Hi readers! Well... I guess I'm sorry doesn't cover it. It's been quite a while since I've posted, but my senior year has been hectic to say the least! Hopefully, I shall be posting on a more regular basis from now on so enjoy!

Chapter 10.

I scribbled down what we needed from the store on the notepad, tore off the sheet, and shoved it in my purse. Mom and I had picked the right day to have mother/daughter bonding time. It was raining cats and dogs outside and we were going to make a delicious meal for Dad and Mike. I especially owed Mike for covering my butt so many times, so I included many of his favorites on the menu.

"Come on Ellie! The rain is letting up!" Mom called.

I grabbed my raincoat and ran after her. The drive was pleasant, we talked about what I had been doing with Jacob this summer…to a certain extent at least. Mom seemed to like Jake, which was good, especially since he hung out at my house pretty often. After we had come back from the lake, Jacob had demanded I spend some time with my family.

Before we went to the grocery store we went to Dowlings. Mom said that Dad had wanted her to pick up some oil for the car. Unfortunately, the downpour had started again and we had to run in to avoid being soaked completely.

As soon as we walked in I knew. Something was strange, almost sinister in the air, and then I looked over and saw her, leaning against the wall, staring at me. My heart started pounding and I willed it to slow back down. I felt incredibly vulnerable in that moment and I feared not only for myself, but also for my mom. I had no idea if Ava would crave my mother's blood because she was related to me. I knew that Jacob wasn't here to save me should something go wrong. Still, I couldn't go back outside. It was pouring, and I couldn't make Mom leave without seeming conspicuous, so I simply held my breath, looked away, and hoped it would be okay.

My hand reached into my pocket so I could pull out my phone and text Jacob, but then I saw Rosalie, looking through car parts. She glanced at Ava and I a few times before going back to her search. While Rosalie wasn't my favorite vampire, I did trust that she would try to protect me should Ava attack. Still, I typed a quick text message to Jacob and hoped he would get it in time. I could almost feel her gaze drilling into me as I followed Mom, looking for the oil.

I finally looked back at her, trying to discern her which shade of red defined her hunger and decide whether or not it would be worth it to bolt out and cause a panic. And then I noticed it… her eyes weren't red. They were brown.

I cocked my head and her mouth curved into a smile. I returned it, followed Mom to the checkout, and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Are you okay sweetie?" Mom asked as she waited for her change.

"Totally fine." And I was. Ava was restraining herself. I was spending time with my mom… no one had died yet… everything was dandy. Except one thing. Jacob wasn't there.

"ELLIE!" I heard someone yell. Mom looked at me questioningly.

Then he came bounding around the corner of the tire lube aisle. He pulled me briskly into his arms and held me tightly.

His heart was pounding furiously in his chest and his skin seemed hotter than usual.

"Jacob, I'm fine…" I murmured.

He pulled away and looked at me intently. I raised my eyebrows in a show of how fine I was and caught my mother's expression out of the corner of my eye.

I slowly turned to face her and gave a sheepish smile. She looked like she had just seen a toddler run the 100 m dash in 5 seconds.

"Um, hi Mrs. Newton. I was just… uh… can I talk to Ellie really quick?"

Mom gave a slight nod and Jacob guided me out of earshot.

"Is she still here?"

Just then I heard the bell above the door jingle and looked over at it. "She's just leaving with Rosalie."

Jacob whipped around and sprinted out the door. I scurried after and when I got outside, I saw that Jacob had Rosalie by the arm and was yelling at her.

"Why in the hell would you take her in PUBLIC?!"

"You had better let go of me, mongrel; if she goes off and I can't hold her back it'll be your fault." Rosalie whispered harshly.

Jacob looked fierce, but dropped her arm.

I ran over and tugged on his arm to back away. "Jake… you're causing a scene…" I said softly.

He was breathing heavily and still shooting daggers at Rosalie with his eyes, but he wrapped me in his arms and turned away.

Peeking out from beneath his arm, I saw Rosalie spit in our direction before ushering Ava into her car. Ava looked beyond shaken up. After they pulled away, I looked up at Jacob and placed my hand on Jacob's searing cheek.

He closed his eyes and leaned his forehead to mine. "Are you okay?" He whispered.

"Yes." I said softly. He had been really and truly scared for my life. "False alarm." I murmured, trying to lighten the mood.

He didn't smile, but instead opened his eyes and slid his hand into mine.

I glanced in the store and saw my mom making her way to the door. When she came outside she walked over to us and started looking back and forth between me and Jacob.

"Well… Jacob, how would you like to come to dinner at the Newton house?" Mom asked slowly, probably still unsure about what had just unfolded.

"I would love to."

When we walked in the door of my house, Janie, Mike's girlfriend, ran into the hallway and enveloped my mother in a hug.

"Mrs. Newton!" She exclaimed, way too enthusiastic for my taste.

I honestly could not stand Janie. Not one bit. She was "perfect" in every way, model's body, straight A's, captain of the volleyball team at USC, impeccable manners. But there was a side to her that only I caught. She was a malicious little bitch, and sometimes I just wanted to rip off her velvet headband and toss her in a ravine.

I had no clue why Mike was dating her. He might be obnoxious and stupid at times, but he could do A LOT better. Not that my parents would ever catch onto it. Now that I think about it, her little backhanded viciousness is probably exactly what Mike liked about her. That, and the fact that she was a trophy for him to show off.

"Hi, Ellie dear…" Janie said in the fakest syrupy sweet voice I had ever heard as she double kissed my cheeks. I didn't even try to reciprocate her front. We had long ago established our mutual hated of each other, and I had nothing to hide.

When she pulled back from me, she looked Jacob up and down. "And who is this?" She said in an evil temptress sort of way.

"MY boyfriend." I snapped before dragging him into the kitchen. That girl had better watch her back.

"Well, look what the cat dragged in…" Mike muttered when Jacob and I walked in the kitchen.

"I could say the same…"

Once everyone was seated and had begun eating, the fun started.

"Margot dear, you didn't tell me that we were going to be having a triple date tonight," Dad grinned as he speared an asparagus with his fork.

"Well I didn't know either… it's a good thing we picked up Jacob before we went to the store."

Jacob smiled sheepishly.

"Jacob, would you like some of my homemade dinner rolls?" Janie asked with a wink.

I glared at her through narrowed eyes, but she merely smiled innocently.

Jacob reached out to grab one, but I stomped on his foot. A wave of realization passed over his face. "Ohhhh… um, no thanks. Ellie's got me covered." He said firmly. I patted his cheek and placed a roll on his plate.

"He likes mine better." I said with a sly smile.

"I'll take one of yours." Mike said briskly. Janie sat back in her chair, arms folded across her chest.

"Really children, they're all the same…" Mom said, spooning more potatoes onto her plate.

"Well, I'm gonna have a bunch of good looking grandchildren with this bunch here…" Dad said loudly.

Everyone froze. I looked out of the corner of my eye and saw that Jake was midway to his mouth with a spoonful of potatoes.

"Uhhh… wow Dad." Mike said slowly.

"Well, not anytime soon of course… right Ellie?"

"What about her?" I snapped, nodding towards Janie.

My parents laughed. "Really El? Can you even imagine Janie getting pregnant?" Mom said.

I dropped my fork, and it clanged loudly on my plate.

"What are you saying about me?"

"Nothing dear, just making sure." Dad said quickly.

No one said anything for a few minutes.

"I don't think you're giving Ellie enough credit… I'm sure she and Jacob make sure to be safe." Janie said lightly.

I picked up my knife and clenched it in my fist. Jacob took the knife away and rubbed my back.

"Well… I'm going to go get some more iced tea…" Mom said, getting up and walking into the kitchen.

"I'll go with you…" Dad mumbled.

Once they were gone, I turned towards Janie. "Why yes, Janie dear, we ARE responsible. Because unlike SOME people at this table, I'm a virgin." I spat.

"Number one: with that hunk of meat as your boyfriend, I don't think so. He's gotta be, what, at least 20, you've got to be giving something on the other end. I can just imagine the stuff he's capable of with that body…"

"Excuse me!" Mike screeched.

Janie waved him off and continued. "Number two: how could you possibly know that I'm NOT a virgin."

"Addressing the first issue, you better back off bitch, keep your eyes on your own man. And second, these walls are VERY thin."

Janie's mouth dropped open just as my parents came back in.

"So, how's everyone doing?" Dad asked chipperly.

I stared down Janie before pulling Jacob to his feet. "We're leaving. Dinner was great Mom."

"But… but…" Mom stuttered.

"Jacob has to get home. Oh, and I'm staying at Laurel's tonight. Bye everyone. Have a nice night Janie, oh and watch out when walking to your car, I've heard there are wolves around these parts… I would hate for you to get eaten…" I tilted my head and smiled innocently.

Once we were out of there and in my car, Jacob turned to me.

"I'm not eating her."

"That's alright… you just need to maim her beyond recognition. If you don't do it, I'm sure Quil would be happy to… he's been a bit… frisky lately."

"I'm going to ignore that comment."

I walked in the door of the Black house and let out a sigh of relief.

"Hey sweetie!" Sue said, hugging me and giving me a kiss on the cheek.

"Hi Sue…" I smiled. Now this felt like home.

"How was dinner?" She asked, giving Jacob a kiss, then rubbing the lipstick off with her finger.

"Ummmm…" Jacob trailed off, giving me a sideways glance.

"Absolutely terrible." I admitted.

"Well, you're welcome to stay here for the night… as always." Sue said sincerely. "Although, Jacob did say he was going to stop abducting you from your family."

"Trust me, I have had quite enough of my family for at least tonight."

"Well, I'm headed to bed… you two don't stay up late." Sue smiled and flicked the lights off so that just the soft lamp light filled the room.

Jacob sat down on the couch and pulled me into this lap.

I nuzzled into his chest and let his heat radiate through me.

"I'm sorry that was such a mess…" I whispered.

"I actually enjoyed it." He laughed softly.

"Janie just… I can't stand her."

"Really? I was definitely getting a bff vibe from you two."

I giggled and smacked him.

"Her attitude really was atrocious though." I said.

"I thought some of what she said was actually very truthful. Like how you have a studly boyfriend."

I laughed. "True…"

He kissed me and looked into my eyes, but didn't say anything.

"It feels good to be home." I whispered.

I hope you liked it :) Please review or PM me :)