I say again. Reviews are the inspiration to write. So do review.

The shock of seeing him again, even if it was just my imagination numbs me. I feel sort of hollow and electrified at the same moment.

I freeze only for a second so it's a surprise that Jacob notices. But he does.

"Hey. You ok?"

"Huh?" My brilliant reply. But in my defense, I am horribly muddled by the fact that the ghost thing looks disturbingly like him. My stomach starts to hurt as I think of Ron. His red hair, his honest brown eyes, his large, rough hands as they whisper across my body… Then I realize Jacob is still talking to me.

"..you look kinda dazed. Are you sure you're ok?"

"Huh?" God! What the hell is wrong with me? "I'm fine. I'm fine. Great. Super. Fantastic. Brilliant."

"Oooo-kk."

Great. Now he thinks I'm some sort of super creep dumbass. I hate being considered dumb. And I'm starting to feel oddly nervous and I need a serious change of topic and nervous people often do stupid things so…

"Did you know, as of the census of 2000, there were 3,192 people, 1,169 households, and 792 families residing in Forks. The population density was 998.6 people per square mile (386.1/km2). There were 1,361 housing units at an average density of 435.6 per square mile (168.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 81.47% White, 0.42% African American, 5.03% Native American, 1.51% Asian, 0.16% Pacific Islander, 8.49% from other races, and 2.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.54% of the population."

I stop to take a breath and am met by his stunned and confused looking face. Highly embarrassed and clueless, I do the only thing I can right then. I continue.

"In the city, the population was spread out with 30.4% under the age of 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 9.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 111.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.9 males. The median income for a household in the city was $34,280, and the median income for a family was $38,844. Males had a median income of $35,718 versus $23,690 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,686. About 14.6% of families and 20.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.7% of those under age 18 and 12.4% of those age 65 or over."

"Woah Woah woah. Hold up. Hermione? What the hell? Are you sure you are quite…"

But I'm too keyed up to help it now. The Ron-like ghost has freaked me out no end and I'm obviously hyperventilating and try as I might I can't get a handle on myself. Which is what hyperventilating is all about I suppose. I'm hardly even aware of Jacob sitting right there next to me. It's just that blurry ghost haunting me right now.

"Forks has an oceanic climate with very high rainfall. Although there is drying trend in summer, rain is still abundant, just not as wet as the rest of the year. Forks averages 211 days per year with measurable precipitation. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.1 square miles (8.1 km2)."

I know I'm just trying to override what just happened with a fit verbal diarrhea but it isn't really working. Except for maybe making Jacob think that I'm mentally unstable. And what's his deal anyway? He is acting way too concerned for a guy who just met me a few minutes ago. It's creepy. And touching. Ah! Hell. I'm too fucked up for words.

That's when I feel them. Two strong arms gripping me hard.

"Hermione. Look at me."

It's not a request. It's not an order. It's a statement he knows he will have fulfilled.

I look up to him defiantly, ready with all my barriers that I preserve for moments like these. I don't want his pity. I don't want his sympathy. And I most definitely do not want his suggestion that I should see a shrink.

But when my eyes do meet Jacob's, his are defenselessly vulnerable.

"Hermione. Snap out of it. Whatever it is."

Why does this feel surreal? Like this is not the first time we've met? Like I've always known him and am just seeing him for the first time. It is so frustrating and confusing, I feel tears stinging my eyes.

"Hermione? Why are you crying?"

And because I have no reason to offer, because I'm overcome by my crushing loneliness, and just because I need someone, I wrap my arms around this stranger and cry my heart out.