"So…" Embry stood as the sun finished setting. "We're having a bonfire tomorrow. You should come."

I shook my head and packed up my guitar, standing. "You're not bad. Actually, neither are Quil or Seth. But the rest of them…" I yanked my bag on. "No."

"Come on, we're all different. Trust me." There was a wolf howling off in the distance and I sighed. Wolves apparently took over La Push about a month ago. There were howls all throughout the day. "Well I guess I'll get going. See you Monday?"

Sighing, I nodded. "Yeah, sure." He turned and jogged off, and I slowly made my way back home.

Once I got home, I walked inside and shut the door, placing my stuff by it. "I'm back." There was no answer so I made my way into the kitchen. On the fridge was a note.

Your father had another attack. We should be back later tonight or tomorrow morning.

I sighed and placed the note back onto the counter, then moved into my room. This happened more then I would like; my dad's attacks. Actually, they're seizures. No one knows the cause, all we know is that one day they very well may kill him.

There was a knock on the door and I froze in the hall, deciding whether to answer or not. I decided not to, but then they kept knocking. "Piper, it's Jake. Your parents wanted me to come check on you." Translation; you're parents don't want you alone because you might try to off yourself again. I guess I deserve it, but Jake was one of Paul's wingmen. "Piper, open up. I know you're in there."

Great. Sighing, I turned and walked back to the door, opening just wide enough to peek through. "I'm fine. You can go now."

"No, I have to stay here until they come back."

"No." I tried to shut the door but he slammed his hand out to stop me.

"I'm sorry about what happened. But I just want to make sure you're okay."

I gave him a look. "Ironic."

"Come on, just open up."

Grumbling to myself I opened the door and pointed to the couch. "You stay there, I'm going to my room."

"How you've been?" He moved towards the couch but refused to sit.

"Shitty." I grabbed my bag and guitar case. "And it just keeps getting worse."

"Listen, I'm sorry about all that's happened. But I think we should move past that all."

"Why did my parents call you again?"

"They called my dad. They're friends. He sent me." I started towards my room and he followed, like a lost puppy. "Seriously, I'm sorry for what happened. Can't we get past this?"

I opened my door and turned to look at him. "Give me one reason I should believe you've changed."

"Because I'm here. I'm apologizing. I want to make sure you're okay." He looked sincere and I sighed.

"Okay, I believe you." Why was I so damn forgiving? I wanted to be mad, to harbor all of my anger and just keep it boiling, but I couldn't. He apologized, shows that he means it.

And when it boils down to it, Paul was the only one I had a reason to be mad at. And if he tried hard enough, and meant it, I knew I'd eventually forgive him too. Doesn't mean I'd like him, or agree to be around him, but I'd forgive him.

But that would be years away, and I mean, come on. It's Paul. He would never apologize.

"Really?" He gave me a shocked look and I rolled my eyes, placing my guitar and bag in my room and grabbing a random book off my desk, then moving back into the hall.

"I'm not good at keep anger." I shrugged. "But it doesn't mean we're best friends or anything."

"Got it." He gave me a smile. "You're a nice kid, you know that?"

I ran a hand through my hair and flipped it, feeling the silk like strands slip through my fingers. "Don't call me kid. Just because you're a giant doesn't change the fact we're the same age." I tilted my head and we made our way into the living room. I sat in the armchair and he plopped down onto the couch. "You want a book?"

He scrunched his face and laugh. "Me? Read?"

Rolling my eyes I opened the book in my hands, Fahrenheit 451, to a random page. I virtually have it memorized. "Well there's no TV, so…"

"Really?" He tried to hide his shock.

"Nope." I kept my eyes on the book. "Can't afford it."

He paused for a moment. "Wait…what?"

"Nothing." I bit my lower lip. "Just…nothing."

"Emily, we need your help." Sam called as him and Paul walked into their cozy home.

"Hey boys." She turned away from the stove where she was making a meal big enough for however many pack members decided to show up. She was instantly wrapped in Sam's arms where they embraced in a kiss. Paul rolled his eyes and looked away.

"Don't worry about me. Just going crazy." He grumbled when they showed no sign of stopping.

Emily patted Sam's chest and he let her go. She smiled at him before turning her attention to Paul. "What's going on?" She turned and turned the stove off. "Want some food?"

"Yes, smells great." Sam smirked as she piled a plate high with mashed potatoes, rolls, and chicken.

"No thanks Em." Paul sat down in a chair and buried his face in his hands. Emily and Sam exchanged looks. Paul never turned down off.

Emily passed Sam his plate and moved over to Paul, gently rubbing his back. Paul had a hard life, and Emily was someone who commonly helped him with his problems. "Paul, what's wrong?"

"I imprinted."

The unscarred side of Emily's face rose in a smile and she wrapped her arms around him. "Paul, that's great!"

"No, it's not." He grumbled in his hands.

She pulled back and looked between Sam and him. "Why not?"

"It's Piper." Sam muttered.

"So?" Emily scrunched her face in confusion, the gears clicking away. Then she started to put it together. "That girl…that tried to kill herself?" Paul made an odd sound, a mix of a growl and a whimper.

"Yes." He whispered.

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"Em…" Paul turned his head, gray eyes filled with sorrow as he met her brown ones. "I'm the one who bullied her…who…" He choked on his words and couldn't get them out.

"What?" Emily was filled with anger, an emotion that was rarely seen in the girl. "What did you do to that girl?"

"Em…" Sam stood and moved towards her. "He knows what he did was wrong. But now she's his imprint." His words were soft and soothing, but had little effect on the angered woman.

"Do you know what you did to that girl? And now you're going to put her through this?" She threw her hands up. "It's not easy being a wolf girl, Paul."

He turned to look at her once more. "Emily…I love her. And she can't even stand to be in the same room as me. And I don't know what to do."

She sighed and wrapped him in a hug. "I know Paul…she'll come around. It might just take a while."

"Emily…"

"We'll all help." She held him at arm length. "Once she sees the real you, she'll fall in love. We'll help, got that?"

Paul nodded and she hugged him once more.