"Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition."

-Steve Jobs

Jake had red cuts on his arms and legs as he sunk onto the porch steps. They were already fading but stung slightly as he touched them. He had thrown on a pair of Sam's old, denim shorts before bypassing everyone in the living room in favor of the fresh air.

Moments later, he heard the door creak open. He didn't bother to look up as he heard footsteps come toward him.

"You got me good on the arm."

Embry lowered himself next to Jake, also clad in one of Sam's old pairs of shorts. He rubbed his shoulder slightly, raising his eyebrows at Jacob.

"I'm sorry." Jake let all the air out of his lungs. His anger had dissipated after getting it all out fighting Embry, and now he just felt like an idiot.

"Don't worry, it's already healing," Embry said, giving him a smirk.

Jacob knew that Embry knew what he meant. But even though Embry could joke around, he was quick to forgive. He liked that about him—it was a good match for his stubbornness sometimes.

"I meant I'm sorry I was such an asshole," Jake corrected, biting his lip. Usually he might let it go, but he needed to say it. "I didn't mean to...well...you know. I'm sorry."

"It's alright," Embry shrugged, leaning back so his hands were behind him. "I was kind of asking for it."

"You kissed her," Jacob pointed out, his eyes narrowing for a second.

"On the cheek!" Embry defended, his cheek twitching. "But it won't happen again."

"No, it won't." Jake started for a second, his eyes widening. He hadn't even meant to say that. A grin stretched across Embry's face, but he looked away before he could lock eyes with him.

"I get it," Embry said. "Well, sort of. I can only see what you guys go through...it kind of all just got to me. Thought you could use a shove in the right direction before you exploded."

"Turns out I exploded anyway."

"Better on me than someone else."

"Yeah." Jake sighed. He felt better than he had this morning, but he could still feel a headache forming at his temples. He massaged them, speaking through his fingers. "It's kind of messing me up."

"We've noticed." Embry said, his tone flat. Jake didn't have to look at him to know he was probably rolling his eyes. "I just have to say this before you punch me again. But...it would be a lot easier if you stopped fighting it all the time. You do know that, right?"

Jacob didn't bother trying to push down his automatic reply. He didn't bother to fight the feeling, or to convince himself that Embry was as delusional as his own stupid body was. Instead, he finally let out the truth that had been harboring inside of him.

"Yeah." He let out a long sigh. "I know."

Shay was bored, again. Tomorrow was Monday, but she had already finished all her homework, typed up her newspaper article, and studied as much as her brain would let her for her Physics test. She wandered around the house aimlessly, sliding down the hallways for a while before retreating back to her room.

Her mom had texted her that she would actually be home for dinner- a late dinner of course, but Shay still had another hour before then.

She looked around her room. It hadn't changed much since they'd moved here five years ago. Despite her protests to paint her walls lime green, they'd stayed a neutral gray. To compensate, she had covered every inch of one of them in posters. She scanned over them now—pictures of a boy band she no longer listened to, her first newspaper article, the Harry Potter cast, Edgar Allan Poe, and a few old postcards from her grandma.

She'd have to decorate better when she went to college.

Slumping into her desk, she started to put away her schoolwork into her bag when her hand crept toward the drawer.

Looking around—as if her mother would suddenly pop from her closet—she pulled out her college letters.

She had to do this. She had to choose her own path, no matter what her mother said. She felt like a weight was tied around her ankles every time her mother brought up her future. Why did she get to decide? She never agreed with Shay on anything in her life, so maybe she should realize picking her career path wouldn't work out either.

Shay closed her eyes, wishing not for the first time that her grandpa was here.

"Why aren't you listening to me?"

"Because we are not having this discussion," her mother snipped. "Now get ready, your father is taking you to school."

Shay's anger was usually hot fire, but this time it was a cold ice spreading through her. Her body stiffened with it, making her freeze in her steps and breathe before she could even go forward. Her mother never listened to a word she said unless it was agreeing with her. How could she be so oblivious?

Her mother didn't utter another phrase as she left the kitchen, her heels clacking against the tiled floor. Shay slumped against the counter, rubbing her head.

"Don't let her get to you, pititchu."

Shay's spine relaxed hearing her grandpa's nickname for her. Moon. She never really asked why, but just having a nickname made her heart swell. He rested a hand on her shoulder, making her turn to him.

"How can you handle her, Grandpa?" Her voice was rushed. "She never thinks about anyone but herself."

Her grandpa stilled for a moment, his face searching hers. It was one of his good days—she could tell just by the fact that he was walking. His wrinkles seemed less on days like this, because his eyes shone just like her dad's when he was excited about something.

"I know I should be telling you to respect your elders." He let his hand fall and walked a few steps toward the kitchen table, taking a seat in the small, wooden chair. "But I think you're old enough to know that your parents and I don't exactly see eye to eye."

Shay felt a tingling anticipation as she walked toward the table. She was thirteen now, but her family still treated her like a child. Her grandpa talked to her like an adult, and it made her bones sing with confidence.

"Why don't you, Grandpa?" she asked, taking the seat next to him and turning her body to face his.

"The Quileute people have a lot of legends. Of course, they're just legends, but a lot of our ways of life...well let's just say your mother doesn't believe in them. She's a black and white person."

Shay had heard this phrase before, and thought it perfectly suited her mother. She was going to agree, but she wanted her grandpa to keep talking, so she kept her gaze on him as he met her eyes.

"Always be gray, pititchu. You never know something until you've heard all the sides, and sometimes even then there isn't a right and wrong."

"I understand." Shay felt herself nod, and then felt her grandpa's hand take hers.

"It will be hard for you. I won't always be around, and your parents don't understand. They are brain people, but you have to follow your heart, sometimes, my love." He squeezed her fingers tightly. "Don't let them tell you your heart is not important."

My heart is important, Shay affirmed, the memory clinging to her.

She squeezed the letters in her hands before putting them back in the drawer with a smile.

Embry was right. As Jacob sat in the wooded area near Shay's house, he already felt better. Sometimes on patrol, he would sweep the perimeter around her house—make sure nothing was there. But he'd never let himself get too close.

Now, as he did, he felt his chest loosen.

You'll feel the pull, Sam had warned. And he did. But he never let himself get pulled. Until now.

Her house was tiny, about the size of his. It lacked anything colorful—everything was white and gray. Even the porch had no flowers or chairs. Jacob noticed Shay's hunk of junk car parked in the driveway. He felt nervous just looking at it.

He peered inside the windows, which were now visible as the night got darker. He could hear the hum of a television, but he hadn't heard Shay speak, so she must be alone.

Where was her family? He wracked his brain to think of anything she or Kim had said, but he couldn't remember if she had brothers or sisters. If she did, they weren't here now.

His heart stuttered as he saw a shadow moving down the stairs—and then Shay came into view.

She was wearing black pants and an oversized sweatshirt that read SAN FRANCISCO on it in bold purple letters. He remembered when she moved here from California-the school was abuzz about it since they didn't usually get newcomers. But he'd never really talked to her and he suddenly didn't know why.

She reached the landing of the stairs with a hop and then ran a few feet to slide on her socks. He would have smiled if he wasn't in wolf form, but instead he moved a foot closer as she disappeared from his sight.

She was so...he couldn't place it. Unaware? Awkward? Cute? Even when he wanted to hate her, he couldn't. It wasn't her fault that all this happened.

And yet...maybe staying away from her was a good thing. If he got too close she might get the wrong impression. Sometimes protectiveness can read as love, and he didn't want to lead her on.

He'd been so lost in his thoughts he hadn't noticed her footsteps coming toward him until the front door opened slowly.

The light spilled onto the porch, back-lighting Shay's small frame. He quickly moved back into the shadows of the trees in case she looked over to the forest, but she was more intent on the bowls in her hands.

Bowls?

Jacob watched her balance the two bowls in her hands and push the screen open, using her butt to hold it while she bent over to place them on the floor. Her hair fell in front of her. It was getting long, and it looked slightly wavy as it obscured her face. He liked it curly—it felt well with her cheekbones.

He moved on from studying to her to wonder what she was doing, before it clicked.

Oh god. She was feeding stray cats. The irony struck him for a moment and he shook his head.

Hopefully she was a dog person, too.

He watched her re-enter the house and the light retreated back inside when she shut the door. He could hear her now—a light hum escaping her.

He laid down for a moment, putting his head on his paws.

Okay, so this was what it felt like to give in. Sort of tranquil, and relaxing. His limbs felt lighter, but his brain was giving him trouble.

He had a nagging feeling like he was betraying Bella just by being here. Like if he gave into Shay all together, he was giving up on Bella and letting her become a leech.

And although he didn't know if the relief outweighed the guilt, and although he wasn't ready to give up on Bella...

He had to know her.

Shay got the idea somewhere between putting away her article and realizing she wouldn't even be able to afford textbooks for college.

She needed a job.

If she was going to do this, she needed time to convince her mother she had thought it all out. So, she reached for her phone, pressing 'Call' and holding her breath.

"Hello?"

"Leah! Hey."

"Hey Shay, what's up?"

She actually sounded in a good mood, which gave Shay hope.

"I was just wondering if your mom still needed help at the bakery..."

BOOM! Pretty quick update, huh?

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