Finding Home Again-Chapter 6
●Whispers●
I slowly weaved through the herds of students in the hallway, eyes trained to the linoleum floor. I ignored the people that rammed into me, all my energy occupied on not full-blown sobbing in front of the entire school. My task failed every so often when I thought of…him and a lone tear would slide out of my bloodshot eyes and down my cheek.
I pushed open the doors to the cafeteria and made my way to a table near the windows, overlooking the forest. Sitting down, I placed my hands in my lap, avoiding eye contact with the curious stares. After all, the new girl had been depressed for almost two weeks.
My friends took their seats a moment later and dug into their lunches, talking excitedly. The only sign of recognition that I gave them was a thought.
Hey, Edward.
I imagined his golden eyes flashing to take in my appearance so fast that human eyes would not be able to notice.
In response, I was passed a salad and Sprite. I glanced up at him and sadly smiled. He was too good to me. Every day he purchased me at least a drink and waited for me to finish before walking to the math pod.
Thanks, Edward. I tuned into Angela and Ben's conversation.
"Spiderman is pretty cool…" Angela said to her boyfriend, obviously discussing his comic books.
"But, Ang, Batman-"
"HEY! Did you guys hear what's happening down at the rez?!" Mike came running up, cutting across Ben. He sat down in between Ben and I, bursting with what he thought was epic news.
Bella's eyes widened and Alice grabbed my arm as if she was going to take me somewhere at a second's notice. The rez? Wait, Lilliana, he could mean the Makah or the Hoh…what happened?
Angela voiced my thought. "No. Why? What happened?"
Oh, who am I kidding?! Of course he's talking about the Quileute tribe!
"Dude! You won't believe it! Two of those guys from the cult were almost arrested for fighting at the Ateara's store!" Mike's arms flew up in the air as he pictured the punches being thrown.
"What?!" Angela cried as Ben's jaw dropped. "No way…"
"It was the gorgeous Paul Lahote and that Clearwater kid!" Jessica gushed, elbowing her way through Bella and Edward.
Oh my God.
Crash.
A hush fell over the room. All eyes were on me. It took me a moment to realize that I was standing up, my chair on the floor. The cafeteria stared at me in shock; Eric Yorkie's jaw was dropped, his fork of pasta halfway to his mouth.
There was no question as to who won the fight. No one stood a chance against Paul. He had yelled at me when I had accidently bumped into him on the beach.
"Oookay…what did you smoke this morning, Lilliana?" Jessica raised her eyebrows.
"Shush, Jessica! Lilliana, I'm sure he's fine…" Angela trailed off, touching my arm, concern written all over her.
I stepped back from her and snapped, "He never cared about me, Angela. Why would I worry about what happens to him? Seth Clearwater is a Class A jerk and I hate him."
Angela shook her head, whispering, "Don't mean that, Lilli."
Jessica popped her gum and enthused, "Oh my gawd, Garvin! Dana said they were fighting over a girl; it must have been you! I don't know how you did it, but Paul is sex on legs!"
I wasn't the only one that glared at her. I quickly picked up my bag and coldly said, "Get this through your dense head, Stanley: I have not, nor will I ever have feelings for Paul Lahote. I seriously doubt that they were fighting over me; there is no way in hell."
With that, I hurried out the door as the noise level rose up again. I heard footsteps behind me, but didn't stop, banging open the front doors.
"Lilliana! Stop! Where are you going?!"
I ignored Alice, thankful that she could not use her inhuman speed to catch up in the risk of being seen. I reached my Hyundai and breathed deep, leaning against the hood. Alice joined me, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. Bella and Edward were making their way across the parking lot, hand-in-hand.
"You were going to the reservation," She accused, her eyes narrowed, "Your future disappeared."
"You knew; all of you. You knew and you didn't tell me." I fiercely whispered, glaring at the three of them.
"We didn't want you to worry, Lils," Bella replied, "Seth was fine an hour later, if that. Werewolves heal super-fast."
I retorted, crossing my arms, "I wasn't worried, Bella."
She shook her head and touched my other shoulder. "I can see it in your eyes, Lilliana. Please. Stop fighting destiny."
My eyes widened. "Des-destiny? Bella, he was forced to love me from some creepy wolf magic! None of it was real! Not when he held my hand! Not when he held me in his lap! And, definitely NOT when he kissed me!"
Bella's and Alice's eyes were wide; they had not heard my thoughts everyday like Edward had. He looked at me with sad eyes, wanting to ease my pain.
I continued, surprised that I had kept this long without crying. "And, do you want to know the worst part? He's the only boy I have ever liked. He made me feel safe and loved. Something I have not felt since my parents' deaths."
It was silent. I unlocked my car and threw my bag inside before one of them made a sound. Edward growled.
I stared up at him, eyebrows furrowed. What was that for?
He growled again and this time I realized that none of them were looking at me. They were staring at the forest.
"Mutt…" Edward hissed.
I gasped as a series of growls and howls echoed from inside the trees. The pack was here…
I followed their line of vision and watched as two wolf heads poked out of the shadows. One was black as the night and the other was russet. I huffed as they stared only at me. Before anyone could object, I slid into my car and turned on the ignition. I peeled out of the parking lot, glaring at the two wolf-boys from the rearview mirror.
