Ashley's life in La Push was so different then her life in Sacramento. She missed Elliot, he was pretty much her only good friend back in California. It was different here, she was a lot closer with everyone, and she had a lot more friends. By the beginning of March, Ashley was friend with almost everyone, including Seth.

Over the past few months Ashley and Seth grew closer. Just a couple of weeks after Ashley arrived, they became friends, but still only spoke to each other with Kim there, or at the lunch table, surrounded by people. They didn't start talking one-on-one until Kim and Jared got together unexpectedly.

One day, about a month after Ashley moved to La Push, Kim and Ashley walked to Math as usual. Kim was instantly put in a better mood when they walked in because she noticed Jared was back after missing two weeks of school. As they walked past Jared, Kim dropped her books, whether it was accidentally or on purpose, Ashley still didn't know for sure. Ashley was about to help when she saw Jared was already crouched down beside Kim, helping her pick up the books. What happened after that was like something out of a movie.

Kim and Jared both finished picking up as many books as they could, and looked up at the same time. Their eyes met and they stayed locked as they slowly stood in sync. Kim broke eye contact first and looked down, tucking her hair behind her ear at the same time. It fell again as soon as she put it in place. Jared raised his hand slowly and tucked it behind her ear. His hand trailed down her jawline to her chin and he gently forced her face up to him. She smiled at him and after that they were inseparable.

Jared would always walk with Seth and Ashley to drop Kim off at class in the morning. They would always kiss before he left her, and Kim would always text him as soon as she sat down in class. Seth and Ashley quickly got tired of seeing them make out every morning and they started walking together without Kim. They also talked before class while Kim sat there texting Jared, ignoring the two of them.

As Seth and Ashley's friendship grew, so did Terry's and Sue's. Terry was at the Clearwater's almost daily. After a while, Ashley started going with her. They quickly became best friends after that.

She and Seth did an assortment of things. From Seth teaching her how to play his favourite video games, to walk in the forest with Rosie when Ashley brought her, to just talking. For all of yesterday, Ashley and Seth just went back and forth asking each other questions about themselves. This was the second day and they both still had unanswered questions to ask.

"Ash? Ashley?" Seth waved his hand in front of her face. "You hoo." Ashley's face stayed blank, the same way it always did when she was focused, like now, remembering the past few months. "Ashley."

"Whoa, what?" Ashley said, snapping out of it. "Sorry, zoned out." Ash looked around before she remembered she was in Seth's basement, just like any other Saturday.

She was sitting cross-legged on the couch, facing Seth with her back against the armrest. He was on the other side of the couch, facing the TV but looking at her.

"What were you thinking about?"

"Nothing."

Seth raised his eyebrow, he obviously didn't believe her, but he didn't pressure her into telling him either. Ash sighed, Seth was beginning to know her too well.

"Just thinking about the past few months, and how different it is here." Ashley didn't need to expand. Seth knew she was thinking about her old home.

"Do you miss it there?" Seth asked softly, it was one of the questions Ashley had been expecting, but Seth never asked.

Ashley thought about it for a split second before answering.

"No. Well, yes and no. I miss my best friend, but I wouldn't go back. I like it here too much."

Seth opened his mouth and put a hand to his chest in fake shock. "You have another best friend who isn't me? How could you do this to me? We are through!"

Ashley laughed and Seth smiled. "No silly, my best friend back in California. You know my best friend is Kim." Ash teased.

Seth knocked her shoulder with hers.

"Ugh. No. I can't stand the constant lip locking with her and Jared. That is why you are my best friend." Ash smiled at Seth.

"Good to know." Seth smiled. "So who was your best friend in San Francisco? I never asked you about that."

"I'm surprised, I thought we covered everything. Well, his name is Elliot." Seth's eyebrow rose slightly. "Don't worry, he is gay," Ash added. "We had been best friends since we were kids. I still remember the first day of kindergarten when we met. My dad was dropping me off and-"

"Seth?" Leah called him from the staircase, interrupting Ashley's story.

"Down here!" he called back.

Leah walked down the stairs and up to Seth.

"Mom is looking for you," Leah said, ruffling Seth's hair "and her," Leah continued, jabbing a thumb in Ashley's direction.

"Okay, thanks Leah. We will be right up."

Leah retreated back up the stairs quickly. Seth turned back to Ashley, who had already gotten up and was grabbing her cell from the table beside her. Seth extended an arm towards her. She rolled her eyes, but still took his hand, pulling him up. He jumped up with a bounce, and a smile. The two of them headed towards the stairs.

"Why does she hate me so much?" Ashley was remembering the first time she met Leah.

It was the first time she had come with her mom to the Clearwaters'. Ashley was being introduced to everyone by her mom. Sue was standing with Harry, his arm around her. She shook hands with Harry's free hand, and smiled at Sue and said a small hello. Her mom also "introduced" her to Seth. Ashley hadn't told her mom that she and Seth were friends so the entire exchange was quite funny. Ash and Seth were humoring their parents during the greeting, but were trying not to burst out laughing. Both of them were very formal about it, but were giving each other looks. They could understand what each other was thinking just from the looks they gave each other.

Then Ashley turned towards Leah to meet her. Leah looked very upset about it. It seemed like she was forced to welcome Ashley and was not happy about it. She was glaring at Seth and Ashley during their greeting and continued to send icy looks at Ashley.

"And this, is Leah." Terry continued, ignoring or oblivious to Leah's glares.

"Nice to meet you," Ashley said in a small voice, instantly feeling self-conscious. She didn't like having people not like her, and Leah did not look like she liked her.

"Uh huh, am I done here?" Leah had her arms crossed tightly across her chest.

"Yes, you can go Leah." Harry excused her.

Since then, Leah did her best to avoid Ashley. Ashley always felt a little awkward around Leah and she never understood why she hated her so much, even before they had met.

"Don't take it personally. She is like that with everyone. Well, everyone except me. I never really understood why she never got bitter towards me, but I'm glad she didn't."

"Was she always like this?"

"No, she wasn't." Seth was reluctant to expand. They were at the top of the stairs now anyways so he couldn't even if he wanted to.

He walked with her to the front hall when she got her coat and shoes out of the closet. She put them on while her mom was in the living room, saying goodbye to Harry and Sue. Seth helped her into her coat and grabbed his coat off the hook before grabbing her wrist and towing her outside.

Just as Seth closed the door behind him, their parents were entering the front hall.

"So, do you have any plans for tomorrow?" Seth asked her, his words coming out with puffs of steam.

"Nope, I don't think so. Why? Do you want to hang out again?"

"No, I'm just wondering." Seth smiled.

"Okay?" Ashley agreed with a questioning tone and look on her face.

Seth's smile grew bigger. Just then, the door opened and Terry, Sue, and Harry joined them on the porch.

"There you are. I guess we should get going. Come on Ashley." Terry turned back to Sue to thank her for having them over.

Ashley turned back to Seth and went on her toes to hug him. He returned the hug and whispered in her ear. "Keep your phone on you tonight, you have to finish your story."

Again, Ashley was confused, but she didn't have the chance to question him before he pulled away. She shrugged mentally and guessed he just wanted her to text him or call him later.

She and Terry waved and thanked the Clearwaters' again before getting into their car and driving home.

Later that night, Ashley was in her sweat pants, sitting up in bed reading, with Rosie at her feet when she got a text from Seth. He was asking her if she was awake. She responded with yes, but after that he didn't text back. After ten minutes or so, Ashley figured he had fallen asleep himself.

Suddenly, Rosie's head snapped up and Ashley heard a small thud. A few seconds later she heard it again. She realized the sound was coming from her window, and slowly, she put down her book and got out of bed. She approached the window cautiously. Ashley pulled back the curtains and jumped a foot in the air.

Just as she was pulling back the curtain, a small rock had come flying towards her window and it hit is right in front of her face. She slowed down her breathing and pulled the curtain back again. Below her, she saw a dark outline. She was scarred for a second before the shadow pulled out a cell phone and the light from it illuminate its face. It was Seth.

Her phone buzzed from behind her. She went over to the side table and picked it up. There was a text from Seth.

Come outside

Ashley smiled, grabbed her phone and sweater and went downstairs. Her mom was already asleep. Although she doubted it would be necessary, Ashley left her a note, just in case she woke up. Ash tiptoed downstairs, grabbed her coat off the hook, and her key from the table. Quietly she unlocked the door and inched it open. She squeezed through the door and slowly closed it again. She locked the door again and spun around. Seth was right behind her and caught her as she stumbled.

For a second, they stood there, frozen, looking into each other's eyes, his arms around her. Ashley broke away first, slightly embarrassed. She wasn't quite sure what to make of that exchange. There was a part of her that she had pushed away so long ago, those feelings she had towards Seth. In that moment, they started to creep out of the corner of her brain where she had pushed them.

Ashley shook her head, pushing the feelings back again. Seth didn't seem to notice so Ashley acted as if nothing happened. She noticed that Seth had dropped something when he caught her. His backpack.

"What's in there?"

Seth shrugged. "Nothing special. Just some blankets in case we get cold."

"And where, exactly, are we going?"

"I don't know yet. Come on." He took her wrist and pulled her behind him. Once they got to the street, he released his hold on her. He walked over to the middle of the road and started walking down the centre line.

"What are you doing?" Ashley called from the sidewalk, laughing.

"Walking down the street."

"Really? I hadn't noticed," Ashley responded sarcastically. "What I meant was why are you walking in the middle of the road?"

"Because it is fun. Come on, there aren't going to be any cars out at this time." He waved her over. Ashley smiled and crossed the street to walk next to him.

"Have we decided where we are going yet?"

"Nope, but I do want you to finish that story you were telling me, about meeting Elliot."

"Okay, but on one condition. You have to tell me Leah's story first."

Seth sighed, Ashley knew he didn't want to talk about his sister behind her back, but Ashley wanted to understand, and she knew Leah wouldn't explain it to her herself.

"Fine, but only because it will help you understand that she isn't against you.

"It all started a while ago, long before you came here. Sam Uley and Leah had been dating since she was a freshman, he was a senior. Somehow they made it work. They really loved each other. At one point, Sam had disappeared for two weeks. No one knew where he was. Our entire family was searching for him and Leah was a wreck. She was worried he was in an accident in the forest or something. I did my best to comfort her, but nothing anyone did made her feel better. I heard her cry herself to sleep every night. More than once I went into her room and laid down next to her. I would stay there until she or I fell asleep, just to make sure she knew she wasn't alone.

"After two weeks though, he came back. I had never seen Leah so happy. But after a few weeks their relationship started having some strain.

"It was as though Sam had come back a different person. He didn't tell anyone, including Leah, where he had been. He started keeping more secrets from her and he would suddenly rush out, with no explanation. Although it was hard on both of them, again they made it work. That is, until Emily, our second cousin, came down from the Makha tribe for a visit. Leah was ecstatic. She and Emily were like sisters, she couldn't wait to introduce her to Sam.

"When Emily did meet Sam though, something changed. I remember when it happened. Sam was over at our house with Leah when Emily arrived. When Emily and Sam made eye contact, something, I don't know what, altered.

"After that, Sam and Emily became inseparable. He broke up with Leah to be with Emily, and Emily let it happen. Leah was distraught. She felt betrayed by Emily, and heartbroken by Sam. Two of the people she was closest with in her life betrayed her. Leah changed quite a bit after that.

"She became tough, almost unfeeling. She was angry at almost everyone, especially Emily. Leah wouldn't speak to her for weeks, no matter how hard Emily tried. I seemed to be the only person she wasn't bitter towards. Even now, she is bitter towards anyone she meets. She wears her toughness like a shield and she doesn't let her guard down often."

Ashley was speechless. She never knew Leah had been through so much heartache. She had so many emotions running through her at this point. Pity and anger were the strongest. Ashley stopped walking and turned on Seth.

Until that point, they had continued walking down the street. Seth was right, there weren't any cars. It took Ashley a second to realize where they were. She was so absorbed in the story that she wasn't paying attention to their direction of travel. They were nearing the closed convenience store that was owned by Embry's mom.

"And Emily didn't do anything? They were like sisters! I know Daphne would never do something like that to me without an explanation at the very least!" Ashley demanded. She was angry at Emily for hurting Leah like this.

"I know, it looks bad on Emily's part but I don't blame her," Seth responded calmly. He turned around and started walking again. Ashley had to run for a second to catch up with him. "And I don't blame Sam either. I think they both had their reasons, and both Sam and Emily felt incredibly guilty about it. I know they blame themselves for hurting her, but they couldn't help it, they love each other too much.

"I also think that is why she doesn't like you so much. She is worried I will get hurt the same way she was."

"Seth, I would never-"

He cut her off before she could finish. "I know you wouldn't. Not on purpose at least. Sam and Emily didn't do it just to hurt Leah. They fell in love and I am actually glad Sam left Leah."

Ashley was dumbfounded. "How could you-"

He cut her off again. "I know, I'm not happy she was hurt, but I am glad Sam cut it off. I think it would have hurt her more if Sam was in love with Emily but stayed with Leah. He would never be able to fully be with Leah. He might have even cheated on her. I know Leah is bitter about the whole thing but I think she will realize it someday."

"Wow, you really are amazing. I can't believe Leah actually went through all that. It must be terrible for her, seeing Sam and Emily together."

"Yeah, it is, but she is putting on a brave face, Emily asked her to be a bridesmaid at her and Sam's wedding."

Again, Ashley was speechless. Seth looked down at her, and saw her mouth open in an "o".

"I know, it sounds like Emily is a terrible person doesn't it? I swear she isn't though. She is trying to heal the conflict between her and Leah the best she can. I mean, do you think it would have been better if Emily didn't even invite her to the wedding? Not involve her at all?"

"Yeah, I guess you're right. But still, I can't even begin to imagine how Leah must be feeling."

"Right now she is torn over the entire thing. She's torn between hating them for betraying her and hurting her so much, and being happy that the people she loves are happy."

Ashley shook her head, she never knew Leah had been through so much heartache. This changed her entire view of Leah.

Ashley and Seth walked for a few minutes in silence. Seth was letting the story sink in, and allowing Ashley time to think to herself. Ashley was shaken from her thoughts when Seth suddenly stopped. She looked around her and realized they were outside her house again.

"You should really get some sleep. You look exhausted."

"But I'm not tired." Ashley said, yawning afterwards.

"Yes, you are. Go to sleep. We can hang out again tomorrow -" Seth looked at his watch. "Or later today actually."

"Really? What time is it?"

"1:30 in the morning, we have been out for over an hour."

"Wow, it doesn't feel like it."

"I know, same here. You know what, you get some sleep and text me when you wake up. Then tomorrow we can go to the beach or something. Remember, you didn't get the chance to tell me about meeting Elliot."

"Oh, yeah. I can tell you now if you want."

"No, I don't want you falling asleep half-way through the story." Seth was only half teasing.

"Okay, fine. I will text you tomorrow. Goodnight." Ashley hugged him tightly then went to unlock her front door. "Are you sure you will be alright walking home by yourself?"

"As I said, not really any people out."

"That's what worries me, we live in a forest with any number of dangerous creatures."

He rolled his eyes. "Don't worry, I will be fine."

"Okay, if you say so, but text me when you get home, so I know you are safe. And text me the word-" Ashley went on her toes to whisper in his ear. "Stars." She went back down to her normal height. "just so that I'm sure it is you." Ashley smiled up at him.

Seth sighed but smiled. "You're overreacting."

"Fine, humor me then."

"Fine, I will text you when I get home. Goodnight Ashley, see you tomorrow." Seth took a step forward and wrapped his arms around her.

Ashley smiled into his chest and breathed in his familiar, comforting scent. "Thank you, goodnight."

They held onto each other a little longer than necessary, neither one wanting to be the first to let go. Eventually she did let go though, and turned around to go into her house. "See you tomorrow."

"See ya'." He smiled and waved as he walked down the steps of her porch, to the sidewalk, and into the night.

Ashley closed her front door behind her and leaned up against it. She sighed and slid down the door until she was sitting on the ground, back against the door. She didn't realize how exhausted she was. It was weird, she usually forgot a lot of things when she was with Seth.

Ashley was about to fall asleep when she felt something wet on her face and she sat up with a start. Standing eye-to-eye with her was Rosie with her tongue sticking out.

"Alright, alright, I'm getting up," she muttered to the dog as she found the energy to stand up and take her coat off. She hung it up on the hanger, right where it was before she left. She put her shoes back in the same spot, along with the spare key after checking that the door was locked. The front hall looked untouched.

When Ashley got to the top of the stairs, her phone vibrated from her pocket.

Stars. I'm home now so you don't have to worry :) is your mom still asleep?

Ashley smiled at the text and relaxed. She didn't even realize she was tense, but she was happy Seth was home safely and that he had remembered

Thank you :) and I actually don't know. she probably is, she wasn't here when I got in but I will go check anyways.

Ashley tiptoed down the hall to the master bedroom. She carefully inched open the door and peeked in. Her mom's chest was rising and falling steadily. She was still fast asleep. She texted Seth back.

Nope, she is still sleeping. How about your parents? And Leah?

Both my parents are still sleeping. I think Leah might have heard me come in but she wouldn't tell Mom or Dad

Good because if she does your mom will tell my mom and we'll both be screwed :P

Don't worry about it, Leah owes me. She used to sneak out with Sam all the time and I never told.

Ashley started to respond but a yawn stopped her.

Ok, well I'm going to sleep because I'm exhausted. Text me tomorrow :)

Goodnight Ashley :)

Ashley dragged her feet to her room where Rosie was lying down on her bed already. She flopped down on her bed and had just enough energy to reach up and turn off her light before falling into a deep sleep.