Post Script

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight. All recognisable characters, content or locations belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Chapter Two

4th - 5th September, 2005

By Thursday, my nerves were shot to hell. The hairs at the back of my neck had been perpetually on end since Tuesday evening, I could swear to God that there was someone watching me and it really wasn't paranoia if they were really out to get you. Regardless of whether or not i was actually being watched (re: stalked), however, I could safely say that when I drove into school in my beat up Chevy, I was exhausted, subsisting on coffee, red bull and strawberry liquorice. I was in desperate need of undisturbed rest, a relaxing break away from everyone that wasn't my father or Angela and a night where I didn't have to worry about homework, but the weekend was still another two full school days away, I still felt that undeniable prickling feeling at the back of my neck and coexistence with Lauren, Jessica and the snobby Cullen siblings was mandatory regardless of my personal opinion on the individuals in question.

"You look like shit."

"Fuck you too," I acknowledged as I dropped from the cab of my truck. I looked around and not for the first time, I caught Edward Cullen and his weird ass eyes staring back at me. He'd taken up this strange infatuation with me and if he wasn't such a weird, lanky ass sophomore, I'd have seriously considered the possibility that he was the one watching me. As it was though, Cullen was just a creepy sophomore who couldn't keep his eyes to himself and damn, someone needed to teach the coppertop some decent social skills.

Legit, staring was not attractive.

"Whatever," she answered flippantly, "Do you want to go to First Beach tomorrow afternoon, weather permitting?"

"Yes," I answered without hesitation. The reservation had always been a safe haven to me. I could only hope it would be again. "Pick me up for school tomorrow. We can go straight there after class lets out."

"That sounds like a plan," Angela agreed. "Do you still think you're being watched?"

"Undeniably," Bella confirmed, "My bedroom window was open when I woke up this morning. I distinctly recall closing it and locking it last night. I told Charlie - he's promised to look into it."

"You think someone's sneaking into your room?" Angela queried, concerned. We'd reached our classroom and so we settled in our seats, but our conversation continued. "That's disgusting."

"Tell me about it," I agreed wearily. I was genuinely terrified for my wellbeing, but beyond informing my father, there wasn't much more that I could do except wait and hope that something turned out with his unofficial investigation. I'd probably take to sleeping on my father's floor as well, but I honestly doubted that the man would complain. "I'm honestly exhausted."

"Yeah, I can see that," Angela acknowledged, "Let's just hope the Reservation will be a nice escape, yeah?"

"I've always felt safe there," I acknowledged. Angela nodded her agreement.

"Me too. It's comforting."

That day and the following dragged on slowly and I embraced the weekend with a grateful sigh. Angela grinned at me as we clambered into her little camry, headed for what to us was a haven away from the monotony of our lives with the white kids at Forks High. I grinned back, buckled my seat belt and blasted Boys Like Girls as my best friend turned onto the highway, headed north.

When the feeling of being watched faded at the same time we reached Quileute territory, I could have cried with relief. Instead, my shoulders slumped, my head dropped agains the window pane and I muttered my thanks to Taha Aki and the spirit protectors watching over us even now, however many years after their time.

"You alright?" Angela queried.

"I am now," I answered, smiling, "Whatever or whoever's been watching me isn't here. Thank Christ."

"Good," Angela acknowledged, "Let's go get food from the diner. Do you want to go over to my gram's? You can sleep there, if you like."

"Thanks sugar, but that's okay. If you drop me off at my grandparents' place before you leave though, I'll appreciate that. I'll just call my dad and let him know where I'm at, okay?"

She gave a nod of understanding and I pulled out my cellphone, a clunky black thing that had seen better days, but my baby nevertheless. I dialled the station, my father answered and I informed him of my plans to spend the night at La Push. He gave his consent with a relieved sigh, grateful that he'd not be putting me at risk with whoever was watching me. And it turned out someone had been watching, if the unknown fingerprints on my window sill were anything to go by.

We stopped by the diner for a bowl of fries and a chocolate shake each and were greeted merrily by Sue Clearwater as we did so. She engulfed us each in bear hugs, exclaimed about our appearance and then chivied us into a booth by the window overlooking First Beach. Over our snack, we talked about anything and everything that came to mind and we were still talking after we'd paid for our food, left the diner and headed down to the beach, arms linked and smiling.

"It's a nice day," Angela observed, gaze on the horizon.

I nodded my agreement, fingers in my unbound hair. It wasn't often that I wore it out of my customary twin braids, but whenever I did, I luxuriated in the feeling of it flowing down my back, to meet the swell of my backside in unbidden waves. "Shame we didn't bring a blanket."

"Maybe not, but it looks like we're about to have company." She pointed out the approaching form of Jacob Black and his two ever faithful best friends. I had to suppress a grin, amused despite myself.

Why was I not surprised that those three had turned up?

"We should probably meet them, yeah?" I expressed. Angela nodded and we headed towards the trio of sophomores. They met us halfway, smiling, Jacob more so than the other two - Embry and Quil, if I remembered rightly.

"You look like crap, Swan," Quil observed, ever tactless. He received an elbow in the side from Jacob for his efforts.

"Yeah, thanks," I acknowledged, deadpan. Curiously, I asked, "Are you guys part of the pen pal programme?"

"Yeah," Quill acknowledged, "But we're writing to kids from neighbouring reservations. Improving ties and all that shit."

"Could be worse," Angela considered, "You could be stuck partnered with Lauren Mallory." Four of us shivered, but Quil just shrugged.

"She's a good lay."

"God, that was something I never needed to know," Angela declared. "Man, can we juts take back the last twenty seconds of my life?"

"One day, Q, you'll wake up and your dick will fall off," Jacob informed him, "Seriously dude, how do you not have AIDS yet?"

"Because, J, I'm just too badass for STD's, man. Also: no glove, no love from the Q-meister."

"Why am I witness to this conversation?" I asked myself.

"Tell me about it," Angela agreed. Embry had joined in Jacob and Quil's debate concerning Quil's rampant sex life and we watched them, entertained despite ourselves.

"Seriously, Q-Meister, you need to stop bringing up your frequent conquests in regular conversation," Embry informed his friend, "It's really not healthy. Nor is it socially acceptable."

"You would no," Quil retorted, "Have you looked up from your World of Warcraft game recently?"

"Long enough to ask Courtney out. Please tell me you've not banged her too."

"Nah," Quil answered flippantly, "She's too good girl to give up the V-card to my sexy ass."

"Really?" Jacob queried sardonically, "I thought it was more the fact that she need you so hard in the balls after you asked her for some afternoon delight after gym that you were legitimately afraid of your reproductive abilities afterwards."

Angela laughed so hard she cried and I was right there with her, genuinely impressed that Quil had the nads enough to ask for some 'afternoon delight'.

"Seriously dudes, we need to stop talking about this. See? You've made the girls cry." Embry gestured towards Angela and I, bent in half, leant up against each other and laughing too much to form coherent words beyond "Afternoon delight" before we just started laughing again.

When I composed myself, I brushed my hair out of my face, smiled at the three stooges and declared, "Man, I needed that."

Angela nodded her agreement, checked her watch and gave a regretful sigh. "B, I'd better be headed home. Still want me to drop you off at your grandparents'?"

I nodded and smiled at my three sort-of friends. "It was nice seeing you guys. Em, good luck with the girl. Q-Meister, try stay safe. Jake, I'll probably see you tomorrow night."

We made it to the diner parking lot, clambered into Angela's car once again and headed towards my grandparents' home. They lived off of the reservation proper, down a beaten path and in a cottage surrounded by forest, but the place was beautiful like nothing I'd ever known.

"See you on Monday, sugar." Angela and I shared a brief hug before I lifted myself out of the car, backpack over my shoulder as I went. I watched her make the U-turn back to La Push before I headed up the porch steps and towards the open door, calling out for Grams as I went.

"Come on in, Bella love."

India Swan was petite in stature, with black hair streaked silver, a kind heart and mothering tendencies. It was a wonder she didn't get along with my maternal grandma, but I'd never asked about why that was the case and I wasn't going to now.

"Hey grams," I greeted, shutting the flyscreen behind me. "How are you? And where's pa?"

When I reached her, she stood up on her tiptoes to greet me with a kiss on the cheek. I made it a little easier by bending down, but as she groused about my height, I took it all with an amused smile. She'd never appreciated the fact that I'd inherited both my mother and fathers' tall people tendencies.

"Your grandfather's gone for a council meeting. He was all very hush hush, but I gather something big's going on. Has old Quil in a right tizzy."

I hummed my acknowledgement and spent the next half hour catching up with her, but when my eyelids began to droop, I excused myself to the guest bedroom where without adieu, I discarded my jeans, shoes and bra, crawled under the covers and savoured in the first uninterrupted sleep I'd gotten in an entire week.

It was heavenly.