No one likes change. No one. It's been programmed into humans to be comfortable in one place that they know and to be wary of a new, uncomfortable territory. So someone explain to me why I have to pick up everything and move halfway across the country to the middle of freaking nowhere, is supposed to make me feel better? Umm, news flash, this move is not good for any reason what so ever. It has just made me feel awkward and alone.
So here I am, 17 year old Harper Uley, driving from my home state of Colorado to freaking Washington. La Push, Washington to be exact, actually the Indian reservation of La Push, Washington because apparently my father, and his little brother were full blooded Quileute, which makes me half Quileute. Why my mother decided to move, who knows. I try not to think about what goes on in that crazed brain of hers, but all I know is that I am now going to be seeing quite a bit of an uncle I haven't seen in four years.
See three months ago my dad was killed in a car accident. He was on his way home from work, when my dad lost control, at least that's what the police told me. I don't believe them. My dad was always alert and had very quick reflexes because he was a shape shifter, a wolf to be exact. So there was no way he would have lost control. All of his senses were heightened.
So there is the other part of my life that currently sucks at the moment. I don't belong to the typical American family. Why you may ask? Well because my dad is a wolf and my mom is a witch. And I, being the lucky girl that I am, just so happened to have inherited my mother's gift. I am a witch with powers. Oh I know, it's hard to believe because I freaked out when I found out too. Although setting your homework on fire with your mind because you couldn't get derivatives wasn't the best way to find out you're a witch. That was the day that I found out could control the elements. Yeah, it's a pretty cool power and being a witch is awesome as well, I just can't tell anyone, ever. People don't really take it well when you tell them you are magical and your every sense is heightened thanks to your wolfy father.
My beautiful puppy is what got me through the past three months. Luca is a 2 year old pure bred Doberman. We found him on our front step as a puppy and him and I have been inseparable since. He is my other half. He is never more than 5 feet from me and freaks when I'm not within his eyesight. I guess that's why my dad let me keep him in the first place. I also have a huge soft stop for him and his big eyes and cute face, which is why he is now across my lap. He gave me that face and I had to let him out of his kennel. Of course my mom yelled and threw a fit but oh well. He just curled up in the seat next to me and went back to sleep.
I looked out the window only to see trees, everywhere. I love trees and to be outside. Back in Colorado, I was always hiking and exploring the mountain forests. My mom said it rains a lot which is good, I guess. Rain is soothing and it clenses the air but I do love me some sun. Driving into town was not fun, by any means. I mean we had verrryyyy small towns in Colorado, but aren't small towns supposed to be happy? This place just looked dreary and boring.
We drove 15 more minutes and we come up to our new house. It was amazing. It was a Victorian style, 2 story house, with a wraparound porch. The best part: it was surrounded by forest. I grinned at Luca, just thinking about the exploring we would be doing. A week ago my mom had our furniture delivered and set up.
"Your room is the one with brown door sweetie." my mom said as she started unloading the suitcases from the back of the car.
"Okay mom." I jumped out of the car with Luca at my feet. I walked around the car and grabbed my duffle bag and headed into the house. The house was even prettier in side. Sure it had our old furniture in here, but there were also new furniture in here as well. I quickly looked over the living room before turning to walk up the stairs. There were four doors up here. One, I assumed was the bathroom and the other three had to be bedrooms. I found the brown door and turned the knob. Upon opening my door, I dropped my bag with surprise and pretty much forgave my mom for moving us up here. The walls were a deep green and the floor a beautiful cherry red hard wood. I had a wonderful window seat with very comfy looking pillows. My dresser and nightstand from home where here, as was my bed, but it had gotten a new look. There was an iron head board and a wonderfully old looking trunk at the end of my bed. The bed spread was green with trees and flowers on it. This room was perfect, it was everything I ever wanted, but when I saw a new laptop, moleskin and pens sitting on my desk, tears sprang to my eyes. My mother obviously went through a lot of trouble to make sure I would be happy here. I felt incredibly guilty at the way I had been treating my mother.
I quickly ran out of my room and outside, jumping into my mother's arms. She laughed and hugged me back, "I take it you like your room."
I smiled and nuzzled into her neck," Yes mommy, thank you so much. I'm sorry that I have been so rude to you this past week. I should have been more understanding and I didn't take the time to look into why you wanted to move."
My mom smiled and hugged me closer to her, "Oh Harper, it'd alright, I should have explained it to your more, but you have to realize that I would have never moved us if it wasn't completely necessary. I know you trying to keep everything together and I saw that it was taking its toll on you. Now don't give me that look you know I'm right. So I did the only thing I could think of. Daddy would have wanted us to be happy and healthy."
I just nodded. She was right and just hadn't wanted to admit it. I had pushed everything back and put on a happy face, yet I couldn't see what it had been doing to me. I couldn't believe I had let myself do that.
Mom lifted my head and smiled softly at me, "Hey, an old friend of mine called and invited us to a cookout on the beach. If you don't want to go though, then we don't have to."
My mom looked hopeful and I didn't want to disappoint her so I sucked it up, "Sure, it sounds like fun, but only if Luca can come, pwease?"
I gave her the puppy dog eyes and apparently so did Luca because she caved instantly," Fine! You know I hate it when you both do that. It's scary how he knows when you do it."
I jumped up and gave her a kiss on the cheek, "Thanks mom."
She laughed and hugged me," Alright, alright just go unpack and take that adorable dog with you."
I turned back towards the house and went to do just as my mother had requested.
