Summer Days
The first time he saw her, she was sitting in the sand watching the waves of First Beach. It was a rare rain-free day, and the sun shone down, painting her pale skin pink and highlighting the red in her long, brown hair. He watched as she drew her knees to her chest and rested her head on them.
Watching from the cover of the trees, he couldn't help but wonder who she was. He had just moved back to La Push and didn't know many people yet, but this girl with skin the color of milk wasn't from here.
Walking out of the forest, he found a spot a few feet away from the mystery girl, sat down and pretended not to notice her. He lasted ten minutes before curiosity got the best of him.
"Who are you?" He hadn't meant to ask the question or for it to sound so accusatory but hadn't been able to stop himself.
She turned her head toward the voice, "Bella Swan," she raised her hand and offered a small wave.
His mother always had a romance novel in her hand. The kind of book that had a muscled man with long flowing hair wearing a ruffled pirate shirt on the cover. She was always saying how romantic the words were. Fabian meets Gisele and instantly falls in love, riding off into the sunset together. He'd thought she'd been hit in the head too many times.
But when Bella's eyes met his, he was gone.
Done.
Finished.
The End.
Did he believe in love at first sight? He did now.
From the moment he realized girls didn't have cooties, he had always been sure of himself. But right now, his palms were sweaty, and he could feel his heart race. He'd never been the shy, nervous type. But this tiny, pale, skinny girl unraveled his usual confidence.
"Uh, I'm Paul," he stuttered. "You live here?"
"I'm from Phoenix... Char... my dad lives in Forks. I came for the summer," she told him, her face blushing a pretty pink that matched the tops of her shoulders where the sun was baking her skin.
"You're burning," he exclaimed.
"Ww-what?"
"You... you're getting sunburned," he gestured toward her sun-kissed arms.
"Oh.." she sighed, turning her head to look at her shoulders. "Yeah, I burn easily." She shrugged.
"How old are you?" Paul asked, too many questions floating around in his head.
"Fourteen, but I'll be fifteen in September. You?"
"Just turned fifteen last week."
Bella smiled and wished him a happy late birthday. "Did you have a party?" she asked him.
"Nah, just moved back here from up North. I don't know too many people yet," he admitted.
"I only know the Blacks. Quil and Embry," Bella told him.
"Black? Is that the Chief's kid?'' Paul asked.
"Yes, Jacob is Chief Black's son,'' Bella explained. "We've known each other since we were babies.''
"That's cool.'' Paul shrugged. He briefly studied Bella, " If you're from Phoenix, how have you known them that long''?
Smiling, "I was born here, well in Forks.'' Bella started. "My parents got a divorce when I was little, and my mom moved us to Phoenix. I visit my Dad every summer. My Dad and Billy Black have been friends since they were kids.''
"If you're from La Push, why don't you know anyone?'' Bella was curious.
"My family moved when I was a baby. My dad and I moved back a few weeks ago.'' Paul told her, hoping she wouldn't ask about his mother.
Bella noticed Paul didn't mention his mom, so she decided not to ask him about her. Bella had learned that it was for a reason when people left something obvious out. She was perceptive. At least that's what Renee always said, usually when Bella figures something out that her mother doesn't want her to.
Without his usual confidence, the quiet was starting to get to Paul. He wanted to find out everything he could about Bella.
"Have you been up to the cliffs?'' He asked when the silence became too much for him.
"Not yet.
"You want to go?'' Paul asked, hoping she'd say yes so he could keep talking to her.
Bella hesitated, and Paul already felt disappointed. "I trip a lot. We'd have to walk slow.'' Bella told him, her cheeks blushing.
"We can walk slow,'' Paul assured Bella and was rewarded with a smile.
"Ok, then,'' Bella agreed, pulling herself from the sand. ''Uncle Billy says you can see Akalat Island from the highest cliff,'' Bella said as they started the hike up the well-worn path.
"Do you like Forks or Pheonix better?'' Paul asked.
Bella glanced at Paul, "They're so different. Phoenix is bright and warm, so I miss the sun when I'm here, but when I go home, I miss the rain.''
"What about you? Do you like it here or where you lived before?'' Bella asked.
Shrugging, "I haven't been here long enough to know yet.'' Paul admitted.
"Makes sense,'' Bella told him and then promptly tripped over a rock. Paul caught her around the waist, his hands nearly fit around her. "Good?' He asked before moving his hands to his side.
Bella nodded, "Thanks,'' She mumbled, embarrassed.
The two continued up the trail until they made it to the top. Paul stood beside her, looking out into the distance, "That's Alkalat Island,'' he pointed out for her.
"I wish I had my camera,'' Bella said, looking to where Paul was pointing. "It's so pretty up here.''
Thinking fast, ''We can always come back,'' Paul suggested.
''Really?'' Bella excitedly asked.
Paul could feel the smile on his face, "Sure.''
2013