Note: I don't own anything you recognize...there is swearing in this story so be aware...i have pulled some direct dialogue from the movie in the later half of the story...it's my first and probably only Twilight story so please don't flame me if you don't like it...with that, Enjoy!
Why do I always get harassed when I'm just minding my own business? I had come out here to catch some sun but instead I get blocked.
"What are you doing on our beach, pale face?"
"Trying to get some color on my pale ass, you racist asshole," I replied, not bothering to turn over onto my back so I could see who was speaking to me. "And your beach? Did you go around marking your territory?"
"It's on rez land so our beach."
Rather than lying there and dealing with this asshole, I gathered my things. Barely turning my head to see the tall, muscular man behind me, I flipped him off.
"Fuck you, asshole. I've got as much right to this beach as you."
I stalked off and headed into the tress. What I had told the bastard was partly true. I was on the reservation hoping to find my father. From what I had been told, it had been a whirl wind romance and ended up with my white mother pregnant. I guess the thought of a child scared him off because he didn't stick around. Mom was heartbroken and, I guess, vowed to never speak his name again because she took it to the grave with her when she passed 6months ago from cancer. All I had to go on what a hazy picture and the fact that Mom has never left Port Angeles so this reservation was closest.
He was right in that I don't have the darker skin like he had. I took after Mom more except for the thick black hair and physique of my father's family. In other words, I had a nice body, filling out clothes in the right places. I had hated it when I was younger because all I had wanted to do was run and climb trees but when you hit puberty at 11 and was nearing a C cup by 13, it sucked.
The elders were helping me in any way they can. Even though I offered to drive in from Forks, they had put me up with a lovely family, the Clearwaters. Sue was great in every way but her eyes still held sadness from her husband's death a couple years ago. Seth was a bright kid who loved to play around. Leah had her moments but she could be a pain in the ass too.
"Must be a genetic trait of the tribe," I grumbled, letting myself into the house.
"What is, Mikayla? You're back early," Sue asked.
"People's ability to be a pain in the ass. I guess I'm not dark enough to sunbathe at the beach. Some guy called me a pale face and told me to leave."
"Do you know who? That beach is open for everyone. People come up from Forks to be at that beach."
"I'm so punching that guy if I see him again."
I changed out of my bathing suit and helped Sue around the house. She was heading into Forks so I went along to get out of La Push for awhile. We stopped at the grocers to pick up a few last items for the dinner I was making and while she headed over to the diner for some coffee with Chief Swan, I headed over to Newton's. My hiking boots were getting worn through and needed to be replaced.
Some blond kid sprung up from the chair behind the counter when the bell over the door jingled as I entered.
"Welcome to Newton's. How can I help you?"
"Just some hiking boots."
The kid, Mike according to his name tag, ushered me over to the wall where the shoes were hanging and helped me personally. I think he just wanted to get a look down the tank top I was wearing. I turned my dark brown eyes to him when I caught him staring. He blushed and backed away.
"I'll be at the counter if you need any more help."
Yeah right, I thought.
After trying on several pairs, walking around the store, and testing them out any way I could think of, I ended up with two new pairs. I picked up a few other necessities and went towards the diner. Something caught my eye first. I don't know why but the sight of a tiny pixie like girl, an average brunette girl, and a guy with honey blond hair made me stop for a second. I shook my head and met up with Sue.
"Any luck, Mikayla?" Chief Swan asked.
"It's only been a few days and I haven't received the enhanced picture yet. The photographer said they should be able to enhance it so we can actually see his face but I just worry that I'll be searching for long while."
"Once you get the picture and if the elders don't recognize it, bring it by the station. I may be able to pull some strings to match the face against licences."
"That would be great, Chief Swan. I'm cooking a large dinner tonight for the Clearwaters and some friends of Seth's. Would you like to join us, if it's alright with you, Sue?"
"Of course it is. Charlie is always welcome."
"My daughter, Bella, was going to cook up some dinner for us tonight."
"It's your call, Chief Swan. Dinner is around 6pm at the Clearwaters."
Sue and I headed back up to the rez and I started in on dinner. When I had offered to cook, the matriarch laughed and stated that unless I was cooking enough to feed a small army, it wouldn't be enough for her kids and the others coming. So I changed the menu and was making enough to feed a small army. How much could a dozen people really eat?
"Damn, Mikayla, it smells great in here," Seth cried as he rushed into the house.
"It better or else I'm doing something wrong. All that needs to be cooked is the meat and the BBQ is heating up now. I'm gonna get in a quick shower and come back down to finish. Don't eat anything, Seth."
The shower was quick and I chose to wear a pair of jean shorts and a halter top. The summer was hot and cooking over a BBQ would be even hotter. I pulled my hair back into a ponytail but left it only half pulled through. I wasn't much for makeup so I just put on some lip gloss. One final look and I was heading out of the guest bedroom.
As I neared the kitchen, I could hear voices. One was deep and the other had a bit of a melody to it. Seth was offering them drinks when I finally joined them.
"Sam, Emily, this is Mikayla. She's the cook tonight."
I smiled and tried not to stare at the scars across Emily's face. I pulled out some snacks that I prepared and told them to dig in. Sam and Seth seemed to grab a handful each and Emily had to smack Sam's hand away when he went for seconds.
"The rest of my friends should be here soon. Maybe you should start in on the meat," Seth suggested.
I had marinated ribs and chicken to go along with the homemade stuffed burgers I prepared. Because of this small army, I planned to cook nearly 4 dozen burgers, 5 slabs of ribs, and about a dozen chicken breasts. The BBQ was perfect so I put the ribs on to cook. The chicken and burgers shouldn't take as long so they'd go on in a bit.
"She's out back. I'll introduce you all to her when she comes in. You should really try these cheese things she made. I swear she cooks nearly as good as Emily and Mom."
I took that as a compliment since I had tasted Sue's cooking in the few days that I had been here. Bringing the rib plate back inside, I took sight of 5 tall, large in every way guys in the kitchen with Seth, Sam, and Emily.
"Hi. I'm Mikayla. So you're the small army Sue warned me about."
One of the guys chuckled and stepped forward.
"I'm Jacob. Thanks for cooking us dinner."
"It's not a problem. Depending on how long I'm here for, there may be more opportunities to cook again. So do I just refer to you as the army or do I get names?"
Jacob and Sam laughed before Jacob introduced the guys.
"This is Quil, Jared, Embry, and Paul."
I glanced at each guy for a second before offering them drinks and more snacks. When I went out to check on the ribs, Emily came with me.
"Do all the kids on the rez grow that big? I know Seth's tall for his age but, damn, those guys are massive."
"Not all. Family traits, I guess."
I turned the ribs and went to grab the chicken and burgers. The group had migrated outside but over onto the grass. One of the guys, Paul, I think, was inside getting something more to drink and was blocking access to the fridge.
"Excuse me. I need to get the rest of the meat."
"Whatever."
I recognized that voice from the beach. He barely moved out of the way so I used the fridge door to scoot him back further. I pulled out the plates of burgers and chicken and stacked them on the counter near the fridge. Using my hip to close the door, I grabbed the stack and headed towards the back door.
"I can't believe you're allowing a pale face to cook your food. Aren't you worried that I'll undercook it and let you get food poisoning?"
I caught his eye for a brief second before heading towards the BBQ. As I put down the stack of meat, I heard a glass break and Paul swearing in the kitchen. He better clean up his own mess because there's no way I'm doing it.