A Broken Wing

“Hey, Jake!” Ellen sang, attempting to skip over to him and instead falling over a seashell with an ‘Oof’. It was Labor Day Weekend, and everyone was enjoying the evening with fireworks and friends on First Beach. Everyone except Jacob, that is, who had been dragged to the celebration by the rest of the pack. Ellen and Embry had grown closer, and as a result, Jake grew more and more miserable. He looked up as she fell to the sand, and he quickly turned around to go away.

“Don’t you run away from me, Jacob Black!” She called to him from the ground. He stopped, a look of sheer annoyance crossing over his face. Ellen got up from the ground, casually brushing the sand off her shirt.

“What do you want?” Jacob asked, turning. Just being around her made him wish for Bella. Or even for this girl that looked and acted similarly to Bella.

“I just wanted to talk to you, is that so bad?” She retorted. “I can tell you’ve been upset for the past couple of months, and I feel bad because that’s about how long I’ve been here.”

“Listen, I don’t want to talk about it. Shouldn’t you be with Embry?” Jake spat back, turning to go. Ellen put her hand on his shoulder.

“He’s helping with the fireworks. And I am not bound to him, you know. I am allowed to talk to other people. Come on, let’s walk for a little bit.”

She set off the opposite direction of everyone else. Jacob, without much of a choice, sighed and followed her. “I told you, I don’t want to talk.”

Ellen just rolled her eyes. “Then I will. You do not even know me and yet you seem to hate me. So at least if I tell you about myself, maybe you’ll find a reason to stay away from me.” The sun had just about set, and there was a gentle breeze drifting off the water.

“I did not always want to be an artist. I actually studied to be a therapist at one point. I am actually still considering going back to school to become one. But then I look out at the sunset, or at something that intrigues me, and I know that I would never be able to express myself the same way if I did.” She took a breath, gazing straight ahead but not actually seeing. “I love it here. There are so many beautiful views, and the forest is just teeming with life.” Excited, she looked up at Jacob. “And there are wolves. Well, granted, I only saw one, but it was just gorgeous! I know there have to be more around somewhere. I just love wolves, though, and seeing that one made me realize that I am where I need to be. Its very presence made me think that everything was going to work out. I just wish I could see it again…”

Jacob flinched inwardly at the mention of the wolf. He knew she was talking about him, even if she did not, and quickly changed the subject. “Therapist, you say?”

Ellen nodded. “My parents are upset that I did not go through with it. I know they will get over it eventually. They said I had a knack for helping people with their problems.” She shrugged off the thought. “The offer still stands, if you want help.”

They stopped, and Jacob looked down at her. The last rays of the sunset reflected off the water, illuminating her face. He sighed, “I do not hate you. You just remind me of someone, and it is really painful to think of them,”

She nodded again. “Bella, right?” Jacob shuddered at the mention of her name, but nodded. “I hear them talk about her a lot, so I just guessed. You loved her, I’m guessing?” He nodded again. “And she left you for someone else.” Jacob closed his eyes. It was not a question. “I’m sorry.” She gave him a quick, apologetic hug and turned back to the group. The sun had completely set, and she could see the guys getting ready to light the fireworks. “Do you want to talk about it?”

Jacob shook his head, sighing again. “No. Not yet, at least. There are many things I want to keep to myself for the time being, and I am not sure if I want to totally forget about her.”

“You do not have to forget, Jake. Memories are precious, and you should remember the fun times you have had together. Moping around is not going to help anyone, though, especially not yourself.” Ellen smiled up at him, but then jumped as the first explosion echoed through the night. “Aww, man, they started without us! Come on, I’ll race you back!” She laughed, and raced off to the party, Jacob not far behind, laughing for the first time in a while.

---

They reached the group shortly, Jacob winning by a long shot. He was still smiling as a few more fireworks whizzed into the air. Ellen jumped into Embry’s open arms, wrapping her arms around his neck and planting a kiss on his lips.

“Looks great!” she shouted over the explosions. She moved her head closer to his ear, and added quietly, “I got him to laugh.”

Embry put her down in front of him, and wound his arms around her waist. “You truly are a miracle worker.” She beamed in response, and turned around the watch the rest of the fireworks.

---

Jacob stood in the back, his arms crossed as he stared into the sky.

“So!” Leah said from behind him. “No one else can be happy unless you are, is that it?”

Jacob narrowed his eyes, “Why would you say that?”

“You don’t even know Ellen. You only like her because she reminds you of Bella.” He winced at her response. “And NOW you are trying to take her from Embry, because you can’t stand it that he’s happy and you aren’t. Just try telling me I’m wrong.”

“I don’t have to tell you anything!” He growled, but managed to keep his anger at bay.

“Jake! How can one person be that self absorbed? Just look at her. The happiness between the two of them is enough to make me sick. It is almost as bad as Sam and Emily! And here you are, pining over her, trying to take her from him. Can’t you just accept them?”

Jacob clenched his fists, beginning to shake. “She came up to me! She started the conversation! You have no right to tell me who I cannot talk to, who I cannot be friends with. Maybe you’re the jealous one; did you ever think of that, Leah?” He spat at her, and ran off towards his house. Leah just stood there, gaping after him.

“What was all that about?” Seth asked, his mouth full of hot dog. He swallowed, and looked up at his sister. “Leah?”

“Just shut up, Seth,” He shrugged and stuffed another hot dog in his mouth.

“Should someone go see if he’s alright?”

She sighed, shaking her head. “Am I mean?” She asked suddenly.

Seth faked choking on his hot dog in shock and began laughing so hard he lost his balance and fell on his back in the sand. Once he regained control over himself, he stood up and wiped away his tears. “I’m sorry, were you being serious?”

Leah stared at him coldly.

“Why do you ask?” he mused, thinking of a way to answer without being beaten to a pulp.

“Every time I talk to Jake, I try to be nice. I really want to be nice. But I just end up making him mad…” She drifted off into a whisper, gazing at her brother worriedly, “I don’t want to make him mad, Seth. I was to be his friend.”

It was Seth’s turn to sigh as he sat back on the ground, patting the earth beside him. Leah sat down miserably. “You like him, don’t you.” Leah opened her mouth to protest, but then immediately clamped it shut.

“I don’t know. I… I have only ever been in love with Sam, and you saw how that turned out. I guess I do like him.”

He nodded. “Why don’t you just, y’know… ask him to hang out with you or something? Maybe not a date just yet, but try to stay on his good side. Deep down, he likes you too. I know it.”

Leah smiled, and then gave him a quick hug. “I cannot believe I just got relationship advice from my baby brother. Thanks though.”

“Eww! Cooties!” Seth teased, sticking out his tongue. “I never answered your question, by the way. If you’re mean or not,” Leah raised her eyebrows, daring him to finish his thought. “Once you get past your hard outer shell, you are just a big teddy bear.” They laughed as Leah tackled him playfully. The fireworks ended with the biggest explosion yet, masking the mournful howling of a lone wolf.