One Month Later
Forks, was nothing compared to the New York City. It was 20 times better. The fresh clean crisp air of Forks was uplifting and inviting. I had met a few people in town that had welcomed me into the neighborhood. Including Mike who worked down at the hardware store where I had been spending most of my time lately. He was a nice kid but a little clingy it seemed like. Embry was also one of my other acquaintances, nothing more than the occasional hello and how ya doin'?
I had made some real improvement on the house, the inside was almost completely remodeled I had torn down the plaster walls in the kitchen and the living room. It opened up the kitchen and the living room to make a great room on the backside of the house. Having two bathrooms to remodel was a pain in the ass, but I was managing. The upstairs was actually in really good condition; I tore down all of the old wallpaper and painted it. All I had left to do was to put up the instillation, drywall, and paint the downstairs. Then of course decorate which would be the best part.
"Misha!" I called as I made my way down the stairs. There was no response, no barking or the clatter of paws hitting the wood floors. I came to the bottom of the stairs and looked into the kitchen from down the hallway. I narrowed my eyes in confusion. I hummed before I opened the door to outside and looked around.
"Misha!" I called again, crossing my arms around my chest in the cool morning breeze. I was clutching my old, large PINK sweater to protect me from the cold. Not that it would do much due to my short black shorts that I slept in I walked down the porch steps and looked to my left to see Misha sitting in front of the woods seemingly starring into space. My face scrunched up with curiosity and utter confusion. I went back up the stairs and grabbed a pair of black tennis shoes. I quickly put them on and started through the overgrown grass towards Misha. As I came up to him he looked up at me but quickly turned his attention back to the woods. I sat next to Misha and followed his gaze. I couldn't see anything other than the wind blowing the tree limbs to and fro gently. I looked back at Misha.
"What do you see?" I asked him quietly. He whined in response and pawed the ground. I looked back into the woods. Seeing nothing at all that would be deemed out of the ordinary. Though I could feel as though there was something, almost unexplainable calling to me. I sat there my eyes trained on the forest in front of me. I shook my head suddenly pulling me from my thoughts.
"C'mon Misha, we are going into town," I whispered patting his head as I stood up and headed back towards the house. He didn't follow me he just sat there. This was odd Misha never did that. I shook my head and went in to get a shower.
When I was finished showering and got dressed I was fiddling around upstairs putting my laundry away when I heard Misha start to bark. I closed my dresser drawer and walked to the top of the steps. I heard laughter outside and Misha's barks. I jogged down the stairs and out the door to see Embry and a few of his friends walking towards the house from the road. They waved once they saw me and I waved back waiting patiently on the steps to see what they were doing.
"Hey guys what's goin' on?" I said with a sincere smile. They looked me up and down. Their shirts were off and they looked at me with smirks.
"Well we heard from that kid down at the hardware store that you were putting up drywall we came to see if you wanted any help with it," One spoke up with a chuckle.
"That's kind of you, but I can manage," I said honestly. I wasn't one to ask for help, and plus I didn't really want to pay them for something I could do myself for free. I received a couple laughs.
"Are you sure, it's really no problem," Embry said seriously but he had a small smile on his lips.
"Thanks but I can do it," I smiled. I was hoping that they would take the hint, that I really didn't want or need their help.
"Well then little miss," Embry said seriously. He stood tall and puffed out his chest with a silly face. "We aren't taking no for an answer," I had to laugh at his face, and the other to quickly added in their nods of agreement with Embry.
'Maybe they were really just being nice' I thought to myself. 'Maybe they don't want the money,'
"Really you guys would just help me out?" I asked a little stunned. Embry let out his breath that he had been holding rather dramatically.
"That's what we're here for," Embry said sincerely. The others nodded in agreement. I was stunned back their willingness to help me. No one ever just asked if they could help.
"The extra hands would be appreciated," I smiled still shocked.
"Oh you know me, but this is Quill and Paul," Embry said as he introduced his counterparts. I shook their hands.
"I'm Brooke," I said to both of them.
"How could we forget," Paul said smoothly. He wriggled his eyebrows at me, playfully. I only scoffed awkwardly. I looked at Misha who was starring at Embry, Quill and Paul. Embry looked into the house, seeing the instillation laying around in the front room
"Well hey we can go get a few of our friends and help put up the instillation if you want," Embry said with a smile. I looked over my shoulder.
"You guys help putting up the drywall will be fine I can do that," I said seriously. He shook his head and rolled his eyes playfully
"This girl is just too independent," He said looking over his shoulder at Paul and Quill before looking back at me. I stood there just staring at them
"We'll be back in a couple of hours," He laughed before turning and walking down the stairs.
"You guys wouldn't mind?" I asked seriously, happy for the kind gesture. No one ever asked to help in New York unless they were friends of yours, but these boys were complete and total strangers.
"We don't mind at all," Embry snickered over his shoulder.
"It'll be a little later, when we stop by though," Quill said eyeing Embry and Paul.
"Oh that's right," Paul said in a whiny voice.
"That's ok, I have a few things to do anyways," I said seriously. They were down at the bottom of the porch steps about to make their way back down the drive when I stopped them.
"How many are you bringing?" I asked seriously.
"Seven maybe eight," He shrugged his shoulders before turning back around. I huffed.
"What time?" I continued. They all bit their lips, thinking.
"Around 6:30, 7:00 at the latest," Quill said. I nodded and smiled at them.
"Dinner's on me then guys," I said turning around to go back in the house. Misha who had been sitting quietly inside the doorway moved so as to get out of my way.
"Thanks, Brooke!" they shouted in unison. I waved at them as I closed the door.
Misha and I had went to Port Anglos and bought a whole bunch of new furniture for the house. The nice sales lady said that it would be here in nine weeks, which would give me plenty of time to get all of the stuff done that I needed with the house. I hoped at least. I took him to the park and he played with his favorite tennis ball as well as playing with the other dogs, while I strolled around. When we got home it was 5:45. I decided that before the boys got here I would take a run. I slipped off my flats that I had been wearing and put my beat up old tennis shoes, and as I headed out the door I grabbed my iPod off of the small table that I had near the door. I jogged out the door and went a little up the lane before jogging into the woods.
I loved the tall trees of Washington, the pine needles scattered across the forest floors, leaving their fresh scent to linger in the crisp clean air. The needles and leaves crunched under my shoes as I ran through the woods. I was completely engrossed with the scenery around me. I slowed my pace a little and looked at my watch. It was 6:20. I was heaving in and out regaining my breath for my return trip. I would be a little late for my guest but I'm sure that they could manage.
I came around the bend out of the forest. Placing my hands on my knees and catching my breath. I looked up, my hands still on my knees to see Embry, Paul, and Quill sitting on the porch accompanied by two others. They all stood rigid and tense and were looking at my general direction. I jogged up the lane a little and was still catching my breath.
"Hey guys, sorry I was gone longer than I thought I would be," I panted.
"What were you doing?" One snapped. I looked up at him, I had never seen him before his face was hard and he was shaking as if he were angered by something. I didn't even notice that I had taken a step away from him. His face was rugged and rough from not shaving in a few days. His short cropped ebony hair was disheveled and his eyes seemed tired. I did a double take at him, and I couldn't hide my apparent disgust and surprise at his rudeness before looking at the others.
"Sorry I went for a run and went further than I intended to," I explained making my way up through them to the door.
"Running?" Quill asked stunned. I nodded.
"Yeah running, keepin' up with my fitness," I joked panting to catch my breath.
"Yeah, yeah we got that where?" The angry one snapped. My jaw dropped and my expression was of shock, but I shook my head.
"Um, though the trails in the woods," I explained. I crossed my arms across my chest. "What's it to you?" I snapped back at him. They all exchanged looks of concern or anger. The one that was being snappy just stared at me with a dark expression
"It's dangerous in the woods," Paul explained suddenly. His face had hardened and his eyes widened. All of the boys stood rigid staring at me with stern glares, and nodded with agreement.
"We just don't wanting you to get hurt," Embry quickly added a little more softly. I nodded not really buying their lame ass excuses. I stood there looking over all of them with a confused expression. 'This is weird,' I concluded to myself.
"Well thanks for the concern guys," I started politely, but my face dropped into a narrowed expression. "But I can take care of myself," I said a little annoyed.
"You wouldn't last 20 seconds out there on your own," The angry one snapped again. I narrowed my eyes at him now fed up with his attitude.
"I'm sorry who are you?" I snapped, leaning onto one hip and crossing my arms defiantly. We starred at each other for a few moments, his fists were clenched tightly at his sides and he gave me a one sided sarcastic smirk.
"Jake," He said simply. He kept that sarcastic smirk plastered on his face, "And you are?" His voice was dripping with distain and arrogance. I scoffed at his lame attempt to be nonchalant about being sarcastic. I rolled my eyes and looked at the rest of them. I ignored him blatantly before I grabbed the door knob and threw it open stepping a little inside the doorway. I looked over my shoulder at the posy.
"I don't think I want your help anymore," I said subtly over my shoulder before trying to slam the door in their faces. Jake was suddenly in front of my face his eyes darkened with rage. 'How did he get up here so fast,' I thought to myself I covered my surprise, and glared at him. He didn't say anything and he just closed his eyes and clenched his jaw tightly, before taking a few deep breaths in and out slowly.
"Jake," Embry said, his voice warning as if he were trying to snap Jake out of something.
"There is a reason why, we don't want you in the woods," He said through clenched teeth still not looking at me. I narrowed my eyes.
"Yeah you said that," I said sarcastically. He sighed heavily with anger. I was beginning to grow a little frightened.
"What Jake means is, we have had a few animal attacks in the woods lately," Embry started, coming towards the door looking at me apologetically. "We wouldn't want anything to happen something like that happen to you, we didn't mean to come off rude about it," Embry said smiling warmly. I looked at him and then back to Jake. I nodded in understanding, I was still pissed off that this little punk in front of me was being a douche bag. I sighed.
"How about I order some Pizza and," I started. "And you guys help put up my instillation and we'll call it even," I said extending my olive branch petition. Everyone was quick to agree and letting out a breath of relieve. Except for Jake, as I looked at him his eyes weren't as dark and he didn't seem to be shaking as much. I opened the door the rest of the way allowing for them to come inside. I turned away from them and went into the kitchen grabbing a bottle of water, while I listened to the boys start opening the packages of instillation. I grabbed the telephone and went into my living room where they all were congregated.
"What kind of pizza do you guys like?" I asked exasperated. After they each told me what kind of pizza they wanted. I went back into the kitchen and dialed the number for the local pizza joint that was in Forks. It rang four times before someone picked up.
"Hi, I would like to place an order for delivery," I said sweetly. I heard someone come in behind me, but ignored them while I ordered the pizza's.
"I would like five large meet lovers, and one small cheese," I said. After giving the lady my address, she told me my grand total of 35.68 and that it would be about an hour until the pizza's would arrive. I sat the phone down on the counter and turned around to see Jake leaned up against the door way of the kitchen with his hands in his pockets. He just stared at me, blankly. I looked away before clapping my hands together, and about to brush past him.
"I'm sorry," He said simply. I looked back up at him and cleared my throat. He was looking back down at the floor.
"It's cool," I nodded, before walking past him to the living room.
The rest of the night went by relatively uneventful. The boys cracked jokes and were seemingly joyful. All except Jake, I would catch him staring at me a few times before I would quickly look away. A few of the boys took their leave early to. Quill, Paul, Seth and Embry to be exact they said they had things to do back at the reservation. I thanked them and let them take my left over cheese pizza. Since the five boys shoveled all five of the other pizza's. Leaving me and Jake to put the last few pieces up, and we did so in a quiet silence. As I pushed in a piece however, I was much too short to push it up into the top part of the wood sections. I jumped trying to push up the piece. When a pair of hands from behind me pushed it in for me, I felt the warmth radiating off of Jake. I turned around to him, noticing that he was really close to me. He stared down at me quietly. I looked away quickly before grabbing the last piece of instillation up off the ground and put it up. Jake repeated filling in the top part for me.
"Thanks Jake," I said seriously, giving him a small smile.
"No problem," He nodded putting his hands into his pockets looking at me with a small smile. I pushed back onto my heels rocking uncomfortable.
"Well thank you for staying and helping me," I said. He nodded and laughed a little. "What?" I asked.
"We were at each other's throats two hours ago," He chuckled. I nodded.
"Shit happens," I chuckled. He nodded in agreement. He went towards the door and I followed him. I heard Misha followed after me. He headed out the door turning around to lean in the doorway. I stepped back a couple steps when I felt too close to him.
"Do you think it would be alright if we caught dinner sometime?" He asked suddenly. I stood there with my mouth open with shock.
"Uh…I um-," I stuttered. I shook my head to gather my words. "I don't think right now is the right time," I said quietly. Looking up at him shyly. He cocked his head to the side confused and expecting an explanation.
"It's just I'm new here, and I have things I need to take care of," I lied. I huffed and stared at him. He put on a face of indifference.
"Alright," He said shaking his head, while giving me that sarcastic smirk. He turned and walked down the stairs. I was about to call after him, but I stopped and leaned against the doorway watching him disappear up the drive. I looked down at Misha
"So much for making friends, huh?" I sighed. Misha barked up at me as if he were saying yes. I narrowed my eyes. "That was rhetorical," I said dryly. He cocked his head at me and looked back to Jake's retreating form. I closed the door and went upstairs to bed.
The next morning came too soon. I was awoken by the incessant licking and barking of Misha. A groan escaped my lips and I really didn't want to get up and run this morning. Looking back on it I really wish I wouldn't have. Nonetheless I trudged out of bed. Throwing on a black sports bra and shorts along with my IPod before walking out the door. I put my earphones in started listening to Journey. I sipped up my hoodie and started off down the drive way. I was halfway down my drive way when I stopped. I looked over at the woods to my left. I looked down at Misha who always went with me on my morning runs. He starred up at me. I jogged towards the woods and suddenly Misha growled and grabbed my shoe, tripping me.
"Misha!" I yelled shocked. He barked at me and whined. I was confused and just got up and started running into the forest. Misha stopped along the tree line and was barking federatively while pacing trying to keep sight of me.
"Crazy dog," I snapped shaking my head and going further into the woods.
I ran for a good half hour before I stopped to catch my breath. I took my head phones out so that I could hear the wonders of nature around me. Uncapping my water bottle and taking a few swallows while leaning against a cool rock. As I sat there looking over the mountains of the La Push reservation. It was beautiful.
I was just about to my earphones back in when I heard laughing a little ways to the right of me. I quirked my eyebrows suddenly curious, I heard them laughing and then I heard the sounds of elevating voices. Though they didn't sound closer, but muffled shouting. So I decided that I would go to see who it was. I came the edge of an incline and it peered down into a clearing that was filled with long plush green grass, and was occupied by the boys. I narrowed my eyes and confusion. I couldn't believe what was going on in front of me. I watched as Embry, Paul and Quill along with about four or five others joked around in the clearing. Why were they all out in the woods? They were all seemingly having a good time except the one girl who stood off a little ways. I was up an incline but I would say about 500 feet from them. My attention went to the two of them suddenly started fighting pushing each other in a none playful manner, they were shouting about something, but I couldn't hear it.
"Guys! Knock it off!" One shouted. That was Jake, whose back was turned to me. I quirked an eyebrow at least I got a show with my morning run. I was about to sit down when I noticed one of the boys was seething it seemed like. When suddenly both of them …transformed? Snarling and snapping came from the clearing as two wolves fought each other. Just where the two had been. The others moved out of the way but didn't seem to be worried about it as the two wolves duked it out. I gasped loudly and pushed back fumbling a little. When I saw Jake turned around and look up to where I was. I stood still for a moment not daring to move, and not daring to breathe. After a few moments of scanning he turned back around. I stood up quietly and walked backwards a couple pages. Hearing the snapping and snarling of the vicious wolf boys as the continued to fight in the clearing with their spectators. When a sharp breeze came through, and I didn't even have time to blink before the four boys darted in my general direction. A scream caught in my throat and my legs immediately carried me as fast they could. I heard some yells and twigs snap behind me but I didn't dare look behind me. I was four miles from my house at least. I knew that for a fact, but I had no clue what I was going against but I had a feeling I didn't stand a small chance in hell. I ran for a good five minutes at full speed before I stopped, and hid against a tree. I pressed myself up against the rough bark of the tree gasping for air. My lungs burned and I calmed myself enough to listen around me. I heard a snap beside me to my left and I didn't even think before I darted away from the noise.
"Got her!" a shout came from behind me. I looked behind me not seeing anyone behind me. I stumbled through some shrubs that scraped my legs and chest.
"Comin' around!" the same one shouted behind me. I looked behind me to see if he was following me, when I came out of the shrub only to knock into something hard. I tried to pull back but a large set of hands found themselves locked around my small wrists. I looked up through my hair at a very handsome man. His eyes looked glazed and disconcerted as he stared straight ahead. His face screwed up of uncaring. I gasped and tried to pry my wrists our of his iron grip. He cast a look down at me, and his eyes suddenly softened and his jaw unclenched. I gasped when I looked into his eyes. His eyes bore down into mine and I found his gaze to intense. I looked away.
"Please, Please," I begged. "Let me go, I won't tell anyone I promise," I swore trying still to put distance between us.
"Where's Sam?" The man in front of me asked. His words were hard and mighty as he cast a look over my shoulder. I looked over my shoulder to see the four other boys. Embry, Quill and Paul among them, the other I didn't really recognize.
"He's back at the reservation," Quill stuttered as he explained. I looked back at Embry who looked at me with a saddened expression.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, please don't hurt me," I pleaded my knees buckling with fear, but I stayed where I was because the man was holding me up. His body stiffened with anger and he rolled his eyes as if he were bored and extremely irritated.
"I'm not," He said seriously. "But if you don't shut up, I might consider it," He growled I looked up into his eyes and they were black as night. I whimpered shrinking away from him deciding to keep my mouth shut.
"Jake-," Embry started.
"Go and tell Sam," Jake snapped but kept his voice at a calm and level tone, but his words were harsh and mighty. I turned my head around to see Embry, Quill, and Paul, to plead that they help me, but they were gone. I gasped. I slowly turned back to Jake. His eyes were closed and his jaw was clenched. He was breathing deeply in and out as if he were trying to calm himself down, his warm breath fanning across my face. I was so stunned I didn't know what to do, but his unrelenting grip on my wrists was beginning to become unbearable. My fingers were growing numb and I tried to calmly remove my hands from his iron grip.
"Jake, please you're hurting me," I said in a small voice. His grip only tightened causing me to whimper in pain.
"I thought I told you to stay out of the woods," He snapped in a dangerous voice. I glanced up at him and his eyes held nothing but fury. I knew then that I was in trouble, that I had found something that I was not suppose to find. Perhaps Washington wasn't the best choice.