Layla's Pov
The brush flew past me as I sprinted back to the house. Running faster than I ever had before sticks and twigs cut at my ankles as I pushed past the final foliage. I doubled over gasping for breath when I had reached the yard.
"You okay kid?" Syd called out from the porch. He was treating dried leather with some sort of waxy balm.
"Yeah." I gasped shakily.
"Why are yah covered in dirt?" "I found the swing Zach and I used to play on when we were kids. It's kind of broken now." And when I was going to tie it back up again that wolf came out of nowhere.
"The forests around here aren't some silly playground. I'll take a look at it later so you don't break your neck." Syd scolded me. My face paled remembering the sound of the deer's neck and back.
"Layla?" "Whatever, sure. I'll be more careful."
"Did you hit your head?" Syd seemed to question my sanity, but he went right back to working on the leathers.
"No. I just need some water." I mumbled passing him into the house.
If I had told Syd about the bear-sized wolf who knows what he would do? Most likely ban me from walking in the woods alone. I had too many hikes mentally planned for him to stop me.
I pulled out a glass from the cupboard and filled it with water from the fridge.
Or worse, what if Syd took his shotgun and started hunting it? At his age, I couldn't have him get hurt out there either. Sure, I was a snack to the wolf, but Syd might be a full meal to the huge creature.
I chugged the ice-cold water. Relief washed through me. When I went to refill my glass again I realized that I had interrupted the wolf from hunting and that he wasn't hunting me. Wolves were skittish animals that normally avoided people, right? Then it had to be a rare occurrence for me to get that close.
I doubt that I would see the wolf again. I thought concluding logically.
The water spilled over my hand and poured onto the floor. "Shoot."
Jacob's Pov
I paced back and forth in the woods beside Syd's house for almost an hour thinking of any excuse to speak with her. I couldn't think of one, so I reluctantly headed home to check in with my family. From the outside of the small red house, I could see the glow of the tv illuminating Paul and Rachel curled up on the couch.
I shifted back behind the house and reclaimed my clothes stashed there. As I circled around front my dad was sitting out on the porch whistling and whittling wood.
"How was your first day back, son? Better yet how's my future daughter-in-law?" Billie beamed when he saw me.
"It's weird being back." I admitted. The normalcy from before I left wasn't the same as it was now. I couldn't put it into words. What grounded me was Layla...but what just happened. Maybe I was too dangerous to be around her.
"Did Sam happen to call you?" I questioned wondering if he'd gone that far.
"No. Did something happen?" Billie's face dropped into a stoic sense of concern.
"Almost." With the lack of privacy the pack provided I decided it would be better just to tell him now.
So I explained to him about the deer hunting as I leaned on the railing. I couldn't look at him while I did. I didn't want to give him another reason to worry, but I guess I needed to vent.
"You were lucky," Billie noted. "I know."
"Not just that. You were lucky it wasn't Moon." I snorted at that and looked over at him. What could an old man do to me?
"Jacob." My dad warned. Then he took a deep breath, contemplating whether to tell me something.
"He's technically not supposed to be on our land."
"What, why?" Billie frowned and continued whittling.
"Moon's always been a quiet one. Prideful too. When your mother was alive, you and your sisters were young... My father was still the chief of the Quileute tribe. Syd had gotten in trouble with the council." Shavings of wood flew with each stroke of his knife. My brows lowered in confusion. What could he possibly have done?
"Sydney shot and killed a wolf on the reservation." "That's grounds for exile from the reservation," I murmured.
Billie nodded. "Quil senior went to check on a gunshot he heard in the village. He saw Syd disposing of the wolf carcass upon arrival. That's when the council grew angry. Moon didn't give a reason which created much contention and mistrust."
"He had a functional ranch back then, right? So did a stray wolf try to eat any livestock?" I asked trying to justify the action.
"That's what we concluded on our own. To give him the benefit of the doubt. Ruth was going to meet with my father to tell us the whole story, but she had been ill for some time…" Billie paused his craft.
"Ruth?" "Sydney's late wife had caught pneumonia the winter before." My dad mumbled frowning.
"He became a recluse after her death. Sold his old place and purchased property on the back end of the land by Quileute River where the territory bleeds into the sacred forests. Technically, he's on the edge of neither here nor there, for choosing the ancient grounds." Billie lifted the figure of a hawk up to the porch light.
"No one would confront him after purchasing back those lands for the tribe. So we dropped the charges of exile." He handed me his detailed workmanship.
"His talons are sharp and his wingspan spreads thick over his family."
I looked over the bird and took a piece of sandpaper to gently smooth the edges for him.
"You know she's my imprint." "Yes, but I'm still your father." Billie laughed. The heavy atmosphere between us lifted.
"Even if he shoots me, I'll be fine by sundown." I reminded him, giving back the wooden piece.
"Sure, sure." He blew the dust off the hawk and set it on the porch railing with the other figures he had carved that evening.
Layla's Pov
I sat at my desk drumming my nails against the hardwood. My homework was completed and no one from back home had messaged me on my old phone since I moved here. Well, besides my mother's assistant Bethany. It seemed that she was trying to keep tabs on me for my mother's sake. I didn't care for her too much so I tried to interact with her minimally. She hadn't done anything wrong per se. I guess I should be more grateful and kind towards her for taking care of Lily so much. Besides being a meticulous assistant Bethany was a good friend to her and one of the few people that could reel in my party animal of a mother.
I frowned silencing my old cell phone, still unable to let the sinking feeling in my gut go. Maybe it was the way she gatekept Lily nowadays after what was supposed to be my sweet sixteen.
There wasn't anything sweet about it. I didn't even want a party; if I did, I would have rather had Ashely and Alexis planned it. My mother always took things too far. Nearly half her elite friends were there. They came with plus ones, and twos, and a pile of expensive presents I didn't get to open. It felt like another one of my mom's crazy bachelorette bashes.
My friends and I retreated to the den downstairs before things got out of hand. I didn't remember much, about what happened or almost happened to me. Elsewhere, according to Ashely, police that originally came for a noise complaint busted someone for some illegal substances. Apparently, they had caught a glimpse of a suspect from a previous case, and someone tried shifting the blame on my mother for harboring the fugitive. Which was totally ignorant of them. Couldn't they tell it was a party that had gotten out of hand? That there were more strangers than invites. Didn't they care about all the underage drinkers? No. There was no lineup.
Before my thoughts could lead down the darkest parts of that night my new phone rang making me jump.
It was EJ. My mood picked up. I tossed the old cell phone into the top drawer of my desk.
"Hey EJ!" "Hi!" He spoke excitedly.
"It worked," EJ whispered to someone else on the other end.
"Just press that when you're done, honey." "Got it."
I laughed while EJ began to eagerly inform me about his first day.
"It's strange sitting down most of the day. I could get school done within a couple of hours and be done, but now everything is so regimented."
"That's the feeling of the institution for you." We went on about his favorite courses and compared notes of our collective new kid experiences. It made me feel less alone knowing someone else was going through the same thing.
"Esme found me this book club we could attend together." "Who's Esme, and what club?" I was half paying attention and retouching the pink nail polish on my toenails. I was sifting through boxes on my floor when I came across it.
"My Godmother. Since my English class was boring me she recommended this course. Anyone from other local schools can join." "Yeah?"
"Yeah. It does require essays if you want academic credit, but it could be fun. There are films to watch with it too." EJ seemed bent on getting me to join him. I did need an extra circular or two to appease my father's wishes. According to him, I wasn't to waste my time here.
"I'll look into it." I was still yearning to participate on a competitive dance team if they had one separate from the cheer squad. Depending on how demanding that could be I'd be more than happy to join him.
"Oh." He sounded disappointed that it wasn't an immediate yes. "I just need more info EJ. Like when, where, and all that."
"It's at the Library right after school." "You really like books don't you?" I giggled under my breath.
"Sure do! But I'll also be glad to see you." EJ said this in a fond friendship kind of way so I responded with a "Me too."
"Hey, I got to get going. But can I call you again soon?" "Sure thing."
"Later Layla." Maybe one friend in Forks is all I needed to cheer myself up.
In my dreams, I was walking through the forest again. A warm morning glow lit the rushing crystal blue of the Quileute River. On the water was a young beautiful woman decorated in colorful traditional attire. Her tassels danced as she lifted the paddle up and down. Her voice echoed over the waters to me. As she passed the bank I was on she rested the ore across her lap and went silent. Then I recognized her.
"Grandma!" I cried out happy to see her. She turned her head towards me and beamed with a bright smile full of serenity. I teared up trudging my feet into the shallow edge of the waters.
Then she looked past me to the high ground behind giving a single nod. I didn't want to take my eyes off her, but I looked back to a pack of wolves scattered amongst the trees overlooking the river in solidarity. Like they were protectors.
When I glanced back at my grandmother she had traveled further down the stream.
"Wait! Wait! Please don't go!" I ran down the bank splashing with every step. One of the wolves came down to run alongside me in the thick sand.
Ruth waved one single arm in goodbye. "No! Grandma, I love you!" I cried running until my path ended.
The water's spray from the turbulent waters ahead blocked my vision of her. The mist expelled a small prism of a rainbow before my eyes. She crossed over somewhere I couldn't go.
I could feel the water dripping on my face, and a heavy hand resting on my shoulder.
"I couldn't stop her," I whispered to myself in awe of the sudden peace I felt.
"Layla, it's time to go. Come back with me." The familiar voice was overshadowed by a crack of thunder.
A fracture in the window frame leaked sending drips of rain onto my forehead. I sat up wiping the wet of the rain mingled with tears from my face. That dream felt so real.
I waited for my breathing to slow before I peeled back the curtain. Like yesterday I had woken up far too early. It was still dark out.
The clouds made it seem almost pitch black.
I decided to dig out my journal to document my dream proceeding my first days here. Sitting in bed I collected me thoughts. Then I wrote until the burden lifted.
Syd was more timely this morning. After having that dream I've felt more at ease.
I thought about telling Syd about it. I knew how much he loved her, but I also knew how much he missed her and as much as I wanted to I didn't want him to be sad.
"You're quiet this morning." "I'm having trouble sleeping," I admitted.
"Give it a week to get used to things." He assured me.
"You know all Moons are night creatures. Maybe I shouldn't fight it." I teased.
He wasn't fooled though. "Off you go."
"We're going to pick my car up after, right?" I pressed. It was the one birthday present I got to keep.
"If it's ready. Have a good day Kwolieshkah!" "Sh!" I hushed him from using my middle name. It was embarrassing enough he was seeing me off I didn't need the whole class to make fun of me for my Quileute-given name.
I walked through the spritzing rain and into the school. The chorus of rubber sneakers echoed around me as I searched for my locker. I found it Midway through the main hall. I tried my hand at the combination a few times but the latch wouldn't budge.
"Hey locker buddy." Embry greeted me. The tall pack of boys was circled around the other side of his locker.
"Hey," I grunted trying the lever again. A hand covered mine on the third try and pinched the metal between his fingers lifting it up in a rusted squeak.
"Thanks." I looked up to see my helper. It was Jacob. He immediately took a far step back from me. My face twisted in confusion. Why did he do that? And why did he look so uncomfortable?
"Whatever, the janitor uses makes the locks stick sometimes," Embry concluded.
"Right..." I dropped my bag and lightened my load into the locker.
The thin beachy sweatshirt I was wearing was already too damp to continue wearing. I took it off and hung it inside making a note to stop by Newton's for a real windbreaker. I adjusted my blue-grey layered shirt, which clung to my waist along with a few new assets that came to me over the summer.
My mother called it jumping from A to E since I was a late bloomer. I deemed it a hindrance, despite all my suffering in those awkward tween years. The perks didn't seem to outweigh the toll on my back. The unwanted attention also made me twice as self-conscious. Because of this, I tried to limit myself to high necklines and layers whenever possible. Thank goodness it was almost fall where that would be easier.
"Can I see?" Embry shut his locker. "What?" I had zoned out repacking my bag for class.
"You're schedule." He held an open hand handout. "Sure." I handed him the pink paper in blotchy dragged ink.
I glanced back at Jacob who was still watching us intently. Then he frowned at someone behind us passing by trailing them with a glare.
"We have two classes together. Biology and gym. I think you might have a similar schedule to my sister Tiffany." Embry confirmed handing the sheet back.
Jacob followed behind us without saying a word. Quil joined us momentarily until he reached the nearby classroom. "Later sophomores." He taunted the two boys with me.
Embry caught his sister in front of my next class introducing us briefly. She seemed to be the girl he was standing outside with the other day.
Tiffany was tall and had wide owlish black eyes with thick eyelashes that almost looked fake. She flipped her shiny layered jet-black hair revealing her chiseled cheekbones.
"Nice to meet you. I hope the meatheads haven't harassed you too much." "Haha. Very funny." Embry rolled his eyes.
"Seriously though. When are you clone troopers going to join a sport?" Tiffany's sandy blond friend arched a brow at him.
"See ya at lunch." Embry dismissed their jabs and addressed his sister. She stuck her tongue out at them as they walked away.
"Paige. I guess you can sit with us if you want." She introduced herself to me. I returned the greeting joining them.
They were nice enough to show me around and allowed me to sit with them during the morning classes we did have together. I didn't expect to get along right away, but I hoped any connection would develop organically. Like how it was easy with EJ.
I headed in a direction I hadn't been in yet. The red lockers disappeared and were replaced with tan walls decked in red and black racing stripes that zigzagged toward a pair of metal double doors.
A sick feeling of longing settled in my stomach as I worked through the maze. This school's colors were the same as my old one, but instead of tan prison block walls, the foreplan had been half outdoors and full of sunshine. I guess with all the in-climate weather that wouldn't be practical here.
I entered the girls' locker room first door on my right. Most girls minded their own business by their changing station while some congregated by the door dressed out in gym wear. I found that odd.
I dawned on the new uniform found in my tiny metal cubby and headed for the gymnasium around the corner.
Passing the pulled-out bleachers it registered as to why all the girls were huddled in the locker room. The cool air was utterly unforgiving against these red polyester basketball shorts. I debated on turning back to the sanctuary of the girl's room but decided it was too late now. I walked toward the few girls who had made the same dumb decision and sat on the lower ledge of the plastic bleachers. Tying up my hair, I caught sight of the boys collected beneath the far side of the gym. I didn't recognize any of them outside of the hallway passing. One of them smiled broadly when I accidentally locked eyes with one of them. I quickly averted my entire being to sit on the bleachers.
The two girls next to me laughed when I made a face. "Icy isn't it?" A beautiful girl with hazel eyes and a long brown French braid turned to me.
"Yeah, I didn't know putting my eggs on ice was the agenda for today." I joked more to myself than to them, but they laughed anyway.
"I'm Andrea, this is Camille." They turned towards me scooting closer. "Layla." "Elu is staring at you," Camille noted as if I should know who that was.
"I think he's in my biology class," I noted shrugging.
"Isn't that Molly's new boy toy?" Andrea asked passively. "Sure, but who isn't on her roster," Camille smirked rolling her eyes.
"Jacob and crew are staring at you too," Andrea whispered to me.
"Oh, um, I attribute it to new kid syndrome." I twisted the end of my ponytail worriedly.
"Do you know them or something? Not everyone is viable for their cult." Camille teased on the surface but she was really inquiring if I knew something.
"Cult? What do you mean?" I asked surprised.
"Word has it that Sam Uley, a senior who graduated two years ago started this gang. It's been passed on to these younger boys." Andrea started in on the gossip.
"Yeah, the weird part is all of them changed. Even the friendly ones like Seth Clearwater switched up. I swear they grew up and beef out over the summer like they've been on steroids or something." Camille continued.
"Fight club maybe." Andrea nodded. "Probably. And no one can get near them unless you go through the same muscle-building process." Camille eyed the boys either in appreciation or disgust. I couldn't tell. Maybe both?
"Or if they deem you worthy girlfriend material." Andrea sighed.
"Falling in love like that looks a little creepy and intense. Don't you think?" Camille was definitely jealous of one of the girlfriends. I wonder which one of the boys she liked before.
"How do you know?" I asked warily and not entirely wanting to accept this smear campaign.
"Well, my sister saw Sam, Brady, and Jared beat the crap out of this big guy from Maca." Andrea provided her secondhand proof. "A heroine dealer," Camille whispered.
"And that Jacob Black has had gone missing this summer. The missing person's posters were spread from here to Maca." Andrea lowered her voice and kept her eyes away from the boys watching us.
"His pack of friends wasn't concerned at all when anyone asked about it. I've seen them go behind the cops to tear down the flyers." Camille painted a picture I couldn't push away.
"So that means he must have been in hiding something big." Andrea agreed.
My mouth pressed into a thin line as I contemplated this new information.
The lady at the diner said they were good boys. But what did she know? These girls have grown up with them on the rez.
I warily glanced in their direction and accidentally caught eyes with Jacob. I pulled my gaze from him and switched topics on the girls.
They gave me more social low downs and I found out Camille was a cheerleader and Andrea was into competitive dance like myself.
Coach Kel blew the whistle while pushing a rolling cage of basketballs out to mid-court.
"Warm up with laps until I say so. Go." He blew the whistle again.
Most of the girls groaned while the boys had already started racing each other. Camille had found her other cheer friends and ran with them instead. Meanwhile, Andrea and I jogged lightly behind everyone else. As a dancer, I didn't have much experience in cardio, and it wasn't exactly encouraged. I was relieved not to be the slowest person though, and to have someone next to me who understood our pace wasn't due to laziness or being uncoordinated.
"Hey, Layla!" "Bye Layla!" Embry and Collins raced each other passing us in a gust of speed.
"Ugh! Showoffs!" Andrea scoffed annoyed. I suppressed a smile watching them goof off.
"Hi Andrea, Layla." Elu slowed down to match our pace. Although with his long legs, he could have just walked beside us.
Andrea seemed pleased that he was talking to us.
"I just wanted to say sorry about yesterday. Chayton can be a real jerk. He probably won't apologize in bio but-"
"Don't worry about it," I assured him sincerely unbothered. Andrea looked confused between us clearly not in the loop.
"Can I make it up to you though? If you don't like him I mean, since you gave him your number and all."
"You what?" Andrea gawked at me. "No, no. I didn't. What I mean is that wasn't my number. I was going to prank him but you saved him." I picked up my jog.
"Wait, you what?" Elu grinned, laughing he easily kept step with me as I explained. Andrea trailed behind us eavesdropping. Elu was about to attempt to make plans with me and Andrea when Coach Kel blew the whistle.
All the students gathered around the center court basketball bin.
"Free throws and lay-ups. Two lines under each basket. Boys on the right girls on the left."
"Um, Elu, can you pass one to me?" A tall girl with a gorgeous copper complexion and straight satin black hair batted her lashes at him.
"Sure." He tossed a ball a little hard to her, but she caught it. "Thanks."
"Layla, do you need one?" Elu fished out an extra ball walking over to me.
"Uh, okay." He lightly tossed it into my arms.
Over their heads, I saw Jacob glowering across the court at Elu. Embry shoved a ball into Jacob's core hard, but Jacob didn't flinch capturing it in his grasp. His dark gaze shifted to Embry who spoke low and close to him. I wondered what happened. I considered what the girls were saying.
Jacob may look intimidating with his size and has been stoic at times, but I never took him as an angry individual. Whatever Embry said seemed to calm him down. Then in another encounter, Jacob caught me looking over at them. I smiled wirily unable to shake my worry.
"Get moving Moon!" Coach ordered me to start the drill. Great, pick the height-challenged girl to go next.