#classisinsession

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Ladies, it’s time for school at Hawthorne Academy, where all your teachers are British distinguished gentlemen!

Which class would you look forward to most—English with Colin Firth, Chemistry with David Tennant, or perhaps PE with Gerard Butler? Or… would you dare to land in Principal Jason Isaacs' office? 🤭 This one’s just for you—a little fun to ease into our Friday with. Let me know who your favorite teacher is!

•- Embry Call -•

"Or... you know... she wasn't any of those things because she's a whole arse person with her own personal autonomy?"

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“I see you.”

•- Embry Call -•

“My mama did not raise a fool!”  Winks.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“No she did not.” Smirks.

•- Embry Call -•

“Wow!!! That was almost. Compliment!” Laughs hard

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Enjoy it. That’s about as close as it gets.”

•- Embry Call -•

Smirks that cheeky smirk of mine. “I’m pretty sure it’s a bigger compliment when you take my clothes off.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Pushing the flat of my hand into his face I push him away. “Let’s not over sell your soul tonight. I have a feeling the devil is out to get you.”

•- Embry Call -•

I licked her palm with as much slobber as I possibly could.... because what choice did she give me really?

"Let's not  forget the way you look at me when I play the guitar?"  I add, smiling like I hadn't just behaved like a ten-year-old.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I didn’t react, didn’t scream or shouted. I just wiped my palm all over his face. And the finished wiping it on my back of my jeans.  “Don’t know what you mean. You okay the guitar?”

•- Embry Call -•

I just laughed when she wiped her hand on my face and then lifted the hem of my shirt to dry myself off... the flash of the eight-pack was just a bonus...

"Would like a demonstration?" Raises a brow. Because we both knew she could resist.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Keeping my eyes on his face, because I knew what he was playing at. And it wasn’t going to work outside of the bubble.

“I think it’s only fair if you ask me. Put your money where your mouth is and all.”

•- Embry Call -•

Tapping my chin like I was thinking very hard... "The only question is... where to find a guitar?"

Quirking a brow because she knew damn well where.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Crossing my arms over my chest. Did he really think I would fall for that one. “You tell me?”

•- Embry Call -•

"Oh, I know!"

I grinned and worked to my jeep, pulling out the guitar I had from my last jam session with Tony.

"I wonder how this got here since don't play?" I tilted my head and smirked.  "It's weird... But it can't be that hard can it be? it's just strumming a few strings."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“It’s Ton’s” his scent hit me the moment the guitar came out. I wasn’t sure how I knew it. I had only spend a handful of times with the man.

“Does he know you walked at with it?”

I played with the tips of my fingers. It wasn’t as easy as he made it look.

•- Embry Call -•

I grinned. “His mom made him whittled his collection down. He’s donating them to the Rez high school.” I leaned back against tail gate and unzipped the bag.

“They won’t mind if I test one out.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Raising my eyebrow, I dropped my hands and walked up to look into the back of his Jeep.

“He is donating these to the school?”

I shake my head. “That family is always amazing me.”

•- Embry Call -•

“Well, he went to a private arts school they don't need the help as much... And #Tony is a good guy.” I smiled and popped the strap over my head...  Holding the guitar against me far too high as a I leaned on the jeep.

“Dies this look right? I don't wanna look like a noob.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Stepping back, I give him some room, my eyes drifting back of his keep again I shook my head.

How that boy had managed to turn out to be so kind, after the first impression he had giving me. It proved to me that people should be themselves. But that same rules didn’t work for me “hmm… you’re going for noob, right?”

I asked pushing my hands into my pockets.

“It’s a little short on you. But you know that.”

•- Embry Call -•

“I guess we’ll see won’t we.” I narrowed my eyes at her noob comment and hoisted the guitar ridiculously high now and started to play.”

(Music: MOZART on Guitar (Turkish March) - Luca Stricagnoli - https://youtu.be/yLVYK80vMMM )

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Leaning back on his jeep with my shoulder. My hands pushing deeper into my pockets as I watch him, with my head tilted to the side.

He was showing off a little this time, and still the moment he started to play, everything else blurred.

•- Embry Call -•

I caught the look on her face in a few small moments I got look up while I played.

“So?” I asked smugly… “Still needs work, you think?”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Shifting my hands out of my pocket, I combed my fingers through my hair. He knew what his playing did for me. It was a journey, a calm, a pause on life.

“What does your mom say? There is always room for improvement.”

•- Embry Call -•

I rolled my eyes and laughed.

“Really?? Your use that one against me?” I bite my lips and intentional locked eyes with her do I didn’t fixate on my way her hand slide though her hair.

“Okay… than. Let’s break out the big guns.”

(Music: EMINEM ON GUITAR (Lose Yourself) - Luca Stricagnoli - https://youtu.be/9h5nEQpErJg )

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I raised my eyebrow at him. Because playing Mozart wasn’t big guns enough for him? I had to smile and shaking my head. “Yours going to play something harder tha—“

He started and my mouth shut, and eyes widened. I knew what it was right away. And I had no idea it could be Played like this.

The words on my lips.

𝕀𝕗 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕙𝕒𝕕

𝕆𝕟𝕖 𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕥

𝕆𝕣 𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕠𝕡𝕡𝕠𝕣𝕥𝕦𝕟𝕚𝕥𝕪

𝕋𝕠 𝕤𝕖𝕚𝕫𝕖 𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕪𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝕨𝕒𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕕

𝕀𝕟 𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕥

𝕎𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕔𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕦𝕣𝕖 𝕚𝕥

𝕆𝕣 𝕛𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕝𝕖𝕥 𝕚𝕥 𝕤𝕝𝕚𝕡?

•- Embry Call -•

I wouldn’t saw this one was harder to play... But there was hardly a musician alive regardless of genre or musical taste that couldn’t relate to this track.

I wasn't immune to the idea of losing yourself in the music either so when I started to from my wrist and heel of my hand into the body of the guitar as I played, I left my whole body ease into the song.

And Leah... Despite her reservations was a musician to... Because a voice like that was an automatic induction. So, this song was going to speak to her.

I'd almost forgotten I was supposed to be showing off.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My lips curled up a little as the song started to come to its close. I felt the change in it and then my body moved to feed into that energy, he was exceeding.

The man could be cocky, spirits I was cocky, but this thing. Him playing.  When he did this. None of that showed.

There was an innocent side to this man, a purity that came from how his heart truly spoke out when you gave it the time to understand.

I wasn’t willing to break the silence when he stopped, the sounds still hummed in the air between us and I could feel it.

•- Embry Call -•

I caught that smile and grinned at her... trying really not to bite my lips as I did... because... no bubble. Not here.

"Shit!" I looked around and laughed. "How the hell did you goad me into playing in the side of the street?" I shook my head and slipped the guitar into the case before people started to think I was busking.

"Clearly this music thing isn't for me... utterly hopeless!" I teased, knowing damn well I was bloody good! I moved to the door of the jeep. "You gonna stand there all day or are you come and give these to the school with me  or what?" I said the words like this was the plan we had talked about at length before even though this was the first she'd heard about it.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I wanted to smack him upside his head.

“You do know that self-deprecation BS doesn’t work well on you. There is a conflict with your ‘I’m the best in the world.’ Persona.”

He didn’t need any goading to play. He would happily play anywhere.

My glance moved up the street towards home. And then back, toward #HwH. I’d completed my run early, set up the bar for #Charlie and #TheKid to open.

“If you need a beautiful face to get you in the door, just say so.”

Pushing off the side of his jeep, my hands fisted and loosened before I climbed in.

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed out loud... totally stunned that invitation had worked.

"I mean it couldn't hurt." I shrugged and tried to act indifferent, but I checked her out a little. "Just be prepared because the music club probably isn't over yet. Try not to give any teenage boys a  heart attack." Then I stopped again and looked at her. "You can drive if you want to..." Then I added as another thought occurred to me. "I'm not keeping you from anything am I?" But she wouldn't have agreed to come if I was.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“I make not promises.” I told him.

“It isn’t my responsibility to keep their hormones and check. If they can’t help themselves. A kick in the arse from me will.”

I looked at my phone at the time. “Emma’s most likely still in class to right?” I needed to check in kid.

“Hmm?” Shaking my head. “No, it’s okay.” Had he noticed? No. He couldn’t have. I hide it well from everyone.

This time I turned to look at him. “Yeah. I had a date. You put a spanner in the works.”

Giving him a grin. “Now get a move on will you.”

•- Embry Call -•

I had heard a few things about that kid but I tried not to give them away… “She could be… please tell me we aren’t gonna play hall monitors?” I raised a brow… sometimes kids just needed to misbehave.

“A date… really?” My smile grew playfully evil. “Looks like I was just on time to ruin some poor, unlucky bastards chance of a lifetime!” I climbed into the jeep looking supremely happy about that fact. Or… as much of a fact as a could be considering she’d completely fabricated he story.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“I’m not playing anything. I’m out right checking up on her. Don’t give a crap when you think. You and I won’t see eye to eye on this one Call. It’s different for girls than boys. No one will bat an eye when a boy mess up at this age. However, a girl making the same mistakes. well.. look at my reputation…”

Rolling my eyes at his comment about spoiling my plans, my hand fisted and I punched him hard.

“It was a date with my book, and leftover roast beef sandwiches, Wisearse.”

•- Embry Call -•

“Ow!!!” I rubbed my arm dramatically, but she was always good at controlling a pinch so it didn’t really hurt. “Okay you make a good point, I don’t know what it’s like for a girl… but, what’s she done so far cut a class or two?”

I laughed and rolled my eyes. “Hey, I proved myself appropriate company on a book date! I stayed quiet” I grinned, even if I did  notice how much I fidget that night.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Turning my attention to the outside. The shift to sit corrected and the need to still snapped in.

Combing my fingers through the top of my head I closed my eyes.

“One or two classes is one or two classes too many Embry. She needs her education more than she needs to do Stupid crap for some boy who won’t be around next week, let alone next year. Spirits if she cuts class for herself. I’d be pissed, but less so, because she made that mistake for herself. Doing it to prove something to another. That’s not going to be the Clearwater women’s way.”

Raising my eyebrow, my eyes slow fixed on him.

“You lasted four chapters Embry Call. Find it was a first for you to stay in one place for that long. Let’s talk when you can go ten chapters.”

•- Embry Call -•

“Are telling me you never cut a class?” I raised a brow a laughed.

“I hope you didn’t use that education one on her. You’ll just make her dig her heels in even further. You need to make them think it’s their idea.” I grinned and made a turn towards the school. “Well, I’ll get better at if I don’t practice.  I thought we were meant to help each other out on this path  of evolution… right?”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Parting my lips to say something, but instead my eyebrows pulled together. Of course, he would know how to deal with the young one. He and #Quil were the pup whisperers.

“I.. may have used that line on her…” standing my frown now. “Because it’s true. The next generation need to understand the doors we broke down for them. And they need to walk through them.”

Turning to look at him. “Practice? You need to practice keeping still and not talking?”

•- Embry Call -•

I cringed and wrinkled up my nose… “When did you say that to her? If it was recent… I bet twenty dollars she is not in class right now. And not… you're not wrong. It‘s the truth. But they need to learn that truth themselves, Leah. It is not something you can learn in a class room.” I did truly believe that. Life skills were learned by living and good judgement was learned through making decisions good ones and bad, and testing the limits

“Not all of us are naturally good at that kinda thing.” I smiled at her, swinging into the small parking lot that was only used by teachers… but I wasn’t going to be here long. “But you like the peace and quiet… and I like seeing you feel peaceful and relaxed. So…” I chuckled. “Yeah… why not? Everyone wins… eventually. Because I master everything I try.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Watching the town pass by I crossed my arms, the. Uncrossed them. Shifted in the seat, and then shifted again. Giving up I sat with my feet flat and my hands in my lap.

“The day we were setting up for open mic. When I went to gab lunch… she wasn’t expecting anyone in the  diner at that time.” Confessions didn’t come easily to me. No one ever asked me things like Embry did.

“So..” spirits, had I pushed her away from the right path? The spirits ready did know how to pick the wrong warrior for this job.  Opening the door, the moment Embry parked  up, and making my way around to the back again. Stopping when we came face to face.

“You are willing to learn to still, just so you can sit with me while I read, or just relax?”

•- Embry Call -•

I tried not smile s she fidgeted. “She probably skipped a few classes after that… but she might have gotten over it now. I turned to look at her after I shut off the engine.

“I’m not willing to…” I smiled. “That makes it sound like a sacrifice… and it’s not. It’s something I  want to do. Do you give up so much of your alone time when I spend the night because you’re willing to or because you want to?” I knew the answer. But I wasn’t so sure that she’d ever given it any thought… we were both just taking each as came with this… and I knew that wasn’t how Leah normally did things.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Spirits, I’m going to put a tracker on that girl!” I wasn’t. For someone like me who knew what it meant to have her private life private. I wasn’t going to be a hypocrite. But there was a need to make my cousin understand.

Then again. Embry maybe had a point. Sometimes we all need to make our mistakes.

Biting the inside of my cheek, my eyebrows pulled together. “There’s a difference in the words?”

Never being someone who could use words to there best effect. I just looked at him replaying them.  “Willing to…. Because I want..”

•- Embry Call -•

“She’ll get there…” I smiled at her. “So will you” I chuckled softly. “I guess /willing/ can also mean want… but its the intention… when you say things a certain way they cam meant something different… in this case, no. The wanting is more important than the willing…”  I quickly added… “—ness.” after I realised that the sentence didn’t make much sense. I unbuckled my seat belt and pushed open the door. “C’mon…” I smiled. “Help me carry these inside.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Thinking about the reasons behind what he said, I followed around to the back of the jeep. Waiting for him to open up, and hand me what needed to be taken in.

“Please…. Help me with this please… don’t make me tell your mom you lost your manners somewhere down the street. you know she will chase you down.”

I smiled, because… well we knew she wouldn’t chase him down. She couldn’t. But By the Spirits I would chase him down for her just to see her laughing.

“So, you Want to try the still thing again tonight?” Teasing out the different work

•- Embry Call -•

I looked at her with a soft smile. I was in shock that she had asked me for help... but I didn’t let it show though.

“You’re in luck, Clearwater.” I smiled. “There’s reason I’m dropping these off today. Not only can I help you this. I can show you how it’s done.” I opened up the tailgate and pulled out two of the guitars.

“I think you might now the new music teacher, she would have been in your class. She’s having issues with one of the boys and asked  to drop in and make it look like a coincidence.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Looking at him confused, my hand moving to rub my temples. This Wisearse was something else at times.

Smacking him up side his head. “I wasn’t asking You to help Me… you asked for my help…. Without using Please …. And I know your Mom raised you better than that! my eyebrows pulled together as I took the guitars from him.

“I know the new music teacher ? I haven’t been listening to Ma’s updates around the Rez. So, I didn’t even know there was a new teacher. What’s up with the kiddo?” I asked

•- Embry Call -•

“Oh…” I flushed a little and laughed it off. “Either way. You’ll see a… different approach.” I grinned. “And it’s for the good of the kids… did I really need to say please?” But if she told my Mom I would be in so much trouble.

“I mean you might… I’m not sure exactly when She graduated but it was a few years before me. “She’s really good… she sings, plays piano guitar and the flute. But she freezes on stage. She’s got a boy in her class, wants to drop out and be a rockstar. He’s good too… but… you know how teachers are.” I headed towards  Schoolhouse, already hear hearing the chaotic sounds of music lessons taking place.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Little manners go a long way.”

Repeating what our mom said to us time and time again. It didn’t make me say please. But he was meant to be better at this crap than me. This path of evolution was meant to be about the both of us learning from one another, right? racking my mind back to my time at school. I tried to think of the girls who were good with music. Maybe a little shy, the fear of the stage he to come from somewhere.

“What teachers are like? You mean she is trying to help him have a well-rounded education, finish it and then follow his dreams with the ability to know right from wrong?”

I asked raising my eyebrow.

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed. “Fine… My sincerest apologises… Will you please help me carry these inside?”

That might save me from the tongue lashing if she told on… and she would in a heartbeat! I mean… I would tattle on her to Sue for brownie points to… but that wasn’t the point right now.

“I mean that they tend to think school is the only way to be successful. but It doesn’t suit all kids… I know you’ll disagree, but people can find success without  graduating and tell kids they only have option is never a good thing. Do I think school is the best option? One hundred percent. But...” I shook my head not sure how to explain it… “You’ll get it when you are here my chat with the kid.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Wisearse”

Muttering for him to hear, because I was already carrying them. And I knew what he was doing.

Backup for When… (Yes When and not IF..) I tell #MsC of his rudeness. Knowing he would do the same to me. (And had. More times over the years than I cared to remember.)

Stopping half way up the school parking lot, my eyebrows pulled together. Chewing the inside of my cheeks as I thought over his words.

“You know you just contradicted yourself. You agree school is the best choice. And yet you are saying we don’t let them that? Embry, these child’s are born into a life where people expect them to fail. Ever opportunity is held back from them.

Spirits…. We have to fight to have what little land we have not to be taken away and sold to some rich Arsehole who wants to build a multiplex on it.

If this generation doesn’t learn from the mistakes of the late and the ones before them.. it is us.. you and I.. we are the ones failing them…”

I wasn’t sure how he couldn’t see where I was coming from here.

•- Embry Call -•

I looked over my shoulder at her and grinned. "See... that's the thing, Leah... Choice. Best 𝕔𝕙𝕠𝕚𝕔𝕖... but whose choice shout it be? We can find ways to force people to stay in school. But what we can't do is force them to learn or excel or engage. And without all that test scores don't mean a thing."

I stopped with my hand on the door. "You're right, these kids are born into a world that expects to end up in -at best- low-paying jobs and at worst... Well... where I was. But no one ever tells them they can be a waitress and be happy. You can bag groceries and love your life. No one tells them they can leave school and still make a living. Because all of that is true. The pressure of what they feel represents success is crushing. Because we dictate what their success should look like... And that is the fundamental flaw in the system. They are stifled into compliance when they should be making mistakes... better to make them now than in fifteen years when they have three kids to feed. Or a si--"

I stopped myself from saying, sick family members. "Or other responsibilities. It needs to be their choice. And if that fails... we make them think it was their choice." I smirked and pulled the door open.

"Don't all rush at once!" I called into the music/band/choir/whatever room. "Your saviour has arrived baring gifts!" No one moved... eyes rolled. But then they spotted the instrument bags and were all action. The kids in this class were all ages from tiny to teen... there just weren't enough kids taking music and it was a small school.

"There's a couple more in the jeep." I said to the older kids. "Would you mind grabbing them?"

•- Leah Clearwater -•

CHOICE…

Frozen to my spot my feet wouldn’t take me any further than where I stood. My eyes unblinking, my heart beating and my rise and fall of my chest telling that I hadn’t just died of shock.

Each and every word Embry Call just said making a borrowing hole in my  soul, because Spirits. I had never thought the way he had. And I should have!

CHOICE…

Me if all people? Me who had ever choice taken away. Me… who wanted to empower our next generation and not hinder them… I had been taking their choices and making it for them?

“Spirits.”

The word slipping from my dry lips. Every truth felt like a punch in my gut. A reminder of how I had failed those I should have been protecting. Him being one of them.

Of course, he spoke from experience… I knew now the demons he spoke of were those he had battled with himself in his past. And his outlook being different wasn’t wrong. It was another way to do the same thing.

I didn’t say anything as kids came rushing out. A couple of them taking what I was carrying, and a couple of more heading to the jeep. Silently I stepped into the room and stood back. Doing what I did best. Checking the doors, the windows, the ins and outs from here. Counting the heads, before finally watching how he interacts with the children and they with him.

‘Evolution. This is why the spirits must have us on this path, every day this man shows us something new.’ My wolf was watching with me.

“Hmm… and everyday I see yet anything way I am failing.” I told her.

‘Not true. He just… well he does things the Embry way, and you do them the Leah way. That isn’t failure.’

Not how I saw it. CHOICE …. That was the lesson of the day.

•- Embry Call -•

I could see that she was thinking about what I had said and that strange feeling grew again… the one I got when she was truly hearing me and absorbing what I was saying. When someone was taking me seriously… and that didn’t happen a lot  other than when I was with Mom.

So… a woman like Leah to take the time to hear me out… it meant something to me.

Some of the older boys brushed by Leah… and to my surprise, they actually said ‘Excuse me.’ as they disappeared out into the hallway. I could see that look on her face, her internal conversation look.

‘Okay, Okay…’ Their teacher #MsSwift…. Lola Swift to others said. ‘I know it's very exciting but let's try to remember it's still class time. So have a seat  and keep practising.’

I rolled my eyes. “Really the party just arrived and you already shi—“ I spotted a girl at a desk no older than seven. “Pooped on it.”

The girl giggled and said. ’You said poop!’ Lo’ gave me a dirty look.

I just  winked at her and turned my attention back to her teacher. I nodded towards the emo kid in the corner tuning one of the new (to this school, at least) guitars without the aid of a turner or even a smartphone app. “Is this our candidate?”

She nodded and was about to start explaining everything, but I headed to the kid… nothing would close him off faster than seeing me have a good long chat with his teacher. “So, I hear you think you have perfect pitch?” I asked  him with a smirk.

‘I don’t think… I know.’ He plucked a string, adjusted it and lucked it again. ‘Who are you anyway?’

I held out my arm like I was presenting myself as a prize. “You can call me your independent assessor.”

He narrows  his gaze while trying to pretend that he wasn’t looking at me. ‘What qualifies you for the job.’ He flashed a grin 16-year-old me would be proud of.

“Technically, I’m a volunteer.” A take-no-shit-tone edging into my voice. “And the only  person on this reservation that I know of who has actually been proven to have perfect pitch. But if you don’t want my help... I have other places I could be.”

The kid scoffed and I turned to walk away. ‘Wait!’ He said and I stopped. Winking at Leah and Ms Swift. ‘Prove it.’

I spun back to him and motioned to the piano against the wall. “Do you play?”

‘I’ve studied for three years. We didn’t have a teacher that knew how before Ms Swift came.’ He explained like I was asking him the play Flight Of The Bumblebee with no rehearsal.

“That’s good enough for scales. Let’s go…” I waved him over. “Do you want to blindfold me or do you trust me not to peek?” I tease him as drudged past me as though he’d just worked a twelve shift in a salt mine. He glowered and it took all my self-control not to laugh.

‘By the Spirits!” I heard Lo’ mutter under her breath. ‘I hope this was a good idea.’

The kid started to play notes and I named them with ease.

‘The first time I saw him do this he was seven… and I had no idea how incredible it really was until college.’ The teacher whispered, moving to stand next to Leah now. The kid kept hitting me with notes and I kept answering. I would  do this for as long as it took.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Twenty-five minutes… we stood here watching them for that long. The kid had taken his time testing Embry, and I knew if I were in Call’s place. That kid would have gotten a smack upside his head and told to “listen up.”

I didn’t know how in times like this, Embry Call kept his cool.

‘I think he is breaking Through to him.’ #LolaSwift whispers with a sense of relief washing over her body language.

“It’s still early door.” I told her without taking my eyes off the two.

‘He is magic with the kids.’

She continued, which made me raise my eyebrow.

“He does this often?” I asked with my arms crossed over my chest.

‘I can always rely on ‘Bry. He will help in any way he can. With music books, instruments, or his time. Most of the children here love him to bits. A few are finding times difficult. And ‘Bry somehow always knows how to break them out of their own cages.’ How in the name of the spirits did I not know this?

‘However, seeing you here is something.’ Her attention remained on the two sat on the piano. “He caught me in between things.” Was all the answer I was willing to share.

•- Embry Call -•

It went on and on… But it didn’t make me impatient or mad. If anything it broke my heart a little... who the fuck had hurt this kid so bad that he needed to test me like this? To see if I would stay… who had walked away from—The thought was cut off. I knew what it was… I was him… maybe I was luckier than him. I never had to miss my father because I never knew him. This kid had been left with enough memories to feel the loss.

A few seconds passed with him playing a note. I  turned to him and raised a brow. “So.. did I pass?” I asked as if I had no idea what he had been up to.

‘Some volunteer.’ The kid smirked, but he was clearly impressed, at my patience or my gift was unclear. ‘Okay… so… what next?’

“Now, I test you.” I smirked. He stood from the piano and motioned for me to sit. I shook my head and dug into my pocket. “We’ll get to that, for now. I’m gonna use something you aren’t familiar with.” I pulled out my grandma’s old pitch pipe. “Ever seen one of these?”

The kid nodded. ‘Never used on… but yeah, I’ve seen a pitch pipe before.’

“Good. Let's get started.” I raised it to my lips, not checking which note I was blowing into because I would know when I heard it. And so did he.

‘E.’ He said almost immediately, stunning me enough to double-check it on the pipe.

He did it again and again. I used a guitar and had Lola play a few keys on the piano. Then I asked the class who could sing and three hands shot up. I gathered them around a music stand with the latest they were learning. “Can you all just sing this note for me please?” I point to the random section of the music.

They obliged, the seven-year-old girl was painfully flat but  totally owned it. I saw my smirk mirrored on the teenager's face. ‘F.’ He said not commenting on the little one.

Definitely a point in his favour in my books. After a few more I told the singers we were all done. I told him to go and get  a drink before we moved on and went to Leah and Ms Swift. “The kid is good, he only missed one on the pitch pipe…” I said quietly.

‘I knew it… so he has perfect pitch?’ She asked, sounding more excited than the boy. I nodded.

“Is there anything else? Behavioural issues? Any diagnosis… autism? Anything.” Because it was so frequently present in neurodivergent kids it was a question that needed to be asked.

‘Nothing like there he was assessed for ADHD in the third grade, but they said he didn’t have it… They think his behaviour was back then was because of the divorce. He’s sullen and moody, but not disruptive and he’s patient with the younger kids, not do much with the ones his age.’ She explained and  there it was. Divorce

“There’s one more thing I want to try, can you help me on the piano? he sings right?” She nodded. “I want to see if he can match pitch.”

‘Wait can you…’ The teacher's brows rose.

“Spirits no!” I laughed. “But I’ll know if he can.” I beckoned the kid back over and told him this was the last thing to try out. I turned to Leah... “Some gift, right?” I smiled. Its uses were highly limited... But it fascinated me to meet someone else with the ability. Even #Tony the most talented person I knew couldn't do this.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

‘Miss?’ My eyes pulled to the tug on my shirt. ‘Miss? Could you help us with this?’ A small girl and boy stood beside me. They must have been six or seven years old, with big brown eyes with an ocean of innocence bleeding out of them. “Who me?” Pointing to their teacher. “I’m not a teach kids. Maybe…” they pushed the tambourine into my hands, followed by the parts that had fallen off the sides.

 “Oh. Okay. You are demanding, aren’t you.”

Try took a hold of my shirt pulling me to a small table to sit and look over the broken instrument.

‘We didn’t mean to break it. We just… dropped it. Miss Swift will be so upset.’ And I got it.

“Okay. Do you know where I can fin— you know what. Don’t worry I got this. I could see the metal spokes on it had come out and how to fix it. And the time they had been keeping me busy, I could hear the interaction between Embry, and the boy.

And with each passing moment, I couldn’t help but think how this was the perfect place for Embry to be. Talking to this kid, through their care of music.

“Here you go, now be careful.” Making a note they needed a new one. And making sure we get them one soon.

I made my way back to where I had been, listening to the boy. Spirits! He was gifted. So gifted. Nodding my head at Embry and #Lola at being asked.

“He was born with the touch of the spirits.” It was hard to explain. “Are you going to mentor him?”

I asked Embry.

•- Embry Call -•

I briefly entertained rescuing Leah from the kids... but children that age were the perfect kind for Leah to interact with. Honest to a fault, innocent... even when they weren't. I chuckled to myself, they see her as she is... and think nothing other than a lady that helped them in class.

#MsSwift went to speak to her student and stayed with Leah for a moment longer. "If I'm right about him then I'm not sure that I can mentor him. But I'll find someone." I looked over at him and his teacher. He actually smiled... without any sarcasm. He respected her... because she didn't treat him like damaged goods. She saw his potential and expected him to live up to it. "She's a good teacher, the kid is closed off and she's still managed to break through to him."

I gave Leah a smile at her and turned back t look at him again. “Now Let’s see if this kid can sing.” I winked and headed back over to the piano. Explaining that I #Lola to play a note and then I wanted him to match it vocally. We would step up from one note to two, then three. I told Lola to play any combos she wanted and stood between the kid and the piano so I could focus on both sounds as they started.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I saw what that child saw in his teacher, because once I had someone who saw past the BS, I had created around me. That one woman has giving me the advice that changed my outlook in life around. And gave me the strength to stand tall, and give no craps about what others did or did not see.

And now, as her son walked away from me, I saw the past repeating itself. But this time her son was the one to see past the kids BS, and funny enough he saw past mine from time to time too.

“It’s in their blood.” I whispered to myself when I felt another tug on my jacket to see the two children back again.

“You broke it again?” Frowning I asked. But they held up a bag of chips.

“What am I to do with those?” I asked. The girl was full of cheek. With her hands on her hips, she said. ‘Open them for us of course.’

As I took it, with my eyebrow raised, and a smirk on my lips. I liked her. She was my kind of firecracker.

•- Embry Call -•

#Lola started to play and the kid matched note after note. I was blown away and knew it showed on my face. But after a while, his voice started to strain and I put a stop to it and sent the boy to go and get a warm drink… he protested but I  told him if he wanted to keep that voice he had to learn to look after it. So #MsSwift gave him the key to the Teacher’s Lounge and the lure of the unknown was too strong for him to resist.

I rested my hand on my hip and ran my hand over  hand my face. There was so much to unpack about this kid. “That kid doesn’t have perfect pitch…” I told his teacher. I looked across to room to Leah with the kids again… That little girl would probably be her Spirit animal if she didn’t  already have one. I nodded for her to join us whenever she could get away from the little ones.

“He has absolute pitch… he can match almost anything we can throw at him… I mean with training… he could probably hit not I’ve only heard Mariah Carey hit… and for a teenage boy… His voice has dropped already and he still basically has the full range.” I shook my head. I was in awe of that kid…

‘Embry if we tell him that there is no way I can keep in school…’ Lola walked  the line between confused and excited. This was where things were going to get dicey.

“Maybe school isn’t what’s best for him Lo’… He needs music lessons… I mean more than twice a week in here a vocal coach… and that’s the bare minimum.

He needs a bloody arts school.” I knew that was impossible, the closest one was Seattle and I had a feeling that not even music would take this kid away from his Mom the way #Tony’s education had.

‘He needs to stay in school, Call that’s  the whole reason I asked to come over… You had the same choice and you picked school. Are you telling me it was the wrong choice now?’ The teacher in her was coming out now.

“No, I’m telling you that was my choice.” And it had been… even  before #Sam made graduating a requirement for training and patrol.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“If you both want to eat chips, you need to learn to open the bag yourself.” Showing the two how these stronger sharing bags could be opened without needing to bite on them.

‘We only have small hands. How are we meant to?’ The girl was that talker of the two, and the leader. The boy, he was a follower. Or he was crushing on the girl. Who knew how young all that crap started nowadays

“Not an excuse.”  My face dead pan, I gave them the other bag after showing them what to do.

The two looked put out. Because as my height, there was no way they could get the bag in my hands back, unless I gave it to them.

“Well, I haven’t got all day here.”

They tagged teamed the task, it took them a few minutes. All the time I had my ears trained on everything happening on the other side of the room. The kid Embry came to see was talented. He knocked the ball out of the park with every test thrown at him. This was going to be a hard one for Embry, I could tell from his reactions.

Nodding my head once when he beckoned me over. By which time the two kids around me had their bags of chips open and were gone. Walking over as the boy walked out of the music room, I quickly listened to #Lola and Embry discussing what to do next. And I had to agree in my own thoughts it was hard for me now. His words from outside still fresh in my head.

•- Embry Call -•

Leah’s interaction with the kids hadn’t been lost on me, she was good with them… firm but not mean. Maybe a tad abrupt but they were clearly responding to her. But my brain was running a mile a minute. I was conflicted and while I believed  completely in what I was saying I also didn’t exactly love the idea of a kid dropping out of school. But this was definitely not the best school for him… no normal high school was. Not if he wanted a carer in music.

“I honestly have no idea what to tell him… I mean. I have no doubt he could be successful as a musician and even a solo artist if he really wanted… I just…” I sighed. I knew that the two people who stood with me believed that kids should see school through to  graduation and I couldn’t disagree that was normally the ideal situation. This boy was not normal.

“I need to talk to him… I can help him with the guitar and reading music if he needs extra lessons. I could maybe even help him with composition… But when it comes to singing…” I shook my head. Okay yeah, almost the whole town had heard me sing now. But I had a limited range and I was certainly no vocal coach. “I don’t even know a vocal coach.”

‘I took voice lessons… I  can help with that but if you are right then eventually he’ll need something more advanced than what I can offer. But all that only matters if he stays in school and doesn’t run off chasing a career.’ #Lola was conflicted too.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Crossing my arms over my chest, my ears were on the two stood beside me, however my eyes moved over all the children in the room. On the far side I saw her set there.

#Emma sat with a mixed group laughing and joking. Her eyes found me and she smiled, waving her hand. Nodding my head to her. I let her be with her friends for now. She was here, she was in school, that was a win for me right now. Returning to the conversation beside me I said nothing. #Lola was the kids teacher, Call had been asked to come in to guide and support. I was here by accident. Or was it so?

The paths they both lay before one another made sense to me. Even if this morning I would had said something like. The kid had no choice, he had to finish school. Now I saw how that wasn’t correct or fair. No matter what I wanted. It was dependent on what he wanted. Biting on the inside of my cheeks my eyebrows pulled together, I stood. Silent not trying to add my two cents where it wasn’t asked for.

•- Embry Call -•

My gaze flicked to Leah… she was taking everything in and saying nothing… was that her way of letting me know that she was confident that I could steer this ship straight? Because that was a whole new level of trust from her.

The kid came  back into the room mug in hand and I looked from Leah to Ms Swift and back again. “Okay, I’m gonna go talk to him.” I smiled and Leah. “Be nice to the little ones.” I chuckled, making sure she knew I had witnessed her inner softie when it came to them… especially the youngest girl.

I walked over to the teen boy and nodded to the door. “Would you like to come out outside with me and we can talk?” I asked him and he nodded, taking a sip of what was clearly peppermint tea. His choice shocked me and I wondered how many choices he had or did he just grab something with a name he recognised. We took a seat on the step and he cradled the mug in both hands. “Do you know the difference between perfect pitch and absolute pitch?” I asked him.

‘No… I’ve never heard of that second one.’ He said. I explained to him the difference. Telling him that I could do all the same things he could but I couldn’t match pitch with my voice as he could.

‘So, you  can’t sing?’ he asked.

“Can…” I admitted tilting my head to the side. “As a general rule, I don’t. And I don’t have nearly your range… even without any training… With coaching…”

‘What do you mean coaching?’ He asked. And I started to  explain to him that like musicians most singers weren’t just naturally talented. Yes, most people that could sing were born with a certain amount of talent. But that they also needed training… he hadn’t even known that singing lessons were even a thing.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

In a low voice for his ears only (and because I could see #Lola was distracted.) I said. “I make no promises, if they are hanging upside down, by their shoelaces. It’s on you for bringing me here.”

And then I watched him leave with the boy in toe. The fact that that not even went was a sign that he had some amount of respect for, Embry after their time together just now. Otherwise it would have been a load of back chat and questions.

‘So, you had no advise to give Embry on the matter?’ #Lola was bad with me. ‘It was clear he was looking to you for some guidance there.’ She added. Replaying the conversation in my mind, I pulled my eyebrows together.

“That was your take on it? Not what I saw.” Now she turned to face me.

‘Are you sure?’ She asked.

“Embry Call has this, and you know it otherwise you wouldn’t have asked him here in the first place. I am here to help carry things indoors. And from where I was standing, and what I heard of this scenario. He is in full control.”  Her eyes went back to the door the two of them had walked out.

‘I hope Embry can help him stay.’ She sighed.

“That’s not how Embry works. He will do what is right of the boy. Even if I may not agree with it. I trust Embry’s take on the matter.” And I did. Not just now, but also with the Pack. He was the third in command for us. And he had been supporting the pups from day one.

He had helped so many of them over the years. Talking to them, being there for them. Sometimes talking, others just listening, and even stilling there with nothing to be said. Embry Call didn’t give himself enough credit at times, and I was starting to notice it.

•- Embry Call -•

I chuckled at Leah’s empty threat. “Hey, shoelaces are better than toes.” I whispered and headed out with the kid.

Even while I listened to the kid, I could hear the conversation inside. I wasn’t sure if Leah thought that I didn’t want her advice… I hoped that wasn’t the case, because I was always willing to hear her out… or did she think that I was on the right track with this kid? Then she flat-out said it and warmth spread across my chest.

‘So… do you think that I  could make it with a music career? I really want to be a singer/songwriter.’ The kid said.

“Absolutely.” I told him honestly. “I mean, I haven’t seen anything you’ve written but that’s a skill you can learn. If you work on that voice and  keep up with the piano and guitar… you could easily get into a band. Or if you put in the time… possibly get signed. But that doesn’t happen overnight.”

‘I don’t think my Mom could afford those voice lessons you mentioned, though.’ The kid stared into his cup.

“Not many Moms around here could, kid.” I said with an inaudible sigh. “But there are a few ways to get around it… it might not be as focused as voice coaching, but the drama club on the Rez and in Forks put on  musicals. They would have p eople with singing experience and training and they could really help with that. Even with things like stage presence and confidence.” I explained. “The one here is free… funded mostly by Sue Clearwater’s  fundraisers. And I think the one in Forks has a very small monthly fee. But I could probably get you a good deal with them. I know a few people.” I grinned.

‘Drama and musicals aren’t really my thing.’ He scoffed like it was a ridiculous idea. I just laughed.

“Okay, Kid… I’m gonna tell you one thing… and once you get to know e, you’ll realise that I never tell people what they 𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 think. But in this case… I’m sorry to break it to you… but they are. You just don’t  know it yet. You are an artist, trust me. You will be surprised. Fucking terrified but surprised.” I chuckled.

‘Are teachers allowed to swear?’ He gave me a cheeky smirk.

“Do I look like a teacher?” I raised my brows at him.

‘No!’ The kid laughed.

“Thank the Spirits for that! But I mean it, kid… they could be a valuable resource. You just need to ask yourself how badly you want this… and take every leg up you can get.”

‘Were you in those clubs?’ he asked.

“Yeah, I  was. I never tried out for big roles; singing was never a focus of mine. But I was in the chorus, I composed some music, and built sets… honestly, all the cast helped with that. When I hit your age though I stopped, my priorities shifted, but I never stopped playing.” I told him honestly. He laughed but not harshly.

‘You definitely do not look like the drama nerd type.’ He teased.

I leaned over and whispered conspiratorially. “I used to… there’s no way they’d have let me  stay in the background if I looked like this back then.” Then we were both laughing.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

It was difficult not to hear the conversation taking place just outside the door, however over the years I had learnt how to drown out voices, and conversations I didn’t need to hear, mostly because I didn’t want to hear the conversations between the pups and the wolves. But right now, it was to give the kid, Call was talking to some privacy.

‘Leah, could you help here a little?’ #Lola called from the far side of the room just as #Emma came to stand by my side.

‘Hey Cuz’ she smiled her mothers smile at me.

“What did you do?” I knew her and her mother too well. Nothing good came from that smile.

‘Why do you always think I did something?’ She huffed at me. And I could see Embry rolling his eyes at me.

“Because nine out of ten times, I am the one who had to talk your dad down. But fine. Come on let’s see what your teacher wants.”

Her eyes moved back to the door, before she joined me. ‘Is ‘Bry coming back?’ She asked as the girls she was glancing at giggled.

“His name is Embry, you aren’t close enough to his age, or his  social circle to be using his nickname.”

She made a face, whispering. ‘Lealea… please… my gang is watching.’

“And? You want me to feed Embry to the hyenas? Wait. That could be funny, if it wasn’t illegal.” Pulling her to stay with me. “Come on. Do something good for your teacher.”

She clicked her tongue. ‘I don’t even know what she wants.’

Rolling my eyes. “Try asking her?”

•- Embry Call -•

“I was the type that took all the chances I could get… especially free ones. My mom raised me alone. So money was always tight… the music room wasn’t nearly as…” I paused, considering my words. “Fit for purpose… as it is now. Mostly tribal  drums and bells… there was always a piano though.”

‘It's just me and Mom now too.’ The kid said and I waited to see if he had anything else to say about that. ‘It's not so bad…’

I nodded. That was the story he wanted to stick to? I  wasn’t going to push… I had no advice to offer regarding Fathers. ‘It’s why I’m not sure about LA…’ He turned to me now and that look on his face was begging for an answer. But it wasn’t mine to give. ‘I know Ms swift asked you to come here  to convince me to stay.’

I chuckled. “I’m sure that's what she wants… but that is also exactly why she asked me and no one else to come here. Because she knows I won’t.”

‘You think I should go?’ He was stunned.

“I think the only person that can decide that is you. And you’re the only one that should, we all deserve a choice.. and in my opinion, you're old enough to make your own,” I answered. “And you can’t make the choice based on what’s best for your Mom. If she’s a  factor in your decision it should be because of what is best for you, because I promise you that’s all she wants for you. Even if it means letting you out into the world to chase your dreams.”

‘All moms say that shit though…’ He  shrugged.

“Wanna know what mine said to me when I told her I wanted to go to New York for the same reason? At about your age, actually.” I smiled and he nodded. “She told me that school wasn’t the right path for everyone. That people learn differently and some lessons are better lived than taught.” Now he was really shocked. “Then she told me that what I wanted could be achieved with or without a high school diploma… and that dropping out would only take away choices not give  me more. But It was my life, my choice… and she would support me. As long as I promised to call at least once a week.” I laughed, and so did he.

“I know that people can go back to school and get GEDs and all of that… but we’re Rez kids. Second chances don’t come around often. We need to be careful what we walk away from.” It wasn’t a stirring encouraging speech… it was reality. “You can be a musician anywhere, anytime, any age. You carry that with you, it can’t be taken  away. But there’s a good chance that right now, is the only time you can be a high school student. And maybe being a high school student isn’t for you, if not that’s fine. But you need to make that choice with full acceptance that; you might not have a chance to do it again. You may never need to and that’s amazing, just understand that both options take sacrifice and dedication just as much as both choices have rewards.”

‘You’ve been so helpful.’ The kid rolled his  eyes. But I could see him thinking about everything I said.

I patted his shoulder. “I am wise beyond my years.” I laughed and held that same hand out in front of him. “Give me your phone.” He unlocked it and handed it to me. I saved my number and handed it back. “You have a lot to think about, kid. Call me if you need anything… or if you want to talk about any of this. But take a few days, think it over. You have an amazing gift kid. No matter what happens, you’ll always  have that.”

I got up then and went back inside Letting him have a moment alone to allow it all to sink in.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

#Lola had the younger children all sit down on the floor in a circle with their legs crossed under them. the excitement was evident on their faces as #Emma and her friends all came to join them, taking a seet on the chairs they were asked to place on the perimeter of said circle.

‘I will start of the chain; you all know what you have to do.’ He told them as I couldn’t help listening into the two or three sets of conversations happening all around me. add to it the murmurings taking place outside too.

‘Ms Swift, I think my cuz should start things off.’ #Emma was smug as she spoke, and I wasn’t to slap her upside her head and embrace her in front of her friends. But I wouldn’t.

“No.” is all I said, but the young girl from before was already up and handing me a guitar. “I don’t play.” I told them.

‘Seth said he saw a guitar in your place and that you may be taking lessons.’ My eyes narrowed at her. When had #TheKid see it? and when had he told her… and it clicked.

“You and I need to talk about eavesdropping on my Ma’s and Seth’s conversations.” From her blanched cheeks I had guessed it correctly. I knew #TheKid would never speak to anyone about what he sees in my house. Other than Ma, that is.

‘Leah, if you could play a few cords, then pass the guitar on. All  the young ones have been practicing for weeks now.’ Smiling she gave me a tentative nod.

There was nothing to it, I had been practicing every night while home alone. But to play in front of these young ones? Spirits!

Placing my fingers on the cords as I’d been shown my fingers pushing into the string and my thumb strummed a few cords out before I gave the guitar to the girl who picked up the sound and repeated it. And so it began with each one of them repeated what I had played until they worked around the full circle.

•- Embry Call -•

I leaned against the door, watching Leah join the circle and play a few chords. I was stunned that she was playing here… even if it was just a few bars. I watched until the guitar was passed to Leah’s cousin… the one she said had been skipping l class. I watched and stepped up to the circle behind her as she played, giving Leah a quick. I tapped the inside of her wrist. “Relax your hand… you want the hold the guitar by the body, not the neck. Keeping this one loose.” I told her and she nodded. #Emma played the chord again. “Does that feel better?”

She smiled at me and nodded. ‘Yeah, thanks.’

“The rest of your technique is really good… did you miss a lesson?” I raised a brow. “That’s a real shame. You’ll catch up, don’t worry”

She flushed a little but nodded… as though she was thinking 𝙏𝙤𝙪𝙘𝙝𝙚. #Lola touched her face to cover her smirk and had the kids pass the guitar again. I went to stand by Leah looking up at the roof  beams. “So… no one stung up by their laces yet?” I chuckled. “Is someone developing a soft spot?”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Tilting my head to the side my eyes remained passively untouched and unfocused. To anyone watching me, I wasn’t paying any attention. But I saw everything.

The young girls and a few of the young boys followed Embry’s movement. They leant in to listen to the advice he shared with #Emma, and moved their own fingers ghosting a guitar.

They wanted to learn, to pay attention and to lap up whatever they could in the short time they had in this after school class.

#Emma surprised me. She didn’t talk back, she didn’t make a comment, she just went quiet following him as he walked around the circle. And I knew where he would stop. Of course he would.

Standing up, I turned to face him. My hand punching him in the side without letting the kids see the action.

“Shut up. I’m going.” I told him.

Maybe he was right, I was going soft here. It was fine to leave before anyone of these monsters worked it out and smelled the blood in the water.

•- Embry Call -•

I grunted silently when she punched me but I didn’t flinch so the kids wouldn’t notice. She was good at this covert thing. I could see her train of thought… she was worried that the kids were making her soft. Music spoke to her soul… so  when that music was being made by kids it was going to burrow just a little deeper than normal. Kids had that effect.

“I should go with you.” I said quietly and the kid walked back into the classroom. “I need to give him a little space to think about what I said.” I gave #Lola a small wave and started towards the door with Leah.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Eyebrows pulled together turning to glance my my young cousin, she had turned her attention to some of the younger kids, telling them how to move for the correct sounds and cords.

See her this way was soul warming. Even if she had that ‘self-first’, ideals that I didn’t like. The kid Embry was helping went to join the others, his glance returning to Embry as we walked out.

“Why are you leaving? The rest of the kids would give you some time to learn.”

Pushing my shoulder into the door feeling the cool wind in my face the moment I stepped outside.

•- Embry Call -•

“I know.” I said in hushed tones. “And I’ll come back next week and help them out but for right now.” I nodded subtly to the teen. “He deserves to feel like he was someone's priority. Whether he asked to be or not.”

I always hated when people accused kids of making a cry for attention… like threatening to drop out of school. Too few people ever stopped to think… well maybe he needed some attention… maybe he deserved it.

I headed for the door with her, and Emma jumped to come over. ‘Are you going already?’ She asked looking from me the Leah.

“I am for now… but I’ll make you a deal. If you don’t miss a single class next week, I will teach you a whole song from start to finish. But you can’t tell Miss Swift, it doesn’t fit with her teaching method.” I grinned at her, and she flushed a little. “Deal?” I held my hand out to her and she eyed it.

‘Can I pick the song?’ She asked a little smug but not cocky… she was a Clearwater woman for sure. “I have a long list of beginner-friendly songs and you can pick whichever one of those you like.” I offered the compromise. It wasn’t a compromise… because I would have asked her to either way.

‘Deal.’ She agreed and shook my hand.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Okay. Who… How… What?

Embry really did think about his actions and words. More than he let on for all these years. The face that he knew these things were a testament of the fact.

Knowing what the boy needed, to give him the time. To help the others, but also know when  to leave so that the message he had tried to share with him wasn’t diluted.

And then #Emma… I knew it wasn’t just because she was a Clearwater that he was doing this. She could have been any one of these children and Embry would have made the same deal. But the excitement and the deal my cousin made with him. I knew she would uphold it. Because he offered her a choice. And that was what mattered here. The choice!

By the time we left, he had given two students his time and left them both with choices. I was lost in thought until I was stood beside the Jeep. Looking around to make sure we were alone.

 “So… I’m not allowed to call Emma out of skipping class, but you can?”

As if that little moment was lost in me. Even if I knew what he was doing with it now.

•- Embry Call -•

I headed out to join Leah and chuckled and call her out. “But I didn't call her out, I just let her know that was aware she’d been skipping school. I will come back next week even if she skips some classes. But I don’t think there’s anything wrong with offering them extra if they make good choices.” I climbed into the Jeep. “It's not up to me to punish her for that,

“I’m not taking anything away from her for making the wrong ones. If she is choosing to stay enrolled  in school which; right now she is… then she’s making a commitment to be there, not doing that means she has teachers and parents...” I looked at Leah and smiled. “And cousins, worried about her. But I was a wise man once told me; Sometimes when kids cry out for attention it's because they need it.”

It was something Harry Clearwater said to me once when he found me cutting classes after my mom called him and asked if he could find me because she was worried. I left out that he added ‘Of course, sometimes.. they’re just fools.’ To end of it. My consensus was that generally… both were true.

Then I chuckled said. “Yes, I am aware that makes me a hypocrite… but if I could do it again. I wouldn’t make my mom worry  the way I did back then.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Standing there I didn’t judge the way he handled things with my young cousin. I was curious. Learning a way that was different to mine when dealing with the young ones.

I knew my approach was a hard head one. It’s what they all expected from me. They didn’t get the touchy-feely thing from me. It had been one of the first things Embry had brought to my attention the day I had ripped into the pups for shifting to sit on the beach when they should have been on patrol.

Wasn’t this that same lesson, and this time he stopped me before I could react and showed me how he instead would handle things? Yes, yes it was. My dark eyes moved back to the door of the school, before I opened the door and sat myself into the Jeep. The fact that he was quoting my Da, and I wasn’t running from him this moment, even if I waited to see if that urge would come. But it didn’t.

“𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀, 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗸𝗶𝗱𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘁'𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝘁. 𝗢𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲, 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀.. 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆’𝗿𝗲 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀.”

I said in a low voice. For myself more any anyone else. Because when I said things Da once would have. I felt his touch. His warmth and….

I shook my head. My hand on the door handle as i readied to bolt out of this space and the touch I felt in my heart.

‘Breath. Breath. Just breath. Listen to his voice. Listen to what Embry is telling you.’ She told me.

“You’re not a hypocrite. It’s called learning, understanding, and evolving.” I told him.

•- Embry Call -•

I had a feeling that she would recognise the phrase, Harry was never a man o hoard his wisdom. And holding onto those lessons was how we kept him alive in our world, not just the next one. The way she whispered though… I reached out and  brushed my knuckle against her forearm. A tiny, nearly invisible gesture that told her.

𝗛𝗲𝘆, 𝗜 𝗴𝗼𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂.

I started the engine and smiled. “I certainly hope so… and all I can do is try to guide them to better decisions than I  made.” I gave her a second. “Where did you park your bike? Or do you want me to drop you off at home?”

I hoped that maybe she’d seen another side of me today that she hadn’t before… I was sure she had because I couldn’t get it out of my head about how people with look at that teenage boy for cutting class compared to Emma. There was no denying that boys and girls lived in very different worlds still.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I took a moment. My head staying, I place however, my eyes dropped to the spot he touched before looking out the widow again.

Today had come unexpectedly, as most days and things did with Embry Call. Nothing was ever really planned, it all just dropped into your lap.

“Hmm.. Would you mind dropping me close to the 110? I’ll run out to MM12 myself.” MM12.. or Mile marker 12 was the closest point of identification to my clearing. “If it’s not out of your way. otherwise, I will get out at main street. It’s not a bad day for a walk.”

•- Embry Call -•

I pulled out of the car park… keeping my eyes on the road to give her a moment to sort through her thoughts. “Mile marker 12 it is.” I gave a nod and turned onto the road, making my way through the village towards the 110.

After another short moment of silence and glanced at her and asked. “So… what are your thoughts on this kid? I kind of wish I could have had him sing something today other than a few notes… But I have no idea what his vocal control is like or what  experience he has.”

With a range like his and no training or practice he could hurt his voice if he pushed too hard… and. wasn’t familiar with voice lessons at all so I wasn’t willing to risk it.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

It wasn’t like Embry to remain quiet. I knew he was trying to give me time to pull my thoughts together. Which is exactly what I did. The village went by, and the moment he broke the silence my mind was back in the now.

“He is a Dimond in the rough.” Biting the inside of my cheeks.

“He is for sure Dealing with the situation of thinking he knows it all, sure. But at the same time, it looks like you made an impression.” In more than the boy too.

“If you’re not sure, you did the right thing. He isn’t going anywhere. You told him you would be back. So, you have time to hear him.” I turned to face him now.

“You are going back, right?”

•- Embry Call -•

I dragged my hand over my face, quickly so I could keep my eyes on the road… It was hard to decide which outcome I was hoping for.

“That kid will be incredible no matter what he chooses. It’s not that I’m worried about whether or not I did the right thing or not… at the end of the day it has to be his choice. He’s the one that has to live with the decisions… I just… when it was me… when I wanted to pursue music; I had Mom… I had my grandparents… Mom worked a double shift once a week to pay for my piano lessons.”

I chuckled.

“She still thinks that I don’t know what it cost… But this kid… he had no one.” I quickly added. “And I know that sounds harsh to his mother. But I don’t mean it like that. It’s like not  everyone can musical or understand why it’s so important. It’s… just… unfair.”

I turned to smile at her. “So… yeah. I’m going back.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Listening to him while biting the inside of my cheeks, it was all falling into place like a jigsaw puzzle that had a few missing parts to it. Of course Embry would see it this way. He would see parts of himself in this boy. And the support he had that another… that this boy did not have.

I didn’t want to jump in with ideas because I didn’t fully understand it all. But the one thing I could help with… I didn’t know if Embry would accept from me this time. But this wasn’t for him. it was for this boy… for his future.

“I… I know you may not like what I am about to say….” My eyes were on the screen ahead of us, but I watched his reactions out the side of my eyes. “I have money set aside to help in times like this. It may not be possible to cover years ad years for music school. But with your helps and with Lola’s support. We could make it work?”

The money I have from my fighting was for just this thing. To help our tribe and the people who really needed it. But the difference is, Embry knew where the money came from. And some part of me wondered if he thought of it as dirty money because of how I earnt it. 

•- Embry Call -•

I pressed my lips together… it wasn’t where the money had come from that made me hesitate. I had done what I believed I had to in the past to pay bills. What causes me to hesitate as she’d made the plans to Seattle and done what she had for me and my mom. I knew that she’d ended up going to the council to help us because it was taking too long and the bills, she’d found me agonising over were only weeks away from going to debt collectors.

I knew that the seriousness of our  financial troubles was what made her go ahead with the fight she could have a nest egg set aside if someone else (or us I suppose) had a crisis like this one. If that security was gone, would she put herself at that kind of risk again? The fight wasn’t a risk to her beyond bruises and broken bones which would heal… but the emotional toll of a fight? The people that were involved with them. The risk of her being arrested if there was a police raid? Spirit Warriors weren’t immune to well-aimed bullets… I had seen plenty of armed thugs at her last event.

“I thought you had plans for that… an emergency fund of sorts?” I glanced at her; the mile marker was getting closer now. “I’m not really sure this qualifies as an emergency, does it?”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Out of the side of my eyeline I could see the thoughts flashing over his face. The boy wasn’t that great at hiding them, or maybe it was just now that I saw them with all that we had come to learn about the other? But his question had been something I thought would come up.

I didn’t answer right away, thinking of the definition of what an emergency would be. The reasons why I had broken into the pot before and the reasons why I had kept going back to Seattle once I had my family situation in hand.

We pulled up just shy of my mile marker, and I opened the door. Stepping out and then turning to face him across the passenger seat.

“The last pot of money I earnt isn’t the only one I had. It was just the only one that was easier to get my hands on with the time crunch.” He knew what I meant, so I didn’t need to rehash the reasons for my fight. “I told you once before that Jasper was the one with the forward planning. He tried to help in his own way. I’m not rich… Spirits I’m no where close to it. But he taught me to make what little I have work for itself, how else do you think we can make improvements to the bar and the business?”  Tapping my fingers on the doorframe as I spoke. “As for if it’s an emergency… A kid of the tribe with a dream, a dream we can see living short if he isn’t guided in the correct way? It’s your call on this one. I’m just saying that we have ways to help the kid.”

About to close the door I stopped. “I told you I wouldn’t go back unless it was needed. I meant it Embry. I didn’t blow the money. I knew that some day we would have a need for it. I’m not the one who holds the rights over that money…. It belongs to the tribe… those who need it... big or small.” Shrugging my shoulders, a little. “And it wouldn’t be given for free. The kiddo would need to pay it forward. To help those younger than him or something…”

•- Embry Call -•

I smiled… because I couldn’t help it. Of course, she had backups for her backups. This was Leah Clearwater… I should have known. Especially not that I knew how long she’d been visiting Seattle. “Let’s wait and see what the kid decides. I  gave a few options… ways to learn and train. Let’s see how badly he wants it. He says he isn’t a community theatre kinda guy. But if he wants to sing badly enough, he’ll sing anywhere and everywhere he can.

I know that you aren’t the type of  the blow the money… I guess I just thought you’d used it… not for yourself. Because I know you live pretty simply… like me only… different.” I chuckled. I fixed what I already had, Leah made investments into things that would last her many, many years Like her bike and her business with her brother.

I leaned across the jeep a little and she smiled at her. “Thank you… Leah. For not thinking this is a pipe dream. Kids like us… like him here that too often. And hearing that the  thing you love the most is out of your reach… at that age? It’s worse than your first heartbreak. So… let’s see how serious he is… he’s still a teenager, something they just dream big, without being willing to put the work in. If he’s ready  to work for it, then we can figure it all out.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Listening to the passion in his voice in moments like this were rare before. Of course, I knew he likes music. That he was good at it. But now, I saw the truth I hadn’t for years.

“No dream is out of reach. If you want it, you will keep working until it’s yours.” Nodding my head.

“I’m not jumping on your toes.” I knew he understood this. “You know the offer stands. And if and when. You know it will be there for him, or any child who you know needs it.”

Pushing my hand into my pocket I stepped back when he leant forward.

“There no thanks needed. See you soon Embry Call.”

Closing the door, I pocketed my other hand and turned to walk the rest of the way to my mile marker and then cut into the forest. My eyes had been opened of yet another path, and it had been an interesting day so far.

•- Embry Call -•

“Something we can agree on.” I smiled at her… glad that she agreed. “Leah Clearwater…. The dreamer.” My smile grew, genuine, real and that one that only materialised for her.

I nodded when she told me the offer stood… any offer she made never came with time limits. I knew that. “I know, I have a feeling about this kid. I think he wants this. He won’t disappoint.”

“I’ll see you soon, Clearwater.” Watched her for only a second before pulling off. The chances of someone from  the pack driving along this road were pretty high. Dropping Leah off and leaving would be hard to explain as it was… watching her as she disappeared into the trees would be another issue entirely.

This day was hard in a totally different  direction than I had planned… well not really. I made it to music class with Tony’s donations and helped out Ms Swift… but meeting Leah along the way… well, that had made this entire endeavour so much more than I had thought. I mean that and this kid’s musical gift.

I hadn’t thanked Leah for her offer… I knew that she wouldn’t want or expect thanks. But the way she reacted to this kid's hopes and dreams? That needed to be acknowledged, too many kids his age had their dreams dashed before even they could fully understand them.

“She just keeps throwing those curveballs.” I muttered to myself as I drove, turning on the stereo and blasting the Hozier album in the CD player.