Thank you all that favorites and follows this story, and of course thank you for the reviews. I love you all already!
Waking up in the morning has proved to be more difficult than I predicted.
Bella's constant screaming during the night kept me up, leaving me with no sleep. Never-the-less, I still got up at 9 o'clock sharp to get ready for the day. The easiest part of my mornings are taking a shower and getting dressed; I figured that out quick. Yesterday was spent mostly by myself since dad was at work and Bella was at school- not that when Bella was home it felt like I was any less alone. Apparently she had a job at the Newton's hiking shop. Imagine my shock and worry when Bella didn't come home after work. I ended up calling dad frantically before he explained to me that Bella was working until late. If only someone told me, I wouldn't have almost had a heart attack.
I dressed quickly after I was out of the shower and hurried doing my hair. I mostly left it in it's natural wave since it was the only type of curl that my hair seemed to hold for more than a few hours. I did minimal makeup; unlike Bella who seemed to repel anything that had to do with girly things, as she liked to call them. I gave up trying to get her to wear makeup back when we were fourteen. Like I said, she repels it all.
A knock on my bedroom door interrupted me from finishing my mascara. I sighed as I looked between the mirror and the door. I didn't want to get up from my spot and disrupt my me-time; in reality it's just me doing my makeup. "Come in." I shouted towards the door as I resumed finishing up the final touches.
I barely looked up when the door opened, I just continued what I was doing. That is until I felt a presence behind me. I looked up to look at the intruder through the mirror to see Bella watching me silently. If it were anybody else, I would have been unnerved from them watching me do my makeup. Since it was Bella, I didn't think anything of the situation. She used to watch me do my makeup all the time when we lived together in Phoenix. She never liked to wear makeup, but for some reason she found some enjoyment in watching me do my own.
"Yes, Bells?" I gave her a small smile through the mirror before closing the mascara, giving her my full attention. It wasn't that Bella needed the reassurance that I was listening, I just felt like I owed her my attention since she was the one that was hurting. Call it sister-intuition.
"I'm going to head out for the day, and I was wondering if you wanted to join." Another thing I learned from just a couple days: I had to really listen to what Bella was saying. She almost mumbled everything under her breath like she was scared of speaking louder.
"Yeah," I nodded my head with a smile. "Where are we heading?"
Bella looked behind her to the open door, "I'll tell you in the truck."
I didn't know why she was being hush-hush about where we were going, but I just nodded my head. I trusted that it wouldn't be something stupid or reckless. "Yeah, okay." I nodded my head as I got up from my seat at my mirror. "I just need to slip on my boots then we can go?" She nodded her head in confirmation.
I grabbed my tan Timberland work boots and my North Face sweat shirt because I knew that it was getting colder outside- not that it was ever not cold here. "Okay, ready to go."
We walked into the den to see dad getting ready to leave for work. He looked up once we both entered the room and Bella reached forward to grab her jacket off the couch. "Where are you two heading today?" He looked at me but I just silently shrugged my shoulders and nodded my head towards Bella. He raised his eyebrows before looking at Bella for an answer.
"We're going to the Blacks'." Bella answered, but I could tell she was holding something back. Otherwise she would have just told me we were visiting the Black's household today instead of saying she'll tell me in the truck. "I want to visit Jacob. I haven't seen him in months and I figured that Jules would like to come with me."
I could tell that it surprised dad to see Bella wanting to go out and do something, but he smiled brightly at her anyways. "That's a great idea, Bells."
"Can you write down the directions?" Bella asked slipping a pad of paper and a pen towards him. He nodded his head still smiling as he began to write down the directions, explaining whilst he did so.
It was silent between Bella and I for the majority of the drive towards La Push, but once the sign telling us that we were in La Push territory came into view I began to speak up, "So are you going to tell me the real reason that we are visiting the Black's?"
She bit her lip as we left the question out in the open. "You'll see when we get there." She glanced over to me carefully before flicking her eyes back to the road. I pursed my lips as I let the answer slide.
I didn't really mind visiting the Black household. I've missed Billy and Jacob- hell, I've even missed the twins, Rachel and Rebecca. Billy was always like an extended family member, always treating me like one of his kids; and I've always looked up to him. He really stepped up, being both the mother and father to his kids, even while he was in the wheelchair. I've admired his strength as much as I've admired my dads'.
As soon as I saw it, I recognized the small cottage as the Blacks' house. I remembered bits and pieces of it from my childhood. The house all together was familiar from it's wooden exterior, with it's dull red paint, to the narrow windows. It had an overall homey atmosphere. The corner of my eye catch the movement of one of the shades moving in the window, meaning that someone in the house knew we were here- not that the sound of the truck didn't tell you otherwise. Bella explained to me that dad had bought the truck for her homecoming gift from Billy himself, so they were bound to know the sound of their old truck.
I barely made it out of the truck when a teenage boy come barreling out of the house, "Bella!" I watched with mild curiosity as Bella's face lite up, even if it was just a fraction of a smile. Neither one of them payed any attention as I stepped out of the truck, closing the door behind me.
This boy was tall, with a strong build to his body. Toned arms were wrapped around my sister's waist as he picked her up off the ground with a chuckle. His sleek black hair was long down his back, close in length to my own. His natural native skin glowed even in the cloudy forecast. "Hey, Jacob!" Bella said enthusiastically, the first real smile I've seen on her all weekend. I was shocked that this was the same chubby-faced boy we used to make mud pies with when we were younger.
They both stepped away from each other with matching ecstatic smiles. "You grew again!" Bella stated as she looked up at him from our 5'4" height. He was definitely a foot taller than both of us, which I never would have expected since Billy was only about 5'10" standing up.
Jacob laughed, somehow making his smile even brighter. I was almost jealous that his smile was so white and pretty, it definitely made me insecure about my smile. "Six five." He answered quite proudly.
I stepped closer to Bella, making both of their eyes turn to me. Bella grinned as she turned to talk to Jacob, "You remember Julianne, my twin, right?" I wasn't sure why, but I was almost hopeful that he would remember me. Almost like if he didn't remember me, I would be extremely disappointed.
"It's just Jules, or Julie." I said smiling at my childhood friend.
"Of course!" Jacob smiled down at me before pulling me in for a side hug- not as showy as his and Bella's hug and somehow I was disappointed. Knock it off, Jules, he hasn't seen you since you were thirteen, I mentally slapped myself as I slipped out from underneath Jacob's arm. "You both grew into two different people. "Can hardly call you twins." Jacob joked.
"Well, we can hardly call you Jacob anymore." I said waving my hand, as if it was going to emphasis the fact that he didn't look like himself.
"Call me Jake." He smiled down at me. He waved his hand towards the house, "Come inside. You're both getting all wet."
He led the way inside, pulling up the heap of hair into a rubber band as he walked. "Hey dad!" He called out walking into the small cottage house. "Look who stopped by."
Billy looked just like I remembered him to. The same long black hair, just like his children. The same stone expression that made you intimated to meet him, until you actually got him talking. He was respected throughout the small town. The only difference was that he has gotten more wrinkles, making him look much wiser past his years. "Well, what do you know!" He smiled glancing at Bella first since she was directly behind Jacob. "It's good to see you, Bella."
Bella stepped up to shake his hand, and I almost laughed at the comparison in not only size but color. He made pale-Bella look like the living dead.
Once Bella stepped back to Jacob's side, Billy locked eyes with me. "Julianne?"
"I go by Jules, or Julie now." I smiled down at the elder.
"Of course." Billy gave me a chuckle before opening up his arms. "Come'ere." I happily reached down to give Billy a hug. I was almost afraid that he wouldn't recognize me, as I was with Jacob. "My, you've grown up well." He commented as we broke apart from the hug.
"And you," I said taking a step back. "Still look like you did when I was younger." I gave him a joking wink as he laughed.
"I knew there was a reason why I liked you." Billy chuckled. "What brings you both out here? Everything okay with Charlie?" His expression twisted into one of concern.
"Yes, absolutely." Bella said reassuring him quickly. "I just want to see Jacob- I haven't seen him in forever. I also knew that Jules would love to come visit." I smiled when both sets of eyes turn to me at the mention of my name. Though, Jacob looked to be thrilled that Bella said she missed him.
"Can you stay for dinner?" Billy asked eagerly. Either it was because he had company or because he was happy Bella and I were here, I wasn't sure.
"No, we've got to feed Charlie. After all these years, he hasn't learned how to cook a simple dinner." I joked making Billy and Jacob laugh lightly.
"I'll call him now," Billy waved off me off with a smile. "He's always invited."
I opened my mouth to tell him that it was a good idea when Bella laughed uncomfortably. I looked over at her in question, but she ignored me. "It's not like you'll never see us again. I promise we'll be back again soon- so much you'll get sick of us."
Billy chuckled letting it go but I wasn't too easy. "Okay, maybe next time." He agreed.
"So, what do you both want to do?" Jacob asked smiling down at the both of us.
"Whatever." Bella shrugged her shoulders, still smiling. I've seen her fake some smiles recently, but this one seemed genuine. There was something about Jacob that made her happy, and I was thankful towards him even if he didn't realize it.
"What were you doing before we interrupted?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest lightly as I relaxed in the familiarity of the house.
Jacob rubbed the back of his neck as he hesitated. "I was just heading out to work on my car, but we can do something else-"
"No, that's perfect." Bella interrupted with an almost forced smile. Jacob didn't seem to notice. "I'd love to see your car." Bella seemed very jumpy today. I suppose I shouldn't complain too much, jumpy-Bella is better than depressed-Bella.
"Okay," Jacob said looking over at me and I just shrugged my shoulders lightly. "It's out back, in the garage." He pointed over his shoulder, pointing to the backyard.
Bella smiled before waving at Billy, "See you later."
"I'll say goodbye before I leave." I promised as I patted Billy on the shoulder. He gripped my hand lightly before nodding his head.
"Go have fun."
The garage was set further in the property line surrounded by outgrown shrubbery and trees. You could only see bits of the garage from the back porch of the house. The garage wasn't anything special, but it was somehow comfortable. I closed the entrance door behind us before really taking a look around the small space. It looked like a men's cave with dirty rags and car parts scatters across the floor. I kept my eyes on the ground as I made my way over towards Bella and Jacob in the center of the garage.
"What kind of Volkswagen is that?" Bella asked pointing to the car in the middle of the garage. How could I have missed that?
"It's an old Rabbit." Jacob answered.
"1980's, right?" I asked looking at the unique style of the vehicle. I was almost thankful that Phil decided to teach me about cars when I was growing up. It was useful knowledge.
"1986, to be precise." Jake correctly lightly with a laugh. "How'd you guess?"
"Uh, step-dad taught me about cars when I was growing up. Nothing too extreme, just a few basics." I shrugged my shoulders.
Jake looked like he was going to comment further but Bella interrupted, "How's it coming?"
"Almost finished." Jacob smiled proudly. He turned back towards me, "I rebuilt the whole thing from scratch."
I gave him a surprised laugh as I looked down at the almost complete Rabbit. "Seriously?"
"Yup." He nodded his head, obviously holding his head high.
Bella gave me an unknown gaze, "Jacob," He turned his head to look down at her. "What do you know about motorcycles?" Why was Bella asking about motorcycles?
Jacob shrugged, "Some. My friend Embry has a dirt bike. We work on it together sometimes. Why?"
"Well..." Bella bit her lip as she paused, probably weighing her options in her head. Jacob and I stood quietly waiting for Bella to make up her mind. "I recently acquired a couple of bikes, and they're not in the greatest condition. I wonder if you could get them running?"
"Bella!"
Bella, again, bit her lip as she looked at me. "Julie, please don't tell dad."
I just continued looking at her like she was crazy, and I was about 89% positive that she was. "Bella, what made you decide to get bikes? You know if dad finds out-"
"He's not going to." Bella shook her head. "Please. For me."
It was my turn to bit my lip. I just shook my head with a sigh. "I was dragged into it and blackmailed."
"Deal." She smiled before turning back to Jacob.
"I'll give it a try." Jacob shrugged his shoulders, not bothered that Bella and I had a disagreement right in front of him. In fact, I don't think his smile looked any brighter than right now. Probably due to the fact that he had a new project to work on now; a new challenge.
"If you couldn't tell from Bella and I's disagreement, you can't tell Billy." I said leaning up against on of the counters in the little space.
"Sure, sure." Jacob agreed easily. "I understand."
"I'll pay you." Bella offered.
Jacob looked almost offended that Bella suggested that she'd pay him. "No. I want to help. You can't pay me." He shook his head looking down at Bella.
She pursed her lips, "How about a trade, then?" Jacob's eyebrows went up in wonder as Bella continued, "I only need one bike- Jules and I can share. And since we'll both need lessons, how about this? I'll give you the other bike, and then you can teach us."
"Who says I need lessons?" I smirked looking over at Bella.
"What? You just got on my case about buying motorcycles and you've ridden one before?" Bella narrowed her eyes at the same time that she put her hands on her hips. It reminded me of times that I got lectured by mom back in Jacksonville.
"I wouldn't be stupid enough to actually buy one, Bella." I laughed.
She huffed but let the conversation go, for now. "So when will you bring them down?" Jacob asked crossing his arms against his chest. The muscles in his arms bulged out and I was momentarily distracted before Bella's voice broke through.
"They're in my truck now." She bit her lip, almost like she was embarrassed to admit it.
"Great."
"Will Billy see if we bring them around?" I asked making sure that we were going to be in the clear.
Jacob laughed as he winked down at me, "We'll be sneaky."
We rushed to try and get the bikes into the garage as quickly as we could, just in case Billy decided to look out the window. Bella was on lookout while I was helping Jacob bring the bikes down from the back of the truck. I was stunned into silence when Jacob easily picked up the bike, almost like it weighed nothing more than 20 lbs.
"These aren't half bad." Jacob nodded his head as we walked them back towards the garage. Jacob had the black one while I was pushing the red one. Bella was on door-duty; opening and closing the door for us. "This one here will actually be worth something when I'm done- it's an old Harley Sprint."
"That one's yours, then." Bella said as she closed the door behind us.
Jacob raised his eyebrow, "Are you sure?"
"Absolutely."
"These are going to take some cash, guys." I said looking down at the rusty parts. I didn't know much about motorcycle parks, but I knew that most of them were going to need to be fixed up, if not replaced all together. "I know I have some money in my savings from my job back in Jacksonville."
"I'll pick up the rest." Bella spoke up before Jacob could offer. "If you're doing this for free, than we'll pay for the parts."
"I don't know..." Jacob looked at both of us.
I shook my head, "It's fine. We both have the money. No worries." I'll just have to think about getting another job soon.
"Alright." Jacob nodded his head. "Well, let's get started."