ACT I ▬▬▬▬ diner disagreements

HAILEY STARED BLANKLY ST THE WHEEL OF HER CAR, her mind filled with a world wind mix of emotions. She could see them through the windows of the small diner, the Rez's local cult. A constant reminder of the pain of her past. Hailey vividly remembered the first time they had shown up after her breakup with Paul, her ex-boyfriend. It had been a painful sight, witnessing her own best friend sitting with her ex and the rest of the local cult. It was always annoying and awkward when they came into the diner, but this time it stung even more.

Tiffany Call and the council had claimed that Embry was sick with mono for weeks, but here he was, sitting with the boy who had caused her world to crash and burn. It was a painful reminder of the betrayal and heartbreak she had endured. Inhaling deeply, Hailey got out of her truck and walked up the rotting wooden steps to the diner. As she opened the door, the bell rang, announcing her arrival to the regulars. They smiled kindly and whispered greetings, while Hailey tried her best to return the friendly gestures.

Navigating through the crowded room, Hailey made her way to the back where her aunt, Jessica, sat with a weary expression, surrounded by bills. The stress of financial struggles was evident on her face. "The bank again?" Hailey asked sympathetically, hanging her coat on the hook. Jessica nodded, her embarrassment mixed with exhaustion. "I'm late on rent.. I hate to do this, but Sam's table needs to order..." she admitted, her voice carrying the weight of their financial predicament.

"You'll be the death of me" Hailey sighed, unable to bear seeing her aunt in such distress. She squeezed Jessica's shoulder in both support and understanding before continuing on her way.

Clearing her throat, Hailey stood at the table where the Call family and Paul were seated. "I'm Hailey, and I'll be your server today," she spoke with forced cheerfulness. "What can I get you all today?" Her smile didn't quite reach her eyes but it didn't falter once as she waited for their orders. Emily, always the positive and kind one, ordered a Caesar salad, while Sam opted for a double cheeseburger with fries. Jared, requested a double cheeseburger with extra pickles - which Hailey thought was rancid, who asks for extra pickles?

And then there were Paul and Embry, the cause of Hailey's heartache. Embry looked up, meeting her gaze, but his expression conveyed nothing. "Can i get the bacon burger, please" he spoke softly and quietly. He seemed deflated, as if the weight of their shared history was pressing down on him.

Hailey noticed the change in his demeanor, and her brows furrowed in confusion and slight disgust.

Meanwhile, Paul felt time slow down as he found himself staring at Hailey. In the months since their breakup, he had glimpsed her from afar, but never before had he truly looked into her eyes. She had changed, her weight loss highlighting the sharpness of her features, yet she remained undeniably beautiful. It felt as if a gravitational force was pulling him towards her, a reminder of the love he still harbored for her. But there was also a foreign feeling, a regretful distance that had grown between them. He'd be whatever she needed, he'd die for her and he'd kill for her. She was the only one that mattered.

Paul's eyes softened as he snapped out of his daze, acutely aware of the hurt he had caused her. Hailey's furrowed brows deepened, her confusion and disgust lingering. The tension between them was palpable as she stared expectingly waiting for his order.

"Quarter pounder with extra cheese and tomato's" The boy nodded, Hailey let her eyebrow cock up in confusion.

While Jared kicked Paul playfully under the table, spurring a laugh from the group. Hailey raised an eyebrow, her confusion evident. "you're lactose intolerant," she almost reminded him. "Extra cheese, Hails" Paul stated. She shrugged, walking away without saying a word.

Once Hailey was out of earshot, Jared doubled over in laughter, thoroughly amused by the situation. "That was the funniest thing to date!" he gasped between laughs. Sam, his hand firmly on Emily's knee, nodded towards Paul, acknowledging the complexity of the situation. "Congratulations" Sam said, almost smiling. Paul released a breath, a mix of relief and regret washing over him.

Embry sat with flushed cheeks and labored breaths, the intensity of his feelings evident. Sam arched an eyebrow, his gaze fixed on their newest pack member, waiting for an explanation. Emily reached out, gently squeezing Embry's hand, her voice filled with kindness as she asked, "What is it?" . Embry grumbled, reluctant to share, his leg twitching under the table.

Sam leaned forward, his voice taking on a serious tone. "Embry," he stated firmly, prompting Embry to speak up. "Paul already hurt her once. She deserves better," Embry spat out, finally relinquishing his stubbornness. "You know why" Paul growled, his hands clenching the porcelain counter tightly.

Embry scoffed, "Talk about letting her down easily! You fucked her up, and I picked up the pieces! Not you, me." The two of them argued in hushed whispers, their venomous voices poisoning the air around them, but no one in the crowded diner seemed to pay any attention.

Sam issued a warning, his gaze fierce enough to make grown men tremble. "Boys, either pack it in or take it to the woods," he commanded. Embry exhaled harshly but nodded, a hint of sadness and resignation evident in his eyes. Paul, on the other hand, felt a surge of anger coursing through his veins, the heat of it burning within him.

As Hailey balanced the tray of food, carefully strategizing to avoid any spills, she couldn't help but sense the tension in the air. She delivered the meals with precision, making sure to avoid eye contact with anyone at the table. Jared, attempting to lighten the atmosphere, playfully nudged Hailey's shoulder and teasingly, "didn't spit in our food, did you, omega?" Jared asked with a smirk.

Hailey shrugged, a nonchalant expression on her face. "Nah, no promises about Aunt Jess though," she retorted, a mischievous glint in her eyes. Jared's eyes widened, unsure if she was joking or not.

"Hope you guys enjoy your food," Hailey said blandly before turning her attention to Emily. "If you need anything, call me over." With that, she walked away, leaving the table wondering why she seemed to be catering specifically to Emily.

Jared gulped as he watched her go. "Damn, she scares me," he admitted, shoving a handful of fries into his mouth. "And hey! How come she'll only help Emily?"

Embry, his own heart heavy with regret, replied sadly, "Because she hates us, well, Paul and probably me. Sam, too. You're just guilty by association."

"Not fair" Jared grumbled, stabbing a fry with his fork in a display of toddler-like frustration, muttering about how unfair it all seemed.

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Hailey felt the couch meet her back as she fell back on it dramatically. "what's wrong, hun?" Jessica asked as she picked up Hailey's legs then placed them on her own as she sat down.

Hailey groaned, she shoved a pillow against her face. "San and the cult were being dicks" her sentence came out mumbled causing Jessica to rip the pillow away from her.

"What did they do?"

"They were acting all friendly and then Paul, don't even get me started" the quileute girl complained harshly making Jessica hold up her hands in defence.

"He's suddenly not lactose intolerant anymore?! and then he wouldn't look at me and then he did and it was like nothing fucking changed! Embry looked like a fucking dog in headlights and Jared was joking with me like we have talked every day since we were three!" The girl finished ranting without taking a single breath and was left heaving with anger.

Jessica sat wide eyed, she exhaled slowly attempting to come up with a response but her mind was running blank. With a simple pat to Hailey's knee Jessica stood up. "Just ignore them" she spoke, before she turned and walked into her room.

Hailey lifted her head to drop it against the sofa ten times harder. Beside her the house phone started to ring, she groaned loudly before picking it up and placing it beside her ear.

"Hey, Hailey!" the voice rung out.

"what's up, Emily" Hailey responded, rather confused.

She could hear Emily's laugh through the line, "Sorry it's so late i just wanted to ask if you'd be able to come around tomorrow, i need an extra hand with cooking for the bonfire" Emily spoke nervously.

"who's gonna' be there?"

"me, Sam, Jared, Paul and Embry" emily meekly replied.

"Tell them i have... what do they call it? Oh yeah, i have mono" Hailey smiled sarcastically, coughing for affect.

"She'll be there, hun!" Jessica yelled from her bedroom.

"Great! i'll see you at eleven!" Emily spoke happily, pleased the new member of their small family was slowly going to be introduced.

Hailey mumbled a small 'yep' before the line fell flat and the girls eyes drifted closed without her knowing.

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- RIN SPEAKS

Hailey very much hates them ALL right now, except Emily because that woman is a godsend and I adore her ( she deserved more screen time, the whole wolf pack did )

Aunt Jess is also an iconic devil in disguise. She although is not the villain in this story...