Chapter 7 - Billy Black

Selene arrived at what she assumed to be Billy Black's house. The modest red-painted home had a welcoming aura, and she cycled her bike closer to the front yard to park it. As she dismounted and leaned her vintage bicycle beside the front porch, she noticed an old red, or is it orange?—large boxy pickup truck parked nearby. 

Just as Selene adjusted her bike, she heard multiple voices coming from behind the house. The familiar sound of Bella's voice caught her attention, surprising her. She turned towards the direction of the voices and saw Bella approaching with two half-naked—why were they half-naked?—muscular guys flanking her.

"Bella?" Selene called out, her voice carrying surprise and concern.

The trio halted in their tracks, astonishment evident on their faces with different reasons as they stared at her. 

Bella's eyes widened in recognition. "Selene? What are you doing here?"

Selene walked closer, her curiosity piqued, and replied, "I came to see Billy Black. Sue Clearwater—a lovely woman—mentioned he might share some local history and legends with me."

Bella nodded, though she seemed distracted and slightly dazed. Before Selene could ask what was going on, the two guys stepped forward, their expressions shifting to ones of excitement and curiosity.

"I'm Embry," one of them introduced himself, extending a hand with a wide, friendly smile. 

"And I'm Jared," the other added, his grin equally enthusiastic. "Are you friends with Bella?"

Selene shook Embry's hand, feeling the hot warmth of his skin, and then Jared's, noticing their firm grips. "Yes, I met Bella recently. I'm Selene Lovegood."

Both boys exchanged glances, their eyes lighting up with mischief. "British accent, huh?" Jared teased, his tone playful. "That's pretty cool."

"Cool? You mean hot—Jake is totally done for," Embry remarked to Jared with mirth in his eyes. 

"Not like he'll already worship the ground she walks on," Jared argued back, rolling his eyes. 

With Selene looking confused by their comments, Embry leaned in a bit closer, his eyes twinkling with curiosity. "So, Selene, are you single?"

Jared chuckled and added, "Because if you are, we know someone who's also single and would love to meet someone as beautiful as you."

Selene felt a mix of amusement and mild embarrassment at their forwardness. Their larger-than-life personalities and sudden closeness were a bit overwhelming, but their friendliness was undeniable. She couldn't help but laugh lightly at their antics. 

"Well, that's quite an introduction," Selene said, her eyes sparkling with humor. "But yes, I'm single. And thank you, I suppose."

Bella, who had been watching the exchange with a faint smile, finally spoke up. "Selene, these guys are part of the local...er, community. They're good friends."

Selene nodded, feeling a bit more at ease. "Nice to meet you both, Embry and Jared. I'm here to learn more about the local culture and history. Sue mentioned that Billy Black might be able to help."

Embry and Jared's teasing expressions softened slightly, and Jared said, "Billy's inside. He'll be happy to talk to you. More than happy actually—," he added, jerking his thumb towards the house.

Selene smiled warmly. "Really? Thank you. I appreciate it." She turned to Bella, her tone gentle. "Are you alright, Bella?"

Bella nodded, though her eyes still held a shadow of worry. "Yeah, just...a lot going on."

Selene gave her a reassuring smile. "Well, if you need anything, you know you can count on me. What were you doing here anyway?" she asked, her voice gentle but inquisitive.

Bella glanced back and forth between Embry and Jared, who subtly shook their heads at her. After a moment's hesitation, she replied, "I'm visiting my friend Jacob, Billy's son. Embry and Jared are friends with Jacob too, and we're on our way to see him since he isn't home right now."

Selene tilted her head slightly at Bella's awkwardness but nodded in understanding. She sensed there was more to the story but respected their need for privacy. "I see. I didn't mean to hold you up. You should go ahead."

Bella gave a small smile. "Right, I'll see you later then," she said, moving towards the old truck.

As Bella climbed into the driver's seat, Embry and Jared stayed behind, their expressions expectant. "Hey, why don't you come with us?" Jared asked, his eyes sparkling with genuine friendliness.

Selene, noting Bella's hesitation earlier and the shared silent interaction between the three of them, didn't want to intrude on what seemed to be a private matter. "Maybe next time," she declined politely. "I really want to meet Billy Black today."

Both guys dramatically clutched their chests, feigning hurt by her rejection. "You wound us, fair lady!" Embry exclaimed theatrically. 

Jared snickered and added, "Yeah, Jacob's going to have a fit when he hears about this."

They exchanged amused glances before turning back to Selene. "We'll have you know, we're a great company to be with! You better hang out with us next time," Jared jokes, giving her a playful wink. 

Selene laughed, charmed by their antics. "I'll keep that in mind," she said, watching as they joined Bella in the truck.

The old vehicle rumbled to life and began to pull out of the driveway. Embry and Jared waved enthusiastically from the back, hollering in mock British accents, "'Twas nice meeting you, my lady!" and "Until next time, my fair lady!" while bowing dramatically.

Their playful farewell made Selene giggle, and she waved back, feeling a surprising warmth from the brief interaction. 

As the truck disappeared down the road, Selene took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. She walked up the wooden steps to the front porch and stood before the door. With a sense of anticipation, she knocked gently.

A few moments later, the door creaked open to reveal a man with long hair tied back, sitting in a wheelchair. His eyes widened slightly upon seeing her, likely taken aback by her distinctive appearance.

"Hullo," Selene greeted with a warm smile. "Are you, perhaps, Billy Black?"

The man nodded, his curiosity evident. "Yes, I am. And you are?"

"My name is Selene Lovegood," she introduced herself. "I recently moved to Forks and met Sue Clearwater. She suggested that I speak with you about the local history and legends of the Quileute tribe."

Billy's expression softened into a welcoming smile. "Ah, yes, Sue just called and mentioned I might have a visitor. Please, come in."

Selene stepped inside, immediately feeling the cozy, lived-in atmosphere of the home. The walls were adorned with pictures of family and friends, and the room exuded a sense of warmth and tradition.

Billy gestured toward a comfortable-looking armchair. "Have a seat, Selene. I'd be happy to share some stories with you."

Selene took the offered seat, feeling a sense of relief and eagerness. "Thank you, Mr. Black. I've always been intrigued by different cultures and their histories. I'd love to hear some of the Quileute legends."

Billy chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling with enthusiasm. "Call me Billy—you've come to the right place. Our tribe has a rich history filled with tales passed down through generations." He paused, observing her with a thoughtful look. "But first, tell me a bit about yourself. What brings you to Forks?"

Selene smiled, appreciating his interest. "I moved here from England, looking for a fresh start. I inherited a house from my grandmother and thought it would be a good place to settle down and find some peace."

Billy nodded, his expression warm. "Forks can be a quiet place, perfect for a fresh start. Do you play chess, by any chance?" He gestured to a chessboard set up on a nearby table.

Selene's eyes lit up. "Yes, I do! I'm pretty good at it, actually. I could beat everyone but one person—a red-haired boy in my old neighborhood."

Billy's face broke into an excited grin. "Well, why don't we test that talent? We can play a game while I tell you some of our tribe's stories."

Selene's happy surprise was evident. "That sounds wonderful!"

Billy led her to the living room and positioned himself next to the chessboard. She took a seat across from him, feeling an unexpected sense of camaraderie. As they set up the pieces, Billy began to recount the rich tapestry of Quileute legends. He spoke of their ancestors, the spirit warriors who could transform into wolves, and the sacred responsibility they carried to protect their people.

Selene listened intently, her fascination growing with each story. The tales of bravery, unity, and the mystical connection to nature resonated deeply with her. Meanwhile, their chess game unfolded, each move carefully considered.

As Billy finished a particularly captivating story about the first spirit warrior, Selene moved her knight, capturing one of Billy's pawns. "Your stories are incredible, Billy. I feel honored to learn about them."

Billy smiled warmly, making his next move. "You're welcome, Selene. I'm glad to share our heritage with someone who truly appreciates it."

They continued playing and talking, the room filled with the comfortable rhythm of conversation and the clinking of chess pieces. 

The sound of waves gently lapping against the shore outside added a soothing backdrop to their conversation. Selene's eyes sparkled with curiosity and genuine interest as she moved her queen piece, capturing Billy's rook.

"Checkmate," she said softly, a small smile playing on her lips.

Billy chuckled, shaking his head in admiration. "Well, I'll be. You got me, young lady. I haven't been beaten in a game of chess in years."

Selene blushed modestly. "Thank you. It was a challenging game. Your strategies were quite impressive."

Billy leaned back in his wheelchair, his eyes twinkling with respect. "You know, Selene, you're a remarkable young woman. Polite, well-mannered, and genuinely interested in learning. It's rare to see that these days, especially in young folks. Your parents must be incredibly proud to have a daughter like you."

Selene's smile faltered slightly, and she looked down at the chessboard, her fingers absently tracing the edges of the pieces. "Thank you, Billy. I appreciate your kind words. My parents... well, my mum passed away when I was eleven. She was a wonderful woman, strong and wise. It's been just my dad, my younger sister Luna, and me ever since."

Billy's expression softened with empathy. "I'm truly sorry to hear that, Selene. Losing a parent is never easy. My wife, Sarah, passed away years ago too. It was hard on my daughters and Jacob. We've been doing our best to keep going, but some days are tougher than others."

Selene nodded, her heart aching in understanding. "I'm sorry for your loss as well, Billy. It's difficult to navigate life without a mother. But it sounds like you've raised a strong family, just as my father did for Luna and me."

Billy smiled, a mixture of pride and sorrow in his eyes. "We've all had to grow up a little faster, haven't we? But it's clear that your father did a fine job raising you. You're resilient and kind-hearted."

Selene returned his smile, feeling a warm connection with the elder. "Thanks. It means a lot to hear that. My dad always taught us to be compassionate and understanding, no matter what life throws our way."

Billy nodded thoughtfully. "Wise words. And from what I've seen, you've taken them to heart. It's not just about surviving, but about how we live and treat others."

The two sat in comfortable silence for a moment, reflecting on their shared experiences of loss and the strength they had found in their families. Selene felt a deep sense of gratitude for this unexpected bond she had formed with Billy Black.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm golden glow through the windows, Billy broke the silence. "You know, Selene, you're always welcome here. If you ever need anything or just want to talk, don't hesitate to come by."

Selene's eyes met Billy's, and she felt a sense of belonging in this new place. "Thank you, Billy. Your kindness means a lot to me. And I promise I'll bring some of my homemade food next time. Maybe I can even massage your legs for you—something for the joint pain?" she added with a playful twinkle.

Billy laughed heartily. "I'd appreciate that. These old bones could use all the help they can get."

As the conversation with Billy came to a comfortable close, Selene stood up and prepared to leave. She felt a warmth in her heart, grateful for the connection she had made with Billy Black. She moved towards the door, her mind already buzzing with thoughts of her next visit and the potions she could bring to secretly help Billy.

"Thank you again, Billy," she said with a gentle smile. "I look forward to our next game."

Billy nodded, a twinkle in his eye. "Take care, Selene. And remember, you're always welcome here."

Just as Selene reached for the door handle, it suddenly swung open with a force that made her step back in surprise. 

Standing in the doorway was a tall, handsome, and muscular young man, his chest heaving as if he'd just ran a marathon. His russet skin glistened with sweat, and his dark eyes were wide with shock.

Selene's breath caught in her throat as she stared at him, momentarily speechless. The young man looked equally stunned, his gaze locked onto hers. The air between them seemed to crackle with an unspoken energy. For a moment, time stood still, and they simply stared at each other, caught in the unexpected intensity of the encounter.