A/N: Summary: Jacob had always heard about the Tribe's legends. He'd never believed any of them—well, until he met the Cullens. They annoy him, mostly, but he doesn't get why they're so hated. They eat off of animals only, right? But then he phases—and all chaos erupts.

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.

P.S. I am taking a poetic license with this one, okay? Some of the characters will be OOC because I need them to be for this to work. However, I'm not bent on bashing any character. I'm just adding to their personalities or tweaking them, not making them into Mary Sues and Gary Stus. I also built on imprinting and the mental bond/physical bond stuff. ...So...yeah...

Should be Edward x Jacob eventually.

Chapter One: New "Friends"

On the Road to La Push's Central Gathering Area – 7:47 PM

Jacob's Point of View

I tapped my fingers against the rise of the car door, as Country Music blared through the speakers. My Dad liked to drive himself, working the car with these improvised levers. I was always on edge when he decided he should get to drive, but, hey, if I loved cars and was told I couldn't drive I'd find a way around the rules, too—even if I made my son nervous as heck.

I also hated Country Music with a vengeance. Indie, Rock, Classic Rock, Alternative, and even Club Music I could handle. Rap, Country, and Pop made my teeth grind, however.

I just watched the scenery blur past, a mess of giant, broad-leaf trees, hanging moss, vines, and ivy dashed with brown from tree trunks and mud, and sighed. I was trying to ignore everything, but...

"Calm down, son, I'm doing fine!" Dad announced, just as our front right wheel hit a large pothole. I winced, but he just whistled.

"Wow, that one's getting big," he comments. "I swear it was half that size last week!"

Your excitement does not amuse me. I thought, as I rolled my eyes. I just leaned closer to the window.

"Dad, why are we going to this big festival again? I mean, it's about Sam for crying out loud. Why is there a giant party about one person?" I questioned, and the annoyance at the idea was clear in my voice.

I hadn't slept well last night. I couldn't decide on why, but I was not in a good mood. Plus, school had been hectic. One teacher really hated my guts. Even if I got something right I somehow managed to get it wrong, if that made any sense.

And, I'd had to deal with the Cult, as my friends and I call them—Sam, Jared, and Paul. After getting into a smack down with Paul earlier, we would now be celebrating his boss, the one who probably ordered him to kick the snot out of me. It was not something that made me happy, to say the least.

I noticed my dad hadn't said anything so I looked over, to see him staring straight ahead (at the road, for once) and his jaw seemed tensed.

"Dad, are you all right?" I asked, feeling slight worry burrowing in my gut.

He rarely looked so serious. I could remember the last time, sure, but it was so far back it was rather blurry in my memory.

"Yeah, son, I'm fine. Just don't be so mean to Sam, okay? He's a good kid and today is special..." Dad tried to explain.

I wrinkled my nose. "Special how...? Is it his birthday, or something? They don't all gather at my birthday..."

Dad rolled his eyes, at me. Huh, so he could pull teen angst moves even at his age.

"No...just...you'll know when it happens."

I huffed. "'You'll know when it happens'...how many times have I been told that in the past few years? And been looked at funny—repeatedly? And Sam isn't a good kid, Dad. He pretty much runs La Push like he's some mobster and his lackeys are always messing Embry, Quil, or I up. It's nasty. You saw what Paul did to my face last time!"

I didn't mention I probably currently had bruised ribs.

Dad sighed, a long suffering sound. I frowned at him. I wasn't that much of a problem. Compared to Rebecca and Rachel I was a golden child. I just didn't like being nice to bullies, for lack of a better word.

"Jacob...just let it go for tonight, okay?" he asked.

I wanted to add "Hey, Dad? You know, Sam also left Leah and shacked up with her cousin. How's that for nice?" but I didn't. I wasn't going to whine anymore...at least for tonight.

I didn't want to be a problem, honestly! Plus, whining for was stupid, bleach blonde girls that thought a C- was a good grade.

...Sexist? No, not really. True? ...Quite so.

At La Push's Central Hub – 8:14 PM

I was currently eating my weight in Sue's corn casserole and Harry's fried fish. Both dishes were freaking delicious, let me tell you.

Plus, Sue had made sweet potato pie for dessert—for anyone who didn't want cake. I wanted to hug the woman, repeatedly.

I'd take homemade pie made by her over sugary cake any day.

And, luckily, for the most part of the afternoon I'd just gotten to relax and talk to my buddy Embry. Well, talk at mostly...he was the quietest of our group. Quil, the clown, was currently unaccounted for. I was assuming he'd been talking up Michelle, a girl Leah had brought along as her side-kick. The girl was cute, I'd admit, with red hair and freckles, but...yeah...Embry had always called dibs on her. I hadn't been in the mood to fight for her was all... She wasn't good looking enough for a brawl.

Seth, Sue and Harry's son, was also with us, hanging on my every word. I kind of liked it, how he liked to be my shadow. He'd down it since he was old enough to walk and he realized I could do much more than he could. It was kind of endearing in that sometimes pestering, little brother way.

But, as I was finishing up my meal, Paul and Sam had walked over.

I just kept eating, taking small bites to stretch out the little food I had left so I wouldn't be forced to talk to Brute One and Brute Two.

"Hello, Jacob," Paul muses, as he steps closer. I frown as his shadow falls on me and I look up to see his arms crossed, dark eyes glinting.

I nod. "Hey... What's up?" I ask, politely as possible. I shift in the lawn chair, wincing slightly as my bruised chest and stomach ache. Paul's smirk only goes wider.

Sam elbows him in the ribs however and smiles warmly at me. There was one thing about Sam. He always seemed happy to see you and nice. Paul could pretend, too, but he really didn't seem to like me for some reason. I couldn't figure why, however.

"Just wanted to say hello," Paul comments. Seth waves at the pair, smiling. Of course, Seth never meets a stranger. I can almost feel Leah's glare on us. I glance over my shoulder and see her standing with Michelle, glaring dagger at Sam. Ouch...

"Why?" I ask, my question coming out a little harsh. Seth jumps and Quil just looks awkward. He never had liked confrontation. Paul had picked on him the most, too—another reason for me to dislike him.

"Well...I wanted to have a little chat with you..." Sam admitted.

Well, that doesn't sound ominous at all... I thought. "All right... Go on, talk." I said, as calmly as possible.

Sam winced. "I can't...here...do you mind coming on a walk with me, just out of hearing?"

I actually heard Quil gulp. "You know, maybe that isn't the best idea..." Quil informed them.

Sam frowned at Quil. "I am talking to Jacob."

"Right..." Quil said, awkwardly. "I'm going to go talk with Embry..." he said, watching me with worry. Sam nodded, with his eyes back on me. I kept watching Quil as he mouthed "Are you okay?" I gave him a curt nod and looked back at Sam.

Sam seemed almost anxious, weirdly enough. I blinked, surprised at the worried look I in his dark eyes and confused at why he was wringing his hands. I wasn't that terrifying. I thought, sarcastically. I bet this was an act, too.

"So...will you come?" Sam asked.

I nodded. "Sure, sure," I said, with a purposefully indifferent shrug.

He nodded and broke into a nervous grin. He then turned 'round and walked off, heading for the woods.

I sighed and followed. Of course you're leading me into the dark woods at night...that's the perfect spot for a "chat".

Sam stopped once we were out of sight of the others and about a hundred feet into the woods. By then, I was feeling quite antsy, as you can imagine.

Sam finally turned to me, his paler brown eyes darting over me quickly and making me feel like something see-through.

"Um, so why did you bring me out here, exactly?" I ask, shifting from foot to foot awkwardly.

Sam ran his fingers through his hair, looking at the ground. "Well...I kind of wanted to make amends."

"Amends...?" I parroted, not believing him for a second.

He sighed. "Yes, amends... I'm sorry for treating you so bad when we were younger, Jacob...and for allowing Paul to abuse you..."

Abuse me...? He makes me sound like a freaking domestic violence victim! I just scowled at him. "Apology not accepted. Until all my bruises fade and I don't get anymore...your words mean nothing."

Sam winced. "I still am sorry."

I snorted. "Sure, sure...whatever you say..."

Sam frowned. "Paul likes to be in control. He likes...to make other people's lives miserable because then he thinks he's worth something. He's kind of messed up. I'm helping him..."

"Find victims?" I supplied, in a fake cheery tone.

Sam literally about hissed at me. "No! Get him under control and help him—emotionally."

"Sounds lovely," I comment.

Sam sighs and just rests his head in his hands. "Just...know I'm sorry okay. Nothing is going to happen to you now—as far as we're involved."

I raised an eyebrow. "Okay...can I get that in writing? I want signatures."

"Jacob..." Sam pleaded, like I was making things hard on him. He reminded me of my dad in that moment, actually.

"Just...leave me alone..." I muttered, stuffing my cold hands in my sweatshirt's pockets before heading back towards the bonfire.

I was pretty sure I heard him say "I can't." but I ignored it. I didn't really want to care what spiel he was currently trying to get me to buy.

A/N: You like? You hate? Tell me in a review! Or if you have any ideas, wants in future chapters, etc. Also, tell me if I should bump up the rating at any point. I'll be doing "black outs", but quite frankly the implications of things might be too much...eventually. Plus, feel free to be a Grammar Nazi. I like my stories lookin' nice, so tell me if something's wrong.