Chapter 2 - Bonfire

Antonia sat in her room; they'd officially been in La Push Washington for four weeks. Everyone she'd met had been so nice. The guys that were friends with Leah and Seth were super nice as well. She'd been told a couple had been missing because they were working out of town. Apparently Jake, Paul and Jared owned a furniture business together and had gone out of town to make wood purchases for certain wood, because they crafted kitchen/dining table, chairs, coffee tables, bedroom furniture by hand.

Antonia had seen a few pieces and it was easy to see why the business was so successful. They were absolutely beautiful and breathtaking. Apparently since they'd graduated high school they'd opened the business and it was going strong still. Her father had gotten on at the Forks Police Department as a Deputy. Nothing new, he had been a Deputy at the Sheriff's department back in Napa California. Charlie Swan was the Police Chief and good friends with Jake's dad Billy Black and also with Toni and Brady's father.

Antonia looked at the paint splatters on her walls in her room. She remembered back to the second week they'd be there, she'd decided to paint her room and couldn't pick a color, her long black hair went to the bottom of her rib cage and she'd had it pulled out of her face with a handkerchief tied around it always. She was embarrassed because the chemotherapy had made some of her hair fall out, so she had multiple bald spots and she didn't want anyone seeing it. She'd pulled her handkerchief off her head and a handful of hair came with it. She had started crying and flew off the handle and started throwing the paint on the wall. Wherever it landed that's where it stayed.

She couldn't stop the smile from adorning her lips as she thought about the bonfire tonight. She couldn't wait. Her dad was actually letting her and Brady go, but made them both promise to take sweatshirts and blankets and if Toni got too cold to go home straight away. They both agreed. She pulled on her jeans, red sneakers and a red form fitting t-shirt. She tied her red handkerchief around her hair as always and let it hang down her back. She grabbed her red zip up hoodie as they both walked out. She handed the Navigator keys to Brady.

Brady smirked, knowing Antonia would only let him drive if she knew he was going to be careful and plus their dad knew she'd taught him how to drive, but he never wanted Brady driving unless he was with them. But Toni knew he was always careful when she was with him. Brady whooped and hollered, "YES!" Toni just laughed as she got in the front seat. They made small talk as they made their way to the beach.

Once they got to the beach, Brady carried the blankets over to the bonfire. Kim, Jared's wife was the first to approach Antonia and gave her a big hug. Toni giggled, "So where's this hunk of a husband I've heard so much about? He did make it home safely right?" Kim nodded as she blushed furiously, "Of course. C'mon I'll take you over and you can meet him, Paul and Jake." Kim took Toni's hand in hers as she gently pulled her along as Antonia giggled, "Eager aren't we? Apparently someone can't stay away from their husband." Kim blushed again as she hissed out, "TONI!" Glancing back at the new girl.

Paul, Jake and Jared were standing off to the side talking amongst themselves; a female giggling caught Paul's attention. Jake noticed Paul was suddenly not in the conversation anymore as he nudged Jared. Jared looked up at notice Paul's eyes fell on a girl being pulled over to them by his wife. Jared chuckled, "Wow...That was fast." Jake chuckled with him, "Um...Yea." Jared's eyes lit up as Kim blushed at something the girl said as he pushed his eyebrows up, "Honey is it necessary to blush like that?"

Kim blushed deeper, "Jared! Don't test me tonight." Once the two girls stopped in front of the three guys, Kim noticed the way Paul was looking down at Antonia. Kim cleared her throat, "Antonia, I would like you to meet my husband Jared Tinsel and his two business partners, Jacob Black and Paul Redson." Antonia shook hands with Jared first, "Jared, did you know Kim talks about you a lot? I feel like I'm married to you too." Jared chuckled as he watched Kim's cheeks flame red again, he pulled her to his side as he kissed her lips quickly and just as soft.

Toni then shook hands with Jake, "I met your dad Jake, he's quite the character. My father has been spending entirely too much time with Billy and Charlie. Watching football...Basketball...Baseball...Bunch of sports junkies." Jake chuckled, "I've been saying that since I was ten. It's nice that they've sucked someone else into their little cheerleading club."

Antonia turned her attention to Paul as she lifted her head and suddenly her indigo eyes locked with Paul's nearly blackened eyes. Her eyes snapped open as she gasped softly. Paul shoved his open hand out, "Paul Redson." Antonia smiled, "Antonia Barlow." As her small freezing cold hand went into Paul's larger hand as his hand wrapped around her small hand, suddenly he grabbed both of her hands in his and gently pulled her closer. They were merely inches away never breaking eye contact, "You're hands are freezing...Are you cold Antonia?"

She was suddenly aware how warm his skin was, but it felt so good she didn't care, "Toni. M-My friends call me Toni." Paul couldn't bring himself to tear his eyes away from her, he felt like she'd super glued his feet to the sand. Like he suddenly had twenty ton weights in his sneakers and couldn't move an inch without her.

Paul smiled softly, "Are you cold Toni?"

He watched as she chew her bottom lip and glanced at his hands holding hers and then looked back up into his eyes, "No...Not anymore."

Paul couldn't believe it. He just imprinted.