Summary: Because Jacob was a very nice distraction.

This ones more friendship so enjoy the non-relationship-ness!


I just wasn't sure how to feel, staring at the Leah in front of me, and with the Leah I knew.

The Leah I knew was sarcastic and bitter but slightly better from before when we had first become shape-shifters and she actually made an effort to not intentionally piss people off.

She was also strong, one of the strongest people I knew.

Which was why, looking at her now meant everything I knew about her was a lie.

The Leah before me was sad and broken, someone I felt needed to be protected. This couldn't be Leah.

"Leah." She didn't move and she didn't acknowledge me either. She had ignored me since I had gotten here and sticking to it.

"I-"

"You know Jake, when someone doesn't answer when you call them, it probably means something." The heavy sarcasm that flowed throughout her voice crossed out my theory of it not being Leah.

"Really? I hadn't known." My voice cracked at the end, my surprise evident to anybody- if anybody was around. Yet, I still stepped closer, serving my purpose of getting a rile out of her. Thats what I was going to do: Make her so mad that she would get out of this self induced depression thing she had going on and return to her normal bitchy self.

And thus I stepped closer still and she finally turned to me, her anger evident.

"What the hell do you want, Jacob!" Her voice completely surprised me. It was obviously filled with anger but what I wasn't prepared for was the utter agony laced underneath it. It made me flinch away from her. Everything I had been planning to say to her was thrown out the window as soon as I heard her voice and I froze.

"Not you too! God fucking damn it! I don't want your damn pity!" I hadn't realized it but my actions made it seemed like I was pitying her so I sucked it up and finally responded.

"Why the hell would I pity you?" It came out a bit harsher than I intended and I mentally winced but I couldn't help it. I thought she knew me well enough to realize that I cared about her enough to worry and try to console her and yet the though had never crossed her mind.

Something in my voice or face must have given me away because her eyes widened just a fraction before she swallowed it up and looked away.

"Err... my bad Jake. I'm being a major bitch." She muttered awkwardly.

"Really? I hadn't noticed." The sarcasm in my voice was hard to miss. So I sighed and tried to make my voice level. "Look, I just came to check on you."

Wrong thing to say.

"Why? Because I might do something I regret!?! Well fuck you-"

"No stupid! I was worried about you! You know, the things that you feel when you care about someone. Sorry, guess I was wrong to worry about my Beta." I was really annoyed and I didn't want to deal with her anymore, so I turned around and started walking away.

A hand shot out and grabbed my arm and I froze, confused at her weird behavior but, out of habit, I clenched my muscles readying myself for a hit – Leah was a very abusive second in command.

"It sucks you know?" My muscles unclenched and I relaxed a bit. Her question confused me but I didn't voice it, Leah didn't open up much and this was the first time it was done in none wolf form. I wasn't going to ruin it with my big mouth.

"It hurts to see them so damn happy together – don't get me wrong, I don't love Sam anymore but it still sucks to have all the at happiness shoved back in your face."

I looked at the form fitting lavender bridesmaid dress she had on in confusion.

"So then why did you volunteer to be a bridesmaid?"

"I don't want them to think I'm still that stupid ex-girlfriend still pining after the guy that dumped her." Leah said with a snort. I could tell she was serious but I couldn't help myself.

"So your a masochist."

"Shut up. Don't associate me with the mind-rapist." Leah muttered with a growl. I chuckled but ut felt good to understand Leah's actions at least up to a certain extent. Although I had long since gotten over Bella, the feelings of what drove my actions were distant but I'm sure I would have done the same thing. (I sort of did, didn't I?)

Nonetheless, I didn't want Leah to moping around and an idea struck me.

"Let's go to my place." The idea was, at least in my opinion, pure genius. I grabbed her arm and started leading her to the general direction of my house.

"Huh?" Leah was completely taken off guard and she wasn't even fighting me.

"My dad's going to going to be staying over at Charlie's and I got a stash." I said excitedly. I smirked at her confused face. But she quickly caught and her smirk mirrored mine.

"Let's see if you can hold your alcohol, Black."


Jake, as it turned out, wasn't a light weight and so we had fun.

Whenever Sam and Emily flashed through my mind I wouldn't have time to grasp the image because Jacob would do or say something stupid and I would completely forget about what I was thinking.

Before. all I could think about was Sam and Emily's happiness and the thought, I can never have that, was echoed over and over. It was everything that was presented before me and it slowly suffocated me to the point that I had to get out of the reception.

But now it seemed so stupid to be depressed over that it was all thanks to Jacob.

I don't need Sam or someone to be in love with to be happy. I have my family, my pack, and thats all that I need. Jacob snorted his drink and we both cracked up like it was the funniest thing in the world. This right here, these are the moments that I will always remember.

"Who knew you'd be such a great distraction, Black?" I said after we could breathe.

"You're not too bad yourself, Clearwater." Jake retorted, chuckling.

And though I had meant to say thank you, I had a feeling that Jake knew exactly what I meant, guessing from the way his smirk turned into a soft smile.

Yeah... a really nice distraction.


Fixed things a little here and there, added other lines that seemed to fit and – voala! Distraction Redux.

Don't know why I was so hesitant about this before. Rereading it – it's awesome! :)

I just might start cranking out more of these.

First Published: 4/06/09

Edited: 3/12/10