"Need help?"

I turned around and a smile grew on my lips.

"Noah!"

He drew me in for a hug.

"Long time no see," He said, frowning slightly. He moved a piece of my hair behind my ear. "How is everything? Are Emily and Sam treating you right?"

I chuckled at this. That's one of the things I like about Noah, he cares. Like genuinely cares. "Yes, I am being treated very well."

"That's awesome," His smile grew wider than before. "Umm so I was wondering if you wanted to go to the beach with me and some of my friends on Friday?"

I nodded. "Great," He all but whispered, I reached my hand forward and we laced fingers. I don't think I've ever smiled this big before. He suddenly looked over my head and frowned. I turned around to see Embry. "Hey Em!"

"What's going on here?" He questioned, sizing up Noah.

"Nothing much, I got lost and ran into Noah and we started talking."

"Oh. Well are you coming to lunch?"

"Yea. I just got lost, like I said before," I said. I turned to Noah. "See you later."

"Bye."

I walked away with Embry.

"Okay. What's going on there?"

"Like I said I got lost and ran into Noah."

"Yea but like what were you talking about."

"Why do you care?"

"Because you're my best friend and I deserve to know what's going on."

I rolled my eyes. "He asked me to go to the beach with him and some of his friends." I said crossing my arms in front of my chest.

"Do you really like him though?"

"Yes I do. Unlike Bella I don't plan on using him," I spat.

"Okay. Okay. Just making sure."

I nodded and we walked into the cafeteria. To my surprise the one and only Jacob Black.

"He checked in right before lunch." Embry whispered to me. I nodded.

We sat down at the table. Embry, Paul, Jared, Kim, Quil, and Jacob were all sitting there. Wonderful. I wasn't in the mood to deal with any of this. Jacob kept looking at me and I shifted, it was uncomfortable knowing someone was watching your every move. Finally Embry nudged him and glared. He took the hint and stopped. After the bell rang we went back to class. Jacob was in a few of my afternoon classes. Eventually the day came to an end. My last period teacher pulled me aside and told me that he was very excited I had joined the school and he could help me catch up on schoolwork if I ever needed it. No teacher had ever been so kind and I was appreciative of this. Afterwards I walked outside only to see my ride had left me. Thanks a lot Embry. However, Jacob was there.

He walked up to me, "Need a ride?"

"I think I'd rather walk." There is no way Embry was not involved in this. He definetly set me up.

"Please."

"Jacob seriously, I can't deal with this anymore." I spat.

"What?" His eyes widned at my tone.

"You're breaking me here. First you hate me. Can't stand to even be near me. Then you're comforting me, almost kissing me. Then you go right back to ignoring me. I literally get pushed off a cliff and you call me immature. And now you want to take me home? Can't you see what you're doing to me Jacob?"

Meeting his eyes, I wanted nothing more than to hug him. Then to tell him it was okay and I forgave him. His eyes were filled with regret and hurt. But I couldn't do it. I couldn't tell him it was okay because it wasn't. He hurt me. He didn't care about me. He put Bella first.

Instead of the comfort I so badly wanted to give him, I continued. He needed to hear this. He had to. I was determined to make sure he understood exactly what he had done to me.

"For so long I've wondered what I did wrong. Why I wasn't good enough for you? And when you seemed to care, it was like the best feeling in the world. But then you would turn on me. And suddenly I wasn't good enough again. I never would be."

"You are good enough. I hate myself for ever making you feel like that. I was stupid. So stupid to ever make you feel like that. I won't ever be able to forgive myself for treating you like that. I'm begging you for another chance, please." He took a step closer to me, but I took a step back.

" Jacob, actions speak louder than words. You are going to have to prove yourself. I'm not just going to let you back in, I don't trust you enough. Maybe one day we can be friends and work our way up from there. But for now, I need space."

"Don't do this, please," His voice cracked.

I shook my head at him. "I have to." With that I turned away.

The walk wasn't that long and my feet only hurt a little. Thank goodness it didn't rain though. I kept thinking about what just happened. I was mad. I was mad at Jacob for treating me the way he did. I was mad at Embry for putting me in that position. I was mad at Bella for manipulating people around us. I was mad at Charlie for kicking me out. And I was mad at me for not being able to forgive Jacob and for caring so much. Was this normal? I didn't really have anybody to ask. Embry was my best friend and even then we didn't hang out much. I wouldn't tell him my secrets, and lucky for me he never asked. I realized through this process I had isolated myself from other people. The pack weren't the only ones who exsisted. I lost myself. Looking back at how I told Jacob I needed space, it was true. I needed to find myself.

I stormed in the house, slamming the door behind me. Everyone turned their heads towards me. "Embry," I spat out.

He paled. "So it didn't go well?"

"You're such an idiot. I cannot believe you! Did you actually think that would help? You left me stranded there."

"I'm sorry, I thought you guys would work things out. All of the other imprints did."

I don't know if he meant for that to be an insult, but to me it was. For some reason I felt like he was blaming me for what happened. Jacob was the one who rejected me. I finally stood up for myself.

"I can't believe you," I whispered. I felt myself tearing up.

"Beth, I didn't mean it like that."

"It doesn't matter anymore." I stormed up the stairs.

"Liz wait," I heard Emily say. I slammed the door to my room and locked it. That night I cried myself to sleep, not caring who heard it.