Disclaimer: Twilight and everything that go with it are Stephenie Meyer's.

Chapter 3: A Familiar Face

We pulled up to Charlie's house just after 5:00. I saw his cruiser in the driveway and my stomach did a little backflip. I hadn't seen my father in years, and I couldn't wait. I leaped out of my truck and ran to the door. I knocked twice as Jen lugged the suitcases up the walkway. Charlie opened the door and looked shocked. He pulled me into a tight hug and I suddenly wasn't so homesick anymore.

"Jeez, Bells, you're all grown up," he said to me.

"Hi Dad! I've missed you so much!" I sniffed, and smelled something burning. "Dad, what's burning?"

"Oh no! I forgot about the pasta! I wanted to surprise you with dinner." Charlie rushed into the kitchen and I was right on his heels.

"How on earth did you burn pasta?" I looked into the pot, "You need more water in the pot; it should be completely submerged." I grabbed the pot off the stove and threw away the burnt noodles. Then I filled the pot with water and threw some fresh spaghetti in. Charlie looked embarrassed. "Don't worry about it; I cook every day at home. I like cooking." As I stirred the pasta, I heard someone clear their throat. "Oh Jen I'm sorry! I got so caught up! Dad, this is my best friend Jen. Jen this is my dad, Charlie."

"Nice to meet you Charlie!" Jen giggled and pulled my dad into a hug.

"Nice to meet you too, Jen. Bella talks about you all the time. It's so nice of you to bring my girl back up to me."

Charlie and Jen got a chance to know each other, and before I knew it, she was just as close to my dad as she was with Rene. I really couldn't ask for a better friend. I got sad thinking about leaving her in just a couple days. I scooped the pasta onto three plates and served dinner for us, joining my best friend and my father at the table.

"Bella, I didn't want you to have to cook. But this is delicious!" Charlie said, stuffing spaghetti into his mouth.

"Dad, it's really fine. I told you, I like to cook. How are you surviving by the way? You can't even make pasta!" Charlie laughed.

"I am the Chief of Police, Bella. The town of Forks takes care of me. And from time to time Billy Black comes over and fries up our catch for me. You remember the Blacks, right? Rachel just graduated and Rebecca is married now."

"Wow, I remember making mud pies with them." I smiled at the memory. "How's his son, Jacob right?"

"Jake's a great kid. He's a senior this year. I could call him up and you can see for yourself if you'd like."

"That would be great, Dad! I haven't seen Jacob in forever! You don't mind, do you, Jen?" I was getting so excited; I kept forgetting that Jen has never been in Forks before.

"No way Bella. I'd love to meet one of your old friends!" She sounded excited, and before I could blink, Charlie was on the phone.

"Jacob's on his way!" He shouted from the living room. I was really excited. I hated Forks, but I did have fun with the Blacks growing up. I went up to my old room. It looked pretty much the same as the last time I was there. Faded yellow walls, my blue comforter, and the lace curtains on the window. It felt homey, and I was happy to be there. I decided to take a quick shower, and I changed into some jeans and an olive green long sleeved shirt with my black ballet flats. As I walked down the stairs, I heard a husky voice.

"Hey Charlie, how have you been, man?"

"I'm great, Jake. Bella's upstairs freshening up. She should be down any minute. This is her best friend from Phoenix, Jen."

"Hi Jake!" I heard Jen say, and as I turned the corner, I saw Jen hugging a tall, dark haired, russet skinned boy. No, tall wasn't the right word. HUGE was more like it. This giant couldn't be the same Jake I played with on First Beach all those years ago. He was at least a foot and a half taller than me, probably closing in on 7 feet.

"Remember me Bells?" The deep voice chuckled and I realized I was staring. Oops. I blushed, my face turning tomato-red.

"Yeah, of course Jake," I stumbled over my feet as I walked up to him, only making me redder. "When did you get enormous?" Everyone laughed at my question, including me.

"Well, it's been 8 years, Bella. But I guess I shot up about 2 years ago." I smiled at him and jumped up into his arms. He smiled and spun me around in a circle. "It really has been too long Bella; It's nice to have you home."

"Oh Jake, I've missed you! I can't believe it's been so long! Promise me you'll come visit me at school." I felt so comfortable with Jake. It was like we picked up right where we left off. Being myself was incredibly natural. It was nice to see a smiling old face.

The four of us sat down on the couch and chatted about everything. Jen was great about the whole thing, especially because it was a lot of reminiscing. She seemed genuinely happy to hear about my childhood. We told Charlie and Jake about my life in Phoenix and all about the high school years. Charlie had heard most of my stories over the phone, but he was thrilled to be hearing them now in person. Jake wanted to know all about senior year; he couldn't wait to be done. Jen seemed to take a lot of interest in what Jake had to say. She told him all about our escapades, and how senior year goes by so fast. I smiled to myself when I saw the two of them move closer to each other on the couch. Hmm, maybe she would be coming up to Washington a little more often. I was happy to see my two best friends getting along so well. But, it was hard not to like Jake or Jen. They were such amazing people.

I glanced down at my phone and realized it was almost midnight. We still had an 8 hour drive ahead of us to get to WSU, and I wanted some sleep. "Dad, we've gotta get up early tomorrow, so I think we're going to hit the sack."

"All right, Bella," my dad replied, "I wish you could stay a couple of days here. It's been so nice having you in the house again." Usually, Charlie wasn't really vocal about his feelings. My parents had been acting so strange, I couldn't help but think that nothing would be the same after I got to school. I looked over, and Jake was putting Jen's number into his phone. I giggled and said,

"What, Jake, you don't want to talk to me?" I teased. The two of them turned beet red. "I'm just kidding! I love that you two are getting along." I smirked, "But Jen, we do have to get to bed. More driving in the morning!"

"Ughh. Fine." She gave Jake a hug and a kiss on the cheek, "Night, guys. Jake, give me a call soon!" And with that she skipped upstairs into my room.

Jake turned to me. "You really don't mind, do you, Bella? She's just such a cool girl, and I really want to get to know her."

"I don't mind at all. It's nice to see my life coming together like this. But seriously, can I call you when I'm at school? It would be nice to know someone else in this state." I was really hoping Jake would want to come visit me. I was still so afraid that I wouldn't make any friends at school.

"Oh yeah, my number's 360-766-0954" I entered it into my phone quickly. "I've got 2 weeks before school starts. Maybe I'll grab a couple friends and road trip it over to see you. I'm sure Quil and Embry would love to see some college girls!" He smiled.

"That would be great! But I can't promise I'll have many friends there in 2 weeks…" Jake just laughed.

"I'll see you soon, Bella. Call me when you're settled." He pulled me up into a tight hug. "It was so good to see you again. I'm glad you're back in my neck of the woods."

"Night Jake. Drive safely. I'll talk to you soon!"

I yawned as he walked out the door. I turned to Charlie to give him a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Love you, Bells."

"Love you too, Dad. Night!"

"Goodnight."

A/N: So I totally didn't plan on anything happening between Jen and Jake, but it just sort of turned out that way. Which sucks, because if I knew beforehand, then she would have been Nessie. Oh well. Bella is getting to WSU next chapter so the drama can start!!!