Weeks pass before Paul returns to school, and I have no idea why I even care. Seth can tell something has been bothering me, but I don't talk about it. He doesn't press, but it caused a rift between us.
I seem to be good at wrecking relationships with people I care about.
On the day Paul returns to school, Seth and I walk together as usual. He's silent, but I can tell he's thinking deeply about something. I can't take the silence, so I break it.
"What's up?" I nudge his shoulder with mine, my hands shoved in my pockets.
"We use to tell each other everything," Seth says after a moment, and he doesn't look at me. "I know you're keeping things from me."
I don't reply, because I don't know what to say. I have been keeping things from him, and not just worrying about Paul. I haven't told him the reason why I had been grounded for so long, or about Emily Young finding me on the beach and seeing my arms. Plus, Seth doesn't know about my addiction anyways, and I never want him to. I never wanted anyone to find out.
The silence between us thickens, and I can almost feel us growing further apart. I'm not good with words, so there isn't anything I can say to make it better.
When we reach the school, I tug on Seth's arm and pull him to a stop. He looks at me questioningly, and I wrap my arms around him in a tight hug.
"I'm sorry," I mumble into his neck, and he hesitantly wraps his arms around me.
"Just don't keep things from me." Seth sighs, and gives me a gentle squeeze before letting me go.
The cold from the winds finally bites through my jeans enough that I need to go inside, so together Seth and I enter the school. Immediately we are bombarded by the storm known as Brady and Collin, raving about a new video game. Seth of course is drawn into their conversation, and I sigh, accepting my fate of listening to them babble about something I know next to nothing about.
It's on my way to third hour that I notice a large, tall, unfamiliar figure walking a few steps in front of me. It isn't until a few of his friends give him a cold glare that I realize it's Paul.
He has all the signs Jared had before him. Disappearing from school for roughly two weeks with no warning or explanation, ditching all his old friends for Sam, returning to school looking like he has taken steroids every single day he has been gone.
It would explain why he was with Sam that day to take Billy to an Elders Meeting. I was stupid to not see it before, but now it's obvious that Paul has become one of Sam's minions.
I feel a bubble of anger building up in my chest, and instead of entering my classroom, I pass it and follow Paul, tailing him until finally, I'm standing behind his tall frame and reaching out to grab his shoulder.
Obviously I didn't think this through, because my small four nine frame hardly stands a chance against his now looming stature, it looks like he could be about seven feet, much like Sam.
He whips around when I grab his shoulder, and the furious gaze on his face should have made me step back. But I don't, because I'm angry too.
"Where the hell have you been?" I demand, and again I'm left wondering why I even care. We certainly hadn't very close, and we had only interacted by flirting and hooking up twice, so why do I care so much?
"Don't ever touch me." His voice whips out in a flat growl, and I'm amazed by the change of his tone. He used to always sound confident, flirty, humorous even. Now, his voice is full of hanger, venom, and hate. I don't like it.
My eyes meet his, and I look away almost immediately at the sight. Like his voice, they're hard and lifeless. Angry. Yet at the same time, I felt something when I looked at him.
"What did Sam do to you.." I trail off, my voice catching in my throat at the end. I'm no longer angry, but confused. If I'm being honest, I'm even a bit sad for him.
"Rey," Paul chokes out, and I'm shocked at the sudden change in his voice. It's a complete 360 from how he first spoke, and I look at him to see that his angry mask has fallen, he's looking at me with an expression I can't comprehend.
"Paul!" A voice calls, and I look behind him to see Jared standing in the now empty hallway, an emotionless mask on his face.
Paul stiffens, and turns away from me. I feel something inside me ache, but I let him go. I let him go, and I continue to my class that I'm late for.
-o-
The weekend comes far too quickly, and on Saturday, I hang out with Seth. Saturday's are somewhat our designated hang out day. Seth keeps pestering me about why I've been so distracted lately, and I keep brushing him off.
After about the thirtieth time of Seth asking, I blurt out "Paul, it's Paul, okay?" and Seth goes silent.
"He's been hanging with Sam, and he's so different, Seth, he doesn't talk to anyone, he's obviously been taking steroids, I'm just worried about him, so god damn worried about him," I babble on, desperate for Seth to understand why I keep thinking about Paul.
"You don't have to lie to me, Rayna," Seth shakes his head. "If you like Paul, just tell me now so we can get it over with."
"I don't like Paul, Seth, I'm worried about him." I snap, and stand up from the driftwood we had been sitting on. "And yeah, maybe it bothers me that he hasn't been at school since I confronted him, and he ignored my calls."
"Fuck, Rayna, why are you so obsessed with him?" Seth shouts, roughly standing up from the driftwood as well.
"I'm not!" I cry in exasperation, smacking my arms against my legs.
"Obviously, you are. The only reason he was interested in you was because you're beautiful, and naive, since you let him fuck you so easily!" Seth yells furiously, stomping his foot in anger.
I feel tears prick my eyes at his harsh words, and I turn away from him. Seth has never spoken to me like that, and it hurts that he would say that about me, his supposed best friend.
Seth knows he took it too far, because he immediately apologizes and stumbles over his words, his eyes widening in guilt.
My vision goes fuzzy, my palms tingle, my head spins and I feel myself get dragged into my past. It seems Seth's words has dragged a long forgotten memory out of the depths of my mind.
"This is what happens when you're a whore, girl." My mother smokes her cigarette as she watches me being forced to stand up straight against the wall.
"Please, mother," the words squeeze past my lips without my consent, and just like I knew she would her eyes flash and she lunges forward, stubbing her cigarette out on my face while my father's strong arms hold me in place.
I bite my cheek until blood floods in my mouth so I don't scream, and once my mother is done burning my flesh, my father kicks my legs and arms, steering clear of my swollen womb which holds my child.
Someone knocks at the door, saving me from my beating. After a moment, my soon to be husband walks in.
He looks from my father to me, and then shrugs, a neutral expression on his face.
"You'll have to beat her harder if you want her to be less of a common slut." He kisses my mother's hand, and then disappears from the room.
It is then that I let the tears fall, and accept the rest of my beating with defeat.
"Stop it!" Seth's panicked voice brings me out of my stupor, and I'm brought back to the present.
I can feel the sand on my knees, the chill coming off of the water. I also feel the warm liquid flowing through my fingers, and look down to see I've been digging my nails into my stomach, making deep gashes I didn't know I was capable of causing.
"I'm so sorry, Rey, I didn't mean it, please, I'm so sorry," Seth sound close to tears, and I move my hands away from my stomach.
"It's okay," I practically whisper, still in shock over seeing what I had done to myself this time.
Seth snaps his head to face me, then hugs me tightly. I know I should still be mad at him, but he didn't mean what he said. It was in the heat of the moment, even if I don't understand why he cared so strongly about it all.
"I'll take you to my house and fix you up," Seth says in a shaky voice, and I can tell he's shaken up over watching me hurt myself.
If he knew all of it, he would lose his mind.
I can easily take care of it myself, but it would make Seth feel better to help me. However, there's a lot of issues he and I will now have to work through, after everything that's been said.
Both of us are silent the entire time he helps me; cleaning the wounds, giving me a wet washcloth to wipe off the blood from my stomach and hands, and giving me one of his sweatshirts to wear.
Before I leave, Seth hugs me once more, gently so as to not hurt me. "I'm so, so sorry for what I said. I was just jealous."
"You're my best friend, Seth, there's no reason for you to be jealous." I assure him, and then open the door.
As I leave, I faintly hear Seth say, "You wouldn't understand.", but I figure I must have misheard him.
-o-
On Sunday I woke up to the sounds of Jacob calling people around the Rez in an attempt to find a car to borrow. I stumble out of my room and into the kitchen, pouring a glass of orange juice before sitting down at the kitchen table.
"Thanks, Harry. We're just taking it up to Forks for awhile, so we'll have it back in no time." Jacob hangs up the phone, then takes my glass of juice and downs it in one gulp.
"Motherfucker," I groan, throwing my head back in frustration.
"Watch your language," Billy warns me, rolling his way into the kitchen. "Find us a car, Jake?"
"Harry's letting us borrow his Ford," Jacob replies, tugging on his jacket. "I'm going to run down there and bring it back, be ready to go." He directs the last part at me, and I roll my eyes.
"I'm guessing we're going to the Swans?" I guess, looking at Billy.
"Bringing Charlie up some fish fry." Billy responds vaguely, and I can tell there's more to it than what he's saying.
"And harassing Bella about her relationship, I'm sure," I sigh, walking to my room. I don't hear his reply, but I'm sure it was lovely nonetheless.
My hair took up most of my time, since my long, dark locks seem to have fought violently at some point in the night, resulting in matted snarls. At last, my hair hangs down to my waist in a frizzy mess, but I have no time to deal with it.
Jacob blares the horn, and I hurry out of my room to wheel Billy out of the house. Jacob helps him into the truck, and we take off to Forks.
When we reach the Swan's residence, however, nobody appears to be home. Regardless of the rain drizzling down, Billy makes us get out of the truck and stand under the shallow front porch. Jacob stands behind Billy's wheelchair, leaning away from the rain, whereas I stand as close to the door as possible in order to stay dry.
A few minutes after we had been standing there, the rusty truck made its way down Bella's street. It stopped in Bella's driveway, and I recognized the pale figure driving it to be the same Cullen that had been with Bella before.
I looked at Billy to gauge his reaction, and saw his face to be as impassive as stone, while Jacob standing behind him looked mortified. I was sure my expression was neutral, although I was worried for Bella.
The more I stared at Cullen, the more it was plain to see that he just simply wasn't human. Then again, maybe it was the superstitions getting to me.
I watched as they spoke for a few moments, and then, very quickly, Cullen's golden eyes flickered over to us, and then he leaned into Bella, giving her a swift kiss under the edge of her jaw.
My heart drops, before I realize Cullen would never be so stupid as to turn her in front of an Elder and two witnesses. Still, he was toying with us, which makes him an immature bitch.
I glance at Billy and see his face was no longer impassive, and he is gripping the armrests of his wheelchair so tightly his knuckles are turning pale.
Bella then got out of the car, and half runs through the light sprinkle towards us standing on the porch.
"Hey, Billy. Hi Jacob, Rayna." Bella greets us cheerfully, but it's forced. "Charlie's gone for the day - I hope you haven't been waiting long."
"Not long," Billy replies in a subdued tone. "I just wanted to bring this up." He motions towards the brown paper sack resting on his lap.
"Thanks," Bella says, and I could tell from her expression that she has no idea what it is. "Why don't you come in for a minute and dry off?"
Bella is obviously ignoring the intense scrutiny Billy is giving her as she unlocks the door. She waves us ahead of her, and can't help but quickly check behind me to see if Cullen was still there. He's sitting in the truck, watching us with solemn eyes. I feel the urge to snarl at him, make an animalistic growl, and shrug it off, confused as to why I felt that.
"Here, let me take that," Bella offers, turning and shutting the door. She isn't stealthy as she gazes wistfully at Cullen before she shuts it, though.
"You'll want to put that in the fridge," Billy notes as he hands Bella the package. "It's some of Harry Clearwater's homemade fish fry - Charlie's favorite. The fridge keeps it drier." He shrugs.
"Thanks," Bella repeats, but this time there's feeling in it. "I was running out of new ways to fix fish, and he's bound to bring some home tonight."
"Fishing again?" Billy asks with a subtle gleam in his eye. "Down at the usual spot? Maybe I'll run by and see him."
"No," Bella blurts out, but I can tell she's lying. She isn't a good liar. Her face goes hard. "He was headed someplace new… but I have no idea where."
Billy's expression turns thoughtful, and without looking away from Bella, he speaks to Jacob.
"Jake," He says. "Why don't you go get that new picture of Rebecca out of the car? I'll leave that for Charlie, too."
"Where is it?" Jacob asks, his tone morose. I look at him, and see he's staring at the floor, his eyebrows pulling together. My heart aches for him, since I know seeing Bella with someone else hurt him.
"I think I saw it in the trunk," Billy says. "You may have to dig for it."
Jacob slouches back out into the rain, leaving Billy, Bella, and I alone. I know the only reason Billy let me stay in here is because I agree with his views on the Cullens, and honestly, I'm curious as to what Billy will say and how Bella will respond.
At first, Billy and Bella face each other in silence. After a few second, Bella turned and headed to the kitchen. Billy follows, his wet wheels squeaking across the linoleum. My converse squeak as well, but there drowned out by Billy's noise.
Bella shoves the bag onto a crowded top shelf in the fridge, and then spins around to Billy so fast I thought she may have gotten whiplash.
"Charlie won't be back for a long time." Bella's voice is rude, and she stares at Billy like she doesn't notice I'm still in the room.
Billy nods in agreement, but says nothing. I want to yell at her for being a bitch, cuss her out, but I know I shouldn't.
"Thanks again for the fish fry," Bella isn't subtle with her hinting.
Billy continues nodding, and Bella sighs, folding her arms across her chest. Obviously, she's given up on small talk.
"Bella," Billy says, and then hesitates.
"Yes."
"I notice you've been spending time with one of the Cullens." He speaks each word carefully in his rumbling voice.
"Yes." Bella repeats curtly.
Billy's eyes narrow. "Maybe it's none of my business, but I don't think that is such a good idea."
"You're right," Bella agrees. "It is none of your business."
What a bitch.
He raises his graying eyebrows at her tone. "You probably don't know this, but the Cullen family has an unpleasant reputation on the reservation.
"Actually, I did know that," Bella informs him in a hard tone, and I can tell he's surprised. "But that reputation couldn't be deserved, could it? Because the Cullens never set foot on the reservation, do they?"
Bella's less than subtle reminder of the agreement that both bounds and protects our tribe pulls Billy up short.
"That's true," He agrees, his eyes guarded. "You seem… well informed about the Cullens. More informed that I expected."
Bella stares him down. "Maybe even better informed than you are."
Billy purses his thick lips as he considers that. "Maybe," He allows, but his eyes are shrewd. "Is Charlie as well informed."
"Charlie likes the Cullens a lot," Bella hedges. Billy clearly understands her evasion. His expression is unhappy, but he isn't surprised.
"It's not my business," He says. "But it may be Charlie's."
"Though it would be my business, again, whether or not it I think it is Charlie's business, right?"
Billy mulls over what she said as the rain picks up against the roof, the only thing breaking the silence.
"Yes," He finally surrenders. "I guess that is your business, too."
Bella sighs with relief. "Thanks, Billy."
"Just think about what you're doing, Bella," He urges.
"Okay," Bella agrees quickly.
Billy frowns. "What I meant to say was, don't do what you're doing."
Bella says nothing, so although I know I shouldn't, I can't help but put my two cents in.
"If you're as well informed as you claim to be about the Cullens, then maybe you'll push aside your selfishness and think about Charlie, when you make your decision." I state coldly, making Bella jump. I don't think she knew I was still in the room with them.
The front door bangs loudly before she can reply, and I jump at the sound.
"There's no picture anywhere in that car." Jacob's complaining voice reaches us before he does. The shoulder's of his shirt are stained with the rain, his hair dripping, as he rounds the corner.
"Hmm," Billy grunts, suddenly detached, spinning around to face Jacob. "I guess I left it at home."
Jacob rolls his eyes dramatically. "Great."
"Well, Bella, tell Charlie" - Billy pauses before continuing. "That we stopped by, I mean."
"I will," Bella mutters like a child.
Jacob is surprised. "Are we leaving already?"
"Charlie's gonna be out late," Billy explains as he rolls past Jacob.
"Oh." Jacob looks disappointed. "Well, I guess I'll see you later, then, Bella."
"Sure." She agrees, but I'm sure she's lying through her teeth.
"Take care." Billy warns, and Bella doesn't answer.
Jacob helps Billy out the door, while I follow behind them. I glance at Bella's truck, and see that it's now empty. I get in the car after Jacob gets Billy situated, and watch as Bella waves briefly at us, before glancing at her truck as well. I roll my eyes, and we rumble off towards La Push.
-o-
On Wednesday, I come home from school to find Billy sitting solemnly in the living room. I cautiously walk into the room and give him a questioning look, setting my backpack down on the couch.
"Bella has left Forks," Billy says, his expression emotionless. "She told Charlie she couldn't stand it here anymore."
The weight of his words sink in, and I sigh. "Here's the thing, dad, if the legends are true and the Cullens are vampires, and they bit Bella, they broke the treaty and we're free to kill them."
Billy nods, and behind us, the front door swings open. I turn to see Sam Uley, and Paul Lahote standing in the doorway.
"You ready, Billy?" Sam's deep voice echoes throughout our small space, but attention is drawn completely to Paul.
Paul is staring at me as though he's drinking in every feature of my face, my body, my being, and I can't help but feel uncomfortable. At the same time, I feel something undescribable from looking at him.
"Yep," Billy replies, rolling over to the two boys.
Sam wheels Billy out the door, and pauses to shout Paul's name over his shoulder. Paul turns and follows, leaving me to stare at the place he had stood all the while wondering why the hell Paul made me feel like this.
-o-
Around six at night on Friday, Billy received a call from Charlie regarding Bella. Supposedly she had decided to come back to Forks, and she was also in the hospital after falling down a set of stairs.
Jacob wants to go visit her, but Billy disagreed. I was sure once the time came, he would probably have him go check on her just to be sure she was still human.
Of course, I was right, because on the night of Bella's prom, Billy gives Jacob twenty bucks and the promise of his master cylinder for the Rabbit if he went to Bella's prom to pass on a message.
"You know, you could give me twenty bucks to go down there, too." I casually say, leaning against the wall of the living room. Jacob is in his room getting ready, and Billy is sitting tensely in the living room.
"It wouldn't be too sincere if you went, Rayna, and I'm sure you'd end up trying to attack one of the Cullen's." Billy gives me a real smile for the first time in a long time, and I hesitantly smile back.
Jacob reappears in the room, his long ebony hair pulled back to the nape of his neck, dressed in a button down white shirt and jeans, a black tie loosely tied around his neck.
"Gee, Jake, didn't know you had it in you," I joke, smirking at him.
"Very funny," Jacob makes a face at me, then heads to the door. "Harry letting me use the truck?"
"Yep." Billy says, watching Jacob until he leaves.
"Since Jacob gets twenty bucks and a part for his car," I hint, giving Billy an innocent smile. "Can I have twenty bucks for pizza, and stay the night at Seth's house?"
Billy gives me an exasperated look, but reaches in his wallet and slaps a twenty in my hand. I grin in thanks, and hurry to my room to put a bag together. I text Seth that I'm on my way, and by the time I reach his house he has everything ready for a movie night.
We sit in the living room, eating pizza and watching movies until the early hours of the morning. Before we go to bed,, I tell him where Jacob went.
"Your dad paid him to go to prom for a girl he likes?" Seth laughs, and the sound rumbles through my ears since I'm lying my head on his chest.
"Yeah, can you believe it?" I shake my head, and reach for a hand full of popcorn.
"You know, next year we're able to go to prom," Seth says. "I'm totally gonna take you."
I swivel my head to face him, and become hyperaware of how close our faces are. I smirk, and toss my popcorn in his face. Being the child he is, he opens his mouth to try and catch it, but fails miserably.
"Nerd." I say adoringly, and turn my attention back to the movie.
-o-
aaaaaaaand we're done with twilight! now we can move onto New Moon, and honestly, shook. what do you guys think of the chapter? i haven't really asked this yet, but i'm curious as to what your guys' opinions would be, who do you ship rayna with? i have a few ideas as to who she may be with, but i want to take your opinions into consideration as well. it would mean a lot if you'd let me know!
next chapter should be up fairly shortly, let me know what you all thought of this one!
FreeSpiritSeeker- thank you! You didnt have to wait too long for the update this time, lol
Inyushademons14- thank you. Of course, even though bella tried to hide it, Billy isn't that thick. I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
FlowerChild23- oh, they know. And as for Paul.. that may be what happens. but like i said, i'm undecided. I updated fairly quickly so you didn't have to wait too long, i hope you enjoyed this chapter!
Guest- thank you!
-TheFlyingGraysons