HEARTBLOOD - Paul Lahote

FIFTEEN

The news hit me on a quiet Wednesday evening, just as I was curling up with a mug of tea and trying to wind down from a long day. Dad's voice drifted through the door, calling me down to the kitchen. When I came in, he had that familiar look on his face—the one that meant he was about to ask me for a favor he knew I might not be thrilled about.

"Hey, Nicolette, got a minute?" he asked, his tone warm but cautious.

I shrugged and smiled. "What's up, Dad?"

Dad set down his coffee mug, a gentle smile spreading across his face. "Charlie Swan, the police chief over in Forks, called me today."

I nodded. "How's he doing?"

"Good, good. His daughter, Bella, is moving in with him, actually." He cleared his throat, pausing before continuing. "And, well... Charlie thought it might help if you were around to help her settle in, you know, show her the ropes, maybe introduce her to some friendly faces. It's a big change for her, coming from Phoenix and all."

I considered it for a moment. Moving to a new town, especially to a small place like Forks, had to be a big adjustment, and I knew from experience that having someone to help you settle in could make all the difference. Besides, Charlie had always been kind to me.

"Sure," I said, giving Dad a reassuring nod. "I'll do my best to help her out. When's she coming?"

Dad looked relieved, clearly happy with my answer. "She'll be here this Friday. I'll take you over to meet her after school if that works."

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

That Friday, after an exhausting day at school, I walked into Charlie's modest little house. I could feel the nerves in my stomach—I didn't know much about Bella other than what Charlie had mentioned, but I was hoping she was friendly. As I stepped inside, I could smell the faint aroma of coffee and hear the soft creak of floorboards as Charlie shuffled into the living room to greet us.

"Nicolette, it's good to see you," he said warmly, patting me on the shoulder as he led me through the small hallway. "Bella's in her room upstairs. She should be down in a second."

I sat on the worn but cozy couch, glancing around at the small, homey space that was unmistakably a bachelor's domain. The walls had a few photos, mostly of landscapes and family, and there was a comfortable clutter of fishing gear in the corner. As I waited, I heard soft footsteps coming down the stairs. I looked up to see Bella, her dark hair pulled back, wearing a simple flannel shirt, jeans, and a pair of worn Converse sneakers. She looked a little nervous but gave me a small, tentative smile.

"Hi, Bella," I said, waving slightly. "I'm Nicolette. It's nice to finally meet you."

She smiled back, a bit shy but genuine. "Nice to meet you too. Thanks for coming by... Dad's been telling me about you." She looked at Charlie with a slight roll of her eyes, and he gave her a sheepish grin.

We spent a little while chatting, getting comfortable with each other. Bella was quiet, a bit reserved, but there was a warmth to her. After about an hour of chatting, Charlie had to run to the station, leaving Bella and me on our own. We decided to go for a drive to La Push Beach, and as we pulled up to the rocky coastline, Bella's face lit up.

"It's beautiful here," she said, stepping out of the car and taking a deep breath of the salty air.

"It really is," I agreed, looking out at the crashing waves and feeling a familiar peace wash over me. "There's something about this place that just feels... calm."