Disclaimer: I do not own twilight.
Chapter 4: Civilians.
Ok, so, there's going to be a little Spanish in here but don't worry, translation's in right after the dialogs just like this: (hello) So, I hope you enjoy and I want to thank my first reviewer NinjaHarryPotter4life. Thank you so much for the review, and I really worked on what you said so, see if it's better.
I got home before the rain really got to its thing and succeeded in saving my back pack from the water. I got my keys from my jean pocket and went right in the small pale yellow painted house with a sign of content. My parents were in the living room, speaking of bills and taxes while my two younger sisters watched TV sitting on the floor, my younger brother playing with toy soldiers in the far corner. Maybe he was trying to get as far away from Hannah Montana as he could. He always said it was for girls.
-Ya llegue (I'm home). I said, hanging my jacket with the others on the hamper and taking my dirty boots off before stepping foot on the rug and get my mom pissed. I like my inner organs arranged the way they are, thank you very much.
My parents looked up from all the papers and I instantly knew there was going to be no problem with them.
-¿Como les fue? (How did it go?) Asked my mom. I shrugged and picked my boots up, careful to not shake them too much and leave a trail of sand.
-Todo bien, la playa era muy bonita. (All good, the beach was beautiful) I answered opening the front door again to shake my boots free of sand on the little dark soil trail that got to the front door all the way from the side walk. The house being so small it didn't have a porch. At least not in front.
-¿Y no los agarro la lluvia? (It didn't rain?) Added my dad with clear intentions of laughing at me if it were true. I smiled proudly.
-No, hasta eso que estuvo muy calmado, pero nos venimos en cuanto empezó a relampaguear. (No, it was actually very calm, but we had to come back once the lightning started)
-Eso es lo que no me gusta de aquí (That's what I don't like about here) - Said my mom, complain roughening her otherwise sweet voice-, llueve todos los dias, la ropa siempre se moja y todo está lleno de lodo. (It rains every day, the clothes are always wet and everything is filled with mood).
I tuned out right there, already knowing the drill, my mom would whine another couple of minutes, my dad would agree and my sisters would join with their very personal P.O.V.
Walking in only my partially wet socks I went to my sisters' room and sat on my chest, full of my stuff and cuddled in the blanquettes sitting beside me. I didn't know what would happen now. Would Amber talk to me on Monday? Would she just forget about it? Or would she ask more?
I signed and another round of questions came to my mind. What would happen to that freak? How were those "Protectors" going to help? Would my parents find out?
-Shit…
My head was throbbing; I had no answer to any of those questions, not even the slightest idea. And it bothered me, a lot. I rubbed my forehead and took of my dirty socks to throw them in the dirty laundry basket. With nothing to do I stared intently out the small window, rain still falling heavily outside but I could still see thru it. I saw my neighbor's house, a pale blue house just as small as this one; it looked as if it were being attacked by a sea monster as the rain hit it with savage waves.
My imagination started to get a little out of hand; I thought and decided to take a nap. I laid back on the queen sized bed my sisters shared, seeing as my bed was already occupied. Closing my eyes I relaxed into the fiery pink covers, and before I could notice, I was out cold.
I was awakened by the exasperating sound of the late night news reporter, sounding too happy to be talking about the rate in childhood inanition in South Africa. I rubbed my eyes lazily while getting out of bed and walked into the small corridor filled with imitation paintings hanging here and there.
I got to the living room where my dad and mom were watching the news, I wondered why they would bother, I didn't get half of what that guy was saying and I knew English. Probably just being entertained by the colorful pictures.
My stomach growled and I was more than happy to oblige. I crossed the little counter that divided the tiny living room from the microscopical kitchen. I found my sisters both doing their homework. I surveyed the place, confused. Where was Salvador?
I spotted a little black fur ball right under the TV screen and nodded, so like him. Salvador was about 3 years old and a devoted lover of the al mighty Television, I had to admit, I would be too if I had to stay indoors 24/7. Man that was cruel, even for me.
So I served myself a small portion of macaroni and cheese and put it in the microwave while watching my sisters and their slow process of reading. My sister Leonor, or just Leo, was the next in line after me, people used to say we looked a lot alike, before she gained a couple of pounds, still, she was beautiful and curvy as any 13 year girl can get. Long, strait, clear brown hair and big sly and fierce brown eyes. She was definitely the most shameless and most confident person I've met. And it showed.
Next to her, sitting in one of the small identical 4 pieced chairs, was Victoria, Vicky or V. She was an 8 year old Latino beauty, her skin a fair mocachino color that gave her that sun kissed look, even thou she hadn't seen the sun in weeks. Her hair was a dark brown, which glowed in the sun and turned shadowy in the night. Skinny as a tooth pick her head looked too big for the body to hold, her face was the innocent blend of pouty lips and high cheekbones, eyes the same dark green as my mom's. She also had, by far, the longest and most curled eyelashes in the family. Easily the prettiest one of all us Landin girls.
The microwave ringed as the time was up and I got my dinner, grabbing a fork and eating standing next to the sink. I was done in a minute and washed all the plates that were already there from what must have been dinner. My sisters finished before I did and left with a short goodnight and a couple seconds later so did my parents, with Salvador in my mom's arms.
With the dishes done and put away I went into my sisters' room and got my blankets and pajamas from over my chest. Biding my sisters' goodnight I plugged in my earphones and listened to my iPod while I got myself and my foldable bed sofa ready for sleep. When I said the house was small, I meant SMALL. A one story, two bedrooms, one bathroom, garage and a back porch the size of a shoe box. Try fitting in a family of six. Someone had to do the sacrifice.
My sisters and I shared one room and my parents and Salvador the other, but unlike Salvador, I couldn't fit in a queen sized bed with two other people, so I was stuck with the only sofa that occupied most of the living room. I wasn't complaining. It was way better than the floor (which I'd slept on for over a month before they bought the sofa/bed), and soon enough I'd have my own bedroom.
I'd been fixing this little back porch for over 3 months now; I had made walls with wood panels and glued a rug on the wooden floor. All I had to do now was save up to buy some real doorknobs and security locks. That was the only way I could convince my dad to let me turn that porch in a room.
So for now, I was stuck with the sofa and all my stuff doing time share with my sisters. I signed and took my earplugs out as one of my favorite songs came to an end. As I slowly fell into a comatose state, I vaguely asked myself. How was Amber doing?
I was grateful when sleep came over me before I could dwell on that too much.
Next day went and came in a blur. I helped out my mom in the house, mowed my neighbor's front and back yard as it wasn't raining, got 5 dollars out of it, did the same on our front and back yard for free and went to do my laundry and homework. I was very glad to have all those things to do and help me stay away from the phone.
This morning when I got up my subconscious had been attacking me with the idea of calling Amber and make up some excuse to fix things with her, but with pure will power I'd been able to resist. That and another million things to do. The conversation we needed to have couldn't be done thru the phone. Where her parents could here and she could just hang up.
Still, I was dreading Monday. I didn't know what to say to her. I couldn't lie and I couldn't just wait for her anger to wear off. It wouldn't and it would just end up in her never talking to me again.
As soon as I was done with my English essay I picked my things from the small table, and went to my sisters' room to get my pajamas and set my way to the bathroom. It was pretty late anyways, so I might as well put those on now.
I took my pretty god damned time in there, letting the hot water soothe my over stressed body. I finally had to get out and dried myself with one of the towels that were stacked up next to the sink. The mirror was fogged up by the vaporized water, running my hand thru the middle I saw first my eyes and progressively mi entire upper body.
I stared long and hard, trying to find some sort of evidence to all the nerves I had, but other than the tired look on my eyes, anyone would say I was ok… Good.
I combed my wet hair that went all the way to my waist and rubbed it one more time with my towel before disposing it to the basket. I dressed up in my pajamas and stood there, staring at my reflection. How could I look so… young.
Again I was surprised at my looks, I was rather pretty, to say the least, I had my mother's ivory skin and her deep forest green eyes, some of my dad's features, like the high cheekbones and the small ears, also that way to look at people. Some said it was a wise gaze, others said it was a detective vein that got stuck in my eye balls, mostly my friends. Other than that I was completely mom. Only I had the elegant and sophisticated look my mom had, her long arched neck, her delicately marked jaw, that dreamy form to the eye, and my father's presence, the omniscient stance that reclaimed respect. There was even a time when a kid my age called me "Miss". Only me now… It used to be my brother too.
I shut my eyes with such force my ears started to pulse and a faint whistling sound began. Slowly relaxing my eyelids I calmed myself by breathing in and out repeatedly. It always surprised me not to look wrinkled, dirty and beat. They say you look as you feel. I felt so old…
Once I was calm enough I got out of the bathroom with my bundle of dirty clothes and threw those in my empty basket. Fortunately no one was on the couch so I got the chance to go to bed early. I fell asleep a couple of minutes later, only to wake up tired and sore the next morning. I had slept so good, that I hadn't moved a finger in all night… the irony.
I silenced the alarm clock and hurried to use the bathroom to after words wake my sisters. The only freaking way I could use the toilet before it was too late. Both got up to fast to be a Monday morning and started getting ready as my mom got up and made breakfast for Salvador. My dad had already gone to work.
I shrugged on a dark gray sweater and a pair of washed off jeans with my earphones plugged and Eminem blasting on my iPod. I pair of black and white sneakers and my backpack and I was ready. My hair really didn't need much, it was naturally curled by my pillow and only a little brush and water did the trick.
I had a lot of spare time as my sisters got ready to eat my frosted flakes in harmony, Salvador smiled at me from his seat over a big pot on a chair. I made a funny face and he laughed, that rich, heart wrenching laugh only little kids can have. Made me smile for the first time that day. Today was the day I'd have to face Amber. And I wasn't sure about anything yet.
-Ya es hora. (It's time). My mom called as she cleaned up the table and swung Salvador to her arms and settle him on her hip. My sisters go the message and ate faster. I stud up and went to get my old gray hoodie and my black rain coat. It might not be raining right now, but sure as hell it would be later. My sisters finished up her cereal and ran to the garage and on to the red alien looking van where my mom waited for us with Salvador firmly strapped in his seat.
Leonor won shotgun and I sat all the way to the back seat. More nervous than I would ever admit, It sort of remembered me of my first day at school, how we'd left the house so early to spend near an hour to find each school. And how stupid we felt when we found out we'd passed them over three times. First we got to Vicky's school, then to Leonor's and finally mine. Still, it felt too soon.
My mom dropped me off on the parking lot and drove off. Looking at the school closely, I understood why it was so hard to find. It really didn't look as a school, it was just a bunch of red brick buildings smudged in middle of an over sized meadow in the woods. The only real sign of civilization was the road it was on.
The parking lot was slowly filled with all the cheap and old cars in the state as I walked to my first class in building four, English. I'd immediately dismissed the idea of waiting for Amber. I could wait till lunch and till I got a good explanation.
-Cori! Cori! Wait up!
I stopped mid-step and turned on my feet, sure that I looked as shocked as that movement made me look as a mime. Amber was running towards me. A quick glance over reveled me she had no intension to hurt me. Then, once in arm reach, she pulled me into a bone crushing hug. Ok, maybe I was wrong, love did hurt.
-Amber? I said, uncertain as to if I was talking to Amber or a cloned psycho Amber.
-I'm so sorry, I had no right to treat you the way I did, I'm so, so sorry. She stammered an itsy bitsy to fast and strait into my ear. I slowly pulled out from her hug to face her with and expression like "huh?"
Amber bit down on her lip and, looking ashamed, began to explain. – I'm sorry Cori, about Saturday, but I was so scared that I couldn't think straight and I didn't realize that if it hadn't be for what you did that guy would've… I'd have been…
I stopped her, raising a hand and closing my eyes for the shortest second, erasing the mental image she'd given me. I smiled at her anxious expression and, even against my personal rules; I hugged her gently, having to stand a little on my toes to envelope her neck with my arms.
-No problem, I get it, I should've been more understanding, it's not easy to go thru what you were, I'm sorry I wasn't there for you.
Amber laughed some sarcasm and some truth in it, hugging me back for a short second before I pulled back, the bell sounded and I waved her away to her class. She asked if I would still have lunch with her. I rolled my eyes and huffed.
-Sure thing, now go learn something. Amber rolled her eyes and left.
I exhaled with true and strong relieve. The first classes went so fast that I nearly didn't notice the stares I was getting from the other kids. Almost. It seemed as if the rumor had spread like a plague and people that didn't even go to the beach that day were avoiding me like you would avoid taxes. All but crawl on the walls to get away.
I was sort of having fun with it when the bell rang for lunch and I hurried to gather my stuff when a heavy hand touched my shoulder.
I was off my seat in a heartbeat when I saw Jamal's amused face.
-Hey, calm down tiger, "Say no to violence"
I looked at his raised hands in sign of peace and then noticed everyone was staring at us, mostly my raised fist, but yeah, they looked pretty alarmed. I quickly retreated my fist to its place, ignoring everyone and went to shove my notebooks in my back pack. A dark hand gave me my last pencil and I took it with a small smile. Sipping my backpack shut I turned to Jamal.
-So, how you doing? He asked with underlined intensions, I shuck my head and shrugged.
-Fine, thanks.
-You haven't noticed the staring, then. He added, laughing under his breath. I arched and eyebrow and laughed with him. Starting my way out the class room with Jamal at my side.
-I'm not blind. I laughed as I caught the door before it shut in our faces. That's how fast kids were running from me. I laughed harder.
-And Amber? Asked Jamal as our laughter died out. I smiled sarcastically, getting exactly what he meant.
-Well, saying fine isn't exactly true but, between us, yeah, all good.
-That's good, not like it was your fault after all. Jamal shrugged while saying this, as if with that everything were fixed. I smiled wider. Men, always so simple. Jamal frowned and began making faces: - What? Got something on my face?
I laughed at myself as I understood I'd been staring to long. More than the strictly necessary.
-No, it's nothing. We got to the cafeteria and I opened the door for us. Jamal made a face that I pretended not to notice, as well as the people whispers and furtive glances. I waved good bye and headed to an empty table to wait for Amber.
I sat down and imagined all the dumb stuff they would make up about me. International spy, government experiment, alien. I was having a blast with this, why hadn't I come up with this before. I decided to over act it a little and sat posing like a rapper would, big capital letters saying "Don't mess with me".
I crushed my lips into a fine line, fighting laughter as a pair of girls nearly tripped as I caught them looking as they passed, note: tripping on thin air, nice. God, could you have made them a little stupider?
Amber appeared at my side, giggling merrily. She must have got a glimpse of the scene. I sat decently in my chair and smiled shamelessly.
-Here- she said, throwing a thick green ball on my lap-, and here- a red can glided its way to me, I caught it before it skied to the floor and smiled nostalgic at the title. Reading it out loud: - Coke.
She smiled and gave a bite at her sandwich. : - You know me far too well. I said, mocking a deep British accent.
Amber shrugged: - I consider it to be one of my most outstanding achievements.
I rolled my eyes at her and opened the can, taking a little sip. My eyes focused on the group of girls that usually sat with us. They were in another table and cast us occasional discreet glances and murmuring under their breaths.
-Seems like we're going to be eating alone. I said in a casual tone, as if I was talking about the weather. Amber's eyes went in the same direction as mine, but just waved it off. She glanced the opposite way and suddenly froze and her face glowed with excitement.
-Or not. Amber sat up straighter in her seat and I turned to see what she meant when I saw Jamal making his way up to us food tray, smile and everything. Well everything except his friends. I looked down at my lap and took the little ball of green paper and gave Amber a quick thanks while shoving it in my jean pocket.
-Hey. He greeted, flashing us a million dollar smile. Amber responded with her own and her cheeks took a rosy color that made me reevaluate the situation. I nodded in Jamal's direction and took another drink of my soda. When Amber shifted her short hair behind her ear.
I nearly choked on the coke.
-Whoa, slow down there girl- Jamal patted my back gently, slightly alarmed-, you ok? I shook him of as the coughing got better and breathed deeply. This is not good
-Sorry- I said hoarsely-, I remembered something.
The either believed it or pretended to, Jamal nodded and turned to face Amber with a cautious look.
-Speaking of remembering, I'd been meaning to ask you, how did things go with 'em Super Steroidians from La Push?
Amber laughed at the name but otherwise looked nervous. Leaning closer to us I knew she was getting ready for her mille long speech.
-Well, it went a lot better than I expected, I thought I wouldn't have the courage to do it but it was a strangely comforting experience. They were scary, I mean, have you seen the size of those men? Wonder what they eat.
"Anyways, we got to this Emily Young's place, and I mean it, I almost ran off when I saw her, she had this three creepy looking scars on her face, but then she smiled at us and kindly invited us to come in. we where lucky to find her boyfriend, if we'd have been a minute later we wouldn't have found his dust.
"After the introductions where made, Ben told them why we where there and, seriously, I'd would've laughed if I hadn't been so intimidating. Sam and his little giant padawans got up from the tiniest most feminine looking table, flowers in the middle and everything, and crossed their arms over their chest in perfect coordination, looked as if it were ripped off a mafia film.
"Then, the lider, Sam Uley, started making me questions, first very basic and considerate questions. When he asked me to describe the man it was as if he'd burned a fuse, the recognized him immediately and one of them laughed. Not a "ha, ha, good one" laugh, but a "teary eye, slap a knee, hold on a counter for support" Laugh.
Amber took a second to show her indignation, making little hand signs as if trying to draw in the air her frustration. Taking a deep breath, she leaned closer with her eyes intent on me, and started with what she might suppose would be most interesting for me.
-I was so grateful when another one wacked him over the head. But it didn't last long. That Sam guy said they knew the man, his name is Paul Thail. Oh, and guess what? He's the missing piece of the team Craptastic.
My eyes nearly popped out of their sockets at this, taking a lot more interest since she'd started her story. Jamal leaned in closer too, apparently shocked as well. Amber continued with a satisfied look on her face, smiling wildly.
-Sam began to apologize for the guy and all the others started giving him all sorts of compliments, but we didn't bite and we started to leave when the woman, Emily, stopped me and said, quote "Give him a chance, not everything is what it seems, he's a great boy" I have no idea what she meant but by the way she looked, she seemed to know something and the way those guys smiled told me they were in it to.
-So- I started, pausing, as if thinking my words carefully before saying them-, instead of getting help, you just got bull-to-go.
-Well I don't know- Amber signed, playing with her fingers-, it was weird but I really felt better after I left, now that I was sure he wasn't some psycho and that maybe everything was a misunderstanding.
I took another long drink at my coke, enjoying the minimal burn of the gas bubbles in my throat.
-Wow. Said Jamal before biting down on his burger with a thoughtful expression. We talked a little after that, about classes, homework and a party in the wood about a month away. I finished my soda and started playing with the can, rolling it across the table when a pair of white pale hands took it away from me. I looked up somewhat offended that my toy had been stolen.
-Don't do that, people are staring and you look retarded. Amber reprimanded me, pointing at my face with the aluminum can. I smirked and extended my hand to her.
-Check this out.
Amber gave me back the can with unwilling but curious eyes while Jamal just smiled like an Egyptian cat.
I was fairly aware that I was being watched, but that would make it all the better. I took the can in my left hand and squeezed it shut with all the strength I could sum up and took special care in keeping my face blank. The metal piece started to give in with a high pitched squeak as it bent in my fist. Amber's face was a definite Kodak moment worthy and Jamal, after picking up his jaw from where ever it dropped, was laughing his lunges out.
Looking around the cafeteria I sourly smiled to see that certainly, most of the kids there saw my little display of "the force is in you". I laughed along with Jamal, who was slowly turning an unhealthy purple as his eyes watered freely. Amber joined us and grabbed the remaining of the can with hilarious precaution.
-You know? I think you get a dime for each one of these, you could be rich.
I stuck my tong out at her, not having the strength to give a smart reply. The bell rang and we still laughed as we exited the cafeteria, we waved good bye and went to our classes. If I'd thought they were exaggerating before, now it gotten downright ridiculous. This group of girls just subtly ran off in an opposite direction from where I was even thou there next class was the other way.
-Civilians.
I'm open for any questions you may have, but the story really goes slow, I'm trying to capture the whole live and feel process and not just jump to the juicy stuff, so probably it's going to be a very long story. Hope you don't get bored before the good stuff starts.
