LANA
Unfortunately, Lana hadn't managed to clear things up.
After the fight with her sister, she walked aimlessly through the woods until she ended up at the reservation beach. It was empty. Just her and the ocean. Somehow, that didn't make her feel any better.
The first thing she thought was that Raymond was completely crazy. She should have said something like: "What the hell are you making up?" or: "If you think I like you, you must be out of your mind!" But she didn't. And that was the worst thing she could have done-or at least, that's what she thought.
With a sigh, she dragged herself over to some logs on the beach and sat there, staring out at the ocean. In her deep contemplation, she couldn't get her sister's words out of her head:
"I hate you, Lana. Don't ever speak to me again. Never again."
She felt like crying, and a couple tears escaped her eyes. She wiped them away quickly. She felt ridiculous, stupid, and humiliated. Raymond had managed what neither her mother nor anyone else had managed before: cracking the trust her sister had in her.
Suddenly, she became acutely aware of her situation. So much so that she froze. How would she get Kate to trust her again? As long as that bastard kept hanging around, it wouldn't happen. He definitely had her blinded to the truth. And as much as she'd tried, she hadn't been able to open her sister's eyes. But Lana wasn't one to give up easily. She'd do whatever it took to win her sister back.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the presence of another person there. She looked up as he approached, then turned her attention back to the horizon, showing neither surprise nor pleasure. She was almost getting used to running into him everywhere.
—First time I've seen you set foot in this place.— Jacob commented, sitting down near her. For the first time, Lana didn't mind his presence.
—Well, there you go. There's a first time for everything—she grumbled.
—You okay?
She hesitated a moment, then replied:
—Since when do you care?
—Since the girl from my nightmares is occupying my favorite spot—he joked. Lana looked at him.
—Really? This is your favorite spot?
Jacob shrugged and tilted his head slightly.
—I always come here to think. Plus, the view's good, better than other places.
—Then you obviously haven't seen many places— she assured him.
—And you obviously haven't explored the beauties hidden in this town.
Lana let out a small ironic laugh.
—The only thing hidden in this town is the sun.
Jacob burst out laughing.
—I guess you've got a point there.
For a moment, they both stayed silent. Jacob seemed perfectly relaxed and calm; Lana, meanwhile, tried to focus on the view. She studied him out of the corner of her eye, trying to figure out why he seemed so different from other guys.
In her experience, guys her age usually fit into one of five categories: arrogant types who thought they were one of God's favorite creations; funny guys who could be good company but were stupid; shy types who barely opened their mouths to speak; guys who showed zero interest in her for whatever reason; and genuinely good guys—almost all of whom had girlfriends.
But Jacob, on the other hand, didn't seem to fit any of them. He was an enigma to her. They'd never gotten along, not even since elementary school. And suddenly, from one day to the next, he showed interest; he worried about her, though without losing that hint of hatred he felt for her. Like when your parents ask you to watch your little brother and you do it grudgingly, just because he's your brother. That's exactly how confused he had her.
—Hey.— Lana called out, catching his attention—I'm gonna ask you something, and I want you to answer honestly.
—Go ahead.
—Why did you help me?—she started, keeping her eyes fixed on his—. I mean, not just that day with the tire. Also when my car broke down and you drove me home; or the accident when you also offered to take me home. Wherever I go, you're always there. Like you were waiting for me to show up so you could help me. Why do you do it?
Jacob lifted his chin, weighing his answer. He seemed tense all of a sudden.
—Honestly, I don't know. I just saw you needed help and offered, like I would've done for anyone,— he looked her in the eyes—I don't hate you, Lana. I used to, I'm not gonna lie, but... I guess things are different now.
—Why are they different? I treat you terribly and you just take it.
Jacob laughed. Lana frowned.
—What are you laughing at? I was being serious.
—I know, I know. It's just funny that you recognize it.
Lana looked at him suspiciously.
—It's not like you treated me much better, Black. Don't get all high and mighty.
—You're right. And I apologize for that.
His answer seemed genuine, but Lana lifted her chin and replied:
—If you think I'm going to apologize just because you did, you're dead wrong.
—I wasn't expecting you to.
She made a face of annoyance before turning her gaze back to the horizon. Jacob followed her look. For a few moments, neither of them said anything.
—It's different because...—he started, answering her question—I don't hate you anymore.
—Just like that?
—Just like that—Jacob confirmed.
His answer only confused her more. She stayed thinking before speaking.
—Then what made you stop hating me?
He sighed and looked down at his feet.
—You ask tough questions.
Lana raised an eyebrow.
—My questions are easy, your answers are complicated.
—If it helps, I think it was because I remembered a line from a book we read in class: 'All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way'—he recited—. I've always believed that line holds a great truth. And I guess both you and I do what we can to survive in our unhappiness.
—So you consider me an unhappy person?
—I don't know many happy families, do you?—he said, shrugging.
—Truthfully, no.
Lana stayed quiet a few moments. Each answer only seemed to disorient her even more. It was hard to understand. In the end, she looked at him with a furrowed brow and said:
—You're weird, you know that?
Jacob laughed again.
—Yeah, I've been told that a couple times. Especially by you.—He grabbed a handful of sand and slowly filtered it through his fingers—Mind if I stay? Or are we still not mature enough to stand each other's presence?
Lana gave him a look.
—I don't know, you tell me, Black.
—My name is Jacob. —he clarified.
—I know.
—Then why don't you call me by my name?
She gave him a forced smile.
—The only ones who call each other by name are friends or family. You and I are neither. So, to me, you'll still be Black. Whether you like it or not.
He sighed, smiling.
—You still don't like me, huh?
—Obviously. What did you expect? That just because we chat for a few minutes I'd suddenly consider you a friend?—she confronted him, with sarcasm.
—No, but that we'd make peace.
Lana studied him out of the corner of her eye. He seemed somewhat disappointed, and that touched a small nerve inside her.
—Look, it's nothing personal against you. And I know you're not a bad person. But you have to admit we'll never stop fighting. We both like being right or getting our way. A friendship like that is impossible. —she explained.
He frowned and looked at her.
—Who says?
—I say.
—And how do you know?
Lana let out a clipped laugh and stood up to face him.
—Please, we haven't been here five minutes and we're already arguing. Isn't that reason enough?
—Well, no. Besides, don't you get tired of arguing?
—Of course I do. I'm sick of it to the bone.
He stood up and stood in front of her.
—Then let's take a walk.
His answer disconcerted her.
—What?
—A walk through the reservation. But if you don't want to, that's fine.
Lana stayed thoughtful until, finally, she sighed.
—If I say no, you'll stay anyway, won't you?
—Probably.
—Why?—she asked indignantly.
—Because it's a public beach, and you never know what might show up around here.
—You mean bears or wolves?
—People, actually. There's bad people everywhere. Even here—Jacob admitted.
—And let me guess. You'd help me, wouldn't you?
—If it were necessary, I wouldn't hesitate for a second.
Lana didn't answer, but his response had surprised her. The tide was coming in, and together they watched as silver waves crashed and bathed the shore.
—Fine—she said finally, breaking the silence—Let's take that walk. Either way, it looks like I won't get a quiet afternoon.
Jacob shrugged.
—Quiet afternoons are overrated. —He held her gaze until she turned to start walking.
They walked along the beach toward the cliff. They didn't talk too much, but the silence wasn't uncomfortable. Lana kept proper distance so she wouldn't accidentally bump into him; she limited herself to studying the sand or keeping her gaze fixed straight ahead.
For a few moments, she forgot about everything. About Raymond, her sister, the bad times; even that Jacob was her enemy. She'd never felt so comfortable with anyone before; even in the silence. It all seemed so strange to her that she had trouble processing it in her mind. She no longer knew how she was going to react around him after this.
They talked a little more, with arguments and disagreements along the way, though not even that made them separate. Only the coming of evening stopped them.
—I gotta go now, it's getting late—she warned, stopping at the entrance to the woods.
—Okay, I'll walk you.
—No need. My house is just across the path. And besides, I'm still processing all this.
Jacob smiled.
—You mean that you spent a whole afternoon with me?
—If you keep torturing me, I'll start arguing. And trust me, I'll win.
He raised his hands in surrender.
—Alright. But I'd like to know...—he took a step closer to her—Are we friends now?
Lana narrowed her eyes.
—In your dreams.
With that, she walked off down the path. With a smile that, unfortunately, she couldn't hide.