Chapter Five:
Thursdays have always been my favorite day. There's the relief of getting through most of the weak, coupled with the excitement of the upcoming weekend. And I was particularly excited about this weekend. Excited and nervous.
I was looking forward to seeing Leah again and reconnecting. We decided to go to the movies where DJ worked and promised to get us free tickets (In exchange I had promised to read these comic books whose names I'd already forgotten).
I had gone back and forth about which movie to see all night and managed to narrow it down to Harry Potter, Mr & Mrs Smith, and Sky High.
"What's eating you?" came a voice from in front of me. Lauren. I hadn't even noticed her turn around.
"Huh?"
"You've been staring off into space all class" Lauren commented, nodding towards the clock on the walls.
We were in french class. We had a test coming up soon so had taken to lots of reviewing and less independent work. Somewhere in the first half of class i'd started to drown out her voice (though I probaly should've been paying attention), to the point where I didn't know she'd stopped talking. That is until Lauren brought me back to reality.
The clock showed that the period was almost over.
"It's nothing" I waved her off.
Just then the bell rang and all the students rushed to evacuate the classroom. yelled a reminder about the test next week but made no stink about us leaving without dismisal. She usually didn't.
I grabbed my notebook, pencil, and bookbag, putting the stuff in there as I walked out the classroom. Lauren followed behind me.
We went the same way for our next class and had taken to walking together after first period.
The hallway was loud and bustling. Students all entering at the same time. All eager to be free from their previous class. It took me a moment to adjust from the quiet of French class to the loudness.
"I'm going to the movies this weekend with an old friend." I told Lauren, who was currently twirling a loc of blonde hair in her fingers and popping her bubblegum.
"An old friend huh?" She questioned, her tone suggestive. "Yea, i've used that lie before."
"Not like that." I chuckled, "It's actually a old friend. Leah Clearwater. Our families are really close and we grew up together. But we kinda lost touch when I left."
"Hmm" She nodded. Just then we passed a group of guys and one of them, a tall rdehead with a letterman jacket, waved at Lauren. That must be the Randy guy who she was talking about.
He was handsome, if not a bit dopey looking.
Lauren shot him a dazzling smile but dropped it as soon as we were out of sight. She looked almost disgusted.
"Is that Randy?" I asked, confused. That wasn't quite the reaction i'd expected from her, especially since she'd wanted him to ask her to the dance.
"Yea." She nodded, looking off. It was silent for a moment.
"You know," she popped her gum, " i'm not sure if I should be hurt or not"
"What do you mean?"
"Because," She loops her arm through mine "here I thought we were such good friends and you haven't invited me to hang out outside of school once. Yet, you're going out with this 'Leah' girl who you haven't spoken to in years"
"I've never known you to need an invite for anything." I snorted. "But I guess it just slipped my mind. I've been trying to catch up on half a semester worth of work and learning a whole new sport. Whitney keeps me pretty busy too."
And then, a lightbulb went off in my head.
"You know what? We should have a sleepover! At my house. Tomorrow"
Charlie wouldn't mind me having a few friends over. Plus, he always worked Friday nights so we wouldn't have to worry about monitoring ourselves or being too loud.
Lauren hummed, smiling "That would be great. I'd have to ask my parents but I doubt they'd say no."
"And" I continued, excitedly "I can invite Whitney over. It'd be a great chance for all of us to get to know each other and hang out".
Laurens smile fell a bit at that and she seemed to deflate.
"What?" I asked, confused at her shift in attitude.
"Nothing" she scowled. "It sounds great."
We came to a stop in front of 's English classroom, Lauren's next period.
"Alright then" I chose to ignore Lauren's change in attitude. "I'll see you later."
I waved goodbye, but Lauren just barely nodded before practically storming off.
Weird.
In history class we watched a video. Some old-school documentary about the 60s. It was in black-and-white and to top it off, played on a vhs rather than dvd.
Still, a video was a video. It was a nice change of pace from the powerpoints slides— which didn't really have content. Just a few words that were more like prompts for to lecture on— and textbooks.
The whole class cheered when he wheeled in the tv and dimmed the lights.
"Okay you guys. Put your homework on the corner of your desks and I'll come around to collect it. And make sure to take notes on the film! There WILL be questions on next week's quiz."
When got to my desk he squatted down, whispering low.
"Hello , I wanted to talk to you about that project I mentioned."
I nodded. He had mentioned it a couple of days ago but it had completely slipped my mind by now.
"Okay, so I know it's not fair to hold you accountable for material taught when you weren't here, but I need to make sure you understand the content. That's what this project is for. I'm very flexible on what format you want to use or what you want to do, as long as you encompass all the previous units in it. You don't have to in detail but make sure you at least touch on everything okay?"
"Sounds good." I smiled. But it in fact did not sound good. It sounded like a headache.
nodded before grabbing my homework and continuing down the rows.
Lunch came quick.
I sat with my usual group at my usual spot, in between DJ and Whitney.
DJ gave me his personal copies of the comics I was supposed to read— stressing just how valuable they were and making me swear a dozen times to be careful with them—- and I flipped through them while talking to the two of them. I had brought up the project assigned me and was trying to get ideas.
"How am I supposed to put half a semester's worth of content in one project?" I exclaimed.
While I decent grades, I had never been the best at school work. And I certainly didn't enjoy it. I'm pretty sure I was getting gray hairs just front hinking about it.
"You like to draw right? Maybe you can do different pictures for every decade" DJ suggested.
"I said I like to draw, not that I'm good at it," I sighed, "Besides, I need something with more content. This is a big grade."
"An essay?" Whitney suggested.
"An essay? I'd rather go skinny dipping in the Atlantic ocean" I scoffed in disbelief. As if I'd ever voluntarily write an essay.
"Maybe you can do an mock interview. You know, talking to different figures from history. One from each decade" DJ tried again.
"That's… actually a good idea."
" 'Actually a good idea'? Be careful, that level of praise could make my head explode" He smiled before turning to talk to Kirk and continuing whatever conversation they were having before I sat down.
With that out of the way, I moved on to my next task.
"Hey Whitney" I turned to her.
She swallowed her food, asking "Whats up?" before continuing.
"I'm having a sleepover tomorrow. You should come."
Whitney nodded, " Who's going to be there?"
"You know Lauren?"
" Mallory? Yeah"
"Well, her, me, and my sister Bella. Probably" I'd try to get her to hang but most likely Bella would spend the evening in her room.
" Okay. Sounds good."
"Really?" I asked.
"Sure. Why not?" She shrugged, "See you there."
Friday was here before I knew it. Not that I was complaining.
's classroom looked as vibrant as usual. She had added a new poster to her already extensive repertoire.
Three kids were missing today, and had been for the last couple of days. It was some bug. The flu I think. I wondered if that Cullen boy in Bella's class had caught the same thing.
I was glad I managed to stay clear of it. I was not good at being sick.
Like most Fridays, had given us independent work and like most Fridays, I had paired up with Lauren.
She seemed to be in better spirits, though she still had a little attitude (which was nothing unusual). She wore a beautiful all-green track suit and had her blonde hair pulled up in a tight bun. She had wore more makeup than usual as well.
The sleepover had now gone from four people to six. Lauren had invited her two friends Jessica and Angela. I recalled Bella mentioning them and smirked in satisfaction. She wouldn't be able to get away with ignoring her own friends all night, and would have to join the festivities.
I ate lunch in the library, getting a headstart on my project. It was in the early stages so I hadn't really begun to put it together yet. Right now I was just collecting research to use.
Before I knew it, the final bell had rung and I was racing towards the parking lot.
Bella was in the truck waiting for me when I got there, book in hand and earphones in ear. Ears.
"Hey Bells." I greeted, clicking my seat belt.
Bella looked at me strangely as she started the car.
"Did you do something?" She asked, backing out.
"What?"
"You only call me 'Bells' when you do something or want something. So which is it?"
So, she'd caught on? I made a mental note to change up my m.o.
"Okay. I kinda invited some people over for a sleepover, including your friends, and you have to hang with us."
"When did you have time to plan a whole sleepover?" Bella asked incredulously, "Did you ask Charlie?"
"Yes, I asked him yesterday. And I didn't tell you because I knew you'd try to figure out a way to weasel your way out of it."
Bella opened her mouth and closed it as she tried to find something to refute that, but ended up relenting with a sigh.
"Oh! And would you mind stopping by the store? I need to get some snacks for tonight"
"Sure. I needed to buy some more groceries for the house anyway."
—-
We split up at the store, Bella going to get the groceries and me going to get the snacks.
I had made no list and just threw random snacks that looked good in: green apple rings, kit-kats, peanut m&m's, donuts, etcetera etcetera.
I made my way towards the end of the current aisle I was on, having already picked everything I deemed worthy. I moved to turn out all of a sudden–WHAM!
Somebody was right in front of me. Or rather, somebody's buggy had crashed right into mine.
"I'm so sorr–Helena?"
In front of me stood one Jacob Black. His long hair pulled back in a loose ponytail, wearing an off brand shirt of some band and a pair of faded jeans. He was the epitome of 'regular teenage boy'.
"Jacob, Hey" I greeted.
"So, how's it been Swan?" he asked as we both turned into the next aisle.
"It's been great. Just glad to be back."
"Well. I'm glad you're back too. It's good to see Charlie happy again" He smiles.
I feel a pang at the thought of my dad being unhappy in those years, but I push it down.
I scan over the items in Jacobs buggy which, much like mine, is comprised of a bunch of snacks.
Jacob notices my staring. " These aren't all for me, I swear. Remember Quil and Embry?"
I did, but only vaguely. I'd occasionally see them around when I went to Billy and Sarah's house to play with the twins, but I can't recall ever actually interacting with them.
Still, I nod. Jacob picked up some Cheez-its,
"You want some?" He asks.
My brain short circuits for a minute. What?
At my silence, he shakes the box in his hand. "You want some?" He asks again.
Oh. Of course, thats what he was talking about. Curse my dirty mind.
I nodded. Jacob picked up another box, throwing it in my cart rather hard before continuing on.
"Well, we all get together every Friday to watch this show and it's my turn for snack duty."
"That's cool."
"Yea, I like to think so" He bragged. I rolled my eyes.
"I'm actually doing the same thing." I gesture towards my cart, "I'm having a sleepover tonight with some friends from school. Me and Bella just came to pick up some treats."
He nodded. "So how's the truck treating you? Running good?"
"As far as I know. I haven't actually got to drive it yet. Charlie and Bella refuse to let me anywhere near the driver's seat until I get my license"
'Wait.. Are you trying to tell me that I got my license before you?" He chuckled "No way."
"Alright, alright. Don't let it go to your too-big head. Drivers ed always seems to be around the same time as Softball season so I've never had the chance. But you better bet I'll be taking it next year."
At least that was one good thing about Forks High not having a softball team.
A flash of red out the corner of my eyes caused me to stop abruptly. I'd gotten so carried away in the conversation that I almost forgot about the chips.
I would never forgive myself if I had. What kind of host forgets the staple of all get-togethers?
On my tippy toes, I reached to the top shelf where the Doritos were located but came just a couple of inches from being able to reach it.
After a few attempts and hops, I gave up.
I turned around to Jacob, who was leaning against the aisle, arms crossed and an amused smile on his face.
"Would you mind?" I asked defeated.
He looked up in the air, as if thinking about it, before walking to the chips.
"Which one's?" He asked.
"The red ones of course"
He reached up to grab them, his shirt rising to expose the russet skin underneath.
It was lightly freckled, with just the faintest tufts hair. The skin looked incredibly soft and I had the weirdest urge to run my hands over it.
For a second as he came back down, I could see muscles of his lower abdomen flex before being covered again by his shirt.
Wow. If I didn't know Jacob, I would dare say that that was… attractive.
I snap my head up to meet his eyes when he turns around, hoping my face isn't as red as it feels.
Luckily, Bella chooses that exact moment to show up. Jake instantly perks up at her presence, greeting him warmly and I get a weird feeling at the pit of my stomach.
I hang back, letting the two of them carry on the conversation for the rest of the time.
When we got home I quickly shower and change into something more comfortable.
Whitney was the first to arrive and we casually chatted as I got all the snacks from the car.
Her and Bella were awkward at first, being like oil and water. Whitney was very open, expressive, and friendly, whereas Bella was about as closed-off and reserved as they come.
But they seemed to have warmed up to each other by the time the next car pulls into the driveway.
Lauren walks in with two girls behind her. One a tall, quiet but kind looking girl with purple glasses that match her headband. The other is rather short, with honey brown hair and a very loud demeanor.
"Nice pajamas" The tall one says.
"Why thank you." I replied. I was now wearing some white and gray pajamas that have red hearts on the pants.
"Hey Helena" Lauren greets, giving me a small hug. "This is Angela" she gestures towards the tall one, and then the other one "and this is Jessica."
I say hello and wave them in. "You're just in time. I was just about to order pizza."
Bella is sitting in the living room with Whitney, who's already bussed open the candy. She waves hello to Jessica and Lauren and smiles at Angela
"Is everyone fine with pepperoni?"
"Yeah" "Sounds good" "Fine with me"
"None for me" says Lauren "I'm actually on a diet. Trying to watch my figure"
"Nonsense." I tell Lauren, "Your figure's fine."
Lauren smiles "still"
"Okay. I can order you a cheese. With spinach! Spinach is healthy"
Lauren clicks her tongue, mulling it over in her head before relenting.
After I order the pizza, we found ourselves in my room.
Me, Whitney, and Bella sit on my bed, Lauren at my desk, and Jessica and Angela sit on the floor. Snacks in rotation.
Angela was currently telling us all about this article she did for the school newspaper.
"No way you wrote that article about padding on the swimming team! You had Kirk puffing his chest out all week" Whitney laughed.
"Well, I can't take all the credit for it. Bella actually gave me the idea" Angela pointed to her.
"It was Nothing. You did all of the hard work anyway." Bella waved her off awkwardly, changing the subject off of her.
"So…Prom?"
Bella barely got through the word before we all jumped in.
Whitney was going with some dude named Ashton and Angela shyly admitted to wanting Tyler Crowley to ask her out. Jessica didn't mention anybody, but anyone at school could tell you that she had her eyes on Mike Newton (well, anyone except Mike).
None of us has gone dress shopping yet. The pizza comes as we were talking about the different dress shops around here and Bella goes downstairs to get it.
Always thinking ahead, Bella had picked up a couple of movies from the store when we were out and I pick a random one out of the bunch.
She comes back up with two boxes and a stack of paper plates and I start the movie as everyone grabs a slice.
—-
The night is a success. Instead of everyone having a turn, we decided to just randomly pick movies.
It wasn't until we were about three movies in that everyone started to fall asleep.
The second I'm watching a tornado of three-headed sharks wreak havoc on poor, undeserving beach goers and the next all I'm seeing is black.
I hear screaming, but I can't make out the source.
At first I think i'm still watching some movie. That is until I feel something grabbing me.
I can't move. It's like I'm in a box.
The screaming gets louder and louder and I feel a pressure. It's right above my ankle.
The pressure starts off subtle but quickly builds until—
I jerk awake, aware of nothing but my breath coming out in heavy pants and the trembles rumbling through my body.
I'm scared. No, I'm petrified. And I don't know why.
It takes a couple of seconds for my eyes to adjust. Apart from the faint light from my tv screen, the room is dark.
Jessica, Whitney, and Angela are all sprawled out across the floor with various blankets and pillows strewn about. Bella's nowhere to be found amongst the mess, probably having gone back to her own room somewhere in the middle of the night.
Lauren lays at the bottom of the bed, halfway hanging off.
She shifts in her sleep, blinking one, two, three times before sitting up.
"Sorry for waking you up" I whisper.
Lauren looks around the room, probably still dazed from being woken up.
"What, did you have a nightmare or something?" She yawns.
"Yea" I nod my head. That seems right. Now that Lauren mentions it, I recall something like that. I just can't remember what happened in the dream.
"I'm alright now" my voice is louder now, my breath slowly going back to normal "You can go back to sleep."
"I'm already up now" Lauren sighs, and I don't have to look at her to see her eye roll.
Lauren climbs to the top of the bed and sits beside me.
We watch the movie in silence, (which has automatically restarted). Me trying to calm down and Lauren trying to wake up.
The sun has just started to peak over the horizon when I find myself falling back to sleep.
I feel the familiar curtain of warm darkness surrounding me.
"Helena?" Lauren whispers softly. So soft that I almost missed it at first.
"Helena" Lauren whispers, louder this time.
"Hmm?" I answer, but get no response.
I open my eyes to Lauren staring at me, a pensive look on her face. And before I can say anything else, her lips are on mine.
In my half-asleep state it takes me a moment to process that I'm being kissed, then another moment to process that Lauren is kissing me, and even longer to figure out how to respond.
Before my brain can choose a course of action, Lauren has pulled back.
I'm sure I made for a funny picture— shocked face and eyebrows up to the ceiling in confusion— but Lauren looks the furthest thing from amused at the moment.
She looks confused too (as if I was the one who just randomly kissed her). Confused and scared.
We're at a standstill, eyes locked and breathing faint, as if scared to spook one another. Each waiting for the other to make a move.
The standstill ends when Lauren takes off like a rocket. Off the bed, out the food, and down the stairs.
The sound of a door slamming and car starting shortly follow, All the while I sit there thinking one thing.
What the hell just happened?