Incendere sole I Chapter 1
Summary: With February approaching, the Swan residence is once again booming with life. Everything seems to fall into place. As Bella reacquaints herself with the rainy town, her sister tries everything in her power to keep her from harm's way, as well as the fangs that seem to follow. While navigating the power flowing in her veins and her ever-revolving relationship with her hot-tempered imprinter. Fate, however, has a way of throwing sticks under her feet.
I<- Chapter 1 - Arizona ->
The one sentence that kept replaying in my mind was that today was the day. I couldn't stop myself from grinning as soon as I woke up. Paul wasn't sleeping over tonight, which meant I woke up quite early. Sending him a quick good morning text was the first task of the day before going down to prepare breakfast.
I put the kettle on the stove to prepare a fresh pot of coffee for Dad. While I waited, I looked toward the clock mounted on the wall, my eyes widening instantly. Dad should already be up if he wanted to beat the traffic. I ran up the stairs, knocking on his door.
“Daaad, you're gonna be late,” I said in a sing-song voice. I could hear him shuffling inside his bedroom, almost falling, making me chuckle. It was his fault that Bella and I inherited the clumsiness; it still shocked me to this day that he made it as a police officer.
Shaking my head, I made my way downstairs to enjoy the scrambled eggs, pouring a cup of coffee for my father. He ran down the stairs, almost taking the steps by three, already dressed in a uniform.
Oh, boy. That was quicker than I had imagined. Personal record for sure.
I snored, “She knows you're a chief, you don't have to remind her.” He shot me an unappreciative look before heading straight for the cup sitting on the table. “What, you're gonna pick her up in the police car, too?”
When he didn't answer, I gasped in disbelief, “No, Dad, she'll kill you. She hates that kind of attention. Well, she hates attention.”
Setting the cup down, his hands rested on his hips as he gave me a pointed look. “I'm not driving your car around. What if there's an emergency and you'll need it? Bella's car won't be here until the afternoon. You didn't tell her, right?”
I took offense to that, "Course not, I'm not that big of a blabber mouth." The truth was, I was. But fortunately, I didn't tell her. She was more interested in knowing about the ins and outs of Forks. It eased her anxiety to know how it worked around here, if our neighbours were nosy, and she wanted to know everything about Dad.
Usually, we spend time together in Arizona since Renée didn't want Bella to travel to Washington often. She didn't mind my traveling to the hottest state, though. A memory of this year's Christmas flooded back, causing a shudder to run down my back.
What a loving mother she was.
He put his hands up in surrender, laughing, “Right, right. Are you sure you don't want to drive with me?”
“And be crammed in that tiny car with all the luggage? No, thank you.” I shook my head to prove the point. I wanted to see Bella, of course I did. But someone had to prepare the house for a surprise, and Dad wouldn't do it justice.
There was a part of me that wanted her to feel welcomed without triggering her social anxiety. That meant making the attendance small. Which was unfortunate, since meeting the people from here would help her acclimate. She never agreed on that sentiment.
“Okay then, I'll see you later, sweetheart.” He kissed the top of my head and headed toward the hall, “And no boys!” He added, making me sigh. “Wouldn't dream of it,” I yelled back as I nibbled on a bagel I had left. It wasn’t like
Paul could come anytime soon, since he was on a patrol with Sam and Jare. Leah, however, would, with Kim, who would help me set everything up right after I had my dance lessons.
I roped Kim into those, and she was loving them. I knew I saw potential in her; contemporary dancing was her calling. We didn't know each other well before Jared imprinted on her a few months ago. But it was the best thing he ever did, because she fit into our group like she was a part of it from the beginning.
I picked her up at her parents' house, and the whole ride was filled with laughing and singing songs at the top of our lungs. Men in the car next to us were cackling at our actions when we stopped at the red light, but we didn't let them ruin our good mood. Instead, Kim set the volume even higher, while I flipped them off, stepping on the gas right as the light turned green.
The class was as enjoyable as it could get, and we worked on a new song, which always brought a new perspective. I was thinking about shifting to ballet again, but no classes were open around Forks, and I wasn't about to travel to Port Angeles. Maybe someday, but not when Bella just moved, and she would need someone here to talk to. I wanted to spend as much time with her as I could, too. To make up for the years we spent apart.
We came back to my house, with three hours left to prepare for the homecoming. Leah was already waiting outside, her motorbike parked in the driveway. I parked and quickly got out of the car to hug my best friend.
Things were still delicate between us, but it was getting better with each passing day. After our conversation over the phone, she was more open to us being friends again rather than enemies.
It would take more to rebuild our relationship, and I was prepared to make any sacrifice to make that happen.
“Okay, we have enough time. I have a banner, a few balloons, we have to bake her favorite pie, aaaand that's all I think. I could do it on my own, but where's the fun in that, right?” They agreed. It wasn't that I needed help; there wasn't much to do. But I loved spending time with my girls.
The banner came out crooked on the first try when I tried to put it up. Kim and Leah weren't good at giving instructions: “A little to the left.” Kim instructed, while Leah shook her head, “No, put it upward on the right.”
They began arguing shortly after, making me roll my eyes. They butt heads, hard. I learned from Paul that they didn’t have the most harmonious relationship since Kim didn’t let Leah be rude to anyone. Much less Emily, even though the rest of us understood why Leah acted the way she did, Kim had her own methods of making her cope with the trauma.
“Why don't the two of you put it up, and I’ll instruct?” I suggested, already climbing down from the chair.
Second time's a charm, apparently. The baking was a smooth sailing, and while the pie was in the oven, we blew the balloons, which turned into an improv volleyball. They did not survive our game, but it was worth it. Kim and I got inailated by the Leah, which we didn't mind one bit, since we were still trying to catch our breath from all the laughing.
I set the pie to cool down, turning to face the girls, who were chatting around the dining table. “Can you believe the nerve that witch has?” Kim said, her hands flying. Here we go again.
“She's a bit expressive. You'll get used to it.” I leaned on the counter, trying my hardest to keep a straight face.
She whipped her head to face me, shock present in her features. “Are you kidding me? She asked me if I was interpreting confusion with my dancing.”
Leah laughed out loud, not making the effort to hide it like I had. My lips formed a thin line. “I mean, it could have been worse. She's naturally harsh; it's quite impressive.”
I could swear Kim's eye twitched when I finished my sentence. “Worse? Like the last lesson, when she said that if I were a soldier, I would lose a war because I couldn't do the 30 push-ups she made us do for no reason?”
“Exactly. See, there's progress in there; she's warming up to you.”
She grumbled, folding her arms over her chest. “She's an icicle, I'll die and my bones will turn to dust before she warms up.”
Leah chimed in, shrugging her shoulders. “You could always use one of your trusty crystals to try and hex her. That’s what I would do.”
“That I might do, thank you, Leah.” Kim sent her an appreciative look, smiling. Unlike me, Leah was trying to control her laughter and failing, feeding Kim thoughts of getting rid of our dance teacher. I rolled my eyes, letting them plot her demise for a while longer.
“Speaking of dislike: Jake's coming with Billy today. With Bella's car. And I think he hates me.”
Leah countered, “Jake doesn't hate.” She, unlike the rest of us, still had minimal contact with the group since Seth hung out with them, and she had to pick him up every single time they did.
“Right. His staring is the eternal love he has for me.” I said, sarcasm dripping from every word. Kim snorted at the comment, but didn't offer solace.
Kim sighed, replying instead of Leah, “He just doesn't like the pack. From what I’ve heard around the school, you guys are a gang.”
Leah snickered, “They're just mad they're not part of it.”
But she was right, we were never much of friends. I always preferred the company of his older sisters. And I had Leah, so I didn't really need him. He was a nice kid, but he hated our guts because we used to make fun of him. The only one who didn't participate was Bella, but even she preferred the company of the Black sisters rather than making mudpies with little Jake.
When Leah and I were older, we started hanging out with Sam and Jare, and after Paul moved to La Push, we formed our own group. But now, that group was expanding, and given how many vampires roamed Forks, there was a high chance one of them could join the pack.
They left soon after, reminding me to tell them every detail tomorrow over lunch. I sat down only to hear the screeching of tires outside. I ran to the door, almost bouncing in place. Squealing once Bella finally exited the car, nothing could stop me from basically running to her. She met me halfway, colliding with my hug. “I can't believe you're actually here.” I grinned.
“Same here.” She whispered, squeezing me tight.
Dad took all of her luggage, leading the way toward the house. “How was the ride?”
“Painfully awkward,” She mumbled with a tight smile, making me giggle.
“Just so you know, I told him to take my car.” I interlaced my hand in the crook of her arm, pulling her inside. “Surprise!” I yelled once we made it to the hall, where the banister was hanging. She winced, not happy with me making a big deal out of her arrival.
“Please don't be mad. It's just the banner. And your favorite pie. I also rented movies and bought popcorn for tonight.” I explained with a grin plastered over my face.
She sighed, “I'll forgive you if you rented Romeo and Juliet with DiCaprio.”
I laughed, tugging her up the stairs to her room, “You know it.”
Dad was hanging around, explaining to Bella how he didn't change much, just adding a few more age-appropriate furniture. The whole interaction was extremely awkward, making me snort. “I picked up some posters I knew you'd like. And I framed these to help you feel more at home.” I smiled, pointing at pictures of us in Arizona and on a trip to Hawaii.
“Thank you.” She looked grateful, making my smile wider. “You need help settling in?” I asked, hopeful to spend a bit more time with her.
“Yes, please.” We went through her clothes, putting them away in the closet. I did make a remark on a shopping trip, which she refused with panic in her voice. It was funny how different we were, even when we looked somewhat like siblings. I relented, but I knew we had to take that trip anyway, since the lack of winter clothes was evident.
We were now lying on my bed, exhausted by the unpacking, listening to the CD she got from Phil. "It's not that bad." I tried, but she narrowed her eyes at me in confusion, and we burst out laughing. “Okay, it's kind of bad. The kind that will be a banger after more listens.” I giggled.
Our chatter was interrupted by the sounds of an approaching engine. “The cavalry is here.” She shot me a confused look, standing up and looking out of the window. I didn't bother, since I knew who was coming to our humble abode. "Is that Billy Black?"
I hummed, "Mhm, with his son Jake. Rach and Becca don't live here anymore, so it’s just them two."
She nodded in acknowledgment, stepping toward the door before turning her head in my direction. “I'll be right behind you.” She left, and I sighed. I really didn't want to face Jake and his judgment. It wasn't that he didn't like me, per se; he just didn't support my choice of friends and boyfriend. I understood how it seemed from the outside, but Sam and the pack were doing their best to keep everyone safe.
It wasn't like they were doing drugs or something. On the contrary, if anything, they were keeping the kids of La Push in line. And maybe that contributed to the disdain Jake and his friends held. Embry didn't like us either, but unlike his friends, he tried to hide it. Despite our short-lived history.
I made my way down the stairs, listening to Bella getting excited about the car. I walked out the door just in time to see her banging the door into Jacob, making me snort. I covered with a cough, but still earned a nasty look from him.
“Lizzie! I didn't know you were home.” Exclaimed Billy, redirecting my attention. I smiled warmly at him. We saw each other just a week ago at an annual bonfire. His voice always brought the legends to life; it was incredible.
“I wouldn't miss my sister's arrival.” I went up to him to give him a tight hug. “Thank you for the truck, by the way. She seems to love it.”
“I told your old man I'm down with the kids.” He laughed, earning a chuckle from Charlie, too. They began to bicker just as Bella and Jake came out of the car, standing right next to me. “Jake, my guy, how have you been?”
He threw me a tight smile. “Awesome, how are you and your pack of hall monitors?”
“They are doing amazing, would you believe that Sam got his father’s company now? He really is Bob the Builder now.”
It was still in the process of happening, but with Jare and Paul finishing school, they all needed a place to officially work. Sam had a lot on his plate, so the guys helped him as much as they could between patrols and school, but even so, it was chaotic.
“The Uleys must be so proud of that young man.” Chimed in Dad, bringing Billy closer to the little circle we formed.
“They are! He even brought Jare and Paul in, so they can earn extra money. What a guy, am I right?” I smiled, looking especially at Jake, who tried his hardest not to gag. He was so easy to mess with, it was quite entertaining.
“See? And they say young people don’t want to work.” Dad said, glancing at Billy, who only nodded. If he only knew how much work they’d done around here.
The protective spells Kim and I cast with Emily’s help were effective in the woods around the border as far as I knew, but they still came in through the water. Leeches.
“I told you Paul is a good, hardworking person. They all are, but you never believed me.” I added, shrugging. There was a reason he held a certain dislike toward Paul, and it wasn’t because he was bad. He was a guy, and that was enough for Charlie.
“I’d be surprised if those two make it through school.” Jake couched, covering the sentence. My eye twitched, hand moving instinctively in a swift pattern. His leg shifted an inch forward, and he lost balance, slipping on the ice. His body landed with a loud thud, making the rest of the group yelp in surprise.
“Oh no, are you okay? I’ll help you up, come on, big guy.” I extended my hand, a smile playing on my face. His face grew red, glancing toward Bella, who had a hand in front of her face, horrified.
He reluctantly took it, letting me help him up. “Thanks.”
“No problem. We’re practically family, huh?” I said, squeezing his hand before letting go.
He helped Billy, who was cackling at the interaction, up the stairs to the living room. I quickly dragged Bells into my bedroom, since I didn't want her to suffer through watching the baseball match with a bunch of men. She was scrutinizing my every move. “Stop it.” I went to open the window to let in fresh air.
“What?” She asked, feigning innocence.
“That look of yours, stop it.”
She gave me a pointed look. “You made him fall.”
Curse her and her observing nature.
My brows knotted together. Gaslighting was the only way out of this, right? “I was standing in front of him. How would I do that?”
“I don’t know that yet. But I’m watching you. And you promised to tell me everything about Forks. What’s that animosity about?” She said, her tone full of accusation.
I shrugged, plopping onto the mattress next to her. “They are not from Forks, and you know them, so it doesn't really count. And I will introduce you to my friends, don’t you worry. He doesn’t like them, but I promise you’ll love them.” She kept giving me the look that suggested she wouldn't let it go. I loved her stubbornness, but only when it wasn't aimed at me.
“I’m not sure I want to know them. Last time we called, one of your friends yelled Take cover, before dumping flour on you.”
“Yeah, that’s Jared for you. He’s a bit out there, but totally harmless. And that flour was for Paul, I just didn’t duck in time.”
Emily didn’t let him come into the kitchen for three weeks after that. Other than to clean up the mess he made with a healing black eye, he got from Paul for disturbing the call between Bella and me.
Her lips formed a sceptical smile, not fully trusting my judgement. She and Jake would make great friends. “Anyways. He seemed smitten with you.”
“Don't change the subject.”
“I'm not! He was grinning like an idiot. He doesn't usually do that.”
She rolled her eyes, “Right. Well, it doesn't matter; he's a kid, and besides, he goes to rez school. So I won't know anyone anyway.” She continued, her anxiety now flashing in her eyes. My gaze changed from carefree to worried. “Bells.” My smile turned downward.
Her fingers pinched the bridge of her nose. “Ugh, I just hate first days. Are you sure you can't transfer?” That made me chuckle. “Pretty sure. But I would in a heartbeat, if I could.” I offered a smile.
It wasn't entirely the truth, because I couldn't attend Forks High with them present. It still didn't fully make sense why they even decided to go to high school, of all places, to blend in, but the one thing I knew was that I didn't want to be anywhere near them. Paul would probably have a heart attack if I decided to change schools. I didn't want to be prejudiced, since I didn't know them well, but they were vampires, so it was hard not to be. They were the sole reason my friends phased into animals.
I wasn't ecstatic about Bella attending Forks High with them present, but it wasn't my call; she couldn't just enroll in the reservation, my attending was already weird. Nonetheless, I was grateful I got to grow up around La Push with the Clearwaters and Blacks, which made me more eligible to attend. With a bit of perseverance and not enough kids in our year, they let me in.
“Anything I need to know about my peers?”
“I don't really know much about anyone. I know the Newtons; Mike is the same age as we are. His parents own a shop with hiking equipment. He's...how do I put it? A normal teen who wants to be likable. Most of them are, really.” I continued telling her about our neighbours and the peers I didn't know personally. I remembered some of them from kindergarten, but they were different people now. At most, I knew their parents, thanks to Charlie being the chief of police.
The sun was setting, and I could hear the engine rattling, signaling the departure of the Blacks. We went down to have dinner with Dad, who relayed the outcome of the match. We acted as if we were interested, just to make him happy. He also reminded us not to stay up late since it was school night, which I knew we wouldn't obey. The movies wouldn't get watched by themselves.
Just before I hit play on the first one, I sent a quick text to Paul, telling him to pick me up, so we could visit Emily's after school together. Which he obviously agreed on, wishing me goodnight.
“Why are you up so early?” I jumped at the sudden voice, totally forgetting Bella was here. Years of living just with Charlie did a number on me, apparently. “Sorry, didn't mean to spook you.” She snorted, reaching for the coffee pot and serving herself.
“Let's not lie. But to answer your question, it takes time to get to school, and I don't like being late. Unlike my ride, who is late.” I chuckled, checking the clock again.
Her eyebrows pinched together in confusion. “Why not take your own car?”
“Because we're going to a friend's house after. And he'll drop me off at the diner for the dinner Dad scheduled, so I don't have to drive home with my car while you get to enjoy a ride in a police car alone.” I explained, giving her a pointed smile.
I was doing her a favor, since I knew she didn't enjoy spending one-on-one time with Dad. I understood her; I didn't really like spending bonding time with my mom either. She gave me a silent thank you before biting into her breakfast.
A loud honk sounded outside. “Finally!” I grumbled, taking one last toast to go, bolting out of the door with a bye. I narrowed my eyes on Paul, who was wearing an apology on his face, which soon turned into a grin once I climbed into the passenger seat. “You'd better have a good excuse, because Tanner will eat me alive for coming in late.” I pointed my finger at him, mumbling since my mouth was full of toast. Mr. Tanner, my arch nemesis and also the biology teacher, made my life a living hell.
He snorted, stepping on the gas, speeding off. “Tanner can bite my ass.”
“Yeah, but he will probably bite mine off,” I grumbled, letting him take a bite of the half-eaten toast.
He laughed, taking what I was offering. “He can try.”
“It's not funny, he could fail me.”
He sighed, “I know, I know. But he won't. I didn't oversleep; that would mean I slept, which I didn't.”
I frowned. I hated it when he had night patrols. He didn't need as much sleep as your typical human, but that didn't mean he wouldn't appreciate it. Not to mention, he would have a harder time focusing in school, and the teachers already gave him a hard time as it was. “Is something happening?” My expression softened, my hand found his, giving it a tight squeeze.
“No, just bloodsuckers passing through. Nothing special.” He shrugged, giving me a tight smile, which made me frown once more. He wasn't telling me the whole truth; his whole posture was tense, something had happened, which he wasn't willing to share just now. I didn't press, since he would tell me later, probably just didn't want to spoil my day. I sighed, letting it go, and just looked out the window at the passing trees.
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