doesn't deserve your passionate and overboard dedication."
I playfully bumped her hip with mine.
"Trust me, I tell myself the same things. It's just a crush honestly; my body just tends to react differently than I want it to." I sighed. "You're right though, he doesn't even know I exist. I mean I've been in every class of his since elementary school – you'd think he'd at least know my name."
"Maybe its destiny and you'll meet up in 20 years, both with two or three kids and have a wild affair and after he'll be all 'what's your name again' and then that'll finally be enough for you to get over it." Anika laughed and I began to head into English class.
"Like I would ever agree to that! Besides, Jared isn't like that." I said, giving her a pointed look.
"That's what you think but there's been a rumor going around that Sam Uley dropped him off at school today. Apparently they've been hanging out." She stated ominously, wiggling her fingers in my face.
My eyes widened as I absorbed the information. Sam Uley was the used to be good, "guy-next-door" now turned resident bad boy on the reservation. Word had it that he suddenly disappeared for a week or two and when he finally showed his face, people couldn't believe he was the same person. Everyone was saying that he became involved in the mafia or drugs or something to that effect. There's no way that Jared would let someone like that drop him off at school or even hang out with him. Then again, I never met Sam or was wronged by him so I'm not one to judge.
"Whatever, Anika! I'll see you later tonight." I called.
"Don't you dare forget!" She hollered over the sea of students.
I took a deep breath and headed to my desk, removing my note book once I sat down. I had this class with Jared as well but, again, he doesn't know I exist.
I don't know why I like Jared so much. It could be because we have the same taste in music, the fact that he's one of the smartest kids in school, or that he's the most attractive person I've ever laid eyes on. Admittedly, I knew a lot about Jared Cameron, but so did everyone else at La Push High. It was like the most popular kid in school morphed with the nerdiest kid and that made Jared – everyone here worshiped the ground he walked on which, unfortunately, included me.
I heard the familiar sound of his boots approaching and one seat up and to the right of mine was filled with his form. My heart raced and I pulled out a spare book, scanning it wildly and hoping that getting lost in the novel would calm me down.
I didn't blame Jared for not noticing me – it was rare that someone did. I kept to myself, read a lot and only had one friend. My personality resembled that of a mop and I wasn't some stunning looker too. In fact, I looked like everyone else here on the reservation – toffee colored skin, chocolate locks that were more curly than wavy and light, honey-brown eyes. I'd rather be on my own anyhow, despite the stereotype of "shy" girls, I actually was quite comfortable with myself and my alone time. I wasn't really shy either; I just tended to enjoy my own company over anyone else's.
Class began and things carried on as they normally did – I took notes and tried to ignore Jared's presence. Towards the end though, Jared began to noticeably sweat. Every couple of seconds a shiver would rack through his body and he'd use the sleeve of his shirt to wipe sweat off of his face. I, along with many others, gave him curious looks.
"Jared Cameron, is something wrong?" Our teacher asked, giving Jared the same worried look that the rest of us were.
"May I go to the nurse?" He asked hurriedly, standing up quickly and grabbing his things.
"Of course!" The teacher replied but Jared was already half-way out the door.
The bell rang about ten minutes later and I gathered my things, heading to the front of the school where I usually met with Anika.
"Alright, I'll come get you at six, sound good?" Anika said, rummaging through her purse to find her keys
"Yeah, I'll be ready." I assured her, my mind distracted.
"Good! Senior year is over and if you aren't going to prom, you at least owe me this."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah." I grumbled. When I informed Anika that I wouldn't be attending prom, she lost her mind. Ever since, I've been trying to please her by going on these little weekend adventures.
I walked Anika to her car and both of us gasped when we saw none other than Sam Uley sitting in a battered truck, his eyes scanning over the student body.
"What the hell?" I questioned incredulously.
Then, out of nowhere, Jared came jogging up to the truck in a distressed manner. Sam motioned for him to get in the truck and, astonishingly, he did.
"I told you! I told you that they were hanging out!" Anika squealed, jumping up and down.
"I'll see you later." I mumbled, stumbling away from the car bewildered.
There had to be a reason why Jared would associate with Sam. Community service, maybe? I sighed to myself and made my way home, trying to focus more on the bowling trip tonight rather than Jared.
xXx
Sure enough, Anika arrived right on time and buzzing with excitement. We lived in a pretty small town and unless you were willing to drive a while to go to Seattle or Port Angles, the bowling alley and movie theater were the only source of entertainment.
We arrived shortly enough and by that time Anika's excitement spread and I was happy to have decided to go out. It gave me something to do other than ponder Jared's behavior. Man, I really sounded like some kind of lovesick stalker.
"How can I help you?" An employee asked, his back turned and occupied with cleaning a pair of bowling shoes.
"We'd just like a lane and shoes for two, please." I said, placing some cash down on the counter.
The man turned around and eyed us both up and down, his eyes lingering on my chest. Uncomfortable, I crossed my arms which caused him to smirk.
"Sure thing – will it be just for two? Two pretty girls bowling all alone? That's such a shame!" He said, his voice gravelly and unsteady.
"Yes, just for two please." Anika stated, stepping forward and pushing the money forward. "Time is money." She said with a stern smile.
The man took the money, taking the time to brush her hand. Anika snatched it away quickly and huffed, she wasn't one to back down in odd situations like this. She glanced down at his shirt and crossed her arms, mimicking my stance.
"It'll be a seven and a seven and a half, Daniel." She sneered.
The man turned, grabbed the shoes and placed them on the counter.
"You two have a great time. Your lane is right here." He pointed towards the lane closest to where we were standing and we quickly grabbed the shoes and left.
"What a creep!" Anika hissed. "Did you see the way he looked at us? Like we were meals! Absolutely disgusting! We should speak to the damn manager! And the way he touched me? Ugh!" She grimaced and wiped her hand on her pants.
"Yeah, it's amazing that people actually act like that and think it's okay. What was his goal? Did he honestly think that was attractive?"
We both shuddered in disgust and tried to shrug it off.
Through the night, other things happened with Daniel. I attempted to go to the bathroom but was practically followed, he offered us free cokes and food which we obviously declined and any free moment the man had seemed to have been spent either staring at us or attempting a conversation. We asked another employee about a manager and they pointed to Daniel so that was wonderful news. Still, we tried to have a good night and other than the few incidents, the rest of the night went pretty well. I suck at all things that require movement so I obviously lost but it was good to let loose and be out on a Friday night. We bowled for a while until it became too uncomfortable and decided to head to a local 24 hour diner for some fries.
As we made our way out, we were again approached by the manager.
"I'll see you soon. Maybe next time I can join you two." Daniel said loudly, broom in one hand and a cigarette in the other, a horror-movie like grin on his face.
"As if, creep!" Anika called, causing his eyes to narrow but not to stay from our forms.
We walked across the street to the diner, Anika still mumbling about Daniel .
"I mean it wouldn't surprise me if he was looking at my ass all night, you know? Like it's a damn bowling alley! Families go there! Why the hell would someone think it's acceptable to act that way?" Anika continued after we were seated and the waitress took our order.
"I know, Anika. The guy is a total creep."
We chatted for a little, the waitress bringing us two plates of fries and two cokes. I smothered mine with ketchup and looked up in shock when Anika began coughing and pointing wildly to the front of the diner. I looked to where she was pointed and almost choked myself. Sam and Jared were standing by the doors, waiting to be seated.
"Okay, that's definitely fate!" Anika commented, gulping down half her glass of coke.
"Shut up!" I half-yelled, watching in horror as the waitress seated them a couple of tables from us. "There's no way…" I groaned, sinking down further into the booth.
Anika giggled in amusement before abruptly stopping. I looked up at her, curious as to what possibly could be happening now. I followed her gaze and was met by the uncomfortable eyes of Daniel who was staring us down, the same grin plastered on his face as when we left the bowling alley.
"Okay, now there's definitely no way! What kind of luck is this?" I growled, shoving fries in my face.
AN: Chapter one comes to an end! I hope you enjoyed! I'm so excited about this story that I should have the next chapter posted within the next couple hours, tomorrow at the latest! Thank you for reading and if there are any other questions, please let me know!