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 Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 9:16 pm
Part One: Naralie's Story
Chapter One: The Girls Left Behind
The Girls Left Behind
by Naralie Cloud, Lynn-Zee Hays, and Michelle Robison
Worrying- it’s all we can do.
We still worry; we never listen to you.
To never see your sweet tanned face
Never again feel your embrace.
We worry, we listen, we wait and we wait.
We hear a wolf howl and we all hesitate.
We look for your faces by light of the moon.
Hurry home wolf boys, come back soon.
But if one wolf is missing, a lady shall find,
She has joined the ranks of the girls left behind.
(We don’t even dare going into what happens when a guy imprints.)
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Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 9:22 pm
Part One: Naralie's Story
Chapter Two: Taking Place Inside a La Push Cafeteria
Asher didn’t look as good with his hair lopped off, Naralie Cloud decided. However, after an absence that lasted two weeks, she was pretty ecstatic to have her guy back at La Push High.
A lot of guys were taking long and unexplained breaks lately, she noticed. Naralie had never had any reason to believe Ash would be one of them, but they were pretty unexpected. Even one of the star students at LPHS had left for a while- Quil Ateara, Asher’s only close friend to make the honor roll.
A horrible thought struck Naralie. What if Ash had only returned to officially withdraw? None of the other boys had done that- so far- but even the remote possibility of never seeing Asher again made her sick to her stomach.
What had made those sudden disappearances the new thing? Naralie didn’t know. She’d ask Ash in a second, just as soon as she got to the small cafeteria. Even without Ash’s ear-length black hair to run her hands through, lunch would be the same. It was always the same. Another boring, predictable thing about La Push.
She shoved her way into the front of the lunch line, wrinkling her nose at the horrible smell of burnt sugar that came with having her mother work in the cafeteria. Melody Cloud had a horrible knack for burning the sensitive school lunches served daily at LPHS.
Grabbing a plate of beef nachos, she quickly got in line to pay. When she got to the front, the cashier held her hand out for money. “Charge it to Melly.” Naralie said jadedly.
Naralie stepped out of the lunchroom and headed for the front door, the closest exit. Back in the time before Ash had left, it had been “their spot.” Even in December. They would snuggle a tad closer, watching the snow fall. Naralie sighed. The white fluff looked beautiful against his jet black hair.
In a flash of intuition, Naralie stopped abruptly, her heart suddenly beating at hyper speed. She turned slowly, aware she was being watched… watched by eyes she knew as well as her own.
Asher Reed stared at her with his large brown eyes, innocent as a child’s, and completely out of place with his lip ring and dyed black hair. Any other day, Naralie would have blushed, embarrassed, as she ran towards his open arms. But today, Asher’s arms were held at his sides. Today, something was obviously wrong.
Naralie started slowly towards her boyfriend. At the same moment, he glanced over at a large boy for a split second, then pulled his gaze back to her. He hesitated.
And then Asher walked quickly away from Naralie.
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Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 9:24 pm
Part One: Naralie's Story
Chapter Three: Discussion About Asher in English Class
“You’ve got to be kidding, Naralie!”
“No, I swear. It couldn’t have been his fault that he walked away.” Naralie said.
Maddy sighed. “Naralie, I hate to break it to you, but you worry way too much about the supernatural stuff. You’re always like, “Ooh, look, I’m psychic. Ooh, bad karma. Ooh, vampires, werewolves, zombies, and witches!”
Naralie rolled her eyes as Maddy continued. “Maybe Ashton just isn’t into you anymore.”
“It’s Asher.”
“Sorry. But still. Ever wonder why he got the buzz cut? Maybe it’s because he knows you’re into the long haired guys. It’s kind of obvious. I mean, ever since you dated Jacob Black back in sixth grade, it’s been long hair. Face it- that’s obviously what turns you on.”
“So what?”
“So, maybe you should…”
“Madelyn! Naralie! Do you girls have something to add?” Mrs. Uley, the freshman English teacher, folded her arms in front of her chest and frowned.
Naralie blushed. “What were we talking about?” she whispered to Alex, the boy who sat in front of her.
He replied through gritted teeth. “The Most Dangerous Game- you did read it, didn’t you?”
“Yeah.” she whispered. She cleared her throat, raising her voice to class-discussion level. “I thought it wasn’t really as scary as it’s made out to be.”
Maddy raised her hand. Mrs. Uley nodded, and Maddy spoke. “Maybe it wasn’t scary as a reader, Naralie, but I’d bet that if you put yourself into Rainsford’s position, it’d be terrifying.”
Naralie snorted. “I’m not a guy.”
“Put Asher into Rainsford’s position then. What if it was Asher who was running, racing to get away from General Zaroff and his gun?”
The bell rang, echoing through the halls of the old high school. Mrs. Uley clapped her hands together. “No homework tonight. We’ll pick up with our discussion tomorrow.”
Naralie grabbed her book bag, and started heading to the door. As she passed Maddy, she couldn’t help but murmur, “Asher would survive, and more comfortably than Rainsford did.” Naralie didn’t know why she knew this- but she had a feeling that her boyfriend could take care of himself.
Still, she was terrified at the thought.
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Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 9:27 pm
Part One: Naralie's Story
Chapter Four: Confrontations in a Daydream
The rest of Naralie’s Monday was spent looking for opportunities to approach Asher. There weren’t many- his classes were always in the opposite wing than hers. Even the one class he had with her- choir- got inexplicably switched. Apparently, Asher had decided to spend his fifth period in study hall.
“Study hall?” she had asked the choir director. “Asher hates study hall!”
The man had just shrugged and sent Naralie back to the soprano section.
The day was weird. Of course, it was weird because of Ash’s sudden discomfort at her presence, but it was also weird because of the quick, sideways glances that she caught people giving her. Some people were unknown to her, but others were terribly familiar. Michelle Robison. Embry Call. Quil Ateara. Lynn-Zee Hays. Asher Reed.
Half of Naralie had an urge to confront them. She imagined herself walking up to Asher and yelling in his face, “Why are you ignoring me? When you freaking asked me to be with you, I thought the key words were, well, be with you, not be avoided by you!”
The daydream would turn quickly into a nightmare as she fantasized a number of endings. Would he have slapped her? Walked away from her? Or, in Naralie’s opinion, the most painful. A breakup.
She walked in a daze out of LPHS as soon as the last bell rang, not even bothering to wait for Ash. Her bus was the farthest from La Push High- closer to Taki Aka Middle School. It was, on most days, the same bus Ash rode. That was, in fact, how they had first met.
“Are you saving this spot?” she had asked the first guy with an empty seat beside him.
He looked up, startled, focusing on her eleven-year old face. “No, feel free.”
Naralie slid into the empty seat and took out Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone- her light reading for the book. She twisted a bit, getting into a comfortable position, and started to read.
What seemed only a split-second later, a voice cut through Hogwarts. “I’m Asher Reed. Who are you?”
Naralie looked up. “My name’s Alie Cloud.”
He smiled, bemused. “Does Alie stand for anything in particular? Alison, perhaps?”
“Naralie, but I like Alie ‘cause it’s prettier.”
“I like the name Naralie,” Asher objected.
That was three years ago- she was in sixth grade, at eleven, and at thirteen, he was in eighth. And this year, they were finally together in high school, fourteen and sweet sixteen.
Sweet sixteen, and sexy. Not, of course, that it matters if he breaks up with me, she thought as she climbed the steps to the bus. She looked around for a place to sit.
And saw Asher, signaling her over solemnly.
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Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 9:29 pm
Part One: Naralie's Story
Chapter Five: School Bus Ride With a Werewolf
“Asher… why is your hair that color?”
He paused, touching the tangled, fluffy light brown. “Why do you want to know?”
“Just curious.”
Asher locked his big brown eyes with hers. “It’s a complicated matter.” He stared at Naralie intently. “Do you want my hair to be black?”
She shook her head furiously, straight black strands of hair whipping her face. “Only if you like it that way. Although,” she added jokingly, “emo boys are really hot.”
He smiled his cute grin, the one that shoed the small gap in between his front teeth. The flaw that only made him look more perfect.
Naralie sat beside Asher, feeling terror, anger, joy, and sadness, all at the same time. The worst part was not knowing which way she should feel.
The boy and girl sat silently. Naralie, not knowing why she was sitting here, beside her… could she still call him her boyfriend?…
The sounds of the school bus echoed around them as Miss Mindy, the driver thrust down the petals and sped off. Naralie tuned it out. She had to think of something to say to Ash, something to make it all better, something to fix the gap.
He beat her to it. “So… um, Naralie…”
“Why are you acting so weird?” Her voice came out slightly sharper than she had intended. “All day, you’ve been ignoring me.”
Asher looked into Naralie’s eyes, playing up the cutesy. “I haven’t been ignoring you.”
“Spare me the crap, Ash, I’m not buying.”
Asher pulled her closer. “It’s a complicated matter.”
Naralie cracked a small smile. “It must be, if you need to go to study hall for it.” Asher laughed a half-humorous chuckle. Naralie sighed, and regained composure. “Ash, you’re obviously keeping secrets. So, what is it? No- let me guess.” Naralie imitated being deep in thought. “The Quileute legends are true, and all the guys in school can turn into wolves.” she said jokingly.
Asher paled. “Not all of them.”
Naralie’s head snapped up. “What do you mean, not all of them. You mean, some can?”
He took a deep breath, and then nodded, once, twice, three times, slowly.
“And… and you’re one of them?”
Asher struggled to find his voice. “Yes. Now, Naralie, I can see why you’d be scared, but…”
“Scared?” Naralie hooted. “Why would I be scared of this? This is awesome! I was afraid you wanted to break up with me!”
“You were afraid I’d break up with you?” Asher asked incredulously. “What made you think that?”
Naralie’s eyes narrowed, then softened. “Seriously, Ash, think about everything you did today.”
He blushed. “Oh.”
“Oh, yes.”
Asher smiled. “So, am I forgiven?”
And as she snuggled closer to him, Naralie grinned. “Always,” she breathed.
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Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 9:32 pm
Part Two: Lynn-Zee's Story
Chapter One: Taking Place Whilst Spying on Naralie
That’s her, Lynn-Zee realized with a start. Naralie Cloud, the most popular girl at LPHS- she’s the new wolf girl.
The petite Quileute stifled a giggle from her hiding place. “Oh, look at me, I’m Naralie Cloud, I wear designer tees and I always smell of Vera Wang Princess perfume, I get the best grades, and- oh, yeah, my boyfriend’s a werewolf.” She imitated under her breath.
“Found her?” a voice asked, snapping Lynn-Zee out of her rare sarcastic moment. She turned, although she already knew who was talking.
“Yeah, Naralie’s cuddling up on that bench over there with Ash… see, Mitchie?”
Michelle stretched her neck. “Yeah, I see ‘em now.” she said after a brief moment. “Cute couple.”
“You’re telling me. They might give Sam and Emily a run for their money.”
“What?” Michelle’s voice was shocked. “You think they…”
“You mean they didn’t imprint?”
“Lynnie, jeez, it’s obvious they didn’t. Didn’t you see how he tried and tried to get away from her yesterday? Obviously not imprinting. Asher… well, he’ll imprint on somebody with less style and more substance.”
Lynn-Zee laughed a guilty chuckle. “Mitchie, if you’re talking about yourself, it’s less style and more sarcasm.”
Michelle raised her eyebrows and tilted her head toward the couple. “Hey, a girl can dream, right? I mean, look at him!”
“Does Quil know you’ve got a crush on Ash?” Lynn-Zee asked, only half jokingly.
“Probably. He doesn’t mind that much- thinks he’ll imprint any day, and, right now at least, just wants a happy Michelle.” She shrugged. “If that requires umpteen crushes, so be it.”
“Caleb isn’t half so lenient. If he sees me even talking to one of the other wolves, he gets worried.”
“Eh, he’s like Quil. Way too worried about all the imprinting business. Why can’t they just enjoy what they’ve got?”
The two stood in silence for a moment, watching Naralie and Ash laugh at something one of them had said.
“Why can’t that be Caleb and I?” Lynn-Zee murmured, so quietly that Michelle couldn’t hear. “Why isn’t everyone in love like that, instead of just the popular kids and the imprinters?”
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Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 9:34 pm
Part Two: Lynn-Zee's Story
Chapter Two: When Asher Argues With The Alpha Wolf
“Oh, come on, Asher!”
Lynn-Zee crept into Emily’s living room. She didn’t want to disturb the arguers. It’s not like fights don’t happen on a daily basis here! she scolded herself. But then, she remembered sheepishly, not all arguments involve Ash.
The tall emo heartthrob folded his hands in front of his chest. “Sam, I’m ready for this. You can trust me, it’s only patrol.”
“Trust you? You revealed your secret to ‘Miss Naralie’ and then said ‘So? Everyone’s doing it!’”
Asher shrugged. “It’s true.”
Sam put on the calm mask. “Still, it’s so dangerous. You could imprint at any time and…”
“And that’s exactly why Naralie has to know.”
“That’s why she shouldn’t know!”
“… mphe rwe.” Asher muttered a few incoherent words.
Sam sighed. “Asher. You haven’t even been one of us for a week. If you love Naralie enough to tell her about the secret, don’t you love her enough to keep yourself safe? This may only seem like a patrol to you, but I’ve been out there- and as long as Jake keeps Bella tagging along, it’s possible critical danger. Are you really going out there to waste your life? Can you imagine how Naralie would feel?”
Asher gritted his teeth. “I can take care of myself. I know it, you know it, Naralie knows it.”
“But are you really going to test it?” Sam asked softly.
Asher stiffened, then slowly relaxed. “No,” he said, hanging his head.
“You know,” Sam said, “I really appreciate how eager you are. It’s just, you’re so new. A danger to yourself, and a liability to everyone else.”
“A liability! You know me well enough to know I’m not a burden…”
Sam cut in. “That’s just it. I haven’t known you long enough to know that.”
Asher threw his hands down. “Don’t even try to give me that; you’ve been inside my effing head, Sam.”
The argument didn’t look like it was going to cease any time soon. Lynn-Zee sighed, and turned to the door. Suddenly, it stopped, in the middle of Sam’s rant. She turned back.
Asher stood gaping at her, Sam in an identical expression. “What?” she demanded.
“Were you standing here for all of that?” Sam demanded.
“Um…”
“Why?”
Lynn-Zee racked her brain for an answer. I can’t say, ‘Because Asher’s hot as hell when he argues,’ ‘I dunno’ sounds dumb… what do I say?!? She paused. “I’m looking for Caleb.” she finally spat out.
“Oh,” Asher sounded surprised, as if he had expected a different answer. “Didn’t he tell you it was his patrol day?”
He had. “No.” Lynn-Zee said, shrugging. “Or maybe he did, and I wasn’t paying attention. Oh well. Do you know where Quil and Mitchie are?”
Sam sighed. “I don’t know how to say it.”
Lynn-Zee gasped. “What?”
“Quil… imprinted. Michelle is in the backyard, crying.”
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Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 9:37 pm
Part Two: Lynn-Zee's Story
Chapter Three: Two Quileutes Discuss Imprinting
“Who?” Lynn-Zee demanded.
Asher started laughing. “Her name’s Claire. She’s- get this, she’s two years old. It’s hilarious.”
Lynn-Zee’s jaw dropped. “Hilarious?”
Asher led out a snort. “Yeah, it’s hilarious. I can just see the headlines. ‘Quil Ateara: werewolf *****.’ It’s the first ever scandal in the state of Washington.”
Lynn-Zee’s hand smacked Asher before she even thought. She grabbed her throbbing fingers and grimaced. “Jerk.” she muttered.
He smirked.
Lynn-Zee rushed to the back door, and ripped it open. She rushed outside. “Mitchie!” A small, meek voice- nothing like Michelle’s normal obnoxious holler- responded. “I’m over here.”
Lynn-Zee ran over to the large stone where Mitchie sat. “You okay, Michelle?” she asked.
The girl stood up angrily. “Okay? My boyfriend just left me for a toddler, and you ask me if I’m okay?” Lynn-Zee pursed her lips as Michelle continued. “I mean, what does he see in her? She’s not even potty trained!”
Lynn-Zee sighed. “Yeah, I see how that could upset you.”
“Oh, just shut up, Lynn-Zee Hays! You can’t see. You don’t know. You still have your precious little Caleb, same as always.”
The two girls stared at each other. It’s kind of amazing in a terrible way, Lynn-Zee thought dryly. Even through heartbreak, Mitchie retains her sarcasm.
Unsure of what to say, the young Quileute walked away from her crying friend.
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Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 9:39 pm
Part Three: Michelle's Story
Chapter One: The Strength of the Wolf
Now this is the Law of the Jungle -- as old and as true as the sky;
And the Wolf that shall keep it may prosper, but the Wolf that shall break it must die.
As the creeper that girdles the tree-trunk the Law runneth forward and back --
For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.
- Rudyard Kipling
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Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 9:42 pm
Part Three: Michelle's Story
Chapter Two: Flirting With Asher Unrightfully
Crying alone in Emily’s backyard wasn’t exactly what Michelle had in mind for the afternoon. But then again, she hadn’t exactly planned for being royally dumped by Quil, either. And for a two year old! What was the world coming to?
She sighed and rubbed her bracelet- a woven friendship token that Quil had given her for her seventeenth birthday. The midnight black and dark indigo matched how her heart felt.
“Hey, Robison!”
The sudden voice made Michelle jump. She didn’t recognize it, not until it repeated itself. “Hey, Robison!” Asher. What the freak does he want? Michelle asked herself.
Asher sat down on the stone, closer to Michelle than he had ever been. “Mitchie,” he said in a soft yet husky voice, “I’m sorry about what happened. I almost hate to ask this son soon after, but…”
Michelle’s heart sped. Is he gonna ask me out?
“… were you the one who was spying on Alie and me this morning?”
She stood up quickly. “No. It was little miss Lynn-Zee.”
He shuffled his feet. “Oh. Sorry.”
You better be. “No problem, really.”
Asher seemed reluctant to leave for a moment. Then he turned around. “Actually, that’s not what I meant to ask. I wanted to know if- well, one of my friends has a- um, are you looking for…”
“Just spit it out already!”
“Have you ever met Irial Greyson?”
Michelle thought. “Wasn’t he that guy who won the La Push Olympics last year?”
“Yeah, that’s him. He kind of likes you.”
“Really?”
Asher held his right hand up. “Scout’s Honor.”
“Are you even a scout?”
“Nah. I’m a werewolf, But what difference is there?”
Michelle laughed- the first time since Quil had left. It wasn’t to stay, though, as she quickly became solemn. “There’s a difference. Scouts don’t imprint on babies.”
“True. Actually, I don’t think scouts imprint at all.”
“Hmm. Maybe that’s what you could call yourselves. ‘The Protectors’ sounds rather stuck-up; ‘Werewolf Scouts’ is so much cooler.”
“If you want to be confused with a bunch of 2nd graders.”
I’m having way too much fun with this, Michelle realized. Especially if it’s true that Irial Greyson has a crush on me. “So, I’ll look out for your friend, Arial or whatever his name is. Thanks!”
Asher stood up and sighed. “Yeah, I better get going anyway. Talk to you soon?”
“Sure,” she answered, calmer than she felt. Which was easy, as her heart was racing faster than the speed of sound.
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