As I wake up the next day I still feel a bit troubled about what happened at the beach yesterday. Why did Jacob react that way upon meeting me? We have always been friends. Did I do something? And what's with the shakings? After Jacob, Paul, Embry and Seth had left the atmosphere was tense. Quil seemed concerned and Kim looked at me in a strange way. I of course asked them about what happened and they told me that Jacob has been going through things lately and that it had nothing to do with me. I don't know if I believe that.
Today the weather is not as nice and I spend most of the day getting my room ready and packing up. I also facetime my family before they get on the plane. In the afternoon I bring a book and go outside. I am enjoying a relaxed day. I still have a couple of days before school starts.
As I am sitting down on the veranda reading my book I suddenly spot Quil and Embry coming out of the woods.
"Hi!" I call out to them.
"Have you been in the woods?"
"Oh hi! Yeah, we have been hiking" Quil replies and scratches his head.
"Oh I love hiking, can I come with you next time?" I ask.
"Ehm yeah, sure" Embry replies but looks skeptical.
They come and sit down by the table I am sitting at.
"So how are you liking it here?" Embry asks.
"Well I have been here for what, 24 hours? But so far so good" I laugh.
"And its been really nice to see everyone again, and to meet your new friends" I continue
"They all love you, especially Kim! Actually Emily and Sam have invited us for a barbecue tonight at their house. They want to meet you"
"Who are Emily and Sam?" I question. Sam's name sounds familiar but I don't remember even meeting Emily.
"Well they are in the tribe, well Emily is from the Makah tribe originally but she moved here a couple years ago. Sam and Emily are engaged"
"Wait, are you talking about Sam Uley? Isn't he together with Leah?" I ask. Last time I was here, two years ago, I remember Sam Uley and Leah Clearwater being together.
"Oh that's a long story. Leah and Sam broke up, and Sam and Emily are together. They are inseparable. You will like them, especially Emily" Embry says.
I nod. I have no problem meeting new people, I want to get to know as many people as possible.
We play cards for an hour and then I get up to get ready. I put makeup on and braid my hair. I choose light denim jeans and a white t-shirt. The weather isn't as warm as yesterday so I put a white knitted cardigan on top and white sneakers. Quil drives us over and as we are getting close to their house I remember something that gives me a bad feeling.
"Will Jacob be there?"
The car goes silent upon my question. Embry sigh.
"No"
Good.
Quil drives us to a small but beautiful house hidden away in the forest with a beautiful garden. I see a small fire and a very tall guy standing by the grill. I get out of the car and meet Jared and Kim who arrive at the same time as us. Quil puts his hand on my back and leads me into Sam and Emily's garden. Sam looks up as we come and dries the grease from his hands before he comes up to meet us.
"Sam this is Stephanie, Steph this is Sam" Quil introduces us.
"Nice to meet you Stephanie. You are very welcome here. I have heard a lot about you from Quil and your grandfather"
"Nice to meet you too. Thank you for inviting me" I smile kindly. My grandpa was over at the house yesterday and we had dinner together. I had missed him. He is a very special person. He is not loud with the biggest character but very respectful and wise.
"Where is Emily?" Quil asks
"Inside getting the food ready"
Quil leads me into the house and into the kitchen.
"Emily! Meet Stephanie!"
A woman with long dark hair and a colourful dress turns around. I have to stop from gasping when I see the scarring across half her face. Now I remember. I heard that she was mauled by a bear a couple years ago. Poor woman. But I quickly recover and instead focus on her beautiful eyes and smile.
"Hi!" I say and put my hand out. She gives me a big hug instead.
"It's so nice to meet you! Quil has gone on and on about his favourite cousin moving here!"
"Thank you for having me over!" I say
"Of course!"
I look at all the food she is preparing.
"Do you need some help?" I ask kindly.
"Oh thank you! Help is always welcomed here" She giggles.
I help her with cutting the veggies for a salad and we small talk. After a while we are done and carry everything outside to the big table in their garden.
As soon as everyone sees the food they are quick by the table. Emily swats away Quils hand.
"Remember, ladies first!" She says.
I laugh and make myself a plate along with Kim and Emily.
"If you want any food you have to get it as soon as you can, these boys eat everything they get a hand on" Kim says and rolls her eyes. I laugh.
It is a nice dinner and I am getting to know everyone better. They ask a lot of questions about me and my family as well.
"When did your mom move from here?" Sams asks.
"She moved for college where she met my dad so she never moved back here. But I have spent most of my summers here so it feels like home anyway"
"Do you know the tribal legends?"
I nod.
"Yeah, I remember the bonfires with grandpa and Billy Black telling us the legends. Mom used to read the legends for us as well"
"Good" Sams nods seriously.
After a Quil gets up
"Steph I need to go. Embry will take you home later" He says. I look at Embry who nods reassuringly. "Okay?" I hesitate.. Where is he going? I am just about to ask when he kisses my cheek and hurries away. After a while two others join us. It's Paul and Leah Clearwater. I met Paul yesterday and I remember Leah from the summers I spent here.
"Leah! Come meet Steph, you remember her, right?" Embry calls out.
She looks at me but makes no effort to greet me but voices up.
"I pity you"