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*＊✿❀❀✿＊*Chapter One: Meeting *＊✿❀❀✿＊*

Before Bella came to Forks, not a single day would go by without some kind of communication between the Swan twins and whenever they met up during summer vacation, they were practically inseparable. Now, a least a couple days went by at-a-time without Jules even seeing her sister. It wasn't for lack of trying, however; Bella basically shut her sister out once she got together with her boyfriend: Edward Cullen. It was now Bella and Edward who were the inseparable ones, and Jules was left on the outside. She had friends at school of course, like Jessica, Angela and Lauren. She liked Mike, Tyler and Eric too, sure. But they were all Bella's friends. Her one best-friend before Bella had become a permanent resident in Forks, was Jacob Black, and even he was so blatantly obviously in love with Bella. Even time they'd hang out now, he'd always try and steer the conversation back to her. Why couldn't Jacob see that Jules had gone down to La Push to get away from Bella?

That's where she was now, in fact. Bella had been whisked away by Edward to go and play baseball with him and his family, and Jules wanted to be as far away from that as possible. She didn't truly have anything against the Cullens, she just wasn't too happy with Edward for essentially stealing her sister.

Grey clouds covered the sky as a storm started brewing, but it wasn't raining (yet) so Jules had no qualms about sitting on the beach. She loved to watch the waves. Watch how they move, hear them as they crash against each-other, creating a white foam just where the sea meets the sand. The smell of salt from the sea oddly calmed her and for a moment, if only a moment, she forgot about how secretive Bella had become in the last few months.

Jules closed her eyes and inhaled the sea air, letting the calmness wash over her but reopened them when she felt a sudden presence behind her. The brunette turned around, and knew immediately who she was looking at. Sam Uley. Of course Jules had seen him around the Reservation — she was down here quite a lot, you see — but they had barely spoken a word to each other before.

"I'm sorry," the words immediately tumbled out of Jules' mouth, before she even really knew what she was saying, "am I okay here?" She asked politely even though she had been reassured by the likes of Billy Black and Harry Clearwater that despite not being a Quileute, she was more than welcome to the Reservation whenever she pleased.

"I thought I knew everybody on the Reservation," was Sam's response.

"That'll be because I'm not actually from here," Jules responded with a slight smile. "I'm Jules Swan. You might know my dad, Charlie?"

"Of course I know the Chief," Sam chuckled. "He never misses a barbecue."

"Very rarely," Jules agreed.

"But, I've never seen you here before," Sam repeated from earlier.

"Ah, yes," Jules nodded, amusement lacing her tone, "well, that'll be because Jake pretty much holds me hostage whenever I'm down here. We've been friends since we were kids. Inevitable really, given that my dad and his dad are good buddies."

There was a calm quietness for a few moments, and Jules had actually wondered if Sam had left but to her surprise (and slight amusement), Sam had jumped down off the wall and spun around to face her. It was the first time their eyes met and suddenly, it was as if time stopped. Sam didn't understand what was happening to him but he relished in the feeling of complete peace and comfort wash over him. Visions suddenly overtook his mind. Visions of him and Jules, a little older than they were now. He didn't understand what any of this meant, but somewhere in his mind, he somehow understood that Jules Swan was his life now. Every breath he took, he took for her. Sam knew he would have to ask the Elders about this ASAP as he thought that this surely had something to do with being a Shifter. He had only Shifted a couple of weeks ago, so he was still wrapping his head around the fact that all the myths and legends were true.

"Sam?" Jules' voice snapped the boy out his trance.

"Y-you know my name?" Sam asked, hating himself for stammering over his words.

Jules laughed and it was honestly like music to Sam's ears. "Of course I do," she responded, another playful smile on her lips. "Just because you're not observant doesn't mean that I'm not."

"Well," Sam broke out into a boyish grin, "I know you now, Jules Swan."

"And, I've always known you," she replied, still in her playful tone, "Sam Uley."

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"Have you always lived with your dad?" Sam asked, the two continuing to get to know each as they now sat on their jackets so the sand wouldn't stick to their asses.

"Pretty much," Jules shrugged. "I mean, I used to see my mom for the holidays and stuff, but to be honest, I've always got on with my dad better than my mom. Plus, I prefer Forks to Arizona, really."

"Even with the crappy weather?" Sam jokingly asked.

"Especially the crappy weather," Jules smiled pointedly. "Bella and I are complete opposites in that respect; I love the rain. Everything about it: the sound that it makes, the smell of it. It gives me a sense of.. serenity, I guess. Is that weird?"

"I don't think so," Sam immediately shook his head. "I find the rain quite calming as well. I prefer the cold weather."

"I suppose it's weird for Bella," Jules pondered aloud. "She's practically grown up with the sun. Not that you'd be able to tell, though. Just as pale as the rest of us Forkers."

"'Forkers'?" Sam couldn't help but laugh.

"My dad apparently tried to, um, coin that term when he was a kid," Jules giggled to herself. "Bit of a jokester he was; because it kinda sounds like.."

"Yes, yes, I understand," Sam nodded, chuckling to himself. "So, you come down to La Push often then?"

"Whenever I need to escape and think," Jules answered in a soft voice. "Happens a lot more often, these days."

"Why?" Sam caught the upset in her tone. "Are things okay at home?" She didn't respond for a few seconds and Sam worried if he'd crossed a line. "Sorry, you don't have to.." The sound of her melodious laughter cut him off.

"Nah, you're good, it's just," Jules sighed deeply. "Ever since Bella started dating this guy, it's like she doesn't know how to function without him. She spends a lot more time with him and his family than us and it's just.. we used to be so close but ever since she met Edward, she's been icing me out and I really don't know why." Jules let out a defeated sigh and only then did she look back up at Sam apologetically. "Sorry. I rant when I'm angry or upset or stressed so when it's all three..." she chuckled to herself. "Sorry," the brunette repeated.

"You don't have to apologise," Sam immediately said. "So, are you coming back for the barbecue tomorrow?" Jules laughed, but smiled gratefully at the topic change, nodding to his question. She rarely missed them anyway but now with Sam involved, she knew she wouldn't miss it for the world.

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Neither party wanted the other to go yet so Jules didn't hesitate in agreeing when Sam offered to give her a ride home.

"Man, a girl can get used to this." This elicited a laugh from Sam as he cast his eyes on the brunette. She was sat perfectly-straight with her legs in a crossed position, grinning at the thought of becoming a professional passenger princess, a role in which Sam was more than happy to provide for her. "Thanks for the ride, Uley. You know where my dad lives?"

"Roundabout," Sam smirked, "you might have to direct me. I don't know Forks that well."

"Christ," Jules muttered, shaking her head in amusement, "have you ever ventured out of La Push before?"

"Not really, no," answered Sam with a casual shrug. "Don't see the need," he continued.

"You've never wanted to travel?" Jules asked, astonished. "Never wanted to go to a different country, not speak a word of the language, and just have at it anyway?" Wordlessly, Sam shook his head. "Wow, and I thought I liked it here." Sam chucked at her words. "Don't get me wrong, like, I do, I really do.."

"But..?"

"But.. the world is so much bigger than Forks and La Push," Jules sighed wistfully. "I want to see the Roman Colosseum, and the Eiffel Tower. Ooh, and do like a mythology tour around Greece; I've been obsessed with the Greek myths since I was a kid."

"Can't say I've really heard any," Sam shrugged. "Tell me one." Sam glanced over at Jules, and smiled at the way her eyes lit up at his question. She told him all about Daedalus and his son, Icarus. She looked over halfway through the story to see if he looked bored or anything, but he was listening and actually asking appropriate questions. Jules then told him the tale of Theseus and Ariadne — her reasoning being, 'as long as we are talking about the Labyrinth, I may as well tell you this.'.

Soon enough, Sam pulled into the driveway of Jules' home.

"Thanks again for the ride, Sam. I owe you." She unbuckled her belt and opened the door but was stopped by her name being said. Jules looked at Sam expectantly.

"Would you like a ride to the barbecue?" Jules was taken aback by his offer. "I don't mind taking Charlie, too."

Jules waved him off, "my dad usually gets Billy to pick him up after work. So, are you like my personal chauffeur, now?"

"Only for you," Sam answered with a smirk which only widened when he saw a hint of a blush on her cheeks. He felt on cloud-fucking-nine. "I'll see you tomorrow, Jules."

"See you then, Sam." Jules grinned at Sam before walking up the garden path and letting herself into a very quiet house. "Dad? Bella?"

"In here, sweetheart," Charlie called from the kitchen.

Jules waltzed in, unsurprised that he was alone. "Bella still pretending to somebody with coordination?" Charlie didn't answer, his lips didn't even curl into a small smile which they usually did. "Dad, what's wrong?"

"She's gone, Jules," Charlie said, his voice vacant of emotion. "She's on her way back to Phoenix."

"What?" Jules' voice broke. "Why? Did something happen? Did Edward do something?"

"I don't know, J," Charlie sighed, running a stressed hand through his hair. "She said that she broke up with him, but wouldn't tell me why. She just said she had to get out of here."

"Dad.." Jules slid down onto the sofa next to him and cuddled into his side.

"What if I just drive people away?" Charlie mumbled vulnerably and Jules honestly thought she felt her heart physically break. "First, your mother, now Bella. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before you.."

"Don't you dare finish that sentence," Jules immediately cut him off. "I am not going anywhere and I'm actually slightly offended you think I would." Charlie gave a small chuckle at that. "I'd be too afraid to go anywhere else because what if I get on the wrong bus any suddenly end up in New Mexico? Or if I hitchhiked and the next thing you know, I'm on a milk carton because no one's seen me in three weeks."

"We really need to get you driving, sweetheart," Charlie agreed, his lips curling upwards to form a small smile as Jules giggles. "I don't say it nearly enough but I'm really glad you're here, kid."

"And I'm not going anywhere," Jules reminded him as she snuggled further into his side. "But, speaking of going places, are you still going down to the Rez tomorrow night?" Charlie hummed and nodded wordlessly. "Don't wait for me."

"You're gonna walk down to La Push?" Charlie asked incredulously.

"Not exactly," she answered vaguely. "I have a ride. I'll meet you there."

"Oh, no, you don't, missy," Charlie playfully entrapped her when she tried to escape his hold on her. "A name, please."

"Since you asked so nicely," Jules rolled her eyes. "It's Sam Uley."

"Sam Uley? Didn't realise you knew him," Charlie said, a tad surprised. "Isn't he a little old for you?"

"Only 2-and-a-bit years," Jules shrugged. "That's okay, right?"

"Hey, I'm not gonna tell you who you can and can't date," Charlie held his hands up in defence; Jules rolled her eyes playfully. "Just be careful, okay?" He asked, and Jules knew most of his worry was that if it didn't work out between her and Sam, she would leave just like her sister did.

"I am going nowhere, dad," Jules affirmed, planting a small kiss to his cheek.