Disclaimer: I do not own twilight.
Ok, here is my tenth chapter, I'm sorry it took so long, but there were some family stuff over here that needed to be tended to, so I hope you enjoy and thank you to my loyal reviewers, your amazing, I also am thinking of dropping my other story, 'Pulling Heaven Down' it hasn't got the pull I thought it would have, but I'm not entirely sure about it yet, also, to anyone reading this, liking or not the story, I would really appreciate if you reviewed me with a list of songs you like. The thing is I write while listening to music, and I've become bored of all my songs, needless to say, I need inspiration. So please, help me out, any song that this story reminds you of or you think would do a good soundtrack, please name it. Thanks again for taking your time on reading my stories and I hope you like it.
Chapter 10: Dumping and beds.
-Cory, you better have a very good plan. Amber threatened as she drove after the red classic the Quileutes were in, with a huge line of cars behind us visible in the rearview mirror. I made a hush signal in Amber's direction, knowing damn well that if I opened my mouth there would be no force in the universe to make me shut it again. It was one BIG line.
Wonder if the Quileutes already noticed it. My lips twitched and my torso shuck violently with the booming laughs I was trying to hold. Amber glared at me as I regained the control of my body with deep breathing, thru my nose of course.
-Oh, what they must be thinking right now. Complained Amber with a very blushed face. But it has secondary effects, because it got me thinking of their faces when they saw the line.
I shook, bit my lips and punched my legs repeatedly just to keep myself from bursting in laughter. Amber glared harder and colder as I just jiggled in my seat: -It's not funny Cory.
I nodded and slapped my hands on my face as I slid off the seat on to the plastic little carpet, curling in a little ball under the dashboard. I can't erase their horrified faces off my mind!
-Cory, behave, they're probably watching us. Amber's scold worked only partially, it did help me sober down as they could figure out this was all a set up. But it brought up the perfect punch line for that sentence "Cory, behave, they're probably watching us… and the line too"
I slowly uncurled and got back to my seat, breathing in and out, in and out.
-Ok, I'm better.
-You better- Amber said, again threat form, her face daintily red as she talked and glanced at the road and at me, all at once-, they've all but climbed out the windows to see what's going on in here.
I giggled first, stopped… and then laughed properly, that is, I ended up under the dashboard again and this time I had no memories of how I'd gotten there.
-Cory- amber complained, her voice a high pitch as she blushed harder-, they're looking again, come on, get up.
-Ok, just… a… minute…- I gasped as I tried to calm myself, or just breath, Amber began to say how they were practically super gluing their faces to the back windshield as I choked on laughter: -Amber, you're… not… helping.
She stayed quiet and a moment later I called in my inner Yoda, and got back on my seat. Amber eyed me a little anxious as I closed my teary eyes and moaned.
-That was awesome. I said, relaxing on my seat contently. Amber was pissed.
-Oh yeah, watch you withier under my dashboard in giggles is completely awesome. Her voice dripped with sarcasm. I rolled my eyes at her and lowered my window to let the moist, cold wind blow the remaining humidity on my cheeks. I shivered and sighed. I was losing it.
I would never admit to Amber, but I was panicking, planning and preparing the ground for the show was way easier than performing the act, doubts filled my head as I pretended a peaceful trance while seeing the trees fly behind us. My heart pounded painfully in my chest as we began to pull in the Lodge.
I closed the window as Amber stopped the car, now openly nervous. I looked into her baby blue eyes and smiled tenderly. I mouthed a "wait for my signal" at her as we got out the car, with many others driving in the parking lot. I cracked a lopsided smile; some people had invited other people. The parking lot was filled in a second.
The Quileutes walked up to us, faces undecipherable as they stared at the amount of cars and us.
-A couple huh? Paul said in a monotone.
-It was when I asked. My voice sounded embarrassed as I should feel, he believed me and they all smiled knowingly.
Jamal ran to our side, his usually dark skin, now with an underlined brilliant red all over. We stared at each other for a long minute, not knowing what to say until the sea of kids came over us.
-Hey- greeted Tara, her red hair shaking with each raged breath she took, excitement flushing her slightly freckled face as she gawked at the Quileutes-, wow, it was true.
-Yup. I said, smiling at the awed faces of the kids.
-I thought we were being Punk'd. Breathed Elliot, not even looking at me as he spoke, his eyes glued to the uncomfortable Quileute's.
-I couldn't get a hold of Ashton Kutcher. I admitted as I opened the door of the restaurant and made an exaggerated adamant of "after you". The stream of teenagers got a hold of the Quileutes and pulled them in as I kept the door wide open for them. Jamal and Amber were sucked in the current of teenagers, Amber gazing franticly my way to what I rolled my eyes mockingly. I received a couple of fast 'Thank you's' and a bunch of looks that said 'Help me' from one of the Quileutes, Embry, I think, when Jack, a scrawny Asian looking kid started asking for tips to 'pump up the Hershey bar'.
By the time they were all inside the Lodge, a medium sized place with spacious corridors, felt like a shoe box. I contained a laugh as I noticed the guys had split up the Quileute's and each table had its own Native American snuggled in the middle of the semi round booths. And they looked terrified. I scanned the place for Amber, sitting on a table near the 'Jacob' boy, looking a little better but in a full table.
I walked to the table with an open space, ignoring the pleading looks that Paul casted my way as I took a seat in the booth across his. About the time I sat down my cell vibrated in my back pocket, I wiggled to get the thing out, the kids around the booth looked at me with curious eyes as I checked the little scene, faking a confused frown.
Well Corinna, I am already at the store.
Ok Grammy awards, here I go. I sighed and turned to the boys and girls next to me: -Do you guys know where Jamal is?
One of the boys, a tall and quite handsome brunet, pointed behind me. I looked in the same direction and found Jamal laughing along with a bunch of his friends in the same table as Jared.
I nodded my thanks to him and excused myself to go over to Jamal's table, putting on a sad and embarrassed face.
Jared's head shot up when I took the first step towards them, as if he'd heard me the moment I got up. His eyes played from me and Jamal and then someone further behind, looking slightly alarmed.
I didn't think too much of it and as I tapped Jamal's shoulder softly, I bit my lower lip nervously. Jamal's brown eyes met mine, a confused look on his face as he finally took in my discomfort.
-Umm, Jamal, can I talk to you for a minute? Please. I said softly as I nodded hello at all the other boys in the booth. Jamal nodded: -I'll be right back guys- he said over to his friends as he got up and followed me, I stopped near the front door and turned to him, he came closer, our foreheads nearly touching and whispered, his dark eyes concerned: -What is it?
I took out my cell, with the message still on the screen for him to see it. He took the cell and read it, and again, and one more time. My eyes traveled around the place, it was loud and the waitresses were scribbling down the orders like there was no tomorrow, everyone was laughing and talking happily, except for 4 pair of eyes that constantly strayed my way. Well 3, one pair was permanently attached on us… quite busy burning giant holes on Jamal's back.
I frowned at Paul when our gazes intertwined, all the anger disappeared and he just stared, his chocolate eyes yearning. I raised a questioning eyebrow at him, starting to feel weird and nervous. A soft current of warm minted air hit my face; I noticed Jamal again and took the cell as he handed it out to me. I bit my lower lip as I waited for his reaction.
Jamal sighed again. Turning his head to see the crowded place, full of his friends. A strong wave of horror fell on me as I realized the position in which I'd put him. All his friends or helping me.
-I'll cancel- a hurried to say, starting to dial Mr. Logan's number-, I'll find another truck.
My cheeks burned, how had I not thought about this? I had taken for granted that the large amount of people would create a neutral ground, make it easy to bail. But I was wrong, we invited them, we were obliged to stay… I might not give a damn about being rude, but to make Jamal dump his friends…
A dark hand grabbed my cell, stopping me half way thru the number. I looked up to Jamal, his eyes dark and serious as he came closer even, making me retreat until my back was firmly pressed against one of the booths closest to the door. I was shocked to say the least.
I could feel my eyes saucer size as our faces came to a couple of inches apart. Jamal squeezed my hands gently, still holding my cell for dear life, as he whispered softly: -No, we're going.
-No Jamal, I can't…
I wasn't even done forming the sentence in my head before he took the cell from my hands and shoved it in his back pocket. I forgot about being guilty and went to mild amusement. I crossed my arms over my chest as I arched an eyebrow, feeling a ghost of a smile play on my lips. Jamal shrugged and smiled arrogantly back at me, placing each one of his hands on the booth behind me, trapping me in place.
-You can't call now. Jamal smiled as he leaned closer, I circled his wrists with my hands and pushed them to hang loosely on his sides, a full coy smirk on my lips.
-What about me made you think I won't go for it?
Jamal's eyebrows shot so up that nearly blended with his hair line. I snorted at him and with one hand on his chest, gently scooted him away from me. My cheeks heating up again as I regained control of the situation.
-Jamal, seriously, we can go another day- I began as he shook his head and tried to get closer, I kept my hand on his chest and kept him away, feeling very self conscience now that I felt more eyes on us- , it's not that important.
-Hey- he cut me off, giving up in coming near and instead captured my hand on his chest, pressing it against him with both his hands, I was extremely uncomfortable and embarrassed, glancing furtively around to find the closest guys in the next booth staring shamelessly, but Jamal didn't seem to notice, or he didn't care. He stoked my hand lightly: - I said I would, we're going.
The "but" stayed in my mouth as he let go of my hand and turned to the enthusiastic teenagers and clapping hard and loud to get their attention.
-Hey guys, listen up! - Jamal called, making all the remaining heads to turn our way, the place going into an expectant silence- , we're real sorry but another thing just popped up and we have to go- a collective groan and even a couple of "BOO" were heard, Jamal signaled them to calm down, both hands in the air- I know, but we can't stay, but you guys have fun and we'll see ya'll Monday.
The crowed got loud with, ok's, oh man's, and whining. I looked over fast to the booth were Amber sat, our eyes met and I nodded toward the door. She nodded back and said quick goodbyes to her friends as she got up and stalked to me.
I stuck close to her as we exited the place, still loud behind us. I stopped Amber and whispered to her ear: -Follow us in the car, I'm riding with Jamal.
She frowned, confused, but nodded and ran to her car just as Jamal finally closed the Lodge's door, muffling with it the yapping inside. I waited for him to take the lead to his car; walking a couple of steps behind him I noticed my cell reaching its little head out of his back pocket. I had my cell back faster than I could blink.
Jamal jumped, turning to me, his eyes popping out of his sockets and jaw hanging open to the floor. I kept walking, murmuring loud enough for him to hear as I passed him: - I told you so.
I hopped in the passenger's seat, and in another awestruck second, Jamal joined me.
We were backing out of the parking lot when the ruckus inside became louder even and the sound of glass shattering was the last we heard before taking the road towards the furniture store. I sighed in relief. Jamal glanced my way, frowning as he saw me sink in my seat.
I sighed again, guilt coming back now as I saw his face: -Jamal, what I am about to tell you will make you want to throw me out of the moving car, and you are in all your right if you decide to do it.
I then proceeded to explain everything; about the cliff reason I gave Amber and the whole plan to dump the Quileutes. Jamal listened intently, not once interrupting, his face occasionally making gestures, surprise, anger, worry and awe.
I finished the story, playing around with my fingers, waiting for Jamal to pop open my door and kick me out. Hopefully he would stop the car before this.
-Well…- he started, sounding out of breath- Wow
-Huh?
- I would've never thought about that, I believed to what they said as soon as they did, not once did I doubt their word, you figured it out right away, that's pure genius.
I laughed at his explanation, I defiantly didn't see that one coming.
-So you're not mad at me? I asked, thrilled and hopeful. Jamal snorted and went to ruffle up my hair playfully. I laughed louder and scooted away from his hand. Jamal laughed along with me to sober down right away, his brown eyes playing from me and the road.
-What is it? I asked, staying as far from him as I could. Jamal had this hugging touching thing going on I wasn't quite good with yet. He took a long minute to decide whether he should ask or lie. He finally decided to ask: -How did you know?
-Know what? I insisted when he stopped, his face had that brilliant color filling his cheeks.
-How did you know I would leave with you?
Oh… Good question. I furrowed my face in thought, did I even think of that possibility?
-I didn't- I finally said, shrugging at his surprised face-, just like you, not a doubt crossed my head about what you would do.
He nodded and a calming silence occupied the space between us. As we pulled over in the furniture store's parking lot I spotted Mr. Logan standing near the truck we'd borrowed. I smiled and waved as the car stopped.
-Sorry we kept you waiting Sr. we were a little busy- I apologized as soon as I got to his side, Jamal and Amber right behind me, Mr. Logan smiled.
-Don't worry sweetie, youth these days can't stay still- he chuckled and turned to Jamal and Amber, his smile still strong on his loving wrinkled face- I suppose these are the friends you told me about.
I smiled wider and nodded: -Yeah, it's them- I pointed to Amber- this is Amber Willis and this- I pointed to Jamal- is Jamal Jones, guys this is Mr. Logan.
They all shook hands and exchanged polite hellos and pleased to meet you, it was nice to see they got along and I even found out Jamal's dad and Mr. Logan were good friends. So as we strolled around the store, in the bedroom section, we chatted happily, joking around about what I should choose and if it would fit in the room.
-Well, what size is your room then? Jamal asked, mock frustrated, after I said a no to pretty nice and cheap wooden bed, allegating there was no way it would fit in the room.
I turned to look at Mr. Logan, who had the funniest evil knowing smile on his elderly face that made me burst out in laughter: -It's my back porch.
Amber cracked up as well, sitting on the bed they just suggested for support. Jamal on the other hand, stared disbelievingly at me.
-For real? He said, practically squeaked, I nodded, trying to stop my laughter by covering my mouth; it kind of worked, kind of. Now it only sounded like I was giggling.
-My house is small. I finally explained, starting to walk over the individual small beds on the other side, Mr. Logan was already there, looking at the couple of beds that might fit in my room.
-Here are some good ones. He said, pointing at the sample beds, covered in colorful sheets that made me think of a rainbow. There were three. One was a metallic base, painted red made out of thick tubes, which shrieked when you sat on it.
I shook my head 'no' at Mr. Logan and went for the other one, just as I was about to sit Jamal came up to us, Amber hot on his heels, and asked: - Your room is a porch?
I huffed: -Not the "tie the dog, put a swinging chair" porch, Mr. Logan helped me fix it up in to a decent, warm, little place… kind of like a prison cell but without the toilet.
Jamal gawked and made fish faces while Amber snickered behind him. She patted his back and went to my side, sitting down next to me on the second bed, a heavy looking wooden bed with a simple, thick rustic fence looking head board. We bounced on it a little, laid back and rolled across the small extension. Not one noise and looked real sturdy.
-Ok, I'm liking this one. Amber sighed, sitting up straight as one of the store clerks came into view. It was a young man with a really fake smile plastered on his face, it must have been one long day, he reached Mr. Logan and started repeating his multiple offers and discounts on stuff.
-Yeah me too, let's see the other one. I sighed contently before getting off and jumping on the last wooden bed, this one was just as good as the other one, not one noise, strong built, but… it looked like something pulled out of a Disney movie. The head board had craved the figures of little birdies and flowers. Amber lay down next to me; she noticed the head board and ran her fingers thru the soft material, following the expert lines of the figures that looked as if they delicately came to life when the shadows of her fingers left them.
-This one. Amber whispered. I laughed under my breath.
-Now I can play "Sleeping Beauty" every day. I sang hard sarcasm as I made space for Jamal to sit on the feet of the bed. He bounced on it a little and tried to push the formation, checking it's assembling. He didn't move it an inch. Amber snorted and hit my ribs playfully with her elbow.
-No, you aren't blond.
I laughed and sat up. I sighed and looked at the headboard again, it wasn't that bad.
-Ok, this one- Amber clapped and blew a kiss my way, I chuckled as I got off the bed-, I know, you love me, blah, blah, now go choose some sheets and comforter.
Amber laughed and bounced off the bed, skipping towards wherever those things were stashed. Then, I realized what I had done. I turned to a smiling Jamal and gasped: -What have I done.
He laughed wholeheartedly, shaking his head; he patted my head and said: -Don't worry, I'm on it.
-Keep her away from anything pink! I pleaded to his back as he left after Amber. I heard him laugh and say something that sounded like "Yes Ma'am"
I sighed in relief and went up to Mr. Logan, busy with the clerk and clearly exasperated with the never ending speech of the store's quality guaranty. I stopped next to him and smiled politely at the man: -Excuse me Sir. we will take that bed- I pointed at the fairy dream nest-, and I would like to see all the doorknobs you have.
The clerk looked surprised but nodded: -Right, if you would follow me please.
Mr. Logan helped me choose a good doorknob; he found one on a sample door that no matter how much I pushed, it wouldn't budge. And I really didn't have a chance to push much either, the clerk kept a close eye on me the whole time. I was about to say "what you looking at? It's because I'm Mexican right?" just to see what he would say, but that would make Mr. Logan uncomfortable.
The clerk brought us the same model doorknob in its box, and went to talk to his supervisor about the bed and mattress. Mr. Logan and I waited patiently, talking about the other security measures we could use, some security locks, but we both agreed it wouldn't really be necessary.
-We do live in Forks. He said, I nodded, smiling, and started getting the money out of my jacket when I spotted Amber and Jamal walking over, Jamal with a large, transparent plastic bag with a zipper on the side and a picture of a small bed dressed in a dark green comforter with soft beige designs of some sort of whirling roots. Amber on his side carried a smaller, flatter bag with some folded, dark brown fabric in it.
-Thank heavens Jamal went after her- I murmured Mr. Logan's way while they were both out of hearing range-, I would be seeing pink' a pollooza other wise.
Mr. Logan laughed; they got to us and paraded their decision for me. I had to admit, I could actually see my room with that. The clerk and another older man came over, a man Mr. Logan seemed to know well, because they greeted each other with much enthusiasm and started the typical "catching up" as the man, Mr. Harrison, and the annoyed looking clerk walked us to an exit where we could get the bed out and loaded right after I paid for all the stuff.
It took us a little while, but it wasn't a stressing job, we had fun loading things, joking around and listening to the young days of Mr. Logan and Mr. Harrison, Forks ancient heartthrobs.
-No way- I laughed/gasped from the back of the truck, just finished arranging the bed and the new mattress so they wouldn't fall out, Jamal sat next to me, laughing too as Mr. Logan nodded and smiled with the memory, blushing the slightest-, you really thought of dumping Mrs. Logan?
-Well, at that time I was young and wanted to live life at the limit- Mr. Logan explained, chuckling as he closed the back door of the trunk, before turning to his old friend and adding-, needed to keep up with the competition too.
Mr. Harrison laughed slapping a heavy hand on Mr. Logan's back; we all cringed at the loud smack as the two laughed like the joyful teen-players they used to be. For a moment there, thru the wrinkled skin, the gray hair and the slow motions, I saw clearly the young, carefree kids they described, laughing together as if it were just another day in high school and not one day less in their 70's.
That moment faded as Mr. Logan shook his head and sighed heavily: -I'm glad I didn't, she is the best decision I could have ever made… going on 50 years now.
My smile haltered for a moment, and then as Mr. Logan extended his hand to help me off the truck, I smiled back. No reason to feel nostalgic about a life that was well lived, and I could tell from the shine in his watery gray eyes, he wouldn't change a thing.
I took his hand even if I didn't need it and jumped off the truck, landing with a soft thud next to him. We said our goodbyes, Mr. Logan and Mr. Harrison promising to have dinner in each other's houses a couple of times in this month, and left to the designated cars.
I rode with Mr. Logan this time, talking more about his ex-girlfriends and giving me sane advises about boys these days. I laughed a lot.
-Sorry Mr. Logan- I giggled in my seat-, but I think the danger was left behind the year you and Mr. Harrison both married.
We got to my house and went straight to unloading things, Jamal and Mr. Logan carrying the bed to the back yard as Amber and I took the mattress. My mom came out and said hi, watching to see if we would need any help as well as my sisters and little Salvador decided to try out my bed for the first time. We were done in one trip, then proceeded to put the doorknob on the door as they went around the stuff in my chest.
-Wow, you have a doll. Mocked Amber, holding up an old but clean china doll with rough, golden curls, Caribbean blue eyes and pale face with bright pink lips and exaggeratedly blushed cheeks. I rolled my eyes at her.
-I am a girl Amber, and that was my first china doll, and she has a name, it's Candy-Candy.
Amber and Jamal struggled with containing their booming laughter but it was useless, they were rolling back and forth on the floor a second later. I huffed and handed Mr. Logan the outside ball of the doorknob as he assembled the whole thing.
They stopped laughing a little later and kept going thru my stuff, commenting on the books, and one or two pictures that were lying around. I was cool with it because I had nothing of personal value in there, at least, not where they could see, and that false bottom was hard to open even for me. So there was no danger there.
We finished with the door and made the bed with all the sheets and comforter until it was the same or better looking than the example picture in the bag. When we were done my room looked pretty good, my bed ended on the left side of the back door so it could open completely. My chest on the opposite corner and a small drawer next to it with all my clothes in it.
I walked everyone out and to the front yard where we said goodbye to Mr. Logan, who left to have something to eat. I turned to Amber and Jamal, smiling deviously.
-If you guys are hungry you could still go to the Lodge, maybe all the others are still there.
They both rolled their eyes and snorted, waving good bye as Amber thru me my backpack in a failed attempt to score my face. I laughed and waved back as she and Jamal drove off.
The rest of the day went on fine. My sisters decided my room was "cool" and spent the whole day there with me, talking and joking about their teachers, played a couple of hand games to stay entertained.
My dad got home a little late but we still had dinner together. He talked about making a weekend trip but we didn't find a place to go, a week ago I would have suggested La Push but now, it was the last place I would go. Fortunately, no one remembered that beach and postponed the trip until we came up with something good.
-¿Y como te fue con lo de la cama Cory? (And how did it go with the bed thing Cory?)- My dad asked right as my sisters cleaned up the table and went to wash the dishes, as was their turn to do so. I shrugged, my dad hadn't been too happy about this whole thing of me asking people to help me move things, he'd asked me to wait until he could do it himself, insisting we shouldn't trust people to go inside the house, but I eventually won as I told him he wouldn't have time and I was tired of sleeping on the couch having a perfectly good room.
-Bien, compre una buena cama y la puerta ya esta completa (Good, I found a good bed and the door is complete now).
He nodded and then asked me to show him; my sisters took it as an expedition, as if they couldn't get enough of that shoe box that was my room. I opened the door that led to my room from the garage and turned the lights on for him to see around.
The room was small, and now with the bed and drawer, it looked minimal, but strangely bare, only the overly decorated head board gave a sense of home to the room that looked otherwise abandoned.
My dad, obviously, didn't waste any time in 'awing' the bed, but went straight to hitting the head board to test the formation, and as soon as he decided it was a strong wood, he went to try the doorknob. But unlike me, he was able to really smack it around. The thing took it as a man and stayed closed until I popped the lock open.
My dad was satisfied and I was left alone to sleep. I went and took a shower, changed into some clean pajamas, an old pair of navy blue, cotton pants and a long sleeve pajama top with a logo of a sleeping cow. It was too little for me now, not the bottoms, those fit good, but I had bought this thing three years ago, and i grew boobs since then, so the top showed a little patch of skin of my lower stomach, and my whole abdomen if I tried to stretch. Still it was my favorite pajamas, so soft and warm. With those on, a new comfy bed and no Quileutes on a near future, I fell asleep and dreamt for the first time that week.
My dream was filled of confusing and completely illogical stuff, that in that moment, made complete sense, like a cow talking to me about the mad cow disease, explaining it was not it's fault and that she wasn't Canadian. Then it let me get on its back and we went for a stroll.
Such a nice cow…
Next morning I woke up with a smile, nothing better than dreaming of cows. I got up and left my room barefooted, passed the garage and entered the kitchen with a huge yawn, my mom was already there, giving my sisters and my brother some pancakes, my dad wasn't around, like any other Saturday, he was at work.
-Buenos dias (Good morning). I said as I walked off to the bathroom. A small chorus of grunted and cheerful replies were shot at my back. Once in the bathroom I washed my face and brushed my teeth, feeling very optimistic about life. And for a moment, I actually saw myself as other than just meat, I felt pretty. I felt good.
I heard the front door being knocked a couple of times as I brushed my hair with my damp fingers. I heard my mother open the door and some muffled voices.
-Corinna- I heard my mother call a second later. I came out of the bathroom with a wide smile on my face, until I saw the person at the door.
My smile died as my mind immediately recognized the man, his luscious copper skin over the toned muscles, the pitch black hair crowning the hard face and dull brown eyes, his predator like stand, figure so tall he had to bend over slightly to see inside the house.
My heart stopped and sped off all in a nano second, fear and panic coursing thru my veins as my family inched a little closer to see the man.
Paul Thail was in my house.
So what do you think? I'm not going to ask if it was worth the wait because I know it wasn't but I hope you guys have something to say. Please Review and leave your playlists, I would really appreciate it