Chapter 4: Giggles
I can't believe my luck… well, actually I can and it's all bad. Mondays are usually on the difficult end of the spectrum, but this was harsh. I was sitting in Economics trying to get through the first twenty minutes of the class. Turns out I had Annabelle Whitepaw for my partner in that stupid project and she was babbling on about how she wanted to put it together. Torture, pure and simple. Water boarding had nothing on Annabelle. Terrorists would give up their secrets in five minutes if subject to her chatter.
I tuned her out and started thinking about what happened over the weekend. That vampire that Grandpa talked about turned out to be of the golden eyed variety. Her name was Azriela and she was passing through, but got cornered by the pack. Embry noticed her eyes and howled for Grandpa. She was too freaked to listen to Grandpa, so he called Grandma for help. Azriela agreed to stay off our land, but said she wanted to meet the Cullen's so she's going to stay in the area until then. I wonder if she will still be there when we go see them.
Our family bonfire was pretty typical. Grandma and I played with the younger kids while everyone else was given the news. Uncle Billy and Aunt Ruby looked like they were going to be audited by the IRS while Bryan, my cousin, was doing what the rest of us kids were doing; trying to hide his excitement.
"…So I'll take care of the wedding dress, bridesmaids dresses, bridesmaids and groomsmen's gifts, catering, flowers and decorations. You do the tuxedos, the church, the reception hall, the band or DJ, the photographer and the limousine. Is that everything? Eddy!"
I was brought back to the present by a screech of my name. "Huh? Yeah, sure. That works." I had no idea what I was agreeing too, but I would find out again later. Our teacher Mr. Walton called us back to order and continued with today's lesson. I wonder what it was like in the good old days when the reservation had its own school. Now we are all bussed up to Forks for school. It's a half hour on the bus everyday, but what are you gonna do when there aren't any teachers for the reservation school?
The bell rang and I headed out the classroom door and headed for the cafeteria. I was starving. One cool thing about going to school here is the history. This is where my great grandparents met. The cafeteria being the first place they saw each other. I remember Grandma Nessie telling us the story at bedtime when we were little. Rachel probably still requests it.
I was just entering the cafeteria line when I heard a giggle behind me. I looked at the ceiling and asked my forefathers, "Why me?" The giggle girls were behind me in line. I told you my luck was bad. I chose a roast beef sandwich and they giggled. I took a Snapple from the drink bin, they giggled. And finally I took a bag of chips and they giggled again. But that's not all. I paid for my food and they giggled! I didn't hear any conversation, only giggles. Am I missing something? What is so amusing about a sandwich, drink, and chips?
After paying for my food I headed straight for my regular table and sat next to J.J., unwrapped my sandwich and grumbled about giggling girls.
"You do know why they do that, don't you?" J.J. asked.
"Is that a rhetorical question?" I asked back.
"Eddy, how is it you are so clueless?"
"I'm not clueless, I'm just not interested."
"Ed, have you even looked at those three?"
"In passing."
"Well, maybe you should. Maybe then you wouldn't be so bugged by a few giggles."
I glanced at the ceiling again, took a deep breath and started eating. I wish it was Wednesday. That's the day the Cullens were moving into their new house near Hoquiam. Dad said we could visit as soon as they were settled. I wonder what kind of house they had. Grandma and Grandpa had taken us to see the one near Forks. It was huge! But having the whole back wall made of glass was really cool! They couldn't take us to see Edward and Bella's cottage, though. It was in the middle of nowhere, no access roads.
"Earth to Eddy." J.J. was waiving his hand in front of my face.
"Sorry J.J. I was thinking about the Cullens."
"I know what you mean. I wonder how long it will take for us to… you know?"
"Yeah me too."
"Back to the topic of conversation, why haven't you checked out those girls? I think they are pretty decent looking."
I groaned. "Why is it so important to you that I check them out?"
"Because you are so oblivious. I'm trying to get you to see the people around you. It's like all you care about is that car you're working on."
"I'm only seventeen. What's the rush?"
"No rush. I'm not saying you should marry one of them. All I'm saying is that you should at least look at them. Really see them, what they look like. You never know, you might end up liking one of them." J.J. should join the debate team. He's good with an argument.
"What would be the point of that? After we go all wolf we might end up imprinting anyway. Why date anyone before then? You've heard the stories, haven't you?" J.J. might be good with an argument, but so was I.
"Yeah, I've heard them. You're right. That would be the safe thing to do. I still think you should at least see those girls for who they are. Who knows, maybe if you stare them down they might stop the giggling."
Why didn't I think of that? Oh yeah, I was too busy being bugged by it and trying to ignore it. "Good idea. I'll try that next time."
"You do that."
The bell rang so we both got up and headed to the gym for our next class. As we walked I heard the giggles behind us. I looked at J.J. and he looked at me. Then we both stopped and turned around. Michelle, Alicia, and Chloe stopped mid giggle and stared at us as we stared at them. This time I really looked.
They were all Forks girls. Michelle was in the middle, obviously the leader. She wore a startled expression on her rather pretty face. Her blond hair was hanging strait on either side of her face. It looked like it had been ironed. Chloe was on her right, her eyes wide in surprise, her mouth a cute little "O" while her short curly brown hair waived in the breeze. Alicia only raised her black eyebrows, her mouth quirked up on one side. She tossed her long black hair behind her shoulder and huffed. "You guys are blocking the walkway. Do you mind?"
I glanced at J.J. "Do we mind?"
"No, I don't mind blocking the walkway, do you?" he answered.
"Nope, I don't either." I returned. We continued to stand there and look at the girls. The first two seemed to regain their composure after Alicia's remark.
"Well, we do mind," Michelle said, her green eyes looking nervously between J.J. and I. "Would you either step out of the way, or keep going?"
"Did you hear the magic word, J.J.? 'Cause I didn't." I said as I eyed the girls.
"No, I didn't hear it. Who new girls their age would have such bad manners," he said sorrowfully.
I could see Chloe's eyes getting wider until this last comment. Then she started coughing. Was she covering a laugh? Michelle and Alicia scowled at us.
"Please." Michelle finally said with restrained impatience.
I raised one brow and turned to J.J. "How disappointing is that? They don't even know the magic word is 'abracadabra'. Rude and uninformed. I don't know how I'm going to get over this." Chloe actually snorted after this speech. Her friends thought she was commenting on my speech, but she was actually fighting back laughter. Well, at least one of these girls has a sense of humor.
"I guess we should let them through anyway," J.J. said. "At least they tried."
"Yeah, I guess so, but," I said to the girls, "Remember the magic word, girls. You never know when you might need it again."
J.J. and I turned and headed for the gym. Man! That was fun! I didn't know teasing stuck up high school girls would be so enjoyable. And I didn't hear one more giggle on the way to gym.
Well, folks, I'm checking in with you again. I haven't had much feedback on this story. I know there are tons and tons of Twilight stories out there and can see how mine can get lost in the shuffle, but if people aren't enjoying it then I will give it up, or put it away for a while. So if you really do like this story please let me know (I've only got two reviews, one favorite, and four followers). While I hate to disappoint those who have graciously added me to their alerts, etc. I need a little more motivation than that. Thanks for reading!