I pushed the toy cars back and forth, hearing their wheels turning when I lifted them up into the air. The twins neglected them recently, probably getting too old to be amused by them. I put them down after a few minutes, taking a sip from my glass.

I was sitting in the living room in the dark, drinking my water and staring at the moonlight on the TV. If anyone were to walk in, they'd probably think I was sleepwalking, or crazy. Either way, I felt strangely calm.

I could freak out, right? Well the thing was, if I stopped and completely forgot about the irrationality of what I was doing and just thought about Paul, everything went away. Paul. Dark hair, blazing eyes, passion, humor.

Suddenly it didn't seem so scary anymore.

I pictured myself telling this to Lily. She could always tell when I liked someone—she said I got that weird twinkle in my eye, even when I denied it. I wondered if she'd point out the freaking meteor shower she'd probably see in there now.

That strange pull I tried to explain to Angela seemed even greater than ever before. Why should I resist it? It only weighed me down and hurt my head to go against what I was feeling.

So there, it was settled. I let my mind wander, not wanting to be consumed with this anymore. I should go to bed soon so I could wake up, run, take a quick shower, and—

I nearly jumped in the air when the doorknob started twisting. I craned my neck toward the door with wide eyes, looking around frantically.

Just my luck, I'm starting to feel calm and the freaking house is getting broken into!

I put down my water and swallowed forcefully. I should go wake someone, but they could get in by that point, and then my back would be to them.

Looking around again, I spotted Isaac's baseball bat near the closet. I grabbed it and slowly walked toward the door. My heart was beating so fast I could barely hear anything else. I ignored everything except the turning doorknob. Someone was forcefully pulling it, nearly rattling the doorframe.

I felt my heart jump into my throat. Is that possible? I don't care, because that's what it feels like, and if I'm about to die, I will think whatever I want.

I took another tentative step forward when the door suddenly stopped shaking.

I held my breath, hoping they'd given up. I stayed locked in position anyway, hands gripping the bat with so much force that my fingertips were changing colors.

I didn't want to just flee upstairs—he could be trying the back door! I was turning around when I suddenly heard more noises, this time coming from the window.

Someone hadn't closed it all the way, and I watched in gut wrenching fear as someone's hand crept in to push it upward.

Forks is a safe small town my ass.

It was definitely a man, I could tell that much, and I swallowed again, getting ready to scream.

I raised my bat, watching his hand pushing up the window.

"Stop right there!" I yelled, bringing the bat down with as much force as I could.

The hand recoiled immediately, and I raised the bat again in case he would try again.

"Shit, what the hell!"

I was about to scream for my uncle, but there was something distinctive about that angry tone.

"Paul?" I asked in shock, creeping forward to look directly out the window. And there he was, moonlight making his skin seem paler than he really was. His face was illuminated well enough for me to see his panicked expression, and also the fact that he wasn't wearing a shirt. Odd.

"Hey Kris, nice to see you too," he said, shaking his hand wildly.

"What was I supposed to think, you were breaking into Angela's house! Where's your shirt?" I cried, hoping I hadn't already woken up my aunt. Bet she'd have plenty of lovely things to say if she witnessed this predicament.

"It…got torn on a branch so I just took it off. I wanted to talk to you," he mumbled, shrugging. "I called your phone but you didn't answer—they were invented for this very reason you know," he said, nearly glaring at me.

"To prevent boyfriends from breaking into their girlfriend's cousin's houses? I don't think that was their intended purpose," I said, grinning.

"Are you going to let me in?" he asked, frowning.

"Yes. I have a question though," I said, looking at him.

"What?" he asked.

"Did you really think you'd fit through this window?"

He ignored me and walked toward the door while I laughed to myself. I walked the short distance and unlocked it, opening it widely. I put the bat down, letting my heart return to its normal pace and wondering what made me think I would've even been able to take on a robber.

"What did you want to talk about?" I asked as Paul quickly strode past me and plopped himself down on the couch.

I sensed his bad mood, but sat down next to him anyway, sitting with my legs crossed so I could see his face. It was dark but I could still see his eyes smoldering.

"What's wrong?" I asked softly.

"Nothing. Is there something wrong with you? Anything you want to talk about? Say? Share? You can tell me you know."

I looked at him with a small smile, watching him ramble.

"Seriously though, don't be afraid to tell me anything. It's why I'm here. The guys don't tell me a lot of stuff cause of my temper, but I won't get mad at you. Well I might, but I'll try really hard—why are you smiling?" he asked, looking at me desperately.

"Are you drunk?" I asked, chuckling.

"No," he said sternly.

I put my hand on his, lacing our fingers. It was hard to believe that a few hours ago I had even contemplated breaking up with him. Just sitting here was enough to remind myself that I couldn't possibly do that. I was going to be selfish and keep him to myself.

"Why are you acting so weird?" I asked.

He took a deep breath, opening and closing his mouth a few times.

"I don't know," he finally said, sighing. "Do you ever have doubts about us?"

He rushed the last part so much I barely heard it, but when I understood, I dropped my gaze to our intertwined hands. His fingers warmed mine instantly, and I raised my eyes to his. Maybe he was feeling exactly what I was.

"I freaked out a little earlier," I admitted, not wanting to keep secrets. "But I thought about it, and I like how things are. A lot."

The tension seemed to drain out of his face immediately. I felt my stomach twist as his smile broke out. He turned me around and pulled me toward him so his arms were wrapped around my waist. I felt their warmth through my pajamas, and smiled when he kissed the top of my head.

"Don't scare me like that, Kris," he whispered.

I didn't do anything, I thought, but I had a feeling I should keep quiet.

"You don't have doubts, do you?" I asked, suddenly realizing he hadn't addressed any of his.

"Would you believe me if I said I hadn't had a single one since the moment I saw you?"

"Such flattery," I said, not being able to fight the smile even though it was cheesy.

"Oh and Kris?" he said, voice suddenly stern.

"What?"

"If you think someone is breaking into the house, you go upstairs and call me, alright?"

"What you don't think I can take them?" I said with a pout.

"You were really intimidating with your baseball bat," he chuckled. "But seriously, just call me."

"Call me whenever you need me just call me," I sang, remembering one of my mom's favorite songs.

"Kris?" Paul asked, arms tightening around me.

"Yeah?"

"Are you drunk?"

I rolled my eyes and wriggled from his arms, which he reluctantly let me go from.

"You better leave before Aunt Mary catches you," I said, winking at him. "She already doesn't like me much and seeing me with a potential criminal who's half clothed wouldn't help matters."

"Girls like bad boys," Paul said, grinning widely, before pulling me close.

He kissed me before I got a chance to say anything, before pulling back quickly and kissing me a few more times. I could feel his muscles rippling under his chest.

Yup, he was a keeper.

"Go to bed, I'll see you tomorrow," he said.

He walked to the window, opening it completely. I watched in confusion, tilting my head to him.

"What are you doing?"

Comprehension flooded as I watched him stick his legs through. He slowly eased his body through, the width of his chest being nearly the same size as the window. I heard him groan as he pushed himself even farther, finally making it all the way out.

"See? I could totally fit," he said, nearly wheezing.

"My mistake," I said, smiling.

"See you tomorrow," he said, winking, before turning and walking until I couldn't see him through the darkness.