I do not own twilight, only the original characters and the plot.

Trey's footsteps echoed all around her as she jogged the wooded lane that ran in front of Jacob Black's house, as well as her own. She would only be alone until his drive; they ran together every single day without fail. Usually, during the school year they ran before dawn, but, seeing as school had already let out, they waited until mid-morning. Jake wasn't exactly an early riser, and, as he was her only running partner slash best friend, she was lenient. The slightly warmer temperatures of the summer felt wonderful to her. She smiled as she heard a second set of footfalls behind her, catching up and keeping even with her.

Trey would never admit it to herself, but she compared every guy she ever met to Jacob Black. He was without a doubt beautiful, but he was sweet and constant and he never let her down. Jake had his long black hair tied back in a knot at the base of his neck, but a few stray strands kept falling into his face. He unconsciously blew them back. Trey chuckled at that. Jake looked at her, eyes full of questions, and smiled. It was very endearing. He'd shot up from the boyishness of his figure and was now lanky and muscled. When someone mentioned it, Trey always took credit for making him run every day. She shook her head and turned back to the road ahead.

"So how'd it go with Bella?" she said distastefully.

He looked at her with a slight warning. His father had bribed him into delivering a message to her.

"Well, other than the fact that she probably thinks I'm nuts now, pretty well I guess . . ."

Trey snickered. She had a strange dislike for Isabella Swan that she couldn't explain. She found it difficult to be charitable when Jacob talked about the girl.

"You're just mean, Atreyu. Evil. Cold-hearted."

She narrowed her eyes and huffed at her full name. She was only half Quileute, and her darling mother had an obsession with the NeverEnding Story throughout the whole pregnancy. Her father was so free handed with her mother that he consented to anything the woman wanted. Jake loved to tease her by saying that she was lucky to end up with Atreyu rather than Falkor or Rockcrusher. She always engaged in attempting to beat him to death, but that had become increasingly more difficult since he had started his growth spurt.

"I don't know, Jake, there's just something about that girl that irks me . . ."

"I know," he said, "But for me its more her boyfriend that something's off with. I just get this urge to rip him apart and burn the pieces sometimes." Trey eyed her best friend.

"That's called jealously, you know," she stated pointedly.

She should have known it would backfire. Jacob smirked evilly.

"Oh is it? I never thought a tough girl like you would be jealous of someone like Bella."

Trey faltered in her steps a little, but caught her rhythm back almost immediately. Jealous? Her? Of Bella Swan? Doubtful, very doubtful.

"HA!" she sang, "Me?! Jealous of that clumsy fragile trouble attracting idiot?" she snapped.

Jake's eyebrows shot up and he held his hands up in defeat.

"Truce!" he said dramatically.

She shoved him with all her weight, causing him to trip up and have to catch up.

"Not fair!" he whined a little.

She laughed. She quickened her pace, forcing him to keep up.

"You know, you're pretty strong for a chick."

"I know," she said simply, grinning.

Jacob couldn't help but smile at her. She was strong for a girl. And fast. And things that would make most girls squeal she handled like a . . . well, a guy.

"So," he said, eyeing her mischievously (which she somehow happened to miss), "Wanna race?!"

Jake said thrusting an arm at her a little too enthusiastically and darting forward.

"Oh!" she breathed as she was thrown off balance and rolled into the ferns that bordered the road.

Oh he is SO going to pay for that, she thought as she quickly recovered herself and pushed herself to a full sprint. Jake was fast . . . but he wasn't that fast! She had the weight class on her side, plus, like he said, she was strong for a girl. Trey grinned so hard her cheeks began to ache as she closed the gap between them. Jake had slowed thinking his little cheap shot had won him the race.

He noticed the hard pounding of her quick steps as she came up on him and passed in a hot pink and black blur. He kicked it into high gear to salvage his "sure win". Trey laughed breathlessly. This was what she lived for. She was pushing herself to the limit. A limit, which, to Jacob's dismay, led her to the storefront four steps ahead of him.

She stopped abruptly and put her hands on her knees breathing heavily. Jake was mirroring her actions next to her. She laughed again as she stood and put her arms above her head. Her eyes twinkled as she looked at him.

"Beat-you-again!" she gasped. He looked at her incredulously.

"No-freaking-way!" he countered, "I-want you- tested! Steroids!"

They laughed together. He hugged her to him with one arm.

"Hey, if it isn't the most beautiful girl on the rez," a well built boy said. Trey smacked him gently with her fist.

"Hi Quil," she said sarcastically. Embry, ever the quiet one, ticked his hand in a small wave.

"Embry," she greeted him, "I'm going in to get some water, want some?" Jake smiled at her sheepishly.

"You're not going to poison it are you?" Trey eyed him as if considering it.

"Nah, who else would I have to run with, even if you do have to stoop to dirty little tricks to try and keep up with me?"

Jake feigned a wounded expression and covered his heart dramatically. She smiled and slapped at his shoulder.

"You guys want?" she offered motioning to Quil and Embry.

"No, thanks though, Trey. . ." Embry replied politely. She nodded and turned her attention to Quil.

"I want. . ." he said sarcastically, but seeing the droll look both she and Jake gave him, he quickly edited his sentence "No, thanks . . ."

Trey rolled her eyes and tugged her ponytail holder down as she turned on her heel to enter the store. Her raven hair spilled over her shoulders and she shook it as she roughly brushed through it with her fingertips to reassemble the makeshift knot It was damp from her exertion, but she liked knowing she accomplished something. She made a beeline for the bottled water and grabbed two. Digging in her snug pink hoodie she pulled out the cash and got in line. As she tugged the hem of her "almost too short"(as Jacob complained) athletic shorts she heard music blaring suddenly. The Good Life by Three Days Grace, one of her favorites. She never thought to look and see where it was coming from. She paid for the water and whirled to get back to her friends, but instead she collided with a hard black something. She immediately started apologizing.

"Omigod, I'm so sorry-"

Her words became a lump in her throat as she noticed that the black something was actually a navy blue polo covering a very toned torso. Her eyes moved up slowly, sheepishly, as she found the russet colored neck and angelic face attached to said torso. It was only when he stepped sideways and she did too that she realized that he had caught her arms rather than let her fall on her rear in front of god and everybody. She smiled remorsefully.

"Hi Paul."

He didn't look mad. On the contrary, he looked amused. Before he spoke he smiled full on, making Trey's heart flutter. She swallowed hard as he looked at her, black eyes sparkling.

"Hi Trey," he said and nodded toward the parking lot, "Running with Jake again?" She smiled more easily now.

"Uh . . . yeah, every day."

"I know. I've seen you." She twitched a little in surprise. Trey wasn't aware that Paul knew she existed.

"I pass you guys every once in a while. You look like you love it." She nodded looking down shyly.

"Yeah, something about the physical exertion, and the wind . . . I don't know . . ." He looked away.

"It clears my head," they said in unison. Both looked at each other in awe then broke into a smile.

"Well, you should join us one day," she offered

"That actually sounds like fun," he said.

"'Kay, just let us know," she said backing away.

"Hey, Trey," Paul called. She turned gracefully.

"Yeah?"

"Um do you have any plans later?" She smiled broadly.

"Not that I know of . . ."

"Great, so there's this bonfire out on the cliffs . . . interested?"

She bit her lip. No way was she going anywhere without Jake in case something happened.

"Sure, Jake and I will be there," she replied.

"Cool. So can I pick you up around sunset?" She nodded.

"We'll be ready."

He nodded giving her a once over. She turned and controlled her instinct to run outside and tell Jake all about it.

Said best friend gave her a heartbreaking smile as she walked toward him. Trey felt strange as her stomach filled with butterflies. She faltered. That was not a normal reaction. As quickly as she had noticed, though the feeling was gone. She frowned little studying Jake's bright smile as he approached. When he reached for his water, his fingers lightly brushed hers. Trey jumped at the tiny contact. Jacob glanced her over inquisitively.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she answered a little too quickly.

Jake pursed his lips and raised an eyebrow amusedly. His eyes shifted to something behind her and back quickly. His eyes hardened the slightest bit. It was as if he'd realized something he didn't like. The usual light in his features dimmed as Paul approached.

Trey smiled. Jake gave him a once over as if assessing his fighting ability. It was a known fact that Jake, Quil and Embry cared not at all for Paul Hunter. His reputation alone kept them fuming, and the fact that Paul was the richest kid around…well, they didn't appreciate very much. She gave her best friend a pleading look. Jake sighed as he approached and plastered a smile, only Trey could tell was fake, onto his face. Paul extended his hand and smiled in greeting. God PLEASE let Jake be nice, Trey thought.

"Hey, Jake, you up for tonight?"

Jake grudgingly shook his hand, friendly façade in place, and glanced toward Trey wondering what in the hell she'd gotten them into. She smiled nervously.

"Oh-um- Paul invited us to the bonfire they're having out on the cliffs."

Realization dawned in Jake's features. He gave Trey a look that said "you got some 'splainin to do". She nodded shortly once. Quil and Embry glanced at each other irritably.

"Yeah," he said carefully, "Sure, sure." Paul was shaking Quil and Embry's hands in the process.

"Great. Trey's house, sunset," he said cheerfully, "You guys game?" Quil and Embry glanced at each other.

"Possibly," Quil said shortly, "But some of us have to work or help out our parents, so I guess if we're there we're game." Paul raised an eyebrow and nodded.

"Great, so," he said turning to Trey, "Looks like we're gonna have a blast. I'm gonna go hit the waves. Later."

Trey couldn't help but smile. Paul sauntered to his brand new car. That could be part of the reason that the trio disliked him. Paul had just turned sixteen years old, but drove the latest model Ford Mustang GT that had come out, complete with red racing stripes. It was then Trey realized that it was the source of her song. Huh, she thought, at least he's got good taste in music.

He sent her a smoldering glance over the glossy black cab. She gave a small confident wave. He smiled brightly as he disappeared into the driver's seat. The engine purred as he shifted into gear. She gave an involuntary shiver. He flipped the radio to a Seether tune. Oh yeah, he knew his music. He gunned the engine, speeding off out of view. Trey turned back to the guys.

"What?" she asked innocently in response to their accusing glares.

" 'What' she says," Quil quipped, "Well, gotta go see if I'm gonna have free time to hang out with 'Paul freaking Hunter'. Later guys." He and Embry turned and stalked away.

His sarcasm was animated by his actions. Trey looked down, feeling a little hurt at Quil's actions. Jake's evident irritation dissipated as he saw her downcast face.

"Hey," he said, tapping her chin lightly to make her look up at him, "Don't do that. Its cool-" She raised a doubtful brow.

"Look Trey, it'll be fun. Really. They just resent his money and the fact that he never had to work a day in his life. Paul seems . . . um . . . okay . . . to me," he forced out. Unconvincing, obviously. Trey pursed her lips.

"Yeah, Jake, real believable." He smiled sheepishly.

"I just don't know him. I'll give it my best effort I promise."

She nodded, still looking a bit depressed. Jake sighed and looped his arm around her neck and dragged her toward the road. She followed carelessly, wrapping her arm around his waist.

"Trey, its not that . . . Quil doesn't like him . . . Its just that I think that there are some feelings there that haven't bubbled to the surface yet. Like, I think . . . he is confused about how he feels about you, considering you're his best friend and stuff. And you know Paul's reputation. Its just strange that suddenly he's noticing something that I-Quil- has known for years."

Trey had the distinct feeling that they weren't talking about Quil at all. It frightened her that that thought left a warm feeling on her skin. Rather than ask what it was Paul was noticing that "Quil" already knew she opted for escape. She smiled at Jake's attempts to make her feel better.

"Hey," she said more lightly, "Wanna Race?!"

She shoved him with all her strength, knocking him down to one knee as she shot toward the wooded path ahead.

"Not Again!" Jake shouted after her, regaining his upright position and running as hard and fast as he could to catch her.

The path was narrow and littered with logs and small brush everywhere. Jacob's clumsiness and weight disadvantage increased by a tenfold as he tripped his way down the path. He could see her ahead of him. Her coppery toned legs lifted to hurdle a particularly big log. His heartbeat quickened, and it had nothing to do with the running. She flitted in and out of his line of vision several times before he finally reached the clearing above the diving cliff.

Before he could stop himself, he scooped her up and slung her over his shoulder.

"Now who's the cheater?!" he taunted tickling her ribs as she clawed at his back trying to escape.

They were laughing so hard tears ran down their faces. Jake tripped over his own feet and sent them crashing to the ground, somehow managing not to land on top of her. After the initial shock of the fall, their entangled limbs became tingly and they began laughing again.

They laid that way for a while: Her head on his shoulder, their legs wrapped together, smiling and whispering about cloud shapes. Trey turned to look at his face. Feeling her scrutiny, Jake shifted to face her. She brushed a stray hair back. Jake closed his eyes and gently grabbed her fingers. Her breath came quicker; he studied her hand. He gave a small smile and matched their palms together. Hers was tiny compared to his.

Trey opened her mouth to speak, but no words came. This was wrong. She felt a tingle as he caressed her palm with his index finger. She was suddenly aware of their proximity. Aware of how their heads were angled toward each other, how her skin felt wherever he touched it.

"Jake!" she squealed, causing him to jump, "You're all sweaty!" She laughed pushing him away. He pursed his lips and smirked incredulously.

"Well you ain't exactly clean and proper yourself, sweetheart."

"Now I'm going to smell like you all the way home!" she said smacking his shoulder.

"Well, we better get headed that way so Paul doesn't notice," he said bitterly.

Trey disentangled herself from him and sat up. The waves crashed against the rocks causing her to smile.

"I've got a better idea," she said cryptically. Jake sat up abruptly.

"Trey . . ." he said apprehensively.

She leapt lightly to her feet and sauntered toward the ledge. Kicking off her shoes and socks and removing her hoodie, she shook her arms. Jake's breath caught in his throat at the sight of her coppery abdomen. She was standing there in a sports bra and her skimpy shorts. He swallowed hard. The Gods hated him. . . that was the only explanation he could come up with.

"Trey . . ." he said more forcefully as his stomach did a flip flop.

Her impish smile warned him of her intentions. He leapt up and started toward her, forcing the flow of images that had started to the back of his mind.

"Don't. You. Da-"

Trey made a running leap off the rock. Jake's breath whooshed out of his lungs as he made it to the edge in time to see her flipping through the air in form so perfect any gymnast would be envy green. When she plunged into the water he held his breath, preparing to attempt the suicidal leap of faith to save her if need be.

Trey popped to the surface and paddled to shore. He scooped up her remaining apparel and stormed down the winding path and met her halfway. She was laughing.

"HAVE YOU LOST YOUR DAMN MIND?!" he roared, stopping her laughter mid "ha".

"Jake-"

"God," he said more gently and jerking her to his chest for a hug, "What were you thinking? Huh? You could've been killed!"

Trey stiffened under the embrace. When she realized that she like the way she fit with him a little too much, she pulled away. Jake had a perfect Trey-shaped wet spot on his shirt now. They laughed a little at that. When her shoes and jacket were back in place, she let Jake pull her to his side again and they walked back toward home. Silence ensued the whole way. When they stopped at Jake's driveway, he reluctantly let her go.

"Guess I'll see you at sunset."

She nodded and turned to go. She remembered something, and before she could chicken out, she turned back.

"Jake?" He turned and smiled.

"Yeah?" She felt color rising into her cheeks as she formed the question.

"What was it 'Quil' has known for years that Paul is just noticing?"

Jake looked at the ground and shoved his hands in the pockets of his basketball shorts.

"How beautiful you are."

A/N: So this is my first Twilight fan fiction! It takes place kind of off centered: between Twilight and New Moon, During New Moon, and Part of the beginning of Eclipse. I used the Timeline on Twilight Lexicon to base my own timeline on so I hope it fits well. I like constructive criticism, but not plain out bashing my writing... I worked really hard trying to get it to come out just right and I'd appreciate it if you have anything negative that will HELP the story, let me know, but if not, please keep it to yourself. I do, however, LOVE reviews! Feel free to guess what's going to happen because half the time I don't even know... my stories are 90 percent character driven! Thanks Look forward to hearing from you!