Finding Home Again-Chapter 5
●Confessions on the Beach●
I glanced around the noisy lunch room and sighed. My classmates chatted excitedly to each other about upcoming weekend plans, or, in Jessica Stanley's case, gossiped about that new girl from South Carolina who befriended the elusive Cullen's and spends time with the La Push Gang.
Ha. When Jessica and Lauren Mallory cornered Angela and me after fourth period a week ago about said gang, I had immediately laughed and defended my Quileute friends. Sure, they may all be ripped and insanely warm, but could you imagine my sweet—er…I mean, sweet Seth in a gang?
Edward caught my eye and gave me a soft smile. I looked down at my phone and pouted; no new messages. It was May 1st, several weeks after Bella and I had gone down to La Push. I had lived in Forks for a month and a half now. Aunt Helena had even bought me a silver 2009 Hyundai—my dream car.
"I miss you but you really shouldn't text during school." I rolled my eyes at Seth's text. Typical, because he paid attention during class. Not.
Seth and I had become really close in the past few weeks. We could talk on the beach for hours without running out of things to say. He was kind and always listened to what I had to say like it was his lifeline. Overall, he was naturally happy and just lit up a room when he walked in. He was my best friend and we spent most days together.
"I miss you! Please transfer to Forks High. (:" I quickly texted him back, before tuning in back to Angela and Bella's conversation.
"Texting Seth?" Angela grinned at me as Bella snatched my phone when it vibrated.
I reached for it, complaining. "Bella! Give it ba-ack! I need to see what Seth said!"
She and Angela ignored me, grinning deviously at the phone. My jaw dropped when Bella replied to his text.
I snatched it back, horrified at what she could have said.
"Not sure if Mom would like that…"
I gasped at Bella's reply.
"But I would, baby (;"
"Isabella Swan!"
Bella and Angela roared with laughter, high-fiving each other. Edward and Alice silently laughed, hearing the conversation in my thoughts and from seeing it in my future. They turned silent as the phone vibrated on the table. They stared at me in anticipation as I unlocked it.
"I'm sure, flower. There's a bonfire down at La Push tonight. Do you want to come? All the guys will be there and Emily and Mom."
Alice and Angela squealed as I read it aloud.
"That's totally a date…"
A date? With Seth? I knew I liked him more than friends but does he even feel the same way?
"You need to let me pick you something to wear!"
"Yay! I'm going too. I can send Ang and Alice pictures of you and Seth cuddling by the fire!" Bella smiled, leaning into Edward.
I put my hands up. "Who said anything about cuddling? His mom is going to be there!"
Alice threw it away with a wave of her hand. "Who cares, Lilli? This is Seth's way of asking you out and so God help you if you don't snuggle up to him!"
I gulped as Bella and Angela nodded in agreement. I looked to Edward for help.
Surprisingly, he and Emmett had become like my brothers. Ever since Emmett had given me advice, when I went with Bella to the Cullen's, he and I would sit on the couch and talk. Most times, a quieted baseball game was playing on the flat screen. Rosalie wasn't too psyched about it at first but she soon sat on the chair, commenting every once in a while. Edward had told me the reason behind her mood change was, in a certain perspective; Emmett was acting like a father figure.
Edward said, "I think she should text him back first."
The girls gasped and ran behind me, arguing over how I should answer. Finally, they decided.
"Sounds fun. See you soon 3"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Finding Home Again~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I fixed the dark-chocolate cardigan that Alice had forced me in along with a pair of jeans and tan, knee-high boots. Angela had tamed my hair a bit, making it fall gently mid-back. She then had added a simple, thin, emerald headband. They both had put a light powder foundation across my face and a sweep of mascara before deeming me perfect.
"Excited or nervous, Lilli?" Bella asked as she drove my car to La Push.
"Both," I answered honestly.
"Please listen to me for a minute, Lilliana. I want you to keep your mind wide open tonight and your heart strong. I know it will be hard but just try."
I frowned and opened my mouth to respond but she cut me off. "Don't question it...my word, I'm nervous..."
"You're nervous, Bella?! The only one who should be nervous here is me!" I laughed anxiously as she ignored my comment.
We were silent for the rest of the drive down there. Bella parked at the beach but instead of heading to the sand, she walked to the trees.
"Jake said the best way was through here. It's near the cliffs." She looped her hand through mine and we stumbled through the undergrowth. The ground was worn so I trusted this was the right direction to the bonfire.
After a few minutes, I heard the sound of laughter and conversation. We ducked under a branch and were met with a large fire and a dozen people. I noticed Emily and Sam over by a table, pulling out food.
"Lilli! Lilli!"
I turned to the voices and groaned as three huge boys tackled me in hugs. Rib-breaking hugs.
"I missed you so much, Lilli!" Quil cried, crushing me into his chest.
"I know you didn't have time to miss me as I was in your dreams," Embry grinned cheekily.
I glared at him as Jake suffocated me in a hug. "More like nightmares, Call...Can't...breathe..."
I looked over to a laughing Bella with pleading eyes as Jacob ruffled my hair. "You take my breath away too, Ms. Garvin."
I gulped for air as I was pulled free of Jacob's grasp. I leaned into my savior's chest and smiled.
Bella gaped and whispered, "That's the first time you've smiled..."
I hadn't smiled in over four months since my parents' deaths. I touched my face in awe. The boy behind me ran his finger down my cheek.
"Your smile is beautiful."
I blushed up at a smiling Seth as the boys chuckled. "Come on, Mom's been dying to meet you."
I let him tug me over to where two beautiful ladies stood next to Billy. As we neared, their conversation hushed; Billy sent me a welcoming smile.
"Good to see you again, Lilliana."
I patted his shoulder, nodding. "You too, Billy."
I turned my attention to the ladies. They both had short, black hair and regular brown eyes. The taller of the two was Leah; I recognized her from days being over at Emily's. She never had actually talked to me, just stayed in a corner with a permanent scowl on her face. Even with the frown, she was still gorgeous.
The older woman and matriarch of the Clearwater's smiled widely at me, pulling me into a hug. "Oh, Lilliana! It's so wonderful to finally meet you! You're prettier than Seth described!"
I hesitantly hugged her back, dropping Seth's hand. He talked about me? He thought I was pretty? "It's nice to meet you too…"
I didn't know whether to call her "Mrs." or not. Thankfully, she noticed my pause and cleared away my confusion. "Call me Sue, honey. Ah, looks like the food is ready."
"Food's ready! Ladies first!" Emily called as Sue patted my arm and walked over to help her unwrap plates.
The guys groaned and I skipped over to the table, flicking each of them on the head on my way. Emily smiled at me as the boys protested.
"Hi, Lils."
I hugged her before grabbing my food. "Hey, Em. It looks amazing!"
"Thank you. You look pretty tonight. Did your friends get to you before you left?" She winked.
I rolled my eyes and nodded. "I spent two hours in Bella's bathroom as Angela and Alice attacked me."
"Well they did a fantastic job; Seth can't stop staring." Emily whispered in my ear much to my embarrassment.
"Hi. You must be Lilliana. I'm Kim Connweller; Jared's girlfriend." A quiet voice to my left said.
I looked up at the native girl. She was about my height and smiling shyly at me as she put food on her plate. I nodded and said, "Hi, Kim. It's nice to meet you."
Kim glanced at Emily and back to the boys, whispering, "Well, I don't want to be trampled…"
Emily giggled and gestured the boys over. They attacked the table, piling up their plates. I ran over to the logs to get out of the war zone and set down next to Bella. Kim sat down on the other side of the fire and gave me a small smile as she tucked into potato salad. I turned my attention to the food and picked up the hotdog on my plate. Bella handed me a wire and laughed as I struggled to put the hotdog onto the wire and into the fire. I finally succeeded as the boys claimed spots around the circle. Bella smirked as she pulled her meat out of the flames and snickered.
"Yes, Bella?" I frowned at her as she took a bite of fruit.
All I got was a shake of head and another snicker this time from Jacob who had sat down on the other side of Bella. Figuring I had cooked the meat for the correct amount of time, I pulled it from the flames.
"Yes! I did it!" I fist-pumped as Seth sat down next to me. "Wait...oh no..."
I pouted as I was met with black wiener. Seeing it, Bella and Jacob roared with laughter.
I sniffled, patting the poor thing. "It's not funny, y'all!"
Everyone stared at me in amusement.
Quil blinked. "Have you never been to a bonfire before?"
I shrugged my shoulders and watched Seth put his in the fire. "Be mindful, Seth. We don't want yours to go the same way as mine."
The guys chuckled and Seth pulled out a perfectly cooked hotdog. I gaped as he snatched the burnt hotdog from my hand and threw him in the fire.
"Seth, what are you..."
He then handed me his hotdog, prepared just the way I liked it with mustard and cheese.
"For you," He softly said.
I slowly smiled up at him and Bella nudged me. I glanced over at her and she laid her head on Jake's shoulder, motioning. I concretely moved closer to Seth and Jacob and Bella's smiles grew. I glanced around the fire and blushed when Emily sat on Sam's lap and mouthed for me to do the same. I shook my head, eyes wide and she threw her arms up in the air, causing Embry and Sue to look over.
Emily pointed at me, her lap, and Seth. Do it.
I frantically shook my head and she face palmed, gaining Jared and Kim's attention. Embry leaned over a talking Quil and Paul and whispered something. They all turned to stare at me. Bella nudged me and sat on Jake's lap, smiling.
The only people who weren't staring at us now were Billy, Old Quil, and of course, Seth. They sat next to me rambling on about school, oblivious.
Taking a deep breath, I scooted even closer to Seth. Jacob put his hand over Bella's mouth to stifle her giggles. Billy looked up and raised his eyebrows at them.
I peeked over at Emily and shook my head. I couldn't do it. I was too much of a coward to even lean into his shoulder.
Emily stood up, gesturing for me to follow. I set my plate on the ground next to me and followed her lead. Seth gave me a confused look as we traveled from the light of the fire.
"Lilliana, it's not that hard!" Emily sighed.
I tugged at my shirt and exclaimed, "I can't do it! What if he pushes me off?!"
She grabbed my hand and led me over to the table, making it look like we were doing something. "My cousin is the kindest soul in the world. He would never do that. Go, Lilliana. It's time you've showed your true feelings."
I slowly nodded and made my way back over to Seth. I noticed him gaping at Bella and Jacob. Bella climbed off of Jacob's lap.
"What in the world are you two doing?"
Chuckles came from the boys who knew what was happening.
Jacob winked at Seth. "Wouldn't you like to know, Clearwater."
Quil fell to the ground, rolling with laughter. I cautiously took my place next to Seth to winks from the boys.
"Do you know what's going on here, Ana?" Seth peered down at me.
I shook my head and stared at the ground. Jacob waited for Seth to restart his conversation before sitting down next to me. I gasped as he pulled me on his lap.
"Jacob, what?"
He smirked down at me and caressed my cheek with his nose. "Don't speak, Lilliana."
I struggled in his lap, trying to break free. "Some would consider this harassment, Jacob Black! Are you all going to stare and catch flies, or are you going to help me?!"
The boys only laughed and I reached out to the gaping Seth. He took my hands and pulled me out of Jacob's lap. I landed on his and stared up at him as he tightened his arms around my waist.
"Hands off, Black," He growled.
I blushed and peeped around the circle. Emily's smile grew as I snuggled into Seth's chest and Billy started telling the tribal legends.
"The Quileutes have been a small people from the beginning and we are a small people still, but we have never disappeared. This is because there has always been magic in our blood. It wasn't always the magic of shape-shifting—that came later. First, we were spirit warriors…"
Holy crap. He spoke as if the legends were fact; Emily was even writing the words down as he talked.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Finding Home Again~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Seth gently moved my hair as Billy stopped talking and the conversations started up again. I was in awe. I had no idea how rich and magical their legends were. Billy swore it was true.
I gasped, looking up at Seth, thinking of the Cold Ones. They sounded exactly like the Cullens; vampires.
"Come take a walk with me, Lilliana."
Seth guided me to the sound of crashing waves. My feet hit sand as I wrapped my arms around him, breathing deep. Were the legends the reason the Cullens were not allowed at La Push?
"The legends are true, Ana. We can phase into wolves. I'm sure you already know but the Cullens are vampires. The treaty that Ephraim Black made is real and still in effect."
My breath shuddered and I backed slowly out of his arms. "Se-Seth..."
He grabbed my hand and whispered, "I'm going to show you, baby. Remember my eyes. Remember my eyes and know I won't hurt you."
He slowly backed up into the shelter of the trees, keeping his eyes locked with mine. I wrapped my arms around myself and shivered as I heard a soft growl. A huge, sandy wolf walked out onto the sand. It was a part of the pack that day in the woods!
Panting, I stumbled back. Where did Seth go? The wolf whined as I called, scared, out into the night. "Seth? Wh-where did you g-go? Seth?!"
The beastly creature stared down at me with soft, dark-chocolate eyes. It slowly laid down on the sand in front of me. Shaking my head, I stared back. No. No way. Those were Seth's eyes.
"Seth?" I whispered, falling to my knees as the wolf's figure blurred.
A second later, a naked Seth stood in its place. I averted my gaze. He pulled on the shorts, tied around his ankle.
"Oh my God..." I choked out as he brought me into his arms.
"Don't be scared; I will never hurt you."
I leaned into the crook of his shoulder. "Why me? Why did the Cullens tell me they are vampires?"
I felt Seth breath in deeply. He was going to explain everything; what the Cullens and Bella would not. He lifted my chin with his finger and whispered. "There is this thing called imprinting. From the moment I looked into your eyes, Ana, it wasn't gravity holding me down anymore. It's you; you're the one for me. I will never really see another girl again. I'll be whatever you need me to be, Lilliana."
I gasped as our lips touched and a jolt went through my body. No.
I ripped myself from Seth's arms and slapped his cheek.
"No! NO! I can't believe it! You were FORCED to love me! I HATE YOU, SETH CLEARWATER!"
My voice echoed across the cliffs as tears streamed down my cheeks. The waves that crashed against the rocks seemed silent to my rage and his sharp intake. He looked like I had ripped his heart out. I would look back on that moment when I ran back to the bonfire and never erase his expression from my memory. He had been forced to love me from a magical wolf thing!
"ANA!...Please….."
I didn't look back, running into the shelter of the trees. Low branches cut my clothes; I stumbled to avoid high roots.
I tripped into the clearing and everyone jumped up in shock, taking in my dirt-filled appearance.
"Lilli! What happened?" Bella shook her head as a pain-filled howl pierced the night.
Sue clutched her chest, staring into the trees. Sam grabbed Jacob and they ran back the way I came. They were all wolves.
"Forced..." I spared them one last glance before running to my car.
I floored away from La Push, feeling like I had left my heart back on the beach. I sped down the highway and squealed up a driveway. I left the engine running and stumbled up the pristine steps. I banged open the door, knowing they had seen me coming.
"Lilliana..." Jasper's eyes were in his pain as my emotions hit him.
It wasn't real. None of the smiles, laughs, touches had been him truly caring about me.
"Damn, baby sis! You smell more like a mutt than usual-" Emmett trailed off when he took in my appearance. "What happened?"
I need my mom...
With that thought, I was immediately rushed upstairs to a bath by Edward and met with the caring hug of Esme.
"Tell me everything, dear."
