AlphaBet(a)
...
J is for Jet
...
2 ft. 5 ft. 8 ft. It didn't matter. It never mattered.
The sun had yet to rise but the scent of salt, burned palm mixed with smoke and ash from the previous night's bonfire lingered.
Her legs were straddled over her long board as she watched the water. Her hands slowly stroking along the length of the water as if it were a lover.
A long time ago she concluded the ocean and men were very much the same.
Allow them an inch and they would take a mile. They were wild beasts, untamed and uncontrollable like the surf. They could break you and make you feel like you were drowning inside of them, pulsating for breath while they hammered into you. To show them no love and no grace, sooner or later you would flail under the power of the ocean, cringe under its strength, ripped by the waves, thrown from the board and smashed against the jagged rocks from the swirling silent blue hues of the under current.
But, treat them with respect, with love, and you were able to harness that pure energy and use it as Chi, use it as the extra push at the end of a race, the extra momentum to get over the line.
To watch them, study them and learn them would bring you closer. After a while, a man like the ocean could be predicated, like a forecast, you could anticipate the steps of a man, his motivations, his moods, his wants and most of all, his needs.
5:36 am.
"Where are you, you son of a bitch?"
Her voice moved over the dark liquid of the ocean, rippling and strumming as if it were an instrument waiting for the conductor's instruction. Awaiting the perfect note. Waiting to be played perfectly.
Perfection had become such an inaugural part of her life. Mistakes purely meant injury and possible death. Anything less than perfection would leave her with nothing.
It was tradition, almost as if it were her own heritage to be here. Here, where the cold water held her by her knees, where it lapped against her freshly waxed board, where the wind swirled through her hair, brushing it across her shoulders.
There were no sounds but the slow drawl of her breath and the subtle rustle of waves. Waves not big enough to ride. That was - not until the wind came and the swells turned.
At 5:38 am the south east winds changed, and she pulled the nose of her board to face the shore. Her eyes scanned the shore quickly, checking the water around her. With the sun just breaking over the horizon, she was one of only a few in the water, padding its swirling ripples, waiting for the perfect wave.
Her hands clutched tightly against the front of the board, her back straight and her elbows bent.
She remembered back on the first time she'd come to Neah Bay as an adult. The home she'd come to love over the past six years. The place that had somehow pieced her back together.
Her parent's accident had left her with a gaping hole in her chest, an indescribable ache that crawled under her skin, day in and day out. So many memories left playing on her mind, so many childhood memories filtered and played like an old film roll, which continued on, even when her eyes closed at night.
This place with all its serenity and wonder had somehow managed to place a fine film of plastic over the wound, stunting and stopping the painful flow. The place, the weather, its people with their welcoming smiles and carefree rigour - it all helped.
But it was this. Where she was now that gave her strength, gave her power to be someone else, someone more.
Paddling in slowly she watched the waves as they began to stir and rumble, the white wash of the moving liquid mountains starting to break.
Taking a deep breath her eyes narrowed spotting the rolling thunders begin on the glistening horizon.
They were finally here.
...
Stabbing her board into the sand, she meandered over to the showers, intent on washing the salt from her skin. Pulling the band from her hair, she adjusted the rubber to her wrist and opened the taps. Washing her hair quickly, she ringed the wetness from her tresses and re-tied her hair. Messy but practical, and a hell of a lot easier than actually doing something with it.
Her wet suit clung to her like a second skin, like it was alive and she could wait to get out of it and changed into something warm.
"Nice surf," a deep voice rumbled, standing next to her board to inspect the laminated and waxed wood. "Looks like you could use a new board though. Why don't you stop by 'Billy's' later and maybe we could work something out?"
Glancing at the man she raised a brow. She knew of Billy's shop, she'd hung around it for years as a kid before her parents were gone. "That's in LaPush, right?" she asked as she gathered her items and unzipped the suit at her neck.
"Yeah," he grinned cockily as he stuck his own board in the sand. "You know it?"
Leah couldn't help but roll her eyes at his statement, plucking her board and heading towards her car.
"So you'll come by later right?" Jacob yelled after her, cupping his mouth to be heard.
"Sorry," she said as she turned, shrugging her shoulders, "I don't do LaPush."
Frowning, Jacob stepped to walk after her but thought better of it. He didn't know what she meant by 'she didn't do LaPush.'
Hell, anyone who was anyone did LaPush.
With technique as good as hers, she had to be a local. She didn't look Hawaiian and he would have guessed from the accent if she were. Nah. She was definitely native. He'd have to ask his cousins about her later. Sam and Emily knew everyone from these parts. They were like social butterflies. Running the only local bar probably helped. He knew as well as anyone about the bullshit that he dribbled when he was hitting the drinks. Others usually didn't fair too well either.
Shaking his head and focusing back on the task at hand, he pulled his board from the sand and made his way down to the surf.
...
"So she was all like 'Oh Quil baby, right there, right there," Quil mocked in a high pitched voice as he thrust his hips up out of the chair and held the sides of an invisible person. "And I was like 'Yeah, you like that right? You filthy bitch," he continued, turning his voice into a deep drawl as he re-enacted the former nights activities.
"You're so full of shit, Ateara," Embry scoffed as he through a tea towel across the table. "Kim would never give it up to you."
"That's where you're wrong bro. I had her screaming, moaning and clawing the shit out of me. She's a bad kitty cat that one. Foul little mouth too," Quil smirked back as he took another sip of his beer and relaxed back into his chair.
Jacob sat back and watched his two friends argue, insults being thrown left right and centre just to outdo the other. It was another Friday night at 'The Jet', the small beach bar his cousin Sam owned with his wife. Paper lanterns hung from the long deck out to the palm trees on the grass. With the beach only twenty or so feet from the grass, it was a nice, quaint little spot.
Friday nights were always the best. They were officially labelled 'Ladies Night' which the three took great advantage of. All the local girls would hang out, get uber shitfaced, dirty dance with them and most of the time take them home and feed them breakfast in the morning. It was a good life for the LaPush boys.
"How's Ness?" Embry asked delicately as Emily brought over another round for the boys.
Giving them a firm glare to behave she allowed Jacob a light squeeze on the shoulder.
"Thanks Em," Jacob grinned looking up at his cousin's wife. Emily was good for Sam, the nice wholesome yet sassy little woman to keep him in line.
Tossing his empty beer into a nearby bin he popped the cap on the fresh brew and turned his attention back to his friends. "She's alright I guess. Still pissed off that I won't side with daddy dearest on the ceremony," he shrugged not really wanting to talk about the whole wedding mess.
He'd been with his fiancé for a little over a year since meeting her in California at one of the surfing comps. A little red headed firecracker that moved faster than a freight train.
It was exciting a first; going places he'd never been, living in California and partying hard on weekends with famous people. But somehow, it had all gotten too fast and too hard. City life wasn't for him, with the fast paced talkers and the bullshit personas that ran around the place. Even their engagement and upcoming ceremony seemed ridiculously ludicrous.
Ness had her life planned out perfectly. The big house, the kids, the Mercedes in the drive and now she expected him to fill the quota of trophy husband and have his ideals and dreams slot into hers. Reflect hers.
He missed this. Missed living in LaPush; close to his sisters and nephews, missed Neah Bay and the trips he and his two best friends would make, missed the surf and the freedom he felt in the cold dark water before sunrise. Mostly he just missed being himself.
Renesmee's father and mother had worked out some hair brained idea about the ceremony. Big, glitzy and downright pretentious like theirs had been. Photos needed to be taken on their country property, sent to the LA Times and plastered all over town to announce the big day. Jacob didn't want a big ceremony; he'd actually hoped that he and Renesmee could get married in LaPush in the spring, with his father and extended family. She hadn't even met them and she was already trying to stuff him into a tux.
"White will look great on you," Quil grinned cheekily knowing how whipped Jacob actually was. Ness wore the pants in their relationship for sure.
After a few more beers and a round of shots later, Jacob found himself leaning on the railing and listening to the wave's crash just beyond the light of the bar. The night was cool but not enough to be over dressed in more than some cargo shorts and a tee.
"Hey," a sweet voice announced from behind him.
Turning slightly Jacob gave a short smile when he noticed his visitor. "Hey."
Her hair was down, the dark ends curling around her shoulders to flick under her chin and back. In a white sundress and sandals she looked simple yet agonizingly beautiful. Her hazel eyes shone from the garden lights reflection and the shimmer of her lips did not go unnoticed. Had he been a single man he would have flirted with her, got her drunk and tried to take her home.
"Sorry about this morning," she mumbled as she tapped a beer against his forearm as an apology.
Taking the drink Jacob chuckled as he looked down at the bottle. "You're buying me a drink?"
"Well, yeah." she said, rolling her eyes at the fake surprise on his face. "Never had a girl buy you a drink?"
Taking a sip he grinned. "Not unless she was trying to see me naked."
Leah laughed, shaking her head and glancing back inside to a group of rowdy looking girls. "I better go; my friends are waiting for me."
"So soon? You're not even going to enjoy a drink with me?" Jacob said, feigning a pout.
Glancing back at her friends who were waiving her over she sighed. "Maybe later."
"You know, you still haven't told me your name."
Stopping short, Leah turned and smirked but didn't answer as she walked backwards before joining her friends again.
...
"You alright, Jake?" Emily asked as she stopped to check on Jacob who was helping pack up the bar for the night. He seemed down, his thoughts far away as he wiped the inside of the glasses with a check red tea towel.
"Huh? Oh yeah Em. Fine," he sighed.
Snatching the glass from his hands Emily placed it on the bench and crossed her arms, her eyebrow cocked in challenge. "Don't lie to me Jacob Black. You've been cleaning that glass for the last ten minutes like some kind of mindless zombie. What's going on with you?" Emily's voice softened as she pulled up a stool beside him. "You can talk to me, Jake."
Running his hands through his hair Jacob groaned and closed his eyes, not knowing where to begin. "I don't know. I just - this whole wedding thing."
"You don't want to get married?" Emily quizzed.
"No, it's not that. I want to get married. I just don't know if it's Ness I want to spend my life with. I mean, she's just so-"
"Such a spoilt brat?" Emily suggested having met the five-foot-nothing terror.
"What?" Jacob frowned as he looked over to see his cousin's wife glaring at a glass. "I thought you liked Ness?"
Huffing Emily rolled her eyes. "I only liked her because you liked her Jacob. I didn't want to make you feel uncomfortable so I just mostly ignored her. Look Jacob, you want the truth - the truth is, it doesn't matter what the rest of us think, the only thing that matters is what you think. If you think you should marry her, do it. If you don't want to marry her, then don't. The world doesn't revolve around Renesmee and it definitely won't stop without her."
"Hm. I just, it's a big step, you know," Jacob sighed as he shook his head. "I should be sure, right?"
Ruffling his hair, Emily smiled. "You shouldn't marry someone because you can live with them. You should marry them because you can't live without them."
"How do you and Sam do it? You guys are so good together and just so happy all the time," Jacob asked.
"It's hard work Jake. Sam and I argue just like everyone else. He leaves the toilet seat up and I want to beat him over the head with a fry pan. He dislikes things I do too, don't get me wrong. It's a two way street. But at the end of the day, when it's just Sam and I, there is no place I'd rather be."
...
Walking along the sand with the moon light at his back Jacob Black contemplated his future.
He missed this place with its serene calm, so he took the opportunity to think about his life and the steps he would take next. If anyone asked if he was happy his answer would not be a straight forward yes. It was a feeling more similar to being content. He was fine with the life he had in California with Renesmee, but was unsure how long contentment would actually last.
He, like every man, didn't want to wake up, ten, twenty, thirty years from now and regret all the life he'd lived. He didn't want to wake up to children who didn't know him, a wife that hadn't worked a day in her life, and in a job that her father had supplied for him.
Feeling the lap of the wave at his ankles Jacob looked up from the sand and out onto the water. It was colder now, but his skin still felt warm, his blood taking naturally to the frigid like conditions. The moonlight shone harshly on the water, turning the dark endless silk into an almost blue and silver shimmer.
"It's kind of creepy that you're out here all alone," a familiar voice sounded behind him from a cluster of jagged rocks.
Rolling his eyes he glanced up at the figure hovering dangerously near the edge of the rocks. "I could say the same thing about you," he grinned as more of the surf washed over his toes.
Looking down, the dark haired beauty smiled at him and took another sip of her beer, placing it on the rocks before stretching her arms up over her head. Watching her there triggered a familiar punch to the gut. He was sure he knew her from somewhere but his mind still hadn't shuffled through all the memories and given him confirmation of such a fact.
"Your friends left you alone on the beach?" he asked as he watched her stand and balance on the balls of her feet.
Shrugging, she rolled her shoulders and looked down at him. "They've gone to a party in LaPush. But like I said-"
"You don't do LaPush," Jacob finished, earning himself a glare for repeating her earlier words. Brushing off the glare he looked out to see the waves crash before gently rolling towards him. "Why is that?"
Scrunching her face she turned to take another sip of her drink, "That's just the way it is. I don't like it there. It brings back too many memories."
"Are you Quileute?" Jacob asked, his interest spiking at her admission. Gaining no reply he nodded. "You're from around here, aren't you? I don't remember you so you must have moved a long time ago." Jacob didn't remember ever seeing her in Tribal School and he would have known if families on the reservation had kids attending other schools off the reservation or out of state. Gossip reigned supreme.
Ignoring his question she tugged off her sandals. "You're last name is Black, right?"
Frowning Jacob nodded, "How did you know that?"
"I asked around."
"You asked about me?" Jacob said, unable to keep the cocky grin off his face.
"Yup."
"Hmm, so you do want to see me naked," he smiled wiggling his eyebrows.
Glancing at him, she feigned boredom. "There are worse things in this world, I guess."
Her eyes scanned the water below and he felt a clench in his stomach. "You planning to jump from there?" Jacob asked nervously, not liking at all the fact that someone with close to no experience was about to jump down into the icy water.
"Maybe," the dark haired beauty grinned as she tugged at the edge of her dresses straps. "Why? Are you afraid?"
"You have been kind of drinking," he motioned to the bottle which sat at her feet, "and the rocks are pretty hard to navigate if you're not from around here. Plus being a gir-"
With her head snapping towards him, a look close to anger passed through her eyes. "You think girls can't jump off your stupid rocks?" she growled, knotting her hair in a bun and stepping towards the edge of the rock face. The balls of her feet steadied dangerously on the last rock, her arms splayed in the wind like the famous statue in Rio.
"Fuck," Jacob growled, tugging off his shirt and running toward the water, knowing there was no way he was going to talk her down from jumping and that the better option would just be to rescue her once she hit the cold surf. Keeping his eyes on her he watched as her feet pushed off and her arms came together, her body bending perfectly before angling straight so her fingers and wrists hit the water first.
The water was so cold and jumping in felt as though a million tiny needles were piercing his skin. Coming up from the water and taking a deep breath Jacob swam as fast as he could toward the water below the rocks. The underwater world seemed surreal. It was dark and silent; sinister even.
Treading water he glanced around not seeing anything coming up out of the water. He was sure she'd be up by now. If not, something was terribly wrong.
"Hey," he called out frantically, treading through the thick rough water to try and find the woman whose name he still did not know. "This isn't funny anymore."
He was met with nothing but silence as his eyes scanned the dark water. "Seriously!"
"Actually, it kind of is," a voice said from behind him making him whip around. She was grinning from ear to ear, pleased with herself immensely.
Rolling his eyes Jacob headed back to the shore.
"Hey, come on. I was only kidding. You think I'd really jump from those rocks if I didn't know what I was doing?" she shouted after him only to be ignored.
Jacob couldn't believe she actually thought this was funny. She could have died for Christ sake. He'd dived in after her - a complete stranger.
Getting out of the water he trudged towards his clothes and through the shirt back on. Turning he found her just on his tail, dripping wet. Her hair was matted to the side of her face and the dress she was wearing at 'The Jet' was now officially see through and tempting as fuck.
"I'm Leah by the way," she offered her hand and name in apology.
Grunting Jacob took it and shook roughly, "Yeah. Great."
"So I'll see you around?" she asked hopefully making him freeze and turn to her.
With his eyes softening he nodded his head. "Sure Leah. I'll see you around."
...
"Nice ride," Jacob grinned as Leah plonked down beside him in the sand.
Ringing the water from her hair she laughed, "Thanks."
"The board looks good on you," he said smugly as he through an arm around her shoulder. After seeing her board a few months back he knew she needed one desperately. He'd also known of her insane dislike for going into LaPush to his father's joint to get a new one. So instead, he'd made one especially for her. His father had done most of the work but Leah didn't have to know that.
"Dork," she snorted, pushing his arm off her shoulders and brushing the sand off her wet suit.
"Aw. You hurt my feelings. You have to kiss them better now." he smirked, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.
Blushing, Leah glanced down at his left hand.
"As soon as the ring comes off your finger, I may just do that."
Jacob frowned and tucked his hand away.
"It's okay. I understand." Leah smiled softly, tugging his ever growing hair behind his ear.
"I'm going to tell her this week. I swear. I just - I don't want to hurt her feelings," he blanched as he looked at Leah apologetically.
She knew about Ness. Hell, she almost knew everything about him. Ever since the night on the rocks, months ago, they'd almost been inseparable. It felt as though she'd known him her whole life. And everything about their friendship was easy yet oh-so complicated.
"You should tell her Jacob. As much as I like you, you're kind of being an asshole by stringing her along. No girl, no matter how evil, deserves that kind of treatment." She said softly as she patted his forearm.
"Yeah, I know," he whispered as he tugged a palm through his locks. "You're right."
"Of course I'm right," she grinned trying to lighten the mood, ruffling his hair. "Do the right thing Jacob."
"Easier said than done," he grumbled.
...
California felt too hot. The sun too bright, even with the sunglasses he wore. Unlocking the door to the apartment he shared with Renesmee he strode inside and threw his duffle bag on the floor. Empty beer bottles littered the counter top even though the place was pristine. It wasn't uncommon for her to have friends over every night of the week and it seemed last night was no exception.
Throwing the keys to his jeep onto the counter, he pulled a rubbish bag from the drawer and began filling it up and running some soapy water in the sink. Doing a quick walk around Jacob tidied as much as he could and soaked some of the wine and lipstick stained glasses in the water.
"Hey," he muttered as he turned and noticed her standing in the arch of the doorway. Her red curls hung loosely around her face and she currently had the most unattractive scowl he'd ever seen on her face.
"Well, look at what the cat dragged in," she glared as he tied off the rubbish bag and rested it against the cabinet door. "I didn't think you were coming back."
Glancing up Jacob offered her only a tiny smile. "Sit down, we need to talk."
Taking a seat at the dining table, Jacob waited until she eventually sat across from him. She looked frustrated, annoyed even.
"Daddy said this would happen," she mocked as she crossed her arms across her tiny frame. "He said you'd admit to having one last roll in the hay with some random woman and then come crawling back."
"Crawling back?" Jacob chuckled as he twisted the band on his finger.
"He said you'd need to just get it out of your system and then we could get married. Mother has already sent out the invitations. At least there is still time to get your suit made. We can never find your size in the stores."
"Renesmee... Ness... stop," he said gently as he pulled the ring from his finger and laid the metal atop the table. "I'm sorry, but I can't marry you."
"What?" she whispered, her cheeks turning pink and her eyes glazing over.
"I won't marry you." He explained carefully. "You don't need me, Ness. You've got your life planned out. And it's a perfect life. For you." Taking her shaking hand he took a deep breath. "I don't want to plan the rest of my life out. I just want it to happen as it comes. I want the uncertainty. The mystery of tomorrow. I want to write my own future and not just be a part of yours."
"But Jake, Daddy said-"
Sighing, Jacob rolled his eyes in frustration. She was twenty four years old and she still couldn't grasp the idea of having to think outside of her parents ideals.
"Ness. You really need to stop listening to him. It's your life. The world does not begin and end with Edward Cullen. Look," he sighed taking her hand and placing the ring inside it. "I love you but you need to start doing what's best for you. Not your father. Do what makes you happy."
"But you make me happy, Jake. Please, don't do this to us. I love you," she howled, trying to tug his wrist closer.
"You'll find someone Ness. Someone who wants what you want. Who loves you as much as you think you love me."
Pulling his hand away, Jacob stood from the chair and walked over to his ex-fiancé. Grasping her curls and head carefully, he placed a kiss on her forehead. "Bye, honey."
...
"Emily, what are we doing here?" Leah asked as they pulled up in front of 'The Jet'. "I thought it was your day off?"
Taking off her belt Emily only smiled and shook her head. "I have a surprise for you."
"Great," Leah mumbled, "I hate surprises."
Leah slinked behind as Emily led her around the side of the establishment. She could admit, Emily wasn't bad as a friend. Meeting her through Jacob and learning she'd married his cousin was a surprise but Leah kept tight-lipped. Jacob was good enough to share his friends with her after all, and she wasn't about to turn down anyone's friendship.
"Close your eyes," Emily said turning back to look at her.
"You've got to be fucking kidding me." Leah moaned as she lulled her head back.
"Please?"
"Fine. But only because you make one Hell of a Mojito," Leah smirked as she took hold of Emily's out stretched hand. "Which reminds me, you owe me one for this little stunt."
Walking a few meters Leah felt Emily stop and place her hands upon her shoulders. "Now turn around."
"What is this? You better not have gotten me a stripper!" she fumed, having told Emily it was her birthday a few days ago.
"See," she heard a husky deep voice whisper. "I knew you wanted to see me naked."
Opening her eyes she squealed and hugged the giant statured man in front of her.
"Jake," she whispered against his neck, burying her face there. "Did you do it?"
Nodding his head he grinned, his left hand cupping her face and rubbing his warm thumb over her jaw.
"I did," he whispered, pressing his lips against hers for the very first time, knowing, it wouldn't be the last.