Chapter 13: Stealing MY idea!
Quil always tries to get the front seat, but tonight I don't even have to open my mouth or glare, let alone use my fists to get my rightful place. It only takes one look from Jacob to get Quil to scramble into the crammed up backseat.
Quil had suggested taking the Ateara family car, which would have been smart considering our sizes, but Jacob insists on the Rabbit. The car is his pride and joy. I don't get what it is with boys and their cars. Sure, he has put a lot of work and love to it, I get that part, but it does not serve well as the vehicle for five overgrown werewolves!
I feel sorry for the boys in the backseat, there is honestly no room for them, and to sit crammed up like that is pure torture. I do get that it would make more sense if I was the one in the back since I'm, despite my height, clearly the smallest, but, hey, as Beta I have to make a grab for the few privileges I can get.
I push my seat as close to the dashboard as possible leaving Embry some room for his legs. Poor Quil doesn't get the same benevolent treatment from Jacob. Jake's seat is pushed as far back as possible which means Quil's legs are nearly amputated.
"You can back your seat a little if you want to, Leah." Embry says, but I don't do it, because obviously he is in need of more leg space than me.
Quil and Seth chatter excitedly about the upcoming events, Seth about how he hopes to get the chance to dance with a cute girl and Quil about how hot the girls will be and how they won't be able to get their hands off of him. Yeah, sure! Jake is unusually quiet, glancing every now and then on my bracelet. It's unnerving. It's just a bracelet!
Or is he too thinking about how I once betrayed our friendship. Is that it? Damn! Does he know how I not only betrayed him but broken a promise I gave his mom?
* * Flashback * * *
They've brought Sarah Black home from the hospital, at her request, so she can be home when it's her time to go. I know it means she is dying. There is nothing to be done anymore for her, that's another thing my mom said. I tried to comfort Rebecca and Rachel but they have locked themselves up in their room, puffy eyed and crying. Mom is over there all day and sometimes at night too, helping in taking care of Sarah. Jake stays with us.
He is angry all the time. Dad says it's because he doesn't understand what is happening and we have to be especially kind and understanding towards him. That is why nobody yells at him, not even when he pushed Seth so he scraped his knee and there was some blood. At nights Jacob is crying himself to sleep and having nightmares. I try to make him sleep holding him and trying to soothe him while mom is over at the Black's watching over Sarah and helping Billy.
"Leah?" Sarah's voice is weak, more a whisper than anything, and she looks frail and thin as I step in through the door together with Jake. I struggle to keep from crying and I'm scared. What if this will happen to my mom? Poor Rebecca and Rachel. Poor Jacob! He's still so little, only five.
I remeber how Sarah always used to smile and laugh, dance and sing. She played with us making up funny games, making us laugh, and she never ever scolds us like my mom does when we get too wild. She just laughs when I and Jake jump on the sofa. I love her very much. But now it's scary to look at her. Her shiny thick black hair is gone, she is pale and looks like a child.
Jake takes his match box cars running them on the bed, trying his best to smile, because my mom has told him to be a brave boy and smile.
"I want you to get up!" Jake tries to command his mom. "Get up mommy! I want you to play with me. "
Sarah smiles weakly. "Jakey, remember I told you mommy's very ill and needs to rest."
"NO! I don't want to hear it!" Jake yells throwing the car on the floor and runs out from the room
I'm about to run after him, because my mom has given me the task of looking after Jake, but Sarah calls me back.
I go closer and sit beside her on the chair next to her bed.
"Leah! I need you to promise me something." Her whisper is hoarse and interrupted by coughs. I nod my head.
"Promise me you will look after my little Jake, please. Promise me that you will take care of him and to be there for him when he needs a friend. The twins got each other and they understand a little more, but Jake, he... I worry the most about him... And you have always held his heart. You are his sun."
This is an easy promise! Jake has always been my favorite, ever since he was born. Sometimes I wish he was my little brother too, just like Seth.
"Of course!" I cross my heart. "I'll always look after him and be there for him whenever he needs me!"
"Good!" she sighs and smiles a little looking relieved. "Could you go and find him for me and ask him to come in here?"
"Jake" I say as I find him hiding in the garage, under the car. I crawl to lay next to him. He is laying curled up like a little puppy dog. "Jakey" I whisper and pet his hair. I don't really know what to say, but he is so sad and I know his mom is sad and worried too. He turns around and hugs me hard.
"Lee! I want to fix mom. But there isn't any tools that can help. I looked at them all, but I don't know which one to use." he says looking defeated.
"I don't think there is a tool for that." I whisper.
"There has to be!" Jake claims. "I have to fix mom"
"Do you remember the spirit warriors?" I ask. I feel Jake nod his head. "The spirit warriors were always very brave, even when they were scared they didn't run away and hide. Sometimes they had to face tasks that were too difficult for them to solve, but then they accepted fate and they always stayed and helped even if it hurt them and they were scared...Like when Taha Aki's mom got sick, he didn't go and hide, he sat by her side and held her hand the whole time."
Jake looks like he ponders what I say. "Taha Aki's mommy got sick?"
I nod my head.
"What happened to her?"
"She went to heaven." I tell him.
"Mom is going to heaven too." Jake says."I don't want her to go! Lee, make her stay!"
"I can't" I whisper and my heart hurts.
He starts wailing. "Don't ever leave me Lee!"
"I won't Jake!" I promise. "I'll always look after you. You and me forever!"
"Will you come with me to see mom with me?" he whispers.
Of course I will go with him! I will go with him anywhere he needs me to, just like I've promised his mom.
As I open the door to the bedroom Jake rushes to his mom's side. He lays down next to her on the bed hugging her and crying.
"Mommy, I don't want you to leave me!" He cries.
"I know honey, I know."
After comforting him his mom starts to whisper a story.
"Have you heard the story of Wolfboy, Jake?" she asks. "Wolfboy was a very clever and brave little wolf, he was a spirit warrior. His mom had to leave him behind because she was called by Taha Aki to go to the spirit world."
"Why did Taha Aki want to take Wolfboy's mommy away?" Jake sobs.
"Taha Aki needed her to help in the spirit world, so she couldn't stay any longer."
"But didn't Wolfboy get very sad and lonely?" Jake asks.
"Sometimes he got very sad, and it is alright to feel sad. It always helps to cry, but he had good friends and he had his father and sisters, who comforted him. Most of the time he was very happy and went on many funny adventures. And his mommy was always with him, even though he couldn't see her, she was always watching what he was doing from the spirit world, just like I will always look after you, even if you don't see me."
"What was his friends names?"
"He had many friends, and his most special friend was the Wolfprincess." Sarah says looking me in the eye and winking.
Jacob smiles his bright smile, the smile that always makes me feel happy, and looks pleased.
"I like the Wolfprincess. Will Wolfboy marry the Wolfprincess?" he asks.
"Maybe."
"I think they will get married and then when they are old they can live in the spirit world together with Taha Aki and Wolfboy's mom and dad and sisters." Jake beams.
Sarah sighs and smiles and kisses Jake's head.
"Yes, that might happen. We don't know yet Jake. The story hasn't been finished yet."
"But I know it will happen, because Wolfprincess has promised Wolfboy to never ever leave him!"
* * * End of flashback * * *
I blink my eyes rapidly as the pain of this memory hits me. I hadn't been the true friend I promised, in fact I kind of gave up on Jake somewhere along the way, when I was wrapped up in dating Sam and later feeling and thinking of nothing but my own pain. I should have been there for him in another way when the Bella-thing went down, and even before that when the twins left, he must have been so lonely and missed them so much! I should have looked after him better. I suck as a friend. I have to change that now, it's never too late to correct your ways, to make amends.
I turn to glance at Jacob. He has a determined look on his face, like he has made some decision that will forever affect his future. A life changing decision. He looks so serious, way too serious for the Jacob Black I always have known. He catches my gaze and turns his head and gives me such a bright smile, only Jacob Black can manage. The kind of smile that he always wore as a kid, a smile that he doesn't sport as much these days as before. It's a smile I've missed more than I knew, a smile I have always loved, the smile that always makes me break out in one too. His gaze is piercing and intent, like he is gazing ino the soul of me, and for a second I fear he will steer off the road if he keeps on staring into my eyes like that.
I'm about to shriek something along the lines of 'eyes on the road', when we are jerked back into reality by Seth and Quil's excited chatter, "What should I say to the girls?" I hear Seth desperately wailing out to Quil.
I grunt. How can my brother think of asking Quil. Does Quil know anything?! The answer is NO! Everybody ought to realize that Quil is not the person to be asked for advice about anything, especially not about girls. I'm sure Quil imprinting on a toddler is Taha Aki's way of ensuring that womankind is spared any further suffering from hearing Quil's horrible pick up lines. Believe me, I've heard them all through high school, they were terrible then and probably even worse now.
"I know the perfect line, Seth! Wanna hear it?!"
No! Nobody wants to hear it, but of course my snorting won't stop Quil, if anything it only makes him speak louder. I try to erase the memories of embarrassing encounters in the school hallways with Quil in his freshman year, but no, it's impossible because the idiot is now trying to corrupt my brother with the very same lines!
"'If I told you had a beautiful body, would you hold it against me?'" Quil squeals enthusiastically.
I don't know whether to laugh at this or smack his head to telling my brother such utter idiocy. Seth is mumbling to himself like he is actually trying to memorize the line. Dear god! My brother will never say things like that. I won't allow him!
"This one is really good Seth, 'Could you ask you breasts to stop staring at my eyes!'" Quil cackles before I have time to stop him.
I start banging my head on the dash board. I did not hear him say that!
"NO! NO! NOOO! Nobody wants to be told things like that! Never ever say anything like that Seth!" I turn to face Seth. "Promise me or I will castrate you myself! You can't use any of the lines Quil just told you if you don't want to get an black eye or a knee in your groin!"
Seth's eyes dart from me to Quil, clearly not knowing who to believe, but of course as his older sister I win.
"What should I say then?" He whines ruffling his hair.
"Why don't you just be your self?" I ask. "Just go with the flow Seth, you can't rehearse in advance!"
Quil is relentless. "Don't listen to her! I mean, Jake, your with me on this, my lines are awesome, they work every time. I've always been very popular with the ladies!" he brags grinning stupidly.
I snort. I can't remember hearing of Quil ever getting anywhere with his lines, except running and trying to dodge punches. I guess he has gotten a lot of practice of self defense too, blocking knees going for his groin.
One good thing comes out of it though and it is getting Jake to snap out of his strange mood.
"Leah's right Seth. You can't say things like that. It's much better if you just grab the girl you like and kiss her!" Jake says grinning widely winking his eye at me. To top it off he smirks smugly too. I don't knw why I'm blushing, probably because I'm surrounded by idiots.
"No Seth! You won't do that either!" I order him. My brother is not going to be turned into a monster by these morons.
"What would you say to a girl?" Seth asks Embry.
I perk my ears and turn to face Embry, curios on how he would approach a girl. Embry might in fact say something intelligent, something that my brother and the two other imbeciles could learn from.
It's dark outside and in the car, but it's obvious Embry's cheeks get heated.
"I...I'd tell her..." He sounds insecure, trailing off. His eyes meet mine and it's like they are begging me for something. He is probably trying to get me to help him off the hook from a situation he finds awkward. He never likes being the center of attention.
"You'd tell her what?" Seth prods on.
"I...I'd tell her she's beautiful and that I'm in love with her." he mumbles weakly looking at his hands in his lap.
That is sweet. I smile and nod my head approvingly. Embry would be a good role-model for Seth. I don't get why he idolizes Jake or Edward when Embry would be a much saner option.
"No, no, no!" Quil shakes his head. "You can't tell a girl your in love with her straight away, and don't compliment her either! That will only get to her head! That's why you never gotten laid Embry. You should have read my copy of The Game, like I told you, girls would be all over you if you followed the rules. You can borrow it from me, Seth! It's a great book! I swear it works every time, I swear. It's the best book I've read, I've read like a thousand of times. I know it by heart!" Quil enthusiastically shouts.
Oh no! Seth will never ever borrow that book, if I can help it!
"He will do no such thing!" I command. "Seth!"
"Okay Lee" Seth mutters in that way I know he will be running to Quil for more idiotic advice as soon as my eyes avert him.
The music blazes and is of course too loud for our werewolf senses but it's good and makes a smile break on my face. I want to dance! I haven't danced in ages, and I love to dance.
"We need drinks!" Jake orders as his eyes scan the club. We do?
I chuckle. Typical boys, they need to get drunk before dancing. But hey, I made that promise of being a better friend, so I agree.
Hanging out with the boys might actually be fun!
I can feel the beat and rhythm plant it self in my body making it pulse as we push our way through the crowd. Jake grabs me by the hand, paving the way as he leads us towards the bar.
One drink turns out to be several rounds of shots, but I guess with our metabolism we need a lot to feel anything. I make sure though that Seth gets nothing, downing his shots as well as he whines and pouts, but only a little because soon his eyes are transfixed on the girls on the dance floor.
"Let's dance!" I exclaim to no one in particular and to all of them.
Quil and my brother don't need telling twice, since the moment I utter the words they rush to the dance floor. Both have had their eyes glued to the girls dancing there ever since we entered, and yes I have seen how the girls – practically every single one of them - are or have been eying my boys and they look at me like I'm competition. I snicker at this. It makes me feel good actually that someone for once seems to envy what I have and not think I'm some kind of a slut, but a lucky bitch getting to hang out with such hot men.
"Let's go!" I call out grabbing Jake and Embry by the neck. I giggle as I drag the boys to the dance floor. I think I'm a little more buzzed than I thought, giggling like that, getting all touchy feely, practically hanging on them, but they don't seem to mind. They are probably drunk themselves, and don't notice much anyways. I'm about to become one with the music, when I feel Jake stopping me and leaning close...
My hearts speeds up rapidly, but that's the alcohol talking.
Jake starts ranting, "I will do it Leah!" He is smiling widely looking solemn at the same time.
Do what? What the hell is he talking about now? How much has he been drinking to be blurting out incoherent things.
His hand slides down my arm to my my wrist where the bracelet is, his fingers slowly gracing it, a small pleased smile on his lips.
"I knew you would ask me to do it Leah! I would've done it anyway, but you don't know how it makes me feel that you asked me to! I will make sure I succeed whatever it takes! I swear Leah on my life!" he yells over the blazing music.
What the hell is he talking about?
"And I think I know how to do it! I'll try for you Leah, and I won't ever, ever give up! No matter what the cost or how long it will take! I swear I'll do it! I can do it Leah! I know I can!"
Jake is all riled up and his words fiery. He is like a politician at a rally for something, going all passionate about his topic. I'm mesmerized by the intensity of his stare, the wildness in his eyes. If he would ask me to join his cause – whatever it is – I would do it. But what the hell is his cause?! What is it he is going to do?!
"I'm gonna fight it!"
Me too! But what?! What are we fighting?!
I don't know what it is about at all, but somehow Jake seems to think I know exactly what he is on about. I'm about to ask him, but just as I open my mouth I hear someone screeching.
"It's you! It's you! Oh my god! It's you!" And then someone is hugging me. "You saved me. I have wanted to thank you ever since. You are my hero!" The girl hugging me looks about to cry and I recognize her then. It's a girl I and Embry have saved from being mugged two weeks ago. Oh no!
"Yeah, it's okay, no need to thank me…" I mumble trying to get away from her.
"Kevin, Kevin, get over here! This is the girl I told you about! This is my hero!" She continues shouting, not letting go of me. Jake stares at me incredulously, I don't know what to say. "Oh there is him too!" She seems to have spotted Embry next to us and starts hugging him too, still holding onto one of my arms. I try desperately to get away but now there is quite a crowd gathered around us.
Jake hands grip my waist firmly not letting me get away, "What the hell is going on?" Why did she have to be here tonight?! Fuck! And Jake with his superhearing and sight doesn't miss a thing, no matter how drunk he might be. He is suspicious now. I'm fucked!
I shrug my shoulders, but there is no getting away from this. "We kind of helped her the other week…" I mumble feeling too buzzed to come up with anything smart.
"Helped her? We?"
"Yes! She is my hero, she and him!" The girl points at Embry after hearing Jake's words. "Me and my friend were being mugged and all of a sudden she was there and punched one of the guys in the face and him, he took out the other one, and then they walked us home."
The girl and her boyfriend hang on to us, sticking to us like glue. Guess it don't matter now since Jake already heard all about it. Will he suspect anything, this could be just a random happening, right?
The girl chatters on with Jake telling everything how we appeared out of nowhere and saved them. Jake listens politely, interfering with questions and then frowning casting a glance at me. "You should have told me!" He whispers angrily. "I need to know things like this!"
"Slipped my mind." I try, it's lame, a bad excuse, but I can't think of a better one. "I need go to the bathroom" I say making a swift escape. I have to clear my head so I will be able to lie better. I am an excellent liar under normal circumstances. Who wouldn't be with Sue as their mom, especially if you are prone to get into trouble like I've always been? You have to become a good liar, because my mother has eyes like a hawk, and she never did laugh things off like Jacob's dad, oh no, I got punished for acting up, for doing crazy stunts, for doing dangerous stuff. So I've learned to lie and you have to be a damn good liar to fly below my mother's radar, but being drunk makes my brain malfunction..
Jake gives me a commanding look before letting me go, "We'll talk about this. Pack meeting. Outside. Ten minutes."
On my way back from the ladies room a bad situation goes to worse. There is a brawl, and what is a girl to do, but to meddle and stop a fist connecting with someones face?
Before I know it a chair comes flying and I have to catch that, and then it seems more people get involved, and of course Jake comes charging through grabbing the beefiest of the guys, with Embry on his heels holding the opponent, followed by Seth and Quil. People seem to think they are security, even the security seems to think they are part of their team. It doesn't take more than a fraction of a second before the whole situation has calmed down and the fighters neutralized. Somehow this seems to start the kind of an adrenaline rush in Jake that makes him in a hell of a good mood, because he breaks out in a wide grin. The kind of grin he has when he gets an idiotic idea.
"That was fun!" he says as we start heading towards the exit. "Hell, that is much more fun than dancing!"
Is he going to suggest we will go to a 'fight club' instead of to a dance club' the next time? Wouldn't surprise me.
I march outside and decide to go first, before Jake starts with his questions, because he might just starts questioning Embry. I know Embry can hide his thoughts and keep his mouth shut, but he isn't one to be blatantly lying right in someones face. He won't do that, so it's better I am playing offense instead of risking Embry to spill.
"So the girl, yeah, we have extra sensitive senses, what you expect, me to pass by someone in need of help? I can't just walk past someone who is in trouble. That's not right! And with our enhanced senses of course we'll be able to detect trouble much easier, so that's sort of what happened you know." I state.
"Mhh." Jake huffs still smiling, not really listening. "You are right about that, but I don't like you getting in trouble and not telling me. Next time I want you to tell me right away."
"I'm careful, I wouldn't do anything reckless."
"I trust your judgment Leah, it's not that! You should have told me, because I JUST GOT THE GREATEST IDEA EVER!" Jake is looking elated, shouting. "Had you told me about that earlier, I might have gotten it sooner! Now we have wasted a lot of time."
I have always considered Embry's mind a mystery, but now I realize Jake's brain is a mystery too. What is he going on about now?
"We can start protecting people everywhere. We'll leave patrolling the Rez for Sam and his La push gang. We have to see the bigger picture, fate has bigger plans in store for us. We can be superheroes. For real!" Jake says with such enthusiasm getting both Quil and Seth cheering and hollering as they think of themselves as superheroes. Probably with capes and all.
I can't fucking believe it! Jake is stealing my thing!
AN: Sorry, this update took forever, but what can I say, this time of year is always hectic...