Shifting Moon Ch 12

(POV Thomas)

After lunch was gym, but I had a doctor's note because of the accident and didn't play any volleyball. Instead, I sat on the bleachers and continued to fill in the drawings I had done of Edythe earlier in the day until the class was over.

Walking into Spanish class I saw someone new in the class, well not new as I had heard his name at every roll call. Edward Cullen had finally graced the class with his presence. But in all honesty, Thomas thought Edward could have been here yesterday when he was at home. With two Cullen's in the room, the sweet smell was almost overpowering. I wondered again if it had to do with their skincare products.

I walked to my seat which was very close to his, sat, and turned to address him. "I hope you are as tired about hearing this as I am but thank you for yesterday. If it hadn't been for you, my sister would have died in that accident. I couldn't get to her in time. If there is ever anything I can do to repay you, please ask me."

Edward looked at me, "I may have pulled her out of the way of the initial hit, but what you did saved both me and your sister. So, you owe me nothing, in fact, I owe you if anything here."

"Let's just call it a day then." I held out my hand, "My name is Thomas Raizel, it is good to meet you, Edward."

"It is good to meet you as well Thomas, as you know, my name is Edward Cullen. I believe you know my brothers Jasper and Emmett as well as my sisters Alice and Edythe. As much as they talk about you, I feel I know you already."

Thomas smiled, "Don't forget, I was introduced to your dad yesterday at the hospital."

The rest of class wasn't anything special, I did notice Edward looked at me more than I thought normal. I even saw him wince at one point and hold his head like he had a throbbing headache. But it must have passed quickly because he was back to normal in no time. I just shrugged my mental shoulders and concentrated on class.

When school was finally over, I met Bella at her truck. She was acting a little moody today like someone had done something to get on her bad side. I knew better than to bring it up right away, so I put my curiosity away for now and would ask later.

"I have to say, I am curious to meet one of Charlie's friends, and find out what passes for pizza here. Too bad they don't have a Papa Murphy's take and bake here, that was perfect back in Phoenix."

Bella smiled, "I am not sure if the one by the old house was glad we left, or upset over the loss of the money they made off you."

Now that he had her talking and smiling, "So what had you in a bad mood when I got in the truck?"

"Just a boy in Biology. If he wants to ignore me then I will just do the same thing. See if I care!"

Thomas at that point quickly dropped the subject and backed away from it like it was a bomb just waiting to go off in his lap. Luckily, they were pulling into the driveway at that point.

Quick to get to his room, Thomas pulled out his phone [I don't know how you do it with so many siblings. Just one keeps my hands full.]

Surprisingly fast, Thomas got a reply. [Having more than one gives them room to spread the issues out among everyone. Why, what did you do to upset Bella?]

[Not me, some boy in her biology class is ignoring her and she didn't take it well, which is surprising in and of itself. She normally doesn't want anyone's attention.]

[Sounds like she knows how to handle it. What are you doing today? Alice said you guys finally got your art project assigned.]

[Yeah, I will do a couple of concept drawings, but Charlie has a friend coming over later. Billy Black, from the reservation, I think. They plan to watch a hockey game tonight. But hey I get pizza out of it, so I will watch some as well.]

After about 15 minutes without a reply, Thomas re-read his text and realized he didn't give her anything to reply to. [What about you? Any plans tonight?]

After about 5 more minutes of silence, [Nothing special, just going to sit with the family, watch a movie, and then maybe later do some homework.]

I did a quick run in my head about movies that were dropping to video this month, [ Watching anything good?]

[There is a family wrestling tournament going on to decide between Troy, Without a Paddle, and Aliens vs Predator]

I cringed at that last choice, [Pray that whoever wants AvP loses badly, it was such a disappointment. But the other two I thought were good, just a question if you want action or comedy. That's my thoughts anyway. Bella and I went to a bunch of movies to give her mom time to be alone with her new husband so just about everything coming to video this year I have seen.]

[Anything to keep an eye out for this year?]

I thought a moment, [ For comedy Dodgeball was a standout, action was a tie between Man on Fire and The Borne Supremacy. I, Robot was a good future-type movie, The Lord of the Rings finished with Return of the King. National Treasure was a good movie also. Oh, almost forgot 50 First dates. That's all I can think of off the top of my head.]

[Well, it looks like Jasper won so we are watching Without a Paddle.]

[I will leave you to it then and go help Bella get the house ready for visitors. Enjoy your movie.]

[You enjoy your night also, text me if you hear any good stories from your dad's friend. I hear his tribe has some interesting myths.]

When I got downstairs, I noticed Bella was putting her jacket in with her keys in hand. "Where ya headed Bell's?"

"I was going to pick up the pizza for tonight, I called in the order almost an hour ago seeing as it was so big."

"Let me get dressed and I will go with you, less chance of the pizza arriving with that freshly dropped on the ground look that way."

Bella looked like she wanted to say something but just stopped and nodded her head. "Thanks."

By the time they got back with the pizzas, Bella and Thomas saw Charlie getting out of his cruiser and then reach into his back seat. There was also a parked truck in the front of the house, it was a tan Chevy 4x4 with a young man their age helping an older gentleman out of the passenger side and into a wheelchair.

By their complexion it was easy to guess they were American Indian, so I assumed this was our company for the game tonight. I grabbed the pizzas and opened the door after Bella parked behind Charlie since the Tan Chevy was in her spot for now.

As soon as we gathered, Charlie placed 2 six packs of tall-boy Blue Ribbon beer in the lap of the older man in the wheelchair. Then said, "I got the vitamin R." I was confused until I saw the beer brand was Rainier, and then I got the joke.

"Well done Chief." He then held up two paper bags, "Harry Clearwater's Homemade Fish Fry." and offered them to Charlie.

"Good Man." Charlie took them and handed them to Bella, "These go in the fridge to keep them from drying out. You guys will love it, best in the state." He then made the introduction to both Bell and me, "This dance star is Mr. Billy Black, a real live Indian Chief. Jacob here is his son and I'm sure a licensed driver. Right?" Charlie gave a hard stair that Jacob didn't quite return.

Bella just nodded as Charlie moved to the back of Billy's wheelchair and started pushing him toward the house. Letting the kids do their own introductions."

"Umm, H. Hi, I'm Jacob, we used to make mudpies together."

I barely smothered my laugh, {Smooth, this guy, is not.}

Bella didn't do much better, instead of letting the poor guy down easy and admitting she didn't remember him she faked that she remembered. "Oh, no. Yeah, I remember." I cringed again and glanced around and saw Charlie putting a ramp over the stairs to the house. It looked well used so Billy must have been a regular visitor. Bella finally got over her awkwardness and introduced me. "This is my brother, Thomas."

I nodded, "Good to meet you, Jacob. I'd offer you my hand, but I wouldn't want to drop the pies I'm carrying. Sounds like you and Bella here ate plenty of mud when you were younger and don't need more now."

Both Bella and Jacob flushed at my words. "Shall we head in? It doesn't feel right to be holding pizza and not eating it."

The three walked into the house and I followed Bella and Jacob to the kitchen where they pulled out some paper plates and started dishing out the pizza. Jacob first took a plate to his dad in the front room and Bella did the same for Charlie. While they were doing that, I put the beer and the fish fry that was on the counter, in the fridge after pulling two beers free from their tab. "Charlie, Mr. Black, you two want these beers now or something else to go with the food first?"

"We will take the beer Thomas," Charlie shouted from the room they were in. "And don't call me Mr. Black, it's just plain old Billy." Came Billy's reply.

I loaded down a plate with pizza and grabbed the two beers before heading into the front room to see Billy's wheelchair parked next to Charlie's lazy boy. I handed off the beers and went to sit down on the couch.

Billy's hand brushed mine when I passed him the beer. "You're going to warm my beer up holding it with your hand so hot. You running a temperature?"

Thomas smiled sheepishly, "Nope, I feel fine. Must have been the hand I was holding the pizzas with. Though Bella thinks I stole some heat from Phoenix to keep me warm here in Forks."

Billy went back to the game but occasionally looked over to see Thomas running through his plate, which held almost half a pizza in what he thought was record time.

Minutes later, I got up to get more pizza and politely asked if they needed anything while I was in the kitchen. It seemed that both Jacob and Bella had no interest in joining them in the front room for the game just yet.

Both men answered in the negative, so I went to refill my plate. I nodded at Jacob and Bella who were in the middle of an awkward silence that I wanted no part of.

Jacob's eyes went a little wide, "Your done with that plate already? It was half a pizza."

Bella responded, "He is only beginning, he will get two more plates the same size by the time he is done."

"Wicked, you should join an eating contest. You would get to eat all you want and win money at the same time."

I just laughed, "Got to keep my energy up for exercising." I then filled my plate. Leaving Bella's cheese pizza alone even though I know it will come to me to finish it. If she eats 3 pieces, it will mean she was starving.

The sudden cheers from the front room told me something good happened in the game, so I went back and took my seat in time for the replay.

During a commercial break, Charlie got up to go to the bathroom and grab another beer. Billy turned to me and asked, "So, tell me about yourself, Thomas. Where is your family from?"

"Well, my mother Nancy was from here in Forks. She was Renee's older sister, and the only thing I know about my dad was that he died in a hiking accident before I was born. Mom said he was from somewhere near the China/Nepal border. They met in Law school. Though come to think of it, Mom once told me a story about Dad's grandma being a Quileute Princess. But I don't know how true that is.

"That does sound a bit off, we don't have Princesses in the tribe. Your dad must have been a giant of a man if your size says anything."

Charlie walked back into the room, "You ain't joking there, but I think young Thomas here will have him beat. Still growing even at his age. Not to mention all the working out he does. Not that I'm complaining, the whole department is getting in shape due to the energy he has brought to the station. Him and... Well, never mind."

"You stopped talking quick, what is it?" Billy asked.

Charlie looked like he didn't want to answer but since it was a direct question, "No one you want to hear about Billy. Let's just leave it at that and let's get back to the game."

That caught my interest, but Billy just tightened his lips for a moment and acted like nothing had been said.

I just shrugged and went back to eating and paying just enough attention to keep up with the game in case I was asked something.

The next time I got up, Billy asked for another beer while I refilled my plate. When I walked into the kitchen, I heard Bella saying. "Well, I think I am going to go finish some homework, enjoy the Soccer game guys. Nice seeing you again Jacob." Then she went into the living room to make her excuses and goodnight to Billy and Charlie.

Jacob looked confused, "I thought we came to watch a Hockey game?"

"That's classic Bella, no interest in sports at all. I will tell her the Penguins lost by one touchdown tomorrow and she will just shrug." Thomas laughed as he pulled Billy's beer from the fridge and refilled his plate with a few pieces of the cheese pizza mixed in, so it got eaten.

Jacob just watched me in wonder and then followed me into the living room to watch the game. The rest of the evening was just a bunch of guys watching the game and enjoying the good food and drink. By the end of it, I was drawing out some ideas for my art project and only half paying attention to the game.

When it was over, Billy and Charlie started talking about random subjects ranging from better fishing come spring, to common spots where the tourists would get lost in the forest.

At a yawn from Jacob, Billy finally called it a night. "Better get this one home, it's a school night after all. It was good to meet you, Thomas. You should come to the reservation sometime, you and Sam Uley will get along great.

I thought about asking Billy about the girl I saw screaming out her frustrations a week back but decided it may be something personal for her and left it alone. I simply said my goodbyes there in the living room and watched Charlie walk them out to their truck. I went upstairs and knocked on Bella's door but got no response.

I could see her light on, so I cracked the door and saw she had her headphones on, so I walked in. When she noticed me, she took her headphones off and looked at me questioningly. "Let me get your keys so I can move your truck once the Blacks leave. That way Charlie doesn't have to do it in the morning."

Understanding dawned in her eyes and she pointed towards her desk. I found them under her Government class book, "I'll put them on the table so you don't have to look for them in the morning."

With a simple "Thanks." Bella returned to her math homework. I went back to my room and waited to hear Charlie come back in so I could move Bella's truck. When the time came, I walked out to start Bella's truck but then the thought of having to wait for it to be warm enough to engage the transmission irritated me, so I just put it in neutral and pushed the truck into the street and then walked to the cab and turned the tires and pushed it into its spot from the cab. "Much easier," I spoke out loud.

Walking back to the door I felt like I was being watched, So I stopped. Looking into the nearby tree line to try and make out any movement, but soon the feeling disappeared. For some reason, I instinctively sniffed at the air as if trying to smell something. Shaking my head I went inside.

Charlie was cleaning up the beer cans in the front room. "That was quick, you forget the keys or something? I didn't even hear the truck start up."

"Didn't feel like the wait so I just put it in neutral and pushed it in place," I said it offhandedly like it wasn't nothing to move such a heavy truck.

Charlie just shook his head, "Did you remember to put it back in gear?"

I answered before thinking, "Of course I…" Oh yeah, "I'll be right back."

Charlie just laughed good naturedly at me as I ran outside to make sure Bell still had a truck in the morning. When I came back in, I asked Charlie, "You ever get any wildlife this close to town? I felt like something, or someone was watching me from the tree line a bit ago. It has happened a few times when running in the mornings also."

"It's not unusual, but nothing that will cause you any harm if you don't look to harm it. Most anything willing to attack a man leaves a large trail before it gets near town, but you be careful regardless. I'll get you some pepper spray to run with in case you need to discourage something."

"Thanks, that may come in handy. Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. Think I will go get ready for bed, night Charlie."

"Night, kid."

I started to walk upstairs but paused, "Hey, Charlie. Why did you cut off your sentence about me and Jasper working out being the reason Jeff and Ken are suddenly into fitness again?"

Charlie gave a deep sigh, "Billy and I don't see eye to eye on the Cullen's. His tribe had some myths about pail strangers and once the first Quileute got a look at Dr. Cullen, well no one from the tribe has gone to the hospital since." Charlie shook his head, "It frustrates me when I see that kind of thing. So, I try not to talk about it and Billy tries not to hold it against me. It's complicated I guess."

"Weird, not sure I understand why they single out the Cullen's thought. Comparatively, all Caucasians are pail to the Quileute's."

I went upstairs and decided to take a break from homework and filled in some more of the pictures I had drawn of Edythe earlier. Once it hit 11, I grabbed my phone and texted [Have a good night, see you in class.] to Edythe.

Had I been looking out the window at that time, there was a good chance I would have seen the glow of a phone screen as Edythe got my message.

(Edythe POV)

I stared at the small screen in my hand [Have a good night, see you in class.] I hesitated, should I text back? Does he think I am asleep? What should I say? As these thoughts roll through my head, I notice the light in the room I assume is his go out.

A soft sigh escapes my lips as I close my phone and put it in my pocket. As I stare at the window separating me from him, the conversation I had with Esme runs through my head yet again.

(Scene Break Earlier That Day)

Driving home on day one of Edward ignoring Bella.

I barely had to open my mind to Edward's thoughts before the wave of his confusion hit me. He was happy that he was able to ignore Bella during their class together today, it was more difficult than he thought it would be, but he managed. He was trying to convince himself that it would get easier as time went by.

Sure, Bella seemed hurt by his sudden attitude but what was a little hurt feelings compared to endangering her life to the monster he thought himself to be?

As I tuned him out, I looked past the trees zooming by on the road to our house. I picked up my phone and looked at the number that was there. (He asked me for my number. Will he call or will he text? What is he doing today?) Suddenly, the car stopped, and I realized we were home already. Edward got out of the car and ran off into the woods without even a word to us. I just shook my head and went in search of my mother.

I found her in her study and politely knocked on its door. "Am I interrupting?"

She smiled at me, "No dear, I heard you coming up the stairs. How was your day? Did you see Thomas?"

"I did, and he asked me to thank you for doing my hair. What was it he said? Oh yes. 'You must thank your mother for me, she is very skilled. Any professional can turn someone plain into beautiful with clothing and makeup. But to turn someone like you who is naturally gorgeous into even more gorgeous is no easy task.' His reactions were a bit stumbling at first, but he told me that I looked Exceptional today. It felt very nice to hear him say that."

Esme smiles, "He sounds like he has a bit of silver in his tongue. He just isn't used to using it yet. How did you feel when he told you, his thoughts?"

"My whole body felt lighter and warmer at the same time. I wanted to ask him to say it again. Even though I don't usually like those types of compliments."

Esme laughed, "Oh dear, you will find that many things others have done in the past will have a whole new meaning when Thomas does them."

"Well, it's not the 1920s now, so I will not be waiting until he comes to talk to Dad or Edward before we start dating." Edythe frowned for a moment, "But what do I tell him about me, or our condition? My gift doesn't work on him, so once I tell him he will know forever. This doesn't just affect me. How will our interactions affect Edward and Bella? This is so complicated, so much can go wrong, and again because of Thomas, Alice can't see the repercussions of anything attached to him. Men are so... Frustrating sometimes."

"Indeed, they are. But we frustrate them just as much dear, if not more. Now, tell me, how do you feel about Thomas? And before you answer too quickly, are you willing to go against the Coven for those feelings? Will you turn him, or have him turned to keep us safe from the Volturi? If your brother can finally work himself up to leaving Bella, will you stay and forever tie our families together? Knowing the pain that would cause Edward and Bella both? Or, in the worst case, what will you do if Edward fails to control himself and kills Bella? You have read a bit about Thomas's life, so you can imagine what more loss could drive him to."

Esme got up and walked to her daughter as she saw each question hit home in varied ways, she pulled Edythe into a hug. "These are just the questions that we know about right now. Pursuing Thomas will bring so many more questions, and we never like all the answers we get in life. You can only try and prepare."

As I was being comforted by my mother, I heard a ding indicating a text message had been received.

[I don't know how you do it with so many siblings. Just one keeps my hands full.]

After reading it I chuckled and shook my head. "Sounds like Bella is giving Thomas trouble." I said aloud.

I started texting back rapidly, wishing the phone had a keyboard instead of 3 letters on each number. "Wonder if he set her off or if it was something else?" I first asked my mother and then finished my thoughts in text to Thomas.

After reading his reply, I looked up at Esme who was too polite to read over my shoulder. "Looks like Bella isn't happy with Edward's new plan to ignore her. Do you think it's the Vampire allure or does she actually see him for who he is?"

"I truly hope she isn't just interested in him for the outside trapping of our nature. Edward has so much more to offer if she can see past the shell." Esme responded.

"You're his mother, of course you would say that."

A thought suddenly hit me, (Is the allure the only reason Thomas looks at me?) "Umm… Mom, is there a way to test if he, I mean she, only likes him for the Vampire looks and smell?"

Esme looked at her daughter with a faint smile, "Only with time my dear one. It will be difficult for you… I mean Edward. With him being so used to being able to tell what people think at a glance. This will be a whole new experience without any gift helping."

I pretended to ignore the slip of her tongue, as she pretended to ignore my own slip. As I texted Thomas back and tried to change the subject to him and Alice working together on their art project. She was very excited at not being able to see much in her visions because of Thomas. Must be nice to only see the bright side of not having her usual cheat.

Reading his reply to that, sent shock and panic through me and I nearly shouted. "Ephraim Black's heir is going to be at his house tonight. He is going to break the treaty and tell them about us! We need a meeting about this." I was panicked at the thought right away. Without waiting on Esme, I rushed downstairs and yelled for everyone to come to the table.

I tried to call Edward but he didn't pick up so I left him a message the get home as quickly as he could.

As I hung up from leaving Edward the message, I noticed everyone was entering the 'Dining Room' minus Carlisle who was at work, and Edward who was running the forest.

Emmet was frowning, "What is it? I almost had a best 2 out of 3 to get to pick the movie tonight. Aliens Vs Predator sounds really good."

Jasper just smirked, "Sure you were, but I want to hear my Hummingbird laugh so when I win it will be Without a Paddle that we watch on the picture box tonight.

Alice jumped up and kissed Jasper then turned to her sister, "What has you all in a tizzy? I don't see anything happening that would affect us."

I held up my phone, "Thomas told me that Billy Black will be at his house tonight. It was his grandfather that we made the truce with. I am afraid he will tell them about us and break it."

Alice held out her hand for the phone. "Let me see what he said. It could be that because of Thomas, I can't see it." After reading the message, Alice frowned. "He says that His uncle, Bella's dad, and Billy are getting together to watch a Hockey game. How are you connecting this to him wanting to break the treaty?"

I thought for a moment, "The timing is just too coincidental, what do we do if he tells them?"

Alice tried to calm her sister down, "It's ok Edythe, I still have visions of us being here for the foreseeable future. Bella's dad has lived here in Forks all his life, so it's no surprise that the chief of police knows and is friendly with the Chief of the reservation. Billy Black didn't say anything when we first moved here, and nothing has changed since then. No unexplained missing people, and we have stayed off their land as agreed. He has no reason to break the treaty."

I tried to clear my thoughts for a moment and push the panic away. Alice made a certain amount of sense, but I was still too scared to not think that Black would break the treaty. What do I do?