A/N: Ok so the last chapter was really a bit shocking :/ sorry about that! So this is to make up for the rubbish-ness of the last one.

Thanks to Dreamcatcher94, EvilEyeBeads and RANDOM COOKIE NINJA for reviewing the last chapter! You gave me some great ideas and I will definitely use a few of them so watch this space!

RANDOM COOKIE NINJA- Thankyou so much for everything you said, it was all amazing! And don't worry, the first chapter for the sequel of 'A New Understanding' is taking shape right now!

Disclaimer: I do not own anything except my own characters.

Chapter 14: Downs and Ups

Chloe's POV

I had a family. A real family who actually cared about me. As I lay in bed that night I just couldn't wipe the massive smile off my face. I'd had the best week of my life back in La Push and I was kind of sad it would be ending soon. It was the last day tomorrow. I tried not to think about saying goodbye to Jake, it just made me feel sick. I also had to find the guts to tell the pack why I left and that was making me nervous.

I ate breakfast slowly, not wanting the day to really happen. I swirled the cereal round in my bowl and sighed.

"Come on Chloe, it won't be that bad, trust me" said Leanne linking her arm through mine.

"It will be, can't you just leave me here?" I grumbled pushing the bowl away from me.

"I'm not leaving you here on your own" said Leanne pulling me back up to our room, "right get dressed, I'm driving you down there"

I sulked all the way to La Push. Leanne was going to drop me at Sam and Emily's so I could see the pack one last time. I was still feeling down when I entered the house.

"What's wrong?" asked Jake in panic as soon as he saw me.

"I don't want to leave" I whispered into his chest as he hugged me.

"It won't be for long, trust me" he said reassuringly.

"Why does everyone keep telling me to trust them? It's kind of freaking me out" I mumbled as Jake pulled me into the living room where the rest of the pack were.

"Hi" I said before sliding into a seat next to Embry.

"Why the long face?" he said wrapping an arm round me.

"I already left you guys once" I sighed knowing where this was leading.

"Hey, we'll always be here for when you come back, tru-"

"Embry, I swear if you say 'trust me' I will hit you" I growled making him gulp.

"Sorry Chloe, anyway, you wanted to tell everyone something?" he prompted and I took a deep breath.

Jake was sat on my other side and I felt safe wedged in between the two people who knew me most. Everyone else sat in silence waiting for me to talk.

"Right, yeah, umm... it's kind of hard, umm, well I guess you all know I used to act like I was a spoilt princess but I wasn't happy. I was never happy. I didn't have a proper family or anything and there were so many rumours about me that you could probably write a book. Anyway, one day I snapped. I'd had enough, I didn't want to be that person anymore so I tried to be me and well, I kind of lost everything at the same time. None of the people I used to hang round with wanted to know me and my own family hated me. And some stuff was happening at home and... well, yeah, and... Embry?" I whispered his name, not really knowing how to go on.

"You can do it" he whispered back, giving my shoulder a squeeze. I shook my head.

"I can't, please" I pleaded.

"Just try" he said softly. I stared at him with wide eyes, it was scary reliving everything that felt so far in the past.

"Ok, umm... so at home, right, well... my sisters would, well... they tried to beat the stupid ideas out of me. Like, literally beat me... in the mornings if I didn't look like they wanted me to and I felt... I felt trapped and then I was at school and... and it was just a day, normal... then P-... Paul he... he yelled at me and... and I wanted it all to stop and-"

"I am so sorry Chloe" I looked up at Paul through my blurry eyes. I smiled slightly.

"It's ok, you didn't know, you just heard the rumours and believed them" I whispered, knowing he would hear me across the room.

"What did you say to her?" demanded Embry.

"I don't know, I don't remember ok? I'm really sorry Chloe, I-"

"You yelling was probably what tipped her over the edge! You have no idea what you did" yelled Embry making me whimper slightly.

"Embry, stop it" ordered Sam then he turned to me, "Chloe, can you remember what Paul said?"

"He said... he said I was trying to find a boy to add to my list" I whispered, feeling my chin quivering as I tried to control the tears, "I've never slept with anyone Paul, I've never... never..."

I trailed off as the tears slipped down my face, Embry pulling me into a hug. I felt bad, Paul hadn't meant to make me that upset... I don't think.

"Embry, I can't" I whispered into his shirt, "you show them, please"

"You want me to show them what happened?" he sounded kind of wary, but I didn't want to talk about it so I nodded as he released me.

"I don't want to talk about it. Jake, you show them too, show them... show them the beach and everything and... please"

I glanced up at Jake who looked so sorrowful but he just nodded. I watched as the pack trailed out after Jake and Embry and I sank further into the sofa. I didn't know how long they would be but I felt sick and I was shaking. Kim crept into the room as they left. I hadn't seen her that much over the week and I missed her a lot. She dropped onto the sofa and hugged me tightly.

"I don't want to leave today" I whispered as the pain of leaving tore through me.

"At least we get to say goodbye this time" said Kim pulling away, "what are the guys talking about anyway?"

"Err... me?" I said grimacing at the thought of everyone finding out, but I wanted them to know the truth about me.

"What about you?" probed Kim. I guess I would have to tell her as well.

"You know why I left right?" Kim nodded, "child protection came to the house because my mum and sisters beat me" Kim gasped as I admitted this, a look of horror coming over her face, "but before that, I wasn't happy and then Embry pretty much saved my life. In fact, I never properly thanked him. If it wasn't for him I wouldn't have met you or Jake or any of the guys, I'd be floating around in that great big La Push in the sky" I couldn't believe I had forgotten to thank Embry for literally saving me from death.

"Chloe, I don't understand... what happened?" asked Kim looking confused. I took a deep breath. I had never actually properly thought about what I did. I should probably get my head looked at or something.

"I tried to get myself killed" I whispered in a horrified voice. I was disgusted with myself. Disgusted, ashamed and embarrassed.

"What?" shrieked Kim jumping about a foot in the air, "Chloe, what were you thinking? When was this?"

"I wasn't thinking" I whispered feeling my lip quiver again, "it was at school, I saw a truck and ran. Embry stopped me"

"You are such an idiot you know that? How could you do that? There's always another way out. Always. I don't really know what else to say" said Kim leaving the room.

I felt alone. I was stupid and selfish and a complete idiot. These people had been too good to me. I should leave. They were better off without me.

I stood up suddenly and walked speedily towards the door. I made it halfway down the hall when I heard Emily behind me. I turned and caught sight of her face. She had the same horrified expression that Kim had worn. I choked back a sob and legged it out the door. I could hardly see through the veil of tears that covered my eyes so I didn't notice all the pairs of eyes that watched me run.

I reached the highway and collapsed at the side of the road, sobs wracking through me. Leaving was best, leaving meant these kind people didn't have to have all my baggage, leaving would help.

Pounding footsteps got closer and closer until they stopped altogether and a pair of strong, warm arms wrapped around me, holding me close as I cried out my emotions.

"I'm so sorry you had to go through it all again, it's in the past, please don't leave now" Jake pleaded as my cries turned into sniffles.

"I don't deserve people like you" I whispered, clutching at his shirt, "they all hate me"

"You deserve the best, just like everyone does. This is your second chance and it's been amazing, you are amazing, and no one hates you. It's a bit shocking, yes, but hate? That's not it. We showed them all, me and Embry did, they understand" said Jake rocking me comfortingly.

"Kim does" I said so quietly I wasn't sure if he'd heard. There was a pause.

"Kim is just a bit shaken. You're her best friend, I don't think she wants to lose you" said Jake quietly, "how about you come back with me? Everyone was worried when you took off"

"They thought I was going to try again?" I whispered, not really wanting to know the answer.

"No, you're strong now, we all know you wouldn't do that now. We just don't like seeing part of our family hurting" said Jake reassuringly. I looked up into his eyes and knew he was telling the truth. I nodded slowly and he helped me to my feet.

I felt nervous walking back into the house. I kept my eyes on the floor not really wanting to see the looks of horror, or disgust, or pity. Jake kept an arm round my waist as he pushed me forward until we were stood awkwardly in Sam and Emily's front room. I felt a presence in front of me and peeked up to see Embry standing in front of me, worry etched into his face.

"I'm sorry" I whispered trying to stop my stupid quivering lip.

Embry stepped closer and pulled me into a hug. A feeling of safety and complete trust washed through me and I let out one final shuddering sob as I slipped my arms around Embry. It was like Jake and Embry were my safety nets, always there for me when I needed them most. It was a strange feeling, but I liked it. I felt wanted.

"Chloe!" I heard a voice cry from across the room.

I peeked under Embry's arm at Kim who had a very blotchy face and an unreadable expression on her face. She rushed over as Embry released me and pulled me tight against her.

"I'm sorry for reacting how I did, it was just a shock, but please don't ever do anything like that again" she cried into my ear.

"I won't, I promise" I sighed back.

The rest of the pack pulled me into tight hugs as well, but Paul stayed back from the rest, a look of such sadness on his face. I stepped towards him as everyone settled into their own conversations.

"Paul, I-"

"Chloe, you have no idea how sorry I am" said Paul cutting me off, "I swear I didn't mean it, I was a fool and I shouldn't have judged you. Please say you'll forgive me? I'll make it up to you every single day"

"Paul, it could have been anyone, so I'm sorry, but yes I accept what you say" I said giving a small smile.

"Thankyou" he said simply before I wrapped my arms round him, hoping it would give us both some sort of comfort.

The rest of the day was actually surprisingly fun considering the way it started out. Everyone had stopped stepping on eggshells around me after about an hour and just started messing around like they normally did. The one difference was that everyone was trying to be as nice to me as possible and as Jared said, 'give me all the love my parents never showed me'. It was quite nice really to have people clinging onto me like limpets and trying to squeeze me half to death.

The worst part of the day soon sped round. I had to say goodbye. It was hard. I cried a hell of a lot. I swear if I cry one more time I'll wither up from lack of water left inside me. The very worst part was saying goodbye to Jake.

"Don't make me go" I begged as Leanne pulled up in the car, "I don't want to be away from you again"

"I don't want you to go either, but you have to, your family will miss you too" said Jake in a strangled voice. I clung to him, not wanting to ever let go. I would miss his eternal warmth, his smile, his shining personality, his everything.

"I love you" I choked out as Leanne beeped the horn.

"I love you too" he whispered before pressing his lips to mine. I held onto him for as long as possible before I heard Leanne opening her door to come and drag me away.

"Come on, you've said goodbye already" she yelled.

"No, please Jake" I whispered as Leanne grabbed my arm.

"I love you" he whispered as his face dropped.

"You'll thank me later" grumbled Leanne as she sped away, leaving my heart back at the side of the road.

The Turners spent the entire ride to the airport trying to make me at least smile. I couldn't even manage that. Part of me was missing.

As the plane took off Leanne wrapped her arm around my shoulders. I tried to shrug her off but she just laughed and pulled me towards her.

"Stop moping! You'll be back soon" she laughed. I blinked up at her in confusion.

"What?" I asked cautiously. I didn't want to get my hopes up if she was just joking.

"Mum, please?" said Leanne turning to Faye who just grinned and nodded.

"I'm going to go to the University of Washington to study nursing" she announced.

"That's great" I said trying to sound at least a little bit enthusiastic.

"And dad's got a new job" she added.

"Oh, congratulations John" I said peering round Leanne. He smiled and chuckled.

"He's setting up his branch of property developers in Forks, so naturally the family will have to move with him, wouldn't want him getting lonely" my heart was pounding at this point, "and we found the sweetest little house in La Push that would just be perfect. Mum and dad signed the contract yesterday. Oh, and you've been enrolled back at the high school for your senior year"

I couldn't breathe. There was no way this was real. It was all a dream and I would wake up soon and be even more depressed than I had been.

"Chloe, are you alright?" asked Faye nervously.

"Are... are you guys serious? We're actually moving to La Push? All of us? Forever?" I gasped out.

"We wouldn't joke about this, trust me" said Leanne seriously.

"When do we move?" I asked, the excitement building rapidly.

"Three weeks. That's time to pack and get everything sorted with the business and everything" said John, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Three weeks? I love you guys so much! This has been the best holiday of my life!" I practically yelled at them, attempting to hug them in the confines of the plane seats.

Three weeks seemed like an eternity at this point in time but it would be bearable because I knew I would be going back to a place so full of love and happiness that not even thoughts of my real mother could dampen my spirits.

A/N: So there we have it! I hope this chapter was of a good standard and that you all enjoyed it! Also hope everyone has a great new year this weekend whatever you're doing! I'm probably going to stay in a watch films because I am just that cool.

Anyway, please review!

-Lem x