I woke up super early. About seven. I'm not a morning person so I was a little annoyed. I heard banging down stairs. I slowly crept downstairs to find a very interesting scene.
My father in the kitchen with a cook book propped up on the counter, ingredients everywhere. Basically it was a huge mess. I couldn't help but laugh. I laughed so hard I had tears in my eyes. My dad was startled at first, and then he turned red, but he eventually joined my laughing. I eventually couldn't laugh anymore.
"What were you trying to do?" I asked, wiping tears from my eyes.
"I was trying to cook for you." He replied. That almost sent me into another fit of uncontrollable giggles. "You can't say I never tried." He said seriously. This time I couldn't hold my giggling back.
"Two words. Epic Failure." I said between my giggles. He hung his head in mock defeat. I just shook my head. We cleaned up the mess he made and we decided to eat scrambled eggs on toast for breakfast. Nice and easy. We sat down to eat about twenty minutes later.
"So you're going over to Jacobs tonight?" He asked curiously after sitting down.
"Yeah, if its okay with you?" I asked. My dad pretty laid back when it comes to this stuff. Plus I know he trusts Billy and Jacob.
"Of course its fine with me. I'm just glad you're making friends here. I was afraid that you wouldn't like it here." He said explained. I nodded.
"I do miss Florida, but Forks isn't so 's just the sun doesn't come out here." I said sadly. "But with the Cullen's here and Jake. I think I just might come to love this place." I replied. He nodded and smiled.
"Jake's not picking you up any time soon is he?" He asked. I shook my head.
"Not until three." I replied.
"Well, lets go get some paint, for your room." He told me. I smiled. "I figured if we were going to paint, we minds well get it done before the rest of the stuff comes." He explained.
"Okay, let me go get changed." I said, as Dad took my plate and set it down in the sink. Then, I ran upstairs, and threw on my old pair of faded jeans, and my blue shirt with the cookie monsters face on it. I shrugged on my jacket on, and pulled on some old
converses. I opted not to take my purse, so I just shoved my phone in my pants pocket. I put up my hair in a messy ponytail, then I headed down stairs.
When I got down stairs, Dad was standing there with a pair of jeans and a old red flannel shirt on. We got into his old beat up red GMC truck that he had just bought, and drove to the nearest hardware store, which was pretty close to La push. We began to walk to the entrance.
"You go pick out the paint you want, and I'll be over there as soon as I can. I have to go check on something." He told me. I nodded. We got into the store, and dad disappeared. I headed towards the paint section. I began scanning some of the samples. After a few minutes of thinking, I finally came to a decision. I picked out a sky blue color, and then a darker blue for the border at the bottom of my wall. I got the paint numbers, and set out to find the paint cans. The whole aisle was lined with paint cans.
I found the sky blue with no problem. It was the bottom shelf. I reached down and picked it up. I continued my search for the darker blue. You would think they would have been color coded or in the right order according to number, but no they just had to have them spread out. Then I finally found it. It was on the very top shelf,right out of my reach. I set the paint down, and reached up and tried to grab it, but it was just out of my reach. I tried for a few more minutes, and I still couldn't reach it.
Then I felt two arms wrap around my legs. I look down and find a beautiful little girl attached to my leg. She was about three or four, she had dark brown hair, russet skin, and dark brown eyes. She looked up at me, and giggled.
"Hi, my names Claire. What your name pretty lady?" She asked me. I smiled down at her, and bended down to her level.
"Hello Claire, my name is Alexis but you can call me Ally. Are you lost sweetheart?" I said. I love children. She shook her head no.
"I saw pretty lady, and wanted to talk to you." She said, in a cute voice. I smiled. Then this guy with russet skin ,and short cropped hair appeared at the end of the isle. He was so tall, and he kind of looked like Jacob.
"Quil!" Claire screeched, and jumped into the mans arms. He laughed.
"There you are! Where have you been? Don't you ever run away from me like that again." He said softly but firmly. He was clearly relieved to find the little girl. I wonder if they are siblings. I slowly stood ,and watched them interact.
"Sorry. I saw pretty Ally, and wanted to talk to her." She said looking at me. For the first time he noticed I was standing there.
"I'm sorry about that, she's a little hyper." He apologized. "I'm Quil by the way." They walked towards me.
"Its no problem. I'm Alexis. Umm.. Can I ask a quick favor?" I asked shyly. He smiled.
"Its nice to meet you Alexis. Depends on what it is." He told me. I nodded.
"Nice to meet you too. Its nothing to bad. I just noticed how tall you are, and I'm having trouble reaching this paint can. Can you maybe reach it for me?" I explained. He gave me a big smile and put Claire down. Immediately Claire was once again attached to my leg.
"Sure, which one is it?" He said nicely. I pointed to the correct can, then I picked Claire up, holding her with my hip. She rested her head my shoulder and started to play with my necklace. Quil reached up and got down the paint can from the shelf. He looked surprised when he turned around.
"She's usually not this friendly with people she doesn't know." He said handing me the can, and then trying to take Claire. She grunted and held on tighter to me. Hurt flashed in his eyes.
"I'm sorry. She must like you." He said. I nodded.
"I don't mind. I love children." I told him honestly. He nodded.
"So you live in Forks?" He asked, picking up the sky blue can off the floor, and taking the blue can from me. I nodded. We started walking, I didn't know where we were headed, but I don't mind.
"Yeah..My dad and I just moved here from Florida. I'm guessing you live in La push." I said, as we continued walking. He nodded.
"Yeah.. So where exactly are we headed?" He asked stopping, in front of the ceiling fan isle. I laughed.
"I really don't know. My dad is off somewhere.." I trailed off.
"Ally!" I heard from behind me. We both turned to see my dad heading towards us.
"Speak of the devil!" I said smiling as he came up. "Quil this is my dad, Noah. Dad this is Quil. He helped me with the paint. And this beautiful princess is Claire!" I said smiling down at the very cute little girl in my arms. She giggled hiding her face in the crook of my neck.
"Thanks so much for helping my daughter out." My dad said as he held his hand out to Quil to shake. Quil grabbed my dads hand.
"No problem. She actually found Claire for me after she ran off." Quil said as they ended their handshake.
"Well Claire actually found me." I said laughing as Claire started playing with my hair.
"Claire usually doesn't like new people but for whatever reason she really likes you." Quil says tickling Claire's side. The little girl let out a very contagious giggle and soon after I joined it.
"So Quil you're from La Push right?" My dad asked the tall young man standing next to me. Quil nodded.
"Yes sir. Lived there all my life." He responded.
"You probably know Billy and Jacob Black then." My dad continued.
"Jacob is my best friend. Been friends as long as I can remember and Billy is practically a second dad." Quil replied.
"It's a small world. I'm supposed to hang out with Jacob and some of his friends this afternoon." I say. I guess it's not too surprising that I ran into a friends of Jacobs. Thats small towns for you.
"So you're Bella's cousin! Jacob told me about you. " Quil exclaimed. I smiled.
"Yep. That's me. I hope Jacob has been saying all good things." I reply.
"Oh yeah. All good things. Do you know how excited he is to have you here? He's so happy to have his childhood friend back. I still remember when he first met you and Bella when we were kids. He loved being over there with you and her. Wouldn't shut up about it actually." Quil says. My mood immediately brightens after hearing that.
"That's actually really sweet. I'm glad he feels that way." I say honestly. Claire started reaching for Quil and I hand her back over.
"Well we should probably go Ally. It was nice meeting you." My dad spoke up. I give Claire a little high five.
"I'll see you this afternoon." Quil says to me. I give him a little wave as we walk away. If all of Jacobs friends were as lovely as Quil is then I'll probably love La Push.
We quickly get into line and pay for my paint. I had asked my dad what he went to go check on but he kept quiet about it. Its probably some sort of surprise. So I didn't push him on it. After we left the store we stopped by and picked up a pizza for lunch. We got home around one. Which gave me plenty of time to eat and get ready. After eating I run up stairs to change. I put on some nice denim pants on and a cute oversized sweater on. I leave my curly mane down knowing it would take to long to try and tame it. I put on some cute ankle boots on and I decided to bring an extra jacket just in case it got cold later on. After checking my self in the mirror and deeming myself passable. I head down stairs to hang out with my dad while I waited for Jacob. After about an hour there was a knock on the door.
"I got it." My dad says getting up and going to the door. I get up and follow him into the foyer. He swings open the door revealing Jacob in a plain black t-shirt and cut off shorts.
"Hey Noah! How are you?" Jacob exclaims. Jacob has always called my dad by his first name. Just like how I call his dad by his. Like I said my dad is very laid back.
"I'm doing just fine Jacob. Come on in." My dad says stepping aside so Jacobs big frame could fit by. "So how long do you'll think be out? Ally does have school in the morning."
"We shouldn't be out late. I'll have her back before ten." Jacob says politely. He shoots me smile and little wink. I just roll my eyes at him.
"Sounds good to me. You kids have fun." My dad says as he gives me a side hug. I give him a little wave as we head out the door. Jacob leads the way to his dads beat up truck.
"Didn't you mention that you had a motorcycle?" I say curiously as I hop into the passenger seat. He slides in beside me.
"I do have one, but I didn't want to give you or your dad a heart attack." He says jokingly.
"Yeah I don't think my dad would like that very much. So guess who I ran into today!" I told him. He looked over at my curiously as the truck roared to life and he pulled off.
"I honestly have no idea." He finally replied after a minute of thinking.
"Your friend Quil and that very cute little girl, Claire." I say. His eyebrows shot up.
"Oh really where did you see him?" He asked. I laughed at his confused face.
"At the hardware store. My dad suggested I paint my room so we went to buy some paint. Claire practically attached herself to my leg." I explained. He nodded glancing over every once in a while.
"Thats strange. Claire usually doesn't like strangers." He replies. I just shake my head.
"Thats what he said. Several times actually. He was very sweet. Is that his little sister?" I ask curiously. He kind of scoffed.
"No way! That's our friend Emily's niece." He says to me as if this is information that everyone knew. My mouth formed an oh as I nodded my head. We fell into a comfortable silence. I stared outside most of the ride. One great thing about the pacific northwest was the forests. They were absolutely beautiful. I'll have to go hiking some time. We soon crossed over into the reservation. After a few more minutes of driving we pull into a long drive way that lead us to a cute little house. It looked so cozy. Before we could get out Jacob stopped me.
"Before we go in I just want to tell you not to stare at Emily." He told me very seriously. I cocked my head in confusion. I wonder what was so wrong that it would cause me to stare. I'm not that rude.
"Emily was attacked by a bear. She was able to get away but she still carries scars. Just don't stare." Jacob continued. I nodded a little horrified at the thought of being attacked by a bear. She must be one tough cookie to pull through something like that. We then hopped out of the truck and headed up to the house. As soon as we got closer to the house I was hit with the most delicious smell. Jake didn't even knock. He just opened the door and walked right in. I followed closely behind.
The inside of the house matched the outside almost perfectly. It was open and inviting. To my right there was a couch and a tv. A little ways in front of me there was a big table with lots of chairs surrounding it. To my left was the kitchen area. There was a young woman with putting something in the oven. As soon as she turned I could see why Jake told me not to stare. She had three dark scars that ran down the right side of her face. I'm glad Jake had warned me. She was very beautiful.
"Hey Jacob, you're the first one here. And this must be Alexis." She said as she made her way over to us. She smiled brightly at me. I gladly returned a smile.
"That would be me. You're Emily right?" I say before she pulls me into a hug. People sure do like to hug around here. I quickly hug her back.
"Jacob has been going on about you since he found out you were coming back. Its so nice to finally be able to meet you." She says as she pulls out of the hug. I couldn't help but blush. I can't believe that Jacob was that excited at the fact that I was moving here. I look over to Jake and he gave me a sheepish smile.
"Quil said the same thing this morning." I tell her. She looked surprised. I quickly tell her how I ran into Quil and Claire.
"My niece certainly is a handful. I'm glad she liked you. Why don't you guys sit. I have to finish making dinner." She said motioning us toward the couch. Jake didn't even think twice before bouncing over to couch. I stared after him. He wasn't even gonna offer to help?
"Would you like any help? Jake and I would be happy to help." I ask sneakily volunteering Jacob along with myself. Jacob whipped his head around excitedly.
"Yeah Emily let me help!" He said a teasing grin on his face.
"You can stay right there. The last time you helped me with dinner we almost didn't have anything to serve." Emily said as she glared at him. He looked at me and shrugged his shoulders. "I don't let any of the boys into the kitchen. They'll devour anything edible in sight. But you more than welcome to help." I nodded and soon we were making small talk while preparing dinner. She was making lasagna. I jumped right in. What was crazy to me was how much we were making. It looked like we were about to feed a whole army. Just how many people are coming over?
I learned a whole lot as we cooked. Emily was engaged to a man named Sam. She was from the Makah reservation, but she had cousins that lived here. Seth and Leah Clearwater. I faintly remember their dad Harry Clearwater being at the house with Charlie and Dad. Sadly Harry had passed away. I knew the sorrow of loosing a parent. My heart hurts for Leah and Seth. After a about twenty minutes we were joined by Kim. Kim was very sweet but very shy. Her boyfriends name was Jared and he was best friends with Sam. I was beginning to think I should start to take notes.
The boys didn't start rolling in until later. The first to make an appearance was Embry. Embry was very sweet and I could tell he had a good heart. He also teased Jacob about how excited he was for me to be here. Quil followed closely behind. Apparently Embry, Jacob and Quil were practically inseparable. He greeted Emily, Kim and I with a little wave before crashing onto the couch with the other two. It wasn't long before Sam and Jared rolled in. As soon as Emily spotted Sam her eyes lit up, and the way Sam looked at Emily was breathtaking. It was like she was the only person in the world. I hope someone looks at me that way some day. Sam marched right up to Emily and gave her the biggest kiss. If I hadn't known any better I would have thought they had been
separated years not hours. The same was true with Jared and Kim. Both couples were very lucky. When Sam was done greeting Emily he turned to me with a bright smile.
"You must be Alexis. I'm Sam Uley. Welcome to La push." He said. I smiled back at the tall man.
"You can call me Ally if you want. Thank you and Emily for welcoming me into your beautiful home." I honestly.
"It's not a problem. Any one Jacob trusts is trusted by us." Sam replies. He seemed to have an air of authority to him. When he talks you were compelled to listen. He'd make a great leader. Sam and I chatted for a few more minutes before Emily shooed him and Jared out of the kitchen. Jared waved as he rejoined the rest of the boys. Soon after Leah and Seth arrived. Seth was such a sweet boy. He gave me the biggest hug and immediately proceed to talk to my ear off. Leah however wasn't so welcoming. She hung back, carefully watching me. Her face was expressionless. She almost looked bored. I smiled brightly at her not being deterred. She just nodded and walked off taking her brother with her. Dinner was done shortly after. We carefully set that table, before Emily called the everyone to the table.
"Dinner's on the table!" She yelled at the boys. Several of the boys hollered Hallelujah! Before the table was over run. I was certainly glad that Emily had all of us girls go ahead and make a plate. When everything had settled I ended up between Jacob and Seth.
"So Ally tell us about yourself." Emily spoke up over the grunts and sounds of chewing. Before I could speak Embry beat me to it.
"She doesn't have to. Jake has already told us all about you!" He said teasing Jacob. I blushed as booming laughing took over. Jake glared at Embry.
"He seriously can't stop talking about you!" Jared piped up next. His comment caused even more laughter.
"I'm just glad he's not moping around anymore. I was so sick and tired of hearing about Bella." Leah cut through all of the laughter. She wasn't joking around like everyone growled beside me. I jumped in surprise.
"Shut up Leah." Jake said harshly. All of the laughter had long since died out. Everyone just looked back and forth from Jake and Leah. Leah did not take Jakes comment well. Her face twisted up with anger.
"Don't tell me what to do. Don't get mad at me just because you want something you'll never have." Leah spat back. My eyes widen. This was a little tense. Thankfully before Jake could retort Sam stepped in.
"Thats enough. This is no way to act in front of a guest." Sam said calmly but with force. Jake immediately backed off. He looked at me apologetically. I offered him a small smile. Leah however looked pissed.
"Whatever. I'm out of here." She breathed out, before getting up and walking right out of the house. Everyone stared after her before going back to their plates.
"Don't mind her. She's just like that." Quil said to me. I nodded before going back to my food. The light hearted mood soon returned. The guys soon had me practically crying from laughing so hard. They were certainly an interesting bunch of guys. The boys were still eating. I don't know where they put it all. I can now see why we made so much food.
"Hey where's Paul?" Emily asked Sam.
"He should be here soon." Sam replied.
"You boys make sure you save enough for him" Emily told the rest of the boys. She was kind of like the mother hen of the group. The boys kind of shrugged. I suddenly had the urge to pee.
"Where's the bathroom?" I turned to ask Jake. He pointed me in the right direction. I excused myself before making my way to the bathroom. It was just off the dinning room. I quickly did what I needed before washing my hands. That's when I heard the front door open and close. Maybe it was Leah coming back. I dried off my hands on a hand towel and opened the door. There was a new guy sitting down at the table. In my seat. His back was turned to me but damn did the back side of him look nice. I didn't know what to do so I just kind of stood there. Jared finally noticed me.
"Hey you're back! We were afraid that you had fallen in!" Jared teasingly said to me. I just let out a short laugh.
"Not this time!" I retorted.
"Paul you're in Ally's seat." Seth said before elbowing the man sitting in my seat. The man known as Paul finally turned around to look at me. He still had his fork near his mouth. He had a beautiful face. He was hot. Then our eyes met. It felt like he was staring into my soul. He all of a sudden had this look on his face. It was hard to explain. It looked like he had just found out the meaning of life. He looked frozen. He even dropped his fork!
"Holy Shit!" Jared exclaimed and just like that the spell was broken. Paul tore his eyes from mine. He swore under his breath as he got up and stormed out. I stared after him very confused. When I finally looked back at the rest of the guys most of them looked shocked. Jake kind of looked annoyed.
"What just happened?"