Scintilla - (n) a tiny trace or spark of a specified quality or feeling

000

"There won't be much, I'm afraid." The Rosalie girl admits, feigning a thoughtful look. One of her hands is covering the cover of the book that she slid from Bella's direction to the space in front of her. The other settles on her face, her knuckles against her cheek, head tilted. Eyes wide in curiosity and observation as she takes in the opposing girl.

"Oh, really? You just said they talked on and on about me, not that they were complaining." She leans back in her chair, away from Rosalie but her body language is still rather open and engaging. This newcomer is giving Rosalie space and she appreciates it but also wonders about it. Is this newcomer not usually so bold?

"Did I? My mistake."

Damn, Bella can't think of anything to say in retaliation. Her dork charm has worn off apparently. She's surprised she managed to keep that little witty repartee going. Bella narrows her eyes at the blonde haired beauty, puzzled smile on her face.

Wait. She thinks she has it.

"You don't look the type to make mistakes." Got her there. And she really doesn't. She looks as though as she could conquer the world, or at the very least, the room. Demanding all eyes on her by the simply the way she walks, ignoring everyone as she goes, not bothering to give them the time of day.

And if Bella thought the two siblings at the table over smelled wonderful, then scent that clings to Rosalie Hale is something else entirely. Her scent is all around them in the air, floating about in the small space between them. It's soft and entirely pleasing to Bella's nose and she wants to breath it in deeply but restrains from doing so.

Mostly, aside from a slight flare of her nose.

No need to look more like a weirdo than she already is probably.

"Do I?" Rosalie gave a sort of coy smile as she delivered the next line, "I'm only human after all."

"What a coincidence, so am I. To err is human, right?" Is she laying on the sarcasm too thick? Bella worries slightly.

Rosalie nods at the brunette. She thinks deeply about the sentences that were just exchanged while there is a lull in their conversation. If it can be called that. She believes that her family is safe; witty chit chats are hardly a hint as to their nature. Both parties remain quiet for a few moments, Rosalie still observing the other girl. Simply...looking.

It's just straightforward inquisitiveness and bemusement. Her siblings got attached rather quickly. Though she supposes that time is different for them. Still, it's up to her now to judge how and why they deftly got attached.

Well done eyebrows and naturally long eyelashes are the first things that Rosalie sees on the other girl's plain face besides her eyes. Skittish eyes that flit and dart about, lovely umber ones that won't meet her own intimidating prussian blue. The dark chestnut strands of hair tucked behind an increasingly reddening ear that delicately holds back the rest of her side swept hair from cascading down and about.

Hipster.

That's the one word that instantly comes to mind as she assesses the rest of Bella's outfit. A loose blue hoodie that seems to swallow up her gangly structure. Though she seems content to remain lost in the loose material, as evidenced by the constant shuffling of the sleeves. She's playing, pushing, pulling on them to hide her arms up to her knuckles, gripping the edges between fingers in a loosely curled fist. A forgotten red beanie lays on the corner of the table, dangerously close to dropping to the floor.

Before she can appraise the rest, she makes the mistake of looking back up into Bella's irises, who was sizing her up as well. Brown eyes blink in embarrassment and wonder before looking away.

The silence that was floating about and whispering in their ears is scared away by Bella's soft and shy utterance of "Hi" when she finally looks at Rosalie and manages to maintain prolonged eye contact this time.

"Hello," Rosalie replies equally as softly, with an amused smile. She's not entirely sure how to continue the conversation now that the human has had a sudden bout of shyness. It's not as though Alice has introduced them, which would've eased the awkwardness or opened up a line of questions. Alice all but shoved the girl towards her, she's beginning to suspect.

Bella shifts again, moving her arms into her lap. Her knuckles rap against the side of the wooden table in a random pattern. Rosalie decides to move as well, and her new position leaves her with her hands on the table and the cover of her book in full view.

Predictably, this draws the other girl's attention and the rapping stops for a pregnant pause. Rosalie narrows her eyes slightly to discern the various expressions the shifting of facial muscles manages to pull off in Bella's face.

"You like cars?" There's a crinkle between the eyebrows, one's imperceptibly higher than the other. There's something about the somewhat monotone voice throws her off and she's in the middle of mentally preparing to throw a defensive comment that will absolutely leave this girl running for the hills when she continues speaking, "That's so fucking rad!"

Rosalie is taken aback; she blinks. Rad? Who even uses that anymore? Her entire family is older than the slang itself and she's completely baffled. But apparently this was a necessary exchange of words. It opens the metaphorical floodgates and Bella asks question after question and just one more, promise.

And Rosalie lets her, she enjoys it actually. Of course she would, she's rather proud of her mechanical skills. It is a different experience than when her family asks the relative and minor question about a part or other. Bella has absolutely no idea what words are coming out of her mouth, both Rosalie's and her own that prod Rosalie to continue.

At first she has no idea what to ask.

"Wh.. What kind, no, no wait. Who taught you about cars, or did you teach yourself? Wait, no, how do you like cars? I mean, do you like, know the mechanics or just enjoy the aesthetic appeal?" And that voice, that voice that was oddly monotone just a moment before, came alive, with the pitch changing as much as the questions in her excitement.

Rosale has to think about it for a moment. Her family did not own a car in the time of the Great Depression. And if they had, she wonders if her father would've taught her. "The internet," she replies slowly, as though the words are foreign to her.

In truth, Carlisle was where this interest came from. She was bitter that she wasn't left to die that night and angry at his intentions in saving her. He had saved her because that was what he did, he was a good person. It was only later that he hoped she would be a companion for Edward. That was a terrible attempt, even without him knowing about other details. It was Esme who helped guide her in her new life. Helped her accept it and made her want to be the best at it.

It was 1937 when Carlisle bought his car. 1930 Pontiac. Unpredictably, it started having problems a few years later, shortly before and during WWII. He was over in the garage, and Esme had suggested she go help him, nudged her really. Predictably, he didn't know what he was doing.

"The good doctor can fix humans but can't fix machines? Shocking." She walked over to where he was, slowly, uncertain of what she was supposed to do. So she fell back to her humor and sharp words.

He released a huge sigh, wiping grease on his overalls that he bought specifically for this purpose. "I don't know what I'm doing." He hummed in thought as he stared down at the internal workings of the machine.

"Clearly."

"Would you like to give it a go?" He offered her the tool in his hand, his voice gentle. She took pity on both him and the poor car. She grasped it, eyes already taking in every delicate detail of the parts that made the car move. When things malfunctioned at her house (usually due to her brothers), she was always the one to tinker with it. Before her father came home, of course. He never really knew that things were sometimes in a state of disarray.

It's mostly trial and error but she eventually managed to get the engine running smoothly. Carlisle sighed relief this time. "Thank you. Live patients usually tell me what's wrong with them. This is… not my area of expertise."

He offered a smile and his hand as thanks, and she studied it for a second before she took it. Maybe she wasn't ready right then and there but she thinks she can forgive this man and his honest and honorable intentions.

It was only years later, after WWII, that she bought an old car. The current models were very nice but not quite what she wanted. She purchased the most run down, old car that she could find. Kept it in the garage of their next place and gathered all of the parts to restore it before she even attempted anything. She even had to shoo Emmett out of the garage often times.

It's only now that she thinks about it that she wonders if that was a metaphor for something.

"Carlisle bought a crap car and I learned to fix it," Rosalie elaborates. That ought to answer all the questions she was asked. It was close enough to the truth.

"Where's it now?" Damn it. Of course, Bella would be interested. If someone restored a car, people would be very much interested. And if the girl wondered why she called him by his first name, she didn't show it.

"Eventually broke down for good. I did my best."

"Oh. That's still amazing though... The only thing I can fix are papers and legos." Rosalie thinks fix is a synonym for build. Bella is pouting slightly but the expression is gone before Rosalie can really focus on it.

"Do you miss Canada much?" Time for a topic change.

"Not particularly. The only difference is that we crossed the border." Canada was too much like Alaska for her to really separate the two in her mind. Endless green trees and blindingly white snow. Enormous reindeer, moose, caribou.

"I miss California sometimes." Bella volunteers. This is something Alice and Emmett didn't mention. She was under the impression that the girl came from Arizona. Building rapport by mentioning similar experiences? It seems to work because Rosalie opens her mouth to ask for more.

"What do you miss about it? How long did you live there?" She wants to ask when did she live there but finds this to be a slightly better question. And damnit, after only a few minutes the girl's verbose nature was starting to rub off on her.

"Man, what don't I miss about it? I only lived there for a few years when I was this big so I don't remember much. I was 4 when we moved there and 8 when my mom and I moved to Phoenix, but the beach, that's the only thing I miss it. The weather here is pretty much the same. There's a beach here. Have you seen it yet?"

Bella needs to go to the beach soon, she misses it. Misses the salty sea and the scent of it in the air. She even misses the annoying seagulls. She mentally adds it to her visit soon list.

She's expressive. She's movement personified, Rosalie realizes, when the girl gestures widely, referencing the height a small child would be. The ups and downs in the pitch of her voice vary in range to properly describe things. It's almost as though she is retelling an exciting story.

"Not yet, I've been busy with projects." She finds that she doesn't want to lie to Bella, but she also doesn't want to give the incorrect impression that the Cullens are allowed on Quileute lands. Rosalie is, but she doesn't go either way. Therefore it doesn't matter. "Do you like it here?"

"Mostly. I didn't think I'd miss the sun, but I do. Only slightly, for reading purposes, of course. It's too damn hot in Phoenix, so I like this climate better. I do miss my mom a bit. Charlie's great though."

Rosalie opens her mouth, intent on asking another question, when her ears hear muffled vibrations. She looks on as Bella shimmies around the chair to find her phone. She turns in her seat to answer the phone call, giving Rosalie a mouthed sorry.

"Hello? Hey dad. Yeah, I'm still here, what's up?... Oh. I didn't know they were coming today! Already? Alright, I'll wait outside. Thanks, bye!"

She turns back to Rosalie and almost looks sheepish, offering a small smile. "So, um. I have to go, but I'll see you later right? At school? It'd be nice to know a few people."

"Yes, that would be nice. Can I.. walk you down?"

"Yes, please." Bella practically beams when she says it. She glances around at their table very briefly. Bella sighs and mutters under her breath, "No books today."

It does not come as a surprise to her that Alice and Emmett are already downstairs. She spots a short receipt in Alice's hand and a bag filled with who knows what exactly in Emmett's hand. They don't talk as they walk and wait outside with Bella. The siblings have to stifle laughter when they see Bella's expression at Charlie's cruiser. Nonetheless, she beams widely and waves, "See you guys on Tuesday!"

"Bye Bella!" They wave back.

They wait until the car is out of sight before walking to Rosalie's own BMW. Alice can only manage to wait until they are within the car's confines before commenting, "So I see Bella took a shine to you."

Rosalie groans, placing her forehead on the back of her hands, which are on the steering wheel. Alice smirks and Rosalie doesn't even need to envision it because she can see it clearly in her rearview mirror. Emmett got to the shotgun seat before Alice did.

000

Charlie is only mildly surprised to see the Cullen kids waiting outside with his daughter. He had called up Billy to see how things were progressing with his gift to Bella. It turns out Jacob had just finished the night before. And seeing that they had yet to visit and see Bella, Charlie invited them over. Might as well kill two birds with one stone. Wolves in this case but same difference.

He debates whether or not to honk at Bella, just to embarrass her a little but decides against it. She waves goodbye, and the other teenagers wave back. He notes that her bag is once again empty. He knows books are Bella's must be real good company, he thinks, for Bella not to check out any books.

"Had a good day?" He questions in his gruff voice.

"Yeah, I met Rosalie today."

He wonders if her day was great because she met Rosalie or if those two are mutually independent. "And Rosalie is… the blonde one?" He thinks about how many children the Cullens have and hesitantly thinks he remembers correctly that there are 2 girls and 3 boys.

"Yes, Dad. Alice is the short one. And Emmett's the tall one."

"Hmm."

"Hmm." Bella repeats. "So Billy and Jacob are on their way?"

"Oh. Yeah. I told them I would go pick you up. Hopefully we get there first."

"At this rate? Dad, you gotta go faster! You're the Chief of Police, it's fine. Pedal to the metal! Step on it Dad! Vroom vroom!" She even places her hands in the air and mimes a steering wheel, lifting her knee and setting it back down in an exaggerated fashion. Be Spongebob, she wants to say but is unsure if Charlie will get that reference.

Charlie chuckles at her display and slightly presses down harder on the pedal.

000

They get there just as Billy is settling down into his wheelchair, Jacob standing not far from him and watching as the Swans arrive. He waves. She waves back.

What Bella doesn't expect is the other truck. She wonders whose it is and what is it doing here. It's a nice truck, an older truck, she admires. It's a faded sort of red color that's probably seen many things in its long mechanical life.

They get out of Charlie's cruiser and get closer to greet them.

"Heya Bella," Bill greets first. "Looking good."

"Thanks, you too. Still dancing?"

"Obviously." He spins his wheelchair in place, wide friendly smile in place. "Charlie's been talking nonstop about how you're staying for good, s'that true?"

"Very true, " Bella answers as she hears Charlie mutter something along the lines of keep exaggerating and I'll roll you into the mud.

Bill snarks back something about ramming him in the ankles, and as the adults have their fun, Jacob steps forward to greet Bella.

"Hey Bella, good to be back? Ready to build some mud pies again?" She rolls her eyes and steps forward into his open embrace and pats him on the back firmly. They played together as children, all three of the Black kids and little tiny Bella. But seeing as Jacob was 3 to her 4 years when she moved to California, he didn't remember much of their time together when she started to regularly visit at 8 years old.

The last time she made a mud pie might've been when she was 8. She told him they used to make some when they were younger and Jacob took that as an opportunity to make it a competition to see who would make the better mud and sandcastles.

"You know mine's going to be the better one." It's his turn to roll his eyes. She steps back to take him in and he's grown taller damnit. She would always tease him that she was taller. He looks the same as the last time she saw him. His long hair has a few braids woven into it this time and he's got the same toothy smile. "Nice hair."

He's about to give his thanks when Charlie comes over to the truck. He pats the truck and the resulting thunk is loud enough to gain their attention. "So? What do you think?"

"What?" Does he mean the truck? What else could he be talking about?

"Your homecoming present," he clarifies, "my cruiser is too much for you hip teenagers, isn't it?"

Bella laughs a disbelieving laugh. "No way! This? Oh my god, this is amazing, she's a beauty!"

"I rebuilt the engine!" Jacob pipes up proudly.

She gives the truck another once over as if to ensure that this is indeed reality. In her excitement to get in the truck, she barely registers that she's whacked Jacob with her door. "Sorry!"

She takes in the homey inside before rolling down the window and leaning out of it. "Waaait. How expensive was this? Daaad…"

"No." He holds up a finger in the air. "Your mother and I split the cost, don't worry about it." She narrows her eyes at him but lets it go because he's just as stubborn as she is. Her mom always says she got that from him. She doesn't quite like it when people spend a lot of money for her.

She's not entirely sure where she got that from. Or who, rather.

She retreats back into the truck and Jacob's there, ready to inform her of the truck's quirks. "Okay so, you gotta double pump the clutch when you shift. Um, the radio's a bit old and starting to get spotty. I can fix that later if you want."

And sure enough, she pumps it twice to get it to work, the engine absolutely roaring to life. It's loud and she thinks there's plenty of life left in this truck. She also silently thanks Reneé for teaching her manual before teaching her standard. They had to borrow a friend's car for it.

"This is amazing," she voices again, awed. And it absolutely is. She doesn't have to walk to school or have Charlie drop her off and pick her up. She's independent now damnit. It's an exciting feeling. Fuck, she can even sleep in! With her mother teaching classes, as well as morning classes to make some extra money, Bella's been waking up at the buttcrack of dawn since forever it seems. She got to sleep in minisculely since she started high school but it was a minimal difference.

"Anyone up for a game?" Bella looks out the window at Charlie's voice. She'd have to try out the truck - her truck now - some other time.

"That's why we came over. Besides the truck of course. Here," Billy hands Harry's famous fish fry to Charlie. Or rather, he shoves it at Charlie's stomach and leaves him to fumble with it, careful not to drop the brown bag filled with delicious treasure. Billy heads towards the house and rolls his way up on the additional ramp that was made just for him.

The older duo is followed shortly after by the younger duo, once Jacob finishes detailing to Bella the rest of the truck's quirks and what to look for. Bella is completely uninterested in whatever game is playing on the television. She even has her phone out and hidden by a throw pillow, but she appreciates the atmosphere and is just content to sit there (rather cluelessly) with family.

She wants to lament the end of summer but can't quite bring herself to do so. She's happy here. She's met new people here, who she very much enjoys the company of. Instead, she looks forward to the start of school, which is next Tuesday, only a few short days away. She looks forward to getting back to work and in the swing of things. She looks forward to seeing Angela daily. She looks forward to her potential classes. She looks forward to hanging out with the Cullen kids again.

She especially looks forward to that. And if that's due to a certain blond and Bella's own boundless curiosity, well..

Bella coughs to try to ease what she feels is a slight blush coming on. She focuses her attention back to the cute gay shit that she's been scrolling through on Tumblr, that godawful and occasionally alright, place. She jostled slightly on the recliner when she hears cheers from the men.

000

AN - Wow, college. It's been really different and I quite like most of my classes and the general place. It's gorgeous here. Unfortunately it means that I have less time to myself, and therefore less time for writing. I will probably be back to writing in December-ish or so. My friend and I brainstormed some really great AU's that I would love to eventually write...Most of this chapter was already done, and I really wanted to write the school scene but I suppose that's for chapter 6. I vaguely proofread it so let me know about mistakes.

I'm glad you all seemed to like their meeting. I was worried it would be odd or something. Yes, the Cullens are still vampires in this, just a little different. Thank you all for reading. I love reviews, I get such a rush when I read them. I also get a rush when I post because I'm just so excited. See you all in December, it'll be here before you know it!

SH4D0W44 - Me lo pasé muy bien en México. Encontré una serpiente de cascabel ... visité un par de lugares nuevos. Fantástico! Lo extraño un poco.