Okay! Second fan fiction! I'm still in my obsessed-about-imprinting phase. So I guess this is why this story is about Leah and her imprint. I saw that there are a few imprint stories between Leah and Jacob, not that there is anything wrong with that, but I just disagree. This isn't the original work; I have rewritten the story to make it better. I hope you like it.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from the Twilight series.

Summary: Leah imprints and not-so-ordinary drama occurs. PLEASE READ PAST CHAPTER 1, it's where the plot really begins to twist. "Sadly, imprinting magic has side effects, such as loss of judgment, lustful thoughts, watery eyes -dripping may occur-, chest pains, dizziness, and headaches. Imprinting is not for you if you suffer from painful breakups, loss of social life, or any other related conditions. Talk to your vampire doctor about imprinting, he or she may be able to treat overdoses by sicking their coven on you. For more information, contact Taha Aki -the spirit that no one will believe you've ever met." -Leah, chapter 10

-Leah-

"We have something to tell you." Sam said, his tone wary. I looked from his face, to Emily's, to his again, and then I rested on Emily's because I could handle seeing her half of her face better than I could seeing his. The pack leaned forward in anticipation. I kept my face composed, dreading what he would say.

Emily hesitated, but Sam put a reassuring arm around her waist. "I'm pregnant," she said finally.

It was late in the afternoon, and I hadn't taken the news as well as I should have. I had really tried, keeping my expression blank, but jealous thoughts kept seeping into the front of my brain and I was too tired (thanks to late nights of patrolling) to fight them. I'm an awful person. An awful cousin. An awful friend. An awful sister. Why the hell did I have to say those things? Aloud and straight to his face? In front of Emily no less? I should have just walked out but no, I had to ruin everything.

I didn't stop running until my legs would no longer hold me up, and my lungs could no longer supply me with enough oxygen. I dropped down onto wet grass, not caring that I would get grass stains or mud on my jeans; my pulse was pounding in my ears. It felt like my blood was boiling; scorching everything inside me. It took a few minutes for me to catch my breath, for my heart to quiet down, and for my blood to cool. If I was in wolf form, I wouldn't be gasping for breath, or have a throbbing head ache. But then again, if I was in wolf-form, I would most likely have voices in my head telling me how dumb I've been acting.

Why couldn't I get over Sam? I hated myself for being selfish but I couldn't help it. Self disgust mixed in with loneliness, anger, sorrow, and guilt. Reminding Sam of the pain he caused (and causes) me, causes him pain -which is the one thing that we share that no once else does. Not even Emily. Making Sam feel guilty for hurting me is like morphine; it kills the pain for a while and is addictive. I can't stop and I can't bear to try.

My life's just a stupid circle. Feel like crap because I was dumped for my cousin, take it out on the pack and remind Sam of what he did, feel bad about being mean but then remembering why I felt bad in the first place, and then the cycle repeats. I needed to forget. I need to move on and get away from this cycle, but how can I? Especially since I know that his love for me is simply hidden -overpowered- by his love for Emily. Sam still loves me…a tear rolled down my face. No matter how strong his feelings are for me, they won't be enough -imprinting was too strong of a magic. Emily and Sam are expecting a baby for crying out loud!

The trees around me swayed as a gust of wind ripped through the forest. Strands of my black hair blew onto my face, I brushed them off, as well the stray tear drop. I closed my eyes and listened to the sounds of the forest. Birds were chirping in the canopy above, a rabbit was munching on a bush about thirty yards away to the east and there were…footsteps? It was definitely footsteps, about fifty yards away and coming closer from the north. The pace didn't seem casual; it seemed rushed, panicked in a way. It was probably just some lost hiker. I got to my feet and brushed myself off. I couldn't just leave a person wandering alone out in the middle of a forest. Besides, it would be bad if the hiker saw the pack. I walked towards the sound of footsteps.

Then I saw him. I was shocked to see that he was taller than me; most boys were not taller than six feet. I was suddenly worried that I had stumbled upon another werewolf, but then my muscles eased when I noticed that the boy had dark blonde hair and had lighter skin. His hair was untidy and got into his hazel eyes -a combination of the forest, the sea, the sandy beach, and the cloudy sky. He was wearing jeans and a hoody; it was a casual outfit, but he could have worn anything and still looked good. He took my breath away -in the literal sense too. He was like a lighthouse in a storm; he had his own glow that brought me to him. I felt incredibly drawn to him, and yet the word "drawn" wasn't powerful enough -not even close. He was suddenly everything, and I desperately wanted to help him. However, I could only stare at him and he stared at me too; it made me feel embarrassed but his staring also filled me up with pride. I was wearing jeans -only because my shorts were still in the wash, I really need to put them in the dryer- and a tank top; both fit my figure well, I was in good shape so I knew I looked good. My confidence boosted knowing this, so I gave him a friendly smile, "My name's Leah."

"Alex," he said, returning my smile. His teeth were white, straight and utterly perfect.

I shivered; his voice alone made my body react; I wanted to hear more, badly. "Are you lost?"

"No, I just can't find the road."

I pointed, "It's that way."

"How many miles?"

"About five and a half."

He thought about that for a moment and then asked, "What town?"

"La Push."

"Hmm," he said, thinking the new information over. "Do you know your way around?"

I nodded.

"Really well?"

I nodded.

"Could you lead me to the closest road, please?"

I beamed, "Of course."

He smiled and gestured for me to lead the way. I walked in the right direction and glanced behind me to make sure that he was following me. He was, so closely in fact that I nearly stuck my face into his chest.

"Oh -sorry, Alex," I apologized quickly, turning my head back around to face forward.

"Don't worry about it." Alex said, falling into step with me. "So, um, what are you doing in the middle of the forest -if you don't mind me asking?"

"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" I asked, smiling.

"I asked you first."

"Ohhh, okay. I see how you are." I laughed, and it puzzled me how naturally it came out. He smiled, sending butterflies into my stomach. Then my stomach disappeared completely, leaving a hollow space there at the realization that he was my imprint. I had imprinted without my own consent. I wasn't ready; I couldn't handle this. "I'm in the middle of the forest because I needed to get away," I said, my tone almost cold.

He just stared at me for a moment and then, dismissing my cold tone, said, "Same here."

"So getting lost in the forest is your 'getting away'?" I asked, trying to sound as if I thought it was the stupidest thing ever. I had to push him away, something that will inevitably break me, but I was already broken in the first place. I had already been forced to give up a previous life, why should I have to give up what I had managed to build?

The corner of Alex's mouth turned upward, "Getting lost makes it harder to go back to what you ran from."

I couldn't tell if he was being serious or sarcastic; his face gave nothing away. "Was it that bad?" I asked softly, wanting to wrap my arms around him and whisper sweet nothings in his ear. I hated the feeling; he had too much control over me.

"No, I just needed to think and it was hard to do that where I was," he explained. A weird expression appeared on his face; I couldn't make out the emotion in his eyes.

"What is it?" I asked, stopping out of concern. It was wrong, feeling so much concern over a stranger.

Alex stopped too, and then looked down at the ground, almost as if he was ashamed and said, "Um, I know it's kind of rude, and I really don't intend it to be that way, but do you have any food?"

I couldn't help but laugh. Before I could reply, my stomach growled, sounding more like Paul in a bad mood than an empty stomach. Alex laughed. He had a really nice laugh; I unconsciously tried to store it in my memory, the way it rang through the air. It wasn't as low as Sam's…I liked it, and that disgusted me.

Imprinting truly did ruin all that you once loved; nothing else mattered. It hurt; I didn't want to understand Sam. I didn't want to relate to him. What hurt even more was the fact that Sam didn't rule my world anymore. I couldn't trust Alex; I hardly knew him, and yet I would die for him. According to legends and all that junk, he was my soul mate; but he should have so much more, someone so much better. I was a bitter harpy, after all. I would only hurt him, and he would hurt me back in retaliation. The pain would be worse than hell, but if it made him happier in the end -the suffering would at least be for a cause.

"I take that means you don't have anything, huh?" Alex said, his beautiful hazel eyes peering into my soul.

"I didn't even have breakfast." I said dryly.

"Ouch. I only had a bowl of cereal," he said. We continued walking. We were close enough that sometimes our shoulders brushed against each others, each time it happened I couldn't help but revel in the feeling it brought. It had been so long since I felt happy, I deserved to soak it in a bit. I then realized that when we parted, I would be sorry. I reluctantly created more distance between us. It was too late, I had already memorized his masculine scent and the way he accidentally brushed against me; I felt a sliver of me disappear, returning to an incomplete state.

"Want to go grab something to eat when we get out of here?" I asked, desperate for a little more time with him. I was really going to be sorry.

"Um, hang on," he stopped. I stopped too and watched as he pulled out his wallet from his pants and began to count how much he had. "Er, I got a five, six ones, a ten and…seventy-eight cents. That's nearly twenty-two dollars."

I began to fish through my pockets as well, "I've got…a ten, a quarter, a dime, four pennies, and lint. That's 10 dollars, thirty-nine cents, and a reminder to clear the lint tray when I get home (Alex chuckled at this remark). So together that's…" I trailed off doing a quick calculation in my head, "Thirty-two dollars and seventeen cents."

Alex laughed quietly, "So, do you go to college, Leah?"

"No, I don't. I've got…responsibilities." I said, instantly sad that being a werewolf had sacrificed my further education. The image of Sam ripped through my mind, and I remembered that I didn't even try in the last semester of senior year because of him; he had been missing for two weeks and I had lost the will to complete my homework. I had ruined my grade point average, so I doubted any colleges would take me anyways. Memories back then were full of worry, and they were now unclear from being repressed. I sighed, college sounded nice now. "Do you go to college?"

"Yeah, I go to Peninsula College in Port Angeles."

"Mmm. Do you like it?"

"Yeah."

"How are the classes?"

"The same as high school, except more difficult concepts and a couple more essays."

"What year are you in?"

"I didn't enter right after high school, so I'm in my sophomore year. I'm a part-time student and I live in an apartment near the campus."

"Do you have a certain career you wanted to go into?"

Alex shrugged, "I like myths and legends and stuff like that." He then added, "Maybe I'll go own a museum"

We laughed. He laughed because he absolutely had no intention of owning a museum. I laughed because it ironic that he liked legends. I bet he already knew the Quileutte legends.

It took more than an hour to reach the closet road. It took only fifteen minutes to reach a family restaurant, which was a relief because I was starving. The smell of food made my mouth water and my stomach feeling emptier than ever. However, I instantly felt self-conscious; especially when the greeter looked at me funny. I then remembered that I was wet and had mud on me. I blushed; I had been walking with Alex for an hour and a half with mud on me?

"I'm gonna go get cleaned up." I told Alex.

He nodded, "I'll go get us a seat."

I turned and headed for the ladies room. I stopped and stared at my reflection; my short black hair was messy, my clothes were dirty, my expression was unfamiliar. I was smiling; it seemed out of place, but I couldn't take it off. Maybe I should ditch Alex. I was becoming a stranger; I couldn't recognize the girl named Leah in the mirror, and it was because of him. My smile dropped at the thought, making me look fragile and scared. Even if I tried, I wouldn't be able to just ditch him. I knew that, even thought there were walls between us, I could still feel the imprinting-gravitational pull that he had on me. I took some paper towels and dampened them and wiped away the dirt that I had collected. I fixed my hair the best I could, instantly wishing that I had some sort of brush. I stepped back to evaluate the minor changes. I looked better, not good enough to see Alex, but I couldn't do anything more so I walked out of the restroom.

I saw Alex sitting at a booth, stirring soda that had been poured into a plastic. His hazel eyes were out of focus, and his face was relaxed from being spaced out. An involuntary smiled made its way onto my face and I sat down across from him. I found a glass of Coca-Cola in front of me, I took a sip. The cold liquid felt good going down my dry throat.

"I'm glad you like Coke." Alex said, returning to Earth, watching me drink. "The waiter came and I wasn't sure what to get you."

"Coke's fine." I replied, and then took another sip. I was thirsty, from all of the running that I had done, but it also something in my stomach. In a few seconds, the glass was empty.

"Thirsty?" he chuckled.

I looked down into my lap in embarrassment. Oh god, I probably looked like a pig or something, inhaling my soda like that. I could feel my cheeks heat up and I turned my attention to the view of outside through the window. "A little bit." I replied.

Alex laughed and I saw him push his soda towards me out of the corner of my eye.

"Aw, Alex, you don't have to give me your drink."

"I wanted to."

I stared at the glass; condensation was dripping down the side, proof that the soda it held was cold. The sight was irresistible. "Thanks." I said, looking up at him -he nodded-, and then taking a sip through the straw that was already in there. Alex was leaning back against the seat, looking content and happy. It was a childish thought, but my mind couldn't help but turn to the straw. He had been drinking from this tube of plastic. His lips had been on this thing -where mine now are. An indirect kiss…and image of Sam and I sharing a drink popped into my head. I forced away the image quickly, afraid of the damage it would do to me if it stayed any longer. Another image appeared. It was of Seth and I sharing the last Popsicle when we were younger. Eww, I did not want to think about having an indirect kiss with my little brother. Man, I needed to stop thinking about these sorts of things. I stopped drinking "my" Coca-Cola, and opened up the menu.

"So, um, what are you getting?" I asked, still scanning through the options.

"I don't really know yet. You?"

"I don't know either." I shrugged.

"The fudge sundae looks good," he commented, his eyes on the desert section.

I chuckled, "I thought we were having lunch."

Alex grinned, "I thought we were simply eating."

I turned to the desert section. "The sundae does look good." I observed, looking at the picture. It seemed a little plain. "Maybe with some caramel and crushed walnuts on top." I added, a smile appearing on my face. The smile wasn't such a good idea; my mouth had been watering over the smell of food even before I saw the sinfully delicious looking sundae, the result was drool dripping out of my mouth and onto my lap.

Alex saw this and laughed. "Leah, maybe you shouldn't look at the menu. We don't want to be kicked out for drowning the other customers," he teased.

I quickly wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, which I ended up wiping dry onto my jeans. "Yeah. Yeah. Yeah." I said, fighting the urge to run out of the restaurant from sheer embarrassment. Alex still had a smile on his face. I frowned, "What is it?"

"Nothing," he responded.

"Seriously, Alex, tell me."

"It's nothing."

"Tell me."

"There's nothing to tell."

"You're kinda stubborn." I pointed out in a light tone.

"You are too," he replied in a tone that was identical to mine.

"Thanks."

"Anytime."

"No, seriously, tell me what's up." I said, taking another sip of my drink.

"I was just thinking that it would be cool to hang out with you again. Mind if I had your number?"

I nearly choked. I swallowed the last of the coke that was in my mouth and replied, "I don't have a pen."

"You didn't answer my question," he pointed out.

I rolled my eyes, "No, I wouldn't mind if you were in possession of my number."

Alex began to search his pockets and found a pen, and then handed it to me. I took it, and automatically glanced for a sheet of paper, a napkin would do…a napkin would certainly not do. Alex had his hand extended to me expectantly; I tried not to hyperventilate as I took his hand, a shiver going through my body and I touched his bare skin, and wrote on it. He took the pen from me when I was done and wrote on mine. His hand was rough but soft in a way. My heart was beating a hundred miles per hour from the contact. This was going to be a long afternoon.

Please continue onward!! he next chapter holds unique plot twists!!