Layla's Pov
The morning golden glow drenched my bedroom as my alarm clock chimed. I reached over lazily to shut it off.
Yawning hugely, I yanked the heavy blankets back and started with the worst part of my routine to get it over with.
I felt free after sending the text to Liam. I was surprised that I didn't feel much more than a twinge of sadness and the regret of lost time. Maybe it was because I had let go an inch every time he had seemed to forget me in order to chase another who would give him what he wanted.
My eye watered as I slipped the colored contact in. I dapped some extra drops in to clear my vision and leaned over the sink.
Maybe I should go to the bonfire tonight. What else was I going to do on a Friday night? Stay home and do homework while my friends back home were out having a good time.
I brushed my teeth vigorously as I thought of a way to drag Syd along.
There was no way he was coming unless one of the elders reached out first. Maybe I could talk to one of them before tonight. Rinse and spit.
Would the council even meet with me? Or would Syd just be mad at me if I shared what happened?
I dragged out my makeup bag fumbling for the waterproof mascara.
It was so long ago, would he be that stubborn? I knew the answer was yes, but I refused to see him be an unhappy hermit while I was around.
I unbraided my hair from my slumber and combed it out with my fingers before I returned to my room to throw on some suitable clothes.
Syd's Chevy was already gone by the time I was out the door. I guess my convincing had to wait. I locked up and set out for the day.
It seemed all the kids were antsy for the weekend to begin. The taste of summer lingered in the warm weather. A freedom they didn't want to let go of.
As much as I liked the rain it was nice to see the sun again. Classes flew by and my dodgeball stunt became a thing of the past when a discrete spitball collecting above Mr. Moore's desk finally fell ruining his exam sheets. To no one's surprise, Chayton was responsible and Elu got into trouble with him for finishing it. Both had detention after school today.
I was thankful for this stroke of luck too. I've been evasive about committing to afterschool plans with Elu. Andrea didn't understand why I wouldn't. I couldn't say that I was interested in him more than a friend and I didn't want him to get the wrong idea. If I were a third wheel for Andrea to get close to him that would be a different story. I wasn't experienced in playing matchmaker, but I could try. For now, I would stick to group ventures and group ventures only.
Lunch hour came incredibly fast. To my dismay, Andrea was pulled out of school for a dental appointment, and Camille seemed to be making progress with a junior boy she liked. Not wanting to disturb her I found an empty table hoping for Tiffany or Paige to join me.
"Anyone sitting here?" A girl named Kim set her tray down next to me.
"Sure?" I believe she was a junior, a year older than me. Her boyfriend Jared was in the cultish gang Jacob, Quil, and Embry were in. I had no idea what she wanted sitting with me. The rest of her usual table trickled in before I could excuse myself. The whole pack of them together made me nervous.
"So, Layla, anything you like about La Push yet?" Quil questioned me in a leading way. I took what he said at face value, but I did notice him winking at Jake who had just sat down at the table with a loaded tray. He shot a warning glance at Quil.
"Sure, the rain when it's not too cold. Maybe all the greenery too. It isn't what you see in SoCal." I took a bite of my food.
"SoCal?" "Southern California," I explained the abbreviation.
"Anything you miss?" He continued. I frowned wondering if he was going off of some list they corroborated. I took it that he was trying to be polite by including me. He didn't have to do that. I'm sure Tiffany and Paige would be here soon.
"Plenty of things." I poked at my plate with my plastic spork.
"Like hanging out with my friends at the mall or helping my mom with work. I also had a promising spot on the dance team I was looking forward to..." I trailed off at the end while bumming myself out. My food became more unappetizing by the moment. I tried not to make it too noticeable as I slid it back.
"Yeah, no mall here." Kim sighed longingly. "I wish." Another girl next to her rolled her green-hazel eyes. I think her name was April, Collins' girlfriend.
"We'll have to take a trip to Port Angeles or Seattle sometime." Kim decided for the three of us.
Then she broke out into a conversation with April attempting to include me about fashion trends that had reached this small town. New to them, but old to me. I listened anyway interested in their take and tastes. They also shared their favorite stores that seemed to be common franchises, unlike the privately owned designer boutiques Brianna and Ashely used to frequent.
I started to feel the privilege of living in the heart of LA, and all the benefits that came with living with my mother.
The more they spoke the more I realized how if I shared anything beyond surface level I'd be seen as an entitled rich kid. So, I kept quiet. Only nodding and commenting when necessary.
Sure my family was comfortable now, but it wasn't always like that growing up. My youthful memories were of my dad engrossed with school or us dropping off food at his office while he was grinding into his cooperate law position. I hardly ever saw him unless it was some sort of holiday.
My mother worked just as hard. Although she came across as more flamboyantly charismatic and less strict than Wren. Things seemed more automatic for Lily on the surface too. Except she had the handicap of two kids on her hip in her process as my father hardly lifted a finger… I clipped my thoughts hoping I didn't zone out for too long.
It looked like I didn't miss much of the conversation.
Jacob's gaze still lingered on me, and I noticed his plate was wiped clean. Good Lord, these boys could eat and eat fast. I remember seeing at least four burgers stacked on his plate.
My eyes wandered around the table briefly observing everyone. I was a little taken back by how serious the couples were. Not that I haven't witnessed plenty of PDA at my last school. They just seemed more... intimate than normal couples.
A bunch of the guys at our table got up to get seconds. Jacob included.
Jared got up kissing Kim on the lips until she blushed. When they were far enough away, I popped a question.
"How long have you guys been dating?" I asked the girls out of curiosity.
"A year in March." Kim beamed. "Six months," April responded just as brightly.
"Wow." I didn't know anyone back home that had been together that long.
I had decided long ago that love looked nice on people. You know, gave them a warm glow. Perhaps love was also an even nicer emotion to experience, but I concluded that it wasn't a worthy endeavor. Not with what I've seen, witnessed, or experienced. Heck, I'm not even sure if I've ever been in love before.
"Do you have a boyfriend?" April inquired just as the guys were heading back to our table. Placing me in the hot seat. I cleared my throat.
"No. Not really, I guess. Not anymore." I crossed my arms leaning onto the table.
I could feel a certain pair of eyes burning into me again. I refused to look to confirm who I thought it was. I leaned away, using my hair as a curtain to indicate that this was a private conversation between us girls.
"Ooh, Was it recent?" April asked getting a whiff of juicy gossip. Kim elbowed her side for being insensitive.
"Sort of? It was complicated." I sighed apathetically.
"I'm not looking for anything serious right now though," I added deterring any more follow-up questions.
April nodded thoughtfully. Kim greeted her boyfriend Jared back with another kiss. I wanted more than a topic change. I needed lunch hour to be over.
"So, what do you guys do here for fun?" I asked flipping my hair back and opening the topic to the whole table.
"Oh, that's easy cliff diving!" "Hiking." "Swimming." The guys listed all the fun outdoor activities they enjoy then branched off into some more sidebar summer stories.
That was easy enough. My tense shoulders loosened, and I sat back in my chair. Wincing as I landed on the bruise just right.
"You okay?" Jacob reached out, placing his hand under the small of my back.
"I'm fine." I nodded without glancing at him.
"Have you talked to Syd about the bonfire?" Seth asked me across the table.
"I don't know." Uncertainty wavered in my voice. "Why not?"
"I don't think we're welcome by the council." I lowered my voice thinking he'd drop the subject.
"What?"
"Just drop it, Seth." Jacob took up for me.
"Because he broke tribal law," The rest of the guys went silent as if they heard me.
"What law?" Embry asked.
"Um, he killed a wolf." I hesitantly shared. That part wasn't a secret.
Seth looked sorrowful while the others seemed offended. "I thought that was just a rumor," Quil frowned.
I bit my lip regretting saying anything. "How do you really know he did?" Seth tried to alleviate the tension.
"I know because I was there when it happened." The bell rang cutting off my voice. I wasn't sure if they heard me but I gathered my things quickly anyways.
Seth joined me in the hall to apologize for bringing it up the sore subject. "Don't worry about it, Seth."
"I still think you should come for Jake's sake." "What?" The hall was loud and everyone's voices echoed up the stairwell.
"What I mean is, er, Jake knows the council members well. He could talk to some of them for you." He suggested. I didn't say anything but I considered.
"Think about it. Okay? See you in English!" He peeled off into his class as I continued on.
I debated on whether or not to talk to Jacob for the entirety of class. I settled for silently watching him out of the corner of my eye. He was scribbling notes with the pink pencil I lent him days ago.
The thought of someone as big as him using a girly utensil made me smile to myself.
Elu tried talking to me too, but I spaced out too many times to keep a steady conversation so he eventually gave up.
After school, I built up enough courage to talk to Jacob. Syd was a grown old man. He could deal with the reality of his past actions.
For once the gang of boys weren't gathered by Embry's locker. I would have to try to catch him in the parking lot then.
I quickened my pace pushing through the eager crowd. Nerves built in my chest making me feel breathless as the pack bantered in their intimidating circle.
When I caught sight of Jacob my stomach flipped. Not in the uncomfortable kind of way when you were sick, but in a light fluttery way. That was new.
They didn't see me coming. Probably since I was a foot shorter than them. They were speaking in the Quileute tongue so barely caught what they were saying. I didn't know how to interject so I cleared my throat.
Jacob's black eyes zeroed in on me first but everyone else's followed in one synchronized motion. My heart broke out into an anxious sprint. Intimidated it took a moment for me to speak.
"Jacob, can I speak with you?" I had no idea why I was being so formal. I didn't wait for his answer. I turned walking off controlling the spring of embarrassment from behind my eyes. Stupid tear ducts always did what they wanted without my consent.
He followed me still and I could hear his friends now chortling amongst themselves again. They kept an eye on us as we spoke privately.
"What's up?" Jacob's attentive and undivided attention didn't put my heart at ease.
"Um, Seth told me you knew the council well. He also said I could talk to you about what happened with Syd. But first, I need to know if you'd be willing to talk to them for me."
"Sure." Jake's smile held a bit of humor in it.
"Are you sure? I don't want to make you do anything you don't want to." I looked up at him with all seriousness. He seemed totally unbothered.
"Of course." Jacob nodded nonchalantly. The same humorous grin was plastered on his face again.
I took a step forward closing the distance between us and turning my back to the guys who weren't hiding their nosey nature.
Jacob didn't step back like I expected him to.
"You see, Syd used to rehabilitate the wolves and other animals here on the reservation. He had a small setup where he would treat the diseased, wounded, or abandoned. My brother and I would sometimes help Syd take care of them after they were treated..." I licked my thumb and rubbed my chin to remove the concealer to reveal a small pink scar. Then I did the same thing where my hairline met my forehead.
"One weekend when we were visiting my brother and I climbed into the habitat ahead of Syd. We were excited and thought the wolf inside was treated, but he was in a late stage of rabies. Zach threw me over the fence first." I lifted my face to show Jacob who frowned at the minor pink scars.
"The wolf nearly took my face off. If Syd wasn't a good shot and my brother wasn't close enough to pull me away, I might've ended up in the hospital that night."
He took my face in his warm large hands and studied the marks more closely. I stopped breathing and my pulse elevated. I swear this boy was going to give me a heart attack.
Jacob's serious expression melted into a kinder one as he held me there. "That's the story," I let out a sigh of relief and reached up to remove his hands.
"Syd has a big heart for animals. Especially the wolves. I bet it killed him to do what he did." I held both of his hands in thought for a moment before dropping them.
"He's stubborn and prideful...and-" "It's okay Layla. I'll let them know. I'm glad you're okay." He assured me.
"Thank you, Jacob." I smiled genuinely up at him. "Does that mean you'll be joining us tonight?" Jacob inquired about my invite status.
"That depends..." "On?" "What the council says," I looked up at him expressing my worry.
Jacob laughed. "I have a hunch everything will work out."
"Really?" "Really." He nodded. "Good." I cleared my throat again preparing to head back towards my car.
"One more thing." Jacob held me up. "Huh?" "Would you be my date to the bonfire?"
Didn't this kid hear what I said at lunch? I wasn't ready to date anyone casually or otherwise. I was going to be smart from now on. Maybe hold off until after high school. But Jake was sticking up for Syd.
"Okay." My throat felt dry when I answered.
"Great. I'll meet you at eight." His features brightened with a white grin that beamed against his smooth russet skin.
I nodded in confirmation and speechlessly scurried back to my car.