Chapter 7.
The next morning I woke to the sound of Regina Spektor's, Laughing With on the radio. My favorite song. I forced open my eyes, and sat up in bed while the previous night's events toppled out into my awareness, one after the other. It all seemed so silly now, but when I flipped back the covers, I still wasn't there. Definitely not a laughing matter. The only difference now, was that I had pajama's on, so at least I could see where my body pressed against the soft flannel. Weird. The clothes were there, and where they covered, so were my arms and legs. The rest of me? Imperceptible.
Just then, the door creaked open, and mom stood in the doorway. I was thinking but one word at that moment, and it was a rather impolite one at that. I zipped back under the covers, a feeling of dread pooling in my stomach. All I wanted was to be there, to be visible again. I needed, to be visible. Usually it was that people wanted to disappear, with me, it was just the opposite.
It was too late. She'd seen me. Gray light penetrated the feeble cover of my eyelids as my mother pulled back the sheets.
"Mom! I can explain– I didn't think– This just happened–" I rushed to spit it all out.
"Sweetheart, I haven't a clue what you're talking about." She butted in, staring down at me confusedly.
I looked down at myself, where her eyes were aimed. Out of thin air, my entire body had magically re-materialized. My arms, my legs, my hair– It was all there. I had no idea what had just happened, but I decided to go along with it. Besides, I'd just been saved from a whole fleet of wacko pediatricians. Why shouldn't I be happy? Never mind. There were waay to many answers to that question.
"Umm.. Nothing– mom! Nothing at all!" I smiled as convincingly as I could at her puzzled expression.
"Alright honey. Oh, I almost forgot. Breakfast is ready, and I expect you down in no more than 10 minutes." She placed her hands on her hips, and gave me the 'mom' look, as though I had been trying to cover up something bad I'd done. "Now get to it!"
The rest of the morning passed without a glitch, and I was happy to find that I didn't disappear again. Well, for another three hours. I was standing in front of my grandmothers old full length mirror when it happened.
Ugh. My hair was totally uncooperative that day -not that it ever was before. I wished I could just disappear. And I did. I immediately took it back, internally groaning. Not this again. I wished I would come back.. And I did. Something clicked.
I finally got it! All I had to do, was silently command myself to either appear, or the opposite, and almost instantaneously, I would! This was fascinating! I stood there in front of the mirror for nearly an hour, literally there one minute and gone the next. By the end of the afternoon, I had perfected the art of invisibility.
I was definitely a freak.
But hey, how many other people can say they know how to turn transparent on command? I was like that girl form the Incredibles or whatnot. All I needed now was a red jumpsuit, and I'd be home free.
Soon it was six thirty, and I had completely forgotten about my little event with Jacob later that evening. I rushed to my closet and flung the doors open, desperate for something decent to wear to materialize. I had been walking around in my rattiest shorts and an old camp t-shirt all day. Jake would be grossed out if I showed up like this!
After flailing around for a bit, I emerged from my bedroom in my favorite dark-wash jeans, and lucky shirt, which I had thought to be at the bottom of my laundry pile. They had somehow gone through the wash without anyone throwing them in the machine, and hung themselves neatly on a single hanger; one complete outfit ready to go. Odd, but glance at the clock told me that it was now six forty five, and that I was most definitely going to be late if I didn't get my rear in gear.
I ran five blocks over to Jacobs house, and stood there for a minute, gasping at the foot of the front steps. Wiped out from the flat out sprint. Turns out I didn't even need to knock, as the big, mahogany door swung open then, and Jacob stood, gazing laughingly down at my wheezing figure. He looked as stunningly gorgeous as ever, which didn't help me in matters of regaining my breath.
"Why hello there Charlotte, I heard you having a heart attack outside and thought I might come to resuscitate you." He smirked.
All feelings of admiration had extinguished themselves just as soon as they had been ignited. No doubt, that was of Jacob's accord.
"Oh that's alright Jake, it was just that I could smell your rather unflattering stench from all the way out here, and had to recover myself a bit." I rolled my eyes, and proceeded up the steps, into the rustic red barn-house.
I made my way to the cozy little livingroom, and sunk into the sand-colored cushions of their old couch. Surprisingly, the room was completely emptied .Jacob's voice sounded from next to me, making me jump a little. Bella wasn't kidding, he really was silent when he moved.
"Where is everyone?" I questioned amiably, attempting to disguise my startled appearance.
He wasn't fooled, but answered my question anyway. "Oh they're setting up down at the beach. I was just waiting for you to get here."
"Oh right." I scolded myself for not guessing that in the first place. "So we should probably head down.."
"Oh don't worry about it, they wont be ready for another fifteen minutes, so we can relax for a bit." He excused nonchalantly.
"Oh. Okay." I gulped nervously.
I was alone with Jacob Black. I was alone with Jacob Black. Just the thought of the prospect sent my heart hammering up against my rib cage as though the energy bunny had gone wild inside my chest. I wasn't going to begin the awkward silence; I hated those, so I stuck up a question.
"So, what's your favorite color?" I started.
"Indigo." He stated simply. "You?"
"Copper." I answered out without hesitation, and then blushed, because until very recently, my favorite color had been green.
"Why is that?" He pryed.
Copper...the color of his skin which shone brightly, no matter how cloudy a day it was.
"It's the color of your skin..." I trailed off, looking away embarrassed.
Thankfully, he wasn't deterred, and even seemed...pleased? But I knew I was just fooling myself. After all, I had been known to have an overactive imagination.
"What's your favorite animal?" He fired, his eyes fixated on me, as though my answer were the meaning of life.
"Wolf." I smiled, not waiting for him to ask why. "Because they're so powerful how they move, yet they radiate an unattainable grace. They have a wonderful sense of loyalty with the others in their pack, and know... how to work together. How to cooperate. Sometimes I think they might even be more knowledgeable than most humans.."
He smiled Bella's smile, which was coming to be known as my smile. He looked like Bella's Jacob. Except now, it was me seeing him like this, and deep inside, something told me that this was how it was supposed to be. And as I met his welcoming gaze, I knew this was how it was supposed to be. Whatever that was.
We shot to opposite ends of the couch as the squeak of wheels against kitchen linoleum sounded from the next room over. Billy Black appeared at the doorway, jet black eyes set smilingly in the caverns of his creased face. His dark hair shone faintly in the dimming light, tied back at the nape of his neck, just as I had seen his son wear it numerous times. I smiled back, unable to act unaffected, by his friendly disposition. I could see where Jacob got that from. Billy wheeled himself over to where we sat, and I stood to shake his hand.
"You must be the undisputable Charlotte Swanson I've heard so much about." His grasp was still firm, and warm despite the years of wear and tear they had gone through.
Jacob groaned. "Daaad, I told you not to mention that."
"Pleased to meet you sir." I ignored Jake. Besides, his father was of the kindest heart, he wouldn't embarrass his own son.
"Now, now son. I was just coming to tell the two of you that everyone is waiting down at the beach. We should be heading down."
The bonfire. I had forgotten. "Oh– Of course!" I jumped up, and Jacob rose gracefully with a rumbling sigh. "I'm terribly sorry sir, but Jacob and I were talking, and– I should have assumed..."
"Please, please." Billy dismissed my apology with an unhurried wave of his weathered hand. "Call me Billy. I just didn't want you two to be late is all. Besides, according to Jacob, the pair of you talk all the time. Isn't that right son?"
"Whatever..." Jake mumbled.
He looked as though he were blushing, but it was hard to tell with his copper toned skin. It was probably just another figment of my overactive imagination. With that, Billy turned around, and led the way to the door. I followed him, Jacob trailing poutily at my heels. Once Billy had been helped down the stairs, we were off down the gravelly trail, leading to the epitome of the rocky shore.
There were ten werewolves seated around the roaring bonfire. I recognized the elders as Ephraim Black and Quil Ateara Sr., or as they called him in the book, "Old Quil". Billy went over to join them; and I was left to introduce myself those who weren't acquainted with me yet..
I could see that the "young" Quil was enjoying my discomfort. Probably viewing it as revenge for my winning that bet two weeks ago. Well he wasn't going to get the satisfaction of that, quite so easily.
I strode over, my confidence renewed. Fueled by spite of Quil's notorious assumptions.
"Hello everyone, I'm pleased to meet all of you. I'm Charlotte Swanson." My voice echoed my newfound confidence, to my satisfaction.
Everyone grinned back at me, except for Leah, --who had always been rather sulky, and an astonished Quil. Ha. I chuckled inwardly, he was no match for the likes of me.
Old Quil spoke up, a faint smile splayed out upon his ancient lips.
"Hello Charlotte. I'm sure we are all very pleased to meet you as well. May I introduce you to everyone. This is Sam, Jacob, Embry, Paul, Brady, Quil, Seth, Leah, Jared, and Collin." He listed them off in the order in which they had first phased, motioning to each one as their name was called.
After each name was spoken, their owner gave me warm smile, accompanied by a "Hey there", or "Great to meet you." All except Leah, who frowned at the wisps of gray smoke, spiraling upwards towards the darkening sky.
I could understand. She must feel as though I were just another stranger, intruding upon her already ruined life. She was brave, getting up day after day, working alongside her abandoner. I guess I had always looked up to Leah in a sense. Although the other members of the pack scorned her for her sharp tongue, and bitter demeanor, none of them had quite sustained her load of burdens. And so I went to sit by her atop one of the lengthy logs placed carefully by the fire.
She looked up, shocked by my actions, but I didn't let that discourage me. With a smile I hoped wasn't too obnoxious, I spoke earnestly.
"Hey, Leah. I think the guys are really annoying most of the time too. I admire your patience with them."
She sat there wide-eyed for a minute, before a sliver of a smile worked its way onto her face.
"Thanks, I try not to resort to murder. But really, try not to suck up to people so much alright?" The icy tone of her voice was all but unexpected.
"Sure thing. Don't wanna get killed right?"
I think she wasn't used to being obeyed, because she blinked twice before turning away to face the elders, the small smile having grown a bit more pronounced. Jacob came to sit on my other side, and Ephraim spoke up.
"Well, let's begin shall we?" He suggested calmly.
"Won't you tell the first story Ephraim?" Inquired Old Quil.
"I suppose it couldn't hurt...Very well then." Ephraim agreed amiably.
"It is called the Tale of the Earth Spirit." He began. "Every hundred years or so, it is said that the spirit of the Earth is reincarnated once again into a young woman. The first incarnation appeared long ago, without form. She wandered from town to town, no destination in mind, simply taking pleasure in a beautiful flower, or the bird's song.
One tragic day, the spirit wolves of La Push were confronted by a coven of red eyes. Or in the words of the Quileute, a cold one, as they are no longer mortal, and their skin is rigid as stone, and cold as ice. The pale faces refer to them as vampires. These vampires were the spirit wolfs natural enemy, as they desired the blood of their people.
Pale faces often refer to these spirit wolves as werewolves, although the full moon has no effect on their transformation. These shape shifters are half men, half wolf, but how they came to be that way is another story completely. In summary, these wolves strive only to protect their people, and defend against the cold ones. In every "pack", an Alpha male is issued to direct and lead. Once the Alpha dies, another is resurrected. You see, the arrival of a cold one triggers the wolf gene in a Quileute, in order to reprimand for the larger numbers of the beasts. But that's just basic information. Back to the story..
Earth spirit's name at the time was Cheneste. She was drawn to the tenacious vibes being emitted from the pack, which was lead by a wise and responsible man by the name of Taha Aki. Taha Aki was doing all he could to ensure that none of his pack were hurt in the confrontation. Sometimes a coven of cold ones can be persuaded to leave in peace, though not usually. Unfortunately, that was the case this time. The wolves were going to attack just as Cheneste arrived. She saw their predicament, and could feel instinctively that the cold ones were not natural.. The spirit had never favored unnatural things such as painted wood on houses. In her taste, it took away from the natural beauty of the resource. So when she took in the cold ones, her feelings of dislike were only natural.
So swiftly that neither wolf nor cold one could detect her, Cheneste took out all the red-eyes by pure will. It's believed that she was able to cause any given thing to occur or appear using but the powers of her strong-willed mind. In modern times, an Earth spirit might wish for the newspaper, and sure enough there would be a mistake at the printing press, causing the paper to be delivered that very day.
In this circumstance, it was that these red-eyes would be no more, defeated, if you will. And so they were. Before Taha Aki's very eyes, the cold ones vanished one by one, falling to burnt ash on the hard ground. Being very wise, Taha Aki knew that this had been the doing of a spirit, and he wanted to repay it's doing somehow. He asked this powerful being to show itself, and Cheneste materialized in the form of a young woman. She refused to be repaid in any sense, and felt that the diffidence over these cold ones were but of her own desire, just happening to benefit the wolves.
They formed a great friendship, the wolves and Cheneste, and she decided to stay with them, to fight with them. They welcomed her warmly, and together, they defended this ocean town for many a year. However it's said her alliance with this pack was more than friendship. She was drawn to Taha Aki, the Alpha. In his own way he was also impressed by her sheer will of justice, and returned her affection. They were married eventually on a beautiful spring morning, the one and only time in which the sun shone brightly the entire duration of the day. This too, might have been Cheneste's doing.
She also had the ability to disappear and then reappear whenever convenient. Having been of no substance for many years past, the power came naturally. A bit like how the air surrounding us becomes visible when tainted by a gas or mist. Truly, her abilities seemed endless. Unfortunately, like all things natural, Cheneste grew older and weaker.
After one hundred years, Cheneste passed away; her death creating one of the fiercest lightning storms ever seen to mankind. Taha Aki grieved her death many a day, until one day he realized his beloved wife had never really left him. She was in the budding flowers, the whisper of the trees, the morning dew, the pattering rain. From that day on it rained more than ever before every day in her rememberance. And Taha Aki was happy. He knew she was in the liquid silver which fell from the sky, and was glad of her company. This is the reason why it rains so frequently here.
One hundred years later, after Taha Aki had died, another Spirit of Earth came to be. Her name was Chantle, and she too, came to marry the alpha of the current pack of wolves. If the legend is true, there is another Earth Spirit wandering the streets today."
The warmth of the fire combined with the overroded heat Jacob put out tested my sustenance. The story was ever so interesting, and for some strange reason, I felt I could connect with this Cheneste. I could hear Old Quil beginning the next story, but his voice grew dim, and I was soon taken under by the warm, cozy atmosphere.
A burning hand on my shoulder woke me up. I had been dreaming of the wolves.
In my dream, there was a vampire, eyes blood red at the rims of its huge was hungry. It hissed, baring a set of glistening, sharp incisors, and stalked closer to the pack. He had honey blond hair, and stood tall, at around six feet. He was beautiful, and he was deadly.
Jacob braced himself for attack, Quil and Embry at his sides. All around us were jade green trees and foliage, blocking any filament of light that could filter down through the dense leaves. It was dark and dangerous there about the surroundings of never ending wood. The greenery created a blockade, refusing to permit any sound, no matter how loud, to pass through, and register at all to ears human or otherwise. No escape. I was spotted then, and Jacob turned to me.
"Charlotte, get out of here now!" he ordered in desperation, anxiety coloring his husky tenor.
Suddenly, the fair haired vampire sprang, fangs aimed for the jugular. I couldn't allow this to happen. It wouldn't happen. A pure white aura formed at my core, and unconsciously, I shaped my hands around the sphere of light. With all my strength, I thrust it at Jacob's attacker. There was a moment where nothing could be seen but white light, but then my vision cleared, and a pile of ash gave out a dark purple smoke. And the vampire, was gone.
Just then I was gently shaken out of my sleep, and my eyes opened to the smiling face of Jacob Black, not a scratch to be seen on his body. I sighed in acute relief. Everything was all right; it had only been a bad dream.
The fire's flames licked up the old driftwood in a multitude of mysterious hues. Blue and violet and the ruddy yellow of sunshine all harmonized together inside the intense heat of the dying fire. Jacob saw my preoccupation and the corners of his mouth turned up in understanding.
"It's beautiful isn't it?" He nodded towards the colourful flames.
"One of the few places in which cool shades of lavender and teal arise harmoniously with sunshine and scarlet.."
"You have a love of outdoor things don't you Charlotte?"
"I have a love of all things which are to be loved. I love the neglected, the striving, the flourishing. I love the sunset's last rays of fuchsia and deep aqua stretching across starry skies. I love the fall leaves' tint of burning orange, gold, and rusty auburn. I love the smiling faces of people I have come to cherish over the years. I love the prospect of life, teeming with good happenings, and hardships to be overcome. I love a lot of things."
The words flowed like running water from my heart. As I spoke, these thoughts became truer than I had thought them to be. Jake looked surprised, and perhaps inspired. After a while of staring intently at me, he finally got up, and offered me a hand.
"Hey..where is everyone?" I suddenly realized that the flock of friends around me had disappeared.
"Oh they disbanded not five minutes ago, don't worry." He assured me. "But you fell asleep just as the second story began, and you looked so peaceful I didn't want to wake you.."
"How long have I been asleep??" The sky was completely dark now, and stars twinkled bravely between patches of black clouds up above.
"A few hours. It's ten thirty."
"What?! I have to get home, my dad's gonna kill me–"
"Calm down Charlotte, I'll drive you home. And Sam already called your parents, letting them know you'd be running a little late. Everything's under control." He reassured.
* * *
And Jacob did drive me home. The majority of the short excursion was completely silent. But it was a comfortable silence.. The moon cast shadows across every crack in the sidewalk, every tree, every stone. But I wasn't afraid. Because Jacob was right there next to me; and for some unidentifiable reason, he made me feel safe. And also, because deep inside, I kind of felt like there was a Spirit of Earth, and that no matter what, nature was a thing of beauty. I could relate to this Cheneste woman and all the generations of women like her which had came afterwards.
Gazing out into the calm of the night, I hoped to myself that tomorrow, Christopher wouldn't be at school. I was coming to think that maybe, Jacob was more of a true friend than I had ever known, and Chris, he just got in the way..
That night, I had had no idea just how far my hopes would go.