Her Eclipse

Chapter2

We're in front of a small two-story building, it is the kind of house you'd expect in this Greenland. It is pretty basic looking with a clean lawn. This is home now.

Grandpa goes to take my suitcases out of the car, and I go to help him, but he shoos me away, he is stronger than he looks. An aged, tall, slim man with gray hair almost replacing all that used to be his dark hair.

I see Grandma already opening the front door and calling out to me. I walk to her taking in her physique and I seriously wish I looked like her by the time I'm a grandmother. She is my mom’s older twin and I just wish I looked exactly like them too. I mean what woman not want those well defined curves ,and auburn long and thick hair, the high cheek bones, the pointed nose standing over a well outlined lip of appropriate volume?

I know I have the hair, which is my most prized possession haha! But the eyes, both my mom and grandma have these big doe-like eyes that make them look so cute, and I'm so sad I cannot relate. My mom says I have eyes that can pierce through one who wants to have swords for eyes when they could have doe like cute eyes. I like to think the only reason my hips don't look like either of theirs is because I have not gained any weight. I remember two years back when I gained a little weight. Kenny's sister told me I could pass for a Kim K so I'm hopeful, don't blame me. A girl can dream.

I go into the house. Inside it is as cozy as the outside suggests, the sitting area is decorated with four cushions and a little too bright for my sensitive eyes. I see a vase of freshly plucked flowers in the right corner as expected, because grandma looks like the garden kind of woman. I try to inspect it a little more, but grandma calls out to me.

“Come take a look at your room, pumpkin.” she says. Oh, the nicknames keep coming. Urghhhhhh

I followed her into the room, my room henceforth. It looks bigger than I had imagined. It has been repainted recently with cream colored paint. The bed looks like it can fit three people, so can I call it a king-size bed? There's a vanity table with a sizable mirror, thoughtful. I see a wardrobe, and I'm not ready to unpack yet, so I don't touch it.

“Whose idea was it to keep the reading table there?” I ask when I notice they've kept the reading by the window overlooking what I assume to be grandma's beautiful garden.

“Doris, she said it would be refreshing to look out when you get tired of reading for a bit.” grandma provides.

That is thoughtful, but now I might not be doing any reading at all because I get distracted easily and might look out anytime I sit on that chair. Ha!

“Go wash your hands in the bathroom and come out for your meal” grandma says as she directs me to my bathroom and leaves me to my thoughts.

I open the door to the bathroom almost immediately out of curiosity. First things first, I am glad I don't have to share it with anyone. There's running water, check. I see there's everything I need , so I don't waste time any more and wash my hands in the sink and leave for the dining area.

I go down and see my grandpa seated at the head of the table and grandma bringing serving plates to the table.

“Come have a se...” grandma begins to say as the front door bursts open and three energetic kids walk in, the two little ones running to grandpa and the eldest grumpily to a seat in the dining.

Their parents walk in, and I recognize my uncle, Joe and his wife Sophia almost immediately. I have seen them in pictures grandma sends yearly.

Uncle Joe walks hastily towards me and embraces me. I feel warm, he doesn't let go immediately and looks emotional when he finally steps back. I look around, and my grandparents look emotional too, the kids in Grandpa's arms have curious looks on their faces and the eldest couldn't care less.

Uncle Joe is the first to speak. “Nice to meet you, I'm your uncle Joe.”

I smile “ I know who you are, uncle. Nice to meet you too”

“Really?” He asks, and I nod, smiling “Did Gracie talk about me a lot?”

“She said she hates it when you call her that” I say,and we all laugh.

“ Of course she did” he affirms. “ He bids his wife to come closer .“ Babe, meet Reyna my niece. Reynie, meet my wife Sophia “

Reynie? Really?

“Welcome home, Reyna “ Sophia hugs me

At least she says my name correctly.

“Thanks Auntie. “ I say after she lets go.

Sophia is a petite blonde beauty with gray eyes, she looks very young and could pass for a single lady with no kids. She looks calm too, the opposite of uncle Joe, who seems like he'd squeal yippee if a trip to Disneyland is announced right now.

Uncle Joe is tall and packs notable muscles. He has dark eyes just like mom and Grandma, but his are smaller. I can see the resemblance between him and mom.

“Enough with the introductions, the food is getting cold, “grandma announces.

Uncle Joe sits by Grandpa's left and grandma by the right, Sophia sits beside Uncle Joe and the two kids beside her. I am seated beside grandma and the grumpy girl who looks like she's in her early teens beside me.

“Meet my kids, Sam” uncle Joe says, pointing to a mini version of himself with blonde hair ,“and Roby” he says, pointing to the kid who looks identical to the blonde boy but with dark hair. “Say hi” he says to them.

“Hi, we're not twins”. Roby is the first to speak.

Oh thanks for the clarification, Roby, because I was definitely going to ask.

“Hi Roby, nice to meet you” I responded.

“Hi, Roby just likes to say that, just because he does not like it when people say he's the same age as me.” Sam says in one sentence.

Wow! He has good breath control. If I had breath control, half of his I'd be the Adele of my time. Haha.

“Hello Sammy, it's OK to be the youngest” I say, making Sam smile. He has a brighter personality.

Uncle Joe sighs and continues “that is our eldest, Ella grumpy”, he says, pointing to her by my left.

I'd sigh too if I had to put up with a grumpy preteen or teen. Should I ask her her age to be sure?

I don't think that is a good idea.

Fine!

“Just Ella, not Ella grumpy or Ella anything. Welcome home, Reyna.” Ella says.

Ok. I think I like her, she knows how to say my normally.

“Thanks, Ella”. I repay her kindness and don't temper with her name.

Ella looks exactly like her mom, she's Sophia's twin, but I think she'll grow taller than her mom is.

“Bon appétit” grandpa says when he notices everyone is with the introductions and starts digging in and the rest follow.

No grace then?

I thought people say grace at family meals.

I dig into the pasta first. I like to save my lasagna for the best. The food is arguably the best I've had. I look to my left, and then I see it.

I thought Grandma said she prepared my favorite meal, so what the hell is a bowl of veggies doing close to me?

I mean I love me some lasagna, but don't bring a bowl of green horror into this. I know I know, call me immature for all I care, but I'm not going to touch it.

Don't judge me.

Judge me if you want, I don't care.

I look at everyone, and they're all eating well, even Sammy and Roby.

“Have you met Doris?” I look up at Sophia, who asked the question.

Grandma answers,“ we told her a wrong date, we wanted to surprise her.”

“What would I not give to see her reaction?” uncle Joe looks excited.

Ok …

I don't even know how to feel about the whole discussion.

“She went to the pack house for training. I believe by the time she's back she will perceive Reyna”

Shit! Do I smell?

What are they even talking about?

I turn, and quietly ask Ella “why will she perceive me? And do I stink?”

She turns up and looks at Sophia. I look up and meet Sophia's gaze too.

“Pack house is what we call the biggest house here, it is an inside joke.” Sophia answers, looking at grandma.

Why are they behaving like some secret agents?

Grandma nudges me and says quietly “ you don't stink, Doris is just sensitive and, like a dog, recognizes everyone's natural scent.”

That's not weird at all!

Doris sounds totally weird.

“You will be starting school in 2 days” grandma says. “We've already worked your transfer”, she adds.

I comment, “that was quick.”

Didn't I just find out about moving here like three days back? Or did everyone know except me? I hope not. I don't appreciate being kept in the dark.

“Things are not complicated here in Forte Woods” grandpa says.

Ok…

“Stop that” Uncle Joe says, and I look up alarmed.

Oh. He was not referring to me but to the boys regarding their food fight.

As good as the food tastes, I can't eat much because jet lag has just begun to sink in.

“Thanks for the food” I say to my grandparents and got up.

My grandpa looks concerned and wants to say something, but grandma stops him.

“Call your Mom and inform her you have arrived” grandma reminds me.

I nod, “I will, good night.”

I hear a series of good nights and a loud bye from Sammy.

It's nice meeting my family, but I need some time, but I need some time to myself.

I go into my room and pick up my phone to call my mom. It is an international call and would take a lot of call credit, but mom had made provisions for it.

I called, and she pick on the first ring. I knew she was waiting for it. Grandpa had informed her when they picked me up from the airport, but it was a quick call,so it is only right that I inform her myself.

“Hello” I say softly to the speaker.

“Hey my baby” mom says and all the emotions from the moment I heard of our parting to this very point come crashing down on me.

Maybe I should've called her immediately when I landed.

“I miss you already” she says, and I burst into tears.

I reply amid tears, “ I miss you too mommy.”

“Oh no! Don't do that, my baby. You're gonna make me cry” she says, and I can hear the emotion in her voice.

I try to take deep breaths while wiping my tears. She knows I don't like to be vulnerable, so she stays quiet on the call, giving me time to recover.

This is the first time I will ever be away from her. We have been each other's support system. Some days were hard, but we got through them together.

I am in this strangely familiar country with this lovely family. They say they love me and I can feel it, but my heart is heavy.

The first years were hard before mom found her footing and became stable. Today she's alone. I feel like I have abandoned her. I know that is not the case, but it is hard not to think like that.

We both have the fear of abandonment, and it makes me anxious that she's alone.

“How is the weather?” I ask once I'm able to calm down.

I hear the smile in her voice. “ It is cold, but I am under the covers. How is it over there?”

“Cold, colder than it is over there” I reply.

“You will be fine baby.” she says.

It's our way of calming down the tension, we talk about random things when it gets hard.

“Mom”

“Yes” she answers.

“There are so many trees here” I say, giggling.

“I know right, you will love it there” she says with a chuckle.

“Good night, mom”

“Good night, my baby. I love you.” she replies.

“I love you” I say, ending the call.

I drop the phone on my bed and opens the wardrobe, I see a few dresses, and I'm confused. Did Grandma shop for me? Or is this some of Mom's old stuff?

I will ask her tomorrow.

My suitcases are still unpacked, and I can't be bothered with unpacking this night. I open the smaller suitcase and take out my pajamas and drop them on my bed.

I go into the bathroom and look at some towels and skincare.

Grandma definitely did too much.

Not like I'm complaining.

I brush my teeth and take a quick hot shower and leave the bathroom.

I wear my pajamas and remove my phone charger and look around for a socket.

Oh heaven!

The socket is next to the drawer near my bed.

I climb into my bed, and I'm very ready to fall asleep. I worry about a new school tomorrow.

When I lay down some hours ago, I thought I'd fall deep into slumber immediately, but here I am three hours later tossing in bed.

First night effect is a b***h.

I'm so frustrated and tired. I need sleep, but why can't I sleep?

Maybe I should listen to music.

Music tends to soothe me when everything fails, so this time too, I will counter this first night effect with music superiority.

I get up and get my pods from the purse sitting atop my unpacked suitcase and unplugged my phone.

I go to my Spotify and click on my Post-Malone playlist.

It unsurprisingly calms me, and I go along silently to the lyrics. I don't know when, but I slowly begin to drift into sleep.

I'm jolted away from my hard-earned sleep when I feel something touch my hair.

Or rather someone.

I let out a scream before I could stop myself and begin to search frantically for the light switch to put on the light.

I put on the light at the same time my grandma comes bursting into my room, followed by Grandpa.

I see a girl looking as confused as she can get, and I'm even more startled. I can't form any words so I just point at her while looking at grandma.

Where did she freaking come from?

Grandma heaves a sigh of relief on looking at her.

“Doris, what are you doing here?” Grandma asks.

“I just wanted to see her, I didn't mean to wake her” the girl replies looking guilty.

Wait …what?

This is Doris?

OMG!

OMG, this is Doris.

“Sorry, Rey. I just badly wanted to see you. Once I perceived you, I couldn't be calm anymore.“ Doris says directly to me.

I sniff my armpits.

I had my bath before climbing into bed.

Why do they keep talking about stink?

Grandpa notices it and tries to help out. “No you don't stink, it's only a figure of speech.”

Oh

“Can I hug you already?” Doris asks.

I look at grandma, and she nods, so I open my arms, and she gives me a bone crushing hug. She maked sniffing sounds in my hair, and I was quick to return the favor.

Since we're doing sniff-a-ton today

She chuckles and lets go.

“Welcome home, Rey. I will see you tomorrow “

Ray?

Not bad.

Grandma ushers out, and I do it before I can stop myself.

“Wait, “I say, making them stop. “did you come through the door or the window “ I ask Doris.

“Window. “ She answers and I nod.

I will close it for good once they leave.

Grandma looks at her disapprovingly.

“We will have a talk tomorrow, girls” grandma says with finality.

Ooo Doris is in trouble. Hahaha.

That's for waking me from my hard earned sleep.

Doris smiles at me and leaves, her strawberry blonde hair is what I see before she's completely out of my sight.

“Go to be cupcake.” grandma says, before closing the door after her and leaving me to my thoughts.

This time it takes me longer, but I fall asleep at dawn.

Half a loaf is better than none.

I groan as I stir awake. I want to bang my head on the wall, because tell me why I slept late last night, and I'm up before 7:00 Am. I refuse to get out of bed.

I hear shuffling downstairs and wonder why both my grandparents are up before 8: 00 AM, don't they love themselves?

They're supposed to be in their retirement era,. They have a legit reason to lazy around and they do this instead?

It can never be me!

Mom told me Uncle Joe and his wife moved out a few years ago, so I know at a point last night they left for their house.

Their house is not far from here, just two houses down the road.

I hear footsteps approaching my door and I quickly close my eyes and relax my body. It's the smartest thing to do in this situation. My door opens slightly and closes back. I release a sigh .

Oh no!

My stomach rumbles. I didn't eat properly last night. Now I have to go down and make human contact.

Or should I just starve to death?

And deprive the world of a great personality like me?

I don't think so.

I remove the covers from my body and come down from my bed and leave my room.

I go down to the dining table for breakfast.

“Good morning” I say to grandma.

She responds too cherry for my morning personality, “good morning cupcake, hope you slept.”

“I did” I say, looking around, “where's Grandpa?” I add when I don't see him anywhere.

“He did step out to fish” she provides, and I can't mask my surprised expression.

OK, let's get this straight.

So grandpa left the comfort of his bed early this morning to go out into the cold basically for the purpose of fishing?

I can't keep up.

I sit on the chair I sat last night because there's a covered plate already placed there.

“Need a hand?” I ask Grandma.

She declines. “I've got it, just eat and get ready for the day.”

Get ready for the day?

Am I not supposed to be sleeping on my first day here? Please don't make me go fishing.

I open the plate cover and find a beautiful sight of Savory Bacon and Cheddar Cheese Scones.

I dig in immediately. O this is good.

I'm not a morning person and I often skip breakfast, but today is an exception.

Mom says I have the worst diet. I can't argue with that, but at least it works just fine.

The food is so good. I do a small happy dance in my head. I'm like that I eat only what I like and when I do you can see the joy on my face.

Can't even hide it.

Grandma looks at me and it makes her smile.

The entrance door burst open and in comes Doris, why so early though?

Don't they knock around here?

I doubt,she was in my room last night.

I find it strange that I'm not weirded out but the incident nor am I uncomfortable seeing her this morning which I didn't expect from myself.

Maybe that's a good thing.

She bounces up to grandma and gives her a hug and picks something from the bowl and munchs it with satisfaction.

Without washing her hands?

She looks at me with her beautiful blue eyes and I smile, I'd definitely want a daughter with her looks.

“Good morning, sunshine!” She calls out coming towards me

Oh I'm anything but sunshine.

“How are you all so energetic this early in the morning?” I asks making grandma chuckle.

“Something about doing it everyday “ she says as she sits facing me on the chair beside me. In normal circumstances I'd be uncomfortable but there's nothing normal about this situation or this place in general.

“Something about I will not be doing it anyway” I say imitating her.

She smiles, I get the feeling she's glad I'm easing up.

I spoke too early cos the next thing she does makes me want her head on a platter of gold.

She freaking took from my plates.

And without washing her hands!

“Wash your hands first” I say taking my plate away

She whines “don't be like that. I'm hungry, I went on a run”

She shouldn't have said that because my food went to the wrong place and I start coughing so she put a glass of water in my hand.

“You what?” I ask once I'm able to form a proper sentence.

She replies innocently “ I went on a run, I just got back “

“Wow! I can't with y'all , where do you get that energy from?” I ask and they all laugh at me

“Finish your food, let me take you on a tour” Doris says

I reply without missing a bit “ no, thank you “

“You're going either way” she insists

“I have not even had a tour of this house “ I try to reason

“We can arrange that “ Doris answers laughing.

Gosh, she's impossible.

I finish eating and wash the plates, Doris helps me out. I go into my room and remember I'm yet to unpack and she opts to help.

How can I refuse? I'm lazy.

“How were you able to climb through the window last night? Did you use a lather ?” I ask out of curiosity while we are arranging my clothes into the wardrobe.

“I just did” she says casually

“This is the second floor” I remind her

She replys “I know”

“Just how much do you work out?” I ask because why is she so fit and strong?

“ I just train with the other women, my father trains the pack warriors “ she says calmly

“Wait what?” I'm More confused.

She's talking gibberish.

Warriors in this age and time?

Does she think this is the Roman empire?

“What?” She asks

“You said something about warrior “ I provide.

She seems taken aback

“O no, ignore me. I talk like that sometimes “ she says

Lol she part of the delulu clan, I understand her because I also am.

Sometimes I want to go back to the Shakespeare time and create a love story so beautiful and strong that Shakespeare writes about it.

“What kind of place is your school?” I ask l,a little anxious.

She answers “ well, it's just like every other highschool, crazy attention seeking teenagers “

I can't decipher how she feels about it from that response.

“Are you popular?” I ask.

The questions keep flowing

“Don't you wanna find out?” She ask with mischief and I instantly know she is.

“Have you ever flirted with a popular guy? Like the football team or something” I ask

She looks me in the eyes and says “ I date the popular guy”

What?

I can't hide my surprise

“ I didn't get popular because I started dating him, I have my own reputation and identity” she clearly states

“You're dating a boy??” I am finally able to get it out

She chuckles “I just told you so”

Oh!

What a relief.

She's not in love with me.

Knowing Doris' feelings are purely platonic put me at ease a great deal.

I was able to convince her that I don't need a tour since I'll be staying for a long time and I will get conversant with the environment with time, we spent the rest of the day in bed after unpacking.

She told me a few about her school and said I'd see for myself the day I start school which is today.

Today is officially my first day at Forte high School, and I don't know how I feel about it, but one think I know for sure is i will not be bullied. Not because Doris said she's one of the popular kids but I'm a personality myself.

I have learnt from my mom not to take bullying, I know how to match energy and that's on period.

Purrrr.

I learnt Doris walks to school, nah I can't deal with that. Mom asked Grandpa to make arrangements to get me a fairly used car and I think it is just convenient that grandpa hardly uses his truck, so I can convert it.

A truck is not my ideal choice for a ride but I'll work with what is available till whenever.

I walk out of the door, and I'm surprised to see Doris already dressed waiting by the truck for me.

Wow she's early.

“Hey new girl.” She says,smiling at me.

“Don't tell me people are going to call me that” I say, pointing her to the passenger side.

“Definitely will.” She confirms, getting into the truck.

I make a displeased face “urghhhhh”

“Chill girl. You're gonna love it there.” she assures me.

“It's high school, Riri. Nobody loves it.” I say, starting my princess.

Lol I just nicknamed the truck.

Doris is too quiet, so I turn to look at her, and she looks shocked.

“What is it?” I say, reversing my princess.

She responds, and I can hear how happy she is from her voice. “You just called me Riri.”

“I did?” I question, not sure .

She replies, bouncing a little in her seat “ yes yes. You used to call me that when we were little.”

If she loves the name, then that's cool.

“Sure, Riri.” I add, making her smile more.

“Make a right turn “ she directs me.

I could have used the Google map but since she's here, I'd rather use her services.

Curiosity gets the best of me and I ask, “how do you remember everything so well?”

“My genes, it's just how I was born. “ comes her response with a shrug.

“Some superhero, some fairytale bliss” I start to sing the popular song titled ‘someone like that ‘.

“I'm actually looking for somebody with some superhuman gifts, I want somebody just like that.” she sings the opposite of the lyrics, putting ‘actually’ in place of ‘not’,and we laugh together at the end.

“Fairytales are beautiful, whoever brought them about is a genius.” I comment.

“I know. Right.” she rolls her eyes,and I ignore it.

“What else do you remember I did?” I ask.

She replies, almost immediately, “poke your nose, and eat it.”

“Ewwww.” I say, making her laugh.

“The large gate over there.” She gives the final direction to what might be a memorable place or a nightmare.

Let's go in and find out.