Her New Moon

19

"She's still unconscious," Sam spoke, eyes on Emily. "The force of my paw knocked her to the ground."

"Oh, Sammy Boy," Driana said quietly, sitting in the corner of the room. "What happened?"

Sam bit the inside of his cheek, furrowing his brows in frustration. "I- I fell in love with Emily. But she grew to love me. Fate decided that we were meant to be together. Emily felt ashamed of herself because she thought of Leah. She tried changing her mind, forcing me to go back to Leah. I told her I can't. The argument became heated, and Emily told me I was like my father." He leaned down, holding in tears, stroking Emily's hair. "I got so angry that I slipped into transformation. There was blood on my paw and her face. I couldn't handle it. Because of what I did, it was hard to shift back into a human."

"You mind-linked the others and called Aunt Sue because you needed help," Driana said. "But I'm no use. Why am I here?"

Sam frowned. "Because I need a friend. You have known me longer than the pack has." He outstretched his arms, and Driana smiled, hugging him. "Isn't it funny, Dri? When I first transformed, I distanced myself from everyone. Then, I came around. I hid again because I had another secret."

"I don't want you forgetting, Sam." Driana lightly punched his arm. "You are responsible. You are nothing like your father."

Sam began tearing up, ruffling her hair. "Thanks."

"You need to eat, Sam," Driana told him. "I'll stay with Emily."

The older boy sighed. "I'm sorry for how I acted."

"Things happen," Driana shrugged. "We can't control the unexpected."

"You're the only one who understands how I feel for Leah," Sam said. "Do you think she'll be alright?"

"It'll take a while."

Day and night, Sam stayed with Emily at the hospital. The pack and Driana worried for his health, deciding that one would regularly check up on the alpha. The boys conversed with Emily, officially meeting the older girl. Driana made visits to Leah, who was distraught. Even if Leah worried about her cousin, resentment toward Emily and Sam boiled in her blood, and her broken heart formed her into a cold person. The girl was no longer cheerful. Instead, she became serious, maturing differently. The only people her barriers would break down for were Driana and Seth. When Driana wasn't with Leah, she continued keeping Bella company.

"Still no sign of Jake?"

Driana shook her head. "No. I bet he's probably with his friends."

Bella pursed her lips. "I knew he'd get tired of me. I told him to tell me if I was becoming too much."

"Bella," Driana frowned. "Why do you say that?"

"I'm broken beyond repair."

"But you're still working," Driana reasoned. She clasped Bella's hand, which had gotten thinner over the past months. "One part of you shouldn't make you believe you're broken."

Bella stayed silent in thought. She turned to Driana, a small smile on her face. "There's a place I've been meaning to visit."

"What is it?"

The younger girl shook her head. "If I told you, you'd think I've gone insane."

"Well, alright!" Driana agreed. "If where we're going makes you happy, let's do it." The girl jutted her finger at the door. "I need to tell my mom, though."

Bella nodded, pulling Driana along with her. "Let's hurry before the sun goes down."

Driana and Bella made their way out of the room. They stopped by the kitchen, where Ms. Berold prepped food for lunch. The woman looked up, smiling at Bella before waiting for her daughter to speak.

"Mom, is it alright if Bella and I go out? We'll be back, I promise."

"Oh, of course. Come back safely, alright?"

"We will!" The girls spoke in unison.

Putting on their shoes, Ms. Berold called her daughter over. Driana nodded at Bella, telling her to head out first. She waited on Ms. Berold, who busied herself washing her hands.

"Yes?"

Ms. Berold dried her hands. "Do you know where you're going?"

Driana shook her head. "Mm, no."

"As long as it's not in the woods," Ms. Berold reminded her. "Stay near or in town. Those bears are getting close. Sue told me about her niece, but I'm sure you knew what happened."

"I visited Emily at the hospital," Driana told her mother. "She's recovering."

"But the bear still got to her," Ms. Berold sighed. "Please, I'm warning you to stay safe."

Driana smiled, walking over to hug her mother. Ms. Berold returned the embrace. "Don't worry, Mom. You won't be alone, eating by yourself. When I get back, let's continue watching the show. Bye, Mom!"

Bella and Driana talked and laughed in the moving truck. Thanks to Edward, there was no music since the sound system had been removed. The girls entertained themselves. The conversation became deep, reminiscing their lives before meeting the Cullens. Bella clutched the steering wheel as she spoke of Edward. Driana tried steering her away from thinking of the bronze-haired boy but failed. She thought of talking about Jasper but paused, her eyes growing wide. Bella parked on the side of the road with no trail.

"Bella, are we going hiking?"

Bella sheepishly nodded. "Am I insane?"

"W-what about the bear reports?" Driana stuttered.

"We'll be fine," Bella dismissed. "I know the way!"

Driana knew there were no bears. She only worried if the pack would cross paths with them.