Sorry for the wait, I was on vacation, then my internet wasn't working. In celebration of Edward's birthday 0which should be a national holiday) I have posted. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight

I glared at the white paper in front of me. The small black print taunted me. I sighed quietly. Maybe I would feel my chances at passing would be better if I would have studied. Correction, if I would have had time to study. I was exhausted, all my muscles ached. Why today?

I contemplated telling my teacher I've been chasing vampires in the forest. Maybe she would give me a couple days to study. Or maybe she would lock me up in a mental institution. Either way I would get out of this test. It was tempting.

I shook my head to clear it. I knew this crap, I had listened to my teachers babble about it constantly all year. I had a great memory, time for it to kick in. I picked up my pencil and started.

Halfway through the test I was feeling better. I actually knew most of this stuff. Someone across the room started crying. A lump in my throat started to form.

Two hours and infinite problems later the teacher called the test to an end. I was just glad I didn't have to fill in anymore bubbles.

I got up from my cramped desk and headed to lunch. I hadn't talked Jen or Kate in months. They were starting to get suspicious. Jen thought I was on drugs, Kate hated me. People stared as I walked down the hall. They blamed my growth spurt on anything that made sense, mostly they said it was genetics. If they only knew.

I got my food and sat down at an empty table. I prayed I could get done with my food before my old friends came to bother me, or a pig headed guy. I ate slowly knowing people were watching, and that I didn't have to protect my food. One more week, I reminded myself. The thought made me nauseous.

Unfortunately I am not as lucky as I would like. I had just finished my tray full of food when Jen and Kate sat down. I sighed, I knew this would happen.

"Hello" Kate said sarcastically, a big fake smile on her face. I bit the inside on my cheek till it bled. I wished they could understand, knowing they couldn't.

"Hey" I said even I could hear how sad it sounded. I stood up and tried to walk away from them. If anyone could cause me to phase it was Jen and Kate.

"Not so fast, best friend." Jen mocked grabbing my arm. The two closest tables grew quiet. Bile grew in the back of my throat. Anger flared across my skin, my hands started shaking. I was very good at controlling my temper but it was her tone. I guess she hated me now too. I wasn't angry at her, I was angry at me. I hated that I couldn't tell them.

"I can't talk right now." I said my voice was bitter.

"When?" Kate asked cheerfully.

"Tonight." I lied.

"Great, we'll me you at your house." Jen said her eyes tight. I was surprised I had avoided them this long. She let go of my arm and I walked away groaning inwardly. Shit. How was I going to get them to leave me alone? It was for their own good.

I dumped my tray and headed for the classroom where I had spent my morning. I walked by a open window just when a breeze came through. The sickly sweet sent made me go ridged. Vampire.

The scent was familiar. We had been chasing this one for weeks.

I ran down the hallway silently. I got to the back door and ripped it open. It was nearly torn from it's hinges. I sprinted across the muddy grass and into the forest. My form was already shaking the tremor running up and down my spine. As soon as I was out of sight I let go of control. I didn't think about school, I didn't think about anything but the leech. It had never gotten this close. As soon as I phased, leaving my clothes in shreds, the would guys know.

"Bloodsucker!" I screamed as soon as the mind connected to the others. I was following the trail closely, it was fresh. Two minutes old tops.

"What?" Seth asked alarmed.

"Damn it! How did it get that close?" Jacob snarled. I saw a white figure streaking through the forest ahead of me. I was catching up.

"I see it. Do we sound the alarm?" I asked frantically. Jacob was going through all the options. His mind was chaos.

"Dose it know your there?" he asked. He didn't want to give away my position.

"Of course not" I snapped.

"Can you handle it?" Seth asked. He was miles away. Jacob was closer, only minutes.

"Not alone. This one is tricky, you know that." I said logically.

"Get closer, distract it until I can get there." Jacob ordered.

"Seth, round up the guys silently. You're closer." he snapped.

I pushed my legs faster. I could see the leech better now. I was closer. It was average build, for a woman. Dark black hair and bright red crimson eyes. She had fed recently. She was tall and cat-like. Her clothes were covered in dirt and caked in blood. She circled and as she turned to head back toward the school she caught sight of me. She skidded to a halt and crouched low. A snarl echoed off the trees. I growled, I couldn't help it. Jacob was catching up.

"Seth, sound the alarm!" Jacob ordered. He didn't want her to know how close he was. A load howl echoed across the forest. The vampire smiled realizing how far away it was.

She stood up straight, thinking I wasn't a threat. How wrong she was. She took a step toward me and I growled. She laughed loudly the sound bell like.

"They let the cub out to play. How adorable." she cooed a malicious glint in her eyes. Repressed memories of the predator surfaced lashing at me. Rage fueled the beast. A low snarled howl erupted from me. She eyed me curiously.

Minds and thoughts rushed in like a floodgate. Some frantic, some worried. Me and the vampire stood our ground like that as the Pack raced toward us. She took another step forward and I growled and took a step toward her. Jacob was in front of me silently approaching the still white figure from behind.

"I need one big distraction, Jade." he instructed. The rest of the Pack were circling around us incase she slipped by us. I took a step forward growling viciously, teeth barred. She laughed loudly throwing her head back. I sprung in the air at the same moment Jacob launched at her from behind. He hit her sending her sprawling yards away. I landed a few feet from where she had been standing.

"Why does Jake get to have all the fun?" Paul whined.

"Shit, I have to get back to school." I thought heading back toward the school. Then I remembered that I shredded my clothes. Fuck.

I turned a ran toward my house my feet pounding the earth.

"That's hilarious. Ha." Collin chimed at my discomfort.

"You shredded yours too." Brady reminded him.

"But I don't have a vagina, or boobs." he stated.

"Sure about that?" Leah asked.

"Son of a bitch!" Collin exclaimed as a claw ripped down his back.

"Thanks Embry." I said. I was home, I checked the street and the kitchen window.

"Anytime." he said. If I could have blushed I would have. I phased.

I ran in the house knowing my mom and dad were at work. But that didn't stop me from checking every room before I ran through it. I pulled on clothes that looked similar to the ones I had worn earlier.

No one would notice, right? I hurried back upstairs fully dressed looking for string. I found some in the kitchen and measured roughly how long I needed it to be. Under normal situations I would have measured it out but I was in a hurry.

I really didn't want to have to go to the office for ditching, though I knew my parents would understand. It's not like they would figure it out. I never ditched. As soon as I got into the woods I stripped.

I placed the loop of string around my leg shoving my clothes in-between. I phased and glanced at my leg, the clothes were securely intact and attached.

"Score!" I screamed. I paused expecting to be mocked for my overexcitement but everything was silent. Odd, because someone was always in wolf form. Always.

"Hello?" I asked though no one was there. I hadn't been alone with my thoughts since the day I first phased. It felt to good to be true. I ran towards the school, I heard the first bell ring. Fuck.

I got to the school a minute later. I phased back and started to dress like a manic. I was pulling on my pants when I heard a familiar voice.

"How could you do that!?" Embry's voice was angry. I immediately was intrigued. I slowly put on my shoe listing intently.

"It was a logical decision, chill." Jacob said his voice filled with authority.

"You used her as bait!" Embry yelled, I had never heard him so angry. I nearly gasped but quickly reminded myself that if I could hear them they could hear me and shoved my fist into my mouth. I knew they must be talking about me.

"She can take care of herself. She was never in danger." Jacob said trying to calm him down. I pulled on my other shoe. Damn straight I could take care of myself.

"I don't care!" he yelled. "Would you use Claire as bait, or Emily?"

"Of course not." Jacob said. I wouldn't either.

"Even if they were in the same situation?" he questioned. Jacob didn't say anything and Embry must have taken that as confirmation that he wouldn't. The bell rang. Shit, I mentally groaned. I should have gone into the school and told my teacher I had been in the bathroom. But I couldn't pull myself from listing to Embry and Jake.

"Then why did you do it?" Embry asked his voice still angry.

"What would you have done?" Jake snapped.

"I wouldn't have put her in danger!" he yelled.

"You would have let the leech get away?" Jack asked.

"Yes, if that's what it took." he said. I shook my head, that wasn't right. But I knew I would have made the same decision.

"That's ridiculous. Do you want to me to give Jade special treatment?" Jake asked. "Cause I won't."

"No but take into consideration that if anything would have happened to her that the Pack would have been down to seven." Embry said. I heard his retreating footsteps. All the air was knocked out of my chest. That was risky, irrational, impulsive, and stupid. It sounded like something I would do.

I took a deep breath when I heard Jake's nearly silent footsteps. I walked out of the forest thinking of Embry and ran straight into the vice-principle, Mr. Kent.

"Miss Uley would you like to explain to me what you are doing in the forest when you should be in class?" he asked sternly, almost eerily calm.

"Not really." I said honestly.

"Then would you like to explain it to your parents?" he asked eyeing me disappointed. Everyone in the school knew there were only two things that happened in the forest. Kids went out there to perform various acts of PDA or smoking pot. Neither was a good excuse for skipping class.

"Again, not really." I said knowing I was in over my head.

"Well, I'm afraid you're going to have to do both." he said.

"In my office, now!" he yelled pointing at the building. I hung my head in shame and shuffled toward the building. This was not going to end well.

I sat in the faded gray chair and took a deep breath.

"Miss Uley, I am extremely disappointed in you. You have a spotless record, what where you thinking?" he asked.

"I wasn't." I said exactly what he wanted to hear.

"Wait until your father gets here. This behavior from you is highly unusual. We have had reports from your friends that you have been antisocial. We are worried." he continued.

"We?" I questioned before I could stop myself.

"Don't interrupt me!" he thundered. I cringed knowing that was the reaction he wanted. He didn't scare me in the least.

"Yes we. Your friends and several teachers have noticed your… detachment." he said.

"I'll show you something that's… detached." I mumbled under my breath threateningly. He didn't hear me.

"Do you have an explanation for your behavior?" he said.

"I've just been stressed out lately. It won't happen again, sir, I promise." I lied sounding perfectly sincere. He seemed to like my answer.

"It better not." he warned.

"Now we still need to talk to your father about this. After that you are free to go back to class." he said. In other words you have to stay here and listen while I talk to your father. I nodded. Could, this day get any worse? I didn't think so. But I have been wrong before.

The secretary knocked on the door and Jacob walked in. Relief flooded me and was ecstatic, until I realized Jacob would find about my eavesdropping incident. Jacob wasn't stupid, he would figure it out.

"Mr. Uley?" the vice principle asked confused.

"No. Sam couldn't make it. I'm Jacob, Jade's godfather." he said extending his hand. God if you have a heart, shoot me now.

"Well, it's nice to meet you Jacob. Please have a seat." the vice principle avoided Jake's extended hand and gestured to the available seat next to me. I would have laughed under most circumstances, but I felt now was not the time.

"Sam informed this was urgent." Jacob said his voice slightly menacing as he looked at the man behind the desk.

"It involves Jade's well-being." the vice principle informed him. Jacob shot me a sideway glance that undermined Mr. Kent's mental satiability. I shrugged slightly so only Jacob could notice my shoulders raise and lower.

"Miss Uley skipped class today to do god knows what in the forest." he said.

"I thought this establishment didn't condone the mention of the Lord?" Jacob asked. Kudos to Jake for that one.

"It doesn't." Mr. Kent said tilting his head up fractionally. Pompous jackass.

"Jeffrey," Jacob addressed him. "I highly doubt my godchild is smoking pot in the forest."

"I would prefer if you would address me as Mr. Kent, or sir in the future, Mr. Black." He said snidely.

"What exactly happened Jeffrey?" Jacob asked.

"I found her sauntering out of the forest, after the second bell." he huffed. I gulped, this was when my cover was blown.

"Jade, what were you doing in the forest after the second bell?" Jacob asked his voice slightly strained. Busted. I thought quickly.

"I was feeling nauseous, I don't think I did well on the test today. And I went out in the forest to vomit, so the janitors wouldn't have to clean it up. I didn't hear the first bell ring, I thought it was my ears." I lied. I would like to thank the academy.

"Well.." Mr. Kent huffed. Why shouldn't he believe a student with a spotless record? I put on a small fake smile and looked innocent.

"Is that all Mr. Kent?" I asked using his title. What can I say, I tell people what they want to hear.

"Yes, dismissed." he said waving us off. I got up and sprinted out of the room, unfortunately Jacob was right on my heels. As soon as we were out of sight from the secretary he grabbed my wrist. Not hard enough to hurt me but hard enough to make me turn around.

"Yes?" I asked angrily.

"Eavesdropping?" he asked.

"What are you talking about?" I asked covering.

"Jade, I know your lying." Jacob hissed angrily.

"I don't know what you're talking about." I said. I sounded innocent.

"Wait, is there something I should know about?" I asked curiously.

"No" Jacob tried to cover quickly.

"You're lying." I accused.

"No I'm not."

"Yes, you are. And I'm going to find out what about." I said. "Now forgive me, I have to get to class."

I walked behind a corner and punched the air in victory. I could seriously go into acting. I'll have to consider that as a job option for the future.

The rest of school was boring and uneventful. People stared as I went to my locker and a few whispered. Considering the whispers had stopped before Christmas I wondered what was going on. I checked to see if I had anything odd on me. I wondered what was going on.

Then I remembered I had been caught coming out of the forest. PDA or pot. The guys stared more than usual. Most people were guessing PDA.

"Hey Jade I was wondering if you were doing anything Friday night?" Vince asked me walking backwards down the hallway.

"I'm going to join the clergy." I smiled at him. His eye brows pulled together. I sighed.

"Becoming a nun." I clarified pushing past him. Idiot.

"Well, will you be free Saturday?" he asked clueless. I opened my locker. I grabbed my backpack and contemplated how to let him down, I decided to go for variety.

"Vince," I said "I will never be free. I am currently in a relationship. My boyfriend is stronger than you. My father owns a shot gun. I could kick your ass. I have never met someone as stupid as you. Have a nice life." And with that I walked away.

"So that's a no?" he called after me.

"That's a no." I said walking down the hall.

I walked home, not wanting to phase. Once Jacob found out I tricked him he was bound to be pissed, and I wanted people there to witness his mockery. Today had been awful, and it wasn't even over I realized as I saw Jen and Kate sitting on my front porch.

"Shit" I cussed not even bothering to lower my voice.

"Nice to see you to." Kate answered sarcastically.

"I can't talk today guys." I said trying to walk past them into my house but they were blocking my path.

"Why the hell not?" the said at the same time. Sometimes I swear they were separated at birth.

"Because I have had a bad day." I said shoving past them. It was better they hated me, it would make my life easier. I was selfish like that.

"We'll see you tomorrow." Jen called before the door closed.

"Perfect." I said sliding down the door. I don't know how long I sat there before it opened and I fell backward. I stared at the sky and the dark figure that loomed above me.

"Hello." I greeted him, though I didn't quite know who he was. I didn't bother getting up.

"Hi Jade" Embry leaned over and smiled at me.

"How was your day?" I asked my voice dull.

"Interesting" he said looking at me confused.

"That's good." I said. He started laughing and I just shook my head.

"Are you ok?" he asked.

I looked at him considering "No."

He bent down, picked me up, walked me into the house, and shut the door behind him.

"That's unnecessary. I can take care of myself." I said. He sat me down on the couch. He leaned in and pecked me. And without wanting to I knew that we were going to have one of those talks. He sat down next to me and took my hand.

"Honey, are you happy?" he asked. I sighed, might as well get it over with.

"What do you think?" I asked honestly curiously.

"Please answer the question." he said.

"I'm currently debating weather or not I could consider this the worst day of my life." I said avoiding his question like the black plague.

"Jade" he pleaded.

"I'm calking this up to number three actually." I continued as if he hadn't said anything.

"Please." he whispered. I hated these talks.

"Honey, are you happy?" I asked. He fell silent.

"Aha! So we have arrived at the root of the problem." I said knowing my words hurt him. If he hurt I hurt. I was just hurting myself and I accepted that.

"Jade" he said turning the full force of his eyes on me. Damn him.

"How am I supposed to be happy when…." I trailed off not wanting to open those boxes.

"What?" he urged.

"When you plan on killing yourself!" I shouted. I hadn't wanted to say that but that was probably the thing that was bothering me most.

"What are you talking about?" he said.

"How did you put it Embry? It was so clever. 'No but take into consideration that if anything would have happened to her that the Pack would have been down to seven'." I said "Was that it, did I get it right?" my snide, mocking, angry voice hurt him.

"You were.." he said softly.

"Eavesdropping." I said.

"Wouldn't you do the same thing?" he asked.

"That's not the point!" I exclaimed angrily.

"Then what is?" he asked.

"I'm the reckless one! You're supposed to be patient, and die an old, old, man!" I sighed angrily, defeated. I hated today, I contemplated going to bed now, just so it would end faster.

"You're angry" he stated.

"And frustrated, and annoyed, and hurt, and tired, and upset, and ….utterly defeated." I said resting my head on his shoulder. I was running out of steam.

"I couldn't have caused all that, could I?" he asked.

"You could, but you didn't." I said.

"I don't understand." he said confused.

I explained everything. The test, lunch, eavesdropping, the vice principles office, getting asked out, and dealing with Jen and Kate. He understood and I think that was the best part of my day. Not chasing a vampire or getting myself out of trouble. Just that he understood meant the world to me. Embry was the world to me. He kissed me on the top of my head and I smiled. I was a lucky girl.

He lifted my head up with a finger under my chin and kissed me. His soft lips moved slowly, his large hands slide into my hair. Fire blazed in my stomach and there was electricity in my veins. He pulled away sooner than I would have wanted.

"Happy birthday." he whispered in my ear.

"It has been interesting so far hasn't it?" I asked.

"I came over here to give you your gift." he said.

"Really?" I asked. He nodded and reached into his pocket.

He pulled out a silver key on a long blue ribbon.

"Jade I want you to move in with me." he said to my confused expression.