Author's Note: Happy New Year! I am very sorry that I never updated this, but it seems I lost direction for a bit. I'm trying to get back on it as best I can. It's just some filler chapters sadly before we can get to the meatiness that is this story. Let's see how quickly get it going.

Chapter 4: Secrets

The room was dark; even though it was early in the morning, it was clear that no light would come in this morning. The curtains there black, shielding any light that tried to enter. The room was painted a sea blue, and there was clothes thrown on one computer chair that was used for that one purpose; at the center of the chaos stood a bed, with a particularly deep sleeper. Today she would be turning sixteen and she had no need to start the day yet. Her hair was disheveled and probably tangled, her head cheek was pressed against the pillow and her arm held the pillow close. Her legs were in a number four formation and three blankets made her look like a lumpy potato.

"Happy Birthday!" Thomas said loudly as he opened the door wide.

As the door slammed against the wall, the only thing that was heard was a groan. Tess wasn't particularly excited about being woken up this way, but she had little choice in the matter. Lifting her head slightly, she winced as she saw a blurry figure that she realized was probably her brother holding something that looked like a cake.

"Is this necessary?" she rasped out.

"Yes! I got into work today and I don't want you to think that I forgot about your birthday. Now blow out the candle"

All that came out of Tess' mouth was a whine. Still as he moved the cake closer she blew out the candles. Thomas leaned down and kissed her forehead, earning him a tired smile from his baby sister.

"Leah is coming to pick you up in a bit, so try to be ready. Also, can I have a piece of cake?"

"Get out" Tess grumbled.

"That's all I needed to hear. Thanks!"

As the door closed behind him, Tess let out a sigh and closed her eyes hoping he could get a few more minutes of sleep before preparing for the day.

…..

It sure was cold this morning, but thankfully it wasn't raining. As she slipped on her hat, she took a moment to take herself in. Sitting on her beauty stand she noticed her hair had gotten significantly longer since she first came in. 'I might need a haircut at this point' she mused. Her skin had gotten paler but she still looked at herself. She snorted at her own thoughts. There was one thing that stood out to her: she looked happy. Her eyes no longer looked so sad and she found herself happy knowing that she had found a purpose.

A honk brought her out of her stupor and she immediately rushed to her window to see Leah waiting. Tess grinned and signaled she was heading out before closing the window. She ran downstairs and slipped on a trench coat before closing the door behind her. While her introverted nature didn't exactly scream wanting to meet new people, the idea of hanging out with Leah was enough for her to agree to do it. Closing the door of the car, she grinned brightly at Leah who looked amused at her excitement.

"You alright there?" Leah smirked.

"Shut up, and wish me a happy birthday!"

"Happy Birthday…now put your seatbelt on, we have a long ride and you need a summary of who is who."

"Okay, I'm ready. So, who is who now?"

"So there's going to be Seth, my baby brother. He's kind of annoying but overall sweet. You can talk to him"

Tess grinned, "Got it, next?"

"He's always attached at the hip with Jacob Black. He was that kid at my home with my brother. He's whatever I guess. Most of his group of people are whatever if I'm honest."

"Okay? Is Sam-"

"Yeah" Leah muttered and gripped the steering wheel tighter. "With Emily, but I'm trying to move passed that. The only thing is that he's starting a gang or something. It's weird but a lot of the kids are joining him."

"He seems like bad news then, good. You don't deserve those kind of people in your life."

"Hmm…right"

"Come on, it'll be fun, I mean it has to be right? Who wouldn't want to just spend a chilly afternoon at the beach stuffing your face!"

Leah laughed. She soon began to talk about other members joining them. They typically would tell the stories of the tribe and more about how great the elders were. Tess smiled slightly wondering how jealous Tom would be when she would tell him about her day.

The beach was beautiful, that was the first thing that Tess would say. It wasn't like the beaches in Los Angeles. For one thing it was empty; the beaches in Los Angeles were swamped with people and it was hard to find a free spot. Here it was quiet, it was on the reservation Leah told her and many people didn't necessarily arrive to the reservation and it was more private.

"It's gorgeous" she said softly.

"Oh yeah, and this is just the parking spot. Come on, food is probably cooking."

That was all that she needed to hear; locking the car behind them, they quickly rushed over to meet the others. It was at this moment that she felt her anxiety hit. Ever since the problems began with her family, Tess found herself being more and more anxious in social situations. Her introverted nature was a given, but it became worse when her parents began arguing. She felt someone rubbing her wrist and noticed Leah looking at her confused.

"You're going to be alright?" Leah asked.

Tess nodded and took a deep breath.

"Sorry, I'm just nervous I guess?"

"Hey, if you don't want to go we can go get food somewhere else, it's not a big deal" Leah frowned.

Tess shook her head at her suggestion. She didn't want her to miss something Leah clearly wanted to go to because of her anxiety. She could do this she knew she could.

"No I'll be fine, don't worry. They'll be waiting!"

It was an forced enthusiasm of sorts as she walked ahead hoping Leah could ignore the nervous vibes she was sending off. Leah caught up to her and took the lead. The closer they walked to the bonfire, the clearer the people showed. As they reached the shore she noticed Leah smiling at an older couple that she assumed would be her parents. Tess shyly walked over, too nervous to really keep away.

"This is Tess," Leah said in a soft tone.

Tess found herself surprised that Leah's tone had changed so quickly, yet the love of her parents was clear. The first thing she noticed about the older couple was that they were deeply in love. Sue and Harry were their names and they had a disposition that was friendly.

"Well welcome to our bonfire Tess" Harry grinned brightly before taking her smaller hand in his. "Leah treating you alright?"

She laughed softly at Leah's embarrassed expression.

"She treats me fine, she's been showing me around town since I first moved. She's a great mentor."

"That's great to hear" Sue spoke up looking proudly at her daughter.

"Mom don't" Leah said even more embarrassed.

"Seth is so lucky" Tess continued to talk teasing Leah even more. "But I'm very appreciative to be invited to something like this."

"Today is her birthday" Leah interrupted. "This little person is turning sixteen today"

Tess blushed at the short comment especially as Sue began to dote on her all the more. It was weird how the woman she had barely met tugged her away and began to show her the food options that she could have.

"Oh I wish Leah would have told me it was your birthday, I would have baked something" she frowned.

The two looked as Leah and Harry talked amongst themselves about something. She wasn't quite sure why she was pulled away, that is until Leah's mother began to talk.

"I wanted to pull you aside to thank you" Sue began, "Ever since the whole thing with Sam ended she's been very sad. You know Leah's a good kid, but it did break her heart. She told me you've been with her through it and you're a good friend."

"It's my pleasure Mrs. Clearwater" Tess replied somewhat embarrassed. "Leah didn't deserve what happened and I can only hope she can find someone better than Sam" she frowned. "He won't be here will he?"

"Well he is here, he's with Emily and she's family. We are all family" Sue said, "it's not Sam's fault really I assure you."

Tess was taken aback by Sue's sympathy she felt for Sam. How could she say that? Shouldn't she be on her daughter's side? She decided to stop talking and instead nodded and walked back towards Leah. While walking back she found herself crashing into someone else. She huffed softly and got knocked back a bit.

"Oh sorry!" A voice said.

Looking up at the tall boy she realized she had seen him before. She tilted her head in confusion at first, that is until she remembered she was with Leah's brother. What was his name? Jacob.

"Oh sorry!" she repeated again and pulled back embarrassed to even be held by him. "It was my fault, I wasn't looking"

She noticed immediately that the boy wasn't alone. There was Bella Swann looking at her curiously, as if she didn't even belong there.

"What are you doing here?" Bella asked quietly, no life in her voice.

"I-I got invited?" Tess replied somewhat taken aback by the comment.

"Tess!" Leah called her over "You're supposed to keep me from- oh. You brought her?"

Jacob looked put off by her comment.
"I could say the same thing to you" Jacob replied.

"Hey!" Tess exclaimed.

"Tch, whatever. You and your girlfriend just stay away from my friend okay? Come on, the food is about to be served."

Tess nodded and looked briefly seeing Jacob fawning over an oblivious Bella. She rolled her eyes realizing just how typical this situation was. As they tucked in for their meals, Tess had to admit she felt like this was definitely her home. Billy Black was a charming old man who told jokes that always were a hit. His demeanor was always sweet and playful and she had grown to adore him all the more. Harry and Sue were kind and told stories about their youth that made their children squirm and Tess laugh loudly. Through all this controlled chaos she noticed that Bella didn't really connect with anyone. She looked off into space and it was only when Jacob made some kind of effort she would remember where she was.

Through this night she also noticed something that Leah had mentioned; Sam Uley had definitely changed. For one thing he had grown significantly from last time she saw him; he was buffer and he had cut his locks. He also stayed close to Emily. Emily; now there was a complicated case. The girl had tried to speak to her and she seemed sweet, but Tess could not push away her feeling for the girl. This girl had hurt Leah and had broken the happiness. She was polite but there was little warmth from her, making it clear to Emily that she had chosen a side. Leah didn't even look there way yet, as if they didn't exist and Tess wouldn't push her too. The two of them stuck together through the night.

It was until the night was filled with stars when Tess and Leah left the group. She said her goodbyes thanking everyone for everything. She even found herself making eye contact with Bella who looked lost as usual. Billy made her promise to visit them all again much to her amusement but she had quickly agreed. It was on the ride home that Leah pulled over a clearing and they hopped out.

This was a normal thing for them. They would park a car and climb on the roof leaning back and staring at the moon. The pair would talk about dreams of the future of love of everything. Leah would usually begrudgingly admit to wanting to find someone new, so long as the pain for Sam would stop. And Angel would just listen, never once mentioning her need or her curiosity towards love. This time things changed as Leah handed her a box.

"What is this?" she asked lifting the tiny box.

"Do you not give presents in California?" Leah teased.

"Shut up" Tess laughed and immediately opened the box. Inside it was a necklace, it was silver and had a crescent moon on it. She lifted it so the moonlight could shine on it and she smiled.

"You like me" Tess said in a sing song tone.

"You're my best friend and my sister" Leah said sincerely, "I might not be the easiest person to get along with, I get it, but I appreciate you not pushing me aside. I need a sister and you're it."

Tess smiled shyly and hugged her tightly. This girl was soon becoming her rock. Both dealt with different pains, and both needed the other to remind them to keep fighting. As she slipped the necklace on, a howling broke the silence. Both girls tensed and Leah immediately pushed the girl off the car.

"Come on, it's not safe. Get in the car."

Both rushed into the car and Leah immediately turned on the car and they drove off. Tess' curiosity grew more and would not stop staring out the window. It was only a few minutes later that large black animal popped briefly out. She jumped back and even Leah swerved the car in surprise.

"What was that?!" Leah exclaimed.

"It was huge!" Tess squeaked, "I think it was a bear except…the tail and…it was a wolf?"

"That big? I doubt it. Come on this is freaking me out. The faster I drop you off the faster I can head home."

"Want to stay over? The road doesn't seem safe"

"Sounds good"

Arriving to her home, both girls went upstairs and changed into pajamas. Both passed out quicker than they expected. Tess couldn't help but dream about wolves once more, it wasn't a nightmare but it wasn't exactly a happy dream. She couldn't help but feel dread in her dreams. Thankfully in the morning she wouldn't remember a thing.

….

Two Months Later…

Benjamin and her had become an item whether or not Tess realized. They had talked about a relationship, but it didn't feel as real as Valentine's Day. Both were nervous that much was obvious; she was a sophomore and him a senior but it was okay. He was respectful and didn't push her around for more. She appreciated it so much and she tried to show it as much as possible.

For example this very moment; she had her arms wrapped around his neck as he kissed her softly against his locker. It was one of those rom-com moments that she always dreamed of. He was so gentle and careful as he held her waist and she felt herself getting lost in those moments. She wasn't stupid, she knew that he had gotten experience, he was seventeen going on eighteen and he wasn't going to be exactly the most innocently person. Sometimes his kisses showed her that he was holding back. She didn't dare say a thing, but moments like this when her stomach began to have butterflies fluttering like crazy, it reminded her exactly how good he was. She hummed softly as his hands ran through her hair and she got more on her tippy toes to reach him better. It was one of those moment where she felt lightheaded and her cheeks were red and it was fantastic.

"Ahem"

They slowly parted from one another and she looked dazedly to who had made the noise only to see Bella and Jacob. Bella looked red in the face and Jacob looked taken aback. Tess turned red in embarrassment and leaned against Benjamin embarrassed over everything.

"I need to get my things from my locker so if you can just…"

"Sorry about that man" Benjamin said amused, "but you know how it is. I mean you and your boyfriend obviously…"

He trailed off at the awkward face Bella made and Jacob's face becoming red. Tess swatted him slightly and tugged him away from it all. Her embarrassment was becoming even worse as Ben made things awkward.

"Sorry about that, bye!" she called out before walking ahead forcing Benjamin to catch up.

"Is he not her-"

"Nope, she's still pining over Edward"

"Seriously?"

"I don't know, that's what rumors are saying. I don't care, just take me to work."

"Whatever the Madame wants, but I do get to pick you up so we can spend Valentine's Day together right?"

"Yep! But I'll be late if you don't hurry!"

"Let's go!"

Laughing was the last thing that Jacob saw as the tall boy was pulling Tess into the car with another kiss. Maybe Bella and him could be like that soon, after all it was Valentine's Day.

"So…"

…..

Things were becoming weird in La Push. For one thing Leah had told her that people were beginning to join Sam's gang. They had called themselves protectors, but to her they looked like overgrown bullies. Tess didn't ask, instead she had asked to take her car out to La Push to bring meals to Harry. In some weird twist, Sue and Harry had become more like parents in Tess' life. Sue would always ask if she needed help with anything, especially with boys (much to Tess' mortification), and she would always answer honestly. Harry would joke and yell at football games and Tess would simply sit there wondering what was what. Thomas had even found himself coming in the household. He was never much into games, but Harry and him immediately hit it off talking about the history of their tribe and more importantly talking about sports. Thomas soaked all the information like a sponge.

Tess knew that this was more for Thomas to look at Leah from afar. It had seemed like his crush had by no means dissipated. It was cute, that much Tess could say. Leah was oblivious; she didn't push him away but didn't give him any chances. She only tolerated him because it meant that Tess would stay longer and they could talk about her moving on from Sam. It was a weird thing; the pain of Sam and Leah's breakup was clearly still raw for her and Tess realized with even more disappointment Sam didn't have any of it. From the few times she saw him on the reservation he looked reserved with his gang of people. That is until she saw him with Emily. It was odd the way they worked together so well, so much more than how it had been with Leah. It had stung to see how obviously better the two worked and she tried to shield Leah as much as possible.

Her musings were pushed aside as she arrived to the reservation. As she parked her car by their house she popped out with a tray of foods. All were pretty healthy and she knew that Sue would appreciate her helpfulness. Leah didn't really enjoy cooking much, and wasn't much of a homemaker. Tess liked spending time in the kitchen and she was happy to give Sue some recipes that her health conscious mother would force-feed them.

"Sue?"

"Come in darling, I'm in the kitchen!"

That was all that Tess needed to hear before she entered the home. It just smelled like it too. She could smell the chicken being cooked and she walked in like it belonged to her to hand Sue the healthy alternatives she made for Harry. His heart was weak that much was clear from Sue's worries.

"Is his cholesterol lower?" was the first thing she asked.

"We're hoping so, I'm taking him to the doctor later" Sue began, "He's just so stubborn. I told him to stop frying fish but I know he's indulging somewhere else. Now I can only hope that he gets serious about this. I'm worried."

Tess placed a hand on Sue's. "Don't worry things will work themselves out."

She was in the midst of stirring a sauce Sue was doing when something caught her attention. From the window she could see the large gang that Sam had created. All of them wore very little clothes, and even then she could see that they looked so much bigger than last time. What the hell where they on? She couldn't believe that the sweet boys she had seen during the bonfire had become that. Especially Jacob, her eyes widened as she saw him. He had gotten considerably bigger and stronger. His hair had been cut short and he looked well…her cheeks turned red for staring too much, as if she would get caught.

Then the seen grew even juicier as Bella's truck popped towards the small home. It was obvious that they were having a heated discussion. As the boys left, Bella and Jacob were left alone. Tess' stirring stopped as the yelling began but only on Bella's side. Why was she crying? Why did Jacob seem so angry? It made very little sense. But as he simply looked away from Bella, and closed the door behind him, Tess knew that conversation was over.

As the older girl cried outside in the rain, it was enough for Tess to feel bad for her as well. The smell of the burning caught her attention and she soon began to stir again. She chastised herself for staring so much.

"Sue! I think it's done!"

"Coming love!"

As Sue and her began to chat over food, something caught their attention. As the boys were coming out of the home, something in Sue's expression changed. Looking down at Tess she pulled a tight smile.

"I don't mean to be rude lovely but you need to head home."

She was taken aback by the comment but something told her to listen. She wouldn't stay where she wasn't wanted, but more than that, she knew that Sue was the kind of person that had her best interest at heart.

"Did I do something?" she asked meekly.

Sue's face said enough but as she pulled her into the hug she knew it wasn't on her. It was probably Rez stuff that she couldn't understand because of her background. She nodded and closed her eyes as Sue kissed the top of her head.

"Tell Leah to be careful when driving back okay?"

Tess nodded and grabbed her things before leaving. She knew there was some kind of connection between those boys and Sue's behavior but she said nothing more. As she began to throw things in her car she had a feeling that someone was staring intently at her. The hairs at the back of her neck began to stand and she felt goosebumps began to form all over. Turning around slowly she gripped the door of her car and saw that…no one was there. She tilted her head in confusion. Must have been something she imagined. As she slid into her car and drove off, she failed to notice a pair of angry eyes following her path out of the Rez.