"We were both young, when I first saw you."-Taylor Swift
Rachel
The next morning seemed to come quickly; I gathered the last of my things and threw my hair up into a high ponytail with my reading glasses going back on. I dressed in simple jeans and a brown t-shirt before going downstairs where Rebecca was waiting already teary-eyed. I frowned and hugged her sniffling now. "Don't, or I'll start and won't stop." I scolded before smiling tenderly at her and turning to where Janelle stood. I picked her up and sat her on the counter before kissing her nose. "Take care of mommy and your new sisters or brothers okay?" I told her as she nodded solemnly wrapping her arms around my neck. Solomon carried my things out to the car before going to work and gave me a hug. We weren't really close but we respected each other and I was kind of sad to leave him as well. At seven we left with Rebecca driving and talking non-stop. We laughed and cried together the whole way to the airport and when she dropped me off in the terminal I really started bawling which caused Janelle to cry as well. "I love you guys." I whispered before turning and going to board my plane. It hurt to not have them around as much as when we were younger and it felt like a piece of me was staying with Becca because we were two halves of a whole.
I only had my carry-on and one suitcase since I had shipped my other stuff to La Push before I went to Hawaii and once on the flight I pulled out my book to read until the seat-belt sign went off. Then I turned on my iPod and listened to Florence and the Machine until I drifted off. We had a layover in California where I got dinner and then boarded my next flight. I was uncharacteristically awake and blamed it on my nap from earlier so I finished my book in the remaining hours of the flight. With the time change it was only noon when I arrived in Port Angeles and I felt disoriented as I walked out into the lobby. I spotted Jacob almost immediately and gasped at how big he had gotten. He towered over me and actually had muscles, so much for the scrawny little boy from two years ago. He looked like a man now. "Rach!" He called coming up to pull me into a huge hug and I winced at how tight it was plus how hot he felt. I looked up at him concerned and dropped my bag to touch his forehead. "Are you sick?" I questioned and he immediately let go. "Nah, just some weird gene." He rumbled laughing it off and pulling me outside to where an old Rabbit waited. I laughed at the sight of it. "So Dad let you fix it up huh?" I asked nudging him and waggling my eyebrows. I could have sworn he blushed as he put my bags into the trunk then climbed into the driver's side. "Geez, Jake you're huge." I commented as I leaned back into the leather seat and he laughed again before shaking his head. He stared at the woods once we got into Forks and I could see his eyes darken. My little brother looked so old like he had seen it all and it brought out my maternal side. I was fiercely protective of him and wished I would have come home sooner. "You don't look so good." I whispered before grabbing his hand that lay on the seat and ignoring the heat. He shrugged again staying silent. "Jacob Daniel. What is wrong?" I asked worriedly and he turned to look at me, his black eyes burning. "Don't Rach. Just Don't." He hissed pulling away from my grasp. My heart ached and I felt like I had done something wrong. I knew I shouldn't have stayed away so long but when we entered la push I knew why I had. Mom was everywhere, the store she used to work at with Mrs. Call, the beach, the grocery store. I couldn't get her image out of my eyes and I felt like I would start crying. Coming back was a mistake but I knew I had to stay for at least a little bit to help out dad and Jake. We pulled up to the small red house I had grown up in and I barely managed seeing my Dad and hugging him gently before almost completely losing it. I went to me and Rebecca's old room which was still painted half pale pink and half a pale blue and smile through my tears that were running down my cheeks. My father hadn't gotten rid of anything, our doll houses sat in the corner and the twin beds were there along with my bookcase. It was like walking into the past and I felt like I couldn't breathe. I turned and walked out the door calling to my dad that I was going on a walk.
The ocean air felt good on my skin and blew my dark hair around my face after I let it out of its pony tail. I took off my shoes as well and left them by a rock as I walked down the beach with a light mist hitting my skin. It was always raining in La Push and I breathed in the familiarity with a bittersweet longing. I had missed La Push almost as much as I had never wanted to return. I was halfway down the beach and getting ready to turn back when I heard my name being called and two tall figures walking towards me.
"Rachel wait up!" The shorter figure called and when he came into focus I realized it was Jared Thail. He was about Jacob's age I think but his mom and mine had always been close and I smiled when I realized it was him. He had always been a sweet kid.
"Hey Jar-bear, Long time no see; how have you been!" I called back as they got closer and turned my attention on the other figure that went from looking grumpy to amazed. His mouth parted and I found myself wondering what my name was as I got lost in his dark green eyes. Jared had to repeat himself three times before I remembered he was there and shook myself back into focus as he stared accusingly at the guy I had just been staring at like an idiot.
"I've been good." Jared said with a strained voice still looking at the guy and I found myself wanting to be by him and holding him. Whoa, what was wrong with me? I never crushed on guys I knew much less guys I had barely met. This was ridiculous.
"Hey, I'm Rachel." I finally said after an awkward silence and blushed when I noticed his eyes hadn't ever left my face even though Jared was all out glaring at him now.
"Paul." He said gruffly before holding his hand out for a shake. I shook it and noted that his temperature was as hot as Jacob's. I didn't question it though, still believing Jacob's gene theory.
"Let us walk you home." Jared butted in and I nodded mutely frowning when Paul let go of my hand. I walked in between them on the way back and every time my arm brushed Paul's I blushed. It was becoming increasingly difficult to focus with him around and my head was spinning. I must have been just really tired because I even forgot my shoes at the beach but didn't care enough to go back to get them. I was going insane acting all love-struck around this stranger. Jared dominated the conversation chattering about his new girlfriend Kim and life while I was gone. I barely listened and only nodded when appropriate I was that far gone. I wanted to hear about Paul not Jared.
Jacob came outside when we came back and looked questiongly at Jared who nodded between me and Paul. I swear I saw Jacob's eyes see red. In minutes he was down the steps and pushing Paul into the woods and away from me. I moved instinctively to go after them but Jared grabbed my waist and hauled me kicking him inside. "No you don't. Nothing for you to see out there." He said glaring at me and sitting me on the couch. Jared waved at Billy who stared at us incredulously. "What's going on?" He demanded and I smiled smugly knowing he'd chew Jared out for not letting me go get my Paul. Wait… My? No, he was not mine. He was just Paul... tall dark and handsome Paul. Rachel, stop. I thought.
"Paul uh, he did the big I" Jared stuttered and my dad softened and started laughing obviously in on something I wasn't. My mouth dropped and I pouted now that no one was on my side. I stood up and stalked into the kitchen starting dinner as Jared and Billy chatted easily ignoring my anger. I was finishing the spaghetti when Jacob and Paul came back in. Jake still looked mad but not as mad which was probably a good sign and Paul was smirking. "Hey Billy, or should I call you dad now?" He said while coming in and my forehead wrinkled in confusion as I heard Jacob growl while I eavesdropped. I almost dropped the plate I was holding when they walked in and surprised me. "Whoa, easy there." Came a voice from behind me and my breath hitched when I looked up to see Paul standing right next to me And holding my hand onto the plate so I wouldn't drop it. Jacob walked out of the kitchen and the front door telling us he was going to Sam's and Jared sighed and shook his head. I cleared my throat and pulled away from Paul, averting my eyes so I wouldn't get dazed again and set the table before instructing everybody to sit down. Our dinner was simple and lovely and I laughed more than I thought I would. Jared and Paul teased each other relentlessly and every time Paul smiled my face almost broke from smiling too. After dinner I started to clean up when Paul offered to help and Billy asked Jared to take him over to the Clearwater's. My heart dropped when I realized this probably meant Paul would join them, why would he want to stay with me? But, maybe it was my lucky day because he looked up with a hopeful expression and said, "Do you mind if I stay and help Rachel finish? It wouldn't be nice to just leave." I swear my heart stopped beating and I could have sung when my Dad agreed.
I know that they met on the second day she was there or something but I forgot that until after I had put up ch.1 so sorry. Read and review.