I walked through the airport and through the security to get to the baggage claim. I looked around at all the signs saying, "Welcome to Seattle!" "go see this" "go buy that" "Duty Free". I just want to get out of here. As soon as I find my bag I head to the closest doors to go find my Uncle who was picking me up at the airport to take me to my grandmother's in La Push. La push was a couple hours away and my grandmother hated to drive, so my uncle opted to pick me up.
It was cloudy outside and somewhat chilly, but the sun was peeking through. I stood on the pavement until obnoxious honking interrupted my thoughts and I looked up to see my uncles trusty truck pull up to the curb. He hopped out and grabbed my bags. When he placed them in the car he looked at me and then pulled me into a hug and said, "Are you okay, cub?"
Cub was the name my father and uncle had been calling me since I was born. I thought about what he said before I responded, "No, but I will be soon." He glanced at me for a second then turned to the truck.
"Okay then let's get you to grandmas. Lord knows she will be worrying."
"Okay, sounds good." I said, my voice sounded kind of lifeless compared to its normal happiness. It had been a hard two weeks. The whole way to La Push I sat with my head pushed up against to the window thinking of my parents. Only weeks before they had been breathing and with me. They had called me when I missed curfew, they worried for my safety, they took care of me. I was never the type who needed to be taken care of, but when I did, my parents did it well, and now they are gone. I still refuse to cry. I almost can't believe it.
Two weeks ago my parents went out to dinner for their anniversary and never came back. On their way home from the restaurant got hit by a semi truck full on. The police say that they must have swerved for some unknown reason and they smashed right into it. They said there was no chance for survival. I didn't and still don't want to believe they are gone. But after the funeral where half of my town showed up and flowers were everywhere along with people telling me how sorry they were. I don't know what they were sorry about really, I didn't need sympathy, I needed something new.
That's when I decided I wanted to leave my home town in California to my grandmother's home in La Push Washington. A new place, a new start. La Push is an Indian reservation on the coast that my grandmother's second husband had lived his whole life in. My grandmother and him had met after my real grandfather had died from cancer. He was a great guy in all aspects, but he died a couple years back after being with my grandmother for something like 20 years.
"We're here!" I heard my uncle call as I was pulled out of my thoughts. I had only been to La Push a couple of times, and I only had one real friend. Her name is Kim, we were the same age and our grandparents are friends, which is how we met. I hope she hasn't changed too much, it would be nice to make one friend.
"Awesome!" I said with all the enthusiasm I could muster. I really was happy to see my grandmother again. She had been at the funeral along with the rest of the family, but she left the day after to get the house ready for me.
I walked into the house and heard my grandmother call my name, "Anna?"
"Hey grams!" I called. I walked into the kitchen and ran straight to my grandmother and hugged her. My grandmother is a 5 foot maybe 4'11 women with died blondish hair. I on the other hand am 5'9", hugging her is awkward, but it still works.
After we talk for a minute my grandmother shows me the room I am staying in. It was small but perfect. It had a desk, bed, two windows looking out into the forest, a closet, and a mirror hanging on the door. After I got myself settled, meaning I put my clothes and everything away, I headed down stairs to the sound of voices. When I entered the kitchen I saw my grandmother, uncle and two large boys in the room.
"Uh, Hey." I said, I wined my arm on the back of my neck. Everyone turned to look at me. Before my eyes could look at the kitchen they focused on one of the boys standing in front of me. He had dark brown eyes and cropped hair. He is very tall and his face looks strong. I don't even know what to say, good thing I hear someone else saying something. I break away from the eye contact to look at the ground and then at the other people in the room.
"Anna this is Embry and Quil." I saw her motion towards the boy I was just staring at being Embry and the other was Quil. I realized just in time I was still somewhat acting shy so I decided to buck it up and Stuck out my hand and said, "Hi, I'm Anna, Its nice to meet you."
Quil stuck out his hand with a smile, "Its cool to meet you too."
I looked at Embry with my hand out but he never shook it so I said, "Wow, I have just been hand shake rejected." I kept looking at him though, his eyes were boring into mind, o almost felt naked.
I heard some one chuckle and say, "Well, I guess Embry and I should get going. Right dude? We have to meet the gang at Emily's? Earth to Embry?"
With that Embry looked away from me for the first time and said, "Uh yeah, sounds good. Um, Shanny do you still want me to stop by tomorrow?"
My grandmother smiled and said, "Sure, around 10 am? Sound good? I will pay you then."
"Cool. Um, Bye, then." He looked at me almost longingly and I almost ran to him and hugged him on the spot. Oh wow, I thought, Get a grip! You only know his name. He finally turned out of the room and Quil walked out behind him with a wave.
After they left my uncle fallowed saying his wife was waiting. My grandmother and I ate dinner and chatted about what I wanted to do the next day which was : Look for a job and get settled. Then she poped the question I really didn't want to hear, "So what did you think of the boys?"
I tried to be non chalont, which when thinking of Embry I can not seem to do, "Oh, they seem cool."
"Yeah, Embry sure liked you."
I snorted."Yeah, sure." I thought about my chances with him, which were non. I am a tall girl with a bit of weight. I am not fat, but I am not the girl guys want to date, I am the girl who guys want to be friends with.
"mhm" was all she said for the rest of the dinner. I did the dishes after dinner and then headed to bed.
I lay awake now thinking about him. I don't know why. I barely know him, but he was so handsome and beautiful. His eyes, and his face, so strong yet not. Then I thought about what my mother would say, and then I couldn't think about him anymore, I thought of my mother who was the only person I wanted to share my thoughts of Embry with.