I let out a calm breath as I continued punching the punching bag in front of me. It's been three months since Jasper and the others left Forks. Everyday I would go to Bella to see how she was, or I'd sit with her at lunch. I've tried to speak with her. I've tried to take her out to Port Angeles, but she ignored me everytime. I still haven't given up on her even though everyone else has. Besides, I'm the only one who can even come a fraction close to understanding how she's feeling.
Even knowing Jasper will be back, I still feel lonely and sad without him here. To keep me distracted from the loneliness and the problems with Bella, Steven helped me convert the basement into a small gym like area. I had a punching bag, a small area for stretching and other warms ups, and there's a place for me to lift weights. I've been diving into working out to keep up a distraction, and honestly, I've slacked since Jasper came into my life.
I needed to get back into the shape I once was. Also, the monsters seem to be coming around again. Jasper and his family's scents kept my own scent masked. Without them the monsters can sniff me out again. Being near California makes it worse. I needed to be at tip top shape to keep myself alive until Jasper returned. I've even kept up with my school work. I need to make it to graduation after all.
Besides working out alot, I've spent more time down at the reservation with Jacob, Quil Ateara, and Embry Call. I was hanging out with Paul Lahote and Jared Cameron until they suddenly went AWOL. Apparently, they joined Sam in this cult of steroid users. At least that's what Jacob told me. Thinking of Sam reminded me of that night of the animal that vanished with Sam appearing in its place. Something was going on with thim...and Paul and Jared now too.
My punches became stronger as I felt aggravation at not knowing what was happening. I felt as if I should though. As if the answer was staring at me right in the face. I gave another hard punch when I heard the door creaking open at the top of the stairs. I looked up seeing Ellis peeking her head in through the doorway to look down at me.
"Mena, you have a visitor." She said smiling.
I blinked curiously as I caught the punching bag before it could hit me. I started unwrapping my hands as Ellis left the doorway. After tossing the wraps to the side, I went up the stairs two at a time. I made it to the top while stopping in my tracks when I saw 'my visitor' in the hallway.
"Zayn?" I asked.
"Mena!" He said happily as he scooped me up in his arms.
I gasped when my toes came off the ground. I put my arms around him, so not to fall completely forward.
"Aw, I've missed you, my little bull." Zayn said.
I rolled my eyes at the old nickname that he gave me. He had once said I was like a bull in a china shop when pissed off, so he started calling me little bull.
"I've missed you to, Zayn." I said sincerely as he let me go.
He smiled while kissing my cheek. I felt my lips turn up into a smile as he placed another kiss on my other cheek then one of my forehead. I heard Ellis and Steven chuckling as they watched the reunion.
"I'm not the only one here!" Zayn said.
Zayn moved to the side to reveal Arista standing there. Arista was also one of the half bloods that Coriander had brought to camp, so she was like a little sister to Zayn and I. She's only fourteen going on fifteen. She had lightly tanned skin with deep red hair that she kept short in a pixie cut. Her eyes were emerald green, and across her nose was a dusting of freckles.
"Arista, I thought you were in Egypt with your dad." I said.
"Zayn said you were feeling a bit down, so we came to see you." Arista said. "Besides, I've missed you."
I smiled hugging the shorter girl when she walked over to me. Zayn put his arms around the both of us with his head resting on top of mine.
"Now, we've got things to do." Zayn said as he pulled away. "Like shopping~"
Arista and I groaned with frowns on our faces. Zayn just continued smiling at us, but behind that smile was a demon who enjoyed torturing others through the activity of shopping.
"I have to update your wardrobe." Zayn said. "Those clothes are too old."
"You bought most of them before I left for Forks." I pointed out.
"Exactly. Too old." Zayn said. "And we have so much catching up to do. Where's the best place for shopping around here?"
"This place doesn't have as many options as I'd like." Zayn said as he went through the racks.
Arista and I exchanged a glance before rolling our eyes. We went to Port Angeles for the night since Ellis didn't want us going all the way to Seattle this late. Though with my driving I'm sure we could have saved plently of time. As long as I didn't get pulled over for speeding and reckless driving. I used to do some of the car races in New York after getting my mustang. I got pretty good at it. Besides, when you're driving away from a raging Minotaur it makes good practice.
"I should have just flown us back to New York." Zayn said.
I snorted as I crossed my ankles from where I sat with Arista. Zayn's father happens to be a world known fashion designer, so Zayn has a really big piggy bank full of 'allowance' money. His dad spoils him. Zayn also plans to become a designer himself. I've worn some of the clothes he designed himself. He's made some for Arista as well, and a few of our other friends who Coriander has brought in.
"Why not just buy material to make us clothes, Zayn?" Arista asked sarcastically. "It'd probably take less time that way."
"You're right!" Zayn said ignoring the sarcasm in Arista's tone. "To the fabric store we go~"
Arista and I groaned though we did get off our butts to follow after Zayn. We walked down the street together with Zayn walking between us. He had his arms looped with ours, and I shook my head while grinning. It didn't take long to find a store that sold fabric, and Zayn forgot all about us as he dived head first into the different fabrics. Arista and I sat off to the side since we'd only get in the way if we tried to help.
"So, how are you doing?" Arista asked. "Zayn told me about Jasper."
I wasn't surprised he did. Zayn wouldn't just tell anyone about Jasper, but Arista was an exception. She, Zayn, and I have always been the closest out of Coriander's group of misfits. We share stuff with each other we wouldn't with our siblings.
"I'm fine." I said. "I mean, I sometimes feel lonely without him. I guess I got so used to having him around. I didn't realize how long a year could be until now."
Arista nodded in understanding as she took my hand to give it a comforting squeeze. I bit my lip as I looked over at her.
"Want to know something I haven't even told Zayn yet?" I asked.
Arista blinked curiously though nodded her head. I pulled out the chain that held my ring, and her eyes widened when seeing it.
"Is that what I think it is?" She asked.
I nodded my head as a smile pulled across my face. There was a squeal right beside my ear, and it didn't belong to Arista.
"My little bull is getting married!" Zayn, who appeared seemingless out of nowhere, said.
He latched onto me as Arista congratulated me on the engagement. I smiled thanking her. It felt nice telling someone about it since I've been keeping it a secret from everyone else.
"How could you not tell me sooner?!" Zayn demanded though the large grin was still on his face.
"I wasn't sure how." I said. "And I'd rather do it in person than over a IM."
Zayn finally let go of me with a more serious expression on his face, and he usually didn't do serious.
"I have to talk to Jasper to make sure he understands that if he hurts you, I am going to make sure he can never love again." Zayn said.
Arista and I leaned away from Zayn because he had a dark and slightly frightening expression on his face. As I've once said, Aphrodite is one of the scariest Olympians. Her children can have their scary moments too. Zayn then smiled again as he turned towards me.
"I have to get started on your dress." Zayn said. "I'll make it perfect for you. Then I'll need to start on wedding preparations."
"You'll have to fight Alice about those." I said.
"She won't stand a chance." Arista whispered as Zayn started going on and on about the wedding as if he hadn't heard me.
I snorted because they didn't know Alice like I did. She and Zayn both would tear each other apart. I just hope I won't get caught in the crossfire. After Zayn came down from his 'high', he picked out some fabrics from the store he thought he could work with, but he had said he'd have some better ones shipped over. We left the store with all three of us carrying bags filled with fabric.
"Tomorrow I want to meet more of your family." Zayn said smiling.
"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea." Arista added.
I nodded agreeing while sure Billy would love my two friends. It's nearly impossible not to love Zayn, and that's without his weird voodoo love powers.
I pulled up outside Billy's place seeing that Bella's truck was parked off to the side. My brow quirked as I stepped out of my mustang with Zayn and Arista right behind me.
"Bella's here." I said.
"The one you said never leaves her house except for school?" Arista asked.
I nodded as I shut my door. I could hear noise coming from the garage, so I decided to head that way. I'd go introduce Zayn and Arista to Billy later. The two followed after me as I went towards the garage. I let myself in, and I came around the corner to see Jacob working on the skeleton of a motorcycle as Bella watched over his shoulder.
"And the hermit comes out of her cave." I said.
Bella and Jacob's heads snapped up, and Jacob smiled when he saw me. Bella waved looking a bit awkward as she glanced at Zayn and Arista. Jacob stood up from the metal skeleton as he wiped off his hands.
"Jake, these are my friends from Long Island." I said. "Zayn, Arista, this is Jacob, my cousin. And over there is Bella Swan."
Jacob shook my two friends' hands as Bella stayed back. She was never one for meeting new people, but she's been even more drawn in since Edward and the others left.
"It's nice to meet you both." Jacob said.
"It's nice to meet you too." Arista said. "Mena's told us a lot about you."
"Fil, you talk about me to your friends?" Jacob said with over exaggerated enthusiasm.
I rolled my eyes while lightly socking his arm. He chuckled asking me if I came to hang with him today.
"Well, Zayn and Arista wanted to meet you and Billy." I said. "I'll probably introduce them to the Clearwaters too. I haven't got to see Leah and Seth in a while anyway."
Jacob nodded about to go sit back down by the metal skeleton when a familiar voice called out his name. Bella stiffened, but Jacob assured her it was just his friends. Said friends came into the garage while pausing when they saw Jacob wasn't alone.
"Hey, Jake, Fil." Quil said smiling.
"Hey, boys." I said grinning. "Boys, this is Zayn, Arista, and Bella. You three, this is Quil Ateara and Embry Call."
Embry smiled at all three of them as Quil looked at them curiously. Zayn leaned down with his lip towards my ear.
"For a bunch of kids they're cute." He said.
I snorted because of his comment, and because he's only eighteen like me. It's not like they're that much younger. Though being a half blood ages you faster mentally most of the time.
"So, the bike building story is true." Quil said looking at the bikes.
"What bike building story?" I asked.
Embry explained there's been rumors that Jacob was working on a couple of really trashed bikes. Besides the two skeletons, I wouldn't call these things bikes.
"Oh, yeah, I taught him everything he knows." Bella said.
My brow quirked with my eyes very partially widening. Building up these heaps of metal into bikes was her idea? I frowned wondering if this stupid and reckless idea stemed from Edward not being here. Oh, why am I even wondering? Of course, this has to do with Edward in some form or fashion.
"What about the part where your his girlfriend?" Quil asked.
It silent for a moment with only the chirping of birds breaking it. I looked at Jacob questioningly as Zayn and Arista snorted from behind me.
"Ah, we're friends." Bella corrected.
"Oooh, burn." Embry siad.
I let out a laugh because like nobody says that anymore. Well, they do, but only on occasion.
"Actually, remember I said she's a girl and a friend." Jacob said looking embarrassed.
I coughed trying to hide my laughter, and behind me Zayn and Arista were doing the same. We were failing at it however.
"Embry, do you remember him making that distinction?" Quil asked.
"Nope." Embry said.
"So, you guys have girlfriends?" Bella asked. "That's awesome."
Jacob and I laughed in unison as Zayn and Arista watched on in amusement.
"Yeah, right." I said.
"Yeah, Quil's actually taking his cousin to prom." Jacob added.
We both snickered as Quil frowned at us. Embry took a step away probably knowing what was going to happen next.
"Yeah, that's still alright. You want funny, Black, Carter?" Quil asked. "I'll give you funny."
Quil charged at Jacob and I, and I slipped behind Jacob who quickly fended off Quil. I shook my head as the others laughed at us. Quil tried to come for me, but I grabbed his arm to flip him around. It almost looked like we were dancing. Embry, Zayn, and Arista moved off to the side to watch as Quil tried to take on Jacob and I at the same time.
"5 bucks on Quil." I heard Embry say.
"5 on Jake." Bella said.
"We'll both put in five each for Mena." Arista said smiling. "She'll kick both their asses."
"Here, here." Zayn said raising his fist.
Zayn, Arista, and I had arrived back to my place after spending the day on the reservation. Ellis had dinner waiting for us, and I can't remember laughing so much in a long time. I forgot how much I missed Zayn and Arista until I had them back. We were all hanging in my room at the moment as Zayn, who had his sketchpad in his lap, sat up in the chair by the bookself with the lamp on overhead. Arista and I were on my bed as she was showing me some pictures she took of her time in Egypt.
"It's hot like all the time, and it's so dry I think I suck in dust instead of air...but I like it there." Arista said. "Dad loves it. He's always taking me out to the dig sight, and it counts towards my high school credits. So, I'm getting all the academic credits I need, and I'm not in a stuffy classroom."
I smiled nodding my head as I flipped the next page int he photo album. The next picture was of Arista and her father standing together. The both looked a lot a like. At least they shared the same hair color, eye color, skin tone, and the same patch of freckles across their nose.
"And what of this mysterious stranger?" Zayn asked looking up from his sketchpad.
He moved his glasses, which he only wears when he's drawing or reading, down his nose to peer over them at Arista.
"Are you finally going to give his name?" Zayn asked.
"No." Arista said. "If I do you'll find some way to track the poor guy down."
Zayn pouted though he returned back to his sketch as he slipped his glasses back up his nose. I chuckled as I continued looking through the pictures.
"So what does Jasper look like?" Arista asked. "Do you have any pictures of him?"
"He is a golden haired god with snowy skin, and a body that looks as if it was perfectly chiseled from marble." Zayn said fanning himself playfully. "And that accent...mmhmm. Yummy."
I threw a pillow at him as Arista laughed. Zayn laughed while tossing the pillow back at me.
"Ya know, you'll make Calix jealous if you continue speaking of other men like that." Arista said.
"That's fine with me." Zayn said. "Calix is extra cute when he's jealous, and he gets a little possesive, which means fun times for me. The things he does to me when he feels just a little jealous."
"We don't want to know about your sex life." I said bluntly.
Zayn shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly as I got off of my bed. I went over to the bookself while pulling out the scrapbook that Alice had put together for me. I walked back over to the bed as Zayn was putting away his sketchpad. He joined us on the bed as I opened the first page, which was a picture of Jasper and I. It was the one we took at prom, and I had this lovestruck smile on my face as Jasper was softly kissing my temple.
"Aw~" Zayn cooed.
I rolled my eyes though I did feel my lips start to twitch up. There were smaller images around the page of Jasper and I still at the prom, but some of them had Angela, Eric, Mike, Jessica, Bella, and Edward in the photos. I was with Angela in one, and the both of us were laughing. I remember Eric standing awkwardly next to Jasper as the latter was using Angela's camera. There was an image of me standing between Jessica and Mike, and I wasn't hiding my displeased face. I was with Eric in another, and he had placed his hat on top my head. Bella was standing next to me looking awkward in our photo, and Edward was having a dance with me in the photo of him and I.
"Looks like the dress I picked looked as good on you as I pictured it would." Zayn said. "Not surprising."
I snorted at him as Arista looked at the photoes with a smile on her face.
"It's good to see you happy." Arista said. "I've always worried about that you wouldn't be happy away from camp. I'm glad to be wrong."
She flipped the page that had pictures of me with Jasper and his family. In the big photo in the picture was Jasper and I lounging on the couch, and I was leaning into his side. I was in another photo with Esme and Carlisle as I sat between them on the couch. Esme was smiling at me in an motherly fashion, and Carlisle was smiling at the both of us.
The picture of Alice and I was slightly humorous because in the photo she had just jumped me. She was hanging off my back as I was trying to find my footing. Emmett and I were in one picture as he tried to teach me how to play his Xbox. I had a confused expression on my face as he was laughing. I'm pretty sure I had just ended up killing myself on the game we were playing when that picture was taken.
Jonas and I were at a chessboard in our picture, and he was staring at it in surprise because I had won. I had a smug grin on my face as he had been blinking in confusion. Someone had taken a picture of Edward and I in the kitchen as I was sticking my tongue out at him as I've done many times. He was just giving me a deadpanned expression as he had done many times. Alice even took a photo of Rosalie and I as we were glaring at each other.
"I feel as if we're being replaced." Zayn said with a fake sniffle.
"Ah, shut-up, you'll always be my best friend." I said.
Zayn cheered as he hugged me tightly. He even rubbed his cheek against mine as we continued looking through the scrapbook. Most of the pictures were of Jasper and I, but there were also ones of the Cullens, of Bella, and of my friends at school. But every page had Jasper on it somewhere. The final picture in the book was of him and I as well.
We were in the Cullens place, unsurprisingly, and we were in his room. I was fast asleep curled up against him with my head resting on his chest. His fingers were lightly tangled in my hair as his other hand rested behind his head. He was looking down at me with love radiating from his gaze, and he had a soft smile on his face. Alice had taken this about a week before Bella's birthday. I had been annoyed when I woke up after the camera flash, but I'm glad she had taken in.
"He really loves you." Zayn said smiling at me. "But still if he ever hurts you...he's going down."
Zayn turned his thumb upside down while he ran his finger across his throat as he made a gagging noise. Arista and I laughed at him while grabbing two pillows to hit him with.
Zayn and Arista stayed for about two weeks with me after the day they arrived. Zayn finished three outfits a piece for Arista and I, and made us promise to wear them soon. Saying goodbye had been harder than I thought it would be when the day came for them to go. Zayn had to return to Calix though, and Arista's father was expecting her back in Egypt. Things weren't so bad with them gone since Bella was finally returning a bit back to normal.
She seemed happier...more alive. Jacob was a really big part of that. He helped her when I couldn't, and they spend everyday together. I started hanging out more and more with Leah, Seth, Embry, and Quil since I felt like a third wheel whenever I was with Jacob and Bella. I enjoyed spending time with them, but being around the reservation more meant I started noticing more things.
Embry had soon slipped away, and joined the 'cult'. It was bothering Quil, and everytime we saw the 'cult', Leah would get uncomfortable. She and Sam had been really close until he had suddenly bulked up and changed. He left her for her cousin, Emily Young, and she tells me all the time how she wished she was more like Emily. I always tell her she's perfect the way she is.
Today I was down on the reservation again. I was down on the beach with my usual group of friends as the sun peaked through the clouds. We weren't on the first beach, but one of the harder ones to get to since we had to climb down into it. It had the best cliffs though to climb up for diving, which is why we came here. However, our perfect day was ruined because Sam and his boys already reached the cliffs.
Over the last two weeks things have been starting to click. Sam and his pals...as I've spotted them throughout my time here, I started realizing a few things. I even slapped myself when I figured out why they were so different, and how Sam seemed to appear out of nowhere after a large animal had been standing there like two seconds before.
I grew up hearing the tribe legends, and after realizing about Jasper and his family, I should have known there was a possiblity of what my tribe calls spirit warriors existing. Sam and those boys were literary a pack. A pack of wolves, and it seems they're growing.
"We should go." Quil said to me as I looked up at the cliffs as Paul threw Jared off the cliffs before following after. "No point in staying around here anymore."
I glanced back seeing how hurt Leah looked as she gazed up at Sam. Seth stood by her closely as he kept his hand on her shoulder to give her some comfort.
"Yeah." I agreed. "I wasn't feeling much up for cliff diving anyway."
I turned back to follow the others back up the way we came. There was this small like path leading down to the beach, but it was too narrow to be called an actual path.
"Hey, Carter!"
I frowned glancing back as Paul and Jared pulled themselves out of the water. I sighed knowing this probably wouldn't end well.
"Go on." I said to the others. "I'll catch up."
"Are you sure?" Quil asked.
I nodded then turned back to Paul and Jared. I walked towards them, so the others wouldn't have to be too close.
"You need something, Lahote?" I asked.
"No." Paul said. "But Sam wants to speak with you."
I tilted my head wondering what Sam Uley wanted with me. I haven't spoken to him since he helped me get Bella back to Charlie.
"Does it have to be now?" I asked frowning.
"Yeah." Paul said frowning in return.
He even stepped up as if to intimidate me, but I just quirked my brow at him. I glanced back at Quil as he waited at the base of the path. Seth and Leah paused at the top while looking down at us.
"Go on." I said to Quil. "I'll meet up with you three later."
Quil frowned obviously not wanting to leave me behind with the hall montiors on steriods as Embry used to call them.
"We're not going to hurt her." Jared said. "Sam just wants to talk."
I find Jared the more tolerable of the pack beside Embry. He was a lot nicer...epecially more than Paul. Though he was still a complete smartass most of the time. Quil finally nodded when I shooed with him away with a wave of my hand. He went up the path while disappearing with Seth and Leah once he made it to the top. After they left, Embry and Sam were coming out of the water.
"You want to talk." I said. "So talk."
"Not here." Sam said. "At Billy's place."
Oh, even Billy's involved...this can't be good.