Chapter 10 - First Beach
On Friday, Kayce got up, dressed and rushed out the front door. She received a ride from Rosalie, Alice, and Jasper since Emmett and Edward were headed to Goats Rocks for a camping trip. All three were leaning against the BMW with their arms folded waiting for her. None of the three looked angry about waiting; they looked bored until they made eye contact with her. It was then that each one smiled at her.
At school, Bella kept trying to redeem herself by being friendly. Kayce assumed that Edward must have spoken to her. Kayce isn't a hateful person, so she decided to give Bella a chance.
"Are you going to La Push?" Bella asked.
"I was thinking about it," Kayce replied.
She was really going because it was supposed to be sunny that day. She really wanted to let the Cullens be free to go out in the sunshine.
At lunch, Kayce started walking to her usual table when Alice called her over. "Kayce, come sit with us again today." Alice was animatedly waving at her. She looked as though the more forcefully her arm was waving, the more likely Kayce was to say yes. She would have anyway.
Kayce smiled, waved back and joined them. She sat down next to Alice. The entire student population put their heads together and was whispering. "Just ignore them. We always do," Jasper said.
Mike stood up and apprehensively walked over to their table, but never getting too close to them. His sense of danger kept him at arms length. It was that feeling you get where the hairs on your arms and neck stand on end and your breath catches in your throat, as if you were eating cotton balls. Kayce doesn't get that feeling anymore when she is around the Cullens.
"Kayce, we are meeting at my parent's store, Olympic Outfitters. If you meet us there, I can give you a ride," Mike said.
He started to walk backward tentatively, but he never looked away from her eyes. They were locked on them. Kayce felt that Mike didn't want to look at her tablemates.
"Sure, Mike, I'll be there," Kayce answered.
"Great. See you tomorrow." He slinked away, clearly uncomfortable being so close to Rosalie, Jasper and Alice.
"Kayce, I don't know why you have to go?" Alice pouted. "It's not like any of those people are worthy of your presence, well except for Angela Webber."
"I would like to go to the beach on a nice sunny day where I can enjoy it." Alice, Rose and Jasper were all quiet after that.
When lunch was over Kayce could see Jessica and Lauren talking with their heads together, giggling every so often.
In biology class, Bella tried to ignore Kayce as much as possible without being a bitch. Bella just had nothing to say. Gym class was pretty much the same way, although it was easier for Bella not to go near Kayce while playing badminton.
That night Kayce was cooking dinner with Esme and Carlisle helping out, which was a deviation from their usual routine. Carlisle was chopping vegetables while they were talking.
"Kayce honey, do you need a ride to the beach?" Esme asked. Kayce couldn't believe her ears. She wondered if they would tell her their secret or cross the treaty line so she could go have a good time.
"No. I was going to walk out to Olympic Outfitters and get a ride with the others," Kayce said hurriedly. "It's really no problem. I would like to get the exercise."
"Alright, honey," Esme said. Carlisle smiled, but his eyes were drawn and worried, but Kayce couldn't say anything to him about why. "I'll be careful and if I need you, I have my phone," Kayce said.
The next morning, Kayce opened her eyes to bright sunlight filtering in through her bedroom window. The lace curtains projected a beautiful floral pattern on her bedroom wall. Seeing the sun was a nice change from the usual weather pattern. Kayce dressed in jeans, a white summer sweater, and she took a light jacket, just in case the sun decides to retreat behind the clouds and it starts to rain.
Kayce left a note inside the empty house for Esme. She already had permission to go, but felt leaving a note was necessary. After locking up, she made her way to town really enjoying the sun warming her skin and giving everything in her path a buttery glow. Birds were singing a glorious tune, enjoying the weather just like she was.
When she arrived in the parking lot of Olympic Outfitters, Kayce noticed a few cars parked in the lot and a group of kids from school gathering around them. Mike caught her attention by waving. He was standing next to his suburban along with a group of other kids talking animatedly. Most of them were wearing shorts, but they all had coats tied around their waists. "Hi, Kayce. I'm glad that you made it," Angela called out.
"I'm glad I did, too," Kayce responded. Angela ran over to Kayce, hugging her, and then they linked arms and walked toward the suburban.
"Okay, Lee and Samantha already arrived, so we were only waiting for you. Where are your foster sibs?" Mike asked. He was genuinely curious and not making her the butt of a joke.
"They aren't coming. It's just me today."
"Okay, everybody let's get going then," Mike called out.
Kayce and Angela ran over to Lee's mom's minivan and piled in with some of the other kids. She really didn't want to ride with Jessica and she certainly didn't want to ride with Tyler and give him the wrong idea. As Kayce was getting in the van, she saw Bella hop into the front seat of Mike's suburban.
Kayce was quiet during the drive to the beach. She just looked out the window at the beautiful forest and the river as it snaked along the side of the road. The sun shining through the trees gave an ethereal appearance, it was quite lovely. A part of her wished that she could share this experience with her parents and her new family members; neither was possible, and she couldn't help feeling lonely.
Eventually, they reached the beach. Even with the sun shining, the water appeared steel gray. Breaking the silence were cries of seagulls, crashing of waves and their group getting louder as they piled out of the cars.
They all made their way to a ring of driftwood logs. There was a fire pit in the center with charred blackened ashes sitting inside. Eric and Ben gathered broken branches that were scattered about on the sand and threw them in the pit. Mike had started to create a tee-pee shape with the branches.
Mike pulled a Zippo lighter out of his pocket and knelt down, igniting a long twig, placing it in the pit. The tee pee of branches became completely engulfed. The fire was turning color; blue and green and then orange as it flickered higher and higher. Kayce and Bella both were marveling at the beauty of the fire.
A group of kids had decided to hike out to the tide pools and Kayce, Angela and Bella had gone with them. Kayce didn't walk near Bella, but she and Angela didn't get too close to the others either. Everyone was laughing and talking happily. Bella had started walking slower and slower, barely keeping up. She kept tripping over the trail through the woods. It must have been a difficult hike for her.
They all made their way from the forest to a clearing that opened up to the tide pools. The pools of sea water were filled with starfish, anemones, and various plant life. Bella had perched herself on a large rock, just waiting, looking unwilling to move near the deeper water. Kayce was bold, like the others, hopping from rock-to-rock splashing around and enjoying herself.
When everyone was sufficiently bored, the whole group made their way back. Bella fell over a couple of times when she tried to hurry and catch up with the others, tripping over a tree root. Luckily, Kayce caught her arm and kept Bella from getting injured or scraped up. "Thank you," Bella said. Her face was flushed from embarrassment.
"No problem," Kayce replied.
"I guess you figured out that I can't walk and chew gum at the same time," Bella said sheepishly, not meeting Kayce's eyes for a few moments.
Kayce's eyes twinkled when she answered, "I have noticed, yes."
When the group made it back to First Beach, Kayce saw Jacob and Scott with some other guys and she waved. Food was being passed around and Eric was busy making introductions for the group. Kayce grabbed a soda and sandwich sitting with Bella and Angela. She chewed thoughtfully as she listened. Kayce waved at Scott as she ate her lunch.
"Kayce, how are you really?" Angela finally broke the silence. She sounded concerned.
"I'm okay. Thanks for asking. I do miss my parents." Kayce had smiled at her in return. Bella was listening intently, but never uttered a word, nor did she acknowledge Jacob or Scott.
The clouds had started to approach, roiling, giving the beach a more ominous appearance. After everyone ate, a bunch of the others had gone off on their own, including Angela.
Scott and Jacob came over and sat down near Kayce and Bella. An older boy stood close by. He kept staring at Kayce. His nostrils were flaring and his dark intense eyes never wavered. Something about him gave her the chills. Kayce realized that the boy must be Sam Uley. It was then that she knew why she had the chills; according to the book, Sam Uley was a werewolf.
Bella and Jacob started talking about her pick-up and how it isn't safe to drive over sixty miles per hour. Bella assured him that wouldn't be a problem for her. "It does great in a collision," she said in an attempt to praise her ancient truck.
"I don't think a tank could take out that old monster," Jacob chuckled.
"So, you build cars?" Bella asked.
"When I have free time, and parts, you wouldn't happen to know where I could get my hands on a master cylinder for a 1986 Volkswagen Rabbit?"
"Sorry," Bella laughed out uncomfortably. "I haven't seen any lately, but I'll keep my eyes open for you." She turned to Kayce and rolled her eyes, shrugging her shoulders.
Jacob turned his gaze to Kayce and raised his eyebrow in question. "I don't know where I can get a hold of one of those Jacob, sorry," Kayce said and she meant it. She really felt bad that she couldn't help him. He seemed like a nice boy, a totally different boy then the one who turns into a wolf later on.
Sam never offered any conversation, but kept scrutinizing her. Kayce nervously rubbed the smooth contours of her cell phone that was settled inside her pocket. That small piece of metal and plastic comforted her. She really had no idea why. Scott put his hand on her shoulder and Kayce startled, a yelp escaping her lips.
Embarrassed, Kayce looked around, anywhere, but at Scott and finally noticed that Lauren, sitting with Tyler, was watching them. Lauren spoke up, "You know Bella, Jacob?"
"We've known each other since I was born," Jacob laughed.
"How nice." Lauren's tone of voice wasn't lost on anyone, but Kayce figured that what goes around comes around. Maybe it was good for Bella to get a taste of her own medicine. After thinking that particular thought about Bella, karma slapped Kayce upside the head. Lauren set her sights on her and spoke. "Kayce, I was just saying to Tyler, that it was too bad none of the Cullens could come out with you." She burst into laughter. "Didn't they want to be with you?" She laughed again, although it was more like a cackle. Knowing full well that karma would probably beat the hell out of her this next time around, secretly, Kayce hoped that Lauren would sprout a wart on her nose and fly away on a broomstick.
"You mean Dr. Carlisle Cullen and his family?" Sam asked in a fierce tone.
"Yes, do you know them?" Lauren asked condescendingly.
"The Cullens don't come here." Sam replied in a sinister tone while he pointedly looked at Kayce.
Bella looked over at Sam and then at Kayce. Her eyes were very curious and speculative. Kayce was now thinking she made a mistake by coming here. Stupidly, she forgot that part of the book and wished she had stay home. She really wanted to give the Cullens time to be normal, but now she has Sam giving her "I want to kill you" looks and Bella's interest is piqued as to why the Cullens aren't welcome at First Beach. Thank you karma, she thought.
"So is Forks driving you insane yet?" Jacob says to Bella.
She huffed out a sigh, "Oh, I would say that is an understatement." Bella's face lit up in a way that made Kayce think she was up to something.
Soon after that look appeared on her face, she started to flirt. Kayce was no expert, but Bella was shameless. The sad part was that Bella had no idea how obvious she was being. Kayce was also surprised that Jacob never noticed how transparent Bella's actions were.
"Do you want to walk down the beach with me?" Bella asked tugging on Jacob's arm. Jacob hopped up quickly, and by the look on his face, he really thinks that Bella is interested in him. Kayce's mouth hung open with the shock of it all.
Scott stood and shoved his hands in his pockets waiting for Kayce to stand, too. It took Kayce a moment to realize that Scott had stood up, because she had focused her attention back on Sam, who was still staring daggers at her.
Scott started to walk and Kayce quickly followed next to him to move away from Sam. She stuffed her hands into her pockets and looked nervously over shoulder a couple times.
"So you're what, sixteen?" Bella fluttered her eyelashes at Jacob, but Kayce thought that Bella looked like she had something huge and sharp lodged in her eye instead.
"I just turned fifteen," Jacob responded huskily.
"Really? I would have thought you were older," Bella said flirtatiously.
"Kayce turned her attention to Scott, just looking at his black hair and how it almost has a blue hue to it in the sunlight. Admiring him, she felt an attraction, but it wasn't nearly as strong as the physical attraction she felt for Edward. "So how come your family didn't come with you?" Scott asked.
"My family had made prior arrangements, but I didn't know that they made them on the same day as our beach trip," Kayce answered matter of factly. She hoped that specific answer would curb any more questions. She carefully studied Scott's face. She was searching for any knowledge about the Cullens, but so far, he looks like a normal guy who is asking questions to get to know her better and to keep her talking.
He smiled at her and then said, "So, do they think you are an asshole for not spending the day with them?"
Kayce uncomfortably laughed, but she gladly took the blame. "Probably, but I had already made promises to come here."
Scott smiled, "I'm glad you did and I'm glad that you are here and I am especially glad that you called me to ask me to the dance." His eyes study Kayce intently and she feels like he is seeing right through her.
"I'm glad that I called you, too. I still have to shop for a dress, but I am really excited."
"Me too, except, I'm not shopping for a dress." He chuckled and then proceeded, "I can't wait to show you my moves." They both cracked up laughing. She found that it was easy open up.
"Moves? Well as long as you don't do the robot, we will have a blast at the dance," Kayce said teasingly.
"You wound me with your words, Kayce. I can do a mean robot. Here let me show you." Scott made sure he had enough room and started doing the robot. Jacob started laughing along with Kayce. Bella looked mortified.
"You're right, that was awesome," Kayce said. Scott walked up behind her and said, "Here let me show you how to do it." He stood behind her, leaning in toward her face and moved her arms for her. She thought she was making jerky movements, but Scott kept yelling out, "You're doing great." They were having so much fun together.
After Scott had finished helping Kayce, she heard Bella ask Jacob, "Who was that other boy Lauren was talking to. He seemed to be a little old to be hanging out with us."
Jacob answers, "That's Sam and he's nineteen."
"What was he saying about the doctor's family?" Bella asked overly curious.
Kayce started coughing. "The Cullens'? Oh, they're not supposed to come onto the reservation."
"Why not?" Bella presses with macabre delight.
"Oops. I'm not supposed to say anything about that," Jacob said, his cheeks turning tomato red.
Kayce narrowed her eyes and answered angrily, "Then maybe you shouldn't talk about that or my family that way."
Bella looked like Kayce rained on her parade and Jacob looked like he felt bad about gossiping about her family.
"Kayce, don't you want to hear what he has to say? Aren't you curious?" Bella said.
"No, I'm not. Maybe I should go ask Lauren to tell me stories about you and then spread them around," Kayce snapped back.
Bella had a mixture of guilt and hate plastered across her face. Kayce took a huge breath in through her nose trying to calm herself.
Sam started to approach and he had heard what Bella was fishing for. "The Cullens don't come here and that means you." He pointed at Kayce and she suddenly felt like she were in a court room and he was pointing at the guilty party.
Kayce really had no idea what to say to that. "But she isn't a Cullen. Her last name is Evans," Bella said quietly. Sam's glare never wavered.
"I..." was all Kayce managed to say.
"It doesn't matter. Those Cullens came here once and caused trouble, so none of them are welcome," Sam said.
"Sam, I think you are misjudging Kayce. She is really a nice girl," Scott said. Sam turned his glare on Scott, but Scott never backed down.
"You don't understand, Scott. You are only on a need to know basis and you don't need to know anything." Sam stood tall and he was speaking as if he were giving an order. Scott, just as tall as Sam, wasn't scared of his threat.
Kayce was grateful that Sam never told the truth, but he was covering his own ass, he didn't want to give away his secret.
"Which one? Let me guess, it was the burly one? Emmett right? What did he do?" Bella pressed. She pouted when she noticed that no one would give her an answer.
Sam ignored Bella's request. "You can leave on your own or you can have me help you leave." Sam growled out. His hands started shaking violently and she thought she saw his teeth begin to elongate. It could have been all in her mind, but she didn't know for sure. Kayce was actually scared. The fear was clenching her stomach, making her mouth dry and her hands tremble.
She turned and started to run. "Thanks a lot Sam, you asshole," Scott spat out. He turned and followed Kayce. "Kayce, wait up! I can give you a ride home."
Bella and Jacob both followed right behind. Kayce ran all the way to the cars and stopped. She was bending over with her hands sitting atop her thighs, catching her breath.
Bella and Jacob caught up right after Scott did. "I don't want you talking about the Cullens. I'll know if you did," Kayce managed to pant out. Kayce prayed that Jacob would take her seriously. She never noticed the clouds rolling further in and rain drops slowly and intermittently fall from the sky.
They never saw Sam standing there. "I said to leave this reservation. Don't come back. If you do, I'll make sure nobody ever sees you again." His stare was cold and menacing. His skin radiated immense heat. His hands vibrated as they shook. She could feel pure power or energy emanating off of his body. Bella stood there with her mouth dropped open in shock. Kayce had no idea how he could restrain himself from changing into a wolf, but he did.
She knew she needed to leave, but she couldn't move. Her mind flashed to seeing Sam pounce on top of her and begin to tear her apart. Scott grabbed her hand and quickly led her to his car. He ran around the front of the car and got in. They drove off in a squeal of tires. "I'm sorry about Sam," he said. 'He can be a real jackass at times."
"Yeah," was all she could think to say.
They drove in silence until they saw a jeep up ahead parked on the side of the road. As they drove past, she saw Edward, Emmett, Carlisle and Jasper sitting inside. Scott didn't recognize them and kept driving unaware. That must have been the treaty line, an invisible force field barring them from crossing to the other side.
"Scott...Scott stop. That was my family. Uh...they must have changed their minds and decided to come out. I better go with them. I don't want Sam to cause trouble."
"Yeah, that's a good idea," Scott said.
"Thank you Scott, I appreciate your driving me." She leaned in to hug Scott and then she got out of the car. She was trembling and hoped that she didn't resemble a Parkinson's patient. Kayce ran the 30 yards back toward the Jeep. The door opened and Jasper got out. Kayce got in the backseat and sat down in the middle. While she was getting situated, Jasper hopped back in next to her.
Emmett drove off angrily.
"Kayce, we were coming to get you. What were you doing with that boy alone?" Carlisle asked.
"Who? That was Scott. He was taking me home. I was told I wasn't welcome on the reservation by an older boy. He said that one of you went on the reservation and caused trouble so all of you are unwelcome, and since I live with you, that threat extends to me, too."
"Honey, you look frightened. Did this boy scare you?" Carlisle asked with a concerned tone to his voice.
Kayce never needed to answer, they could see it in her eyes and she knew that Jasper knew the truth.
"Yes. He said that if I didn't leave, he would make sure nobody ever sees me again and he said that with a tone of finality." Kayce whispered the word "finality."
Emmett slammed on the brakes. Kayce not wearing a seatbelt, started a forward momentum, but she felt hands grip her arms, keeping her from flying forward into the windshield. Edward was holding her against his body, keeping her safe, although he wore an angry expression on his face.
Emmett was already out of the Jeep and walking back toward the treaty line. He was walking so fast, and looked so angry, that he appeared to be power walking on steroids. "Please, it isn't worth it to go rough him up. He didn't physically hurt me. Please..." Kayce's voice sounded frantic as she called out.
Carlisle called Emmett's name and he stopped in his tracks. He just stood there, so still. He was debating on defying Carlisle, it was obvious, but something held him back. Finally, he turned around and got back in the Jeep and drove home.
At the house, Kayce ran upstairs to change her clothes. She, at that moment, realized that Sam could have really hurt her. She was terrified.
"Kayce, honey, we heard what happened. Do you want to talk about it?" Esme, Alice and Rosalie stood in her bedroom with worried expressions on their faces.
She couldn't speak. She finished pulling on her t-shirt and ran to Esme and buried her face in her shoulder, throwing her arms around Esme's back. Esme put her hand on the back of Kayce's head and squeezed her tightly.
"Hey, it's going to be okay." Esme rested her hands on Kayce's cheeks and gazed in her eyes. Let's go downstairs and spend some time as a family huh? I will even make you a nice dinner."
Eventually, the whole family had gone out, leaving Kayce alone with Carlisle. Kayce made sure to have everyone promise not to go all "vigilante" on Sam. They reluctantly agreed. Neither the Cullens, nor Kayce, mentioned their secret.