#jennifer garcia

“Wait Jennifer, do you need anyone to walk you home?” Sam asked “Nah, I’ll be fine, my house isn’t too far from here,” Jennifer hummed as she turned and walked into the forest. The moon was full and cast a dim glow over the earth, Jennifer hopped over logs and ran her fingers against the bark of trees, her eyes focused on her feet, so that she wouldn’t trip. Just then Jennifer heard a wolf’s howl, she looked up in surprise, her eyes surveying her surroundings. Oddly enough Jennifer didn’t feel frightened at the prospect of a wolf being nearby, in fact she felt a strange pulling sensation in her heart like the howl was calling to her. Letting curiosity get the best of her she trailed off the path and into the direction the howl came from.  

Jennifer paced lightly through the forest, the moon lighting her way. Minutes later she heard the howl again, and she picked up her pace until she was running through the woods, almost tripping and falling at some points. She stopped at an unfamiliar clearing and peaked through a gap in a pair of trees. Standing there in the moonlight was a wolf, but this one was much bigger than any other wolf Jennifer had ever seen. It was about the size of a horse, and its fur was shaggy, and brown, its large head was tilted back toward the sky. 

Jennifer paced forward her foot meeting a twig, making a loud snapping noise. The wolf tilted its head down and its eyes connected with Jennifer’s and she felt her breath hitch. This wolf’s eyes were deep brown, and completely captivating, Jennifer felt her heart begin race. As she stared at the wolf she barely noticed as her feet started to pace forward in the wolf’s direction, its eyes watching her every step curiously. Her feet stopped when she was directly in front of it, they stared at each other for a while Jennifer staring into the wolf’s eyes and him staring right back. 

“Wow,” Jennifer whispered. The wolf stared at her, almost as if it was in a trance. “You’re a big fella aren’t you?” Jennifer said she slowly reached her hand out wanting to touch the wolf’s fur only for her phone to ring, shattering the tense silence she quickly answered “Hello?” She asked “Jennifer! Where are you?! Are you okay?” Samantha demanded; Jennifer winced “I’m fine mom I just got a little sidetracked. I’ll be home soon” She said “Hurry up your food’s getting cold. Are you sure you’re okay?” Samantha asked, “Yeah mom I’m okay bye.” Jennifer hung up and looked at the animal in front of her “I have to go home now, my mom is waiting for me,” She said the wolf let out a soft whimper “It’s okay I’m sure I’ll see you again.” Jennifer patted the wolf on the head before turning and exiting the clearing she waved over her shoulder as she went. Jennifer’s mind raced as she walked the rest of the way home because there apparently was a giant wolf living in La Push.

 She ran her fingers through her hair. What on earth could cause a wolf to grow to that size? Her mind went to the stories she had been told as a child about the tribes and how they were descended from wolves. She never truly believed any of them, but what if they were true? What if there were werewolves in La Push. The idea would have been ridiculous to Jennifer any other day, but after the week she had been having she wasn’t so sure what was real and what was fiction anymore. ‘Relax Jenny you can think about this tomorrow. Maybe Sam will have answers.’ Jennifer thought. She continued to walk until she got to her house, she entered with a noticeably dejected look on her face ‘Why do I feel so weird?’ She thought. “Jenny! Is that you honey?” Samantha called from her place in the kitchen. “Yeah, mom it’s me.” Jennifer called back as she walked into the kitchen and lingered in the doorway. Samantha turned her head to look at her “There you are! I was getting worried for you sweetie,” She sighed Jennifer smiled “Yeah um sorry I’m late I got lost on the way back here,” Jennifer muttered. 

 Samantha raised an eyebrow “That’s weird you’ve never gotten lost before” She said, “Ah, well I guess I’ve been away for too long, so um how about we eat?” Jennifer proposed. She hastily walked over to the kitchen sink and began washing her hands. Samantha opened her mouth and then closed it. She shook her head and joined Jennifer by the sink. After dinner Jennifer retired to her room to go to bed she changed into her pajamas, which consisted of an over-sized black shirt with a picture of a fox on it, and crawled into bed. For a while Jennifer laid there her eyes fixated on her popcorn ceiling her mind raced as one question popped up over and over again, how long had werewolves been living here? She needed to ask Sam, but it was too late in the night she doubted he would be awake, and why did she feel this way? It was like there was a heaviness in her heart and she didn’t start feeling it until after she had seen that wolf in the forest ‘I wonder what this means.’ She thought. Eventually, Jennifer drifted off to sleep her mind still clouded with the confusing details of tonight.

Jennifer visibly deflated “Oh. Did he know I was coming back today?” Jennifer asked Seth nodded “When I told him he was excited, but he kind of disappeared a few days ago” He said. Jennifer looked at Seth “Disappeared?” She whispered. Seth scrambled for a better response “I mean he’s around here somewhere it’s nothing to worry about I promise” Seth floundered Jennifer nodded. “Why don’t we get you back home Jenny? Your mom will be excited to see you” Leah said walking past the two of them Jennifer smiled “I’d like that” she said. The three then began the short journey to Jennifer’s house, as they walked Jennifer observed her surroundings, everything here brought back memories from her childhood. Like when she climbed a tree and broke her arm trying to climb down, her mother had given her an earful for that, or when she used to go fishing with her Dad at the lake before he moved. That memory brought a sad smile to her face, her dad had taken her fishing while she was in Detroit, but she liked fishing in Forks.  

Soon Jennifer’s house came into view, the house was a small one-story, painted a faded white, the shingles of the house were dark grey, and the windows were made of clear glass, it wasn’t much but it was still home. Jennifer smiled and walked up the pathway she knocked on the door and waited patiently for her mother to open it as she rocked back and forth on her feet. A few minutes later the door opened to reveal a middle-aged woman, she had mocha-colored skin, grey eyes, and light brown hair that was greying at the edges. She had a slim figure and was taller than Jennifer by a few inches her hair was pulled into a messy bun, and she was wearing an old shirt and some sweatpants. “Mom!” Jennifer cheered she wrapped her arms around the woman’s waist and hugged tightly Jennifer’s mother, Samantha, returned the hug full force “Jenny! I’m so glad to see you again honey. How was the flight back?” Samantha asked. Jennifer shrugged “It was okay, boring but okay” Jennifer answered.

Samantha nodded she looked past Jennifer and waved to Seth and Leah “Hello Seth, Leah” She greeted. “Hi Ms. Garcia” Seth waved Leah half-heartedly copying his motion Samantha then turned to Jennifer “Let’s get you settled in and then you can go find your friends” Samantha said. Jennifer nodded; she wheeled her suitcase into the house and made a beeline for her room. Jennifer loved her room, the walls were painted light blue, there was a dream catcher in her window, fairy lights were strung across the top of the wall, and she had a hanging dome chair in the corner next to that was a bookshelf holding all her favorite works by various authors, her floor was hardwood, and there was a small, round, white carpet in the middle. Her bed was a twin with a light blue comforter with small fox designs on it, and white sheets and her pillows were blue with a sunflower in the middle.  

Jennifer smiled as she looked at her room “Hello room I’m back. did you miss me?” She asked as she set down her things, she laid face down on her bed and sighed “Ah, bed we meet again I missed you” She sighed. Jennifer sat up and looked around one more time before getting up “Goodbye again room, but don’t worry our separation won’t be for long this time” Jennifer said she waved to no one in particular and flounced out of her room running into her mom on the way to the door. “How are you feeling sweetie?” Samantha asked, “I feel okay mom better now that I’m back home” Jennifer answered. Samantha frowned “Are you sure?” She asked Jennifer, rolled her eyes “I’m fine mom really I’ll let you know if anything’s wrong okay?” She asked. Samantha sighed and nodded “Okay, I trust you, Jennifer, now go hang out with your friends just make sure you’re back in time for dinner I’m making your favorite” Samantha said. Jennifer’s eyes lit up “You’re making salmon?” She asked excitedly Samantha nodded “Okay mom I promise I’ll be back for dinner. I love you” Jennifer said as she kissed Samantha’s cheek.

Jennifer then ran out of the house meeting Seth and Leah on the front porch “Sorry I took so long guys my room and I had to get reacquainted” She said. Seth rolled his eyes and ruffled Jennifer’s hair “Come on Jenny everyone’s been waiting for you to get here” He urged taking Jennifer’s hand and leading the way Leah trailed behind them. The three walked into the main forest area of La Push where Quil and Embry were waiting. “Quil! Embry!” Jennifer called waving frantically at them, both males turned around waved back. Jennifer charged toward them and jumped on top of Embry his arms locked around her waist and he swung her from side to side “Jenny!” He gushed. Embry set Jennifer down and she immediately went to Quil he wrapped her in a bone-crushing hug “Ack! Quil can’t breathe!” She panted. Quil put her down and gave her a fist bump “Good to see you again Jenny” He greeted, Jennifer separated from Quil and saw Sam standing adjacent from the group Paul and Jared flanking him

She crossed over to them stopping a few feet in front of them “Hi Sam” Jennifer greeted with a small wave. Jennifer and Sam had never gotten along too well Sam thought Jennifer was childish, while Jennifer thought Sam had a stick shoved too far up his ass. But the days before Jennifer moved to Detroit, her mother urged her to at least try to make friends with Sam before she left. While they didn’t make friends, Jennifer didn’t hate Sam as much as she used to, but they still weren’t on the best of terms. Sam walked forward and engulfed Jennifer into a hug, much to the latter’s surprise “Welcome home Jenny” He greeted. Jennifer smiled and returned the hug feeling that she was, a last, truly home.  

Normal POV

It was currently 7:00 AM in the Detroit airport, the hustle and bustle of the people, and the periodic announcement of the next flight available was the only thing heard. Families were being reunited, or people were departing to fly to new places. The lively chatter of the people in the airport terminal was an oddly soothing sound causing a small relaxed smile to flit across a certain girl’s face. The girl wasn’t much to look at she was about 18, and stood at about 5’4, her skin was a light caramel color, her eyes, which were closed, were bright green, and her lips were pink and soft. She was wearing a blank tank top with a purple stripe on it, a jean jacket covered her bare shoulders, she was wearing a pair of faded blue skinny jeans, and blue sneakers with yellow stars on them. A bright blue polka-dotted suitcase rested next to her, and beside that was a neon green backpack holding all the things she would need for the plane ride.

This girl’s name was Jennifer Garcia and she was currently waiting for a plane that would take back to her hometown of Forks, Washington. Jennifer had just spent most of her high school career in Detroit with her father, and while she loved him dearly, she missed her home and was more than excited to be going back. “Flight 02164 to Forks, Washington now boarding” Jennifer’s smile widened as she heard the voice talk over the intercom. She snatched up her backpack, and after situating it on her shoulders grabbed her suitcase handle and rolled it to the air gate. After handing her ticket to the nice lady standing at a podium, Jennifer walked to her assigned seat, elated that she had a window seat. She shoved her suitcase in the overhead luggage bin and made herself comfortable in her seat.

As she watched the plane slowly fill up, she looked out the window, watching with rapt interest as the workers began to clear the runway for the plane to take off. Jennifer tapped her fingertips on her thigh impatience radiating off her being. A flight attendant waltzed passed her politely asking if she wanted anything, Jennifer shook her head, and the flight attendant was sent on her way. “The plane is about to take off we ask that you please remain seated until we are safely in the air and that you put your phones on plane mode. Thank you and enjoy your flight”. After doing what the lady over the intercom said Jennifer took out her headphones and plugged them into her phone, she chose a playlist to listen to and relaxed into her seat. She leaned her head back against the seat and looked out the window smiling as she felt the plane lift off the ground.  

Soon, Jennifer would be home with her friends and family. The thought made her grin widen, as she pictured her home La Push, her mom’s cooking, her bed, and her friends, the Quileute boys she had missed them the most. Jennifer thought about how she used to wrestle with Quil, pull pranks with Embry, hang out with Seth, and sit with Jacob in his makeshift garage while he worked on his latest project. Her thoughts paused as she thought of Jacob, she hadn’t heard from him in a while, in fact, she hadn’t heard from any of her old friends since she started sophomore year. In the beginning, they texted, called, and emailed her whenever they could, but the longer she was away, the fewer messages she got it really worried her. She wondered what could keep them so busy that they couldn’t contact her.  

The only one who had contacted her was Seth, and even that was just this morning when he said he’d be at the Forks terminal to pick her up, Leah would be with him too. The thought made her smile, at least she would see Seth, before anything else. “We are now landing at Forks airport, please be careful as you collect your luggage from the overhead bins as some of the contents inside may have shifted during flight. Thank you for flying with us and have a good day!”. Jennifer blinked in surprise ‘Did I fall asleep?’ She thought. She looked out the window and saw the familiar landscape of Forks' airport ‘Hm, guess I did’. Jennifer got up and stretched before moving to the overhead bin containing her luggage. She shouldered her backpack and gripped the handle of her suitcase before exiting the cabin.  

As she arrived in the terminal, she glanced over the crowds that grouped in the large area looking for her friend. The Jennifer’s lips curved into a confused grimace as she scanned her surroundings looking for Seth, but not finding him. She took out her phone and quickly dialed his number, while still looking around the terminal. The line rang a few times before he answered ‘Hello?’ he asked Jennifer smiled at the sound of his voice, it felt good to talk to him again. “Hey, Seth, it’s Jennifer. My plane just landed, and I can’t see you. You are at the airport, aren’t you?” She said craning her neck and looking around to see if she could see Seth. ‘I am here Jenny, and I’m looking for you right now. What gate are you by?’ Seth asked.  

“Ah, I don’t know let me see,” Jennifer said she looked up at the sign hanging from the ceiling “I’m at gate D3-26. Where are you?” She asked ‘Jenny look in front of you’ Seth muttered into the phone. Jennifer’s head snapped up, and there they were, Seth and Leah. Seth had a beaming smile on his face and was waving enthusiastically, while Leah stood next to him, her expressions were more subdued and bored. Jennifer smiled and ran over to the two tugging her carry-ons behind her. When she was about three feet from them, she abandoned her luggage and jumped into Seth’s arms. He swung her around a few times before putting her down Jennifer’s arms locked around his waist “Seth!” She cheered.

Seth chuckled and patted the top of her head “Hello to you too, Jenny” He greeted. Jennifer pulled back, and looked at Seth, her jaw dropped “Damn Seth! You grew! What the hell happened?!” She gasped her eyes wide. Seth rubbed the back of his head “Puberty you know? The other guys are just as tall as I am” He said with a shrug. Jennifer nodded and turned her attention to Leah “Hi Leah” She said waving slightly. Leah nodded to her and walked off in the direction of the exit Jennifer rolled her eyes she and Leah had never gotten along too well. Seth grabbed Jennifer’s suitcase and backpack, he handed them to Jennifer, and the two followed Leah to the exit chattering animatedly all the way.  

The trio got into the car, Leah in the driver’s seat, while Seth and Jennifer sat in the back, before driving the remaining distance to Forks. “So, how’s your mom?” Jennifer asked after a few minutes of silence. “She’s fine, better than she use to be” Seth said, Jennifer nodded, she had heard of the passing of Harry Clearwater while she was still in Detroit and had felt her own source of grief that she couldn’t be there to mourn with her friends. “She’s dating Charlie now, and she seems to be happy,” Seth said. Jennifer quickly turned her head in Seth’s direction “Charlie? As in Chief Swan? The same guy that used to babysit me when I was younger?” She asked bewildered. Seth nodded “Yep, that’s him surprise right? I almost couldn’t believe it either”, Jennifer blinked and leaned back in the seat “God, what else have I missed?” she asked.  

Leah cut a sharp glance in Seth’s direction, and Seth scratched the back of his head “A lot, you’ve missed a lot Jenny, but we’ll fill you in on as much as possible” He reconciled. Jennifer nodded, and the three were silent for the rest of the ride.