Lola Swan: Trough her eyes (1)

3 Powers

Lola is in her room while Bella is adjusting to being back in Forks. Lola stares at an open book on her bed: 'The legends of the Quileute tribe.' She left it on page sixty-four. Should she continue it or learn Spanish? The test is at the end of the week. She picks up the book.

After ten pages, she puts it aside and goes to sleep.

If Spanish had been her only option, she would feel less stressed. She would be considered more normal. However, Lola has a unique bond with all things supernatural, which she does not yet fully understand. Her hands begin to glow. 'Calming lights' is described in the text, or whatever that means. She has a different effect on vampires than on werewolves or shifters. They're real, and that frightens her. She hopes it doesn't mean they are evil. She needs some support. At the very least, this book suggests that shifters are protectors.

The next morning, Lola descends the stairs, lost in thought about the wolves. The stories about the spirit warriors were just the start. Later, they became shapeshifters, and eventually, they turned into giant wolves. This change is determined by their genes and is triggered when an enemy is nearby. They used to have many enemies, but now the only ones left are vampires. It's possible she hasn't met one either because they don't exist or because their genes haven't been activated yet. She nearly misses a step but catches the railing.

'Are you okay?' Bella asks.

'I'm fine,' Lola says and stands up straight. She should concentrate on her sister. 'OK, first breakfast. And then I thought we could go to the beach? La Push?' Charlie has to work this weekend. Lola promised him she would spend time with her sister. She hadn't planned on sleeping this long, but she reread a few things and stayed up way too late, hoping to find out what she had to do if she encountered a wolf. This is all new for her, even after two years. She is not going to think about it now.

'Ok,' Bella replies, and she heads back to the kitchen, where she continues eating a cheese sandwich. Lola hopes Bella will like her choice. Her sister used to love the beach, but didn't seem very enthusiastic. When they were young, they built a lot of sandcastles together. It remains one of the places filled with happy memories.

'You're sure you're ok?'

'Yeah, I was just distracted. I didn't even fall, so I'm not injured. Did you sleep well?' Lola asks, noticing Bella fidgeting with her hands. She didn't sleep; the rain kept her awake. 'You'll get used to it,' she says instead of waiting for an answer.

Bella smiles: 'We can do the dishes first and then go for a short walk on the beach.'

Around one PM, the sisters are at the beach. Bella looks cold because she isn't used to this weather. Lola enjoys the strength of the wind blazing in her face. Her hair blows into her face, and for a moment, nothing else happens. Jessica isn't complaining. There are no deadlines. And no strange powers. She'll tell her sister about them eventually, but for now, it's nice to just be sisters.

They discuss what has been happening with each other and how their mother, Renée, is doing. Bella talks about Phil and his new job and describes a typical situation involving their mother. She has started a cooking class. 'What do you think she'll do next?' Lola asks her sister. She misses her mother more than she shows. She is afraid she lacks the bond Bella shares with their mother.

'Maybe she can finish that blanket she was knitting,' Bella answers, and the sisters laugh simultaneously.

There is something so natural about this kind of conversation between sisters. She cannot do it with others; no matter how close they are, it will not be the same. Neither Lola nor Bella needs to do anything to make it happen.

She has her sister back, and in a way, it's as if they never lived apart. They talk and laugh together, and can discuss everything openly.

Lola stops. Something is happening to her. Her eyes widen, and her body tenses up. She feels an electric pulse running through her body, taking a little of her energy as it departs, and a shiver ripples through her.

Bella looks panicked: 'Lola, what's happening?' She holds her hands out and grips her sister by her shoulders: 'Lola, what do I do?'

Lola doesn't react. She wants to, but she can only stay still. Images flash before her eyes. She sees a wolf. His eyes communicate with her. She perceives the anger and fear in his gaze. This isn't an ordinary wolf. Could it be... Lola realises that this must be a shifter.

'Lola, Lola...' Bella looks at her sister, placing her hands on her shoulders. 'Are you okay, Lola?'

I'm good,' Lola says, getting out. 'I'm just a little bit dizzy.' She knows it doesn't sound like she's okay. She wants Bella to believe it or pretend to believe it. So, she puts on a brave face. 'You want to walk a bit more?''

Bella looks at her. 'I think we should go home.'

'Not yet,' Lola says. The wind blows Lola's hair out of her face, and some colour returns to her cheeks. She said this day was for herself and her sister, but she believes she must help this person. Was there anyone else who knew that this wolf needed someone? 'Let's visit Jonah and his brother first. I believe they're working on a car today.'

Bella nods, 'I'll drive.' Lola glances at her sister, knowing something is up.