Disclaimer: All characters from the Twilight novel series belong to Stephanie Meyer. I just enjoy introducing OC's into the world she has skillfully and thoughtfully created.
Squeals reverberate throughout the concrete walls of the airport parking structure as Emily and I embrace. It had only been six months since we last saw each other, but so much had happened in that time that it felt like years. I had, by some miracle, managed to graduate from college (it only took me five years-whoops) and she got engaged to a gorgeous amazing man who worshipped the ground she walked on. Seeing her brought me instantly back to my true self; not one burdened by finals, not stressed by family pettiness, and not worried about dealing with stupid New York men. Seeing her was like being in the little home she and I created over a decade ago when we first met.
"Holy hell I missed you!" she says squeezing my shoulders and smiles a smile so bright it can only come from her, a true Emily smile.
"God I know, lets never go six months without seeing eachother again!" We both giggle, knowing that seeing one another frequently is pretty much impossible, her living in Washington and me in New York, but it's comforting in the moment.
"Thank you so much for coming out here to help me with all of this, I really haven't the slightest clue of how to plan a wedding, especially one that's three months away! God.." she stares off into the distance for a second, stress encasing her face, "okay, no, it's gonna be fine!" She shook her head, more trying to convince herself of the statement than me.
"Em, it'll be more than fine, I'm here; and for some god forsaken reason you and Sam have agreed to let me stay with you all summer to plan-thank you by the way."
"Are you kidding? Thank you! I don't know what I would be doing if you weren't here!" She hugs me tightly once more and we make our way to her truck. She and I ramble the entire car ride about what had been happening in our lives. We fill eachother in on our families, school, work, gossip, you name it we cover it.
Two hours later the car comes to a rumbling stop. She turns to me with a bright smile, "we're here!" I truthfully, hadn't even been paying attention to the road, too engrossed in our conversation; now looking around, I was floored. It's not as if I had never seen woods before but her house was encased by them. A thick tree line wound around the cabin she and Sam called home, the redwoods entangled together as if they were forming a huddle around it. My heart swelled, it was as if they were protecting her, the thought was comforting.
She yells towards the cab, "Elle, you coming or what?" My head snaps in her direction, I didn't even notice she'd gotten out of the truck.
I jump letting out a small "whoops" and go to get my bags from the truck bed.
"I'll get those!" a familiar booming voice yells from towards the house. I turn to see Sam, in all his male model-esk glory heading our direction. He stops halfway to the car to wrap an arm around Em's waist and pull her close. The smile and corresponding look he gave her was so intense, even I was enraptured. They kiss briefly then he releases her, moving towards my suitcases.
"Shit Elle, I know you're staying for a few months, but did you need to pack your entire life?" He looks dumbfounded at the three suitcases I had brought with me.
Shrugging, "it's good to see you too Samuel." Winking at me, he begins unloading the bags with ease, an amazing feat seeing as though it took me nearly 20 minutes to pick up and maneuver those suckers at the airport's check in desk.
"Come, I'll show you the house." Em holds out a hand to me, I look back at Sam with my bags feeling a little guilty for not helping him. "Don't worry about him, he bench-presses like 800 pounds, he's fine." She says waving her hand as if the 150 pounds of luggage was as light as a feather.
We make our way up the porch of their place and into a welcoming, quaint living room. Pictures line the walls not covered by windows. Not just of her and Sam though, but of dozens of people, all Quileute from the looks of it, some of the pictures appeared to be dated back decades if not centuries. An oversized couch facing an abnormally large television almost took over the rest of the room but somehow seems to fit.
"Living space/tv room/family room, whatever you want to call it." Emily says, holding out her hands and doing a full 360 degree turn in the space. She continues onto the kitchen which had a table made out to sit way too many people than it appeared capable of holding. "Kitchen, a lot of the boys eat their meals here so we keep it fully stocked and ready to entertain at all times-help yourself to anything in the fridge or pantries."
She pivots and continues through the house, "boys?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.
She continues walking, "Okay, men" she put air quotes around the men part. "They're all Sam's friends and co-workers, they're over pretty much constantly, you'll get used it." She waves her hand again, like it was the most casual thing in the world, then looks over her shoulder and winks; "a couple of them are single too."
I roll my eyes, but pause, and then nod considering this fact. A summer fling could be fun. "Upstairs is the master and the office, I have pretty much all the wedding stuff in the office so I'll show you that later. Here's your bathroom," she pushes the door open to a simple full bathroom, the whole thing a pale shade of blue. Anywhere else I would've thought the color needed to be changed but it fit Em for some reason. "I've been meaning to paint it..." she says trailing off.
"I like it, it's very you" that comment earns me a bright "Emily smile" and we continue down a narrow hallway.
"Aaaaand, here's your room." Opening the door she walks inside a picturesque little bedroom. Two sets of windows lined the walls opposite to the door and the one adjoining it. A bed, with a rustic metal frame sat tucked under one set of windows and a small bench under the other. Across from the bed was a teal, weathered dresser with a long lace runner on the top with a small mirror and picture frame sitting on top of it. "I know it doesn't quite match the house, but I wanted to make it perfect for you."
It didn't match the rest of the house, it seemed to be the only room without either oak or honey colored walls. These were a creamy white, it offset the furniture perfectly. "It's perfect Em, ugh, you're the best. What did I do to deserve you?" She shrugs, her eyes pointing the ceiling, I let out a soundless laugh. Sam came into the room just then, maneuvering my suitcases into the space.
"I'll let you unpack, and don't worry you have a nightstand coming and a place to hang your clothes to dry and dewrinkle. I know you and your aversion to dryers." I open my mouth to protest, "I know, I know, you don't want them to shrink your clothes, yada yada. Seth's bringing that stuff by tonight."
Shrieking at the mention of his name, "Oh My God little Sethie, I haven't seen that kid in years, wow this is exciting!" I rub my hands together, I must have still been in high school the last time I had seen Seth; he, his sister and I were all visiting Emily and her family during the same two weeks one summer. He was a little shit but such a cutie.
"Yeah, he's not so little anymore." Sam chuckled, "HI by the way, jesus, all the excitement for Em and none for me?" He pouts and holds his arms open; I easily walk into his embrace. We had only met once in person prior to this. Em visited for a long weekend during Christmas and he came with. I was pissed at the time because Em was never the girl to prioritize men, especially those who she hadn't been seeing for long, but she was so happy with him I couldn't stay resentful. Plus, he grew on me, he was nice and funny, a bit overprotective at times but it's clear he would run into a burning building for her and that made me happy, in a sadistic way.
Two hours later I was called from my room by booming voices in the other room. I followed them to find a Seth who was indeed not so little anymore. He looked a good two times larger than the Seth I once knew. Easily 6 foot something, his shoulders were broad and muscular, his face was still a bit boyish but had a rugged aspect to it. This boy, no this man, got incredibly hot. He caught me coming into the room out of the corner of his eye and gave me a heart-stoppingly beautiful smile.
"Elle!" He said spreading his arms wide and walking over to me, enveloping me in a warm, like physically hot, hug.
"Seth! Holy shit, you're so grown! You're huge, how much of a growth spurt can one have, jesus." His smile got even bigger, if that was possible, his eyes grew payful.
"My body isn't the only thing that's grown if you know what I mean." Giving me a wicked side smile, he winks. Holy shit.
Emily made a gagging sound in the corner of the room where she and Sam were standing. "Oh my god." She turned and held her stomach as she walked into the kitchen.
"Seth, just put the furniture in Elle's room, you know which one it is so don't even ask her to show you." Sam barked orders like a military general. Seth and I both laugh as he went out to his truck to get the nightstand and clothing rack and I went to the kitchen to see what Em was doing as she escaped Seth's flirting.
I give her a sheepish grin as I entered the room. She rolls her eyes when she sees my look. "He's still 4 years younger than us you know. He just turned 18 last month."
I shrugged, "age is but a number my dear friend," she rolls her eyes once more. "But seriously, he's gotten so hot, like he was a cute little preteen but…wow…just wow." Her body convulses as if she was going to hurl at my words "okay, okay, I get it" I jump up on the counter, kicking my legs in front of me as she washes dishes in the sink.
The front door opens just then, loudly clanging against the door stop that hindered it from knocking into the many pictures adorning the living room wall. In walks another tall, handsome, tan, well built, man. One of the major differences from Sam and Seth however, is that this one was very much shirtless. He looked like a super hero from a Marvel movie, sweeping into the room to save the day. Holy hell.
I learn the shirtless superhero's name was Quill and that he, Seth and Sam all work at the garage that Sam's family owns in town. If all of the men around here look like these three I was in for a very long hot summer and holy shit was I looking forward to it.