Why Can't I Graduate Now?

When I returned from school, I had made three important observations: First of all, that stupid freak Jared was going out with the equally stupid Kim. Second, my only friends seemed to have changed sides over the holidays and had talked about me behind my back – like I was too stupid to notice! And third, almost everyone I knew was happy for HIM being happy. Nothing worse than going out with your average high school star.

Where was the point in going anyway? Why couldn't I graduate now? It would be so great just to disappear and to never come back, never ever in Quileute history. I would become the Indian who betrayed her tribe.

I started to do my homework when my dad entered the room. „Hey, Leah." I didn't look up. „Hi, Dad." „How was school?" I shrugged. „Normal, I guess." He nodded stiffly. „Listen, sweetie, would you care to get the groceries? Charlie and Billy come for dinner tonight, and we still need some stuff. The list is in the kitchen." „Yeah. Whatever." He sighed and turned to go, but then he started again: „Look, honey. If you still feel bad, we can talk-" I just looked at him, really annoyed, then I stormed out of my room, grabbed the list and some money and walked out of the door.

I wanted to go to the supermarket, but after some minutes I suddenly realized that I had taken the wrong way.

I sighed. The one way that would have led me past HIS house. The route I had been going the last two years right before the summer. How fast everything could change. From being the most popular girl in the reservation, I had become everyone's favorite gossip item. From being loved by the one person that counted the most to being hated by everyone. Just great.

I returned to the right path and started to hum a little, when I heard a stick breaking behind me. I turned round to face the incautious intruder, who in fact was Jacob. He was wearing a black T-Shirt, and his long black hair was tied back. „Hi, Leah", he said, looking uncomfortable. „You should practice moving silent", I snapped. He shrugged. „I'm sorry. Didn't mean to frighten you." He grinned. Oh, I'd love to hit him for that one. But I decided to play nice today. „So, what are you up to?", he asked. „Groceries", I moaned, stressing 'groce' as if it was something disgusting. Jacob laughed a little, but stopped fast, as if he wasn't sure whether he was allowed to. „Mind if I join you? I need new chips." I shrugged and walked on, with the I.I.B. (Indian In Black) following me.

The supermarket was a grey painted house, with a terrace right in front of it. Dreamcatchers hung from the ceiling. It looked really romantic. That was the function of the dreamcatchers – making a boring, grey house look like the place where your tribe's medicine man bought his secret ingredients. It was supposed to look like this for the tourists who wanted to visit La Push.

We entered the Lonesome Creek Store and I took a look at the list. „Carrots, cucumber, potatoes and apples", I murmured while Jacob was studying a chocolate bar. He looked up. „What do you need?", he asked. I stared at him for a second, then I looked at the list again. „Potatoes. Four pounds." He nodded and disappeared between the shelves.

I walked to the vegetables to get carrots and cucumber when I heard someone saying: „Oh, look! A real Indian! And he has long hair! That is so authentic!" I glanced around the tomatoes and saw a white couple who were staring at Jacob getting the potatoes. They looked excited. Jacob looked annoyed. The white woman walked towards him and cleared her throat. Jacob looked up. „Yes? Can I help you?" The woman looked a little nervous. „Do you live here?" Jacob nodded. Her tone changed from nervous to excited. „So you are a real Quileute Indian?" Jacob raised an eyebrow, but he answered: „Yes, Ma'am, I'm Quileute." „That is so nice! My husband and I, we were looking for someone who could lead us around a little and tell us something about your culture." Jacob stared at her. „Of course we would pay you!", the woman exclaimed before Jacob could say anything.

I had enough. I put some carrots into a bag and picked a cucumber, and then I went towards Jacob. „Our culture is the same as yours. If you need a guide, you can buy a paper one. They're over there, on the counter." I pulled Jacob away and heard the woman asking her husband: „Did I insult them? Did I insult the couple?" „No", her husband answered, „You had a very polite and natural request. We respect their culture. Come on, honey, we'll find someone else."

„You can let go of me now", Jacob said. „Oh", I said, „Sorry." He shrugged and handed me the potatoes. „Stupid tourists. I hate them." He sighed. „What else do you need?" I looked at my list. „Ahem... Flour, milk and apples." His look changed. „Your mom is making her famous apple pie?" „Looks like that, hm?" I didn't tell him that „your mom's famous apple pie" was actually my work, but then, who would care? „I'll go get the flour and milk", he said and walked away, while I turned to the apples and picked out the biggest and best. After all, I knew exactly what fruits I wanted for my pie.

Jacob returned. „My dad and I, we're coming for dinner tonight", he stated. I tried not to roll my eyes. I had thought only Billy and Charlie were coming. „That's nice", I managed to say, before I walked to the fridge to get meat.

I payed, and we left the shop. Logan, the shop keeper, had rolled his eyes at us and had said: „Stupid tourists. Were offering me a job as a guide." He had shaken his head in disbelief and had given me the change.

Jacob spat as we saw the couple walking to the beach, looking out for another victim. „Maybe you should accept their offer?", I proposed, earning an evil glare. „I mean, you need the money." Jacob rolled his eyes. „Not that kind of money. I don't know much about us, anyway." I shrugged. He opened the chips and offered me some. I refused, and we walked silently back to my house. „See you later", he said and walked away.

I looked after him. Maybe Jacob Black wasn't so bad after all.