I walked through the forest grass slowly, letting my thoughts engulf me. I zigzagged through the trees as I sauntered, letting my hand linger on every one that I passed. I came to the meadow that held so much significance, and was so very close to my heart.

I passed through the arch, and sat in the middle of a flower patch. Freesia, my favorite. Every time I smelled it, I was reminded of my mother whenever I was away from her.

I lay back, and closed my eyes. The sun's rays passed through the treetops' leaf filled branches and came to rest on my face. I smiled at the warmth, and brought my mind back to my previous thoughts, the ones I could only think about while I was alone. This was one of those rare times where I was actually allowed to go off on my own.

Jacob, I thought with longing.

I missed him so much, even though I just saw him last night. He would come again later this afternoon.

I thought about my relationship with him.

When I was younger, he was my babysitter. He watched over me, and kept me out of trouble, just as my parents did, just a little more protectively though.

I got older, and he became the big brother I needed, who supported me, and took care of me.

Now, he was my best friend. I could tell him everything. I had trusted Jacob implicitly-trusted him with every single secret I had. He was supposed to be my safe harbor-the one person I could always rely on.

Something within me was changing. I don't know what, but I was sure something was different.

Today was my seventh birthday, but my mother gave tearless sobs as she and my father explained I was already full grown.

I recalled the visits from Nahuel, and how he said he had matured around the age I was at now. I grew swiftly. That was obvious. I already looked like a 16-year-old, and that wasn't going to change. My aunt Rosalie gave up trying to give my hair its usual trim, which was about once every 3 days, since it grew about foot or more within a week. My hair was way past my waist, past my feet even, and thanks to my mom's genes, I was closer to the shorter side; I was my mom's height of five foot four. I was supposed to get a haircut when I got home, but it was currently braided into a bun, thanks to my two favorite aunts, who loved playing with me like a life-size Barbie. My mom wasn't of much help, because it gave her an excuse to not be dressed up like she used to.

I sighed.

Jacob. I felt weird. My feelings were definitely changing. I felt like being just friends with Jacob just wasn't enough for me. I think I might like him. I mean really like him like him, not just like. Once more I sighed, as my heart ached to have what I couldn't.

I knew we could be perfectly compatible, we just had to be.

He was stuck at 16 because of him being a werewolf and all, and I was frozen like this forever thanks to my dad's vampire genes (thank goodness I got my mom's chocolate brown eyes and not red ones). He knew everything about me, and I knew everything about him. On the off days where he actually attended school to keep up the act, with him appearing to be a teenager and all, even though he should have been 23, I was the one who helped him with his homework. My mom was already smart as a human, and being a half-vampire really strengthened my senses and abilities.

How could he not feel what I felt?

I would never dare ask him how he felt, not even to go on a date. I wouldn't cross that line. I don't want to risk losing him.

What if I took him to Seattle or Port Angeles and I picked up a guy?

Would he get jealous and finally realize his true feelings?

Would he ignore me?

Would he just let me go off with some stranger? Let's face it; I risked flirtation every time I stepped out. If I took Jake, I didn't have to worry about getting hit on. But I could hit on a random boy, and I would be able to reel him in. Then my Jacob would get the nudge in the right direction.

No, I wouldn't just use a boy. I would actually want to get to know him. I'm not insensitive to the feelings of others. I would have to choose the perfect one…

The school year already started, but starting 2 weeks late isn't a big deal. I could go to high school. I'd start out as a sophomore, and I could remain there until graduation. I didn't have to worry about aging anymore. I'd persuade Jacob to attend with me. Then, while closely observing the humans, I'd choose someone. Someone I'd get to see everyday, and Jacob would have to see me with him. It was perfect.

Maybe this was what I needed. Maybe I could fall in love with the guy, get over Jake.

Yes. This was the perfect plan.

I smiled to myself, the thought making me euphoric.

"Nessie?"

I opened my eyes and sat up, just as Jacob materialized from the trees.

"I've been looking everywhere for you. Are you ready to go back home?"

"Yes." I smiled deviously at him as I hopped onto his back and he began running out of the meadow towards my 'surprise party'. It wasn't a surprise. Knowing my aunt Alice, there would definitely be a party, and not just a small, intimate family gathering. A party palooza fest.

I wondered who she would have invited.

As we neared the house, I smelled the familiar scent of my family. My whole family.

The Denali clan, whom Garrett was with, Huilen, Nahuel, who had brought his sisters this time, the Amazon coven, the Irish Coven, Benjamin, Tia, Charles, Makenna, Peter and Charlotte. And, of course, Charlie, Renee, Phil, Seth, Sue, and all the other werewolves.

Alice even invited some of their human friends, Mike, Jessica, Angela and Ben, saying I was Bella and Edward's niece. Nice cover-up.

Jacob slowed to a pace as we neared the house, and soon we were a little less than a mile away. I quickly jumped off his back and walked beside him. He grabbed me from behind and pulled me into a big bear hug, or maybe a big wolf hug…

"Happy birthday, my Nessie," he whispered in my ear as he kissed the top of my head.

I broke free from his embrace. I made my heart hurt too much. I went back to his side and hugged his arm as we kept walking.

"Wait, hold on. I wanted to give you your present while we're alone."

He pulled a small woven pouch from the back pocket of his jeans. He untied the strings and pulled out a necklace. It had a silver chain, and from it hung a big, pink diamond heart. In the middle of the heart was a clear diamond form of a wolf. It was utterly… amazing.

How could he do this to me?

Give me such an extravagant gift, and not give me himself. That's all I wanted. I just wanted him.

I wiped the tears from my eyes. They were from both disappointment and joy. I was happy to know he cared enough to buy me something so beautiful.

"You shouldn't have spent your money." Really. You shouldn't have.

"Hahaha. You are so like your mother, you know that? Now turn around so I could put this around your neck."

I did as he commanded, and was thrilled at the sensation of his hands on the bare skin at my neck. Was it my imagination, or did his hands linger?

Must be my imagination. Another thing I get from my mom. He grabbed my hand and we headed back home for my party.

My plan would soon be in action.

It was only a matter of time…