Hey all! Edit from last chapter: It's Edward Cullen, not Edward Masen. Sorry about that. Also, in case you're confused, here are some ages-

Bella and Alice are 16

Jasper and Rosalie are 17 (twins)

Edward and Jacob are 18

Emmett is 20

We meet Alice this chapter. Soon we'll meet Carlisle and Esme and big brother Emmett. Jasper, too. I hope you guys enjoy this one! Team Edward fans, stick with me! Jacob is getting a lot of attention right now, but don't worry, Edward will get his shot soon enough! Read on.

Chapter Three:

I couldn't see where I was going; my tears were blinding and I kept seeing Edward's shocked face behind my eyelids every time I blinked. Jacob's voice rang in my ears. I'm not falling in love with you. He's not into you. Ugh! I couldn't help but think the two boys were attractive. Anyone could tell that they were gorgeous. That was no cause for Jake to embarrass me like that, was it?

After a while, my legs gave out and I crumbled, somewhere in the middle of the forest. Forks had two things consistently- woods and rain. I curled up against a tree, letting the sobs completely overtake me.

"I'm sorry about that," someone whispered. I glanced up in shock and saw a small girl squatting in front of me. She looked about my age and had short jet black hair that stuck out in all directions. Her makeup was light and flawless, accentuating her petite, almost pixie-like features. She was impeccably dressed in simple yet obviously designer clothes and I was instantly puzzled as to why someone like her was talking to someone like me.

"I-I…what?" She smiled at my jumbled response.

"I said, I'm sorry. My brother really is a nice guy, I think Edward was just surprised." Of course, they would be related.

"Oh," I muttered. "I'm not really upset about him. It makes sense that he wouldn't like me. He was probably just shocked that I would even consider trying to go after him."

"Bella," the girl scolded, crossing her arms. "Don't talk like that. You're a beautiful girl, and you deserve a great guy."

"Wow…um…thank you, I guess. I appreciate it…?" I paused, realizing she hadn't told me her name.

"Alice. Alice Cullen." She smiled, holding her hand out. I shook it.

"I'm Isabella Swan, but I go by Bella," I grinned, too. "But you already knew that." We both stood up and I brushed off the back of my shorts and my shirt before following her back to the edge of the woods. It was a good thing she had come along-I probably wouldn't have been able to find my way back by myself.

"And another thing? I think there's someone who wants to speak with you." She nodded towards the parking lot where Jacob was standing by his truck, looking mighty distressed and mighty fine. I wanted to smack my inner girl. You're supposed to be mad at him, Bella, remember? I sighed and thanked Alice for coming to find me and we exchanged cell numbers so that we could get together soon. It'd be nice to have a girl friend here. Then, I meandered slowly over to where Jacob stood, looking anywhere but his eyes. I stopped a good two feet in front of him, feeling the awkwardness radiate between us.

"I am…so sorry, Bella." He said gently. I could feel the remorse in his voice, and I already could tell that I would never be able to stay mad at this boy for long. "I don't know what got into me. It's just…you're so damn beautiful and I hated how you were talking about Cullen and-,"

I had to laugh at his ramblings and that shut him up. "You know, Jake, it's kind of sounding like you…like me." I was trying not to get my hopes up about anything, but I was calling it as I saw it. I tried not to notice as his cheeks tinted the slightest red color.

"Just get in the car, Bella," he smiled, opening the door for me.

"What?" I asked as he got in on the driver's side and started the ignition. I stared at him quizzically as he pulled out of the parking lot. "The day isn't even half over yet." Jacob shrugged.

"I didn't really have to come to school today. All of our grades are already turned in, I just thought it would be nice for you to meet some other people. But," he said, looking at me with laughter in his eyes, "I think you've had enough school for today." Now that the whole thing was past us, it was a little funny-though still horrendously mortifying.

Jake and I spent the rest of the day hanging out around the house. I got to formally meet Billy Black and thank him for letting me move in, and later I cooked for them and found out how long it had been since they had had a good, home cooked meal in their house.

"Alright, here's the deal." I said, turning to face them where they sat at the dining table while I finished up the dishes. "Since you're letting me stay here for free and all, I do all the cooking and grocery shopping. Sound good?"

"Sounds fabulous!" Jake mumbled around his mouthful of food. He had to be on at least his tenth helping.

"Hey, Jacob, did you tell Bella about the bonfire?" Billy asked, patting his belly.

"Bonfire?" I replied over my shoulder as I dried the rest of the plates.

"Yeah," Jake swallowed. "Every month we have a bonfire to celebrate things going on in our lives and to revisit stories of our ancestors. It's tonight, since we all finished school today. It's the first bonfire of the summer!"

"Wow, sounds like fun!" I replied. Parties were never my thing, but for some reason, a big fire at the beach with the kind-hearted Quileutes sounded like a relaxing end to a craptastic day.

"They definitely are. You'll go with me right?" Jake was suddenly on his feet, grasping my hand in his, and looking excited at the prospect. Was he asking me to be his date to the bonfire? I didn't want to read too much into it, so I simply said,

"Of course. I'd love to."

_*()_*()

Shit. Shit shitty shit shit. I had nothing good to wear. I wanted to look hot, but not slutty, and what's a girl even supposed to wear to one of these shindigs anyway?

"Bells, I'm sure you look great, come on!" Jake called through the door. Yeah, sure. I thought. At the moment, I was clad in only my navy blue bikini. With a sigh, I pulled on a pair of dark shorts-they also happened to be my shortest pair of shorts-and a gold senquined tank top. I finished it off with a matching gold barrette in my hair. For good measure, I smudged on a bit of black eyeliner. There. I smiled at myself in the mirror. That looked smoking enough, right? Right. I took a deep breath and headed outside where Jacob was waiting on the porch. He leaned against the railing, facing the bonfire we could already see lighting up the beach. I took the opportunity to drink him in. He was shirtless again, and wore nothing but navy blue swim trunks with a white stripe down each side. I took in his muscular back that flexed with every move of his arms. How could someone be so perfect? I heard a chuckle and Jake peered over his shoulder at me.

"Enjoying the view, Bells?" He smirked and I blushed for the umpteenth time since I met him. I blushed even more as I watched him check me out, starting from my legs and working his way up. He frowned when he saw my face.

"Are you wearing make up?" He asked, stepping closer to me. I nodded and shrugged.

"A little eyeliner, why?" He scoffed.

"You don't need this, Isabella," He whispered, running his thumb gently under each of my eyes, effectively removing the only make up I wore. He smiled. "Much better." He took my hand and led me off the porch towards the beach where we could hear music and laughter. The Quileutes sat in a large circle around the flames, and I recognized Jake's friends that I had met earlier on the side closest to us.

"Hey, Jake!" "Hi, Bella!" They all shouted their greetings and I looked down sheepishly.

"Hi, guys. I'm sorry about earlier." I mumbled, referring to making myself look like an idiot on my first day. Luckily they all just laughed off my apology and some even stood up to hug me and apologize for Jake being such an ass. I was really starting to like it here.

"Bella, come here, there's someone else I'd like you to meet," Jake whispered in my ear. He pulled me around to the other side of the fire. There, a man who looked a little older than Jacob and the others sat, staring lovingly at a beautiful young woman-beautiful except for three long scars that ran down the length of one side of her face. "Don't stare," Jacob muttered, then louder, "Sam. Emily. This is Bella Swan." Sam raised his eyebrow at the way Jacob had his arm around my waist, but said nothing about it.

"It's good to meet you, Bella," Emily said, standing to hug me. "I'm glad Jacob has you." Has me? I heard him cough noisily beside me and I giggled. He launched into a conversation with Emily about babies and such, and meanwhile I scoped everyone out. Surprisingly, at least half of the young Quileute boys were staring at me with looks of expectation and wonder, especially Sam. I shuddered under their heavy gazes. Feeling me shiver, Jake rubbed his hand up and down my arm. His almost unnatural warmth felt nice.

"Are you cold, honey?" he asked me softly. I shook my head. Honey? "Good. Wanna swim then?" I looked up and saw his impish grin. How could I say no to that face?

"Sure, Jake." We walked hand in hand to the waterline. He respectfully turned the other way while I shed my shorts and tank top. When he faced me again, his intake of breath was loud. I think my whole body turned tomato red as he again checked me out, this time slower. I shifted uncomfortably under his gaze and sat down on the sand, the waves gently splashing my feet and legs. "Can I ask you something?" I asked when he slid his arm around me, this time letting it fall a little lower around my hips.

"Anything," He rested his chin on my head.

"Why are you doing this?" I nodded towards his arm. "And why do you talk to me the way you do?" I hoped he would understand what I meant. He laughed.

"You mean treating you like my girlfriend?" His girlfriend? I liked the sound of that. But, the sensible side of me reasoned, I had known Jacob Back for less than two days. Even if he really wanted to date me…I didn't know if I was ready for that. I nodded in answer to his question. "I don't know, Bells." He pulled me in tighter, up against his chest. "It just feels natural." Natural? He had that right. We sat in silence for a while, listening to the waves crashing on the shore. It was then that I remembered something.

"Jacob, when you were talking to Emily earlier…Sam was looking at me funny. In fact, a lot of the boys were." I shuddered again, remembering how odd it had made me feel.

"Bella, maybe you haven't seen yourself, but I'd assume it's because you look stunning as hell tonight." His response would have made sense, but I could easily tell the difference between checking someone out and…whatever it was those boys were doing. And plus, it took Jacob a hair too long to answer. I was not convinced.

"Jake," I said slowly, looking him over. "There's something you aren't telling me." He sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

"Fine…I just…ugh. Bells? You're a…."

A/N: Am I totally horrible for that cliffie? I hope not. But I'm also hoping that we can get to more than fifteen reviews before next chapter? Yeah, the faster we get more reviews, the faster the next chapter comes! I hope it comes soon, because I'm really excited about chapter five! And next chapter = vampires. See ya soon!