Chapter 4: New Friends

A few weeks passed in a blur. I say blur because I couldn't tell you have of the things I did since I was practically a zombie. Days passing only reminded me that two months had now gone by since our parents died and we left home to come here. Eric and I finally met everyone, making the transition somewhat easier. We fell into a sort of routine. I would make meals for the three of us and get out as often as I could with the group Eric and I met. He hung out with the guys, mostly Seth, while I mainly hung out with Emily. I did get a chance to meet Seth's sister, Leah, one time I was at the house. Em eventually filled me in about Leah's 'tude and I kinda felt sorry for her. She loved Emily but at the same time lost the man she loved most to her. At least she wasn't as cranky around us; usually it flared when the guys came around. Unlike Billy, she let her pain show through by the lines in her face and bitterness in her voice though I suppose if I had to see the guy who left me for someone else all the time I'd be the same.

Over time I tried to kick the image of Billy's missing son out of my mind but once I thought about it, the shadiness of it all brought it all back front and center. I even started having dreams about the missing kid which I'm not gonna lie, kinda freaked me out a little. Clearly I need to avoid those damn posters hung everywhere a little harder. I mean he is pretty good looking but geeze he's just a missing kid. I don't even know him. Still, it clawed in the corner of my mind until one day I turned to Emily and asked, "So those posters have been up since Eric and I got here. Any news on Billy's missing son?"

"No word so far," she answered, her eyes not leaving the mixing bowl in hand.

"I hope I'm not out of line," I started to say then went on slowly, "but it doesn't seem like people are trying too hard to find him."

Sighing she said, "Jacob will come back when he's ready."

Huh, another one who says he's going to come back. What the hell is going on? "Okay now I'm getting the feeling he left for a reason not that he's actually lost," I stepped next to her, "What, did he have a fight with Billy or something and just took off?"

She shook her head. "No, nothing like that," she faced me then said, "Billy and Jacob have always gotten along well. No more than usual anyway. It's just…," hesitating, she put down the bowl, "there was a girl, Bella, who he was in love with, well is in love with but she chose…someone else. He didn't take it well."

Well that's weird. She paused there almost as if she meant to say something else rather than someone. Whatever, maybe she didn't. "So he bolted because of a girl? He didn't want to be normal and mope around, listening to depressing music?" I said.

Like me. Great now I'm the weird one. Fan-freaking-tastic.

"Well it's not just that. I'm sure he would've been fine given time but then he got the wedding invitation and just couldn't handle it."

"Ouch. I mean I guess I get it but at the same time I don't. Why send an invite to the one you didn't pick? Seems like a pretty bitchy move."

"Bella didn't send the invite. Her fiancé did."

"Wow, then he just wants to what, rub it in?" I shook my head, "Well in any case, Billy needs him back. I can tell."

"Yeah he does. Rachel being home will help though," I gave her a puzzled look as she chuckled then added, "Jacob's sister is coming back from college for a bit. She'll be here tomorrow."

"Great. Billy will be happy with the companionship. And," I grinned then said, "Another girl in town means we won't be completely surrounded by testosterone."

We both laughed and I finally relaxed a little, getting everything I needed to satisfy my curiosity. I wanted to let the conversation lull a bit but Emily had other plans.

"What about you? No one knows anything about you or your brother except why you came here. You've barely told me anything."

"Same goes for you and everyone here. I only know names and bits and pieces."

Laughing she said, "Then why don't we both ask and answer each other's questions?"

"Sure."

"Alright, mine's easy, typical girly stuff. You already know about Sam and me. Do you have anyone from back where you came?"

I sighed, not quite ready to talk about him just yet. "I did but it…" I swallowed, "ended badly. Not really ready to talk about it yet."

"Sorry," she said, pausing a second before she said, "That's okay. It's your turn."

"Oh I don't know," I said, biting my lip, "The only thing that I'm curious about would come off rude."

Nodding in acknowledgment she said, "You want to know what happened to my face."

I nodded, slightly ashamed but she smiled and answered, "It's fine. I'm used to it by now. I was attacked by a bear. It got one swipe in before help came my way but the damage was done," glancing away from me for a second then looked back at me and sighed, "It happened a long time ago."

When I first met Emily, I always wondered what happened but never asked because it's one of those instances where you just don't. The three long gashes that were on one half of her face honestly stunned me the first time we met but I never wanted to make a thing out of it. Besides, after getting to know her I've come to realize she's one of the most beautiful people inside and out. Our conversation went on a long time from there. She told me about herself and everyone in town until I was on information overload. I shared a lot about my brother and me with her, where we lived and our friends and what we like to do. Basically our life before we came. I didn't go into too many details since I'm still uncomfortable talking about it but I could tell no matter how I felt she somehow knew and understood. Finally, I laughed.

"I feel like I know everyone now, "I smiled then paused, "Well everyone except this Jacob who's missing anyway."

"Jake's a good guy. I'm sure you'll meet him soon enough," her eyes twinkled as she added, "You'll probably get along great. You have a lot in common."

"Oh yeah?" I raised an eyebrow, "How so?"

"Don't put me o the spot like that," she chuckled and shrugged before she added, "It just seems like you two would be kindred spirits."

"I guess we'll see once he gets back, if he does that is."

"I guess we will. He'll be back. Just needs some time yet."

Glancing at my cell and seeing the time I said, "Whoa. I better get back or I'll have two starving guys on my hands."

"It's better than six!" she laughed.

After I laughed too I said my goodbye and headed back. I waved and told her I'd see her soon. As I walked home a loud howl came from the forest, making me jump as the sound caused goose-bumps to appear up my forearms. What the hell was that? No coyotes would be this far north so it must be a wolf. A wolf? Here on the reservation? I guess I should have expected it and not much can catch me off guard but whoa. Where there is one there is more so I hurried to the house.

After dinner, I decided to see how Eric was doing. He didn't say much during dinner and I'd been hanging out with Emily so much I'd barely seen him. I felt guilty because I didn't want him to feel abandoned. We were in this together and he still needed to know I was there for him. Knocking on his door I peeked in and said, "Hey."

He looked up from his laptop, "Hey"

"Whatcha up to?"

"Trying to pass this game. What about you?"

"You know same old same old." Stepping inside I said, "Sorry I haven't been around much. I'm not trying to ditch you or anything like that. How are you?"

"I'm fine and it's cool. You need girl time and I'm definitely no good with that."

I chuckled, "You hanging out with the guys a lot?"

"Been trying to but they always end up having to go somewhere or do something," he sighed then aid, "I'm starting to think they don't like me."

"Ridiculous. There's nothing not to like about you," I said, sitting down next to him, "Except maybe your stinky feet," I laughed and blocked him tossing his socks at me before going on, "Something is up though. They have been acting strange lately and I'm determined to figure out why. Just don't give up ok?"

"Sure sis."

"Good. Because they definitely couldn't take me if that was the case."

"Probably not. Wolves would run from you."

"You hear the one in the woods howl earlier?"

"Yeah. Still though. If it sees you it better stay in the forest."

I laughed and smiled. I gave him a quick hug then left him to his game. He was a good brother, hell maybe one of the best even with his smartass remarks. Other people can't stand their siblings but Eric and I are more like friends than just blood. That's why the fact the guys keep ditching out is bringing out the overprotective older sister in me. One thing as for sure, I had to find out what was going on and I was going to do it quick.