I DON'T OWN ANYTHING

"Are you sure this is okay?" I asked for about the seventieth time that day.

"I'm positive. I'm actually surprised you agreed to come." Leah said as she put the last of my frames on the dresser.

"Sam didn't look too pleased about it." I said as I sat down on my new bed. That was an understatement. Disapproval dripped from every pour on his face.

"Yeah, well he's not too pleased with anything I do anymore. Plus, it's my house." She said, plopping down next to me.

Leah was my best friend. We hadn't seen each other for about 3 years since I'd moved away to Cali.

"So," I said suddenly excited. "What do you want to do on our first night as roommates? We could rent movies, and order pizza just like we used to!"

"Actually," Leah said uncomfortably. "I kinda agreed to go to this bonfire at mom's house tonight. But if you don't want to go I completely understand." She said quickly. She knew I hated anything outdoor after 6.

"No, I could do a bonfire. Hmm… what to wear, what to wear." Leah smiled. She was so easy to please sometimes. At least to me she was. Besides, I thought to myself. It could be fun.

I stepped out of Leah's car at into the fresh air. The Clearwater's house was beautiful, just how I remembered it.

We walked around to the side where about fifty people were gathered. At least it seemed like that many.

A beautiful little 3-year-old ran out of someone's arms over to us.

"Leah!" she said smiling toothily.

A very tall, shirtless, muscled man followed behind her and grabbed her off the ground and bounced her in his arms. She laughed contentedly.

"That's Claire, and this is Quil." Leah introduced.

"Hello. Claire, you're a beautiful girl," I said and she beamed.

"Yes, you are." Quil said, staring at her with love in his eyes.

He walked her to the house, still bouncing her in his arms.



"Aiden!" I tore my gaze away from them at the sound of my name. Emily rushed over to me, and hugged me fiercely. I heard Leah shuffle a few steps back.

"Why don't we introduce you to everyone!" she said in her singsong voice.

"No thanks, that really not neces-"

"Come on, don't be shy," she said as she grabbed me to a group of girls first.

"Hey girls, this is Aiden." They didn't even get a chance to introduce themselves before I was pulled away once more. This time I was pushed into a circle of tall, muscled men who, just like Quil, were shirtless.

"Guys, this is Aiden. The girl who's moving in with Leah. Aiden, this is Jacob, Embry, Paul, Jared, and Seth."

I wondered what their reactions were going to be. Anger, like Sam's? Or happiness, like Emily's?

All of their faces were fairly easy to read. They ranged from disapproval to boredom. All except for one.

I was confused when I looked at the one named Paul's face. He looked as if someone had come and punched him right in the stomach. His eyes were wide with shock, and he was trembling slightly. But I couldn't help thinking that he was extremely handsome. He had tan, toned muscles, and dark short hair.

I stared at him, wondering what in the world was wrong with him.

Jacob followed my line of eyesight to Paul.

"Paul," he cautioned. Paul's body slightly calmed, but only slightly.

"Geez, Paul, you're scaring the crap out of her." Embry said, taking in my bewildered appearance.

That did it. He started going into near convulsions, and his hands were blurred from how hard he was shaking.

I heard a door slammed and a deep voice yelled.

"Paul!" Sam barked.

At the sound of Sam's voice, Paul shifted his hand to press the bridge of his nose, and he bit his lip, as if trying to concentrate. The shaking stopped, until only his hands were shaking slightly.

"Emily, take her inside." Sam whispered. "Everyone else, I think the food is ready."

I hadn't realized everybody else had frozen, and stood watching.

"Now!" Sam growled.

Emily dragged me into the house, and everyone else started moving as well.

"Paul," I heard Sam say, "come with me."