AN: Thank you to my reviewers; Guest, teacupdestiny, serenity1006, Anony, and sarahmicaela88. To teacupdestiny, in a previous chapter I mentioned Bella always showers before Sam comes home at night, that's how I'm getting around the scent thing, so I thought I'd clear that up. And to sarahmicaela88, things are going to start picking up soon, just hold on a while longer, it will hopefully be worth your wait! Thank you all for your reviews, I love reading them.
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Chapter Thirty Seven: At First Sight.
Finals had ended and the prom was being advised on colourful flyers around La Push High School. The previously academically pressured students were now rising to high spirits once more and the older students were obsessing over the prom. Edward had invited me to be his date at Forks' High School's prom, and Alice had begged me to accept, but I refused. I had promised Sam and Jacob I would attend the celebrations in La Push that night. Never had I been one for ball gowns and stiletto heels, and dating Edward had not changed that, despite Alice's efforts. So, as I pulled on a warm, hooded sweater, I couldn't help but be thankful I'd be spared that fashion disaster waiting for an accident, curtsey of clumsy me.
In La Push, bonfires were famous among the locals. It seemed to be a personal preference for festivities over formal occasions. Tonight most of the La Push teenage population would be down on First Beach, and the senior prom attenders would join the younger students once their organised celebration ended. Leah and Sam would have attended the senior prom, but Leah's cousin had travelled down to visit for the weekend, so they had decided to all attend the celebrations on the beach. I couldn't wait to simply spend time with my friends, it had been far too long since we'd all hung out and had fun.
Securing my laces, I jogged down the stairs and found Sam in the kitchen with Leah. My face flamed in embarrassment when I realised their compromising position. As the final step creaked underfoot, Sam drew back and smiled at Leah. She grinned back and drew him back for another kiss, which I coughed awkwardly to prevent.
"Oh, Bella!" Leah blushed, "I didn't realise you were ready."
"Um, yeah." I nodded, not making eye contact, "If you guys want to stay here, I can go down to the beach on my own?" In the past few weeks, Sam and Leah had seemed strained in their relationship, and if a little alone time would solve that, I was all for it. I could always bunk at Jake's to allow them plenty of time to resolve their issues.
"Don't be silly, of course we're coming." Leah pushed out of Sam's arms, "Emily is driving over now to pick us up."
At that moment, a car horn beeped quickly twice, as it rolled down the driveway. As I went to open the door, I noticed Sam grab Leah's waist once more, and she giggled as their lips met again. Emily hopped out of Leah's old hatchback. Emily often visited during the holidays and occasionally for weekends. She was beautiful and kind and motherly. Leah and Emily were more like sisters than cousins, which meant Sam and I had spent many summer days with the two girls. Emily reached over for a hug as a greeting, pressing her smooth right cheek against mine.
"Bella!" She drew back and smiled warmly at me, "I haven't seen you in so long! How've you been?"
"I've been good." I nodded back, "Sam and Leah are currently making out in my kitchen, so I'll have to disinfect it later." Emily and I regularly teased Sam and Leah's overly expressive relationship, all too used to their public displays of affection over the past three years, though they were more sweet than obnoxious.
"Come on, lovebirds, we have a party to get to!" Emily called through the screen door, sending me a wink, "Or do we need to douse you in water like a pair of dogs?"
"Emily!" Leah squealed and burst through the door. Wrapping an arm around her cousin's shoulders, she beamed at the two of us, "Ever so tactful."
"I'm merely keeping up with you, dear cousin." She jested back. They shared a laugh and Leah threw her other arm around me. It felt like warm summer days and stomach aching laughter to be so close with the two girls. I could almost see a kaleidoscope of memories before our eyes, as Leah pulled us to the awaiting car. Leah slid into the driver's seat and began fiddling with the dodgy radio, while Emily wandered around to the other side.
"Wait! I forgot the potato salad!" I had a flash of recall and I hurried back. Sam sighed good-naturedly and opened the front door once more.
"Do you want shotgun, Sam?" Emily called, while I rummaged in the fridge.
"Shotgun." Sam replied.
Locating the food container, I slammed the fridge closed. As I stepped out onto the porch, I noticed Sam was stood poker straight, his gaze far in the distance. I closed the front door loudly, attempting to prompt him into action. But he remained frozen. I followed his gaze, but saw nothing but trees beyond the car door Emily had just shut behind herself.
"Sam?" I nudged his arm with the cold container and he flinched away, "Everything okay?"
"What?" He looked down at me, a dazed look still in his eyes. Raising my eyebrows, I flicked the keys dangling from his fingertips, "Oh, right, the door."
"Are you okay?" I asked, glancing behind us to make sure the others hadn't noticed his odd behaviour. Sam sometimes did this; staring off into the distance. It was as if he was listening for something or searching for shadows in the dark. When I asked, he merely said he thought he heard something outside. But I never heard anything. It was concerning, but it was one of a number of Sam's new, odd behaviours I tried to ignore.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Sam shook his head clear and a pink tinge coloured the apples of his cheeks, "I'm good."
"Okay then, let's go." I smiled and tried to push this incident from my mind, as I joined Emily in the back of the car.
When Sam cramped himself into the small vehicle, I noticed his gaze kept flicking to the rear-view mirror. He still seemed to be distracted, with a worried smile twisted his lips. I kicked the back of his seat and he turned to look at me. Showing him my concerned frown, he responded with a shrug, but didn't stop looking back at the mirror throughout the journey. It was as if he was transfixed with whatever he found there, almost mesmerised.