Cliffdiving101 I totally agree with your assessment of Valerie. Let's just say that she didn't cope well with losing Embry and having a son who ended up looking just like him. She became "emotionless" to deal with a situation she believed she had no control over. Sucks but makes for good drama ;) thanks for the review!

No copyright infringement intended on Stephenie Meyer's work!

Chapter 5 – Girls

JACE

When Tuari was finished eating he came to my room which was just a couple rooms over from his in the basement (really just the bottom floor but that's what he called it). There were like two other bedrooms (I assumed as one door was locked) but I didn't ask who they belonged to – I assumed they were for guests. He showed me an extra bathroom, the laundry room and the billiards room, promising that we could win a ton of money off his dad and his friends once we got them drunk.

I couldn't help but laugh at his mischievous but friendly nature. His room was dark grey with silver, black and navy accents here and there. There was a really shaggy black carpet on the ground and two cool leather chairs for gaming. He had the same console as me and a flat screen that was bigger than mine by about four inches. There was even a mini fridge in arm's reach. To top it off Tuari had a huge king-sized bed, a couple book shelves and a desk. He had a walk-in closet and his own bathroom en suite. It was like an apartment, much like my room back home, but somehow way cooler. I was pretty sure even Mom would be impressed.

"Make yourself comfortable, and anything you wanna get for your room just let me know and Mom will order it. We get stuff delivered like every day anyways, it's no matter."

I was surprised. First Ruthie now Tuari was making me feel so welcome. I originally had no intentions of staying here but I guess I really had nowhere else to go did I? Not until Embry showed up. "Do you shoot hoops?" I asked him.

"I could, I'm pretty good at sports in general. We don't have a hoop right now though, I kinda broke it a while back and never got around to fixing it."

"Oh, well maybe we could get a new one then." It was something Tyler and I did at home all the time.

"Sure, I'll let Mom know, no worries." I thought he meant whenever he saw her next but Tuari pressed a button and called to his mom, asking her for a new hoop set, balls and sneakers for us, confirming my shoe size.

I mean, I came from rich parents too and I had whatever I wanted, but this was just different somehow – probably because he and his mother had a good relationship. Everything he did was super confident, like he never doubted anything. I bet no one had ever made fun of him for being Native, no one would mock him for not being like the rest of his family. I bet his parents didn't act like he barely existed in their world. They kissed one another, his mom called him "sweetie." My mother barely called me by my first name.

I pulled up some basketball on the console and kicked back with a beer.

"Going to a party at my friend's later. You think you'd be up for it?" he asked

"Sure, yeah! That sounds great actually. Meet some girls…" I needed some type of distraction or I'd go nuts waiting on Embry to get back.

"Ha, oh yeah! The best girls on the Rez will be there, maybe a few from Forks too. But this place is really fucking small, so don't expect too much."

I rolled my eyes and shook my head. All I really needed was one. One really hot one to make me forget that bitch Tina and to fill the void of Maria – whom I had never called. I was a total dick for just using her for sex and I hoped she'd get over me and realize that I wasn't worth it. Now that Jon's pretty face and car were gone temporarily I hope Tina still wanted him to come back to her or whatever she had hoped to gain by sending him that video. "You look like the man who's got all the girls," I told him.

"HA! I used to…but not anymore."

"Why not?"

"It's complicated, you'll see eventually…"

I shrugged and left it at that since he didn't want to come right out and say it. But I was honestly intrigued. Maybe he was going through a bad break up or had got someone knocked up. He couldn't be gay though could he? Nah, I mean…nah, I couldn't see it.

Later, around six, Tuari picked me up from my room and we headed out of the house through a backdoor in the basement. I hadn't been outside all evening as he and I had gotten into some serious gaming in his room. The only break we took was to eat lunch and dinner. My right hand was still jumpy from navigating the controls.

We walked around the pool area towards the front of the house where the car port was. I could see another much smaller white house off to the right, down a path there were two barns, a whole playground and a really nice gazebo with flowers and herbs growing all around. The place smelled amazing and I found myself sniffing hard.

"That's Momma's little sanctuary, smells good huh? It's the lavender, the purple one growing everywhere."

"Yeah, it does." I would love to see my own mother out in the garden, relaxing with a magazine or something. All she did was drink wine alone in her home office which was also like her little relaxation area as well - but it wasn't relaxing, it was an office. Looking through photos and articles, drinking wine and listening to music with entertainment television on muted captions in the background – that was what she called relaxing.

Tuari looked at me weird then broke into a smile. "Jace, dude, I can't fucking wait man!"

I had no idea what his random outburst was talking about specifically but I assumed it was about the party. We hopped into a huge black Tundra truck -the latest model - and exited the compound, which I saw on the front wall from the main road, was called Wolf Moon Estate. There was a huge howling wolf's head pointing up to a crescent moon carved into the wall. It was really neat. I suddenly understood why Ruthie had put wolves in the picture.

"Your family sure loves wolves," I joked, taking in the old houses and dirt streets of La Push as we drove along.

"Oh you'll soon love wolves too, I promise! It's what being Quileute is allll about!"

"Sure man." I grinned and shook my head at him.

Tuari blew his horn almost at everyone we passed and I knew it was because he literally knew everybody. There was a lot of ancient and modern here. It was as if the whole town was in the current process of an upgrade, but a lot of their old places still existed. I thought that was nice.

The party was at one of the same older houses. It was a gray color and had all kinds of old model vehicles parked around it. I guessed that Tuari's family was likely one of the wealthy ones around.

I adjusted my favorite faded jeans and navy tee that said "Thank You for Sharing" printed in white on the front. I nervously checked my hair in the window to make sure it hadn't blown out on the ride over. Tuari preferred fresh air to AC, unless necessary. Washington was always wet and cold so he welcomed summer time with open arms and windows down was considered a perk of the season.

The things I took for granted.

"Hey!" Tuari started greeting people right off the bat, introducing me to everyone quickly as he led us through the small crowd. I had no idea who was who because of so many names but he assured me that no one would forget who I was because I was new here and from Cali. He said I was practically a god being a Quileute from Cali.

It was weird having him refer to me as being a Quileute. But I guess that's who I was. It would definitely take some getting used to. I had so much to learn about these people, MY people. It was the first piece of the puzzle laid to rest. It was euphoric.

There were nice girls alright, and I had no problem gaining the attentions of quite a few of them, but I was looking for that special one that I believed still had to be here somewhere. The girls I'd met so far were cute but not beautiful, and that's what I wanted: the real exotic Native beauty, and why not? They thought I was Tuari's cousin so it appeared as though I could have any one that I wanted. Cocky much?

After a few beers and conversations that led to nothing much, I was just leaning up against a wall, lost in my head. I had my vape pen with me so my body was calm and no symptoms were bothering me. Tuari and his friends played some drinking game a couple feet away but I wasn't really interested in that. Watching the crowd was actually more fascinating and people were coming up to me and making small talk which was pretty cool. One girl named Bethany was nice, she gave me lots of current and even her number. She was from Forks and said we should go to a movie or something soon. I told her that was cool with me. She was cute with long strawberry blonde hair and freckles, not my usual type but her body was banging.

"Thank you for sharing what?" I heard a new curious female voice beside me and looked over into a pair of amused chocolate eyes.

WHOA, she was hottttttt!

New friends – check!

Beer – check!

Exotic beauty – check check check!

"Uh, what did you say again? Sorry?" I finally managed to mumble when I realized that I was probably creeping her out with the staring. Was she flirting or just being friendly?

"Umm, I was asking about your shirt," she pointed to my tee and smirked.

"Ugh, if you think about it hard enough, as a girl, I'm sure you'll figure out what I'm thanking you for sharing," I threw her a lop-sided apologetic smile as I watched her literally think for a moment before her eyes popped with awareness and she shook her head.

"You're gross," she scoffed but then chuckled. "I just might like you." She took a long sip from whatever was in her red cup. I laughed and asked for her name anyways, realizing that she was just teasing me.

"I'm Josie Uley, welcome to La Push, Jace." She stuck her hand out and shook mine hard and fast to my surprise. She already knew my name? There was something impish about her and I could tell that we'd be cool.

"Thanks," I chuckled.

Josie was hott. Her skin was almost the same shade as Tuari's and her hair was jet black and long to her waist and she had bangs at the front. She was wearing a short denim dress and heels, and generally seemed girly and high maintenance.

"So you're just gonna act like you don't see me?" Tuari called out, walking up to me and Josie, but keeping his eyes on her. He was looking down at her with a serious yet lovesick expression on his face. She snorted and turned towards him, her hands resting on her hips testily.

"And what if I see you? So?" She asked with plenty of sass.

I guessed this was what he was talking about earlier when he said his love life was complicated…and I knew this meant that Josie was definitely being friendly more than flirty with me. If she was flirting, it was probably to make Tuari jealous. I wanted no part of whatever it was going on between the two of them. Immediately she was no longer on my list of potential fucks.

"Why didn't you come say hi, babe?" Tuari reached out and stroked the skin on her arm but she shrugged him off.

"I didn't feel like it! I was meeting Jace."

My eyebrows shot into the sky and I held up my hands quickly in a peace-offering stance as Tuari glowered at me above her head. I shook my head a few times and backed off to show that I had no claims on his girl. I was almost certain that he growled at me as his shoulders started to tremble.

Fuck! This dude had a temper on him! This was a side of him I hadn't seen all day. Honestly, it reminded me of ME and I knew then that I needed to be careful. I didn't want him to do to me what I had done to Jon Chaney. Fuck that shit!

"Ari stop it! We just introduced ourselves! And you wonder why I can't be bothered! You're so jealous for everything!"

"So if I was less jealous you'd stop fighting this?" he asked.

I felt even more intrusive and decided to escape outdoors for some fresh air. Man he had some girl drama on his hands, I did NOT need to get involved in that at all.

The house had a little wrap around porch and a few people were smoking and talking quietly. I nodded in a friendly manner as I by-passed them, going around the corner to the back of the house which faced the woods. There were a few steps leading down into a yard which had clothes on the line still and I decided to sit on the middle step and finish my drink.

I could easily hear the conversations buzzing around me, people talking about scoring some pills and weed, a guy trying to get laid, a couple girls talking about who they wanted to bang…but it was the sound of sniffling that caught my attention.

Someone was crying?

I instantly got up and looked around, but the person wasn't on the porch. Stupid antenna ears. I stopped down onto the grass and walked a little ways further until I saw a figure huddled alone near the trees. She was sitting on a log or something, her face hidden. I found myself walking over to her instantly, for some reason I didn't like the sound of her crying.

"Excuse me? Are you okay?" I called out.

She startled and looked up, quickly wiping her face on the oversized black hoodie sleeve she was wearing. She was dressed in all black – with black jeans and flip flops on her feet.

"Did someone hurt you?" I asked, since she still hadn't answered.

Finally she shook her head and wrapped her arms around herself. The scent of vanilla and lavender, I think, wafted over and I couldn't help but find it extremely attractive.

"I'm fine," she croaked. She had a nice voice, one that pulled me in even though it was filled with pain. I really wanted to know what was wrong.

"You don't look or sound fine, I just wanted to help…"

"You're Jace right?" she asked instead, totally blocking my line of questioning.

"Uh, yeah." So everyone knew me now…the new kid on the Rez.

"I'm Phoenix," she croaked again.

My eyebrows arched in surprise. "As in Phoenix, Tuari's sister?" I confirmed. She nodded then looked down. Tuari had mentioned her earlier at the house, telling me his sister wasn't home.

"Do you need me to get him? He's just inside with Josie."

Phoenix snorted and shook her head. "If they're together I'd rather stay out here." I was confused by the answer and I guess it showed on my face in the dim light of the backyard. "Trust me, they'll either be tearing this place up in an argument or sucking face any moment now, you don't want to be around for that, it's gross and annoying."

"Oh, yeah, I kinda could tell that there's some drama there already."

She nodded but still didn't raise her head to properly look at me. I really wanted to see her face better and to know why she was upset.

"So do you want a drink or can I get you something else, a tissue?"

"What I want no one can get me…" she murmured. She probably thought I couldn't hear her but I surely did and for some reason her sadness made me sad.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled back. She was holding some heavy vibes. Whatever had happened must have been pretty bad.

Her face snapped up to me then and I locked eyes with the most beautiful girl I'd literally ever seen. The backyard light caught her face at just the right angle and I could see her much better. Her eyes…they were green on the inside around the pupil and hazel brown encased them. They were so unique and mesmerizing, like a nebula or something.

HOLY….

It was as if she'd materialized straight from my thoughts: The Perfect Girl. Without a doubt this time.

I couldn't stop staring at her and she actually couldn't seem to stop staring at me either.

My heart was racing extra hard and so was hers.

Whoa. I could hear her heart racing.

She was fucking beautiful.

Phoenix looked down then and pushed herself to stand. She was actually taller than I expected, probably around five foot eight inches or something. She seemed athletic somehow, like her mother, but I could see Paul's nose and mouth. She looked like an older Ruth.

Yeah Phoenix was the perfect girl – minus the sadness – and totally off limits.

This was just my fucking luck!

Dad was getting his wish after all, this would be punishment. Ethan would have a good laugh at my expense.

We said nothing to each other and then it became awkward. I figured maybe she wanted me to leave her alone. I didn't want to because I didn't want her to start crying again but I forced myself to anyways.

"Well, I guess I'll see you around at the house tomorrow or something? Sorry to bother you…but I hope you'll feel better." I took a few steps backwards, waiting for her to respond before turning to walk away.

She didn't answer though, she just kept her head down, biting her lip. I sighed in disappointment and skipped up the back steps on to the porch. I looked back to see if maybe she had followed but Phoenix was gone.

What was her deal? I wanted to know now more than anything.

XXXX

"Jace it's time to get up! Breakfast is on the table and Paul and Tuari are already here!" Corrie's sing-song voice filled my room through the intercom and I jumped up out of the bed, knowing I would only get scraps if I didn't get my ass to the kitchen.

I stopped off in the bathroom first then ran upstairs to the table.

"Morning!" I said with a reserved smile for everyone there - Phoenix, Ruthie, Paul, Corrie and Tuari.

"Morning!" they all responded with smiles – except for Phoenix who just kinda grumbled and kept her head down.

Seeing her in daylight was totally different that night. She was more than beautiful, there weren't words, but I couldn't help but notice the dark circles beneath her eyes, eyes which once again refused to meet mine. She just stared at her plate and pushed food around. She had dark brown hair which was tied up into a messy bun and was still dressed in her pajamas.

"How did you sleep dear?" Corrie asked, coming to kiss my forehead as she set a glass of juice right in front of me, shocking me. It was something only Enid did to me. Corrie didn't really seem to give it any thought, she was just being a mother.

"Great, thanks," and I really did.

"He slept like a log, he didn't even hear me come in there this morning to check on him before my run," Tuari smirked.

"You jog?" I asked while shoving three pieces of pancake in my mouth.

"Well, in a manner of speaking…" I saw Paul and Tuari exchange a look and then break into a laugh. I had no idea what was so funny.

"So how was the party Jace? Ari says you had quite a few girls coming your way," Paul smirked at I immediately felt the blood rush to my cheeks.

"Uhhh…well yeah I talked to a few," I shrugged, trying to play it off like no big deal – which it wasn't. Phoenix peeped over at me for a split second before turning back to her plate. Although I knew it was pointless, I didn't want her to think I was macking all over town, she was clearly the most attractive girl I'd met last night.

"Bethany Lewis gave him her number."

Paul raised his eyebrows, "Wait that Forks girl?"

"Yeap!" Tuari sat back with a huge grin as if he was the one that had scored or something. I wondered just how well he knew her.

"It's no big deal guys," I muttered, focusing on my eggs, which only made them laugh.

"Paulie, stop embarrassing the boy!" his wife chided with a giggle.

They went on to talk about other things, thankfully, and I risked looking over at Phoenix to see what she was doing. She still hadn't eaten much of her food but at least she was chewing, albeit slowly. For some reason I felt relieved. I just didn't understand how her family didn't seem to notice that something was wrong with her. she was obviously very sad. I was dying to know why, and why they weren't comforting her since they were all so close?

"Feeling better Phoenix?" I decided to take the risk and ask.

Phoenix raised her face to meet mine, clearly shocked that I had been so bold. Her eyes were wide and confused but still beautiful. I couldn't get over how they were both green and brown at the same time.

"I'm fine," she mumbled, then took a bite out of toast and dropped her eyes once more. I knew then that I would get no more out of her.

Everyone went deathly quiet, which I didn't expect and all eyes were now on us. I looked over to see Paul and Tuari watching us closely, back and forth like a tennis match; while Corrie seemed concerned.

"Oh we met at the party…" I mumbled to them, assuming they were surprised we even knew each other.

Corrie offered me a sympathetic, knowing smile and I assumed that Phoenix was usually like this, but why? It just didn't sit well with me that someone so pretty could be so sad.

"So what's the plan for today?" Corrie asked, breaking the uncomfortable silence. I almost wanted to protest and demand that she tend to her daughter.

"Well I'm going to show Jace around, let him get a lay of the land." Paul answered, capturing my attention.

"Cool, sounds great," I bobbed my head. I wanted to ask about my father but I decided to leave it til it was just us guys.

"Alright, well I won't be around til this evening babe, so lunch is on you guys today," Corrie smiled at her husband who told her it wasn't a problem and then blew her a kiss across the table. Corrie then blushed and giggled like a school girl. Ruth met my eyes and made a face which made me chuckle. Phoenix looked over curiously at us and then looked at her parents who seemed to be having a silent conversation with their eyes.

For some reason that caused her to suddenly look ill and she quickly shoved off from the table and grabbed her plate. I watched as Phoenix dumped the food into the bin, washed her plate and ran from the room, her footsteps pounding up the stairs. Everyone was watching her with sad eyes and I just couldn't take it anymore.

"What's wrong with her?" I finally asked, looking at each of their faces.

Tuari cleared his throat first. "One of our friends died, and she's been having a hard time dealing with it."

"Oh…"

Wow.

I didn't know what else to say, that really was a reason to be upset, but it didn't explain why she looked at her parents that way, almost with longing…unless…Unless it had been a boyfriend. Something in my gut told me I was right but I didn't ask. Honestly, it was none of my business and I probably should leave her be.

But fuck me if I didn't love a challenge.