In a small town like La Push, you should never speed. Well… the law tells you that you shouldn't speed, regardless of where you are, or the size of the town you're in. Here, when you speed, there is bound to be at least one person who recognises who's driving a certain car, driving down that familiar road, at such a dangerous speed. Usually, the outcome is them telling your mother, and in result, you end up being banished to your room for the rest of the term, with the punishment of not being allowed behind the wheel of another vehicle for an entire year.
But for once I didn't care who saw. They'd be in a right spot trying to catch me, and by the time I got home I would have bigger things to face than my mother.
I slam on the breaks outside my house, leaving the car half on the grass and half on the road. I'm not thinking about my actions or the consequences to them. I'm on a roll and no one's going to stop me. Paul will cover for me in any case. Not thinking straight and acting on adrenaline when you already have a body that acts like it's on drugs may not be the best idea, however right now I didn't care
It seems that I had been subconsciously making a list of things to pack for Seth and I. Seth was easy, anything on the floor was clean, and anything hanging on furniture was dirty. Not bothering to fold his clothes, I chucked them all into a Gym bag that he used when he took Karate. Karate seemed like a life time ago, where Seth would pretend to be a ninja in the back lawn and I would be working on the car. Just like every other summer. Right, luxury items next. I opened his draws and took out his essentials, socks, underwear, that sort of thing. Opening the door to his closet I look down. There, laid three shoes; one a sneaker, and luckily a pair of black leathers. I thanked God he wasn't so despite that he wore his good shoes during his first stages of phasing. Without looking, I throw them over my shoulder into the bag. Looking up to the clothes hanging in his closet I look at the clothes Seth never wore. An old fishing vest, a Christmas sweater eight sizes too small, and the suit he wore to dads' funeral. Sighing, I straighten my shoulders, trying to hold onto the remaining confidence I had from my burst of adrenaline. Softly, as though I might collapse in tears any second, I take down the shirt, tie and pants, folding them slowly with care. With my entire Werewolf strength I suddenly feel weak, too tired to carry on.
Turning, I place the clothes on top of the other heap of fabric and reluctantly pushed down on to the clothes to make it easier to zip up the bag. Leaving it at the foot of the hall, I enter my room. Right Leah, shoulders back, deep breath, remember why you're doing this. Storming over to my set of draws I open them hastily and grab some pairs of clothes I wear during patrol, a skirt, a cardigan; and the dress that Grandmother always liked. I put in another few bits and bobs into the overnight bag I have, then notice something in the bottom. There laid a framed picture of Dad, Seth and I holding fishing rods with a backdrop of a gray ocean. I smile leaving it in, hoping it might bring me some luck. Right, back to business; toiletries were next on the list.
Walking into the bathroom I head straight to the sink. Pausing for a moment I nod confirming my thoughts and drop to the floor. Opening the doors to the cabinet I grab the toilet bag from underneath. Holding on to it, I sit on the edge of the bath and check to see that I have everything we will need. Inside there's toothpaste, soap, my hair brush, a box of tampons, heavy duty night pads, and a box of Panadol. My heart sinks, dam it. Sighing I put in our toothbrushes, my wax strips, and Seth's electric razor into the bag and take out the sanitary equipment, throwing it into the bin.
You can hardly look at yourself as a woman when you no longer have to worry about contraceptive, when the monthly pain in the ass no longer bothers to visit you. You don't know how much you'll miss it until it's gone.
A genetic dead end, a failure to mother earth.
"It's time to get over it Clearwater." I say to myself. "Isn't gonna happen… puppies are over rated anyway."
Shaking myself out of self pity I stand up and put everything away. I then grab the other bags and head outside. Looking at the large pale green doors of the garage my breath hitches as I stand on the worn concrete, wondering if I can really do this. Dropping the bags I take a step forward to lift up the door. Gripping the black crusted door handle I pull up. I hold my breath, there standing as though waiting the entire time sat my 63 EH Holden station wagon; tan as ever looking up expectantly. My hands clenched, eyes closed, I take a big shaky breath and walk towards my past. It was as though the car was Dad, hell we put so much sweat and tears into it that it practically was. Memories I had fought to forget flashed back to me, causing my steps to falter. I touched the cool, smooth hood, smiling at the memory of my body hanging off the side into the heart of the car. That hood was up more times than it was down. Shaking my head out of the memories I look at the old fish clock on the wall, almost hidden by the dust I notice that it has been 30 minutes since I left the shop, Seth should be out of school by now.
I walk hesitantly over to the work bench. On the key hook I made in Junior high wood shop dropped a single key; sliver and warn. I had made the key hook as a birthday present, Dad always complained about losing his keys, so I made some place safe to put them. I laughed at the memory. Never did stop him from losing them though. Breathing in, I rip the key off the hook and turn to the driver's door. Carefully sliding the key into the slot the grinding sound of metal against metal reassures me that it's a perfect fit. The door unlocks with a successful thud and I laugh again; for excitement or shock I'm not sure. I didn't know what I was expecting, maybe for the door to stay locked, maybe for the key to snap off. But it did what was needed of it, as always. Opening the door it wasn't hard to realise that there was no way I was going to fit myself as well as all the bags into the door frame. The door couldn't open without hitting the crowded bench. I could get in, but not with carrying the bags. So, in the Clearwater spirit, I thought; Screw it. In one kick ass move I slide into the drivers seat, shove the key into the ignition, turn it and step onto the gas. Yeah, the thing about pumping the gas means that the car lurches forward knocking over the bags in the drive way. I swear, slamming down the breaks and jump out of the car. With the door open and the car still running I dash out and with one arm, grab the bags heading to the trunk. (AN; to the Americans is this your term for a boot? I want to be as authentic as possible when it comes to the terms you have as this is set in the USA.) With my spear hand I open the door and throw in the bags without a care.
It's time to pick up Seth.
Sliding into the driver's seat I feel the vinal stick to my legs. Now, actually paying attention to my surroundings, the small details are coming back to me. The warm smell of dust, wood, oil, home blended tobacco, summer and innocence fills my nose clouding my head with a feeling i hadn't felt since I was 15. That was three years ago, and I still don't know if that's a good thing. All those feelings long forgotten rush back to me. Hot summers - well as hot as Washington could get - with the windows rolled down so the wind blows my long hair into a wild frenzy; music blasting out so loud that it could be heard from one side of town to the other; long trips to Port Angeles with friends in the back seat, laughing our youth away. I didn't realise how much I missed it.
Turning into the street I smile at the fact that even after all these years the good old station wagon still runs. Everyone used to say that once Dad and I got a car rolling it never did stop. I guess they were right. Windows rolled down; I drive full speed towards the school right up to the gate. There, standing next to Seth is Jacob and the pack, all of them with shocked and confused looks on their faces.
"Get in Loser we're going shopping." I snap.
"What?" Seth says laughing at my reference. "Leah you're supposed to be at work."
"I'm supposed to be at Grandma's." I reply sharply. "Now hurry up and get into the car before Sam catches wind of this."
"He doesn't know?" I just raise my eyebrows and turn to address everyone.
"He's doesn't know. He's not going to know." I then smile at my black humour. "Not until it's too late anyway. Now get in."
Seth nods and hurries to the passenger side. I look at Jacob. Eyes softening and gutted at having to leave him, I try a pleading look hoping he'll understand. He doesn't. Instead he smiles deviously. "I'll cover your shift, that way you'll get more leeway."
I laugh, shaking my head. "All ready got it covered; Pauls on it."
Jake looks a little disappointed, but then smiles again, my smile. "Then I'll take the rest until you come back."
I nod and then punch the gas. "So long suckers!"
AN: I know, I'm a far worse bitch than Leah, sorry. I honestly was considering trashing the entire thing. I'm a New Zealander and my new Beta (Shout out to jackie1991) is an Australian so if I'm not spelling something right It's because I'm writing a AN and I want the note to be 100% me (spelling mistakes and all.) or its being spelt the Pacific Ocean English, if I'm not spelling something wrong however it's because I've got a brilliant Beta (another shout out to the lovely jackie1991) who is I'm so grateful for. Thank you for the Reviews, believe it or not they make my day and inspire me. Thank you for your loyalty and your patience. If I was reading this I would have given up a long time ago. But don't leave, I love you guys, even if I have treated you horribly.