This shall be dedicated to all those unlucky enough to have to go back to school---I am among you. –sad sigh- I am going to try to get more consistent in writing/updating though this year. We'll see how long that lasts ;D Thanks for all the encouragement; you guys are amazing as usual. Oh yeah, Tala's "wolf" get's a part now…you can see what it's like when she's not in there. It'll be the third person that's parted off from everything else. Enjoy! And don't forget to leave a review.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of Stephanie Meyer's amazing characters--only sarcastic Tala and her secretive dad. And Nick. And all the other names you don't recognize.
Born To Be Wild
Chapter Twenty-Eight:
I groaned and just lay there, not wanting to get up. Since subliminal wish fulfilling was now obviously out, I let my mind wander so I could picture the exact moment I'd see my dad again. And Seth. And even Nick. His annoying voice at least filled up the silence before.
Suddenly, my shaking resided and I felt calm for the first time in days. And then, my body produced a miracle (no, not a screaming infant). It changed. Feeling my bones get realigned once more felt like absolute hell, but I wasn't complaining.
I had finally phased back.
My happy dance was inconveniently delayed when I realized that I had forgotten where I stashed my clothes. Smart, right? I mean, I know I had put them somewhere---or really, Leah had put them somewhere. I wasn't quite sure what exactly they were, but I figured she gave me a sundress or something stupid like that. Gross. My wardrobe was definitely going to get a huge makeover---doggy style.
Must. Not. Think. About. It.
Maybe I should try tracking them? I pondered while staring at my hands. They had five fingers---I'd never felt more grateful. How sad. Shaking my legs to make sure they were alive and all, I noticed for the first time how much dirt was on me. Ugh, I would need to take a long shower when I got back to the house---not that it would help much. It wasn't like I was going to stay in this form for a great deal of time. Yeah, I wasn't delusional. No amount of wishing was going to make me forever be human.
Damn. So much for that dream.
I winced at how wrong that statement sounded.
Well, it wasn't as if I knew that I was going to become a freak of nature. Stupid leeches. They just had to rain on my parade…
What was I doing? I could totally rant about the freaking bloodsuckers later. Then, I'll have people to help fuel the fire. The Quileutes aren't exactly fans. Hmm. I was about three or four miles away from civilization, maybe somebody would hear me if I yelled? It made me start wondering if howling works with a human voice box. Now that would be fun to try. I know growling does thanks to the lovely antics of the La Push boys. What a bunch of overprotective bodybuilders. What's even worse is that I've joined their little club. Brilliant.
"I can't find my clothes. Can one of you idiots bring me some, and I swear, if you take one peek I'll flay you alive then roast your butts over a hot fire!" There, that should do it. I listened hard for a couple of minutes, but couldn't hear a thing. Jeez, what good were these superhuman powers if they didn't work? I know I was inexperienced and all, but the only things that I could pick up were the trees moving and the distant sound of gossip from the beach. Nothing even remotely interesting.
What a bore.
I looked down at my naked self and started getting uncomfortable. Yeah, I totally wasn't keen on having my body displayed for the whole world to see, so sue me. Apparently Leah had been more attuned to herself before she transformed into a werewolf (what does that even mean?!)---she had informed me of the fact last week after Sam let it slip that he gave me the "talk." Lord, if I heard the word "nudity" again, I thought I'd scream.
See, unlike those two, I was actually going to have some problems with the whole 'I'm free!' image. I'm a freaking teenage girl, what do you expect? I definitely wasn't looking forward to whole seeing guys naked thing (well, 'sides one, but that's not the point), especially since it went both ways. I mean, sure, it's going to happen---they're gonna get a glimpse or something, no question about it. Just when?
I ended up hiding behind a tree, y'know, to be on the safe side. Thank god I did because the next thing I know, my sad excuse of hearing picks up a rustling about a mile away. I can tell it's a large animal, but that's about it. I sniffed the air like a person on crack. The thing (whatever "it" was) sort of smelled like lemons with an earthy undertone. I didn't know if that was good or bad. My mind automatically memorized it for future reference.
I felt extremely inhuman.
Squinting, I finally with my deformed binocular eyes saw a huge gangly wolf with a piece of leather tied around its hind leg. Definitely one of those cavemen---most likely a newbie. It was slobbering on a xxxx-large t-shirt that hung limply in its mouth. Not kidding. Switching positions to hide myself, I watched as the alien wolf came closer and closer to my spot. But who was it? I wracked my memory, but came up with nothing. Jeez, it wasn't like I sniffed every guy before I became a creature of emotion. I mean, excuse me, but my dad did teach me some manners.
It must've sensed me, 'cause it dropped the thing like twenty feet away, and then started running in the opposite direction. I growled (woo-hoo I'm initiated now), cursing under my breath. It just had to make me walk. With one cautious look around, I pitched forward and snatched the t-shirt and ran back to my hiding place. Wow, I'm such a sneaky one. I should go into the CIA.
"You finally did it. Took you what? Two and a half weeks?" an annoying voice said from behind a mossy hill. The damn piece of clothing wouldn't go over my head fast enough. Stupid shirt. Putting these things on weren't supposed to be rocket science. The fabric and I put up a good fight before I turned to face my nemesis.
Nick.
The hidden wolf in the back of my head immediately clicked the scent and the name together. Ignoring that scary part of me, I sized up the boy in front of me and grinned. This was payback time. I imitated a glazed over look and tried to fake in some love and adoration. When he saw me, his dark eyes instantly widened and his jaw swung open.
"You…you didn't…you couldn't have…"
He thought I imprinted on him.
Sweet revenge.
I continued to mimic this expression for a good two minutes until I finally cracked and started laughing my ass off. He had been like a deer-in-headlights, no joke. Nick pouted for a second and groaned, slapping his forehead at his utter stupidity.
"You're gonna regret that one day," he thought to inform me. Yeah right. I smirked, my body still shaking with laughter. Sadly, that was the highlight of my day. Here's a toast to the most exciting life on the rez.
"Aww, I know you missed me," I said, giving him a cheeky smile. His eyebrow rose as he assessed my mood. Yes, I wasn't in a crappy angst-ridden depression for once, hooray. That would come later. Right now, I was celebrating my life with two legs. Wow---it was like I was the freaking little mermaid. Next thing you know I'd be singing "Part of Your World."
"Sure missed the pessimism around the place; I had to poke Paul just to get some action," he whined, getting the clue that I was not to be angered. Well, I think he got it, but with his amount of brain cells, I'd never know. I seriously would claw him if he made me phase. And I would remain free of conscience. My Jiminy Cricket could go bother someone else.
"Poor baby," I mocked while fidgeting in my clothes; the cotton was clinging to parts I wasn't too keen of having displayed. Next thing you know, Nick's eyes did a little too much wandering, and well, my temper sort of spiked. I mean, really, are you kidding me? Nick? In one sweet move, he was flipped on the floor and I had a triumphant foot on his stomach. Go spidey reflexes.
He blushed, his cheeks turning a russet red. I wasn't sure whether it was at the whole "let's look at my new pack sister's body" deal or the fact that I had just beaten his ass into the ground. Either way, I was slowly losing whatever calm I had.
Great. Just great.
"Sorry," he mumbled, before swiping my foot away and making me fall on my butt into the dirt. "But you need to work on your game." He gave me the cockiest grin ever and stood up, looking down on my sprawled figure.
Big mistake.
I lost it and pounced, turning wolf once more. He let out an 'uh oh' and dove behind a tree to phase. Wow, I lasted what? A whole twenty minutes? Where the hell was my placard for Worst Phaser Ever? The wolf in me snarled, and I ran for Nick.
Uno problemo.
You know that huge gigantic shirt? Well, it didn't burst like it was supposed to. Apparently I was a midget werewolf who had the most retarded luck in the world. I ended up fumbling and flying head first into a rock.
Not cool. Not cool at all.
Safe to say, my spirit wolf wasn't a hell of a lot happier than me either. It was ticked that it got beat by an inanimate object. I struggled out of the damn fabric once more with a vengeance. Die stupid shirt. Die. When I smelled the lemon scent behind me, I didn't even think. I was instantly on top of him, my teeth ripping any bare fur I could find.
Nick, you just had to---
Get off me, I didn't mean it. His mind, unlike Sam's, was not a firework madhouse, but a play-by-play of our fight. Guess who was winning? For once in my sorry life---me. It felt great. I wanted to seriously howl like the animal I was.
Jesus, Tal. You enjoy hurting people?
That did it. Red lined my vision and without warning, I accidentally gave into the nagging voice, literally losing all train of thought. Whoops. The last thing I remembered was seeing Nick's surprised eyes and some swear words that would even make a sailor proud.
Honestly? I didn't know he had it in him.
Tala.
The cinnamon wolf shook her head, disgruntled at the foreign sound. She pulled back her ears as her tail became rigid, pointing parallel to the ground. The animal's eyes suspiciously scanned the forest, but all she saw was the enemy lying still on the ground---motionless. Snorting, the wolf went back to hunt for food. Distractions were a waste of time. A creature quickly darted up the trunk of a tree sensing the upcoming danger. It didn't matter, the prey was too small. She would find something tastier. Something more chewy.
Not again.
The sound rang in her lupine ears and she froze---threatened. The cinnamon wolf immediately flattened her ears, her mind not processing what exactly was happening. All she knew was one thing: there would be another fight. And like the last one, she planned on winning. Suddenly, with only a moment's notice, a huge dark wolf appeared in the leafy clearing. It growled at her, its hackles bristling slightly. It wanted her to think it was more dominant; its eyes were telling the she-wolf to submit. The creature shook her head---her lip slowly curling back.
She wanted to fight.
Don't do this.
The animal jumped at the echoing, realizing it was coming from the other wolf. In response, she stared this "supposed" dominant down. She would not show her belly. She would not tuck her tail. The dark one coughed and came forward.
The she-wolf growled, not willing to admit defeat. Defeat meant weakness. And it did not bow to a leader, for it had no pack.
Fine.
With one smooth leap, the bigger of the two pinned her to the ground, promptly knocking the animal out. The match was finished.
The cinnamon-furred wolf had lost the round.
"…she beat the crap out of him…"
"…still unconscious…blow to his pride."
"…can't believe it worked…Emily gave her some clothes…"
I swatted at the buzzing in my head, wishing the voices to hell. I just wanted to sleep. Was that too much to ask for? This ground was really soft too. Usually, I had cat-naps in the tall grass by the river, and boy was it painful. Everything was always too prickly, and I could seriously feel the bugs getting in my fur. That was the worst. Knowing there are disgusting living things on you (like fleas or gnats), and not being able to do a thing about it besides making yourself miserable trying to pick them off. The life of an immortal canus lupis. What a trip to reality it was. The guys always fail to mention that it wasn't all fun and games. You had to hunt like an oldie, feel like a dog, and well, I'm sure you can use your imagination. It wasn't exactly pleasant for a girl. Even one who wasn't like "oh my gawd I broke a nail" all the time.
My heart went out to Leah. The others had no idea…
"Did she just yell at us to shut up?"
"Yeah, I'm gonna say she's conscious. Or partially at least. "
"She is so dead."
Freaking voices were getting annoying. I shouted at them in my head, hoping they would get the message. They didn't. They kept on chatting on about how much deep shit I was in and all that jazz. Seriously, I could hear them. What I failed to understand was why they were talking about me when they should be patrolling for leeches. It wasn't that hard of a job. Stupid freaking werewolves. Huffing, I finally opened my eyes to go find them when I stiffened.
I gazed at the way too familiar blue ceiling with a start.
Was it all a dream? Did I just have a flu delirium or something? Were my prayers answered and my mind just made up all that mystic legend crap?
I paused before deliberately wiggling my toes. All ten were there which meant I either had a fairy godmother who had somehow turned me back human after I lost my mind, or I was the queen of bullshit. I couldn't decide which one was better. Damn, I needed to go bathe myself in hearts and unicorns 'cause all these random thoughts were going to make me go suicidal one day.
"You're up," Sam said, coming into the room. He looked much too amused for my comfort.
Dammit to hell. I was still a freaking shapeshifter. Well, that balloon just popped. "Wha---?" I shouldn't have been human. I had never phased back. All of a sudden, my stomach dropped and I quickly assessed if I had clothes. I did. Emily shall be praised. Otherwise, I'd be permanently scarred for life. Sam seeing me in my birthday suit was not a pleasant thought.
"Your wolf has quite the attitude," he replied, pursing his lips. Bet it pissed him off quite a bit. I wanted to commend it for doing my job for me. "It had the self preservation of a squirrel. Next time I'll just knock it out when you lose it. Apparently that does wonders on your phasing back issue."
Did he mean---wait, he saw…I felt like puking. So much for being modest. My cousin had already seen me as naked as day. This meant the pack already had too. His smug face vanished into one of horror when he saw my expression.
"You…" I pointed, not able to form words.
"I wasn't going to leave you out there!"
"Why not?" I spluttered, my cheeks getting red for the first time in days. "I would've been one with nature."
"And let someone else find you?" he scoffed. "It wouldn't have changed anything."
"Shut up, Sam," I snapped. This was beyond embarrassing. He probably carried me naked back to the house. "Just leave me alone."
"Tala, it was going to happen sometime."
"Sam, not kidding. Leave." I pointed him to the door for emphasis. He seemed to consider it for a second, but remained still.
"I need you in the kitchen."
"I need you in the kitchen," I mimicked. "I can do whatever I damn well please, now seriously, just go."
"You should hear yourself," he smirked. By then, I wanted to slap him. Why couldn't he let me be? I was humiliated and wanted to seethe in silence. So what if he was the Alpha? If he hadn't phased and I did a few years ago, then it would've been me in charge.
"Leave me the hell alone."
Some emotion crossed his eyes, but I barely caught it. Hurt perhaps? Sam didn't do hurt though. He always had the freaking mask on at all times. If I had to describe him, I'd say he was pushy, ordering---practically a dictator. It was almost as if he knew what was going through my mind, because he gives me this incredulous look and slams the door shut.
That, ladies and gentlemen, was when I realized Sam didn't always have his temper under his favorite word: control.
It made me feel powerful.
I must've glared at that bright and cheery ceiling for what might have been an hour before I called it quits. Emily was cooking and I had heard Embry come into the house. It didn't take long to put two and two together. I swung myself off the bed, wincing as I heard a mattress spring break, and raced into the kitchen. The smell of pizza was wafting in the air---I practically inhaled it. I hadn't had human food in what seemed so long. I forgot how much I missed the stuff.
"You can have the first one," Emily promised me, smiling. Her scar regally sat on her face, the battle marks of a warrior. I really didn't deserve the kindness considering I had been an ass to her husband. Not that I regretted it. Yes, some things never change. I scanned the room and didn't see the newest addition to the family. He was probably napping. Nobody said anything about it, so I kept my mouth shut. I'd congratulate Emily later.
I nodded gratefully and squared my shoulders. Time to face Embry. He was sprawled on the couch, giving me a measured look. Sam sat opposite of him in one of the stuffy armchairs, and Jake's eyes were permanently glued on the T.V. from the floor. The room instantly felt twenty times more crowded.
"Emb, I'm umm sorry about making you get ripped by the mafia," I mumbled after a few seconds of absolute hell. The necks of all three snapped to me and Jake's eyes bulged in surprise.
"An apology from the great Tala Uley? I'm impressed," he snickered, shoving god knows what into his mouth.
"S'cool. I've got the perfect payback," Embry grinned. It was sort of awkward. We didn't know whether to act as friends or brother and sister. Then I gulped at the last part---what exactly did he have in mind? The La Push guys could be kinda unpredictable. I would for sure get punishment from all of them---Sam, Embry, possibly even Jacob. If I had to guess, Sam would give me patrolling. And Embry and Jake would just make me do something mildly embarrassing. No biggie, right?
Wrong.
Sam went first.
"Community service," he said. "Patrolling wouldn't even be a punishment for you since you've been doing it for the last few weeks."
"Community service?! As in what? Washing the tribal elders' feet? Clapping erasers at school? Picking up trash off the beach? Scaring bullies? Spreading lies about the pack? What?"Of course Sam would be all about giving back to the community. I just figured it would be the supernatural way.
"Worse," Jacob said, cracking up. "Those things are active." Was he seriously telling me that I would be sitting somewhere sorting crap? That was like my worst nightmare. Sitting. For hours and hours on end. Doing absolutely nothing. Definitely not my idea of fun.
"History of the La Push tribe," Sam delivered the final blow. "Alone. In a dusty library. Without moving anything but books and smelly old animal skins."
…really? Was he joking? That was death---I'd rather be a wolf for another two and half weeks before even touching something as remotely awful as that. And Sam knew it. Damn evil cousin. I bet he was crackling madly in his head right about now. I shouldn't have even showed emotion. I should've just taken it without question to annoy him even more.
"Can't I do something else---like tutoring?" I whined. With a kid, I could do charades or a cool activity like that even if I hated the actual learning process probably as much as they did. I took a deep breath, trying hard not to phase. I really wanted that pizza, and I kind of wanted to be human for it.
Think happy thoughts. Pepperoni, mozzarella, cheesy thick crust…
"Nope," Sam replied. "Embry," he jerked his head in the direction of my half-brother, "your turn." Jacob practically choked on whatever he was eating.
"Not here," he said, emphasizing on the last word. "Believe me, Sam, she's gonna blow if he tells her. Maybe we should do this outside."
Wow, that sounded encouraging. Now I was really not looking forward to hearing the words that were about to come out of Embry's mouth.
"She'll be fine," Sam said a bit too curiously. Oh great, even he didn't know. Though I'm sure he'd add his piece in later. He always did.
"It's your furniture," Jake shot back.
"'Kay then," Embry replied, dubious at my restraint efforts. I took a deep breath. Pepperoni, mozzarella, cheesy thick crust, pepperoni, mozzar--- "Jake and I both came up with it…"
My mantra suddenly starting going faster. If they both made it up, then I was screwed. Royally screwed.
"You're going to work at my mom's souvenir shop."
A silence fell over the room. The words would not process through my head. Did he just say that I was to work with she-devil? He didn't. He couldn't have. "No freaking way. Your mom's a complete psycho!"
"No, she's not!" Embry defended her, the woman with the forked tail and two horns.
"Are you serious? Have you actually seen your mother?"
Embry fish-gaped at me. "Yeah? Well…your dad is a paranoid old guy!"
"Nice," Jacob groaned, clutching his sides because he was laughing so hard at the two of us. Sam, on the other hand, was watching me like a hawk. Jeez, he must really value his furniture. Then again, it was probably for the best. I was already shaking.
"So? I know my dad's that and plenty of other stupid things. At least I can admit he has issues like a normal human being."
"Are you saying my mom isn't normal?" Embry said, incredulous. Now he was starting to quiver. Jake stopped abruptly and double-checked his best friend. Wouldn't want to add a few more scratches to the sofa legs.
"Yes!" I exclaimed, my hands flying up in the air. "Now you're finally catching on."
"Man, both of you shut up. You sound like two old nannies bickering," said an incoming Quil. He took one look at the living room drama, shrugged, then sauntered into the kitchen like he owned the place.
"Well, they are related," Emily said quietly to herself, forgetting practically the whole house besides the baby could hear her.
That did it. My blood boiled and I seriously phased right as Sam pushed me out the front door. The clothes, tighter than before, burst into a billion floating pieces. Sorry Emily. Jacob had done the same, and my brother and I ended up having a face off. His spotted gray wolf glared at me with those dark eyes and immediately pounced. We didn't have to hear each other to know what the other person was saying.
It was war.
I bit at his flank before he caught me by the scruff of my neck and shook. Ticked, I swiped his muzzle (Embry:1 Tala:2) and he dropped me on the ground in a second. We growled, both trying to psych each other out. After a lot of false moves, we collided, head-butting over and over again. Considering he was practically a hundred pounds heavier than me in this form, and quite a few inches higher, I thought I was doing pretty well. My wolf woke up (finally) and snarled along with me. We were one person---sort of.
Somehow, Embry managed to surprise attack me from the back, and I got thrown into a pile of mud and rainwater. Quivering, I held on to my sanity (not the easiest thing in the world, let me tell you) and showed him my teeth. It was so on. Biting his ear, I got swung onto his back accidentally, and did a back flip. Embry started coughing, his eyes saying 'had enough?'
I went for the belly.
The boy yelped as loud as my Aunt Martha on waxing days and backed off. Success was mine to take.
But the stupid Alphas had to ruin it.
"Embry, c'mon. She's not even worth it. Fight later, I gotta go see Nessie, dude." He strode up to the gray wolf and pulled him back. Embry snapped, but after a few more seconds of urging, he followed, sending me a 'to be continued' expression before he jumped into the trees.
He only left 'cause I was winning. Chicken. Great, now that Jake and Embry were gone, that left me back in wolf form with…Sam.
Well, my day just went to the dogs. His black form appeared in front of me, and I rolled my eyes. He was so like my dad. Always one for dramatic entrances.
He wasn't kidding. You start work with Jackie Call tomorrow.
And the community service work? I wondered when he was planning to make me do that.
It's not for a day, Tala. It's for the next three months.
WHAT?! Are you friggin' serious? One time is enough.
Deal with it, he thought. His mind was reds and oranges. You're going to be working in the storeroom in the back, not at the counter. It has a door and is big enough if you accidentally phase over getting a label wrong.
Are you mocking me? Sam Uley---mocking me? What has the world come to?
Jackie doesn't know about shapeshifters, so try not to get mad. He ignored me, thinking about how much freedom he was giving me. Right, freedom. Let me go choke a reindeer. If this was freedom, then I'd hate to think what prison was. Wait, I already knew. Him.
Be more original in your twisted humor, he informed me. It's getting old.
Oh, go put a stake in it. Nobody likes you.
Really? Your mind tells me differently. It says you actually admire me.
Lies.
Denial. He gave off a bark, bringing us back to order. This will be a great time to practice control. So grin and bear it…if you feel like you're going to phase, and you're in front, get out immediately.
Yeah, like that won't be suspicious. She'll be, "Why did you run away, my precious?" And I'll be like, "'Cause you're scaring me, woman. No, just kidding. I turn into a big bad wolf like your son---hope it's cool with you if I take random lunch breaks." Who knows? After screaming, she might make me into some goddamn tourist attraction.
Tala, get real.
The whole punishment was a recipe for disaster, and he was telling me to get real? Seriously, me in that store (a newly transformed werewolf might I add) wasn't smart. At all. Either he was out of his freaking mind, or he actually hoped I'd learn something from this. I thought he was supposed to be a good Alpha, one that didn't want to hurt innocent people. If I lost control, I would hurt innocent people…like Nick.
He's resting up. Your wolf gave him quite a few scratches to heal. Two even cut through to the bone. He gave me an image and I became nauseated. What had my stupid wolf done to the perv?
Nick's not a pervert. He's a teenage boy. What were you expecting him to do? Look away?
We are NOT going into this conversation again, Sam. Now, how do I phase back?
Concentrate. Take deep breathes. Rel---
Thank you, Yoda, for your inner wisdom, but that sure as hell hasn't been working out for me.
Sam's wolf practically frowned. Well then, think of this. Emily's got you on dish duty for the rest of the week. You owe her for what happened too…
Shit.
"I need the mugs to be dusted, and those posters just came ---- wait, no they come in tomorrow. Can you clear a space for them? Oh, and when you're through, can you straighten the shelves? Tala, are you even listening?" Jackie stopped talking and obnoxiously started snapping her fingers in front of my face.
Sam had promised me that I was going to be in the storeroom. Embry had even grumbled and finally agreed. But the stupid woman wasn't having it. She wanted her boyfriend's daughter working with the "big girls." Exact words---I wish I was kidding. All in all, it was very hard not to give into the quivering. And no, I didn't automatically have perfect control. I tried to drug myself with anti-depressants this morning by spiking my orange juice, sort of hoping it would affect my system somehow.
I have yet to find out if it works.
Heck, I wasn't even sure if drugs and alcohol even affected people who had a metabolism of a giant. I felt like I was constantly eating, and it was only Friday. I hadn't even gone back to school yet. Although, my reunion with dad was more than enough drama for me. I ran into his arms like the little kid I was, blamed Sam for kidnapping me, watched the best stand-off between my cousin and dad ever, then accidentally phased. For like the billionth time. With my dad watching.
What a happy family reunion.
Anyway, long story short, Sam told my dad that it was too dangerous for him to be in the house with me for the first month, so now I have it all to myself while my dad goes off and parties at Embry's. It was not turning out to be a good week for me. No wonder Embry's mom was singing show tunes. Two minutes ago it had been Fame. Oh, and did I mention my dad loves me, but is afraid of me? Great stuff, I tell you. He totally just got 'Best Father of the Year' award.
And after all of this, I still hadn't seen Seth. Leah took him to Seattle to get some more clothes, telling the school board that he caught whatever I had. They wouldn't be back till this weekend.
I honestly didn't know if I could live that long.
Safe to say, I gave Jackie Call a blank look in return when she snapped her fingers in front of my eyes once more.
She sighed a 'the world is on my shoulder' sigh before repeating herself. What was I? Her slave? I guess the name "employee" is just the code word they use for it nowadays. Soon, I would be decorating and watering the plants at her every whim.
Oh wait. I already did that.
"Is there something wrong at home?" She said suddenly, a motherly concern filling her dark eyes. I shook my head, extremely irritated. Why was she asking me this when she could just get my dad to blab to her? I was probably the worst slave she had ever hired. I scared the customers with glares, I was non-responsive, and I took extremely long breaks.
And this was only Day Two.
If this was the real world, I would most likely be fired already for being so introverted. However, this was La Push. Jackie Call violated all the laws of business.
"I know we haven't known each other long, but I want you to know that you can have full confidence in me." Oh, great. She played the 'concerned' card. If only she knew what my life was like. I felt like laughing bitterly. Her own son was part of the 'cursed' group, and she didn't even know. Jackie should be interrogating him, not me---her lost lover's offspring.
I went back to sweeping. She could give me all the tasks she wanted, but I was only working as fast as a lazy-ass human. In other words, the plastic broom in my hand had only one speed: slow. Sam, Jacob, and Embry might have forced me to work here, but they didn't say I had to do it well. I made a slight grin behind my hand, sweeping with another achingly sluggish move.
"You almost done?" She called out from behind the counter after five minutes. I inwardly groaned---this woman seriously must think I'm Superman or something. Even though I kinda sorta was with all these new cool powers and all. Not that I was going to show them to her… I scowled, turning around to face the woman. She stood in the aisle, her small mouth drawn in a tight line.
"Tala, you finished?" She questioned me again, probably thinking that I was mentally retarded now. Whatever, she could think what she wanted. The worse, the better. Maybe if I scared her enough, she'd get off my back. One can only hope… I gave her a laconic nod, but went back to sweeping dust particles off the cedar floor anyway.
She ignored my rudeness and continued to blabber away. Finally she got to the point. "I really like your dad." Oh, Christ. Please help me. "He's handsome, charming, sensitive---"
"Awesome," I mocked under my breath, bending down to empty the dust pan into the trash. She exhaled noisily, probably disappointed that I wasn't more of a flamboyant employee like my predecessor. Or a flamboyant gossiper. Yeah, no girl wanted to hear how 'sexily charming' her father is. I don't care what self-discovery book Jackie picked up.
Crap, I was about to lose it. I dropped the broom, darting for the door.
I ended up staying out there for thirty minutes after I barely had enough time to jump out of my clothes and the navy smock with the generic "Sally" name tag on it. It was partly because I wanted to yank my hair out when I was around Embry's mom, and partly because I was bored out of my mind. I would have been a wolf longer if it wasn't for my cousin. He kept getting ticked that I wasn't getting my "full punishment."
Sam, I can't phase back. I had this problem every time I lost it---which was a lot. The bone wrenching feeling I got whenever I changed was still awful, but I was sadly getting used to it after being drilled for the last three days. (Apparently when you shift back for the first time, unless you're mentally deficient, you'll be able to do the whole process again. Goody.) Nobody needed to provoke me to phase like they had to with the other werewolves. I was unstable enough to do it myself. Depressing, but completely true.
Do what you did last time. He had ceased trying to telling me to relax considering I never listened.
I don't remember what I did last time, genius.
You thought of Seth and your family, remember?
Right. Seth…I missed his laugh, his huge goofy smile, his inky black hair, his friendliness---
Are you sure you both are friends?
Yes. I don't think of him like that. Okay, I did a tiny bit. Guilty as charged. But I really don't need a 'lover' whatsit right now. I just needed a friend. A person that could help me stay calm and deal with the maniac in that tourist shop, pending community service jobs, and my life in general. Seth fit the quota perfectly.
You're afraid of imprinting, Sam thought with a laugh, listening into my stream-of-consciousness for a little longer.
Am not! I probably won't even imprint. For all we know, it's a one-sided thing. I buried my nose in my clothes, trying to see if my cell phone was still intact. What's it like though?
Sam's emotions went all over the place, and I felt love, devotion, and some other things I didn't understand.
In words, please. I added. I didn't feel like playing 'Jeopardy with Sam.'
It's like gravity shifts, umm, it's hard to explain. You know when you know. You'll be anything for that person, Sam stumbled. I think he was more surprised by the question really than anything. Usually, he just showed everyone. He never really had to embellish---the answer was already understood.
I moaned. Dammit, Sam, this isn't Catch Phrase. Spit it out already!
Tala, you'll see when it happens. If it happens. Phase back, I hear her calling you.
And he thinks that he's enlightened.
Some people are just so close-minded.
"Put the broom down, I'm sure those floors have had enough," Jackie said jokingly, but there was a definite command behind her words. I had an urge to roll my eyes. It was Sunday morning, bright and early. Yippee. I could literally feel that happiness swelling up inside of me. "I need you to stock the shelves with the new arrivals in the back, and after---"
"What about the dusting?" I blurted out without thinking. Her eyes widened in surprise. I had blown my "I don't give a shit" status. Crap. I mentally wanted to slap myself. She quickly shook it off, telling me that I could do all the rest of that stuff tomorrow after school. Fat chance---she would give me some other randomness to attend to and the job wouldn't be done for weeks knowing her.
Whatever.
As I was about to head towards the back to get the shipments, she swiveled around from stacking the sardines. "I have to leave for an appointment. Can you handle the store for an hour?"
I shrugged. How bad could a bunch of tourists be?
Why oh why do I always contradict myself?
Jackie left and almost immediately a group of giggly little girls came in, obviously not from around here.
"How," one said to me, her hand rose up in greeting. Oh, Christ. What did they think we were? Unintelligent beings who called one another Squanto?
"Out," I jerked my finger towards the door. I was not dealing with this crap. I couldn't deal with this crap. If I did, those girls would be shredded and my wolf would be on the loose. They grumbled, bought some sunscreen (weird, considering we live in the rainiest place ever) while enduring my wrath, and left.
A job well done in my opinion.
Next, I had to deal with some obnoxious French-speaking Canadians who seemed obsessed with taking their pictures in front of everything.
"Où l'océan est?"
"What?" I said, my face in disbelief. All I got was ocean, and if they were asking where the ocean was, they seriously had issues. I sniffed the air and sighed. Yep, they were definitely on something. We got some high Frenchies in the house, people.
"Vendez-vous des appareils photo?" The smaller one asked.
"Excuse me?" My voice seriously got an octave higher. What were they freaking saying? "I speak English," I said as slowly as I could. I knew that English sort of sounded fast in other people's ears, so I tried to make it where they might be able to understand me.
They didn't. I lost the customers.
Oh well, it wasn't my fault. I speak only one language, and that's English. I mean, damn, we live in America. What was Jackie expecting me to be? Trilingual?
After a hippie, a family of twelve, a thimble-drummer, and a thief came in, I was beat. My patience was waning and I had already almost phased two times. What stopped me? The thought that in five minutes, no matter what, I was free, with or without Embry's mom. My shift would officially be over.
I bent under the counter in attempts to fix the ancient receipt machine when somebody came into the store. They didn't say anything, so I assumed they were browsing around. Well, it wasn't like I was going to bother them. Maybe they wouldn't buy something and then leave without me ever having to deal with them. Now that would be great.
"Damn," I hissed as I cut my finger on some scissors. I nearly hit my head on the counter when the wound closed up right in front of my eyes. Right. Healing powers. I had forgotten about those stupid unnatural things. I took a deep breath and froze.
The scent---it was familiar. Somebody I knew. My wolf immediately analyzed it and nearly jolted. This time I did hit my head on the marbled counter. I cursed loudly and fell on my butt, my name tag falling off completely.
"Hey, you okay?" said the most reassuring voice I'd ever heard. He was laughing. All of the sudden, I didn't want to greet the customer. I knew exactly who it was. What if the thing that I was talking about with Sam didn't happen? What I un-imprinted? What if I didn't want to be tied to someone forever? (Okay, total lie, but still…)
What if fate tried messing with me again?
I admit it, I was scared.
"Yeah," I said, shaking---not trusting myself to stare anywhere but the floor.
A warm hand touched my face, brushing away a strand of hair. "You sure?" I could tell he was smiling---either from my moment of idiocy or his sudden cockiness, I didn't know.
Then it hit me. He was daring me to look up. Seth Clearwater was as full as adrenaline as I was.
You know what? Screw fate.
My tawny eyes suddenly met his chocolate ones, and my world literally stopped moving.
Told you Seth was going to be in this one ;D I tried to get the right amount of effect on the last sentence, so hopefully it all turns out okay. More details next chapter. For those of you not sure if she imprinted or not, take a guess, hehe. I've been staring at this document for the past four hours---and it's long. (Technically it was supposed to be up earlier this morning...) Sam, by the way, knows what he is doing when he sends Tala into that store. Sadly, he's not crazy. Well, maybe a little bit. So, what did you think? Loved it? Hated it? I'm seriously curious. Drop me a review. Although I take incredibly ridiculous amounts of time updating, I do read them and respond. They encourage me to get my butt working on the next chapter.
I beta myself, so all mistakes are sadly my own. And I'm tired, so I am so sorry about random missing phrases if there are any.
…feedback?
