Often the most unexpected, unpredictable moments in life are the ones that leave the biggest impression and that teach us to roll with the punches.
Natalya Neidhart
Chapter II
Elephant In A China Shop
As they gently made their way down the next section of the walkway leading to Second Beach, the beach sand crunched under their feet. The only location they recalled before moving to Aunt Mary's house in Arizona. And they had little memory of their youth in Forks.
Nothing except this desolate landscape where the land crossed the sea and the raging waves dashed on the rocks projecting from the sea. The weather felt appropriate for Washington State, where rain might strike at any time.
The sky was extraordinarily blue today, dotted with lonely clouds through which the sun's beams timidly pierced through.
Bella and Clara both dressed casually, wearing simply lightweight sweatshirts and pants for warmth. They were glad to Aunt Mary for making sure they packed the warmer clothes they had purchased before leaving for Forks. The environment in this location was extremely different from the pleasant days full with light and heat that Clara and Bella had become accustomed to in Arizona.
As a result, the abrupt adjustment was difficult for them. But they agreed that if they got used to a little rain and cold, it wouldn't be too big of a sacrifice for Charlie. It's not like they'd die from it.
Their thick, long curls were softly tossed by the breeze, obscuring their vision, so they both had to wipe them away from their faces. The three of them drove the police car to the Black residence shortly after breakfast, where they were met by Billy Black himself.
Who, although pleasantly startled by their unexpected arrival, cordially greeted both girls and Charlie, bringing the three of them to a modest red home generously surrounded by dense forest. Bella and Clara didn't feel bad there; in fact, both La Push and the tiny Black household seemed like home to both sisters.
It was a strange and odd emotion for them, for they could only feel that way in the Swans' home. The cabin's interior was not very opulent. Family portraits of a complete generation of the Black family were shown here and there, giving birth to indigenous tribal art proudly displayed on the walls. The small kitchen and living room, which contained the enormous TV on which Charlie and Billy, they both seemed to think, used to watch the sports while drinking beer and eating fried fish, were tidy and clean. Despite the leader of the tribe's infirmity, it was clear that someone cared about the place.
They decided to travel to a local beach after saying farewell at the door and notifying both guys where they were going and when they would return.
Unfortunately, his son was not present, so they decided not to disturb the two men watching the next game and went to a nearby beach to spend the next hour.
"Nothing has changed since the last time we were here." Clara whispered as another strand of her golden hair blew away from her face.
"Yeah...It's almost as if time has stopped in this place and refuses to move no matter what." Bella sighed, still deep in thought.
"Is everything okay?" Clara inquired, her voice concerned. "You seem so quiet today, Bells..."
"It's nothing, really." The brunette replied simply. "I just have a lot on my mind."
Clara knew her sister much too well to detect her lies.
"You're lying, sis." She nudged her sister in the side quickly. "You can tell me anything, you know..."
"The memories came flooding back to me as soon as we walked in here." The brunette stated truthfully.
"Flashback?"
"The day before mom died." Do you remember? She leads us by the hand through this beach... She was always lively and joyful. You know I can barely remember her face?"
Bella's eyes were drawn to the horizon extending in the distance. "I miss her sometimes."
"Yeah, me, too." Clara grasped her twin's hand hard in recognition. "Aunt Mary claimed Renee was stunning. That's why Dad fell head over heels for her the first time he met her. He acted like a maniac when they first started dating, she said. Charlie was overjoyed when they married so young and Mom became pregnant. Everything, including our academics, was organized by him. When Mom was diagnosed with cancer, there was no vestige of the old Charlie left."
Sadly, she added. "That's why we had to go to Phoenix."
"Yes, because my dad was depressed."
"Depressed and had a nervous breakdown." Clara reprimanded her sister. "Apparently, he drank a lot at the time and was on the verge of becoming an alcoholic. That's what our aunt said, at least."
"Yes, but he wasn't chief of police at the time." Bella detected an error in her sister's account. "He's become an entirely different guy. "How come..." she couldn't continue before something or someone caught her eye.
Two towering creatures approached the girls seated on an old fallen tree. They moved fearlessly, as if they were cats, across the sandy terrain.
It wouldn't be shocking if it weren't for the fact that their massive muscular bodies should have prohibited them from moving so quickly. The taller man wore his long black hair in a short ponytail that reached his shoulders, and under his black, fitting T-shirt and thin pants, you could feel the muscles rippling with every movement like strings on a violin. His deep, nearly black eyes, like the color of the sea at night, looked straight ahead, dreadful.
The shorter one had an equally athletic figure. But the muscle mass he had wasn't in his height but his width. Broad shoulders and a muscular chest of an MMA fighter. He was only a head taller than Bella and Clara, who were already short by nature, not exceeding 5'5. His short, dark hair was thick and coarse, almost like horsehair and his expression was serious but not hostile like his companion's.
He looked at them with curiosity and the intensity of his gaze made Bella feel uneasy. Or maybe it was because he was the most beautiful man she had ever seen. She felt Clara elbow her hard in the side. She turned to her with a questioning expression. Then Clara discreetly nodded her head towards the two approaching figures and turned her eyes into saucers.
Oh! Now she understood what her sister meant.
"Hello, my name is Paul, and this is Jacob," the one with short hair stated, flashing a little, kind grin.
Paul and Jacob approached the twins, and after introducing themselves, there was an uneasy quiet. Clara broke it when she said, "So, you guys live around here?"
Jacob agreed, "Yeah, we're from the reservation."
"Cool, we used to come here when we were kids," Clara said, making an attempt to strike up a conversation.
"You did?" Jacob inquired, genuinely curious.
"Yeah, our dad is friends with Billy Black," Bella said.
"Billy is your father's friend?" Paul said, his eyes widening significantly. "It's a small world."
Bella and Clara smiled as they nodded. As they chatted about the beach, the reserve, and their life in general, the dialogue became more casual.
Jacob couldn't help but feel a deep connection to Bella as the talk proceeded. He seemed to be drawn to her like a magnet. He found himself hanging on every word she spoke, and he couldn't help but smile whenever she did. It hit him like a ton of bricks all at once. He imprinted on her. He was stunned and overjoyed at the same time. He'd heard of imprinting, but he never imagined it would happen to him.
Paul, on the other hand, felt a similar connection to Clara. Her vitality and spirit grabbed him. Every time she laughed, he couldn't help but feel ecstatic. He couldn't help but feel a combination of emotions as the truth hit him. He was making an impression on Clara. He was both delighted and afraid by what that signified.
As the sun began to set, spreading a beautiful golden light over the beach, Bella and Clara sincerely said their goodbyes, promising to meet together again soon.
As they went away, Jacob said to Paul, "I think I imprinted on Bella."
"Really?" Paul inquired, raising an eyebrow. "On Clara, I believe I did as well."
"I guess we're in this together, then," Jacob smirked.
"Yeah, man," Paul replied with a smile. "Together."