I'm trying my best to get some sleep but my phone is non-stop going off. I mean literally non-stop. On the fourth call I sleepily lift the phone to my ear, muttering a husked "hello?", not bothering to check who it may be. "Did you know it's Embry's birthday?" An overly energized voice speaks on the other line.
I frown, squeezing my eyes shut. "Who's this?" I clear my throat, trying to find my voice again.
"Bitch wake up! It's Embry's birthday and we all forgot." Finally I realize it's Leah's voice on the other line and her words sink in. I sit up quickly, instantly feeling a little dizzy from moving so fast.
"Shit." I frown, pressing a hand to my head. "Can we see him?" There may be a lot going on right now and maybe I haven't seen Embry in a while, but he's been a close friend of mine for years. He's soft and sensitive, someone you can spill your feelings to and he'll come back with a thoughtful response. He's a gentle and old soul. He doesn't come from the easiest home life, something I relate to though I was fortunate enough to have a happy childhood. Embry is raised by a single mom and has no idea who his father is. He's worked hard for every piece of clothing, every video game, every book he has since he was about eleven.
As a child he hardly celebrated his birthday and at most he got maybe a few used clothing items and a library card so he can at least rent some books. His mom is a good mom, she loves him, but she struggles with her mental health and keeping a job. Now that he's a wolf he's distant from her, keeping her away from all that stress. I think the truth is she senses something is different and it frightens her.
"Jake and Sam called a truce for today so we can celebrate at Quil's, like old times. There's not allowed to be any talk about what's going on. It's just friends, food, and drinking." A huge smile rises on my lips. This is exactly what we all needed. After seeing Quil I've felt guilty for not seeing everyone else too. "Get up, get ready, and then we're going shopping for a gift." She instructs before promptly hanging up, probably in a rush herself. I check the time and it's 10:00 AM already. Knowing Quil he'll start things early so we can all have as much time together as possible.
I give myself a few minutes to wake up before getting in the shower. It's been so long since we've all been together I really want to put myself together and have a good time. I take the extra time today to do all the things I can to pamper myself and to get me feeling good. Shaving, exfoliating, moisturizing, I do it all.
I'm sure Emily will have a full meal set out for everyone, I bet she misses having all these people to feed. Like most parties Emily and Sam will duck out early like the old couple they are and the rest of us will get shitfaced drunk and party all night until the little truce is over. Maybe in a way this can help end the war. Maybe everyone will let go of this and start working together again so we can all have better days ahead.
With a newfound excitement for the day I take my time in getting ready. I do my typical makeup routine but I spend a little extra time on my eyes so they pop more and brush through my hair, leaving it natural. It's a warm day so I go with an easy but cute outside of jean shorts and a cropped white tank, pulled together by some jewelry.
I text Leah and then get ready to do some errands.
We spend over an hour shopping for presents and buying some alcohol. I know Quil will have beer but I want to be spoiled by the delicious drink recipes Kim always has up her sleeve. I bought Embry a new hoodie from his favorite store, two new books, and a face mask as a gag gift. I also take my time filling out his birthday card, making it meaningful.
After everything is wrapped and ready to go I drive us over to Quil's, but I definitely won't be the one to drive us back. I plan to treat this night like the ones last year, before the world turned upside down on us all.
Leah's more excited than I've seen her in a long time. She's not very smiley or giddy, but today she is. She's practically bouncing in my passenger seat with excitement. "Do you think Quil invited other people too?"
"Knowing him? Yes. He has a child imprint, he's gonna need someone to smooch with." Quil's a ladies man through and through. I can't imagine his reputation going away any time soon either, Claire or not. Maybe he'll be more reserved when she moves into town, maybe her mom will make him babysit a lot, but for now he'll have his fun.
"I want to kiss someone. Do you know how long it's been? Since Sam." She scoffs, like it's insane. "Can you believe that? He's the last person to grace these lips." She points to her pouting lips and I notice they have a shine to them, maybe some gloss.
"Okay well what about Quil?" I joke, eliciting a gag from her.
"Yeah that was just a you phase. I won't be doing that." She teases me right back.
Pulling up to Old Quil's, I already notice a little crowd in the backyard. Some balloons are hanging from the side of the house and I notice picnic tables spread about with various foods and gift bags on them. We collect our stuff and head towards the party. Sam, Emily, Jared, Paul, and Quil are all chatting with red solo cups already in hand. I steal a quick glance at Leah to make sure she's okay seeing Sam and Emily, but her face is still smiling, her eyes on Quil.
"Gwen, hey!" Paul comes jogging over to me as I set down my stuff on a nearby table. He wraps his arms around me, pulling me into a bear hug. Paul's easily the largest of the pack in height and strength, he reminds me a lot of Emmett actually. He's manly and rugged, with a very boyish personality. Beneath all that he's a softy, although Paul does have a bit of a hot head. He's not easily controlled.
"Hey back." I give him a squeeze before pulling away. Paul and I got closer when the pack was formed but we were quickly separated. He's a bit older so we never knew each other much before and I definitely had my opinions on him before I knew him.
Emily and Sam both wave but keep at a safe distance while Jared and Quil come running up to us. "Hey! Where's Kim?" I ask, hugging Jared next.
"She's coming, trust me she wouldn't miss it." He chuckles. "She misses you a ton."
I pull my eyebrows together, frowning. "I miss her too."
Quil slings an arm over my shoulder and I give him a side hug. "Are we getting absolutely obliterated tonight?" He pokes at my side, tickling me until I shove his hands away.
A big smile spreads on my face. "Of course we are!" He gives me his signature wolfish grin and holds up his red solo cup, hinting towards the fact that I need to catch up, already. It's not easy staying on his level, but Kim and I try.
The screen door in the back of the house creeks open before I can fetch myself a drink, and my eyes lift to Old Quil. Normally he'd teasingly greet me with a flat face, but it's been too long. A wide grin spreads across his face and he moves faster out of the house, his eyes on me.
I squeal with excitement and rush over to him. I wait until he's standing on two feet before giving him a tight hug, not wanting to further hurt his bad knee. "I heard you were here the other day and I missed it!" He grumbles, hugging me tight. I absolutely adore him, he's like a grandpa to me. Growing up he always spoiled me with little gifts and he'd spend a lot of time retelling me folktales because I was so curious. All the guys refer to him as "the old grump", but that's not him at all. I think he has a soft spot for us three girls.
We pull away and his eyes shoot to Leah. "Hey you! Get over here!" He chuckles as she comes running up for a hug next. "You girls need to visit more, we'll do a dinner sometime soon, alright?" We agree and he's content and moving over to Emily's food. He's always nagging Quil's mom to make him more food, so he adores Emily and Sue for their passion to cook him food.
Time goes on as we all snack on the food Emily made until more people come. First Jake, then Kim, and after her was Embry. Kim and I had a long talk as she made me a signature drink, both agreeing that we miss each other and that we have to do better at staying in touch, despite what's going on. When Embry showed I gave him a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. He somehow looks even happier than the rest of us, he probably thought his birthday would be just another day like it always has been. It's my goal to make it special for him.
Kim made Embry a drink too and then we left him be with Jake and Quil, it's so sweet seeing them all together again. I know it's been so hard on Jake being apart from them.
Leah, Kim, and I all get onto our third drink by the time Seth finally shows up, with a special made birthday cake from Sue. It has an adorable wolf on the top with Embry's fur coloring and it's two-tiered. We all get around the table and sing happy birthday, horribly, to Embry and then watch him open his presents.
When he gets to mine I pay attention to his expression and when his face lights up at the books I feel relief. "I've been wanting to read these!" He smiles at him, wide enough that I know he's not just appeasing me. My chest fills with pride at that look on his face.
"I was hoping you didn't already buy them."
After the presents and the cake Sam and Emily excused themselves, much to Leah's relief. I checked on her a lot while they were here, but she simply kept her distance. Shortly after Old Quil left as well to head to Harry and Sue's for the evening. Quil took liberty of that and turned up the stereo, urging everyone to grab another drink.
Us girls are off to the side, still picking at the extra icing on our plates. "Guys guess who I saw yesterday." I take a large sip of my drink, which tastes nothing like liquor although I know plenty is in it.
Their gazes fall on my face. "Peter and Jeff." I scrunch up my face.
Kim rolls her eyes, scoffing at the thought of them. "Of course they were, they have nothing better to do than hangout at the La Push High parking lot like a bunch of burnouts. God, I hate those fuckers. I'm so glad I haven't seen them since graduation. Jared was about ready to kill them in the last few weeks." She shakes her head, gulping down the rest of her drink.
Kim's beautiful face, feminine figure, and large chest always sent Jeff into a frenzy. Her dating Jared all throughout high school didn't keep him away one bit. Peter was always the one who liked me, not so much Jeff. I think he never got over our kiss. Lucky for Leah, she never really dealt with them, being a year older than us and all. Plus dating an older guy made her more exclusive than everyone else, according to high school culture.
"I wish Jared would have. I saw Alexis and Lindsey, though."
Kim perks up at that. "Aw, I should text them."
"Is Quil inviting anyone else?" Leah chimes in. I know how bad she wants to hook up with someone tonight and it's my goal to help her out with that. "Don't give me that look." She laughs at me, gently shoving at my shoulder.
I beam at her. "We're so gonna find you someone tonight."
Kim gets excited too. "I think he is! Oh my god this is exciting, I love getting people laid." Kim loves boy drama. She's been with Jared for so long she needs some gossip and boy drama in her life. I haven't told her about Seth. I've honestly told too many people lately and soon enough he's gonna find out and that's going to be bad. I have a feeling if I tell him things will end pretty quickly. We can't just move on from the imprint problem, but I can still enjoy flirting with him a bit and thinking about what could have been.
Leah wiggles her eyebrows at me. I can tell she's loosened up a lot from her drinks, which is a great thing. "I think we should have a repeat of the spin the bottle night!" She says it loud enough that I know the boys can hear that loud and clear. Instantly I hear Quil cheer in the distant background, making Leah's grin widen.
I turn my head and laugh, watching him dance over to us. "We absolutely need a repeat of that night." He grins cheekily at us, slinging an arm over my shoulder. "I overheard and yes other people are coming and yes I invited some guys." He smirks at Leah.
Luckily Quil never lets people we don't like come. The guys he'll bring will be good guys and any girls will be sweet to us. There's never any drama at these parties, thank god. He turns to the guys and raises his hands in the air. "Maybe we'll get the birthday boy laid!" He makes suggestive movements with his hips.
We all laugh and Embry just shakes his head, I can see a red glow on his cheeks from all the way over here. Sometimes I wonder how such a reserved guy is friends with Quil. Maybe Jake's the balance of the group, although knowing him he may drunk test pregnant Bella tonight.
"I have to leave soon but I want to do a round of shots who's joining me?" Paul calls from across the yard. Us girls all motion for him to come to us, following him is Jared and Seth.
I've casually stayed away from Seth so far this afternoon, not wanting to appear to eager or excited that he's here. Truthfully I'm all butterflies on the inside, thinking about our talk from the night before. We're finally at a party together and now I'm wondering if something fun might happen. I avert my eyes from him, only for them to land on Leah. Leah, his sister, who has no idea how I'm feeling about her little brother. Leah who wasted her time with a guy who imprinted on someone else, which broke her.
The six of us pour vodka shots and line up our chasers. "One..two..three." I take a breath before reluctantly taking the shot and trying not to choke as it hits my tongue. I grab my chaser and gulp it down, cringing at the taste. Kim's in the same boat as me but the rest of them, including Seth, take it like it's nothing. "God, that's horrible..one more." Kim choke out. Everyone agrees and we take one more, the second one even harder to deal with, but I do it.
I do a little dance when I finish gulping and high-five everyone. "Okay I got to go, my rides here." Paul goes through and says goodbye to everyone, giving Leah and I each a hug. He waves as he jogs up to Rachel's car.
Rachel?
"Is that my sister?" Jake frowns, squinting at the beaten up little black car that Rachel drives. Paul walks a little slower towards the car, but doesn't turn back though I know he's aware we're all staring. I steal a glance at Leah who's trying to suppress a smile by chewing on her lip. This is going to send Jake and Billy right over the edge.
Right as they leave two cars pull in and I poke Leah's side, hoping a cute guy or two have arrived.
My whole body feels likes it's lighter and I can't stop smiling, I'm definitely feeling the affects of my drink now. I'm sure the wolves all still have a while to go.
In the truck three guys pour out while two girls I recognize from some past get togethers, Beth and Hannah, hop out of a small blue car. They graduated our year but from Forks. Beth is really skinny with short brunette hair, and tan skin. She's studying psychology at the local community college. Hannah is her best friend, she's thicker with medium length blonde hair, and beautiful green eyes. She's studying literature and she's a bit more quiet than her friend. I think they're both really sweet girls.
As I look over the boys I realize they're not half bad to look at either. Two of the guys are from the Res. They each have uncut, long brown hair, tanned skin, and chiseled features. One of them has a sleeve of tattoo's, while the other doesn't. The third guy has paler skin, blonde short hair, and blue eyes. Quil steps out in front of us and waves at them all, urging them to join us.
The girls smile at us and come over to say hello while Quil gets the guys started on some beer. While I peak at the boys again, trying to decide which one will work out for Leah tonight, I notice the blonde boy is already looking back at me. His lips threaten to tug up in a smile once he notices he's caught, but he maintains eye contact for a moment before averting his eyes to Quil.
"What have you been up to since graduation?" I turn to see Hannah smiling kindly at me, one of Kim's drinks in hand. Beth denies a drink, explaining she'll be the one driving them back.
"I've been working at the hospital part time, how's college going." I smile back. I really like Hannah especially, she's super sweet to everyone. Not that Beth isn't, but Hannah is just precious.
"It's been great, I think I want to be an English teacher." We talk more about that until Leah practically pulls me away and I nearly fall over my own two feet. Despite feeling tipsy I haven't slowed down on the drinks quite yet.
I giggle as she pulls me in the house, away from everyone's ears. "Did you pick one you like?" I slur, poking at her arm.
She laughs a little at my drunkenness. "The one with the tattoo's name is Devon and he's literally gorgeous." She moans, tossing her head back. "But I don't know how to make a move. I haven't made a move in literal years." Her big brown eyes widen in emphasis.
I make a face of judgement. "I'm single as shit, you think I know?" I joke. "Why don't you suggest a drinking game?" It's the best I can come up with at the moment. Leah's hot and by the end of the night they'll definitely be sucking faces, I doubt she needs to put in much effort.
"What game?"
I try to think but nothing comes to mind. "Ask Quil, he'll know! And get details on the guy from him, he's helpful." I assure her. Quil is a great wing-man, sometimes. Sometimes he's a little too extreme, but he does his best. "I got to pee and then I'll be back." I pat her shoulders before heading into the house, trailing up the stairs to the main floor.
Old Quil's house is cabin styled but it's really large and recently has been remodeled. The entire basement is a hang out spot with couches, a working fireplace, a flat screen, and a mini bar with multiple large fridges to store drinks. I get to the bathroom upstairs and check out my makeup to make sure it's not sliding off. It's warm out but it's not humid, so I'm holding up okay. I quickly do my business, eager to go help Leah. On my way out I nearly walk right into Seth.
We haven't said more than a few words to each other all day, we just have been both preoccupied. Everything he said about liking me back then and wishes he could come to these parties come floating in my head. "Hey you." I smile slowly, placing a hand on his arm to steady myself. "Having fun at your first official party?"
He smiles down at me and I notice a dimple poking out. "I am, Quil's been forcing beers into my hand since I got here."
I snort. "Sounds like him. Leah wanted to play a drinking game, wanna join?" I offer for my own selfish reasons. I wouldn't mind having some extra time to hang out with Seth, maybe flirt with him a bit as the night goes on.
He agrees and we walk downstairs together and head back out the back door. It's officially sunset and the sky looks like a beautiful painting of pink and orange. I spot Leah, Kim, and Quil talking and I march right towards them, Seth close behind me. My entire body thrums with alertness at his closeness, but I try to ignore it. I swear I can feel his body heat skimming over my back.
"Hey you two, we were just trying to figure out a game to play." Quil smiles at us, a sneaky look on his face. "How about spin the bottle?"
Before I can say a word Leah scoffs at him, shoving his arm enough for him to stumble back a step. She crosses her arms, a picture of disgust written across her face. "No perv, how about truth or dare?"
"Fine have it your way, I'll give Gwen a kiss later." He winks at me, teasing me. I smack at his arm. "Kidding Gweny, just kidding!" He mocks me.
Seth mentions needing another beer and Leah goes over to the crowd of people so she can recruit for the game. I look at Quil but he has a sneaky look on his face and leans over to my ear. "I think if Seth feels a little threatened of his territory he may make a move." He whispers quietly, not wanting to alert anyone else. My cheeks heat up at the mention of Seth.
"Quil if you wanna kiss me just say that." I tease him, poking at his stomach. He chuckles, swatting at my fingers. "Kissing you would just piss him off." I insist.
He nods at that. "I just said it to annoy him and I can tell it worked. I'll make a couple comments at you and he'll get pissed and finally man up." Before I can say anything else people start heading our way so I drop the conversation and move a step back from Quil. I can't tell if this is a great idea or a horrible one. Either Seth will do what Quil thinks he will or he'll think Quil and I are a thing and completely give up on me, assuming he hasn't already.
Quil has out several lawn chairs in a circle surrounding the fire pit which Jared and Embry recently lit. Kim, Hannah, Embry, Devon, Seth, Leah, Quil, and I all pick a seat. I'm in-between Seth and Quil, which feels awfully planned. Everyone else is playing a game of flip cup across the big yard.
"Okay the game is truth or dare. If you refuse your truth or your dare you have to drink." Quil claps his hands together. "Who wants to ask first?"
