Author's Note: Thank you all so much for the reviews! So, no one found my hidden 'wolf' mention. If you spell out 'wolf' on the phone it is 9653, which were the last four digits of Sam's phone number he left Bella. So, I am writing this while watching the very beautiful Taylor Lautner on Saturday Night Live and struggling to cut his scene short and add Sam in like many of you asked for. FYI, the skits that Taylor did were corny but funny. Oh and he did this cool spinny thing with this really long sword looking thing. It was awesome and quite frankly, really hott. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy the chapter.

DISCLAIMER: Stephenie Meyer, along with Little, Brown and Company, owns all the rights to the Twilight Saga. I own nothing and profit nothing from this story, though my sister says that I should write my own book and actually make money from all the time and energy I spend to write on here.

I pulled up to First Beach and parked the truck. I got out and headed down to the beach. I looked to my right and to my left and didn't see Jake. I took a chance and went to the right. I walked for nearly twenty minutes, passing lots of people, but none of them Jacob. Just as I was about to turn back I heard my name being called. I whirled around to see a wide grinned Jacob jogging toward me.

"Hey, Bella, what are you doing down here?"

"Well, I had to return something to Sam, and I thought while I was down here, I could come hang out with you. Of course, if that's alright with you that is. I don't want to intrude if you're hanging out with your friends."

"Nah, Bella, you are always more than welcome to hang out. Come on, it's just two of my friends. Just as a warning, though, ignore anything they say."

"Okay, will do. Thanks for the warning."

"Sure, sure," he said leading me over to two other dark skinned boys while holding on to my hand. The two looked on with very curious and amused eyes. "Bells, this is Embry and Quil, guys this is Bella."

"Oh, Bella, is it?" The shorter and burly one asked. I nodded. "Well, I am Quil Ateara and I can show you a much better time in La Push than this little punk can," he said smirking.

"Shut it, Quil," Jacob warned.

"What? I only speak the truth. Bella would be much better going out with me."

"She has a boyfriend, dummy."

"Oh, yeah, one of the freaky Cullen's, right?"

"His name is Edward, and I don't find him particularly freaky." I answered.

"Well, if he is so great than what are you doing down here, hanging out with us lowly folks?"

"He is on a camping trip with his family. And I can hang out with people other than my boyfriend. He doesn't control me. I have free will, you know." Or at least that's what I'm trying to prove to him.

"Whoa, someone's a little defensive."

"Quil, seriously, leave her alone," Jacob said again.

"What, Jake, you know you want to know as much, if not more than us," Embry responded.

"Come on, Bella, let's leave these fools."

"No, Jake, I don't want to pull you from your friends."

"Well, they aren't acting much like friends today."

"Jakey, come on, man. We're just messing around," Quil said draping his arm over Jacob's shoulder.

"Yeah just some fun, Jake," Embry added.

"Whatever, you two better watch your backs."

"Or what? What are you going to do-" Quil was cut off by Jacob tackling him down to the ground. The two were wrestling with one another. I was starting to get concerned when Embry answered my unvoiced worries.

"Don't worry, Bella. They do this all the time." I nodded my head watching the young boys mess around.

It was amazing how a few minutes of wrestling could get a friendship back on track, forgetting the previous anger. We stayed there in that spot, just hanging out. It was nice and different spending time with people close to my age, in human years, not vampire years. Jacob and his friends were so light hearted and laughed at anything and everything. I felt like I could breathe in La Push, and I didn't even know that I felt that suffocated in Forks. La Push felt like a second home suddenly. We were just talking about the upcoming school year. The boys were ready to not be at the bottom of the totem pole anymore. I was listening to them talk about their school when I felt goose bumps form on my arms. It felt like I was being watched. I heard Jacob start to grumble under his breath.

"Jake?" I questioned. He simply nodded behind me. I looked over my shoulder and smiled at the sight. My Sam. Whoa, where did that thought come from? I swear I lose all reason and thought around this man. I saw Sam smile back at me and nod to the boys.

"Bella, I was told to come find you."

"Is that right?"

"Yes, it is. So, do you have something to give me?"

"Yep, it's in the truck. Just give me a minute."

"Take your time." His eyes went over to Jacob. "I'll wait by your truck for you."

"Okay, thanks." Sam walked back up the beach toward the small parking lot. I turned back to a solemn looking Jacob.

"So, I guess I'll see you next time you're waiting on Sam, then."

"Jake, don't be like that. We'll hang out again before summer ends, I promise. Today was really fun; it was just what I needed. It was nice to meet you, Embry and Quil. I'm sure I'll see you guys around." I got up and walked over to Jake and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks for today, Jake. I'll call you later."

"Sure, sure. Bye, Bells."

"Bye, Jake." I promised myself that I would come back whether Edward liked it or not. I really had a blast with Jacob and his friends. I couldn't remember I had that much fun doing nothing. I walked quickly up the beach, tripping once over some kid's sand bucket. When I reached the truck, Sam was leaning up against it. Boy, he looks great today. God, what is wrong with me? Maybe it's that bond that Edward and Alice spoke of. I wanted to ask Sam about the bond, but I couldn't really do that without admitting that I knew what he was. Which then had me thinking of Sam turning into a furry animal and that seemed just absurd looking at him then.

"It's good to see you again, Bella. I'm sorry that last time was a little…tense."

"Oh, no, it's fine. Edward can be a little…intense sometimes."

"I'm sure he just wants what is best for you."

"Well, he thinks he's doing what's best for me. But really he's just pushing me away. I am getting kind of sick of being treated like a porcelain doll. He doesn't want me to be friends with you."

"And what does that mean for us?" he asked a little bit worried sounding.

"Nothing for us, just that Edward will just have to learn to get over it. Edward can't decide who my friends should be. If it was up to him, I wouldn't set foot in La Push at all."

"Yeah, I bet," Sam said lowly. "How about we do something fun?"

"Like what, cliff dive?" I asked excitedly.

"Well, no, the beach is kind crowded. That's more for a non-tourist infested day. The Elder's don't really won't the public getting any ideas, so the res kids wait for less crowded days. How about we go over to the Youth Center?"

"The Youth Center? What would we do there?"

"Play with the kids."

"You don't really seem like a kid kind of guy."

"Why because I'm so large?" I laughed.

"You are a tad bit intimidating looking, Sam."

"Yeah, we'll good male figures aren't in abundant supply around here, so I try and help out when I can. I know what it's like to grow up without a father. My grandfather, Levi Uley, did the best he could. I was lucky to have him, but not all kids on the res have a grandfather looking out for them." I was wondering what else I could possibly find out about this man standing in front of me. Every time we met I learned something so unexpected and wonderful. I really wanted to learn exactly who Sam Uley was, because no one word could describe him.

"Well, then let's go. Though, I'm warning you that I don't do great around kids. I mean, I got along with adults better than I did with my fellow elementary students," I said hopping into the truck.

"But you had friends, right?" Sam asked while sliding me over to the passenger seat and hoping behind the wheel.

"Yeah, sure, sort of. But to be honest, I ate most years in the teacher's lounge. The food fights didn't really appeal to me."

"Bella, what kind of childhood did you have?"

"Not much of one, I guess. My mom was, or I should say still is, a bit hair brained. I love her, but someone had to be the adult and it was me in our house."

"Well, you don't live with her anymore, so we'll have to see what we can do about correcting the lost childhood moments that you missed out on." Sam put the truck in park and we exited the cab. I looked around and saw a gymnasium type building that looked as if it had seen better days. "You coming, Bella?"

"Yeah," I said walking toward him. We went inside and there were some boys around the middle school age shooting basketball at one end and what looked to be a crafts and arts table at the other.

"Sam!" "We call Sam on our team." "No fair, you guys had him last time." "Sam, join the game!" All the boys seemed excited to see Sam arrive.

"Well, isn't someone a rock star?" I said jokingly while bumping his side with my shoulder.

"They just want me for my height," he said to me. Then he yelled back over to them, "Hey guys! I want you to meet my friend, Bella. Can she play with us?" The boys all looked me over with critical eyes before looking back to Sam. They reluctantly agreed.

"I don't think I should. I'm clumsy, remember. Sports and I never really agreed."

"Do you think I wouldn't look out for you, Bella?"

"I don't think even you will be able to protect me from myself and my lack of coordination."

"Let's give it a go, right guys?" The boys all cheered. I reluctantly walked onto the half court. I was put on Sam's team; I guess they figured my mess ups could be corrected by the giant. Things were going pretty well while I avoided contact with the ball. Unfortunately, one of the boys decided to be nice and toss me the ball. By some miracle I caught the ball and in my surprise I forgot what to do next. The boys on my team yelled at me to shoot the ball. I panicked when a rather large boy headed my way and threw the ball quickly at the hoop. I may have gotten the ball in the hoop if Sam's head hadn't been in the way.

"Oaf," he groaned as he rubbed his head. He turned to look at me with amusement in his eyes. "I thought you said that you would be endangering yourself, not me."

"I am so sorry, Sam. I panicked and just threw it without really looking or aiming or whatever it is that I should have done."

"No worries, I was just surprised. But maybe you'll be better off painting with the girls."

"Sure, sure. You do know that my painting skills are better than yours anyway."

"Yeah, you keep telling yourself that, Bella."

"Sam, are we still playing or are you going to continue to flirt with the paleface?" I blushed at the name and the flirt comment. I was sure I looked like a tomato.

"Don't call her that, Kain," Sam said angry.

"What? That's what she is, it's just a fact."

"But you didn't mean it that way. I think you owe Bella an apology."

"Sam, really it's not a big deal." I tried to reason.

"No, Bella, the boys need to learn to respect all of their elders whether they come from the res or not. That kind of talk won't be tolerated. If we disrespect others, then we can only expect the same unto us."

"I'm sorry, Bella. I shouldn't have said it," the boy said to his shoes. I could see Sam still wasn't happy.

"It's alright. You guys should finish your game. Sam, I'll just be over at the craft table."

"Okay, Bella," he said smiling again at me. I walked over to the table and saw the girls were all drawing and painting pictures.

"Hello," I said a bit nervous. The girls all looked at me with a small amount of confusion. "I came with Sam, but it appears that basketball isn't for me, so I was wondering if I could join you girls." They looked at each other and nodded. I sat down and grabbed a piece of paper and brush. "So, is there something that you are painting in particular?"

"We're painting things that remind us of the tribe. I'm drawing the tide pools," a small girl with big doe eyes answered. I thought for only a second before knowing what I wanted to draw. I got so caught up in the painting that I lost track of time. I finished the last stroke and looked over to the basketball court and didn't see Sam. I began to fret that he left me.

"Bella," I heard his deep voice call. I looked behind me and saw him on the floor sitting Indian style playing a game of cards. "Are you ready to go? They'll be closing up soon."

"Oh, yeah, sorry I just got really into the picture."

"That's alright," he said leading me out the door. "Did you have fun? I'm sorry that we didn't really get much time together."

"No, it was fun. I really enjoyed it. If you think they wouldn't mind having me, I'd love to come back."

"I'd love for you to come back with me. What did you paint in there? Can I see?"

"Well, the girls said that they were painting things that reminded them of the res and tribe. So, ta da…" I said showing him my picture. He looked shocked by the subject of the painting.

"It's a wolf," he said in awe.

"Yep," I said proudly. I was worried it looked like a really furry horse.

"It's a black wolf," he said with a weird look on his face. "Why did you pick a black wolf to paint, Bella?" It reminded me of you. I thought.

"Jacob told me some of the legends awhile back and those were what came to mind."

"And why black?" This I didn't really know, it just seemed like the right choice.

"I'm not sure exactly. I started to go for brown but black just seemed more familiar if that makes any sense. It probably doesn't, but any other color just felt wrong."

"It makes perfect sense," he said looking straight into my soul again like that first day.

"Do you want to keep it? I know it won't be worth anything one day, but if you want…"

"I'd love nothing more. I know just what I'll do with it, too."

"And what is that?"

"You'll just have to come back and see, won't you, Miss Swan?"

"I guess so, Mr. Uley."

I returned Sam's tool belt to him and headed home. Dinner would be late for Charlie but he didn't mind after he heard that I spent the entire afternoon in La Push with Jacob and Sam. I was a bit surprised to find my bedroom empty after my shower. I went to sleep not worrying about the next day and what Edward would have to say. Instead I dreamed of La Push and the people there that were slowly taking over my heart.