Certain Things || L.C.

Chapter Four

March 4th, 2006

It had been weeks since Jacob had gotten sick, and yet, Bella had heard no word from the boy. As far as she knew, he had come down with mono, or so Billy had told her. Day after day she called, but it was always Billy who had answered, claiming the teen was still too sick to come to the phone. Eventually, even Billy had stopped picking up, and soon, the voicemail box had been filled. Bella had felt helpless. Fearing that she had lost the one true friend she had. The pain came back with a vengeance. Now that Jake had left, the hole in her heart seemed to grow twice the size.

Conner saw the pain return, as hard as she had tried to hide it, and he was furious. It was clear that the Quileutes had been using the sickness as an excuse to avoid the girl, that much was obvious, as the silence from the teen had gone on far too long. He was just unsure as to why. Frankly, he didn't exactly care what the excuse was. All he saw was the progress Bella was making in healing going to waste.

It was a Saturday, his day off, when Bella finally decided to confront the boy. Conner had made plans to go fishing with his father and Harry Clearwater, but he suddenly regretted making the plans. He turned to Bella. "Look, I don't have to go fishing today." He started.

Bella waved a hand dismissively. "Yeah, you do. What are you talking about?" She asked. "Just be careful." She said directing the words to her father and brother.

"We always are." Charlie spoke up, giving the girl a reassuring smile.

Harry spoke up. "Those bears won't get the drop on me, Bella." He joked smirking. "My kung foo is strong." He added teasingly, earning a small chuckle from the other two men.

Conner nudged his shoulder. "Yeah, right. Your reflexes are so lightning fast." He said laughing.

Harry scoffed. "I have no idea what you mean, I'm practically a chetah." He smiled proudly as the three walked out the front door, to Harry's truck. Conner leaned down, picking up a pebble on the driveway, quickly chucking it in the man's direction. The tiny rock hit the man right in the middle of his forehead, his eyes going wide. Charlie and Conner doubled over with laughter, seeing the shocked look on Harry's face.

The tree climbed into the truck, setting their fishing gear in the bed. Conner sat silently in the back seat as the two other man held light conversation, staring out the window as the trees blurred past. Charlie had been talking about Jake, complaining of the teens absence. "I just don't understand what happened. It's been over a month now." Charlie said exasperatedly.

"I wouldn't worry about it, Charlie. I'm sure he'll come around eventually." Henry said dismissively.

Charlie sighed. "I hope so." He said, staying silent for a moment. "Anyway, how are Leah and Seth doing? How's high school going for him?" He asked changing the subject.

"He's doing great. Straight A's." He said proudly. "Leah's okay, still keeping to herself mostly." He said, voice dropping slightly. "She's still pretty broken up over Sam. I think she's mainly angry at this point." He continued.

Conner's eyebrows furrowed, not sure what the man meant. "I didn't know you had a daughter." He interjected. He hadn't spent a lot of time with the man, usually spending the days he came over working or busying himself with yard word to distract himself. He had found out about Harry's son, having overhead a previous conversation, but a daughter was news to him. He found himself uncharacteristically intrigued by the topic.

Harry glanced towards the man in the rearview mirror of the truck. "Yeah, Leah. She's about your age I'd say. Doesn't get out much besides work, I'm sure you haven't met before." He said.

Conner quirked an eyebrow. He hadn't known any of Charlie's friends had any kids closer in age to him, granted he didn't get out much himself. The only friends he had was Bella and Jake, and clearly the latter wasn't going too well. Conner sighed, dropping the subject and turning back to gaze out the truck's window.