Her New Moon

7

"The number you have dialed is not in service."

Was everything meant to be hollow? It was as if a woodpecker continued creating a hole in her heart. The gray clouds consumed the sky. How curious the weather reflected her inner emotions. Maybe this was the universe mocking her outburst toward Jasper that day. At least she was healing. In the beginning, Driana fell quiet. Unfortunately, Ms. Berold didn't notice due to her usual days at the diner. Afterward, she became numb to the pain. As if in a trance, she forced herself to become better. It helped—a bit.

Her hands clasped around a mug, yet the poor drink sat unconsumed. The bannock, untouched, was snatched from her plate. "I can't let this go to waste."

"Sorry, Embry. I wasn't hungry," Driana explained.

"It's okay," Embry assured. "I'm that friend who helps finish your food."

Driana chuckled. "Thanks, Em."

Embry waved at someone behind Driana. She turned around, giving a small smile to a tall boy with long hair. He had high cheekbones and dimples visible as he smiled back. Behind him was another boy with young features who waved.

"Hey, Jake, Quil," Embry greeted. "You remember Jacob Black and Quil Ateara V, right?"

"Yeah," Driana nodded. "We've only met a couple of times."

"Do you guys remember Driana?"

"Of course I do," Quil flirtatiously spoke. Embry and Jacob rolled their eyes at Quil, causing him to laugh. "Long time no see."

"How've you been?" Jacob asked, taking a seat on the steps beside Embry.

"Doing my best," Driana softly smiled.

Jacob frowned, looking at Embry for answers. However, Embry stayed quiet, making a face before finishing the bannock. Jacob shook his head before looking at Driana, who hid her emotions as she leaned forward on the railing.

"That's not the Driana we met," Quil noted, voicing Jacob's thoughts. "Embry, Jake, how about we take her out for fun?"

"Fun?" Driana squinted her eyes in suspicion.

After a while of convincing, they trekked through the forest. The track narrowed as the four entered a new path. They continued hiking up the small hill that showed a view of the water and the reservation that resided by it. An old bonfire settled in the small clearing, unused for a long time.

"Woah," Driana breathed out.

"See? You had nothing to worry about," Quil teased.

"You're hanging out with the fun dudes," Embry told her.

"Thought you were heading into a horror movie, weren't you?" Jacob jested.

"Whatever," Driana playfully rolled her eyes. "How often are you guys up here?"

"Rarely," Jacob answered.

"We found this place from the older kids," Quil said. He gestured to the bonfire. "As you can see, no one's been up here for a while."

"How come?"

"About two years ago, the elders worried too much about people being far off in the woods," Embry explained.

"Especially my dad," Jacob shook his head. "His gut sense got worse since that Cullen family moved here."

Driana's heart dropped. It all made sense to her. Jacob's father, Billy Black, Chief of the Tribe Council, would have been more difficult on the boy for a reason. The boy was next in line to shape-shift. Sam Uley, the Alpha of the small pack, mentioned some families passed down the magic of transformation. Then, rustling noises came as two people emerged from the old path.

"What are you guys doing here?" An authoritative voice spoke.

"Relax, Sam," Driana eased. "They were showing me around."

"Do you want an earful from the same folks who told us not to come here?" Sam asked.

"Sam!" Driana scolded.

"Just looking out for you guys," Sam shrugged.

"Why are you here?" Jacob inquired, crossing his arms defensively.

"Searching for you," Jared answered. "Your father needs you."

"Why me?"

"Charlie's daughter is missing," Sam informed. "We were told she's somewhere in the woods."

"What?" Driana gasped.

Jacob rushed forward. "What are we waiting for? Let's go!"

In an instant, they hurried back down the hill. Driana, confused, wasn't sure why Jacob had suddenly agreed. He beelined straight to his dad's house, followed by Quil and Embry. Driana was unsure who to follow, and Jared made her decision.

"You need to stay here."

"What?!"

"It's safer that way. Sam doesn't want you wandering in the woods and getting lost."

Driana shook her head. "I'll be with you guys, won't I?"

Jared made a diving motion, signaling that he and Sam planned to shift into their wolf forms. Driana pouted in response before pleading to help look for Bella Swan. Sam approached the pair, ruffling Driana's hair.

"Stay." He nodded in the direction of a truck coming. "Paul agreed to the favor."