Lily had missed this. It was the first sunny day sense she had come to Forks, and she was enjoying spending it gardening. It gave her time to simply be and to work through her thoughts. Her first few weeks in her new home had passed without major incident. She had made a few friends, got along well with her foster parents, and nothing outrageous had happened.
She used the back of her hand to help push some of the hair that had fallen lose out of her face. The reservation kids from La Push were helping the adults with building, planting, and organizing. Some of the guys were busy repairing an older barn for the community to use when it got too cold for the plants, while others were helping carry bags of soil to planters to be filled with seeds.
There had been a large decrease in available resources for the reservation, but this was thought of as a great way to bring in more fresh fruit and vegetables. For the past few years, the Reservation had begun secluding themselves from the population of Forks. Student's were pulled back into the school system in La Push, people started only going to the clinic instead of the main hospital, and appeared to be closing ranks. Lily wasn't sure what brought this on, but she was happy to help in the garden.
Shed always had a green thumb. Some people are great at art or music. Some made excellent debate partners or wanted to change the world. She enjoyed gardening. Whether the plant had wilted, had root rot, or any other ailments she could almost always bring it back to full health. Plants made sense to her and were easy to talk to. It probably made her come off as a little crazy, but Lily felt like the plants could understand what she was saying. But then again, what would anyone else expect from a girl who had two different flowers within her name.
John returned from the car carrying some water bottles and sandwiches, calling her to a break. "How are you feeling? Not too tired? I'm surprised to see so many people taking part in this. I know the school is gonna be thrilled with the extra resources."
She unscrewed the cap for the water bottle while she thought. "I almost forgot what the sun felt like! I feel alright, just happy to be gardening again." Then, without focusing on what she was doing she took a large sip of her water and ended up choking. John thumbed her on the back a few times trying to clear her lungs out before laughing at what just happened. A few of the volunteers ended up looking over, but then they resumed their conversation.
"I hope this makes a difference. I know you are Sarah do a lot with the people who live here. I'm just happy to be able to help." After looking down at the sandwich's john brought over for lunch, she noticed they looked less haphazardly done than normal. "Did Sarah make these?" Lily asked curiously.
"No, I love that woman but some people should never be allowed to cook. She's one of them. I'm working late hours with the shop and everything lately, but usually I do the cooking in the house. She's just trying to make a good impression for you. She, or actually both of us are thrilled you're here." John said while looking out to the other workers. This seemed to push him past his comfort level discussing how he feels. Rather than fixate on actually being wanted, Lily took a bite of her sandwich which turned out to be ham and swiss and was surprised. It wasn't bad. She wasn't sure how someone could mess up making a sandwich but after a week of Sarah's cooking she wasn't going to hold her breath.
"have you made any friends with any of the locals or kids at school? "John asked suddenly, hoping to change the topic.
"Actually, I met some of the kids in my grade and they seem nice. Angela and Jessica especially have been great, and then there are a few others from the birthday party you guys invited over who seem nice. Everyone seems to have grown up with each other though so it's kind of hard. It feels a bit like I'm intruding on some of their lives, but I know they're trying to include me in things." Lily wasn't used to talking so much about herself. It had been a long-time sense anyone actually tried to reach out and relate to her.
There was a shout from one of the guys that they needed some help, causing John to get up and walk over to the commotion. Lily finished up her lunch quickly to get back into the thick of things.
She ended up zoning out, focusing simply on the task at hand. Then, over her shoulder she heard someone call out to her. Looking up, she noticed it was one of the reservation girls that had been at her party.
"Leah, right?" Lily asked, trying to remember her name." Yeah, that's me. My brother Seth is over there by John trying to be useful. I don't know what he can accomplish but mom said we all had to help out today. How are you settling in? Any of the towns folk decide to sacrifice you as their latest gossip topic?"
Laughing together, Lily thought that Leah wasn't that bad. Sarcastic, sure and a bit obsessed with her boyfriend if the moon eyes she was making over at a taller guy in the crowd was anything to go by.
"Oh, you know how it is. This week it's sacrificial offerings and next week its old news" Lily said trying to make conversation. "Well," Leah started to say after brushing off some dirt from her pants, "mom invited you over for dinner on Sunday if you're available. Something about wanting me to have more friends. My dad fishes a lot with some of the other guys here, so I hope you like fish fry. I am also supposed to ask what your number is so that we can exchange them" she finished with a long-suffering sigh.
Just behind Leah her younger brother Seth popped up. "Hey! You're the new girl! Hi! I don't know if you remember me, but I'm Seth! I'm the more social of the two of us. If you have any questions, let me know! I know everything there is around here! Well, mostly. Sam seems to know everything here, but Leah hogs up all his time" he announced after making kissing faces towards his sister to tease her. Leah ended up shoving him, but otherwise took his jokes in good nature.
"I hope you come to dinner tomorrow! Otherwise, its just going to be boring with just mom, dad, Leah, and Sam again. Our cousin is supposed to be here in a few weeks so you might like her too! Her name is Emily if you think you can remember that far away. She's really nice! Her and Leah are practically sisters. Oh! There's, Jake! Bye! Nice talking to you!
After he bounded away to follow after another guy looking his age Lily turned back to Leah. "He's sweet, how much older than him are you?" she ended up asking. "I'm a few years older, but sometimes it feels like decades. That guy he just followed like a love sick puppy is Jacob Black by the way. I don't know what Seth sees in him, but he is his role model. I was serious about the dinner invite though. I hope to see you there. Dinner is set for 7 if you can make it." And with that, Leah left to go join Sam and his friends with what they were doing.
"Hey kid, you ready to head out? Everything seems just about done here. And honestly? I could use a break from everyone here" John asked after Leah left. Brushing off her hands on her jeans, Lily nodded. She had enough interacting with other people for the day. She still wasn't used to so many people being involved with her life, resulting in her needing a break from everyone.
A few hours later and a much-needed shower taken, Lily found herself in her room playing with her new phone. She decided to text some of the new numbers she got this week.
"Hey Leah, its Lily. Thanks for talking to me today. Sorry for being awkward. I'm not used to so many people." Sent.
"Hey Jess, did you finish the math homework we had? I'm struggling and could use some help. Wanna grab coffee tomorrow?" sent.
Then, her phone pinged. It was a response from Leah. "Yeah, no problem. I get it, sometimes its too much. I'm not the most social person either, but mom wants me to branch out so here I am."
They went back and forth a few times talking about the adults in their life, but it was getting late. They decided to call it a night. Jessica never responded, but then again Lily wasn't shocked. She had been keeping her distance from Lily after she showed interest in the Swan girl. That was a whole different issue.
She still didn't feel right with how everyone was ignoring her. She never saw her eat any of the food at lunch, or answer questions, or even talk. She just seemed like a zombie. Lily hadn't dated anyone before, moving around too much and refusing to get that close to people so she wasn't sure if that was normal after a break up. She had been doing some soul searching after realizing she may come off as another zombie or robot to people like the Swan girl did.
She knew she had issues connecting to others. It wasn't that uncommon considering her life so far. Heck, she was surprised her family here were as nice as they had been so far. But she knew it was causing this void in her life to keep people at arm's length. Almost like a second face. She had the one she showed people, the everyday smiling face. Then, she had her real one. The one she didn't show people. The one she saw in the mirror late at night after everyone went to bed. The thin face. The hollow eyes. The fear. It was easier to hide, she knew that. Everyone in the system new that. But she didn't want to be that person forever. She didn't like the person she saw in the mirror. Forks had been good to her so far, so maybe she could try reaching out a bit more? It was a risk, but then again nothing ventured nothing gained. At worst, she opened up a bit and got hurt. Nothing worse than what she had already had happen in her life. At best, maybe she wouldn't feel so empty anymore. Leah seemed like a good place to start.
Leah and Angela. They seemed like opposites, but maybe that was good. None of the guys were interesting and if Lily was being honest with herself, she didn't want to approach that topic. Not if it could result in whatever the heck Swan was going though was anything to go by.
Game plan decided, she settled in for the night. Tomorrow she had the dinner with the Clearwater's. Hopefully it went well. How wrong could a dinner go?