My stressed mind returned to sleep quickly. The dreams I had were some of the most vivid I'd ever experience, it was almost like watching a movie. Scenes of playing with Native American kids when I was younger, different scenes that were of my spending time with Bella as a child. Then the memories of her stopped for a long time and it was just me, Charlie, and people from the reservation.

My phone startled me out of sleep with a growl of electric guitar. I didn't bother to check the caller ID. "Hello?"

"Syd?" That was a voice I knew, a voice that warmed my insides. Jacob Black, my best friend. "Dad said you're sick."

"I think 'crazy' is a better word for it. I don't know what's wrong with me."

"I'm on my way over."

I looked down at my screen to confirm that he'd just hung up on me. I hate when people do that. Rolling my eyes I settled back in to my covers.

A warm body sliding in next to me was a much nicer wake up call then my screaming phone or blinding light. When that warm body smelled of forest and spice it was even better.

"What's wrong, Syd?"

I cuddled against Jacob. "When I woke up this morning it was as if everything was…off. I couldn't remember things right. I was convinced everything was from a book and I was someone else."

"I've known you your entire life Sydney Cayla Swan, and I can guarantee you that you are who I know you are. Down to the number of freckles across your nose."

I cracked an eye open to look at him. "That's creepy."

"So I exaggerate, but I know you. Whatever happened this morning must have been the cause of some dream. But you have to admit I know just about everything about you. You're my best friend, Sydney. You've been my best friend since before I could speak. If I'm sure of nothing else in the world I'm sure of that."

"Then what about all these other things I remember?" I whispered.

Jacob kissed my forehead. "I don't know. Maybe it was a really convincing dream...or maybe you really are crazy. Whatever happens, I'm here."

"Thanks, Jake." I rolled away from him to answer my once again ringing phone, this time it was an Elvis song. I knew it was Charlie without looking. "Hi."

"How are you feeling?" Charlie asked with what sounded like a full mouth.

"Better." I could picture him with a sandwich in one hand and his phone in the other. "Thanks for sending Jake over."

Charlie grunted. "I did no such thing. I just happened to tell his father. Don't get use to it, kid, you're going to school tomorrow. I have to go back to work. Don't let Jake eat all our food."

I laughed. "Bye Dad."

Jake put a chin on my shoulder and an arm around my waist. "Wanna go kill some zombies?"

"Hell yes!"

We raced downstairs and I would have won had Jacob not cheated and picked me up, spinning me away from the couch. I pouted the entire time it took me to put Left 4 Dead in and grab two wireless controllers. The pout continued as I plopped down next to him.

He bumped my shoulder with his. "You know I hate when you do that."

I forced my eyes to get watery, it was a useful skill. "When I do what?"

A groan as Jake turned his head away. "You know what."

My sniff had him looking my way again. I let my lip tremble as I turned my head. Next thing I knew I was stretched over the arm of the couch, both wrists pinned above my head by one of his hands while the other tickled my sides.

"You can't pout while you're laughing!" Jake yelled above my shrieks.

I did my best to get a knee between us, but somehow he ended up sitting on my thighs, still attacking my sides.

"Stop! Stop! I give up!" I panted between laughs.

Jacob beamed down at me, breathing just as heavy.

The front door creaked open and both of us turned to see who'd just walked in. Bella had an eyebrow raised. Edward looked like he was trying to hide a smile. This had to look bad. The vampire caught my eye and nodded almost imperceptibly.

"Wanna play Left 4 Dead with us? You get to fight off hoards of the undead." I knew they'd say no, but I offered anyway. One day they could say yes.

"Not today," Bella set her bag down. "We have a test to study for so we'll be upstairs."

I winked at her. "Have fun." Turning my attention back to Jake, who was still on top of me, I found him glaring at Edward. "They're going to go make out. I know you've got a chubby for my sister, but he's not that bad. And, as harsh as this sounds, she won't leave him for you."

Jake looked down at me, sifting his grip on my wrists. "Yes, he is. And no I don't."

A smirk formed on my lips. "Sure ya don't, buddy."

"I will admit I use to have a crush on your sister, but I'm past it."

I felt my eyebrow lift.

"Really, I have moved on."

"Yeah whatever." I rolled my eyes. "Are we going to play the game or not?"

He smirked. "I'm quite comfortable like this actually."

"Then could you at least take care of the itch on the left side of my ribcage?"

Jacob obliged, I was terrified he'd start tickling me again, but he behaved.

We'd been playing the game for a few hours when my phone's alarm went off. Jake saved our game while I moved to the kitchen to start dinner. We hadn't had it in a while, and I was craving, so I made my version of fried chicken. It was baked, but I never told Charlie that.

I started on the batter, Jake kept me entertained with a story about Quil attempting to ask some girl on a date. It was wrong to laugh at his expense, this I knew, but he made it so easy. And he makes fun of me all the time. Fair trade.

"Why are you making so much? Is Cullen staying?" he nodded towards the extra breasts I was putting on the baking sheet.

"I always make more so Dad and I can take some for lunch the next day. And the rest is for you and your dad."

Jake's grin was huge. "you're the best, Syd." He kissed the crown of my head and squeezed me from behind in a hug.

Baked fried chicken macaroni and cheese, lima beans, and biscuits rounded out dinner – with enough left overs already packed for lunches and Jake to take home. The table was set, all we needed was for Charlie to come home.

"Yo, B!" I yelled towards the ceiling. "Dad will be home in five. If you want him to believe you're legit studying you might want to come downstairs. And open a book!"

Jake cackled next to me, chewing on a biscuit.

I'll make sure Jacob keeps his trap shut, I thought towards the vampire who was following my sister down the stairs. "Edward, will you be joining us for dinner?" I asked aloud, knowing the answer already.

"No thank you, Sydney. Although I appreciate the offer. My father requested you come by the house tomorrow after school so he can make sure you're doing okay." Edward's voice was soft and he stayed out of the kitchen.

"No-"

"Of course," I cut Jake off. "I do have a few questions for him." And you.

Edward nodded. "We'll look forward to your visit." Bella walked him out to his overpriced car.

"You can't be serious," Jacob's brown eyes were narrowed, a sign he wasn't happy. "Don't go over there, Sydney."

"Don't tell me what to do. The Cullens are good people, they won't hurt me," I yelled back. I hate when people tell me what to do.

"What's all this yelling about?" Charlie asked as he walked in.

My eyes held Jake's for a moment before I sighed. "Nothing, Dad. He's just being annoyingly over protective. Go upstairs and change Dinner is on the table.

He paused between the door and the stairs. "I'll make it quick so dinner doesn't get cold." I had the feeling he was going to say something else, but changed his mind.

I tracked his footsteps above my head as I pulled a beer from the fridge. Placing it on the table in Dad's usual spot I knocked on the window. Tell her it's time for dinner. I could get use to this knowing Edward could hear my thoughts thing. Only knowing he could hear even what wasn't directed at him still unnerved me.

After dinner Bella left for the Cullens'. Jake headed home. Dad plopped down in front of the TV. And I went upstairs to work on a custom jewelry order I'd received.

I turned my iPod on shuffle, volume low so I could hear if Dad yelled, and set to work.