Disclaimer: Twilight belongs to SM. If you don't believe me – well that's your problem.

NPOV

"Nessie, we need to talk." Oh god, not this again! Auntie Alice has been trying to get me to talk since we arrived. Didn't she just get that I wanted to be left alone. I was still cross with Mom and Dad for making me do this. It was not that I minded living with my aunt and uncle, if the situation was different it may even be fun, but I hated the fact I wasn't given a choice in the matter.

"Not now, Auntie" I said, getting up to leave

"Renessme, enough." she said firmly. I paused "we are going to talk."

"I'm not ready." I said, using the only excuse I could think of. I was not about to be backed into a corner. She hesitated and I made a split second decision I knew I would later regret.

I turned and ran out of the house. I mean they weren't my parents, what right did they have to keep me there?

I kept running and entered the forest at the back of the house. I was sure they'd follow me and although I couldn't outrun them if they used their full speed it didn't mean I wouldn't try.

It took me about five minutes to realise I should have been caught by now. I slowed down. They weren't following me?

Well if they weren't chasing me I may as well stop. I sat down on a nearby log to think. I knew I would have to go back, and Aunt Alice would be soooo mad (Uncle Jaz too but for some reason that didn't bother me as much). I hated making my Aunt angry – she was naturally such a happy person.

I sighed. After a while I heard someone approaching. I looked up expecting it to be my aunt and was surprised to see a large, tanned man in front of me.

"Jacob!" I squealed. I had not seen him since we left the rest of the family last week – he'd stayed behind to, as he put it 'give me time' – I was sure Mom had pressured him into it.

I leapt up to throw myself into his arms. He kissed me before pulling back to examine my face. His face furrowed in concern as he looked.

"What's wrong?" he said at last.

"Didn't you talk to Auntie yet?" I asked

"No, I arrived from the North, through the forest. I was on my way to the house when I caught your scent."

I nodded and explained what had happened. He sat down on the log and pulled me onto his lap, holding me to him as I spoke.

"I just don't know what's going on with me." I confessed "I mean it's not like she's Mom – I can normally talk to Auntie Alice about anything, but since we've arrived I can't even seem to consider opening up to her."

"Do you blame her?" he asked gently, I paused, considering – I had never thought about it.

"Yes" I disclosed in a low whisper, hating myself for even thinking it "I know she suggested this arrangement – Mom and Dad would never have asked her first." I explained.

"Is it such a terrible arrangement?"

I nodded.

"Why?" he seemed as though he already knew the answer but wanted me to discover them for myself.

"You and I." I said, picking the most obvious

"If you were still with your parents we wouldn't be allowed within a mile of each other, here we can see each other as often as we want."

I had to admit he had a point, I move to my next reason.

"We're so far away from everyone."

"You have your aunt and uncle, and me." he reminded me

"Mom, and Dad" I argued

"Come now Nessie," he said gently "you were saying a few weeks ago how you needed time away from them and they'll come and visit, you can visit them if you want."

He was right of course – I did want time away.

"Fine." I snapped, finally giving in and admitting "It's being with Auntie Alice. I hate the thought that if I get into trouble she will be the disappointed face I have to see, she'll be the one who has to deal with it. With Mom and Dad, I don't like disappointing them either but…" I trailed off, not sure how to explain it was just different, I had always been so close to my aunt – closer at times than even to my own mother.

Jacob seemed to understand.

"Have you gotten into trouble yet?" he asked "excluding now, I mean."

I shook my head

"Do you plan on getting into trouble?"

"It just seems inevitable." I explained

"Nonsense!" he admonished "You're starting at a new school; you have no history here, just make an effort to avoid anything that could get you into trouble. Plus, I won't be there, so that has to help."

I looked up surprised; I had always just assumed that Jake would be going to school with me.

"I decided to take the year off." he explained "I'll still be around," he assured me "just not at school."

Maybe he was right – it would be easier to stay out of trouble without him there.

We sat there for a while in companionable silence, finally I sighed "I guess I have to go back soon"

He squeezed me tighter "It'll be okay." he whispered

I sat for a few more minutes before forcing myself to rise and make my way back to the house.

Please R&R!

Stargirl888