I'm uploading early (though not by much...) because it's Christmas (so happy Christmas. :] Oh, and I merged two chapters for you as a Christmas present) and because my sister is going to drag me shopping tomorrow to spend money I don't really have. Yay, debt! Haha, just kidding. Anyways, enjoy, because I think the story's gonna be wrapping up soon....And as always, thanks for the reviews and faves! :]

Chapter 10

It had been two weeks since our little conversation. School had started, with runny noses galore and teachers acting like they actually like their job for once. Everyone kind of avoided me for some reason. I know that I can be weird, but I was really making an effort here. I didn't even draw on my binders the first few days.

That soon changed, of course. What else am I going to do in the middle of class? Pay attention? Please.

Plus, I knew she was following me. I don't know why she was, but she was. I had tried to ask Jake about it, but he just shrugged one shoulder and looked away. Which meant he was lying.

Life at home wasn't much better. My dad had found out about the little incident between Laura and I. And I was thusly punished. They took my iPod, cancelled my texting on my cell, and limited my minutes to twenty per month. Oh, and forget about a computer. My dad pulled a typewriter—a typewriter!—out of his ass. And they put a password on the television.

So I was on my way to the public library to make use of their computers. My darling father wouldn't think that far ahead. I was feeling clever and upbeat at the moment, singing some random song.

A burst of cold air hit me as I opened the library's door. A drastic change from the heat outside, my skin was swept with goose bumps. Not pleasant. I grabbed my library card out of my pocket and hurried over to the computer station, flashing it before the librarian.

"Hang on, dear," she said suddenly. I stopped in my tracks, swirling to look back at the old woman. "You aren't allowed to use those computers."

"Um. What?" I asked. I thought maybe my ears really were stuffed with vegetables, like my mom used to tell me.

"You can't use the library's computers. Your father called earlier, gave a description of your face and everything. So, no computer for you. Sorry, dear."

She gave me this pathetic look, like I was a sick puppy she wanted to take home but couldn't because mommy and daddy said I had rabies.

"Whatever," I scoffed, shoving my hands in my pockets. Just as I was about to leave the library and possibly start a boycott, someone grabbed my arm. I screamed bloody murder even as I realized that this was not, in fact, a blood seeking vampire. Instead, it was a guy who looked vaguely familiar.

"Sorry I scared you," he said, chuckling a little. I blushed maddeningly and mumbled something. "I just saw that they kicked you out of the lab. You want to use my laptop? Seems kinda silly for them to do that."

"Um sure," I said, barely comprehending his statement he'd said it so fast. He waved his hand to his laptop and stood to the side.

Because this was not only a little awkward, but a super-amazing-fuck-me-if-this-has-ever-happened-before kind of awkward, I checked my e-mail and nothing more. I was muttering thanks and walking away before he grabbed my arm again.

His face was red, and his blonde hair was on end like he had been running his hand through it for the past few minutes. I raised my eyebrows, expecting him to say something at least. It's not like he could just hold on to my arm forever.

"Well, I was just won-wondering, um, if you would like to go to the harvest dance with me?" he stuttered.

My jaw dropped. I had never been asked to a school dance, and some guy I don't even know just asked me in the most pathetic way possible. Is this guy even in high school yet? He doesn't look older than fifteen, and I don't even know his name!

Oh, god.

I swallowed hard.

"Uh—s-sure?"

(...later...)

"Can I ask you a question?"

Jake looked at me, with raised eyebrows. He had been giving me the silent treatment for a few days now, after he found out that I was going to the Harvest Dance with another guy, Marvin Doyle. I hadn't meant to say yes. I mean, he kinda sprung the question on me, and I answered all like "Uh—y-yes?" So he took it to mean "YES!" which it didn't. I've tried to explain this to Jake, but he responds about as much as a brick wall responds to a pebble being kicked at it.

As he didn't completely ignore me, though, I continued my question.

"What's the square root of 265?"

He shrugged.

"You're about as helpful as a flea."

"So go ask Marvin."

"God, Jake!" I groaned, throwing my (heavy) math book at his head. "Why can't you just get over it? It's not like I really want to go, but I've already said yes, which I already explained wasn't really a conscious decision, so I have to. Forgive me for being a nice person."

I stormed out of his room, and flopped next to Billy. I let my head lean against the old man's shoulder, welcoming the pat on my head. He flipped the channel to a basketball game, a habit which is abundant here in Washington. The game created white noise, and I quickly fell asleep.

"C'mon, Ronnie."

"Five more minutes, Em," I muttered, stretching my numb foot. I had been having a good dream. The lollypops tasted like snozberries….

"No," Embry grunted, lifting me off the couch. "Now. We've got to get you over to Emily's house."

"Why?" I was awake now, and I turned my head to focus on Embry. He looked troubled…worried. Which is never a good thing. And then I realized something. "Where's Jake?"

Embry groaned, and picked up the pace.

"Embry! Where's Jake?" I yelled. "Where is Jacob?"

"I can't tell you, Ronnie!" he said, finally. I stared at him. Embry's face was scrunched up, like it hurt him just to say that. Sam must have forbidden them from telling me. But I couldn't help wanting to scream at him some more. Wanting to scream at Sam. At Jake. At myself.

"Is he okay?" I managed to squeak as Embry set me down on Emily's porch. He just looked at me and shrugged. The feeling of panic was beginning to surface, pulsing through my veins faster and faster with each heartbeat. And before I could do anything more, say anything at all, he was gone.

"King me. Again."

I was quickly proving just how much I fail at life through a game of checkers against a five year old. This little girl, Claire, was good. She had won the last two rounds, and this was obviously going to be a repeat.

"I don't have any more checkers," I muttered. Claire sighed and rolled her eyes. Quite an attitude for someone so young.

"How about we color?" I asked, pushing the hideous game board aside. Claire nodded and went to go grab some paper. I dug through my backpack, which Embry had been thoughtful enough to bring before he got me, and found some colored pencils. They were in bad shape, but they'd do for now. Claire came running back and flopped down next to me, handing me one piece of paper, and keeping the rest for herself.

"Can I have the wed one pwease?" she asked, her eyes never leaving the red pencil. I handed it to her, and she tore into the paper, almost starting a fire with the rate she was going back and forth. I decided not to worry until I could smell smoke, so I started drawing my picture.

Now if there's one thing I'm proud of, it's my ability to draw. I love drawing. I'm really good at animals, actually. So I was drawing a wolf.

Shut up.

"Gween pwease."

"Here ya go."

"Fank you."

I glanced at her drawing, and saw the cutest thing I've seen in a while. It was a picture of her and Quil playing on the beach. (The whole reason I knew it was Quil was because it was labeled.)

"That's very good, Claire," I said, examining the drawing over her shoulder.

Faster than I would have thought possible, Claire covered the drawing and glared at me.

"IT'S NOT FINISHED YET!" she screamed.

I backed off. With my eardrums ringing. Quil would have quite a lot to deal with in the future. I left her alone to finish the drawing and went downstairs. Emily looked up as I jumped the last step, and smiled kindly. I remembered the first time I had been in this kitchen, and just how much I didn't want to be here.

I kinda felt the same way just then.

"Do you want to call your dad and step-mom? They might be worried," Emily said over the clanging of pots and pans. I had completely forgotten.

I was already grounded to Jake's house and my house. I wasn't allowed anywhere else except for school. Plus, with caller ID, my dad would know I wasn't at Jake's, and I'd be even more grounded. Great. Say goodbye to my iPod and laptop. And my cell phone. And my bedroom lock. And my car keys. Ugh.

I picked up the phone, and it rang and rang and rang. Finally, the machine picked up, and Laura's voice filled my head.

"Hi, you've reached Steve and Laura Williams! Please leave a message after the beep!"

Figures she'd leave me out of it.

"Hey, Dad, it's Ronnie. Um, I guess I forgot to call you a while back, but I've been asked to babysit Jake's cousin, Claire, for a while. I'm doing my homework, don't worry, but I'm at Emily and Sam's place, just so you know. Love you, bye."

Hopefully that wouldn't warrant anything too bad.

I felt something tug at my shirt. I turned and saw a smiling Claire. She held the picture up to my face, and by leaning backwards, I could just make it out.

It was the same drawing as before, with Claire and Quil. But now there were two more stick figures, labeled "Jak" and "Rone."

And they were holding hands.