Shifting Moon

(POV Thomas)

 After lunch was gym, but I had a doctor's note because of the accident and didn't play any volleyball. Instead, I sat on the bleachers and continued to fill in the drawings I had done of Edythe earlier in the day until the class was over. 

 Walking into Spanish class I saw someone new in the class, well not new as I had heard his name at every roll call. Edward Cullen had finally graced the class with his presence. But in all honesty, Thomas thought Edward could have been here yesterday when he was at home. With two Cullen's in the room, the sweet smell was almost overpowering. I wondered again if it had to do with their skincare products. 

 I walked to my seat which was very close to his, sat, and turned to address him. "I hope you are as tired about hearing this as I am but thank you for yesterday. If it hadn't been for you, my sister would have died in that accident. I couldn't get to her in time. If there is ever anything I can do to repay you, please ask me."

 Edward looked at me, "I may have pulled her out of the way of the initial hit, but what you did saved both me and your sister. So, you owe me nothing, in fact, I owe you if anything here."

 "Let's just call it a day then." I held out my hand, "My name is Thomas Raizel, it is good to meet you, Edward."

 "It is good to meet you as well Thomas, as you know, my name is Edward Cullen. I believe you know my brothers Jasper and Emmett as well as my sisters Alice and Edythe. As much as they talk about you, I feel I know you already."

 Thomas smiled, "Don't forget, I was introduced to your dad yesterday at the hospital."

 The rest of class wasn't anything special, I did notice Edward looked at me more than I thought normal. I even saw him wince at one point and hold his head like he had a throbbing headache. But it must have passed quickly because he was back to normal in no time. I just shrugged my mental shoulders and concentrated on class. 

 When school was finally over, I met Bella at her truck. She was acting a little moody today like someone had done something to get on her bad side. I knew better than to bring it up right away, so I put my curiosity away for now and would ask later. 

 "I have to say, I am curious to meet one of Charlie's friends, and find out what passes for pizza here. Too bad they don't have a Papa Murphy's take and bake here, that was perfect back in Phoenix."

 Bella smiled, "I am not sure if the one by the old house was glad we left, or upset over the loss of the money they made off you." 

 Now that he had her talking and smiling, "So what had you in a bad mood when I got in the truck?"

 "Just a boy in Biology. If he wants to ignore me then I will just do the same thing. See if I care!" 

 Thomas at that point quickly dropped the subject and backed away from it like it was a bomb just waiting to go off in his lap. Luckily, they were pulling into the driveway at that point. 

 Quick to get to his room, Thomas pulled out his phone [I don't know how you do it with so many siblings. Just one keeps my hands full.]

 Surprisingly fast, Thomas got a reply. [Having more than one gives them room to spread the issues out among everyone. Why, what did you do to upset Bella?]

 [Not me, some boy in her biology class is ignoring her and she didn't take it well, which is surprising in and of itself. She normally doesn't want anyone's attention.]

 [Sounds like she knows how to handle it. What are you doing today? Alice said you guys finally got your art project assigned.]

 [Yeah, I will do a couple of concept drawings, but Charlie has a friend coming over later. Billy Black, from the reservation, I think. They plan to watch a hockey game tonight. But hey I get pizza out of it, so I will watch some as well.]

 After about 15 minutes without a reply, Thomas re-read his text and realized he didn't give her anything to reply to. [What about you? Any plans tonight?]

 After about 5 more minutes of silence, [Nothing special, just going to sit with the family, watch a movie, and then maybe later do some homework.] 

 I did a quick run in my head about movies that were dropping to video this month, [ Watching anything good?]

 [There is a family wrestling tournament going on to decide between Troy, Without a Paddle, and Aliens vs Predator]

 I cringed at that last choice, [Pray that whoever wants AvP loses badly, it was such a disappointment. But the other two I thought were good, just a question if you want action or comedy. That's my thoughts anyway. Bella and I went to a bunch of movies to give her mom time to be alone with her new husband so just about everything coming to video this year I have seen.]

 [Anything to keep an eye out for this year?]

 I thought a moment, [ For comedy Dodgeball was a standout, action was a tie between Man on Fire and The Borne Supremacy. I, Robot was a good future-type movie, The Lord of the Rings finished with Return of the King. National Treasure was a good movie also. Oh, almost forgot 50 First dates. That's all I can think of off the top of my head.]

 [Well, it looks like Jasper won so we are watching Without a Paddle.]

 [I will leave you to it then and go help Bella get the house ready for visitors. Enjoy your movie.]

 [You enjoy your night also, text me if you hear any good stories from your dad's friend. I hear his tribe has some interesting myths.]

 When I got downstairs, I noticed Bella was putting her jacket on with her keys in hand. "Where ya headed Bell's?"

 "I was going to pick up the pizza for tonight, I called in the order almost an hour ago seeing as it was so big."

 "Let me get dressed and I will go with you, less chance of the pizza arriving with that freshly dropped on the ground look that way."

 Bella looked like she wanted to say something but just stopped and nodded her head. "Thanks."

 By the time they got back with the pizzas, Bella and Thomas saw Charlie getting out of his cruiser and then reach into his back seat. There was also a parked truck in the front of the house, it was a tan Chevy 4x4 with a young man their age helping an older gentleman out of the passenger side and into a wheelchair. 

 By their complexion it was easy to guess they were American Indian, so I assumed this was our company for the game tonight. I grabbed the pizzas and opened the door after Bella parked behind Charlie since the Tan Chevy was in her spot for now.

 As soon as we gathered, Charlie placed 2 six packs of tall-boy Blue Ribbon beer in the lap of the older man in the wheelchair. Then said, "I got the vitamin R." I was confused until I saw the beer brand was Rainier, and then I got the joke.

 "Well done Chief." He then held up two paper bags, "Harry Clearwater's Homemade Fish Fry." and offered them to Charlie. 

 "Good Man." Charlie took them and handed them to Bella, "These go in the fridge to keep them from drying out. You guys will love it, best in the state." He then made the introduction to both Bell and me, "This dance star is Mr. Billy Black, a real live Indian Chief. Jacob here is his son and I'm sure a licensed driver. Right?" Charlie gave a hard stair that Jacob didn't quite return.

 Bella just nodded as Charlie moved to the back of Billy's wheelchair and started pushing him toward the house. Letting the kids do their own introductions."

 "Umm, H. Hi, I'm Jacob, we used to make mudpies together."

 I barely smothered my laugh, {Smooth, this guy, is not.} 

 Bella didn't do much better, instead of letting the poor guy down easy and admitting she didn't remember him she faked that she remembered. "Oh, no. Yeah, I remember." I cringed again and glanced around and saw Charlie putting a ramp over the stairs to the house. It looked well used so Billy must have been a regular visitor. Bella finally got over her awkwardness and introduced me. "This is my brother, Thomas."

 I nodded, "Good to meet you, Jacob. I'd offer you my hand, but I wouldn't want to drop the pies I'm carrying. Sounds like you and Bella here ate plenty of mud when you were younger and don't need more now." 

 Both Bella and Jacob flushed at my words. "Shall we head in? It doesn't feel right to be holding pizza and not eating it."

 The three walked into the house and I followed Bella and Jacob to the kitchen where they pulled out some paper plates and started dishing out the pizza. Jacob first took a plate to his dad in the front room and Bella did the same for Charlie. While they were doing that, I put the beer and the fish fry that was on the counter, in the fridge after pulling two beers free from their tab. "Charlie, Mr. Black, you two want these beers now or something else to go with the food first?"

 "We will take the beer Thomas," Charlie shouted from the room they were in. "And don't call me Mr. Black, it's just plain old Billy." Came Billy's reply.