It was always cold. Always far away. I ran through the forest and felt my heart start to break with every step. I was never good enough, never the one. I found myself at the cliffs edge and looked down into the raging water. How simple it would be to just take one more step and never feel this pain anymore.

"Mari….." I turned and saw some of my pack looking at me in concern. And him. Did he come to see me finally disappear from existence.

Mari, step away from the edge. Leah's voice filtered through my head as her silver mane blew around the chilly air. I looked back at the cliff and looked longingly into the waters abyss.

Please. I turned back to her and walked in her direction. I did not look at anyone as I walked past them and went back to my home. I am Marigold Elizabeth Afraidofbear and I am the imprint Jacob never wanted.

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

"What about this one?" My mother asked, trying to distract me. It had been a month since my mental break down and no one would allow me alone. I can't be upset with them. Just him.

"It looks nice." I whisper as we walk past more clothes. We leave the boutique and make our way down one of the many sidewalks of Seattle.

"Do you want coffee?" My mom asked as she turned to me. Her worried face turning into a happy one. Her dark brown eyes and long black hair completing the exotic look of her ivory skin. I nodded and we walked into a small coffee shop. I inhaled the scent of strong coffee and sat at a nearby table while she stood in line. I turned my head and saw a man looking at me. He was in his early twenties and had shaggy blonde hair. His glasses were resting on his nose and book was in his hand limply. He smiled slowly showing his dimples and his green eyes brightened. I felt butterflies and smiled small as he nodded at him. I waved back and saw him smile wider. My mother sat down in front of me blocking my view and sat my coffee in front of me.

"What has you smiling?" I blush and look down and play with a piece of my hair.

"Nothing." I mutter and sip on my coffee. We sit and talk for a while before she decides it's time to go back home. I felt a frown form on my lips as I thought of Jacob still trying to get Bella to come back and visit. It was always about Bella. She went to the restroom and as I waited for her I felt the presence of someone standing next to me.

"Hey." I look up and see the guy who was watching me. I blush and say hello back.

"So this might seem really awkward, but I wanted to give you my number. I'm Tristan."

"Marigold." I smile and see him look dreamily.

"Marigold, that's a beautiful name." I blush more as he sets a piece of paper in my hand. "Call me or text me when you have a chance." I nod and see him smile before he walks out the door. He was taller than me by the way he ducked his head when walking out the door. He never let go of our eye contact as he walked out.

"Ready?" I stuff the paper in my pocket and down my coffee before we leave.

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

Hey

I chew on my thumb as I lay in bed. I don't know why texting a guy should make me so nervous. I looked at my ceiling as I laid in bed. My shoulder length black hair fanned out around me. I feel my phone vibrate and look at it quickly.

Marigold? - Tris

I blush as I read it. It has been a week after all.

Yea, sry it took me so long

I stand up and look out my window and see Seth perched in the backyard. He's on watch duty tonight I guess.

It's okay! I'm just happy you wrote me, even if it is 10pm. What are you up to Mari? - Tris

Just laying in bed. What are you up to?

Doing some homework….. Can I call you? – Tris

I feel my heart beat fast and fix my hair. Wait, he can't even see me. What a dork. I close my blinds and turn the tv on before sitting on my bed.

Sure

A minute later my phone buzzes and I clear my throat before answering.

"Hello?"

"Hey! It's Tristan. How was your week?" I smile and feel butterflies again before relaxing.

"It's been good, Just…..working and helping my mom around the house. You?"

"Better now that I'm talking to you. I was hoping I didn't come off as a creeper when I gave you my number." He laughed out and I blushed as we talked through the night. When I heard him yawn, I realized it was 4am.

"I should let you go."

"I should let you let me go. Call me when you get up?" I smile small and feel warmth at being wanted. If only Jacob would treat me like this.

"Yea, I'll call you around 12. Good night."

"Good morning Mari." I laugh and hear the line disconnect and sit in shock. I haven't laughed in months. I feel my phone vibrate and look to see a message from Tristan.

Good Morning to the most beautiful nerdy girl I've met in my life. – Tris

I smile wide and lay down holding my phone. He was wonderful. I felt my smile leave as I thought of Jacob. If only I had imprinted on Tristan instead.

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

"Mari, time for patrols!" I hear my father yell down the hallway. I look at the clock and realize I have an hour. I take a shower and come down in a white shirt and some shorts. I see mom made 3 BLT sandwiches and snag them and a bag of chips before sitting down at the table. My dad kissed my head as he grabbed his construction hat and placed it on his balding head. He was around 5'9 and had a chubby build. He kissed my mom and ruffled my brother's hair before leaving. I take my phone out and text Tristan.

Good Afternoon :)

I start into the second half of my sandwich when I see a notification.

Hey beautiful Mari

I smile and finish my food before going outside to see Leah and Seth waiting for me. I shove my phone in my pocket after letting him know I'll be unavailable for a couple hours.

"How'd you sleep?" Leah smirked and I blushed. She looked at me shocked and Seth sniggered.

"She was on the phone talking to someone til 4am." I slap Seth's arm and look nervous. "Relax Mari, secret safe with us. You deserve to be happy." I smile at him and see Leah nod before we hit the tree line and phase. I feel the others in my head and blank out my thoughts. I hear Jacob and of course he is thinking of Bella. The weird thing though, It stung a bit less than it usually does.

Okay everyone, we are going to be having some new members.

More Girls?

Shut up Collin!

Whatever Leah.

Okay guys knock it off. As you were saying Sam.

Thank you, Jared. We are going to have some more additions to the pack. Justin and Eli show signs of phasing, so Quil and Paul will watch over them. Mari, you and Leah are going to patrol til 5pm so you guys can be at the bon fire this time. Collin and Brady will patrol during the bonfire.

We all went our separate ways and I felt everyone leave our thoughts.

So, you met someone?

Yea, his name is Tristan. Leah…he's amazing.

Good, I'm happy you found someone. Seth was right, you deserve this.

Thank you…has he…..has he even thought of me?

Mari….

Please.

No, he hasn't.

I feel my muscles tense and huff as I run my side of the perimeter. I follow the path I know so well and think about my life. I have been a wolf for 8 months and had imprinted of Jacob the moment I saw him. He didn't want me though. Stating I was too plain compared to Bella. My lightly tanned skin and curves were in no comparison with her. I had been lost in thought for a while and realized it was time to phase out when Collin and Brady's thoughts entered mine. I phased out and realized I was 5 miles down the beach. I pulled my clothes on and walked along the water and pulled out my phone and saw 3 missed messages.

I know you're busy, but I wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you. Hope you're thinking of me too – Tris

I hope you had a awesome day at work, school sucks ass. – Tris

Bella is here. Don't be weird. – Jacob

I frowned at the last message and felt tears prick at my eyes. Deserved more than this. I felt my hone vibrate and saw Tristan was calling me.

"Hey, I was just about to call you." I smile as I see the fire like on the beach.

"Well, I win! I'm just kidding. How was your day?"

"It was draining."

"What's wrong?" I stop walking and look out into the water.

"It's nothing."

"It's okay Mari, you can tell me." I sigh and start walking again.

"It's just that….There's a guy I have liked for a while and he told me that I am plain and nothing. I work with him and he just text me telling me that the girl he loves is here, who happens to be married to someone else, and said for me not to be weird. He's such a jerk and I don't know why I care anymore."

"Because he holds a piece of your heart." I sigh and run a hand through my hair.

"He doesn't deserve to though."

"He doesn't, and the very fact that you realize that means you're getting over him. It's okay to feel unrequited love. It lets us understand what we want from someone when love finally does hit us." I smile and wipe my face.

"How are you this perfect?" I hear him laugh and see the others turn in my direction as I got closer. Jacob was with Bella sitting on a log talking with her. I saw him meet my eyes and looked down.

"I try I guess. Besides, if he doesn't see how beautiful you are then he is blind and my luck just keeps getting better.' I giggle and feel eyes on me as I sit on a log by the water. I let my toes play with the sand and sigh.

"And this is the perfect Segway to asking you on a date. What do you say? This Saturday at 6pm? Meet in Port Angeles?" I look up to the sky and decide what the hell.

"Sure. I would like that. Look, I should go. Call you later?"

"Yes, 10pm talkfest is a go." I smile and say good bye before getting off the phone. I look down and see he texted me.

Smile and ignore him. Guys like that loooooove to be the center of attention. I meant what I said, he truly is blind Mari. You are more beautiful than the stars. – Tris

I smile small and sigh before getting up. I see everyone glancing to my left and see Leah smile wide. I look confused until I look with everyone else and see Jacob scowling at me. I roll my eyes and keep walking til I am at the food.

"So, I guess mystery guy is no longer a secret?"

"What?"

"Everyone just heard the end of the conversation." I blush and see Sam and Paul looking at me with shock and Quil gives me the thumbs up. I shake my head and turn back to Leah.

"Why should it be a secret. Not like anyone cares." I pile my food on and sit next to her as we plan my outfit for Saturday.