Chapter Three: Talise's POV

Sue was practically bouncing up and down when Talise found herself in the Clearwater home. Sue gathered her up in a tight hug, remarking on how long Talise's hair was getting. How grown up she was looking…

It was… comforting to say the least. Sam barely looked in her direction anymore. Sue had raised Talise the last couple years, being the mother figure Talise so desperately yearned for. It worked perfectly, the younger growing very close to the elder. And she got Leah and Seth for siblings.

They hadn't seen each other in a few weeks, not since Sam broke up with Leah. Leah still wasn't talking to Talise, after the latter had defended her brother. So, Sue had planned an afternoon driving up to Port Angels to spend time with her.

Was Sam going to be mad? Yeah. Did she care? Not really. That was until Sue said they needed to stop by Talise's house first. Talise tried to get out of it, but Sue promised she'd deal with Sam first.

As Sue walked into the house, Talise slinked down further in her seat. Seth grinned at her.
"Scaredy cat," he teased.
"Am not," Talise snapped. The door opened and she saw Sue glaring at Sam.
"So much for our day out," Seth grumbled, crossing his arms.

A dog came bounding out of the front door, running to the car. Talise opened her door, letting her husky jumped up.
"Hey there, Atta," she muttered, scratching his ears. She heard faint arguing between Sam and Sue and she forced herself to tune it out most of it. She caught a few passing words, however.

She made up her mind and turned in her seat.
"Sorry, Sethy." Seth groaned as Talise climbed out of the car, walking up the drive. Atta followed loyally. Sue glanced at Talise. "Go back to the car," she said firmly. Talise shook her head. "It's okay, Sue… Can you get Leah to drive my truck back?" She moved around Sam before Sue answered, heading upstairs.

Well, she'd tried. Tried to defy Sam. Failed miserably, but tried. Atta whined, feeling her upset mood. She hugged him tightly, burying her head in his soft fur as she heard Sue's truck pull away.

She heard Sam walk up to her bedroom door. Before he could even knock, she called to him.
"Come in, I guess." She heard his sigh, and he opened the door, leaning against it.
"Charlie called," he said. "Wants you to come hang with Bella."

A bitter scoff left her mouth. His gaze turned stormy as she stood, grabbing her backpack.
"So I can go hang with Bella," she snapped at him. "But I can't go shopping with Sue?"
"Talise." His voice was full of warning.
"I'm telling Emily," she mumbled, slipping past him with Atta following.

It was going to be a short walk to get her truck, one she was looking forward too. The rain would help her clear her head. She wasn't expecting it to already be sitting in the drive. Paul was climbing out of the truck, tossing her the keys.
"Hey again," he greeted, smiling at her.

Hesitantly, she smiled back.
"Hey." Atta barked happily, jumping at Paul. Paul didn't even budge as the large dog jumped at him. "Atta, down," Talise ordered. The husky obeyed, sitting obediently at Talise's feet.
"Nice dog," Paul said sheepishly, rubbing at the back of his neck.
"He's pretty great," Talise agreed.

She shuffled her feet awkwardly before raising the keys.
"Well, uh, thanks."
"Any time," he shrugged. Nodding again, Talise cleared his throat.
"I've got to get going."
"Oh, yeah." He stepped away from the truck. She started forward, climbing in the front seat. Atta hopped into the back bed.
"Is that safe?" Paul asked.
"Yeah," Talise said. "Sam and I taught him not to jump out."
"Ah. See you tomorrow, I guess… in school." She gave him a tiny smile before yanking the door closed and pulling out of the drive.

Charlie was waiting outside his house for Talise to arrive.
"Thanks so much for coming," he said quickly."Think you can try to talk to her?"
"Still not speaking?" Talise asked as Atta trotted up to Charlie.

The Police Chief petted Atta before shaking his head in response to Talise's question.
"She doesn't talk to anyone," he said, casting a worried look up at Bella's window.
"Heartbreak can be hard," Talise said sympathetically. "But I don't know what I can do."
Charlie sighed, "You girls used to be so close… maybe just being here she'll open up to you." Talise nodded, heading inside.
"Come Atta."

The girl and her dog walked upstairs. Carefully, Talise opened Bella's door.
"Bells?" she called softly. She paused when she saw Bella sitting on the bed, looking lifelessly out the window. Atta darted forward, jumping onto his old friend. Bella didn't even react.

Stealing the chair from the desk, Talise sat down, watching Bella's lifeless, empty form.
"Hey Bella… I'm sorry, about what happened." She caught Bella's hand twitch. "I guess I don't really understand what you're going through, but I'm here for you if you need to talk.

Talise sat awkwardly at a table as Bella Swan sat next to her.
"Hi," Talise said quietly. "I'm Talise, but some people call me, Tally or Talis." Bella managed a small smile.
"I'm Bella… Charlie said we used to be best friends."
Talise nodded, "I'm younger by two years." Bella shrugged and began to talk. Talise brightened when the girl didn't send her away. Maybe they'd be friends again…

Bella began to speak, breaking Talise out of her thoughts.
"He just left," she said bitterly. "Just told me he wasn't right for me and left." She started crying and Talise climbed into the bed with her, holding her friend tightly.
"It's okay," she soothed. Bella curled up in Talise's arms, sobs shaking her body.

Not knowing what to do, Talise just held her, humming a lullaby under her breath until Bella fell asleep. Gently, Talise eased her under the blankets, and beckoned to Atta. They went downstairs, finding Charlie on the couch.
"She's asleep," she told him, pulling her keys out of her pocket.
"Get anything?" Charlie asked hopefully.
"Not much," Talise shook her head. "Give it time, Charlie. She'll open up eventually."

The chief walked her to the car, giving Atta one last pet before Talise pulled away. She was yawning by the time she pulled into the drive. She grimaced when she saw Sam inside with Jared. At least there was no sight of Paul. She nudged the door open and just nodded at Jared as she opened the fridge.

Jared watched her carefully, frowning when Atta growled at him.
"Hush, Atta," Sam ordered. The dog didn't listen, keeping a firm stance beside Talise. Anytime Jared tried to get close, Atta snapped at him, making the boy keep his distance. "Good boy," Talise said, ignoring Sam's exasperated expression. "Come on." The pair walked upstairs, Atta in front with Talise trailing behind with a bowl of fruit.