Her New Moon

12

Jacob and Bella prepared to leave the house while Driana stated she needed to ask Billy a few questions. Bella nodded in understanding, except Jacob, who felt skeptical yet shrugged it off. Billy wheeled himself back to the window, watching the two head into the forest toward Jacob's garage. He smiled at Driana.

"What's on your mind?"

"Uncle Billy, are there some things I'm not allowed to know?"

"What do you mean?"

"I get that they're tribe secrets- the wolf pack." She paused, letting Billy Black comprehend. "I can't help but ask, what happened to Sam?"

Billy sighed. "Some things are better left unsaid."

The day Driana met Billy Black was nerve-wracking. Right after Paul transformed, Sam and Jared took Driana and Paul to the council. The feeling of stepping into an unknown boundary and disappearing made Driana freeze at the sight of Billy Black. However, he cautiously took the scared girl's hand, sat her down, and explained what he could.

"Sam has a strained relationship with his mom and Leah. His focus was solely on Leah, and he drowned himself in guilt. Then, that night, Emily Young comes along, and I don't hear anything about poor Leah. I know something's wrong." Driana frowned. "If I can't know the truth, what can I do as a friend?"

Billy tapped his fingers against the table. "It shouldn't be Sam you'll be advising."

"Then, who?"

"In time, you'll know." Billy Black picked up his book, continuing to read.

Driana furrowed her brows, then nodded in understanding. "Okay, Uncle Bill."

"Driana!" Billy called the girl, who was heading out the door. "Visit Leah Clearwater when you can!"

Driana gave a confused expression, waving to Billy Black before following the trail toward Jacob's hidden garage. She found Bella sitting in Jacob's car project while Jacob crouched over a red motorcycle.

"Quil and Embry?" Bella spoke. "Those are unusual names."

"Quil's a passed-down name," Jacob explained. "Embry's name came from a soap opera star. I think."

"Speak badly of their names, and they'll tag team you," Driana warned, leaning against the car.

"JACOB!"

Bella stood up, panicking. "Was that Billy?"

"No," Driana snorted.

"Jake, you out here?"

"Speak of the devil," Jacob exhaled. He raised his head high. "I'm here!"

Embry and Quil stepped foot in the makeshift garage, pausing at the sight of Bella Swan. The boys approached carefully, eyeing Jacob and Bella before giving knowing glances at Driana. Driana rolled her eyes, shaking her head in disapproval.

"Guys," Jacob acknowledged. "This is Bella Swan."

"You're Charlie's kid, right?" Quil asked, shaking Bella's hand as he flexed his arm. "I'm Quil Ateara," He greeted, flirtatiously smiling.

"I'm Embry Call." Embry shyly waved. "Although, I'm sure you figured that out."

"Nice meeting you guys," Bella nodded.

"So," Quil asked, eyes locked on Bella. "What y'all doing?"

Driana smacked Quil's arm. "Stop it, you're freaking her out."

Bella genuinely laughed.

"We're fixing up these bikes," Jacob informed them.

Quil and Embry, as if in a trance, beelined toward the bikes. They spoke their mechanical lingo, confusing Bella as she tried to listen. Driana stood beside her for company. The pair conversed quietly, watching the boys who worked on the bike.

"Sorry about Quil," Driana told her. "He's mischievous at times."

"I like him," Bella admitted. "He's a funny lad."

"Bella?" Driana bit the inside of her cheek. "What's the exact purpose of checking if I was real?"

"Honestly, it's been a nightmare," Bella explained. "Edward took everything with him. It's not just emotional but physical as well. The photos I had of him are gone. I visited the house, and it was empty. I thought that, perhaps, I imagined the whole thing. Maybe I did, so it could be the one thing that kept me going in Forks. Then, you appeared. This sense of relief washed over me. I realized I was never alone."

Driana held in the tears that threatened to fall. She placed a hand on Bella's shoulder, squeezing it. "I'm sorry if I wasn't around sooner."

"Me too," Bella apologized, clasping a hand around Driana's. "We're both still here."

The sun began setting, and both girls walked over to the three boys who immersed themselves in the bikes. Bella announced they had to leave, and Jacob reacted sadly. Embry and Quil nudged each other, and Driana stared, confused.

"Do you mind if we come back tomorrow?" Bella asked. "To continue on the bikes, I mean."

"That would be great!" Jacob enthusiastically cheered.

"I suppose you're including riding lessons?" Bella inquired.

Quil whispered something to Embry, causing Jacob to whack the boy's head. The five talked one last time before the girls finally made their leave. Driana and Bella chuckled at their scuffling as they left, heading back to the truck.

"I think Quil likes you too much," Driana commented.

"Really?" Bella asked jokingly. "I never noticed."