A/N: Since it has been quite a while since I have updated. I have edited and fixed errors in the hopes that the new chapters I post don't feel jarring in tone since it has been a while. I also wanted to flesh out the story more as I didn't feel the earlier chapters were set-up well enough to help the future events in the plot that I had planned out. I wanted to make sure the build-up and reveal of a few things were not a surprise and alluded to properly. I am going to go ahead and post the new chapters that I have finished reworking. I also edited a few details to make this more in line with the actual Twilight timeline. This story will go past the events in New Moon. It should span a few years for Paul, Talia, and our favorite Wolf Pack and hopefully provide plenty of content to enjoy. As always constructive criticism is welcome. Thank you to everyone who continued to follow or review this story or has been waiting patiently for updates. This version - I hope is more fleshed out and better - and dedicated to all of you. I hope you guys are all staying safe!
I sighed as my old Tahoe creaked to a stop outside of my family's new home. Momma and I spent three long days driving to Forks, Washington. Daddy came up several weeks earlier for his new job and to sign on the house. Momma threw open the passenger door in excitement to see my father. They were never apart from each other this long. The rain was light as it pattered against her glowing skin.
"Tals," Momma called as she let go of daddy to look upon our new home, "Get out of the car and come on! Isn't this lovely?" she asked breathily as her sea-foam eyes twinkled with the scene before her. I found myself grinning. Her smile was contagious. I was slower as I turned the Tahoe off and opened my door. My legs protested as I tried to shift out of the driver's seat, feeling stiff. My feet hit the worn driveway softly as I padded across the grass to stand next to her.
The weathered appearance of the house did not detract from the mirth bubbling in my chest. It needed some repair, but I knew that this house would be a well-loved home by its occupants by the end of the year. I breathed deeply, enjoying the smell of the wet earth. My favorite part of our new home was the nature that surrounded it. My parents had opted to purchase an older home with several acres. While we had a decent sized backyard, the lush grasses backed into the forest. The dense forest surrounded our new home on three sides. The road leading up to our driveway had some houses dotted on it, but primarily, the woods and some acres of cleared land for yards kept us separate for miles.
I was happy with the outcome. While I was sure I would not mind neighbors, I knew I would not wish to be on top of them. Our old home was small and sat on acres of land that stretched for miles on my grandparent's farm. I grew up wild and free, running wherever I pleased or riding my grandfather's horse across his land. My soul felt free, seeing our new house surrounded by nature. I was thankful my parents chose this house as opposed to the ones directly in town. I am sure they are just as lovely in their own right, but this felt like home to me. The sky remained overcast as the rain continued to dance against our skin gently. I loved the rain. It was the reason the grass was so green here—it was why everything looked surreal, almost as if a painter chose the richest colors to use.
"I went ahead and picked up some basic groceries this morning so we could focus on getting moved in," Daddy stated with a kiss on my Momma's forehead. Momma beamed up at him as he pulled her duffel bag from my SUV. My parents adored each other. They still acted like high school sweethearts. People used to tell me their honeymoon phase would fade, but my parents' love only grew over the years. Their love was precious. I smiled softly to myself as I grabbed my bag from the back. I was slower than my parents as Momma grabbed daddy's arm and spoke animatedly about the house.
I did not tour the downstairs. I knew exactly what I would find as if I had this home before in a dream. The house was older and dusty. Worn wallpaper peeled in patches as my eyes adjusted to the dimmer lights in the house. I shifted my bag on my shoulder as I looked around the downstairs. The new home was not overly spacious. It was slightly larger than our old house, due to the upstairs, but not by much. The front door led down a short foyer that opened into the living room—the few items of furniture my mother wanted to keep sat lined against the walls awaiting her direction. My father had moved the few pieces in when he came down weeks prior with his trailer to close on the home and begin his new job. The living room sat next to the kitchen, which was outdated but clean. Larger windows were shining into the kitchen, and I knew my mother would choose to put our kitchen table there. The kitchen had another, though smaller archway, which fed into a hallway which consisted of three doors. One was a closet, one was the master bedroom, and the other door led into the laundry room. There was even a half bath nestled under the stairs. The home would require some work to restore it to its' former glory; but, I was confident we were up to the challenge.
"Talia, your room is upstairs, daddy stated. "Go ahead and take a look.," I nodded before testing my weight on the first stair. They groaned under my weight in protest from their lack of use. A small sitting nook rested under the front windows, and two doors line the back wall. One was a bathroom that had a second door, which I knew led into my bedroom. I grinned as I took my bedroom in – large windows lined the left and back walls. My room looked out across the woods. I let my bag fall from my shoulder as I ran over to the back window. It took a little grunt work to get it up, but it finally succumbed to my wishes; I was able to stick my head out. I breathed in the air in content. Wet earth assaulted my senses as did pine needles and the smell of the rain. My heart swelled in my chest as I smiled at the feeling.
"Talia, I think we should go into town tomorrow and pick out paints for the house and order some furniture," Mom stated as she bit into a piece of her pizza from her perch on a moving box.
"Is daddy going?" I asked as I wiped my mouth off with the back of my hand. Momma frowned disapprovingly.
"He has to go into work, but he did sign you up for school the other day," She added with a nod. I groaned. Momma sighed in exasperation at me.
"When do I start?" I asked curiously.
"Next week! Doesn't that sound like fun?" she smiled brightly.
"It sounds horrible. I don't see why Forks wouldn't let me graduate early," I grumbled. Momma rolled her eyes. My parents had listened to me voice my complaints on the topic since we decided on what area of Washington we were moving to. We had spent several months discussing the ends and outs of my schooling with several schools before deciding on Forks. At my old school, I was on track to graduate a year early. I would have taken one class over the summer, and then they would have allowed me to graduate at seventeen. Unfortunately, Forks high wanted me to take the course through them for my senior year. I wanted to be finished with high school so I could continue my online college courses. While I loved learning, I was not overly fond of high school. My parents had proposed a comprise. I would take the last remaining class through Forks High and graduate from there, and Forks High would allow me to continue my dual enrollment courses and transfer them over to Washington State. Me and Forks High had agreed to my parent's proposal. I was glad they had assisted with the transfer of my dual credits into Washington State. I would not have wanted to have lost the last three years of dual enrollment credits for high school and college. While it was not my original plan, I was on track to Graduate Forks High School at the end of this school year with two years completed towards a bachelor's degree at Washinton State. My parents were okay with me graduating a year early back home, but here, they wanted me to spend my senior year in school since we were moving to an entirely new state and knew no one. They wanted to allow me a chance to get to know a few people. I understood their reasoning and agreed to their terms.
"I'm starting a month into senior year. And it's in a small town. Everyone will be looking at me. Plus, I'm probably going to be bored for most of my classes." I grumbled. Forks High had requested I attend morning classes and then would be allowed to leave at lunchtime. I was sure I would spend the morning session after my first class in study halls.
Momma sighed, "At least you'll be able to read a lot. But, I thought you didn't mind us moving now and switching schools this year?" she asked, pausing to assess me.
"I don't. I like it here so far, but you know," I stated, shrugging, "It's harder for me to connect with people." Momma nodded.
"Maybe, you'll meet some nice friends to get involved with," She added with an encouraging smile.
"Drug dealers?" I asked with a sly grin.
"If you get involved with drug dealers, make sure I get a discount. I am family and all," Momma stated with a wink. I giggled.
"I dunno if they'll give me a family discount. It would hurt my street cred," I replied in mock seriousness.
"Talia Elwyn Edwards! So, help me if you befriend drug dealers and don't get the woman that birthed you a discount, then you will be in big trouble, young lady!" Momma jokingly scolded me.
"I heard the full name used. What happened in here?" Daddy asked as he walked into the kitchen while myself and Momma attempted to keep straight faces and keep from falling off our cardboard boxes while he dried his hair from his shower.
"Well, David, our daughter plans on befriending drug dealers and doesn't want to give us discounts on the drugs," Momma stated stiffly with a nod towards me.
"Is that so Beth?" Daddy asked in mock seriousness as he took my face in, "Well, then I guess you and I will have to befriend the drug dealers first!" The three of us broke into laughter.
"Everyone is staring at us," I murmured as I slid down in the passenger seat as we drove through Forks. Momma beamed as she took in the various shops.
"This looks like a lovely town! It reminds me of home," Momma exclaimed. I peered out of the window as she pulled up to a hardware store. There were several people around looking over at my Tahoe curiously. I ducked my head. Were they going to stare at us every place we went? Would the newness wear off? Would people stare at us forever? What if there were unspoken rules of etiquette out here, and I accidentally offend someone unknowingly? What if I trip trying to get out and face plant the concrete?
"Here we are," Momma exclaimed as she cut the engine. She looked over at me, pausing.
"Hey, Tals," she began soothingly, "Once you find your paint, you can come back to the car if you like." She stated with a smile as she patted my leg. I took a deep breath as I tried to push my anxious thoughts back. I nodded before opening my door.
The middle-aged sales attendant had followed us around the store. He looked bleak as he blended in with the gray concrete walls compared to my Momma. Her glowing skin and blonde hair complimented her exuberant smile. She was slender, with a tall figure that most women envied. Unlike some, she rarely cared for looking picture perfect. She was an artist who usually wore paint-speckled clothes; due in part to her always working on her next project. The paint seemed to be a permanent part of her fingernail beds. She was extroverted, though, and made everyone feel like they had a best friend. She had a lovely way of making people at ease. It was a curse and a blessing. She was the best mother a girl could ask for; but, it also made blending in and trying to go unnoticed difficult.
I wandered off from the older attendant and my mother and down the rows of paints, looking the various kinds over before settling on the rows for interior walls in colors I thought would be soothing. I noted a clerk in my peripheral vision but hoped he would not speak to me. I was content to stay in my head, thinking over the color I wanted.
"Maybe I can help you pick some paint," a younger clerk smiled at me with a predatory glint in his eye. He stepped beside me – far too close for my comfort – his arm was brushing against mine as he looked down at me. I shivered. There was something about his demeanor that did not settle well with me. I stepped back.
"No, thank you," I tried to sound firm as I shook my head and turned my attention back to the paint cans hoping he would go away.
"You know, most young ladies like yourself like these colors for their rooms," he stated as he put on an overly happy smile. He gestured to a line of paints they had. Why would I care what kind of color all the other girls buy? And why did it matter what other girls bought if the colors made them happy? Also, was that even a thing? I don't think that's a thing. There cannot be that many girls my age coming in here daily to buy paint for their rooms. I mean, I guess they could, but wouldn't they die from the paint fumes if they kept painting their bedrooms so much? Is that what people did for fun around here?
"So, how old are you?" he asked curiously, stepping closer to me again. I felt the polite expression leave my face as it hardened.
"Seventeen," I answered curtly, stepping away from him again and shifting my body to close him off from me. Why couldn't he see I was not up for conversation? I didn't want to talk to him; I just wanted to buy paint! I began eyeing the colors with intensity as my finger trailed over the cans, hoping he would turn around and leave.
"Oh, you could've fooled me! I thought you were older – I'm twenty-three," he stated with a wink. "You know, I think there's a party that's going to happen out on the beach this weekend. If you're interested, maybe I could pick you up and show you around?" His teeth sparkled as he shot me that grin again. I internally gagged before panicking. Was this guy serious? I did not know him! He was a stranger, I was still in high school, and I just wanted to buy paint! I did not waltz into the hardware store just for some creepy stranger to take me to a beach party where there would most likely be drugs, alcohol, and drunk teenagers who made poor life choices! Plus, in all fairness, I couldn't just talk to him for that long! I didn't know him! What if he was a serial killer and I wound up in a ditch somewhere? He probably planned on killing me, and then, when my parents were mourning my short life, he would sneak into our house and kill them! I blanched at that thought before my body jerked forward, yanking a heavy paint can off the shelf.
"THIS ONE!" I shouted in my panic, "I want this can of paint." I cried out before darting around the man and sprinting down the aisle to the register. Momma looked up curiously from the counter where she and the middle-aged attendant were going over color swatches. She nodded at me as I barreled from the store. I sighed in relief as I sank into the passenger seat of the truck.
I groaned. This reason was why I had wanted to graduate early. I had an impending sense of doom weighing on my heart every time I thought about finishing my senior year at Forks High. My stomach knotted up as I frowned at the radio stations playing, searching for something to soothe my nerves. I grimaced as Kesha's voice serenaded me through the truck. The one thing I enjoyed about modern technology was how far we had come with music. I quickly clicked the cassette tape into my truck's cassette player with the headphone jack attached to the end. I connected it to my phone and grinned as Disturbed began blaring through the car. I started nodding my head in time to Indestructible hoping if I played the music loud enough, it would drown out all the barrage of negative thoughts in my head.
Maybe this wouldn't be so bad. I hummed along with my iTunes that played from my Bluetooth speaker I had set on my bedroom floor while I painted. I shivered slightly at the breeze that blew through my open window. The gentle pitter-patter of the rain soothed me, and the smell of the dirt, moss, and lush grasses helped to cut through the smell of paint. I was able to get lost in my thoughts as I painted. Something felt right surrounded by the Washington woods. I paused for a moment listening to a distant wolf howl. It resonated in my soul, and I felt a smile of contentment creep onto my face.
I loved my childhood home. I had grown up with cows, chickens, and riding horses. I had always been amongst nature, running as wild as I pleased through the creek banks and the mountains. But I had never found a place to belong, at least, not with people. I would usually have an acquaintance or two at school. But I was generally too shy and much too anxious to talk to people. I kept my head down in my studies and the books that whisked me away to fantasy worlds. I had never really connected with people my age. I had never felt like getting involved in the same things my peers did. I preferred going to work or staying home on the weekends, spending countless hours outside, reading my books, or hanging out with my parents. I had always felt restless as if I never entirely belonged, but the closer we drove to Washington, the more the restlessness eased. Now, I felt like something big was bound to happen; I quelled that thought. I had probably been reading too many books over the years that I almost expected something life-changing would happen. It wasn't very likely; after all, I was just Talia Edwards – the girl that was too short to reach all of the shelves in the kitchen, the shy girl with anxiety issues, and the girl with her head always in a book. It was unlikely my life would change, but something in my heart kept stirring against my logical reasoning anyways. Something inside my soul felt like I had been here before, and I knew the outcome; even though I knew that was preposterous, until three days ago when we began our drive, I had never stepped foot outside Tennesse. It was an odd feeling - though reassuring - that something inside me felt like it knew this area like I had lived here my entire life. Maybe I was just going crazy. Who knew?