Hello again everyone! Well happy New Year's! I'm so pumped to go party and eat! I just wanted to thanks Misslittlepinkbag for helping figure out where this story's going! (Thank you!) And thank you to all those who reviewed! Enjoy!
ANY CHARACTERS THAT SOUND FAMILIAR IN ANY WAY BELONG TO THE GREAT STEPHENIE MEYER! :D
Tonks-quinn57
Chapter 2: Vanilla Twilight (Owl City)
I woke up confused and extremely tired. As if I'd just run a marathon and I was suffering from extreme soreness. I saw Emily and Quil looking down at me, worried, and then I remembered last night. When Quil…was…turned into a wolf. Did I imagine that? What DID happen?
Emily saw my confused face, and calmly said, "Yes, Claire. It's true. Look we need to talk, but I want you fully conscious. Are you okay, honey?"
I looked around me and replied, "I'm not sure. Let me just get awake."
I slowly got up into a sitting position and my hand automatically shot to my head. "Ow," I complained.
"Yeah. You hit your head when you fainted…" said Em, looking sympathetic.
I managed a little laugh and said, "Yeah it's always me who gets hurt. I swear all these bruises will make me tougher. I'll soon turn into Popeye."
Emily and Quil chuckled as I got out of the bed. "Whoa," I replied, as I stumbled, almost falling flat on my face. Luckily Quil was there, as his arms wrapped around my waist. I followed Aunt Em as she walked downstairs to the living room, and I sat down when I reached the couches. Quil's arms never left my waist, sending a shock of warmth.
We sat there, in silence for what seemed like hours, but were actually only a couple of minutes. I could see Emily exchanging glances at Quil, who left my side and walked over to the chair opposite me. I saw Quil nod as he gathered his thoughts and said, "So you saw what happened yesterday, right?"
I nodded and he continued, "Well what you saw was true. Do you remember the wolf legends that everyone would talk about at the bonfires?"
I remembered the bonfires, but it had been forever since I'd been there. I didn't exactly remember what they said. "Vaguely," I replied.
Quil sighed, "Well our ancestors are descended from wolves. And everyone you know, like Sam, Embry, Paul, Jared, etc. are all a part of the wolf pack, here in La Push. Our job is to protect our people from the cold ones…" He was looking at me and taking this slow, which I definitely needed. I was very confused, but I just stayed with him.
"Cold ones?" I asked.
He nodded and replied, "You remember the Cullens, right? From your tenth birthday?"
I nodded. I remember that day clearly, although it was seven years ago. I remembered seeing the pale, beautiful faces of the Cullens. They were over to meet me, because Renesmee (the daughter of Edward and Bella Cullen) and Jacob Black were together.
"Well… they're vampires. The cold skin, the pale, beautiful faces. It's how they were made, so they could lure in humans," he said, calmly.
"Do they…do they suck blood?" I stumbled. I didn't know why, but I was terrified at the idea that I'd been so close to a vampire. And I thought the Cullens were friends of this "pack". Man, today was going to be a long day…
"Not human blood, at least. Well, the Cullens don't. But with other vamps, they do," he said, not liking that he had to be the one to explain. He could probably see the fear etched on my face. "And that's where we come in. We protect any humans from getting harmed by vampires," he continued, trying to soften the tension.
"So wolves and vampires are enemies?" I asked and he nodded. "With the exception of the Cullens," he added.
"Let me get this straight," I said, as I reviewed what he just told me, "You, Sam, and basically everyone, are a part of a "wolf pack"." He nodded and I went on, "And you're job is to protect humans from these vampires, who want to, uh, eat humans, basically. Except for the Cullens."
"Except for the Cullens," he repeated, making sure I understood.
"And everything about them, like the pale skin, the coldness, the beautiful faces, are how they were "designed", so they could attract humans?" Another nod.
"Wow," was all I could say as I felt depression settle over me. I didn't have an exact reaction to all this information except that I was a little frightened and sad. I kept waiting for it to sink in, but the worst part was the realization that my life wouldn't be normal. Right now was not the time to find out about this. It had just gotten to the beginning of summer, my time to relax after such a hard year. And next would be senior! Why now?
Emily and Quil looked at me, trying to understand my reaction, which they obviously didn't. Since I didn't really have one yet. But I did feel dread.
"Claire, what are you thinking?" asked Em. An idea came to my mind of what I should do. It was a great idea, but I wished I didn't have to do it. I still wanted time to myself though. It was summer for crying out loud!
"I'm thinking I should go to Hannah's for a day or two... Just to clear my mind and all," I mumbled looking down as I stood up and headed for the stairs.
Hannah was my best friend who lives a couple towns over, in Taholah Washington. She mentioned to me that she would like to hang out with me. I thought this would be a good breather for me.
A hand grabbed mine and pulled me back before I reached the third step. "Wait," Quil said. "What are you doing?"
"This is too much for me to handle right now. I just need to clear my head and the only way to do that is hang out with someone. Away from here." I said this last sentence sternly, and I immediately felt bad. I didn't understand why I was being so mean, but I was really way in over my head.
He sadly let go of my hand and I did hesitate, giving him a sympathetic look, before heading upstairs to my room. Ahh… My room. It was the one place where I felt safe whenever Dmitri was annoying me. Well, I didn't have to worry about that since he was out over at a friend's.
I walked over to my closet on the left wall and gathered clothes for three days and three nights. I didn't really know how long I would be able to stay, but it was best to just pack. After packing, I looked over at my alarm clock, which boldly said 12:43 p.m. My stomach growled and I realized that I hadn't eaten until last night.
I quickly took my cell phone, called Hannah, and let her know that I was coming for a few days. "Okay! Any time! See you soon!" was her response.
I stared at my room for a moment before leaving. I shut the door to my turquoise room with my duffle bad, and went downstairs to the door, grabbing my keys along the way. When my hand grabbed the doorknob, I heard Em say, "Claire. You haven't even had breakfast yet. Don't you want to at least eat something?" I knew she didn't want me to leave, but I just couldn't grip this!
I nodded, "No I'll grab something from the diner. I'm fine. I love you," I said as I kissed her cheek, hoping that would compensate for leaving. I went through the door and shut it as I heard Quil say, "Don't go."
I looked at him. "I won't be long. I'm sorry, but I just need to think things through, and then I'll be fine and come back. Just… please Quil." I could feel tears coming, but I kept them back. I couldn't break down now. Otherwise I wouldn't ever be able to leave his side.
"Claire, there are other ways. Just…just don't go," he pleaded. I felt my heart break a little at the sight of him sad. I didn't understand why he was so torn up, though.
I walked down the porch steps and reached Quil. I jumped on my tippy toes and lightly kissed him on the cheek. After, I hugged him and felt his arms surround me to return the embrace. He was so warm. Was this a part of him being a wolf? I'd ask later, I didn't want to think about the conversation that got me into this mess.
"I'll be back soon," I whispered into his ear. He reluctantly let go and stayed on the steps, watching me as I headed towards the garage and started the car. As I pulled out, I waved quickly to Quil. I didn't bother seeing him wave, as I just wanted to get away from this weirdness.
I turned on my favorite CD, by the All-American Rejects. But when it got to Straightjacket Feeling, I turned it off and just drove in silence. I didn't want to be sad. Who knew how long I could stay at Hannah's? Maybe a week, or more.
I stopped at Rick's diner somewhere in some town that I already forgot the name of. The food wasn't the best, but it was satisfying. Not to mention the coffee was all watery and weak. But, it wasn't a big deal. I had more things to think about, like the conversation I just found out. But I chose not to go there. I just looked out the window at the pouring rain, as I ate my food.
In less than two hours, I reached the coast town of Taholah. I rechecked the address on the post-it note that I wrote down on, directing me to Hannah's house. I reached the driveway and turned off the ignition.
I opened the door to the house and yelled slightly, "Hello? Hannah you there?"
I saw Hannah appear with her curly blond hair tied in a loose bun. "Hi Claire! Oh my gosh! You're so pretty!"
I blushed at her saying I was pretty. I've realized that I'd become more noticeable to guys and girls at my school. It seemed that everyone wanted to become friends with me. A popularity I was soo not used to.
"Thanks! You look beautiful, as always," I pointed out. I smiled. Yes, Hannah was not like me (who thought of things as cliché), but she was very happy, and girly. But that is what I loved about her.
I took off my shoes and raincoat, and put them into the closet. I followed her into the kitchen and the first thing I noticed was that it was only three o'clock, but it felt like it was seven. I looked outside to see the clouds a dark gray.
"Can you believe that it is only three?" I exclaimed.
She nodded in understanding. "I know! It's so depressing when it rains constantly." She sighed.
We sat at the counter in silence for a while before she said, "Well you better get ready! We're going to a party soon! I want you to meet my friends, and we can dance all night long!"
I normally wouldn't be in the mood for socializing, because I was that awkward, but this time I couldn't help but grin. Anything to bring new fresh air.
"All right! Let me just get settled!" I took a deep breath. Now it's time to relax, Claire, I told myself.
There was a club for teenagers at this place called Rolo's. It was pretty spunky with strobe lights and a mixture of green, blue, red lights. I had to say, I liked it. When Hannah and I entered, we were surrounded by all of her friends.
"Hi, Hannah," said a guy with light sandy hair, and he wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "Well, well, well, who's this?" He nodded in my direction.
"Hi, I'm Claire," I said to everyone, with a smile. They were all very nice, but the ones who actually went up and talked to me were a girl named Maggie, Lauren, and a guy named Jordan. Maggie was a strawberry blond with long wavy hair. Lauren was a brunette with a very short, very styled hair. She was the smartest person I'd ever seen, beyond belief. And lastly Jordan was a cute guy, with reddish-brown curly hair.
We danced all evening, talked, and drank soda.
"Yeah there's never anything fun to do around here besides stay here at this old place!" complained Maggie.
"Oh, come on, Maggers. This isn't nearly as bad as some other towns. I mean it seems to me that La Push is way worse," replied Lauren, glancing at me. I nodded in agreement.
"Good thing I have so many cool friends, or I wouldn't have survived all those years," I laughed. Everyone smiled.
In the back round I heard the music change to Fall For You by Secondhand Serenade. Lauren and Maggie automatically looked at Jordan and he blushed as he leaned towards me and asked, "Do you want to dance?"
I smiled, completely surprised but flattered. He took my hand into his very warm one as we walked over to the dance floor, which was completely full of people. It was suffocating, but we made enough room to dance.
"So do you like it here in Taholah?" asked Jordan.
I nodded and replied, "A lot. I should come down here more often. So many cute boys, I can't believe what I'm missing out on." I looked up at him and saw him raise his eyebrows. I was trying to be funny, but I blushed as I realized that I basically meant him.
"I mean, uh…I meant that as a joke and, uh…I'm just not gonna talk about this anymore," I stumbled. I didn't think I could get any redder, but I officially turned as red as a tomato.
But luckily Jordan laughed and said, "I know what you mean, don't worry about it." I smiled gratefully. "But I have to say it's not every day you run into someone as pretty as you are," he continued. Then he blushed and we both dropped our eyes in other directions.
It was awkward as we looked away. And then the song ended and Jordan said, "Well we should probably get back to the table." I nodded in agreement, and he took my hand, once again. This time butterflies flew in my stomach. But then my mind went to Quil. He was the only one who gave me butterflies. I missed him and I'd only been away for a couple hours…
"Claire," I heard. I looked at Jordan who had a look of concern on his face. I immediately got back into reality. Stop it, Claire. You're supposed to relax. That's what you came here for.
"Oh sorry. I was just thinking of something." He nodded as if he understood what I was going through and pulled me towards the tables. We looked around, but saw another group at our table.
"They must've relocated," explained Jordan. I nodded as he led me outside. I was confused why we were going out there, but he quickly said, "I think we should get some fresh air. It's so hot and stuffy inside."
I felt the same way too. I loved dancing, but you had to breathe sometimes. We had a lot of things in common. We went outside and sat on the sidewalk, leaning at the posts holding up the roof. We watched dancers come in and leave.
"So, pop quiz," announced Jordan. "What is your favorite movie of all times."
"Hmm…" I thought as I tried to pick one specific movie. "I really don't have a favorite, but I do love any movies with Michael Cera or Ellen Page. So I think it has to be Juno."
He looked at me and said, "Not a bad choice. That was a good movie. How about bands?"
"Easy, Arctic Monkeys/AAR/The Last Shadow Puppets. I'm kind of in love with a lot of British stuff," I admitted.
"No I know them! Great bands." He shook his head, and smiled. "I'm so amazed that I know someone who knows Arctic Monkeys," he grinned. I smiled back.
It turned silent all of a sudden as he stared at me. And then before I realized it, he was leaning and gently pressing his lips to mine–
"Whoa!" I said as I backed away. "I'm sorry Jordan, but–"
"Claire! What are you doing?" boomed Hannah's voice. I got up and looked up at her. She looked completely surprised. And to tell the truth, so was I.
"I, uh. Nothing," I said all too quickly.
Hannah raised an eyebrow and in a high pitched voice said, "Can I talk to you for a sec?"
I nodded and power walked/ran away from Jordan. Hannah took my hand and was dragging inside to the girl's bathroom, which was surprisingly empty.
"What happened back there? DID YOU SERIOUSLY KISS JORDAN?" She was going hysterical. Oh my gosh, why was it so bad? Wait, was he already dating someone?
"Well, it wasn't my fault! We were talking and then he just kissed me. I– I don't know what happened," I admitted. I really didn't want to fight with her. But what she said surprised me.
"That's brilliant! I can't believe it! In one night!" she exclaimed.
"I know. I'm sorry. I really didn't mean to! I was so unprepared for it. Don't kill me," I begged.
Hannah's eyes just got wider. "What are you talking about? You don't understand. Jordan is probably the cutest guy in all of Taholah and no one, I REPEAT NO ONE, can ever get him to like them! But you! You just walk in here, and for one night you're already kissing him! I thought this would never happen," she exclaimed. "Unbelievable…" she whispered.
She looked at her reflection and then splashed her face with water from the sink. I couldn't help but smile. Am I really that good at attracting guys? But I still didn't feel that way about him. I mean it was one night, and I already felt like I knew everything about him. Only as a friend, though. I mean in Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, the movie takes place in one day, but that's unrealistic…
Hannah dried her face and said, "What's wrong?"
"Oh, nothing. The only thing is… I like someone else. Jordan's really cool, but I just wanted to be friends. AND this only happened in one night." I looked at her, not knowing what to do.
"Oh," was all she said. But then she added, "That's too bad."
I felt a million times worse. Like I was the one being rejected. But then I just walked out the bathroom and headed back outside where Jordan was sitting. He looked up and saw me.
"I'm sorry, Claire. I'm such an idiot. I don't know what I was thinking," he rushed.
I held up my hand and sat down next to him. "It's okay," I said as I took his hand, hoping he didn't take this move the wrong way. But I felt his hand, which was amazingly warm. "Oh my gosh! You're really hot, are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm just really warm from the dance."
"Oh, okay." I said. "Anyway, the only thing is, I don't like you that way. I don't even really know you, but you seem like an okay friend," I joked as I poked him in the ribs.
"Okay? You mean awesome? Yeah, I agree." We both smiled.
We talked for a little while longer, and he gave me his cell phone number, while I gave him mine. After a while, Hannah came through the doors and said, "It's time to go, Claire. You ready?"
"Oh yeah." I glanced over at Jordan and gave him a hug as we stood up. He was still warm, which started to worry me. I didn't want him to be sick. "Well I'll text you sometime. See you later."
"Yeah, bye," he said hesitantly. As we approached the darkness of the parking lot, where the streetlights barely shed light, I looked back one more time to see Jordan. Just standing there, watching me fade out of sight. It was heartbreaking.
We arrived at Hannah's safe and sound. Hannah and I were exhausted and we hit the bed as soon as we got back.
And here I was, in her room on a canopy bed. I stared at her room, memorizing everything. Her extremely huge room, with a master king sized bed. It was extremely organized and so clean. Not like any other ordinary teenager's bedroom. But after all, she had loads of money and could easily afford a maid.
The room was pink, but it wasn't that ugly shade usually found in old homes along with rose petal wallpaper, it was a sweet shade, and fit along with everything. Still wasn't my style that much, but it was definitely fit for her personality.
I stared at the alarm clock on her desk table, which announced that it was 4:51 a.m. I looked through her white drapes and could tell that dawn was coming. I knew that no matter what, I wouldn't be able to sleep because I couldn't help but review all the events that happened just hours before. I thought about calling Quil and letting him know that I was sorry and that I was ready to come back home to him, but he'd been out a lot and I knew he needed sleep. So I decided to resist.
Thinking over the conversation with Aunt Emily, I knew that I was just being dramatic and selfish. I knew that my life never was normal, even from the beginning. I got over it and decided that I would just stay with Hannah for a few more days because I hadn't seen her in a while, but I would then come home, grateful to have everyone and just continue on. I knew that it would all be okay, even if it was weird.
My mind was throbbing from thinking too much and I was desperate for a walk. I decided to put on my Uggs and head over to the beach to just get some fresh air.
The beach was beautiful. Especially when the sky was turning a bright pink along with a hint of blue. I just walked along the edge, but not so close that I would get my boots all muddy. I took in a deep breath and could practically taste the smell of the ocean. The most delightful smell ever.
As I was walking along the edge of the forest to get ready to go back to Hannah, I heard a voice.
"So we finally meet, Claire. I'm so honored to finally meet you in person."
I whirled around to look in the forest, where the voice came from. "Who said that?" I asked. I couldn't find the person who spoke. But then I saw a shadow come closer and came face to face with a pair of bright, crimson red eyes.
I gasped. What was it? But then I saw the pale skin, and the beautiful figure of the man. There was one thing that came to mind. Run. But I couldn't move. I was completely paralyzed as our eyes locked onto each other's…
OH no! Not another cliff hanger! I'm sorry :P But I really hope that you liked the chapter!! Don't forget to review, eh? :D I promise I won't cliff hang the next one!
Erin
