Chapter 4
In the morning, we woke up and tried to forget what happened the night before. Kat went back to her house to shower and Seth and I left to get breakfast. We decided to go to the old diner in town that's never busy.
When we walked in our expectations of it being empty came true only 3 tables were being used. It was a cute little diner. The outside had a small parking lot on the side. It was painted a light yellow with white trim outlining the windows. The inside was painted a soft peach with wooden tables and chairs. There was a bar area in the back where some people go for a quick cup of coffee or to talk with the owner, Emily Young.
Seth and I sat toward the back of the diner, near the bar. "What are you getting?" I asked him.
"I'm not sure."
"I'm probably gonna get eggs and toast, I'm not that hungry." After last night, I don't know if my stomach will ever be okay to eat again. Seth nodded quietly in agreement.
"Hi, I'm Lily. Can I take your order?" a waitress walked up to us with a smile. We gave her our order and she went to the back to put it in. Seth and I sat in silence, both lost in our own world from still being half asleep and still being shaken up about what happened. I wonder what happened to the woman. Did the wolf eat her? Or hurt her? Or did she hurt the wolf? I wanted to ask Seth about it but I got the vibe he didn't really want to talk. His phone dinged with a text.
"Who's that?" I asked, slightly being nosy.
"Just my mom again, asking if I was okay for the 10th time." he said, rolling his eyes.
"Did you tell her about last night?"
"Just that there was a stranger at the beach so we left and didn't feel comfortable leaving Brady's house so we spent the night. She doesn't seem so happy about it."
"Understandable though, I wouldn't be happy if someone made my son uncomfortable enough to not wanna walk home."
"I guess, but she keeps telling me to come home and I'm telling her I'm eating but she keeps insisting." He tossed his phone on the table, "I'm ignoring her." He muttered, annoyed. Something was wrong, he didn't seem like his usual self.
"You okay?" I asked, taking a sip of my water that Lily gave us.
"I'm fine." Yea okay.
"What's wrong, why are you suddenly in such a mood?"
"last night's conversation about everyone's first kiss just reminded me of that night you hooked up with Brandon," Oh right! Brandon Baker was the kid I hooked up with two years ago! Duh, how could I forget, he was the football player everyone loved. Silly me. But why is that upsetting Seth again?
"And…? Dude that was, like, two years ago. It's way way far in the past." I laughed. He didn't seem amused though.
"Still, it pissed me off. And then to add to it we fought for an entire week after it and things were weird between us for a while. I guess it just struck a chord remembering it again." He played with his fingers on his lap, not looking up at me. It's weird that it's upsetting him his much. I mean, it was two years ago, he had hooked up with someone as well, and we aren't even dating so I can kiss whoever I want.
Before I could make another comment, the front door chimed, signaling someone has entered. We looked over and saw Jacob Black and his gang of followers walk over to the bar.
"Is it just me or is it really hot in here?" Seth said after a moment of silence. So first he's angry over nothing, and now he's feeling warm? Damn, this kid is definitely having an off day.
"I'm sorry, do you want me to leave?" I tried to joke. He just smiled and rolled his eyes at me.
"Not like that, but seriously, doesn't it feel overly hot in here suddenly?"
"No. Come here, lemme see if you have a fever." His mood seemed to completely change and I leaned over the table to put my hand on his forehead. I pulled it back straight away.
"Holy crap Seth!" I yelled. "You're burning up! Do you feel ok?"
"I don't know. I don't feel sick, I just feel … weird."
"I think you should go home. Get some rest and take some medicine. Your mom will know what to do better than me." He nodded and stood up to leave. He didn't even say bye. Maybe he was mad at me, but I can't imagine why. I didn't do anything wrong.
I looked over at Jacob and everyone. They all had a nervous face and kept looking from the door back to Sam Uley, who had joined them a few minutes ago.
I looked at them and tried to focus and listen to what they were saying.
"Is it possible?" Paul asked.
"Well it happened to his sister." Jared answered.
"Should we follow him home?" Paul asked.
"Leah's gonna freak!" Jake chuckled.
"Guys, be quieter. Stevie's listening." Quil said, nodding over to me. They all turned and looked at me. I glared at them and raised an eyebrow. They all quickly turned to Sam. He nodded towards the door and they all ran out of the café like it was on fire. Sam gave me a stern look and followed after them.
Well alright then… that wasn't weird or anything.
What did they mean is it possible? Or it happened to his sister? Did they mean Seth possibly having a fever? Maybe he caught what Leah has. But why would they need to follow him home? And why is Leah gonna freak out? Does she not want Seth getting sick like her?
I walked up to the counter. "Lily? Can I have my order over here please?" I asked the waitress. She smiled and handed me my eggs and toast and a brown bag.
"I packed up your boyfriend's order so you can bring it back to him since he left." She said.
"Thanks, but he's actually not my boyfriend." I said, blushing.
She just smiled, "If you say so." And she walked to the back kitchen. I ignored her observations and ate my eggs alone, worrying about Seth and the weird way the group of guys had acted.
Hey, I can't come to the phone right now, leave a message!
Beeeeep!
"Uh, hey Seth. I was just calling to see how you're feeling. Your mom says you have mono. I guess you won't be in school on Monday sooo… call me when you get this. Bye" I hung up the house phone and went to the pantry to get popcorn.
I had called Sue the minute I got home from the diner. She had said Seth was sleeping and that she'd have him call me back when he woke up. To waste time, I ate dinner, showered and finished my photography assignment. He never called so me being the impatient person I am decided to call his cell. No such luck.
My mom and dad were working late and Selena was sleeping at a friend's house so I was gonna spend the night with DJ.
"DJ! What movie are you renting?" I shouted from the microwave.
"Uh, I'm stuck between I Am Number Four, Just Go With It, or The Unknown."
"Ew, The Unknown looks confusing and dumb, lets watch I Am Number Four, the guy in it is super-hot!" I said as I walked into the living room. DJ pressed order and I plopped down next to him on the couch.
"Seth didn't answer?" he asked while the previews came on.
"Nope." I said sadly, "Sue said he has mono."
"You don't seem like you believe it."
"It's just, he was fine all summer and all week and all day. It just doesn't seem right." DJ shrugged and turned his attention back to the movie.
I must've fallen asleep during the movie, because I was suddenly aware of someone carrying me to my bed. "DJ?" I asked groggily.
"Yeah?"
"Did Seth call back?"
"No, he didn't. Sorry sis." DJ kissed my forehead. "G'night."
"Night." I mumbled. Why hadn't he called me back? Was he mad at me? Did he not want to talk to me anymore? In the silence of the night, I heard a loud wolf howl…the wolf sounded scared and upset.
Monday morning came fast; faster than I would have liked. I got out of bed and stepped into the shower. I felt the hot water hit my back and relaxed into the water. This weekend was terrible. Sue called me back yesterday and told me that Seth was too sick to come to school for the week. Then I got a call from Kat telling me that Collin and Brady were going to their grandparent's house for the week. But she sounded different. She was distracted and sounded nervous. I even heard Sam Uley in the background- or so I thought I heard him.
Then, to top it off, DJ got sick and is currently in the hospital because it is too contagious for him to stay here. The doctor said it should only last about a week.
So obviously, this week is gonna suck.
I stepped out of the shower and towel dried my hair for a little, adding a small dab of gel to control the curls. I stepped into my closet and grabbed a pair of skinny jeans, orange tank top, and my black knit Uggs. After putting on some eyeliner and mascara, I was ready to go.
"Selena! Do you need a ride?" I shouted as I passed her room on the way to the kitchen.
"No, I'm good." She said as she walked into the kitchen and grabbed a pop tart.
"Kay, bye mom." I gave my mom a kiss on the cheek and left for the garage.
The entire week was a drag. Practically all of my friends were out sick and even Kat seemed out of it all week. It was as if she was distracted by something. She was always busy afterschool and barely talked during the day. But it was finally Friday! Thank God!
As I pulled into the driveway my mom yelled from the front door if I could get the mail. So after I parked I walked to the mailbox. Once I reached the end of the driveway, I grabbed the mail and headed back to the house, humming a new song I heard on the way home.
"NO! It's not fair!" I heard someone yell. I looked towards where the voice came from and saw it was from the Clearwater's backyard.
"Seth, you can't tell her! It's against the rules. Don't make Sam order you." Leah pleaded. "She isn't worth it." Seth was storming towards the woods with Leah on his tail. I thought they were sick.
"DON'T say she isn't worth it! You know damn well she has a right to know!" I have never heard Seth so angry before.
"Just because you have a crush on her doesn't mean you can break the rules!" Leah yelled back.
"Leah, this is more than some stupid crush! I love her!" Seth yelled back. Seth's in love! But with who? I swear to God if he's in love with Jenna… I might actually puke from disgust. I walked closer to their yard.
"How do you know she loves you back, huh? She only thinks of you as her best friend! She. Doesn't. Love. You!" Leah growled at him.
"You don't know that!" they were standing about an inch apart from each other. Seth started shaking.
"Well you're not helping your situation! Dating Jenna? Yeah, I'm sure she is soooo jealous of that!" Leah laughed menacingly. I mentally relaxed. Good, so he's not in love with Jenna- Wait, what! Who is Seth trying to make jealous?
"LEAH! Shut up!" Seth hissed. Leah smirked.
"Hello?" I said with a confused look from the side of their garage. Their heads snapped around to face me, both their faces dropping.
"This is all YOU'RE fault." Leah growled and stormed back into her house.
Ignoring her, I turned to ask Seth if he was feeling better but he wasn't there. I spun around and looked around for him.
"Bye Seth.." I whispered. I went inside and spent the night alone binging Netflix.
Saturday was just as boring as my Friday night. However, as I was making dinner for myself, my phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Hey Stevie…" Seth answered on the other line.
"SETH! Ohmygod how are you feeling? I've missed you so much! Are you okay? Is everything better?" I practically yelled into the phone. He just laughed.
"I'm feeling much better. Thanks. I was wondering if you could hangout tonight?" Uh, YAAAAAAS.
"Uhh, yeah! Duh!" he laughed.
"Cool, meet me at Club 21 at seven?" He hadn't mentioned anything about yesterday afternoon so I didn't either because honestly, I didn't wanna know who he was in love with because it would just break my heart.
"Okay, see ya there!" I hung up and ran straight to my bedroom to get ready. I only have two hours to get ready for our date- I mean hangout! I totally meant hanging out with Seth. He has a girlfriend. This is not a date.
6
