Stepping into the house, I smiled. Emily offered for me to stay for dinner. I had to decline. "I would love to stay but I do have homework I need to finish."

"If you're sure."

"Thanks, but I can't. I just really needed to talk to Paul."

"You did more than just talk."

"Embry...shut up! I'm sure you and Liz have done more than that."

He shut up and both of them blushed. I got him.

Everyone headed further into the house. The only one not to go into the living room was Paul. He stood there with me for a moment. I really wanted to stay there but I knew I couldn't. "I got to go home Paul."

"No, you don't."

"You know Grandma. Yes, I do."

He shuttered. "Yeah, don't want to get on her bad side."

"Exactly. So...I will see you at school tomorrow. Homework must be finished."

He leaned down and gave me one last kiss before I left. I wanted to stay. My knees went weak. Pulling away reluctantly, I gave him one last squeeze before headed to my truck. Even as I drove off, I saw Paul watching me with a smile in his face. A smile that matched my own.

Once home, I did the only thing I knew I had to. I found Grandma. She just smiled. she knew. I hugged her. I just threw my arms around her and hugged her. "Something happened."

I nodded, still smiling. "Guessing by the look on your face, he kissed you and you are now together?"

"Yeah."

"Told you. Now, he best be on his best behavior. I don't want to have to go after him now."

"He'll be okay."

"I know."

She just smirked again. "Now, my dear, you must do your homework."

Shaking my head, I smiled still and went up to my room.

.

.

.

The next morning was good. I woke up knowing the prior day's events were real. I was happy. As much as I knew there would be issues in our relationship, I was happy that I was with Paul. I knew my happiness was radiating. Grandma could feel it as I ate. I'm sure the feeling would lessen a little but I knew I would stay happy, for the most part.

Getting out of my truck, I started walking towards the usual space where I knew the guys would be. I didn't have a chance. A pair of arms wrapped around my waist, making me jump. Turning around in those arms, I attempted to hit him. Didn't do any good. Damn Paul and his body like a freaking rock. I actually hurt my left hand. Taking a step back, I held my sore hand. "Ellie," he said taking my hand in is, "You should know by now. Hitting me never works well for you."

"Yeah, well, not like I expected someone to grab a hold of me."

"You love it."

"I would only if you hadn't made me hurt myself."

"Angel."

"Paul."

Still holding my hand, he kissed me. "Grrr, you, just grr."

Putting an arm around my shoulder, we walked off to find the rest of the guys.

Didn't get too far though. Just as we almost reached the spot, Marianne decided to show up. As soon as she saw Paul, she came rushing over. "Paul!"

Her voice was as it was yesterday. Annoying. "Hey Paul. I was wondering if you changed your mind. We can still have some fun. I really did miss you."

She went to put her hand on him. I moved in front of him. "He said no yesterday. He'll say no today. And he will say no every day you ask him. Get it through your thick head. Not going to happen."

"I didn't ask you. I asked him."

"Listen you stupid little whore, he will never go with you ever again."

"What have you got to do with it?"

I smirked. "All you want is sex. Everyone knows that. This..." I said grabbing Paul below the belt but over the jeans, "Isn't yours. He...all of him, heart, soul, and body, including his penis, is mine. And ONLY mine. So I suggest you leave MY BOYFRIEND alone, or I will be forced to make you."

Paul was in shock. Not so much from my words but from my actions. Marianne, and the audience that we had gathered, were surprised too. She was also scared. I was pissed and as the saying goes, if looks could kill.

Defeated, Marianne left. I turned to the audience, all of which were still just standing there and staring. "Guess what? Show's over. Pay attention to something else."

Most did, which was good enough for me. I grabbed Paul's hand headed around the corner. But I didn't get a chance to go far...again. Paul grabbed both my arms and pushed me against the wall, kissing me in the process.

Instinctually I kissed back, my arms wrapping around his neck. Such passion, such...lust. He gently bit down on mu bottom lip, caused a small moan to escape. that speeded up his movement and to move his hands to my lower back. I was pulled into him, feeling every muscle, every inch of him my body could. So much was being put into this kiss, this moment. As much as I wanted to continue, I needed to breathe.

He laid his forehead against mine, both of us catching our breaths. The look in his eyes was something I had never seen before, something I never thought I would see. Caring. It almost seemed like love. "Ellie...you are something else."

"I know."

He just chuckled. "What you did back there, caught me off-guard. But it was so damn...sexy. I..."

"It turned you on."

"I've never had someone stand up for me like that. Such passion."

"You are mine. She has no right coming onto you like that. No one does."

"Except you."

"Except me."

One more kiss. That's what he gave me.

But this time we were interrupted. The 'gang' was about ten feet away, clapping and whistling. As hard as I tried not to, I couldn't help but blush. Liz stepped forward. "Nice show. We've been here since Marianne first came up. A little frisky are we Paul?"

A small growl escaped his throat. It surprised me. "Paul," I spoke softly.

He looked down to me. His face softened. "Sorry about that Liz."

"No problem, Paul. Now, my fine fellows and females, bell's going to ring."

As if on cue, the bell did ring. With Paul's arms still wrapped around me, I walked. We all headed out to our first classes.

.

.

.

All the rest of the day, things were good. No issues from anyone. A few looks here and there but no one tried anything. I was most glad to get out at the end of the day though. Being that it was now a Friday, I was ready to relax at the weekend. Walking with Paul to the parking lot, we met up with everyone else. For a few minutes, we all just stood by Paul's truck. "So my dear friends," I began, "What are the plans for the weekend?"

"Well," Paul started, "The Elders are having a bonfire tomorrow night, to tell the legends. All of us are going."

"That sounds fun. It would be nice to hear them again."

"Come with us. You're Grandma is an Elder. It won't be an issue."

"I'd love to."

"I'll pick you up at 7."

"Sounds good to me."

For a few more minutes we all talked. Once the crowd of cars had dwindled down, I headed out. But not without one more kiss from Paul.

.

.

The rest of the night was pretty normal. I finished homework, I ate dinner. Basic stuff. But I got bored. I sat on my bed, with my knees bent. A sketch pad lay on my thighs, pencils and erasers lay on the bed itself. I got an idea and I ran with it. I knew I would give the picture away when I was done with it. But before it could get to that stage, it would have to be perfect. Each stroke of the pencil, each shadow, each line; all of it.

I didn't know what possessed me, but something did. Seemingly the entire night I worked on that sketch. Stopping, starting, erasing, re-doing. All of that, I did. There was an image in my mind of what I wanted it to look like. I wasn't settling for anything other than what I saw. I fell asleep before I finished it that night. but I knew I would finish it quickly.

.

.

"WAKE UP!"

Urgh! she just had to yell. I was quiet comfortable. "Grandma! what the hell?"

"It's nearly noon. I made lunch. By the way, I saw the start of your picture. Very good so far. He will love it."

"Grandma."

"Now get up and come and eat. You have to be prepared for the bonfire tonight."

"By the way, why did you tell me about that? You know I would have loved to come."

"Yes I did, but I had a feeling you would like it more if Paul was the one to ask you. And yes, I know, I am some kind of psychic, am I right?"

"It sure seems like it sometimes," I said slowly shaking my head.

So with her pushing I got up and went downstairs for breakfast.

After eating and taking a shower. I went back in my room for a moment. but it was only to grab my picture, my pencils, and my MP3 player. I wanted to work on more of it before Paul came over to pick me up. I wanted it to be perfect. I had nothing else to do so why not. Turning on my MP3 player, I drew. Half the time, I had no idea what was playing. My focus and attention was what my hands were doing. If any sort of alarm were to go off, I wouldn't know. The house could have been on fire and I wouldn't have noticed.

.

Just as I finished, I heard a vehicle pulling up to the house. Looking at the clock, I knew it had to be Paul. I grabbed my things and quickly ran to my room. Just because I was done with the picture didn't mean I was ready to show him. Quickly, I grabbed my phone, my wallet, my keys, and a jacket. Just as my feet touched the ground floor, Grandma was letting Paul into the house. "You bring her back safely Paul."

He nodded. She was giving that don't mess with my family look. "I would never."

That was when they noticed me. "You ready to go?" Paul asked.

"Boy, I wouldn't be down here if I wasn't ready."

"Did you need a ride Mrs. Monroe?"

"No. I'm fine Paul. And you know to call me Grandma like everyone else does."

He nodded as we headed out.

.

.

The bonfire was set up not too far away actually. Jacob was the first person that I saw. There was a brown haired girl with him. "Ellie, this is Bella. Bella, this is Eleanor Monroe, but we all call her Ellie."

She seemed a little shy. Paul just stared at her. A small growl escaped him. I turned to him and slapped him on the back of the head. "Paul."

"Ellie."

"Be nice."

"But she's a le..."

"Paul!"

He rolled his eyes, but he did stay quiet. "Sorry about Paul there."

"It's okay. We don't have the best history."

"Doesn't give him an excuse. Nice meeting you Bella."

"Nice to meet you too Ellie."

Jacob and Bella moved on.

But I turned to Paul before we could walk anywhere. my arms were crossed and I was starting at him. He was an ass. "Paul, what was that about?"

"Angel."

I just stared at him. I wanted to know what was going on. "It's just something that happened a little while ago. It was to do with the people that she was hanging out with."

I knew there was more behind it but it was a good enough answer for now.