AN: Hey guys! Thanks so much for the reviews! I know I said I'd choose one winner, and I did, but I felt kinda bad since this chapter is short XD. I also told myself that if I got the role I wanted in the spring play, I'd post today... unfortunately I didn't, I got the worst role in the whole play -_-... This has been the worst week ever (remember, I/Nessie hate/s Valentines Day), but I'm posting so you guys can have a good one :) Don't worry, I'll still post on Forbidden Friday, I just felt like posting early ;). Enjoy, have a good valentines day!

21. TRYING AGAIN

Jacob took me home when it was getting dark. I was freezing and Jacob saw.

"Come here, Ness. I'll warm you up." I took the offer to be closer to him. He put one arm around me and he brought me closer as I cuddled into him.

"You're so warm." I cooed. Jacob chuckled.

"It's a wolf thing." I shook my head.

"It's not. It's a Jacob thing." He smiled and rubbed his hand on my arm, feeling goosebumps there. I could hear Jacob's unusual heartbeat as well as his breathing.

"Is the heartbeat a wolf thing?" His eyes stayed on the road when he answered.

"Yeah, but it's also a Nessie thing." I smiled and he continued to rub my arm. When the car stopped I stayed where I was.

"I don't want to go..." I said, looking at him. Jacob took my cheek in his hand and looked into my eyes, he felt the same.

"You have to, Ness. Charlie's going to think I kidnapped you." I smiled in humor then got up to leave, Jacob put his hand down.

"Thanks, Jake."

"For what?" I shrugged.

"Everything. The beach, meeting Emily, answering my questions, I can't thank you enough." He smiled.

"You're all I need." I smiled. I was about to leave, but Jacob stopped me.

"Nessie," I turned to him.

"Yeah?" Jacob sighed.

"I think..." He paused. "I think, being with you, actually is helping me maintain my control. No one else can give me what you have." I smiled.

"I'm glad I make a good influence on you." He scooted closer, never taking his eyes off mine.

"It's more than that." He whispered.

I was once again hypnotized by Jacob's eyes. I was completely motionless. Jacob was somehow able to move closer though, leaning down toward my face, our noses touched, our eyes closed, but then I got cold feet and backed out. Jacob's eyes suddenly didn't have the emotion I saw before, they held disappointment, confusion and a hint of anger.

"I'm sorry," I said. "I better go." Jacob sighed, moved back, and stared back at the road, his hands clenching the steering wheel, I was scared it might break.

"It's okay, just go." Jacob's voice held was hard and it felt like a punch in the stomach.

"I'm sorry," I said again.

"Go. Now." I sighed and hurried out of the car. As soon as I was out, I heard Jacob's car speed away as fast as it possibly could.

I walked inside Charlie's house and I realized Charlie wasn't home yet. I sighed and decided to put away dishes from yesterday. I rolled up my sleeves and suddenly the phone rang. I almost answered the phone asking if it was Jacob, so I took a second before asking, "Hello?"

"Hey, Rennie!" My eyes widened and a smile plastered my face.

"Hey, Austin!" I sat on one of the kitchen chairs. "How are you?"

"I'm here, too!" A different voice added. Two of my best friends in the world were on the phone now.

"Marie! Oh my gosh! I missed you guys!"

"So did we, you're never on facebook anymore." Austin said. I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah, well, I'm kind of busy. Exams are almost here and everything so I'm living Hell."

"At least you're relearning there! We learn new stuff every day, even on quiet week!" I giggled at Marie's comment.

"I remember those days."

"Oh yeah, we were kind of wondering..."

"Yeah?"

"When are you moving back to Toronto? I mean, we know you like Forks, but we really miss you."

"Austin, you lived like, twenty minutes away from my house. Marie, you lived in a completely different neighbor hood."

"Still, we made it work."

"Ren, what about the summer? My birthday's coming up." I sighed, remembering missing his birthday last year because my dad, at last minute, got sick and refused to drive me. I always felt really bad about it.

"Of course I'll be there. But I'm not moving back."

"Why? A boy?" Marie teased. I stayed silent and Marie gasped. "Rennie! You didn't!"

"Another one? You never told me." I laughed at Austin's shock.

"Austin, remember your girlfriend last year, how you never told me until she dumped you?"

"True..."

"With Jacob, I feel... different. It's like I never liked anyone until he came along." I never said I loved him. I won't. Yet.

"When'd you meet him? School?" Marie always liked a good love story, and I told her everything.

We talked for another ten minutes about school and home, sometimes Jacob. It made me want to go home even more when I got off the phone. It made me realize how much I missed home. Then again, my adventure was just beginning.

I was finishing up the dishes when I heard the door open. I knew it wasn't Charlie, but I had no fear. I should've expected Jacob to spontaneously walk in like he owned the place.

"We need to talk." He just said, leaning against the wall kitchen.

"I'm not going home if that's your concern." He shook his head. Seriousness was written all over his face. He walked toward me as he spoke.

"We both know what we want, and, if we don't do this now, Hell, I won't have the courage to try again." He stared at me, his eyes filled with need and desire. Although I knew very well what he was talking about, I pretended to play dumb. I wasn't sure if I was ready, like in the car.

"We don't have to do this, Jacob." I said. He shook his head.

"Yes, we do..." I was terrified, my heart beating fast. It was like having my first kiss all over again, and that's what was happening right now.

Jacob could feel me tense as he took my face into one of his hands to force me to look into his onyx eyes. They were the ones I remembered, and for the moment, I wasn't scared anymore.

"We've done it before, and it's going to feel good, if not better, I promise... I'll never hurt you." He whispered that last part then took a second to make sure I wouldn't slap him away, even though I already decided not to.

As Jacob's face leaned forward, I could already feel the difference, his warmth came off him as he got closer, but I didn't care. I needed this. We needed this.

It felt like forever of just leaning in, of Jacob letting me focus when it used to be the other way around. My hands clenched a little from the nervousness. Then finally, our lips met perfection and they loosened.

It was better then our first kiss, the hotness of Jacob's lips added passion to it. But not just the temperature, it was the feeling that changed a lot of it. Our past kisses were soft, like at the beginning of this, but this kiss Jacob made rough, full of possession and passion. Jacob held my head to his so I couldn't escape, I didn't want to anyways. I was kissing the man I love, and this was amazing.

A groan escaped his mouth and a gasp from mine and we breathed through our noses so we wouldn't have to come up for air. He gripped me so hard, it almost hurt and I reached for his long locks that weren't there. The realization hurt for a second, but Jacob didn't notice my pause as I threw my arms around his neck for better access.

We were so caught into each other, I didn't notice Jacob's hand going under my shirt to touch my bare skin. It felt so right, but so wrong. I tried to let go, but Jacob wouldn't let me until he realized what I was really doing. He smiled apologetically.

"Sorry," He whispered. "I just missed it so much... Me kissing you." I had to nod in agreement. "How did it feel for you?"

I couldn't lie. "Better than our first."

"By a million if not more." He agreed. I smiled that's when Charlie came through the door. Charlie saw my arms around Jacob's neck and his on my lower back, his eyes widened, then he smiled, looking pleased.

"Hello, Jacob." He said. I took my arms back and Jacob kept his around my waist as we turned toward him.

"Hi, Charlie." Jacob smiled back, unashamed we were caught in our stance where we shared our second first kiss.

"Your dad will be looking for you if you don't head home soon."

"Yeah, you're probably right. I'll get going." Jacob started walking toward the door.

"Let me walk you to your car." I offered.

"Sounds great." Jacob took my hand unexpectedly and lead me outside.

When we were outside, Jacob leaned into my ear as if telling me a secret.

"It doesn't have to end. Keep your window open if you want to see me." I nodded and Jacob snuck a kiss quickly so Charlie couldn't catch it. He smiled when he let go as I tried to slow my beating heart. "I'll see you later."

"Bye, Jake."

"See you tonight."

Jacob drove away with a smile and I wondered if he felt the same as I did.

When I walked inside, Charlie gave me a stern look with a Red Bull in his hand.

"You know, Nessie," He said. "You and Jacob seem to be getting along okay now."

"Yeah, we just had to talk and then we were fine." I shrugged.

"Oh," Was all Charlie said. "That's good."

We were silent until I yawned, trying to look tired.

"I gotta go to bed, Grandpa. School tomorrow." Charlie nodded and sighed.

"I guess." I climbed the stairs until Charlie continued to talk. "Nothing's changed?" I had to half lie.

"Well, there has, but nothing too serious." Okay, innocent enough. "Why?"

"I don't know. It could be just me but, Billy's changed, as fast as Jacob has. You act like it's fine, as if he never ran off, and Billy acts the same way, but is less concerned about Jacob than ever. You were never the same after Jacob left. It's just... unusual. And Jacob, he looks... I don't know... He looks at you the same way as before, but it's clearer now."

Did I really act like that? I thought I was more loving toward Jacob. And him, were our feelings the same, but stronger now? Did I ever love Jacob before he became a werewolf? Did he?

Charlie didn't wait for a response. He just sighed and said, "Never mind, Ness. Get some sleep."

I tried my best to look casual as I walked up the stairs. I brushed my teeth and tried to think of what pajamas to wear. I usually wore what ever loose, comfortable clothes could fit me, but this time I was really concerned. Then I remembered this top that I used to wear to bed, but now use it as an addition to a certain outfit. I checked my closet and sure enough, my brown spaghetti sleeved top was there. I took it and quickly changed as well as putting on plaid pajama pants.

I got into bed, only slightly awake to wait to hear Jacob enter the room. But when I fell asleep, they never came until the middle of the night.

AN: REVIEW REVIEW!

Q. FINALLY! Now, for the real question: if Jacob imprinted on Nessie, wouldn't he had told her by NOW?

A. Um... I'm not answering that xD You'll have to wait until next Friday... or the one after that ;) KEEP READING AND REVIEWING (LONG ones are fantastic, and i'll be more likely to message back to them if u keep 'em interesting ;))