The pack met in a clearing not too far off the border of La Push and Forks. One by one everyone arrived; Leah and Seth completed the group, showing up just after midnight. Sam took his place in the center of the pack, everyone had already phased, but to Holly it felt like they were all still human. She could hear everyone talking, only now she could hear everyone's thoughts as well. She felt like Sookie Stackhouse from the True Blood television series she had recently gotten herself addicted too. Jacob stood across from her in the circle although she could tell he wanted to be beside her. She guessed he was trying to give her space. A look of relief came across his face when she motioned for him to come stand beside her. As soon as he took his spot, Sam began to speak in his authoritative tone. Everything about him was serious.
"We all know why we've gathered here this evening, although I apologize to those who aren't supposed to be on duty." Paul grunted at Sam's acknowledgement. Holly assumed it was supposed to be his night off and she suddenly felt a wave of remorse. "Don't worry about it Holly," Sam assured, feeling her guilt, "Paul will get over it. Anyways, if anyone's ignorance has gotten in the way, the reason you are here is because it's Holly's first night on duty. Please, for those who are shifted with her over the next few weeks, make sure that she is confident in what she is doing although I have little doubt of her abilities. She seems to have adapted…" Sam paused for a moment, "relatively well so far. I expect you all be on your best behavior and be patient when teaching her the routes as you all know how tedious it is remembering them all. Now I won't keep you any longer; disperse you mongrels." Everyone laughed at Sam's joke and they all ran in separate directions with the exception of Jacob, Leah, and Jared.
"Now, on a more serious note." Sam turned towards Holly. "I understand that you had a little run in with Justine Koshamp, is that correct?" Holly nodded her head and rolled her eyes at the same time. "This is a serious issue, Holly, please realize that." Jacob nudged her and nodded his head. "You can't go around knocking every person that says something rude out, Holly, think of what could have happened. Even as a human you're strength increases once you've made the change. If that situation got out of hand it would bring grave consequences for the entire pack, are you will to take that risk?" Holly looked at her feet, if there was one thing she hated more than anything, it was being scolded. "Don't let it happen again. I won't be as forgiving next time."
"Sorry." Holly mumbled, not giving Sam one glance. He nodded in acknowledgment.
"Now, Jake, I am assuming you will be following her tonight? Even though it's your night off." Sam said, as Jacob was still present in the clearing.
"You guessed correctly Sam." Jacob agreed. Everyone chuckled. "I won't sleep if I'm at home, so I mine as well be out with her, right?"
"Sounds reasonable enough. Just don't get distracted." Sam joked and with that everyone was off in separate directions. Jacob and Holly set off along the tree-lined northern border of the reservation. Jacob explained everything from where the borders ran, to the various calls, to what Holly should do if ever encountered by something strange or threatening. She already knew what a vampire looked like, as she had already seen Bella up close. Just the name made Jacob cringe and Holly felt his tension right away. Seeing him in pain made her stomach turn; she hated that more than being scolded. Just as the sun began to rise Paul, who took over the northern border for the day, met Holly and Jacob. Together they ran back to Jacob's house to get ready for school.
"This sucks hard." Holly grumbled as she entered Jacob's bedroom after her shower. His towel was far too big for her and almost hit the floor even when wrapped around her body twice. Sue Clearwater had sewn three giant towels for him just so Jacob had one that wrapped around him properly.
"You get used to it." Jacob yawned. He had already showered and was now lying outstretched across his bed. "Besides, you will get less shifts than the rest of us, just like Leah does."
"Really? Why?" Holly asked as she pulled out some of her clothes from her designated drawer, trying to remember what she had stored there. "And please don't tell me it's because we are girls."
"Well, yes and no, it's not just because you are girls. It's mainly because we would rather take an extra shift that to deal with your crankiness anymore than necessary." Jacob chuckled until he was hit square in the forehead by one of his shoes.
"Why do we patrol? I don't see any immediate threat." Holly asked as she pulled some underwear and grey sweatpants on; the ones she had gotten from her old school.
"Sam's just taking precautions since the run in with the newborns last year." Holly had remembered the story from the bonfire. As weird and awful as it sounded, it gave her a rush of adrenaline; it almost sounded exciting. That is, until she heard that Jacob almost broke every bone in his body and then had to get them re-broken because by the time they had gotten him home, he had already started to heal. She remembered Leah's guilty glance over to Jacob when Billy told that part of the story. "You can never be to careful when you have a clan of bloodsuckers living in the next town."
"I guess you're right." Holly agreed as she finished getting dressed by pulling one of Jacob's black sweaters over her head.
"I'm trying to convince Sam to not make you patrol at all." Jacob admitted, sitting up on the bed.
"Why?" Holly flung herself around to face Jacob. Her face twisted into a look of confusion.
"I don't want you out there. It makes me uneasy Hol'" Jacob reached over and grabbed her by the waist, pulling her into his lap.
"I'll be fine." She reassured him.
"That's what you think." Jacob looked into her eyes. Holly could easily read his growing concern. "Please, just be careful. If you ever get nervous, even at the slightest, call for someone if not me."
"Jake… really."
"Holly, promise me." Jacob pleaded.
"I promise." Holly swore with a kiss on his forehead.
Embry picked them up at the usual time and Holly curled herself into Jacob's lap for the duration of the drive. She could already feel her head bobbing and her eyes getting heavy. First period was decent to sit through; the racket created from all the instruments kept Holly awake but second period was going to be hell. She walked extra slow from the orchestra room, around the outside of the building, and through the community center doors to avoid having to go through the change room. She waited at the pool bleachers for someone to come out. Carter and Leah emerged from the change rooms first and they met Holly in the bleachers. Holly zoned in and out of their conversation until one topic in particular sparked her interest.
"So are you two going to the formal?" Carter asked.
"I think I might, I don't know, I've never really gone to one. If we get everyone to go I think it'll be fun. What about you Holly?" Leah asked. Holly continued to stare at the door.
"Jacob doesn't want to go. He made it pretty clear." She said disappointedly. She really wanted to go, but Jacob crushed any slightest chance of her going.
"Go without him. You can come with us." Carter proposed, shrugging his shoulders. "I want to go."
"Maybe." Holly suddenly felt encouraged to go. She didn't need Jacob to have fun, or did she? At that moment Jacob emerged from the change room; Holly regarded his grease-stained hands from the bleachers and smiled. His hair was hanging in his eyes in a straggled fashion. That was exactly how she liked him; shirtless and grubby. He hopped up to where they were sitting in three steps.
"Jake, lighten up and come to the formal." Carter joked. "Your girlfriend really wants to go." He winked.
"She knows I don't want to." Jacob said casually, resting his head on Holly's knee.
"I think I am going to go anyway." Holly decided with a smile plastered across her face. Jacob just looked at her; she couldn't quite decipher his expression. It was a mix between shock and disappointment. The whistle sounded and Jacob kissed her forehead without saying a word. The three walked to the edge of the pool, leaving Holly to sit by herself. She couldn't wait until the swimming classes were over but at the same time, she found herself dozing off. Jacob was right; girls did need their sleep.
At lunch, Holly and Jacob sat in silence with everyone else. Holly picked at the sandwich she had prepared just before they left the house that morning; she wasn't that hungry. The rest of the day dragged on, Holly couldn't be more excited that it was Friday. She ended up falling asleep on Jacob's shoulder in English during the movie they were watching and she feared painting in art; she didn't want to make her canvas sloppy with her droopy hand. By the end of the day, Holly could barely walk. At the locker, Jacob noticed her lack of energy and carried her outside on his back. Holly was so tired that she didn't even argue.
Holly woke hours later, in her own bed, and wrapped in Jacob's grasp. The grey outside had been replaced with dusk and she guessed he had left and came back. Ty sat restless and the bottom of her bed, Jacob's feet were invading his space. It was mere moments until she was asleep again; her fatigue had gotten the best of her.