A/N: The response that I received for this idea wasn't overwhelming, but it was enough that I want to move forward with it. I am not completely positive where things are going, but I figure, if I start writing something will come to me. Anyway, let's get started and see what happens.

The story begins on the fifth anniversary of Melanie Callahan's disappearance from Seattle, Washington.

CASSIE

"Mom!" I called, pulling on my jacket. "I'm headed out."

I shut my bedroom door and walked the short distance to the kitchen where my mother stood making dinner.

I hated the tiny apartment we had to move into after my father's death five years ago. Unfortunately, without his income, it was all my mom could afford, and she had to get a second job just to do that. I offered to help all the time, but she wanted me to save the money I made at the local convenience store for college. It killed her that she wouldn't be able to send me like she and dad had always planned.

I didn't have the heart to tell her that I wasn't planning to go to college, though. It was too risky a move, and it wasn't like I would be able to get a permanent job anyway. That was the curse of our family. I never knew when I was going to be called back to Forks to do my duty.

I was the alpha of a small pack of werewolves from the Quileute tribe. My father was supposed to be the alpha of his generation, but he gave the position to my Uncle Sam. Now, he and my other uncles were busy building another pack. One I would be the leader of. In the last five years, Sam and his wife, Emily, had had two. My Uncle Jared and his wife, Kim, had three. And my Uncle Paul and his wife, my Aunt Rachel, had twins and another one on the way.

It would be years down the road before they made the change and only be if they were exposed to vampires, which could be never. Still, I didn't want college or a job to get in the way of my duty to my people. My father didn't allow anything to get in the way of his duty, and I wouldn't either. I would die doing my duty to the human race, just as my father had. I was sure my mom would have a hard time understanding that.

My mom, Alyssa Black, was standing over the sink washing the dishes from out recent dinner. Her long black hair was pulled back into a messy bun. She was wearing a pair of grey sweatpants and pink camisole. Today was Wednesday; the one day a week she took off both jobs so she and I could spend some time together. She would always make dinner, and we would talk. She didn't want Dad's death to tear the two of us apart.

"Where are you going?" She asked, raising her eyebrow at me.

"I'm meeting the Circle at the park." I said with a shrug. "For the yearly memorial."

I swallowed the lump in my throat trying not to think about how I had been lying to my friends for the last five years. I didn't want to think about how I was going to have to spend an hour or so trying to convince them that my best friend, Melanie, was still alive without being able to tell them how I knew.

Melanie Callahan was kidnapped by a group of cruel, disgusting vampires exactly five years ago today. She was taken to Italy and offered the chance to become a vampire. When she turned them down, she was raped and tortured. Her biological mother, Bella Swan, who just happened to be my dad's best friend, was able to find her and lead us into a fight that destroyed all those horrible vampires, but took some of those we loved from us—my dad, and Uncles, Quil and Embry, and a few of Melanie's new family members.

It was decided that it would be too dangerous for Melanie to return here. It would've raised too many questions that she would've been unable to answer. That's why she moved in with her vampire family, changed her look, and her name. Her disappearance became a cold case that would never be solved.

The Circle, our group of friends, had a memorial for her on this day every year. Our friends, Andy and Denise, would sneak a bottle of whiskey from their mother's liquor cabinet and we would all have a drink or two in memory of our lost friend.

I hated lying to them about her, but I didn't know what else to do. If I revealed the truth of vampires, it wouldn't be long before the world found out about werewolves too. We would all end up under a microscope. It was for the greater good of two races, but it still hurt, a lot.

"That's right." Mom nodded.

I was pretty sure she tried very hard to block this day out every year. It was so much harder for her than me. Not only was this the day Melanie, who she considered a second daughter, was kidnapped by vampires it was also the night of my first transformation. In her eyes, it was the day I lost my innocence, and I could tell it killed her to think about it. "I won't wait up for you, then." She sighed, pulling me into a hug. Despite her discomfort, she knew how difficult this night was for me, and tried to be as supportive as possible. "Just be safe and try not to have too much, okay?"

"Yes, Mom." I chuckled. I was sure all our parents knew that we got a little drunk on this particular night. Most of my friends' parents didn't give a damn about what their children did, but the parents who cared, just let them get away with it. The park was within walking distance of all our houses, and none of us were stupid enough to attract attention to ourselves.

I released her and walked out the door working hard to drop into the role of a girl whose best friend disappeared without a trace five years ago, even though I would be calling her later that night. It was easy considering the many years I spent acting. And I suppose, in a way I really did lose my best friend that day.

I knew she was alive, but it wasn't the same as her being right there with me all the time like she was before. I talked to her a couple times a week, and the Cullens flew me out to wherever they were at the time once every few months, but I would've rather had her with me every day. I guess it was better than the alternatives. She could be dead, like my dad.

I shook my head and swiped at the tears in my eyes. I didn't like to make this particular point of the evening about me. Yes, my father had "disappeared" only a few days after Melanie, but this was about Melanie, not me. My mother and I would have our own memorial for him when the time came. Still, I couldn't quite get rid of the sadness and resentment this day drudged up. I knew it wasn't Melanie's fault, but sometimes I couldn't help but think: if it hadn't been for those stupid vampires' attraction to her, I would still have my father.

I suppose if it wasn't Melanie, it would've been another human he died trying to save. It was just really difficult think about my father's death in correlation with Melanie's kidnapping. I didn't want to hate my best friend for something that she had no control over, but it was hard not to some times, especially around this time every year.

I stepped out the door of our apartment complex to see my boyfriend of five years, Nathan Hale, walking towards the door. I supposed boyfriend was too mild a word for what Nathan was to me. I had imprinted on him, which pretty much meant that he was my soul mate.

It was a weird, mystical werewolf kind sort of thing. Nathan and I had been friends since the first grade when Melanie and I discovered that he had an abusive father. We had accepted him as the third to our dynamic duo. We took care of each other, especially Nathan. We would lend him our couches when he needed to get away and he would help us with our problems as well. He was like a brother to both of us, up until five years.

He was the first friend I saw after I returned from my rescue mission in Italy. In fact, he was the first friend I saw since my first transformation, and that was all it took. Our eyes met and bam. We've been inseparable ever since. He was the only one who knew the truth about me, and what happened to my father and Melanie.

Sam says it is because there are no secrets between soul mates. He also says that we don't have to worry about Nathan telling anyone about me. The feelings created by the imprint keeps him from doing anything that would hurt me. Just as I would never do anything to intentionally hurt him.

Nathan's blonde hair was slicked back to reveal his beautiful baby blue eyes. It was something he had only recently started doing. He used to have to wear it so it covered any black eyes that he had received from his father. Nathan moved out when he turned 18 and never looked back. He was wearing his usual blue jeans with a black leather jacket. His whole face lit up the second he saw me, as did mine.

Five years later, I still got that giddy feeling deep inside whenever I saw him. In fact, I held my arms out and ran at him. I needed him more today than he would ever know.

Hey you." He whispered as I hurled into him with a force that made him stagger. He wrapped his arms tightly around me running a hand through my hair. "I got the feeling that you wouldn't want to make this walk by yourself. So I thought we could walk together."

"You know me so well." I told him. "It's been a difficult day."

"I can imagine." He answered, pulling away and slipping his hand into mine. "Have you talked to her yet today?"

"No." I answered with a shake of my head. "I tried calling this morning, but Edward said she was out shopping with Roxanne, Bella, and Alice. I'll try again when we get home."

"That'll be good for both of you." Nathan said as we headed toward the park. "Tell her I said hi."

"I will." I answered. "You know, they are visiting some friends in Alaska next month, and Esme invited me to join them for a week or so. Would you want to come with me? I know Melanie is dying to see you again."

"I'll have to see if I can get some time off at the theater." He answered. "I would really like to see her again too, especially with short hair. I didn't think she would ever get it get."

"Believe me," I said, chuckling. "If it was up to her it wouldn't have happened. She told me that she cried when Alice did it. She even got the long braid packed in a special box somewhere."

"That sounds like our Mel." He laughed. "God, I miss her."

"I know." I sighed. "It's not the same anymore. I feel like there is a hole in my life where she used to be."

"I feel the same way. I wish there was a way she could come back. I mean, I know it's dangerous and everything, but…"

"I know, Nate, I know." I sighed, wrapping my arms around him and laying my head on his chest. He responded by wrapping an arm around my waist and kissing the top of my head. We had become experts at walking curled up like that.

Despite the gloominess of our conversation, I had to admit that I felt much better than I had all day. It was nice to have a friend that I didn't have to lie to about all of this; someone who could hold me and tell me they understood what I was going through. I didn't have to hide anything about my secret life with Nathan and that alone made it everything so much easier to deal with.

"How's your mom?" He asked after a few minutes.

"Some as always this time of year." I shrugged. "She's either trying to forget or crying her eyes out because she can't. Her and Dad were imprinted, so it was like she lost a part of herself. I can kind of understand where she is coming from, now that I have you. If I ever lost you, Nate, it would shatter my world. I know that is exactly how Mom must be feeling every day. I wish there was something I could do to help her."

"Has she considered dating? I'm sure your Dad wouldn't begrudge her that." Nate suggested.

"It doesn't work like that when you've imprinted or been imprinted on. You are the only one for me, Nate just like I'm the only one for you. It is the same for my parents. She could date again, if she wants to, but it would be impossible to find anything that comes close to the deep connection of the imprint. As much as I hate to say it, she's better off staying single."

"I can understand that." Nathan answered. "I don't think I could ever move on if anything happened to you. I love you."

"I love you, too."

We walked the rest of the way to the park in silence, which was what I loved most about the imprint. I didn't want to talk anymore, and Nathan understood that without me having to say a word. He just held me close humming to himself as we walked.

We arrived at the park to find that everyone, except Laura had arrived. Seven of my best friends in the whole world sat in a circle on a beautifully embroidered red and black quilt. There were four spaces left empty. Mine, Nathan's, and Laura's because we hadn't yet taken them, but Melanie's was left open as a sort of way to remember her.

"What did you two stop to make out on the way or something?" Cameron Douglas asked from his spot beside Nathan's. Cameron had curly brown hair and a bit of a weight problem. He had a pretty difficult child that only ended five years ago when he was finally adopted. Now he was the biggest joker of the group. He and Nathan had been best friends since Cameron's arrival.

"So what if we did?" Nathan asked with a smirk. "Cassie the leader, so you can't start without us, anyway; we could take as long as we wanted."

"Yes, well, some of us aren't lucky enough to be on our own." Cameron teased back. "I have a curfew."

"Please Cam, you haven't had a curfew since you turned eighteen." Nathan kissed me on the head and went to continue his teasing conversation with Cameron.

"Where's Laura?" I asked taking my spot next to her best friend, Diane.

Diane was a beautiful nineteen year-old freshman in college. Her long blonde hair was pulled back into French braid that veered off to the side halfway through. Her super skinny body was covered with a pair of jeans, a tank top, and a jean jacket. She had a stupid stepmother who was constantly telling her how fat and angry she was. Diane suffered from anorexia because of it. She has gotten better at controlling it in the last five years, but it was a struggle.

"She said something came up, and she couldn't make it." Diane said, giving me a quick hug. "She wouldn't say what, but she assured me that it was nothing to worry about."

"You don't think Mike found her, do you?" I questioned, glancing toward her empty space and feeling my heart clench.

Laura's stepfather, Micheal Mickens, had been sexual abusing her since she was ten, but nobody believed her. Mike was an upstanding citizen. He was a volunteer firefighter and did a lot of community service. No one believed a man who was that sweet in public would hurt an innocent little girl. When Laura turned 18, she, like Nathan, moved out. She didn't tell anyone, except Diane where she had moved to, so there was no way Mike could find out. She even got a job at a hardware store in Forks to keep Mike from discovering where she worked.

He had been searching for her since the day she moved out. Diane had to get a restraining order to keep him away from asking her about Laura's whereabouts.

"I don't think so." Diane answered. "She didn't sound as panicked and upset as she did whenever he was around. I think I'm going to stop by and check on her when we are done here, though. Just in case."

"Good idea." I answered, putting a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sure it's fine."

Diane just nodded. "Shall we get started?"

"Not yet. We need to discuss the Rocks." Andy Widmer said from across the circle.

Sitting in front of him was a box wrapped in a dirty cloth; inside the box were twelve rocks. Each rock was decorated by the owner of the rock and each one was owned by a member of the circle. It was something Melanie and I started after my grandfather, Billy Black, died. We were twelve, and Melanie went to the funeral with me.

We decided it would be nice for the circle to have a sort of funeral service for a fallen member, and we used rocks to represent every member. We put them in a box and buried them in the woods just behind the park. The plan was to bury the rocks and have a funeral service every time we lost a member of the circle. We never expected to have to go through with it, though.

Andy, who had been Melanie's boyfriend, before her kidnapping had spent the last two years trying to convince us it was time to bury Melanie's rock. I knew she wasn't dead and refused to allow my friends to treat her like she was. As far as thye knew, she was still simply missing.

"It's time." He said sweeping his hand through his barely there hair. His hazel eyes were shining with tears as he looked at me pleadingly. He didn't want to believe she was dead, but as every year went by it was getting harder for him to hold on to her.

"No." I shook my head. "She's not dead, and I refuse to treat her like that." Tears were welling in my eyes as I said those words. I hated having to tell them she was alive, but not being able to tell them how I knew."

"Maybe she is, but maybe she's not." His twin sister, Denise, said. "We don't know, but it doesn't look like she's coming back. It's time to let her go."

She said the words with a shaking voice. She hated the idea of doing this as much as I did, but it was important to her. She wanted to be able to let go, they all did, but I couldn't allow them to let go of someone who couldn't let go of them.

I straightened myself to trying to look like the strong leader of this group I had to become after Melanie's kidnapping. I also allowed my breathing to slow and kept a clamp on my temper. It wouldn't good if I transformed and killed all of my friends because I was upset about what they wanted.

Denise continued staring at me with her hazel eyes while she twirled her long black hair around a finger.

"I can't, guys. I'm sorry. I'm just not ready to give up on her, yet." I said as calmly as possible.

"It's not about giving up on her, Cas." Phoebe said from the other side of Diane. Her curly red hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and she was wearing your typical biker getup. She wasn't really a biker; she was a rebel. And the biker getup was the best looking rebel look she's discovered. "It's about putting to rest something terrible and moving on. We need it. You need it."

I took another deep breath trying to control my anger. How dare she tell me what I need? Melanie is my best friend, and I knew she wasn't dead. I didn't need to move on from anything.

"I said no." I practically growled, trying to keep control of my shape. Damn it! I really hated this conversation. I had gotten so good at holding myself together and controlling the best within, but this conversation about Melanie always set me off. If they didn't stop argue with me soon, I was going to do something I regretted.

"Guys, now is not the time to discuss, this." Nathan said, mercifully. "We are here to remember Melanie. We will discuss burying her rock, and having a service another time. And that's the end of the conversation."

Andy opened his mother to argue.

"Andy, just let it go." Nathan cut him off. "We need to get a move on with this so everyone can get home. We will talk about the rocks later."

"Fine." Andy said, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Thank you, Nathan." I said with a little too much feeling. I took a couple more breaths before holding my hands out to either side of me.

Diane took my left one, and my right one just hung in midair because Melanie should've taken it then. The other's followed my lead and joined hands.

"To whom it may concern," I said in voice that carried through the circle. I knew it was a weird way to start things, but not everyone in the circle believed in God or even a higher power, so it seemed like the best way to satisfy everyone. I had been beginning this memorial like this every year. "We are here to remember our good friend, Melanie Callahan. She's the kindest, most beautiful, caring person we've ever met, and she was snatched from us too soon five years again. We are here to remember her and ask whoever might be listening to keep her safe and alive wherever she is. We also ask that she be returned to us someday. Please, don't allow a light as beautiful as hers to be snuffed out too soon. Thank you."

When I finished the speech, we released hands and Diane handed me the bottle of whiskey Andy and Denise had nicked.

"I've known Melanie since kindergarten." I said. "The day we met, she was sitting in the corner of the cafeteria, quietly eating her food when some jerk walked up and snatched her candy bar right off her tray." I stopped for a moment and swallowed hard. It was so hard talking about her like this when I knew she was only a phone call away. "And she just let him do it. Well, as you guys know, I don't like to let jerks get away with being jerks. I tackled the kid to the ground , gave him two black eyes, and managed to had Mel back her candy bar before they marched me to the office and suspended me for three days."

I chuckled a little at the memory before I unscrewed the top of the bottle and took a swig. The alcohol burned going down my throat, but it was a nice burn. It helped to dislodge the lump in my throat. I passed the bottle to Diane who launched into a story about the week Melanie pretended to be Diane's girlfriend just to convince Jonathon Taylor that Diane really was a lesbian (which she is). It was that that convinced Jonathon to stop hitting on Diane. Melanie got crap for it for a while, but she didn't care. She helped her friend, and that is what mattered.

Diane took a drink and passed the bottle to Phoebe who launched into a story of her own. The bottle went around the entire circle as everyone shared their memories and special moments with Melanie and had a drink in her honor.

When the bottle made it back me, there was enough left for one more, so I knelt in front of the space where Melanie should've been and dumped the rest in the grass. It was supposed to be symbolic of her drinking, but I'm not sure if it came off that way.

When we finished, I helped Diane fold up the quilt and watched as Andy and Nathan reburied the box of rocks. As they did this, I found myself wondering if maybe it was time to stop hoping Melanie Rose Callahan would return, and accept the fact that Melissa Ann Cullen had replaced her.

A/N: What do you guys think? Should I keep going? Please review and let me know.