Authors Note:

Okay so I'm switching up the original time line a bit. Deleting some characters adding some new ones. You guys know the drill by now.

I've been intending to post this story for a while, finally I decided to just do it. It's a Jacob Black/OC love story.

I'm sure I'll explain more later. Hope you all enjoy!

And I'm sorry this first chapter is so slow, it's all part of the set up.


Adriana let her legs fall loosely from the driver's side of her car. The thick rain that had followed her and her parents as they drove separate cars nearly 1,300 miles was finally starting to slow down. The two-day drive had left the occupants of both vehicles with a sour taste in their mouths. This was her last stop before she entered her new life. It was going to be like witness protection only worse, she had to live with extended family. The black hole of her cars open door offered her some last minute comfort, the smooth leather seats caressing her hands as she pushed herself from the re-enforced steel.

"Adriana how could you let your tank get so low." Her dad was berating her as he filled up his bright red pick up. The other door slammed shut and her mom emerged stretching her stiff muscles.

"She just wanted to make sure you would pay for it one last time Jim." Smiling she squeezed her husbands arm, but her eyes showed the weeks of crying that were unable to be hidden by make up.

Adriana barely managed to look at them. This wasn't their fault but she still couldn't bring herself to look at them without feeling every emotion of the rainbow. Turning her back from the gas station she took a few steps forward, the salt air tickling the back of her neck, pulling on her deep brown hair, the full body shiver making her smile against her will. She wanted to run out to the ocean, throw her self in it and swim until she stopped feeling.

A group of boys crossing the gravel street caught her off guard. The trio were pushing at each other in a playful manor. They made her nervous. Nothing about them seemed too dangerous, except that their bodies were each at least twice her size, and none of them seemed to grasp the ability to wear a shirt over there vibrant copper skin.

The taller one in the back shoved the one in front harder than before, nearly toppling him to the sharp surface, he turned almost to fast and pushed his giant oppressor square in the chest. "What the Hell Quil."

Nudging his oblivious friend in Adriana's direction the offended friend dropped his fight stance. The one named Quil whispered just loud enough for her to hear, "Why don't you go say hi Embry." All three smiled, her eyes must be playing tricks on her, the smiles seemed almost sweet, although their actions brought a more sinister picture to mind. Their dark chocolate eyes, matching their hair and skin, locked on her, holding her in place.

Adriana's heart picked up slightly, and she tried to keep it off her face. The three hesitated just long enough across the street for her to put a small barrier between her and them in the shape of the gas stations small store. Heading to the back she kept her head low and looked at the rows of soda. Coke, Pepsi, Dr. Peper, why couldn't she ever seem to find tea.

The bell above the door chimed, she was almost too afraid to look up. Keeping her hand on the frosted windows cool metallic side she refused the urge to look, it was obvious it was them. Holding her breath she listened for the scuff of their shoes on the yellowing linoleum. Why did they have to stop here.

"Hey, are you new around here?" His voice was deep, the type of hypnotic tone that would have you entranced in seconds if you let it.

Slowly her peripheral vision told her it was the one named Embry. Turning her face to match her eyes she only saw him in front of her, that was slightly comforting at best. "Just passing through actually." Eyes wandering of the dusty shelves she tried to spot the other two. The store wasn't big enough for them to get lost in.

"Headed up to Forks?" Leaning one arm against the top shelf he seemed to be trying to hard for that 'I don't care' look.

"Well my parents and I are just on a drive." The ends of her long hair were being assaulted between her fingers as she twirled them. It was an old nervous habit that drove her mother crazy.

"Look Embry you scare her." Another deep voice came from just behind her.

Jumping as her eyes widened she spun around and spotted the missing two. Backing closer to the cold drink section she swallowed trying to slow her breathing. They were all laughing at how easily she had become unraveled.

"It's not me Quil, its you two. Did you see how fast she turned when you and Paul showed up." Smiling he seemed to be trying to defuse the tension. She could only nod in appreciation.

"Well I really need to go, my parents look ready to leave." Hoping one of them would move from their box formation she waited.

Embry dropped his arm defeated. "Embry you are such a little girl. Wait—whatever your name is." The apparent leader grabbed her shoulder lightly. Pulling away quickly she spun back around, having passed Embry she faced them all.

"Yes." Her voice was cold now. They almost seemed scared of her.

"Uhm, sorry, I just don't know your name." Quil, losing his confidence, shuffled from foot to foot.

Realizing her tone she looked apologetic at the three. "Sorry, I just am not really that into being touched by complete strangers." Smiling she tried to play off the scene as a joke. "I'm Adriana by the way."

Paul found his courage the fastest and stuck his hand out, taking hers he introduced them, "I'm Paul, that's Embry and Quil. Are you really just passing through? Because we are going to have a bonfire at the end of the week and Embry doesn't have a date yet and you are beauti—"

His hand was ripped from hers and Embry tackled him to the ground. Looking up horrified at her he stood slowly keeping the shaking boy below him. "Ignore him. He is an idiot, IQ is negative 400. No really we think he may have a slight case of turrets, only instead of cussing he yells nonsense." His cool smile was back across his pearly teeth.

Quil was laughing hysterically watching everything from behind them. Adriana wasn't sure if they were acting or this was what her life was going to look like from now on. They stared at her like lost puppies waiting for an answer.

"Oh well, I'm, uhm, moving to Forks, you were right—"

"Adriana." Her fathers demanding voice called to her from the open door. She had to fight to keep the relief from her face.

"Damn, sorry he's—"

"Adriana, now." He waited arms crossed as she left the three boys just standing there. Turning around at the door she gave a small apologetic wave before rushing to her car.

"Who were those cute boys?" Tactlessly her mom climbed back into their truck.

"Really mom? Do you have to be so loud." Standing in front of her seat the door rested on her hip. The three boys had come out and were just smiling at her, it seemed like they were waiting.

"We are almost there follow behind us now." Her dad was in his truck and pulling away why she was still pretending to clean the crumbs out of her seat. When she stood back up they were on the other side of her car, their tanned skin glistening in the sunlight.

"So is that a yes?" Quil was determined to get her answer. Embry looked almost to shy and innocent, it didn't fit his bulky form. Paul was waving at someone behind her. That was her que to leave.

A tingle feeling was slowly spreading from her back down her arms and legs. She instantly felt solid and warm. Melted gummy bear colors swarmed in front of her eyes. Her tingling fingers managed to help her climb into the car. These over stimuatlation had her head on spin dry. She glanced to the three who had managed to cram their heads into the open side window.

"Hey are you alright?" Embry's voice floated at her from a distance. His words twisting together to form strings of vibrations. "Adriana? You keep smiling."

Her mom's ringer snapped her back to reality. "Hey mom, I'm coming now, I was just cleaning my car." Looking back at the three she put her phone down. Completely confused as to what just happened she pressed down slowly on the gas.

"Hey wait, meet our other friend!" Paul held onto the side of the door trying to stop her.

Smiling for the first time in months she caught Embry and Quil's eye's. "If you guys can find me in Forks I'll come to your bon fire." They smiled almost wickedly with how wide their cheeks spread. Pushing fully on the gas she sped off after her parents.

By the time she caught up to their red truck they were already parked outside her uncle's house waiting for her. Looking relieved her mother started pulling her bags from the back of the golden yellow Camaro. Adriana walked to the passenger side and started helping her. Looking down at her entire life packed into five bags made her suddenly miss Long Beach. She had always hated the crowds, the sun, and the way everyone seemed to glorify the over tanned under educated bleach blonde girls at her school, but at least that was hers to hate. Here she would be playing by a new set of rules that would most likely get her in trouble.

Two men came out of the two story Victorian style house. They were both beaming widely, happy to see family after such a long time. Her dad shook hands with both of them while looking regretfully at her and her mother. The group of men made their way dutifully over to help them bring her bags in.

"Clare, Adriana, you guys made it in one piece, we were worried with the storm…" Her uncle's voice trailed off, grabbing one of the bags he headed for the front door.

"Adam why is it that you always think the worse?" Laughing her mother took the two pillows she had brought and handed them to her other uncle. "How are you doing Justin?"

"Good. We are so happy that Adriana is going to be staying with us for a while." Smiling and taking the bags from both Adriana and her mother he waited for them to head towards the door.

The feeling of panic and regret grew stronger as the houses shadow covered her from the little bit of sunlight that seemed to be breaking through the constant cloud cover. Reaching their front door she had to fight the over whelming urge to turn and run. Just because she couldn't go home, it didn't mean she had to be exiled thousands of miles away, just putting different members of her family in trouble.

They were all staring at her from inside the door. It was as if they could all hear what she was thinking, knew the struggle she was going through. Running would be so much easier for everyone she loved. The voice screaming at her to run was suddenly replaced by a much deeper voice she didn't recognize.

"Don't" It spoke softly but firm. That simple word calmed her to the core, it was as if her past was erased and she had nothing to fear anymore. The bags she was carrying felt instantly lighter. The house even seemed to have lost it's haunted feel.


Her room was on the second floor. The four-post canopy bed laid solidly against the back wall. The deep blue of the hangings that swept from each corner stood at attention against the cream colored wall. The far wall broke through the room's darkness with the wall-to-wall windows, a bench seat laid into the lower portion. Adriana smiled at the thought of long days spent their reading in the suns warm embrace. Her uncles had left most of the room's décor up to her. The only other furniture on the hardwood floor was a chair in the left corner and dresser across from her new bed.

Setting the bags down at the end of the bed she stumbled out of her shoes. Shuffling her feet across the only rug in the room she felt the coarse fibers press through her socks. Her right hand ran over the goose down comforter that lay nicely across the queen mattress. The shade of blue matched the hangings on the posts. Both seemed to be made from nice cotton.

Making it to the top of the bed she let her fingertips slide across the lamp that was on the nightstand next to her new dreamland. The lamp was small, made from brass and colored glass. Three delicate figures danced around the base. Her finger traced along one's face and down to her back. The little wings she found there made her smile. She would have fairies watching over her as she slept.

Before she had the chance to climb into her bed and see how it felt her mom and dad were walking into her room with more of her belongings. Glancing around her mom smiled before setting the cardboard box she was carrying down on the winged armchair.

"There you are sweetie, we thought you had gotten lost." Her mom's soft voice tinkled like a soft breeze. She was always so positive even in the darkest of time.

"This looks like it will suit you." Her dad seemed to be trying to keep something in, his right hand was rubbing the back of his neck like it always did when he was struggling with things to say.

The three stood there awkwardly. It was the start of something and the end of another. The guilt of the past few months rushed back into Adriana's mind. Everything she had done and everything she had put her family through. She was supposed to love and protect these people, not destroy their dreams for her.

Digging her toe into the rug under her bed she tried to think of something comforting to say to them. No words came to mind, no familiar famous quote, not even a song lyric that could portray her feelings. She felt like she had when they told her she had to move, for her own protection, so far away.

Their unspoken feelings hung in the air. Adriana's chest growing tighter as her mom pulled a picture of the three of them out of the box and set it on her new dresser. Furrowing her brow she picked it up again, walking to Adriana and her nightstand she set it there.

"Much better." Smiling she took her daughters hand squeezing it tightly.

"Hope we aren't interrupting…" Adam was standing at the door with even more boxes.

"Of course not, don't be silly." Her mother glided across the floor taking the box from her brother.

"I told you not to come in here." Justin was just behind him in the hall, trying to look as relaxed as possible. "They need some time to themselves."

"We're okay you two, it's not like anyone is dying here." Her mom's voice cracked with the restraint of trying to keep it light and airy.

"Of course not." Justin patted her shoulder; smiling weakly he tried to look encouragingly at Adriana. "So you two will be just down the hall for tonight-"

"We aren't staying the night." Her dad's voice seemed cold, but she knew it was just the way it had to be.

"What do you mean? Of course you are…" Adam seemed confused but Justin was just nodding behind him.

Changing tactics her dad edged his way to the door. "We have to get back, I have work again on Wednesday, I could only get a few days off, and since Adriana has her first day of school tomorrow we don't want to bother her."

Adam looked horrified as Adriana's mom fought back tears, slowly she was pulling clothes from the nearest bag and settling them into the drawers in front of her. Adriana saw a fight coming. Adam would insist they stay, her dad would make sure they left. The easiest thing to do would be to make this her fault as well.

"I asked them to leave tonight." The four adults seemed to have forgotten she was even in he room anymore. Her mother refused to look at her, but her father shot her an appreciative glance. Adam's slated eyes were proof he didn't by her thin veiled excuse at all.

"Why would you do that Adriana?" His tone was accusatory but somehow still kind.

"They need to get back, besides I've caused them enough trouble already." She let her voice falter on the end. She knew her pity act would end the conversation without further discussion. And she was right, Adam dropped his protest and him and Justin went back downstairs to leave them alone to say goodbye.

"You know none of this is your fault right baby girl?" Her moms surprisingly strong arms wrapped around her thin frame. She couldn't take this, if they stayed she would start crying. And if there was one thing Adriana hated, it was crying in front of people. Just nodding she breathed in her mom's scent for the last time.

Breaking away she turned to her father. He seemed to be having an even harder time than her mom was. His hand shook on her shoulder. "By summer we should have more of this cleaned up. We will visit you as soon as we can." That was a lie and they both knew it. A chance for them to visit was almost impossible. But she shook her head yes, giving into the fantasy. Holding onto that thought she hugged him and kept the tears in. Who knew she we would have to say goodbye to her parents at 16.


She watched the red pick-up until the taillights disappeared down the road. She was at the end of the driveway, but even in that small distance she could feel her uncles eyes on her from the doorway. They seemed uneasy for her to be even that far away.

Turning back she saw them framed in the light from the hallway. The sun was setting behind the house, throwing everything into long shadows. Tomorrow would be her first day at a new school. Halfway through the first semester of her Junior year. It almost seemed unfair that she would have to be alone like this. If she let anyone get close she would just put them at risk as well. But it was her own fault, and she accepted that fact.

With her first step back towards the house her leg slammed down on the gravel drive. That jelly like quality of her limbs was back. Her mind was in complete bliss, it was like the best high in the world was pinpointed at the base of her skull. Colors flashed in front of her eyes where shapes should have been. She heard the ocean in her head although they were quite a ways away from it. A deep musty smell surrounded her as her heart slowed, only seconds ticked away, but it felt like hours.

Before she could figure out what was happening the feeling receded again. She could feel it leaching from her body, a strange panic slid through her mind. She had to hold onto that feeling. Closing her eyes she felt the trail of happiness head towards the forest that was at the back of her uncles house. Without a thought for the two men waiting for her, she ran towards the back of the house. Nothing was there. She waited, searching franticly with her eyes for any movement at the tree line, but nothing showed itself.

Her uncles raced around the house, guiding her back inside they wouldn't stop asking if she was okay. She could tell this was going to happen a lot with them. They had been told to watch her. Shaking her head, she managed to pull away making up an excuse about seeing an owl fly back there. It was obvious they didn't believe her.

Promising them for the tenth time she was okay she managed to slip into her room. With her back pressed against the door she listened for their footsteps to fade down the hallway. This wasn't the way she had wanted to start her new life. Slowly making her way across the room her reflection in the mirror above the dresser caught her off guard. A steady flow of tears was making their way silently down her cheeks.

She hadn't even realized she had started crying. Whipping quickly at the stain on her cheeks she turned disdainfully away from the mirror and back to her intended path of the widows. Slowly opening one to its full extent she found herself scanning the tree line again. A low wolf howl was the only thing that met her senses. Tomorrow would be the worst first day of school in history.