When They Met
Pauls P.O.V.
I can remember the very first time I saw her. I was 8 years old, sitting on the dark beach of La Push, watching as my brother and his friends jumped from the cliff into the stormy waters just thinking "I can't wait till I can be like that.." my two best friends Valen and Sam sat beside me with the same look in their eyes. Valen was my best friend practically from birth. We were inseparable. Our parents even teased how we could be mistaken as brother from how much we look alike. Same Quileute traits. The dark skin, dark brown long hair. The only difference was our eyes. While mine were as black as coal, his were bright green. Very unusual for most Quileute. And then there was Sam. We only met him around a year ago. His family moved back to the reservation for some unknown reason but no other family questioned it. He was two years older than us but he never acted it. He was just as reckless and free spirited as us. Maybe that's just the tribe blood we shared.
"Why are we always treated like kids," I sighed, "We can do the same things as them."
"If you had a sibling ten years younger than you would you want to be responsible for what happens to them while cliff diving?" Sam said while giving me a pointed look.
Instead of answering I turned my attention back to the waves and Sam chuckled beside me, "That's what I thought."
I looked over to Valen whose eyes were trained to the top of the cliff. I followed his eyes up to the top not surprised to see my older brother Zane taking his rightful turn on the edge. Valen always looked up to my older brother. Probably because his parents weren't able to have any other children so the closest thing he could get to an older sibling is my own. For all I cared he could have him. Even though in the past year he's shaved his head got buff and started following the local jerks around everywhere like a lost puppy.
"What are they doing?" a soft voice came from behind us. I was so lost in thought I didn't notice her until Sam elbowed me in the side. I let out a grunt and looked towards Valen. He had this sickening look on his face. Like whatever he was looking at was sent down by God himself. I pivoted my body to where the others were looking. I can't remember exactly what I probably looked like but it had to be close to the expression on Valens face. She was definitely like us. The Quileute tan skin and the long dark brown hair cascading around her shoulders only to end at the bottom of her rib cage. She was dressed in a blue shirt, torn jeans, and tattered old converse. Her eyes were a mixture of mine and Valens. A beautiful hazel. I opened my mouth to speak but Valen beat me to it.
"It's called cliff diving. You can sit here and watch with us," Valen stood up and walked up towards her, "My names Valen. And that's Sam and Paul," he said pointing us out. Sam gave a quick wave and then returned his attention back to the other side of the beach where Leah Clearwater sat. I smiled at her still not knowing what to say. I always admired Valen ability to converse with people so easily and going after what he wants when he wants it.
"My name's Ashley Sinclair. I just moved here with my family. I'm pretty sure they don't know where I'm at right now," she gave a soft giggle that made my heart skip a beat.
"So, do you wanna sit and watch with us?" Valen asked again starting to sit back down on the sand.
"Thanks, but I'd rather take part then stand on the sidelines," her smile grew wider along with mine and from then on I knew she would change my life forever.
