White Horse
Chapter One
Forks was a dreary, rainy town. My mom ended up passing away after the car accident in Phoenix. Social Services practically kicked me north to live with my all-to-willing dad, Police Chief Charlie Swan.
"Bells?" Charlie called, using a new nickname.
"Yeah, Dad?"
"Hey, I'm going down to see Billy. Want to come?"
"Jake gonna be there?" I asked.
"Yes, Bella. Your boyfriend is going to be there. Sounded like he broke the roof when Billy said your name."
I jumped off of my bed, racing down the stairs to Charlie's cruiser. Jacob and his father Billy lived at the Quileute Indian reservation by the coast. La Push wasn't that far away, but it was too far for me.
"Bella!" Jacob shouted as I fumbled out of the car. I always was a klutz, so I naturally tripped over my feet as I ran to the dark skinned man in the door way. Jacob caught me before I could break my nose and pulled me into one of his too-tight hugs that I loved.
"Anything new, baby girl?" Jake asked, pulling me along the beach.
"Not really," I said.
He heard the reluctance in my voice and pulled my chin up until I was looking in his deep brown eyes. Truth was, Jacob seemed to be really different lately. He had pulled away along with various other physical changes. He felt too warm, was stronger and had more muscle than I would have thought possible.
"Honestly, nothing's wrong," I said, turning to face him.
"Typical you," he chuckled, spinning me in a half circle and draping his arm over my shoulders.
"What do you mean, typical?" I asked.
"Typical for you to brush off whatever's wrong." We chatted for a little while longer until Leah Clearwater found us.
"Hey, Leah!" I waved. She was about my age and size, with dark brown eyes, long black hair and tanned skin.
"Hey, Bella. I'm stealing her, Jake," Leah laughed, grabbing my arm.
"See you at my house," Jacob said, giving me a kiss before turning back.
"Still the same?" Leah asked when Jacob was out of earshot.
"Him, no. My feelings? Yes."
"Jake's different? How?"
"I don't know, he just is." There was no way I was telling her what was different.
"So, you've been going out for a few months," Leah urged.
"I just feel like he's all I ever wanted. Jake's amazing."
Leah's face suddenly became downcast and her eyes were fixed on the beach as she thought about what I said.
"There's something you should know about him. I was once in your position," Leah said.
I found Jake in the garage, working on his Rabbit after Leah left. Charlie and Billy were still watching the game in the house. Charlie wasn't ready to leave until later, almost dark.
Reluctant to leave Jacob, I promised that I would stop by after finals tomorrow. School was winding down and would be out in a day or so.
Finals only lasted two hours and when I was done, I flew down to La Push.
"Hey, Bella," Billy greeted as I got out of my ancient truck.
"Jake here?" I asked.
"No, said he was going for a walk on the beach to wait for you," Billy replied. I decided to walk to the beach as it was a nice warm day out. For once, the sky was clear.
The ocean swells came in, washing thousands of rainbow-colored pebbles with bright green salt water. I saw Jacob sitting on a driftwood log, his hair a curtain of deepest black.
But Jacob wasn't the only thing I saw there. My legs were frozen.
Hanging on his arm, practically in his lap, was a copper toned woman with long, silky black hair.
"How could you?" I screamed. The conversation I had with Leah came rushing back.
I went out with Jake before. He cheated on me. Leah had told me what I didn't want to believe about him. Tears of betrayal gushed down my face. I turned and ran back to my truck, fighting to position the key and turn it. The words he cheated echoed in my ears the entire drive home, my tires squealing.