Enchanted | Jacob Black

fifteen

My head was still spinning from our kiss; I kept noticing myself grinning like an idiot each time I remembered it. I could feel the butterflies all over again. I didn't realize how hard I was clutching my phone, too focused on the feeling of Jake's lips on mine, until it buzzed from receiving a text.

"Have fun, be safe!"

I had let Dad know that I was going out tonight, but with the little lie that I would be going with Quil and Embry instead of Jake. 

He asked me to stop by the Clearwaters and check in with Sue, so I decided to do that before returning home and getting ready.

I hadn't seen any of them since the funeral. Before that, I hadn't seen much of Leah and Seth. I used to go over all the time as a kid so Sue could babysit me. Once I turned fourteen, my dad started leaving me home alone, only when he would take day-long drives. He was constantly trying to pick up more hours for the extra money. As I got older, he allowed himself to take overnight and even week-long drives occasionally.

If I wasn't at the Clearwaters, then I would be with Billy and Jake. I would help out as much as I could. Jake would never say it out loud, but I knew it was a strain on him at times. He would always have to drive Billy around, take him to his doctor's appointments, and make sure he would take his medication.

After he phased, Billy wanted Jake to focus on the pack and his duties. So, he started relying more on some of the other tribal council members if he needed to get places. Rachel and Rebecca took off as soon as they graduated. Not that anyone could really blame them; everything Jake was doing, they had been doing since they were fourteen after their mom died.

One reason Jake and I bonded so much, which we rarely discuss, is that our moms were gone. I have more memories of his mom than I do of my own. I called her Auntie Sarah, and I can still remember what she looked like. Jake had her eyes and dark hair. She was beautiful, smart, and caring, constantly taking us to the beach or on drives. Making us snacks after school and helping us with homework. She was the closest thing I ever had to a mom. She passed away in a car accident when he was only nine years old. The only thing I remembered from that day was how much Jake cried.

I pulled up to the Clearwater house and walked up to the door, but before I could even knock, the door opened to reveal Seth's big smile.

My eyes widened as I looked over him, or should I say up at him.

"Oh my god, who are you?" I teased.

"Harper!" He exclaimed.

"Jesus, Seth, you and I used to be the same height."

"I know, right? I grew like a foot and a half. I measured myself." He chuckled. Even his voice sounded different. It still had his sweet, boyish tone but was a little deeper now.

"Come in!"

I stepped into the house.

"Hi, Harper. Is that you?" Sue came out of the kitchen with an affectionate smile on her face. "Hey, how are you, Sue?" I asked as she hugged me." "Oh, I'm doing as best as I can."

I softly smiled, "That's good to hear."

I know she has been going through a lot. After Harry's death, she took his place on the council, which meant she was now familiar with shape-shifters and vampires. Additionally, her two children were also affected by it. Her oldest was heartbroken, and her youngest just wanted to be a part of the pack, all while dealing with the death of their dad.

Life really wasn't fair sometimes.

The front door opened again, and Leah walked in. She didn't look too happy; she didn't even glance at me as she made her way to the stairs.