When I wake up the next day it takes a couple of minutes for me to realize where I am. In my new room in the Ateara house, in La Push. I think of the fact that my family is a long way away from here and a lump forms in my throat. But I blink away my tears and make an agreement with myself that I will not be sad. New beginnings. And everything feels a lot better when I meet Quil downstairs and we are having breakfast in the sun.
"Are you going to eat all of that?" I ask impressed.
"Easy. I need all the food I can get" Quil replies and pats his biceps.
"Oh and by the way, we are so going to take advantage of this sunny day. Embry is here soon to pick us up. We are going to First Beach, so pack a towel and a swimsuit."
"Embry Call?" I ask. I remember him.
"Yep and some of the other guys"
I get ready and put my yellow swimsuit on which looks great to my tanned skin. I put a dress over and put some strays of hair back with a hair clip. I pack a light great sweatshirt as well. You never know around here.
Then I hear a car honk and I hurry down the stairs.
"Have a great day" Abby sticks her head out of the kitchen and smiles towards me.
"And Quil, take care of your cousin"
"I will mom. But there is no need for that, Stephanie is the most easy loving person on the planet"
"Auww that's cute dear cousin" I say and nudge him laughingly.
Embry stands by his car when we walk out and gives me a big smile and hug when I greet him.
"Stephanie! Long time no see! I have missed you!"
"I have missed you too and oh my lord when did you grow 8 inches? They must be putting something in the water here"
Embry and Quil start to laugh and we get in the car.
"So who will be at the beach?" I ask
"Just the guys and probably Kim. Jacob was coming but he had to be on patr...I mean work" Embry replies. Was he about to say patrol? That word again.
"Who is Kim?" I ask instead.
"Kim Connweller. She is Jared's girlfriend. It will be nice for her to have another girl around" Quil replies and chuckles.
When we arrive at the First Beach I am eager to get out of the car. I love First Beach and it's been two years since I last was here. I breathe in the salty air and it feels like home. We walk down the beach to a group of people. Suddenly I am feeling a bit nervous.
"Hi guys! Look who is here!" Quil announces. I wave a bit awkwardly and try to smile.
"Stephanie, you remember Seth Clearwater right?" I nod and Seth gets up to hug me.
"And this is Jared Cameron, Paul Lahote and Kim Connweller, they are also a part of the tribe"
"Hi guys, nice to meet you" I say politely
"Nice to meet you too" Paul says and looks smugly at me.
"Oh don't you get any ideas Paul, remember that she is my cousin. My younger cousin." Quil says and crosses his arms. The rest of us chuckle.
"Come on, let's get into the water! We have been waiting for you guys" Jared says
I pull my dress over my head and follow Quil as he runs into the water. It's cold but it feels nice.
As we are getting back to the towels Paul brings forth a ball
"Come on, let's play!"
The guys nod excitedly and get ready. Kim looks at me.
"Do you want to stay here as well?" She asks kindly
"Please" I say and laugh, feeling relieved.
"I am not good at ball games" I continue
"Me neither" She chuckles
We watch as the guys play and small talk. The guys tackle each other and scream out as they play.
"Boys are animals" I say and laugh.
"Yeah, tell me about it"
"So Jared is your boyfriend?" I ask.
"Yes he is. We have been together a year now"
"You seem like a great couple" I say sincerely.
"Thank you. I love him. He makes me complete."
Just as Kim is saying the words Jared looks over at us. Or more correct, he looks at Kim in the most lovingful way I have ever seen. I almost shiver.
She smiles back and blushes. One could clearly see the love between the two of them. It is beautiful. Kim and I lay on our backs in the sun and continues to get to know each other. I really like her. I find out that she is one year older than me and Paul and Jared are three years older than me. It feels good to already have a friend here.
"So you are going to go to school here on the reservation?" She asks and I nod. The start of the semester starts next week.
"You should sit at our table at lunch. We always sit together"
"We?
"Well we from the p..I mean us as friend group"
"Thank you. That would be nice"
After a while the guys are done playing and we get in the ocean again. We are having a great day filled with water, laughs and sun and it feels good to get to know the guys. They all make me feel very welcome, like I belong here.
"Oh look Jacob is here!" Seths suddenly says and I turn to where he is looking. A tall guy with dark short hair walks out from the forest. Jacob Black. We have spent a lot of summers together. But I dont remember him being this good looking. He looks hot, and strong. Wow they must really be putting something in the water around here.
He walks up to us and claps the guys on their backs and kisses Kim on her cheek.
"Jacob, look who is here! Steph!" Embry calls out and Jacob turns towards me.
I glance up to him from my sitting position and as our eyes meet it's like the world stops. Jacobs entire facial expression changes, from ulter chock, to adoration, love and at last, anger. He starts to shake and I can't take my eyes off of his. A warmth spreads through my entire body. As Jacobs shaking increases it gets the guys going.
"Shit! Get him away from here!"
Paul, Embry and Seth hurriedly get up and get a grip on Jacob and drag him off the beach into the woods. Jared and Quil give each other a look and then look at me waiting for my reaction.
What just happened?