Between (Paul Lahote)

Part 1

"I heard you guys coming all the way down the road," Charlie said with a grin as he opened his front door. He shook Billy and Jake's hands before pulling me into a loose hug. "You guys really fixed her up nice," Charlie motioned towards the red truck behind us. Jake and I nodded, smiling with pride. We had spent the last few weeks rebuilding Dad's old truck. Since he no longer needed it, Charlie purchased it for his daughter as a welcome home gift.

"Bella, do you remember Billy Black?" Charlie asked as his daughter curiously exited their front door.

"Yeah, you're looking good," Bella said with a smile.

"I'm still dancing!" Dad responded with a big grin. "I'm glad you're finally here. Charlie here hasn't shut up about it since you told him you were coming."

"Alright, keep exaggerating and I'll roll you into the mud," Charlie rolled his eyes and turned away, clearly embarrassed. He is a prideful man but was excited to have is daughter back in his life after many years apart.

"After I ram you in the ankles!" Billy laughed as he spun his wheelchair around and chased after Charlie into the middle of the road.

"Bring it!" We watched as Charlie and Dad horsed around in the streets. I giggled at the two grown men, while Jake coughed slightly, turning his attention back towards Bella.

"Hi, I'm Jacob."

"Hey."

"We used to make mud pies when we were younger."

"Right. No, I remember," Bella said with a small smile.

"You haven't forgotten about me right, Bella?" I smiled, engulfing her in a tight hug.

"How could I have forgotten about you? Gosh, it's been years."

"So, what do you think?" Charlie asked, a few moments later, after his play fight with Dad was over.

"Of what?"

"Your homecoming present," Charlie patted the back of the truck, admiring it for a second.

"This?"

"Just bought it off of Billy here." Bella looked shocked for a second before a large smile formed on her face.

"Jace and I totally rebuilt the engine for you," Jake said.

"Oh my gosh! This is perfect!"

"Here, let me show you." As Jake walked around the truck to get in through the passenger side, Bella opened the door, slamming into Jacob suddenly. Although Jake would surely have a bruise there tomorrow, I couldn't help but smile, seeing that Bella's clumsiness had not changed at all. "Listen, you've got to double pump the clutch when you shift, but besides that, you should be good!" Bella nodded, turning the key in the ignition and hearing the engine roar to life.

"Do you guys need a ride to school or something?" Bella asked.

"Oh, uh, we go to school on the Reservation," Jake responded.

"Right. That's too bad, it would have been nice to know two people."

***

Several Weeks Later

"It's finally Friday!" I exclaimed, walking out of La Push High School. The sun was out today, and it felt great after being stuck in a classroom for the entire day.

"Yeah, but remember we have that trigonometry test on Monday," Embry said with a grin.

"Don't remind me," I groaned. Jake, Embry and I made our way across the parking lot to my black truck parked in the middle. Once there, I opened the back door and threw my backpack on the back seat before feeling my cell phone vibrate in my pocket. "Hey Bella, what's up?"

"Are you and Jacob free tomorrow?"

"I think so, what's up?"

"A few of my friends are headed to La Push beach. I heard it's crowded, but it would be fun if you guys came down."

"Sounds fun, I'll let my brother know. We'll meet you there!" I hung up and turned to Jake who was seated in the passenger seat. "Bella and her friends are going to the beach tomorrow. You in?"

"Yeah, I should be free," he grinned.

"I'm down too! There's going to be a large swell tomorrow," Embry exclaimed before jumping into the backseat of my truck as I started the engine. "Look, Jared's back." Embry motioned towards the male as we drove out of the parking lot.

Jared had been missing from school for the past week. Rumor has it that he ran out during the middle of his history class and no one has seen him since. His hair was cut short, he had grown a few inches taller, and his muscles were nearly popping out of his shirt. He stood next to his truck and was talking to Sam Uley. As we drove past, the two men stopped talking and turned to watch my truck. I couldn't help but feel a chill run down my spine but decided to shake the feeling off.