Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight. I own Bri and her family, and her life.
"You've outdone yourself Bri," a sarcastic voice cut through the air like a knife. It was feminine and a bit older due to the hoarseness of the sound. "Now, you go, got yourself a pretty damn good spot on this team and you're gonna throw it away so you can go live with Bella? Honey, I love you, but you're movin' from a state winnin' team to a school I ain't even heard about till last year? It just ain't right."
The object of the speech, Bri, spoke then, her body hunched over a suitcase. "Momma, I told you I couldn't play there anymore. There's only so much a five-two lib can do in this world," she gave a slight chuckle, "I just…I know my academics will take me further. And I'll maybe play at Forks, I don't know. I doubt I will. I'd like to adjust first, then see if playing is truly worth it."
Bri's mother, a woman by the name of Leanne Will Rochester, sighed suddenly, a sound of defeat escaping her slouched form. She stood against the doorframe of her daughter's room. The white trim barely contrasting with the woman's pale skin tone. Her hair was a bobbed deep brown, something that came from her constant dying to keep her graying roots from showing. She held a heart shaped face, something she shared with Bri. Her eyes were a hazel color, a bit of green popping in specks. The slightest bit of wrinkles tugged at the edges of her eyes and her lips. She was a pleasant looking woman, seemingly young for her true age.
"You know your father and I don't want you to leave," Leanne spoke, her eyes trained on her daughter's moving form. She said it but knew it was their fault for giving their daughter permission to do so. Bri had needed a fresh start and some time away would do her well.
The girl popped her head from out of her closet, giving a sweet smile to her mother. "I know, but imagine! I could finally live in a place that isn't over a hundred degrees in April! What a life to live!" she gave a laugh, receiving one from Leanne as well. "Plus, if this semester doesn't go well, I'll come back home."
"Yes…you'll be one lucky duck indeed," Leanne laughed, "but what about Robert?"
"Robert-shmobert," Bri said, rolling her eyes as she exited her closet with a stack of clothes in hand. "We weren't even dating, he was just there for me. Tried kissing me the other day. I swear I saw the obsession for me leave his eyes when I told him to not kiss me. Hilarious for me, not for him."
Bri's mother shook her head at her daughter's antics. Robert had been a good friend of Bri's after her previous boyfriend passed away. The girl had taken it harshly and Leanne had to guess that Robert took advantage of the hole that Javen left. Leanne shook her head of those thoughts, not wishing to remember the horror her daughter went through. It was a bad time for everyone. Leanne knew her daughter still felt that pain, passing by the corner on her way to school everyday. It was part of the reason she was allowing this.
"Well then," she said, hazel eyes watching a zipping teen, "what about Riley and Haley?" Those two girls had become something at their old high school because of Bri. That girl could make somebody out of nobody if she tried.
"Backstabbing bitches," Bri mumbled under her breath, not even pausing to grab her other suitcase. "Sorry mom but it's true. Spread all kinda things after…after things happened. Funny thing is, without me, they're nothing."
Was Leanne impressed with her daughter's word choice? No, not at all. In fact, her daughter never swore in front of her. And she simply prayed she was the same at school. But she knew she had good reason to use such words, as Brianne Marie Rochester was a nice girl who never would say something unless she meant it. Leanne knew Bri would tell her in time if she felt comfortable enough, so she did not push the matter.
She sighed and pushed herself off the doorframe, walking across the space. The carpet was tan, making the room a bit bland. But with four other kids, there wasn't always room for making things fun and crazy color-wise, even if you were wealthier than most.
Grabbing Bri by the face, Leanne looked into her daughter's blue eyes and smiled. Bri took after both of her parents. She had the facial structure of her mother: heart shape and high cheekbones. But she got everything else from her dad: deep set blue eyes, average lips, straight nose, and freckles scattering across her face. She was a pretty girl.
Before Leanne could speak, her daughter grabbed her around the waist. Bri enveloped her mother in a tight hug. "I love you momma," she said into her mother's shirt. She then pulled away and gave Leanne a bright smile. "I promise to call ya everyday! And," she pulled away and went over to her two bags, "I promise that I'll visit as much as I can!"
Leanne smiled and crossed her arms over her chest. "You truly are your father's daughter," she gave a laugh, trying to ignore the sinking feeling in her gut.
"Well…I'd like to think I'm more organized than dad," Bri chuckled, zipping her bags closed. She slung her black duffel bag over her left shoulder. Bri then picked up her matching suitcase and set the wheeled side on the carpet. She took in a breath, looking as if she was about to say something, but a car honking outside stopped her from speaking.
Leanne Rochester looked out the window, the shutters on it open to the world outside. By their driveway sat Renée's car, a 2002 silver Honda Accord. She knew it was time for her daughter to leave, she just didn't want her to.
"I love you so much, momma," Bri suddenly exclaimed, an excited air to her.
"I love you too, my sweet girl," she said, wrapping her arms around her daughter to embrace her tightly. She squeezed as much love into that hug as she could, knowing she wouldn't see Bri for a long time.
Brianne hugged her mother back before stepping away. She gave a bright smile, her cheeks rising and her blue eyes glittered with excitement. The two walked out of her room, down the hallway, and to the glass front door. The younger of the two opened the door and stepped out. She turned and gave her mother one last kiss to the cheek.
"Remember momma," she began, a slight waver to her voice, "nothing can tear me from you!" She then was off in a blink of an eye.
Leanne watched with a stirring gut as Phil helped put Bri's things in the back of the small car. She watched as her daughter sat in the back, giving a hug to her best friend and Renée. She watched as the silver vehicle drove off, only receiving a final wave of goodbye from her daughter from the back window.
And the entire time, Leanne could only feel uneasiness settle in. Her daughter's words rang clearly in her mind. And despite the fact that her daughter would never lie, the mother of Brianne Rochester feared that something would eventually tear them apart.
Brianne was ecstatic. Never in her wildest dreams did she think she would be living with her best friend. She could barely sit still on the plane ride to Washington state.
"Bri," the quiet voice of Isabella Swan spoke next to her, "can't you sit still?"
Brianne rolled her eyes and looked over at the fellow brunette. "How do you expect me to sit still? It's a what? A two and a half hour flight? I simply cannot sleep like you seem to be able to," she said, as if it was the easiest thing in the world to explain.
"Forks isn't even that interesting," Bella yawned out, her brown eyes directed at her hyper friend.
"Sure it is!" Brianne said, looking for the good in a small town. "I mean, you're talking to the girl who misses the rain and snow from Pennsylvania. Forks is just like Pittsburgh! Well…rural Pittsburgh really," she gave a laugh at that.
Brianne had been born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on December 28th, 1987. She had moved to Arizona when she was ten years old, her father having gotten a new job out in Phoenix as a VP for a company. Bri had been happy to move, she thought of it as a new adventure. But over the years, the excessive amount of sunshine, dirt, and heat, had gotten to the girl. She found that Pittsburgh was far more appealing to her. In fact, any place with more rainy days than sunshine days was more appealing. Of course, Arizona did have its monsoon season, but it never made up for the overabundance of sun. So Washington was perfect for her.
The seventeen-year old pulled out a pocket calendar and flipped to the month of January. "They'll think we're odd, ya know?" she said, opening up a marker with her mouth. She used the red marker to mark the date, January 17th. It was today and also the day they were moving to Forks.
"Everyone already thinks we're weird Bri," Bella said, her head leaned back and her eyes shut. Her straight eyebrows were relaxed, and her face was soft.
Bri gave a laugh and shook her head. "No, not that," she closed the calendar after marking Tuesday's date. Tomorrow would be their first day of school at Forks High School. "I meant that we would be moving to the school in the middle of the year. Starting school in the middle of the week. People will surely think we're weird."
Bella cracked open a brown eye, staring at her friend. "Bri," she said, closing her eye again and taking a deep breath, "don't focus too much on what people'll think about you. Just focus on remembering your classes and your locker."
"Hey! That's my job," Brianne joked around, slightly nudging her best friend. Bella simply smiled a little and rolled her eyes. "I'm the one who has to calm you down. What'd ya do? Finally take my advice?"
"Oh shut up Bri," Bella spoke softly, a laugh hidden behind her words.
"Nah," Bri laughed, "I'm quite content so there will be no shutting up from me."
"God, you're insufferable."
"Don't say that to your non-existent deity," Bri gasped in a faux manner.
Bri couldn't help her odd form of sarcastic humor. She had been raised in a house where she had to be. It got her attention. When you have four other siblings, and you're the middle child, you need to find a way to be noticed. Of course, her choice in sports and her great academics did help quite a bit. But her weird humor seemed to be the way to get the attention she most craved.
Bella sighed then, taking out some headphones for her IPod shuffle, a device that had come out only two weeks ago. Bri was slightly jealous that Bella was able to get such a hot item, but she knew that it was one of the perks of being an only child. She handed an earbud to Bri; the energetic brunette giving a nod of her head in thanks.
Bella then played a song, not really caring what came up. The two had…somewhat similar tastes in music. Isabella was more of a classical girl, who could stand current music. Brianne was more of a rap girl, who enjoyed classical music. So when The Way I Am by Eminem started playing, the two girls reacted differently. Bella held a look of annoyance (she rather detested Eminem but kept it on the shuffle for Bri), and her best friend held a look of contentment. It was a wonder that the two got along as well as they did. But, they looked and acted like sisters. Something they were both happy with. It didn't matter if they had some differences. Those just made them even better as a duo.
"Charlie Swan," Bri gave a gasp of excitement. She ran over to the aging man, of whom she thought highly.
"Well if it isn't little miss Brianne Rochester," the police chief chuckled, wrapping his arms around the short girl. Charlie wasn't a tall man, but compared to Bri, he was a giant practically. "How are ya stump?"
"I'm doing fantastic mister s," Bri smiled widely, stepping away from the hug, "how're those gray hairs coming in?"
Charlie chuckled and shook his head at the girl's antics. "They're doing just great short-stuff. Growing faster than you I presume," he joked.
"Everything grows faster than Bri, dad," the voice of Bella came from behind them. She leaned against her suitcase and gave a smirk of amusement. She kept her distance from the situation however.
"Ah yes, my other daughter," Charlie said, a small smile under his mustache. He walked over to Bella, despite the tension between them, and engulfed his biological daughter in a tight embrace. It had been a while since he had gotten to hold her as such.
Bella gave a sigh and gave her dad a hug/pat on the back sort of thing. "Your only daughter, dad," she said, keeping up the light-hearted jests despite being awkward around him the entirety of the time. Isabella Swan was not the closest with her father, and one could see it through their interactions. Spending most of the year apart did that.
"Okay, I might not be related to you in any way, but face it, Bells. Charlie is secretly planning to replace you with me," Bri laughed, a faux sneaky look upon her bright features. She then put her hand by her mouth, as if she was going to whisper something to the taller girl. "I'm cooler than you."
Bella couldn't help but laugh with her weird friend. The two had been friends for many years. Despite Bella's extreme lack of social ability to bond, she was best friends with Brianne. She found it effortless to laugh with her.
"You're so weird Bri," she said, stepping away from her father.
The trio then walked to Charlie's police cruiser and managed to stuff their luggage into the trunk of it. How they managed to do so, they would never figure it out.
As they drove from the small airport, Bri admired the green shrubbery and trees they passed.
"Ya know what?" she piped up, garnering the Swans' attentions.
"What, Bri?" Bella asked, as if knowing that her dear friend would make some sort of weird comment.
"I didn't know there was such a thing as the color green."
The words seemed to get a bit of a chuckle out of Charlie, as he appreciated the girl's weird sense of humor. Bella, on the other hand, just shook her head with a smile tugging unwillingly against her lips.
"Weren't you born in Pittsburgh, Bri?" Charlie then questioned, looking in his rear-view mirror, spotting the jumpy teenager in the back of his cruiser.
"Why yes I was, Charlie Swan. Proud Pittsburgh Steeler, Pirates, and Penguins fan since eighty-seven mind you," she said, a sense of pride in her voice. It wasn't a surprise really. With her two older siblings having been football players, the oldest perhaps being drafted into the NFL in a few months, Brianne had to learn football quickly at a young age. Otherwise, she would have never survived in her house.
Charlie then raised a bushy and greying eyebrow, "Then shouldn't you know the color green?"
Bri opened her mouth and raised a finger. She then realized quickly what he deduced and closed her mouth. She seemed stumped for a minute but then quickly came up with a rebuttal. "Interesting deduction, Chief Swan. However, when you live in a sand pit like Arizona, the colors tan and brown quickly overrun your eyes and life. It wipes the memory of green from your brain within months."
Charlie simply laughed at the teen's antics, focusing once more on the winding road in front of them, slightly uncomfortable with Bella's awkward silence. He appreciated Bri's ability to fill the silence. Most people would call it annoying or that she was simply a talkative girl. She could be either at any given time. But Charlie appreciated the effort she was putting in to make things seem less awkward than they really were.
Especially when Charlie tried to make conversation with Bella. He tried to make a comment about her hair and was met with only a bland response of she had cut it since he last saw her. Which didn't even relate to the fact that it had grown. Bri could only sit back and cringe at the lack of social aptitude between the two Swans as they drove through the town of Forks.
The trio pulled up to the white colored house, the sky a light grey. Bri could tell that it had been raining earlier. The cement and street were their darker respective colors. The trees obviously were weighed down by raindrops. The sky was darker than a normal cloudy grey. The grass was a dark green, almost like a fir tree. She loved it already.
Brianne burst out of the car and smiled up at the sky.
"Everyone'll think you're a loon," Bella said, getting out of the car, "looking at the sky like that."
Bri turned around and rolled her eyes. "Let them," she said, walking over to the trunk to retrieve her bags. "I'm already like a million times cooler than any of them."
Bella sniggered at this statement before grabbing her backpack and her suitcases. Somehow, she had more than Bri and neither could figure out how. Bella attributed it to the fact that Bri wore the same clothes in different orders each week. She was the middle child and despite her wishes for more clothes, she would always lend her shopping money to her little sisters.
Bri grabbed her duffel bag and then carefully slipped her suitcase out of the trunk. She set the wheels on the drying cement of the driveway and lifted the handle. She waited patiently for Bella to finish grabbing her things as well, before heading up to the stairs to the front door.
When the duo walked in, they saw no change in the decor of the house. It was laid out the same way it had been almost three years ago. Bri got to visit Bella in the summer of 2002, but only for a week. She didn't get to stay the whole time of two weeks with Bella, but she had only been 14, of course her parents wouldn't let her stay. She remembered that week well though. It had been so much fun then.
Charlie led the girls up the staircase and first into Bella's room. He then nodded down the hall, indicating that that would be Bri's room. She took that as her cue to give them a few minutes alone. Yes, she was close with Charlie and Bella, but she was not their biological family. They had their privacy and she respected that.
So, Brianne walked down the hall and pushed the door of her room open. The room was quaint. A bit small, but overall a cute size. The walls were a baby blue, much like the rest of the house. There was a made-up bed with a quilt folded at the foot. The floor was hardwood and had a small carpet set in the middle. A desk that was probably once Charlie's was across from the bed. A night stand and dresser completed the room.
Bri set her duffle on the bed, the mattress dipping from the weight of the bag. She stroked the quilt, realizing it was the one she and Bella had made that summer. A smile crawled onto her lips and she looked away from the quilt. She would thank Charlie later for the quilt…and for everything else honestly. Bri looked out the window, which was facing out to the back of the house and was set over her bed. She appreciated the view of the forest line for a minute before turning around.
She walked out of her room and went directly to Bella's own. Bri noticed that the purple walls hadn't changed. Neither had the rocking chair and desk. Nor had the rug and bedding. Every detail in that room was the same, as if time had been frozen for the past three years. Bella was sitting on her bed, looking out the window, which faced out front.
"I never woulda guessed that Charlie was the nostalgic type," Bri started, causing Bella to stir from her stare.
The Swan shot the Rochester a look before relaxing. She sighed then, patting the spot next to her. Bri obliged and walked over to the comforter and sat upon it, her legs crossed up underneath her.
"Yeah," Bella started, "I'd rather he be nostalgic than like Renée. All she did was hover. Every little thing had to be her business. With Charlie though? He'll leave me alone. He'll give me space, ya know?"
Bri nodded and smiled, almost a sad smile. Her parents never got to be like Renée. They were like Charlie. Yes, her parents had loved her very much, but when your older brothers seemed to be athletic prodigies and your younger sisters were well, younger and required attention, you never got to experience hovering. It just never happened with Bri. That and the fact that she was pretty self-sufficient. Her parents never needed to worry about her. But that didn't change the fact that she was still close to them.
"I understand, Bells," she said, a comforting look on her features. "Maybe you should open up to Charlie more though. He won't pry for information, but ya know he wants it."
Bella was about to speak before the honking of a car from outside drew their attention to the window. They both peered out and saw Charlie standing with an old rust-red truck, and two men. Well, one man and one teen. Bri looked over to her brunette friend and saw a look of recognition on her pale features. Bri, however, could not recognize either of the newcomers.
The two walked out to the car (Bri having almost tripped down the stairs, trying to keep up with Bella), and were greeted by Charlie.
"Bella," he started, "you remember Billy Black?"
Bri trailed behind Bella as they approached the trio.
"Yeah!" Bella replied, a small smile on her face. She approached the man in the wheelchair, who Bri assumed to be Billy. "You're looking good."
The tanned man in a black cowboy hat gave Bella a smile, "Still dancing." Bri couldn't help but giggle a little at that. She liked the man already. Billy then turned and looked at Charlie, still speaking to Bella, "I'm glad you're finally here. Charlie here hasn't shut up about it since he told me you were comin'."
Bri caught the eye rolling of Charlie and stifled a giggle threatening to escape her. "Alright, keep exaggerating and I'll roll ya in the mud," the police chief said.
"Not before I ram ya in the ankles!" Billy said, turning his wheelchair around and going to attack Charlie.
Bri couldn't help but laugh. The older men were acting like children but the teen enjoyed it. It was honestly funny to her and she hadn't laughed like that in around…two hours. She needed her hourly dosage of humor or she might just die of boredom.
Her blue eyes were trained on the two older men smiling and laughing. She could barely even hear what Bella and the boy were talking about. Bri's attention seemed to zone for a moment, losing focus on even the older men as they joked around with one another.
"And you are?" she could hear a voice try to bring her back.
Bri turned her head but felt her eyes stay locked on Billy and Charlie. All it took was a blink for her to come back to reality.
"I'm sorry?" she questioned, momentarily disoriented by her complete inability to stay focused.
The tanned boy just chuckled and shook his head. His black hair was long, the sides and top pulled back to stay out of his face. A slight bit of baby fat hid his facial features. A warm smile lit up his visage and dark brown eyes stared at her with curiosity. Bri concluded that he had to be younger than her and Bella, he just didn't seem to be over the age of 15, maybe 16.
"I asked who are you? Bella thinks you can introduce yourself," he said warmly, a gleam of friendship in his orbs.
"I thought she could…" Bella muttered quietly, a small snigger in her voice.
Bri nudged Bella forcefully with a small smile, the girl giving a grunt in response. She then looked at the boy in front of them and lent him an outstretched hand.
"The name is Brianne Rochester. It's a bit of a mouthful so just call me Bri."
The boy took her hand and gave it a firm shake, his eyes never leaving her.
"Jacob Black, not quite as long a name, but ya can call me Jake," he flashed a quick smile at her. His hand reached away and went into his pocket, his body leaning into the body of the old red truck. "If ya don't mind me asking, how do you and Bella know each other?"
Bri waved him off, letting him know it was more than okay for him to ask. "She and I have been friends since we were kids. I lived in Phoenix, a road down from her actually. Now I'm living with her!" Bri slightly failed to contain her excitement at the reality of the situation, her pitch raising a meter by the end.
Jake's dark eyebrows cocked, as if either shocked or confused or both as to why she was living with Bella in Forks. She decided it was easier to just clear it up.
"I wanted a fresh start and if junior year goes well, then my parents will let me stay here for my senior year as well. They already worry so much about my other siblings that my last one and a half years at high school would have been a drag," Bri explained. Some people might have thought it strange that her parents let her stay with Bella. Hell, she thought it was insane when her parents had told her yes to the idea. Her dad had been the more supportive one of her parents. He had encouraged Leanne to agree, probably with promise that she'd come home after junior year was done. And it was true. If she didn't like it in Forks, or if she even missed her family, she would just go back to Phoenix after her junior year. If she liked it however…
Jacob just shrugged his shoulders and gave a small smile. "Well, whatever floats your boat I guess. The bright side is that you two won't be alone."
Bri nodded her head with a smile, thankful he was a kind of 'ask questions and be satisfied with the answer' guy. She still didn't really know him, and despite Bella being comfortable around him, Bri wasn't fully. Plus, one doesn't just go spilling their reasons for a major life decision to someone they just met.
At that moment Billy and Charlie came back over, the two of them slightly out of breath and smiling wide. Charlie then patted the old truck, a somewhat proud look on his aging features underneath a black beard. "So, what do you think?"
Bri watched with a smile, realizing what Charlie had done for Bella. But the Swan daughter seemed to not realize what was happening.
"Of what?"
"Of your homecoming present." Charlie patted the side of the old truck a couple times, a proud yet hesitant look on his face.
"This?" Bella's voice raised slightly, surprise evident.
Bri could tell that Charlie knew he hit the jackpot with Bella. "Yup. Just bought it off of Billy here."
The Rochester daughter wished she could have been there for the moment, but a buzzing in her jean pocket pulled her away. She pulled it out and saw it was her mom calling her. She shot a smile to Billy and Jacob, sorry she had to go.
"I'm really sorry, but I have to take this. It was nice meeting you both!" she gave a wave and Charlie nodded her off, meaning she should just head inside.
Bri took that cue without much hesitation and once she was walking up the steps into the house, she had answered the call.
"Hi honey!" her mom's loud voice called out from the other end of the line. Bri winced slightly and pulled the flip phone away from her ear slightly. Her mother rarely knew her own voice level. However, Bri knew that was who she got it from.
Bri walked up the stairs and treaded towards her new room, deciding now would be the best time as any to start unpacking and getting ready.
"Hi momma," Bri greeted, unable to hold back the happiness in her voice at the sound of her mother's own. "How're ya doing?"
"Good, good. I'm missing you quite a bit, but your sister's are easy enough to pull that away from the forefront of my whizzing brain."
Bri chuckled, knowing her sisters were damn well taking advantage of such a situation. They loved their attention from mom.
"I bet you're having a blast," Bri joked.
Leanne have a huff of sorts on the other end. "Oh I'm having a dandy time." She paused for a minute, seemingly acting as if she needed a break so she could do something quickly. "Anyways, how was the flight? How're you settling in?"
Bri finished emptying her duffel bag, beginning to fold the clothes that had been in there. There had only been the necessities in there in case she lost her luggage. So she got those done first. "Flight was quick, smooth and honestly kind of relaxing. Got to Charlie's pretty quick and I'm unpacking right now."
"Good girl. Just like I taught you," Leanne gently teased. "I'm glad everything has gone well so far."
"Me too. Charlie surprised Bella with a truck. I was surprised by the fact that Bella actually liked it," she chuckled, her mom knowing as well how hard it was to sometimes please Bella.
Leanne shrugged her shoulders, even though her daughter could not see her doing it. "Bella isn't that difficult, dear. Just a little. Less than you of course."
Bri gave a fake gasp, as if offended by her mother's words. "I am not difficult! I just know what I want in life!"
"Like I said: difficult."
Bri and her mother bursted into simultaneous laughter, both finding one another hilarious in different ways. Leanne Rochester was considered a "cool mom" simply because she knew what boundaries were and because she was a little more realistic than other parents. Bri knew most of her friends thought her mom was hysterical, and she couldn't help but agree.
"Alright dear," Leanne took a deep breath, "I got called into work and have to start heading out. I just wanted to call and check in to see how you were doing. I'll call you when I can or when you want to. Love you Bri, to the moon…"
"…and back," Bri finished, a small smile caressing her lips. Her mom hung up quickly, meaning she really was gonna be late if she stayed to chat much longer. She refused to call while driving and would always wait until she was either gonna be home for a while or unless she was somewhere not driving. But she usually waited until she was home and knew she wasn't going anywhere. After Javen…no one in their family did it.
Bri sighed quietly and placed her phone down on her bed. She normally wasn't alone for long back home. She had a feeling, however, that she would be on her own quite a bit in Forks. And when she was alone, memories would come back. Memories she did her damndest to suppress.
Brianne looked up to the ceiling, the fan beginning to look very interesting. She could feel that burning beginning to prick at the corners of her eyes. But Bri wouldn't allow any tears to fall. She had cried them all out when it had happened. And that part of herself that would always place the blame on her…it still oozed like a fresh wound in her heart. But she had been through the counseling. The therapy. The groups. She had done it all. She knew how to cope with it all. And she would. But she wouldn't just cope. She would live and love. He would have wanted that. Because he couldn't anymore.
Bri walked downstairs and could hear some laughter emanating from the kitchen and living room. She turned a corner and saw Billy and Charlie watching the sports network and Bella and Jacob seemed to be catching up at the kitchen table. An opened pizza box sat on the stove top and Bri could feel her mouth begin to water. A wave of hunger began to wash over her that she didn't even know existed.
Bella looked over from her conversation and waved Bri over. It only took that simple cue, because Bri was over there in a second to grab a slice of pizza.
"Jake and I were just catching up," Bella said, a small smile on her lips. Bri was happy for her. She knew just how socially awkward Bella was. So to see her actually socializing and having a good time? It was refreshing. Even if she has known the boy for a long time.
Jake laughed, "Yeah, talking about the one time I made a mud pie and threw it in your face!"
Bella made an attempt to shush him and Bri chuckled.
"You should have seen her face! You could somewhat make out the red underneath all the brown," Jake managed to get out between laughs.
Bri could see Bella's features begin to shift from pale to red in a matter of seconds. She didn't think it was all that embarrassing, but this was Bella. She thought anything and everything was embarrassing.
Bella hit Jake's shoulder, trying to stop his seemingly incessant laughter. "Bri, you can sit down with us, ya know?" she offered.
Bri waved her off and finished her slice of pizza, savoring the taste of the cheese and pepperoni.
"It's alright. I have to finish unpacking and am gonna try to get to bed a little early. But thanks!" She smiled and wiped her hands gently on her jeans quickly, trying to get the crumbs off. It was bad manners, yes, but it wasn't the end of the world.
Jake smiled back and gave her a small wave. "It was great to meet you. You and Bella should come down to the rez soon. We know how to live down there."
Bri chuckled and nodded her head. He seemed like a fun time. He probably wasn't wrong when he said they knew how to live. "Of course, thanks Jake."
She bid them both a "goodnight" and then said goodnight and her thanks to Charlie, also saying goodbye to Billy. The man in the wheelchair said something along the same lines as Jake and she had smiled all the same. They seemed like genuine people. Bri was glad she had met them and that they had been so pleasant. She probably would take them up on their offer at some point.
The Rochester had walked up the stairs and back to her room. She took out her phone and sent a quick "goodnight, I love you" text to her parents and then set her phone down on the nightstand by her bed. She turned the lights off and turned on her lamp. The lamp was fairly bright and illuminated the room just enough for her to get changed into a large T-shirt. She would just shower in the morning.
Bri flopped down onto the bed with blue sheets, shut the lamp off and was gone from the world in a matter of seconds.
A/N: Okay, I had to write this. It was bothering me to the point that I couldn't finish a single Let the Wolves Come chapter. I kept coming back to this idea, so I had to finish it and post it.
Twilight is a bit of a nostalgia thing for me. There's a lot of things I liked and a lot of things I disliked. So, here I am, writing a fic for it haha. I have a lot planned out already and I have the time and energy to do this and Let the Wolves Come. I'm excited and hope this story takes off!
This story will not be Bella-centric. A lot of events won't be discussed as chapters because I feel that Bri is her own person and Bella's events should mildly affect her. However, they will be extremely close in the beginning.
That's it! Hope y'all enjoy and will stick with it!
Love,
P