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"I'm so happy you texted me." Embry smiled. He and Evie were heading to Sam's. As soon as he saw Evie's text, Embry called her as he made his way to her place. Soon after, Embry was at her front door, ringing the bell. When she went out, Evie was tackled in a warm hug. "I was surprised but I'm glad you taking some fresh air."
"Sorry. I know I gave you a hard time. I must have worried you." Evie apologised. Embry shook his head.
"No, don't worry, it's okay." He reassured. "Don't feel guilty to have feelings, it's normal."
"Thanks." Evie genuinely smiled.
"You know it's the first time I see you smile since a month." He grinned as Evie chuckled.
"I know, I know."
"Take you time." Embry said as he put his arm around her shoulders, side huging her. "You can rely on me, I'll be there for you."
"I must have saved the world in my past life to have you as my friend." Evie smiled. Embry chuckled.
"I know, I'm extraordinary." His flipped his non-existent long hair, making Evie chuckled. They continued to walk and soon reached Sam's place. They entered. There was silence first. Everyone was taken aback to see Evie. But shock was quickly replaced by joy as they beamed, seeing her.
"Look who's back!" Paul smiled.
"Hey." Evie gently waved at them, as if shy. They were all smiling, seeming relieved.
"Come sit here, Evie. I have loads of muffins for you!" Emily grinned as she led Evie to a chair next to Seth. She slightly hugged her before leavinf saying:
"I'm so glad to see you again!"
As Evie sat, Seth was radiating light, swinging left to right is chair and smiling ear to ear. Saying that he was joyful to see his sister was an huge understatement. He was beyond happy.
The second child of the Clearwater family noticed Leah slightly smiling. She hadn't jumped of joy like the other, she was more cheery than usual. As her eyes crossed her sister's, Leah smiled widened a bit. She was glad to see Evie out. She was relieved.
Evie felt like they were a bit overreacting. But deep down, she knew they had all been worried sick for her. They were all from the same pack. They all shared a special link. They all cared for each other, protect each other, fight for each other. Even though there was conflicts sometimes, they would all give their lives for a member of the pack.
"You should have seen Embry when you texted him." Quil snorted a laugh. "He ran out of the house to see you."
The others sniggered as Embry hit Quil, muttering "shut up". Evie slightly chuckled. Embry was very caring. He had been there for her since day one. She was more than grateful to have him by her side. She own him a debt.
As Evie stayed almost the entire day at Sam's with the pack, she got to rebond with her friends. When they went cliff diving last time, Jared wanted to impress Kim but ended sliding and falling in the water. The funniest part was that he acted like nothing happened at all. But you know Paul, he would never stop reminding him of the event.
No one talked about Jacob. And Evie was grateful for that. They must knew it was a tough topic, too sensitive. Besides, they knew too well how it had affected Evie for the past month. Evie had enjoyed going out. It had a good impact on her, she felt a bit more lighter than before. But her heart was still pretty much heavy. Even if she had managed to think about something else and spend time with her friends, Jacob was still a prominent though in the back of her head, like a background music. He was everywhere, even when he wasn't the topic.
"It feels so weird to see you with long hair again." Paul said. "It feels like ages."
"Doesn't it would be bothering after phasing?" Jared wondered. He then groaned, slightly jumping, as Leah kicked him under the table. Embry and Quil looked at him, or more like glared at him. The pack must be aware that Evie couldn't phase anymore.
Evie didn't say anything. She wasn't hurt or something.
"It's okay." Evie reassuringly smiled at her sister. Leah relaxed but still shooting a glare at Jared who muttered an apology.
"Cut it off when you'll be ready." Sam said. "We're in no hurry."
Evie nodded, grateful.
He was true though. As they had defeated the newborn army and the Volturi were back in Volterra, there was no danger anymore. No unknown vampires ever went to Forks since. The pack, and even the Cullens, hoped it would stay that way. The only preoccupation was now Bella's and Edward's wedding. It was just a matter of time before Bella officially and lawfully becomes Bella Cullen. That meant that it was also a matter of time before Bella becomes vampire, and Evie's natural enemy. But even after that, Evie would still be friends with her. She was with Edward and the other so why not with her?
Talking about the Cullens, Evie thought that she should visit them. She answered their texts but reassuring them for real would be better. Edward would know she still wasn't at the best of her forms but he would be relieved to see her out of her room after such a long time. Evie knew that if he was allowed, he would have visit her. Both Edward and Evie were good friend. With the rest of the Cullens too. After the battle, Evie had the chance to know them more. Even though some were quite wary at first, they all befriended at the point no one mind her in their territory.
By dusk, Evie, Seth and Leah left Sam's place to come back home.
"Go ahead, I'll come home later." Evie said, walking toward the tree line.
"Where are you going, V?" Seth asked, curious.
"Visiting the Cullens." She said and heard Leah groaning. Leah wasn't a big fan of how her sister was friends with blood suckers. But she knew she couldn't do anything or control her (which she didn't want to). So she let her do.
"Don't come home too late." Leah just said. Evie nodded as she passed the tree line. She took out her phone and texted Edward. She always told them when came to see them, asking permission to pass the treaty line.
There, Edward was already there with Bella. Evie smiled at them.
"You know you don't have to ask permission to pass the treaty line." The vampire smiled. Evie chuckled.
"I know, but I just feel like it." She said as she joined them on the other side of the river. As she set foot on their shore, Evie was tackled in a tight embrace by Bella.
"I'm so happy to see you." The human whispered. Evie hugged her back.
"Sorry."
Bella broke away and shook her head.
"What matters is that you're feeling better." Bella said. "You lost weight, didn't you?" Bella noticed.
"You think so?" Evie genuinely asked, looking down to her body.
She then noticed. Her tank tops and shorts used to always be a perfect fit. Not too lose nor too tight. But now, they were a little to big for her. Bella was right. Evie did lose weight. Evie never noticed. She just didn't feel like eating. It was like she didn't feel hunger at all sometimes.
"You should try to eat regularly. Following a schedule to not lose habit." Edward said. "Even if you feel like you're not hungry."
Evie chuckled. She had forgotten Edward was a mind reader. You couldn't have any secret near him. The pack could ill talk as much as they wanted, but Edward was genuinely kind. Evie knew that. He cares for the people he loved. Evie was glad to have him a friend. Species, natural enemy, she didn't care. Edward and the Cullens were her friends.
"Thank you, Evie." Edward smiled. "I'm glad to have you as my friend too."
"Stop reading my thoughts, Edward." She laughed. Both Bella and he grinned. Seeing Evie smiling, and hearing her laughing reassured them. Seeing her like that made them think that everything would be okay, that she will go through it.
"How's the wedding preparations are going, by the way?" Evie asked. Bella seemed to tense, seeming embarrassed.
"You know Alice," Edward said. "She's frantic, organising everything. Quite scary at time." He chuckled, followed by Evie.
"I'll pass sometimes. To aid for everything."
"You don't have to." Bella quietly said. Evie knew she felt kind of guilty. She thought it was her fault if this situation happened. Jacob left because she was getting married to Edward. She felt like it was her fault. But Evie wasn't agreed. Evie didn't hold her responsable at all. Bella had the right to marry whoever she wanted. Jacob had to see that whether he like it or not.
Evie shook her head.
"No it's okay. I wanna help." She smiled. "It'll be a big day for the both of you, I want to participate."
"And it be a good thing to distract you." Edward agreed. Evie motioned to him, showing her thankfulness for his support. Bella had no choice but to agree. "However, I wonder if you could bear such a energetic Alice."
"She's even more energetic than usual." Bella added, smiling at the thought.
"I can manage a Seth so I think I can manage an Alice." Evie smiled. "I gotta go or Leah is going to freak out if I'm not back early." She joked.
"Be safe on the way back." Bella said.
"See you soon, Evie." Edward told. "And mentally prepare for Alice."
Evie giggled and waved them good bye. She turned and left.
She enjoyed this day out, taking fresh air, seeing the forest and her friends. But she still felt heavy and blank. Healing the wounds of the heart is harder than the physical ones.