CHAPTER SIX

"Oh, aren't you excited for Sam and Emily's wedding?" Rachel inquired, turning to Serena who was behind the wheel of the vehicle as they made their way to the couple's home. Despite her sister's question, Serena struggled to mask her feelings of discomfort and unease. 

She shifted in her seat, her mind preoccupied with a tangle of complicated emotions, as she responded with a nonchalant "Yeah, I guess."

Serena, unable to hide the underlying pain in her voice, finally admitted, "I understand that Sam imprinted on Emily. It's just, with all the drama surrounding the whole Leah situation, it could have ended differently. I can't help but feel bad about the outcome." She sighed, feeling a strange pang of hypocrisy in admitting her thoughts aloud.

"Yeah, I know," Rachel conceded, her expression faltering. Despite her sister's words, Serena understood that sometimes life had a way of playing out in unexpected and heartbreaking ways. At her side was someone who would have had more to say, whereas Rachel simply rolled with the punches and often failed to engage in deep thought.

The air in the car grew awkwardly silent for a moment, as Serena grappled with a mixture of emotions.

Serena's frustration and self-directed bitterness was palpable as she muttered, "Yeah." She couldn't put a finger on why these brief moments with Paul seemed to linger in her thoughts, despite having experienced relationships and years of distance from La Push. It was perplexing that she couldn't shake off the influence of the fiery Paul Lahote, his image haunting her even after all this time.

Rachel, carefully selecting her words, posed a delicate query, her tone gentle and hesitant, as if she was treading on potentially sensitive ground. "Do you ever think about if your old relationship would have worked out?" she asked, her eyes meeting Serena's in the dim light of the car.

Serena forced a smile that failed to reach her eyes, her voice carrying a tinge of forced nonchalance. "Honestly," she admitted, "I did think about it, but you're right when you say these things happen for a reason. Sometimes, it all just... works out in the end, good or bad," The words left a bitter taste in her mouth, and she couldn't help but notice her own tone. Rachel, picking up on her sister's discomfort, offered a comforting hand on her shoulder.

Rachel acknowledged her sister's pain with a hint of guilt, her voice laced with regret. "I'm sorry, it's still too soon," she muttered, recognizing that the subject was still a sensitive one.

Serena confessed quietly, acknowledging the age and timing of her past relationship. "I know we were young when we got together," she said, "but I can't help feeling like saying 'I love you' at that age was way too soon."

Rachel, her expression perplexed, retorted, "Age doesn't matter. You guys had been together for such a long time. It was about time someone spoke up."

Serena nodded reluctantly, acknowledging the truth in her sister's statement, "You're right; sometimes, things don't turn out the way you hope." With a heavy sigh, she reminded her, "Look how it ended."

Rachel's expression softened as she realized the pain her sister was feeling, now feeling a pang of guilt for bringing up the subject and lying about the presence of Paul being at Emily and Sam's.

Rachel harbored a bit of hope that perhaps they could mend fences, but the stubborn nature of both Paul and Serena, given their history, made the task seem nearly impossible. Furthermore, Paul's transformation into a shape-shifter only added another layer of complexity to the situation, his heightened emotions fueling his anger even more.

Rachel facepalmed, her heart sinking as she considered the potential consequences of her well-intentioned schemes. "I really messed up," she admitted, realizing that her attempts to bring her sister happiness might have backfired, stirring up anger or pain instead.

"Hey, Rachel? Did you hear me?"

Serena's voice snapped Rachel out of her own thoughts, prompting her to respond with a surprised question, "What?"

Serena asked Rachel a simple question about their upcoming plans, "Hey, I was wondering if you'd like to visit the First Beach when the sun comes out, along with Dad and Jake?"

"Of course!" Rachel exclaimed, quickly agreeing to the impromptu beach trip. Serena couldn't help but notice her sister's dazed expression, puzzled at how she seemed lost in thought.

Serena, noticing her sister's distraction, repeated her question, "Did you even hear me?"

Rachel, breaking out of her thoughts, replied, "Yeah, sure, I would love to," her tone slightly distant, indicating that something was on her mind. Serena's brow furrowed, curious about what had occupied her sister so profoundly.

Serena, her concern for her sister growing, gently asked, "Is everything alright?" sensing something was bothering Rachel.

Rachel couldn't help feeling guilty, especially now with the house only a turn away. "Sorry, Serena," she mumbled, still preoccupied with her thoughts.