Hey, folks. The writer's block lately has been absolute hell, so I hope you'll forgive me for how slow these updates are.
This chapter will seem like a 'filler chapter,' - but it has its purpose.
All thoughts, comments, and questions are welcome. Don't be shy - The interaction helps me more than y'all know. xo.
Oh, and as usual, SM owns everything. I'm just playing with characters.
The first few days of their trip went faster than they expected. Bella and Leah had packed the rented SUV so full of supplies that it looked more like they were moving cross country than vacationing.
Somehow, Sue, Billy, and Seth were at Charlie's seeing them off. Seth didn't seem thrilled to be there, but he was polite, despite the occasional glare sent Bella's way. While the dirty looks irritated her, Bella decided that if his behavior toward her hadn't calmed down by the time she returned, she'd deal with it then.
It surprised them when Quil, Embry, and Paul showed up to hug them goodbye and wish them a good time. Bella couldn't help but wonder how they knew when they were leaving, but she was happy they came by, all the same. Paul was bold enough to plop a firm kiss on her lips regardless of who saw it and laughed as he walked away, leaving her blushing furiously as she clambered into the car.
The girls took turns driving over the next several hours, swapping seats when they stopped somewhere to pee or grab snacks despite the full cooler in the back seat. Leah sang along with the radio, seemingly carefree for once, and spouting parodies on the fly that left Bella in tears of laughter along the way. All heavy conversation was avoided, every reminder of home ignored, and both reveled in the peacefulness of it.
It was nearly sundown when they reached their first planned destination near a national park in Oregon. The campgrounds were fuller than expected and they had to drive deep into the park before finding an open site. The heavily wooded spot blocked much of the remaining daylight, making it difficult to see. Luckily, the parking situation allowed them to use the headlights as they hurried to assemble their tent.
Leah practically squealed over their good luck when she discovered previous campers had left a small woodpile behind (it was their one forgotten purchase) and started a fire as Bella used the car battery to blow up the queen-sized air mattress inside the tent. Afterward, they eased the tent to a flatter location before driving the spikes into the ground to secure it.
"Something tells me you've done this before," Bella teased as Leah spread their sleeping bags over the mattress.
Sarcastically, Leah said, "With Harry Clearwater for a father? Never…."
Bella laughed as she walked over to turn off the headlights and retrieved their cooler. She grunted as she lifted it, barely able to remove it from the backseat alone. Leah chuckled as she ran over to help her carry it closer to the fire and the ancient, weather-worn picnic table beside it.
Leah said, "We must remember to lock this cooler back in the car before we try to sleep in case there are animals or something."
Bella grumbled, "That doesn't make me want to sleep in the tent, you know…"
Leah laughed and shook her head, watching Bella open a stack of paper plates. "I'll keep you safe, Bells. I'm pretty sure I could scare off a bear."
Bella snorted. Leah could certainly get loud enough but Bella would rather not chance it. They intended to sleep late and then explore a bit the next day. Bella just prayed they wouldn't get lost on the trails.
As they put their sandwiches together, Leah asked, "So… just how far out of our way is ?"
Bella frowned as she thought about it. "Ern… a couple of hours one way. Why?"
"Well… Halestorm is going to be at…"
Bella's eyes widened in excitement. "We're going!"
Leah laughed. "You don't even know the ticket prices."
"Doesn't matter," Bella said.
Leah introduced Bella to Halestorm, among other great rock bands with female leads, when they first began hanging out. Just like Linkin Park had grown on her under Phil's influence, Bella quickly learned to appreciate the sheer magic of one Lizzie Hale.
Breaking their unspoken rule about painful topics, Bella asked, "Is Hale Lizzie's real last name?"
Leah laughed. "No idea, Swan. Why?"
"I just wondered if she's distantly related to Rosalie."
Leah snorted. "I do not know who that is."
Bella shrugged, picking up her sandwich. "No one important," she muttered. "Just somebody I used to know."
She took a bite but nearly choked as Leah started belting Gotye lyrics and had to dig through the cooler for bottled water.
Picking at the crust on her sandwich, Leah asked, "You sure you want to go to that concert? It might be expensive. St. Louis is the nation's violent crime capitol and shit."
"I don't care," Bella said, grinning. "I've never been to a concert, Leah. It's the perfect opportunity to go. Renee won't mind if we arrive a day or two later."
"Won't it interfere with some things you planned to do?"
"Not really." Bella shrugged. "A concert would be more fun than anything it'll cancel out, I'm sure. Besides, part of the purpose of this trip is to do whatever we want. It'll be great."
"Awesome!" Leah nodded before taking a big bite, and they fell into a comfortable silence until they finished eating.
After they put the cooler back into the SUV, Leah began digging through the camping gear. "Ah-ha," she said triumphantly as she held up a small shepherd's hook and an old water kettle.
Grinning, Bella asked, "Where on earth did those come from?"
Leah pulled out a package of styrofoam cups, plastic spoons, and a canister of cocoa mix. As she dumped bottled water into the kettle she explained, "This was my dad's. He never went camping without this kettle and it came in handy for a lot of shit. Anyway, cocoa around the campfire the first night out is a Clearwater tradition."
She grinned as she handed Bella the cups and canister, then carried the kettle and hook to the fire. Bella watched as Leah set everything up before resuming her seat at the picnic table. When the kettle whistled, Leah pulled off her crop top and used it to lift the kettle from the hook and carry it back.
Bella smiled, grateful for the dark that hid her blush as she admired Leah's firm figure in only her sports bra and cotton shorts while she poured the water into the cups. The firelight illuminated Leah's smooth, tan skin, and Bella swallowed hard as she looked up from Leah's trim torso and into her face.
Leah smirked as she gently placed a steaming cup of cocoa beside Bella and then stirred her own. Bella turned her attention toward the flames and absently stirred her drink to help it cool, remembering Paul's joke about 'riding off into the sunset' with Leah. She simultaneously looked forward to and dreaded the torture that would accompany two more weeks of a frequently half-dressed Leah Clearwater.
The girls woke late the following morning as sunlight bore onto the small campsite. Leah's grumble about the tent being 'too hot' prompted Bella to move from her comfortable position and unzip the rain flaps from the half-moon windows and door. A light breeze fluttered through the screens and Leah sighed as she plopped back onto her pillow.
While Bella knew that sensuality hadn't been the intention, that's precisely how Leah sounded as she closed her eyes and moaned, "So much better… hmmm."
Leah arched her back and raised her arms over her head to stretch. Bella's eyes followed the movement, appreciating the curve of Leah's full breasts straining against her sports bra to the toned abdomen underneath, and down the swell of her slight mound between her thick thighs. A lustful heat flowed through her like a wave, warming her skin and gathering between her legs. Bella glanced away quickly, feeling the blush of her cheeks tingling, blooming across her face as she repressed the urge to touch Leah's exposed skin.
Leah turned toward Bella as she opened her eyes and sighed. "Wow, sweetie. You're all red."
Bella glanced down at her exposed abdomen and bare legs, finding herself flushed under the thin sheen of sweat atop her skin. Grinning from embarrassment, she said, "Yeah, it was getting hot, but I was too lazy to move until you complained."
Leah groaned as she sat up and fully unzipped the door flap. "We should see if there's somewhere to swim here today. Maybe we can find a big creek to play in."
Bella's eyes followed her friend as Leah crawled out of the tent head-first, leaving Bella with a clear view of her rounded backside.
"Yeah, we should," Bella said with a huff. Or a cold shower. She crawled out of the tent after Leah and zipped the door flap closed again to keep out any critters. The last thing she wanted to find in their bed that night was a snake, an enormous spider, or a swarm of mosquitos.
The girls took turns changing their clothes behind the SUV (putting on swimming suits under their jeans and t-shirts) as each watched out for the other in case another camper came near, loaded a backpack with some granola bars, water bottles, and a first aid kit, and chose one of the random paths leading away from their campsite to explore.
After about a half hour, Leah squealed in delight as she detected the sound of rushing water, and they picked up their pace. Soon, a small waterfall appeared, spilling into a deep pool at the side of a wide creek bed. The water was crystal clear, every rock and pebble visible beneath the surface.
"That water is going to be so cold," Bella said, chuckling.
"You can do it, Swan. You're tough," Leah teased as she rushed toward some flat boulders they could use to climb in and out of the water. As she sat down, she said, "Damn. We should have brought towels."
Standing on a slight incline, Bella balanced herself against a tree as she kicked off her shoes and started removing her jeans. She was relieved the ground under her feet was semi-warm and hoped the sunshine overhead was enough to warm the water. She spun at the sound of a splash and watched as Leah resurfaced from the water with a cry.
"Holy shit-balls, it's cold," Leah said, instantly stalling Bella's enthusiasm. Bella sighed as she pulled off her shirt and carefully placed it atop her discarded jeans and shoes before carefully stepping down and across the rocky ledge to the water. She dunked one foot in and her eyes went wide as she shivered.
Leah already looked more than comfortable in the water as she laughed. "You gotta just jump in, Bells. You'll adjust in no time, I promise."
"Uh-huh," Bella grumbled, scowling at the water. "How deep is it?"
"It's only about six feet right here, I think," Leah said. She swam a few feet closer and could stand entirely with the water at her shoulders. Nodding toward the pool, she added, "Okay, maybe five. Probably deeper over there."
Bella shook her head as she grimaced, aimed for the deeper part of the pool, and launched forward before cannonballing into the water. The cold water shocked her entire system, making her limbs ache as they burst to life and her air escaped in a bubble-filled cry. She resurfaced to the sound of Leah's cheering laughter and gasped for air.
"It's fucking freezing!" Bella swam toward Leah, wanting her feet back on solid ground until she grew used to the temperature.
It wasn't long before male voices came closer, gaining their attention as they glanced at each other warily. As if perfectly in sync with the other's thoughts, both headed for the rocky ledge and sat on a wide, flat rock, partially out of view. The sunlight felt warm on Bella's skin but the light breeze made her shiver and she leaned toward Leah's warm body, pressing their shoulders together.
Leah chuckled under her breath but looked up as footsteps approached. Her eyes widened as she muttered, "Hot damn."
Bella looked up toward the path as two men appeared and carefully appraised them. One had a firm but gangly build with light blonde hair to his chin, carefully tucked behind his ears. Large, blue eyes, a slightly crooked nose, and full lips sat perfectly between a strong brow and sharp jaw. His slightly bow-legged walk reminded her of Jasper, in a way.
The other looked about ten years older and had a taller, wider build, his skin tone slightly darker than Leah's and long black hair braided down his back. The set of his brow and eye shape was oddly familiar, but Bella couldn't place the resemblance off-hand.
Bella caught herself blushing over the (very) attractive native man as Leah playfully nudged her. "Close your mouth before you catch flies, Bells."
"I'm thinking I have a type…" Bella mumbled to herself, making Leah laugh.
"Yeah, you do."
Hearing their faint voices, both men looked toward them and back to each other. The blonde smirked at his friend and said, "Looks like someone discovered your spot, Kai."
"That's okay," the larger man said. His voice was deep. "The more the merrier, I guess. Like you'd ever turn down some pretty girls." The blonde laughed as they walked closer.
Leah said, "Sorry if we swiped your spot, guys. It was too pretty to pass up."
The blonde leaned against the same tree Bella had used to undress and grinned. Staring directly at Leah, he said, "No problem. I'm Declan."
Leah raised one eyebrow at him as she sized him up and climbed to her feet, letting him see her full height. She leaned toward him with her hand outstretched and said, "Leah. This is my friend, Bella."
"Hi," Bella said quietly as Leah and Declan shook hands. She looked toward the other man with an awkward wave. He grinned, revealing bright white teeth behind somewhat thin yet plump lips. Again, she couldn't place him, though the grin was… familiar.
"I'm Kai," he said, holding her gaze. "So, where are you ladies from?"
"Washington," Leah answered when Bella had yet to respond, too busy searching her memory for who this Kai reminded her of.
"I swear I know you from somewhere…" Bella said, finally.
"Yeah. You look familiar, too," he nodded, still grinning. "I've lived all over the west coast, though. Maybe we met before?"
"Yeah, maybe. I used to vacation with my dad in California."
"There you go!" Kai said and laughed, sounding warm and genuinely amused. "We probably bumped into each other somewhere one day. The human brain holds onto the weirdest shit."
"Yeah, it does." Bella nodded as she laughed, relieved to be rid of the suspicious feeling.
Leah resumed her seat next to Bella, hissing as she put her feet back into the water. "It's cold, boys."
"Oh, we know," Declan said as he sat his backpack near Bella's clothing and removed his boots. Bella didn't even see Kai remove his shoes or shirt, only catching a fleeting glance of him as he took a running leap from a higher boulder beside them and cannonballed into the pool. Unlike Bella, however, his landing sent water flying, splashing the others as Declan laughed.
Unlike his friend, Declan entered the water slowly, cautiously, letting himself adjust a little at a time. When he was finally waist deep, Kai charged toward the shallow end and tossed his smaller friend into the deeper side. The girls watched in amusement as Declan came up yelling and a splash war ensued.
"It's like being home with the fuckwits," Leah grumbled sarcastically.
Bella whispered, "Do you think they'll still act like this at Kai's age?"
Leah snorted. "Probably."
Suddenly, she stood and went to retrieve the backpack for bottled water and granola bars. On her way back, she grinned at Bella mischievously and hollered, "Hey guys! Want a snack?"
Their shenanigans immediately halted. As they grinned and swam toward them, Declan asked, "What kind of snack are you offering?"
Leah rolled her eyes and waved a granola bar at him. Leah handed one to each as they sat on either side of the girls, dripping cold water all over them.
They sat and talked long after the granola bars were gone. The guys offered a little information about themselves, currently traveling across the country for the hell of it. It amused them to find the girls were too, although their trip had a specific destination, eventually. They learned Declan was in his mid-twenties, but Kai refused to give them his age, stating he was, "Definitely much older than the rest of you."
The girls finally decided to return to their campsite, leaving Kai and Declan watching them curiously as she slipped their jeans over their now-dry suits and pulled on their socks and shoes.
"Nice meetin' ya," Declan hollered as Bella pulled on her t-shirt and Leah slung the backpack over her shoulder.
"You, too," Bella said, waving goodbye as they headed for the trail.
Once out of range, Leah said, "Well, that was interesting."
"Yeah, you seemed interested, alright," Bella teased.
Leah laughed and rolled her eyes. "Cute dudes. A little flirting is always good for the morale."
Bella snorted as Leah reached for her hand, threading their fingers together. She clung to her friend the rest of the way back.
After another night there, the girls woke early and packed up their site with the rising sun. Leah double-checked to ensure everything got packed as Bella started the car and, at the last second, swiped the small pile of unused firewood for the next campsite 'just in case.'
"Well, it'll have to sit in the car for a day or two because our next stop is for hot food and a motel," Bella said. "I need a shower."
"Oh, bless you," Leah teased. "Is a hot bath too much to hope for?"
"Not at all," Bella said, laughing. "But first, I need breakfast, preferably with coffee."
"Now we're talking, Swan."