Chapter 9-

Jacobs's POV-

There had to be something wrong with me, right? I mean seriously I was the problem. Anybody watching me glare at the boyfriend of the girl I liked who I had only just reconnected with a few months ago would think I was a thorn in the side. But I couldn't help it, my romantic feelings for Bella or the ones telling be that Cullen was bad news.

After I pulled away from Bella, reluctantly of course, I watched her walk away with the freaky pale guy she called her boyfriend. God I was a green-eyed monster right now.

I finally got myself to turn around and stop looking at the door Bella just went through when I managed to bump into someone.

Of course, you did Jacob. Way to go.

"Oh man, I'm so sorr-" My words got stuck in my throat as perhaps the most beautiful girl I have ever seen was looking right back at me. "-y."

She smells so good, like a dessert. So sweet. And her eyes, was there a brown ever so warm.

Her dark skin would look absolutely beautiful against gold jewelry, and I had the sudden urge to rip the silver from her neck and ears because it is inferior.

"It's ok. Try to be more careful though. Running into you feels like walking right into a door." Ah, her voice. It was so steady and calm. Almost hypnotic because of its steadiness.

"Sorry about that. I'm still getting used to all this." I gestured to all of me. She smirked, maybe her form of laughter because she didn't seem the type to make noise when she found something funny. "I'm Jacob by the way."

"I'm Ash." The bell rang again making Ash sigh. "And if I don't move along, I'll be late. See you around Jacob." She walked past me into the school.

I'm going to be in so much trouble.

No Ones POV-

Instead of eating with Tyler like usual, Ash told him to go to the cafeteria and be with his friend on her birthday. Ash didn't know exactly where her and Tyler were headed but she didn't want him to forget his friends because of her. Plus, Ash never minded being alone. In fact, it was when she was most herself. Tyler was mostly a welcome presence but when she was focused on him, she couldn't be focused on what was around her.

In their spot all by herself her senses seemed to be where they usually were. Everything smelt stronger and feels more sensitive. Her eyes saw the vividness in color that she seemed to have forgotten about. And then there was that thing that she could never point out. If she could describe what it was, it was similar to how she always knew her way back to people or places. It is just another thing she hid from everyone around her.

She couldn't wait for this weekend to hurry up and get here so she could feed her habit that kept her grounded. Maybe one of these days she would even take another chance at dance, nothing professional like before but for her own distraction and enjoyment.

Terrell POV-

When my daughter came into the house, I realized I was nervous to tell her what I had to tell her. Ash wasn't predictable and most of the time she was indifferent. The few instances she wasn't came to mind because she was firm in her disagreement and would rebel in her own way. Then again, she was younger and was changing every day before my eyes. I had a fifty-fifty chance.

"Hey Naia." I greeted her and pulled her into what she called a bear hug. "How was school?"

She only answered when she was out of my arms. "Same as always. How was work?"

"Boring. I'm good with numbers but even I have to take a break or else it starts to look like gibberish." She gave a huff her version of a laugh.

"You always say that."

I pouted playfully at her. "Because it's true. Have sympathy for me dear daughter."

This time she gave me an actual laugh. It was short, and barely audible but it was still there. Her laugh had to be my favorite sound because while the jokes that got her to laugh were downright corny and awful, she seemed to enjoy them coming from me or her mom's. And lately she has been a bit more expressive like now. Her smile, a real smile, was so rare to see that I was beholden to its beauty every time. I remember telling her a lot when she was younger that she got her smile from her great grandmother, my grandma.

"So now that you're warmed up, can I ask you something?" I made sure to ask as carefully as possible so I could soften myself for the possible rejection. "Is it ok if my friend Charlie joins us for dinner?"

"Why?"

"His daughter is spending her birthday with her boyfriend, and I don't want him to be all alone like usual. Or at least I want him to continue his home cooked meal streak."

Ash looked thoughtful and I was nervous. "Ok."

"Ok?"

"Yeah." She walked past me and headed up to her room. The parent in me thought that was too easy but the friend in me was happy to not let Charlie down.

By time dinner rolled around I was finishing up cooking and Ash's moms were finally home from work. Charlie came in a few minutes after carrying a pie and looking very uncomfortable.

"Hello."

"Hi." Ash said before all of us. It was kind of a shock to see her taking the initiative. "I'm Ash."

"Cool name." Charlie said, walking towards us and saving himself from tripping over the couch. "Sorry, um… I brought pie, well, cobbler."

"What kind?" Eyana asked, excited over any dessert. She had enough of a sweet tooth for all of us and Ash inherited it.

"Blueberry Peach. It's from the diner so it should be pretty good." Eyana was steadily moving closer to him, actually the pie, and took it off his hands.

"Grab a seat." She motioned him towards the dining table. He took the seat between me and Ash.

If you had only just met Charlie you would think on first appearance that he was this gruff and grumpy man but really he was friendly, responsible and one of the kindest souls on this planet.

"So Ash, how are you liking forks so far? I mean, it has to be a big change from where you came from."

"It has its charm. I really like all the greenery."

Charlie smiled. "That's kind of funny. Bella wasn't taking to forks so well when she got here."

"It's not that bad." Ash admitted. "Not as loud as the cities I'm used to but it's not a bad thing. The weathers nice too."

"The cold wet weather is nice to you. Ter, we have to switch daughters for a week." Charlie joked making us laugh.

"I agree. I say make it a month." Bryah joined in on the joke.

"Then it's final, Ash go pack your bags. We need a break." Eyana said seriously while her voice was full of laughter. Ash shook her head at our antics and relaxed further into the dinner. She was comfortable with Charlie. She talked to him, took the initiative to talk. Maybe it was because he was him that she let her guard down around him.

I could easily see a beautiful and unique friendship blossoming between the two. I just knew it was exactly what they needed.

If Terrell was a vampire I kind of have an Idea of what his gift would be.

Until Next Time- BigSmallWonder