This Love Is Wildfire

Family Ties

"Jared, will you move your butt! I'm trying to take a decent picture!"

I sigh as I lower my camera, glaring at my friend. I've been standing on the shore of First Beach waiting for the perfect moment where the sunset shimmers off the water, and it's a small window that I don't want to miss. Jared decided it would be a good time to just stare blankly in the middle of my frame, and usually I don't mind candids of my friends, but I wanted this one first.

"What? Me being in your picture makes it better!" He says with a smirk, and I just roll my eyes.

"If I was doing pictures for the loneliest singles in La Push, maybe." I snicker making the other boys around us laugh as Jared pouts and crossing his arms over his toned chest.

"Wow. I'm hurt Ara. It's not my fault the girls around her are blind." He mumbles the last bit so I throw a stick at him, which manages to hit him square in the forehead.

"Whatever floats your boat Jare, now get out of my frame!" He sticks his tongue at me, which I'm able to capture with my camera before he finally moves slightly so I can capture the sunset.

"That's beautiful." I jump slightly not hearing one of the boys sneak up behind me as I look over the picture, making sure the lighting is just how I wanted it.

"Thanks Paul. I was hoping I wouldn't miss it." I say smiling slightly before looking back at my camera, concealing a slight reddening in my cheeks from the sudden closeness.

You see, I've been friends with these boys for as long as I remember, calling the reservation a second home. Although I've recently started to like Paul..or at least come to terms with my feelings but the thing is, he's got a girlfriend, and ironically, it's Jacob's sister so that's hella awkward...and anyways I'm not his type.. So I'm waiting for this stupid crush to blow over, and things won't be awkward anymore and I won't have to worry about ruining the friendship.

"I should probably get home guys. My dad will flip if I miss dinner again."

I look pointedly to all of them and sigh, even though I'd much rather stay out, knowing that my sister comes in tomorrow, and it'll be hellish at that point. We haven't spent time around each other in like four years, and poor Dad has been in a tizzy trying to make sure everything is ready for her.

"Aw, c'mon Ara. You can stay out a bit later with us." Jared gives me the wounded puppy-dog look, making me laugh slightly as I pack up my camera bag.

"I would, but if I get home early today, I'll get away with staying out later when my sister gets here." They all nod in agreement, knowing I'm not the biggest fan of my sister.

"Isn't she going to your school too?"

"Unfortunately. It'll be obnoxious, but it's a good thing I won't be there a lot seeing as I could've already graduated.."

I roll my eyes, knowing I only have two classes to finish to graduate, I won't be at Forks High often. The last year I excelled in all my classes, so that I could graduate early and start working towards a career in homeopathic healing. That's why I'll be here when not in school, where I feel at home, helping Sue Clearwater with the locals. And the less I'm around "Bella" the better this whole living situation will be. After years of it just being Dad and I, she suddenly calls and wants to live with us. I think it has a lot to do with Mom marrying a guy named Phil, and I guess little sister didn't like being the third wheel, so she thought she'd come and crash our lives...

Growing up, she only ever visited for summers or Christmas holidays, but never wanted to stay longer with Dad and I, which left a bad taste in my mouth. Why are we suddenly good enough for her to want to live with us? It's just kind of frustrating, because now Dad is nervous, and hopes he makes a good impression, and it's things he shouldn't have to worry about with his own daughter.

"Ara?" Jared snaps me from my inner ranting and I smile at him slightly.

"Sorry, I was bitching to myself about the whole situation." We all laugh at this and I shake my head to clear it as I pack up my photography things in my car.

"Well boys, I'll probably see you tomorrow, since I want to avoid seeing my sister for as long as possible, but I'll just keep you updated."

They all wave as I get into my car, slowly making my way back to Forks, planning to meet my dad at the diner like we always do for dinner. Charlie doesn't cook-which is probably a good thing, and usually I'm too busy to, so we just made it our little tradition every Friday night to get dinner there.

"Hi Arabelle, your usual table?" The hostess, Angie, asks with her sweet smile as I make my way inside.

"Yes please. My dad not here yet?" I ask, tossing my blonde streaked, brunette hair into a bun as I follow her back to a table for two by the window.

"Not yet, but I think you're on the early side." She says handing me my usual Sweet Tea, and setting down a coffee cup for Dad.

"Oh maybe. I didn't check the time when I left La Push. I thought I was gonna be late." She just laughs, and I pull my camera back out to look over the picture before my dad shows up, and plan my shots for tomorrow.

"Taking pictures on the Rez again?" I look up at the familiar deep voice and smile as my father takes off his jacket and sits across from me.

"Yup. Got a really nice one of the sunset at First Beach this time!" I say showing him the picture, to which he smiles back at me.

"That's gorgeous. You do a damn good job with those Ara." I smile brightly at his praise, and I put my things away as we settle into our seats.

By this time, Angie has come back with our usual meals, two burgers and fries, with some hot coffee for Dad, and we tuck in, more hungry than I thought I was. We enjoy most of our dinner in silence. I briefly ask how his day went at the station, to which he replies with "nothin' too exciting", and I can feel the tension build in the air, but want to avoid the topic for as long as possible.

We order our normal dessert, my chocolate milkshake and his chocolate lava cake, and as we get about half way through, Dad decides to ask the million dollar question.

"So, you ready for tomorrow?"

Dammit Dad, why did you have to ruin the mood...