Something about Saleaah is that she was used to feeling numb. She was used to feeling comfortable and safe, only for it to be ripped away from her minutes later. It happened when her father died, when Quil stopped talking to her, and when the Cullens left.
Shia was making progress, only until she wasn't any longer. She started to soak in other's feelings again. Once she bashed in her feelings, she couldn't care enough to try to fight off her own nor others' anymore. She let them overwhelm her so she didn't have to feel her own feelings.
"Are you okay, Shia?" The girl blinked her eyes to see both Jos and Mateo staring at her. "Are we still going to that party Saturday?" She asked which shocked her long time best friend.
"What?" He blinked at her as Mateo shrugged. "I have nothing else planned." Mateo glanced over at Jos who was still shocked.
"She doesn't do parties." Jos told Mateo slowly, who looked at him blankly. "Seems like she's doing them Saturday." The dirty blonde haired boy responded. "She's right here." Shia huffed looked at the two boys, one who was slightly worried, and one that was content at the moment.
"Okay, make sure to dress warm." Jos told the girl who nodded, and the conversation changed. Although the only girl at the table failed to zone in.
Emotions flooded in the cafeteria, somewhere they stood out more. Shia didn't know if she could allow herself to feel their emotions or her own. Right now she felt hurt..betrayed. Something she's gotten used to, other than the feeling of numbness.
"I was never so self centered.. everything isn't about me." She muttered to herself as she pushed her feelings aside to pay attention to her two friends.
Mateo Oswell. He has been a constant to the two friends since the day he sat at their lunch table. Though it's only been 6 days. He was an interesting character, that's for sure.
Mateo had the whole, I don't care attitude. The nonchalant one, but the empath knew better. She could feel the fondness he had for the two best friends. Then she could feel the dread, anger, and sadness that he had which followed him into the school. Although it always changed as soon as he saw either Jos or Shia.
To say that the blue-green eyed boy was scared of becoming too close to the native Quileutes' was an understatement. That's only because he was scared of being hurt.
Later on that day, and the last class of the day, Saleaah felt sick. Only because she was consumed by anger for some reason. She had to excuse herself from class because she felt like this anger wasn't her own. She was right, of course.
"Saleaah." The girl looked up to see Paul standing in front of her. "Paul." She briefly stated as she pursed her lips. "Come with me." He told her as he grabbed her arm and pulled her down the hallway.
"What the hell?" Shia frowned as she tried to wrench her arm out of his hold. "Stop struggling." The hothead huffed, and she listened because she knew she wasn't strong enough to pull herself from his tight grasp.
"Paul, I thought you were nice. Then you stood me up when we were suppose to get ice cream." Shia told him as they reached the end of the hallway where the locker rooms were. "I'm sorry, something came up. This something is of course in there." He told her as he pushed her into the boys locker room.
"Wha-?" She was cut off once her body was pulled into a tight hug. Shia felt as the ripples from the person's skin calmed down as they hugged her tighter, as if she would run away. Which she wanted to do.
Shia felt the curls against her cheek as the person buried their head into the side of her neck. By now, we all know who it is. "Quil..?" She muttered. "Please.." he started. "Just a few more minutes." He muttered against her neck holding her impossibly tighter.
Unconsciously her arms wrapped around his waist. Then moments later, he let go. "I'm sorry, but I'm not sorry." Quil told her honestly as she moved her eyes trying not to meet his chocolate brown ones.
"Um..I'm going to go." She pointed towards the door with her thumb, but was stopped before she could take a step. "Can we talk, please." Quil begged her as his eyes sparkled with unsheathed tears. Shia took a deep breath debating if she wants to talk to the boy who ignored her for months.
"Not today." She told him finally meeting his eyes, only to be stuck. "Sunday?" He asked hopefully. The pit of anger was long gone and replaced with hope and longing. Shia nodded as she awkwardly pulled her eyes away. "Thank you." A big smile crossed his face as she left out of the locker room.
***
Saturday
"I just remembered why I hate parties." Shia muttered to herself as she looked around for both Jos and Mateo who disappeared from her side. Anxiety began to build up throughout her body, only for the party host himself to show up.
"Saleaah, hey!" Kiylan grinned at her, slightly loud due to the music. "Hey." She gave the long raven haired male a tight lipped smile. "You want a drink?" He asked as her eyes darted around the room for her friends, and to take in the emotions around her.
"I don't know yet." She answered truthfully. One thing about this Clearwater is that she wasn't a drinker, that was more so Seth than herself.
"Come back with me and some other people." He motioned his head to the patio. Shia nodded and followed him to see a fire pit lit up and some people sitting around it with drinks.
"Welcome to the party, princess. Only the fun people are out here." A guy stated as he placed a black stetson hat onto her head, and took his seat back next to a girl.
Shia felt a little uncomfortable as she sat next to Kiylan and was surrounded by people she didn't know. But, they were nice so far and she felt less tense once she felt the bliss that radiated from them. None of their emotions were negative tonight.
Saleaah started to feel a little more comfortable once she heard their laughter. She liked listening to the laughter and jokes that were getting thrown around the fire pit. A small smile finally made its was to her lips once she heard two boys start to bicker.
"It's nice to see a smile." Kiylan smiled softly at the sophomore. A small blush made its way on her face as she stared at the fire. "I think I'm ready for that drink now." She told the junior and he nodded, passing her his half empty whiskey bottle.
Before he could warn Shia about the strength of the alcohol, she tilted the bottle back, drinking a sip, before coughing aggressively. "You don't drink, little Clearwater?" The guy that gave her the hat, Christian, asked from across from her. She shook her head as she gained her composure before taking a more composed sip.
***
By the time the bottle of whiskey was close to the bottom, Shia felt calm, she felt free. More than she felt in a while. She was now laughing with the group and saying a few words herself, and the small group of juniors and seniors adored the girl. They were happy to see the girl who always looked to be in pain finally happy. Even if it was only for a little bit.
Saleaah went to reach for the bottle again with a smile on her face, only for the bottle to be pulled back from Kiylan who had an uncertain look on his face. "Are you sure you should have more?" He asked seeing that she was drunk, a happy drunk at that.
"Of course." She bumped her shoulder lightly with his as she took the bottle in her hands. She wasted a few drops, dismissing it with a laugh, before taking another swing of the almost gone bottle.
"Shia!" At the mentioning of her name she saw both Jos and Mateo coming through the patio door. "Jos, Mateo!" She giggled as she tried to stand up, but fell down. Kiylan helped to stable her before she could hurt herself. Shia then used his shoulder to help herself up before stumbling over to her two friends.
"Are you drunk?" Jos asked as shock was written all over his face, although he was drunk himself. "Are you drunk?" Her eyebrows furrowed, trying to be serious but a laugh escaped her lips. "We should get her home now." Mateo stated knowing he was their designated driver.
"I don't want to leave yet. Let's dance!" Shia told her two friends as they walked into the house. "No." Mateo bluntly stated. Shia huffed as she fixed her hat. It reminded her of Jasper. Who she hated the most in this world, other than Rosalie and Emmett.
"Shia?" The girl turned around to see Embry and Quil standing their, also shocked. Her nose scrunched up, seeing the two boys. "Are you drunk? Is she drunk?" Quil asked stepping closer to his imprint. "Begone thot." Shia said trying to shoo him away.
"Yeah, she's drunk." Mateo said eyeing the two tall boys as Jos lazily leaned into his side.
"I'm taking you home." Quil sternly stated and he reached for her hand. "No matter how cute you are, I'm staying with my besties." Shia slurred out as she stumbled back.