Hoquiam
I got up before my alarm went off, and skipped into the bathroom. The hot shower made me even more relaxed. I decided to wear my hair flat today. I folded down the layers and sprayed on some hair spray. My fringe still hung in front of my eyes. It was like my protective curtain. I changed into my chosen outfit and picked up my bag which I dropped by the couch. My purse and small messenger bag was on the side with a small note.
Have fun tonight honey, and remember to be in by nine.
I've left an extra $10 in your purse.
Love you x
I smiled at the note, and put it in my pocket. I poured a bowl of cereal and sat with my legs crossed on the couch. After I ate I washed my bowl, and put my messenger bag and purse in my school bag. Hopefully Doli would let me drop my school bag in tonight. I went outside and locked the door. It was colder than yesterday, so I was glad I wore my jumper. I walked down the pavement, feeling less self conscious than yesterday. On the opposite side of the road I saw two boys walking together. Both were very tall. One was closing in on seven foot, and the other was a few inches behind him. Both had copper skin, and brown hair with eyes to match. The tallest one wore cut off jeans covered in oil, probably from a car, and a white vest. It set off the colour of his skin fantastically. The other had thin black sweats on, with a grey t-shirt on. He was very beautiful. I suddenly found my self staring at these two boys. I had stopped in the middle of the street and was glaring at them. I mentally slapped myself for being so rude. I hadn't notice both boys had stopped to and were staring in my direction.
"Hey!" The bigger one shouted. He looked both ways before jogging across the road to meet me. His friend followed, with a look of confusion covering his face.
"Hi, I'm Jacob Black." Jacob smiled a goofy grin and shook my hand. It was like a vice. I let go and shook my hand "I'm Ana." I smiled at both of them. Jacob turned to his friend and nudged him playfully in the side. "Oh…uh, I'm Seth." He didn't hold out his hand, just half smiled at me. "Hi." I replied. Jacob shook his head and turned back to me. "Ana. Is that short for Mariana?" I nodded, not knowing if so many people would know about the new girl. "Are you heading to school?" Jacob asked. I could only nod because I was focusing on the strange looks I was getting from Seth. "Mind if we follow?" Jacob smiled and offered his hands towards the pavement. "Sure, if you want." We walked along together. Me and Jacob talked about music and if I liked it here. I told him about my art and how I was going to paint my room tomorrow. "Oh, we don't mind helping if you'd like. Do we Seth?" Seth just nodded in agreement, rubbing the back of his neck.
We got to school and I waved bye to my two new friends, saying I'd talk to them at lunch. The day was pretty much the same. I sat with Doli majority of my classes and when I got bored I would sketch. I sketched the school corridors, the forest behind my house and my mum. At lunch I sat with Doli, Sophie and May again. This time Jacob and Seth joined us. We all talked and shared interests. I showed some of my sketches and they complimented me. I've never felt so normal in all my life. I had friends already, and I'd only been here a few days. After lunch Seth and I had gym. We walked together in silence, hardly making eye contact or conversation. "So… you and Jacob close?" I asked. The silence was dreadful. "Yes." His answer was blunt. He didn't seem like a mean boy. He was just very awkward around me. Maybe he was like this with all girls. Although, he seemed be okay talking with Sophie, May and Doli. I shrugged it off. I was the new girl and I was a little bit weird so I guess I didn't expect anything less than this. We went and got changed and came into the gym hall. I was playing hockey on one side. I disliked sport. I didn't like showing my legs in these horrible gym shorts, but I soldiered on.
As I walked out of gym, two girls stepped in front of me with their arms crossed over their chests. They had a smug look about their faces, a look I knew so very well. I took a deep breath. Be brave. Be confident. "Yes?" I asked the two girls blocking my path. "I heard you're the new school freak." One of the girls asked scrutinizing my outfit with her eyes. "I guess you could say that." I tried to sound confident but my voice shook a little and gave me away. "It's nice to meet you freak." The girl shoved my shoulder slightly. I just sighed and barged in between them. As I walked away I heard someone shouting. No, not shouting, bellowing. I turned around and walked back to gym to see Seth shouting at the two girls. "JUST LEAVE HER ALONE, OKAY?!" His hands were shaking. Not with fear like my words were, but with anger. He walked out the nearest exit leaving both girls frozen in shock. I knew Seth was a nice guy, and he proved that by sticking up for me.
I met Doli and May at the school entrance. Sophie had to go home and babysit. I jumped into the backseat of Doli's truck and asked her just to drop me home so I could put my bag in. She stopped at the foot of my drive and I ran down the path. I unlocked the door and walked in. I pulled my messenger bag and purse out and got a sheet of paper from beside the phone.
I've left my bag beside the couch. If you need me I have my mobile with me. Don't worry; I'll be home for nine.
Love you
I dotted the eyes for the smiley face, and placed the paper on the fridge holding it in place with a magnet. I darted out the house and jumped into the car. We talked about trivial things on the way to Hoquiam. Things like school, home life and hobbies. Doli's eyes then lit up. "What happened in gym today, Ana?" I looked at her and shrugged. "Just some girls getting in my way, I'm used to it." I half smiled. "You shouldn't let girls like that get to you." She paused. "What about with Seth?" My heart skipped a beat. I'm not sure why it did that. "He stuck up for me." Doli looked across to May and winked. The winking also made my breath kick up a notch. I thought about Seth the rest of the car ride. I thought about how he'd stuck up for me. Me; a complete stranger. I thought about how his hands shook with anger. My train of through was lost when Doli said we were here.
I looked around the art shops, picking up some pots of paint. I got silver, purple and black. I also picked up some letter stencils and spray cans. We stopped in a clothing store, too. I looked at a few skirts I considered buying and maybe a new t-shirt. I bought my mum a new handbag. She'd love that. We got some dinner, and then drove back to La Push. It was around half eight when Doli and May dropped me off. I thanked them both and said I'd see them tomorrow. I opened the door and saw mum curled up on the couch with her dressing gown on and a cup of hot chocolate in her lap. "You're home early." She smiled at me and patted the cushions on the couch. I sat down and pulled out her handbag. It was red and it looked like leather, even though it wasn't. The strap was a golden chain lined with more red leather. Her eyes lit up and she bounded me with a hug. I hugged her back and retreated to my bedroom. I put my paint in the corner and put away the rest of my money I had left over. I got changed into my pyjamas and climbed into bed with a smile on my face. I had no reason for that smile to be there. Today two girls had made me remember why I hated school. However this time someone had stuck up for me. I thought about Seth for a while. His confused look when he first met me and the way he stood up for me. Once again, I fell asleep smiling.