-1"Rise and shine, Bella!" Sam shouted, thumping on my door. I groaned and pulled the blanket over my head.

"Go away Sam!" I shouted, hearing him laugh, "I don't want to go to school!"

"I know, but you've gotta," he said, and I smelt bacon cooking. With a groan, I rolled out of bed, ran into my en-suite and jumped in the shower. I was dressed and ready in half-an-hour.

"I'm going to kill you," I said, grabbing my bag, "One of these days, Sam. I can't believe you're making me go to school!"

"Aww, Bells, come on. School ain't that bad, is it?" He gave me a worried look, and I shrugged.

"It's not that bad," I said, "But it doesn't mean I have to like it,"

He laughed, and kissed me on the forehead.

"See you later," I say, going towards the door.

"Hey, I've got some people coming round later. Paul and Jared. In the year above you?"

"Yeah," I said. I'd noticed they'd missed some school, but they must have been working for Sam. They hadn't really noticed me too much, a nod in the corridor, because Sam was my brother.

"Well, I don't suppose you could cook us a little something?"

I smiled, "And what's in it for me?"

"I'll up your curfew," he said.

"Hmmm. I don't know, that might get me to buy the stuff,"

"Aww, come on. Here, I'll give you money," he pulled out his wallet. Throwing sixty dollars at me, he asked me to go shopping and keep the change.

"Maybe," I said, shrugging, "We'll see,"

I made my way to the truck, amazingly without falling, and drove to the La Push school. The morning rain pounded down on my windscreen, and I dashed inside.

Jared smiled at me as he passed me in the corridor, which was new.

"Hey, Bella," he said, stopping next to me. I looked up, realizing how much he'd grown since last time I'd seen him. He must have gained at least 50lb in muscle.

"Hey, Jared. You're coming over tonight?"

"Uh huh. Sam asked me to beg you to cook,"

"We'll see," I said, smirking, "Maybe,"

"Paul's gonna ask you too,"

Right on que, Paul popped up. He too, had gotten bigger. His body was hot, really hot, and when I looked into his eyes, I froze completely. Hell, I think I even stopped breathing.

"B...Bella?" Paul said, "Well, fuck me,"

"Aww crap," Jared said, "Tell me you didn't. Please, tell me you didn't,"

"Sorry,"

"Sam's gonna kill you," he said.

"Tell me about it," Paul said. A grin spread across his features, and I my knees buckled. His strong arms caught me, and he didn't let me go. I looked back into his eyes and felt a sudden rush spread through my body like wildfire.

"Um," I said, "Aren't you going to ask me to cook?"

"Please," he whispered, tucking a stray piece of hair behind my ear, "Please, cook me something,"

"Ok," I breathed. A hand came down on my shoulder, making me jump out of my skin. A growl came from Paul's chest, but I shot him a look, and he fell silent.

"Hey Jake," I said, turning and hugging him. Paul started shaking beside me, and Jacob pulled me away.

"What's wrong with him?" Jake asked me. I frowned and looked at Jared.

"He's... um... jealous. I can't calm him, Bella, only you can. And if you don't, this won't end well,"

Ok, so now I was panicking. Was Paul some sort of maniac? Would he beat Jacob and I up? I couldn't let Jake get hurt. And, before I knew it, I was hugging Paul.

His tremors stopped, and he seemed almost surprised. I gazed into his beautiful eyes, and his arms came around me, almost automatically.

"Aww, fuck," I say, realizing I enjoy every sensation. His muscles are tensing and relaxing, and I can feel every movement. I could pull away, walk away with Jake, but I feel that somehow that would cause us both physical pain. And that couldn't happen to Paul. Anyone but Paul.

The thought that he was the most important thing in my life shocked me. I'd just met the boy, for God sake. I had the mental image of me saying 'I love you' and his running for the hills. No, I didn't think Paul would react well to that.

And yet...

His hand brushed my cheek, and I leaned into his touch. A smile flickered over his face, and then he went back to looking at me. He looked down my body, and made me blush furiously when he grinned.

The grin got wider when he saw my blush, and he skimmed his nose along my jaw, hovering his lips above mine.

"Bella," he whispered, and I leaned forward. The kiss was the best I'd ever experienced. Not that I had experienced a lot, by any means, but it felt as though there was actual electricity flowing through our connection.

If this was the kiss, wait for the sex...

I mentally scolded my head for thinking such thoughts. Although, I didn't blame it, Paul was hot.

The bell went, and I broke away from him.

"I'll see you after school," he said, kissing my forehead. I nodded and he and Jared walked away.

"What the fuck, Bella?" Jacob asked me.

"I don't know, Jake, I really don't," I said shaking my head.

"You coming?" he asked, walking down the hall.

"Nah, I'm going home, I need to talk to Sam," I said, and he nods.

"Catch you later," he said, heading in the opposite direction from me.

I knew Sam was going to be mad at me for not staying at school, but I needed to tell him about Paul. So, shrugging my bag up I started towards the doors. I decide to sweeten him up, and stop in at the shops, getting the ingredients for chilli con carne, knowing it was his favourite. Then I was home in a matter of minutes.

"Bella?" he called when I opened the door, "Why aren't you at school?"

"I need to talk to you," I say.

"God damn it, Bella! Why won't you stay in school?" he said angrily, shaking. I roll my eyes and walk towards the kitchen.

"What is it with fucking people shaking around me today?" I mutter under my breath. The bags were barely on the counter when Sam grabbed my upper arms.

"What did you just say?" he asked, his voice full of forced calm. His grip was hurting, and I struggled to get away, "Bella, what did you say!"

"I said, 'is it with fucking people shaking around me today'!" I shout at him, "Now let me go, you're hurting me!"

He released me immediately, "Sorry, Bells, I'm so sorry,"

"It's ok, Sam, I know. Now, let's take this next door, ok?"

We were sitting on the sofa when he turned to me.

"What did you mean?" he asked.

"Mean about what?"

"People shaking around you?"

"Um, well, that's kind of related to what I wanted to talk to you about..."

"Oh, sorry, I forgot, you go first,"

"Well, um, how do you know Paul?" I say quietly.

"Paul? He's... a friend,"

"What's he like?"

"Well, if he likes you, you could never have a better friend, and if he doesn't like you, then stay out of his way. Why, Bella, did Paul hurt you?"

"Why do you ask that, would he hurt me?"

Sam looked uneasy, "Paul... had a difficult childhood. I won't go into detail, out of respect, but his temper is very short, and it doesn't take a lot to annoy him,"

"Oh. He didn't hurt me,"

"Good, because friend or no friend, I would have hurt him,"

I shake my head, used to Sam's overprotective brother role.

"But Jared said..." I stop, wondering wither I'll drop anyone in it.

"Jared said what, Bells?"

"When I hugged Jake, Paul started shaking, and Jared said he was jealous," I mumble. Sam's silent, a look of realisation dawning on his face.

"Oh shit," he mutters. I look away. I hoped he'd be happy, "Do you like him, Bells? What do you think of him?"

"Um," I blush furiously, not used to talking about shit like this to Sam, "Well... I, uh... yeah. Yeah, I like him,"

"Ok," he said, letting out a long breath, "Ok, after I kick Paul's ass, we're going to have to explain some things to you,"

I growl at him, "Don't touch Paul!" and he raises his eyebrows at me.

"Or what?"

I whimper, "Something bad will happen, Sam, I can feel it. Besides, if you touch one hair on his head, I'll beat you to a pulp,"

A slight smile flickered across his face.

"You feel protective of him, then?"

"I guess. It's kind of confusing. But you should be thanking him anyway, he convinced me to cook,"

He laughed slightly, and I went through to the kitchen. Starting on the meal, I jumped out my skin when the front door slammed.

"… calm the fuck down…" Sam's voice drifted through. I left the kitchen and went into the living room, freezing as I spotted Paul, who was quivering under Sam's hands. When he saw me, his shakes got worse.

"You… left… me…" he managed to get out.

"Left you? I never left you!" I say, taking a step closer.

"Stay back, Bella, he's not safe," Sam said, and Paul growled at him.

"Don't order her around. She's mine. You hear me, brother or no brother, mine,"

"Paul, you're scaring me," I say, not moving. His eyes snapped up, locating mine in a second. A second later, his shivers stopped, and he straightened up.

"I'm sorry, Bella, can you ever forgive me?" he asked. Stupid boy, as though I'd say no.

"Of course," I tell him.

"Thank you,"

I smiled, and he took a step closer to me. But Sam put a hand on his chest.

"Well, I sure don't," he said.

"Let it drop, Sam," I warn him. He frowns at me, "Do you want dinner?"

With a sigh, he lets go of Paul, who comes quickly over, taking me in his arms. He relaxed immediately, and so did I. the knots in my back. Sam brushed past, saying something about dinner burning, but I wasn't paying attention.

"Why didn't you tell me you were going home? I nearly went crazy when I couldn't find you anywhere,"

I buried my head in his chest.

"I'm sorry, I just needed to talk to Sam," I say into the muscles. I let my arms trail up his chest, and around his neck. His arms tightened around my waist, and we stood like that for God knows how long.

Eventually though, I heard someone's laugh, and looked away from Paul's chest. Jared had apparently just come through the door.

"What?" Paul asked him, sending vibrations through his chest, into me.

"Just never thought I'd see you this calm, man,"

A laugh sent yet more vibrations with me, but I wasn't complaining.

"You look good together," Jared said, taking a seat.

"Thanks," I say, blushing and burying my head back into Paul's chest. He laughed, oh so good, and kissed the top of my head.

After another moment of bliss, then I pushed Paul towards the sofa, and went into the kitchen. Dinner didn't take long to make, and I served it up. Sam had come back in from his garage, and was laughing with Jared and Paul. When I brought everything through, they sat looking at me.

"What?" I ask.

"You take some first," Sam said.

"It's not poisoned,"

"No, but we want to make sure you get some," Paul told me. I shrugged, taking a small plate, and sat back. As soon as I'd leaned away, they'd launched themselves. I'd been right to make lots extra. Sam's appetite was seemingly endless these days, and I guessed it would be the same for Paul and Jared. I was right.

I didn't talk much through dinner, just watched them talking and laughing. The doorbell went.

"Is this Monday night?" Sam asked me. I nod as I stand. Every Monday, Kim Winters comes for a sleepover. We've been doing it since we were young, and see no reason to stop now. I go and answer the door, hugging her close. She's my best girl friend, and we talk about everything.

"Hey, why have you got hot boys in your living room?" She whispers in my ear. Somehow, they hear, and chuckle. Both our faces glow red, and we giggle.

"Um, this is Sam," I wink at her. She used to crush on my brother when we were little, but her more recent fascination had been with Jared. Oh how she was going to blush when she realised she'd just called him hot to his face.

"This is Paul," I say, pointing at Paul. He gave her a wave, and she smiled.

"And this," I say, trying not to laugh, "Is Jared,"

Kim's mouth opened as she took Jared in. He was looking at his phone, and he looked up when I said his name.

They both gasped as their eyes met.