HELLO. I'M PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT I GOT ANOTHER REVIEW. THANK YOU FREEBIRD1202 FOR YOUR AMAZING COMMENT. ALSO EVERYONE ELSE WHO HAVE READ MY STORY. HOPE YOU GUYS ENJOY CHAPTER 6.
Billy's pancakes and bacon was delicious. He made a lot though. Two whole stacks of them, but Jake scarfed down one whole stack by himself, and he doesn't seem to be slowing down either. Two pancakes and five pieces of bacon was enough for me. Billy had an appetite too consuming 6 pancakes before slowing down. Quite frankly, I've only had my dad as a male figure in my life, and he never ate like this. Since he was in the military he never ate in extreme quantities because he always had to keep in shape. So, seeing Jake and his father eat like this is strangely fascinating.
"These pancakes are really good." I complimented.
"Yeah. You put your foot in this one, Dad." Jake breathed before going in again.
Billy chuckled, "Thank you, kindly. You know, Miracle, I always wanted to be a famous chef."
"Why didn't you?" From just tasting this breakfast I would have no doubt that he had been a great chef.
"Culinary school just wasn't for me."
"Well, I'm sure there were other ways to becoming a chef."
"Ohh there were, yes." He nodded, his eyes growing distant, " With hard work I became a chef for some time, but it got to the point where I had to choose between my job and my family. Being a chef is a demanding job and I was away from my family up too 60 almost 70 hours a week."
Billy chose his family over his work. While my parents chose work over me. Thinking about my parents caused my heart to ache. I haven't spoken to my parents since I got here. When I left it ended with a fight; they said they weren't angry with me, but I could see disappointment shining in my mom's eyes. Dad understood better than mom did. He understood I needed to be grounded for a while. That I needed to have friends my own age.
Mom on the other hand. I always had a feeling that she didn't like the reservation. Whenever I would talk about it, she would either ditch the question all together or give one worded answers. Very few times where I heard actual stories about her life on the reservation from her own mouth, but I knew it wasn't because of grandma. I know my mom loves grandma. I never heard her speak about grandma in bad terms. Jake voice brought me back to the table.
"Do you want me to help you clean up?" He got up and started clearing the table.
"No, no, you got to shower. Get that sweat off ya." Billy shooed him away.
"You sure?" Jake asked.
"I can help you with the dishes, Billy." I got up and pushed my chair in.
"Children, I don't need help." Billy grabbed some dishes and rolled to the sink.
Jake sighed, "I'll be down in a few and then we can go to school."
I nodded and he turned and looked at his dad one more time before leaving the kitchen to take a shower. Out of habit I started to help clean up much to Billy's annoyance.
"Miracle, you're the guest I can't allow you to help." He announced.
"I don't mind Billy. Besides two hands are better than one." I chimed.
He chuckled, " You're just like your grandmother."
I laughed with him as we cleaned up the kitchen. We kept the conversation going with menial topics about the weather, the ocean, the supermarket, etc. Before long we finished the dishes and cleaned the countertops and table.
"Well, I thank you for helping, Miracle." The corners of his eyes crinkled when he smiled.
The smile was so infectious that I couldn't help but smile back, "Ohh honestly, Billy, it was no problem."
"I wonder what's taking that boy so long?"
I looked at the clock on my phone. We still had about 15 minutes before going to school.
"He shouldn't be too longer. I'll just wait in the living room." I spoke as I grabbed my backpack and headed in the living room.
"Okay and thanks again." He hollered.
I went in the living room and sat on the enormous couch. The seat cushion felt hard, but I didn't pay it no mind and fiddled with my phone for a little bit, but I could tell I was getting antsy. My eyes looked towards Billy's worktable. Last time the table was crowded with paper and books, including the Kwati and Quileute Shaman book. Today the table was cleared and cleaned. No sign of the book anywhere near it. I could search but it wouldn't feel right to snoop. I would be invading their privacy.
I frowned. I shouldn't even be thinking about snooping in my friend's house. I readjusted my spot on the cushion. The cushion felt rock hard and hurt my butt. Maybe there's a rock under here or something. I got up and lifted the cushion to check what's under it and gasped. It's... the book. It was under the cushion. Billy must have come up with that hiding spot, but why hide the book anyways? The only reason is he didn't want anyone finding out about it. I wonder if Jake knew about the book and if he did what would he say about it. I touched the leather-bound book and thought of... taking it.
Taking it will cause issues, but I doubt that they will trace it back to me and if I feel like they are I can place it back in its hiding spot before anyone notices. Either way I need to see what's in this book, and this could honestly be my only chance to read it. Without giving it a second thought, I took my chance and snatched the book from under the cushion and quickly place it in my backpack. I will have to read it later. I squished the cushion back in place and sat down to calm my erratic heart and trembling body.
Jake came into the living room a few minutes later with his pack
"Hey sorry it took so long." He smiled sheepishly.
I could smell him before he walked over to me. Earthy. He had on a dark red shirt with deep blue jeans and white adidas. He had his pack shouldered on one arm.
"Noo it's okay. I hardly noticed." My voice sounded breathless. I got up off of the couch, "We should go."
We walked towards the school leisurely, enjoying the day as the wind gently blew across my face cooling it down. I looked up at Jake. How his russet skin looked in the sun. How his hair swayed with the ways of the wind. My eyes than wondered to the tattoo. Looking closely, it looked like 2 wolves in the circle to create a new third wolf. The wolf looked at me, its eyes giving nothing but everything away.
"Jake?" My voice whispered.
"Yeah?" He looked down at me, smiling.
"When did you get that tattoo?"
He thought for a minute," A while ago. On my 16th birthday."
"You know I was thinking of getting a tattoo." I laughed," Maybe some feathers or flowers, but I'm scared of the pain."
"It's not too bad. The pain goes away after a while." He nudged me playfully.
He nudged harder than expected. The marks on my arm flaring up with pain. I bit my lip hard to keep from crying out in pain. If Jake knew I got these marks, there will be so many answers. Answers I don't have. Well, I do have answers, but I don't know how I could say 'A strange man grabbed me in my dream and now I have these marks' without it sounding like something from a Sy-Fy movie. So, I swallowed the pain and kept walking. Hopefully the book might have some answers. I can't wait to read it.
We came to the paint peeling school. Like clockwork teenagers were doing the same thing. Smiling laughing and walking. Hugging like they've haven't seen each other in centuries. I smiled at the simplicity of it. The normalcy of it all. I looked around until I saw the rest of our friend group.
"There's your friends." I pointed.
Looking at them from a distance they definitely catch your eyes. Taller, stronger, and more graceful looking. Even Quil and Embry being the younger ones still look like they can take down a bison. I looked back at Jake remembering the large wolf I encountered in the forest. Something nagged at my brain. Jake somehow reminds me of that wolf. Of how the wolf acted even if it was just one encounter.
"Hey guys." Jake bumped fisted with Seth.
"Another boring day at the boring high school." Seth drone.
"Boring or not. Mom and Dad expect honor roll from you this year." Leah teased.
"Hey! I know for a fact that I'm making straight C's right now. I got until the end of the semester to bring them up." Seth explained.
"Well, you won't get better grades standing here." I quickly started walking up to the front doors of the school.
"Someone's in a hurry to get the school." Jake teased.
"I just want to get this day over with." And get to reading the book.
My mind solely on the book and what mysteries that's been plaguing me since I've came back to live on the reservation. I know that I will find my answers today.
It's strange really. When you want school to go as quickly as possible it takes forever and an hour. I've been in first block for 15 minutes, but it felt like an hour has passed already. My body jumping with nerves and my fingers itching to the backpack where my book is stored. To finally open and face the problems at hand. I wouldn't trust opening it in class. Mr. Polstrow has a knack for taking items that we get distracted from. Phones, notes, or any other books besides math. So, I have no doubt in my mind that if I start reading it now, he will take it from me. So, I will have to deal with it until school is over.
Sadly, with everything that's been happening I have already been falling behind in my homework. Especially Mr. Polstrow who assigns another worksheet almost every day since school has started. Like seriously, how much homework does he expect us to do without losing our minds to numbers and graphs. Either way, if I'm going to catch up, I will have to stay up late tonight to finish the last few days homework and today's homework as well.
English wasn't any better. I had forgotten to read the first 2 chapters of the Great Gatsby. Luckily, I wasn't the only one. Enough of us didn't read it so Ms. Steelwaters decide to spend half of the block on reading and catching up. That I was extremely grateful for. I have watched the movie The Great Gatsby, but I doubt the movie was exactly like the book so it wouldn't really help. Reading the book actually helped me get my mind off of the thick stain hidden in my backpack, but once reading time was over with my mind realigned itself to thinking about it again. I honestly doubt I could wait until the end of school.
Lunch will be coming soon. I could read some of the book in the bathroom. My friends would wonder where I am, but they will be fine for a little while. I looked at the clock, my legs bouncing up and down waiting for the next 15 minutes to sped by. 2 minutes have passed. Then another 2 minutes. The clock was torturing me on purpose and watching it wouldn't make it better. I forced myself to look away from the clock and write a quick summary about the chapters I have read in the Great Gatsby. Like many books the first few chapters is the just the introduction. Nothing much happens.
I got caught up in the writing that I jumped when I head the bell ring but was happy, nonetheless. I got up and started walking towards the bathroom. The closet bathroom I can find and then I found it. Two turns and bam! A bathroom. I smiled as I started walking towards it.
"Hey Miracle." Someone called from behind me.
I turned to see Michael walking towards me. His smiling face grows bigger the closer he got. I gnawed on my bottom lip. I didn't think of what to say to Michael when I will see him. Honestly, I was hoping he would have just forgotten about it but no. It's clear that he didn't.
"Uhh, hey Michael. How are you?" I nervously played with a curl.
"I'm good." His eyes looked around," Where's your friends?" His lips pulling into a frown.
"Ohh. I don't know. I guess at lunch." I shrugged.
His face brightened into a smile again," Okay than." He stepped closer to me," I was wondering if you would like to go on a date sometime?"
There it goes. The question. I chewed on my lips harder. What could I say to him so that he won't get mad at me. I have already decided against going out with him all I need is to tell him.
"I'm sorry I can't. I'm falling behind in my classes, and I don't want to flunk." Not a lie. I looked up at him. I saw a flicker of frustration in his eye, but it quickly vanished and his easy going looks came back again.
"Not to be rude or anything but did Jacob put you up to this?" He debated.
"What? No, he didn't!" I responded.
"It's just I know he doesn't like me, and I see you two together a lot. So, I was just wondering."
Whatever dislike these two have I have somehow been caught in the middle of it.
"Yea. Our family are friends." I added.
He nodded cautiously, still looking at me," Well it's okay if you don't want to go on a date, but do you think you could use another friend?" The dazzling smile grew on his face.
I didn't want to, but his smile was so heartwarming that I found myself smiling back at him. He could be the first friend I get here without the help of others, and it would be nice to talk to other people.
"Sure, Michael." I laughed.
"Yay!" He pumped his fists in the air, " Well I think my friend deserves my numbers."
We exchanged numbers and promised each other that we would text back. The bell rung and Michael left but not without giving me a quick one-armed hug. After he left, I continued my quick journey to the bathroom. I made sure no one else was in there with me. I walked in a stall and locked the door, closed the lid and sat down on the toilet. I sat my pack down and unzipped it to find the book. Patiently waiting. I lifted the book up, making sure to put more weight on my left arm than my injured arm and set it on my lap. Finally, I'll be able to fully read it. I took a deep breath and slowly opened the book. The spine of the book creaked a little with the weight distributed. The book smelled of old leather and old book smell. I love that smell. I looked at the first page. It told the story of Kwaiti.
It happened long ago that Kwaiti journeyed all over the land setting the people aright and instructing the people that would come in the future how they should act. Kwaiti instructed the people how to build houses.
One day Kwaiti came upon Beaver. Beaver was sharpening his stone knife, and Beaver was very stingy. Kwaiti asked what was Beaver doing. Whereupon Beaver said: "I am sharpening my knife in order to kill Kwaiti," said Beaver. Then Kwaiti took what Beaver was sharpening and stuck it on Beaver's tail. Then he said: "You shall always have this stuck to your tail, and live in the water. You will just slap the water with your tail and dive when the people come."
Then one day he came upon Deer. Deer was sharpening his shell knife. Thereupon Kwaiti asked Deer what was he sharpening it for. Whereupon Deer said: "I am going to kill Kwaiti'," said Deer. Then Kwaiti seized the shell that Deer was sharpening. Then he stuck it on Deer's ears. He said "When you see people you shall run frightened and stop, and look back." Then Kwaiti went on his way.
Not long afterward he reached Q'wayi't'soxk'a River. But he did not find any people. Then Kwaiti spit on his hands and rubbed them. Doing this he rubbed off the human dead skin into the water. Thereupon many people appeared. Then Kwaiti' said to the people whom he had made: "You shall dwell here," said Kwaiti'. "Your name shall be Q'wayi't'sox (Queets.)"
Then Kwaiti reached the Hoh people. He saw that these people walked on their hands carrying their smelt nets between their legs. At that time all the Hoh people walked on their hands. They were called the Up-side-down people. Since that time the Up-side-down people were known as the first people who had existed. Then Kwaiti turned right side up the ones who walked on their hands. "You shall use your feet to walk," said Kwaiti to the former Up-side-down people. "Go and fish smelt. You shall catch much fish when you fish smelt." Ever since then there is much smelt at Hoh.
Then Kwaiti went on and reached the Quileute land. He saw two wolves. And a woman. Kwaiti came upon the woman. Kwaiti asked who the woman was. "I am Shaman and these are my wolves. My family. My friends. We are the guardians of the Quileute land."
Kwaiti looked at the wolves," They shall not walk on their hands anymore but their feet." The Shaman smiled, " Yes you are right."
Then Kwaiti transformed the wolved into people. Then he instructed the people saying: "The common man will have only one wife. Only a chief may have four or eight wives. For this reason, you Quileute shall be brave, because you come from wolves," said Kwaiti'. "In every manner you shall be strong."
"As it was predicated. And so, it shall be." Shaman said.
I frowned at the story. This is a different version from the one I read. Not extremely different, but different, nonetheless. This is the first version with Shaman in it. Shaman and the wolves were the guardian of the Quileute lands. Kwaiti came to the land as a benevolent being. He came and changed the wolves and the Shaman just let him put a spell on them; on her family and friends to turn them into humans. As it was predicted and so it shall be. That was the last sentence Shaman had spoken. It seems like Shaman knew it was going to happen. She saw into the future and knew this man Kwaiti was going to come and change them.
I flipped through some pages until I saw the drawing of a tattoo. The wolf tattoo. I gasp slightly finally ready to get some answers about those stupid tattoos.
This tattoo symbolizes great purpose but also a great burden. Few will be chosen from birth to wield this power. O the eve of your sixteenth moon the Change shall commence. Your body will morph into those of Your ancestors, and You shall carry the burden of protecting the land and its people. The power of Your ancestors will watch over and guide you throughout the transition. Once it is complete you shall stand beside Shaman.
"Your body will morph into those of Your ancestors." I whispered, "What could that mean? The story of Kwaiti says they come from... wolves."
I paused for a moment. If this book says that Quileute came from wolves, literally, then that means werewolves. No, it can't mean that. It must be like a metaphor or something. I read it again.
"Few will be chosen from birth to wield this power." I chewed on my lip, "A few will be chosen..." I trailed off.
The book doesn't say what the power is, but illogically, I already know what it is. The power of the wolf. Nothing about this whole situation has been logical so I might as well save me time and start thinking of it illogically. A few are only chosen from birth. That must mean it runs in their family, like a genetics thing, or the Gods chose you. The book doesn't make that very clear, but I can fill in the holes myself.
But who are the ones that have been chosen? Jake and his friends instantly came to mind. They look stronger, bigger, and more capable of that kind of stuff, but I shouldn't jump to conclusions. I turned the page, and it talked about Shaman.
Shaman is the woman of the forest. The ancestors will answer to her and her descendants. Shaman is an omniscient being from the heavens above. She came to this world by the prayers of the wolf. Shaman's power is unlike anything from this world. Her power to see through time and space. Her ability to communicate through this world and the next. The wolf saw and understood her power and vowed to protect her.
I closed the book and rubbed my eyes. So, apparently, this Shaman came from a different world and once she came here; the wolves honored her with their protection. This is a lot of new information to take in and I'm still confused. I checked my phone. Another 5 minutes and that's the end of lunch. I sighed and closed the book. I will have to read it more to understand. I could ask Mr. Uley but he has the tattoo. He's one of the chosen ones. One of the ones who morphs into a wolf. Even saying in my head sounds stupid, but... In my heart I know it's true. This book is the proof of that and that wolf I saw the other day could also be proof of it too. My eyes widened. There was a reason why the wolf acted with so much clarity. As if the wolf understood exactly what I was saying. Could that wolf actually be human? Be the chosen one.
My head swirled. There were more wolves there. I heard them howling. I remembered when the wolf, Thunder was pushing me away. Back home. He was protecting something. No not something. Someone! The Shaman was there that night and I had missed her. My head started pounding as the realization came. Even though I tried to force this to be true. Now I know that this is really true. A wolf can only act like that to protect something or someone and it was protecting its Shaman. I could have seen her and talked to her about what's been happening to me. She and the wolves can give me the answers I've been looking for. I need to go back to the forest.
The bell rung signaling the end of lunch. I closed the book and put it back in my backpack. I have a lot of thinking to do. I unlocked the door and stepped out of the stall and quickly walked out of the bathroom into the already crowded hallways. I ducked my head and carefully walked through the hallways, careful not the bump into anyone as I walked to history class. I quickened my step. In a hurry to get to class. Hoping I won't see my friends until I come up with an excuse as to why I wasn't in lunch.
Once I made it in history I sat down on the desk and waited to the rest of the students to get here and get started. It didn't take long and once everyone was here Mr. Cameron got started.
"Okay we'll going to go over the gold rush again. By the end of the week, we're going to have a little quiz about it."
I decided it was time to start paying attention. I need to get some good grades and get my mind out of the gutter. I straightened my back and rubbed my eyes to clear them. Opened my binder and started jotting down notes. I've always enjoyed the Gold Rush. Especially what became of the Gold Rush. Ghost towns. Towns that have been abandoned when the gold and other resources have ran out. I try to write down everything Mr. Cameron was saying because you never know what questions will be on a quiz or a test. My fingers were cramped when the bell rang. I sucked in a breath. The last block came quicker than expected and I didn't have an excuse to give my friends.
I took my time getting my items and leaving the room. I walked slower through the hallways contemplating what exactly I should say to make them not questions my actions. A imaginary lightbulb lit up in my head as an excuse exploded in my head. They're guys and Leah. They're some things guys wouldn't question. I felt more calmer walking through the halls as the warning bell vibrated through the walls. I kept the same pace to class.
Most of the class was already there, including Jake and his friends. They were still standing around the desk talking. The second I came across the threshold of the door Jake's eyes instantly focused on me. I put on a sheepish smile as I walked towards them.
"Hey guys." I spoke.
"Hey where were you? It was taco day." Quil explained.
Jake looked at me expectantly.
"Ohh.. umm I had some girl...issues."
"Ohh." Seth's eyes widened, " Ewwww."
Leah slapped the back of his neck," Nothing's more gross than smelling you morning breath."
Seth's lip quivered as a growl escaped from his lips. He rubbed the back of his neck.
"Hit me like that again and we're fighting." He promised. Leah rolled her eyes and sat down in her desk.
Jake took a few steps towards me, " I saved you some food. I thought you would be hungry. I didn't know how to wrap a taco so it wouldn't spill so I brought this." He gave me a towel that had an apple, carrots, and celery. I was soo worried about everything that I didn't realize my stomach growling.
"Thanks." I smiled up at him, " You didn't have to."
He shrugged the same time Mr. Uley got and started talking.
"Take your seats, everyone. Class will be starting."
The conversation died down when as Mr. Uley started teaching as usual. We continued with Quileute history. Their history before the white man came and threw them on reservations. I wrote it down in my binder. Mr. Uley hasn't said anything a test yet but there's bound to be one sooner or later. During writing my notes I munched on carrots and celery. Making sure not to make a bunch of chewing noises. The snacks did calm my gnawing stomach. I felt someone watching me. I looked over to see Jake smiling at me. He looked at Mr. Uley and then passed me a note. I opened it careful.
"r u feeling ok? wth ur...lady issues?"
I resisted the urge to start laughing. Guys are always so fickle about periods.
I wrote, " yea i'm fine, nothin to worry about." I passed it back to him.
I continued jotting down notes on the board until another note came on my desk.
"u know i'm not that grossed out yknow ur issues."
I couldn't help it. A giggle came out.
" hey! i never said that out loud." I passed it back.
Only who I passed it to wasn't Jake. I passed it right into Mr. Uley's grasp. I gasped as he snatched it from me.
"Passing notes in class, Ms. McCowell? Mr. Black? Tsk, Tsk, Tsk. I expected better from you two." The whole class turned around to look at us. My cheeks flushed as he walked back up to front and simply resumed teaching class. I heard Leah's snicker, and I bowed my head and kept it down till the end of class. Once the bell rang, I thanked the Gods and packed up and walked up and out.
"Ms. McCowell? Mr. Black, can I speak to you in the for a little bit." Mr. Uley stated.
The class left until it was just me, Jake, and Mr. Uley. Mr. Uley walked up to us and gave Jake the note back.
" I trust that this won't happen again." He spoke.
"I don't know. I'll have to think about that." Jake grinned.
I smacked his arm and quickly apologized to the teacher, " He didn't mean that, sir. It won't happen again. Right Jake." I nudged him again and me mumbled a 'yes'
He walked in front of me and stared at me. It took a while until he nodded," Good make sure it doesn't happen again. You can go now."
I thanked Mr. Uley, grabbed Jake's stiff arm and propelled out of the room. Once we were out of the classroom. I spoke.
"What was that about?!"
Jake shrugged, " Nothing. He just needs to get on his high horse."
"Well even so. You still can't say nothing like that to him. He could have given you detention." I scoffed and walked through the empty hall.
"Hey, I'm sorry." He wrapped an arm around me. I flinched a little. His arm clashed with my injured arm, " It's been a rough week."
"Do you want to talk about it." I looked at him earnestly.
"Maybe later." He spoke.
I'M SORRY FOR THE WAIT. IT HAS BEEN A HECTIC WEEK AND I SPENT ALL DAY FINISHING THIS ONE. I'M NOT COMPLETELY HAPPY WITH THIS CHAPTER BUT I WILL TRY TO DO BETTER WITH THE NEXT CHAPTER. HOPE YOU GUYS ENJOY THIS ONE.