I wasn't going to post this today, but I got bored. So, here's the second chapter and I hope everyone likes it!
The rest of the week went by pretty fast. I found myself fitting into this new group of friends pretty well. They laughed at me from time to time about my Massachusetts accent, but I couldn't help that I said wicked almost every five seconds. Laura was turning out to be my new best friend. She even gave me a ride to and from school. I really needed to get my own car but that would have to wait till I found a job. Finding a job would have to wait till after the weekend. I was actually finding myself looking forward to this beach party, which was tonight actually. School went by way too slow and when it was finally over, I found myself getting nervous over the night.
"So, what does one wear to a bonfire?" I asked Laura as she drove me home.
"Whatever you want," she said with a laugh. She was always such a happy, bubbly person. "You're not nervous are you?"
"Just a little."
"You're too shy." The group had found out I wasn't much of a talker and even quiet Craig would pick on me at times.
"I'm working on it." When we reached my house I got out of the car and started walking toward the door.
"Ray and I will be by to pick you up around six," Laura called out her window.
"Ok, I'll see you later," I yelled back. I went inside and ran to my room. I had a couple hours to pick out what I was going to wear and I wasn't about to waste anytime. I settled on a simple pair of light blue jeans, my favorite Dropkick Murphy's tee-shirt, a plain black zip up hoodie, and black flip flops. I wore flip flops regardless of the weather. Something people here already questioned me about. After showering and putting on my clothes, I put my hair in two braided pigtails and then applied a thin line of black eye liner. I took a look in my mirror and shrugged. I guess I looked better than nothing.
When I was ready, I took a look at the clock. It was only five. Damn my nerves for making me get ready so fast and too early. I went to the living room and turned on the Discovery Chanel. Cash Cab was on. I had a strange obsession with the game show. I loved learning random facts. Half way through the second episode, I heard a honk and knew that it was my ride. Way to be early guys. I started running to the door, when my mom stopped me.
"Where are you off to?" she asked.
"A fire down at the beach."
"Beach?"
"Actually, I have no idea where it is. I was just told by some new friends that we were going there to hang out." I emphasized "friends," knowing that she would let me go after hearing that I was being social.
"Oh! You go and have fun!" my mom said, with this huge smile on her face. "Just don't be out too late."
"I won't." I heard a car horn again and I ran out the door. I actually didn't care that they were early. I wanted to get out of the house.
"Hey guys," I said hopping into the back seat next to Jason.
"Hey babe," he said to me.
"Don't call me babe. So where is Liz and Craig?"
"They are meeting us there, along with some other people," Laura said.
"Oh," I said. My nerves returning.
"Don't worry. Everyone is really nice." I smiled and nodded my head. I really had a bad feeling about tonight but I didn't say anything. I didn't want to ruin everyone else's fun. We drove the rest of the way mostly in silence. Everyone just listening to the music playing in the car. Once Ray parked the car I jumped out and walked as close to Laura as I could without making me look weird. There was already a bunch of other people there. I looked around at all the people I didn't know. I was happy when I spotted Liz running over to us.
"Maggie, I'm so glad you came!" said Liz. She pulled me into a hug.
"Oh no, I smell a drunk," I said, after getting a good smell of her breath. She just giggled in response.
"Sorry about her," said Craig. He put his arm around Liz. "She is such a light weight. We haven't even been drinking that long." Laura laughed and grabbed my hand. She pulled me toward the fire and we sat down near it.
"I'm going to go get a drink. You ladies want anything?" asked Ray.
"Sure baby," said Laura.
"Mags?"
"No thanks Ray." He walked off and I followed him with my eyes. I was taking in everything around me. There were so many people I didn't know. I had thought it was just a party between my little group of friends but I guess they told everyone about it. Most of the kids I recognized from school, except a smaller group of guys off on their own. They were all huge. Not fat, just really tall. They were wearing cut of pants and no shirts. I could clearly see their well built bodies.
"Who are they?" I asked Laura.
"Who?" I pointed them out. "Oh them? They live in La Push. The reservation."
"Oh." My Uncle had been telling me all about the area earlier and he mentioned La Push. He hadn't told me much but I knew that they were the Native American's of the Quileute tribe. I looked back over at the guys. I noticed a couple girls with them. They were all beautiful. The girls and the guys. I suddenly felt very plain in comparison. Not that it really mattered. I didn't plan on running over and introducing myself.
"They kind of stay off on their own. Like we all hang at the bonfires but none of us are really close enough to hang out any another time. Well I mean, I'm not really friends with them. Like I couldn't tell you their names or anything."
"Oh," I said again. I really didn't know what else to say. Ray then came back with two beers in his hand. He handed one to Laura.
"Looks like I'm the DD tonight," I said.
"What?" asked Ray.
"The designative driver. If you're going to be drinking I'm not letting you drive."
"I'm only having one, don't worry about it."
"Come on Maggie. Let me introduce you to some people," Jason said. I had forgotten he was even with us. I looked at Laura and she nodded her head for me to go. I stood up and followed Jason to a group of guys. "Guys, this is Maggie." The group of three turned and looked at me. I had seen them before in some of my classes. They all gave me a smile, and from that smile, I knew something was going on.
"So, Maggie, can you swim?" one of them asked.
"Yes," I said, not really thinking about it.
"Well that makes this easier," another guy said. Before I could ask what they were talking about, I felt myself being lifted off the ground.
"What do you guys think you are doing? Put me down!" I screamed. They were just laughing and didn't pay attention to me. Jason was holding me under my armpits and two of the other guys each had one of my legs. The next thing I knew, I was tossed into the water. I jumped out of it as fast I could. It was fucking freezing!
"Why did you do that?" I yelled at Jason, punching him in the arm. It of course did nothing to him and the guys continued their laughing.
"It was just a harmless joke. Calm down Mags," Jason said. Calm down? There was no way I was going to calm down. I was so angry. Not just angry I was embarrassed. I felt tears sting my eyes as I ran away from them. I could still hear their laughter and that just pushed me to run faster. As I ran blindly through the group of party goers, I bumped right into something. It sent me flying to the ground, hard. I cried out, and wondered what I could have hit that was hard enough to send me to the ground like that. Now, not only was I soaking wet, but I was also dirty from landing on the ground.
"Hey! Watch where you're going!" I heard a voice yell. I looked up at what I ran into and gasped as I saw it was one of the guys I had asked Laura about earlier. I watched his angry expression as he turned to look at me. He looked so pissed off. Then his eyes locked with mine and I felt my breath catch in my throat. His eyes were so intense and his expression had changed from anger to surprise. I noticed that the other members of his group had stopped talking and were now watching us.
I hated this attention, I hated the guys for pushing me in the water, I hated that this guy who I didn't know kept his gaze on me, and most of all, I hated being at this stupid beach. I felt the tears that I had been holding back escape from my eyes. The guy's expression changed again. It was now of shock. Was he surprised that I was crying? I sure wasn't. I couldn't take him watching anymore so I quickly got off the ground and took off running, again. I saw Laura by the fire and ran over to her. I looked for Ray and saw him standing by Jason and the other guys. It looked like Ray was yelling at them. Laura put a blanket over my shoulders and gave me a hug. I didn't realized I was shaking until now. I was so cold.
"Maggie, I'm so sorry. I had no idea they were going to do that."
"It's ok," I shivered out. "I'm just going to leave."
"What? You can't leave."
"I just really don't want to stay here."
"I'll go get Ray's keys and drive you back."
"No you stay. I'll just walk."
"Maggie, there is no way I'm letting you walk."
"Seriously, what's going to happen? I'll be fine. You stay and have fun."
"I don't like this. I'm going to go get Ray's keys. Stay here for just a second." She took off in search of Ray and I just stayed where I was standing. I wasn't crying anymore but I was still pretty upset.
"Hey," came a voice from behind me. I turned and my eyes widened. It was the guy I ran into.
"Hi," I said shyly. When I ran into him, I had completely forgotten that he wasn't wearing a shirt. I remembered now. He pretty much had a perfect body. Such wonderful muscles, but not over done like a crazy body builder. I couldn't look in his eyes, so I kept mine focused on the ground. I felt my cheeks burn with my blush. Damn me for looking at his body!
"I um, I wanted to apologize for yelling at you," he said. My eyes shot up. He was running his hand through his hair, and not looking at me. Such nice hair. Dark and shaggy. Just the perfect length.
"It's alright." His eyes met mine. It felt like my heart stopped. I have no idea why, but I had the desire to move closer to him. To be with him and never leave.
"No, it's not alright," he shot back, rather angry. I jumped at his voice. I didn't expect him to get so mad. He grimaced at my jump. "Sorry," he said softly.
"Hey Maggie?" said Laura. "I have Ray's keys. Are you ready to go?"
"Where are you going?" asked the guy, in some what of a panic.
"I don't really want to be here anymore."
"Can I give you a ride?" he asked quickly.
"Um.."
"As a way to say I'm sorry," he added. I guess he knew I was going to decline his offer.
"I guess so. That way you wouldn't have to leave Laura," I said. I couldn't really come up with a reason not to let him take me home.
"Alright. I'll call you later Mags. Maybe we can go shopping tomorrow or something," Laura said. She looked like she wanted to argue me going off with a stranger but she didn't say anything else.
"Sure, I'll see you later." Laura walked off and I turned back to the guy. "You don't mind?"
"No I don't mind." I followed him to the cars and he led me over to an old truck. I opened the passengers side door and took off my blanket, placing it on the seat. I was still wet and dirty. I didn't want to get anything on his seats.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"I didn't want to get your seats dirty." He gave me a confused look. I guess he didn't see what those guys did to me. "Before I ran into you, a couple of the guys tossed me into the water." I saw the anger return to his eyes and was surprised to see him shaking a bit. "Hey are you alright?" I asked. He calmed at my voice and nodded his head a little.
"Yeah, fine. I'm Paul by the way."
"Maggie."
"So, where do you live?" I told him where my house was and he started driving in that direction. "You're new here." It wasn't a question.
"I just moved here last week."
"Why?"
"My Grandpa died and Grandma needed some help." His eyes shot to my face, like he regretted asking the question. I was scared that he was going to drive off the road.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about it, just watch the road," I said with a small laugh. That brought a smile to his face and I knew from that second I always wanted that smile to be there. How the hell I was thinking such thoughts I had no idea. I didn't even know this guy but I was surprised at how comfortable I felt with him. Like I've known him all my life. He kept asking the normal questions like how I liked it here and where I was from before. I answered them all with my normal responses.
"How old are you?" He asked next.
"I'm 17 but I'll be….," I started but was interrupted with a sneeze. Crap. I hope I wasn't getting a cold from being stuck in wet clothes. "Do you think you could turn the heat on?" I asked. "I'm kind of cold."
"The heat doesn't really work. Old truck." He sounded angry again. I hope he wasn't angry at me for asking.
"Oh," I said, with a shiver. I saw his arm moving out of the corner of my eye. I turned to face him and he looked really unsure. His arm looked ready to move around me. The second his hand touched my skin I jumped.
"Paul, you're really warm." I almost said hot but thankfully I stopped myself. He took his arm back. "You're not feeling sick are you?"
"I'm fine." He practically snapped his answer so I dropped it. He really did feel warm though. Not hot enough to burn me, but his temperature was clearly higher than it should have been. The rest of the way to my house was spent in silence. He pulled into my driveway and I opened the door.
"Thanks for the ride." I hopped out but before I could close the door he called my name.
"What are you doing on Sunday?" I was in shock. Was he going to ask me out?
"Nothing I think."
"Do you want to hang out?" I could feel the blush coming to my cheeks and I smiled shyly. I wanted to say no. I really did. I didn't know the guy. For some reason though, I just couldn't say no.
"Ok."
"Great! I'll pick you up around noon." He sounded really excited and my smiled grew.
"I'll see you then." I shut the door and walked into the house, having no idea what just happened.
………………………………...
I heard the knock at noon and I struggled to get to the door. Saturday I had woken up feeling like crap. I had to cancel my plans with Laura. This morning, I was even worse. I had a sore throat, a cough, a stuffy nose, my head hurt, and I had a slight temperature. Mom and Grandma had gone to church and then out for the day. They offered to stay home with me but I hate people being around when I'm sick. I always look like a complete mess and I would rather people not have to look at me. The knock came again and I tried to move even faster.
"I'm coming!" I called out, even though it didn't really sound like me. I hope I wasn't losing my voice as well. That would suck. I reached the door and slowly pulled it open. There stood Paul, all smiling and happy. This time he had on jeans and even a shirt. The smile on his face left the second he saw me standing in sweatpants, a tank top, and a bathrobe.
"Did you forget we had plans?" he asked. He looked so upset.
"I would have called you but I didn't know your number. I'm sick. I won't be able to hang out today." Now he just looked concern.
"No of course not. You're going back to bed." Yep, that's what I planned on doing alright.
"I guess I'll see you around then." I went to shut the door but he held it open and step inside the house. He then bent down and picked me up bridal style. "What are you doing?" I asked in a shaky voice. I wasn't used to guys just walking right into my house and picking me up.
"Bringing you back to your bed. Now where is your room?" I pointed up the stairs and he started walking.
"You don't have to carry me," I said, but he ignored me. Once we were back in my room he placed me on my bed and put the blankets over me. He then took the empty glass from my nightstand and left the room. I was just about asleep when he came back in with a full glass of what looked to be orange juice. He placed it down and then looked around my room.
"Wow, it's really pink in here."
"I hate pink. It's my Grandma's doing. She wouldn't let me cover it up." Paul laughed. I really, really like his laugh.
"What kind of girl hates pink?"
"The best kind." I was just joking but I think he took me seriously. He just stared at me. Almost like he agreed that I was the best kind. He had that strange look on his face like he did the first time he saw me. I couldn't really place what the look was but I knew I liked it. He then reached out his hand and brushed a stray piece of hair behind my ear.
"Get some sleep," he whispered. He didn't have to tell me twice. I closed my eyes obediently and the next thing I knew I was out.
When I next woke up, Paul was not in my room. I wondered if I had imagined him being there but when I saw the full class of juice, I knew he had to have been. I looked around and nothing was missing. If he had been here, he wasn't a thief. I looked at my clock and noticed that it was late in the afternoon. I climbed out of my bed, grabbed the cup of juice and left my room. I went down to the kitchen and found my mom and Grandma sitting at the table. I poured the juice down the sink and put the cup in the dishwasher. I know you're supposed to drink fluids when you're sick but, being the rebel that I am, I just didn't feel like drinking it.
"You finally woke up," my mom said. She felt my forehead and sighed. "You still feel a little warm. Why don't you go back to your room."
"I've been in there all day."
"Have you had anything to eat?"
"No."
"Go on, go to you're room. I'll bring you up some toast. You really should try to eat something." I went back upstairs and got in bed. I wondered if Paul had stayed till my mom got back but she didn't say anything about him being there. If he had talked to her, she sure would have mentioned it. My mom came to my room with a plate of toast and another cup of the stupid juice. Really, I didn't want to drink it.
"Why is your window open? It's raining. You're going to let all the water in." She ran over to my window and shut it. I don't even remember opening my window.
"Sorry," I said, in confusion.
"It's alright. Eat up then try to get some more sleep."
"Alright. Night mom."
"Night Mags."
The second she left my room I was out of that ugly, pink, bed. I ran to the window and opened it. Why would Paul have opened my window? I had no idea. It couldn't have been because it was hot in the room. He didn't jump out of it did he? I looked down. It wasn't that much of a drop and there was roof under my window. Someone could easily climb out my window, stand on that, then climb down to the ground. For a guy his height, it wouldn't have been much of a challenge. I tried to see if there were foot prints or anything but the rain would have washed it away. What I did find, and it was rather odd, was fur. Dark silver, gray fur. Not a lot of it mind you, but it was definitely dog hair. Or cat hair, but it was from an animal. I don't have any pets. I'm looking into a dog, but without a pet being present, this hair was out of place. At first I thought, well maybe he had some on his clothes from one of his own pets, but there was a good amount covering the edge of the window. I don't know how mom missed it. Another weird thing I found, was a scrap piece of what seemed to be clothing. It reminded me of the same material of the shirt Paul was wearing. I had no idea how it got there. This was really weird and all this thinking was making my head hurt. I'm too sick for these shenanigans. I decided to just forget about it, maybe it was just my sick mind playing tricks on me. I shut the window, ate my toast, did not drink my juice, and went to bed. I hope I feel better in the morning.