Disclaimer: Twilight and its characters belong to Stephanie Meyer

AN: I hope you enjoy this chapter, it's a little longer than my previous ones because I was on a roll, and as always please review I love hearing from you

~Where the heart goes~

Bella's POV

My hands were beginning to sweat and I could hear my heart beating rapidly in my ears and I hadn't even picked the phone yet. It had been three days since I'd seen Leah, three days and not a word from her. Yeah yeah I know I told her I needed space but a text would have been nice, at least that's what I was telling myself all Sunday as I mopped around home trying to keep my mind off of the beautiful werewolf.

Even in wolf form she was gorgeous, ever since I saw her change while I was driving away I've been imagining how soft that snow white fur was. So I was feeling rather sorry for myself thinking she'd started to ignore me again until Sunday night when I started feeling as if someone was watching me.

Then Monday morning when I got up early for school I happened to look out of my window to see a large shadow amongst the trees moving away in the direction of the reservation, so Monday night I paid closer attention and noticed what I'm going to safely assume was Leah again keeping watch outside my window.

I should have been crept out; I mean she was spending her nights looking into my window but all I felt was warm, fuzzy and supremely cared about. Especially after the day I had on Monday, I'd been dreading going back after my rant at Mike in the cafeteria and I was unfortunately proven right.

The entire day was an ordeal starting with Jessica storming up to me as soon as I got out of my truck

"I want to know why you would do this to me, I thought we were friends" I don't even think Jessica thought of us as friends, at first I was the new girl who hadn't heard all the gossip she loved to spread. And then I was the girl who somehow was able to catch the attention of the elusive Cullen's and thought being around me would give her an in with them.

Since they left she barely spoke to me, only sharing a lunch table because all her friends were now more mine and she couldn't convince anyone that I was a freak and should be avoided.

Yes I'd overheard that conversation between her and Angela, at first it had made me feel ill since it had only been just over a week after they had left but then I'd gotten to listen to Angela telling her what a shallow cow she was and if she tried that with anyone else she was going to knock her on her lily white ass, her exact word.

"I don't know what you're talking about Jessica, what exactly have I done to you" And so it begins

"You know I like Mike and you go on a date with him "I had to roll my eyes at her interpretation

"It wasn't a date Jess we were all meant to go to the movies, remember" The girl was seriously delusional

"And then you make out with him, what did I ever do to you" unbelievable

"Jess first of all again not a date it wasn't even just the two of us, second we did not make out Mike kissed me and I pushed him away. And if that's not enough to convince you me telling him that I'm not interested in front of the entire cafeteria should have given you some clue"

"Whatever, just stay away from him if you know what's good for you" She said this while poking me in the chest with her finger and then walked away

I took a deep breath and headed to my first class, Biology was meant to be my haven none of my friends including Mike were in that class. Unfortunately nobody had notified Mr. Banner who chose to give us a surprise test. I was so distracted I answered the questions on auto pilot and couldn't even remember what I'd written as I walked out the door.

English with both Jessica staring daggers into my back and Mike's kicked puppy impersonation had me wishing for the power of invisibility, which followed through to lunch where I could hear the whispers all around me. The only thing that saved an otherwise lousy day was Angela and Eric

"Don't worry Bella I'm sure it'll die down soon enough, just wait for the next Lauren scandal and nobody will even remember you" Eric was probably right Lauren was always doing something gossip worthy. Last time she threw a party and she'd gotten so smashed Charlie had caught her and some boy running down her street naked claiming they'd been abducted by aliens.

"Yeah don't stress, I'm sure most of the girls here have wanted to do that to Mike at one time or another" They were both walking with me to gym, another thing I was dreading. I was just hoping we didn't play dodge ball because I was positive Jessica would be targeting me

"I just don't like being the center of attention that's all" I'd been relieved when the novelty of the new girl had faded and now everyone was staring at me again.

"Don't worry tomorrow's another day and just remember Mike had it coming" That might have been true but I was overly harsh with him, he'd just been the nearest target at the time.

I was planning on apologizing to him but needed to figure out how to do it without having him asking me out again, even after how I'd treated him Taylor had told me that Mike thought I was just playing hard to get.

So I'd limped in our front door after having Jessica trip me as we played volley ball and slowly made my way upstairs, Charlie could order pizza because I just wasn't in the mood to cook.

I struggled through my homework and tried to read for a while before I started getting tingles down my spine. I slowly walked to my window and peeked out; sure enough I could see Leah's wolf outlined against the glow of a half moon.

For a moment I wondered how she could change outside of a full moon but then I remembered the vampire myths and how wrong they were, I was going to have to ask her about that.

When I woke up Tuesday morning and watched her leave I made up my mind to ring her after school, she made me feel safe despite the fact I couldn't fully trust her. I needed to give her a chance to explain her side and I was seriously missing the sound of her voice.

So now I'd spent the last 30 minutes staring at my cell trying to get up the courage to ring, the memory of the week before leaving texts and messages that went unanswered had me hesitating but then remembering that she'd spent her nights outside my window finally convinced me to ring.

"Bella?" Oh that voice was like silk that sent shivers down my spine

"Hi Leah"

Leah's POV

"Hey" I was holding my breath praying that Bella wasn't going to tell me she'd seen me at her house and to leave her the fuck alone.

"How have you been?" Well she wasn't leading with a rejection so there was still hope

"I miss you" As I blurted that out my eyes closed automatically cursing myself for my lack of control

"Ha Ha Yeah me to" Her nervous little laugh had my heart fluttering and a small hesitant smile crossed my face, I knew my dad was listening so I moved further into the living room

"Does that mean you want to talk?" please please please

"Yes it does but not over the phone" yes yes yes

"OK, can I come over now?" looking at the wall clock I noted that it was 5.00pm, would they have had dinner yet?

"Now's good, Charlie has to stay late at the station and if your quick you can eat with me. Unless you've already eaten?" If she's going to feed me that a good sign, right?

"No I haven't and I'd really like that, I'm leaving right now I won't be long" I looked down at what I was wearing, I was going to have to change but that wouldn't take much.

"OK see you in a bit"

"Bye" I heard her cell disconnect but I still stood there with mine pressed to my ear not quite believing what just happened, was that just a cruel hallucination

"Well are you just going to stand there or are you going to get over there?" Dad's voice broke through to my stunned mind and got my body moving

"I've gotta go change and I'll have to drive over there instead of running" I was talking to myself more than to dad as I took the stairs two at a time

"You do that kiddo" I could hear the grin in his voice which was further proof that we'd be ok

I quickly changed and hopped onto my bike praying that it would start after the week and a half of disuse since I could run faster than ride, thankfully the engine kicked over after the fourth try and I headed towards Bella's.

My wolf was happily content in the back of my mind quietly confident that our imprint was going to accept us, but I still knew I was going to have to work to repair the damage created by my earlier rejection.

Maybe I should bring her some flowers or chocolate, girls liked that sort of thing didn't they? I had absolutely no experience with what girls liked apart from me and I didn't really like flowers but Bella might.

We'd never really talked about that sort of thing before but I knew she liked chocolate so I quickly stopped at the shops and bought her a box before heading to her house.

Pulling up I parked just behind her truck and walked up to the porch, before I could knock the door opened and I was suddenly looking into Bella's beautiful brown eyes and enveloped in her heavenly scent.

"What took you so long" I could hear the hesitance in her voice and internally kicked myself for making her doubt how I felt

"I stopped to get you this" I held the chocolate out in front of me for Bella to take

"Oh" She starred at it as if she couldn't figure out what it was

"Chocolates, I hope you like them" I felt like a 12 year old with my first crush, well it was my first crush, the love of my life, my soul mate and I was making a complete idiot of myself in front of her.

"Thank you, you didn't have to get me anything" Bella took them and turned around leading me through to the kitchen

"I know but I wanted to" I felt like a puppy following her around and I was loving it, she looked over her shoulder and my heart sped up with the shy smile on Bella's face

"Well I hope you're hungry because I've made plenty" I moved over next to her and took the plate she handed me, inhaling the delicious smell of roast meat and vegies but it still didn't compare to Bella's spicy scent.

"I could eat a horse, I haven't had much of an appetite lately" That was an understatement, from what I saw in the other pack member's heads they ate a tremendous amount of food but with everything that I'd been going through with Bella I hadn't been able to keep much down.

But being in Bella's presence and faced with a meal she had made for me my appetite had come rushing back and I was about to make a pig of myself.

We sat down at the kitchen table facing each other and I couldn't keep my eyes off of her

"We should eat first and then we can go sit on the couch and talk, Ok?" I'd forgotten we still needed to have The Talk, sitting here with her had felt so natural and comfortable I couldn't bring myself to feel anxious about it. I was confident that we would work this out; we were made for each other.

After staring at one another for a few minutes I finally forced myself to look down at my plate and picking up my knife and fork I started to eat.

Bella's POV

Oh my god she even eats like a wolf, I was transfixed staring at Leah as she started to eat. I don't even think she chewed and swallowed but inhaled it; she was half way through when she noticed I hadn't started and looked up at me.

I got a questioning eyebrow raise that I couldn't help but grin at and shaking my head I started to eat my own dinner. We remained silent for another few minutes, it felt comfortable sitting there not saying anything just enjoying each other's company after going without it for nearly two weeks.

However that thought reminded me of why we hadn't seen each other and the underlying reason for Leah being here because although I had missed her there were things she needed to explain to me before I could completely relax and trust that she wasn't going to leave me again.

That feeling of doubt was what made my stomach queasy and all of a sudden I had lost my appetite, I needed answers and I wasn't waiting for the meal to end.

"Leah" Leah's head shot up and we made eye contact, her mouth still full of food she chewed and swallowed before answering me

"Yes Bella" Perhaps she knew what I was going to ask because she placed her knife and fork down and gave me her full attention.

"I just can't hold this in anymore" I took a deep breath and closed by eyes briefly

"Why did you stop talking to me and then break our friendship, it's obvious that you didn't want to or you wouldn't be here right now" I was debating with myself on whether I should reveal that I knew about her nightly watch wolf routine I decided there should be no secrets

"Plus I've noticed you hanging around outside my window" Shame flickered across her face and I had the urge to comfort her, I reached out and took her hand in mine

"I don't mind Leah I thinks it's sweet that you're looking out for me, but leaves me with the question of why now and not before" That's what I really needed to know, what had changed

Her eyes opened at my words and I could see her searching my face to make sure I wasn't disgusted with her, she must have seen something that reassured her because I felt her fingers tighten around mine and she gave me a shy smile

"Ok so to complete explain what happened I need to tell you a few tribal secrets" I nodded my head for her to go on, this should be interesting

"Our people have the ability to turn into wolves, but it's only triggered when Cold Ones are in the vicinity of the Reservation, we're protectors of our tribe" Wait, the what?

"Who are the Cold Ones?" I know I can be slow sometimes, but give me break I've had a lot on my mind

"That's how our legends describe Vampires Bella" That had her face scrunching up in disgust

"Oh, so did the Cullen's affect you when they were here" I don't think they knew their presence was affecting them like this

"Sam was the first to phase because of them, and then Quill and Embry were next. The council can't figure out why it hasn't stop since they left, although that one that attacked you might have something to do with it"

"Who are the others, please tell me not that creepy guy from a few weeks ago"

"Unfortunately Jacob was already phased when you met him, but don't worry I'll rip his throat out before he comes anywhere near you again" I'm not sure how reassured I was with that

"I was next and then Paul a few days ago, everyone's keeping an eye on Seth Jacobs's younger brother because he's showing the symptoms" Now for the important question

"What does all this have to do with you ignoring me?" My voice wavered as I tried not to cry at the memory; of course Leah noticed the tear falling from my eye and captured it with her finger before caressing my check.

"I am so sorry for the pain that I caused you Bella please believe me I would take it back if I could" I just slightly nodded my head and leaned into her touch.

"How bout we do the dishes and move the rest of this conversation into the living room, ok?" Again I just nodded and stood up with my half eaten meal, talking was more important than eating.

We quickly washed and dried the dishes and I made a plate up for Charlie placing it into the fridge for when he got home, then we both walked into the living room and sat onto the couch.

Leah looked really nervous now and I was beginning to feel worried with what she had to say

"First I want to say that I really like you Bella" That made me smile and reach out for her hand again

"I really like you too Leah" Leah wasn't looking in my eyes but at our joined hands and at my words she started to shake her head

"No Bella I mean I really like you, not as a friend like you" She finally looked into my eyes "I like you in the way that I want you to be my girlfriend like you" I could tell that saying that took a lot for her so I held her hand tighter and smiled brightly at her

"I think I like you like that too Leah, but I feel like I can't trust you at the moment. You need to talk to me and be honest" I wanted to move forward but I still didn't feel like I could trust her

The smile that overtook her face at my words almost stopped my heart, it definitely took my breath away, and she was so beautiful.

"I know I do, and I know I have a lot to make up for please just give me the chance to make this better" My heart was melting at the sincerity I could hear in her voice and see in her eyes, she truly did own my heart

"I think I'd been developing symptoms of phasing for about a week before we started hanging out, running a temperature and my temper was getting pretty volatile. The others said that its anger that made them phase for the first time and I was pretty angry" I caressed my thumb over her knuckles in encouragement

"It was seeing you kissing Mike that started it for me, I think I could have phased right then and there but I was more upset than angry" Closing my eyes I could again see the look on Leah's face after I pushed Mike away

"Leah I told you Mike started that, it had nothing to do with me and I told him off for it; after you ran out of the cinemas and at school on Friday in front of almost everyone. Couldn't you tell that I was trying to avoid his attention all night?" I was having second thoughts about apologizing to him; his actions had started all of this.

"I thought that's what was going on but when I saw you I just couldn't think straight, it felt like my heart was being ripped out and I needed to get out of there as quickly as possible before I humiliated myself anymore" I couldn't believe how easy all of this could have been avoided if we'd just been honest with each other

"After I left I drove to the beach just to clear my head and that's when Jacob showed up, he said some things that got me so angry I phased and all shredded him before Sam and the others showed up" That had me a bit confused

"What did he say to make you that mad?" It must have been pretty bad for Leah to lose it; I'd only ever seen her calm and patient

"Just his usual crap but I just couldn't hold my emotions in anymore and lost it" That seemed like a lame answer but I could see she was embarrassed by it so I let it go, for now.

"But still why did you stay away?"

"We're very volatile Bella and in the beginning strong emotions cause us to phase, Sam and Dad convinced me that if I got angry around you I might hurt you, they practically ordered me to stay away from you. I thought you were with Mike and wouldn't have room for me, I know I was a coward to ignore you but I didn't want to give you up and I was trying to prolong telling you that we couldn't be friends anymore" All that did make sense but it still didn't stop my doubts

"Ok so what's different now, you're still a werewolf and still volatile. Why can you be around me now when you couldn't before?" I wanted to know what would stop her from deciding she couldn't be around me again for my own good.

I was so sick of people making decisions involving my safety and not giving me a say in it, didn't my opinion count with anyone

"There's this thing that members of the pack do, it means that I could tell you about tribe secrets and it makes it almost impossible for me to ever hurt you" Now that really got my attention

"What was that Leah?"

"You're my Imprint Bella"