Bella POV

Pulling myself off my bed I walked into the bathroom down the hall. The face that looked back at me was frightening. I'd been sitting around for the past week, doing nothing but sulking. My hair was a knot on the back of my head and my clothes were wrinkled and old.

I pulled my shirt over my head, and stepped out of my shorts. As I stood under the steaming water, my tense shoulders finally relaxed and I had a moment to stop and think about all that had happened in the last 5 days.

Jacob hates me.

I meet Quil.

Quil leaves.

I try to kill myself.

Jacob saves me.

Quil visits.

Quil Kisses me.

Quil beats the shit out of Jake.

Quil leaves, again.

Jake leaves, again.

Why did I give a hoot about Quil. I don't even know him. Obviously Jake doesn't like him, which says something. Plus, I really thought they used to be friends. Really close friends. Something had changed. If only I could figure out what it was. I needed to figure out who exactly this Quil guy was.

I turned the water off, and toweled off. I forgot to bring clothes with me, so I walked back to my room, and pulled on a clean pair of jeans, and a T-shirt. I blow dried my hair, and pulled it up in a ponytail. Then I walked downstairs grabbed my keys, and started my truck.

Quil POV

Pulling myself off my bed I walked into the bathroom down the hall. The face that looked back at me was frightening. I'd been sitting around for the past week, doing nothing but sulking. My hair was a knot on the back of my head and my clothes were wrinkled and old. I brushed my hair out and held it behind me. I picked up the old scissors and started cutting through my hair that I'd spent my whole life growing out. It fell to the floor in sweeps of raven black. I bunched it up and threw it away. Most of the other pack members had already cut their hair. I was one of the last.

As much as I liked being in the pack, I hated it now. Every time I phased I had to hear what everyone was thinking about me, and they had to hear what I was thinking about. My whole thought process was centered around that day. What I could have done different, anything! Sam had at least been very considerate and hadn't come and told me to get my lazy ass up and defend my people like he should have.

I know that that's because of what happened with him and Leah. But, Oh boy! how I like to be compared to the bitchiest girl in the east coast. I don't blame her though. Life sucks when you have nothing left to live for.

Sam had already forbid me to go find Bella. Damn him. Sporting my new hair, I turned on the luke-warm water and rinsed off my body.

Becoming a werewolf had total messed up my hormones. Not only was I way past puberty mentally, I was way past it physically. I looked like a 20 year old man!

Back when I was normal I had spent countless hours at the high school gym, and it seemed kinda unfair that now that I looked like a roman god, and I didn't want anyone, except the one girl in Washington that hated me! Errgh! I slammed the water off, in the process cracking the facet.

"Shit," I cursed under my breath.

I dried myself off, and it felt weird to not have a tangle of hair on my back. I shook myself like a dog, and splattered the mirror.

I stomped back to my room, and pulled on a pair of jeans. I was digging through the clothes on my floor looking for a shirt when I heard someone knock on the door. It wasn't the knock that any of the pack would have given, hell they wouldn't have even knocked...except maybe Sam. I walked swiftly out into the living room. I'd been waiting for this talk for a while now. I'm was just surprised it took this long for Sam to come tell me to get it together.

The minute I was in the living room, I realized it wasn't Sam. Sam smelt like...Sam. This person, smelt clean. Like Strawberries. My eyes widened as I immediately placed who's scent that was. Bella!

I jogged quickly across the room and to the door. I took a deep breath and opened the door.

Bella POV

I knocked quietly, almost hoping he wouldn't hear me. I knew someone was home because a old white Chevy pick-up was sitting in the drive way. It had been several seconds and no one had answered yet. I took that opportunity to flee. I turned on my heels and started walking back to my car. That was when I heard the swipe of the door opening.

"Hey!" A very familiar voice called. I turned reluctantly.

"Hey," I said a lot less enthusiastically. He noticed.

"You okay?" he asked as his eyes brows formed a 'V' He took a step onto the porch and I saw for the first time what he was wearing. Or should I say what he wasn't wearing. He had on a pair of low-rise faded jeans. The knee on the left side was torn out, and the thigh on the right was ripped. They hung dangerously close to not being on, and from where I was standing his muscles looked amazing! I felt an unfamiliar wave of desire pulse through my body.

My eyes unfocused for a moment, and when I blinked he was right in front of me. "Hey. You sure?" A small scream escaped my surprised mouth. He chuckled and stepped back a little. He eyes rested on me softly. "You want to come in?" He sounded different then he had before. He sounded insecure. Ha! Him insecure? I was now wondering why I always dressed like a boy. Quil seems like the kind of guy who appreciates a 'woman'.

I mentally slapped myself. What am I talking about. This is me. That is Quil. Jacob's best friend- or well ex-best friend. Nothing is going on between us. Nothing will. It was only a kiss. Nothing more.

I shook my head a little and walked behind Quil into his house.

His house was small, like Jake's but a little more cared for. It was painted dark blue, with white trim. Around the two front windows, boxes of flowers rested. On the porch a bench sat next to the door, and a welcome mat graced the entrance. There definitely was a female living here.

"So Quil...you live here with?" I asked trying to break the silence as we walked into the living room.

"Oh, yeah. My mom, and my dad. I'm an only child. Luck me, right?" He asked laughing. He had a nice laugh. It was deep and manly.

"Me too! Except I always wanted sibling when I was younger."

"Really?" He said as he led me into the kitchen, "I always had...the guys, around so it was almost like I did have brothers." He looked around briefly. "You want something to drink?" He asked opening the fridge.

"Um...sure. What cha got?"

"We have coke, juice, milk, water..."

"I'll have a coke, sir," I said leaning over the table like I was ordering at a bar. I realized how idiotic I was, right after I said it.

Quil turned around with an eyebrow cocked, and a sexy smirk on his face. WHAT!? Did I just think sexy?

"Will that be on the rocks?" He asked pulling out a tall glass. I laughed. Quil was playing along.

"Yes, please." He dropped a few cubes into the cup and fill it to the brim with foam. He placed it on the table and pulled out a can for himself. Popping the top he sat down across from my glass. I followed and sat down.

"So, miss, what's a pretty girl like you doing all alone at the bar?" I blushed a deep shade of red, and sipped my coke.

"Maybe I'm not alone." I responded, not really sure where I was going.

"Huh? I haven't seen anyone here." He said smirking again, a very..attractive...smirk.

"I bet he stood me up," I said dropping my smile. This conversation was moving into painful memories.

"Well, I guess...you know, if he was too stupid leave, would you like to um...hang out with me?" I looked up at him surprised. His face was completely serious.

"What?" It looked like Quil was...blushing?

An uncontrollable smile strained my checks.

"Never mind." An awkward silence filled the air. We finished drinking our pops.

Quil's POV

I can't believe I just said that. She must think I am such an idiot.

She hadn't said anything since I acted like an ass, but she was smiling. She looked happy to be here. I mean, just because she's my imprint doesn't mean she's going to love me at first. But I don't think she hates me like I thought...I think.

It was deep silent.

Until Embry showed up. He burst through the front door noisily, and expected me to be back in my room.

"Okay man, time to get over that girl! She kissed you, blah, blah, blah! Come on let's go down to the beach!"

I stood up to slug him. "Embry!?" I screamed. He turned around to see the two of us.

"Oh...."

I turned to see what Bella said. What I saw completely through me. She was beet red and looked like she was about to kill me.

"You told him!? Who else did you tell? No- wait I don't even want to know. You're a total jerk! I can't believe I even came over here. I just..." A big tear slide down her cheek and she hastily wiped it up. "I just needed to talk to someone, and you seemed nice. She said emphasizing the word 'seemed'. "But I can see I was wrong. Sorry to bother you!" She stormed by me and attempted to push Embry out of the way. She failed. "MOVE!" She screamed in his face. Nothing freaked Embry out more then a girl. He spazed and throw himself out the door. I'm pretty sure he was halfway to where ever Sam was. He knew he needed protection. Bella stomped to her truck. I rushed after her.

"Wait Bella! You don't understand." I caught her hand and she whipped around to face me. "Don't you ever touch me again!" She stood there staring at me. Slowly the fire in her eyes melted.

Bella POV

I couldn't believe he told him, but still as insanely mad as I was. I wanted to jump him. He looked too handsome. I'd never wanted anyone this bad in my whole life. Not even...Edward. The way I felt toward Quil was so strange. I couldn't understand it. I felt the strange need to touch him, to hold him, but also to talk to him, to love him. It was nothing like anything I'd ever felt before. It seemed like to me, that no matter what he did who he told I didn't care. All I wanted to do was kiss him again. I wanted him to know this, but I couldn't tell him that. He'd think I was a freak.

What would I say. 'Hey Quil, I know I met you just over a week ago, and your best friend has a crush on me, and let me tell you, I kind of like him too, but besides the point. I wanted you to know that I think I might love you! Weird huh?'

I felt my anger melt.

"Why'd you tell him?" I squeaked, embarrassed at my temper tantrum.

"I'm sorry, I can't control it sometimes." I looked up at him, and his dark penetrating eyes begged me. In one lunging step I through myself at him. Wrapping my arms around his taunt muscled waist, I pressed my check to his chest.

He sighed happily, and held the small of my back with his hand. But the weird thing was he was blazing!
I felt the long held up pain of heart ache melt. It wasn't like with Jake were he could hold me together for a moment. I felt my wounds healing. Quil was good for me. And blazing or not, I needed this boy. As strange as that may be, I needed him.


A/U: Whew! Sorry that took so long! It's been a long time. Can't make any promises on my next update I've been in and out of the hospital for all my injuries I've acquired in the last 2 weeks. These include: a split left tibia a shattered foot, a cracked femur, and 4 broken ribs! Woohoo, right? WRONG!

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