Chapter 7 - LA PUSH

Evan's POV

Charlie and I were sitting at the kitchen table eating dinner. I wasn't a great cook but I could throw some simple things together. Tonight it was spaghetti bolognese. Charlie didn't seem to mind though, he would eat anything as long as it was edible. I'd been studying him throughout the meal, waiting for the right opportunity to start quizzing him for information. Ever since Bella and Edwards visit earlier I could not stop thinking about them and what they're deal was. I needed to get information out of Charlie and get his opinion of Edward but how did I go around that in a subtle manner?

I decided my plan of action would be to talk about something else first. My brain searched for ideas and then I remembered La Push, and Bella's strange reaction to the place when I'd tried to talk to her about it.

I put my fork down and stared at Charlie as he was just chewing on the last mouthfuls of his meal, there was some spaghetti sauce on his chin but I couldn't be bothered to point it out right now.

"So.." I said, grabbing his attention from across the table. He glanced up at me. "I was just remembering the day that Bella first took me on a drive to show me around Forks".

I stared at him to see if he was paying attention. He was and he looked at me curiously, I didn't often start conversations so casually.

"We drove past this Reservation, I can't remember what it was called?" I lied, inviting him to give me information.

"Oh…the Reservation" his interest perked up. "That's called La Push, the tribe there are Quileute's" he added.

"Oh yeah, that's what it was called, now I remember. I never got to really see much of it, we only drove past the outskirts. Bella said something about you having a friend who lived there?" I pushed, willing him to open up.

"Yeah, Billy Black. He's a good friend, I've known him for years and years". He then looked at me curiously. "Bella told you about Billy?" he asked, sounding suspicious. Now I was definitely intrigued.

"Yeah, well, just in passing." I shrugged.

"What else did Bella say about La Push?" he asked cautiously. Now I was quite confused by his reaction.

"That was it really….she didn't say much at all" I confessed, I made sure I looked disappointed about that.

"Charlie,….does Bella not like the Reservation because she showed me the whole of Forks but not La Push, she told me how beautiful it was there but didn't seem to like talking about it?"

Charlie tilted his head slightly, he looked away from me as if he were thinking, trying to decide what to say next or whether he wanted to say anything at all. He looked back over at me and I was leaning right forward waiting for him, egging him on to open up to me.

He sighed but began to talk.

"You see, Bella." he paused thinking some more before continuing. "Bella used to be close friends with Billy Blacks son, a boy…..or a man now; Jacob Black."

Billy Black had a son? Now this was interesting.

"How old is Jacob?" I asked curiously.

"Oh he's seventeen Evan, just like you. But he's a big boy, looks years older." he explained.

I nodded, understanding.

"What happened then? Because Bella didn't even mention him to me once?" genuinely interested.

Charlie appeared a little uncomfortable but he continued much to my relief.

"Jacob was always extremely fond of Bella, they were best friends. You see, last year Edward and his family left Forks suddenly. Bella was, well…..she was devastated and went into this deep dark depression, but Jacob, he was the only one who seemed to bring her out of it. He kind of saved her. They became very close and Bella seemed really happy. And to be honest I was happy too because I always favoured Jacob Black. He was a good kind boy and he was just crazy about Bella but she could just never forget about Edward" Charlie sounded resentful about that.

I couldn't believe it, perfect Edward Cullen left Bella. That I didn't see coming.

"Why did Edward leave, I don't understand, did he not keep in touch?" I asked confused.

"No, he didn't. It was like he just vanished into thin air. The whole family just went. It was cruel, very cruel." sounding bitter. "To this day I actually have no idea why he did that to her. Apparently Edwards dad got another job but for a boy who claimed to be in love with my daughter to just abandon her like that and leave her in a mess well, that's something I don't forgive." his voice angry. "But Jake was there for her and it seemed that he'd finally won over Bella but then…….." he shook his head in disbelief remembering. "Then she disappeared for three days when she heard out the blue that Edward was in trouble. They returned together and the rest of the Cullen's moved back shortly after that."

Wow, this was nothing like what I was expecting. I felt pleased with myself, I was right about Edward. He did have secrets and so did Bella.

"What exactly happened then?" I was desperate for more, and I tried hard not to show that.

But Charlie ignored my question.

"The details are not important" he dismissed. "Eventually her relationship with Edward came between her friendship with Jacob. Then, when Bella announced that she was engaged to Edward well,……Jacob was the one who was devastated. He ceased all contact with her. And now…" he shook his head wearily. "Now Jacob Black's been missing for weeks and weeks. I've been putting up missing posters of him all over the place. I'm very worried about him. I'm also very frustrated with my friend Billy because he does not seem to be very bothered at all that his son is missing. Say's he'll come back when he's ready and that he just needs space. I know the Quileute's have their own ways and give their kids a lot of freedom but.." Charlie was frustrated. "At the end of the day Jacob may look like a man but he is still a seventeen year old boy!". He snapped.

So that is why Bella, was so reluctant to talk about La Push, I surmised to myself. Very interesting. Hmm, not so perfect now! Are you Bella?

"That's why she probably never elaborated on La Push or took you inside the Reservation." he added.

"I wish I could see it" I confessed wistfully. "Are you still talking to your friend Billy?" I asked curiously.

Charlie looked slightly ashamed of himself.

"Not recently, our relationship has become strained since Jacob went missing" he admitted.

"Why don't we go and visit La Push…" I offered. "You could talk to Billy while you are there." smiling my suggestion at him.

Charlie gave me a strange look, as if he were realising something about me. I wondered what that was. Then he smiled warmly.

"You know Evan, your right, that's a good idea." he agreed. I couldn't hide my excitement and smiled back widely. "I bet Billy would like to meet you, I'm sure he's heard all about your arrival and has a lot of questions to ask me."

I was so grateful the next morning that it was Saturday. The weekend meant that Charlie would not be working today and that we were free to take our trip to La Push. He contacted Billy Black and it had been arranged that we would be spending the day there. The best part was that there would be no Bella. She wouldn't dare tag along if she knew we were going. It seemed like she was not very popular on the Reservation these days. Although my reasons for going were not exactly honourable. I was glad that one good thing seemed to have come out of this and that was the fact Charlie and his friend Billy seemed to be on speaking terms again.

I sat in the car watching the trees fly past the window, as we entered the Reservation I soon became fascinated by the place. I studied the Quileute's admiring the beautiful russet color of their skin and dark hair. People glanced curiously into the car recognising Sheriff Swan, but giving the red haired girl next to him double takes, with puzzled expressions. Questioning looks crossing their faces.

Eventually Charlie pulled up in front of a small antiquated faded red house. As the cruiser came to a stop, my attention suddenly focused on the front door when I noticed an older Quileute man suddenly wheel himself out of the small shack of a house. I was surprised, I had not expected this. He smiled politely and gave Charlie a wave. I turned to stare at Charlie and he didn't seem to notice my reaction.

"You never mentioned that Billy was in a wheelchair?" I pointed out to him.

But Charlie just shrugged his shoulders and was already climbing out of the car. I quickly followed. As we approached , Charlie went up to Billy and gave him a friendly hug. There didn't seem to any tension between them at all. Then I was introduced. Billy's dark kind eyes almost seemed to sparkle as he gave me a friendly warm smile, which made the creases on his russet skin appear more pronounced. I just smiled nervously back. He held out his hand to me and shook it with a firm steady grip.

With introductions over we settled inside the house for lunch. Billy seemed very interested in me and my arrival in Forks. He studied me intently and asked many questions. Much to my relief he did however not mention once my resemblance to Bella. In fact, I don't think Bella was even mentioned at all.

After a while Billy suggested to me to take a walk down to First Beach while I was in La Push and do some exploring on my own. He sounded very enthusiastic about the idea. Suggesting that Charlie would come and find me later. He was keen for me to meet some of the local Quileute boys and girls my own age. I think perhaps he felt sorry for me having no friends here and was trying to help out. That and I think Charlie and Billy wanted to talk privately between themselves, I was not offended by that idea. I followed Billy's direction and headed for First Beach.