The following week helping Seth with his math work had been something else. Things with him were just so nice, never had I really considered things becoming more between , lately things as simple as our hands brushing made the atmosphere between us different. Not to be confused with an awkward difference, because this different was a sweet difference that made my heart race.
Being in such deep thoughts, I jumped when I heard the rain hit the roof of the house. It was so early, and this Sunday was already so gloomy. I walked across the small hallway towards my Dad's room, quietly looking in. He was still asleep. I walked over towards the next door only to see Jacob in the same state as my Dad.
There was nothing to do today, and the weather showed no signs of improving. I went back into my bedroom, picking up the house phone on the way there.
I scrolled through the contacts, calling the one person who I knew could lighten my day.
On the 3rd thing he answered.
"Hello?"
"Hey, it's Becca. Could I talk to Seth please?" I asked a little nervous.
"Hey! It's me Becs! I was about to call you! What's up?" He answered in a more cheerful voice.
"Really? That's crazy, but my day's barely starting and it already blows," I said, hoping he would offer something to do.
"I'm not doing anything. I'm up for anything you want to do, well whatever the rain allows," he laughed.
"I'm not sure, I'm really up for anything Seth," I said. I could feel myself smiling ridiculously.
"Well, my mom wants me to go up and fix some tiles in the diner. I've really been meaning to get to it, so if you're up to it. I could always use the company."
"Yeah of course!"
"Awesome! 'll go pick you up like in maybe 10 minutes, is that OK"
"Sounds good, I'll see you here!"
"Bye!"
I hung up the phone and ran into my room to change.
I threw on a simple black V-neck long sleeve with some white skinny jeans and black combat boots that would for sure keep the water out. I looked in the mirror to see my mess of a hair. I turned on my flat iron and waited for it to heat up. I could hear my brother from down the hall. As fast as I could I straightened my hair and tucked back my bangs behind my ears.
I grabbed my rain coat and made my way into the living room to wait.
Jake came out into the living room still with tired eyes. He still looked half asleep and I could still see the dried slobber on his cheek.
"Hey,up so early already?" I smiled.
"What time is it?" He groaned and smiled.
"It's like eleven."
"Going somewhere?" He asked, yawning and making his way into the kitchen.
"Yeah, I'm actually going somewhere with Seth. Is that OK?"
"Seth? Uh, yeah that's fine."
"I made you guys breakfast like 2 hours ago, so I put it in the oven."
"Thanks," he yawned, reaching down into the oven to get the plate along with the whole jug of orange juice.
I heard the knocks on the door that I was impatiently waiting for.
"Come in!" Jake yelled.
Seth walked in smiling.
"Hey," I smiled at him.
He was wearing cargo shorts with a black hoody, and some black sports shoes. His smile was always on his face and I wondered what made him so happy. It had been a while according to Jake, since the smile on his face had come back since the passing of his dad.
"Hi," he smiled back.
"So, are you two just gonna stand there?" Jacob laughed over from the kitchen table.
I felt my face flush as I turned over to Jacob in the kitchen. He was already eating the omelets I had made him.
"I'll bring her back a little later, if that's OK?" Seth called over to Jacob.
"Yeah, that's fine," Jake said.
"Ready to go?" Seth asked me.
"Yeah, of course," I said, walking towards him.
Seth led me outside, towards his mom's car.
I put on my raincoat, following him.
He opened my door for me and smiled at me.
I laughed," Seth, you're so cheesy."
I got it and put on my seat belt as he got in the driver's seat.
"Vamonos," he said, looking over at me.
"Since when do you know Spanish?" I asked him.
"Some words here and there in Spanish 101," he laughed.
I looked over at him.
He lifted his eyebrows.
"It's classy, Becca," he smiled.
"Classy?"
"Yeah, I'm multicultural," he said.
"Well, aren't you just special."
"Actually, there's something I want to talk to you about, but later OK?"
"Oh OK. So what are we gonna do at your mom's diner?"
"Well, I'm gonna to fix some tiles. Just glue them back in place, and you can keep me company. Don't worry about my mom like being weird or you know how sometimes parents are. She's actually excited to see you, since you know you've been helping me out with math and stuff."
"Oh really?"
"Yeah, she just wants to say hi and little things like that," he smiled.
"I guess we'll see," I smiled.
His smile was so nice, always so happy. It was so contagious, he always rubbed it off on me.
"Later, we'll go to Emily's."
"Emily's?"
"Yeah, you know Emily. She makes some good food" he laughed.
"I know who Emily is! I mean like why are we going? By the way, you can't say it's good when you haven't even tried mine" I laughed.
"Well, she asked me to go over and she also asked me to bring you. Oh really? Well, maybe you can show me one day," he smiled.
"Why? Yeah, one day when you go over for sure," I said.
"You're on, and you'll see why, well depending on what happens later."
"How mysterious," I laughed.
"I am a guy of many secrets, trust me."
I gave him the strangest facial expression I could make.
He shook his head and laughed.
"We are here," he announced, turning off the car.
I opened the door and headed inside the diner behind Seth.
"Is the diner not open yet?" I asked Seth.
"In a few minutes, Becca."
We walked toward where his mom and a local girl from the rez who worked here were.
"Hey," Seth greeted them.
"Hi, Seth," his mom smiled.
They had the same smile.
"Mom, look I brought Becca! Oh yeah, Becca you know Gia," he smiled, looking towards Gia.
"Hi," Gia smiled. "Sue, I'm gonna go ahead and set some of the tables for when we open OK?" Gia said to Sue.
"OK," Sue said.
"Hi, ," I smiled at Sue.
"Becca, I'm so glad you came today! Seth has been talking about you for quite a bit actually. How you're such a sweet, and nice girl. But thank you for helping him with his math," she said, patting Seth's shoulder.
"It's no problem," I said.
"OK, that's enough chit chat Mom, we're gonna head into the back room and start on the broken tiles. Is that alright, Mom?" Seth asked Sue.
"Yeah, of course," she smiled.
Seth led me towards the back cabinets where he got a tool box out.
Seth got out some tools and led me to where some of the tools were cracked.
We walked to the small room where all the extra kitchen utensils , chairs, and tables were kept.
"Wow, I wonder what happened here," I said.
"Mom told me that she dropped some pots or something like that," he shrugged.
He got a new box of tiles out from the storage room and laid them out along with the tools.
He sat on the floor and smiled at me.
"Aren't you gonna sit down beside me?" He smiled at me.
"Oh yeah, sorry," I smiled, sitting down beside.
"So Becca."
"So what?"
"I'm curious about something."
"And what would that be?"
"It's kind of like a question, but if I ask you, will you answer it?"
"Is it bad?"
"No not bad, might make you feel a little weird."
"Mm, now I'm scared," I laughed.
"Oh, c'mon. It's not that bad," he smiled.
"OK, shoot then."
"Why do you like spending time with me? Like today for example. You could've called Kai, but instead you called me and chose to spend a boring day with me."
"Well, because you're fun to spend time with, but you also said you were gonna call me. You could've hung out with my brother or you and Jake's pack of friends."
"Why so? And yes very true also."
"Because, you're just very likeable."
"I'm likeable?" He smiled at me.
"Yes likeable!" I smiled at him.
"Like in what way?" He asked me.
"In a nice way."
"No, I don't mean like that. I mean like in a friend way or something else?"
I looked at him when I saw him look up from the tile he was gluing.
I started laughing nervously.
"Well?" He asked me.
"Than can I ask you the same question?"
"Of course! You're very likeable."
"But in what way?" I smiled at him.
"In a way that's more than a friend, I can tell you honestly."
I could feel my cheeks starting to flush.
"Really?" I said, trying not to let my voice crack.
"Yeah," he smiled.
He moved closer, sitting in front of me.
"Well, aren't you gonna tell me?" He smiled.
"I don't know," I said.
"C'mon, please don't be shy. Please, I told you. You can tell me," he said.
"Mm, OK then. I feel the same way as you," I smiled at him.
He smiled at me, taking my hand.
His hand felt warm in mine.
"You feel really hot," I laughed.
"Thanks," he smiled.
"Becca, I'm gonna be honest with you. You've become one of my really good friends lately and I really feel like I can tell you anything."
"Really? Like what?"
"I like you. I really like you, and I really hope you feel the same way and that maybe you know we can be something else. But, but I'm not trying to push you into anything. Ever since I began spending time with you, I started to feel different you know."
"You like me?" I blushed.
"Yeah, I do" he smiled.
I smiled at him.
"I like you too. I'm not saying it just because you said it first," I smiled at him.
"Awe, really you like me," he smiled, taking my other hand.
I nodded.
"This is a little cheesy, but that's OK. You know I'm very cheesy, Becca, but would you be my girlfriend?" He smiled.
I looked at him with a little hesitation.
He turned his head a little sideways, half smiling and raising his eyebrows.
"Yeah, I will" I smiled.
He let go of my hands and put his arms softly on my waist.
"That wasn't so hard was it?" He teased.
"No," I smiled.
"I really like you and trust me I feel like I waited so long to to tell you and ask you," he smiled.
"Did you?" I smiled back.
He nodded.
"I wanna try something else, but I don't know if it might be to much?"
"What?"
"Don't be nervous, it's nothing bad," he shrugged.
I looked at him a little curious.
He laughed at my expression and gave me a kiss on my right cheek.
It took Seth a little while to finish the tiles and after he did we went to his house.
His house was average size, a blue faded color with a very small garage and a little porch in front.
We walked towards the small opening his dad had made in the woods where a small bench was located.
"Did Harry make this?" I asked him.
"Yeah, a really long time ago, look I carved my name here along with my date," he smiled.
"How artistic," I teased.
"Why thank you," he smiled at me.
I took a seat and he took a sit very close to me almost immediately after."
I put on the hoody of my jacket as rain began to sprinkle.
"This is so crazy," I said, turning to him.
He took my hand and looked at me.
"Why is that?"
"Because this is so unexpected, guys don't just ask things like that."
"Well, all guys are different."
"Yeah, you have a point there."
"Trust me, I'm one of a kind," he winked.
"One of a kind?"
"Special, very special."
"Are you?"
"I am, and you are really special to me. You have no idea," he smiled.
I looked at him very uneasy.
"Well, don't worry after a while I will show you just how much," he snuggled me.
I smiled at him, looking ahead to the ocean from the small openings in the woods.
"What are you thinking about?" He asked me.
"My brother and my Dad's reactions to this," I laughed.
"They won't say anything to you about this. Well, they might but nothing bad. I promise."
"How do you know?"
"Trust me."
"But how do you know since you're so positive?"
"I asked Jacob and he was OK with it."
"You asked my brother?"
"Yeah, there's nothing wrong with that."
"I know there isn't, but it's different."
"I had to be official, you know. I don't mean funny business. Becca, I really like you and I want you to see it's something special to me. Jacob told me it was OK, he well in a way gave me permission. He said your dad was more than OK with it," he smiled, putting his arm around me.
"Permission?"
"Of course, I mean c'mon. He's very protective of you in many ways, I've seen it."
"You've seen it?" I laughed.
He thought about it for a minute, trying to put it into words.
"You know how Jacob hangs out with Sam and all the pack? Including me?"
"Yeah, I know."
"Like we're all really close, and we tell each other many things. Willing to or not," he smiled.
"And I've also seen it whenever I'm at your house, or back when you were younger," he added.
"What did he say when you asked him?"
"He said it was OK him, and that he would be watching to make sure I treat you right and that my feelings are sincere for you. Which I don't understand the last part because he's known for quite a bit how much I like you," he laughed.
"He knew?"
"Yeah, like I didn't really want to tell him. He just kind of found out in a way that I'll explain to you later."
"Oh my gosh, Seth. It's so crazy."
"Becca, c'mon you just really don't understand how much I like you."
"You already said that," I laughed.
"I know, but I just feel like I haven't told you enough times," he smiled.
"You have trust me, I believe you!"
We sat for a little while enjoying each others company.
"Do you know what time it is?" I asked him.
He looked at the watch on his wrist.
"It's fifteen minutes past 5, so c'mon let's go to Emily's."
He took my hand and led me down the path in the woods towards Emily's.
"Why does she live like so inclosed with Sam?" I asked him.
"I'm not really sure, I asked Sam once and he just told me that they wanted to get away from everything."
"Like all the gossip that spread when you know he left your sister for your cousin?" I asked him a little uneasy.
"No it's OK, don't be so like nervous about , my sister is still trying to pick herself up from that and you know I'm spending time with Sam and everything. That isn't really helping her, but yeah the gossip is part of it."
"Where's your sister now?"
"She's in Port Angeles with some of the girls from the rez, taking her mind off things here for a little while."
"If I'm crossing the line here you don't have to answer but are you kind of mad at Sam for breaking up with you sister for your cousin?"
"You're not crossing anything don't worry, only my mind," he laughed.
"Cheesy," I smiled at him.
"I was, but now that I'm spending time with Sam and getting to know him. I understand why, and now I don't hold it against him."
"Does Sue say anything about it?"
"Nah, she totally understands trust me. Besides, since she took my old man's place in the council she sort of sides with Sam, as hard to believe as it sounds."
"Really, that's interesting and why?."
"I know, and I'll tell you that later. But hey I know that you know about Emily's face, so please don't stare."
"Oh, no I won't. I promise."
"OK, cool. I think your brother, Sam, Jared, and Emily are there."
"How can you tell?"
"I can hear them, they are pretty damn loud," he laughed.
I tried to listen and I could hear the faint yells of my brother and his friends.
He let go of my hand and opened the small front door as we made our way up the porch steps.
"Hey!" Jared called out to us from the small living room.
"Hi," I smiled.
"Hey, guys," I said to Jake, Emily, and Sam.
They were sitting at the kitchen table eating some casserole.
"What's goin' on?" Seth smiled, sitting down.
I stood behind Jake, putting my hands on his shoulders.
From the corner of my eye, I could see Seth looking over at me a little uneasy.
"Hey," Jake smiled back at me.
I smiled at him.
"So what have you guys been up to?" Emily asked us.
"Actually, I have some news," Seth smiled.
"Whatever could that be," Sam joked.
"It's not hard to guess on that one honey," Emily smiled at Sam.
I could feel my nerves getting to me.
I tried to keep myself calm, but how could I?
Jacob was right here.
Jacob leaned back on me, and smiled.
"We're dating now, officially," Seth smiled.
"About time!" Jared called out from the living room.
"I'm surprised he's not with Kim right now," Jake laughed.
"Kim's not home today, otherwise I doubt he'd be here," Sam smiled.
"Look at that Becs, now you're officially part of the pack," Jacob smiled.
"Really, I didn't know you had to go through some kind of initiation," I laughed.
"Don't worry, whatever it was, you passed it," Sam smiled.
"Now that you guys are together though, Becca you should know that my door is always open for you whenever you want or need to come and see me," Emily said to me.
"Thanks Emily," I smiled at her.
"Are you hungry?" She asked me.
"No, not really," I said.
"Seth?" She asked.
"You don't even have to ask," he smiled.
"I'll go wait in the living room while you guys eat, OK?" I smiled, making my way towards where Jared was.
"Becca, you're rarely seen around here," he said, looking up at me from the TV.
"From what I've heard neither are you," I laughed, taking a seat on the small couch beside him.
"When your parents work all day and your girlfriend isn't home, you get lonely," he laughed.
"Now that you're part of the pack, it might happen to you," he added.
"I doubt my girlfriend will ever leave me since I don't have one."
"Seth's close enough to that," he smiled.
I laughed.
"Jared, I can hear you," Seth said from the kitchen.
"Better get use to that, Becca. He's a little DQ sometimes."
"What's a DQ?" I laughed.
"Drama queen," he smiled.
I laughed and shook my head, turning towards the TV.
I heard some muffling noises and I looked towards the kitchen, where Seth was putting his dishes in the sink. He still had food in his mouth when he walked towards where I was sitting, wiping his hands on his shorts.
He stood in front of me for a few seconds before swallowing his food.
"Hey, let's go outside," he offered, holding his hand out towards me.
I took it, following him out the door.
"Bye guys, bye Jake see you at home later," I said.
"See ya," he called out, covering his mouth so the food wouldn't fall out.
"Where are we going?" I asked him.
"To the beach," he smiled at me.
"The beach? In this weather?"
"We're not going to swim, Becca," he laughed.
"I know that!" I smiled.
"We're just gonna walk around, it should be pretty empty today."
"What if the weather gets worse?"
"Then, I'll take you home and we can try again hopefully next weekend."
"Next weekend?"
"Yeah, we still have a week of school left, then we're on summer break. I have some stuff to do after school these days but don't worry. I'll come see you at my best every evening this up coming week," he smiled.
We walked around the shoreline for a while, holding hands.
I eventually let go of his hand, wiping it on my jeans.
"What's wrong?" He asked looking over at me.
"Your hands hot," I smiled.
"Well, that's alright," he smiled back, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.
"Hey, tomorrow wait for me and we can walk to school together is that OK?" He asked.
"Yeah, of course," I smiled, leaning a little more towards him.
"We can sit together at lunch," he added.
"Mm, well what about Kai?"
"She can sit with us too, if she'd like."
"I don't want to make her feel all weird."
"Wait, what are you trying to say?" He laughed, pressing his fingers lightly into my arm.
"I don't want to be a douche and leave her. I'm gonna sit with her, I mean we can spend a lot of time together after school's over."
"That's true baby."
That's a new one. Something I could get use to very easily.
"Yeah, don't worry," I smiled up at him.
"I don't," He smiled back at me, pressing his head to mine.
That night I sat in my room thinking about everything that had happened today. I can't believe we're dating. The fact alone seemed so crazy to me. Wow, I just could not register it in my mind.
I jumped a little when I heard someone knock on my door.
"Yeah?" I called out.
My Dad opened it, peeking inside.
"I told you I knew, honey," Dad laughed.
He closed the door and I could hear him going to the living room to watch TV.
"Hey Becca, can I come in?" Jake asked.
"Yeah, come in."
"What's going on?" He smiled, sitting on the edge of my bed.
"Nothing to exciting, other than what you already know," I smiled even bigger.
"I just want to make sure you're OK with this? Feel good about it? Comfortable?"
"I am Jake, I really like Seth. I don't know there's just something about him, something that gives me a good feeling. If you get what I'm trying to say."
"I do, just know that if something's ever wrong or just bothers you about this relationship. Just know that I'm always here OK?"
"OK, thanks Jacob," I smiled.
"No problem, well get some sleep alright?"
"OK, goodnight Jake."
"Goodnight Becs."
I laid down on my bed, staring at the ceiling and smiled.
Today had just been so amazing. I just couldn't get over this feeling. I looked at the clock, only to see it was almost 10.
I took off my boots and grabbed my towel.
I ran my hands through my hair before heading off to the bathroom to shower.
I woke up the next morning to the sound of my alarm going off in the far corner and I jumped out of bed for the first time in my life.
I turned on the light and opened my small closet, trying to see what I would wear today.
I settled for a simple short sleeved blue V-neck and some dark wash capris with some black canvas shoes.
I put my hair up in a pony tail, only straightening my bangs and the hair that framed my hair. I let my loose waves hung in my pony tail today.
I looked out the window to make sure it wasn't raining. It was cloudy but it wasn't raining.
I went out to see if Jacob was on the couch but to my surprise he wasn't home today.
I walked into the kitchen, turning on the stove to make some pancakes for my Dad before heading out and a few for Jake if he came home later. I grabbed some toast and a glass of juice before brushing my teeth and sitting down to wait for Seth.
I only waited a few minutes before I heard him knock on the door and walk in.
He was wearing some dark jeans and a short sleeved maroon t-shirt. He always looked so good in anything.
"Hey, good morning," he smiled, walking over ot me.
"Hi," I smiled at him, getting up to meet him.
He pulled me into a hug.
"I missed you," he smiled, squeezing me a little.
"I missed you too, but I saw you yesterday," I teased.
"I know, but still," he teased back.
"C'mon, let's get going," he smiled, letting the hug fall and taking my hand.
I grabbed my backpack and stuffed my raincoat inside just in case.
"Are we walking?" I asked him.
"Yeah, I feel like this way we get more time together before school," he smiled and shrugged.
We walked down the way to school in comfortable silence.
"I know it shouldn't matter, but I wonder what people are going to say," I asked him.
"You are right it shouldn't matter, but they'll say things like what, or when the fuck did that happen, just stupid things like that," he shrugged.
"We'll just have to find out," I teased him.
"But of course," he smiled.
We made it to the high school and I prepared myself for the stares and the whispers. I knew there really wasn't any way to avoid it, but the best way to deal was to ignore it. We walked in like usual except our hands were entwined.
I could see the stares from the others, mainly the girls.
We walked towards math class together, when I saw Kai looking at me with the most shocked expression.
"Hey, I'm gonna go get something from the guys OK? I'll see you in a bit," he smiled.
"OK," I smiled.
I saw Kai walk over to me.
"Um, when were you going to tell me Becca?" She asked me.
"I was, but it just happened so fast Kai, you wouldn't believe it!"
"You have to tell me everything, please!"
"Can you come over next week like maybe Tuesday? I'll tell you everything that has happened and will happen!"
"Becca! I can't believe this!"
"I know, I know. I can't even believe it."
"Wow, Seth Clearwater."
"I know, it's crazy. He's such a sweetheart, Kai."
We started walking down the hallway toward our classes.
"Look, the bell's about to ring so I'll see you during lunch OK?" I asked her.
"OK, see you later Becca," she said, walking away.
I walked into math class and took my seat.
I looked over towards the door until I saw Seth walk in and smile at me.
He walked passed me and stroked my cheek.
"Hi baby," he smiled.
"Hi," I smiled back, trying to hide my blush.
He went to side down in the front and I glanced over at him.
During class, I would catch him staring at me and he would catch me.
Finally after math class was over, Seth walked me to my world history.
"I'll see you at lunch OK?" He smiled.
"OK, see you," I smiled back.
After world history and biology, I walked towards the small lunchroom to meet Kai.
"Hey," I called out to her.
She saw me and slowed down.
"Hey, where's your other half," she joked.
"I'm not sure, he should be getting out of world history right now," I said.
"Well, c'mon let's go get some lunch."
We got our share of the school lunch which consisted of a carton of chocolate milk, a corn dog, and a banana.
We sat down at our usual small table.
"It's so crazy, a lot of people were asking me how long this has been going on," she nodded, pointing to me with her banana.
"You know how people are, especially here on the rez," I said, shaking my head.
"Don't I," Kai laughed.
I looked over to see Seth and Embry walking in towards their table.
I could see Seth's eyes scanning the room and stopping when they met mine.
He smiled.
I smiled back.
"Becca! Becca," Kai snapped.
"Yeah?" I smiled.
"Wow."
"What?"
"You really like him, hu?"
"Yeah, I do."