A.N. Oops! Forgot to let you know, this is my first fanfic, so please cut me some slack :) thanks!

He sits down and turns toward me.

"So… I've never seen you around here before. What brings you here?" Jacob asks me.

What was I going to say? 'Um, well the truth is I am a 17 year old, emancipated girl and I cut myself to drink my own blood. I've also been living with my crazy emo boyfriend for about 4 years and trying to escape for like a year or 2. I'm running away for the 2nd time and as far as I'm concerned, I have no family or any place to stay. And the best part is, I have no idea where the hell I am right now!' Doesn't really seem appropriate to say to a stranger…

"Well I am new here. I'm moving out here on my own- temporarily- because my parents are on a really important year-long business trip for their job," I lie.

"Well, that sounds… interesting. You know… you never told me your name," he says hesitantly.

"Oh! Sorry… um, I'm Amalia," I say, blushing at my stupidity, forgetfulness and rudeness. He laughs and I realize, up close… he's kinda cute.

I crack a small smile and stick the key into the ignition to start the car. As I take off he asks, "So how old are you?"

"I'm 17. How about you?" I say while driving and struggling to figure out the way.

"Wow. I'm 16. Just turned 16 4 months ago. So… not to be nosey… but what school you plan on going to?" he asks in his cute little shy voice.

"I… don't know. Is there a local one?" I ask, realizing I have no plan whatsoever for what I'm going to do with my new life.

"Yeah. There's Forks High School, but I go to the one down on the reservation," he informs me.

"That local one sounds good to me," I say and smile sweetly. Although, inside, I feel a little sorry for Jacob. I can tell he likes me and is trying to befriend me, but he doesn't know what he would be getting himself into. I am just a mess, bringing down everyone who gets too attached to me with my misery and horrible life…

"Cool… oh, um… you can get off here," he tells me and points to an exit to the right. He tells me to drive down and take a right, and I stop in front of a small, brick house.

"This is it," he says and sighs. "Hey, um… thanks for the ride… Amalia. It was nice meeting you," he says politely.

"No problem… Jacob," I say, looking into his dark brown eyes while he looks into my eyes for a moment.

"Well, here's my number, in case you ever need anything. Even a place to stay. You can just call me," he tells me, handing me a folded yellow sticky note. I put it in my pocket.

"Thanks," I say, smiling. This has to be the most I have smiled in the last 2 years. "Bye."

"Goodbye, Amalia," he says and walks out of the car. When he walks inside, I take off, with no idea as to where I'm headed next. I pull over and unfold the note curiously, and sure enough, it says:

JACOB BLACK: 360- 555- 6948

P.S. YOU LOOKED A LITTLE LOST, SO A GOOD HOTEL IS 'THE INN' (177 OAK ROAD)

I smile to myself. This 'Jacob' kid seemed really sweet, but I don't plan on calling him or coming to his house. I don't want to get close to him and drag him into the big mess that is my life. He seemed really pure and kind, and I don't need to contaminate someone so good.

So I continue driving, looking for the hotel that Jacob recommended. I can't find it, so I pull over and decide to ask someone for directions.

I see a girl who looks about my age, walking on the sidewalk in the dark. She has short, spikey dark hair. She is petite, with a small frame. She has a small face, and she is skipping along the deserted sidewalk.

"Um, excuse me?" I say as I tap her shoulder from behind. She turned toward me and smiles knowingly when she sees me, as if she were expecting me…

"Hi! Yes? What is it you need? I'm sure I can help!" she says cheerily. I notice her sparkling topaz eyes, almost like honey. They look like liquid, and they are gorgeous.

"I was actually going to ask you for directions to some hotel called 'The Inn'… so you know where it is?" I ask sort of suspiciously.

"Of course I do! I know where EVERYTHING is in this small town," she responds and smiles. What was with all the smiling people in this town? She hands me a folded white piece of paper and I unfold it to find that it's a map. Why was she carrying around a map of Forks? She was really starting to freak me out, because it seemed as if she knew that we would be here, right now, having this conversation, before it happened.

"Um… thanks," I say unsurely. "See you around, I guess…"

"Ok! My name is Alice, and you can find me anywhere in Forks, really. So if you need anything, anything at all, I'm here!" she says in that same cheery voice. She was really starting to get on my nerves.

"Ok. Thanks…" I say and head back to my car. Everyone over here already seemed all smiley and cheerful… not really my style, but I would have to deal. I notice there is something written on the back of the map:

Alice Cullen: 360-555-0948 Remember: if you need anything, look for me or call anytime!

I swear, the next person who tells me that will SUFFER… so I follow the map to the other side of the small town, where it is it up and active. I see a sign that says 'Welcome to Port Angeles!' I keep driving until I come across a building with a lit-up sign that says 'The Inn.' I park in the parking lot and turn off my car.

I sit there for a moment, and I just sigh as I think about how messed up life is. I think about Jacob smiling and telling me to call him. I think about Alice's annoying little cheery voice and her skipping. Then I think about Damon, with his dark hair and eyes and clothes and personality. He really does look intimidating, and he is. I am thinking about what would happen if he found me, and I get the shivers. I shake the thought from my head and get out of my car.

The parking lot is dark and empty, and I see a figure move in the corner of my eye. I look in that direction for the cause of the movement but there is no one. I am tired and as I get close to the front door, I remember I have no money. It's in my suitcase, and I should save it for more important things. So I go back to my car, frustrated, and just lay down in the back seat.

I close my eyes and sleep comes quickly.

I wake up to a knock on my window. I look up, still dazed from sleep, and I see Jacob standing outside of my car, smiling.