"Boo!" Jake said popping up behind me, causing me to jump out of the seat I had in the living room.
"Very mature Jake," I said punching his arm.
"Oh you know you love it," he said sitting down next to me. "Plus, I'm just trying to be in the Halloween spirit."
"Sure. What ever you say Jake," I said as Emily joined us.
"Do either of you two have costumes yet?" she asked.
"Costumes for?" I asked, slightly confused, I knew it was close to Halloween but I didn't know why I needed a costume.
"For the party," Emily said before Jake explained.
"Every year on Halloween, everyone dresses up and we have another big bon fire, and the elders tell the tales that are more creepy than they are true. Everyone on the reservation goes and dresses up," Jake explained.
"That sounds like fun," I said with a smile, "But I have no earthly idea what I am going to do for a costume."
"Well, we still have a few days before the party, so we can find you a good costume. What kind do you want?" Em asked.
"Something that doesn't scream slut," I said, I had seen to many of those already in my life.
"Aww, you want to hide your true identity?" Jake asked knowing he would get a slap for that.
"Haha, you're just too funny Jake," I said said said different past Halloween costumes ran through my mind.
I cringed at a few from my younger days, some of those had been really embarrassing.
"I think you should go as something ironic, like Pocahontas or a vampire. You know go against the legends," Jake said with a laugh.
"Yea, but I wouldn't want to offend anyone," I said, I didn't know everyone on the res yet, and I didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings during a first impression.
"No one will be. There are always one or two every year and its rather comical," Jake said as Emily looked deep in thought.
"I'm not doing anything for the rest of today. I say we head into to town, Forks that is, and I know a store down there that sells Halloween costumes around this time of year. You can come it you want to Jacob," Em said as she glanced at the clock. "It should be open for another few hours since it is only four."
"I'm up for," I said, looking at Jake for his response.
"I would, but I have a huge test tomorrow, and I'll let you girls handle your shopping in peace," he said with a smile, slinging his bag over his shoulder.
"Well, you have fun with that," I said, standing up and giving him a hug.
"Oh, you know I will," he said with sarcasm in his voice.
"Bye Jake," Emily and I chimed as he walked out the front door, waving to the both of us.
"I'm ready to leave if you are," Emily said.
"Yea, just let me grab my shoes and purse," I said before I headed to my room.
I quickly threw on a pair of converse and I grabbed my purse before meeting Emily back in the living room.
Though it was raining outside, Emily and I were both very used to this type of weather. No longer did we make a mad dash to the car if it was anything less than pouring rain, or we had groceries or something else to bring in that we didn't want getting wet.
"I can't believe its almost been four months that you've been down here," Emily said backing out of the dirt drive way.
"I know, its weird, but I feel so at home here. I love it," I said.
"I thought you would, and Jake seems to be making it better too," she said with a knowing look on her face.
"Em, nothing is going to happen between the two of us," I said, listening to my own thoughts, "There are too many things that could go wrong anyway."
"That you know of," she said, "Plus, you said the same thing about mark before you two started dating."
"Yea, I know," I said as I let silence fill the car, glancing out the window.
"Hun, I know it hurts. I can't imagine how it would feel if that happened between me and Sam, but sometimes you have to move on to see what else is out there. I know you loved him, but maybe doing something new or seeing other people, wouldn't hurt as bad as you think it would," she said as we continued down the high way towards Forks.
Emily knew that I had heard what she said even though I didn't respond. It wasn't that I didn't agree with her. Heck, Jake was a prime example; he would be perfect if there wasn't still a part of my heart that really hoped that Mark would remember everything. A part of me really wished that one day his name would pop up on my caller ID again, but that was just in my dreams, reality was here and now.
"I don't want to push you, you know that. I just know that when it comes to some stuff you need a little bit more… encouragement," Emily said as we entered Forks.
"I know, and that is why I love you to death. You know how to motivate me with out being irritating," I told her as we turned down a road that I hadn't been down before and pulled into the parking lot of a decent sized store. Out front the store had Halloween decorations and random pictures of costumes that they sold.
"And that's why you came up to the middle of know where to see me for four months," she said giving me a side hug as we entered the small store.
"And I haven't died or left yet," I said with a smile as I started towards the women's section. "So what are you going to be this year?"
"I'm reusing my Egyptian costume. Simply because I love it so much, and it was expensive," she said remembering her costume she had gotten two years ago for a huge Halloween ball that one of our friends threw for their sweet sixteen.
"That will be gorgeous. If Sam wasn't already head over heels for you, he most definitely will be once he sees you in that," I said as I started browsing the costumes.
"I can't wait until the party, it is going to be so much fun," she said with a smile, "So what have you decided on?"
"I think I am going to go with the Indian costume, that way there can be some humor, but I won't be attacked by anybody dressed up as a werewolf," I said as I grabbed on that didn't look to promising, but I decided to try it on anyway.
"Ok, I'll grab what I can find and then you get to model them for me," she said with a smirk as she went to the other end of the section.
There were some costumes that I saw, that I wondered why someone who wasn't a stripper would want to wear. I mean yea dressing a little risqué can be fun every now and then, but if you were going to pay thirty dollars for an outfit, I would want it to at least cover my boobs and my butt.
"Ok, I think I've found every different kind of Indian costume here that is in your size," Emily said with her arms full of a few different ones.
"Too the dressing rooms then," I said as I led the way with the costumes I had found to the back area that had old sheets roping off different dressing rooms.
"Have fun," Emily said as she handed me the costumes and took a seat on the floor while I tried on the first one.
"There is no way on Earth…" I started as I walked out to show Em.
"Sorry, I don't have any ones with me," she said jokingly.
"I feel like I'm wearing a pleather t-shirt gone wrong," I said as I cringed back to the dressing room.
The first one was a native style dress that looked like they used less then one deer to make. It came slightly above my wrist and barely covered the little cleavage that I had.
"Next one," I heard Emily say as I took off the first one.
There were a few that I didn't even try on simply because they looked way to tacky, or they were way to expensive for what they were.
"This one is better, but I'm still not a big fan of it," I said as I stepped out from the curtain.
"Well you look hot in it, if that's what you're going for," she said shrugging her shoulders.
"I'm pretty sure that if any of the natives had worn anything like this during anytime but the summer they would have frozen," I said glancing in the mirror.
This costume was a two-piece set, with a mini skirt and a top that fit like a corset without the bone.
"Well, if you don't love it, go put the next one on," Emily said, shooing me back into the dressing room.
There was only one dress that I had left to try on. I was hoping it would be decent.
"I love this one," I said as I emerged to show Emily.
"I agree," she said examining the dress. It was a dark brown strapless dress that hung loosely over my body with fringe and the top and the bottom, which reached right around my fingertips.
"Well, I think everyone will approve of this one," she said with a smile, "And I'm sure we have some stuff back at the house that you can use to add your own flare."
"Now, I really can't wait to go," I said knowing that this week could only get better.
There was a knock on my door, followed by a familiar husky voice.
"Hey, Emily wanted me to make sure that you were almost ready," Sam said through the door, "We are going to head up there early to help set up everything."
I opened the door, with my dress and accessories on, to respond to him, "Yea, all I have left to do is my hair and make-up, but that won't take long."
"Ok, nice costume by the way," Sam said with a laugh as he walked back down the hall.
I had my dress on as well as an old pair of leather and fur boots that Emily had barrowed from her aunt. I had on a bone chocker necklace and a leather armband decorated with tiny beads. Sue had insisted that I barrow more of the clothing that had been passed down in her family, but I knew my luck, and I didn't want to ruin any of the beautiful artifacts.
I pulled my hair out of the messy bun it had been in since I took a shower earlier today. The curls that my hair had in it now satisfied me and instead of adding any products to it I simply tied on my headband and clipped in a few feathers.
My make-up was simple, light, and easy; I had a light coat of foundation on with mascara and eyeliner. It still looked natural but my face had more defined features that way. I swiped on a little bit of bronzer over my complete look to give my now extremely tan skin, a slight sparkle.
I didn't really need to bring anything with me to the bonfire, since everyone on the reservation would be there. I headed out to the living room where Sam waited dressed the way he normally is, in dark wash jeans and a t-shirt.
"Nice costume you have going on there Sam," I said as I sat down on the kitchen stool.
Emily joined us soon, in her full costume and two bags full of different food and other party supplies. Sam quickly took both of the bags from Emily, who then looked relieved that he had.
"Let's head down to the beach," Emily said with a huge smile plastered to her face.
The drive to the beach was short, and when we got there, a few other people were already there setting up grills and gathering large quantities of wood for the bonfires.
"Hey Chey, would you mind helping me, and some of the other ladies with the food for a little bit?" she asked.
"Of course I wouldn't mind," I said as I followed her over to a table that had many plates and utensils laid out on it.
"Chey, will you get the plates and napkins out of the bag and spread them along the second table?" she asked, setting both large bags on the ground.
"No problem," I said as I bent down to search through the first bag to find the black and orange colored plates.
It was easy to find the large stack in the bag filled of plates, napkins, and cups. I laid them out on the table with a nice pattern of alternating colors before Emily enlisted in my help in sorting out the condiments and drinks.
With the help of everyone who showed up early, we had everything ready in a short amount of time, and the elders were able to take over the cooking area and start up their large grills.
Soon, once the sun started to set the guys lit the fires and soon any trace of cold was gone and the smell of hamburgers and hot dogs filled the salty air.
"Trying to convince everyone else that you're tan enough to be from the res?" Paul said picking me up from behind and spinning me around.
"Oh most definitely," I said laughing at his Captain Jack Sparrow inspired costume. "Are you trying to say that your job is really to smuggle rum into the country?"
"Ha, yea, I wish. Oh you have to meet Kaylee, by the way," he said grabbing my arm and leading me over to the bonfire.
"And who exactly would that be?" I asked him curiously.
"She's a girl I met, and asked out," he said with a smile. "I think you'll like her."
"Does she have the same sense of humor that you do?" I inquired.
"Yep," he said with an even larger smile.
"Then, I think we will get along just fine," I said as we met up with a girl who looked like she lived on the reservation dressed in a rather chic pirate costume.
"Kaylee this is Cheyenne," Paul said, actually using manners for once, "And Cheyenne this is Kaylee."
"Nice to meet you," I said as I shook her hand.
"Same to you, Paul's said a lot about you," she said with a smile.
"I hope they were all good things I said elbowing Paul in the side.
"Right," Paul said with a smirk, "This is me we are talking about."
"Of course," I said rolling me eyes. "Well, I am going to go see if I can find Jacob, but if you ever want to come over with Paul and hang out I doubt Emily will mind having another girl in the house."
"I'll have to see about doing that sometime," she said with a smile as Paul wrapped his arm around her waist and they headed off in the opposite direction that I was going.
I wondered around through the crowd of people, only really stopping once to say hello to Jared.
Eventually I found the tall boy with long dark hair that I had been looking for; he was talking to Embry and Quil who were dressed up as some kind of monsters.
"Guess who?" I asked leaning up on my tiptoes to cover my hands over Jake's eyes.
"Umm, Jessica Alba?" he asked hopefully, joking around.
"No, but we get mistaken a lot because of our good looks," I said with a laugh.
"Hmmm, who do I know that is good looking, that would be at this party," Jake said pondering in thought before I elbowed him in the side.
"Don't be a jerk because you're jealous of my good looks," I said scooting in between Jake and Embry.
"Just because your hair is longer than mine doesn't mean that you look prettier than I do," he said dramatically flipping it over his shoulder.
"Wow, Jake," was my only response as I patted him on the shoulder.
"You look very Indian," he said looking at my costume.
"Thanks, that was what I was going for," I said with a smile.
"Well, if you take away the paleness," Embry started.
"And the really light blonde hair," Quil continued.
"Then you might fit in," Embry finished.
I stuck my tongue out at both of them as a cow bell started to ring over by the food tables.
"Sweet foods ready," Quil said, before him and Embry made a mad dash for the table.
"Boys," I muttered under my breath, not really caring if Jake heard or not.
"Just because we eat a lot, doesn't mean it's a bad thing," Jake said as he walked along side me over to the food table.
"I didn't say that part was a bad thing, just the sprinting at the smell of food is kind of over dramatic," I told him as we got our spot in line.
Dinner was good as always, and once everyone had eaten the ghost stories of the tribe, was told by the elders.
Jake and I had found a seat with Sam and Emily on a large woven blanket that someone had brought for this purpose. Emily looked so happy with her head resting on Sam's shoulder as she listened to the stories her uncle had told her many times before. I liked Sam, and I was glad that he made her so happy.
Jake was laying down next to me looking up at the stars, listening to his dad tell one of the many tales that I was pretty sure he knew by heart by now. I let myself stretch out my legs as I laid down next to him to see the sight that he also saw.
It was amazing. Sure, I had been in La Push for almost four months now, but I had never really paid that much attention to the sky, the few times I had been on the beach at night. Whenever I had gone outside at the house, the stars were always hidden out of sight by the large canopy that hung over the house.
As the stories ended, Jake stood up, and then helped me up.
"You want to go for a walk?" he asked.
"As long as we don't go in the water like we did last time," I said remembering the cold water and Jake's warmth.
"Fine, but only because you asked ahead of time," he said with a smile as we headed off down the beach.
"So what are your plans for the holidays?" he asked as we a rather large rock to sit on.
"I'm not really sure. I know I am staying up here for Thanksgiving, but I'm not sure about Christmas. My parents said something about going to England as their present to each other, but if they don't do that, then I'll probably go back for Christmas," I said with a sad smile.
"Would you be coming back after that?" he asked.
"I don't know. I could, but I'm not sure if my parents would want me to since I've already been out here for four months," I said looking up at him, his eyes were distant, looking out into the black water.
"Yea, I could understand, my dad would probably flip if I left for four months to visit a friend on the other side of the country. But once you find out, let me know. I'll miss you once you go." He said as he wrapped his arms around me.
The warning went off in my head again, but this time I ignored in completely. If I was possibly only going to be here another two months then I might as well live up those two months.
"I'll miss you two Jake," I said as I leaned back into his chest, letting his body heat keep me warm in the cool October night.
All this time I had told myself to be careful and to not get to attached to anyone, but with Jake, I had gotten more attached then I really knew, but for now I didn't really didn't mind it one bit.
Not for now at least.
