A Weakened Heart: Juliette

Chapter 7 - 9

Chapter 7

It had been months since I last saw Dominic or written in my journey. I stared at the blank page and the only word I had written; June.

I didn't know what to write; there was nothing to write. I hadn't talked to my friends or left the house in ages. Dad refused to let Avan come over and my cell-phone had been off since that day he saved me. I heard that Dominic and Haliee had bought a beach house and that Haliee was pregnant, not that it was a surprise to me like the others. Maybe I should write about that. No, it would be too much for my half-healed heart. I sighed and closed my diary; another blank page for today. I got up from my desk and sat down on my window-seat. The summer had now set in so there wasn't much of a change in the atmosphere. There was a knock on my door and Uric came in. "Hey, Julie," he said and I looked up at him with a smile.

"Hi, Uric," I whispered as he came into me room and sat down on my bed.

"Julie, what's wrong?" he asked as I got up to sit down next to him. "You don't seem yourself lately; you seem out-of-it and moving as though you're hypnotize, like a zombie. Not that you look like one, but Dad's really worried about you. I'm worried about you too. Want to talk?"

"I've just been a little under the weather, that's all," I muttered fixing his untidy bangs. I hated lying to him but he was too young and naïve to understand.

"I'll be better in no time. I just want to be by myself for some time."

"But for three months?" a new voice said and I looked up to see Dad standing in the doorway. "You've been in your room for three months, Julie. When was the last time you went to the mall or called your friends? I know school doesn't start until September, but you could at least do some studying or reading if you don't want to go out."

"I have been studying, but just when I feel like it."

Dad laughed. "Okay, Juliette. Hey listen, if you're feeling a little better, you can come with Uric and I to the June Bonfire this evening."

"June Bonfire?"

"Juliette, don't tell me you've forgotten about the June Bonfire. You've been going to it since you were a baby. It's when all Wolves and members of the Light gather around a huge bonfire and have fun with each other to celebrate the Pact that was made between us. There's singing and dancing and great food. Well, I don't blame you for not remembering; we haven't been to a June Bonfire since your mom died."

It then came to me; the chants and hypnotizing dancing. The delicious food and the stories the Elders told the little children about the beginning of our village and the Light and Dark Pact that bound us together. As children, Dominic and I had always stolen half the cupcakes from the food table and ate it under one of the tables. Then we would dance around the adults and Dad would hoist me unto his shoulders to see the fireworks at the end. Mom would always look beautiful in her white dress and sparkling eyes, despite the fact that she was ill most of the times.

"Of course I remember," I said, "And I think I'll like to go. This would be Uric's first Bonfire."

"It's going to be awesome," Uric said already bouncing up and down on my bed. "But Dad and I have to go shopping for something to me to wear."

"He could have worn something from me but he complained that it would be too big and make him look weird," Dad muttered and Uric smiled his huge grin that made his green-brown eyes sparkle. "But you don't have anything white to wear as well."

"I don't think mom would mind if I wear one of her dresses," I said hugging myself and a small smile appeared on Dad's lips.

"I'm sure she wouldn't," he said softly, "Be ready in about three hours. The key to your mom's room is under the lamp in the hall and Uric, you come with me."