Title: His Biggest Regret.
By: LaHote's Girl
Summary: Paul LaHote has one major regret in his life. He lost his best friend and the girl who meant everything to him due to a stupid mistake. Four years later she returns, but is she still the same girl everyone remembered her to be? Or has she changed? Will Paul be able to fix the mistake he made all those years ago, or will she be forever just out of his reach?
This is All Human by the way.
A/N: Okay so here's chapter 2. Good God I'm tired. Hope you enjoy. Hopefully this chapter will be as long as the previous. It'll probably take a day or two since I'm constantly playing gopher for my mother dealing with my father.
It's been suggested that Leah and Jared get their comeuppance for the rift they caused in Bella and Pauls friendship and what could have been relationship so I have decided to introduce Karma… Hopefully you all know what Karma is but if not
Karma is to put it simply: If you do good; good will come back on you. If you do bad; you will get bad back.
Anywho… Chapter 2 here we come…
Previously:
I slipped into the dining room behind his chair and put my hands on his shoulders. He jumped and turned his head to the side and apparently saw me out of his peripherals.
"Bells?" He asked, "Your home?"
"Yea for a bit wound up house sitting for Sam." I said. He turned his chair around and pulled me down for a hug.
"Welcome home." He said. And with that phrase coming from him I finally did feel like I was home.
Now:
Chapter 2 Karma's A Bitch
Bella's POV:
"Was I too harsh on them?" I asked Billy after I told him and Jake about my diatribe towards Jared and Leah, as well as what I said to Paul.
"You could have been worse." Billy said, "You could have been much worse."
"Bells when did you become a bad ass?" Jake asked.
"I had to." I said, "I couldn't allow my true feelings to show over the past five years."
"The past doesn't matter now." Billy said, "You're home, even for a little while you're home and I can eat real food." I looked at Jake with a raised eyebrow.
"Well since my sisters don't come home often, Dad and I can't cook so either we eat those microwave dinners or Angela; my Girlfriend cooks. She's not the best." Jake said with a shrug, "She knows this but won't accept defeat."
"So what's going on? I've noticed a lot of newly renovated houses around here not to mention houses that have been rebuilt." I said.
"Oh that was Paul and his Crew." Jake said.
"Huh?" Was my witty retort.
"LaHote Construction either renovated or rebuilt homes to make living on the Rez better. The council paid for those who couldn't. In fact I know he redid You, Sam, and Emily's place." My eyes widened.
"I completely forgot that he was great with carpentry and construction." I said as that memory formed itself in my head.
*Flashback*
"Hey Paul?" I said as we walked down one of the many paths to Second Beach, Surfboards under our arms.
"What's up Bells?" He asked looking over to me.
"Have you ever given thought to what you want to do after we graduate?" I asked
"Oh easy I want to be a pro Surfer." He said jokingly.
"Seriously Paul what do you want to do?" I asked laughing.
"I want to build things. Homes, camps, buildings." He said.
"Oh so you want to go into Carpentry or Construction." I said.
"Yea what about you?" Paul asked.
"I think my first year will be spent in liberal arts classes to figure out my major." I said.
"Good God alert the media Brainiac Uley isn't sure what she wants to do." Paul said staring at me in shock. I shoved him and continued towards Second Beach. "Oh, you're serious." He said catching up to me.
"Yes I'm serious. I want act but I don't know if I'll ever do that. So I'll take some liberal arts classes and go from there." I said to Paul as we exited the woods and appeared on the edges of Second Beach. We looked out at the waves, "See I told you the waves would be perfect!" I said bolting for the water. I stopped long enough to strip down to my swimsuit and then I was making my way into the waves.
"Hey wait up!" I heard Paul shout behind me.
*End Flashback*
"Bells." I snapped back to reality and saw Jakes hand wave passed my eyes.
"Sorry back." I said.
"Where'd ya go?" Jake asked.
"Down memory lane." I mumbled shaking the image of Paul from the summer between our Sophomore and Junior years of high school. That Paul was the one I loved not the person I heard talking to Leah and Jared our Senior year. That Paul had some massive groveling to do if he ever wanted to even be my friend.
Jake, Billy and I talked for a while longer before I decided to head back home. Jake offered to give me a ride but retracted the offer when he saw my look of disbelief. I gave Billy a hug and told him I'd be by in the morning to make breakfast and prepare dinner so Angela didn't have to cook. Jake walked me out to the woods and pulled me into a hug.
"Call us when you get back so we know you're okay." Jake said, I looked at him balefully, "I just got you back Cuz I don't want to lose you again and we've had some assholes from Forks wandering the trails here."
"I'll be fine Jake I grew up with a group of guys as friends and Leah." I said and I knew instinctively my nose curled at the name. "You guys and Sam taught me self defense and I kept it up in college." I said and headed off into the woods along the quickest path home. Every path around here held memories. Paul and I had traversed each path, memorizing each and every one since the day our mothers and Sam would let us out of their sight.
I remembered the runs we did through these paths; a large rock over there he'd jump it. A fallen log in my way I'd vault over it. Sam always knew where my muscle came from. He had at one time suggested I try a sport more feminine. This was during my Freshman year. Sam hadn't made it out unscathed with that suggestion. We wound up fighting in the backyard; which only ended when Paul pulled me off my brother.
*flashback*
"Bells maybe you should consider a new sport." Sam said. "Maybe something like cheering."
"What?" I asked shocked.
"I just think since you're in High School now maybe you should get into something that calls for a skirt." Sam said.
"Oh don't you go sexist on my Samuel." I said advancing towards him. Mom opened the back door and Sam took off out the door. I rolled my eyes and took off after him. I was forever grateful I was graced with the Uley height and long legs as I sprinted after him.
"Bells." Mom called, as I launched myself at Sam and took him down from behind. "Try not to get too bruised up this time."
"Give up Sis." Sam said with a smirk before flipping me off him and pinning me to the ground; my knees against my chest and his hands holding my shoulders to the ground. He had me in the weight department but he always forgot one key detail.
"Why would I give up?" I said wrapping my hands around his biceps and with the smirk that mirrored his. I pushed up with my knees and legs sending him off me. This wrestling went on for about fifteen minutes until we heard Paul's voice.
"Again? Sam what did you do now?" Paul asked.
"Why do you think I always start these things?" Sam asked.
"He was being sexist." I said turning my head to Paul. That was the opening Sam needed to try and know me to the ground. I turned my head back just in time for his elbow to connect with my cheek as he attempted to rotate his upper body to do so. I watched his eyes widen.
"Shit, Bells you alright?" He asked as I stood rubbing my cheekbone. He stood and approached me, concern evident in his eyes. I grinned at him.
"Your concern makes you weak Brother." I said before aiming low and swiping his legs out from under him. Sam hit the ground with a groaned. I grinned down at him until he hand snaked out and yanked me down so quick my head thudded against the ground. I heard Sam chuckle as I saw stars. I pulled myself into a crouch and pounced on top of him. Paul sighed before coming over and pulling me off Sam.
"Okay enough." Paul said pulling me off of Sam. My foot kicked out from pure instinct and connected with Sam's shin. He hissed and I remembered I was in steel toed sneakers.
"Sorry Sam." I said quickly as he stood.
"Chill Sis this makes us even for the bruise." Sam said. Paul set me down and Sam pulled me into a hug. "I still say you should try out for cheering." He said.
"No thank you." I said through clenched teeth.
"Fine fine." Sam conceded. "At least go put on a sports bra so we can see if you have any other bruises." He said. I did as I was told. Sam and Paul looked my back over and there were a few bruises but nothing serious. Sam checked my head and felt a slight bump but shrugged it off.
Halfway through School the following day Sam's Girlfriend Maya came up to me with a question.
"Why did your Brother show up at my house last night limping? And why is your cheek bruised?" I rolled my eyes.
"We had a tussle in the backyard yesterday after he said I should do something more feminine and try out for cheering." I said.
"So you fought with your Brother. You'll never find a guy by wrestling with them." Maya said, "You've spent too much time around guys. If it weren't for the fact that you look female anyone would think you were a guy the way you acted." With that said she walked off.
*End Flashback*
I couldn't let myself act like a girl. Just the thought of it made me shudder. I sighed as I thought about my conversation with Paul about it that weekend while waiting for a decent wave.
*Flashback*
"Hey Paul?" I asked
"Yea Bells what's up?"
"Do you think I should be more 'girly'?" I asked.
"Why do you ask?" Paul looked confused.
"Maya said that if it weren't for the fact that I look female then everyone would think I was male the way I act." I said.
"Bells you're perfect the way you are." Paul said and my heart swelled, "You'll find the right guy who can except you as the Tomboy you are. Now if I could just get the girl I've been watching since sixth grade to even acknowledge my feelings toward her then we would both be good to go." And my heart sunk.
"Yea," I murmured turning my eyes back to the waves. I saw one and headed for it.
*End Flashback*
I cleared my mind of all things Paul and rand the rest of the way back to Sam's, jumping rocks, vaulting over fallen trees, and slipping passed puddles I saw a fallen tree up ahead and picked up my pace. I was about to vault over it when one of my hands slipped. My jaw bounced off the tree as my vault failed. I hit the ground and groaned. I sat up with my back against the tree as I ran my hand along my jaw and pulled back to see there was blood on my hand.
"Great. Just great." I said. I pressed my hand to my jaw to apply pressure when a hand appeared in my view holding what looked like a clean rag. "Thanks." I said taking it from the russet colored hand. I pressed it against my jaw and was going to leave it there when the hand slid under mine and tilted my head up, and there stood Paul.
"Let me see." Paul said.
"I'll be fine." I said about to remove my chin from his hand.
"Bella just let me look." He said softly.
"Paul seriously I'll live." I told him as I pushed myself into a standing position with my free hand. I took a deep breath and held back the urge to wince. "Damn rain." I muttered realizing what had caused my hand to slip.
"You sure you're not just out of practice." Paul joked.
"Not at all. I work out all the time. There just aren't any woods nearby for me to run in." I said. I pulled my chin from his hand and checked my jaw. Still bleeding. "I'll get the rag back to you, after I've washed the blood from it." I said walking away.
"Damn it Bells!" Paul snapped. "Don't walk away from me again."
"I kind of have to Paul. I need to get this cleaned up and covered." I said in a resigned voice.
"Well then." Paul said grabbing my free hand by the wrist and started walked down a different path. I realized what path this would lead to and dug my heels into the soft earth.
"No way. I am not going to your house Paul." I said.
"Bella it's closer and I have a first aid kit." Paul said.
"Well there's a first time for everything." I said. He turned and glowered at me.
"I happen to have one in my house and in my Truck." Paul said. "Come on Bells just let me help you."
"I don't need help." I said pulling my wrist free and tossing him the rag. "Soak it in bleach before washing it in with your whites." I said as I turned and sprinted back down the path we came from and hurrying back to my home. I walked in the front door and Sam was the only one up.
Apparently my jaw was still bleeding because Sam's eyes widened almost comically as he stood from his chair and made his way over to me.
"What happened?" He asked.
"Went to vault over a fallen tree and my hand landed on a spot on the tree that was still wet from some rain. My jaw met the tree and then I met the ground." I said as Sam examined my jaw before dragging me up the stairs to the bathroom. He pushed me towards the closed toilet. I opted to sit on the sink instead.
"So did you run all the way here bleeding?" He asked as he pulled out a bag of cotton balls, a bottle of alcohol and a bottle of peroxide.
"No, Paul wound up on that path. Again. He had a rag he let me use. I threw it back at him before I sprinted back here." I said then hissed when he applied an alcohol soaked cotton ball to my jaw. "Damn it!" I growled.
"Hey you still have peroxide to deal with." He said with a chuckle.
"That shit I can handle." I bit back.
"Yea you always were weird that way. Hiss over alcohol, but calm and collective when its peroxide." H said. "So how's Billy?"
"Apparently glad I'm back to cook for him. Seems Jake's Girlfriend Angela can't cook that well." I said.
"No wonder I see a food delivery car every night on my way home from work." Sam said. He soaked another cotton ball this time in peroxide and began to completely clean my wound. When that was done he put one butterfly band aid on it. "There Sis you're all good." Sam said before kissing the crown of my head. That had been a habit of his since he was ten and I was seven. I had been a Tomboy since before I started school. Well that's what you get when you hang out with your older brother two boys your age and one girl who was the same as you. Mom couldn't get me in a dress and she was lucky if she could get me into a skirt.
I hopped off the sink and hugged Sam. "Let's get some sleep." I told him. "You have a Honeymoon to leave for tomorrow and this actor needs her beauty sleep." I joked.
"Beauty sleep Bells?" He asked with a raised eyebrow, "I didn't even know that phase was in your vocabulary."
"You did meet Rose today correct?" I asked.
"Touché." He said. "Good night Bells. I'll see you in the morning." Sam held me a few moments longer before releasing the hug and heading downstairs while I headed for my room. I closed the bedroom door behind me as I stepped through it. One of the guys had brought my Board up to my room and had put it against the wall by my window.
I got changed and was about to climb into bed when there was a tap on my window. I walked over to it and pushed the window pane up. Paul was perched just outside of the window as there was a roof over the porch he could easily climb up onto it.
"What do you want Paul?" I asked already exasperated about seeing him for like the fourth or fifth time in less than twenty-four hours.
"How's your jaw?" He asked.
"Paul LaHote I know you didn't come here to ask my about my jaw." I said in a low tone.
Paul's POV:
I had been heading back home when I saw her slip while vaulting over the fallen tree. I knew that cracking her jaw on that tree would draw blood but I wasn't expecting her to hit the ground with a groan.
"Great. Just great." Bells muttered. I handed her a clean rag from my back pocket and passed it to her. "Thanks." She said taking it from my russet colored hand. She pressed it against her jaw and was going to leave it there when my hand slid under hers and I tilted her head up, looked down at her.
"Let me see." I said.
"I'll be fine." She said about to remove her chin from my hand.
"Bella just let me look." I said softly.
"Paul seriously I'll live." She told me while pushing herself into a standing position with her free hand. She took a deep breath and I saw her hold back the urge to wince. "Damn rain." She muttered realizing what had caused her hand to slip.
"You sure you're not just out of practice." I joked.
"Not at all. I work out all the time. There just aren't any woods nearby for me to run in." She said. She pulled her chin from my hand and checked her jaw. Still bleeding. "I'll get the rag back to you, after I've washed the blood from it." She said walking away.
"Damn it Bells!" I snapped. "Don't walk away from me again."
"I kind of have to Paul. I need to get this cleaned up and covered." Bells said in a resigned voice.
"Well then." I said grabbing Bella's free hand by the wrist and started walked down a different path. I was taking the path that would lead to my house and Bells must have realized this because she dug her heels into the soft earth.
"No way. I am not going to your house Paul." She said.
"Bella it's closer and I have a first aid kit." I tried to reason.
"Well there's a first time for everything." Bella said. I turned and glowered at her.
"I happen to have one in my house and in my Truck." I told her. "Come on Bells just let me help you."
"I don't need help." Bella said pulling her wrist free and tossing me the rag. "Soak it in bleach before washing it in with your whites." Bells said as she turned and sprinted back down the path we came from and hurrying back to her home.
I watched Bell's sprint away and sighed sadly. I just wanted to apologize to her and help her, but she's like the prey a wolf would stalk. She was wary to be around me when we were alone, but she tore Leah and Jared each a new asshole when she reamed them out on her way to the Blacks.
I walked into my house and went to the kitchen to make a sandwich and grab a beer. With the food and the can of beer in hand I made my way back to my office to deal with paperwork. As I sat down my eyes drifted to the drawer that held the picture. I pulled it out and placed it on the desk. With Bells home for now it seemed like a fair thing to put the picture on the desk where it belonged.
I started sorting through the paperwork that James, the days crew chief had brought in and left on my desk after work. When I was finished sorting I went through each pile and stopped when I saw a form for a new window. I grabbed the phone and dialed James' number.
"James Witherdale." James said.
"What's this form for a new window?" I asked him.
"Oh hey boss." James said, "We had an incident with one of the windows and we need a replacement for it." James said.
"What happened?" I asked.
"Well," James paused, "Felix and Demitri were moving the window to where we needed it, Alec slipped from the roof, the window was dropped while Demitri went to catch Alec." James said.
"How did Alec slip off the roof?" I asked.
"We aren't entirely sure," James said, "Laurent was up there on the other end so he wasn't even sure." I heard my front door slam open and then shut before I heard someone making their way determinedly to my office.
"Alright James we will discuss this further tomorrow." I said.
"Alright boss. See you tomorrow." James said before I ended the call. I looked up to find Claire and Angela leading a crying Leah into the office.
"Leah what happened?" I asked as the two girls managed to get Leah to sit in the chair across from me.
"Jason decided he wanted a break." Claire said, "He's staying with Embry and Kya."
"Why?" I asked.
"For the same reason Kim will be staying with Quil and I." Claire said.
"She's leaving Jared?" I asked her.
"No just a break. I can't believe what he and Leah goaded you into saying about Bella." Claire said.
"That doesn't explain why Jason wanted a break from Leah." I said.
"Are you thick?" Claire asked.
"Leah tell Paul what happened." Angela said a Leah calmed down enough to talk.
"I got home after you, Jared and I got reamed out by Bella and Jason was sitting on the couch." Leah said.
*Flashback*
Third person POV:
Leah entered the house and saw Jason sitting on the couch; he seemed to be pondering something. Leah walked over and sat next to him putting her hand on his.
"Jason, you alright?" She asked.
"Is what Paul said to those guys at the beach today true?" Jason asked Leah looked down.
"About the Halfbreed?" Leah asked to clarify.
"She has a name Leah." Jason said, "Though whether it's Izz Shaw or Bella Uley I'm not sure which one to use."
"You don't know her why are you defending her?" Leah asked.
"Because I've been in her shoes." Jason said. "I was raised by my mother until she remarried so I moved up to Forks and lived with my Dad and younger Brother Riley. I started school at Forks High and dealt with everyone picking on the new kid because I was smart, and I was the Chief of Police's oldest son. That didn't matter to them."
"Jason I was stupid, petty and jealous. I couldn't understand how he could be friends with her and have feelings for her when he should have been mine." Leah said.
"Leah do you hear yourself?" Jason asked. "You sound like a petulant child."
"Jason please I was a teen who thought what I felt for Paul was love. It wasn't." Leah said.
"You need to apologize to her." Jason said. "How long has it been since she left La Push and came back?"
"Five years." Leah said, "And I had hoped that she wasn't one to hold a grudge, but turns out she can."
"What do you mean?" Jason asked.
"Paul, Jared and I ran into her in the woods. She was taking the path to the Blacks I believe, she reamed Jared and I out and then gave Paul hell before sprinting off." Leah said.
"Well I can't really blame her for holding a grudge this long." Jason said, "And until you apologize I'm going to stay with Embry and Kya."
"What?" Leah asked.
"I believe it's time for a break Leah. You neglected to tell me that part of your history and while I didn't tell you about what happened to me in High School I think what you kept from me is a bit worse." Jason said.
"But it's in the past Jason." Leah said her eyes filling with tears.
"That doesn't change the damage you, Jared and Paul caused. Did you see her today when she heard Paul's voice?" Jason asked, Leah shook her head, "Her whole body tensed. Frankly I am amazed that you guys didn't recognize her in Immune last night. Had I known her in school I would have noticed her on the big screen." Jason stood up, "Leah this isn't permanent, but I need you to realize that if we are going to continue to be together you need to fix this large mistake."
With that said he went and collected some of his clothes and toiletries. He left the house and went over to Embry and Kya's. Leah grabbed her phone and called Paul's phone but there was no answer. She called Jared.
"Hey Leah." Jared said when he answered he sounded wary.
"Hey Jar," Leah said, she could hear Kim in the background, "Is everything okay?" She asked.
"Uh no not really." Jared said, "Kim come on babe don't be like that."
"What's going on?" Leah asked tearfully.
"Kim's decided she wants a break." Jared said.
"Oh so this is a bad time." Leah said, "Alright I'll call back later." Leah hung up and called Angela.
"Hey Leah." Angela said, "What's up hun?" And with that one question Leah broke down in tears. In broken words she managed to surmise what had happened.
"J-Jason l-le-left me." She said through her tears.
"Leah I'll be right over.
*End Flashback*
Back To Paul's POV:
"So what are you going to do now?" I asked Leah.
"I was hoping you could go talk to Bella and see if she'd talk to Jared and I and maybe forgive us." Leah said.
"You're kidding me right?" We all turned to see Quil, Embry and Jake in the doorway Jared in front of them. It was Jake that asked the question.
"No I'm not." Leah said, "Paul can talk to her and make her see sense." I looked at Leah in disbelief.
"In case you haven't noticed Leah," I said, "But she hardly talks to me. So far the longest conversation I've had with her was about half an hour ago when she bashed her jaw against a fallen tree trying to vault over it." I saw Jake's eyes widen. "Don't worry Jake I helped her; well as much as she would let me; she split her jaw open a bit which drew blood. I offered to help her clean it but she refused and sprinted back to the Uley's."
Jake nodded from the couch that he, Quil and Embry had occupied while I told them about my run in with Bella. Jared was sitting in a chair nearby. I ran a hand through my shaggy hair.
"Look I've been saying this for five years, but Jason and Kim are right you two need to apologize to Bella." Embry said, "As for you Paul," He looked at me, "I believe you have some massive groveling to do."
"I know I do." I told him, "I just wish she would stick around long enough for me to." My gaze drifted to the picture on my desk and I grinned at it thinking once again to the happier times. "I'll go over to the Uley's and try to talk to her." I pushed myself up and groaned, "Let's hope she doesn't push me off the roof." I looked at the others, "Get back to your own homes I'll let you all know tomorrow how this conversation goes." They nodded and all stood to leave. Leah came up to me and hugged me.
"Paul I really didn't think she would hold a grudge this long." Leah said to me. I rolled my eyes and pulled back from her.
"I've got to go." I said walking out of the office, "You all know your way out." I called back. I took the back door which led to the woods and after running through the paths and each ending I took the route that would take me to the Uley's.
Jake's POV:
Embry, Quil and I were the last to leave. Jared had walked over to his house which was just a few doors down. Angela and Claire had gotten Leah into her car and Angela took the drivers seat. I watched them pull out and head in the direction of Leah and Jason's place before Embry, Quil and I stepped out of the house. I pulled the door shut behind me and we got into my truck and headed home.
"Do you think she's going to talk to him?" Quil asked.
"Doubtful." I said, "The better question is do you think he'll be shoved off the roof?"
"Definitely." Embry said, "But only if he makes it past Sam first." The three of us exchanged a look and Quil shuddered.
"I really wouldn't want to piss off Sam Uley." Quil said.
"Forget Sam," Embry said, "Did you not see that Emmett McCarty guy with Bella's group? That is one bear I don't want to piss off."
"Oh shit," I said, "I knew I forgot to mention something." I said sarcastically.
"Which was?" Embry asked.
"Bella's staying here for at least a week." I started and Embry and Quil grinned and cheered at the prospect of Bella being here, "And her friends from the beach will be staying with her." I said loud enough for them to hear.
"The bear is going to be here a week?" Embry asked.
"At least a week." I said pulling into Quil's place.
"You forgot to mention this at Paul's why?" Quil asked after he got out and was leaning against my window.
"Kim leaving Jared, Jason leaving Leah kind of put other things on my mind." I said with a shrug.
"Well I'll see you guys tomorrow." Quil said walking towards the house. I backed out of his driveway and headed for Embry's.
"So how did you find out they were going to be here for a week?" Embry asked.
"She came over and made dinner for Dad and I. Surprised Dad with the fact she was home. We talked she told us, and I think Dads happy he will get her cooking for a little bit." I said.
"So do you think she's ever going to forgive them?" Embry asked me.
"Honestly I think she's more likely to push Paul off the roof just because he's going to suggest it, then she's going to send Sam out to deal with him." I said and Embry winced.
"Do you remember the look on his face the day they graduated and Paul tried to talk to her?" Embry asked.
"Oh yeah I thought for sure Sam was asking Taha Aki to strike Paul down right there in the middle of the gym." I said. "I'm forever grateful that she didn't hold as big a grudge against you, Quil and I as the others." It wasn't long before we were pulling into Embry's place. He opened the door and looked back.
"No matter what happens she's not leaving La Push this time without us having some way to contact her." He said getting out of the car.
"You got that right." I said before he shut the door and headed to his porch. I pulled out of his driveway and drove to Leah's to pick up Angela. She slid into the car and we headed back home.
"So what's the whole Bella Uley deal?" Angela asked causing me to wince. I had never really mentioned that story to her.
"Bella Uley is my cousin, and was a year older than Embry, Quil and I in High School. She was a part of our group of friends though she was Paul's best friend. Leah and Jared both had a problem with her. Leah because she had a thing for Paul while Paul and Bells obviously had and still have a thing for each other, and Jared because he couldn't understand how Bells could be Paul's best friend." I paused and took a breath.
"So what happened?" Angela asked.
"About a month before Bells, Paul, Leah and Jared were due to graduate we were hanging out in the hall while Paul waited for Bells to get out of her last class. Jared and Leah were goading Paul into something that Embry, and I didn't realize till moments later would shift the balance of the friendship. You see Bella had left the classroom and had come up behind Paul just in time to hear him say he shouldn't have to lower himself to hanging out with Halfbreeds." I rolled my eyes and almost hissed out the word. "This was a lie bear in mind. That and how he only stayed her friend so he could pass school.
"I swear to this day I saw her heartbreak in her eyes that day. I also saw something else in that month that I never thought I'd see." I said.
"What was that?" Angela asked.
"I watched my cousin close herself off of all emotion. Even while surfing. She loves surfing and I watched as she held a neutral expression if she did surf after that. Today was the first day I saw her happy to be on a board again in five years. Hell it's the first time I've heard her laugh in five years. Sure she could have laughed while she was gone and I wouldn't have known." I said as we pulled into the driveway. "There's a plate of Beef Stroganoff in the microwave for you. Bells swung by to see Dad and made dinner." I said and got out of the car. I walked inside and waved to Dad before making my way down to the room that used to belong to my twin sister's Rachel and Rebecca. I had moved into that room when Angela and I got together.
Ang understood I couldn't leave my Dad alone and that he needed help so she didn't mind that we lived at my Dads. I entered the room and dropped onto the bed my mind racing with what happened five years ago and wondered how Bells was handling being back here after five years.
Paul's POV:
As I exited the woods outside of the Uley's I saw two lights on. One downstairs and one upstairs. I made my way around front to where I knew Bella's room to be at. I waited till I saw Sam come downstairs and turn off the light on the first floor before I went to climb up onto the porch roof to Bella's window. I saw her light come on and I tapped the glass.
"What do you want Paul?" She asked in an exasperated tone.
"How's your jaw?" I asked.
"Paul LaHote I know you didn't come here to ask my about my jaw." She said in a low tone.
"No it's not, but I would still like to know." I said seeing the butterfly band aid.
"Paul Lahote what do you want?" She asked again in that low tone. She was standing in the window so I knew it would be stupid to try and slip in.
"Bells look Leah and Jared want to apologize to you. They want you to forgive them." I said. Her eyes narrowed to slits and I knew that cold look anywhere. Sam had trained her well.
"So they thought they would send you?" Bella asked.
"They figured I would be able to get through to you." I said. She slid out the window and I was worried about what was coming next. She rammed her hands against my shoulders and I was grateful the second floor really wasn't that far from the ground. I fell off the porch and landed with a thud and a groan onto the ground as my breath was knocked out of me. I looked up to see her crouched on the porch roof just as the front door opened and Sam came out with Jasper, Emmett and Edward following him. I saw Emily in the living room and Rosalie and Alice were standing on the porch roof just outside of Bella's window.
"There's your answer Paul. If they want my forgiveness it must be earned. Don't forget you have to get my forgiveness as well. Damn it if it weren't for the fact that Sam and Emily deserve this Honeymoon I wouldn't be staying here." She said standing and making her way to the window. Rosalie and Alice followed her inside and I heard her window snap shut.
I looked over and saw Sam shaking his head as he gazed to Bella's window before turning to me. He walked down off the porch and stood over me his arms crossed.
"What are you doing Paul?" He asked, I coughed taking in a breath.
"Made a mistake worse." I wheezed out. Emmett joined Sam and looked at me.
"Should we get him up or leave him there?" Emmett asked.
"I'd say ya'll should just leave him there." Jasper said from the bottom step.
"He needs to get off our property before Bells comes out with Emily's bat." Sam said.
"It's almost too late for that." Edward said. We all looked over to see Rosalie pulling a very familiar bat from Bella's hands as Emily tried to keep her inside.
"Samuel Uley get him out of here now!" Emily called out.
"Jasper would you help?" Emmett asked, "Besides Sam you're the only one who can calm her down." Jasper nodded and headed back up the steps.
"How can he calm her down?" I asked as Sam pulled me up onto my feet. I then saw Jasper pull Bella away from Emily and take her towards the back of the house. "That used to be me." I said softly.
"Yea man it did." Sam said, "Let's get you home, you can tell me how you screwed up this time." I nodded and we got into his Truck and headed back to my place and I told him what happened between Leah and Jason as well as Kim and Jared and what Jared and Leah asked me to do. Sam slammed on the brakes and looked at me, "Wait a minute. They wanted you to get Bella, my sister Bella, the girl who has a temper that matches yours when she flips her shit, to forgive them so that they can get their significant others back?" I nodded.
"Yep that's what they wanted me to do." I said.
"No wonder she shoved you off the porch roof." Sam said, "Paul only you can make up for your part of the mistake. Leah and Jared have to fix their own parts of the mistake. Though while I'm gone; even though Jasper can keep her calm that will only last so long now that she's back in La Push; I would avoid coming near her. You and the boys will do well to remember what she can do when pissed." I cringed as I remembered the damage she inflicted on some guys in Middle School who were giving her hell about her parentage. They walked with a limp for almost a week and a half.
"Right steer clear of Bells." I said as we pulled into my driveway.
"Paul you know as well as I do what Jared and Leah did hurt her, but hearing what you said tore her apart." Sam said, "Apologizing isn't going to cut it. You've got to prove to her that you never meant any of what you said that day." I nodded as I opened the door and hopped out of the Truck.
"Thanks Sam. I'll do what I can." I said shutting the door and heading to my front door.
Sam's POV:
I backed out of Paul's driveway and headed home shaking my head. I couldn't but chuckle when thinking about him lying on his back after being pushed off the porch roof.
"Poor Bastard has his work cut out for him." I said. A smile crept across my lips as I recalled Bells crouched on the roof. She looked like a wolf watching prey. It wasn't long before I was pulling back into my driveway. I got out of the car and headed inside to find Bells asleep in Jasper's lap; her head under his chin; Jasper himself was also asleep. I silently shut the door and nudged Jasper awake.
"The moron still in one piece?" He asked quietly.
"Yea he is; you want me to take her upstairs?" I asked.
"Naw I've got her." Jasper said situating her in his arms before pushing himself up. "Go get some sleep Sam. She'll be safe with us this week."
"Don't let her kill anyone; and don't stop her if she wants to go to Jake and Billy's." I told him.
"Wouldn't dream of it. I've been on the tail end of her rage before." He said before heading for the stairs. "Night Sam."
"Night Jasper." I said and headed to my room. I slid into bed and Emily curled up into my side. I was asleep in moments.
A/N: Okay I apologize for how long this update took. I wanted it to be long enough. I took YankeeGirlNJ's idea and split Leah and Jared from their significant others. Though it was hard splitting Jared from Kim given they're a canon couple.
The flashbacks were necessary... Sorry for so many
James's last name is from the alias listed on Twilight wiki...
Hope you don't mind all the character POVs... Wonder how the others are gonna handle Bella's reaction to Paul's attempt...
Thanks for all those who have followed/favorited & reviewed means a lot to me.
I am exhausted; and I feel terrible about the families from the Connecticut Shooting yesterday, My heart goes out to them. Billy Joel states in a song that "Only the good die young" but ages 5-10 is too young to lose a life.
I'll update again when I can.
Peace
LaHote's Girl
