"Wow," I said breathlessly. Seth and I were on the cliffs overlooking the beach. The view was amazing. The sun was high in the sky, making everything glow. The water was so clear. Cleaner than the ocean back in Rhode Island. "You should see it at sunset," Seth stated. "That must be beautiful. The sky will be filled with colors and the water will be calm. I love how dark the sun gets. It's the coolest shade of orange," I said, walking closer to the edge. "I take it you watch the sun set a lot," Seth laughed. "It's the one thing that stays the same," I said seriously.

I took another step closer to the edge. I felt my stomach twist into a knot. We were so high up. I closed my eyes. Just breathe. I thought to myself. My dad would always say that to me and my brother when we were scared. It would help us stay calm and under control. "Do you want to go," Seth asked gently. I opened my eyes and turned around. "Sure," I answered, stepping away from the edge. The knot in my stomach faded with every step away from the cliffs.

I followed Seth down to the beach. Without his knowledge, I sunk into the sand and watched the ocean. The waves were calm. They seemed to glide over and around each other. I laid down in the sand and closed my eyes. I'll just take a quick nap.

"AOOOOOOOOH." I jumped awake. I was still on the beach and the sun was still up. "AOOOOOOH," a wolf howled. I took a deep breath. Wolves don't go to the beach, I repeated over and over in my head. I sat up in the sand and rocked a little. People are going to think I'm crazy. Then again, maybe I am crazy. "AOOOOH." I took another deep breath. Just breathe, Charlotte, just breathe.

"CHARLOTTE," my mom screamed, rushing towards me. I stood and ran to her. "What," I asked, realizing she was crying. "The wolves, don't you hear them," she asked, her eyes going wild. "Mom calm down," I said, pulling her into a hug. A chorus of howls sounded in the distance. Shut up you stupid dogs, my mind screamed. "We have to go. We have to go," my mom repeated hysterically. "Just get your stuff and go back to the car," I instructed. My mom nodded her head. I let go of her. "Go home without me," I said in a hushed tone. "But-""Bella's friend will take us home. Go," I ordered. "Be home by ten," she said with little authority. "I will," I confirmed.

My mom slowly made her way to her car. I hope that after all this she at least got a few good shots in. I have feeling she won't be coming back to La Push, ever. I pulled my old cell phone out of my bag and dialed Bella. She picked up on the second ring, "Hello?" "Hey, uh, I'm sorta…," I looked around at the deserted beach, "lost." "Aren't you with Seth," Bella asked. "I kinda ditched-""Charlotte!" I turned around. Seth was running towards me. "Never mind, Bella, he found me," I said into the phone. I snapped it shut, ending the call.

Seth was by my side when I accomplished putting my phone away. "Hey," he said, not even out of breath. "How are you not gasping for air right now," I asked absentmindedly. "I'm in really good shape," he answered, flexing his arms. I laughed and rolled my eyes. "Oh, by the way," Seth attack my sides. He was tickling me like crazy and I couldn't stop laughing. I happen to suffer from being super ticklish. "S-S-Seth s-s-stop," I choked out. He stopped immediately to my surprise. Then just like that, he started all over again. "Seth…..ugh," I laughed and laughed and laughed. He stopped torturing me after a couple of minutes.

"That's what you get for scaring me," Seth mock scolded. I raised an eyebrow at him. "What," I asked breathlessly. "I thought I lost you," he said, worry burning in his eyes. "Sorry," I caught my breath, "I just like to be alone sometimes." He arched an eyebrow at me, "Why?" I bit my lip. "Save that question for another day," I advised. Seth seemed taken aback by my answer but he accepted it none the less. I grabbed my bag from the ground. I guess it fell off during Seth's tickle attack. I slung it over my shoulder. I was all set to leave but Seth plopped down in the sand. He was staring at the ocean.

I dropped my backpack and sat next to him. Even with my eyes glued to the water, I still noticed Seth inching closer and closer. We were sitting side by side. I could feel his burning flesh against mine. I heard him yawn. My eyes were stuck on the ocean. I felt his warm arm wrap around my shoulders. I felt my face heat up.

"Seth," Jake yelled. My head snapped in the demon's direction. The idiot probably didn't see me. Seth's kind of HUGE. Jake jogged towards us. He glared at me when he noticed my presence. "What the hell, Jake," Seth exclaimed with annoyance. "What," Jake spat. "Stop glaring at her," Seth growled, getting to his feet. Jake ignored Seth's request. "Sam needs to talk to you but I can see that you're busy," Jake sneered. Then he stalked off into the woods. Seth joined me on the ground once IT was out view.

"Sorry about that," Seth said, looking out at the ocean. "Why are you sorry," I asked, playing with the sand. I peered up at Seth. He was staring at me. He seemed confused. "I don't really know," he said finally. My lips held a small smile. I started writing random words in the sand. "Do you have to go," I asked, my heart sinking. Seth wrapped his arm around my shoulders and smiled down at me. "Nah, Sam can wait," he stated. I had to look away from him. I could feel my cheeks burning up. Damn, this boy. I've known him for a couple of hours and now I'm all "Romeo, Romeo, where art thou Romeo?" It's disgusting and there's no point to it. I mean there's no point of me crushing on him. I'm just going to have to pack up and leave him.

I reluctantly shrugged Seth's arm off my shoulders. He looked disappointed. I bit my lip and looked out at the ocean. "You should probably go talk to Sam," I suggested to Seth. He sighed and got to his feet. "I'll take you back to Emily's first," he said, lending a hand to help me up. I ignored his gesture and stood by myself. I slung my backpack over my shoulder. I saw hurt flash through his eyes. I tucked my unruly brown hair behind my ear. "I'll have Jake do it. You go," I said, plastering a fake smile on my face.

Without an answer, I started walking into the woods. It only took about five minutes for me to get lost. Why did every stinking tree look the same? I should just turn around and go back to the beach. I spun in a circle. Which way is the beach? "Ugh," I gave up and plopped on the ground. I pulled my laptop out of my backpack and turn it on. It didn't take that long to boot up and I was thankful. I opened up Microsoft Word and started typing. "….They sat on First Beach in silence. Stealing secrets glances at each other. Neither knew of the other's feelings. The way they made each other's hearts skip a beat was unknown to them…."

"Your words hold truth," an angelic voice asked from behind me. I pressed the save button and turned my laptop off. I got to my feet and turned around slowly. A man with snow white skin and shaggy brown hair stood before me. His eyes were a deep red. "Maybe," I replied to the stranger. He smirked at me and took a step closer. "I shall take that as a yes," he stated. "Fine, just….oh, whatever," I groaned. The man seemed amused. "I feel the need to make your acquaintance. My name is Lysander, and you are," he asked with burning curiosity. "Charlotte. Lysander, why do you-" he gently held my hand and placed a cold kiss on it.

His touch was like ice and his hand felt like stone. "You're freezing," I blurted, a shiver going down my spine. "I am sorry if my touch harms you. I cannot help it," he said with sorrow in his eyes.

"It-it's okay," I stuttered, brushing his hair from his face. I heard a growl from behind me. My heart skipped a beat. Lysander looked scared, too. "I take it you are not fond of the wolves," he whispered in my ear. "I hate them," I confirmed. I heard a whimper from behind the bushes. "Do you know how to get out of here," I asked Lysander. He nodded his head. I took a couple steps back. I put my laptop back into my bag. I was zipping my backpack when a large russet wolf attacked Lysander. Then a wolf with sandy fur attacked him, too.

My body went rigid. I wanted to help but I couldn't move. I was frozen to the core. A gray wolf sauntered out of the bushes and nudged me with its nose. I fell backwards on my butt. I tried to get away from it. A black wolf stood at my other side. I was trapped between the two. They were both barring their teeth and growling. Not at me but at Lysander. I brought my knees up to my chest and put my head in my hands. "Please go away and stop hurting him. Please," I begged, tears streaming down my face.

All I could think about was my dad and brother. They didn't have wakes because their bodies were too gruesome. My brother had lost his legs and an arm. My dad had lost more. Was that the only thing going to be left of Lysander? Just his torso and maybe his head? What would they do to me when they were done with him? Swallow me whole?

I felt a wet nose nudge my shoulder. "Go away," I screamed. The wolf whimpered. I went to look up at the gray wolf but it wasn't there. The one with the sandy fur was there instead. It was sitting on its haunches, staring at me. "Please go," I cried. The wolf….frowned. "Are y-you frowning," I asked the wolf. It nodded its head. I did a double take and shook my head. "Go away, please, just go away," I begged, hiding my face with my hands. The wolf whimpered again.

I heard an unnatural snap from behind me. A pair of blistering arms picked me up bridal style. I looked up to see a crestfallen Seth. "Seth," I croaked. "Yeah," he said, staring straight ahead. "Where-""Back to Sam's," he answered curtly. I closed my eyes and nuzzled into his chest. I fell asleep to the sound of his heartbeat.