Hey everyone!
Please don't hurt me for my slower than usual update. I'm reading a Harry Potter Fiction right now that the author doesn't update but once a month, so I've dealt with worse than me. Plus I just got back from vacation in Florida. It was fun and hotttt! Anyways I'm back now and am starting Anatomy and Physiology 2 tomorrow for 10 WEEKS! I KNOW, IT'S HORRIBLE!
So I may not have as much time to update, but be patient cuz I have officially planned out 29 chapters for this fiction. There will probably be more, but I haven't actually thought out chapter content for the rest.
Anywho, This chapter focuses a little on the Cullen Clan. I realize I said at the beginning of this fiction that I was not going pull too much from the Cullen side, but they are essential to the plot since I am basing my fiction on the book outline from Twilight Lexicon. So don't send me loads of flames about how sick some of you are with them, please! I am going somewhere with the content in this chapter and it was essential for Nicole to meet them at some point in the story. They will inhabit the storyline a little more now, but do not fear. Nicole's love troubles and issues will continue to dominate the story.
Embry will pervade this chapter a lot and little touch of Seth will be included in the next chapter I swear!
Disclaimer: I am not Stephanie Meyer—if I was I would bee too busy writing Bella's POV to worry about developing the werewolf side of the story!)
CH. 9 June 11th Monday
I pulled my hair back into a loose bun, leaving a few strands hanging free by my face. Tonight, I had my first job with Sue's friend, Laura. She owned a restaurant and catering company that specialized in important events, such as Forks High's After-Graduation Bash. Though apparently the party was being paid for by one family and wasn't sponsored through the high school. Talk about your cheapskates.
I wore a white, button-down blouse and black slacks with a pair of sensible black shoes. This was my uniform regardless of if I waitressed at a catered party or at Laura's little multi-cultural restaurant. Sue came through with her promise to help me find a job. And just in time too. I really didn't have much to do around the reservation except tag along with Sue or Seth—which was getting old fast. It seemed far too much like a charity case.
After I was presentable, I trapezed into the kitchen. Sue was cooking, as per usual. She didn't notice my presence until Seth walked in and started talking.
"Hey, Nicole," he said, looking me over. "What's the occasion?"
"I have a job," I mumbled.
We still hadn't had the inevitable awkward conversation that I'd planned for yesterday. No way was I letting my guard down—not without an explanation. I suspected Seth knew I was suspicious of his behavior, which is most likely why he said nothing else to me the rest of the afternoon.
I sat outside at 7 o'clock, waiting for Laura to pick me up. She was a few minutes late, mumbling something about her "lazy-ass husband." Laura Jones was an interesting person. She was not Quileute by any means, with her white blonde hair and icy, blue eyes. She was probably in her mid-thirties, but still dressed like a twenty-five year old. Tonight, she wore a royal blue cocktail dress which tightened gradually as the hem approached her knees. It reminded me of some of the dresses Eli had me wear on our nights out. I was, suddenly, very glad to be dressed so work-casual.
After about fifteen minutes, I broke our silence.
"Who are the people throwing this party?" I asked.
"Dr. Carlisle and Esme Cullen are paying, though I think their kids have had more to do with the planning," she replied.
"Cullen?" I asked intrigued.
Strictly speaking, I wasn't allowed to know the details behind the Quileute histories. However, my father had always found the council's obsession with the Cullens amusing, and he talked about it on a regular basis—just not in front of the council. He didn't want to be accused of going against the tribe.
I'd never met this famous family of supposed "Cold Ones," though I'd heard enough about them. The tribal elders still kept to the treaty created decades earlier with the Cullen's ancestors. Of course the elders actually believed they were the same people who formed to treaty with Ephraim Black. A load of malarkey, if you ask me.
I decided it was best to keep my mouth shut about what I knew of the Cullens. Laura would probably think I was mental even mentioning the old tribal legends.
Eventually, we came around a bend in the road and were blinded. There thousands of lights strung in the trees. We turned in between some of the fluorescent forestry onto a driveway. Every few minutes more trees were lit, until we reached a beautiful house. It was classic in a way—like a mansion from the early nineteen hundreds, but it was also very modern. From what I could see, one side of the house was completely made of glass.
"Wow," Laura said. "No wonder they didn't need a separate venue."
We both climbed out of the car and stood in awestruck silence. A few moments past and the front door opened, revealing a woman. I studied her beautiful frame as she walked towards us. She was blond, tall, and jaw-dropping gorgeous. From her expression and stance, she seemed to realize it too.
"You're the caterer," she said.
"Yes, my name is Laura Jones. It's a pleasure," she shook the woman's hand.
"I'm Rosalie Hale, one of the Cullen's children. I'll show you in," she said.
Suddenly, Rosalie's head turned to look at me. Her eyes held noticeable contempt as she studied me. I couldn't understand her disgusted expression until she spoke.
"You're from the reservation," she said, voice low.
"Yes," I answered evenly. I wasn't going to be rude and lose my job.
"Hmm," she replied turning and walking to the house.
Now I understood. She most likely knew about the things the Quileutes said about her family. I supposed I couldn't blame her. I was so obviously Native American. I decided to take things in stride and be nice as possible to Rosalie and her family. They didn't deserve their treatment, after all. Maybe I could make them realize not all Quileutes were so judgmental.
The inside of the house knocked the outside down a notch. The entire front of their home was draped and lighted to be a dance club. I stood in the door until someone came in behind me. A girl a few years my senior scooted by me.
"Tara," Laura said. "This is Nicole, my newbie."
"Hey," Tara murmured, obviously taken in by the built-in club.
"Hello!" said a high pitched voice. I turned and saw more beautiful people.
Rosalie had disappeared, but was replaced by a small, grinning girl with short hair. She wore an insanely sparkling top that was fit for the house's decorations. Her welcoming grin made me more comfortable than Rosalie's overpowering glares. Behind her a large guy was setting up some speakers. He nodded once to us, smiling, and continued his work.
"I'm Alice, and that's Emmett" the small girl said. "I'll show you to the tables we have set up. And all the extra food can go in the kitchen."
We followed Alice through the house and to the kitchen. I was beginning to feel less threatened after meeting Alice. She hadn't looked at me any differently than Tara or Laura. Maybe I wouldn't have to prove my character to the Cullens.
A woman, older than the rest, was stacking cans of soda on the kitchen counter. Alice bounced over to assist her. She smiled kindly at us, her eyes lighting up. I liked her instantly.
"I'm Esme," she smiled, shaking our hands.
Her hands were strangely smooth and cold and her pale skin made her seem like Snow White. Her beauty was more understated than Rosalie's, but she was perfect nonetheless.
After we introduced ourselves, I went out to the catering van Tara had driven. As I began unloading I noticed the sound of running water. I walked around the side of the house and could see a river gleaming behind a few trees. It was truly a stunning piece of property.
All of the perfection, however, gave me a strange feeling. I felt like I was on an alien planet where only beauty resided. It made me long for the natural scenery of La Push and Sue's beat up old truck. I heard a car pull up and decided to head inside.
I walked into the front room, with the last box in hand before running into someone.
"Sorry!" I apologized, turning to see around the tall box in my arms.
"It's fine," a brown-haired girl said. "I'm Bella and this is Edward."
She indicated the really hot guy who stood by her. The Cullen's had obviously saved the best for last. He was beautiful in a masculine sort of way, with reddish-brown hair that was perfectly disheveled. I realized I was staring too late as Edward chuckled at my obvious ogling of him.
"Nicole. I'm sorry I couldn't see over this," I replied indicating my box. Suddenly, her name hit me. "You're Bella Swan?"
"Yeah, how'd you know," she asked clearly confused.
"Um, I live on the reservation with Embry, Seth and Jacob," I answered, not sure how much to reveal I knew.
"Oh, of course. You're a friend of theirs?" she asked.
"You could say that," I answered, before excusing myself to the kitchen.
(BREAK)
The party was at full blast. People were everywhere and it was really hard to maneuver the room. Originally, Laura had put me on kitchen duty and Tara on refilling the refreshments table, but it soon became obvious that plan would not work.
The newly graduated teens were downing trays and trays of chocolate-covered strawberries and all sorts of h'orderves by the minute. Every time I came back with another tray of food, there seemed to be a mess to clean, but I did so without complaining. As long as I didn't spill anything, I couldn't get yelled at.
I had to dance my way through the room each time I crossed it so I noticed a few things. First, Bella Swan seemed to be the center of attention. She was talking to somebody new every few minutes. She didn't seem the popular type, but maybe she was in Forks High. I didn't go there after all.
Secondly, most of the teens seemed to ignore the Cullens. It was their house and yet they were ostracized. I noticed, in particular, that Alice's boyfriend, Jasper hid on the stairs most of the evening, watching as the party progressed. His face was always taut with a seriousness that reminded me of Sam. His watching gaze made me feel almost like a criminal. Maybe he was the one watching for a fight to break out.
Along with Jasper, Edward was ignored. He traveled with Bella to all corners of the room, but the teens always spoke to her. It was like he didn't even exist next to Bella. I didn't know how they so easily wrote him off. His looks should've given him a foothold in the popularity department.
And, thirdly, the guys in Forks High were desperate. I had been asked to dance about ten times already and the number was growing. Despite my annoyance, I always kindly declined, saying I was working. One guy asked me three times! But I think that was because he couldn't hear my reply in a few particularly loud songs.
Laura couldn't release us on break but for a few minutes, so when my turn came I savored the experience. I was hiding in the kitchen alone, sipping on a soda. That's when I heard the voices, talking in the doorway.
"Who invited the werewolf?" a girl—Alice, I thought—said.
I held stood still as possible trying to hide my presence. Werewolf? Was that code, or something?
"Guilty," replied Bella.
"Well, you go take care of it, then. I have to talk to Carlisle."
"No, Alice, wait!" the other voice said. "Damn it!"
I waited for Bella's steps to fade before I left the kitchen. I peaked outside the door frame, looking for Alice or Bella, but they'd both disappeared. I slipped out, figuring my break was nearly up anyway. I was heading to the refreshments table when I heard him.
"Nicole?" a voice yelled.
I had barely heard him over the music, but I slowly turned around. Jacob, Embry, and Quil were at the front door. Quil was surveying the party in a tense fashion while Jacob just spoke with Bella. The thing that really caught my attention was Embry's face. Written all over it was fury. I thought about, making a run for it, but he'd probably catch me in the huge crowd.
I slowly walked over to him as Jacob and Bella disappeared to the kitchen. Quil looked once at me before continuing his search of the room. His cold and calculating face did not remind me of the Quil I knew. Embry's shoulders were tense when I reached him. I was not prepared for what he said.
"What the hell are you doing here?" he yelled.
I was speechless for a moment before finding my voice. "I'm working. Is that a sin?"
Embry had no right to tell me what to do. I would not stand for his accusing glare, regardless, of how much his presence affected me. I placed my hand on my hips in an opposing manner.
"Working…here? Are you crazy?" he demanded, nostrils flaring.
"I needed a job, Embry! What do you expect me to do?" I yelled right back.
"You can't be here! Leave!" he yelled, nearly growling.
I was speechless. I'd never been so angry in my life, but Embry's fury stab at me in an unfamiliar way. It was as if I could barely breathe. My eyes pricked with tears and I tried to blink them away before he saw. I gasped a few times while he huffed out heated breaths. I could only stop staring when Quil came over.
"Embry, calm the hell down," he muttered quickly. "You don't wanna make a scene."
But he already had. People were staring at us, some in awe and others in fear. I didn't want to lose my job over Embry's outburst so I turned away to escape into the kitchen. A restraining hand grabbed my wrist, but I twisted away defiantly. It did no good so I turned to face my captor. Embry's face was irate, but there was another emotion clearly etched in his features—fear.
"I don't get off until later," I said, calmly. I didn't want him to get worked up again.
He breathed in and out, slowly. "Okay. I'll wait."
"I don't need a baby-sitter. I'm a big girl," I murmured.
He released my wrist. "I'll wait, all the same."
Quil nudged Embry in the ribs, murmuring something in his ear. They both turned at the exact same moment—like clockwork—towards the kitchen. Jacob was staring back at them. Without saying a word to me, both Quil and Embry headed to him through the crowd. I sighed in relief. This distraction gave me time to get back to work. The people who'd been staring at our disagreement were still looking at me.
"What're you looking at?" I demanded. "The show's over."
I pushed my way through the crowd and to the table. Tara was there struggling to replace food as it was being eaten. There was a huge pile of empty trays stacked on the ground. I picked them up and headed to the kitchen once more. It was now empty of Cullens and Quileutes.
I grabbed the remaining boxes to find more food, but found nothing. Everything had been consumed. Not a single strawberry remained in the disarrayed kitchen. The lack of food made me realize how late it was. I'd been here four and a half hours.
I couldn't wait to escape all the chaos of this night. Embry's outburst was the icing on the top of my hellish cake. Strangely enough, I no longer felt any malice towards him. His fear-filled eyes had cured me of any anger. He acted as if I were in real danger. Even though I knew I was perfectly safe, his irrational panic put me on edge. What did he think could possibly harm me?
Before any of you review, realize that I do not know everything about the graduation party. Mostly because it was from Bella's POV and she doesn't notice much else other than Alice, Edward and Jacob. Jasper's position on the stairs came from me and not Meyers. And Rosalie's bitchiness is a cold hard fact of the series, especially towards Quileutes because of their relationship with the wolves. Rosalie disliked Nicole because she could smell werewolf stench on her from living in a wolf's house. Just thought I'd clear that up before any of you asked.
And Embry is upset for the obvious reason—Nicole is in a Vampire's house—OMG! So don't hate him too much, por favor!) Things will be cleared up soon.
TO MY 3rd REVIEWER of this CHAPTER: I will be sending you—whoever you are—a small sneak peak of the next chapter IF: you write a review that has an opinion on the storyline or the characters. No rinky-dink review will get anything extra!)
twilightbaby93
