Summary: Three years after Cam and Allie separate, the story of Anna and Brady picks up. Seth and Allie are about to move on and Anna is staying behind in La Push. Will Anna fall back to her lonely abandoned state? Sequel to Western Sky.
Anna POV
Anna lay on her bed staring at the ceiling in boredom. The summer was set to start tomorrow but, she couldn't be bothered to get excited for it. Allie and Seth had long since proclaimed that they would be leaving town just after her eighteenth birthday this December. The thought of them leaving her was enough to drive her into a perpetual state of sorrow.
It had been three long years since the day that Camilla Call had fled with Quil. Surprisingly, Allie had taken it well and was only prone to minor breakdowns every so often. That was how Anna's room had been transferred so drastically. Allie was in desperate need of an activity so, Seth begged her to let Allie help her change it. The cool blues had been altered to a soft lavender. The green accents had been swept from the room and replaced with a cottony white. Her furniture had been replaced by white wicker chairs and a wooden desk. Her bed was surrounded by a canopy of elegant cream colored tulle that adorned her windows as well. Anna's ceiling had been covered in a painting of the grey clouds outside. Anna often found herself staring up into the mock version of the heavens above her head in wonder as her eyes roamed the swirling grey clouds.
Over the years, Anna's relationship with Seth and Allie grew strong. Seth fulfilled the role of a strong father figure in her life and Allie, well she wasn't exactly a mother. However, she wasn't really a sister either. She appeared to levitate between both. Allie was an excellent home maker and advice giver but, she did help Anna do some rather ill advised acts as well. She could be counted on to let Anna drive before she was old enough and take her cliff diving in massive storms. She even covered for Anna when she snuck out in the middle of the night to see Brady.
And Brady, he had become her very best friend. They relied on each other for all things. It was a rare day when they weren't in each other's company, to Seth's dismay. Much like a true father, he was extremely protective over Anna whom he viewed as his daughter. They were never allowed in Anna's room alone together and the one time they had been caught, Anna was grounded for a month. Even though Allie had gotten her out of it, they were careful never to be caught again.
"Anna? Dinner time!" Allie hollered up the stairs.
She sighed and pulled herself onto her feet. She ambled her way down the hall and slid down the banister. That was another thing Allie had introduced her to. Slide races were their second favorite activity. The first being 'Trick Seth while we go have fun'
Seth saw her from the living room but said nothing and only pursed his lips disapprovingly. She gave him her best innocent face and he smiled before shooing her into the kitchen. It was a rare day in this house when there wasn't an exceptional smell wafting from the kitchen. Today Allie had prepared a simple roast with mashed potatoes and sautéed greens. Allie herself stood at the stove stirring and shutting off pots at random. Seth shuffled past her and gently kissed Allie's lips. Anna blushed for them and looked away. She instead turned her gaze to the table where she expected to see Brady waiting for them. Her hopes were dashed as she looked at the empty table. Shrugging, she sat down at the table and waited for Seth and Allie to join her. When they did she was surprised when they didn't wait for Brady to begin eating. She cautiously picked up her fork and speared some peas.
"He's not coming tonight," Allie said sparing her an amused glance.
"Who?" She asked nonchalantly.
"Santa," Allie snorted disbelievingly.
"Whatever," Anna mumbled and ate slowly.
"So," Seth started slowly, "We finally set a date."
"A date? As in for a wedding?" Anna said eyeing them excitedly.
"No," Allie shook her head with a tiny frown, "When we're going to head up to Alaska."
"Are you going to live with the Cullen's?" she frowned.
"No, just a quick visit and then off to Colorado," She shrugged and speared a piece of asparagus, "We'll have a small cabin in the mountains."
"With a room for you of course," Seth winked.
"So," Anna said slowly, "Was that it?"
"Well, no," Allie grimaced, "We have something else to tell you."
"Yes, it 's about the house," Seth said awkwardly.
"When do you need me out?" Anna asked nonchalantly.
"Out? What do you mean?" Allie asked her obliviously.
"When do you need me to move?" Anna said furrowing her eyebrows.
"Honey, that's what we're trying to tell you," Allie laughed, "We're giving you the house."
"You're giving me this house?" Anna's jaw dropped.
"Yep," Allie chirped happily. She and Seth joined hands and shared a giant smile.
"What? But- I can't afford- I couldn't take-" Anna spluttered in disbelief.
"Relax okay?" Seth smiled at her proudly.
"We'll pay the basic bills," Allie waved away nonchalantly, "and if Brady, Ryan and Kevin move in you should all be able to feed yourselves and get anything else you need."
"I can't take your house!" Anna protested, "I know how much it means to you guys-"
"And you mean a lot to us as well," Seth assured her, "and who better to take care of her than you?"
"And about the guys moving in?" Anna asked in a small voice.
"Brady already has a full time job at the lumber yard in Forks," Allie pointed out, "And both you and Kevin have part time jobs."
"And after you finish high school and college you can start full time and take full ownership of the house," Seth finished for her.
"There's no way we can afford it," Anna shook her head defiantly.
"We already told you that your basic bills are taken care of," Seth started.
"All you guys have to take care of is food and clothing," Allie finished with a meaningful look.
"I don't think we can do it," Anna disagreed.
"Brady can take our room and the boys can share the spare one at the end of the hall," Allie offered brightly.
"Come on Annie?" Seth coaxed her, "It's up to you. If you say no then we'll wait another year or two when you finish high school. Then you can come with us."
"Brady too," Allie offered kindly, "We could put some hold on the cabin and decide on somewhere else to go in a couple of years.'
Anna remained silent. Looking up at her family she noticed how tired they looked. Their hands were locked in a tight grip but not from fear or anger. It was in worry. They genuinely cared that she was happy. The pair of them had given her anything that she could ever want and would sacrifice their happiness for her. She lowered her eyes shamefully for wanting to keep them all to herself. They had been made 'parents' far too early in life. They deserved to have a life together whether she was a part of it or not.
"Thanks for the offer you guys but, I want you to go get that cabin in the mountains," Anna sighed softly, "The guys and I can handle it."
"Honey," Allie said slowly, "Are you sure this is what you want?"
"We would be happy with anything you choose sweetheart," Seth assured her.
"I promise," Anna smiled sadly, "I want you guys to go and start your lives together."
Seth smiled happily and slung his arms around the two of them. Allie frowned slightly and studied Anna's face. Anna hastily attempted to pull a smile to appease her. Allie didn't look totally convinced but, let it go and let Seth kiss her softly. Anna smiled at them and shook her head. She slipped under Seth's arm and away from the table. She slid through the back door and sprinted to the sand slide. Anna carefully navigated her way down to the beach and started to walk silently.
The sun hung low in the sky and just brushed the horizon. It would be dark soon but, Anna didn't worry. She walked on silently until she reached her favorite cliff. The sun bled from the sky and into the ocean. She sighed and hung her legs over the side and looked down at the rushing waves.
The last time she had been here was during the massive storm about a month ago. She and Allie had told Seth that they were having a girl's night with Kim and Rachel. Which wasn't really a lie because they had all come out to this cliff and jumped into the wildly raging ocean. Sure it was extremely dangerous and probably should have ended in death but, it had been fun. The four of them would have kept going if Kim hadn't told them that she was trying to get pregnant. After that Allie refused to let her endanger her life for fear that Jared would hunt them down to 'rescue' Kim.
The water always seemed more exciting when it was highlighted with bolts of lightening and claps of thunder. Allie was fine with cliff diving in any kind of weather as long as Anna was with someone. Therefore, Anna promised Allie that if she were going to jump during a 'dangerous' time that she would tell Allie. How many more of those days did she have with her? What if this was the summer that Allie and Seth decided to settle down and have kids and a house? Would she be the same fun loving and reckless person?
"Anna? What are you doing here?" Brady asked.
Anna jumped slightly and turned to see Brady coming out of the forest behind them. She smiled and shrugged at him. He rolled his eyes and plopped down beside her.
"So I guess they told you huh?" Brady asked avoiding her eyes.
"Yup," Anna answered unemotionally as she chucked rocks down the cliff and watched the waves greedily swallow them up.
"So I guess you're leaving La Push then," Brady shrugged.
"I told them I would stay," Anna answered.
"You did?" Brady cried happily but then quickly swallowed it.
"Yeah," Anna looked at him amused, "Thought it could be fun living together."
"Are you sure this is what you want?"
"Absolutely," Anna nodded with a smile.
"This is great! We're going to be living together!"
'I can't wait until I'm eighteen!" Anna shouted gleefully and hugged Brady tightly.
He laughed in her ear and crushed in his arms. They pulled back and Anna rested her head on his shoulder. The sun was finally half covered by the horizon and the light was dulling.
"Feel like a celebratory jump?" Anna asked looking up at him.
"I'm game," Brady smiled.
They stood up stepped back from the edge of the cliff. Anna kicked off her shoes and shook out her short hair. Brady took her hand in his and slowly started to count.
"One...two...Three!"
The pair ran to the edge and propelled themselves forward. The wind rushed past Anna's body as she zoomed down the cliff side. She clung to Brady's hand and prepared herself for the icy cold water's impact. They delved into the water and resurfaced kicking and gasping for air. Anna looked at Brady and laughed splashing him with her free hand.
The next morning Anna awoke to a bright sunny morning. She dressed for her last day as a junior at top speed. It really wasn't anything special, just a deep purple blouse and a pair of jean shorts. Anna left her short hair curly and hanging at her shoulders. She shoved her feet in a pair of flip flops and ran down the stairs two at a time.
"Bye!" Anna called over her shoulder and ran from the house.
There were two goodbyes from inside and then soft whispering. Anna shrugged it off and hopped into Brady's truck. He was tapping his fingers on the steering wheel anxiously but stopped when Anna got in. He shot her a quick smile and started the car.
"Ready for our last day?" Brady asked enthusiastically as he pulled out of the driveway.
"Couldn't have come sooner," Anna grinned.
"Just think," Brady started happily, "This time next year we'll be living in our own house and will only have to go to school if we want to."
"This time next year, I'll be snoring in bed," Anna smiled brightly.
"Or next period in trig," Brady snorted and mimicked her snoring.
"I don't snore that loudly!," She cried indignantly and slapped his shoulder playfully.
Brady cut the engine after he pulled into the Quillute Tribal High school. The crumbling brick building was surrounded by teenagers all laughing jovially. Anna snatched up her small backpack that held nothing more than some money, a pen and a few sheets of blank paper. Brady reached behind him and grabbed his 'man purse' as Anna called it or messenger bag as he called it. The 'man purse' held the same amount as Anna's if not less. They gave each other a quick smile and darted out into the rare sunshine. Anna took a deep breath in and looked around at her last day of junior year. It was all the same if not more boring despite the buzz of excitement in the air. The superficial girls still chatted about nonsense and the arrogant boys still talked sports. Anna rolled her eyes and thought herself stupid for expecting something exciting.
"Hey guys!" Ryan called out to them.
Ryan and Kevin were only a year younger than Anna and Brady. The pair of them came from a house of eight children and them being numbers five and six meant that they got very little attention. They were both tall with a lanky build for a shifter and had somewhat long hair. You wouldn't have known they were brothers at all if it wasn't for their incredible dark brown eyes that seemed to swirl with a sparkling green the color of a glass bottle.
"Hey," Anna and Brady nodded.
"Last day huh?" Kevin said excitedly.
"I can't wait to sleep in again," Anna groaned.
"I can't wait to burn my notes," Ryan grumbled.
"Has anyone seen Collin yet?" Brady asked and looked around the parking lot.
"He's ogling Lisa at her locker," Ryan rolled his eyes.
"Is imprinting always this sickly sweet?" Kevin grimaced.
"Not always," Brady and Anna answered in unison with a sly glance at the other.
"FREEDOM! SWEET FREEDOM!" Brady whooped and punched the air enthusiastically.
"TO HELL WITH SCHOOL!" Anna shouted.
Brady laughed and Anna jumped onto his back. He steadied them easily and spun around being sure to have a tight grip on her. He started carrying them back to the car when Collin, Lisa, Ryan, and Kevin caught up when them.
Lisa was a beautiful girl, a bit shy for Anna's tastes but, perfect for kind gentle Collin. She had long, straight brown hair and dark brown almond shaped eyes. Paired with her short stature and smooth coppery skin she was a perfect china doll. She and Anna got along incredibly well and they shared many hobbies, except Anna's 'extremes'. One of Lisa's hobbies included tattling on Anna whenever she caught sight of one.
"Hey Brady!" Angie Hernandez called out and ran over to the group.
"Hey Angie," Kevin fawned.
"Yeah, hey," She brushed him off as her eyes never left Brady. Anna took that as her cue to slide off.
"So, I just wanted to invite you and Anna, and Collin and Lisa to my party tonight. You know, to celebrate the last day and all," She bubbled enthusiastically.
"We'll be there," Anna said forcefully.
"All of us," Anna's eyes slid to Ryan and Kevin.
"Uh, yeah, that's fine," Angie swallowed.
'See you later, Ang," Brady nodded smiling.
Angie gave them one last smile and a hair flip and ran off to rejoin her friends. Once she was a good distance away Anna rolled her eyes and snorted at the ridiculous girl.
"What a bitch," Anna muttered.
"We're still going right?" Brady checked.
"She throws good parties," Anna shrugged approvingly.
"Another party we're not invited to," Ryan sighed
"We're still going right?" Kevin ensured.
"Definitely." Ryan nodded passively.