I was there when she woke, as I'd promised. Though she wasn't even awake yet.

Her face was beautiful when she slept. I'd opened my eyes considerably earlier than she would; it was the most comfortable night's sleep I'd ever experienced. Bless her for being gentle when she slept.

She was still on top of me, curled in a loose ball on my stomach and chest. I wrapped my arms around her dazedly, yawning as quietly as I could. I lay there for a few more moments, my face set in the calm serenity that Sam always wore, before I nearly leaped off the bed. A scent drifted toward me, magnified by my now very alert senses and the crisp air.

The scent of freesia.

As swiftly as I could without waking her, I lifted Lurai from me, setting her back down easily on the bed. She squirmed, but didn't open her eyes. I stood quietly, running a hand through my hair; making a mental note to get it cut soon. Disregarding this, I tip-toed out of the room.

Sam and Emily were in the living room, both bleary eyed. Emily was still in her matching striped pajamas. I suppressed a chuckle as I waved at them both, not pausing until I reached the door. "Sorry I stayed over…she's cute when she sleeps, y'know? I'm going to run to the beach real quick…back soon," I rambled, shoving the door out of my way and starting off at a quick, gaiety lope. I broke the trees at the beach faster that I'd thought, and my suspicions were confirmed.

Bella Swan stood feet from me, a sad smile playing across her face.

"Hi, Jake," she said in a subdued tone. I quivered.

"Hi, Bella," I replied, just as unobtrusive.

I could see the reluctance plain on her face. There was another emotion in her eyes, but I wasn't paying enough attention to decipher it. I wouldn't pay attention, although it was difficult not to look her in the eyes. The soft, brown eyes that once had lured me in. That could still lure me in. I tried to fill my brain with thoughts of Lurai, and how I should get back to her before she woke. I'd promised her. But there she was; Isabella Swan, the girl I'd been so depressed over for months. The one I'd loved so fiercely until I met Lurai.

Don't let her suck you in, Jacob, I thought irefully to myself. I cast my eyes down, but they were immediately brought up again when she spoke, her voice so versant.

"I've missed you."

She took a few steps forward, and wrapped her arms delicately around my waste.

And I was hugging her back like the idiot I was. I inwardly cursed myself. I was so stupid, so young. I had a perfectly amazing girl waiting for me back at Sam and Emily's, and here I was, being affectionate with someone completely different. Someone who's compelling scent mixed with the too-sweet aroma that burned my nostrils. I snorted, attempting to flush it from my sinuses.

"Jake?""Hmmm?"

"I love you."

A twig cracked, I leaped away from Bella, eyes wild with fear. We both whipped around in the same moment, and my heart sank.

Lurai was standing just at the edge of the forest, her arms crossed against her chest tightly. Her light copper skin was now tinged with a crimson blush of nonplussed agony. I watched as her eyes welled with moisture.

"So, this is how it's going to be, then?" I heard her breathe, her nails digging into the upper parts of her arms. Words failed me. I took a blind step forward, away from Bella, one of my arms outstretched. "Lurai…I-" I started, but she cut me off with a quick wave of her hand.

"I do not ever want to see you again, Jacob Ephraim Black," she snarled, fiercer than any wolf. The venom in her voice pierced every organ in my body painfully. Her face crumpled with pain, and the tears spilled over. I stuttered, "N-n-no! Pl-please, let me explain!", before I watched the girl I loved serpentine in a flash, and bolt into the forest.

A few moments later, I heard Emily and Sam's screen door slam. Even fainter, her bedroom door.

I turned around, and Bella was staring at me. There were tears in my eyes. She waved me off.

"Go, you stupid pup, go get her!"

I nodded, before bounding away on the trail Lurai had taken, my breath for once coming ragged. I reached the house in a matter of moments.

Sam was on the porch, his arms folded sadly.

"Whatever you did, man, you've gone and got her right upset," he muttered, shaking his head, eyebrows nearly covering his eyes. "Where is she?" I needlessly asked, seeing as I already knew. Emily followed Sam out the door, her expression wrathful."WHAT DID YOU DO?!" she boomed, the huskiness of her ever so gentle voice making me recoil in horror. Sam held her back carefully, pointedly angling his face away from her scrabbling nails. "Fix it. Now," Sam pleaded with me, obviously distressed at his fiancé's current temper. I nodded, before edging my way slowly into the shack.

I flew up the stairs, taking them two at a time. I hardly breathed as I placed my hand over the doorknob, and turned it.

Lurai lay face down on her bed, her shoulders shaking in silent sobs. I swallowed hard. I had done this to her. It was my fault.

I wanted to run to her. To take her into my arms and immediately make her forget the pain I'd caused. I wanted it to not be my fault. I wanted her smiling.

I was afraid to move toward her, though, and when she turned to glare at me I started in fear.

"I thought I said I n-never wanted to s-see you again!" she grumbled, raking a clenched fist over her eyes and sitting up fast. I took a tentative step forward, one arm outstretched.

"Don't cry; you didn't mean it."

"I mean it. Leave."

I stared at her for a few moments, studying her expression. Her face was set in a hard glare, but her eyes were gentle, willing to listen. I folded my arms across my broad chest, and shook my head.

"No."