Hi! I'm quite sorry that this wasn't posted up earlier, things have been getting serious in school and I unfortunately discovered that I actually have to pay attention now if I want to get As. I know… I too was surprised at this…

Anyway, I want to thank everyone who reviewed and made me feel special!

I hope you enjoy this chapter! Happy readings!

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or any of its characters.


Chapter 7

Soon after Edward had made his exit, I went into my bathroom and turned on the light. I was suddenly introduced to a very unfair, unflattering, full-body reflection of myself. My hair was all over the place, my face looked flustered and my tank top was disarrayed.

'Of course, this is what you look like when you've been studying really hard.'

I rolled my eyes at my sarcastic thoughts and violently dragged a brush through my hair. The brush was new and therefore effective and merciless. I winced as it tugged out all of the stubborn knots in my mane of coal black hair. I hadn't used a brush in a while as I normally only needed a comb for my short bob. But in a matter of weeks my hair had grown tremendously and was now passed shoulder length. I hadn't phased in about a month, both to keep the secret and so I wouldn't have to deal with annoyingly long fur.

Once I'd finished brushing and washed my face with water, I changed into a violet short-sleeved tunic, with shiny black flats and my favourite navy blue skinny jeans. I even bothered to accessorise with violet rose-shaped studs and a silver chain necklace with lilac, indigo and violet charms. The necklace had been a gift from Rachel, she'd bought it for me as a birthday present and I'd bought her an identical one, with charms in shades of red as a gift to her.

I returned once more to the mirror and for once I wasn't discontented with the way I looked; I was actually pleased.

I smiled to myself as I went downstairs and entered our garden, where a welcome back party was at full swing. Everyone had decided to gather at our house once the bonfire had been put out. This wasn't unusual; they usually went to whatever place they'd been promised food at. I looked around and spotted her at the barbeque.

Yep, mom was home.

"Hey mom, I haven't seen you all day." I hugged my mother and she loosely wrapped her arms around me in response, still holding a long, pointy barbeque fork and a spatula.

"Hi sweetheart." She said warmly. Just as she was about to say something, she paused and her gazed travelled from top to bottom of my form.

"Leah, darling, you look amazing. You haven't worn that top since…" she stopped midsentence as her eyes glazed over.

I plastered on a smile, wishing the memories of the last time I'd worn the tunic away.

"Thanks mom."

I went over to the drinks table, and just as I was about to grab what was literally the last glass of punch, I was suddenly attacked from behind and my neck was strangled.

"Lee-Lee!"

I turned around and was met with a happy, grinning Rachel Black.

"Rache!"

We squealed and engulfed each other into a huge, soppy hug. Then we jumped up and down on the spot squealing and chanting; 'yay yay yay!"

No, actually; the last part didn't happen. Come on, you should know me better than that by now.

But still, it was really emotional.

"Leah I haven't seen you in forever!" Rachel exclaimed as her arm remained suffocating my neck. She let go of me and held me at arm's length, her eyes scanning me over and her brow slowly rising.

"Leah, you look really hot!"

I stared at her, embarrassed by her boldness.

That's Rachel for ya.

"Um thank you?" I said, though it came out as more of a question.

Hours passed by and Rachel and I spent this valuable time catching up on everything that had happened since the last time we'd seen each other.

Which was at the funeral.

I felt free and happy as my mood soared upwards. I was with my best friend, we were laughing, chatting and gossiping and for once I felt like the Leah I had been over a year ago. Back before the problems started and my life got turned upside down. I loved the way it felt to be free of troubles, worries or any other stress that had forever trailed me during the entire year. I felt normal and I finally fitted in.

All in all the party was a blast. After a while Paul had started complaining about me spending so much time with Rachel, so Rachel gave in to him and they wandered off together into the forest.

Probably to do some unmentionable things.

Gross.

Jacob would really love seeing that in his head.

I'd feared that when Rachel had left, she'd taken the festive, happy Leah along with her. I'd had the full intention of going back into the house and right up to my room to go study or call it a day, but then Embry had pulled me out of my upcoming misery and asked me for a dance. This was nothing short of a surprising miracle, but I forced myself not to make a huge deal about it. The guy already looked terrified of what I'd do to him, and besides, I was still (partly) human; it was so tiring being a sour kill-joy all the time.

It was fun; dancing, laughing, singing wildly out of tune. We partied and partied, until about 3 am when we'd run out of a month's supply of food and somebody sensible realised that Rachel, the guest of honour, had left a long time ago.

I was in the kitchen clearing up what was left of the plates and cutlery and putting them into the dishwasher. My mother hated it when I used the dishwasher, she said it was lazy and an insult to a woman's handiwork.

I though the dishwasher was a life-saver.

Especially in these situations, I mean, there was about a hundred dishes in there and it was three in the morning. I could barely even look at them, let alone wash them. And I didn't see the guys rushing over to help. In fact the only thing they'd rushed to do was leave. Only Jacob and Embry had remained to help out with the clearing up.

"Where do you want this Leah?" I turned around and came face to face with double-trouble and a huge flat screen television. The asset of my home was in their hands;

I almost fainted.

"Why are you carrying the T.V?" I asked utterly perplexed and worried out of my mind that they would drop it.

"Sue had told us to put it in the garage, to avoid a repeat of what happened last time." Embry said with a knowing look.

I raised my brows, "Oh yes, last time..." I shuddered as the memory crossed my mind.

I hurriedly ushered them to the living room, praying that my baby would be safe in their hands.

It took slightly over an hour and a half for the house to be transformed from a party-ridden dump to a neat, organised Sue-approved home. By then I was exhausted, and I could barely keep my eyes open as I trudged sluggishly up the stairs, changed into my pyjamas and brushed my teeth. As soon as my ass hit that bed, I was a goner. My eyes fluttered shut, but then I felt my eyebrows furrow as I heard a knocking noise; I quickly dismissed it as a dream and carried on sleeping. I puffed my pillow idly with a tired hand and once more I was totally confused; my pillow smelt odd and familiar. I breathed in the strange scent and quickly realised that it smelt like Edward. I took in a deeper breath.

'Hmm, you are my favourite pillow.'

Yeah ok, so obviously I didn't know what I was thinking because I was, as I already said, exhausted.

That night I truly slept like a baby, I was warm and fuzzy on the inside, and for the first time in a long time, I was really looking forward to the next day.

Even if there was something missing…


Well, OK, I can acknowledge the fact that this is quite short so I will most likely post another chapter later on. Thanks for reading! And please review, I'd like to know what you think will happen so I can turn it around and make it unpredictable!