It's Raining Emerald

Chapter 7: Last Goodbye

    Emerald

    The smell of grilled cheese filled my nose as I woke up around 1 PM on the couch. I sat up and saw my grandmother in the kitchen finishing up on two plates of food.

    “Good, you’re awake.” She smiled at me, walking over with the plate of food. She handed it to me and sat down next to me on the couch. I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until my stomach growled as she was handing me my plate and a glass of water.

    “What happened?” I don’t remember going inside last night.

    “Well I heard some noise in the backyard and there you were fast asleep in the backyard.”, I nodded while taking a bite of my sandwich, “I had my friend help bring you inside. But don’t worry I told him you were probably just drunk and I put a long shirt over you.” I choked and reached for my drink while my grandmother laughed.

    “That’s not funny! I was naked.” I shouted coming to that realization.

    “It’s okay, you had your jean jacket over you so I doubt anyone else saw anything. Plus your beautiful darling.” She laughed as my face turned red with embarrassment. Slowly everything was coming back to me, the party, shifting, and that guy.

    “What is it?” My grandma asked after seeing me frown.

    “There was someone there. But he didn’t seem scared though it was weird.”, I continued as I took a bite of my grilled cheese, “Like he had seen it before and knew exactly how to act to not scare me.”

    “What do you mean?”

    “He put his hands up and tried to calm me down. And when I went to grab my jacket he stepped back to give me space.”

    “Then what happened?”

    “Some random guy from the party yelled to find out if anyone was back there and I got scared that he would see me so I ran. Once I didn’t see the guy anymore I stopped and saw my reflection in a creek. But then realized I just wanted to go home so I kept running and at some point I didn’t know where I was and some other wolves were chasing me so I just ran faster. I looked back to see that they stopped chasing me and turned around. Soon I began to recognize where I was and I passed out in the backyard.” My grandma looked worried. “Is everything okay?”

    “You might have alarmed some wolves from a pack when you were running by. It seems that they were called off though.”

    “Wait there are other werewolves here?!”

    “Yes, there are some packs here and they have territories.”

    “Do you think that that guy that I saw, was a werewolf too?”

    “It’s possible. But let's not worry about him and focus on you. Now eat some more food and take a nap. Don’t worry about your shift, Lily said she would cover you.” She said and got up to get her plate. I finished the grilled cheese and had some fruit as well. After I was full I went upstairs to take a shower and sleep. I opened my door to my room and walked in, letting my feet touch my fuzzy carpet. Walking into the bathroom I took off my clothes and turned on the warm water. I looked at myself in the mirror barely believing that just last night I was a wolf.

    ‘Yup.’ I heard someone say, making me jump and look around. Yet I didn’t see anyone. Am I going crazy I thought to myself.

    ‘No. You’re not going crazy, you’re just talking to your wolf.’

    ‘Hold on, you can hear my thoughts?’

    ‘Yes I always could but I couldn’t talk to you until you had shifted.’, She explained, ‘Hi, my name is Gemma, your wolf.’

    ‘Yeah I got that part.’, I said sarcastically, ‘Well hi Gemma, I’m Emerald as you probably already know since you’re in my head.’

    ‘I have always been with you, am a part of you, so yes I did know that.’ I chuckled and was then pulled out of my thoughts once I realized that the whole bathroom was filled with steam. I took one last look at the fogged over mirror and then got into the shower. As the warm water ran down my back my muscles relaxed and I started to wash my hair. Lots of questions and thoughts were running through my head but now was not the time.

    When I finished I wrapped a towel over my body and went to my closet to pick out some comfy clothes. Even though I just woke up I still felt tired so I brushed my hair and then went to bed.

~

    I woke up at 5:30 PM and got up because I didn’t want to miss dinner so I threw my hair up and walked downstairs. My grandmother was in the kitchen finishing up making spaghetti and meatballs as I sat down at the table.

    “How many meatballs?” She asked while scooping my pasta.

    “Uhhh, two.” I replied, she put two meatballs on my plate with a spoonful of sauce. I went over and took my plate from her and put some grated parmesan on top. I sat at the table and waited for her to come join me. Once she did, we started to eat.

    “So, how was your day?” I questioned.

    “Good, I did some gardening and cleaned the living room. It was getting awfully dusty.” I nodded while swirling some pasta around my fork.

    “How was your nap?” She said before putting a piece of meatball in her mouth.

    “Fine, I slept well and talked to my wolf, you know the usual.” My grandma’s eyes widened at my statement.

    “Oh my goodness. What is her name?”

    “Gemma and she is pretty cool.”

    “That is great Emerald.” The rest of dinner was filled with laughs and simple conversation. When we finished eating, I helped my grandmother with the dishes and then we watched a movie together. After that, I said good night and went to bed because I have to work tomorrow since I missed my shift today. It was about 12 PM when I got settled into bed.

    ‘Goodnight.’ Gemma piped up.

    ‘Night.’ I said before letting myself slip into the darkness.

~

    I was awoken the next day by the annoying sound of my alarm clock going off. I flung my hand at it to try and turn it off but I ended up knocking it off my side table. Great, I thought to myself, now I have to go get it. I sheepishly stood up and turned off that blaring noise, I guess I’m up now. I walked into the bathroom to take a quick shower before work. I decided to take a cold shower to wake me up on this lovely Sunday. As I stepped under the shower head the cold water soaked my hair, I ran my hands through it to move it from covering my face. I quickly washed myself and got out of the shower, heading to my closet to get my work uniform. I put it in a duffel bag and got changed into a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. I grabbed my converse and slipped them on while brushing my teeth. After that I brushed my hair and put it into two french braids and walked downstairs. It was around 5:45 AM and the diner opened at 6:30 AM so I grabbed a granola bar and my keys when I remembered I had left my car at the party. I picked up my phone and called Lily to ask if she could give me a ride to work and then after work drive me to get my car back. She of course agreed and said that she would be there in 10 minutes. I ate my granola bar and a banana while I waited for her.

    She showed up right on time and we drove to work while jamming out to some music. We soon pulled into the parking lot and Lily parked in the back of the diner where all the employee’s park. We hopped out and went inside and changed into uniform. It was now 6:35 AM and the door opened with our first customer.

~

    Lily and I’s shift ends at 1:30 PM and it is now 1:25 PM. I was clearing off a table while Lily finished up with another customer. I brought the dishes back to the sink and threw out the trash. I walked out from the back to print out the check for my last table.

    “Here you go.” I smiled and placed the check on the table. They soon left and I took my tip and put the cash into the register. Lily helped me clean the table and the people with the next shift arrived. We both went back to change, today was sadly Lily’s last shift because she is going to college in New York. She turned in her uniform and said her goodbyes to everyone. We walked out the back door to her car and I gave her the directions to the party and we took off at 1:35 PM to go retrieve my car. It took about 15 minutes to get there and when we arrived I quickly spotted my car. I had already spent the last few weeks with Lily to get as much time with her before she left but now would be our last goodbye. She parked on the side of the road and turned off the car. I unbuckled my seat belt and gave her a big hug, I had already cried about this, so no tears were shed, only threats if she didn’t call me once she got settled in. I gave her one last hug before saying goodbye one more time. I stood on the sidewalk as I watched her pull away. I let out a sad sigh.

    ‘It’s going to be okay. We will meet new friends in college and we can text or call anytime.’ Gemma said, trying to cheer me up.

    ‘I know but I’m still going to miss her.’ I replied before crossing the street to get to my car. I took off a rogue red solo cup from the windshield and went inside. I started the car and started driving to Target. I needed to pick up another notebook for tomorrow since I’m starting college. It was a quick 5 minute drive and I went in to grab the notebook. I also picked up some cookies to bake later because I felt like it. I drove back home and went inside to start baking.

    “Hey.” My grandmother greeted me.

    “Hi, I’m going to make some cookies. Do you want some?”

    “Sure.” She replied and I went to the kitchen to start baking. I didn’t do much after that besides making my backpack for tomorrow. I have to work on Tuesday and Wednesday after school and it will be my first shift without Lily. Gemma is very excited about meeting new people and starting college. I’m excited too but a little nervous. I go to bed early so that I am not tired for tomorrow. At about 11 PM, I clock out and say goodnight to my grandma and Gemma before drifting off.