It was Thursday already and every teacher just had to remind me. Pretty much everything was going on tomorrow. Spanish presentations, Math Test, Bio Quiz, In- Class writing essay worth 15% of our grade, and whatever else I was forgetting. Slumping in whatever seat it was, I laid my head on the table and blocked out the drowning noise.

We now had a basketball hoop at our house. Charlie expected me to play. What was even worse was that I wanted to. When I saw that board hanging from the top of the garage, I got an exciting rush to play. But then life came crashing back down. I couldn't play. I shouldn't play.

Making my way through the day, I noticed Tessa and her group avoided me wherever they could. Checking in with Kim, I made sure they hadn't messed with her either. She giggled answering the question.

"Not even once," she proudly exclaimed. I guess every time she looked over at them they acted like mice scurrying away. Happy that she was happy, I finished the day all in one piece.

Kim didn't even bother asking me if I was going to Sam's after school. We all met in the parking lot and Jake took me home without a word. Thanking him, I watched him drive off. My eyes were met with the basketball hoop again. Sighing, I dropped my bag and picked up the ball. I dribbled it a bit, closing my eyes as I heard the beautiful sound. It had been a long time since a ball had been in my hand.

Placing myself a few feet from the front of the basket, I just stared at it. It brought back all of the memories from Phoenix. The feeling of shooting a basket and running the courts; the sound of everyone's gym shoes scoffing the floor; the whistle blowing from the coach when he or she saw a foul play. I wanted to play again so bad, but the risks were too high.

"Are you going to shoot?" a voice asked interrupting me. I turned to the edge of the forest and found Paul.

"What are you doing here?" I asked as he stalked towards me.

"Clearing the air," he said staring at me. I nodded, going back to staring at the hoop. 'Izzy!' 'Izzy!' the voices cheered in my head. It was the sound of the crowds. That sound would never get old and it would be something I would remember for a lifetime. The crowd chanting my name gave me this rush of adrenaline that had me going. All of the signs and the screams. It made me feel good.

"Shoot it," Paul coaxed standing right behind me. He had his hands on either hip while his mouth was breathing right against my ear.

Feeling my heartbeat increase at his proximity, I focused on the net.

"Shoot," Paul said one more time, and so I did. Lifting my feet up from the ground just a bit, I made a free throw, hearing the swish of the ball go directly into the net.

"Impressive," Paul commented leaving go of me to grab the ball that rolled beside us. Nodding, I swallowed hard and stepped away from him. That feeling came back. The one I had always felt on the court. I needed to push it away. I had to stop playing- for my own good.

"One on one?" Paul challenged to me. I shook my head closing my eyes for a brief moment. "I cant."

"Oh come on," he enticed. Tearing his eyes away from me, he lifted his arms, flicked his wrist and made a free throw of his own. Swish.

"No, really, I shouldn't," I said going to pick up my bag. He stopped me before I could though. Sliding himself in between me and the only thing stopping me, he waited till I met his eyes.

"Why are you so afraid?"

"I'm not," I said with honesty. I wasn't afraid. Afraid was being fearful. And I wasn't fearful of the court or the ball. I wasn't even fearful of getting pushed and shoved by others, especially Paul. But I admit that because that wasn't why I was anxious. Not one bit.

"Then lets play," Paul said holding up the ball. I swallowed hard again staring at the orange circular globe. Why did Charlie do this? Why did he have to put up a net?

Hesitantly, I picked up the ball from his hands and threw it up in the air, only to catch it with my hands. It felt good.

Paul backed up from me, ready to start the game.

"Check," I announced bouncing the ball to him. He bounced it right back and the game began. He played good defense. He was big enough and wide enough to block numerous good shots I would have had with a girl's team. But that only pushed me harder. It only made me want to go faster and be stronger. Eventually I had an opening and took the shot. Bounce, bounce, swish.

"Again," Paul said. We checked the ball and went again. This time he stole the ball, making a shot in the hoop. We did it over and over till I finally scored the tie breaking point. 4-3. I win. Catching my breath I bent down. Chest pains- bad chest pain.

"You okay?" Paul asked looking over at me concerned. I nodded focusing hard on up righting myself.

"I win," I said swiftly picking up my bag from the floor.

"Bella?" Paul called still standing in the driveway.

"See you later Paul," I said over my shoulder as I walked in the house and shut the door behind me.

I wasn't as bad as I thought I was. Of course, I immediately dropped my bag and went to sit on the steps. Ain't dead yet, I thought to myself.

After the symptoms subsided I grabbed some food from the kitchen and spent most of my time upstairs. Around 9pm I heard a knock on the front door. Skipping down the steps, I went to go see who it was.

Shocked beyond belief, I stared at the two people I thought I would never see again.

"Surprise!" Abby shouted. They both had bags over their shoulders.

"What are you guys doing here?" I asked as I rushed them in shutting the door.

"We wanted to surprise you! Us girls took a trip with the coach and wanted to say hi!" Abby spoke with happiness.

"The coach is here?" I asked the two.

"She is at some conference thing but yea, she is in Washington," Zoey said hugging me.

"Wow," I said still shocked.

"Think your pops will mind if we crash here till Sunday?" Abby asked.

"Where is your old man anyways?" Zoey asked looking around the dark house.

"Oh, that is a long story," I said nodding up to my room. "He's not home or around enough to probably even care you guys are here. Come on, we can set your things down in my room and talk."

Getting them situated we made a makeshift bed for someone on the floor while someone else slept with me in my queen sized one.

"He's married?" Zoey said wide-eyed. I nodded and Abby let out a whistle. "Didn't see that one," she said.

"So how are you taking this?" Abby asked. From there, I told my best friends how I felt- like I wasn't even his child anymore. He didn't seem to care.

"Have you told anyone?" Zoey asked.

"My friend Kim," I said. "And this guy Sam," I said rolling my eyes. Both of their jaws opened and immediately they wanted details. So I told them what I could. I left out the imprinting and that they were werewolves, but I did tell them both Paul and Sam had feelings for me. I blurted out my worries from the shower and even told them about the fight they almost got into when I cut my hand.

"Shoot girl, you've had quite the amount of drama," Zoey said leaning back on the bed.

"You have no idea," I huffed out sitting against the headboard. We talked a while longer, this time the girl's filling me in on their lives. Zoey had a boyfriend now named Ethan who was also a senior. I laughed uncontrollably when Abby commented that their first name initials together were 'EZ'. I guess the kid was knew, Ethan Scott, so I looked at a picture of him and Zoey together on her phone.

"And you?" I questioned to Abby.

"I am currently boyfriend less and plan to stay that way. If I get my scholarship or offers from colleges on basketball, I am taking me and no man will stop me. Plus, being on the prowl is fun," she joked. We all laughed together finding the night quite exciting.

As my alarm clock went off for 6:30, I quickly shut it off. Going for a shower, I let my visitors sleep.

"So what are you guys going to do while I'm at school?" I wondered coming into the room. They were now wide-awake as I walked back in my bedroom.

They smirked at each other from the small distance and then me.

"What?" I asked going to pick out my clothes for the day. They had something up their sleeves.

"Well you see, when we bugged Turns (our coach- we had a nickname for her) to tag along, we also convinced her to write us a pass."

"A pass to sit in with you at class!" Abby said excitedly. I laughed along with Zoey. Pulling a shirt over my head I asked how that was possible.

"The coach has some major pull. Like no joke. I'm sure she already called your secretary lady and informed her."

"Sweet," I smiled. Waiting for them to get dressed, I warned them of my busy day. They told me not to worry, promising they would steer clear of talking to me.

It was 7:28 when we got downstairs and the thought occurred to me Jake was giving me a ride. Hitting my hand with my forehead, I grabbed a package of pop tarts and walked outside just as he was pulling up.

"Is!" both girls shouted for me as I went outside barefoot.

"Hey," I said to Jake leaning over the window he rolled down for me. "So I had some unexpected visitors last night. Since its double the trouble, I don't think they are going to fit so I will have to drive myself."

"Sure," he said glancing over to the girls in the front doorway of the house.

"Who are they?"

"My basketball girls," I said. He nodded and leaned over to really look at me. "Don't be late and stay safe okay?"

I rolled my eyes and smiled. "Its like a 5 minute drive to school Jake. I will be fine, but thank you." I said. "Here," I ripped open the package and gave him his half. "See you at school!" I hollered over my shoulder. Hearing the honk, I walked my way back up to the house.

"Who was that hunk?" Abby asked swooning. "I thought you were trying to stay single?" I asked with a raised eyebrow. She rolled her eyes and shut the door behind me.

"That was Jacob. He and I used to be friends when we were little."

"He's hot," Zoey said grabbing an apple from the fridge.

"Ha, just wait till you see everyone else," I said with a smirk. I filled them in about mostly everyone. They were a bit bummed they wouldn't be seeing Paul and Sam, who they were very eager to meet, but they settled with seeing some other available hot guys for the taking. Getting my pills, I felt the relief of not needing to hide them.

"Oh wait," I said as we were getting ready to go to the car. Both of the girl's froze. "Nobody here knows about my condition and I want to keep it that way."

They both nodded, keeping their mouths shut, as they got ready to start the day with me. We got to school 10 minutes later. Kim, Leah and all of the boys were just getting ready to go inside. The three of us got out and I locked my car.

"Hey guys," I announced. Introducing Zoey and Abby to everyone, they all shook hands and I waited to walk with Kim as usual. Just because Zoey and Abby were here didn't mean I was going to leave her behind.

"You don't have to walk with me Bella," Kim said quietly. I rolled my eyes at her and brought my leg up behind us to hit her on the butt. "Hush, you're my best friend too ya know."

She gave me a beaming smile and joined my little basketball girl group. We walked into school and I pulled Zoey and Abby away from Embry and Quil.

"Go to class," I told the two wolves. They flashed me a smirk and charmed my friends as they walked off.

"Hot," Zoey said with a smirk. We all laughed, including Kim. Making my way into math, Zoey and Abby saw the board.

"Iz, this is Pre-calc," Abby said confused.

"I know," I said walking in the class. The three of us explained to Mr. Levin what they were doing here and promised him they wouldn't be a distraction. Accepting it, they sat on the window ledge beside me.

"So, why are you in pre calc?" Zoey asked.

"The highest level of math here they offer is Calculus. But the math department is trying to fight this so Mr. Levin was trying to learn Calc 3 and offered me to try it out."

"And how are you doing in it?" Zoey asked as Abby continued to talk with Quil.

"Not too bad actually," I said before the class had to quiet down so we could start our tests.

The day flew by pretty quickly. I was so happy it was Friday. When the little group of us (Kim included) walked back out to the parking lot, someone's phone rang. Immediately Zoey, Abby and I went for our phones.

"Me!" Abby said excitedly. "Hey coach," she said. She talked on and on with her while we huddled in a group in the parking lot waiting for everyone to meet us out here and drive off. Snapping the phone shut, Jared came running to the group, with happiness.

"94%" he said holding up his bio test. We gave each other a high five and then Kim gave him a big hug and kissed him senseless.

"Alrighty, well can we go now?" I asked.

They all nodded and we went into our cars. I had explained to Zoey and Abby earlier that we usually went to Sam's place afterward. Pitching the idea that we didn't have to go, they retaliated with threats.

"I don't even know if he will be home," I said as we drove there. "He had this new work thing so he's probably out."

"We can wait," Abby said.

"And what about the other guy? Paul?" Zoey asked. "He'll still be there right?"

"Not a clue," I said honestly.

They continued on talking about my love life as I rolled my eyes. The wondered what Sam would look like and how sexy Paul really was.

I parked up on Sam's driveway and found his car here. Great.

"You know," I said turning to the girls. "I was trying to avoid them. Not go meet with them after school."

Zoey rolled her eyes. "Oh come on, it won't kill ya," she grumbled getting out of the truck.

I glared at her evilly as Abby snickered and slid out too. Kim met me half way again giving me a sympathetic look. She obviously knew I didn't really want to be here.

"He has a net?" Zoey asked turning to the left. I peered over to her eyesight and found she was right. He had a standing basketball net. How had a never realized that?

"Oh, this should be fun," Abby said rolling her eyes. "What?" I asked confused.

"See that look?" Abby leaned over asking me. We both looked at Zoey. "That is her competitive look. Ever since she became team captain, it has gotten to her head a bit."

"Has not," Zoey said rolling her eyes. Abby gave a defiance look. "Yes it has. But anyway, now since she is all high and mighty she has been wanting to cream your ass."

I rolled my eyes and shoved her lightly. "Like you could," I joked.

"You really want to test me?" she asked, this strange emotion flickering over her face. I gave her a surprised look. She knew I couldn't.

"I mean, sorry," she said going back to her old self. Staring at her confused, I was about to ask her about it when Quil interrupted. "You ladies coming inside or standing out there all day?"

Brushing off her weirdness, we all walked inside together so I could introduce her to Sam and Paul.

"Girls, this is Sam and Paul," I said introducing them.

"Holy mama!" Abby exclaimed looking at the two.

"Shoot girl," Zoey said staring at them. I blushed furiously as Paul and Sam looked at me amused.

"Guys, these are my b-ball girls Zoey and Abby," I said pointing at the two. Paul and Sam shook their hands and I rolled my eyes as the girls swooned.

"Yo Mo and Curly? You good now?" I asked to the two. Breaking them out of their little bubble they glared at me. We hated that nickname in high school, but hey, it got them to stop looking at my guys like that. I drifted into the kitchen getting myself something to eat. Finding an apple, I threw one to Zoey and an orange to Abby.

"Thank you!" she said with a smile.

As I stalked back into the living room with everyone else, I plopped down on the couch.

"How was school?" Sam asked me.

"Just dandy," I said with sarcasm. Zoey and Abby raised an eyebrow at edginess in my voice.

"I got the remedy," Zoey said. "Keys," she commanded to me. Looking at her strangely, I took them out of my back pocket and threw them to her.

"Do you know what she's doing?" I asked Abby. She nodded a bit gloom.

"Go change," Zoey said coming and throwing a gym bag at me. Staring at what I caught, my eyes went wide. "Oh no, we aren't playing. No," I said giving her a stern look. She knew I shouldn't.

"Girl, you are going to drive all of these fine men insane with your attitude. Now get your ass in the bathroom before I strip you down myself and make you change," Zoey said with her captain voice.

Everyone looked shocked.

"Damn that would be hot," Embry said. I blushed hard as Zoey just rolled her eyes and laughed. Paul hit him over the back of the head and chuckled along with the group.

"Zoe, no." I said firmly. She glared at me. "Time." She asked Abby.

"3:43," Abby said looking at her watch. Zoey nodded.

"Lets go Iz. Practice would have started almost an hour ago. Get your ass moving," she said.

"Language," Kim scolded. I let out a snicker.

"Go," Abby said kindly. "It will help."

Shooting her a look, I wondered if they were crazy. Did they not remember I couldn't play?

"Come on Swan. You played with me yesterday," Paul spoke up. Sam immediately growled and my best friends looked up at me with a raised eyebrow. I glared at the cocky son of a bitch.

"Now you're definitely getting changed," Zoey said. Sighing, I stood up from the couch with the stupid bag and went to go change. Taking out the articles of clothing, l slid on some black shorts, a red sports bra and a thick black tee. I put on my socks and tied my shoes. Noticing she had snuck two pills in a baggie and set them in the bag made me think she knew what she was doing. These were my pills. Throwing them back in my mouth, I took a sip of water and went back out to the group.

"Good, lets go," Zoey said with Abby following closely.

Everyone was looking at me. "What?" I asked the Pack. Sam and Paul's eyes were glued to me while the rest of them were roaming my body. I stared down at my attire. It was normal stuff. Sure the tee was a bit thicker than usual but I think that Zoey did it on purpose. It was colder in Forks and she knew it.

"Iz!" they both yelled. Not keeping them any longer, I went back outside and saw they had a basketball in their hands.

"Whose car?" Zoe asked as the Pack came to join us outside. I looked to Kim for help but she was just as interested in watching me as everyone else. 'Sorry' she mouthed.

"I got it," Paul said moving his car back so we had more space.

"Lets go," Zoey said silently telling me to come here. I rolled my eyes.

"Just remember I was team captain not too long ago okay? No need for the snappy sass."

Swinging my hair into a high ponytail, I looked up at the hoop and felt the tingling rush.

"You feel it don't you?" Abby asked watching the high I was feeling. Glancing at her I nodded.

"Bring it."

We played till I literally couldn't catch my breath. Zoey and I were sweating. She was good. Getting even better than me. The score was close. 10-8. Feeling over heated, I pulled off the black tee. Throwing it on the ground, I grabbed a swig of water and cracked my neck from side to side.

"Let's go," I huffed as I threw the bottle back down. I heard Abby mumble some things to the guys as they all stood watching. She did that from time to time. Probably filling them in on my history with the game. As I checked the ball, I could feel Sam's intense stare on me, so I had to stop. I gave the alpha male a look but his brown pools had now turned dark, almost black color.

"Control yourself?" I asked politely. Sam didn't even flinch. His cheeks didn't blush and his eyes didn't blink. He just watched.

"That goes for you too pretty boy," I called to Paul as we started the game and I made a jump shot. His eyes were gazing at my body too.

"11-8," I announced. Zoey pulled some high school move that I created up, so I easily jumped up and blocked her shot.

"What the hell, foul," she called as the ball bounced and rolled away.

"Look around, there is no ref," I said arms wide. Her attitude was starting to piss me off. Scooping up the ball from the ground, I stumbled as she shoved me. Dropping the ball back on the ground, I strode over to her. The rest of the guys were holding Sam and Paul back as they watched the scene unfold.

"Watch it Zoe," I said with a warning as I pushed my face up close to her.

"Make me Dwyer," she said pushing me again by the shoulders. She hit my sore spot but I make sure to catch my footing so I wouldn't stumble back as much. Feeling anger, I gained my own momentum and shoved her back hard, watching as she staggered backwards.

"Bella," Kim said with a bit of a plea in her voice. The situation continued to get heated. Zoey was back to pushing me, taunting me with her words while I just played defense shoving her back.

A loud whistle stopped us both and we covered our ears. "What the hell?" I snapped to Abby as she took her fingers out of her mouth.

"Are you done? Geez, it's a game," she said glaring at us both. I huffed and looked to the guys. Sam and Paul had stopped shaking, now putting their own hands over their ears, when Abby gave the loud whistle. Sensitivity to sound-oops.

"You good?" Abby asked Zoey. The captain hesitated with her anger so Abby turned to me.

"Alright?" she wondered. I gave Zoey a look. She still had that stupid look of 'im the shit don't mess with me' on her face, so I tilted my head to the side. "I could take a few more swings at the 'captain' over there," I told her.

Zoey clenched her teeth and swiftly walked over punching me in the face before I had time to react. I faltered back, holding the left side of my jaw. Ouch.

"Bella!" Kim said slipping under the guys' arms and rushing over to me. I held my jaw, glaring at my girl. She let this popularity shit go to her head.

"Are you okay?" Kim asked looking at my bleeding mouth. I turned my head to spit out some blood and continued to glare at Zoey.

"What the hell?" Abby yelled to her captain. Zoey just shoved her away, rolling back her shoulders.

"Get over there," I commanded to Kim as nice as I could. She stepped backwards and I went to face Zoey. Taking my turn to move, I shoved her with all my might. She hit the side of my car with a loud bang. "Stop acting like you run this place. You're not at your damn high school any more. Show some respect," I commanded. With furry in her eyes, she got up, ready to push me again. Catching her wrist in my hand before she could do anything, I twirled it around behind her back. "Watch it," I warned her again. She elbowed me in the stomach and I quickly let her go to catch my breath. I glared at her.

"Stop!" Abby yelled before things could escalate further. Getting back to my normal position, I grabbed a hold of Zoey's shoulder. Kicking her feet out from underneath her, she fell to the floor and I stepped away from her reach so she couldn't do the same thing to me.

"You good now?" I asked bending back over to the ground. God, I think she bruised some ribs.

She lay on the driveway composing herself for a second. "Good," she breathed. Walking back to her, I held out an arm and helped her up.

"Was that necessary?" Kim asked incredulous as she rushed to tend to both our aids. Zoey and I looked at each other and nodded. "Yea, pretty much."

Glancing over at Abby we saw her shaking her head. Zoey and I got into this a lot. She was my substitute captain if I was to ever miss a game or be sick back when I attended Phoenix high. We both had the alpha girl perspective so sometimes we got fought with one another to put each other in their place again.

"Jesus," I breathed at Kim as she pushed on my ribs. Everyone had now joined us on the court.

"Izzy Dwyer," A voice rang out. I snapped my head over to the owner. It sounded familiar. Why?

"Coach T?" I asked surprised. Running over to her, I eloped her in a hug.

"Good to see you too," she laughed. When I pulled away she looked me over. "Looks nasty," she said referring to the bruise that was starting to form on my stomach. I grumbled. Stupid fight.

"I can see you and Zoey are still getting at each others throats," she said looking over to her lead girl. I blushed a bit.

We walked back up the driveway together. "You girls ready to go?" the captain asked.

I looked at them confused. "Yea, change of plans," Abby said reading my face. "Coach called and said we needed to get back on the road. I was going to tell you after I got the call but we were busy here getting you out of your funk," she explained. I rolled my eyes, it was not a funk.

"She needs to play some more ball," Zoey explained to coach Turner. The older woman nodded and then furrowed her eyebrows. "But I thought…"

I cleared my throat before she could go any further with that sentence. Both Abby and Zoey looked away from the Pack and the coach.

"I'm sure they know now," Zoey said lowly as she signaled to my medical necklace. It was out in the open. Wide eyed, I quickly went to go get my shirt. I forgot it could be seen when I took off my black tee to model my red sports bra, crap. Nice move Bella, I thought in my head.

"Ready?" coach asked again. The girls both nodded.

Abby gave me a tight hug. I winced a bit as she somewhat came in contact with my ribs. "Stay in touch, be careful and I love you. Don't do anything stupid like we just roped you into," she said with a smile.

"I would say goodbye to you," Zoey started, "but I want to show the coach how you move one more time. You up for another shot?" she wondered. Looking at the hoop, I nodded. Everyone gave us some room as we grabbed the ball. We checked it and played our hardest against each other. Swish! Another point for me.

"She still has it Coach," Zoey said giving me a high five and turning it into a hug. "Be safe okay?" she mumbled to me. I nodded. "You too. Hey, give my regards to Ethan. Tell him I like your initials together- EZ," I teased. She rolled her eyes and shoved me teasingly.

I smiled at the pair.

"Bella, great to see you. Glad you haven't lost your touch. But be careful," she stressed. "Its not good on your heart."

I winced at her words and immediately Abby and Zoey put a plan in action. Telling the coach they would meet her in the car, I scurried along with them as they went to grab their bags from the house.

"What do I do?" I whispered loudly at the pair. I knew when they left questions were sure to arise.

"I don't know," Zoey said sympathetically.

"Maybe you should just tell them," Abby said with a weak look as she went to pick up her stuff. "The cats out of the bag already," she pointed out.

I pleaded them with my eyes to stay here. "Look, call us later okay? If things go south well…your mom pitched you an offer," Zoey said getting ready to walk out. I let out a sigh, wincing a bit as my ribs gave me a shockwave of pain.

"Bye Iz!" they said waving. Throwing their stuff in the coach's car, I grumbled. With a long wave, I watched them leave, driving out of sight.

A/N: Soooo, what's going to happen! The secret is out to the Pack!