Chapter 1: The New Girl

"He's not here."

It seems like I've been hearing those three words a lot recently. Just like every other time, annoyance flared inside of me. I tried not to show it since all that ever got me was a pitying look from Billy. His eyebrows would scrunch and a crease would form between them, a frown marring his face, with a deep sadness in his eyes. I knew Billy cared about me, but apparently his son didn't anymore. I knew he was worried because he cared, but that didn't make the look annoy me any less. Even now it was already starting to show on his face, and I hated it.

My hands clenched by my side and I bit back the urge to tell him to stop pitying me. My best friend was distancing himself from me, disappearing from my life, but who was Billy to look at me like that? Thankfully, Billy never said too much more, because then I would probably snap. This was what Jake distancing himself from me does. I didn't want to lose my best friend, but maybe I already did.

Instead of saying any of my thoughts, I smiled at Billy. I knew it was fake, he knew it was fake, everyone who saw it knew it was fake, but I put it on anyway. Then I thanked him and moved to leave.

This was the way things always went, every time I come over to find that Jake bailed on me again. I would come, Billy would tell me the truth, I would pretend I was fine with it, I would leave and cry myself to sleep later that night. What was different this time was that Billy called after me, "Wait, Bella. Come sit with me for a moment. I believe we need to have a talk, one that is long overdue."

I didn't say anything. I simply turned back to him and followed him into the kitchen, staring at the wheels on his chair turning as the wheels in my brain refused to. Billy never talked about where Jake goes so that couldn't possibly be it. On the other hand, I didn't know what else he could possibly need to talk about. I doubted he simply wanted to talk about the weather, and not just because we were inside. Billy wasn't the type of man to beat around the bush, he would tell you what he thinks. That said, he also has this way of expressing himself that is long winded and dressed up, so sometimes it's almost as if he doesn't want to get to the point.

My eyes never left him as I slowly sunk into the kitchen chair. Billy seemed calm as he poured a glass of water for us each. I muttered a "thanks" when he passed it to me. We just sat there for a long moment as I sipped on the water. He didn't say anything, and I certainly wasn't going to be the one to break the silence. If Billy wanted, or even needed, to say something then he would. I simply needed to give him time to collect his thoughts. If he's waited this long then obviously it's something important. It was obviously about Jake.

He raised his gaze to me and smiled. "Bella, you're like family to me and it hurts me to see you in pain. It hurts me even more to know that my own son is the one to blame for that pain."

"Billy, you don't need to apologize on Jake's behalf. It's not your fault," I immediately told him, only to get hushed. I blinked and sat back, staring at him. I waved my hand for him to go on, in which I got an amused smile. "Go on then."

He quickly became serious once again. "I am not apologizing for him. That is what he needs to do on his own. All I can do is try to make him understand that. What I wanted to do is explain his actions to you, as they probably seem a little strange for Jacob."

"Not really. This is normal for Jake, ever since we were kids." I shrugged and looked away.

"What do you mean?" Billy asked.

I sighed and looked back at him, only to find genuine curiosity. I wondered how well he would take what I had to say. "Jake gets bored easily. We both know this. He looks for new things to play with all the time, has ever since I met him when I was three. He would get a new toy and play with it for a few days, maybe a week or two, a month at tops." I shrugged again and added, "So of course he's playing with his new toy."

Billy's smile faltered. "Bella, I can promise you that this isn't like that. Ellie is no toy to Jacob."

Ellie.

The name wanted to make me gag and I haven't even met the girl. Jake refused to introduce us, probably worried I would try to scare her away. That only made me want to meet her more, since he was making her some big secret even though it was common knowledge that they were dating. Everyone knew and felt like it was necessary to continuously bring it up, again and again. It seems that Billy wasn't going to be any different, even though technically I was the one to bring her up.

I just didn't see what the big deal was with her. Jake had a girlfriend, fan-fucking-tastic. Does that mean he has to dump his friend? It doesn't look like he dumped Quil or Embry. It was like he enjoyed making me suffer, and making sure I was the only one. I just wanted my friend, and I really didn't think that was too much to ask.

"Just hear me out, Bella," Billy said. He sighed and continued on, "Jacob is in a very… confusing stage of his life. He's not quite sure how to handle this new development. All I can tell you is that you should give him some time to deal with it on his own. Jacob isn't one to turn his back on his friends, you know that. That boy is stubborn and headstrong, but he is loyal."

"You just described a dog."

The water he took a sip of nearly spilled out of his mouth. He coughed and I was immediately up, thumping his back. Billy swatted me away after a moment, insisting that he was fine. He went to say something, but then he chuckled and shook his head.

"What is it, Billy?" I asked.

"Ah, nothing. You simply caught me by surprise by such an… accurate depiction of what I said and what he is like," Billy said. He chuckled again and waved me off. "I think I got the point across. Just give him some time. Give him grief later, but give him time right now."

"Yeah, okay. Thanks, Billy," I mumbled, as I left.

Billy was certainly unique. I didn't know why I got such a reaction out of him, especially since I was mostly joking, but I guess it was an amusing reaction nonetheless. At the very least, it brought some joy to me, no matter how temporary it was. The effects were quickly wearing off as I began walking to my truck. As I reached the door, the annoyance was back. I didn't know what I could possibly do with it or how to calm down.

Stepping away from the door, I went to the place that always calmed me down. I walked away from Jacob's house and down to the beach. My nerves were still high strung as I walked along the sand. My feet carried me to the cliffs, up to the very top. I stared out into the water for a while before finally sitting down. I pulled my legs up to my chest and wrapped my arms around them.

The wind rushed around me, slapping at my skin. I ignored the chills that ran through my body. They were nothing compared to the pain of abandonment that I felt. It's an intense and brutal feeling that takes hold of every part of you, mentally, physically, and emotionally. Nothing can compare to that feeling. It was the feeling Jacob left me with every time he blows me off.

Ellie sounded like a nice enough girl, at least from the things I've heard, but I couldn't bring myself to like her. In fact, the only thing I felt for her was resentment. She was taking my best friend from me, whether it was intentional or not. I half believed that she was doing it on purpose, but of course I didn't have enough proof. Or any.

I don't know how long I sat there, but a strong, deep voice from behind me called out, "What are you doing here?"

Snapping myself back to reality, I looked over my shoulder, noticing the sky had darkened, at the man standing no more than five feet away. He wore nothing but cutoff shorts, showcasing his strong legs, and displaying his muscled chest and arms. His broad shoulders were tight as his arms crossed over his chest. My gaze moved to his russet face, taking in his high cheekbones for only a moment before I was sucked into the deep depths of his brown eyes. A sudden warmth enveloped my very being, but I shook it away, not understanding where it came from.

I realized quickly enough that this 'man' was one of Jake's friends. I have never been up close to Paul, but I've seen him from afar. Frankly, seeing him from afar didn't do him justice.

"I," I stammered, realizing he asked me a question and I still haven't answered. It didn't help that he was now watching me warily. "I just came here to think."

"To think," he repeated, staying where he was. He rocked back and forth on his feet, as if debating.

I looked away, back to the water below. I rested my chin on my knees and closed my eyes. There was a sudden sense of calmness that I couldn't understand, not that I was complaining about the break from the annoyance and building anger. Silence hovered between Paul and I until I heard the footsteps. I expected them to grow fainter as he walked away, but instead they came closer. They were followed by a sigh and the sound of him plopping down next to me. That was what made me on my eyes and peer at him, only to find that he was already watching me.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked.

I blushed and looked away. "Just some personal stuff."

"I won't bite," he teased. Then, on a serious note, he added, "I can be a pretty good listener."

Glancing back at him, I honestly debated telling him. He seemed calm and unlike how Jake described him. Paul wasn't angry or picking a fight, and he certainly wasn't trying to get in my pants. He was simply here and willing to listen. Maybe it would be good for me to talk about It.

As I opened my mouth, Paul smiled and I found myself at a loss for words. Then I laughed nervously and said, "Don't worry about it. I really doubt you want to listen to my drama." I started to get up, but then he grabbed my arm, send in shocks through me, and tugged me back. "Paul?"

"I'm serious, Bella, you can talk to me. You don't need to be worried about me judging you, because I won't. Just consider me as an unbiased third party." Paul let go of my arm. I wondered if he felt the shocks too. "You can't keep things bottled inside. Trust me, I know."

"From what I hear you don't exactly keep things in," I retorted before I could stop myself. Seconds after, I couldn't believe I said it. I blushed and looked down. "S-sorry, I didn't mean..."

He chuckled. "It's fine, Bella. You're not exactly the first to point it out. I'm aggressive and I have a temper, I'm not denying that."

"You're not like that right now," I pointed out.

"I guess I'm not," he mumbled.

Paul looked like he was in deep thought, and I hated to disturb him, but I was becoming aware of the fact that warmth was circling my hand from where he placed his hand on mine. I glanced down at it for a moment before slipping it away, hoping to go unnoticed.

At the slightest movement, Paul's gaze returned to me. I froze, but he simply smiled and laid down, crossing his arms behind his head. He did the hard work of pulling away for me. Not only that, but his current position also gave me a good view of his chest.

I looked away when he gave me another smile, this one more amused than anything. I tried to focus on the waves crashing against the bottom of the cliff, but there was always the reminder that Paul was laying next to me.

"You're not going to say what's bothering you, are you?" he finally asked.

"No. It's alright. I'm not as concerned about it anymore," I said and, in that moment, it was the truth. Jake hadn't popped into my head for a while.

There was a pause before Paul said, "It's Jake. I know it has to be him, so don't even try to deny it."

"I…"

"Don't," Paul said. When I looked back at him, he was staring up at the sky. "Jake doesn't know what he's missing out on."

"You sure know what to tell a girl." I smiled.

Paul said and said, "I've been told that a few times."

"I'm sure you have been," I said.

I stood up and stretched out my limbs. When I glanced at Paul, he was watching me. He went from laying down to sitting up. He almost looked sad that I was leaving, and it was becoming more apparent that that was what I was doing.

"It's getting kind of late," I said.

"Do you need a ride home?" Paul asked.

I shook my head. "My truck's parked at… Jake's."

Paul stood up and began walking away. When I didn't follow, he looked over his shoulder at me with that amused smile and asked, "Are you coming or what?"

"I… yeah." I caught up with him, and as we walked he slowed his pace so I didn't have to speed up to match his.

"You should come back sometime," Paul said, as we reached my truck.

I smiled and said, "I'll see you later, Paul. Thanks for hanging around, I really appreciated it."

"Anytime," he said, and I really believe he meant it.

I got into my truck. The most Paul did was take a step or two back, but for the most part he stayed right where he was. His gaze never wavered from me as I drove away. He was the last thing I saw in my rear view mirror as I left La Push behind.

As far as first chapters go, I think this one went alright. I hope you guys liked it. Let me know what you thought in the comments :)

- MissTwilightWriter