Luna

• 9 •

Bella? It's Aurora

It was finally my favorite time of year-autumn. 

However in a town like La Push, one of the far northern cities in America, there was only a slight temperature drop. Yet while the weather remained consistent, it was the changing colors of the leaves that excited me even more. Soon the mossy grass would be covered in a mass of warm colored leaves, leaving a distinctive crunch wherever you stepped. 

I smiled happily out of the lunch room window, distracted by the trees. 

"Luna." Kim pressed. 

"Hm?" I murmured, still staring out the window. I wonder when the first leaves will begin to drop. 

"I swear," Kim glowered as I finally glanced to her, "I'm going to throw my water bottle at your head." 

"It wouldn't hit her." Paul retorted just as quick. 

Kim looked over to him, distracted for a moment, "my aim isn't that bad Lahote." 

He simply shook his head, "Not for that reason. I'd catch it before you'd hurt her." 

Her eyebrow raised, clearly she was amused. 

Paul understood her intentions completely, "Go ahead. Try it."

Kim rose her insulated water bottle just slightly above the table. With a groan, Jared snatched it from her and put it on his side, away from her. "I swear you two, you're gonna have me breaking up a fight in no time." 

Kim and Paul both said nothing. There was a tension between them, amusement from Kim's side yet protectiveness from Paul. 

"Hey. What if Aurora threatened Kim with her textbook?" Paul bit back. 

Jared turned rigid, slightly flinching towards Kim, as if he needed to shield her. 

A smirk set on Paul's face. "Exactly." 

I smiled a little wider, amused at the trio. My eyes left them as Paul and Jared continued to bicker back and forth. 

I caught sight of Colton at his new, but now regular table, surround by a plethora of new friends. It had been weeks since we talked, really talked. We'll say things here and there like "can you pass the salt', 'ready for school?' etc. 

But until I could forgive him, truly forgive him, the tension will always be there. 

Paul nudged me with his shoulder and I snapped back to the group, realizing I dazed out on them again.

"Sorry, what?" I asked aloud once more. 

Kim huffed in annoyance as she repeated her proposal to make plans with me for this week. Knowing that I'd be free or I could move some things around I simply nodded. Brightening instantly, she smiled and began to double check her schedule in her planner. 

•••••

It was only seven in the afternoon when I got off of work, praising whatever god that Mr and Mrs Newton wanted to attend a business seminar a few towns over leading them to close the store early for their packing preparations. 

Paul was smiling as I left, he was just as happy as I was. 

"Hello," I greeted, sliding into the passenger seat, "Do you mind if we make a quick stop before we hang out?" 

He blindly agreed, "Sure. Where?"

"Well..." I hesitated, "Do you know where Bella Swan lives?"

He tensed at my words, his fists gripping the steering wheel. I knew his reaction wasn't aimed at Bella but more so her ex-boyfriend's family.