tongue twister • paul lahote

i

C H I L D H O O D  F R I E N D S H I P S never die. A burning sensation deep inside that will never be extinguished no matter how much you try to smother it. Repressed emotions, scraped knees, giggles and dirty hands are a tying bond never severed. Jacob Black and Santana Crowley are a prime example that can shine above many others.

At the prime age of two and a quarter, Santana first met her long-term companion. Billy Black and Darren Crowley had done business together over a stretch of time, and brought their kids along for the fun. In the small town of Forks, people learn to stick together, and that's exactly what they did. They bonded over baby squabble and delightful smiles, and the two were bound by the hip. No separation since had been seen unless it was from 8-4 on a school day. Jacob Black went to school on the reserve, while Santana was stuck at Forks High, a public school with a fraction less than 400 teens.

The two had stuck with each other through thick and thin. From the curious toddler to the adventurous child, and the awkward pre-teen stage, they were there for everything. First breakups, the first failed tests, and conflicting emotions, the two stayed loyal as a dog to one another. In their sophomore year, a little more trouble than expected arrived in Forks.

"Bella Swan," Santana greeted the brunette as she walked out from behind Jacobs towering figure. "Nice to finally put a name to a face." She flashed a straight tooth smile to the lanky, pale skinned Junior who had just arrived.

"Nice to meet you, I guess." She huffed and gave her a lopsided smile. She looked up at the boy who'd drug her along with him.

"I'm Santana Crowley—sorry." She stammered, rushing out her name. Forgetfulness sometimes snatched her at the worst of times. Jake and Billy had come to bring Bella her new truck. Well, new to her at least. Jake hated the thought of leaving Santana by her lonesome, and begged her to come along. Compliance came easy, and here they were, standing awkwardly in a driveway with some girl they barely knew.

"Well, let me show you how the truck works." Jacob broke the tension and led the newest addition to the town into the Chevy. Santana stood awkwardly, undecided whether to follow or wait. Her decision was made for her when Bella ushered her to come as well, which she took with a shocked response. She shuffled into the truck, and squeezed between the junior and her fellow sophomore.

"So Santana, you go to Forks High?" The other girl turned her head to question. With a brief nod and smile, Bella seemed pleased. "At least I'll know one familiar face."

"I'm in tenth grade, though, but I'm sure you'll be able to spot me walking around somewhere. After all, finding a face isn't hard around here." She joked, causing Jacob to let out a small chuckle. Bella's lips upturned into what you could guess was a smile as she agreed.

The three chatted as the new girl broke in her new vehicle. When she brought it back into the driveway of the Chief's house, they piled back out into the cloudy atmosphere. "Well, we've ought to get going." Billy sighed, breaking the slight tension between the children. "It's good to have you home, Bella." He gave her a last offer of welcome, which she accepted with a nod.

"I'll see you at school, I guess." Santana waved at the outsider, and she returned it. With a sigh, the fifteen year old was indifferent. It was yet to be determined whether the new girl was going to be a burden or an addition. Jake already seemed infatuated with her, and part of her believed that wasn't necessarily a good thing. Jake was always prone to getting hurt.

*

Back on the reserve, Jake and Santana crowded in his small bedroom. She was laying on his bed, and he was sitting on it, back against the wall. Her legs were laid across his, and she was laughing at a joke he'd just spewed out. The girls light brown hair shone in the light of the window above his bed, and she looked up at him through her long, dark eyelashes. "How do you like Bella?" She questioned, curiosity becoming her. He smiled to himself, looking down sheepishly.

"She's nice," was all he said. The girl rolled her green eyes at the boy as she waited for more, but that's all she got.

"You have to give me a little more than that, Jake." She pleaded, and he let out a small laugh.

"She's pretty, too." He offered.

"You're such an ass sometimes, Black." She tried to sound aggressive, but failed when she smiled as she stared at him. His dark brown eyes cast a feeling of familiar warmth over her as she looked into them, and she felt safe when she was with him. She didn't know exactly what it was that made her love him so much. Maybe it was his smile, or his big heart that he always wore on his sleeve, or maybe his trustworthiness. Whatever it may have been, she adored him, and she knew deep in her heart she would do anything for her best friend. All he had to do was say the words.

He felt the same with her. Comfortable, at peace, and calm. The only thing that scared him when he was with her was the thought of her leaving. They survived by each other, year by year. Though the one they were leading into seemed to become progressively harder with every minute that passed, they never gave up on that. They were at home in each other prescence, and not much could change that.