Elena's P.O.V
Embry Call. That was the name and the face that was on my mind as I lounged on our new couch that we set up this afternoon, zoning out on Seth as he chatted animatedly. There was something about him, I felt so the drawn to him. Maybe it is just because he is very attractive. Like freaking hot. But I don't think that was it. I literally only just met him but little things like his shy smile and curious eyes flashed in my mind as I pondered our meeting. Why don't I remember this boy? I thought to myself as I continued to dwell upon him.
"You're not listening to anything I'm saying are you?" Seth asked me, pulling me out of my thoughts. I glanced at him apologetically. "Sorry, I'm just trying to figure out why I don't remember Embry from when I lived here before."
Seth smirked and said; "Why would Embry Call be on your mind?" I shoved his arm and tossed my hair over my shoulder. "Don't be immature Seth, I'm just curious." I lied. He chuckled and replied; "Sure." I rolled my eyes and looked away. Seth groans and runs his hands through his hair "Ugh, fine that's because Embry was only really close to Jake when we were kids. He went to school on the Rez, but he has grown up heaps, the dude is like 6'4". Besides you were 9 when you left." He said and I took in this information thoughtfully.
"I guess that explains it, you would just think that you would remember everyone in a Rez this small." I tell him. "Yeah, well none of the guys you knew when you were younger look the same anymore. I mean all of them – Quil, Embry, Jake, Paul, Jared – you remember Jared?" he asked and I nodded remembering my crush on him when I was younger. "Yeah, well all of them and some others grew like 7 or more inches and cut all their hair off. They look like men now -so don't be too surprised." Seth told me.
"You're right," I said, "Now do you want me to slave away and make you a sandwich before we go bushwalking or what?" That effectively shut him up as he nodded eagerly like a starving puppy. Seth ended up eating three chicken rolls, pasta salad and 2 glasses of berry smoothie that I made. "I honestly have no idea where all that food goes." I told him as he rubbed his bulging tummy, stuffing his face with the last piece of chicken. Seth grinned, "I have no idea either – but I must say you, Elena Clearwater, are one excellent cook."
I take a bow and usher him into the garage to dig through the boxes for my old hiking gear. It only took a few hours to finish setting up the house with the help of Seth, Nate, Jace, Billy, Mum and myself and soon enough the place had a homey feel about it. This left Seth and I with several hours of light so we could go bushwalking.
I laced up my boots, chucked on a pair of jeans and a button up flannel shirt and threw some hiking supplies in a backpack. It's funny how much I can still remember from hiking with Mum, Jace and Nate when I was nine. I called out goodbye to Mum who was on her way to drop Billy home and didn't worry about the twins as they were already at Paul Lahote's house – one of their good friends when they were younger. Then Seth and I set off onto a grown out track about a hundred yards away from my house and began walking.
"Ugh, I can't believe you've already got me sweating my ass off on my first proper day back." I complained to Seth even though I was secretly enjoying the sweet scent of clean air and fresh grass as we trekked through the woods. "Yeah right, you love being back home - I can see on it on your face." He laughed, pushing in front of me. As he walked ahead of me I noticed how lanky he is – I swear he looked even taller than yesterday. "Dude, I think you've grown, like, overnight," I told him, kicking at his heels. "What do they feed you La Push boys – steroids?" Seth fell back to my pace and grinned widely. "What can I say – I'm smart, funny and devilishly handsome." He taunted me. "Seth, even though you're two years younger than me – I will have no problem smacking you down for that comment." I joke. "Yeah right Lena' I'd like to see you try." He said and we both laughed.
As we continued on Seth and I kept a constant chatter and I found myself relishing in the La Push scenery. Further into the hike, we came to a cliff face overhanging Second Beach. The water was dark gray and white-capped, even in the fading sunlight and the waves beat torrentially against the sharp rock. It was beautiful. "You like what you see Lena'?" Seth asked me, gesturing towards the ocean. "Yeah it's good to be home." I replied and its true – only now am I realising that New Orleans was never truly home. La Push calls me to it and runs in my blood – that's not something you can run away from.
I looked up at the sunset and realized it was becoming increasingly darker. "C'mon Seth, time to head back." I said and we quickly started back home. Along the way, we come across some freakishly large animal footprints –vaguely in the shape a bear (that's the only animal big enough to make those sort of sized prints right?) but they honest looked more like wolf prints. "Okay, either La Push grows mutant wolves or it has a serious Grizzly problem." I told Seth and he laughed. "Don't worry; I'll protect you with my Bear Grylls skills." Seth said, making ridiculous masculine pose which made me crack up and the troubling animal markings leave my mind.
Eventually we reached the white washed house that is my new home and are met by Jace, Nate and Paul. "Hey Little Clearwater, haven't seen you in a while." Paul smirked, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. "Yeah Lahote, such a pleasure - I can see you haven't changed a bit." I shot back, knocking his arm off as he grinned and held up his hands mockingly defensively. "Sorry Lena', guess you're not so little anymore." He laughed. "Hey Seth," Paul said, punching Seth's arm when he noticed he was my companion. Well isn't he the same narcissistic ass as he was when we were nine – that's great.
"Hiya Paul!" Seth replied brightly as my mum walked out onto the porch. "Paul honey, do you want to stay back for dinner? It's been so long!" she asked him. He smiles lightly and shakes his head. "I would love to Mrs. Clearwater, but I've got a few errands to run, but I promise I will soon!" he called back and Mum smiled and nodded in understanding. So the bastard can play nice when he wants to. I think to myself.
"Alright, well I'll see you Clearwater's around." He said before waving and running back down the road. Strangely, he was barefoot. Weirdo. "Okay, you four get in now," Mum told us. "Sue knows you're staying for dinner Seth so I'll just drop you off later."
"Gee thanks Aunt Liz," Seth said to mom with a wide grin. We all trudge back inside, Jace and Nate attempting to trip each other over as we walked down the front hallway. I dragged Seth to the living room and plunked him down on the lounge, chucking my legs on him as I do. As I was flicking through the channels searching for something good to watch Seth nudged me. "Lena?" he asked me hesitantly, "Don't get me wrong, I love hanging out with you but don't you think maybe you should be trying to find kids your own age to hang out with?" His question unnerved me because it is true but I brushed it off replying, "Pft, and deny you the pleasure of my company?"
He laughed nervously. "No seriously I feel like a burden, I mean what 16 year old wants to hang out with a 14 year old?" he asked.
"Seth, shut up. Not many other 16 year olds have cousins as cool as you so I wouldn't be too worried." I told him. "Besides, I don't even have to start school until the next semester; I have like a whole month off school – plenty of time to meet new people my age." Seth grinned mischievously; "People your age like Embry Call?" he asked. I threw the pillow next to me into his face but don't deny his question. I can't deny the attraction I felt towards him when I met him at First Beach. It was almost like I was drawn to him, like a magnet.
We continued small talk until Mom called us into the dining room for dinner. She served up another famous Clearwater recipe of fried fish, not dissimilar to Uncle Harry's. We all dug into our meals heartedly until Mum lifted her fork and begun a conversation. "So Elena, I was thinking you and I should head up to Portland tomorrow to pick up some clothes and stuff for the house. You know it's absurdly cold in Washington." She said.
I freeze up when she suggests this because my father currently lives in Portland, but of course Mom doesn't know this. How could she? I mean she has barely spoken to the man since the split – a major feat considering they have three kids together. "Um…sure Mom, that sounds great, I could do with a new parka." I reply.
"Boo hoo Lena, man up – I can't even feel the cold." Jace says, leaning back and putting his arms behind his head. "Bullcrap, it's like the freaking North Pole here." I retorted, putting my hand on his arm to test his "immunity" to the cold. To my surprise, I was not met with chilled flesh or goosebumps but rather blazing hot skin. Jace was even covered with a light sheen of sweat. "Holy freak alert." I muttered.
"I guess I'm just too hot." He said and we all groaned. Mom, being ever worried, reached over and put a hand on his forehead. "Jesus Jace, you're working a fever, are you sick or something?" She asked. Jace brushed her hand away and shrugged. "I'm fine Mom." She rolled her eyes and started collecting finished dishes. "Whatever you say honey." I helped her with the dishes before she dropped Seth back home. "Guess I won't be seeing you tomorrow." I told him and he shrugged. "Go find those kids your age Lena!" Seth laughed and I hugged him goodbye. As soon as Mom pulled out of the curb I grabbed my phone and ran into my room. I clutched the phone to my chest and took a deep breath. I had a call to make. I had to call that man I haven't spoken to in three years. I had to call my Dad.