So here we go. 5 months of reading and I've finally decided to try writing. I don't know how far this will go, or how regularly I'll write, but I had to put something on paper! Please enjoy:)
Not even 2 hours after stepping off the plane, Charlie and I were on the road to La Push. Not that I should be surprised. Dad spent the majority of his free time on the reservation with Billy these days. Without even a chance to freshen up, he'd insisted we go visit, which did nothing to calm my nerves after the morning's emotional good-byes and long flight to Forks.
The cold December air blew my hair, tossing it around my now rosy cheeks as I stepped from the cruiser and we made our way up the short path to the Black's home. Though years had passed since my last visit, the tiny house's familiarity was not lost on me. I heard the soft creaking of the door's hinges as it carelessly swung open.
"Bella? Is that you? Oh my… you've certainly grown up without us!" Billy's jovial voice rang from the doorway. He expertly maneuvered his wheelchair on to the front patio before another figure came barreling through the entry.
"Bella's here!" a much younger, yet unexpectedly deep voice called. I looked up to see a lanky, long-haired figure quickly moving to greet me. His long, dark locks framed the brilliant white smile that seemed permanently etched in the center of his face.
"Wow, if I'd known you guys would be so excited to see Bells, I'd have brought her sooner!" Charlie replied with a chuckle as I felt a wave of blush creep up my cheekbone.
"Ch-Dad, cut it out, we literally dropped my bags and got back in the cruiser. Not to mention I wasn't planning on moving until right before classes started, and now I'm here before Christmas," I qualified.
"So you're here for a few weeks before school starts ehh?" The boy replied, his smile still glittering under the lamp light from the porch.
"Bella, you remember Jacob, I hope?" I glanced at Jacob, trying to find the features of the small child I'd last seen. His warm eyes were the same, but aside from the obvious characteristics of his Quileute heritage, nothing else was. His lanky arms were wrapped carelessly around each other, only complimented by the uneven distribution of weight on his legs, jutting one bony hip out to the side as he leaned against the railing on the porch. For as young as he had to be, almost two full years my junior, his tall frame contradicted the boyish charm of his face. His body may have developed past that of a 15 year old boy, but nothing about him from the neck up would lead you to believe otherwise.
"Vaguely, Billy. It's been quite some time since I've been around here and I think last time I saw him, he may have been wearing diapers." Jacob's easy manner and smile immediately calmed my nerves, and we exchanged a quick hug.
"Bella, if you're already moved in at home then you should come spend some of your break with me! I mean us! And you too, Charlie!" I felt the familiar heat of blush rise again on my cheeks at Jacob's eager invitation.
"Well, Charlie? I was going to extend the invitation for Christmas to you anyway, but it seems my excitable son has beat me to the punch." Billy's eye flitted between Charlie and I, seeking some kind of confirmation that his invitation had been accepted.
"It might be nice to spend Christmas with the whole family this year, wouldn't it Bells? I mean, you and Jake can get reacquainted. And there's a game on, so we can watch that before we eat!" The skin around Charlie's eyes crinkled as his lips stretched into a wide grin at the prospect of a Christmas spent on the couch with his friends—and daughter—and a home cooked meal.
"Sure, Dad but-"
I didn't get to finish my thought, as Charlie suddenly remembered why we came out to La Push today anyway. "Wait! I almost forgot! Bells, now I know you wanted to save up for a car and everything, but I found a much better solution. "
I tried to stifle the groan I knew would inevitably follow. "Dad, please don't spend any money on me! I told you I've saved up and I really don't want to burden you."
"Lucky for you then, Bella, he didn't spend a dime," Billy remarked with a wink. "Jake, take her to the back to see the truck and make sure it's ready to drive out of here. Charlie, you want a soda or something? Come on in for a minute while the kids get this settled."
Jake grinned, grabbed my hand, and took off towards the back, dragging me along. "C'mon, Bella, I'm so glad you're taking this thing off my hands!"
Thing. That can't be good. As we rounded the corner to the back yard, my foot caught on some stray peice of the woods surrounding the Black's house. I tried to catch my balance, but over corrected, inevitably stumbling further forward. Instinctively, my hand detached from Jacob's to catch the fall, but I was too late.
Thud.
"Oooof, ow. Knew it was coming."
Jacob's laughter echoed off the trees. "You okay there klutz?" A warm hand found mine, another wrapped around my waist to help me up. I reveled in the immediate relief from the cold night air.
"Yeah, it happens. Often." The routine mental check for injuries returned negative results, minus a few scratches on the heels of my hands. "Looks okay though!"
"So does this mean I should get the doctor on speed dial or something? Or will a first aid kit be enough?" he teased through a goofy smile. I couldn't help but smile back. Something about the warmth of his expression, his hands, it all made this cold, cloudy town a little brighter.
"Alright, enough joking at my expense. Where is this thing? Wait, what is it really, and why did you call it a thing?"
Jake just laughed and pulled me around the side of the garage. There it was. An old, red truck.
"Isn't she great? She runs like a dream. Fixed everything myself, you know? It was Billy's, but since he can't exactly drive it anymore, and I'm not quite old enough yet. But really, I'm glad you're taking it because I can work on building my car. And hey, at least you can spend all that hard-earned money you've been saving on something else."
"Wait, Jacob, you fixed this yourself? You are going to build a car? How… I mean WOW." It didn't escape my notice that he seemed pleased with my reaction. I guess, if it is does us both a favor, maybe I don't feel so bad about taking it. "So it sounds like I'm taking this off your hands tonight then? How long till your car is done?"
He retreated to the inside of the garage. Suddenly a dim glow fell upon what appeared to be the shell of a very old car. He opened one door and motioned for me to take a seat. "Yeah, car's yours tonight. Again, I'm glad for you to take it. Now that I don't have to worry about fixing that up anymore, I can focus on this. It's a Rabbit," he declared with a proud grin as I sat in the driver's seat and and admired the half-built car
"I still need a ton more parts, but I'm not really in a hurry yet. I can walk most anywhere I need to go around here, or hitch a ride. Though that does complicate coming to Forks whenever, " he mused, probably more to himself than me. "Anyways, it's just kind of something I've always done. I've been working on this for a while now, on and off. If that truck is any proof, this baby will run like a dream when I'm done!" Jake smiled again, full of warmth. It seemed to radiate from him, filling the tiny garage with heat in the cold, December night. I smiled, thinking how fortunate I was to have a friend I could talk to so easily on my first night in town.
"So, uh, how old exactly is the truck?" I questioned. It wasn't that I didn't trust his handiwork, but the truck looked pretty ancient. The round curve of the hood reminiscent of a previous era was only outdone by the faded red paint, clearly dull from overuse and lack of care at one time. Part of me wondered how long Billy had owned that truck, or if Billy's dad before him was the original owner.
"Eh, not sure really. Runs great though. But I wouldn't try to drive it much past fifty. Thing's tough, but it isn't made for speed. Although, if you're as clumsy as you say, it's probably better that way." Another goofy grin made its way across his tanned face. It was impossible to resist the urge to smile back and swat his arm.
"I thought we were done making fun of Bella? Though I'm glad to hear it's sturdy, because as much as I hate to admit it, you are probably right. If it rains as much here as I remember, I'd rather have a truck that can handle a little tussle with the elements. Probably increases my chance of surviving this place." An unintentional sigh escaped, and I remembered the weather-related consequences of my decision. No more arid, desert heat. No more sun, except on the occasional good day. I hoped Renee was well in muggy Florida. Surely that would be a transition for her just as this was for me.
"Bells, Jake? You kids got everything figured out yet? We need to head home, Bells," Charlie voice carried from the other side of the house.
"Sure, sure, Charlie. I'm just giving her the keys and going over a few things. We'll drive it around," Jake replied, reaching towards a shelf on the wall and plopping a set of silver keys in my hand. "So here you go! I guess it's time to go." His demeanor shifted, now almost childlike, to a sad pout. "You will come and see me again, right?"
Smiling, I answered. "I think I'd like that Jake. Thanks again, for everything. Can I call you if Red over there gives me any problems?"
The sparkle returned to his eye, and another gleaming smile appeared. "Sure, sure! I am at your disposal. Your personal mechanic." He offered me a hand and helped me out of the car. We walked casually over to the truck and I opened the door.
"I guess I'll see you soon then. Bye Jake!" After exchanging a quick hug, I turned the key in the ignition and jumped in surprise as the engine underneath the worn hood roared to life. I could barely hear Jake's chortle outside at my reaction to the unexpected volume.
As Charlie lead the way out of the drive and towards Forks, I realized I was still smiling. Though we had been too young to know each other then, talking with Jake was so effortless, as if we'd been friends our whole lives. I was struck by how warm and inviting he was to someone he barely knew, and immediately felt some of my despair melt away. Maybe moving to this stupid, cloudy town would be okay after all.