Part 1: Cupcakes

There has been a time of peace. Everything seems to be coming together for everyone. Everyone is finding their soul mate, everyone is happy, everyone except me. Of course I had given up on that a while ago. Finding a soul mate is overrated anyways. Maybe being alone is better, no one can hurt you.

Seth has returned with dinner, his girlfriend Maggie is joining us for dinner while Mom is at Charlie's. She hasn't been home a lot lately. I think Charlie might propose soon. I dread that wedding day. I spend a lot of my time at the Cullen's I try to not hang around more than necessary. Although Alice, Jasper and I have become kind of close. I can't hide my emotions from Jasper, he feels my heart break every time I see Jake with Nessie but he never talks about it, he's trustworthy that way. He knows when to say the right thing, and he never fails to say the right thing. And Alice, well no one could really dislike Alice, she is just so friendly and kind.

Seth and Maggie walk in, Maggie clings to Seth and Seth has an arm casually around her. He always has an arm around her as if he has to constantly touch her to remind himself that this is real, that this is his imprint, the reason for his whole existence. Maggie smiles up at me and Seth gives me a sympathetic look. I plaster a smile on my face and tell him I made cupcakes. I bake often lately, it helps me cope with… well everything.

Seth lets go of Maggie and rushes to the kitchen, the smell of Italian food following him. Maggie giggles as she watches Seth's eagerness. "Hey Leah," she smiles to me and hugs me. Maggie is practically family these days. She has red, curly hair. Her skin is fair and speckled in freckles. She's from the town of Forks. When Seth and I were on our way to Charlie's one day we stopped at a stop sign and the next thing I know, Seth is out of the car helping this girl who just stumbled and her books flew everywhere. Their eyes met and there was no coming back for Seth. "It's about to snow Leah, Seth says he can feel it." I smile, nod and tell her I can feel it too.

Maggie is a bookworm, she'd never be the person I'd think my brother would fall for, but the match is a good one. When she found out about Seth, she was so mesmerized. It was like something out of her books. She understood how important it was to keep it a secret. She told me once she used to live in the world of whichever book she picked up, she used to wish every day to get swept up into something beautiful and magical and then she met Seth. She told me she finally knew the feeling of being in something beautiful. I couldn't help but feel envy for her. I'd known that feeling, but it disappeared fast for me. Maggie walks over to the CD player and puts in a CD and starts dancing. Maggie was a lot stronger than I had given her, and she was a lot more likable than I had wanted to believe when I first found out she was my little brother's imprint.

"I invited some guests." Seth calls from the kitchen. "I thought it would be good to have more than three tonight."

I look to Maggie trying to read her impression, but she just smiles, knowing something I don't know. "What guests? There aren't enough cupcakes for guests. Seth… you know I don't like surprises."

"You might like this one. Oh and you have enough cupcakes to feed the whole reservation. Seriously Leah how much baking did you need to do today?" Seth laughs as he shoves a cupcake in his mouth, getting icing on his cheek. "Not that I'm complaining. I could finish this pan all by myself." Maggie dances over to Seth, getting the icing off his cheek with her index finger than licking the icing.

"Delicious as always." Maggie smiles and Seth offers her his remaining cupcake. It would only take love for Seth or any other pack member to share their food.

I smile and thank her and then I hear the whooping and cheering from the front yard. I turn to Seth and glare at him. "A little warning would have been nice, brother."

"Surprises can be fun." Seth winks and pulls Maggie close, wrapping an arm around her and nuzzling her neck with his face. He whispers something and she giggles.

Thick arms wrap around me and spin me around. I laugh knowing exactly who it is. The arms set me down, I turn and look up to Embry. "Hey Em." He smiles. "I didn't know you were coming back so soon."

"Well… there was a change of plans." Embry says and I give him a worried look. A change of plans? He just went to visit family, how crazy could it have gotten that he couldn't call me? I mean friends were supposed to do that right, talk about life moments. The house fills up with pack members, most of them bringing imprints. Their imprints brought food which is really good. I didn't give Seth enough money to buy food for most of the pack.

"What kind of change of plans?" I ask him cautiously.

"Lily!" Embry calls and a woman with russet skin, and jet black hair appears at his side. Her eyes are kind. "Leah, this is Lily."

I smile. "Nice to meet you."

"I've fallen in love with her, Leah." Embry says, wrapping an arm around her. "We're planning a wedding to take place in a couple of months."

"Wow." I say, which sounds incredibly stupid and silly. One of my best friends just told me he was in love and was getting married and all I can say is three letters. I swallow the lump in my throat. I'm happy for him; I have to be happy for him. "Congratulations. Welcome to the pack." I tell Lily. "I need to go check on something outside. I'll be right back. See you in a bit."

I rush out the back door and run to a tree. I'm happy for him. I knew Embry would find someone soon too. I had just hoped he could be single with me longer. It hurts, everyone finding someone and living happily ever after. It hurts having to stand on the side as imprints mingle, hold each other and ride off into the sunset. Just like that, those words Embry spoke, everything changes. Everything changes again.

Snow begins to fall; I enjoy feeling the flakes land on my exposed skin. I'm wearing long jeans and a lace camisole. Flakes land on my shoulder and suddenly melt at the touch of my burning flesh. I look up to the sky, watching the flakes dance down. Everything is so graceful, it's so beautiful.

"Hey Leah," a familiar voice whispers close to my ear and I shiver.

"Geez Jake, you scared me." I say as I turn to look at him.

"That was kind of the point Lee." Jake laughs, and I smile because his laugh is so infectious.

"Where did you come from Jake?" I ask him, leaning against the tree.

"I was in the house, couldn't help but notice the way you looked when Embry made his announcement to you. I didn't know you'd take it so harshly." Jake says.

"You knew? Did everyone know but me?" I ask, suddenly hurt by the feeling of being left out.

Jake nods, "Some of us ran into him on our way back into town. He wanted to tell you personally, not over the phone." Jake says, moving closer. "Can I ask why you got so upset? Is there something between Embry and you?"

I laugh because I think he's joking, but when he doesn't laugh I stop. "Are you serious? Embry and me? No way. It's more of the idea that pretty much everyone has someone. Then there's me." I tell him. His eyes look into mine intensely, I turn away. "I can't believe I said that out loud."

"You can tell me anything Leah." Jake says, taking my hand in his. The touch electrifies my body, sends waves of fire throughout my body starting from my palm. "You know that right?"

"It doesn't feel like it." I tell him. "You have Nessie. Seth has Maggie. Now Embry has Lily. Who do I have? No one. I can't talk to you or Seth or Embry. You all don't understand. Before Embry understood. Now he is just the same as you and Seth."

Jake moves closer, now he's inches from me. My heart begins to race. Can he hear it pounding in my chest? I'm suddenly very embarrassed. I look down and then meet his intense eyes. Why is he looking at me like that?

"What if I told you I don't love Nessie… not in an intimate way like Seth and Embry love Maggie and Lily?" Jake whispers. "What if I told you I don't think I'd ever feel that way towards her?"

"I wouldn't believe you." I say.

"Well… it's true." Jake declares. "Nessie is amazing…" I look away; she didn't need to hear this. Her mood had already been ruined thanks to Seth and Embry for their surprise. Jake moves into her line of sight. "But I only love her like a sister or a best friend."

"That will all change when she grows up." I tell him. "That's how it works."

Jake shakes his head. "I don't think it will. That's what I'm saying. She's already matured to age sixteen. I should be attracted to her."

"Just give it time Jake." I tell him, meeting his eyes. "I'm sure you both will be married and riding off into the sunset in no time." I pull away from him. I can't think clearly with him so close to me, I can smell his scent. Soap, forest, and everything that is Jake. It's intoxicating. "We should get back to the party…" I say and start walking back towards my house.

Jake sighs, rushing after me. His hand grabs my arm and spins me to face him. He pulls me close, so close, I'm against his body, my heart is racing, I'm sure he can feel it. He leans close to my ear, "I don't want to marry and ride off into the sunset with her. Believe me, I wish I did." He whispers. He pulls back so he can look into my eyes. "There's this other girl I can't seem to get out of my head."

"Leah! Jake!" Seth calls from the porch, Maggie is standing beside him but she doesn't look happy that he shouted out to me. "We are ready to eat!"

I jump at the interruption and pull out of Jake's embrace. To my dismay, my body aches from the loss of his warmth; it aches for his hands to touch me again. I start walking back inside. When I don't hear Jake following I turn to him. "Come on Jake, we can talk later." I smile to him. He smiles, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes. He nods and begins walking toward me. I wait until he catches up and then I walk with him back into the house.

My mind racing, my heart still pounding, I walk back into my house and apologize to Embry for freaking out.