Casters of Oblivion

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight

Chapter 9: Hitting Hard

Eleanor's POV

"Can I come?"

Those were the three words I didn't want to hear. I called Jacob, and we were about to go parts hunting in a nearby junkyard. The last thing I need is Ginger tagging along and complaining about being dirty or not making much effort. It's not that I don't want her to come. But being with Jacob, I feel free instead of being obligated to babysit Ginger. To be able to not worry about her having another catatonic episode. Although, the past few days, she showed promise, yet…I just don't trust her. Let alone, I'm still hurt after nearly four months of silence.

I turned around to see Ginger dressed in casual clothes. To see her dressed and ready to be filthy had me concerned. Has she been eavesdropping on my phone conversations? I figured she was after Saturday before our transmutation lesson. She simply stood there through the end of the conversation.

"You sure?" I challenged. "It's going to be cold, wet, and laborious."

Ginger scoffed, "As if I haven't been in a junkyard before."

"Ging-"

"C'mon, I promise I won't ruin the love fest." Ginger interrupted.

"There is nothing going on between Jake and me!" I snapped.

For Hecate's sake, why does she think something is going on between Jacob and me? Sure, we are friends, and there is a slight platonic atmosphere…but it doesn't mean anything? I'm trying to keep a distance between us and prevent any heartache. There are so many Casters right now who are hurt because of a broken heart, and those emotions can disrupt our magic.

Ginger chuckled, "Okay, okay, nothing is going on between ya…yet."

I groaned, unable to get her off my back as we headed towards the Wagoneer. We drove to Jacob's place first to check on the bikes. The moment I parked, Jacob was running his way with a smile on his face. That contagious smile spread against my own. I open the door to get out, only to be dragged out and pulled into a hug.

"Jake, can't breathe." I groaned.

"Sorry, El," Jacob chuckled as he let me go.

I chuckled and stared at Jacob, noticing something different about him. The baby fat on his cheeks was almost gone. He looked no longer his age, but more of a young man than an adolescent teenager.

"Hey Jake," Ginger greeted as she walked around the Wagoneer.

Jacobs's eyes widened when he saw her. "Ginger!"

He ran over and gave her a hug. "You finally joined the living."

My coven sister chuckled, rubbing her neck sheepishly. "Yeah, out of my zombie funk."

"So, you're joining us then?" Jacob asked.

"Yep," She said, popping her P. "Can I see the bikes?"

"Sure," Jacob grinned as he led the way to the garage.

The red bike was halfway assembled, while the black one was completely taken apart and organized on storage blankets. Ginger was in awe as she walked over to the Honda Scrambler, tracing her fingers on the gears. I stood by the door, my arms crossed. I don't like the look in her eyes. It's exhilarating to ride a bike, but something about her methods seemed wrong. Jacob started explaining how far along we were on the bikes to Ginger. In a month, we may have the bikes fully operational.

"So, whose bike is who?" Ginger asked.

"Well, they are both Eleanors'," Jacob answered.

I shook my head. The black motorcycle is Jacob's. Although I might not have told him. I considered it his present. Billy knew the bikes when he rolled over to say the pizza was here. At first, he was angry, but when I explained why the motorcycles were there, he waved it off and told Jacob that if we ride them, we do it in a specific location. The last thing Billy needs is Charlie lecturing him. Also, I bribed Billy by bringing a hot dish now and then.

"Oh, by the way, Quil is coming over," Jacob announced.

"Is Embry coming?" I asked.

Jacob's expression was wary, indicating anger and pain, as he forced the word "No."

"Oh well, guess it's a double date then." I joked to lighten the mood.

Jacob somehow managed to chuckle, "Sure, sure."

Ginger rolled her eyes at the lame joke. Jacob then pulled out the list of parts we needed to find in the junkyard. I nodded, making a mental note to use my powers to detect them when we struggled. When Quil came by, we all got in the Wagoneer and headed to the junkyard.

I had to say it was pretty amusing. All because of Quil. As Quil flirted with Ginger, who seemed unimpressed by his antics, he chuckled now and then to ease his self-esteem. As those two goofed around, Jacob and I talked with the junkyard owner, who showed us his storage facility for motor parts. We managed to find three-fourths of the parts we sought, yet spent a few hours searching in piles. I used my divination to search for an important cylinder when Jacob had his back turned. Afterward, we headed back to the garage, ordering pizza while Jacob and Quil reassembled the Honda Scrambler. Meanwhile, Ginger and I cleaned the new parts we got.

For once, I actually believed Ginger was trying to move on. She was socializing, dealing with Quil's jokes and Jacob's music. Although, I could tell she didn't want to listen to music. Music probably reminded her of Cullen. Yet she merely zones it out by focusing on the parts she cleaned or talking to me.

Soon, two weeks have gone by. After school, Ginger and I would head to La Push and join Jacob on the reservation. We would hang out in the garage, working together on bikes or doing homework. Quil would pop in now and again with pizza and warm soda and sometimes spicing things up with Chinese.

We took a break one weekend as Jacob and I walked along the beaches. It was just him and me, for Zelena needed help with her shop and drafted Ginger to work, much to her protest. I, on the other hand, appreciated this.

"So, Quil keeps asking to come over. I think he likes Ginger a little too much." Jacob said.

"Why am I not surprised?" I chuckled. "Doubt she's into the whole cougar thing."

Since Ginger is almost three years older than Quil. Though it would make Jacob laugh, he looked at me strangely.

"What's up with you two and age?" Jacob asked. "I mean, how old was that Cullen guy, anyway?"

"I'm not sure," I lied. "Seventeen, I guess."

"Seriously, you don't know?" He continued.

I shrugged, "Edward and I hardly got along. In fact, I hardly approve of their relationship."

"Really?" he asked.

I nodded, picking up a rock and tossing it into the ocean. I hope he doesn't ask why. The last thing I need to do is explain to him the supernatural. But there was more to it. Edward and I don't do well in the same room without a debate or argument. I grew up loathing vampires. After what the Volturi did to my kind and the Originals' affiliation to use us as pawns…there is bound to be tension. Including that moment when Ginger almost died at the hands of James. We both saved Ginger from becoming a vampire and death.

But the moment I finished the Vitalum Vitalis spell, the look he gave me said it all. He accused me of almost killing her. How I am the responsible one and the voice of reason. And yet, Ginger still went to James and nearly got herself killed. However, Betsy was in danger. And by Caster Standards, we protect our own. Even though the Council considered those taken from the ordinary world no longer needing their family…it was different. I lost my grandfather recently, and I didn't want Ginger to feel the same pain as I did. I didn't want her to feel guilty about missing an opportunity. Knowing that I had Vitalum Vitalis hurts, for I wish I had known sooner than maybe…just maybe, I would have saved my grandfather.

So when Edward looked at me after the incident…it was a reminder.

"How come?" Jacob, oh so asked.

"Because he has this awkward controlling thing about him," I answered. "Sure, he grew up in the foster system, but the controlling thing… it's unnerving."

"Oh, that would make sense," Jacob said.

"I'm just glad he's gone," I said, skipping another rock into the ocean.

Though, I did wish the others could have stayed. Rosalie and I were good acquaintances. When I came over under Zelena's order as Ginger hung out with Edward, Rosalie seemed to notice me there. She would bring me to her garage, and we would chat or learn how to fix things. As I brought Ginger over to the Cullens one day, the brakes felt loose. I had made a mental note to go see a mechanic. Later in the day, as Ginger spent time with Edward, I sat on the porch reading a book when Rosalie came over.

"Bring your car to the garage," Rosalie said.

"What?" I asked.

"Bring your car to the garage," she repeated. "I want to take a look."

I was utterly confused but did as she asked. I drove the Wagoneer into the garage, taking the Mercedes spot since Carlisle was at work. Rosalie popped the hood and started checking the brake fluid level. She announced it was low and went to one of the utility cabinets to pull a jug out. But she was not done as she did a diagnostic check. I was baffled, for I did not expect her to be a mechanic. And yet, Rosalie seemed interested in checking my car.

"I could hear some problems a mile away," Rosalie said, slightly smirking.

She showed me some methods to fix a car, and we chatted. She even answered a question that has been on my mind since discovering her family is vampires: How do they not get hungry when a girl is on her period? Rosalie chuckled and explained that menstrual blood has a lower protein content, and the endometrium lining makes it unappetizing. Rosalie calls it Dirty Blood. Well, that answers the question.

Rosalie and I would get along when Ginger and I came over. Also, Emmett and Jasper… are good people too. Therefore, I managed to work with three of the five Cullen teens. Alice…can be overwhelming, and Edward…well, you know why.

"So, um, can I ask you something?" Jacob asked.

"You just did." I teased.

"Har, Har, Har," he muttered, then sighed. "What I was going to say…are you moving back to your folks or going to college when you graduate?"

"Oh, um, I'm considering attending a community college or online while staying here," I answered.

My training explains why. Young Casters are considered legal adults when they turn twenty-one. Until that time comes, we stay with our mentors, learning to grasp our magic and ensure we have it under control. The last thing we need is accidentally setting something on fire that could attract witch-hunters.

Jacob couldn't help but smile. His contagious smile felt as warm as the sun. After the death of my grandfather Horatio, I thought a piece of me that felt safe was gone. My grandfather had this smile that assured you everything was alright and to smile. Jacob had one of those smiles. He is one of the reasons I'm glad to be in Forks when I can't be with my family in Salem or Boston.

"Come on, rain is coming," I said.

"Rain is always coming." Jacob joked.

I stuck my tongue at him before jogging back to the garage. Jacob protested, catching up in our childish race. The moment we reached the garage, Jacob accidentally tripped over me, causing us to fall. I fell to the ground, banging my head on the concrete. I gasped, feeling the shock of pain surge from the back of my head and deep within. Tears welled up in my eyes as the pain continued onward.

Jacob groans as he kneels up. "Oh shit, El, I'm sorry."

He moved his hand to the back of my head, checking the condition. However, I hissed from the sudden touch, "Man, your head."

"Ow," I hissed, using his hand to help me sit up.

"Hold still. Let me look at your eyes to see if you have a concussion," he instructed.

I sat still as Jacob leaned forward. His face was nearly close to mine, and I could smell his scent and a hint of Axe deodorant. Those deep brown eyes stared into my hazel orbs. For the first time, I got a better look at his face. He is extremely handsome, with dark good looks, raven-black hair, russet skin, and deep-set twinkling dark brown eyes. Those eyes told me how much of a pure soul he had.

"Your pupils seem even," Jacob murmured. Then he noticed my staring, "What are you staring at?"

"You're kinda handsome," I mumbled.

Jacob blinked a few times while biting his lip before a smirk lifted it. "How hard did you hit your head?"

I blinked a few times, berating myself for saying that. "I don't know. I was hit by a bus, after all."

Jacob laughed, helping me stand up. "Come on, let's head inside and call Zelena to pick you up. I don't want ya driving."

I nodded as Jacob led the way inside the red house. So much for finishing the bikes today. I called Zelena, and she said she'd pick me up after work. In the meantime, Jacob and I sat on the couch watching the Game with Billy. Jacob got me some Tylenol and ice, though he seemed guilty. A few hours later, Zelena and Ginger came over to pick the Wagoneer and me up. Zelena took me in her Hybrid while Ginger drove the Wagoneer back to the Cabin.

Once home, Zelena gave me a potion for headaches and concussions. It didn't taste great, but I knew it'd cure the pain. Afterward, I took a shower to wash off the dirt and oil. As I washed my hair, my mind drifted off to Jacob. I remembered his face and how much he had changed since the first time I met him. He was no longer the boy who liked to fix cars. No, he has changed so much at a drastic rate.

I continue to wash my body, and my thoughts linger more on Jacob—how his muscles move, how he ties his hair, how he smiles and laughs. Suddenly, a slight moan escaped my lips, and I tensed, realizing that I was almost touching myself.

No. No. I can't fantasize about Jacob Black. He is my friend. And…I have to keep him like that.

I'm a Caster who can live up to three hundred years if I use my magic correctly. He is human. And not just that, but a Son of a Chief. I don't know much about Native Americans and their leadership. Billy is an Elder, and from what Jacob said, his great-grandfather Ephraim was a Chief. Therefore, Jacob would be bound to his community. And even if I continued this relationship and extended his life…would he hate me when his father and sisters passed away.

No. I can't do that. Jacob deserves someone who is there for him and La Push.

I changed the water temperature to cold, resting my forehead on the tile and letting the cool water soothe me.

Jacob can only be a friend and nothing more.

I went to my room after taking a shower and going through my nightly routine. I sat on the bed and stared at the dreamcatcher on the headboard. Ever since I got that dreamcatcher, it has done its job. It has caught bad dreams and prevented James's ghost from haunting me. I touched one of the charms, remembering when Jacob gave it to me, followed by the kiss.

I sighed, shaking my head.

"He's only a friend," I told myself. "Nothing more."

As much as it hurts me to say it.

I dreamt about those brown eyes when my head hit the pillow.

.o0o.

Ginger's POV

After Eleanor went to bed, I used my laptop and decided to write another letter to Alice.

Dear Alice,

I wish I had your actual email address. I wish I could tell you about Jake. He and Eleanor make me feel better. I mean, they make me feel alive. I'm waiting for them to admit they like each other more than friends. I hint at it constantly, yet Eleanor puts the friendzone on which Jacob supports. But I know he's smitten and doesn't want to scare her. The way they act…I thought I would feel the hole in my chest. Yet the hole in my chest, well, when I'm with them, it's like it's almost healed for a while.

But even Jake and Eleanor can't keep the dreams away.

Hope you respond…

Ginger.

After submitting and seeing the rejected acceptance, I turned off the laptop and went to bed. I knew I would come face to face with my nightmares.

So…what do you all think?

Thanks for reading, and please leave a review!

Updated!