The week flew by and before Hana knew it, it was Saturday. Realizing she never texted Leah, she pulled out her phone. Sitting next to Anna on the dingy couch, the younger girl reading, she texted Leah a confirmation. Groaning she flopped back. Anna glanced over at her, holding her spot in the book.
"What's wrong?"
She groaned again and looked at her sister, "Today is Saturday. Which means we are going to the bonfire."
Anna rolled her eyes, "Why didn't you just say I was sick or something?"
Hana looked at Leah's excited reply and sighed, "Because I felt bad. Since mom passed we kind of shut everybody out. Sue seemed so happy and now Leah is excited. I don't want to let them down."
The younger girl put down her book and pulled her golden hair over one shoulder, turning to Hana. "Well, I can always say I have a headache after awhile and we can leave early."
She reached over and grabbed Anna into a side hug, "I love you sis."
By the time the sisters arrived, the bonfire was well on its way. Hana glanced down at her sister, who was being swallowed up by an oversized black sweatshirt, and grabbed her hand. Shivers ran up her spine from nerves as she pulled her red flannel jacket close to her body. She was glad Anna and her dressed warm as the cool night breeze surrounded them as the made their way to the beach.
Leah was the first one that spotted them and waved her tone arms at them. Hana held in a gasp as she took in the other girls appearance. She was beautiful, with an athletic body and long legs. Leah looked like she could be a model. Her usually long dark hair was chopped short and her deep brown eyes sparkled with excitement. Hana looked down at her short plump figure and fought the urge to turn around and go home. Anna tightened her hold, sensing what was going on in her head.
"Come on Han," Anna whispered, pulling her towards the excited woman.
"Hana, Anna!" Leah exclaimed, pulling them into a hug, "I'm so happy to see you."
Pulling back she looked at the sisters, her eyes widening when they landed on Anna's healing face. "Oh shit, what happened?" Before Hana could reply,Anna spoke up.
"An accident in gym class. I'll be fine."
Satisfied, Leah gripped both their hands and pulled them towards the fire, "Come on, Seth was nearly bouncing off the walls he couldn't wait to see you guys again."
The sisters shared a look and followed the other woman.
"Hana banana, Anna boebana," screamed Seth as he came bouncing towards them, causing many to turn and watch.
Both girls grinned as the young man nearly tackled them in a bear hug. Hana barely had time to register that this giant was little lanky Seth Clearwater. Heat surrounded them as Hana pulled back to look at the smiling boy, man?
"Geeze Seth, are you on steroids?" she joked, pulling completely out of his beefy arms.
Seth grinned, a hand scratching the back of his head, "No, just good genetics I guess."
Leah hit him, causing the younger man to frown. Barks of laughter could be heard around the fire as the sisters took in all the hulking figures.
"Fuck, what's in the air here," mumbled Anna, causing Hana to grab her arm.
"Language, sis, " she warned.
Another round of laughter was heard as Hana spotted a group of He-man looking figures heading their way.
"Hey Lee, who's your friends?" the apparent leader of the group asked, his brown eyes taking in their appearance.
"This is Hana and Anna, my mom use to work with their mom. Girls, this is Jacob or Jake, Embry, and Quil," she introduced, pointing to each boy.
The taller one of the group, Jacob, smiled at them, "Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you," the girls answered in unison, causing the boys to snicker.
"How about we go by the fire and warm up?" the shorter, stockier guy, Quil, suggested taking in their bundled up appearance.
Hana quirked a brow eyeing their shirtless bodies, "How are you guys not cold?"
The boys grinned and answered simultaneously, "genetics."
Leah rolled her eyes and nugged Hana, "Come on, lets get some food and find a spot to sit."
The boys waved as the group went their separate ways. Promising to meet up again later.
They were just finishing filling up their plates at the picnic tables, when a soft feminine voice called from behind, "Hana, Anna is that really you?"
Turning Hana came face to face with Emily Young and flinched. Her beautiful face was marred with three jagged claw marks on the right side. Emily looked down ringing her hands, causing a low growl to sound behind her. Startled, Hana's eyes flew from Emily's face to the enraged man behind her. Sam Uley glared at her as he wrapped a huge arm around Emily. Shocked, she looked between the couple and Leah, who was now glaring at Sam.
Breaking the tension Anna stepped forward, "Hi Emily, how's Claire?"
Emily smiled at the girl grateful for the distraction, "She's doing well, actually, she's here if you wanted to go see her."
She pointed to where Jake and his group was by the fire. Claire's small frame next to Quil. Anna looked to Hana for permission. Hana nodded her head, still in a daze. Wasn't Sam getting married to Leah? Why is he with Emily and how did Emily get those scars? she thought to herself.
With Anna gone the tension rose again, "Come on Hana, let's go find a seat," Leah ground out, grabbing her plate off the picnic table.
Still trying to grasp the situation, she turned to follow the enraged woman.
"It was nice seeing you Hana, " Emily squeaked out.
Turning around she glanced at the scarred woman, "Uh, you to Em."
Once by the fire Leah growled, "Fuck them."
Turning to the angry woman she grabbed her hand, "What happened? I thought you and Sam were getting married?"
Leah looked down, her eyes glistening, "It's a long story. Just know the Sam and Emily are getting married and living fucking happily ever after, while I get shitted on."
Pulling the hurt woman into a hug, she whispered, "I'm so sorry Lee. I should have been there for you."
Sniffing Leah pulled back.
"It's okay. I'll live, besides I got my boys," she said as she glanced at Jacob, Embry, Quil and Seth.
Hana smiled, she could tell they were close. Spotting Anna, she chuckled seeing her and Claire gossiping and looking at the boys. Oh to be young again. Hana was just finishing her plate when Anna and Claire ran up to her.
"Can I spend the night at Emily's with Claire, please?" she begged with puppy dog eyes.
Hana glanced at Leah as Emily walked up to them. Letting out a low growl, Leah got up, "I'll see you in a bit Han."
Emily followed Leah with her eyes as the angry young woman marched away. Turning back to Hana she smiled, though her eyes were sad.
"We would love to have Anna over, if that is okay. I'm actually heading back to the house with Claire since this part of the bonfire gets rowdy."
Hana looked over at her sister, who was still giving puppy dog eyes along with Claire. Sighing she realized her chance at leaving early was lost.
"Yeah, that's fine Em. I'll pick her up around noon, just text me your address."
Emily's smile lit up her face as she ushered the girls away, "Thank you Hana."
Shaking her head, she decided to go find Leah, but before she could get up the woman appeared, two drinks in her hands.
"Jack and Coke, just how you like it. Let's get shitfaced, girl!"
Knocking their cups together, they both took long drinks. It's been awhile since I've been able to let loose, Hana thought, taking another swig. Leah and Hana ended up sitting with the boys. Everybody passing around drinks, though Hana thought the boys were under 21.
It was around Midnight when Hana tumbled over to Embry on the other side of the log. "Lets dance," she said pointing to the other couples on the other side of the fire were music was playing.
Embry seemed to hesitate before tipping back his drink and grabbing her hand. Giggling they mostly tripped over each other rather than doing any form of dancing. At one point Embry twirled her rather hard, causing her to trip and bump into someone.
"Watch were you're going you dumb, fat cow," the big muscular man sneered.
Hana gasped, feeling embarrassed tears start to well up. "I'm sorry, " she mumbled, nearly sobbing as she looked at the man.
The irritated man seemed to freeze as the glare he sported slowly turned into a look of wonder. Unable to look at him any longer, Hana turned around, starting to cry. Every since she could remember she had be judge because of her weight. Fat ass, cow, whale only a few of the names she have been called in high school.
"What the fuck is you problem, Paul. It was a fucking accident," Embry snarled, wrapping his arms around the crying girl.
Paul started shaking, causing Sam and Jake to spring to their feet.
"Get you filthy hands off her, Call," Paul roared, his shaking getting worse.
Embry's eyes widened as he pulled Hana behind him. Hana lifted her head, meeting Pauls dark eyes. Paul's shaking lessened when he saw the look of fear cross her grey orbs. Sam was first to reach them and grabbed Paul roughly.
"Paul, in the woods now," he ordered as both men disappeared and Jake and Leah appeared.
"Are you guys okay?" Jake asked.
All Embry could get out was a small, "dude," looking shell shocked.
Leah grabbing the crying girl into a hug, rocking her back and forth. "I'm so sorry hun. Paul is a complete ass. Don't listen to him even for a minute, you are beautiful."
Hana looked up at her with tears coming down her face, "I just want to go home Leelee."
Nodding, she waved over Seth to drive her home, since he was the only one not drinking. Once in Seth's car, she leaned her head against the window, watching the scenery pass. Every so often she swore she saw a large dark shadow running along the car in the woods. A long mournful howl filled the air as Seth pulled into her apartment building's drive, causing her to shiver.
"Just wolves," Seth mumbled, "they won't hurt you."
Hana inclined her head, opening the car door, "Thank you, Seth."
Before he could reply, she shut the door and ran inside the building.