Third chapter today!! Never mind. I lie. It's no longer Sunday. Oh well.
This chapter was named after the lovely song, Shattered, by the amazing band, OAR. The song doesn't entirely fit, but the title does, so I went with it.
Honestly, I cried writing this chapter. Read and find out why!
CHAPTER TEN IS DEDICATED TO marykat AND Flutemelody. I LOVEE YOUR SUPPORT. You're the only two who actually took the time to review during my fast updates (besides teamedward303). I'm sure a lot of people are on vacays right now, so I'm extremely thankful to have at least two dedicated reviewers. I LOVE YOU ALL!
Peace & Love,
QC
10. Shattered
It had been a week since New Years and Seth and I had just gotten back from the annual New Year's bonfire. Billy told several tribal legends. One in particular had caught my attention.
Hundreds of years ago there was said to be a maiden by the name of Takoda – meaning friend to everyone. They say that when Takoda was born, she was a miracle. The tribal doctors found she had only half of a functioning heart. They monitored her and watched her grow into a healthy young woman. She was an angel in the eyes of her families' tribe.
One summer, a coven of cold ones were passing through our lands, causing the newest generation of wolves to shift for the first time. The oldest boy, Nahele, became the pack leader. He led them to be one of the greatest packs in Quileute history.
That year, Takoda's tribe was hit with a bad sickness, forcing her family to flee from their home. During a patrol, Nahele's pack found her family in the woods just outside the reservation. Nahele convinced the tribal elders to give them a home in the tribe.
They found that Takoda could speak to the pack with her mind, causing Takoda to become very close with the pack. The tribe treasured Takoda and her ability.
After she had been living with the tribe for several months, Takoda and Nahele fell in love. Takoda believed that she had found the other half of her heart in her love, Nahele, but Nahele feared that he would imprint on another woman and was cautious about loving his dear Takoda. Nahele didn't stop shifting, keeping him at the age of seventeen. If Takoda hadn't already shocked them enough, they were surprised to find that Takoda aged the same way Nahele did and they even felt each other's emotions.
A year had passed; Nahele and Takoda's bond grew stronger with each passing moment. Nahele's second in command, Hakan, had imprinted on a woman from another tribe. Hakan informed Nahele that the feelings he shared with Takoda were identical, if not stronger, than the ones he shared with his imprint. The tribal leaders confirmed that Nahele had imprinted on Takoda gradually, and it was still getting stronger.
Nahele and Takoda were ecstatic with the news. They ran away together one night, spending it under the stars, and they awoke to a sunny day. Nahele proposed marriage that morning before returning to their tribe.
A few months later, Takoda found out she was pregnant. Their child grew up to be the most respected alpha in history and the greatest warrior our tribe has ever seen…
As Billy told the story, Seth kept giving me side glances. Honestly, the whole thing was mind boggling. I had no idea what to make of it all. Am I a descendent of this Takoda? Or is it a total coincidence?
All I knew was that I needed sleep.
Seth kissed me goodnight before going off to his house. I tripped up the stairs and into my bed, too mentally exhausted to change into pajamas. My alarm clock read 2:16 am. I kicked off my pants and slid under the covers, asleep the moment I shut my eyes.
The next day I woke up around one in the afternoon. I laughed at myself. I've stayed up plenty later and gotten up earlier than this. Oh well, it's Sunday.
After I got some food, I stayed in my room for most of the day. My mind wandered through my life. I remembered my mom saying something about my heart. I decided I would ask her about it later.
My mom called my father and I down for dinner. We talked about our days and anything else that came across our minds. When we were done, my dad went back up to his office and I stayed in the kitchen with my mom.
"Mom?" I asked.
"Yes, dear?" she responded, setting down the magazine she was reading.
I thought about how to approach the subject. "In health we are talking about heart defects, and I was just wondering if you could tell me what is wrong with mine," I lied.
She laughed. "I knew you would ask about this eventually." She paused, thinking over her words. "Well when the doctors took your x-rays, after you were born, they noticed you weren't born with an entire heart. They kept you in the hospital for a few weeks, monitoring your heart. They found that it worked just like a normal one, so they didn't do anything about it. We took you home after they told us you were fine and to call them if anything happened. You grew up just fine, with no complications. They were quite impressed."
As she spoke, things clicked together in my head and the final piece of the legend was confirmed. The love I had for Seth, disappeared in a matter of seconds. It grew onto someone else. The reason for my odd mood swings. The decision I had finally made. The other half. History was repeating itself.
"You okay Bri?" my mom asked, and I realized I had zoned out.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I think I'm going to go over to Seth's," I told her in a blank voice.
"Alright, but don't stay too long, you have school tomorrow."
"I won't," I said, straining to keep my voice from cracking. I leaped up the staircase to my bedroom, sitting at my desk. Running my fingers through my hair, I grabbed a piece of paper and a pen. I wrote Seth a note, explaining everything from the day we started going out to now. All of my feelings were being written down on paper. When I was fully satisfied with the letter, I folded it and placed it in an envelope, neatly scripting 'My First Love' on the front. I found the big hooded sweatshirt he had given to me a while ago, and put the message in the pocket, before inhaling it for the last time.
Hey, hon, what are you doing? I asked cheerily, hiding the unavoidable conversation to come.
Just some homework. Nice to hear your voice. A smile sounded in his words.
Can I come over? I asked him.
Of course, you know you can whenever you want.
Alright, I'll see you soon, I promised.
See you soon, he echoed.
I got into my car in a daze, his sweatshirt folded over my arm. With each passing mile, my panic strengthened. It hurt me even thinking about how shattered he was going to be in when I returned down this road. My heart stopped as I parked in front of his house. I ambled out of the car and up the drive.
The second I walked through the door, I was in Seth's arms. His lips crushed mine as his sweatshirt fell to the floor. He held me there for a minute, tears emerging from my closed eyes. Pulling back, he examined my face worriedly. "Sweetie, what's wrong?" he asked, stroking away my tears.
"Seth," I began shakily. I broke down then, unable to breathe. He led me to the couch, pulling me back into his arms.
"Shh," he soothed, stroking my hair. It took a good ten minutes for me to regain control. I pulled away from him. Taking a deep breath, I shakily continued.
"Seth, I love you, but I'm not sure I can do this anymore," I whispered to my hands. I looked up to his confused face. "Would you believe me if I told you things are really complicated right now?"
He nodded slowly, his eyes showing his understanding of my words. There was silence.
I broke it, asking, "Do you remember what I said on our first date? About things too hard for me to handle?"
He nodded, blinking back tears. "Is this about someone else?"
"No."
"Please don't lie to me. Not now." His face started falling apart, hands shaking in his lap. "Is it one of my brothers?"
I didn't respond to his question. It pained me inside to watch as his heart broke before my eyes.
"I'm sorry," I whispered, giving him a final goodbye peck. I lingered on his lips a little longer before walking from his house. I made it into my car before I heard him. He sobbed loudly before taking off out his back door. His paws hit the forest floor and he let out a painful howl.
---
Dear Seth,
The day you asked me out, I was scared to death. I didn't want anything to ruin the close friendship we had maintained. You were truly my first best friend. You pleaded with those irresistible puppy dog eyes, and I decided to give it a shot. I couldn't believe how sweet you were. My first date was one I will surely never forget.
I knew from the start I loved you. You made me extremely happy with just your presence and your smile lit up my world. I didn't think I could possibly love anyone more than you. We spent so much time together, that my mom would get scared when she didn't see you beside me. She fully believed we were going to get married and grow old together.
After a while, I developed feelings for someone else. I denied it at first because I loved you too much to do anything about it, but the feelings grew. Eventually it became painful for me to be near either of you, knowing I loved both.
Seth, you have to understand me when I say none of this is your fault. I'm sure you're going to hate me for what I'm going to do, because I know I do. Xaephyn told me to do whatever will make me the happiest, but there's never joy without pain. I tried my hardest to not love him, but no matter what I do, someone is going to end up broken hearted. I need you to move on so I know I made the right choice. I'll miss you.
Love always,
Bri
I read through the letter several times, staining it with my tears. I wanted desperately to be having a nightmare, but I knew it wasn't. Fate wasn't that giving.
I would never tease Leah again for her bitchiness. I now understood how one could get so bitter. I brought the sweatshirt I had found the note in up to my nose, taking a deep breath of the soft vanilla of her skin.
My eyes scanned the letter once more. I still couldn't believe life was this cruel. I had loved her with all my soul. And despite what she said, I couldn't not blame myself. I could have fixed this.
My heart was ripped from my chest and thrown on the ground. Shattered, was the word. My heart was shattered.
How did you like the little insight into Seth's head? I couldn't help myself, and I needed to write the letter so it was more legit.
You know the drill. Reviews = SP.
What do you think about Bri's decision? How did you like the break up scene? Did you cry? (I'm such a baby, and I have exteme emotional ties to these characters, so I'm not expecting that anyone did)
By the way, I added some pictures of random stuff concerning this story to photobucket. I'll post the link to the album in my profile when I'm finished updating. Check them out when you get the time!
Peace & Love,
QC