Laurel POV

As soon as I woke up, I wished that I could immediately go back to sleep. I was still unclothed, but instead of feeling naked or cold, I felt stripped. Of feeling, of happiness, of everything. My mind wandered off to Seth and I sighed. That's why I can't allow myself to get close to someone. The talking we did yesterday was the most I've talked in years. And now, this morning, I miss that oppurtunity.

Sitting up, I turned my head to the side, successfully popping it. Letting out a groan of relief, I yawned and stood. The freezing chill in the air smacked my skin and I shivered slightly as I walked over to my dresser.

Quickly picking out an outfit, I got dressed and grabbed the brush from one of the drawers. Just as I ran it through my tangled bangs, I felt a throbbing pain in my forehead. Oh yeah. Dang it, now I have to deal with a headache all day long. Sighing, I got my bag from beside my bed. Not feeling hungry, I didn't bother stopping by the kitchen for food. I spared a glance at the couch and wasn't surprised to see my dad passed out with 3 beer cans on the floor beside him.

Rolling my eyes, I walked out the door and out of the apartment complex. Just like it is almost everyday here, today was gloomy and overcast just making my sour mood and bad headache worse. I wish I lived in a more sunny place like California or Florida. Or even Hawaii. Yeah, Hawaii would be nice. I sighed and stared at my feet the whole way to school, unentertained. When I got to the front of the school, I could hear students chatter happily behind the two front doors.

Must be nice.

With a lazy push, I opened the door and stepped in. Instantly, it seemed as if everybody could.. feel my mood. It seemed to spread as everyone got quiet and almost as depressed-looking as I was. I groaned silently, suddenly overwhelmed with fatigue. I continued walking however and I could hear some people whispering.

"Jeez, what happened to Laurel?"

"Yeah, she looks so.. unlike herself."

"To me, she's always looked kinda sad but this is like a whole new level of depression."

"I wonder what happened?"

I closed my eyes tiredly as if to block out the words. Walking up to my locker, I was so very tempted to just crawl inside and not come out until the end of the day. Tempting as it was, I didn't, and instead grabbed my history book and shut it closed again.

"Hey, Laurel!" I lifted my head up to see that girl from yesterday. Kim. She had a bright smile on her face which made her look even more beautiful than she usually did. I nodded in greeting, expecting her to say hi and leave. She didn't. Walking up in front of me, she looked shyly at her feet.

"I wanted to thank you for what you did for me yesterday. I've never had someone stand up for me before, let alone have THE Laurel Jo Grey stand up for me. Thank you," she said sincerely with hopeful and honest eyes.

One corner of my mouth twitched up before I could stop it. She was so nice, how could I not smile at her. "It was really no big deal. Anybody could have done what I did."

"But they didn't. You're probably one of the bravest people I know! I know I'm not and so right now, talking to you that is, is kinda hard for me. But.. I promised myself that I would and... I have a question to ask you," she bit her lip almost nervously.

I nodded in gesture for her to continue.

"Could we please be friends?" she suddenly exclaimed and I had to admit I was a bit taken aback at the suddenness of it. I didn't really take time to think about it, I was honestly just going to do what I normally did and politely turn down her offer. Really I was. But..

"I know that a lot of people have asked you this and you always say no, but I really want to be your friend. With all my heart. I know I don't know you very well, or at all honestly. The only time I've ever talked to you is yesterday. But I can tell that you're a good person and well.. I don't have any friends. I'm not trying to make you pity me or anything, but I know that you don't either. And so I can understand how lonely that gets. Not having anybody to talk to, to have someone you can express yourself to without fear. I've never had someone like that. And I want you to be the first person I experience all that stuff with." By the time she finished her speech, she was out of breath and blushing heavily.

"So.. please be my friend?"

At that moment, I probably looked like a fish out of water, mouth agape and eyes wide. Trying to compose myself, I caught a glimpse of her eyes. They were scared and nervous and hopeful and happy all at the same time. The words stumbled out of my mouth before I could stop them.

"Alright. But don't blame me if I say something that makes you cry or whatever. I never said I was a nice person," I huffed, cheeks red from all the praise I got in just 2 minutes.

Kim suddenly laughed and lunged toward me for a hug, holding me tightly. Her head came up to my shoulder, so she rested her cheek on my chest. "I already know for a fact that you'll never make me cry." I couldn't help the small smile that spread across my lips as I hugged her back.

It turned out that we actually had quite a few classes together: History, Math, Biology and P.E. When we could, we would talk. Kim mostly started the conversations but I have to admit I was enjoying myself. I also found out that Kim does have friends, those guys that Seth hung out with. Seth, too actually. But she told me she considered them more family than friends. She told me about her boyfriend, Jared. From the look of it, they seemed to truly love each other. When we passed by him in the hallways, he stared at her and only her, always with a love that I never thought I would see. It almost made my heart ache.

And just as I suspected, Kim was probably the nicest girl you could ever meet. She never asked me questions that made me feel uncomfortable, she would throw in nice little compliments here and there, and most of all, she acted so excited towards every thing that she was doing. It made me smile every time. I couldn't remember the last time I smiled so much. It felt... good. Weird, but good.

"Hey, Laurel, you okay?" a now familiar voice asked, breaking through my thoughts.

I looked at her from my side and nodded. "Of course, why wouldn't I be?" As of right now, we were both heading towards the cafeteria. I was really hungry and I could feel my stomach rumbling at the thought of food.

"You kinda spaced out there for a second," Kim smiled sweetly and bit her lip. "Um, would you like to sit with me and the boys today?" she asked hopefully and I knew I wouldn't ever be able to say no to this girl ever again. A little reluctantly, I nodded and she grinned brightly, grabbing my hand and pulling me behind her to get in the lunch line.

Getting our food and drinks, she silently and happily led me over to a table a little bit in the back of the cafeteria. From what I could tell, all the boys were already sitting down. Earlier Kim had pointed them out to me and told me their names. There was Quil, Embry, Jacob, Paul, Jared, and.. Seth. I flushed a little, remembering yesterday.

"Hey, Kim!" The boy that greeted her was Jared. At least, I'm pretty sure it was. When he got up and pulled out the chair beside him for her, I knew my theory was correct. She smiled back at me encouragingly and went to sit down.

"Laurel is going to sit with us today, if that's okay." She stated it as more a statement then a question but nobody seemed bothered by it and just said a few 'hellos' and went back to eating.

Seth POV

My heart nearly lept in my throat when I saw Kim walking over with Laurel behind her. I swear to God, Kim, I thank you for eternity. Although I kinda had a suspiscion that it wasn't just for me. I saw the two walking to classes together and came to the conclusion that they had become friends.

Laurel was still standing there with her tray in hand as if not knowing what to do now that Kim had left her to sit down.

"U-um, you can sit beside me, Laurel. If you want, I mean," I stumbled, blushing a bit. She nodded and walked over to sit between me and Jacob.

"Thanks," she stated quietly, taking a sip of her tea.

Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God, what do I say? What do I do?

"You look pretty today!" I stuttered out, my voice bit too loud for normal conversation. I could hear Embry snort beside me and I elbowed him in the ribs.

A slight blush covered her cheeks. She's so adorable. "Um, thank you, Seth."

She remembered my name!

Just as I was about to ramble on, Jake thankfully interrupted.

"So Laurel, you're kind of a mystery to, like, the entire universe. Tell us about yourself," he prompted and gave me a look that quite clearly said "shut up."

"There's not that much to tell really," she shrugged and didn't continue. That's when I remembered. Her mom. Last night she looked so lost. I couldn't believe that she could look so calm today after what she spoke of last night.

Jake nodded awkwardly and continued to eat in silence. Just as it was about to get seriously uncomfortable, Jared said something.

"Laurel, I just wanted to thank you for what you did yesterday. If you hadn't stepped in, I might've killed that guy." We all, with the exception of Laurel, looked at each other, knowing that he literally would've killed him.

"I'm glad that you're Kim's friend. She deserves that best and I believe that you're the best you can get," he smiled down at Kim and kissed her on the cheek. Before I imprinted, I would've thought that it was cliche and silly, but I now I fully understand how he feels. Looking to my right at Laurel, I wished I could kiss her just like Jared did.

"It was really no big deal," she said seriously, but there was a hint of a smile on her face.

"She said the same thing to me," Kim laughed softly and shook her head.

The rest of lunch was pretty uneventful, and I could say the same for the rest of the day, too. I practically ran out of U.S. History and scanned the hallway for Laurel. I sighed when I didn't see her. She probably already left.

I wanted to ask her what was bothering her today. Everyone noticed that she was a bit off. I wonder if she would be mad if I stopped by to check on her. Most likely. Oh well. I just needed to see her.

I'd never been happier to have a good memory and a great sense of direction until today. I found her apartment with ease. Walking inside, I smiled to the lady behind the desk and rode the elevator up to her floor. As soon as I stepped out of the elevator, I heard yelling.

"You stupid bitch! You worthless piece of fucking shit! Why are you still here?! I don't want to see you!"

I cringed at the hurtful words and was about to try and drown out the screams before I realized which room the yells were coming from.

Laurel's room.

My worry instantly turned to rage as I stormed down the hall to her door and yanked it open.

Just in time to see a bottle being smashed over Laurel's head, sending her to the ground.