(This Chapter has been edited and rewritten.)
Forks High, After School
Layla's Pov
I beat the oncoming rain and the first rush of exiting FHS students. As I hobbled through unfamiliar territory, I found him.
"Layla!" EJ's whole countenance lit up, and he darted gracefully through the crowd to meet me.
We had kept in touch via text, but that wasn't as satisfying as seeing him in person.
I missed his enthusiasm and quirky, crooked grin.
Before EJ could take me on a tour, he stopped, his emerald eyes zeroing in on my hidden injury.
"You got hurt again," EJ said, stating with a matter of fact.
I missed my opportunity to visit the nurse after lunch, and the inflammation was building again.
"My Godfather is a doctor. You should come over to my house after so he can look at it."
If he didn't mind, I agreed. It would be better than sitting in an ER waiting room for hours.
"Don't worry, he loves his work. It won't be a problem." EJ assured me, leading us into the library.
We sat at a random table in the back with a diverse-looking group I wouldn't have labeled academic.
A brief introduction later from the overseeing English teacher, he left Iris in charge.
"So, basically, we will vote on our reading material in addition to the two required. Our group is larger than last year, so let the more advantageous readers weigh in first." Iris's tight smile was for the two boys across the table.
"Can we greet everyone before we vote?" A soft, whispy voice emerged from a goth girl sitting off to the side.
"Go ahead, Bloody Mary, or is Maleficent now?" a preppy girl remarked. "It's Meredith," She narrowed her smoky, heavily lined eyes.
"I'm Chad Anderson." A brunette boy with light brown eyes introduced himself with a wink.
Most girls giggled, with the exception of Iris, who seemed just as unimpressed as his friend "Bryce Baker." He sighed, dead bored.
They must be here for the extra academic course credit to our overall GPA.
"Sarah Stanely." Another girl piped in like a happy lap dog to "Eva Springfield," the one who had beef with Meredith.
"Kevin Walker." A tardy pothead announced, sliding next to EJ, who seemed utterly repulsed by the skunk-like stench.
"You're supposed to wait until after class, dude." Chad laughed. "It is after class." Kevin smiled lazily, red eyes glassy.
Iris hissed a groan while EJ and I were the last to introduce ourselves.
After Club Hours
"Are you sure your family won't mind?" I asked EJ again as we passed the outskirts of Forks.
"Of course. I already texted Emmet and called Esme."
This part of the woods looked familiar. In the odd sense of displaced Deja Vu, I saw my family's old house in the last cluster of homes.
"Shoot." I hissed under my breath. "What?" EJ noticed the car slowing to crawl."I forgot to check on the house."
It was one of the tasks, along with the extracurriculars, I was supposed to 'keep myself busy' and 'stay out of trouble' with.
So much for that. I hoped Wren wasn't planning on putting it on the market. Sure, it needed some work, but it had an old farmhouse charm to it.
"Are we neighbors?" EJ sat up straighter to view the building sitting on the hill.
"Maybe, I guess I will be up here sometimes," I admitted, passing the future project. I wondered how much I could get done alone before winter.
"You know Esme is good at restoring old homes. If you need help, I'm sure she'd like to." he offered.
We went through a long, stretched tunnel of pine wood, and when I started to question where EJ was directing me, we breached the greenery into an open space.
Where an old white manor with iron fixtures illuminated into view.
A modern five-car garage was embedded into the home's foundation; I only noticed it because one of the doors opened.
"What do we have here?" his uncle Emmet met us. "A friend," EJ announced proudly.
"What do we do when we travel with a lady?" "Oh yeah." EJ ran around the car to open my door.
"Right on, Rose is making dinner," Emmet moved his broad frame for us to enter their home.
Rose's fiance was big, burly, and intimidating, but the smile on his face was welcoming.
"Won't you stay?" with EJ's innocent and eager expression, I couldn't say no.
"Carsisle will be home soon." Esme met us in the entryway.
I was shocked to see who he called 'Godmother.' Esme was a dainty twenty-something, practically a reincarnation of Snow White herself.
"Do you have any requests?" Rosalie's melodic voice chirped happily, peering out from the kitchen.
"For dinner." EJ leaned over, whispering to me."Oh, um, Anything without meat," I answered.
"Ah, a vegetarian. So am I," Rose smirked humorously, her ember eyes sparkling mischievously at EJ, who giggled.
"EJ says you live near us?"
"My dad has a house in Forks, but I'm staying with my grandfather. It's a long story," I answered his Aunt Rose, who couldn't be more than nineteen.
"She's fixing up the house on the hill," EJ interjected. "Ah, I see. Someone should tell Esme." Rose turned to their expansive spice cabinet.
"That's what I said," EJ grumbled at the redundant conversation.
"I'd be happy to hear all about it. Would you like a beverage or a place to sit?" Esme asked in a motherly way.
A pang of loneliness hit me as I waded into the sitting room with EJ.
Esme made me miss my mother. Although Lily had never been a traditional housewife like Mrs. Cullen seemed to be.
"I'm okay." I cleared my throat.
"EJ, please place your textbooks in the study," Rose insisted. "Yeah, yeah." EJ hurried up the stairs, stomping along the way.
Esme patted the loveseat next to her. We spoke about the house and what needed to be done.
She kindly offered her insights and services, as the others said.
I told her I'd have to ask Wren first, but I'd accept any landscaping tips in the meantime.
"You don't mean in your condition?" Esme inquired earnestly. "Who else is going to do it?" I shrugged.
The front door opened to a ghostly pale, platinum-blond male who looked to be in his late twenties or early thirties.
By how Esme got up to greet him, I assumed this was the infamous Dr. Carlisle Cullen.
Her pale pink lips kissed his cheek, then hovered over her husband's ear in a low whisper.
His dark eyes flickered over to me, and a charming smile flooded his face.
The doctor was so devastatingly handsome he could've been on a television soap opera.
"Layla Moon? You must be EJ's companion." As he spoke, Esme removed his coat and placed it on a hanger by the door.
"Yes, nice to meet you." I went to greet him, but I faltered in getting up. The swelling had returned from walking around all day.
He moved fluidly over to me. "Please stay seated. Mind if I take a look?" He had already begun assessing my ankle.
"Sorry to ask after you're off the clock." I gave him my sincere apology.
"It's no problem. I love what I do." His cold fingers, like ice, felt good against my bruised skin.
"I believe there's a minor fracture. I have a scanner upstairs; it will only take a few minutes. Then I can form a lightweight brace before you leave tonight."
"I won't need surgery, will I?" I felt the blood drain from my face. "We'll see." He stood up, reaching out a hand. I took it wordlessly.
"Excuse us. I'll have her down before dinner." Dr. Cullen informed his family.
Music from the 1940s drifted from the kitchen, and Rose's voice rang beautifully like a carol of bells.
EJ met us upstairs, fascinated by the X-ray machine the doctor used."You have quite the setup," I noted aloud.
He had a fully functioning doctor's office on the third floor adjacent to his office.
"I tend to take my work with me wherever we go," Carlisle answered conversationally. He held a slight undertone of an English accent.
"When did you move here from the UK?" I questioned offhand.
Dr. Cullen stood rigid for a fraction of a second, making adjustments on the screen while EJ watched him.
"Many years ago. Now tell me about your incident." I gave him a brief synopsis, sparing some details.
"It's not broken, but it's a severe sprain," Carlisle concluded. "Is that good?" EJ questioned.
"Better, but not great," he answered his Godson. "Supper's ready!" Emmet called in his booming voice.
EJ bounded down the stairs first while Esme helped me down from the table.
I barely noticed her standing quietly in the corner while Carlisle worked.
In the culinary space, Emmet was sitting on the countertop until Rose twirled a hand towel, snapping it at him playfully to move.
"Carlisle and I are stepping out soon. Don't worry about making us anything." Esme let go of my arm when I reached the table.
"No worries." Rose set out a beautiful bounty of food. Hot rolls, a vegetable casserole, steak, and mashed potatoes.
The steaks looked extra rare and bloody, but everything else made my mouth water.
Rose started fixing EJ's plate and cutting his steak before moving on to hers.
Meanwhile, Emmet slowly built a barren plate and then clicked on the TV visible from the living room.
"This is wonderful," I complimented. EJ chomped on his steak, aggressively ripping corners off with his teeth.
Emmet cleared his throat, and EJ slowed down, chewing more carefully and less savagely.
"Thank you. Everything is from my mother's recipe cards...You can have as many leftovers as you like. EJ told us you don't like to cook?" Rose questioned.
"I'm working on it." I blushed sheepishly, focusing on my plate. "I'm in the process of teaching myself."
The TV amplified in volume as the news channel appeared on the screen.
"Four bodies have been found scattered under the bridgeways. The majority of the victims were homeless and strangely dismembered. One local college student, Samantha O'Donnell, is still currently missing after last being seen walking through the campus park late at night. Many are fearful that gang activity has returned..."
Emmet turned off the television before anything graphic could reveal itself.
My food fell off my fork and plopped onto my plate. "Layla?" EJ questioned.
I snapped out of my daze, noticing my poor manners.
"I'm sorry, my dad works in Seattle. I plan to visit him soon and pick up some cold-weather clothes at the mall," I mumbled.
"Are you sure you have to visit him this weekend? I was hoping we could hang out. The music collection in my room would be perfect for-"
"EJ, we have another hiking trip," his uncle warned. EJ hissed, stuffing the last bite of steak in his mouth.
Rose and Emmet exchanged a wary yet knowing glance.
"I have a few things to save you trouble." Rose offered, getting up from the table.
"That's okay-" She was already out of the room, and Emmet stood up, collecting plates.
EJ raised a brow at Emmet, who ignored the questioning glance.
"I was going to donate these. We're roughly the same size up top, and I'm sure Alice won't mind sparing a few pairs of pants," Rosalie mused, passing me with a full shopping bag I assumed to shove in my car.
Carlisle joined us, now dressed in athletic attire, holding a thin fiberglass splint. "Let me see if this fits."
I removed my shoe so he could size the frame. It looked solid, but he bent it perfectly to the shape of my ankle.
"Perfect. That should keep you. Please wear this for the next six weeks until your next visit," He got up.
"How much do I owe you?" I asked, ready and willing to hand over my insurance card or pay out of pocket if necessary.
"Not today. You enabled me to test out my latest X-ray machine. I'll add you to the client list tomorrow." He headed for the door with Esme.
"Want to see my room?" EJ asked, eager to show off his space.
"Thanks, but I think I should get back. My grandpa will be worried," I said, feeling awkward from all the hospitality.
"Another time then," Emmet said, placing a hand on EJs shoulder. "You're welcome anytime, dear; just give us a call first." Esme waved me off.
EJ saw me out, setting a container of leftovers in the passenger seat. "Next Wednesday?" "For sure," I promised.
I hoped EJ knew how lucky he was to have such a large, loving family.
Thursday Morning
Layla's Pov
The digital alarm clock trilled offensively. I reached an arm out to shut it off, but I knocked it off my desk.
It unplugged from the wall and clattered to the ground. I groaned, contemplating getting out of bed or even going to school.
I swung my legs over anyway; the pulsating pain detested my movement.
When I returned late last night, I didn't get to ice my ankle how I would've liked.
Toughing it out seemed like my only option. So, I braved the longest 15-minute cold shower of my life to reduce the remaining inflammation.
Thankfully, my ankle shrunk back down to size, enough to shove into the new brace EJ's Godfather made me.
"Kowlieshkah, breakfast!" Syd called up to me.
My grandpa was attempting to smooth things over with food after our last fight, but I wasn't hungry or in the mood to eat.
The thought of elk-fat-greased bacon and eggs made me gag. I couldn't understand why he lined almost every meal with it.
The doorbell rang when my feet met the main floor. "I'll get it. It's probably Rick." Syd's chair dragged out noisily.
Rick was one of his previous employees, but Moon Ranch has been out of livestock for years.
Syd sold his stock to a friend in Montana, and they send back leather pelts for his various projects.
As my grandpa grows older, he sometimes needs help with upkeeing the grounds.
Syd should retire, but he was content with this and volunteering at the wildlife reserve with the wolves.
"Oh, it's you again," Syd grumbled. From his displeasure, I knew it was- "Jake!" I rounded the corner, ready to leave.
"Is it cool if I catch a ride with you?" Jacob was here to drive me to school, but he was downplaying it for Syd so I could leave the house.
"Can't your old man drive you?" Syd retorted. "Rachel has the civic for job hunting. Billie sold the truck," he explained, ignoring his attitude.
"Then you can get your other riff-raff, and—"Yes, of course you can." I cut in between them.
"Great." Jacob's smile broadened. "See you!" I bounced off before Syd used colorful language to ward him off.
"He's peachy," Jake smirked. "Sorry." I apologized again.
"It's not your fault, and it's not a problem." I looked down, guilty because I felt like it was.
"I'm not going to put you under house arrest, but are you sure?" Jacob began to persuade a four-day weekend.
"I think we've skipped enough school; besides, I got it covered." I lifted the hem of my jeans to show him the new brace.
"Technically, we've only skipped two classes: once when we walked behind the school and the other in the grocery hall-"
His nostrils flared, and his twisted look confused me."You went to Forks for that?"
"It was faster. Book club, remember?" I rolled down my pant leg. Jacob turned his focus on the road, deep in thought.
He made a displeased sound in the back of his throat, a grumble that sounded almost like a growl.
I looked up at him questioningly when he started coughing to cover it up.
"Are you feeling okay? You don't need my permission to use the car if you're sick. Then-" "I'm fine," he insisted, clearing his throat as we pulled into the park.
He took my book bag outside in the lot without warning. "Hey!" "You don't need the extra weight," Jake explained.
"And you do?" I instantly retorted; without my bag, I felt naked.
"It's no trouble," Jake assured me, stretching as he extended his 6'7 muscled frame.
He then pulled me into his side for our three-legged formation.
Jacob was like that the rest of the day. Always waiting outside of a classroom to walk me to the next.
We didn't talk much, but being around him was nice, and when I didn't know what to say, the conversations weren't forced.
I was relieved that his gang gossip was turning out to be just that. Gossip.
Of course, the flyer still bothered me, and I hoped to learn the truth about that soon, but I was more determined to know Jacob.
After my inaccurate adopted perceptions, I didn't want to jump to more conclusions and risk our blooming friendship.
In our time spent, he was proving to be a warm and wonderful person, a pleasant distraction from my problems.
Those still lingered in the back of my mind, but Jake seemed to have a key to my peace, locking my worries away for another day.
Spanish ended early, so I headed to the cafeteria first.
I descended the steps I had fallen down previously this week, stopping by the girls' room.
I didn't pay much attention to the girls wrapped around the free-standing sinks, and they didn't seem to notice me either, as they were deep in conversation.
"So, how was your date with Elu?" "Ugh, he didn't want to go out." It sounded like Molly and her friends.
"Was he waiting on Layla again?" Trish questioned in a distasteful tone. "No. He asked out Andrea of all girls." Molly's tone was judgmental.
"Well, it's not like you guys haven't messed around before. I'm sure he'll cave soon." Spoke to a girl I didn't know.
"I don't know, maybe. But I'd rather have a night with Jacob Black." Molly mused. "Who wouldn't." They giggled.
I heard the entrance squeak open.
"I think you missed your chance there. Our stunt seemed to have the opposite effect of what you wanted." The unknown girl spoke again.
I hoped they would leave soon so I could wash my hands in peace.
"Well, she deserved it. Moon's totally ungrateful and undeserving of all his doting." Trish defended their actions. Her words pierced me.
"Ha, who knows? Maybe she's the next brainwashed convert to the cult," the unfamiliar girl laughed. "Speaking of cult followers... Kim," Molly complained.
"Gossiping again? You really should find a better hobby." Kim's familiar voice echoed in the tiled room.
"I dunno, the place suits her, with all her shit." April had followed Kim in.
The stalls next to me swung closed, and I heard the previous group of girls mutter insults as they left.
When the coast was clear, I stepped out of my stall to clean it up.
I didn't want to expose my unconscious eves dropping, so I spent a little extra time at the sink.
Letting out a deep sigh, I wondered if they were right.
Was I being ungrateful for Jacob's help? It's not like I was trying to dominate his time or take advantage of him.
He just always seemed to be there.
After lathering and rinsing my hands twice, I shook them out. No paper towels left.
Was there anything I could do for Jacob?
I stepped out into the bustling hall, only to into Tiffany Call.
"I've been waiting to catch you without him."
I joined her table to talk.
"I was hoping you could help." Tiffany tiptoed around her request. "With?" "Infiltrating their cult and find out what's going on with Embry," Paige corrected.
"Did something happen?" I was a little taken aback because I was almost over the whole situation.
"Not really, but he's been going out again." "I told you she wouldn't help," Paige turned to Tiff.
"Hey, I'll tell you what I can, but—" I looked over my shoulder to see the crowd of boys close in. "She's getting sucked in," Paige murmured again.
"What can I do?" I negated her. If I could help ease Tiffany's mind, I would.
"Great! How are we going to meet up? Embry brings his friends by all the time." Tiffany thought aloud.
"She could come to the theater club. We need more people anyways, or our production team will get cut."
Daniel, their friend, clearly eavesdropping, chimed in."Mind your business." Paige hissed.
"He's right. But what about dance tryouts?" Tiffany asked. "Um, it's not going to work out. I sprained my ankle; it will take too long to recover."
"That's too bad," Paige commented, not sounding apologetic, distracted by her crush on Seth passing by.
Tiffany rolled her eyes humorously over to me. "What do you say? We meet every Thursday until production begins. Then the weekend might get full."
"Yeah, sure, on both accounts." I wouldn't mind helping out backstage or if an extra was needed somewhere.
"Yes!" Tiffany beamed with Daniel across the table. "Mr. Thompson is making everyone try out for a part in the fall play," Daniel warned me.
"That's fine." I doubt I'd be selected. "Perfect! Come by Room 215..." He continued spouting information a mile a minute.
"This year, we're putting on a show in the old renovated Rialto theater in Port Angeles," Their table collected with more theater kids.
"That old thing?" "I thought it was called the Picture Palace." "I don't know, but it's inspiringly vintage."
I tuned out instead of basking in their secondhand excitement, focusing on the person who slid into a chair behind me.
The bell rang, and it felt premature.
That was probably because I was yapping instead of eating.
"See you later, Layla." Paige picked up her tray with Tiffany. "Yeah, see you." At least she seemed to be warming up to me.
Meanwhile, Camille and Andrea seemed put off that I would choose to sit between the drama club and the mysterious La Push 'protectors.'
"I'll see you in biology," I said to Jacob in passing. He was scarfing down his tray, eating far too fast for him to chew.
I loitered on one foot, waiting for most of the students to vacate first.
After airing my business to him yesterday and all his help, I figured he'd want a few moments to himself.
Jacob gave me a defiant look across the room that was easy to interpret, so I waited.
When he finished, I grasped one of his hands for support to hobble forward as usual. Jacob didn't move and pulled me back a step.
"It would be faster if I carried you up," he offered. "Um," We were already running late, and I didn't want to be a problem.
"If you say so." I let him hoist me up in his arms. Like Seth before, it was like I weighed a feather.
"I'm sorry," I said, wrapping my arms around his neck. "For what?" he asked.
It could have been my imagination, but it seemed Jacob's pace was slower than normal.
"For being a burden and bothering you all the time," I confessed. "You're not a burden." He scoffed, pausing to think about something.
"I wish you would try to bother me," Jacob smirked, turning his face towards me. His nose grazed mine.
I turned my head away timidly, looking over his shoulder. "Yeah, right," I mumbled.
"How about you test it out, and I'll let you know?" His amusement made my heart frantic.
My grip tightened, and he chuckled at my reaction. His skin underneath my grip burned hot like Jacob had a fever.
"Stop!" I ordered. "What? I was messing around." Jacob pulled away, alarmed.
"You're like really hot," his laughter boomed down the hallway. I flushed at the implication my words evoked.
"I'm serious, Jake! Your temperature is through the roof!" I pressed the back of my hand to his forehead.
He lowered me to the floor and gently removed my hand from his face. "I feel more than fine," he grinned.
"Jacob-" I wasn't mistaken, though. With a fever like that, he needed to lie down or see a doctor.
"But I wouldn't mind you telling me how hot I am again." Jacob's grin grew into a full-blown smile.
"You're ridiculous." Flustered, I stomped off into the lab. Which was a bad idea, considering I wanted to keep weight off my foot.
I managed to stumble into the correct chair with Embry snickering at my lack of grace while Jacob cheerfully took his place next to me.