Chapter 4

I didn't want to be here, but I promised Marie and Ashley that I would go. Although first impressions are quite important, I was completely wrong about those two. They were not popular, in fact, one may go out on a ledge and say that they were… unliked. They had apparently been attached at the heel since first grade, when Ashley moved here from California. They were kinda weird, in a kind unlikable way, but they were nice. Really nice. So nice in fact, they managed to convince me to come to the roller rink for Marie's 14th birthday.

My mom was so happy, she nearly cried.

I was hoping she would tell me that I couldn't go, that she didn't know the family or whatever and make me stay at home. When I told her, I crossed my fingers behind my back and silently prayed that my mom would feel weird about the whole situation and that would be the end of it, but no. Mom gasped in surprise, placing her hands up to her mouth. She crouched down and hugged me, exclaiming how happy she was that I was making some friends here. I was going to correct her, but Emi was standing behind her shaking her head rapidly.

So here I was, on this beautiful Saturday morning, standing in front of a roller rink. There were three cars in the parking lot and from the way Emi was staring at a silver punch bug, I could tell one of them was Candace's car.

I held Marie's present close to my chest as we walked into the building. I wasn't sure what to get her, I mean, what do you get for someone you kinda just met? I settled on a small reversible Octopus plushie, which was similar to one I had at home, and a new bedazzled starfish phone case. I remembered, through the mountain of words Ashley and Marie spoke every minute, that Marie was fond of the ocean. I remembered, because that was something the two of us had in common.

The roller rink was dark, and had this whole eighties vibe going on. There was thick carpet on the floor, and out on the rink there was changing green, red, and blue lights. I saw Marie clutching to the side of the rink, and Ashley attempting to coax her out further. They didn't notice me come in, and as far as I could tell there was nobody else here.

As Emi made her way over to the skate rental counter, I walked over to the side of the rink where Marie was having her small breakdown. I walked past a table where there were a few party supplies, a small frown appearing on my face when I noticed how… little it all was. Marie seemed to be an extra type of person, so I was expecting something a little bit more extravagant. I walked over to her and cleared my throat.

"Hey." Her large brown eyes snapped up and she looked like she was in utter distress.

"Please help me Ellie!" Ashley groaned, doing a small twirl on her skates and holding out her hands for Marie to take.

"Oh my God, don't be such a baby! I promise you're not gonna, like, faceplant." I leaned over the metal bars of the rink and watched as Marie slowly tried to straighten herself out and make her way to Ashley. She was like a newborn deer, wobbling around and her arms flailing, but Ashley kept true to her word, making sure to be a supportive backbone.

"Why would you have a party at a skate place if you don't know how to skate?"

"Because of her stupid sister." Ashley half whispered half shouted. She pulled Marie back over to the bars, a scowl forming on her face. "She apparently thought her boy-toy or whatever was going to be here…"

"But he's so, ah, not!" Marie was now clinging to the railing again. I did a brief look around the room, seeing if I could spot Candace, but the only other people I saw were Emi and the skate rental guy still having a conversation.

"Where is your sister?"

"She forgot the cake at home. She had like, two jobs. Bring me, and bring the cake." I glanced back over at the pathetic little party table and pursed my lips. I wasn't positive, but I was pretty sure her car was still in the parking lot.

"What about your parents? Aren't they coming?" Marie shook her head and slowly began to drag herself around the edge of the rink so that she could make her way onto carpet. Ashley was rolling her eyes so far back at the sight of her, you could only see white.

"My dad is working right now. He was supposed to take off, but he was too busy banging his secretary to bother and my mom is in Switzerland" I opened and closed my mouth a couple of times, not really sure what to say to that. Ashley brought her index finger to her mouth, silently begging me not to say something on the matter.

"Oh, well… I bought you a gift." As soon as Marie made her way onto the carpet, she began to untie her skates and kick them off her feet. When she was stable, she ran over to me and held out her hands.

"Oh! What is it?" I dropped the box into her expectant grasp and watched as she tore at the colorful metallic wrapping paper. Her eyes lit up when she saw the small plushie, holding the happy pink side close to her cheeks. "OH! It's so freaking cute I could die!"

"It's reversible, the inside has a mad face. I have one just like it at home, but only it's blue and green." She froze when I said that, and a large toothy grin split across her face.

"So we're like… Twinzies?" She jumped up and down and reached out to hug me. I held out my arms to stop her and she took a small step back.

"Um, I guess… I just thought it was cute and I thought you'd like it." She smiled and turned around to hug Ashely who was just coming out of the rink.

"Look Ash! Isn't it sooooo cute!?" Ashley looked at the octopus and nodded her head.

"I totally love it. The little angry face is like, so Ellie." The two of them nodded in unison, making me souffle around nervously. Was that a good thing? A bad thing? I had never really done this before and I wasn't sure if I was reading the social cues correctly.

"Well, uh, in case you didn't like the plushie, I also got you a new phone case." Marie looked back into the box and pulled out the bedazzled starfish phone case. Her eyes, and I don't think I was exaggerating, sparkled and she smiled so wide her face had to hurt. In a matter of seconds, she popped off her old pink phone case and put on the baby blue one.

"Do you also have a starfish phone case?" I don't really know why the two of them looked at me so expectantly. I shook my head and pulled out my plain blue phone.

"Nah, not really my style." Ashley gasped when she saw my phone pulled out her own. In the next moment, she was shoving it in my face and talking a mile a minute about getting my number and planning a super sleepover for Marie's real party.

"Wait… her real party?" I lifted one of my brows and absentmindedly typed in my phone number.

"Well duh. I'm not sure if you noticed, but this party is totally crap! We can't leave anything to Marie's family, so my dad and I are planning a super secret sleepover extravaganza!"

"How is it super secret if you just mentioned it in front of Marie?"

"Because I already guessed she was planning me a super secret sleepover extravaganza. So you're totally gonna be there right?" Marie handed me her phone after I finished putting my number into Ashleys. I… Felt bad for Marie. She was self-aware that this whole party was total shit and she and Ashley were doing their best to have fun. I wasn't a sleepover type of girl; I liked being in my own home, surrounded by my things… but… One time wouldn't hurt… Right?

"I mean, I'd have to ask my mom… and she'd probably wanna meet your dad. I mean, she sent my sister to watch after me while we're here, so I don't know how keen she'd be on me staying the night somewhere else." She'd either be ecstatic that I'm making friends, or scoff at the thought of me sleeping somewhere else. I know for a fact that if it had been my dad, he wouldn't let me go.

"Okay, well get back to me by Thursday! My dad is picking us up on Friday and we're going all the way down to Port Angeles to do some shopping. Then, we're gonna get some food to go and head back to my house! Oh, it's gonna be so totally cool!" Ashley and Marie began to gush over their future plans, and I took the moment to catch some air. I glanced over to the skate renting booth, noting that Emi was no longer over there. My brows furrowed in confusion, and I began to scan the room to see if I could catch a glimpse of her.

"We're gonna go get a drink, come on Ellie!" Marie beckoned me over with her hand, but I shook my head. I had a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach, like when you just finished eating something you knew you shouldn't have.I bit at my lower lip and began to make my way to the small bathroom at the other end of the rink.

"I'm gonna look for my sister real quick… Go on ahead." I mumbled out the last part, but I guess Marie heard me because she shrugged her shoulders and looped armed with Ashley and continued on to the concession boothe.

I knocked on the small one person bathroom door, and placed my ear to the door. I heard someone flush, and I knew before they even came out it wasn't my sister. Backing away, a pretty girl with short blonde hair and grey eyes walked from out of the bathroom. She was wearing a dark yellow skirt that was rather short for this cool fall day, and tight black shirt. She looked down at me for a second then brushed past.

Moving away from the bathrooms, I walked over to the rental station and tapped on the counter. The guy behind the counter wasn't paying much attention. His eyes were lingering on the girl who had just walked out of the bathroom, a small kinda creepy smile playing at his thin lips.

"Hey, dude!" I tapped on the counter harder to get his attention. He blinked a couple of times and looked down at me. He sniffled a little, rubbing at his nose and cleared his throat.

"Hey, sorry about that, what can I get for you kid?" I wanted to roll my eyes.

"Look, my sister was over here a few minutes ago, did you see where she went?" My dad had always told me to follow my gut. I had the instincts of a shark smelling blood, and something told me that Emi needed my help.

"Are you talking about the tall, short haired chick that wanted to rent out two skates?"

"Yeah, the girl you spent about five full minutes chatting up." The guy scowled at me a little bit and shrugged his shoulders.

"I dunno. Maybe she went to the bathroom."

"Oh my God, don't be an asshole. Just tell me where you saw her go." My anxiety was building, but I wasn't sure if it was because I was alone, or because I was worried about Emi.

"Wow, okay, I saw her go outside." I guess he wasn't expecting me to snap at him, but I wasn't in the mood to play games. I walked away from the counter and began to head outside.

Emi was standing near her car, towering over Candace, yet still looking so small. She had her arms around her waist, and was looking towards the ground as Candace berated her for God only knows what. I felt my heartbeat speed up and red begin to take over my vision. I began to walk faster, when I heard a deep voice cut through my rage.

"What the fuck Candace?" Everyone that was in that little parking lot turned to look at Gabriel walking towards Emi and Candace. I guess under the dimmer lights of the movie theater I couldn't really see how huge this guy was… But oh boy. He was monstrously big, as if he could crush me with his bare hands.

He was coming towards the two of them, and I paused to watch as Candace paled and held up her hands in defense.

"Gabe, hey!" Her voice became higher, and she tried to smile at him. Gabe rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. At least he seemed smart enough to see through her ruse. I took a few more hesitant steps closer, attempting to make eye contact with Emi. "I was, um, hoping you were working today."

"Candace, I don't know how many times I have to tell you this. We're over. It's not anyone's fault but your own. Grow up." Emi noticed me standing in the distance and cleared her throat.

"Look, I don't want to be in the middle of this. I have to get back to my sister." It was like everything happened in slow motion. Candace and Gabriel both turned their heads towards me, and their expressions were totally opposite. I have never seen pure hatred directed at me before, but Candace looked as though she could throttle me. Her face was twisted into a nasty snarly, and her face reddened drastically. Gabriel on the other hand seemed… Shocked, perhaps? His brows lifted and any signs of previous irritation vanished.

"Hey Emi… Is there a problem?" Emi groaned gently, and I smiled.

"What are you doing here?" Candace hissed, and Emi slipped from between her and the car.

"I'm here for Marie's birthday party!" I didn't know why, but that feeling of anxiety was beginning to build up in my stomach again. It wasn't nearly as intense as the previous time. "I would ask what you're doing here, but it's a little obvious."

"Obvious? What the hell are you talking about?"

"Oh, you're trying to get a booty call." Emi slowly closed her eyes and put her hand to her mouth and Gabriel burst out laughing. It was a deep laugh, and it came from deep in his chest.

"Y-You are so fucking OBNOXIOUS!" Candace looked as though she wanted to rip my head off, but it was Emi who stopped her.

"Hey_"

"Hey_" Both my sister and Gabriel spoke. Candace blinked a couple of times, her jaw slack.

"Okay, I understand why she would defend that little smart-mouth brat, but why are you Gabe? " Candace made a point. This Gabriel guy was just some random popular dude. He was probably on the sports team or something and he seemed kinda… I don't know… Just not the type.

I guess he didn't really have an answer himself, because he opened and closed his mouth a couple of times before clearing his throat.

"She's just a kid, and you're being a bitch."

"I second that statement." I muttered under my breath and I saw her fists clench.

"Elaine, just shut up okay. Go back inside and talk to your friends." Emi sounded exasperated. She ran her fingers through her short, choppy hair and huffed.

"Look, I know you don't like me Candace, but leave my sister alone. Keep her name out of your mouth… Understand me?" Her voice was as gentle as always, but there was a venomous undertone.

"And what are you gonna do Emilia?"

"If she doesn't do anything, I will." Gabriel took a step closer to Candace, standing over her. She gulped slowly, and I watched as her fist unclenched.

"You know what, my sister is waiting for me inside. I'm not gonna just stand here and be threatened by the two of you. Gabe, I hope you're fucking happy with the new girl." She glared at Emi "She looks easy enough."

She walked around him, and saunted back inside of the roller rink. I noticed that she didn't have a cake, and I wasn't sure if I wanted to go inside and watch Marie be disappointed. I cleared the rest of the parking lot and stood next to my sister. Her face was red, most likely from embarrassment and she was looking towards the ground.

"Hey you two, I'm really sorry about that." Gabriel scratched the back of his head and shrugged his shoulders. "I guess I really dodged a bullet with her huh?"

"A bullet, you dodged an atomic bomb dude." Emi went to shush me, but Gabriel just laughed.

"So Emilia and Elaine huh… I guess your parents had a theme?" Emi chuckled gently and tucked some of her hair behind her ear. I on the other hand crossed my arms.

"Don't call me Elaine." Emi rolled her eyes and Gabriel smirked.

"Emi and Ellie Kirkland." Emi held out her hand and Gabriel took it. His brows furrowed when his hand was completely engulfed hers, and he made a soft humming sound.

"Gabriel Black. It's nice to meet you. I've seen you around school a couple of times and you... " He looked down at me and I looked away. "I saw at the movies."

"Yeah… um… About that…" I let out a small sigh "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to ruin your date and I didn't mean to get so… uh…"

"Don't worry about it kiddo." I grit my teeth.

"Kiddo?" He laughed again

"Well it was nice meeting the two of you… Sorry about this mess. Welcome to Forks!" He waved to the two of us and turned to walk inside of the roller rink. If I wasn't mistaken, I swore that he glanced at me one last time before making his way inside… but why would he?

"That was…"

"That was a mess… Why… Why Ellie, just…" Emi threw her hands up and started walking over to her car. "Look, I'm kinda tired and wanna go home. So either ask your friends for a ride or tell them goodbye."

As if on cue, my phone buzzed and I looked down to see a message from Marie.

'Heeeey gurl! Sry but my sister is being a total btch. Me and Ash will call u later K? TTyL'

I groaned and followed Emi to the car.

When mom came home, I did my very best to avoid her; unfortunately for me she wanted to know how the party went. No sooner then when she put down her bag, she burst into my room with a large smile on her face and sat down at the end of my bed. It was twenty questions with her, and I was trying my hardest to be vague.

"So how was it?"

"It was a party."

"Yeah, but how was it… Did you have fun?"

"Wait, how was it, or was it fun, which one?"

"Was it fun."

"Define fun_"

"Ellie…"

"I liked talking to Marie and Ashley. They uh… Invited me to a sleepover next weekend." Mom clasped her hands together and smiled widely. She wrapped her arms around me and hugged me tightly.

"Oh baby that sounds wonderful! I'll need to talk to your father about it…" She trailed off.

My dad… I didn't know my mom still consulted with him on parenting things. In fact, I didn't think my mom talked to my dad at all other than to argue. I knew my dad would nip this whole sleepover thing in the bud. He was somewhat paranoid, and prone to be overprotective.

"Oh don't twist your face like that, I'm gonna talk to him about it because he is your father, but my house, my rules right?" She winked at me and I smiled. She then pinched my cheeks and kissed my forehead.

"Now get some sleep, I'll see you in the morning." She got up and walked over to turn out my lights. "Oh, I want you and your sister to stay out of the woods okay? I know that it's not really your thing, but just in case. Apparently there's wolves."

"I'm not scared of wolves mom." I was a huge dog person, and wolves were like big lonely dogs.

"You're not scared of anything are you?" She teased and I shrugged.

"Not anything here. The scariest thing here is how boring it is." She laughed and shook her head.

"Goodnight Ellie…"

"Goodnight mom."

When I fell asleep that night, I dreamed of a large copper colored wolf.

*So I hope y'all like the chapter. Please comment and tell me how my story is coming along, I love to hear feedback! Thanks for reading, and I hope to have chapter 5 out asap!*