As I dabbed my perfume on, I heard a knock at my bedroom door. I gave myself a last glance in the mirror and, happy about my cute outfit, and went over to open it.

"Hello sweetie." Daddy said, looking me over, no doubt making sure I was completely covered and decent enough to go out. "Don't you look pretty tonight." I smiled and sat down on the bed. Daddy followed and plopped down beside me.

"Jacob says I look pretty all every day." I said, nudging his shoulder. He chuckled.

"Yeah, he's right about that. I guess I'm trying to say you look even more beautiful tonight than usual. If that's even possible." He said as he patted my knee.

"Good save, Daddy."

"Nessie?" he asked. "I want you to be careful tonight, okay? I don't know this boy and therefore I have every right as a father to distrust him."

"He's pretty cool." I said with a huff, getting really tired of the over-protectedness.

"Sure. Keep your cell on at all times. Put it on vibrate in the theater or something. Oh, and don't let him put any moves-" he began but I interrupted.

"Yes Daddy. I know the drill." I said with annoyance. "We have this discussion every time I go out! Give me a break please!"

"Sorry, sorry." He mumbled, putting his hands up in surrender. He stood up, kissed my head and left the room, smiling to himself. I didn't think it was funny, and I was surprised Jacob hadn't showed up. Maybe he was giving me a break.

I glanced at the clock and decided it was time to head up to my grandparent's house, where Ryan would be picking me up. As I walked through the woods I reflected on how excited I was about this date. Having to switch schools every year was tough, going from county to county, town to town, so nobody would recognize my name. Finally, my parents had enrolled me in Forks High and decided I could stay until graduation. I looked about seventeen so I passed for a junior, resembling some of the girls that overdid their makeup to look older. But I didn't wear much makeup.

Since I was finally in a stable school environment, I could date and make real friends and actually keep them. I could be normal; or as normal as a half vampire could be. The only thing that bothered me was that I could tell no one my secrets, and I couldn't really have a serious relationship because I would freak the guy out. I was such a blessing to have Jacob as my best friend. He'd always been there for me and I know that would never change. I could talk to him about almost anything and he could always empathize because he too has secrets to keep. That must be why he never had a girlfriend…

Just as soon as I walked through the back door I heard the doorbell ring, so I hurried across the house to open the front door. There he was, looking handsome and clean cut; my father would definitely approve.

"Hi." I said shyly, stepping back and opening the door wider to let him in. "You want to come in?" He shrugged and loped passed me.

"Nice place you got here, Ren." He said, head moving this way and that, taking in my family's enormous house. I blushed and bit my lip. He called me Ren…

"Thanks." I said as I stood beside him. "My grand- uh parents used to live here. It's a family heirloom I guess."

"Oh. So where are your parents? You said they wanted to meet me first." He said as he wandered into the living room, looking impressed. My father walked in then, looking very young and gave Ryan a once-over. Ryan was noticeably shocked by my father's good looks and I saw a bit of confidence leave his expression. But when Daddy stood beside me Ryan relaxed, obviously seeing our resemblance.

"This is my brother Edward." I explained, playfully punching Daddy's shoulder. Ryan smiled and plopped down on the couch without asking. I should have offered him a seat…

"The parents are coming down to meet you as we speak." Daddy said just as Carlisle and Esme appeared at the opening to the living room.

"It's like you read my mind." Ryan said with a smirk and then glanced at my grandparents, looking baffled by their young appearance.

"We were adopted." I said quickly. Ryan nodded and looked up at Carlisle and Renesme. Carlisle raised an eyebrow and sat down in the arm chair, Esme stood behind him. They looked like the Cleavers.

"I'm Carlisle and this is my wife Esme." He began pleasantly. Ryan looked bored. "You are…?"

"Ryan." He said.

"Ok. Ryan." Carlisle said, amuse. "We expect you to take care of our daughter and bring her home safely and in one piece."

"Right." Ryan piped. The front door suddenly burst open and Jacob came bustling in with a bag o take out in hand.

"Whose .pansy-ass Prius is-" he began, but froze once he saw Ryan on the couch looking at him in anger, horrified by putting his foot in his mouth.

"Dude!" he said, now sounding all buddy-buddy. "That car is the shiz-nit! It gets what? Eighty miles to the gallon?"

"Er, yeah sure." Ryan said haughtily. Carlisle laughed but quickly disguised it as

A cough. I wasn't happy.

"Anyway," Carlisle continued as if there had been no interruption. Jacob shrugged and gave me an apologetic look and then went over and sat down on the couch, right next to Ryan. I sighed as he began to unload the contents of the plastic bag. "We want her home by eleven."

"And there will be no goodnight kiss." Jacob added, his mouth full of sesame chicken. Ryan glared at him, and of course Jacob looked innocent while Daddy looked absolutely smug. I'd had enough.

"Alright then, let's be off!" I said quickly, clapping my hands together to emphasize my hurry. Ryan looked relieved and stood up to shake Carlisle's hand. "We don't want to miss the movie."

As Ryan and I headed out we were bombarded with silly questions from everyone except Esme. Things like 'What are you going to see?', 'is your Prius a one cylinder?' and 'Are you into sci-fi?'. I was mortified! Once we were headed down the road things eased up considerably and we could talk freely. I apologized profusely about my 'brother' and Jacob's redness.

"Who is that guy anyway?" Ryan asked, referring to Jacob. "I thought we ran all the Indians out a long time ago." Was that supposed to be funny?

"He's a native American," I began, a little tersely, "and also my best friend."

"Oh, sorry." He said turning red.

"It's alright." I guess. "He's known me since I was born and we've always been together."

"Cool. So are you excited about the movie? I heard it was awesome." He said excitedly.

"Sure, sure…" I mumbled. As soon as we were at the theater and settled into our seats my phone began to vibrate. I sat everything down, my purse and snacks, into another chair to answer it. Ryan rolled his eyes.

"Hello?" I said.

"Hey pretty girl! What's cracka-lackin'?" It was Jacob, of course. I smiled and rolled my eyes.

"Hey." I said, rearranging my pile of goodies so I could sit. I noticed Ryan's eyes wander over to a group of giggly girls down the row from us.

"Yeah, I wanted to apologize about the Prius thing," he said. "I'd forgotten about your date tonight. I'm sorry." He sounded so sweet that I couldn't be annoyed at him. I sighed to myself and pursed my lips. He could always worm his way out of trouble by being sweet.

"It's okay. I'm not mad," I said. "But, hey I need to let you go. The lights are dimming."

"Alright, love ya bye." He said.

"Love ya bye." I hung up and smiled at Ryan. He cocked his chin in response.

The movie was absolutely horrible. I don't even think it had a plot. It was nothing but cursing, fighting, explosions, and naked women. Some things Ryan apparently thought made a great movie.

"I want to see that again, man!" he whooped as we pulled out of the parking lot. I put on a small smile and stared out the window. My stomach growled.

"So uh…" I said turning to him. "Are we going to get something to eat?" Like a real date? He smiled widely, excited all over again.

"About that." He said, grabbing my hand and enter-lacing our fingers. My heart skipped a beat. "My bud from the team is having a party at his aunt's house while she's out of town. There's going to be food there and drinks and everything! I thought I'd surprise you!"

"Wow!" I said, pretending enthusiasm. Parties meant drinking, right? "It'll be fun!." He laughed and squeezed my hand.

"We're going to dance and all that!" he said. "You dance right?"

"Sure do." Ballroom, some ballet…

"Great!"

We pulled up to a large brick house, or should I say mansion, and I was iffy about what I saw. It was like all those stupid teen movies where they show up at a party and kids are swinging from trees and running around like idiots. There was actually toilet paper in the bushes. When I walked in it was more of the same, and yes there was beer everywhere. As soon as we walked into the living room Ryan kissed my cheek, assured me he'd be back, and left me there in the crowed. I looked around, uneasy with the situation, trying to find a familiar face.

"Hey cutie!" a tall boy said, jeering at me stupidly. He had a cup of beer in his hand and a cigarette in the other. Oh how attractive, I thought sarcastically.

"I'm with someone." I snapped, moving away toward the kitchen. Maybe I'd find food.

"Ren!" Ryan called as he made his way over to me. "Where are you going?" He handed me one of the beers he'd brought over.

"No thanks and I'm going to the kitchen." I yelled over the obnoxious music, shoving the cup at him. He shrugged.

"More for me. Listen, I'll meet up with you in a bit." He said and the walked off again, gulping his beer. I rolled my eyes and went into the huge kitchen area. There was no food prepared. Okay, a bowl of peanuts. Maybe I could suck Ryan dry of blood…

"Renesme?" I turned around to see a cute blond girl I recognized from chemistry class and smiled half-heartedly at her. She was one of Ryan's many ex's.

"Hey, Lynn." I said politely.

"Looks like the idiot left you alone. You can hang with me, girl!" she said, a bit tipsy. Why not? I didn't want to look like an outcast just standing around alone. I followed her as she moved from clique to clique, listening to her stupid conversations. I got asked to dance quite a few times and so I did, feeling awkward as the guys groped me while they 'got down'. It wasn't much fun considering the fact that I couldn't find a sober person to talk to. Maybe they drink at parties because otherwise, they wouldn't be any fun.

Ryan finally showed back up, drunk as a skunk, and wrapped his arms around me in a wobbly hug. He'd left me alone for over an hour so I was in no mood to return the embrace.

"Hey Ren." He said affectionately. "I want to show you something." He took my hand and led me into a back bedroom. Then he went over to the floor to ceiling windows and pulled the curtains back, revealing a beautiful, starry sky.

"Pretty view." I said as I crossed my arms. He laughed stupidly.

"Yeah but you got to sit down to get the total effect." He led me to the bed and we plopped down on the side, his arm around my shoulder. I glanced at the clock and was not surprised that it was almost ten thirty. It felt like five in the morning.

"Ryan I need to head home." I said as I slithered out from under his arm.

"Wait a minute, Ren." He slurred. "I wanted us to have a romantic moment together."

"You're shoe's untied." I pointed out. He saw it and bent down to try and tie it back. Good luck with that, I thought. This distraction bided me some time. I called Jacob.

"Hello?" he answered, sounding preoccupied. I figured he was watching a movie on demand or something, but I sighed in relief; he was still awake.

"Jake, me get me." I said pleadingly.

"What's wrong?" he blurted suddenly, all his focus on me now. I heard him fumbling around, I guess getting dressed.

"Nothing. Just come get me, please." I told him the town and street name, and that the house would be easy to spot.

"I'm on my way." He said, and hung up.

"Ha!" Ryan said triumphantly. "I did it!" I looked down at the sad excuse for a knot he'd tied his shoe strings in.

"Great job." I said with sarcasm.

"Ren," he said, sounding a little less drunk. "I'm glad we went out tonight. I had a good time." Glad you did, I thought. "I really like you and uh…" He leaned in and kissed me on the mouth. I could smell the alcohol on his nasty breath. I tried to pull away but he'd grabbed my arms tightly and held me in place.

"Ryan!" I snapped.

"Don't struggle, baby…" Baby? He pushed me onto my back, me struggling the whole time.

"Get off!" I screamed , pounding my strong fist into his head. "No! You jerk!"

"Don't hit me!" he yelled, turning violent in a second. He pulled his fist back and punched me in the head. I felt dizzy instantly and went limp, suffering from the pain of his blow. I could feel him unbuttoning my top, groping me, licking me like an animal. I had to shake the dizziness, I had to fight back. Where was Jacob?