Attempting & Failing

[attemptingandfailing]

We Meet Again

Summary: Skylar was once best friends with Jake, Quil, and Embry. However, things have changed throughout the semester. After years of playdates and hangouts, Skylar has now found herself alone. It started with Jake becoming more and more distant. After a while, the others followed suit. However, she was not counting on them being shifters, let alone being imprinted on during her winter holiday.

Paring: Embry Call x OC

Word Count: 1,290

Chapter 1: Coming Home

Chapter 1: Coming Home

~December 7th~

The forest was cold and dreary this winter day. Snow fell to the ground in tranquility, as if the forest was a safe place to land. However, for siblings Skylar, Christopher, and Morgan, the forest was where many magical creatures dwelled. For years, their mother would not allow them into the forest unsupervised. Now that they were older, Skylar sometimes wished that rule was still in place. 

"Are you sure it came this way?" Morgan called out.

"I'm pretty sure it did," Skylar said, uncertainty creeping into her voice. "When I saw the Wendigo, it was headed towards the reservation."

"You know, this is not how I wanted to spend my first day back, Skylar," grumbled Christopher from her left, still skeptical of the supposed Wendigo. He was cold and miserable, wishing to be at their home, where it was warm. 

“I know, but it was big, Chris!” Skylar replied. The worry was fully evident in her voice. “I was on my way to the reservation when I saw the Wendigo. It could have been three times my size. Merlin knows how many people it has already eaten.” She stopped in her tracks and turned around to look at her brothers. “We have to stop that thing before any more people die.” Determination now flashed in her eyes. With a nod of confirmation from her brothers, Skylar turned back in the direction the Wendigo had gone. 

Christopher and Morgan gave each other knowing looks and continued to follow their little sister. 

Wendigos are creatures born from greed and starvation. Spirits of native folklore, who have possessed many humans that have indulged in cannibalism. The frequency of possessions consistently increased in the winter, when food was scarce. However, a wendigo’s appetite can never be satiated. 

They had never seen their sister so frantic. Skylar came flying through the front door, screaming of a Wendigo in the forest. She had run up to the attic, leaving them in a confused state. Moments later, she reappeared with their family’s book of shadows, telling them how they needed to hurry. 

It has now been ten minutes since Morgan had apparated the trio to the general area Skylar had last seen the Wendigo. Since she was riding her broom, she was able to fly away before it could sense her. However, Skylar feared her friends wouldn’t be able to do the same. While she may have been heartbroken by her friends' actions, she still did not wish for them to face death. If they were to face death, it would be by her hand. 

Gripping her satchel tighter, she quickened her steps. 

~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ 

It has been over an hour since Skylar's last phone call. 

Quil could not stand ignoring his friend. He had broken his promise to her. Guilt slashed into him as every minute passed. 

Quil sat on the floor of his bedroom, contemplating whether or not he should disobey his alpha’s orders. His already small room became smaller with each breath he took. 

He still could not believe what had happened to him. 

Quil was walking past Embry and Jacob, once friends before they dropped him and Skylar off the face of the earth. He wasn’t a confrontational person by nature, but his anger had reached its boiling point. 

One moment he was calling out to them, the next he was barking and howling. 

Quil had known about the tribe legends. However, he had only treated them as such. Nothing more than stories to be told at a bonfire. 

Stories he would once laugh over with his friends. Friends who had abandoned him now asked him to leave the one friend who showed loyalty. 

His eyes burned with the tears he had been holding back from frustration and anger. Hugging his legs closer to his body, he dropped his head to his knees with resolve.

~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ 

Patrol was more quiet than usual. 

The tension from Quil’s pleas still hanging in the air. 

Jacob and Embry walked side by side in silence. Their wolf forms leaving heavy paw prints on the snow. Both of them wanted to see Skylar as well. However, going against direct orders was not an option. 

They had left Quil at his house an hour ago. Sky had been calling. It physically hurt both of them to ignore the call. To ignore their childhood friend. But if it meant keeping her safe from themselves and the dangers that this new world brought, they would keep her at a distance. 

Embry let out a shaky breath and glanced at his friend. Being the first one to shift, he experienced the heartache that was caused by the rift. He knew what Jacob was feeling and he knew what Quil was feeling. However, merely the thought of accidentally hurting their friend caused his hurt to split in two. 

“Do you think Quil will do anything rash?” Even through the mind link, Jacob’s voice was thick with emotion. 

“Quil is the most rational one between the three of us,” Embry responded. “He will do what is right if he knows what is good for him and Sky.”

“That’s what I am worried about.” Jacob’s eyes meet Embry’s. “Quil will always try to do what is most fair and just.” 

As if on queue, the distant thoughts of their friend invaded their mind.

~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ 

“I’m giving up.” Christopher’s tired voice rang out. 

“Are you kidding me?!” Skylar hissed. “We haven’t even been here two hours. You know this forest is big.”

“Calm down both of you,” Morgan interjected to make peace. 

“No!” Skylar barked. “My friends could be in danger and not just my friends but anyone who comes into this forest.” 

“Oooh, the so-called friends who abandoned you,” Christopher remarked. 

Skylar’s jaw dropped in shock. “That was out of line,” she mumbled. “You don’t get to say shit about my friends. Even if they are assholes.” Fuming, Skylar’s voice had raised to a dangerous level. 

The eldest pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a quick breath. “We need to stay focused.” Morgan attempted to advise. But it had fallen on deaf ears. 

“Why would you try to help people who don't even want to do anything to do with you?” Chris now matched his sister’s volume. “They are not the ones who had to hold you while you cried to sleep!” 

Morgan worried about what they could attract if the siblings continued on. They did not know what could be out in these woods and he did not feel particularly eager to find out. “Quite down-”

“You think I don’t know that!” Skylar snapped, her fingers twitching with the hurt of the truth her brother had spoken. She had no real reason to justify their actions, but she would at least remain loyal to the end. “I know what you have done Chris” her voice was quiet and dejected. She sniffed and continued. “I know what they have done. But that still doesn’t mean I should leave them exposed to danger. ”Skylar watched as her brothers' faces stiffened. “You-”

“Skylar that’s enough.” Morgan’s words were sharp. His eyes widened by the second.

“No-” 

“Sky seriously” Christopher’s voice was laced with urgency. His face drained of any color that had previously appeared from the anger that was building. 

The brothers slowly stepped back and reached for their wands. Recognition dawned on Skylar’s face. Her feet rooted in place. 

The siblings' breaths became increasingly shallow as the heavy footsteps came closer. 

Willing her body to move, Skylar slowly turned round to face what was coming near her.

Her limbs went slack from fear. Skylar fell to her knees as her legs lost strength.

The Wendigo was much more massive than she had previously thought.

[attemptingandfailing]

We Meet Again

Summary: Skylar was once best friends with Jake, Quil, and Embry. However, things have changed throughout the semester. After years of playdates and hangouts, Skylar has now found herself alone. It started with Jake becoming more and more distant. After a while, the others followed suit. However, she was not counting on them being shifters, let alone being imprinted on during her winter holiday.

Author's Note: The characters have aged up to how I feel they should be represented. This is my fanfic after all. There will also be some changes in the timeline for better development and ish.

Paring: Embry Call x OC

Word Count: 638

Prologue:

~December 5th~

She didn't know why this was happening. Everything was fine during the summer. What could she possibly have done to deserve such coldness and silence from her friends? She had been asking herself the same question since the beginning of October. It was now the first week of December, and she still hadn't found the answer.

Skylar sat in her seat, looking out the window in contemplation. Her friends made last-minute adjustments before the train departed from the beloved grounds of Hogwarts, the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

"Skylar?!"

The thoughts from her head came to a halt as the voice of Anna Jewell, her friend, and fellow Hufflepuff grabbed her attention.

Tearing her gaze from the window, Skylar whipped her head in the direction of the red-haired girl. "Hmm?" Skylar replied automatically.

"I asked if you wanted to use the loo before the train departs?" Anna asked rather hotly.

"Oh, no. I'll be alright," Skylar answered quietly.

"You have been distant all morning Skylar. What's going on?"

Realizing that her emotions had been on full display, Skylar straightened her spine and pushed all negative thoughts away. There was no need to concern herself about three specific boys at the moment. It would only result in rumination that would cause an unpleasant time for her and the people around her. "Just tired. Nothing is really going on."

"Liar." Interjected Ambrose Rowell. Taking off his Slytherin scarf, he took a seat next to Skylar. "You spent most of the morning looking at that picture of your American friends."

Skylar's cheeks turned pink at the transparency of her actions. "It's Embry's birthday today and he still hasn't answered any of my messages. I'm just worried about what has happened. It's been complete silence from Jake and Embry. Quil is the only one willing to answer my letters. But he started ignoring them as well about a month ago.”

Margot Stevens frowns in exasperation and tosses her Griffindor hat at Skylar. Her pin-straight black hair was frizzy from where the hat sat. "How many times must we go over this?" she practically growls.

"Be nice, Margot." The voice of the Ravenclaw prefect, Peter Zeiro, chimes in. "If your argument is to prove that we are better friends, then you are losing the battle."

"It's alright, Peter." Skylar voices while staring daggers at her hotheaded friend. She turns to look at Peter and smiles mischievously. "I'm sure she means well from the bottom of that cold and black pit she calls a heart."

"Watch it, Skylar!" Margot says cooly while giving her friend a death stare that was as menacing as a flobberworm (i.e., extremely harmless).

A beat of silence passes through them. Skylar then tosses the Griffondor hat at the face of its owner. The hat falls to the ground, revealing a slightly shocked face.

"Did you really just do that?"

"Yup"

"Stop acting like children, both of you. Are we not sixth-year students??" admonishes Anna.

Another beat of silence passes, and then another. The witches and wizards then begin to laugh at the childishness found within their group.

“Where has the time gone?” Pondered Ambrose.

"I am not sure," said Skylar, getting a little sad that the year would soon come to an end, as well as their years at Hogwarts. "But one thing is for certain, you guys have made these the best years of my life."

The group smiled and began to reminisce about their years at Hogwarts. Before they knew it, the Hogwarts Express had departed and arrived at its destination.

Platform 9 and 3/4 was filled with awaiting family members and friends. The joyous sounds of people reuniting filled the air. And as the students said their goodbyes, Skylar knew that no matter what happens, true friends will always have your back. Within this quintet, there will always be a bond that would survive time and distance.

~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~

AN: yeah... this is hot *garbage*

[attemptingandfailing]

A broken arm can lead to many possibilities

This is my very first short story and would greatly appreciate any constructive criticism. I want to improve so that I may write better stories to share with others.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Since the beginning of summer, I have been on the hunt for the perfect sourdough bread recipe. However, there had not been enough motivation to actually start baking and when there was, it seemed that I was busy. Today, being that it is a rainy summer day, I have determined that it would be different. I will get some baking done and have the bread ready by dinner.

Sitting up on my bed, I tie my curly black hair into a pineapple with a satin scrunchie I had on my arm and close my laptop. I look around the light grey walls of my room and take a deep breath as I finally move to put my socked feet on the cool hardwood floors. Standing straight, I stretch to relieve the soreness from doing nothing all day yesterday and this morning. I feel proud of myself for making it as far as getting dressed before 11:00 am today.

I grab my laptop from the bed before making my way out of my room. As I walk out of the room I hear the bell of our midnight black cat and look around to find him making his way out from under my white framed bed.

“Beyard! Have you been under my bed this entire time?” I asked.

In response, Beyard stretches his long body as he lazily meows out to me. Once done, he walks past me and in the direction I was headed to. Not even sparing me a glance as he roots along the hall and into our large kitchen, where his food bowl is.

Following behind him I set my laptop on the granite top of our island and opened up my laptop to reveal my lock screen. A picture of all four members of my family, standing at the beach with the pink hues of the sunset in the background. My brother and I are standing between both of our parents smiling at the camera. Although we look like our mother with our Hispanic bodies, our skin and hair color are that of our father. The creamy brown skin tone and the jet black hair of the native Americans.

Swiping up, the screen asks me to type my password. With access to my laptop, I pull up the recipe of the sourdough bread that I have deemed worthy enough to attempt. But before I begin to prepare for the procedures, I open my Spotify account and begin to play from an Indie Folk playlist I have made through the years called “Corny.”

I begin by laying down all the ingredients on the counter, along with all the other necessary tools and items that are needed to make sourdough bread. I got the starter last which I have been nursing for the last five days. It’s become more of a pet than a sourdough bread starter as I’ve been feeding it and watching it grow.

I breathe in deeply and relax my posture as I eagerly begin to open the starter container.

“Hello? Is anyone home?”

My hands slip from the container and the starter slides to the other side of the island. I hastily reach out for it and once in my hands, I hold it close to my chest. Breathing out the scream that I was holding back, I tentatively set the starter back on the island.

I call out, “Lucas, is that you?”

I hear a distant reply, “Yeah!”

“I swear, every time I try to be productive, something happens,” I mutter.

I hear footsteps approach the kitchen and the door opens to reveal my brother and a strange man who seems to be around his age. His skin is fair and his hair is shabby. Lucas looks so scrawny and rangy next to the stranger. I walk around the island and make my way closer to them. The frustration that was building up decapitated as I looked from my brother to the stranger, to my brother’s arm.

“What happened to your arm?”

“It's nothing, I’m fi–don’t touch it!”

I freeze my hand as it's halfway to poking his swollen forearm. And look up defiantly, “Sorry but I have to see how bad it is. Besides, you broke my arm and you got to poke at it all you wanted!”

Lucas looks at me with disbelief, “Are you seriously bringing up the dodge the pillow incident!”

“It was not an accident, you aimed for my legs. It was cheating!” I retort.

“Women! It was a mistake. We were children. Just let it go!” Lucas shoots back tensing up.

My hands tighten into fists. I'm about to respond back when I hear the stranger speak, “Um...excuse me.” His voice was soft but clear. I look at the stranger's face and see confusion along with slight amusement towards the two of us bickering. I feel my face redding from the heat of the embarrassment and I look away from his eyes.

Feeling extremely self-conscious, I pull down my shorts as they are riding up my thighs. I look at Lucas expectantly hoping for anything to relieve the awkwardness.

Lucas looks at me with narrow eyes. “Elisa. This is Hiroki. Hiroki, this is my younger sister Elisa. Now if you can excuse me I’m gonna go lay down with a pack of ice.” He then walks past me and I'm left slightly baffled standing next to the stranger.

I shake my head and return my focus to the matter at hand. “Lucas, that arm is broken. You have to go to the hospital.”

“She’s right Lucas, that arm will not be fixed with a pack of ice.” Hiroki agrees to my satisfaction.

“I can't. I'll get in so much trouble.” Lucas urges.

“What exactly happened?”

“We were at the rink at a skate and shoot and a puck went flying straight to his arm” Hiroki retells, earning him a glare from my brother.

“But don’t you have equipment on?” I ask.

“Yeah, but we were only wearing the bottom half of it,” Hiroki replies.

My lips spread into a wickedly bemused smile, “No wonder you don't want to go to the hospital. Cause you’ll be hearing it from mom and dad once they find out.”

Luca’s face reddens and he shoots me the same glare he was shooting Hiroki. “This is not funny Elisa.”

“Sure it's not,” I say. “You're in college, I don't think mom and dad will punish and penalize you as much as you think. Besides, we would all rather you go to the hospital to get the medical attention that you need than to have your arm heal the wrong way.”

“Okay. Fine, let's go to the hospital before I change my mind,” Lucas says defeated.

“Great,” I said eagerly and turned around, walking in the direction of my room. “Let me get my keys and-...shhhiitt…” I trail off and stop mid-stride.

“What?” Lucas askes wearily. There is a sprinkle of annoyance on his face.

I turn around slowly to face him, lifting my shoulders and crossing my arms around. “My car is in the shop,” I say sheepishly.

“God Elisa, what did you do?”

“That’s not important right now!” I say a little too hastily.

“I can take you guys,” says Hiroki.

Lucas and I simultaneously turn to look at Hiroki. He has been standing at the kitchen door this entire time. To be honest I had completely forgotten about him for a second. From the look on Lucas' face, I'm guessing he did as well.

“Are you sure? You really don't have to. We can call for someone else,” I assure him.

“It's no problem, I'll gladly take you guys to the hospital,” Hiroki offers happily.

“Alright, thank you, Hiroki.”

“You can call me Hiro,” he says with a smile that shows his brilliant white teeth. His thin eyes get smaller as he smiles. I keep staring into his face and start wondering if I will get to see more of him this summer. Deep inside, I'm hoping that I will.