(AN) Lucky…Katie didn't come down with laryngitis till the very last minute. She was also the girl who sang at my graduation. I actually didn't like her very much. Paul is also lucky he didn't get pounded into a sheer paste by the force of Zack's overprotective rage.

Also, NEW POLL! Most of you are in extreme support of Isaac/Delilah, so yay :-) The new poll will determine who will get a very short one shot written about them later on. Each tarot card describes and is associated with a WotR character (about three or four of them are easy to figure out. The rest are a little bit harder. If you want to try and figure it out, go look up tarot cards on wikipedia. Some characters {Blaze, Liley, and Echo} are not on there.) The one shot will be enigmatic…and will answer some questions…and create many more new ones. The poll will be open for a week!

Chapter 20: Thirteen Years

"Mom, ow." I said, wincing as the pin grazed my skin.

"Sorry baby. There, that's the last one." Stella said, standing up behind me. Despite the fact that I had gotten a normal sized graduation robe, it has still been awkwardly large in some places and too long. Mom had to pin it up so that it didn't pool on the ground.

"Can I take it off now?" I asked hopefully.

"Might as well keep it on, Evie. We gotta leave in fifteen minutes." Dad said, handing me the awful graduation hat while mom settled the honor chords over my shoulders. I sighed in a self suffering sort of way, rolling my eyes as the doorbell rang.

"It's Paul." I said out loud, twirling a long, golden curl in my fingers. Mom and dad both left the room, leaving me standing in front of the mirror. I had to admit, this color green was not something I should be wearing. It made me look paler, and I still felt like I was being swallowed whole by the robes. I could, however, hide the notecards for my speech in the voluminous sleeves. I pulled them out, scanning over them one last time.

"Evie." Paul said. I looked up, meeting his eyes in the mirror. I smiled immediately, turning to look at him. He looked a little worried. "I smell blood."

"Mom stuck me with a pin. I'm fine." I ducked away from the mirror, near tackling him in pure relief. "It's my fault, really. I can't stop fidgeting."

"Nervous?" He asked, wrapping one arm around my back. The other was still behind his back. I ignored his question because I knew he already knew the answer. Instead I just snuggled into his chest, pressing my cool cheek against his shirt. I could still feel the heart burning from his skin.

"I brought you a present." He said, his fingers lightly toying with my hair. From behind his back, he brought out a beautiful flower arrangement, pink and white roses in a swirling blue vase. There was a little white bear gripping the vase. I laughed, delighted, taking it from him.

"Oh, Paul…they're beautiful." I mumbled, sniffing their heady fragrance was enough to make me feel almost drunk. Or maybe I was feeling that way because Paul's eyes were burning again. It made me blush, in the mirror I could see my cheeks turn the same color as the pink roses.

"I have something else too." He cleared his throat, reaching into his pocket while I sat the roses on my dresser. I noticed that none of them had thorns and had to smile. I wondered if Paul had put in a special request to the florist, or if he'd sheared the thorns off himself so I wouldn't be able to prick my finger on them. When I turned back to him, he was holding a small velvet box in his hand. He offered it to me with a grin.

I took it from him, puzzled, popping open the lid. I couldn't help beaming as I saw the little clay charm nestled in the velvet fabric. "Your grandma's necklace?" I asked, although I already knew for sure.

When I was a child, there were days I would spend with Paul at his home, the one he shared with Brady and Quil. I enjoyed going over there to this day. I'd always admired this necklace, Paul kept it in his room on a hook in the wall. When I asked about it, he had let me wear it and told me stories about his grandma.

I knew, well before Paul had met me, he had temper issues and had almost attacked my Aunt Bella when she was still human. He'd explained to me why, over time. His father barely knew his mother when she got pregnant, and the woman had dumped Paul on his dad's doorstep then skipped town. Paul's dad had brought Paul to his mother, and Paul's grandma took care of him as a boy. After she died…Paul had nobody except the father he barely knew. He explained that for a long time, he'd been angry at the world.

"Yeah…everyone else is going to be wearing some sort of tribe regalia…I think Echo is actually wearing the bracelet Ephraim Black carved for his wife. You should have it. It's not like I wear it anyway."

I gently ran my fingers over the clay. It was in the shape of a wolf's head…carved and inked with little black lines to make it appear almost gray. He took it from the box and looped the chain over my head. It hung right by my heart.

"Thank you." I whispered softly. He leaned down, kissing my forehead.

"It's a good luck charm. You know you'll do fine tonight." He mumbled against my skin.

Somebody coughed loudly from the doorway and Paul almost jumped away from me. I looked up to see my dad adjusting his tie, glaring evenly at Paul. Paul seemed to be blushing, which only made me giggle as I swept forward, standing on my tiptoes to kiss Zack's cheek.

"Dad?" I questioned. He turned to look at me, his eyes softening immediately. I laughed. "Is it time to go?"

"Yes." He said mournfully, putting an arm around my shoulders. "I guess it is."

Paul, mom, and dad disappeared into the auditorium while I went back to the cafeteria. It surprised me that Echo was there already, looking tired and flustered.

"Is your whole family here?" I asked, placing my own purse on the table. I noticed that Echo's robe was in a heap on the table. She was attempting to pin up her long hair into a neat bun and failing miserably. I straightened the robe quickly and then gestured to her to sit down while I began to work on her hair.

"Gods, they're not here yet. I don't think Blaze is even dressed yet." She said, although there was a touch of grudging affection. "It's a madhouse. Grandpa Billy is there, and so is Grandpa William…"

"He flew in?" I asked.

"Yeah, said he couldn't miss the graduation of his two oldest granddaughters. Mom didn't even know he was coming, but she's really happy he's there. He wanted to go to your house and see you before, but once he got in the door he couldn't get back out. Besides, you know how he always favored Liley."

"It's cause she's so much like your mom. That's what dad says anyway. Besides, she's the youngest." I said easily. It really didn't bother me, Delilah needed the extra attention more than I think we did.

"Yeah, well he asked to see Lilah's photos, so that's what ended up keeping him. The house is a mess, Mom's stressed, and I just needed to get out of there. Do you know the Cullen's are coming too?" She asked.

"Yep, knew that." I'd dreamed of that a week ago. "Speaking of which, how in the world did Dan…"

"I have no idea." She answered, grinning bemusedly. "I can't wait to see Abby's face."

"Oh, hey, look. Here come the boys." I said, looking up as I put the last pin in.

"And Jess." Echo said, her voice a little colder. I hugged her quickly as the boys threw down their stuff. Jess was already dressed, standing beside Jeff, her eyes wide and dreamy.

"Hey witch babies." Tyler said as he slid into a seat, leaning back.

"Hey wolf boys." I replied instantly. I'd just seen the bracelet Echo was wearing. It was a silver charm bracelet with a couple wooden charms of wolves hanging off of it. Jess snapped out of her trance, looking at us like she'd never quite seen us before. I smiled at her, half apologetically.

When did he tell her? Echo asked in her head.

Yesterday, I think. I answered. There was a little rush of sympathy in her head and Echo managed a smile too. "Hey Jess." She said out loud.

"I smell Cullens." Daniel said, looking over his shoulder. "Guess they're here okay." It was half a grumble, I had to sigh. Suddenly, Jess detached herself from Jeff and flung her arms around both Echo and I.

"I think I'm dreaming. Or nuts." She whispered fervently. Jeff lingered behind, looking a little wary. Echo patted her back softly.

"It's okay, Jessie." I soothed. "I'm pretty sure that's normal."

"I'm going to need everyone to start lining up…" The principal called. "Alphabetical order."

Jess peeled herself away from us and Echo promised to show her everything we could do at some later time. I tried not to think that she was lying, Echo wouldn't be around to show her anything. While Echo put her robe on, we began to line up. I realized that it would be the last time I ever lined up behind Dan. He was grinning, half humming to himself.

"Hey, Dan…" I said. He turned to look at me, smiling warmly.

"I won't let you fall, Evie." He promised. I nodded thankfully. I noticed that one of our teacher, the music teacher, had cornered Echo by her table. She was the only student not in line now. Their voices were low and urgent. I tuned into Echo's mind.

Don't want to…not in front of everyone. Katie Helsel is such an idiot… Her mind shouted.

"What was Katie Helsel supposed to do?" I whispered, poking Dan in the ribs.

"Sing, I think."

"Not anymore." I whispered, watching as Echo tore across the cafeteria and into the hallway leading to the choir room. "Is she sick?"

Daniel was quiet for a moment, listening intensely. The he started to laugh. "Laryngitis. Poor Echo."

"She really does hate to sing in front of crowds." I muttered. "She doesn't like everyone staring at her."

"She's really good at it." Dan said, shrugging. I sighed. The line began to move to the auditorium doors. I noticed that Jess was right in front of Jess, and at the last possible moment, Echo ducked in front of Tyler, arranging her hat. Her mind was seething unhappily.

The music cued, and we began to walk down the long aisle in strange, halting steps. Thankfully, I didn't fall. I did see Jess trip and stumble, but Jeff caught her and set her right before anyone even noticed. We arranged ourselves on the stage and I looked out over the audience, nervously fingering the note cards in my sleeve. I could see my family, my mom and dad and Paul. Dad was holding a video camera. I winced. Behind them was Cassie, Jake, Blaze, Liley, Billy and grandpa William.

In the very back of the auditorium, inconspicuous in the last row, was a group of people dressed all in black. Of course, I knew who they were by their pale, gleaming skin. I wondered if my mother was cloaking them as well.

The principal began to speak. Daniel was fidgeting in boredom, checking the clock every minute. I continually ran over my speech in my mind.

Don't worry. Echo's voice intruded into my mind. The president was introducing me now, rattling off my accomplishments. Honor society, highest GPA, won an essay writing contest. I grew redder which each one. Finally, he said my name, and the auditorium broke out into applause, including my own peers. Daniel elbowed me in the ribs to make me move. I stood, shakily, making my way to the podium. I could hear my family, loudest of them all, as the principal shook my hand. I stood at the podium, my note cards on the ledge, trying to calm down.

Something was flooding my mind…something from Echo. I realized, with relief, she was trying to drown out my emotions with hers. She was very, very calm. I latched onto it like I was drowning. The auditorium was now completely quiet.

"Hi everyone." I said quietly into the microphone. "I'd like, especially, for the last time to say hello to all my classmates."

"I'm sure that all of you know I'm not very good at the whole public speaking enterprise. In fact, I'm sure that some of you remember the time I froze up in Mrs. Adam's class and could barely move. That was only twenty people, so needless to say…I'm a bit terrified." There was some laughter, especially from Tyler, who'd been in that class with me.

"I'm very thankful for this opportunity to personally say thank you…to my family, our teachers, and to all of you. The friendships I've made here are blessings in so many ways. In this school…a great emphasis was placed on community. This might be the last time that we are all together in one place, but we must never forget that we are part of a community, that we are bound to La Push by chains that cannot ever be broken." There was a very somber silence now. Even in Echo's head.

"This world…is not at all what we think of it. There are so many things out there that are unknown, frightening. When we face those things, and we will all face them, we should recall the people that love us, that supported us through everything that we have ever went through. We should recall the strength of our ancestors, and use it push forward, no matter the cost."

"And I guess…that all I can advise you to do, is to be there. Be there in your darkest moments, be there for each other when there is no light. Because…we have to have faith, that just by being there in the dark, that dawn will eventually come. It's a stubborn hope…and one that cannot be forgotten."

"Congratulations, for making it this far, and I hope to see you again." I finished. There was a roar of applause as I made my way back to my chair, dazed.

"Good job, Evie. Very touching, not long winded at all." Daniel commented as I sat back down.

Beautiful, Evie. Echo said. The principal was talking again, although the applause had not completely gone away.

"I'd like to announce a change in the program." The principal began. "Miss Katie Helsel has come down with laryngitis and will not be able to sing with us tonight. However, Miss Echo Black has gallantly…"

Reluctantly. Echo corrected.

"Offered her own talent for the evening. So, I ask you to welcome Echo Black…"

The auditorium busted into even louder applause. I looked up at Echo as she stepped up from the front row. I could hear Blaze and Seth hollering loudly. The music teacher put a microphone in center stage. Echo's features were hard in the light, fierce. Her voice was musical when she began speaking.

"Thank you very much. I'll be singing…"

I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my head. I lifted a hand to my temple, rubbing it. Echo paused, looking back at me for a second, confused, before she began speaking again. "Singing 'A hero comes home' by Idina Menzel…" She trailed off. The music teacher was down in the pit, and he began to stir the old piano to life.

Something was happening. The pain in my temple had receded to a dull throb, but it was like it was trying to tell me something. It was as if something had changed suddenly…and could never be the same.

Echo started to sing. Her voice was heavy…laden with emotion. It drowned out…overpowered the useless piano.

"Out of the mist of history

She'll come again

Sailing on ships across the sea

To a wounded Nation

Signs of a savoir

Like fire on the water

It's what we prayed for

One of our own

Just wait

Though wide she may roam

Always a hero comes home

She goes where no one has gone

But always a hero comes home"

It was like a deep, hidden call. I saw people leaning closer, on the edge of their seats as she drew them closer with her voice. Was it just the emotion surrounding the moment, or was it even stronger than it usually was? It was raw power…surging like the ocean. Unstoppable. Her voice faded too soon, the music haunting me. I could barely breathe.

It was Echo's way of leaving a message for us. This momentary unpleasantness wasn't forever…she would come home when the time was right. Tears fell from my eyes as the crowd hooted and applauded, standing and shouting, wiping tears from their eyes as she bowed wearily.

"That was lovely, Miss Black." The principal said, dabbing at her own eyes. "Absolutely lovely."

There was more applause as Echo sunk into her seat. Tyler reached out, taking her hand in a show of support. I sighed, leaning back. The rest of the ceremony was a blur for me, I'd done my part, it was over. They called our names to cross the stage and receive our diplomas, and we did. Each time our names would be called, the auditorium would become louder as the pack called out. When Dan crossed the stage before me, everyone heard Abby yelling, "I love you Dan!" It made us smile.

"I now present our graduating class!" The principal said, and the boys all threw their hats in the air.

We marched out the same way we marched in and found ourselves back in the cafeteria. Tyler pulled us into a big group hug, mostly centering around Echo. I think…we were all afraid to let go.

We didn't bother taking our robes off…we knew our parents wanted pictures of us in them. Out in the hallway, the only two that didn't separate were Echo and I. We found our family, and the Cullens, in the farthest corner, back by the classrooms. They cheered as we approached, hand in hand. My grandfather, William, stepped out of the crowd and pulled us both to him. He smelled like old spice and cigars.

"Beautiful, you two are absolutely beautiful." He murmured, approvingly, kissing both of us on the head. Paul winked at me and I smiled, allowing my eyes to roam over the crowd as grandpa near smothered us.

The Cullens were mixed in with our family…all except one, who seemed to be staying a good distance away from Edward. He was tall…although I was used to that. He was probably as tall as Tyler and Dan, a good head taller than Echo. His curly, dark hair fell messily over his pale skin and hid his golden eyes from view. I knew him from the dreams I'd had of this event, Christian. He'd joined the Cullens a couple months ago.

But he wasn't looking away, bored and disinterested. He wasn't even looking at the other Cullens, although Edward continued to shoot him murderous glances, and Jacob continued to look at him oddly, like he was seeing a ghost.

No…he was staring at Echo.

Staring at her like he hadn't seen anything in a long time. Then he looked at me, only briefly, before pointing his eyes at the ground.

Weird. I wondered if Echo had noticed.

"William, let me get a turn too." Billy said, his gravelly voice amused. Echo turned to him, leaning down to kiss Billy's leathery cheek as Paul grabbed me from behind and swung me into the air.

As I twirled around…I noticed that Christian was staring at her again.