Chapter 1: Oh, Those Quileute Boys

XXX

"You lose again," Bernard grinned up at me. I wanted to smack that smug little expression right off his face, but settled for a glare. He just pulled his nose back to emphasize the inside of his nostrils. Some threat I was… "Another round!"

"No. I'm not playing rock-paper-scissors with you ever again-- you cheat."

"But I'm bored! And I don't cheat, you just suck at any game you play!"

Ouch, he had me there. I rolled my eyes and handed him the Nintendo DS I had snagged from him earlier because dad thought he had been playing with it for too long. Now I just wanted him to stop hassling me. He wasted no time in taking the console from me and resuming his game. I turned my face away from Bernard to stare out the window, pressing my forehead against the cool glass, leaving me to think.

My parting with Ruth was every bit as painful as I had dreaded it would be. Not much was said; we just hugged for what seemed like forever. "Not all good things last, I guess?" She whispered to me before she released me. I promised her that I'd call her the moment we had our phone system set up. My thoughts were cut short when my dad said, "Almost there. Just a few more miles!"

Dad. Where do I begin? Things were looking brighter for us, but I knew he was still a mess of a person. He didn't seem at all upset about the move; he looked more nervous. Maybe it was because of grandma? She had to know we were coming. But having not seen her for such a long time because of dad's coping issues, it would be a wonder if grandma Meredith would accept us so easily back into her life.

I caught my dad looking at me through his rear view mirror a few times, no doubt trying to read my expression. I was still kinda pissy with him, so I had sat in the back seat with Bernard instead of having to tolerate my dad's side glances had I sat up front. We had been on the road for endless hours, but it seemed even in the back seat I couldn't escape his worrying…

"Look Nel, look!" My brother shrieked. I hadn't noticed that the car was slowing down, and the single moving truck we had was now right on our tail. We seemed to be going up a slight hill with overgrown trees lining the sides, and reached a two-story house at the end of the driven path. Outside on the wide walkway leading to the front door, standing in the drizzling weather, was a handful of people. I shot my dad an accusing glare, but he looked just as confused as I was. Oh good Lord, there was even a man in a wheel chair. Why hadn't anyone let them inside?

"Dad…" I said unsurely.

"It's alright, Nel," my dad said lightly, "I know them… well, most of them." For the life of me, I didn't want to get out of the car. If there was one thing I was freaked out by more than spiders, it was meeting new people. "C'mon, kids," dad urged as he got out of the car.

"Move, will ya?" Bernard pushed against my hip. To his right was a pile if our luggage, so his only means of getting out was through my door. Too bad I wasn't going to budge. "You're such a chicken, Nel. They're people! What're they gonna do, throw knives? But I wouldn't blame them if they threw 'em at you." He reached over me and shoved open the door. I protested, but he climbed over me and hopped out. "There, now you'll just look like an idiot in a car," he remarked as he made his way over to the little group. I would get him for that comment later. But I realized that meeting the people of this small town was unavoidable, so I pried myself from the car and shut the door behind me. I inhaled, then awkwardly made my way over to them. Hi, I'm Penelope. I don't even know you, but I already hate it here. Yeah, that's what I should say.

I reached the little circle, and my dad's right arm went around my shoulders, his left hand on my brother's head. "Everyone," he beamed with genuine happiness, "this is my son, Bernard Liam Gowan III," he tussled my brother's hair, "and my daughter, Penelope Norma Jean Gowan," he squeezed my shoulders. I wanted to die of embarrassment as soon as he said my middle name. Leave it to dad to buckle under pressure and let my mom talk him into middle-naming me after Marilyn Monroe.

I forced a smile and finally took a good look at the people who stood in front of me. "Hello Penelope and Bernard. I'm Sue Clearwater," a plump middle-aged woman said first, holding out her hand. When I took it, I felt the calluses of hard work to be evident on her hand. "I used to baby-sit your dad and your uncles, that I did," she said with a warm smile.

I turned to the next people, and was taken aback. First, there was the fierce-looking girl who seemed ready to annihilate someone. She looked around my age, and she might've been pretty if she wasn't glaring me into the ground. "Leah Clearwater," she said quickly. She turned her fierce gaze from me, then to my brother, who had been standing behind me. He looked up at her, and suddenly…

The girl Leah's scowl was gone as if it had never been there. Her lips parted slightly, and an unidentifiable look glimmered in her dark eyes. She was staring at my brother so intently, it made me uncomfortable. There was this… tension? I didn't know, but Bernard hadn't broken her gaze either. I tugged a lock of his hair, breaking his reverie. "What?" He snapped at me.

"Sorry, my sister tends to space out sometimes," a voice rumbled. I turned back to stare at who I thought was quite possibly the tallest human being ever. "I'm Seth Clearwater," he said with a broad smile. Unlike his sister, he held out his hand. I was so impressed by his height, it took me a while to take notice of his hand. When I reached to shake it, my hand was overtly warmer compared to the rest of my body. This guy was burning up like a damn electric blanket. "… you're still holding my hand," he chuckled. His thumb was rubbing small circles over the back of my hand.

"Oh!" I squeaked, quickly withdrawing my hand.

"It's okay… I didn't mind." I'm pretty sure it was just my 'you wish' imagination, but did I actually hear suggestiveness in his voice? I felt a small blush rise in my cheeks. This guy Seth was unimaginably handsome; dark skin, black hair cut short, and from what I could see from his thin grey shirt (what the hell, it was freezing!) he had a body to boot. I bet he had a stack of girlfriends around here.

Then another deep voice interjected, "Easy, Seth. She hasn't been here for 20 minutes and you already bust a few moves?" Impossibly, Seth was bested; the heart breaker who stood before me was even taller than him, at a staggering height of maybe 6'5 or so. He had long black hair that flowed past his shoulders, smooth russet skin, and a dazzling smile. He too, wore a measly tee shirt that had me at the mercy of his well-defined chest. Did they just get used to the cold weather? Did they want to kill me on my first day in Forks? My poor heart couldn't handle their trashy-romance-novel-cover good looks. I was never a girl who was a sucker for muscles; that was all Ruth. But these guys just spun my world on my view of males, shaming all others of the gender. "I'm Jacob Black," the demi-God introduced himself, smiling down to me. I shook his large hand too, which was every bit as unnaturally warm as Seth's grip. "This is my dad, Billy Black," he motioned to the man in the wheelchair, and I immediately smiled without force. I liked the amused look in the man's eyes.

"Nice to meet you, Penelope," he said as we shook hands. He turned back to Jacob, "The available boys are gonna be tailing her like animals," he chuckled.

I tried to ignore his previous comment, but couldn't help but feeling a small boost of confidence. Seth and Jacob were way out of my league, but it was nice of Billy to say that. "Oh, and… you guys can call me Nel. Penelope is a bit of a hassle to say each time…" I said uncertainly. Seth smiled, sending butterflies into my stomach. "Y-yeah… and, if you don't mind me asking, how do you know my dad?"

Realizing that I was directing the question to him, Billy smiled, "The Gowan boys and
I were good friends back in our hey-day. I've also kept close knit to Meredith; she's like family to me."

I had more questions, but was cut off. "Penelope," a familiar accent cooed. I turned once more, this time locking gazes with a pair of hazel eyes that reflected my own.

I recognized her immediately, thankful that the image I had of her for the past two years hadn't been altered. Aside from the eyes, she shared the medium-toned skin and freckles with Bernard and myself, her withered face still filled with the sparks of some kind of youth. "Grandma Meredith?"

Was she mad? She didn't look like it. What was she thinking as she stared at me? "Oh, lass… come here," I shuffled a little closer, but her short frame wrapped me into a tight hug. "You look just like me when I was your age," she said, and I took note of the threat of tears lining her voice. I wasn't a sucker for ripped abs, but I went to pieces for senior citizens? Now that couldn't be right. But I embraced her back, unsure of what to say. Suddenly she pulled away, her wrinkled hand reaching up to stroke my hair, then gave my cheek a playful pinch. "We'll make up our lost time together, you, Bernie, and I." She did not include my dad. My brother approached her and she swept him up in her embrace as well, kissing his cheek. I didn't miss my brother's hilarious expression.

"The rain's coming down harder," Sue chirped, her eyes falling on me again, "I know we're used to it, but I'm sure you kids aren't used to this climate. Dad broke away from his conversation with Billy Black, heading to the front door and unlocking it with the key, which had probably been given to him at the hearing of uncle Finn's will. Everyone slowly made their way into the house, and somehow I had ended up at the end of the line with Seth.

"So," he beamed, "no one mentioned to me where you're from."

"Long Beach, California," I said quietly. I couldn't look at him, fearing that he might see the color tinting my cheeks.

"Sounds sunny," he continued. "Forks may look all doom and gloom now, but you can always visit La Push if you like. Well… the weather isn't any better over there," he laughed at the end of his sentence, "but at least you'll have good company." His arm brushed against my shoulder, and I felt my face redden to a darker shade.

He's not flirting with me. I only wish he was. He's just being nice.

"La Push?" I echoed as we walked through the door. I'd look around later… Seth was a terrible distraction.

"Yeah. La Push is the Quileute reservation, me 'n Jake and others of our tribe live there. We're right next door to Forks."

Which I'll be visiting quite often if La Push is crawling with guys who look like you.

He changed the subject by asking, "What grade are you going into?"

"Eleventh," I replied, the returning the question, "Do you go to the high school in Forks? What grade are you in?"

"Nah, I go to the tribal school in La Push. And I'm in ninth grade."

That stopped me in my tracks like a slap in the face. "U-uh," I stammered, "you are only 14?"

He frowned at this, "Yeah, but I'm going to be 15 in a few months. It's no big deal."

I didn't say anything at first, and he looked offended. I back pedaled, stammering, "I-I'm sorry. It's just… well… you don't look like you're 14," which was the truth, "and if you hadn't told me, I would've gone on thinking that you were older than me. Ha…" I felt stupid, but Seth's broad smile let me know that I had said what he wanted to hear.

We wandered into a barren room which I figured to be the living room; the voices of the others were heard from further back into the house. Maybe they were in the kitchen?

Then Seth said a bit intently, "How is it that I don't look 14?"

"Ah, I…" Oh Jesus, he cornered me. "Well, you're really tall!" Of course I pointed out the obvious, since I didn't have to gall to compliment his body.

"And…?" There was a flash of mischief in his eyes. He wanted me to compliment his body. At least, I think he did. Or maybe he didn't and he was just waiting for me to make an ass out of myself. Or maybe he likes 'em a bit older—no, don't even go there.

"Hey, are you doing anything tonight?" Seth and I turned our attention to Jacob, who had broken away from the others. Truthfully, I was happy that he had interrupted… I didn't want to be caught hitting on a 14 year old boy. "Seth 'n I are going to a bonfire. You can come, if you'd like."

I could feel my eyes widen. "Really?" I could hear a girlish giggle to my tone, and I wanted to slap myself. I cleared my throat, then, "Well, I just got here… and it's raining, so wouldn't that put out the fire?" It was around 5:30 p.m., but even in the morning, I hadn't seen much sunshine since we passed up Vancouver on our way here. Maybe tomorrow the weather wouldn't look so depressing.

Then Seth laughed a bit, putting his hand briefly on my shoulder, "It's always raining out here. There's hardly any sunny days."

"So it won't make much of a difference if you see La Push and Forks during the night or daytime," Jacob finished. "We'll give you a taste of La Push tonight, then you can see Forks and Port Angeles tomorrow. Yeah?"

I scratched the back of my wrist, my shyness getting the better of me, "You guys are being awfully nice…" I mumbled.

"Well, I figure it's gotta be rough when you're put in a new environment. I've never had to move, but… I'm just guessing, hah. You seem kinda freaked out," Jacob smiled so sincerely, I wouldn't have been surprised if I decided that I was in love with him by tomorrow morning.

Oh… remember, they're just being nice.

"Okay," I buckled, not really knowing how to say no. Even if I had known these boys for a millisecond, they seemed cool. And with my poor social skills, it was best to make friends right now while I had the chance. "Lemme ask my dad."

XXX

Was being crammed into an old Volkswagen really worth having an argument with my dad about my social rights? Really? It didn't seem like it right now.

Jacob was driving, while I was in the passenger seat. Seth and another boy they introduced me to, the mega-beefy Quil, were squished into the back seat (how they managed to get in here without tearing the car in half was beyond me). Quil wasn't as tall as Jacob, but reached a little above Seth in height. He had lighter-colored eyes compared to Seth and Jacob, but his friendliness was no less genuine than theirs, and he didn't shake my hand; he gave me a spine-snapping embrace. He said we'd be great friends, and I liked to believe him.

The enormity of these boys continued to startle me; were all the boys of the Quileute tribe this… ridiculously huge? And good Lord, it was like an oven in this little car, which wouldn't have seemed so small to me like it did now if it weren't for the heat emanating off all three of them in such an enclosed space. I rolled down my window, slightly sticking my head out and letting the drizzle hit my face. Jacob laughed, "Too hot?"

"Maybe," I croaked. The car suddenly came to a stop, and it didn't seem like we were at a bonfire. It was just an open space surrounded by forestry. I frowned as Jacob climbed out, with Seth and Quil following suit. "Um," I began.

Jacob could already hear the confusion in my voice and he smiled reassuringly. "We have to walk a bit from here. Our spot on First Beach where we usually have our bonfires doesn't have parking space."

"Oh," was all I said. When I looked around, though, there were only two other cars parked in the same space. Must be a small group then, which was a highlight for me.

The walk through the stretch of brush took longer than the short distance that Jacob claimed it to be. Then again, it must've been a short walk for their freaking sasquatch strides, in comparison to my baby steps and stumbles over roots sticking out of the ground. As nice as it was of Seth and Jacob to try and get me cozy up to my new homeland, I was beginning to regret coming. I had the sinking feeling I would say something stupid before the night was over. Then again, I'm naturally paranoid like that…

I was still lost in thought when we finally reached a sandy clearing, and about another yard ahead was a bright fire, somehow unphased by the drizzling weather. I could feel my eyes bug out of my head. There had only been two her cars back in the parking space, but there were over fifteen people? I guess people preferred walking around here… I could feel my self-conscious trait expanding, and suddenly I wanted to leave. But I didn't have the balls to tell Jacob and Seth that I had lost my nerve; I was afraid I might offend them. We continued onward, my heart rate increasing so dramatically you would think I might be about to perform on stage or something. When we reached the clamor of people, most of them tall, built, and russet-skinned, I felt my knees shaking. Yeah… I am that bad with meeting new people. All eyes were on Jacob, Seth, and I, but my escorts just beamed and greeted everyone happily. I stood by myself for a minute, and I took a quick survey of the area. It was a beach, alright; but it looked like a poor man's Venice Beach. No, not even that. Black, jagged cliffs stood grandly in another short distance down the shoreline. The waves of the gray water swirled and crashed into each other. It might've looked like an actual beach if not for the depressing coloring.

"Hey, you're the new girl, right?" I snapped out of my observations and turned my attention to another impeccably tall boy. Tendrils of his medium-length dark brown hair stuck to the sides of his face, and he had a slight cleft in his chin. He had an adorable crooked smile and a thoughtful look in his eyes. Jeez… I was never going to get a boyfriend at this point if I couldn't find a guy that wasn't too good for me. No such luck so far.

"Yeah, that's me, hah."

"Cool. I'm Embry Call; I hang out with those losers Seth, Quil, and Jacob."

I smiled, "I'm Penelope. And if you hang out with them, wouldn't that make you a loser too?"

"Not at all. Hanging out with me puts them in a less pathetic class of losers."

"That's harsh, Embry," Seth had walked over, scoffing Embry's previous comment. He turned to me, "C'mon Nel, there are better people to meet than wasting time with Embry!" The boy Embry's expression of annoyance drew a chuckle from me, and I shook his hand before Seth led me into the crowd. And okay, I'm not pale, but I still stuck out like a sore thumb.

Seth introduced me to a number of people, all of whom seemed oddly welcoming. I was surprised to also see Leah here (how'd she get here before us?). She was sitting on a log, staring into the fire as though it were more interesting than the guy sitting next to her, who was clearly trying to have a conversation with her. She didn't even bother to fake like she was paying attention to him.

"Getting a crush on Collin?" Seth's breath stirred the top of my short hair.

I looked up at him. "Collin?"

"The guy talking to my sister."

"Oh, uh… no, I was just wondering if there's a bathroom close by."

Seth raised a brow, "Well, Sam and Emily live right up the pathway that connects the shore to the woods. They wouldn't mind."

"Uh…" Peeing in a strangers' house wasn't what I had in mind. I was hoping he would say something more along the lines of, 'Well, I'll take you home then.' I began to feel the stifling gaze of a few people, but why it felt like they were watching me was a mystery. Maybe it was all in my head. "Who?"

"Sam and Emily. You haven't met them yet 'cause Emily's probably getting the food ready for us all when we head over to their house." I unwillingly followed Seth into the wooded path, and from the obnoxious snickering, I could tell the bonfire group had gotten the wrong idea. I felt my cheeks heat up. We walked in silence, but from the look on Seth's face, he was probably thinking of something to talk about. I actually was comfortable with silence, depending on the person; I guess Seth wasn't. When we reached the house, he grinned and held the front door open for me, "Ladies first," we stepped into a small and simply decorated living room, yet it had an air to it that was warm and overwhelming. "Guess they're not here either," Seth remarked.

I scratched the back of my neck, "Um, are you sure the people who live here won't mind?"

"Do you wanna steal something?"

My face went blank, then I sputtered, "Oh, n-not at all!"

"Then everything's cool." I put my hand over my eyes, making my embarrassment known. Seth laughed, "You gotta relax, Nel. It's nice that you're a decent person, but if anything, I think people will get more thrown off by your good manners than they would if you just didn't care like everyone else does."

I shrugged, "Yeah, uh… so where's the bathroom?"

"Down the hall. It's not a big house, you'll find it."

"Thanks again," I hurried past Seth. I heard him slump into the couch, followed by his sigh.

Okay, I must be really, really un-bright, because there were 4 doors in the hallway, and none of them looked like an obvious bathroom. There was only one door to my right that was slightly open, and I could see pale blue light filtering through the crack. Bathroom? Honestly, I didn't really have to go; I just wanted to get away from the crowd for a moment. Maybe even fix myself up, because I felt haggard compared to the people at the bonfire. I opened the door—

And froze.

This room wasn't a bathroom at all; it was a small bedroom. Whom it belonged to, I did not care at the moment. I didn't care that I was in a strangers home, or that Seth was still waiting for me in the living room, or that I had been forced to move away from Long Beach. I didn't care, which sounds silly, but all those thoughts were banished when before my eyes was something that had instantly meant something to me.

There was a sleeping boy stretched out on a twin-size bed, which seemed feeble under his towering frame. He had russet skin and dark hair like the others, only he was different in such a significant way that I could have picked him out among a sea of boys from his tribe. His hair was cropped short, but was already to beginning to grow out of its cut. He wore only a pair of unzipped, faded jeans. His build was breathtaking, every muscle from the sinewy pulls of his arms to the sculpts of his abdomen an expanse of dream-like proportions. He must have just came into the house not a moment before Seth and I, because rain slicked his chest, which rose and fell with every even breath he took. The dim light that emitted through the open window from the lamps outside gave him the illusion of a halo. I didn't feel my feet, but they were moving closer, closer to him. I could go on and on about his face: the high cheekbones, the parted lips, the slight frown of his expression that brought his features to life even in his sleep.

For a minute, I thought he wasn't real. It was a crime against humanity to look the way he did, because I had never seen anything so beautiful in my life. But then I tripped over a smile pile of clothes as I moved forward, and was brought back down to reality. I identified the pile as a shirt, sweater, and shoes, no doubt belonging to him…

Wait a minute. Seth. Bathroom. Strangers house. I didn't want to leave, but I needed to. I started to back up, but I didn't take my eyes off of him. For all I know, I wouldn't see him again. Sure, he was obviously a Quileute, but that didn't guarantee anything. I hoped I would see him, though. I wouldn't talk to him, because he had worthier girls to associate with, but that was okay. If I could watch him from a distance (wow, that sounded creepy), then I didn't even have to know his name.

And I just ran into the dresser.

I silently cursed myself, squeezing my eyes shut so I wouldn't have to explain myself to him when he woke up. But I opened my eyes again, and he was still asleep. Sweet Jesus, that was a close call. What wouldI have told him if he woken up? "Sorry, I was looking for the bathroom. Now could you go back to sleep so I can take advantage of you?" No, that wouldn't work out well.

"You must be Penelope," A feminine voice whispered near my ear. I nearly jumped out of my skin and was about to cry out, but a hand went over my mouth. She turned my face to look her in the eyes, and I saw her smile. My eyes widened in shock, but I taught myself to be more polite than that; I looked away from her face to regain my composure, and she released her hold over my mouth. I returned my eyes to her eyes, noting that despite half of her face being ruined by scars, she was very pretty. She pulled me out of the room, away from him, and there was a hint of laughter in her voice as she informed me, "I'm Emily. And I should warn you that Paul wouldn't exactly take kindly to someone admiring him in his sleep."

XXX

A/N: Okay, this was a hard chapter to write, because I couldn't decide on how to introduce Paul. And, well… there you go. =]

Review, please.