"Somethings coming," the angelic hum of his mother's voice startles him out of his slumber.

Ray jolts slightly in his bed, eyes searching for the owner of the voice only to find his mother, softly massaging the kinky curls of his head and smiling down at him.

He adjusts in his sleep, relaxing back into the bed, "You scared me."

"You used to be a heavy sleeper, sometimes I'd be so worried about your soundless sleep that I would come into your room just like this and make sure you were okay." She whispered softly.

Ray suddenly remember her previous words and adjusted, "what did you mean when you said something was coming?"

She looked away and continued speaking, "when you a little baby you never cried, not even when your dad I yelled at the top of our lungs at each other. You'd always sleep through it all and I'd end every argument with the same words, the only value in this house is the angel sleeping upstairs and here we are corrupting his use. Your dad would apologize and promise he'd try better and I would too, of course, we both knew it was lies. We made so many promises to one another and most were broken except the ones we made about you. Our sleeping angel, I knew in my heart that if there was anything your dad would keep to me was the promise he made about you. I'm happy he's kept that."

A loud horn sounded shortly after and Ray turned his head to the window where he heard his dads voice yell, "RAYMOND! Wake up! Guess who's here!"

The sudden air of his mother's presence was gone, he turned his head back to see her presence had disappeared and reality had set in. With a stretch to his joints and muscles he hauled out of bed and grabbed the dirty grey sweatshirt he had thrown off last night, heading straight for his closed bedroom door and to the bathroom.

He'd just applied the minty toothpaste to his bright red brush when Bella door opened and out stepped his sister, in her grey sweatpants and flimsy Arizona cardinals shirt he noticed how tired she still was. The birds nest on her head made him smirk, "didn't get much sleep?"

"Shut up," she groaned and pushed him aside in the small bathroom, grasping her own brush and mumbling, "dads woke me up, they sound excited."

"I know, wonder what it is." Ray mumbled back, his eyes still felt heavy and the idea of falling back asleep didn't seem like a bad idea as soon as he found out what the commotion was.

Bella looked at him and raised a brow, "I looked out the window, if I were you I'd hurry."

Something about her smirk left Raymond brushing faster and harder then ever before, his heart hammering as excitement filled him and he was quick to finish the routine before heading downstairs. He swung on the thick jacket hanging by the door and pushed open the door long enough to see his dads pushing off the tarp to his car.

The very last piece of New York and his mom he still physically had.

"Well son!" His father called out smiling as even Charlie cracked a smile.

Raymond didn't respond at first, bustling down stairs until he was directly in front of the car so he could see his reflection in the shiny gloss of its exterior. His fingers ran over the cold metal, remembering the last time he'd seen the automobile. It's been nearly a month, and he's run his hand over it just like this as he's said goodbye and painfully handed the car keys over to his friend and neighbor, Tyler.

Tyler has promised he'd look after the beast and drive it directly to the shipping years where it would be driven across the country for him. He still remembered the vow his old friend had made, how he would not let him down—judging by the condition his car was in there was no let down.

"Hey buddy," Ray smiles at his reflection, suddenly feeling warm and vibrant, looking at his dad with slightly glosses eyes and biting back his smile. "Thanks dad."

His father smiles but otherwise doesn't say another word and simply pulls Charlie alongside him as they head back inside, only stopping for a moment. He places a hand on his sons shoulder and squeezes softly, "I'm happy you're both back." And passes him the keys to the car, the sound of keys jiggling together is loud and happy, making a childish grin grow upon Raymond's face.

He heads towards the drivers side and unlocks it, opening the door to find the smell of his favorite mind gum mingling with the smell of the leather seats. The scent is so heavenly his eyes close and he takes a big gulp of it, happily soaking in the feeling before getting into the seat and running his hands over the wheel.

He must sit there like an idiot for quite some time because someone clearing their throat jumps him out of his thought and he looks up to find Bella wildly grinning at having caught him. She raises a brow and crosses her arms, he sees she's placed on one of his jackets from the coat rack over her pajama top and her legs are still fashioning the sleeping bottoms. He waves his hand out excitedly, "get in!"

Bella bustles towards the passenger side and smoothly finds herself in the seat, humming in happiness as she adjusts comfortably. She runs her hands over the dashboard and then looks at him, light brown eyes equally as ecstatic, "it feels different, guess it's the environment."

Raymond smiles, remembering the last time she'd rose passenger with him, back then his girlfriend Amber had been excited to meet his sister. Bella has been so nervous, nearly bitting her nails to no existence until Raymond has pushed her hand out of her mouth. He remembers how Amber had run down off the steps and practically engulfed Bella into a hug at first glance. They'd skidded across the sleek seats nearly into Raymond and Bella had awkwardly patted his girlfriend with a small hello as Amber had excitedly spoken so fast Bella had texted Raymond what she had said soon after.

He loved Amber, he really did, but like most things that had faded once his mom had died. She'd stuck around the first few weeks, bringing him food and water like he was some trained animal, eventually Amber hadn't been able to compete with the darkness that had taken over and the light she produced had been snuffed our upon her departure

"We're driving it into school today?" His statement comes off as more of a request as he can already tell with the loud motor and its shiny exterior Bella is gonna hate the attention. They'd already had more then their fair share but Bella being Bella and knowing how much it would mean to her brother simply smiles and withhold her hesitations.

Her lips fidget for a moment before she nods her head and smiles, "yeah, we can."

He smiles and he nearly wants to hug the steering wheel at his excitement but he only grins wider and caresses his car.

|•|•|•|•|

Bella is waiting for him outside his math class which makes his eyebrows raise in surprise. They usually meet each other at the table alongside their new friends but one fake smile and an appearing mike makes him realize what's occurring.

Bella's too sweet to reject a boy, so she usually has Raymond distract him whenever mike becomes too much. Something about the brotherly presence always made Mike a bit hesitant and he directs conversation towards Ray instead of his sister.

"Hey you two," he smiles brightly and notices how Bella relaxes and nods her head, taking the opposite side of Ray as she walks.

Mike stays in place, creating a distance between the the girl and him as he begins speaking, "cool car dude, a present from your dad?"

"No," Ray shakes his head. "It was mine in New York, it finally arrived."

"Oh nice..." Mike trailed off after a moment and left the Thompson boy briefly wondering when his friend would get the message. It was beginning to become a nuisance, constantly having Mike pinning after an oblivious Bella who clearly had her eyes on someone else. "So, given anymore thought to the basketball team?"

Raymond grimaced, deflecting his vision towards the passing classmates and Bella's diverted gaze. Mike had been campaigning for his try outs very actively recently, and considering Fork's High wasn't even ranked anywhere it didn't take a genius to guess why. Ray had discussed the idea with his sister who had been very direct with him as per her usual, Bella knew he didn't want to do it and wasn't going to sugarcoat it. He loved boxing, and dealt Hough basketball had been entertaining when he was a small child now his true passion was in another part of the gym.

Ray sighed and shook his head, "yeah it's still gonna be a no. I think I just want to focus on school and boxing."

Mikes seemed to drop for the briefest of moments before he was nodding, "can't say I'm not a little sad man but good for you, maybe one day I can stop by and see the gym. I bet it's sick."

Ray simply nodded his head, knowing fully well Bella would rather dismantle the whole place with her bare hands then even conceive the notion. He wondered how long this awkward conversation would last and felt a sweet relief as they came upon the cafeteria buzzing with excitement, particularly their filled table.

The motley crew of friends the siblings had seem to accumulate over the past few months sat around and smiled at them. Jessica beamed at Raymond as per usual and he returned with an underwhelming smirk. They were quick to grab a few snacks, Bella opting for a salad and her brother for a bag of chips, Gatorade, and standard Kit-Kat bar he knew she would try and swipe at least half of. Mike had already sat at the table, leaving them to gather their food essentials and he seemed to radiate even brighter as Bella took the seat beside him.

"Hey guys," Raymond uttered as he scooted his chair out and took a seat beside the normally reserved Angela. Bellas, "Hey," was much softer but was still heard as Tyler and Eric waved her way.

"Hey," everyone answered back almost in unison.

Raymond allowed his eyes to wander for a moment, finding the blonde goddess perched in her usual corner. She seemed to be speaking to Emmett animatedly, her hand moving around the food on her tray with a a fork and speaking rapidly. Raymond smiles as the particular color of res on her jacket seemed to highlight her golden hair perfectly. He wished her to look at him for even the smallest of moments but instead he found Emmett catching him staring. The burly boy grinned his way and lifted a hand, waving excitedly. Raymond returned the gesture with his own hand wave just as Rosalie seemed to look at him finally. The corners of her mouth lifted into a smile and rah felt lost for words.

"Hello! Earth to Raymond!" Someone's hand was suddenly blocking his few, perfectly baby pink nails waving dramatically until he was forced to resign and look towards a smiling Jessica.

She had spinach in her teeth, he thought as he attempted not to seem annoyed and raised a brow. "Sorry, lost in thought."

For a moment, her eyes skidded to the Cullen table in complete disbelief of his words before Jessica's smile was once more. "Cool new ride, we should drive it down to La Push."

"Where?" Raymond was suddenly confused, looking to Bella at the same time, her brows etched together much in the same expression.

"La Push, baby... Are you in?" Eric cut in as well, the same level of excitement in his voice as he spoke to closely to Bella.

"Should I know what that means?" She respondes back rather curtly, dropping her fork.

"La Push Beach down the Quileute Rez. We're all going tomorrow." Jessica spoke from her side of the table.

"Yeah, there's a big fun coming in. And I don't just surf the Internet." Eric added.

"Eric, you stood up once..." Jessica scoffed, rolling her eyes in what could be mistaken a harmless maneuver.

"And it was a foam board." Mike seemed to add on.

"But there's whale watching too." Angela's soft voice seemed to add on, her usual innocent nature seemed to encourage Bella who's eyes seem to lighten. "Come with us."

"La Push, baby... It's... La Push." Eric lifted his hands in a maneuver much like a child.

"I haven't surfed since..." Raymond drifted off smirking at Bella who narrowed her eyes at him

"I told him not to trust me!" She retorted and snatched the candy bar off the table.

Raymond laughed harshly, remembering his sisters facial expression the moment she realized there was no way she would end well. His eyes teared up as he laughed loudly, "oh I haven't laughed at that in ages. God that was hilarious."

"What are we missing?" Mike was the only to speak from their friends as everyone intently watched them interact.

The story of Bella's encounter with seaweed and her freak out that convinced the lifeguard and the coastguard to believe a shark had infested the water.

"Share with the group, Ray, what did Bella do." Jessica from beside him gave this wide eyed look, that was probably meant to seem cute and attractive but in reality made him realize that's hating the store was probably not the wisest.

He shook his head and gave a half smile, "you know what, I value life."

From beside him, the brunettes shoulders relaxed as she realized her own brother was not selling her out for the sake of a good joke. She looked back up at everyone who seemed rather disappointed and smirked, "we'll be there. I'll be back tho, I'm getting a salad."

Bella's chair scooted back and everyone continued their regular conversation. Ray gave into his need and looked up, searching for the pretty blonde who was animatedly talking to her brunette haired counterpart. Her pink lips moved fast, smile outstretching every once in awhile as clearly the conversation at hand made her happy. He wondered if she looked like this when they spoke together and thought back to her honey colored eyes, lately they'd been a darker shade almost bordering amber, the briefest thought passing of asking her if that was common, regardless they always looked delighted to him but maybe that was just her usual demeanor.

"It's a cold drive to La Push, probably gonna be raining, maybe you should consider going in Tyler's van." Angela broke his gaze, speaking softly as to not gain to much attention.

Ray gave her a wide smile, he always liked Angela, she wasn't dying for attention like Jessica always was, and her hobbies did intrigue him. He wondered just what she had caught on that camera that hung around her head when people weren't looking.

"You're probably right, just got my baby back, don't want to already have to hand her over to a mechanic." He shrugged her shoulders and leaned back into his chair, lowering his body so Angela and him were nearly at eye level. "Think you'll get in the water?"

Whatever timidness she had felt at the beginning of their conversation had now dissipated as she popped a grape into her mouth and shook her head. "Not unless someone's carrying a portable heater on the way home. I'll turn purple before we leave."

He laughed at her joke and agreed, "you're right, it does sound cool though. I haven't been to La Push since I was a kid, Bell's and I used to love it there."

"It hasn't changed much, if anything it's colder." Angela commented.

"Who's all going?"

She gestured to the table, "it's an open invite I think, the more the merrier."

He nodded his head, "good to know."

She raised a brow, something similar to a move Bella would make. He knew what she was asking, and all he could do was laugh silently and nod his head.

Raymond decided to let his eyes wander around, he looked for Bella and found her by the rarely used fruit, she had mentioned something about craving an apple their drive up and figured she finally gave in. He watched her stare at the selection, and from the corner of his eyes someone walked right up. The tall, copper haired Edward seem intrigued with Bella, speaking animatedly with her, and his sister, although shy, seemed to reciprocate the energy.

His brow raised, wondering if at some point he would need to make amends with Rosalie's brother for Bella and his sake. Hopefully Bella would be on the same train of thought as him and she'd invite her new crush on their excursion.

|•|•|•|•|

"So..." Ray casually said as he and Bella walked the halls towards their classes. She hasn't really said much since sitting down back at lunch, mainly because Mike had talked her ear off about the La Push trip.

"So?" She responded back and lifted a brow.

"Did he agree to come?"

"Who?"

"Don't play stupid." He deadpanned.

"That's your thing not mine."

"I'm not taking AP Biology cause I already passed."

"You didn't pass, the teacher let you get by cause you were one grade away from the short bus."

"That's rich coming from the person barely tall enough to get on rollercoasters."

Bella narrowed her eyes at him, and she looked angrily at anything but him, "he said no and then was super weird about it."

Ray furrowed his eyebrows and tried to think of a reasonable response, after a moment of silence he stopped right at the entrance of her biology class. "Hmm, that's weird."

She nodded her head in agreement, "you think, I have whiplash from his mood swings."

Raymond deeply sighed, "alright I'll try next. If I get her to go then we'll know it's a him thing."

"And if she doesn't?"

"Then we have more things to talk about tonight."

Bella gave him a half smile of agreement and then took a deep breath, "add that to our ever growing board."

|•|•|•|•|

Rosalie was late.

She was never late.

Raymond hasn't been able to tear his eyes away from the exit, awaiting patiently for a certain set of twins to walk through with a smile.

And yet 15 minutes had passed and not a single person had come through the doors. His pen continuously tapped against the notebook in front of him, the last of his English assignment begging to be finished but he couldn't seem to concentrate. The clocked seemed to tick louder the longer he stared, what was going on? She'd smiled at him earlier, everything seemed fine but suddenly she wasn't here.

He sighed, deciding that if he wanted more time to exercise in his gym maybe he should finish the work before it became homework.

The last paragraph was a blur as he scribbled whatever cohesive sentence seemed to make sense and finalized the paper. His pen seemed to scratch the last letters just as he the sound of wooden doors alerted him.

His muscles stiffened not to look up as two sets of feet walked in his direction, the librarian had walked away for a moment and it seemed the siblings had seized it to walk in, quickly scribble their names on the sign in sheet and make their way to the tables.

Ray pretended to look up, smiling at Rosalie who was already staring at him. His gesture was met with a less sincere one as both sat down.

"Did you both get caught trying to sneak out?"

Jasper cracked a smile, "Mr. Molina said Rose's tire might've popped we went to check it out, it just needed a little air."

He raised a brow at her unwavering look his way, it's like she was bracing for something. He took a deep breath and moved on, "I'm glad everything okay, so what are y'all doing this weekend?"

Jasper was silent, shuffling around in his backpack for his notebook and pen, something her very rarely pulled out, Rosalie on the other hand was quick to respond. "Carlisle's taking us camping, he wants to head somewhere a little warmer."

"Oh," Ray twisted the pencil in his hand, sensing his spine crawl, she was lying, he could feel it. "Where too?"

Rosalie stiffly shrugged her shoulders and adverted eye contact. "Don't know, he just said to be back early so we can leave right after school." She lifted a hand and very quickly twirled his assignment away and into view for her, "is this for English? Need help cleaning it up?"

Her eyes stuck to the paper like glue, he watched her quickly devour every word he'd written but yet she took longer then her eyes moved. It wasn't until he finally spoke did she say anything, "no, it's okay I think I've got a handle. Bummer about the camping thing, a bunch of us are headed to La Push to go whale watching and surfing. I was hoping to get you guys on a board."

Rosalie shot up, "you're surfing?"

Ray took a moment longer, her tone change was a tad darker, eyes slightly harsher, "yeah... it's la push. I'm not whale watching."

"Raymond," she dropped her head, voice dry, "that's insane. No, don't do it."

A slight fury ran up him, was she really trying to mother him when she had just lied blatantly to him? Out of the corner of his eye he noted Jasper staring at his sister, thin lipped and hard eyes he seemed to be controlling himself.

"No?" He scoffed and shook his head, "why would I not? It's La Push, there's nothing like the waves out there. I used to go cliff diving off there, believe me getting smacked by a gentle beach wave is much easier."

"It's not safe, " Rosalie protested. "Don't do it."

Ray stilled, he didn't like the word no, he never had. No just meant endings, his parents had said no when their marriage began to crumble and soon he felt like a drifter between them, his mother had said no to his passion for boxing and soon found himself in underground fights nearly killing himself, and his mother had said no when she was on her deathbed and promptly left him. No was not a word he enjoyed.

"You can't stop me, you'll be camping." He bit back, sarcastically saying the last of it. The back of his head was beginning to ache, the overwhelming need to calm began to clash with his anger and he stood.

He scrambled to grab his things, swiftly shoving it into his backpack as his jaw clenched, "I'm gonna go get some air."

Rosalie had pressed her arms together, folding them over her chest as her brow arched. She knew coming was a bad idea, Edward has warned her but the idea of not speaking to Ray was too much sometimes, it was easier to just give in except when this happened.

Ray worked quickly, walking out until the door was shut behind him and his footsteps went outside.

"You shouldn't have done that." Jasper very calmly said to his sister.

Rosalie was furious too, at least she'd felt that way a second ago, now she was forcibly beginning to feel her head clear and logic begin to evolve. "He's suppose to be here. Not with the wolves."

"The wolves don't exist anymore, " Jasper  pointed out. "The treaty might but no wolves, he sounded excited and then you went and pissed him off."

"I didn't meant too, I just..."

Jasper gave her a knowing smile, "I know that feeling, but he doesn't know anything and you can't keep him in a glass box until you tell him, if you tell him."

Rosalie turned her head and glowered, "I can't do that, but something tells me he's onto us."

Jasper sighed, "he shook off my work, like it was nothing, we need to be careful."

Rosalie stood, "I'm going after him, if anything to tell him it's not nice to walk away during an argument."

Jasper smirked, "I believe this is when Emmett would go awh first couples fight."

"You need to stop hanging out with him so often."

The silent cackle of jaspers followed her out as she dashed, the bell had just rung so students were forming outside, slowing her pace. She mad it out only to find Ray, in his car and Bella already entering.

"What happened?" Bella questioned as she dumped her bag into the backseat.

Ray glanced up and behind Bella, finding Rosalie, he shook his head, "we'll talk later, let's go meet dads."

|•|•|•|•|

I feel like I've apologized so many times for this delay and here I am again. I just feel like I have this whole book planed out, certain scenes in my head and I could probs recite it but writing it down is so hard sometimes lol.

-Ash 🤍