Happy Halloween all!
This chapter isn't very Halloweenish but nonetheless I hope you guys like it lol.
Um, things to address... Arsinoë being more open than in the original CP, her completely dodging unnecessary supernatural goingons (and that's gonna be a big thing into his fic), and we'll actually start getting into plot more so look forward to that.
Thanks to all who support me, and hope you enjoy this chapter :)
Review?
In a moment of pure spontaneousness I'd decided to go to the beach on Saturday, despite all my previous refusals. I hadn't planned on it, as with most things that involved me. My plan was actually for me to get started on a new training regime with Nina and get started on it, tai chi apparently, to 'balance out my energies'. And she was all for it too. But when I woke up Saturday morning, got dressed in a pair of combat print khaki shorts and a black T-shirt, sneakers at the ready, she didn't do anything to stop me.
I wasn't surprised at my sudden mood switch, and really, neither was she.
The previous day –Friday, was a pretty boring day too. Nothing really happened aside from a few suspicious looks I received from Jasper in class. Honestly, it was freaked me out because I couldn't tell what he was thinking. I did my best to ignore him, but even during lunch, I could feel his eyes on me.
Had he found out the truth? Was he thinking of ways to off me since his brother was absent?
The prospect was enough to sufficiently freak me out, because what was there to stop him if he was resolute in said decision?
Jessica of course was curious about my little 'lunch date' with Edward Cullen and she inquired about it at lunch, with Samantha Angela and another girl -Susan, I think-, all listening intently.
"What did Edward Cullen want yesterday?" Jessica had asked, whilst I was being needlessly sadistic with some chicken on my plate. I looked up halfheartedly and shrugged.
"I don't know. He didn't really say."
"You looked kinda mad…"She pointed out, eager to get some juicy gossip to spread around the school.
"Oh, did I?" I asked vaguely. Jessica was visibly frustrated with my response so she huffed and changed the subject, trying from a different angle.
"I've never seen him sit with anyone other than his family before. That was weird." The blond stated. I nodded.
"Mhmm…" Was my halfhearted reply, before I shoved the brutally mutilated pieces of chicken in my mouth.
Really, other than that, Friday was pretty boring.
"Where're you headed off to this early?" Aunty Zaho asked when I saw her in the guest room arranging the pillows to look like they were in disarray, but in an organized way. Don't ask me how that was possible, she managed it somehow.
"A couple of friends from school invited me to go to the beach with them, and I'm going." I said, shrugging and leaning on the threshold of the door.
"I thought you had no friends. And you hate crowds." She deadpanned, pausing in her actions to give me a look.
I pouted. "I have friends," I mumbled woundedly, "And I'm in the mood to do something. I'm restless, and there's nothing to do here."
"Say's you." She retorted, fluffing a pillow. "A package arrived for you this morning. It's quite a big box actually, but not too heavy. It seemed pretty interesting to me." She said and I wondered who would send me a package. My parents perhaps?
"I'll check it out when I get back. Anyway, I'm off, 'else I'll miss the rendezvous point. See you." I said turning to leave but just before I could get out the door she called out to me again.
"By the way Arsinoë, we've got a wedding in two weeks." She said nonchalantly, though she had a mischievous look in her eyes. I gave her a wary look, instantly suspicious. She was looking far too amused.
"Oh?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "And who might it be?" Aunty Zaho shrugged and fixed the silver fur throw at the end of the bed.
"Anat." She declared, and I had to physically hold keep my jaw from falling off. Nope, didn't work. I gawked in disbelief.
"Zehira, inty bit-harragy?" I asked, momentarily forgetting how to speak English and reverting to Arabic. My aunt gave me a look of disapproval.
"Don't call me by my full name, and no, I can assure you, I'm not joking." She said, sitting on the immaculately made bed.
"Who'd want to marry her?" I asked in disbelief. Okay, that was a stupid question. Anat was my elder sister my -cousin actually- very beautiful sister actually. That girl was perfect in every way, with her long perfectly curly light purple hair which constantly looked like she should be the cover girl for Pantene, a body which would make any supermodel cry and a face which looked like it was carved by angels. Long eyelashes, big catlike green eyes, the whole package. Unfortunately we'd had a falling out six months previous, and hurtful words were exchanged, words which had particularly affected me and plunged me into a very...fragile state. Despite the fact that I was recovering, I still couldn't bring myself to forgive her.
My mother was enamored with her however, and they were always together. Anat was the standard she expected me to live up to, graceful, ladylike, charming.
I mean, I could be all those things too when I had to be, but she took it to a whole new level. Not to mention how annoyingly talented she was. She always made everything a competition between us, then it became some type of rivalry, who could play the better instrument –She played Piano-, who could do the better traditional ceremony, who got the better grades (I always won at that one easy, no matter how hard she tried.) and really, it got tedious.
I blamed my mother though; it was her fault for always comparing us since we were kids -as soon as I got out the hospital they were on me. 'Strive to be like Anat, Arsinoë, you can live a normal life if you try hard enough!' She'd say. 'Don't give up! Be more like your sister! she'd say.
My aunt spoke, snapping me out of my bitter recollections, "Apparently, some rich Count from Italy does. We got the invite this morning; it's on the table if you want to see it. A very beautiful box filled with sand and crystals and other little trinkets. It's quite a lovely idea for an invitation actually. The wedding is actually taking place in Thailand." Oh, this just kept on getting better and better.
"Welp, good for her then." I said dully.
"Oh don't be so sulky, Arsinoë." My aunt said, finishing up her work and leveling me with a look of disapproval. "She's twenty-three years old, and if she wants to get married, then I say she can. With all she's lost, she deserves a little happiness. Put aside your jealousy and maybe even pay her a call of congratulations!"
I sighed, not even willing to argue. "Aye, Aye Captain." I saluted before leaving.
My Aunt was right, loathe I was to admit it. Anat had suffered as well, losing both her parents while she was still young. I was being petty by not being happy for her. For all her faults, she really was a sister to me and I could at least put aside our differences for a little while.
I'd pay her a call in the evening when I got home.
It was sunny, blindingly so, to the point where I had to actually wear sunglasses in order to drive properly. I was actually quite happy about it, because I hadn't yet had a chance to wear them since my 'arrival' in Forks and I had forgotten how good my Ray Bans were. They were black and had gold on the sides and I couldn't help but feel so awesomely cool when I wore them.
The Newtons' Olympic Outfitters store was just north of town and I'd passed it a couple of times a couple of times in the past. I'd always told myself I would enter for some hiking gear, but I'd never really gotten the chance. Okay, so that was a lie, I'd had plenty of chances but I'd always put it off for "Next time". In the parking lot, I recognized Mike's Suburban and Tyler's Senatra. As I pulled up next to their vehicles, I could see the rest of the group standing in front of the Suburban. Eric was there, along with Conner and Ben. Angela was there, flanked by Jessica and Lauren and Susan who I'd accidentally -purposely- kicked in the shin in Gym the other day when she gave me a dirty look. She saw my car first and glared before turning and whispering something to Lauren who also sneered. I parked and got out the car, greeted by many surprised looks.
"Noë! You came!" Mike called enthusiastically and I gave him a genuine smile. It was nice for someone to actually want to see me. In my happiness I gave him a high-five, along with the other guys and beamed.
"Yeah, dude. I figured that it would be a waste not to!" I said, and his smile widened.
"And I told you it would be sunny didn't I?" He asked, draping an arm over my shoulder and gesturing to the sun and poking my sun glasses. "You look good in those." He complimented and I noticed Jessica giving me a look.
"Thanks." I said with a small smile, casually extracting myself from his hold in favor of leaning on Eric. Jessica nodded approvingly.
"We're waiting on Lee and Samantha –unless you invited someone?" He said lowly and I saw some eyes flicker towards me, obviously expecting me to have invited Edward.
"Nah, just me." I answered with a shrug. Mike looked happy.
"Will you ride with me? It's that or Lee's mom's Minivan." He offered and I shook my head.
"Actually, how about I just take my car? I can give someone a ride if they want. There's a lot of people and it's quite hot. I don't think we want to be squashed up together." I offered and Mike looked slightly disappointed, but even he saw it was a good idea. No one wanted to be stuck together with sweaty bodies all around for half an hour.
"Sure, good idea." He agreed, "Anyone wanna ride with Noë?" He asked the group and the guys shook their heads.
"Nah, we're riding with Lee, he just got the new Fall Out Boy CD and we wanna listen to it." Eric said, Ben amd Conner nodding in agreement, and Lauren just scoffed.
"As if." She spat and I rolled my eyes, before turning to Angela.
"Wanna ride with me, Ange?" I offered and she smiled and nodded, stepping forward and we linked arms.
"That would be great." She said and I beamed at her Angela was someone I got along well with, and sometimes we even hung out outside of school. She was quiet and trustworthy, and yet was a great conversationalist and could be awfully funny when she wanted to. She had a dry sense of humour I could appreciate.
Lee and Samantha arrived soon after that and before I knew it, we were all on our way to La Push. I made pleasant conversation with Angela and we rolled down the windows and agreed on how it was such a nice day. Also, the road to La Push was lovely; the forest was lush and beautiful as it lined the sides of the road with the sparkling Quillayute snaking beneath it twice. Once again I was reminded how lovely this place was, and how natural it all was. It made me wonder how Bella could ever hate it here.
I went to the beach often in my 'world'; mostly because I lived a five minute walking distance from it but even I had to admit the beach in La Push was quite different from the one in Dublin.
The water was dark blue, even in the sunlight, white-capped and heaving to the grey rocky shore. Islands rose in the distance with sharp cliff sides reaching to uneven peaks that were crowned with tall firs. The beach only had a thin border of actual sand and it was more gravel than the fine soft grains I was used to back home. Mostly, it was millions of stones, which came in many different shapes, sizes and colors and I vowed to collect some, along with numerous seashells that lined the beach. The tide line was strewn with dead driftwood, bone white from the salt and all piled together against the edge of the forest, just out of reach from the hungry waves.
The wind which blew in our direction smelled nice, like saltwater and seaweed, along with the tangy smell that always screamed "Ocean!" which I always suspected to be fish. Pelicans and Seagulls flew in swarms, occasionally descending to try their luck in finding lunch. It was nice in its own way, and I liked the calm feeling of it.
We made our way down the beach, and I watched in amusement as Lauren, Jessica, and Susan squealed every time their foot slipped out their sandal and touched the wet sand and occasional bunch of seaweed. Honestly, if you wore flops to beach, you'd have to take them off eventually, 'else they'll cut from the heavy weight of sand. I was happy to see that like me; Angela was dressed practically, wearing sneakers, yellow capris and a light blue floral print t-shirt.
Eric and Ben gathered a few sticks and twigs from the drier piles of the forest's edge and soon there was a teepee shaped pile in the center of the wood ring.
"Have you ever seen a driftwood fire?" Mike asked me, eyes twinkling in anticipation. I nodded and smiled at him.
"Yeah, I've always loved the different colors the salt causes. It's really beautiful. My best friend and I would dance around them when the tide was low and pretend we were summoning nature spirits." I said, laughing as I recalled Lucianna's and I's crazy antics. Mike laughed loudly and bent down with lighter to light a twig in the middle of the pile.
"I would have loved to see that." He said and we watched in amazed silence as the flames started to grow and spread to the other pieces of wood. It was beautiful to watch, and I smiled, I'd forgotten how stunning they were to actually experience.
"I missed driftwood fires." I breathed and Mike nodded from next to me. I watched as the flames turned every blue imaginable along with greens and purples mixed in too.
"Pretty isn't it?" He asked and I nodded. He took another stick and lit it where the flames had not reached before sitting on the log beside me. Jessica sat next to him immediately and quickly grabbed his attention. I sat watching the blue-green flames for a while, thinking how it would be awesome if Lucy could be here with me. I really did miss her.
After half an hour of chatter, the boys decided they wanted to check out the tide pools. Samantha, Angela and I eagerly jumped up to join them - hiking and exploring were activities I genuinely loved.
Also, Lauren reinforced my decision by staying behind on the claim that she hadn't worn the right shoes.
The hike didn't take long, but I loved it anyway; the forest was beautiful and I took a bunch of photos along with the group, and photobombed quite a few as well, we had fun.
We eventually broke through the foliage and onto the rocky shore. It was low tide and the tidal rivers flowed past us into the sea, along its pebbled banks the pools were brimming with life.
I was very reckless in my exploration of the pools, jumping across the small ones and hopping from rocks and leaning over the edge. It was nice seeing all the bouquets of brilliant anemones swing and sway leisurely like they had not a care in the world and were high on Weed and were speaking to each other like "Dude…You need to chill….And be cool man…Just Chill~" and then I almost killed myself by laughing too hard and almost falling off the edge. The others asked what was so funny and when I told them that "Hey, don't the anemones look kinda like they're high?", they agreed and we all laughed together about the Hippie Anemones, swaying together and talking like we were stoned. Another great thing that happened was that Angela had actually brought two glass jars and had given me one of them so we could pick some shells and interesting looking rocks. I didn't fill mine up immediately, because here were others at the beach and left it about halfway.
Finally, we all got hungry and we made our way back loudly joking around and shoving each other and daring each other to climb up trees or jump off that big rock into that pile of leaves over there.
When we got back, unexpectedly, the group we had left had multiplied and my good mood promptly plummeted and died a horrible, brutal death when I saw the new comers.
They were hard to miss, with their deep golden and tan skin, long silky black hair and most of all, tall and buff bodies. I'd completely forgotten about the Wolves.
I ignored them and tried hard not to draw attention to myself, though, of course it didn't work with my hair and all. I received quite a few stares because of it actually, but I ignored them. I already had enough drama in my life, I didn't need more.
The food was passed around and the boys literally almost killed each other to get some while Eric introduced us all. Angela and I were the last ones to arrive, and when Eric said our names, I noticed the one I assumed to be Jacob give me a look of interest.
I prayed to which ever God that was listening that he'd pay me no mind.
Sadly that didn't work and I felt his eyes on me the whole time I was eating with Angela. Still, I pretended I didn't notice.
Someone was playing some music and it also helped my mood. It was relaxing sitting with Angela, and we found ourselves bonding over stories from our many travels. I had found out that since her father was a priest, they did missionary trips a lot and she had been to many different countries, Egypt and Korea included. It was nice to talk about my home, and my had-been home and I also found out that she could speak a little bit of Korean. People eventually drifted off into smaller groups, Angela as well. I didn't go with her though, she was with Ben and I didn't want to intrude. Minutes after Angela got up to leave, Jacob was in her place.
He looked like a fifteen year old teenager, with his still chubby cheeks, bright smile and long black hair which I was envious of. His skin was beautiful as well, silky and russet colored, and his cheek bones were even higher than mine as well, and I wondered if it was even possible for him to ever look angry. It was surprising that this boyish, happy boy next to me would grow into a constantly angry, buff werewolf in a little less than a couple of months.
"You're Arsinoë Zeidan aren't you?" He asked, smiling. I nodded.
"Mhmm…That's me." I answered, forcing a smile onto my face. He seemed like a genuinely nice guy, and I didn't want to be mean.
"I'm Jacob Black. I stay here down at the Rez." He said, holding out his calloused hand. I shook it and was surprised at how warm it was, and yet he wasn't even a wolf.
"Nice to meet you. You have such nice hair by the way. I wish mine were like it." I said. I figured it would be good to start with a compliment.
On another note, why did these guys all have such nice hair?
"Hah, it's hard to take care of. I'm going to cut it soon." I looked at him in mock horror.
"Rapunzel! Never cut your long tresses!" I said jokingly and he laughed.
"Har har. But seriously, it's really annoying." He grumbled, fingering the dark strands that had fallen over his shoulder.
"Why not braid it then? Mine's a bush when its not braided." I said, gesturing to the French braid falling down my back.
Jacob seemed to be considering it. "Maybe. Some guys I know do it." He said, scratching his chin pensively and I shrugged.
"It's easier to take care of that way. Anyway, how old are you?" I asked, changing the topic. He grinned at me.
"Just turned fifteen." He said sounding smug.
"Oh, you're a pretty big boy now aren't you?" I said laughing and he joined in too.
"Yeah, I guess so. How old are you? What, eighteen? You're pretty tall for a girl." He asked curiously.
"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "I'm Five-seven, and I'm seventeen." I answered.
"You know Noë, Jacob?" Lauren all but demanded. I frowned. Jacob seemed to also notice the malice in her voice and looked surprised.
"Oh yeah, Lauren." I drawled, "Just sharing some deep meaningful conversation." I said, winking at the boy next to me. Jacob grinned a little, and Lauren sneered.
"How nice." It sounded like she didn't think so at all and her cold eyes narrowed, mine meeting them defiantly. "Noë, I was just saying to Tyler here that it was too bad that none of the Cullens could come out today. Didn't anyone think to invite them?" Her expression of concern was unconvincing and I laughed.
"Oh no, nothing like that," I answered waving a hand airily, "I just didn't want to condemn them to your abysmal company, Lauren." I retorted in a kind voice. Next to me, Jacob snorted.
Her mouth flapped like a fish, but just as she was about to no doubt shriek her reply, Sam spoke. "You mean Doctor Cullen's family?" He asked, interrupting her. Lauren seemed irritated but reluctantly turned her attention to him as well.
"Yes, do you know them?" She asked condescendingly, turning towards him and somehow managing to look down her nose at him, which was quite a feat, considering that he was standing over her and he was huge.
"The Cullens don't come here." He said in a tone which clearly said the topic was closed before turning away and continuing his conversation with who I assumed to be Jared. Lauren huffed angrily before turning her attention back to Tyler.
I didn't ask Jacob why. I didn't address Sam's hostility. I didn't mention anything at all that potentially involved the supernatural.
Instead, we spent the rest of the afternoon chatting about normal things -like how he was a self-made mechanic, and how he wanted to open an actual shop and build his own car, just like how he was currently doing with a VW Rabbit. We threw around potential brand names that he could call it, and laughed at the really absurd ones, and overall had a good time being normal.
I already had to deal with a Vampire, l didn't need a shapeshifter too.
Jacob was great, and he reminded me of my older brother so much that I felt my heart pang whenever he did something similar, like laughed or grinned in the same way.
Eventually though, it was time to head back home and with a farewell to Jacob and a promise to come and visit when I had time, I took off. This time I was alone though, because Angela was hitching a ride with Jess and the others so it was just me and my jar of souvenirs. It was lightly drizzling on my way home, and the soft tones of Daniel Caesar only added to the chill atmosphere.
I'd had a great time, more fun than I'd expected, and in the end I was glad I didn't back out like I'd originally intended.
When I got home, it was a little later than maybe six in the evening and I wandered into the kitchen, hungry and eager for a proper meal. I found Nina sitting at the island, reading a cookbook and she smiled when I entered.
"Well, did you have fun?" She asked, getting up and already heading to the fridge to make me something. I nodded and sat down on one of the tall stools.
"Yep yep. We took a hike and made a bonfire and imitated sea life. It was really nice." I said as I watched her heat up a plate of Pasta in the microwave.
"That's nice. I'm glad you enjoyed yourself." She said, blue eyes twinkling. "Zehira is in the sitting room by the way. And your package is on the bed." She told me, taking out the food at the beep and setting it down before me. I was assaulted by the heavenly smell of basil, and many other spices.
"Thanks. It looks delicious." I said, digging in as soon as she gave me the Fork (I still couldn't get over the joke…Fork…Forks) and it was just as delicious as it smelled. I finished quickly, washed my plate, and went to the lounge to greet my Aunt, who I found watching The Devil Wears Prada, one of my favourite movies -how I loved Miranda with her signature phrase of "That's all."
That woman was my hero.
"Hey." I said, plopping down on the comfy cream leather couch next to her. She smiled and turned to me, before plucking a leaf out of my hair.
"Looks like you had fun. How was it?" She asked and I lay my head on her shoulder.
"It was surprisingly great. We went hiking, made a bonfire, told scary stories and I brought home some seashells." I told her, watching as Anne Hathaway was introduced to her boss for the first time. As in, Miranda dropping her coat on the desk before leaving without a glance.
"Good, I'm happy you had fun. Will you show me your souvenirs?" She asked, eyebrow raised. I nodded.
"Yeah but I'm too lazy. Imma just watch this with you." I said, kicking off my sneakers and placing my legs on the couch.
"Well, you're welcome to join me." She invited smiling.
"Oh, wait though; I still have that package I haven't opened. Lemme go see what it is, I'll come back." I said before getting up quickly, grabbing my shoes and running up the stairs to my bedroom.
Note to self though; Don't try running up tile stairs in socks again.
As soon as I entered the room I saw the wrapped package (it had dancing teddy bears) sitting on my white embroidered comforter and eagerly ripped it open.
Only to gawk in surprise and disbelief.
Sitting there, in all its Red glory, was my limited Edition Nintendo Wii which had come out for Mario's anniversary, and I could tell that it was mine because the box was worn from constantly being moved. When I moved it, I saw that under it, was another box, much the same size, and when I opened it, I saw that my black Wii U was in there too along with all the accessories, the Fitness board, my four remotes, everything. Not to mention my numerous collection of games as well. Then a pink note with very familiar handwriting caught my attention and I picked it up, almost crying when I read the words.
Best prepare yourself for that rematch you owe me, cause next time I won't lose!
Lots of uncensored, unadulterated love, as well as kisses and hugs and punches and all that shit,
See you soon!
Lucianna :)
I sniffled and pressed the piece of paper to my nose, breathing in the vanilla smell she normally scented her letters in. She had a thing for handwritten exchanges, and always took delight in sending them. I sighed sadly.
Oh Lucy, how I've missed you.