AN: As you can see from the bold and all caps lettering, there are some wolves –that will be phased- NOTE: just for flow's sake I put in 'said' instead of 'thought', because they still have thoughts that aren't directed as speech to another phased wolf. And this is how it will always be for all my Twilight stories. Note#2: I have a poll on how long you like your stories, from the small number of people who have voted, I'll start making longer chapters if it's possible. Note#3: YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME! I got eleven reviews! That's a record! Thank you to all that reviewed (SomeoneThatIsNotMe, jennyknowsbest, happinie93, bookworm2341, kaiwi10, madeline4824, AJ, Anonymous, Haha, ReplayedMelody, OoOMerry-had-a-little-lambOoO), I give you all invisible hugs. Note#4: This is unbeta'd so I apologize for any mistakes. I just wanted to put this chapter out because I was able to start in finish it quickly because I've been stuck in bed for two days. HAPPY READING, and please review!
Chapter 14: Problem Solved?
LEAH POV
Ever since I first phased, my priority list has been scrambled up a lot. A good example of this is the fact that I would be getting food in the near future if I did this one task. Kinda sad that I'm a man-chick now. The problem of this one task was that it was a very difficult task. I haven't really actually started to control my thoughts, I'm usually lashing out on whoever I have patrol with. After taking a second of thinking of whom I had patrol with I decided against annoying Jared, he was actually pretty cool, second only to Paul. It would be a nice way to keep my mind off of Cady's stupid secret so I could get my friggin cookies.
I glanced at the digital clock on the stove and decided to run off to Skyler to take my mind off things before patrol, a lot can be accomplished in an hour.
SETH POV
I had been planning on talking to Cady then going to sleep before my late patrol, but now that plan was kind of botched since I now had to find something to occupy my head for patrol tonight. Even if I tried to go to sleep I probably couldn't, worried about screwing up tonight with Paul -who was already going to be angry at me because he had a double shift today- and then Cady would be angry at me for 'telling' Paul.
I trudged over to my bed and laid on top of it, pulling my pillow over my head. I was so screwed.
-()-()-()-
Yippee, now I get to spend the next four hours with Sethy! Paul greeted me ever so warmly for my patrol.
It's so great to spend my time with you too Paul. And it's been shortened to one and a half hours, I corrected making my way to the part of the border I was to keep watch of tonight.
Oh yeah! Cuz baby boy has a big test tomorrow, Paul said.
Oh come on Paul! You know Sam would have me locked up in my house, studying and not patrolling for even a minute! I said.
Sucks so much for you! Paul teased.
You know what; just keep on fucking teasing me Paul! Then I can keep my mind off things, I said.
Paul hesitated in his slow trot out of pure surprise of my strong anger. Which was a good thing; I needed him to not be so observant in case I slipped.
Slip up on what? Paul questioned, being strangely observant in the circumstances.
Nothing you ass! I growled, coming to a stop and pacing in a thinning area of the trees.
I could feel a bit of excitement pass through the link and I literally tried to shake off the feeling.
Ooo, it's gotta be good whatever it is, Paul said. Come on man, spill it. You shouldn't even try to keep secrets when you're just a noob.
Aw come on! I've been doing this a month, give me a bit of credit here! I said.
You're the youngest one to have recently phased so you are designated noob, Paul explained. But that is all beside the point, what's the secret?
Why would I ever tell you, Paul?
Because, Paul said. Now, tell me.
Hell no.
Hell yeah, it's gotta be pretty big because your actually trying to keep it in there, Seth.
I am not going to say a word Paul, so don't even try, I said, backing it up with all my authority.
-()-()-()-
CADY POV
I was very concentrated on our currently assigned art project when my boyfriend decided to surprise me. Two large hands clapped down on my shoulders and I was barely able to retain my impulsive scream.
"Oh, jeez Seth. You are so fucking lucky I just didn't screw up my picture, Seth," I said, keeping my voice low.
"Well, you didn't, so that's all good. I was just happy to let you know that I am awesome," Seth said as he sat down on my left.
"What?" I said, looking over at Seth. He never was an arrogant, air-headed, jock. I put down my pencil and turned to face Seth. "Why do you think that?"
"I… have finally learned how to keep a thought to myself," Seth said proudly.
I looked at him quizzically before realizing what he meant. "Seriously?"
"Seriously," Seth said.
"Yay!" I lurched forward off my seat and into Seth's lap for a hug. "I'm happy for you, but super happy for me too! Who did you have patrol with anyway?"
"Paul," Seth answered, wrapping his arm around my lower back.
I relaxed into Seth. "Oh, that would have sucked. Will I be baking Leah any cookies sometime soon?"
"Yes," Seth said, giving me a small kiss on the head.
I smiled into Seth's shoulder. "You know, I think I should be getting a little something from you for forcing me to tell my secret. A secret that you didn't need to know, at all, because I know guys never tell anyone-"
"-Yes," Seth answered. "You do deserve something, for having an annoying boyfriend like me," I giggled at him, wondering if there was a gift for 'making your girlfriend tell her secret sex dreams', "a prying, jerk, idiot, that can't let anything go." He punctuated each word by lightly poking me in my side, resulting in a little squeal or giggle from me.
"Mr. Clearwater, Mrs. Palmer, class is in session and only one person is allowed to a stool," Mrs. Collins said, entering the room from the back-room full of magical art wonders.
Laughter sounded throughout the room as I got out of Seth's lap. I pecked him lightly on the lips before sitting back on my stool.
-()-()-()-
All throughout today Seth and I had been overly lovey dovey, something I didn't do because I always hated seeing PDA in the hallway. But for some strange reason I was really attracted to Seth, more so than usual.
We were so bad that Briget fake-gagged while Seth and I were getting too comfortable with each other while Briget and I waited to be picked up after school.
The day continued on in relative normalcy until Drake was brought home from school. I knew something was up when he shut his door with more vigor than usual.
I dropped my homework and went to my door and slowly opened it. Looking ahead, along the wall, I saw Derek's door closed – the papers that were taped to it still slightly fluttering. I glanced to my left to see Briget peeking from behind her door. Sticking my hand out of my door I made a 'come here' motion.
She quietly closed her door and came into my room.
"I say now is the best time to ask Drake about what is bothering him, do you wanna do it right now?' I asked.
Briget nodded. "Yeah."
With that we both left my room and went to stand in front of Drake's door. After exchanging looks, I was the one to end up knocking on his door.
"What?" Was the response we got.
"It's your sisters and we like to know if we could come in and talk to you," I said, in a hopefully neutral tone.
"Whatever…"
I opened the door and was the one to first step into Drake's room. It was a little messy, but that was only because he had to clean it over the weekend. I took a few more careful steps into the room to make room for Briget. She closed the door behind her and turned to face Drake, crossing her arms over her chest.
Drake was lying on his stomach on top of his messy bed. He slowly lifted his head from between his crossed arms, and looked at us curiously from his bed. "What are you guys doing here?"
"Like I said, we want to talk to you. You haven't been acting yourself lately and we were wondering if you wanted to talk about it?" I said. Drake's stare turned into a very dark glare that was mainly directed at me. "…Maybe you wanna just talk, get it off your chest if it is something that is bothering you… we could help if you want-"
"-Nothings wrong with me," Drake interrupted, dropping his head to rest between his arms.
I glanced over at Briget who just shrugged; so much for the girl who wanted to take action.
"I'm not saying that. Were just… for lack of a corny word – concerned, you've been acting differently these past few weeks—that's not to say that change is bad, change can be good, but-"
"-Cady," Briget interrupted. "You really don't need to go on one of your super-long, crazy spiels."
I huffed in annoyance "Wha-? I… wasn't going to, Briget. Perhaps you would have learned something if I did."
Briget smiled down at Drake, and I silently yelled at her. Briget motioned to Drake with her head and I looked down at Drake. His shoulders were shaking in laughter as he laid, head down, on the bed. Huh… I never knew that Briget and I's conversations were so funny to Drake.
"I don't wanna learn anything if I'm not in school, and even then I don't really want to be learning anything," Briget said.
I went along with it, hoping at the end of this we got a laugh. Then we could actually stop talking.
I scoffed (acting of course), "Waddaya mean? School may suck like hell, but it will lead you to your future!"
Briget giggled, and I looked down at Drake. His shoulders were significantly shaking in silent laughter; he had even moved one of his hands to cover his mouth.
"So ya gotta stay in school! All of us, unless you want to start working for Dad when he starts his shop up," I said.
"Hell no. I am not working for Dad just to end up with a ton of slivers and dust in my face. It's a serious hazard!" Briget said. All three of us laughed loudly. It was in fact a hazard to Briget, something we had all learned and experienced when Dad had brought us to work when we were young.
"That was hilarious, though!" Drake said. "Your face was- ha-ha- covered in sawdust, it was like you were a sand coated Briget!"
We all laughed and Briget took a seat on Drake's bed.
"It was funny, but it sucked so badly. I swear I still have some in my lungs," Briget said.
Drake laughed, and sat up. The happy atmosphere started to dissipate, so I took my shot while things still looked up.
"Drake, can we just ask, what's been up with you?" I questioned.
Drake looked at me. "Nothing."
I looked straight back at him, as did Briget, until he gave an actual answer.
"I'm just… a lot is going on… socially. I don't know if it's just me, or them."
"Them who?" I asked.
Drake sighed, "Everyone at school."
Briget and I shared a look; maybe our guess was actually right.
"Just because I make… the decision to hang out, and like, a certain girl they all think they have the right to annoy the hell out of me and bully me."
"They bully you, Drake? If someone is really bullying you should have told someone when it had happened," Briget said, concerned.
"They don't actually bully me, they just tease and harass me," Drake explained.
"That is bullying Drake. Have you even mentioned this to mom and dad?" I asked.
Drake shook his head. "No. It would be weird to tell them, and they wouldn't understand."
"You should have at least tried to tell them," I said. I felt bad because I hadn't even known that this is what Drake was going through. We had guessed right, it was about some girl, though he didn't admit it was Abby, but we had missed the whole half of it.
"Who's the girl anyway?" I asked indifferently.
Drake looked at the two of us with wary eyes. "…I like Abby Felder." He was apparently expecting some big reaction, because he seemed surprised of our silence. "I like her and I'm probably never going to get the chance to be with her because she's with someone."
"No shit, Drake!" Briget yelled. "She had his babies!" Now that had gotten a reaction.
"Not that that means she should be with the guy, he got her pregnant when they had underage sex!" I said.
"Oh my God, Cady. Will you please stop playing devil's advocate," Briget said, turning to me.
I raised my hands in the air in acquiesce.
Briget locked her eyes back on Drake. "Do you want to be with her because you think you'll get a chance to get some? Be honest with us Drake-"
"No!" Drake shouted, coming out of his slump and sitting up straight. His eyes flickered between the two of us. "Kinda, but not really! She is really nice and I get angry at the jerks, including Alex, who make fun of her and talk so badly about her behind her back."
"Are you serious?" I asked. Sure Alex was a jerk off for having sex with Abby, but I didn't know he was a complete douchebag. I wondered if Abby knew all of this.
"This isn't time for gossip," Cady whispered harshly to me.
"It's not gossip," Drake said. "I've seen and heard it all myself. They are all jerks, and Abby deserves to be treated a whole lot better by her 'boyfriend'."
Briget placed a hand on his shoulder and Drake didn't try to shrug it off. "Drake, it's very nice of you to care about her and stand up for her, but you need to stop doing it. She is with somebody, despite his bad behavior, and you shouldn't be sent to the principal's office because of her. I know what it's like to like another person who doesn't return your feelings. You just need to get over her now, before years pass by that could've been spent going after someone else."
I was stunned by the words she had told Drake, and I'm sure I looked quite surprised. Briget usually isn't the one good with words and using them to express herself.
"I think you two should talk it out, because you've been in the same boat," I walked over to the door without making eye contact with Briget. Before I left the room, I turned to face Drake. "If the bullying issue doesn't stop soon, and by definition of soon that's like, within the next three days, tell mom or dad, OK?"
Drake nodded and with that as agreement, I left it to Briget to talk to Drake.