Disclaimer: I don't own anything from any of 'The Twilight Saga'.

A/N: This story takes place during 'The Twilight Saga: Eclipse'.

Chapter 10:

Being friends with a pack of werewolves certainly had its benefits. Having to go to the Swan residence to pick up Charlie's 'special jam' for Billy Black because all the boys hated vampires that much...was not one of them.

"Thanks, Charlie." I waved as I opened the door. When I got outside, I saw Bella and Edward approaching.

"Nita." Bella smiled tentatively. "Hey."

I nodded. "Hey, Bella. I haven't seen you in a while. How are things?"

"Good," Bella said. "Uh, what about you?"

"They're good." I nodded, letting us fall into an awkward silence.

"Hi, I'm Edward Cullen." Edward, the pale-skinned, tall, handsome guy who stood beside Bella, stuck out his hand.

I shook it. "Nita Cameron. I'm Jared Cameron's cousin. He's a werewolf," I said, cringing on the inside. I didn't know why I said it like that, but somehow, he made me nervous. It wasn't him. It was his kind, vampires. They made me nervous, and it was my first time shaking hands with one. They were cold, and I thought if there souls were like that too.

"Right." Edward smiled politely. "It was nice meeting you, but we should get inside."

"Alright." I nodded, moving aside, so they could walk past. "It was nice meeting you, too. It was nice seeing you again, Bella."

They both looked over their shoulders and Bella said, "You too."

I turned around, jogging away, feeling uneasy being any closer to a vampire. I jogged down the road and around the corner, quickly getting into Paul's truck.

"How'd it go?"

I handed Paul the jam. "Does it look like there's anything special about this jam?"

Paul inspected it, then looked at me. "No."

"Exactly," I exasperated. "And to think that I had to shake a vampire's hand for that."

"What?" Paul's eyebrows raised, and he seemed very confused.

"Bella was coming in as I was going out, and she had Edward with her."

"He didn't do anything, did he?"

I laughed. "Yes. He told me that I was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen, and he wants to get married immediately."

Paul shook his head, starting the truck. "That's not funny."

I smiled. "Actually, he was very polite."

"Well, it's a disguise," Paul said stubbornly.

"I prefer the warmth to the cold." I scooted closer to Paul, putting an arm around him and kissing his cheek.

Paul smiled. "You better."

"Always."

Paul took his eyes off the road for a second to peck my lips. Of course, when he pulled away, I continued to kiss him.

"Nita, we've been over this."

I laughed against his neck. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"I need to focus."

I leaned away, smirking and going back to my side of the truck. "Alright, focus."

"Hey, when did you say you worked?"

I sighed, letting my self slip down the seat a little ways. "In two hours."

I had gotten a job a week ago, and I was already working everyday after school with the exceptions of Tuesday's and Thursday's. I had tons of money saved up for college when I needed to use it, but I was sixteen, and I should've been getting more money to prepare, so I decided to get a job at the bookstore. Not the funnest, but very simple and easy with good money.

"I'll drop you off later."

I smiled, looking over at him. "Thank you."

Paul nodded, humming. He turned to me when he felt me moving closer.

I moved away, holding my hands up in defence. "Sorry. You focus on the road."

"Have a nice day." I smiled, handing the customer their book. I sighed, when someone walked in right after, but smiled when I saw their face. "Hello."

"Hey," Paul said, walking closer. "I'm looking for a book on how to get your girlfriend off work early."

I laughed and nodded. "Ah, yes. That'll be at the back, right over here." I stepped out from the counter and started to walk to the back of the store, rows and rows of books later, I stopped, pointing to the shelf of fiction books. "Your book will be right -"

Paul spun me around, kissing me quickly. I laughed against his lips as he pushed my up against the shelf.

"Paul..."

"Yes?"

"I'm at work," I protested, but hands hands found their way to his hair.

Paul smiled. "Sucks, doesn't it?"

I pushed him back a little. "That's not fair." The bell jingled and I pushed him down the isle. "Get out of here. I have customers to attend to."

Paul walked down the isle. "I'll pick you up later."

"Bye." I smiled, making my way back to the register. "How may I - Bella?"

Bella looked up, smiling quickly. "Uh, hey."

"Hi." I smiled politely. "How can help you?"

"Uh, I was looking for a book."

I laughed. "You came to the right place."

Bella shook her head, laughing at herself. "I have an english essay due, and I need a poem."

"Say no more," I started to walk down one aisle, scanning for a certain name. "Robert Frost, Robert Frost..." When I found it, I picked the book out, flipping to a page. "Nature's first green is gold, her hardest hue to hold. Her early leaf's a flower; but only so an hour. Then leaf subsides to leaf, so Eden sank to grief, so dawn goes down to day, nothing gold can stay." I smiled to myself, then looked up at Bella. "I like that one, but anything by Robert Frost is just brilliant. 'Fire And Ice' is good, so is 'The Road Not Taken'." I finished, handing her the book.

"Thanks, Nita."

"My pleasure," I said, walking back to the register to get her that book. "Is that all?"

"Yeah."

"5.50, please."

Bella handed me the money.

"So how are things?" I asked, glancing up at her.

"Good." She nodded.

"How's..." I stopped, realizing that I wasn't sure of his name. "Edwi..."

"Ward. Edward," Bella finished, smiling slightly.

"Right!" I smiled, trying not to seem embarrassed. "How is he?"

"Good."

"Good, good," I said awkwardly. "You do well in english?"

Bella looked like she was cringing. "Believe it or not, I'm better with other subjects. But if I don't get an 'A' on this paper, I could be in some trouble."

I nodded. "I'm the opposite. Hey, maybe -" I stopped myself. What was I doing? But I couldn't just not say anything. I already started to say it. "I could help you out."

Bella seemed very unsure. In fact, she seemed like she didn't want to do it at all, but maybe she didn't want to turn me down, or maybe she wasn't brave enough to just say no because after she nodded, she said, "Yeah, sure."

"Cool." I smiled. "My shift ends at five. I could come by your house then."

"Cool."

I handed her the book. "See you then."

"Bye."

As soon as she left, I sent a quick text to Paul to tell him. Then I wouldn't look at me phone for the rest of the day, not wanting to be lectured about 'vampire's and any associated with them are 'evil'.

I looked over the essay. "You went with 'Fire and Ice', huh? That's a good one."

Bella nodded. "Yeah."

I skimmed down, circling all the mistakes, which was very few. I shook my head at one line. "Your introduction paragraph is amazing, and so if your first body paragraph, but the line that's supposed to flow from your body paragraph to your conclusion...doesn't." I handed it back to her. "Try to close in, rather than lead on."

Bella nodded, taking her pencil to the paper.

I realized that it probably was uncomfortable, me just looking at her. So I stood, pointing to the fridge. "Mind if I get a drink?"

"Sure."

I got a pop from the fridge, opening it and sitting back down. "Got anything?"

"I think so," Bella said, scribbling down more words. Then she looked at it and read it, handing it to me while asking, "How's Jake?"

"He's, uh, you know, him," I answered awkwardly. In truth, he was going through a hard time, but like I was going to tell the girl behind Jake's dramatic teenage angst. "He does alright. The transition wasn't easy on him, and I think he's still adjusting."

"You..."

I laughed. "Bella, my boyfriend's a werewolf. My cousin's a werewolf. All my friends are werewolves."

She nodded, laughing lightly. "Right. Uh, who are going out with?"

"Paul Lahote," I said proudly. "Yeah, that one's mine, but you can have Jake - uh, as a friend."

God, what was I, stupid?

Bella laughed awkwardly. "Right."

"Because you're dating Edward, and you're totally happy with him," I said, probably only making it worse.

Bella nodded, not looking at me. "Yeah."

My brows furrowed as I watched her. "I mean, you are happy with him, right?"

"Yeah." Bella nodded, looking at me. "He's just...full of surprises, that's all."

I snorted, leaning back in the chair. "What'd he do, ask you to marry him?"

Bella's mouth fell open and she stuttered.

"Oh, my god." My eyes widened. "He asked you to marry him?"

Bella nodded, quietly saying, "Yeah."

"Wow." I nodded and breathed in deeply. "Good for him."

"What?"

"He goes after what he wants. That's always nice."

Bella shrugged. "I'm not even graduated."

I shrugged, too. "It's not like getting married means you won't graduate. Besides, if you know you love each other, what's the harm?"

"I'm surprised you didn't ask if I was knocked up."

I nodded, laughing. "I thought that'd be impolite."

She nodded, laughing too. "Yeah."

"Well," I started, picking up her paper. "Congratulations."

"Thanks, but I said no."

"Oh," I said, putting her paper back down. "It's much better. I think you've got it."

"Thanks."

I stood, holding my pop in my hand. "You're welcome." I started to walk out, but paused at the door. "Hey, Bella?"

She turned around. "Yeah?"

I shrugged, biting my lip. "Giving Jake a call wouldn't hurt."

Bella nodded, smiling. "Okay, thanks."

"Bye." I walked over, closing the door behind me. I jogged to Paul's truck, hopping inside. "Hey."

"Hey," Paul said, not looking at me, but glaring at the house. "How was it?"

I shrugged. "Good, I guess."

Paul gripped to front of my jacket, easily pulling me to him, and kissing me. "I missed you."

I laughed, pushing him away. "We're not gonna be that couple."

Paul laughed, starting his truck. "Whatever you want, baby."

The next morning, I got up early with Jared to make Paul a cake.

"You guys better do this for me tomorrow."

I smirked. "I couldn't tell you that."

Jared stopped putting the candles on the cake. "Wait, was that the last box of cake mix?"

I shrugged. "It's not my fault yours and Paul's birthdays are only one day apart."

Jared groaned, stomping his foot like a little kid. "But I want a cake, too."

I laughed, finishing putting on the candles. "You'll just have to wait and see." I picked it up, careful not to drop it. I started walking down the hall, and Jared opened the door to my bedroom.

"Oh, thank god," Jared whispered.

"What?"

Jared gestured to a sleeping Paul. "He's wearing clothes."

My forehead wrinkled together. "So?"

"So, it would've been really weird if I came into my little cousin's room and found my naked best friend."

"Oh, god," I muttered. "Just wake him up."

Jared and I moved closer, and Jared blew on the party horn. Paul's eyes opened slowly, and we started to sing.

"Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday, dear Paul! Happy Birthday to you!"

We all laughed, and I leaned closer, putting the cake in front of him. "Make a wish."

Paul blew out the candles, and Jared asked, "What'd you wish for?"

Paul scoffed. "Can't tell you that."

"Well, Happy Birthday, my man." Jared slapped Paul's back. "Eighteen. You're gettin' up there."

Paul smiled, shaking his head.

I gave Jared a look, and he made a lame excuse to leave the room.

I put the cake on my side table. "What did you wish for?"

Paul smirked, leaning up and slipping her arm around my waist. He fell back down, taking me with him, kissing me on the way. He rolled over me, continuing to kiss me.

I sighed contently, letting my hands slip under his shirt and onto his back. "You had a change of mind."

Paul laughed, leaning away. "Nothing's going to happen, Nita. But I do like kissing you, and I'm not gonna stop doing that."

"Not for long. I need to get to school, and so do you."

Paul groaned. "What if my wish was to stay here with you all day?"

"Then you would've just told me, and it wouldn't come true."

"Damn."

I smiled, pulling his face close to mine again.

School was torturous. Now that all of the boys were werewolves, what one did, the others followed. So when Jared decided it was a day to skip out, have some fun on Paul's birthday, they all went. I would've skipped school too, honestly. But I knew Paul hated birthdays, and I knew they boys just dragged him out for birthday fun because they knew he'd hate it. But eventually I got out of school, running over to Paul's truck. I hopped inside, kissing him quickly. When I pulled away, I sat back in my seat. "What's up?"

"Seatbelt."

I put on my seat belt. "Better?"

"Much." Paul smiled, starting the truck.

"How's it going?"

Paul shrugged. "It's okay. The boys and I had a bit of fun, that's all."

I nodded, letting what I wanted to talk about slip into the conversation. "You should probably start coming to school more."

Paul sighed, shaking his head. "I have to -"

"You're never going to graduate, Paul. Not with your attendance record."

"I have more important things to do."

"Like going out with the boys? That's not more important than graduating."

"Well, I have other important things to do."

"Like what?"

"Like protecting the people of Forks."

I snorted. "What are you, a superhero? Paul, you need to graduate."

"Nita, please. I don't want to fight on my birthday."

I sighed, holding my hands up. "Fine." My hands were returning to my lap when I noticed that Paul missed the turn. "You missed the turn."

"We're going to my house. I need clothes and stuff. Plus, my dad wants you and I to come see him."

My eyebrows raised. "Why do you always stay at Jared's house? You really never are your own house."

"Jared's my best friend. We're apart of the pack. We're brothers."

I laughed, shaking my head. "No, you're not."

Paul nodded. "Yeah, we are."

"No, you're not," I said again, looking at Paul. "If you and Jared are brothers, that would make us cousins, and I'm not into that."

Paul laughed as we approached his house. "Well, cousin, be prepared to be hugged by my dad." Paul parked in the driveway, his dad coming out of the house.

"Nita!"

I smiled, getting out and hugging Paul's dad. "Mr. Lahote!"

"You know to call me George." George pulled away, smiling widely. "I can't believe you've been here all this time and we haven't seen each other."

I nodded. "I know. I didn't know how much longer I'd survive!"

George laughed. "Oh, so wonderful to have you back here. I remember when you, Jared and Paul were playing around in the mud."

"Ah, yes." I nodded, looking at Paul. "Wrestling in the mud was our thing."

Paul shrugged. "I wouldn't say it was wrestling."

"Oh, it was definitely wrestling."

Paul laughed, shaking his head and walking over to me. "Whatever you say, baby."

I poked his shirt-covered chest. "Remember that thing I said about always agreeing with me?"

"I did it just know, didn't I, sweetheart?"

I laughed. "Yes, you did, honey."

George chuckled from his spot. "I always knew you two would get together eventually. You both had that look."

"Dad," Paul groaned.

I smiled, patting Paul's chest. "I always knew he was in love with me."

"Really?" Paul's eyebrows raised, putting his arm around me walking into the house with George. "That's not how I remember it."

"It was nice to see you again, George."

"Always nice to see you, Nita." George smiled, letting go of me.

"I'll see you later, dad," Paul said, putting his arm around me and walking me to the truck. After getting in, Paul was mostly silent.

I sighed. "Paul, I'm sorry that I care about you, but I won't stop wanting you to graduate."

Paul shook his head. "That's not a real apology, Nita. And I'll do what I need to do to protect you."

I shook my head, getting angrier. "It's been weeks, Paul. That stupid vampire hasn't done a thing to me. I don't need protection."

"Maybe I'm not protecting you directly, but indirectly, I am."

"Yeah?" I crossed my arms. "Well, directly, I'm not talking to you."

Paul huffed. "Why are you doing this to me?"

"What?" I said, unbelieving, and forgetting about what I just told him. "I'm not the one who's risking not graduating and going to college. What are your plans for the future, Paul? You're seventeen now, you have to think about this. Are you even going to college?" My voice was getting louder. "Are you ever going to leave this place?"

"I don't know!" Paul shouted. He quieted quickly, sighing. "I don't know, but I know that I want you in my future, so can we please talk about this when it's not my birthday?"

I sighed, realizing how dumb I was being. I undid my seatbelt, scooting closer to him and kissing him on the cheek. "Yeah."

Paul turned his head and kissed me quickly. "I love you, Nita."

I nodded, resting my head against his shoulder as we pulled up to Sam's. I watched the boys dance around and rush to pull Paul out of the truck.

What animals.