Never Gonna Forget
Chapter 21- Getting to know the Band
*Friday morning*
Bright sunlight streams in from my bedroom window and I groan, not wanting to wake up at all. I grab my blankets and pull them over my head, hiding myself from the sunlight and the rest of the world. I hear pots and pans banging around in the kitchen and I know that Emily is likely already making food for the pack, the imprints, and the band. I can hear Paul's deep heavenly voice downstairs and know that everyone else is up due to all the chatter going on downstairs. After what seems to be a few minutes of laying in my bed, I hear loud footsteps coming up the stairs; which just causes me to make myself a little cave inside my blankets.
"Jaclyn, time to wake up. As much as I rather lay in bed all day with you, other people seem to have other plans for us, especially you." A voice that I know all too well says, encouraging me to wake up and get out of bed. Paul. The very mention of his name and hearing of his voice instantly has me smiling. I pretend to be sleeping away but Paul doesn't fall for it. He playfully pushes me and I roll onto my back.
"Come on. I know that you are awake. Your heartbeat doesn't race that fast unless you are awake."Paul comments and I can hear the smirk in his voice. Well that's a lie in a way. My heartbeat races when I hear his voice. I groan but come out of my blanket cave, my dark blue eyes connecting with dark Hershey chocolate coloured eyes. Paul smiles at me and I pout at him.
"So who all have other plans for me?" I question him as I untangle myself from my warm cocoon of blankets. The blankets falling around me onto my bed as I stretch out my arms, and then stand up onto my bedroom floor, a shiver going up my spine as I feel the cold carpet floor under my feet.
"Well, the latest that I heard was that the band and pack wanted to sit together and tell their stories or something like that."Paul comments back and I roll my eyes, knowing that of course the band would want to share their stories.
I go over to my dress and pick out a clean outfit for me to wear, which consists of a shirt, pants and undergarments. I head straight to the bathroom, shutting and locking the door. I quickly change out of my pj's and into decent clothes. After finishing changing, I unlock the door and walk out, smiling at Paul.
"Why is it that you lock the door?" Paul questions me, smirking at me as I smirk right back.
"It's so that you don't get any bright ideas or see what you shouldn't see until I give consent." I say back to him and he pouts at me after I answer him.
"Well, that's not very fair." He retorts back at me, still pouting.
"All is fair in love and war, babe." I comment back.
"Oh really? Also we might want to hurry and go downstairs because everyone is already up and waiting for you to get up so that we can eat already. If we don't hurry up and go downstairs, then you might get fed to the wolves, literally." Paul comments as we head out of my bedroom.
"Then let's go downstairs. Also I doubt that you haven't done anything that wasn't fair in the game called love." I comment, smirking. Paul's brown eyes widen.
"What's that supposed to mean?" He asks, incredulously.
"Don't sound so surprised, Mr. Player. I know how you work and how you have worked in the past. I know almost every pick up line a guy or girl could use. Just remember, hot shot, treat me like a queen and I'll treat you like a king. Treat me like a game and I'll show you how it's played." I say back to him, smirking more as he slightly glares at me. I give him a quick peck of a kiss on his cheek and then start heading down the maple wood stairs, Paul following after me.
Paul is quiet as we walk down the stairs and I can almost hear the wheels turning in his head as he ponders what I just said to him. I smirk to myself even more as we soon reach the final steps and he still hasn't said anything to me. As we begin walking towards the living room and can hear the Pack and Band talking amongst themselves, that's when Paul decides to make a comment to what I said to him previously.
"How do you know how the hell I work?"Paul questions me, demanding slightly.
"Honey, I'm the female version of you. I'm the Mrs. Player to your Mr. Player. I know all the rules and tricks to that game." I retort back to him, winking at his shocked face as we enter the living room. I turn back to look in front of me and see that everyone is looking at us.
"What?" I question them, huffing slightly as I sit down on an empty seat on one of the love seats in Sam's and Emily's living room. Paul sits down next to me. He goes to move me onto his lap and I glare at him, telling him not to even try it. He puts his hands up in defence and moves them onto his knees instead.
"Well, that is true. You have always been a bit of a player." Isaac says, a smirk playing on his lips as he looks over at me. I look back at him, smirking back, rolling my eyes as well.
"Yeah, plus you acted like a bit of a slut and a real tease back in summer school." Chase comments as well and I see that all of the band members have smirks glued onto their faces, whereas the pack just look a little confused and curious as well.
"Hey, I was not a complete slut. I didn't sleep with some chick's guy or screw with every guy. I didn't screw with any of the guys in our group." I retort back, slightly harshly towards Chase, who just rolls his dark blue eyes playfully.
"So you sort of lied to us in a way?" Jared skeptically questions and I shake my head in disagreement.
"No, see with the pack I wasn't really lying to you guys because you guys assumed that I was innocent, but during the summer with my band mates, I wasn't innocent and I was a total player. I was the total opposite in both places. You could say that I was living two lives and getting the best of both worlds." I explain and he nods his head in understanding.
"So what's the story behind you guys? You know, like your life story and how you met everyone."Embry asks my old summer school friends and band mates as Emily waves for us to eat. We head into the kitchen, fill our plates, and then sit back down in our original seats.
"Okay, so we will take turns telling our stories then."Jayy comments and everyone nods their heads.
"So who is going to go first?"Hillary asks, and we all look at each other; the pack eating their foods as we take small bites out of our food, waiting for someone to go first. After what seems like forever, Jayy lets out an annoyed sigh as he gives in, taking charge like the leader he is and always has been.
"I'll go first. My parents were killed in a car accident when I was six years old and so I was sent to live with my grandparents on my mother's side of the family. My grandparents had a hard time raising me so when I was fourteen I left and sort of ran away from my grandparents. I started making a living for myself in Seattle on my own. I started going to school, but after I turned sixteen, I was sent to a summer school close by to where I lived at the time. I was sent to this one summer school because my grades started falling and I had a huge anger problem. My temper was worse then Paul's even." Jayy says, smirking near the end as everyone, including myself, laugh at Paul and he glares playfully at Jayy.
"I had temper problem due to phasing into a wolf when I turned sixteen years old. I met the band in a detention class and we formed the band after we got to know each other." Jayy continues explaining to the Pack and they smile at him and nod their heads, telling him that they are supportive and understanding.
"That's great to hear." Leah says, smiling at him. Although I can tell that she isn't going to get too comfortable with him due to her being so cold hearted from the pain she went through from Sam and the imprinting business. I wonder if Jayy knows. The band looks at each other, seeing who goes next. Scar will likely go first since she and I are the second and third in command if we were in a pack or considered the band as a pack.
"Well Jayy as well as the Cullens are my cousins. Although most of my life, I have been in the foster care system because my parents abandoned me. Once I was of legal age, I found Jayy and moved in with him. Now I have the choice to live with the Cullens or Jayy and everyone else. I first shifted into a wolf and noticed my vampire traits come in when I was sixteen."Scarlett explains and I let out a soft scoff, loud enough for everyone to hear, including Scar. Scar turns to me and raises her eyebrows at me.
"What are you scoffing at, Jaclyn?" She questions me, demanding an answer out of me.
"Nothing, just that my memory seems to be better then yours." I comment back to her, smirking at her.
"Why do you say that?"Embry asks, as Scar glares at me, slightly confused.
"Scar's parents didn't abandoned her. They were murdered by the Volturi and the guards. They protected Scar until their very last breath. Scar doesn't likely remember this because she was just over a year." I explain further.
"How do you know this?"Scar asks me.
"The Cullens told me after I had first met you and I mentioned you. My mom and your parents were supposedly best friends growing up. My mom and the Cullens tried to fight for custody over you after your parents died but the courts wouldn't allow it. You ended up being put into the foster care system, but the Cullens always kept tabs on you and after we met and they told me what happened, I did as well." I continue, and Scar quits glaring at me, and gives me a small smile.
"Well that makes sense. I'm glad that we became best friends then."Scar comments and I can hear the shock in her voice, even if she is trying to hide it.
"I'm glad as well."I say to her, smiling back at her.
"Okay, who's next?" Jacob asks, looking around the room.
"I'll go next. I first found out that I could turn into a merman when I was fifteen years old. My parents hated the fact that I had the merman trait and that I'm one of the few left on Earth. They became abusive and would beat me every hour that I was at home with them; which was when I wasn't at school. At school, you would think that it was a safe heaven for me, but it was far from it. I got bullied extremely bad. After a couple of months, a kind teacher realized what was happening and got me sent to the summer school where Jayy and the others were. I stayed with a family friend until I moved in with Chase and Isaac. That's pretty much my story."Mitch says. Everyone gives him sad smile and Mitch turns his head away, a stray tear going down his cheek. Chase and Isaac wrap an arm around him and grin at him, making Mitch put a real smile on.
"Then it's a great thing that you met us, right?"Chase comments, grinning.
"Yeah, that's true."Mitch says back.
"The three musketeers all the way!"Isaac exclaims, grinning. The three of them nod as the rest of us roll our eyes at them. They have always been like this since we first met. It's good to see that some things haven't changed.
"I think they meant the three boo-zoos."Abigail says, snickering. The guys roll their eyes this time.
"Like you are one to talk, Miss. Abigail." Chase comments, smirking and I see a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"What's that supposed to mean?"Abigail demands, glaring at him. Her dark blue eyes darkening even more.
"Nothing, just that you seemed to have more dumb blonde moments then I care to count."Chase retorts and I can tell that Abigail is getting a bit pissed off.
"You do realize that you are blonde as well."Abigail retorts back, smirking back at him.
"Hey, I'm platinum blonde, not ditzy dumb blonde. There is a difference."Chase sputters out.
"There isn't much of a difference. You still have your dumb blonde moments as well and even those are dumber then most blondes."Abigail gloats.
"Guys, enough. Let's move on from this conversation. Abigail, it's your turn to tell your story."Jayy interrupts, stopping things from getting out of hand.
Both Abigail and Chase let out huffs of air, acting like two five year olds that didn't get their way. Jayy runs his tanned hand through his long, spiked black hair; like a parent does when faced with two difficult children. Everyone else snickers and let out a few laughs at how the band is at times.
"Fine."Abigail whines out, huffing and puffing out her cheeks out like a child before she calms down.
"Thank you."Jay sighs out.
Everyone looks at Abigail. A few people get up and take their plates to the kitchen, dropping them into the sink. I look at the old bird clock that is hanging up on the living room wall and notice that it read one o clock in the afternoon already. Emily and a few of the girls, like Kim and Clair, go into the kitchen and start doing the dishes. The kitchen is in the next room over so they can still hear the conversation. Paul takes my plate and his plate into the kitchen. Everyone else take their plates as well into the kitchen and come back to their seats.
Once everyone is settled back into their seats, Abigail begins her story.
"I have almost always lived on my own. The few times where I haven't lived on my own or on the streets is when I started living with Jayy. My parents left me on the cold streets of Seattle. They dropped me off onto the streets because my mother and father were drug addicts. My dear mother thought it would be a lot better for me to live on my own then to live with them. I also found out that I could turn into a harpy when I was thirteen years old; which was pretty terrifying for me."Abigail explains her story, putting on a bright Abigail smile for everyone, but I know that she still feels anger towards her parents. Seth intertwines his fingers with his and she calms down.
"Well if you think about it, wasn't it better for you to be on your own instead of with them?"Collin asks her and for a split seconds I see a flash of anger go across Abigail's dark blue eyes, making her eyes glow crimson red within that split second before she calms down again. Collin almost ended up dead if it wasn't for Seth.
"Yeah, I guess it was better for me because I got to meet the band, Cullens, pack and Sethy."Abigail comments and her and Seth both blush.
"Awe, so cute. Now who's going next for this day filled with story time?"Scar asks, laughing a little bit.
"I think it should be Connor that goes next since the band members that have been telling their stories have gone boy and then a girl and so forth."Brady says, after Olivia whispers something into his ear that only he can hear and not the rest of us. Everyone turns to look at Connor.
"Are you sure you just aren't saying that because Olivia told you to or because I've been a little too quiet for your liking?"Connor questions Brady, clearly starting to get a little annoyed and you can slightly hear his Canadian accent. His accent usually shows in his voice anytime that he is annoyed, pissed off, or every once in a while when he pronounces some of his words differently then us. It can also come out when he is super excited about something or when he is relaxed around a certain group of people.
"You have a canadian accent, don't you?"Leah questions him as all of the pack's eyes widen in slight surprise and shock at not being able to pick up on him being from Canada.
"Of course, I do. I am from Canada."Connor answers him back, his voice ringing with annoyance.
"Do you guys, or rather Canadians, seriously own your own pet polar bears and ride them to school?"Collin questions him and I can tell that Connor is trying so hard not to roll his dark brown eyes from the idiotic stereotype that people have tacked onto Canadians.
"That depends."Connor states, a smirk forming on his lips as he slowly calms down and begins to be not annoyed anymore.
"Depends on what?"Collin asks, confused.
"It depends on whether or not you, Americans, ride obese people to school."Connor says, laughing when Collin gets an annoyed, pissed off look on his face after Connor answers him back, clearly offended by what Connor just said. Everyone else lets out a few laughs at their conversation.
"Of course not. We don't ride obese people. How dare you say such a stupid thing as that?"Collin says, slightly offended and disgusted.
"Well now you know how I felt when you said that we ride polar bears. We don't because polar bears are close to the Arctic Circle and those things can kill you in seconds flat. Every province and territory does have the four seasons, except maybe Nunavut because it's always winter there."Connor explains, calming down some.
"Sorry that I said that. What province are you from then?"Collin asks him.
"I'm from Alberta, Brooks Alberta to be exact. It's fine, I'm sorry that I offended you."Connor says.
"So can you tell your story now?"Collin questions and Connor nods his head.
"I'm from Brooks, Alberta, Canada. I had to move away from Canada because my parents used drugs and alcohol. They started causing trouble with the police, or Royal Canadian Mountain Police, and so we moved to the states. We moved to the city of Seattle and soon after my parents started abusing me so I ran away. Jayy found me and I lived with him. Eventually I moved out, found a house of my own, and adopted Hillary. When I lived with Jayy and when I started living on my own with Hillary, we went to the same summer school as everyone else. I first found out that I could turn into a seal when I was twelve years old."Connor says to everyone.
"Next?"Jared asks, and I see Hillary sigh.
"I'm next. I was an orphan growing up because my mom was seventeen when she had me and because my grandparents forced my mother to give me up for adoption. My father never knew about me because it was a one night stand after a major prom dance. Eventually Connor found me and adopted me. I soon moved in with him. I found out that I could turn into a seal when I was twelve years old as well."Hillary tells everyone.
"Wow."Collin says, surprised by how his imprint had to grow up.
"Yeah. Isaac your turn."Hillary says, smirking at Isaac and he smirks back.
"Awe, man."Isaac jokes and we laugh.
"Well you see I've been on my own for a long time, just like Jayy. My parents neglected me and never cared about me. I mainly fended for myself until Jayy befriended me. After I lived with Jayy for a bit, I got a house of my own. Soon Mitch and Chase moved in with me. I found out that I was a kitsune after I had turned eleven."Isaac says and everyone nods their heads. I look at the clock again and see that it is three o clock. I can hear Emily and the girls starting to make supper for everyone.
"Now, it's Olivia's turn."Isaac says, turning the attention on her.
"My birth parents died when I was five years old and I was sent to live with my grandparents. My parents died fighting for our country when they were in Afghanistan. Eventually, my grandparents died of old age and I was placed into foster care. Jayy and Scar found me and adopted me. I found out I could shift into a banshee when I was ten years old."Olivia says, smiling at everyone as Brady wraps an arm around her waist and pulls her close to him.
"Last to go is Chase."Isaac comments, smiling at him and he smiles back.
"Well see unlike most of the band members in our group, I grew up with a loving family. Then on one tragic night, a house fire happened and my family were all killed. I tried saving my ten year old deaf sister but part of her bedroom roof slammed onto my back and left me unconscious. When I woke up, my family had been ripped away from me and were no longer with me, sent to heaven earlier then planned. After I was let out of the hospital, I ended up moving in with Isaac and Mitch. The police rolled the house fire out as an accident since I couldn't recall all the details from that night. I found out that I could shape shift when I was eleven years old."Chase says, giving a sad smile and putting on a brave face. Everyone looks so sad as I look around the room.
"So how old is everyone?"Sam asks.
"Scarlett is eighteen, Abigail is sixteen, Hillary and Olivia are fifteen. Jayy is nineteen, Mitch is seventeen, Connor is sixteen, Isaac is seventeen and so is Chase."I explain to him.
"Supper."Emily calls out and the males all rush into the kitchen.
"Out boys. Ladies first."Emily commands, scolding them as soon as the guys were inside the kitchen. A few seconds later, they all come back into the living room, looking like a bunch of puppies that were scolded for being bad.
The girls all get up and go into the kitchen. We grab our plates and fill them up, then sit back down in out seats. The guys rush into the kitchen as soon as Emily nods her head. They come back with their plates stacked high with food and we all roll our eyes. I see Sam turn to face me, looking at me, and I already know what he is going to ask me about.
"So Jaclyn, are we going to hear your full story?"Sam questions me. He wants to me to answer him back from last night. That isn't happening anytime soon.
"You guys already know my story. There isn't much else left to say."I say back to him, pointedly.
"You sure there isn't anything more you want to tell us?"He asks me, acting innocent towards me.
"I'm positive, Sam."I say back to him, gritting my teeth to calm myself. I look at the clock and see that it reads only seven o clock.
I finish eating my food and get up from my seat. I go into the kitchen, rinse off my plate and then walk back into the living room, standing beside my spot instead of sitting.
"So where are you guys living now?"I ask Jayy, looking at him to avoid Sam's intense glare at me.
"We actually got a place on the reserve, not too far from Sam's. It fits everyone and they all have their own bedrooms."Jayy excitedly says, grinning back at me.
"That's fantastic to hear. Are you going to enrol everyone into LaPush High School?" I question him, smiling back as I try to keep myself calm. Paul gives me a questioning look as he sees me standing instead of sitting.
"Yeah, I'm hoping to on Monday or Tuesday. You know, after the newborn battle has happened."Jayy says proudly, almost as proud as any parent would be.
"That's great. Do you guys know what classes you want to go into?"Jared asks them and then everyone strikes up their own individual conversations about different classes, clubs and sports to join. I let out a relaxed sigh before turning my back to the group and heading to my bedroom. I need sometime to think by myself. Before I exit the living room completely, I hear my name being called.
"Jaclyn, where are you going?"Sam demands and I hold back a growl. The conversation between everyone simmering down.
"I'm going to bed. We do need our rest for tomorrow, Sam."I say back to him. He opens his mouth as if to say something more but stops himself, deciding against it. Smart move. I notice Paul giving me a torn look because I know he wants to stay and get to know everyone more but he also wants to follow me. I nod towards the group and turn my back once more.
"Stay with them."I whisper and I know Paul heard me because he doesn't make a move to follow me.
I walk up the stairs slowly, listening to how happy and carefree everyone is together. I calm myself down completely from being mad at Sam for pushing me into talking about something that I'm afraid to tell them. I have known for years about what my powers could and couldn't do. I know their limits and know about what could happen if I used too much. I have also known that there was a possibility that i could use certain powers on myself but it would backfire on me and could leave me dead.
I reach the top of the stairs and go to my bedroom. I grab my pj's and underwear and then go into my bathroom, locking the door. I strip out of my clothes after I placed my pj's and clean underwear on the marble bathroom counter. I turn the shower taps on and turn the taps so that the water is steaming hot. I step into the shower, letting the water fall onto me, ignoring just how hot it is.
I grab the shampoo and conditioner for my hair and start scrubbing it in, momentarily closing my eyes. As soon as I close my eyes, I see a flash of the future. I see the newborn battle happening. I look around me and in slow motion, I see Leah get knocked out of the way of having her ribs crushed and see Jacob take her place instead. Instead of haring the water pounding in my ears, I hear Jake's agony filled howl.
I gasp as I feel sharp pain and snap my eyes open. The pain came from me scrubbing hard into my skull as I saw the vision. I will not let that vision happen but then again how can I stop the future from happening. I don't want anyone to die. I can handle risking my life to save someone else's but I can't allow anyone to die; I can't allow the future of tomorrow, come true.
I know the pack and even the band members have caused me so much pain but I've grown attached to all of them again and I don't want anything to happen to them. I feel myself slide down the shower wall, my knees pushing against my chest as I bite my lip. Jake's pain filled how ringing inside my head. I put a hand to my cheek and feel that it is wet but I can't tell if it's from me possibly crying or from the water from the shower. After what feels like forever and after my skin is all wrinkly as a raison, I stand up and shut off the shower.
I walk out of the shower and stand on the bathmat. I look into the mirror and see that my eyes are red from crying. I dry myself off and change into my pj's and undergarments. I unlock the bathroom door and walk into my bedroom. I walk to my bed and crawl into it, burying my body under the blankets.
I grab an extra pillow and pull it to my chest, clinging to it desperately. I shut my dark blue eyes and memories flash before my eyes. I squeeze the pillow tightly as bad memories and possibilities of what could happen in the future dance inside my mind. I try not to focus on them and find my happy filled memories and dreams of the future. I open my ears and listen to the content and excited conversation downstairs. I focus my attention on the familiar, angelic voice of Paul and listen to his hear beat, willing it to lull me to sleep.
I feel myself relax and become peace-filled. I calm down more and feel myself fade into dreamland, listening to the lullaby of my loved ones and the ones I'm willing to die for voices. My last thought being: I can't allow another person to die again. Not again..