ok i'm attempting to post this since the last one didn't work...maybe it's me or maybe it's the site, but idk

sorry guys!!!! i was so surprised when i went to my email too lmao i looked at how many messages i had and it said 4 so i was like wah wah waaah and i thought no one liked this chapter lol!!!!

ok well this chapter (to me) is far off the chain...you guys will hopefully enjoy it

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Prison gates won't open up for me
On these hands and knees I'm crawlin'
Oh, I reach for you
Well I'm terrified of these four walls
These iron bars can't hold my soul in
All I need is you
Come please I'm callin'
And oh I scream for you
Hurry I'm fallin', I'm fallin'

Show me what it's like
To be the last one standing
And teach me wrong from right
And I'll show you what I can be
Say it for me
Say it to me
And I'll leave this life behind me
Say it if it's worth saving me

Savin Me, Nickelback

Chapter 20

A Bloody Mess

Paul was everywhere that night. In my dreams, in my thoughts, and even in front of me sometimes when I imagined he was there. I think it's a pretty decent time to say I'm crazy. I examined myself in the mirror, groaning at the ugly bags that sunk under my eyes. It wasn't enough that I had to work in about ten minutes; I had to look horrible too.

"Screw this," I walked out of the bathroom and picked up my purse, my sketchbook, and my car keys, slowly heading down the stairs. He was here and I knew it. Did he want to talk to me? Hopefully not…

I don't even know if he knows where I was all day yesterday, but does he really even care?

I kept my head down as I strode towards the door, glancing at him for a slight second before I started to twist the knob.

"Wait, Sammy," Sean called. I shut my eyes tight for a moment before I turned my body around towards him. He looked like a big huge mess. His hair was all over the place and his eyes just looked…well they just looked hung-over.

"Wow, way to stay sober, Sean. Do you really expect me to have a serious conversation with you when you're hung-over?" I stared him up and down and he sighed loudly.

"Just let me say something before you freaking storm out of the house!" he said in a harsh tone.

I rolled my eyes and gestured him to go on, but I knew I wasn't going to buy any of the shit he was selling at the moment.

"I know who you were with yesterday, Sammy," his eyes narrowed. I shook my head and opened my mouth to defend myself, but he stopped me, "You're still hung up on him when he doesn't even love you!" ouch, that one hurt… "You're so caught up in a lie that it's not even funny. And you know what? I'm not sorry for what I did. I'm not sorry for getting drunk, or for being hung-over right now because you're doing something just as wrong as I am."

"And what's that, Sean?" I shouted, "What am I doing that's so bad?!"

"You're acting like the world has to revolve around you. Well you know what! It doesn't! Fine, go hang out with Jacob Black and his little gang of psychopaths. Go bow down before Paul since he's oh so wonderful. But I don't even get what you see in him, he's just an asshole with a bad temper."

I scowled at him and my hands formed into fists. Before I could stop myself, I drew my arm back and flung it forward, my fist making contact with his nose. He immediately cupped his hands around his nose and wobbled in his place.

"I'm through with you, Sean," I spat at him, "You and you're 'I comes first' personality and the way you make me feel guilty when I didn't even do anything wrong! I was through with you a long time ago, but that's when I thought I needed someone like you in my life," I shook my head back and forth, "Now I just know that you're the biggest douche bag I've ever met! Go back to New York, Sean, because I don't ever want to see you're hung-over face again!"

I stormed towards the door, picking up the things that I dropped and looking over my shoulder one more time, "And just for your information, Jacob and his friends aren't psychopaths because if they were then it'd basically be a clone of you. And Paul, he's the man you could never be, Sean."

He stared at me with fury and rage written all over his bloody face. I could see a small portion of confusion and hurt in his eyes though, but I didn't care. So, I ran out of the house and into my car, driving as fast as I possibly could. As I flexed my fingers I felt a stinging pain in my hand. I took a look at it and noticed that two of my knuckles were bloody. Ugh, great. I really need to come into work looking like I just came from the scene of a murder.

On my way to the gallery I thought about what Sean had said to me. Do I really make it look like I need the world to revolve around me?

I shuddered at the question.

But in a way I felt good because I was done with all of that stress and I was finished with feeling like everything was my fault. Ugh, he's just an ass with a big ego. I should've listened to Jacob and never have gone out with him. Then I wouldn't be sitting here with bloody knuckles and –I groaned when I came to the realization- possibly nowhere to stay tonight. Well not unless Sean left for New York already. I doubt that will happen though. He's got to buy a ticket and everything.

I shook my head; I didn't really think this whole breaking up thing through. Well that wasn't very smart of me. Now what am I supposed to do? Sleep on the streets?

Before I could let that possibility go any further I parked into the first empty parking space that I could find and quickly took all of my stuff out of the car, slamming the door behind me.

When I got inside I was relieved when I noticed that Maggie wasn't there getting ready for the art show. She would probably fire me if she saw my hand. I quickly went behind the front desk and searched for any sort of paper towel or tissue.

"What the hell happened to you?!" Dana exclaimed.

I rolled my eyes, "I punched my ex in the face, what do you think happened?"

"Ex?" she raised one eyebrow.

"Sean disrespected me and my friends so I broke his nose…well at least I hope I broke his nose. Some permanent damage could do him some good."

She handed me a wet rag and I wrapped it around my hand, "So, it's over now?"

"Obviously."

"Well, what's going to happen now?"

I pursed my lips, "I told him to go back to New York. Hopefully the broken nose situation will help him move faster. Maybe he's afraid," I grinned at the thought.

Dana laughed softly, "Girl power."

"Yes, girl power," I agreed.

When my hand finally decided to stop spazzing and when the show began I sat back and took out my sketchbook. It was Dana's turn to greet people. My turn starts in –my eyes went to the clock- a half an hour. I loved how easy this job was.

"So, was there blood?" Dana whispered to me.

I grinned, "Yes, there was."

"Oh my God! He's going to hate you forever, Sammy!"

"Like I give a shit," I tried to keep my voice down so people couldn't hear the last part.

"Well at least all of that's over with," just as she was about to continue more people came in and I turned my attention back to the white sheet of paper that was sitting on my lap.

"He's just an asshole with a bad temper."

I closed my eyes when I heard the words repeat in my head. Sean didn't even know how wrong he was. Paul wasn't an asshole, not even close. And the only time when he really has a bad temper is when someone does something to intentionally piss him off. Other than that he's content. Well not unless you count what Emily said about Paul taking his anger out on the other guys while I was gone.

My pencil met the paper and I let my fingers glide across the page. The drawing started to take form, but ask me what it was going to form into and I couldn't tell you, not yet at least. I tuned everything out for the time being and got into my zone.

"I'll always be here to listen to whatever you have to say."

I leaned back in my seat and kept letting all the small little quotes run in and out of my head. This was one of the rare times that I actually felt completely calm. It was like nothing could bother me, not even this stupid bloody and bruised hand I have.

When I took a second to examine my work I finally realized what this was. It wasn't nearly as perfect as it should be, but it still looked like Paul. But this time it was the new Paul, with his short hair and his newly perfected muscles. His eyes and his smile still looked the same though.

"Well that was fast," I jumped and instantly closed my sketchbook. I looked up at Dana and she had the hugest grin on her face, "How long did it take you to get over Sean? Like an hour or so?"

"Shut up," I muttered bitterly.

"Not unless you let me see who that guy you're drawing is!" she reached her hand out toward me and I wrapped my hands around my sketchbook defensively.

"It's none of your business," I kept my eyes on the purple bruises that covered my knuckles now.

"Ok, ok," she chuckled and turned around just when three familiar faces walked through the door. My eyes widened and I blinked a few times to make sure that I wasn't just seeing things.

"What are you guys doing here?" I sat up from where I was sitting, a huge smile appearing on my face.

"Checking out the art show, what else would we be doing here?" Embry's lips pulled up into a smile.

"La Push is nothing but business lately," Jacob commented in a bored tone while he picked up a brochure and flipped through it.

Dana tugged my arm, forcing me to turn away from the three of them, "You know them?!" she squealed excitedly.

"Yeah, they're my friends," I said slowly.

"Are they single?"

"I don't know," I pulled my arm out of her grip, "Are any of you single?" I asked them with a teasing expression on my face.

They all looked at each other and then at Dana, "Embry!" they both shouted, pushing him towards the desk.

Dana scowled at me while I tried to contain my laughter. Embry had this weird look on his face too and I couldn't help but notice that he was staring at Dana like she was a goddess or something. What a weirdo…

I guess Jake and Quil noticed this too by the way they kept giggling like little school girls to themselves as they watched Embry stare.

"I'm sorry; Sammy's a little delusional right now since she broke someone's nose!"

I immediately stopped laughing and mouthed an 'I hate you' to her as she got her turn to laugh.

"You broke someone's nose?" Quil sounded amused.

I waved my hand in the air for affect, "Yeah, sure."

Jacob's hand grabbed my wrist and it wasn't until that moment when I realized that I raised my bad hand, "Jesus Christ, Sammy!"

"Oh, come on it's not that bad," I tugged my arm away.

"Not that bad? That's even worse than when you punched me."

"Well thanks," I said.

He creased his eyebrows, "Who the hell did you punch so badly that you broke their nose?"

"Sean," I mumbled.

I saw three pairs of eyes suddenly light up and small grins appeared on their lips, "That's awesome," Embry commented.

"Yes, breaking up with someone who tells you you're self centered is the epitome of awesome, Embry," I sighed, "Now go look around or else I'm going to be fired."

"I think I might get lost," Embry started to bat his eyelashes at me, "Will you help me look around miss?"

"Jerk," I grumbled.

"That is not right! Where's the manager?! I demand to speak to a manager!"

I shushed him so that my boss wouldn't actually come out, "Ok, fine. Don't act like a five year old, we do not tolerate child like behavior here, especially with these delicate pieces of artwork on display," I smirked.

"Aw crap, then I guess you're gonna have to leave, Embry," Quil said.

Embry kicked him in his butt and I stopped walking, giving him a stern look that said I'm not messing around.

He raised his arms up and I started to walk again, "It was nice meeting you, Dana," Embry added while I smiled to myself.

"You too, Embry."

Aw, they're already cute. I can totally see them two together, well maybe if Embry would grow up a little.

"So, where's the good stuff?" Jake asked while we stared at some sculpture.

"This is the good stuff."

"No, I mean where's your stuff?" He raised one eyebrow at me.

"Yeah, I didn't come here to look at some stupid metal square!"

I turned toward Embry and glared at him, "If I get fired then I'm going to break your nose!"

"I doubt you can," he narrowed his eyes at me.

"I could find a way," I responded as I began heading towards my paintings.

"Here's my paintings," I pointed them out and scanned each of them over, glancing at Quil, Embry, and Jacob every few seconds to see what they thought, "They might not make a lot of sense, but yeah. This is it."

Jake looked at me, "They're really good."

I shrugged my shoulders, "Yeah, I guess so."

"Ha, this one looks strangely familiar," Quil said, pointing to the one of the grey wolf.

Jacob slapped the back of Quil's head and stared him down sternly.

I wondered what he meant by strangely familiar. Had he seen this wolf before?

My eyes looked over the painting once more. That's strange, I got the idea for this one from a dream I had. How could it look familiar?

We managed to make it through the gallery without me getting fired. Sure, Embry had his moments, but I told him I'd make him pay for that. As the night went on –and as Dana constantly kept talking about the weird feeling she got every time Embry looked at her- my hand started to ache more and more, but it's not like I could do anything about it since I was in the middle of working my shift.

I closed up my sketchbook and grabbed all of my other things before I headed out the door. The wind hit me hard and I shivered from the chill that ran down my spine. As I walked toward my car I felt like I was being watched. My eyes searched for some sign of someone who was possibly stalking me, but I didn't see anyone or anything for that matter. So I proceeded on thinking that it was all just in my head.

When I turned around the corner I jumped and stopped walking.

"Sorry," I whispered softly to the scruffy man that was leaning up against the wall. He smiled with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth and a large set of disgusting teeth.

I walked around him, trying not to cough loudly from the smoke that had been puffed in my face about two seconds ago. Every few seconds I would glance over my shoulder, making sure that he wasn't following me. But as I got closer and closer to my car, a tiny shadow started creeping its way closer to me. I closed my eyes and thought that this could not be happening.

I fumbled to get my car keys out of my purse and as soon as I did I got ready to jump into the car and drive off as fast as I could. When I was about a foot away from the car I could tell that he was still following, but I paid no attention to him as I tried to quicken my pace a bit without him noticing. Before I could even open my door his hand was on top of the handle.

"Where you going?" he asked, his words slurring together as he spoke.

I stayed quiet and stood still. His hand reached out and grabbed a lock of my hair and he brought it up to his face and sniffed it. I breathed heavily and bit my lip as I tried not to cry. Never in a million years did I expect this to happen to me.

He grabbed my arm and forced me to turn around. I looked down at my feet as I did it and just when I thought he was reaching to loosen his belt he went into his pocket instead and pulled out a small knife. My eyes slightly widened and I screamed loudly so someone, anyone, could hear me. But as soon as I did he brought the knife up to my throat.

"Scream and I swear I'll slit your throat," he threatened me.

I kept my mouth shut then and figured that I had to come up with some sort of plan or else I was going to die.

"Now," he started to explain, "Give me your keys and your purse."

I was resistant to doing it though because if I did, then I knew he could possibly rape me next.

"Do it!" he shouted as the blade of the knife touched my skin and my sketchbook fell to the ground. He didn't care about that though.

Think, think, think! I yelled to myself in my head.

And the only thing that popped into my head was self defense. It was crazy and stupid of me, but it was my only hope at this point.

So, I slightly lifted my leg and swung my foot back and with as much force as I could I kicked him in his groin. His knife fell to the ground and I pushed him out of my way so I could run. But as soon as I tried to escape he grabbed my hair and pulled me down with him. I screamed out in pain and tried to tug my hair out of his grasp with as much force as I could and when I felt an excruciating pain on the back of my head and then a tearing sound I knew that he had ripped some of my hair out.

He slowly started to stand up and with my hand cupping the back of my head I tried to make the tears go away so I could run. I heard a scraping noise from behind me and I knew that he had gotten his knife again.

And just when I thought that it was over, a bunch of fierce growls was all I could hear behind me. I turned my head around in curiosity while my feet moved, but what I saw had me slowing down in an instant.

All I saw was Paul with his hand clasped around the scruffy guy's throat, holding him about two feet in the air. The knife was in his other hand, bent to a point where it no longer resembled a weapon. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion as I tried to regain my breath.

"Let me go you crazy bastard!" the man shouted in a short amount of breath as he squirmed and tried to get out of Paul's grasp.

"Why should I?" Paul hissed at him through clenched teeth and I could clearly see that he was shaking.

"I swear," he said as he tried to breathe, "I'll leave her alone."

"No, you won't."

"Paul!" I yelled my voice cracking. His eyes met mine and the hard look they had before suddenly softened, "Don't kill him," I barely whispered.

"But-,"

"No!" I shook my head.

"He hurt you," Paul added.

I didn't know what else to say at this point to make him stop. There was nothing to say, but I'd choose this over nothing, "Please?"

He looked at me again and stopped growling. His shaking lessened as he lowered the man and finally threw him onto the ground. The guy immediately ran off without saying a word and I just stood there completely shocked by what just happened.

I could've been killed. No, I was going to be killed if it weren't for Paul. I raised my head as Paul walked closer and closer to me. That's when the tears starting pouring out of me and as soon as they started to roll down my cheeks, Paul pulled me into a tight embrace. I sobbed into his chest and he stroked my hair. But once he touched the small bald spot on my head he started trembling again.

"I'm so sorry," Paul held me even tighter and I suddenly felt safe in his arms. It was a good feeling, compared to how I was feeling five minutes ago.

"How did you get here?" I asked, my lips quivering.

"It doesn't matter," he answered in a calm tone, "The only thing that matters is you," he let go of me and looked into my eyes using his thumbs to wipe away my tears, "Are you ok?"

I nodded, "Now that you're here I am."

His eyes darted everywhere and he tried to make sure that I didn't have a scratch on me, but once he saw my hand he started to shake again and a low grumble seemed to come from deep inside his chest.

"That wasn't from him," I told him, "I punched Sean."

His head shot up and his eyes went wide, "Why?"

"Because he was being an ass so I broke up with him and punched him in the nose," I glanced up at him, "Hopefully I broke it."

He chuckled and once again he pulled me into his arms and I welcomed the safety and comfort that he provided me with.

"God, this is all my fault," Paul muttered.

"Your fault?" I shook my head furiously, "This is not your fault, Paul. It's mine; I should've parked closer to the gallery. It was my stupid mistake."

"But if I would've gotten here sooner-,"

"Stop it!" I demanded, "Do not blame yourself for this, Paul," I placed my palm on his cheek and he leaned into my hand, "Ok?"

He nodded and grinned at me, "I think we should get you home now."

"I think you're right," I said in a complete and total daze. I pulled away from him, but as soon as I tried to walk on my own he pulled me up into his arms and started carrying me, "I'm not a baby, you know?"

"No, but in this situation you might as well be."

I rolled my eyes, but didn't protest against the idea of him carrying me. So I rested my head against his chest as he walked me to my car and set me into the passenger's seat. It wasn't until then that I realized how tired I was. I mean almost being killed and breaking someone's nose was tiring.

When Paul got into the car and started driving I kind of wondered where I was going to stay for the night.

"Paul?" I said a little groggily.

"Yeah?"

"I can't go home," I laid my head against the back seat.

"I know," he replied.

"So, where are you taking me? The homeless shelter?"

"No, somewhere even better."

"Please just tell me where. I can't keep my eyes open enough to guess anymore!" I felt my eyelids getting heavier and heavier the longer I waited for him to finally say it.

"My house," he said simply.

I nodded my head once and pulled my knees in close to my body, "Paul?"

"Hm?"

"I owe you big time," and without anything else being said, I fell into a state of unconsciousness where my dreams –or possible nightmares- awaited me.

i know what you're thinking right now (rubs temples) YAY! SHE BROKE UP WITH SEAN AND ALSO BROKE HIS NOSE! :D

yes i truly did it.

it wasn't supposed to happen this soon, but you guys wanted me to get rid of him so i did!! (or did i?)

hehehe

Review or i will die!