New Dawn

Junior

THE WEEKS PAST AND BEFORE TOO LONG, SCHOOL was back in session. After my birthday, I put all my energy into forgetting about the mysterious Jacob, which was a pointless effort. He was an intriguing mystery to me. Over the last few years my curiosity had finally peaked and I couldn't handle it much longer. I needed to know him, understand why I was drawn to even the thought of him and understand his connection to all the strange things in my life. But Nahuel made it difficult for me. I was no longer aloud to go to La Push by myself and he even made spending time with Eli difficult.

"What you thinking about?" Nahuel's voice was irritating. I was tired of him and needed to spend some time with other people. This morning he had showed up at my house and decided to drive me to school – it was not the way I wanted to end my week. Friday was supposed to be filled with excitement and anticipation for the weekend.

I looked out the window, "Nothing. I'm just excited to finally get to see some of my friends. I miss Eli."

"Sorry you didn't get to see her much this summer. But

your birthday was fun."

"You aren't sorry." My words were sharper than they needed to be.

"She spent all her time with Brady. That wasn't my fault Lydia."

"I'm not blaming you Nahuel."

He sighed, "Can we not have this fight right before school."

"Fine. Let's just forget it. Enjoy the time we have."

His shoulders straightened as his chest puffed up, "It's my senior year." I could see the excitement in his eyes.

"I know." I giggled, "And you are gonna lead the football team to state for sure."

His smile turned smug, "Yes I am."

The mood softened and we returned to a more playful conversation as he pulled into the high school and parked. The parking lot was almost full with students. The sky was filled with the familiar cloud cover and the normal mist swirled around me as I stepped out into the comforting elements of Forks.

Nahuel offered me his hand, "You ready?"

I accepted it and headed for the front door. "Always."

The rest of the day was fairly banal. Classes were easier than they were the year before and it was almost impossible to stay focused on my teachers. Mr. Mason, my new English teacher, was the worst. His words morphed together with his monotone voice and started us right off with a massive reading homework assignment. When it was time for my final class, I was exhausted and ready for the day to be over.

Eli sat in the seat beside me, "How are you?"

I pulled her into a half hug, "I'm already so sick of school and need to get out tonight."

"Come to the beach. We're all getting together for a beginning of the school year bonfire. Everyone's been asking about you."

"Nahuel asked me not to go without him but I need a break from him."

"Did he do something wrong?" She seemed almost hopeful.

"No...He is perfect. He does everything I ask and is always helping me and being thoughtful...There's just...I don't know.

Something's off."

"What is?"

"I just need a break from him, he's been overly clingy ever since my birthday party."