Disclaimer: I do not own twilight.

Ok so here is the next chapter, hope you like it, and thank you to my faithful reviewers. Michelle7, awesome I will defiantly keep writing, and the always lovely NinjaHarryPotter4life, thank you so much for sticking to my story, and as for Cory not falling instantly it just didn't seem like her, in my mind she's so real she wouldn't let me do something dumb like that. Probably give me a migraine if I wrote anything she didn't approve of. Both she and Ell are working as full time supervisors of my stories and I find myself enjoying this a lot more. I'm frankly scared, but happy.

Thanks again for taking your time to read my story.

Chapter 8: Dodging bullets.

Amber blabbed excitedly all the way back to my house, music vibrating the little Honda as a relaxing background. I barely listened to Amber, thinking of ways to get out of that thing on Friday. But would I really leave Amber alone with those guys?

Sure, Jamal was going too, but he trusted them just as much as Amber did. Near blindness. So besides muscle, he wasn't of much help. So I had to convince Amber to not go. Might as well propose myself for president next year for all that was going to work.

Amber was the type of person that where physically incapable of being rude, dirty or unpunctual. So unless I had some terminal disease I wasn't aware of. She would be going.

-Why are you so quiet? Amber asked after a minute of waiting for an answer to a question I hadn't quite heard. I sucked in a deep breath. Here goes nothing…

-I don't want to go Amber.

Amber looked confused as she tried to glance at me and still see where she was going: -You don't want to go to your house?

-No- I said, rolling my eyes-, I'm talking about Friday; I don't want to go out with those guys anymore.

Amber turned her whole head to see me this time and just in time for a small curve to take place. I yelped as I threw my hands to the steering wheel to keep the car in the road. Amber jumped, taken by surprise, and shoved her foot on the break.

We weren't going too fast, the rain still too thick to go over 60, so the sudden stop didn't catapult us thru the windshield. Either way, I was pissed.

-What the hell Amber! The little yellow lines painted on the road? Yeah, you're supposed to follow them.

-And what do you mean "I don't want to go out with them anymore"? I thought you liked them now.

The disappointment and frustration loud and clear in her voice. I was about to say something when she started the car forward.

-No, no, no- I cried, a little panicked, making Amber stop the car again and look at me with a funny expression on her face, half mad, half homicidal-, pull over, we need to talk and I don't want you to pull another stunt like that.

She reluctantly did and stopped the car with a sigh that opened a minute of silence.

-Why Cory? - Asked Amber, finally cutting off the low sound of the rain on the metal roof, she sounded so tired- Just give me one good reason for you to not like them, just one.

I stared out the window and thru the thick veil of rain outside straight to the dark forest, looking dangerous and curiously omniscient.

-I don't trust them. I simply said after a long, irritating silence. I wouldn't tell Amber all my reasons; I had to find one she would believe.

Amber laughed sourly: - That much I get, what I'm asking is why?

-Let's just call it "female intuition". I stated, giving up on finding something decent to tell her.

-Female intuition? Amber shrieked, disbelievingly. Oh God, here it comes…

-They're lying to us Amber. I hurried to explain before she began to steam out her anger.

-What makes you think that? They've been nothing but nice, thoughtful, considerate…

I tuned her out, restraining myself from noting that all the adjectives she was giving where already synonymous of each other, and there was really no need for her to go on and on. But that might have made her even angrier at me. Maybe as mad as that day in the beach…

Wait.

-We were nowhere near the cliffs. I murmured under my breath. My eyes widening as I turned to see Amber. She stopped her rambling and looked at me as if I had grown another head.

-What?

-Amber- I started, trying to hide the excitement in my voice to make it look as my original reason not the one that I'd just found, because she wouldn't believe the first one-, that day in the beach, remember where we were? Do you remember seeing the cliffs?

Amber stayed silence, her eyes absent looking as she went back in time to that dreadful day. I continued before she could say anything.

-No, right? They were miles away. So even if it was true, and the current was to strong, which it wasn't, it wouldn't have carried him all the way over there.

Amber stared at me, the hard logic starting to sink in, but I was nowhere near done with my reasoning.

-And then, let's say for argument's sake he was cliff diving, and he was tired and all, why would he walk that long to get naked and take a nap, and in a tourist zone, where he had much more probabilities of being seen.

Damned, I should be working for the CIA. I was starting to feel a proud grin extend across my face when I got a glimpse of Ambers terrified expression. Oh, shit, I forgot.

-You're right… they're lying- Amber's voice was barely a whisper, sounding strangled, then, wide eyed as if she'd just realized something terrible, she cried in a high pitched voice.-, oh god, we have to see them Friday after school.

-It's ok Amber- I whispered as I pulled her into a gentle hug, not really comfortable with the contact but unable to take the sight of the tears forming in her eyes, scared and shaking-, we'll figure a way out, promise.

-What do they want? - Amber began to sob really hard, her voice breaking with fear-, why are they coming after you?

I tensed: - What?

Amber sobbed uncontrollably, hugging me in place as I tried to pull away and face her:- It's all my fault, I just helped them get closer to you by wanting to hang out with them, Oh God, if they hurt you it will be all my fault.

I laughed and pulled out of her arms: -Amber, calm down, no one is after me.

-No, Cory they are- she whined, shaking her head as she talked with a hand firmly pressing her lips, her voice sounded muffled but the sobs were better-, you're the only reason they asked us to go out, haven't you noticed how they look at you?

I frowned, listening intently as she riddled the problem out for me.

-Today, all the while you fixed the sound system Paul wouldn't take his eyes off of you no matter how much we tried to make conversation, at first I thought he was looking at what you were doing but then, in the Lodge, he all but followed you to the bathroom.

"And while you were gone, him and Jared began to make these questions about you: your full name, where you where from, how long had you been here- Amber snorted at some memory, her sobs gone and her voice more understandable-, Paul even asked if you had a boyfriend and what you liked to do on your free time."

I could feel panic building up inside me as Amber droned on about Paul's interrogation. I hadn't thought of this, because I always considered Amber and me as one entity in this situation, the victims and the aggressor. I hadn't thought that they would pick one out of us, and if they had my first guess would have been Amber, they did follow her home after all…

Or where they following me?

My hands trembled as all the pieces began to fall in place. If that was true, that would mean they know where I live.

-I'm so sorry I ever went to tell the La Push gang, I just served you in a silver plate. Amber began to cry again, hiding her face with both her hands and the steering wheel. I breathed slowly to control my face, bringing back that numbness to be able to help Amber. She hadn't done wrong.

-Amber, you didn't do anything bad, Amber look at me- I ordered her, my voice firm and even a little nonchalant, Amber raised her tear stained face and looked at me with guilty, puffy red eyes-, you did the right thing, you did a brave thing, something I didn't have the balls to do.

Amber looked at me as if I'd spoken gibberish and I just had to laugh, a sour laugh at what I knew she was thinking.

-Amber, I'm not that fearless super heroine you seem to think of me- I shook my head at the stupidity of that idea-, prove enough, I didn't tell anyone about Paul, God, I was hiding it to myself… you stood up for us Amber, and I admire you for that.

Amber sniffed and cleaned the tears off her face, a little blushed at the compliment, but I wasn't done, I had to make sure she understood that she didn't have to be like me.

-So the next time something like that happens- Amber's eyes widened at this, I kept going as I knew it would, to her or someone she knew, it always did-, I want you to do that again, I want you to do the smart thing and tell someone, ok?

She nodded and silence fell upon us both, the tension slowly disappearing in the air. I sighed.

-This is a good thing Amber- I said, massaging in little circles my temples as I tried to think clearly, Amber looked confused so I explained:-, them coming after me, it's good, now at least we know what ground were walking on.

-We should tell the cops. Amber suggested, leaning completely on her seat. Oh yeah, so now you listen to me.

-Amber, that little piece of advice I just gave you- I giggled sarcastically-, was specifically meant for you.

Amber huffed and crossed her arms around her chest. I laughed and leaned on the seat just as she had to begin to formulate a plan.

-We can handle this ourselves, no reason to get anyone else involved, and the cops will only bring more trouble than they can fix… in my family at least.

Amber thought this out for a long second before nodding, and from the look on her face; I knew she wouldn't say a thing. She didn't exactly know my family, but I'd painted her a pretty good picture of it these last six months. Not only were we Mexicans, but we were very old school raised Mexicans. And if my dad had the most minimal doubt about my wellbeing in this town, he'd move us all out to Canada. No matter if we were broke and had nowhere to live, our security was always first and he would make it thru, he always did… or he would settle for shooting Paul's head off.

But if we could avoid this, we would.

-Don't worry Amber- I said, patting her hand still crossed over her chest-, we have the upper hand now, you know, like poker.

Amber made a face but I kept going, I actually had a point there.

-All we have to do is put on our poker face, pretend we don't know anything and make sure they keep thinking that, we have a hidden ace under our sleeve and when time is right we'll use it.

Amber didn't look so sure about that plan, and honestly, nether was I but it was all we had right now.

-And what are we going to do? - Asked Amber, relaxing her arms and instead held on to the steering wheel, anxiously: - We have this thing on Friday with them.

-I'll come up with something- I exhaled tiredly, closing my eyes as I gently pinched the bridge of my nose:-, this whole thing is better now that we're both on the same team, we can actually put up a fight now.

-Yeah, thank God Jamal is going to be there too. She breathed; more relaxed at the mention of Jamal's presence this Friday. I had to admit I was slightly relieved with this too. But something still bugged me. And I took a 'go for it' before I could stop myself.

-You like Jamal don't you? - I said, eyes still closed and relaxed against my seat-, more than a friend I mean.

I felt Amber stiffen next to me and instantly regretted saying anything. So before she could say something I just waved a dismissing hand her way, sadly smiling for myself. Wasn't this an epiphany day for us.

-Never mind Amber, we can talk about that another day, just… let's go home, please.

Amber started the car and drove silently all the way to my house. The sky darkening as I realized I was a lot later than I had told my mother. I got out of the car with my hood up as it still rained viciously. I grabbed my back pack and stopped to face Amber's flustered one. I smiled at her reassuringly.

-Everything is going to be ok Amber, just remember- I sobered my face to a blank expression-, poker face.

I got a smile out of her and continued, now a sincere tone in my voice: - And as for Jamal and you… I say go for it.

Amber's face went violently red and that was the last I got from her as I closed the passenger's door and ran into my house.

My mother hadn't really noticed how late it was, mainly because Salvador was being a brat and it consumed all of her time and attention. He was whining about wanting to play in the rain. And after everything that went on today. It didn't sound like I bad idea.

After a couple of minutes of negotiating with my mother I convinced her to let us go out, and Leo and Vicky joined us as they heard I was winning. We got a couple of buckets, a ball and a jumping rope. We went out of the house fully armed and barefooted to encounter a heavier rain.

We played a weird version of tag where we followed each other with buckets being filled with rain water, slashing and jumping in the puddles in the middle of the street playing soccer. Our neighbors peeked out there windows to see what the entire ruckus was about and looked surprised to see us running around in middle of a flood. I suppose kids didn't play outside that much here.

We were playing jumping the rope as a big truck parked in front of our house. My dad climbed out with a big squeaky yellow raincoat to stare at us with a huge grin in his brunet face, a little pitch black mustache crowning his perfectly white smile.

Like when we were in Mexico, my dad stayed to play with us, proved to be a lot better jumping the rope than us and then got his own rope, the one he used to catch cows in the ranch he has back home and did a couple of 'Fate games' with it, spinning a wide circle with it and jumping from side to side thru that circle, then proceeded to lash us as we ran in different directions, catching us every time.

In some way, it felt as if the family was whole again.

Night had fallen and the only light came from the light bulbs of the high poles here and there across the street and the lights from within the houses. Tired and soaking wet we went back inside to be thrown (Leo, Vicky and me) into the garage to take the wet clothes off and leave it drying there. My mother brought us some warm towels and I took off to my"room" and left my sisters, one on each corner of the garage, to undress.

That night we had hot chocolate and a bunch of cookies for dinner, a peace and happiness I hadn't felt in a long time came to our house that night and we talked and laughed up until midnight. I didn't know what to expect for the next day but I was sure that this peace would have left us by sun rise. And for some reason, I didn't care.

I was right; the next day went just as any other, with everyone minding their own business. And I didn't feel a thing.

School went on fine, at lunch our table, usually of only three, was filled to the top with Jamal's guys and Amber's friends. That much I could thank the Quileutes for. Everyone had their friends back…

And a sudden idea got to me.

-So… guys, do you know the "protectors"? I asked innocently to everyone in the table. Most of the eyes there seemed to shine at the mention of them, except Amber's, who widened in alarm towards me. I shrugged it off and waited for someone to bite.

-You mean the huge guys from La Push? Asked Tara, the first girl that had talked to me when I arrived, her maroon eyes sparkling with excitement. I nodded with a polite smile. This could actually work.

-Well, they asked us out to lunch this Friday, I was wondering if all of you would like to go with us, sort of like a reconciliation get together.

Amber looked like she was having an aneurism and Jamal on the other side of table just looked confused. Just like all the others there.

-I promise I won't try to stab anyone with a spoon. I joked, using a supposedly seductive voice and the most charming smile I could fake.

It worked and they laughed, agreeing instantly to go with us. I smiled genuinely this time before Amber cut in, eyes staring meaningfully at me: - But don't you think it will be too much for Paul to pay.

I waved her worries away and answered as cheerfully as I could; trying to keep the fish in the net: -Everyone will just pay for their stuff, there, problem solved.

All the heads around the table nodded and Amber sighed defeated. I sent her an 'I'll explain it later' look and kept my pleasant act with everyone, joking and laughing along them. First part of the plan, ready, the second part was going to be a lot tougher.

Lunch ended and I waited for everyone to leave as Amber came up to me with scared sky like eyes. I pulled her away from the group and hurriedly whispered my plan to her. She was more scared as her fears seemed to be confirmed with my explanation.

-What if they just settle for any other of the girls? She asked, and I understood where she was coming from. But I had already thought of that. I shook my head.

-You said they only had interest in me, and even if they do put their eyes on another girl, there'll be too many others there to single out one from the group.

She nodded but her worries were still hard: - Yeah, but we will still have to be there, we invited all of them after all.

I nodded as I got a glimpse of Jamal coming our way, perfect.

-I'll have that covered in a second. I assured her as I turned her around to face Jamal; he smiled at us with inquisitive chocolate eyes: - Aren't you girls going to class?

-Yes, we are- I rushed to answer as I saw Amber opening and shutting her mouth nervously-, Jamal?

-Yes? He answered, curious as I faked an embarrassed expression.

-I was meaning to ask you for a favor- Jamal's face lit up for some reason, probably happy with feeling himself useful-, I'm planning on buying a bed for my new room and I'm going to need some help to get it home, do you mind coming with us and giving us a hand on that?

Pride filled his face and a large, happy smile practically made him glow as he nodded: -Yes, of course, when do you need me?

I smiled widely, yes! Score! : - Well, I'm currently working on borrowing a truck for this, but it will be any day this week.

-Ok then, you just let me know. Jamal smiled and waved goodbye as he walked out of the cafeteria. Amber stared at me with a pair of dumbfolded baby blue eyes. I pulled her out the cafeteria, murmuring her way: -Just trust me; I know what I'm doing.

Classes ended for me and I went to wait for Amber in her car, my skin covered with Goosebumps as the weird feeling of being watched, the same one that kept waking me up the other night, came over me in a blood chilling wave. I listened to my IPod, telling myself it was all product of my imagination. But the feeling just wouldn't go away.

I eventually got pissed and went to lie down in the back seat, if anyone was watching me, which I doubted; they wouldn't be able to do it now. I still felt very self-conscious but it was a lot better than before. Maybe all the stress was making me paranoid.

Amber got there a little after and drove me home, me still sprawled across the back seat with my IPod shaking the car with her stereo.

That afternoon I finished all the preparations for mission: "No-Paul-ssible". Got my sisters to lend me the rest of the money I needed and got Mr. Logan to ask his nephew for his truck. Mr. Logan Jr. said yes and I left everything ready for the show tomorrow. Asking Mr. Logan to send me a message to my cell when he was ready and at the furniture store, just around the time we should be arriving to the Lodge. Of course I didn't tell him anything about my real reasons, and he didn't ask, just as Jamal, he was happy with feeling useful.

The next day went on pretty much the same, me being charming and Amber being stressed. School came to an end for me and I went to wait at Amber's car, finally nervous about the whole act I'd have to pull. I sat on the front of the car and listened to my always handy IPod to sooth me. I hadn't realized I had closed my eyes until I had to open them at the feel of intense heat at my side. It was Paul.

-Hi- he said, flashing me with an immaculate smile. I faked one back at him as my pulse quickened, nerves hitting me again. I took out my earplugs and put away my IPod under his omniscient eyes watching my every move as if it were the most fascinating thing in the world.

-You're early. I said casually, staring at the first building my eyes found to avoid his smoldering ones.

-So are you. He replied, his voice hinting a sufficient smile. I cracked a little smile at the tone he used, a mocking accusation, as if I was dying to see him again.

-My last period teacher has been sick and the substitute just gives us our homework and lets us go. I explained, more like lied, fighting the sarcastic smile that wanted to show itself from the previous thought. Paul sat next to me with a grace so uncharacteristic of someone his size.

-I wasn't asking. He whispered his low tone full of easy content, as if he didn't care about the whys, just happy with the outcome.

-No- I whispered back-, you weren't.

We were like this for a while, sitting next to each other, not a single word crossed. I had started to ignore him up to the point I forgot he was there. And him being so damned light, even his breathing came unnoticed to me, made it even easier.

As the students started to come out and I remembered I should probably warn Paul… I turned to look for him and found myself shoving my face into his biceps. Might as well run into a brick wall for all I knew. It hurt as if I had.

Paul steadied me as I stumbled away from him holding my throbbing nose in my hand. I forgot how close he was.

-Are you ok? He asked, gently pulling my hand away from my face with his gigantic, boiling hot one. I nodded and barked a laugh at myself, how could I forget he was there if he was irradiating as much heat as a toaster?

He lifted my face up with a single finger under my chin to meet his, a couple of inches away, and scanned the affected area. I instinctively jumped away from his hands and faked a grin, a second too late. My heart pounding with an ancient fear that I was struggling to suppress as I said dismissingly: -I've had worse.

Paul surveyed me with fierce, questioning eyes as I stood there, breathing ragging, nose red and eyes wide.

I cleared my throat loudly as Amber and Jamal got to us, looking confused from Paul, looking shockingly dangerous and dark, to me, like I had just got off a very bad joyride.

-I was about to ask you Paul- I began, tone light and carefree, Paul's dark aura significantly diminished when I said his name and I pretended not to notice: - You wouldn't mind if we bring a couple more friends with us, would you?

Paul shook his head, his eyes still searching for something in my face with a cold scroll on his face: - I brought some friends over too.

-We should get going then. I suggested as he nodded in return, his eyes so dark that they looked like coal, the usual glint in them no longer there as they ran me over again and again. I began to feel a little anxious as I walked over to the car, feeling the heat of his stare on the back of my head.

Jamal and Amber shared faint 'hi's' with Paul before parting to each of their cars. Amber got in the driver's seat and as the car started I sighed heavily.

Let the show begin.

So what do you think? Review and let me know. Oh, and please check out my new story, I'm begging you, Ell needs love too.