Just as we drive into the town of Forks the rain starts to pour. It's almost comical. Rain is a very clear memory of my summers in La Push. I glance out of the car window and see the trees and houses pass by as we are getting closer to La Push. I am not alone in the car. My dad is driving and my mom is sitting next to him. She is quileute. My mother´s sister, Abby Ateara, still lives here with her husband, Tauri, and son, Quil, who is my cousin. My grandfather Quil senior also lives in La Push and that is where we are driving to. Next to me in the car sits my little brother, Wiyot, who is 10 years old. He fiddles with his nintendo.
I look curiously through the window and observe the small town we are driving into. I can't believe I am moving here. My family is moving to Europe in a couple of days but I am not coming with them. I am going to live with my aunt, uncle and cousin here in La Push. It was just easier that way with me being in high school. It feels weird that my family is moving across the world from me but somehow, La Push feels like home to me. I have spent a lot of summers here and Quil is like my older brother.
"We are here honey" My mom says and turns to me. I take a deep breath.
We step out of the car but before we start loading my stuff out of the car the door to the light green house before us bursts open and my aunt Abby steps out.
"You are here!" She squeals and walks towards us.
"Come on Quil and Tauri!"
Abby enfolds me in a big hug.
"I am so happy you are going to stay with us Stephanie, you are so welcome here" Abby says and looks at me. I smile towards her
"Thank you for having me"
"You are family! Right Quil?" Abby says and looks behind me. Before I am able to turn around I am embraced in a bone crushing hug from my cousin.
"I have been missing you kiddo!" Quil says and hugs me even harder.
"Oh my god I can't breathe and don't forget that you are only one year older than me" I say and laugh.
Our families continue to greet each other with kind words and warm hugs. My mother and aunt hug each other over and over again and Quil throws Wiyot up in the car despite Wiyots loud protests.
"Come on Stephanie, let's go inside and look at your room!" Abby says and drags me into the house. We walk in the house, it looks like I remember it. It even smells the same. I smile.
We walked up the stairs and into a small but very nice room.
"Tauri painted the walls last week, we figured white would be a neutral colour. But if you don't like it we can paint them another colour. And of course the room will look even nicer with your own stuff in here but if there is anything you want we can get it!"
"It looks great Abby! Thank you so much. I love it." I reply smiling.
Mom helps me pack up and later that day we are all having dinner together in their backyard, barbecuing and catching up. I look around the table and feel my heart swell. I love my family so much and I will miss them tremendously. But I am also so blessed to have another family here in La Push. And being half quileute, it feels good to get back to my roots and learn more about the tribe.
I rise up and go to the toilet to wipe my tears and when I come back I realize that Quil is gone.
"Where is Quil?" I ask and look around.
"Oh he had to go to see a friend, he will be back later tonight"
We have ice cream for dessert and it is a great night. The rain stopped a couple of hours earlier and it is a warm summer evening.
Later that night it is time for the moment I have been dreading. It was time to say goodbye to mom, dad and my brother. We are all crying, But we know it won't be forever. We will see each other again for Christmas when they are visiting. But it is still hard to say goodbye. I watch my family drive away with tears in my eyes, but despite my tears I don't regret my decision. This will be home now. I will make it home and I love my cousin, aunt and uncle so much.
I get ready for the night and are just walking down the stairs to say goodnight to my aunt and uncle but halter when I hear them speak with subdued voices.
"I only worry that it will be hard to keep the secret from her. With Quil going to patrols"
I hear my aunt tell my uncle. What does she mean with patrol?
"I know dear, we will see what happens"
As I lay in bed that night thousands of thoughts are swirling through my head. I think of my family and how I will miss them and of all my friends back in Denver. But this is a new beginning. I just hope I won't regret staying here.