Author's Note: Hey there! Just wanted to apologize for not updating for like a week. Just finished my big essay project so now I have time to write this. I want to take the time to thank any person who has reviewed, favorite, or placed this story on their Alert List. So THANK YOU! I also want to wish everyone a MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HANUKKAH, HAPPY KWANZAA, HAPPY EID AL-ADHA, and HAPPY BOHDI DAY to everyone! (Sorry if I missed anything)

So, I want you to enjoy this new chapter! (And maybe review? That would be the most amazing gift I could get for Christmas)

Disclaimer: If I owned anyone, it would be my bestest friend in the whole wide world (you know who you are) and he would be my bitch for all of eternity.

Changes In Time
Omelette du fromage?

"Come on Nessie, we're going to go to Grandma's!"

My eyes shot open, and the light blinded me. I squinted, rubbing my face and turning over in my bed. I sighed, pulling back my light green comforter and sheet, exposing my legs and feet. I ran my hands through my probably unruly hair and sat up. Looking over at a little pillow in the corner of the room, I saw MJ curled up into a ball. Someone must've brought him home last night.

Wait a minute...I wasn't home last night. Last night, I was...

The memories from last night hit me like a brick wall. Now that all of my haziness from sleep has disappeared, every emotion and action from last night was clear. Adam taking advantage of me...clothes ripped...Jake...it seemed as though it had just happened seconds ago.

I figured Jake would take me to Grandpa Carlisle and he would have to check me out and everyone would be fussing over me. Aunt Rose would probably be fussing over me while I sat there and Dad would be ready to rip Adam apart piece by piece.

But...I was in my room, with pajamas on, and no one seemed to really be fussing over me. Maybe I fell asleep and Mom told them to keep quiet about it all so they wouldn't freak me out. I really don't know, nor do I care. Actually, I really do hope that no one knows about this (except for Jake and I) and that it will stay that way. People who baby other people that are practically adults just really peeves me and is something I don't wish to happen. I just want to go back to where everything is normal and nothing is wrong.

Heh, what am I worrying about? Here I am, talking as if everyone was fussing over me, and I know that's not true, because I think I would remember it.

Well, the last thing I do remember is hugging onto Jake for dear life. Oh god, he saw me without a bra on. Jake saw my bare breasts. Jesus, that's going to be awkward. My face grew warm with embarrassment, and I quickly threw all of these thoughts out of my head.

"Ness, we're going to Grandma's," Dad said, poking his head through my door. My eyes widened. Well, my life just seems to be getting better and better. I just thought about all of what happened last night, and now Dad probably knows everything about it because of it.

Although, he didn't show any sign of anger that would reflect my thoughts, and he just smiled at me.

"You feeling alright?" He asked, his eyebrows furrowing. I quickly pulled myself out of my thoughts again and smiled back at him.

"Yeah, just kind of zoned out, there," I mumbled, "I'll be ready in five minutes."

"Okay, we'll be waiting." He flashed me another smile before quickly exiting my room and shutting the door behind him. I sighed and leaned back against my headboard, exhaling a breath that I didn't know I was holding. So, Dad doesn't know what happened last night. Well, I guess I'll just judge everyone else's reactions and see who knows and who doesn't.

I took off my pajamas and tossed on a light green t-shirt with a pair of shorts and sneakers. I ruffled my hair a bit, trying to loosen some of the curls. After I decided my appearance was decent, I scooped up MJ (who was a bit pissed that I woke him up) and walked out to the kitchen to my awaiting parents.

Mom gave me a warm smile, but her eyes were dull and lifeless. I suddenly grew tense, wondering what was wrong. But, she didn't let her smile falter as she held her arms out to me and I was enveloped in her cold embrace. I heard her sigh lightly, and she buried her face into my hair.

I didn't pull away quickly, for I loved it when my mother hugged me. It made me feel like I was somewhere I finally belonged. No more social out casting like high school. But, she pulled away from me, looking down at my sad face.

"Let's go," she said softly, and I smiled back up at her. She returned the smile, but it seemed a bit...off. Like she was trying hard to make herself happy for me. Although, I do know her to be the happiest person on Earth, so it shouldn't be hard for her to smile.

Mom reached out for my hand and I grabbed it, letting my feelings of comfort connect with her. She closed her eyes, and her smile faltered for just a split second. I almost didn't notice it. But, instead of questioning it, we just left the house and ran off towards Grandma Esme's.

--

"Morning Ness!" Uncle Emmett cried out as he ran into the kitchen. He picked me up off my barstool and spun me around a few times. I yelled out, laughing and giggling as he squeezed me once and then set me down. I sighed, and turned around to see him raising an eyebrow at me.

"Did I interrupt your breakfast?" He asked, tempting me to answer him.

"Well, yes...yes you did. And it just so happens that I was enjoying my breakfast," I smiled back at him and he leaned down until we were touching noses.

"Hmm, so how about I make it up to you? Wrestling match. Backyard. Noon. Be there," he said jabbing his finger into my shoulder repeatedly. I smirked and smacked his finger away and he guffawed in a sarcastic manner. "You're going down, little woman!"

"Bring it on!" I yelled back, and he just smiled and ruffled my hair. I shook my head and took my place back at the kitchen counter, sipping on my morning cup of elk blood and munching on a pepper and cheese omelet. I sighed as Aunt Rose and Uncle Jasper came into the kitchen. Aunt Rose humphed and walked up next to my barstool.

I glanced up at her, and she touched my hair.

"What is this I see?" She said, disapprovingly. I jerked away from her hand, and she let go of my hair instantaneously. She sighed, ignored my warning to not touch my hair today, and just ran her hands through my curls. I flinched when she pulled out a knot. "Why don't you ever do anything with your pretty hair?"

"Well if it's pretty, why do anything with it?" I wasn't trying to be mean, but the phrase came out a little harsh. Aunt Rose's face suddenly darkened with disappointment and she pulled her hands out of my hair. Suddenly feeling guilty, I looked up at her to apologize.

"Aunt Rose, I'm really sorry. I just don't like doing my hair. I think it looks nice when it's natural."

She smiled and pulled a few curls out of my face. "Well, I guess I can live with that."

She leaned down and kissed my forehead, and my eyes closed automatically. Pulling back, I noticed that she hadn't done her usual makeup routine that is usually finished around 6 am. She may have had mascara on, but I couldn't tell. Her smile disappeared when she noticed that I was staring at her. Aunt Rose's hand came up to her cheek self-consciously.

"I'm going for the natural look as well," she sighed, pulling her hair over her face, "I was just a little...caught up with...something."

I grew a tad confused. What in the world was Aunt Rose talking about? She ALWAYS made time to put on makeup. Not once have I ever seen her without at least some sort of lipstick or eye shadow.

"With what?" I asked her, curious to know. She looked almost embarrassed, and pulled a few more locks away from my face.

She opened her mouth to answer, but suddenly the door flew open, and my Jake came walking in with Seth and some young girl around Seth's age. She had dark blonde hair, a very pale complexion (although not as pale as my family) and was around 5'10". She was built very thin and wiry, and her legs looked a bit awkward as they shot out of her shorts. Seth had his arm around her and they were laughing about something.

I looked over to Jake to see his eyes locked onto mine. His usual smile wasn't present, and that's when I realized why he wasn't smiling. Last night must've been hard for Jake to see. I mean, he's my best friend, and no best friend wants to see his or her friend being raped. I sure wouldn't. I shuddered at the thought of that.

But, I smiled warmly at him, to let him know that everything was all right, and he shouldn't worry. But, his smile didn't appear and I guess subconsciously, mine disappeared as well. I just stared him down for a few more seconds before I saw Jake turn his head. I looked at what he was looking at, and I saw Seth speaking to him in a hushed voice. Too quiet for me to hear. He nodded once and then turned back to look at me.

I looked back over at Seth to see that he was walking towards me with the girl and I smiled when he approached the counter.

"Hey, Ness, meet Nat," he said gesturing towards her. She smiled at me and waved. I looked down to notice their hands were intertwined. So, this was Seth's...girlfriend? Funny, he's never mentioned her before.

"Hello," I said pleasantly, and she grinned.

"Hey there. So you're the Ness that Jake's always talking about then?" I saw Seth nudge her gently with his hand and she looked at him questioningly. He shot her a 'shut up' look and I shook my head at his horrible attempt at being inconspicuous. I looked back at Nat, who had stopped smiling.

"Yeah, that's me," I simply replied. But before this conversation could turn incredibly awkward, my Jake came into the room and sat down next to me on a stool. He took my plate of eggs and shoved a huge chunk of them in his mouth. I shook my head and smacked him. "Hey, it's rude to chew with your mouth open."

He just gave me a look and then his face suddenly showed disgust.

"Ugh, what's in this omelet?"

"Oh, why it's l'omlette du fromage."

"And that is?"

"That is French my dear sir."

He smiled at me, a little bit of egg stuck to his chin. I just rolled my eyes and he set my plate back down. After a few moments of awkward silence, I looked up to see Seth placing his arm around Nat's shoulder and pulling her close towards him. I suddenly felt a sudden twinge of sadness. Even though Adam was a total asshole, I do kind of miss the moments where he was so sweet to me.

I was jostled out of my thoughts when Jake got up and left the room. He walked down the front hallway and out the door. Seth yelled out, "Where are ya going Jake?"

"Forgot to check with Sam today! You know how he is!" And like that, he was just suddenly gone after that brief and odd visit. I looked back at Seth and Nat to see him now twisting the ends of her hair. She noticed that I was staring at her, and she pulled away from Seth. Seth looked sad that she separated from him, but he didn't force her back into his grasp.

"I know everything, Nessie, if that's what you're worried about," she said suddenly, and I was completely baffled. What the hell was this girl talking about?

"What exactly do you know?"

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE! BE SAFE AND GET LOTS OF GOOD GIFTS!