Chapter Four | Wolfish Pride

3rd Person POV

Low and behold, that red truck was parked in Bella's driveway and she noticed it the moment she woke up. The red chipped paint was hard to miss: not quite an eyesore but more so a disruption in her line of vision.

Charlie had certainly noticed a change in Bella when she had sauntered down stairs and went straight to the fridge for some breakfast.

"Something happen?" he carefully asked, knowing full well what his words might inflict. Her mind was so fragile: it was hard to mistake heartache from fright.

Bella merely shrugged, her lips twitching into a ghost of a smile. Well, Charlie thought it was definitely something to make her smile in the least bit. He hadn't seen such an emotion (as small as it was) appear on his daughter's face since those damned Cullens had left town nearly two months prior.

Bella sat down at the table and poured herself some cereal, "I met someone new. She knows Jacob: her name's Evony."

Charlie's eyes widened at the familiar name. He was good friends with Billy: he had heard of the girl but never actually met her.

Bella caught onto his expression and gave him a confused look. He asked, "Evony Uley? Sam's sister?"

Bella arched a brow, "Oh. I wasn't aware you knew her. How'd you meet?"

Charlie chuckled a bit, feeling slight relief that the girl in front of him was actually speaking to him. It had been so long since so many words had left her lips. Frankly, it had shocked the hell out of him the moment he had seen her face this morning: not fixed in the frown she had come to know.

He shook his head, bringing his glass of orange juice to his lips, "I haven't. But Billy talks about her sometimes. Why isn't she at the reserve?"

Bella shrugged, "Not sure. She said she couldn't tell me. But she's picking me up for school this morning so you'll get to see her."

Charlie was in high spirits by the time he had finished his own breakfast. Bella had gone off to shower and get ready for school and he was extremely pleased with this Evony girl for making Bella look healthy again, even if it was not intended. Of course, all that good emotion washed right out when he suddenly heard the loud roar of what could only be a motorcycle speeding down the street. He sighed and shook his head, annoyed that people felt the need to go racing through town so early in the morning. Imagine his shock when he heard the bike pulling up in his driveway to pick up his daughter.

He wondered if this Evony character was what Bella needed after all.

The doorbell rang and Bella was still upstairs. So Charlie sacrificed himself and shrugged. He felt like he should probably get to know her anyway, especially since she seemed to be playing such a large role in his daughter's social life. Getting up from the kitchen table, Charlie strode purposefully over to the door and with a stern look, opened it.

He had to admit, he was expecting to see someone a little...taller.

The short girl was grinning cheekily as she looked up at him. She was donned in an odd set of clothes that suited her well. A yellow sun dress collided with her tanned skin. Her dark hair was tied in a messy bun and her clear blue eyes held a sparkle to them. He couldn't help but notice that she was wearing boots. Brown boots that matched the color and feeling of the dress.

"Uh..." he couldn't seem to get any words out of his mouth. This girl, though obviously young and probably about Bella's age, if not a year her junior, was quite pretty and he immediately felt dirty for thinking such things about an adolescence.

"Hello, Charlie," her ringing voice as she adjusted the purse on her shoulder. It was reddish orange and the pattern was one of flowers and diamonds, "I've come to get Bella."

He drew himself out of his shock and nodded slowly, "Of course."

Stepping to the side, he allowed her to pass him. She almost seemed to glide across the tiled floor: she sat down in a stool by the counter and placed her purse in her lap, glancing at Charlie expectantly before she began speaking.

"I just moved to Forks High. I went to the Quileute school for a while but Billy wanted me to keep an eye out for Bella," she informed, resting her chin on her hands as she stared at me. Charlie wondered if Bella knew this, and he figured she probably didn't. Bella was annoyingly stubborn and wouldn't let anyone be around her if she doubted their loyalties.

He looked back at the girl and saw that she was now taking out a mirror from her purse as she inspected her face. She need not, however: her red lipstick had not smudged and she wasn't wearing any other make-up to speak of. Though, it seemed, she still appeared quite beautiful and Charlie had to pull his thoughts away from her in order to speak coherently.

"That's nice of Billy," Charlie spoke, walking over to the other side of the counter as he studied her movements. The mirror was now being placed back in the purse and she turned her attention to him again.

"Yes," she answered, looking very calm, "I'm Evony by the way. Bella's my new friend. Strictly speaking, of course."

Charlie felt a new wave of emotion overcome him and he couldn't resist the protectiveness from catching up to him. If this Evony was only doing this for Bella's health and not for her in general, he didn't really want her around. But when Bella herself came down two minutes later all ready for school, he couldn't argue any longer. The smile that now lit her face was hopeful and not despairing like it usually was. Charlie was thankful for Evony now. Perhaps she could talk some sense into Bella and make her understand that Edward Cullen (he scowled at the name) was not, in fact, the most important person in the world.

Evony grinned at Bella and got up from the table, "Hiya, Bells. Ready to get going?"

Bella nodded and sent Charlie a small smile. It seemed to him as though maybe this was a good idea. As much as he hated to think about it, he'd have to thank Billy later on.

"I'll see you later, dad," his daughter called, and the two girls began walking toward the door.

"Yeah, see ya, Mr. Swan!"

Charlie chuckled at the now energetic girl and called back, "It's Charlie!"

He only got a scoffing response that increased his grin and made him realize he actually liked this girl. He was just glad she wasn't like the Cullens- Bella certainly had enough of them. The police officer leaned against his counter and listened closely to the revving of the motorcycle. He personally hated the vehicle...but he couldn't seem to find any trace of regret or aggravation toward Evony. After all, she was the one who was actually trying to get Bella back on her feet.

In the back of his mind, Charlie wondered why the Quileutes would even try something like that...but then he pushed the thought from his mind. Even if Bella really wasn't any of their business, he figured Billy was just trying to make Charlie happier. They were, after all, extremely good friends and Billy knew how much Charlie worried about his only daughter. Beside him, the clock struck, signifying the hour just as the noise of the bike melted away in the distance. Charlie didn't take it as a bad omen. No: he wasn't very superstitious for that. He sighed and left as well, heading off to work as his thoughts revolved around the sight of his daughter's slowly mending life.

Evony's POV

I really wasn't sure why everyone always stared at me. Didn't they get enough of my face already? I mean, yesterday I was dying just because people seemed to enjoy gazing at my face.

Bella chuckled at bit at my expression and smiled still unsurely, "Uh...Evony, why are you so frustrated?"

I held back an eye roll, "Staring. I hate it when people stare at me. Makes me crazy."

Bella laughed a bit more at this, "Don't worry, they'll forget about you soon enough."

Her words seemed to bring about another wave of unwanted memories and she inhaled sharply as her fingers clutched at her abdomen. I watched her in a mix of surprise and worry. Was she hurt...?

But only seconds later she seemed to be over her short spell and sent me a clouded smile, "Sorry...that happens sometimes."

I was extremely worried now, and I couldn't help but remember what had gone on last night while speaking with Sam and Jacob.

"How did it go?"

I shrugged, glancing at Sam and allowing my lips to curve up in a minuscule smile, "Fine, of course. I have her wrapped around my finger."

Though my words sounded mean, I didn't actually feel that way. I had only spent one day with Bella and already I was getting attached to her. She was such a nice person and I really couldn't help but enjoy her company. Jacob, however, took my words to heart and he growled dangerously at me.

"Don't step out of line, Evony-" he'd begun to warn me, but I merely laughed and shook my head.

"Been there, done that," I reminded him as I thought about the treaty line. Except that was a little more concrete...I sincerely hoped I wouldn't get into too much trouble for it...

Sam cut in then, obviously annoyed at our quick fight, "Calm down, you two," he looked at me, full attention escalating me in downward spirals of aggravation, "Tell me what happened."

I rolled my eyes and shrugged, "I only have two classes with her. But...jeez, their stench was all over the place. In most every classroom I walked in I could smell it."

Sam didn't seem to care all that much about that part of my little adventure, "But tell me about Bella. I hear you drove her home after school."

I nodded, "Yes...it'll probably happen quite a lot since we have off together last period. Oh...make that three classes, including off. English, Gym, and Off," I counted on my fingers.

Sam nodded impatiently and asked, "How long?"

I gave him a confused look and he sighed, elaborating, "How long do you think you can gain her trust?"

I rolled my eyes and answered easily, "Pft- Please. I already have it. It's only a matter of time. Which," I added, smirking, "we have plenty of."

Jacob's eyes darkened at my comment and I shot him a slightly worried look. He stared at me and muttered, "Maybe not as long as we think."

This got my undying attention, "Are they returning home?"

Sam shrugged, putting his arms behind his head as he stared up at the night sky, "Not sure. But we can't just cross it out as a possibility. They could come at any time and when they do," he glanced at me, face deadly serious, "You will run as fast as you can until you're back here."

I realized it was an order and scoffed, but realized the direness of the situation and wondered if that would ever happen. Sam was still staring at me, as though he was awaiting a response, so I gave him one.

"Yeah. I'll run. Promise."

And that was that.

I would follow Sam to the grave if I had to. Glancing once more at Bella, I held back the worried sentence I so dearly wanted to say and got off the bike. I knew that if I brought up the Cullens it would only make the situation that much worse. Bella didn't need any reminders of them. Though...it seemed as though I couldn't do much about that since everywhere she looked seemed to bring another painful memory.

"Let's go," I offered, and she nodded, walking beside me as we walked toward the campus.

"...See you in English?" she asked me hesitantly.

I smiled in response, "English," my confirmation seemed to make her a bit happier and I watched her walk away. As soon as her back was turned my eyes darkened. When would she ever recover from this?

I narrowed my eyes and began trudging to my own class, feeling all that festered hatred for the bloodsuckers spiraling in growth. They did this to her. It was their fault. It was that leech.

I won't let them get to her again.

And with that promise, I stormed to my first class.

Thanks for the review (again) teamtwilightparamore =D Soon the Cullen's will be here...I know it's pretttty boring right now but well, I have to set the scene. I was writing soo much last night o.O I'm exhausted. But I successfully finished up to chapter Eleven, so far, and there's AWESOME FLUFF coming up~! :D Between Jasper and Eve, of course!

Please review- every author likes to know whether or not people read their work, ne?

I forgot to add disclaimers at the beginning of my pieces...but I think ya'll know that I'm not the owner of Twilight and therefore have no right to it's characters...(I'm just borrowing them, Meyer, promise! I'LL GIVE THEM RIGHT BACK!) =D