I wish I knew how to describe my life without being too cynical. I suppose I'll start with the basics.

As I'm looking at myself through the large mirror in the dance studio where I spend most of my days, I only see a mess of dark curls upon my head (from myself hastily putting up my hair) and sweat beading my forehead. My lips are thick (which is a fashion statement now I guess). I have light brown eyes with thick black lashes. The only great thing I just now started loving was my curvy body which I definitely didn't inherit from my mother.

Sixteen isn't so bad, I suppose. I have a nice ass and big boobs, bigger than most girl in my grade. I have a lot of friends mostly due to being involved with dance since I was basically born but my very best friends, Kirsten and Corbyn, are in my dance group and in my advanced placement courses at La Push High. Kirsten is mixed with Indian and African. She was born in South Africa and moved to La Push when she was 10. We were instant best friends. She has wavy light brown hair with nice caramel colored skin. Kirsten is the brains of our little trio. If this were Harry Potter, she would be Hermione Granger for sure.

Corbyn is a different story. She's very sassy and bold. She has dark skin and embraces it on the rez. I met her while playing kickball with the boys during recesses one drizzly afternoon in 3rd grade. She kicked a home run for everyone on the plates ever since then we were inseparable.

Kirsten and Corbyn both described me as the rock of the group. Soft hearted, understanding, giving good advice. I'm about 100% sure I got that from my aunt Emily, she's a beautiful soul.

"All right ladies! Practice is over. Please go straight home before this storm hits!"

I don't see why everyone is making a big deal about this storm. It's always raining here.

Corbyn, Kirsten and I grabbed out book bags and jackets and we walked out together like we always do. I couldn't help but search the parking lot for my other best friend Quil. Corbyn and I carpooled with Kirsten to school and practice. She usually takes us home but Quil insisted he comes and gets me tonight. Must be that stupid storm.

There he was, standing next to his car staring straight me, a big goofy grin spreading across his face. I couldn't help but smile back. The girls and I parted our ways and I walked to the passenger side of his little blue truck.

"Hey Claire-Bear! How was school?" He asked as he got in.

My nickname use to bother me when I thought I was grown and mature (I was about 10) but now I just embrace it. I've come to terms that I'll always be everyone's little Claire-Bear.

"It was ok. I have an English essay due in a week and a math packet due in a few days. I don't see the point in asking me how my days are when they are always the same." Ahh, the joy of college courses in high school.

"Just in case something big happens." He looked over at me and winked

"Well then I would have told you. I tell you everything. Or you're right there to witness it." I rolled my eyes.

I've known Quil since I was two, we've been best friends ever since.

We were speeding down the road to my house when the rain started pouring and lightening cracked the sky

"It's going to be a wild storm tonight. Better not sneak out." We both laughed at that. I'm a good kid, hardly ever breaking the rules. I think my mom is pretty thankful for that. My older sister, Jane, wasn't always so great. My mother, however, is worried about her. She left for college a year ago and hardly ever visits or calls us to check in. Jane the rebel.

We pulled up to my rather large 3 bedroom house.

"Thanks Quil." I grabbed my bag and ran for my life to my home. Quil stayed parked until he saw I got inside and sped off.

I kicked off my shoes and grabbed a slice of pizza and wandered to my moms room. As I made my way through the winding halls I heard my mother talking to someone over the phone. Probably better if I just made my way to my bedroom.

I plopped on my bed and finished my pizza. I took out my math packet and began working on the equations until my mind started to drift towards Quil.

Once or twice I've had not so clean thoughts about him. They quickly dispersed as I remembered he had to be at least in his late twenties, no way would he want to be with a sixteen, almost seventeen year old.

If I had to describe him, I would say he's very handsome to say the least. He's tall and very built, muscles always protruding out of his shirt if he's wearing one. He usually does around me, but hardly around his friends. He has short, curly black hair and welcoming dark brown eyes that cloud over when he's angry (thank goodness he never gets mad at me. I would cry in an instant.) He has skin that's hot to the touch and overall, he's a really nice and funny guy. A little over protective sometimes, but he means well. The more I think about it, and I try very hard not to, the more I try and discover his secret. I've tried asking him and Emily but they always say "Maybe when you're older." Emily once even said "When Quil thinks you're ready, he'll tell you."

The sucky part is that everyone knows. Even my mom. I'm the only one who doesn't know because Quil doesn't think I'm ready. He always said him and his friends were the protectors of La Push. I let it go for a while but I know better. No way he can keep this from me for a while.

I've wanted to discuss this with Kirsten and Corbyn but I feel like I would have betrayed Quil in some way. At one point in my life I thought it would be Quil and I's little secret. Of course I was wrong about that.

I haven't pressed the topic in nearly two years and I could see how visibly relieved he was but it's been nearly two years and I'm getting antsy. What the hell could he possibly be hiding from me?