:) R&R for more! remember. with each review, you get a new chapter. so, continue reviewing if you want more. :) yes. it's only, like, 4 reviews, but you know what? i could care less. if one person wants to read it, that's worth the effort i put into writing it and getting it up here. :) so, enjoy, please, and continue reviewing. cause it really helps, and it gives you more . . . :D

05. St. John: We Are the Fallen

For a second, I just stared at him in surprised and wonder. Was this about Bella, or was it an explanation of everything else I was confused about? What the fuck is going on?

So, I just followed him into the woods wordlessly. I wasn't sure what this was about, and, honestly, if it wasn't about the confusing topics, I was going to force them out of him anyways. So, he might have something else to say, but in the end, I would get my answers.

I had to.

When he stopped suddenly, somewhere deep in the woods, I put one hand on my hip and cocked it to the side, eyebrows raised in question. "What is it?"

"Mayze," Jake said gently, quietly, as he swiftly turned to face me. His voice was nervous and angry at the same time, yet he was trying to remain calm. And the look on his face was absolutely heartbreaking, because this boy looked terrified, and I didn't understand why. "Stay away from the Cullens."

For a minute, I was at a loss for words, mostly due to confusion. But the surprise at his strange reactions to such a strange request was another silencing factor.

Wait, he knew them? How? Why did I need to stay away? Besides the fact that Edward's bipolar and really strong . . . .

It didn't take me a moment longer to realize Jake knew something I didn't.

I stared suspiciously at him with tight lips and narrowed eyes. "Why?"

"I can't say," he admitted, his face twisting into a look of pain before turning away from me. "And, I'm sorry for that. If I could, I would, but I can't. All I can say is they're dangerous. You don't need to be around them."

I stubbornly crossed my arms. "Jake, I don't like being confused. So, until I get some answers, I'm not staying away. I'll just ask Edward, if he's not giving Bella and me evil looks again tomorrow—"

"What?" Jake interrupted loudly. His tone was angry again—furious, actually. Much worse than last time. "He was what?" Jake suddenly started shaking violently, more violently than I had ever seen an angry person shake. His teeth were grinding and gnarling together, and a vicious snarl seemed to be erupting from his body. "He . . ."

But he didn't say anything else, didn't really get the chance to. He suddenly exploded, right in front of my eyes, and within a second, there was a massive russet colored wolf replacing him.

My mouth fell wide open as I backed up against the tree behind me in pure terror, my own frame shaking now. This was the right reaction to something like this. The way I reacted to Edward wasn't.

"J-Ja-Jake?"

The wolf's eyes were dark brown, almost black, just like Jake's were. They had the same mystifying swirl Jake's did, and there was a sense of comfort as I stared into them. There was no denying it was Jake—not even taking into consideration that I watched him explode into this thing.

I was panting as I stared incredulously at him, my heart pounding leisurely in my chest. His eyes seemed to be widened in horror, and before I could say anything, he took a couple steps back away from me. Then, after gawking at me for a good bit, he turned and ran off deeper into the woods, faster than I had ever known wolves could run.

Then again, he was bigger—bigger than any creature I had ever seen.

Where was he going?

It took a few minutes to regain my cool and appear normal, but, once I did, I decided it would be best to go inside. It took longer than it should have for my legs to turn from the jelly-like mush they currently were to where they were at least hardened jelly-like mush that I could walk with. They wobbled here and there, but I managed to get inside without killing myself, or tripping more than three times.

Which is a record in itself. I can't even normally do that most of the time.

As hard as it was to do, I managed to compose myself and keep a "happy" face on as I opened the front door. "Hey, guys. Sorry. Jake wanted to ask me something."

Charlie smiled warmly at me. "No problem."

Bella didn't turn from the pot. She had to have gotten the wrong idea, because her fingers tightened on the wooden spoon she was stirring whatever she was making for dinner with. She was mad now, maybe even jealous.

I sighed. This wasn't gonna be good—at all.

Billy's eyebrows furrowed. "Where's Jake?"

You have to lie, I told myself firmly, finding my heart aching with the realization that there was no other choice. Deep down, I knew that. If I didn't lie well, Jake's secret would be discovered, and he wouldn't give me answers.

I had to have these answers.

"He had to go do something," I lied, surprisingly smoothly, before forcing a smile at him, a smile for all of them. "He went back home for something. He didn't say what though."

Charlie's eyebrows furrowed in confusion, but he glanced out the window really quickly before looking back at me. "The truck's still here. How did he get there?"

Crap. Another one? I doubt I'll be able to do two in one day . . . .

I swallowed, visibly I might add, and took a silent deep breath. "He, uh, I think one of his friends, Sam picked him up. At least I think that was his name. I mean, you know Jake doesn't like driving unless absolutely necessary, since it's not quite legal."

That was the biggest lie I've ever told. Did he even have a friend name Sam?

I sure hoped so. Sam was a fairly common name. If not, I could find my way out of this lie by saying I don't remember.

That was believable for me.

"Sam Uley?" Charlie asked Billy incredulously, eyes slightly widened. "Since when are those two buds?"

"Have been for about a month now," Billy answered sincerely as he stared at me, eyes calculating my expression and composure. I felt like I was being interrogated, spied on even, even though he wasn't uttering a single word. It was just that gaze. "He's made a few more close friends; brothers, even, this past month."

Holy crap. He did have a friend named Sam.

Score!

I just faked another smile. "Well, I've got homework, so, I'm gonna go do that."

With that, I bolted upstairs to my room, avoiding anyone's looks or questions. I ran as fast and silently as my jelly legs would allow. Shockingly, with jelly legs, I was extremely less klutzy. I managed to run the entire distance to my room without tripping.

Once I shut my door, I let out a deep sigh and ran my fingers through my hair.

Now I was even more confused! I didn't get any of the answers I was looking for! I just got more confused!

Damn you, Jake.

I threw all my books on my bed and sighed deeply before sitting down on the edge of my bed. I started gently massaging my temples to calm myself and then opened my Trig book.

As I read the first homework problem, everything I saw made absolutely no sense, despite the fact I'd taken this before too. I'd used this exact book even, and I'd done this problem perfectly before. I remember it.

I was just too confused. So, since Trig was my only homework, I threw the book across the room and laid back. Maybe, if Jake even came back, he would be able to explain everything, and I'll be able to do it.

Or maybe he won't and I'll fail my homework.

But, I just clung to the thought that he would as my head started asking—well, more like demanding—for answers to all the unanswered questions floating around in there. And believe me, at this point, there were a lot.

When I heard someone knock on the door downstairs a few hours later, I jumped up in surprise. I must've fallen asleep . . . .

I raced down the stairs, hoping, praying it was Jake, so I could get some answers and do my homework. Then, when I got them, I would talk to Edward about it tomorrow at school and confront him about whatever.

But, Jake was just smiling brightly, unaffected by the fact that he turned into a wolf right in front of me. He seemed normal and undisturbed, except when he looked at me. I could see the lie in his eyes as he put on his own happy mask.

So, after Billy and Jake left, I had to force myself to do my homework. It was just seven problems, but those seven problems took five hours. I had to read over every one about seventy times, probably no exaggeration, before I realized what it said. Whenever I'm confused, I'm worthless; in case you haven't figured that out, and I'm really . . . I guess you could say moody, because I hate it. I don't snap at anyone, but I'm not perky like normal.

It was about midnight when I finally got done. Jake and Billy had left at seven, and that's when I got started.

He hadn't helped me at all, like I had hoped. It was a big let down, and I hated it. I knew I would never be able to sleep, so, I decided to email Renée. If I was lucky, she wouldn't look at the time and flip out on me. Then again, I could confuse her by going into the time difference. Emailing, to me, seemed pointless. Were they settled down?

When I logged onto my email, though, I got my answer. Yes. They were. There were multiple emails sent, a lot with the subject, Mayze, why aren't you responding? One, though, was, Permanent Home, so, that's how I can say they were settled down.

I clicked on that and deleted the others. Knowing Renée, they were just overly worried emails asking how I was and stuff.

Hey girls!

Well, by the title, you two can probably figure out. We've settled down now. We've got a house in Jacksonville, Florida. Oh my gosh! It's so adorable! You two would have your own rooms, your own bathroom. The whole ordeal. There's even a pool.

I mean, whenever you get tired of Forks—which as small and boring as it is, that shouldn't take long—let me know, and I'll arrange for you both to move back. Mayze, you'll probably like it for a while, but if Bella starts absolutely hating it there, which wouldn't surprise me if she already does, move back, please? I miss you two so much. Life around the house is so hectic.

Which reminds me. Bells, where is my blue strapless party dress? We're going to a formal party tonight, and I can't find it anywhere. Do you remember what happened to it?

Email back, and that means you too Mayze.

Love,

Mom

I sighed. She was so hopeless without us. Knowing her, it's in her clothes box she hasn't unpacked yet.

I hit the reply button.

Mom,

Hey. Sorry it took so long. I mean, all of three days, right? :)

Yeah. I'm still the same Mayze. Forks hasn't done anything but make me happier. I love it here!

Another lie. I did love Forks, but all it's done is make me more confused.

But, I'll let you know when Bella starts hating it, since she never will. You know Bella . . . .

We'll try to visit ASAP, and hey, you never know. Bella will probably kill me, but there's a guy she's interested in here, and he's interested in her. Oh my tigers, I love Jake. He's the coolest guy I've ever met. And, temperature wise, he's extremely hot. He's absolutely perfect for Bella in every way. Who cares if he's a year and two months younger? I certainly don't, and neither do they. Although, they're both too stubborn to admit it.

You know Bella. But, you also know I'll end up winning. :) Even Jake's not that stubborn. But, I really do think you'll like him too. Charlie even likes him. It's his friend, Billy Black's, son. He's awesome.

Anyways, I've gotta get in the bed. School's awesome here. Everyone is so nice, and I've made a few friends, already. :) love you!

—Mayze

After sending the email, I sighed. Then, I closed out of my email and shut off my computer. It was a lot easier to lie over email than it was in person. I mean, most of it was true, except that one lie . . . .

That's what this day consisted of, isn't it? Lie after lie after lie after lie after mother fucking lie!

I'm so confused!