I spent the rest of the day in a quiet, grumpy mood, snarling at anyone trying to talk to me.
You're just a little brat who wants everybody to walk at her heels … How dared he? Edward Cullen didn't even fucking know me, and still seemed to think it was his responsibility to pester and anger me as soon as he got the chance. Why? What had I ever done to him? From the very fist day we met, he had been nothing but a nuisance, but this was it. If he ever dared approach me again, I would most likely go ahead and just mutilate him.
I was still upset when I returned from school that day, so as soon as I got home, I locked myself into my room and turned on some loud, angry music. Later that evening, I was told that Sam Uleys coven – the only other group of vampires around Forks – had recently gotten a new member.
"Carlisle said they'd come by tonight so we can all say hello," said Jasper.
We stood in my room, by my desk, cluttered with papers and books and drawings, and I didn't really know if I was supposed to care about anything that had to do with Sam Uley and his friends.
"I thought he and Carlisle had an agreement that they're not supposed to change any more people?"
"Apparently, this guy was already changed when he came to them."
… asked if he could stay with them for a while … you know Sam, he can't say no to people asking him for help …
"Oh. That's … all okay then, I guess."
Around ten o'clock, we all gathered in the living room in wait of the guests; my family cheerily discussing what the new recruit might be like. As our guest eventually approached the house, I listened extra closely to try and pick up the new guy's thoughts.
… lavish house, have they ever heard the word subtlety? Hope they're not snobs, can't handle fucking snobs …
"Sam!"
Carlisle and Esme smiled and welcomed him with embraces and handshakes. Against the pale, white walls, Sams brown skin practically radiated. I had always found him exceptionally handsome. Too bad he was such a douchebag.
The new guy emerged next to him and they both seemed oddly alike. He too was dark-skinned, dark-haired, dark-eyed and muscular. The biggest difference was the new guy seemed shorter and a bit more stout.
"Everyone," said Sam after the meet and greet was over with, "this is Jacob Black. He'll be staying in Forks for a while."
Smiling, the new guy looked awkwardly back at all the eyes observing him.
"I've told Jacob all about you guys," Sam continued, "and I let him know that if he ever needs help with something, you can always count on the Swans."
"Lovely," smiled Carlisle. "Would you two care to join us tonight? Will you be staying?"
"Um," Sam turned to look at Jacob and then back, "yeah, I guess we could stay for a while."
… need to feed after this …
We all settled down around the coffee table, some sitting and some standing, and conversations started popping up.
"So Jacob, where are you from?"
"I think it's great so many vampires are starting to live peacefully."
"Sam, how's Emily doing?"
"Carlisle, did you ever get the chance to read that book I was telling you about?"
Meanwhile, I leaned back into the couch cushions, listening carefully to both outside and inside voices, observing the Black guy from afar. He seemed okay, I guess. Smiling and talkative, with a smell that reached me even through all the other scents in the room; a scent of wood and fire.
… a warm welcome, I guess Sam was right … all very kind, he thought.
I didn't say much all evening; instead I busied myself with analysing Jacob Black's every thought. He seemed surprised at the civility and the politeness with which he was met by my family, yet I detected hints of sarcasm and cynicism in him as well. On the outside, he was all smiles and kindness, but on the inside, something darker was lurking.
I couldn't quite make it out, since it seemed he never let it sneak past his defences; though I could feel the presence of this darkness in the back of his mind throughout the entire evening.
To be honest, I was quite intrigued by it.