A/N: Hi guys, hope everyone's safe. Sorry for the late update. Real life got very busy for a while, hopefully the next chapter will be longer and the update sooner. Enjoy
Disclaimer: Twilight universe does not belong to me, no profit is being made. etc. etc.
Jake does not show up on our morning run the next day, I still feel watched though. It does not feel dangerous to me, but I am still apprehensive as I start my run. I am confident that the pack will keep watch, but if Victoria is keeping an eye on me, last thing I want is to lead her back to my house. So I keep to my daily path and I sit after the lap, the bush behind me rustles and Paul steps out beside me. I look up at him in surprise, he is the last person I expected to be assigned to shadow me.
He shrugs as he notices my look. "Do you know what actually happened to Harry Clearwater?"
This is the first time he has initiated a conversation with me, there is no sign of his usual hostility and I was not aware there was anything suspicious about Harry's death. Thoroughly mystified, I shake my head.
"Well" He folds himself down beside me. "Leah and Emily had another fight, this time at the Clearwater house. Emily came to visit Harry, and Leah asked her about us not being around or something. Obviously Emily couldn't tell her what was going on, she tried to give some excuses, but Leah is smart. She caught on and then tempers were high, Harry tried to intervene, and then Leah phased."
"What?" I blurt in surprise.
"Yeah, right in the middle of their living room. As if that wasn't enough, it spooked Seth, and he phased too. I guess it was too much for poor Harry, the doctor did tell him not to stress himself. As if the guy could help it."
I shake my head, could this get any more messed up?
"Anyway" He continues, "Now we have two more new wolves in addition to Quill. So Jared took Seth under his wing, or well paw." He snickers.
"Jake drew the short straw, No one can stand to be around Leah at the moment, she is bringing us to our knees with her grief and anger. Sam can't stand to phase with her at the same time. So I'll be shadowing you until we can sort everything out. Embry will take up shifts with me. At least we won't have to worry about back ups anymore."
"Huh, what a mess." I say after some time, "How come you didn't take Seth or Quill, I thought shadowing me would be the last thing you'd want to do."
"I don't like babysitting duties. You at least I can talk with." He grumbles.
"Wow, was that a compliment? Paul Lahote being nice, what would people think?" I marvel. He throws his head back and laughs.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
When I get back from my run Charlie is already awake. I throw a good morning over my shoulder as I rush to take a shower. I'm warm and eager to get out of my sweaty clothes. I come down for breakfast, my hair still damp, I grab some coffee as I wait for the bagel to toast. I seem to have grown out of my caffeine sensitivity. When I join Charlie on the kitchen table, I notice from the first time a couple of thick official looking envelops sitting in front of him. My throat goes dry all of a sudden.
"Is-is that what I think it is?" I croak at him.
His moustache twitches, "I think it is what you think it is."
"Dad" I groan, but make no move to pick any of them up.
"Go on then." Charlie encourages, but I can't move my hands. "Would you like me to see?" He finally offers.
"Yes, please." He snorts and pulls the small stack towards him. The coffee mug feels heavier in my hand every second, I deposit it on the table and fold into my seat.
"Hmmm, let's see." Charlie tries to sound grave, but his eyes dance with mirth, his moustache twitches again, he's enjoying himself. "What is this? UW? Accepted. UBC? I didn't know you applied there. Cornell! Wow Bells." He looks up at me in total amazement, I flush like baked tomato and take a scalding gulp of coffee to distract myself.
"I, wow, I don't know what to do." I stammer out.
"Calm down, kiddo, you still have time." Charlie pats my head and gets up to get ready for work. "I'm proud of you." he kisses my head as he heads out. I throw an absentminded 'be careful'. I sit frozen, staring unseeingly at the three envelops. I had been antsy waiting for the acceptances, but now that they are here, I feel woefully unprepared.
I fidget with the mug, unsure what to do with the day, I could go to La Push, but should I? With three new wolves, they must have their hands full, but Sam hasn't said anything about a change of plan, and my being there keeps two more wolves at the Rez. I used to be peeved at people when they made decisions for me, I was pissed at the Cullens when I realised how they used to make all the decisions, especially Alice and Edward. But making so many decisions at the same time is getting exhausting. Not only I have to worry about a vengeful vampire I also have to make college decisions.
Finally I huff and text Sam, 'What's easier, my house or the Rez?'
Sam gets it, 'Your house would be better for now, Paul and Embry will keep an eye out, Quill and I will take over later.'
I sigh and go back to my room, might as well get some studying done.
Ten minutes later I come back down, unable to concentrate. I need to talk to someone, Angela maybe? I dial her number before I can overthink.
"Hello, this is Webers." Angela's sweet and friendly voice answers.
"Hey Ang, it's Bella."
"Oh hi Bella, what's up?"
"Um, not much, what are you upto?"
"Nothing much, mom's taken the twins out. Hey, you wanna hang out? Come over, we can develop some films and chat. I'll order pizza." That sounds really good, I think fast, I need to tell the pack though.
"Yeah, sounds good. I'll be there in an hour or so."
"Cool, see you."
I drop a text to Charlie and then go out to my backyard and scan the woods.
"Paul? Embry?" I call uncertainly. I wish Jake was around.
The leaves rustle a few yards away and then Paul emerges in his cut-off jeans, one eyebrow raised in question.
"Um, I'm going to Angela's for the day, she's my friend from school." I feel like a stupid little girl.
"Cool, I'll follow you." Paul shrugs and jogs back into the shrubbery. Huh, I go back in to get ready.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Angela looks more excited than normal when I park in front of her house. If someone asks to describe Angela, the first word to come to my head would be serene, but today there is a nervous energy around her, she is waiting at the porch and hurries across as soon as I cut off the engine.
"I got into UBC!" She squeals and grabs me into a a hug as soon as my feet touch the ground.
I hug her back with a wide smile. "Me too!" We do a little jig right in her front yard, giggling like kids. All the tension seems to melt away at last. We walk into her house arm in arm with wide smiles.
"I was sooo worried!" Angela confesses. "I thought I wouldn't get accepted anywhere!"
"Don't be silly, Ang." I laughed, "I thought the same." I confess after a minute. We both burst into laughter.
"It'll be so cool, we can go together. Hey maybe we can get housing together." Angela says hopefully.
"Um, I don't- I haven't made up my yet." I stutter. Angela gives an encouraging nod. "I also got in Cornell, Psychology."
Angela blinks, then says, "Wow Bella, congrats!" I beam at her.
"I don't know what to do." I confess as we make hot chocolate.
Angela stops humming and looks at me curiously.
"I mean- they both have great programs, Cornell would be warmer, I could use some sun, but I'll be going the other side of the country and I just got here and UBC will cost less, but I have never been outside the country…" I stop my rambling as my face goes red.
She hands me the mug and gives my shoulder a brief squeeze, "You'll figure it out. Just give it a little time." She sighs, "I got in UW too, my parents would probably like me to stay nearby. But I figured I want to be a photojournalist, I want to see the world around. I have been here all my life." She looks down, biting her lip.
"Hey" I grab her in a one armed hug, "UBC has a great program on Anthropology. You shouldn't feel bad about choosing a good college. Your parents will be proud of you. I'm proud of you." She gives me a grateful smile and we mutually decide to leave the topic behind.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Renee lets out such a loud squeal that I move the phone away from my ear, "Yesyesyes! I knew you could do it! My baby girl! Always so smart." She sniffs.
"Mom!" I protest, mortified.
"Look, don't worry about money, ok sweetheart? I have saved some more for our college fund."
"Oh no, Mom, we discussed, you didn't need to do that."
"I know, Sweetie, but you said last year that you won't stay in Florida with us, so we got a smaller house, and we kept the rest of the money for your college." Wow Renee, but then again she has always been serious when it comes to my studies. Still, I feel like I'll owe her a favour.
"What about Phil though, it's your savings, you have a family now."
"Nonsense Bella, you are our family. Phil will want to help." With that she changes the subject and won't let me argue further. I sigh, she might feel hurt if I refuse altogether, it's better to show her that I didn't need help. I'm hopeful that if I manage to get a part-time job, I'll be able to manage the expenses myself.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Harry's funeral is a somber affair. I ride with Charlie in silence. Sue Clearwater gives us both a trembling smile, Seth and Leah are both there, surrounded by Pack members. Seth gives me a morose wave, which I return, Leah glares at me fiercely. I look away, suddenly uneasy. Maybe I shouldn't be here. This is her father's funeral, if she doesn't want me around... But before I can make an excuse, Charlie touches my shoulder to go to our seats.
Halfway through the remembrance, I look up, Leah is still glaring at me and whispering furiously. Jake seems to be arguing with her.
"Dad, I'll be outside." I whisper to Charlie, he looks at me, I must look miserable, he nods and gives a small smile. I make my way to the beach and sit on the driftwood log, my eyes on the ocean.
"You have some nerve showing up here." I look back towards the village, Leah is marching upto me, face scrunched up in grief and fury. Jake rushes to her side to pull her back, an apologetic look on his face.
"Harry was a good friend of Charlie's. You mother invited both of us." I keep my voice calm, reminding myself that she's a newly shifting wolf, likely to be volatile.
"Yeah, right." She lets out a derisive snort. "It's 'cause she doesn't know."
"What is it that she doesn't know?" Now I'm confused.
"YOU ARE THE REASON MY FATHER'S DEAD." She shrieks. Jake grabs her by her arms and pulls her back.
What? "What?" My mouth repeats.
"The Cullens!" She shouts, shaking Jake off "You are the reason they stayed here! You are the reason Sam shifted and everything went wrong."
"I don't know what you are talking about." I shake my head, utterly confused.
"Huh! As if!" She throws her hands up. "It's them that causes us to shift! Why do you think Billy and Dad never did?" Her voice breaks.
"How does that make me responsible?" Anger starts seeping into me, now I have to take responsibility for the Cullens' presence? Being abandoned wasn't enough, was it?
"The Cullen's were here for more than a year, maybe two when I arrived, if anything I drove them away early. If not for me, they probably would have stayed another year." My voice sounds bitter to my own ears.
"Enough Leah, get back now. Don't make me order you." Jake gives me another apologetic look and drags her back to the village.
I stay on the beach until Charlie calls to pick me up to go home.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Things fall into a routine after that. Finals are coming up, I run in the morning, Spend time with Charlie, go to school for my AP classes, come back home, study until it feels like everything will ooze out of my ears, go make myself some coffee, and then study some more. I am determined to go to Cornell with a perfect score, take that, Edward Perfect Cullen.
The pack has had a few close calls with Victoria, apparently she is creating new vampires to come after me. So far the pack has destroyed three, but Victoria has somehow managed to remain out of reach. But with the addition of Quill, Seth and Leah, the pack has not been as thinly spread.
I try to encourage Charlie to spend his off days in the Rez, that puts one worry out of my head. God I hope the final is over soon…
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I drive to the Rez on the last day of the finals, feeling free as a bird. I think I did okay. I wonder what Ithaca would be like. Ol' Rusty can't make it there, I'm sure. Can I sell it as a vintage? Probably I can, but the thought makes me guilty. I think I can get my Harley shipped over there, in secret of course, can't have Charlie blow up at the last minute. That will be nice, I won't have to worry about buying a car, I will need to be careful about money as it is...
Billy is sitting on the porch as I slow down in front of his house.
"Hey Bella, Jake's at Emily's." He says with a smile, that's one relation that has lightened up.
"Okay, see you later Billy!" I wave and continue on to the end of the village.
The pack of course, can hear me coming for miles, they are all outside, chatting and laughing, well, almost all. Leah is absent, as is Jared. Probably covering Charlie.
Emily beams at me as soon as I get down from my truck. She grabs my hands and we spin, "Bella! Guess what?"
"What?" I laugh, her mood is contagious.
She holds out her left hand and I gasp in surprise, on her finger is an exquisite silver ring, the filigree weaving in and out to surround an oval turquoise, the design at once ancient and elegant.
"Wow Emily, does this mean what I think it means?" I think my face hurts from smiling too much, I don't care at the moment.
Emily nods her head, her eyes gleaming, "Sam proposed, I have been dying to tell you."
I hug her so hard she lets out a squeak, then laughs and hugs me back, we sway back and forth a little before someone clears their throat.
"Girls" Paul scoffs, "Are we celebrating or what? You said wait till Bella can come. Well, she is here."
"Yeah! Let's party!" Jake cheers.
And so we gather food and beer and rush to the beach to create a bonfire. I call Charlie to let him know I'll crash at Emily's. He tries to sound resigned, but I can tell he's happy I am doing some teenage stuff for once in my life. If only he knew about the bike and the cliff-diving. Hopefully he won't find out for about ten more years.
To no ones surprise, the party is a blast. The pack phases in and out to enjoy the party and keep the patrol going, except for Sam, he takes a rare time off to spend with Emily and spoil her with kisses and snuggles. Jake, Embry and surprisingly Paul, takes turns keeping me company. We chat, roast hot dogs and marshmallows, drink coke or beer. Someone brings out a guitar and a banjo, and then someone brings out a traditional flute, and the beach fills with sometimes lovely, sometimes energetic music. They sing without care and even I can't help but join.
We finally walk back to Emily's, leaning against each other, big grins on our faces, at peace for the moment with everything around us.