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CHAPTER 25

Later that afternoon Lissi found herself walking with Jacob to Sam's house. Apparently everyone was meeting Zuri tonight and they were going to throw her welcome home party on Saturday.

"So do you know what kind of things Zuri likes?" Jacob asked. "For her party Saturday."

I don't know Jake," Lissi sighed. "Why don't you talk to Paul or Zuri about that."

"Because Emily wants you to help, because you're going to get passed this," he told her. "You know you and Paul will eventually get married."

"I know," she sighed. "He's already asked if id marry him some time after graduation."

"You and Paul are soul mates, you're meant to be together. The two of you balance each other out perfectly," Jacob told her and she smiled. "Things will work out somehow, something will happen to make Zuri like you."

"Jake I don't know if Zuri's problem is that she doesn't like me but its something like I'm just someone taking up Paul's attention," Lissi told him. "Maybe this has happened to her before with her family or maybe she's been with multiple families and she's afraid Paul's going to get tired of her and not want her around," she sighed. "We have no idea what she's been through."

"That's true," he agreed. "So did you meet with your dance teacher while you were there?"

"Yes," she smiled.

"Did you happen to dance?"

"Yes," she said smiling again.

"And?" he asked.

"And it felt really good Jake," she admitted. "Like I never stopped. She made me do my Julliard dance and I did it perfectly, didn't miss a step."

"That's great!" Jacob exclaimed. "Maybe Julliard is still an option.

"No Jake, I'd be away from here."

"Ok well maybe you could do whatever you need to and become a dance teacher and teach dance," he suggested. "There are lots of little girls here that want to learn to dance."

"Maybe," she smiled.

"And you can teach Quil to dance," Jacob said. "He tries but the boy has no rhythm, he can't find the beat, he's always a few beats behind the music."

"Poor Quil, don't pick on him," Lissi told Jacob.

"He's one of my best friends, of course I'm going to pick on him," Jacob told her. "So what song was your dance to anyway?"

"More by Usher," she told him.

"Cool," he replied.

"So you have a birthday coming up Jake, two weeks."

"I know, no reason to make a big deal out of it."

"Whatever," Lissi sighed and rolled her eyes.

"You already have something planned?" he asked as they walked in Sam's yard.

"I'll never tell," she sang.

"Lissi," he said.

"Sorry Jake, you'll have to wait."

When Jacob and Lissi walked in Sam's house, everyone was already there and they were crowded around Zuri. Emily was in the kitchen cooking of course, so Lissi went and helped her.

"Hey," Lissi said.

"Hey Lissi, have a good trip?"

"Yeah, it was ok." she told her. "I'm actually glad to be back home." she told her.

Paul knew the moment Lissi walked in Sam's house. Everyone was making Zuri feel welcome and the guys seemed to love her already. When Paul saw Jacob walk over to them he looked up at him.

"Kitchen," Jacob silently mouthed before he even had to ask. Paul nodded and stood up and walked into the kitchen as Jacob walked over to say hello to Zuri.

Paul walked into the kitchen and he saw Lissi was with Emily cooking.

"Lissi," Paul said and she turned around and looked at him.

"Paul," she whispered and walked over to him.

"Hey," he said and wrapped his arms around her. Lissi laid her head on his chest.

"Is Zuri settled in ok?" Lissi asked. "She seem to like her room."

"Yeah she does, she'll like it better once we get it decorated with things she likes."

"I know she will."

"And things are going to work out for us to, don't worry, Zuri is going to warm up to you ok."

"I hope so," Lissi sighed.

"I love you Lissi," Paul told her.

"I love you to." she sighed. "So much."

Jacob walked over to Zuri as Paul left the room to find Lissi.

"Hello Zuri," Jacob said as he sat down by her and she smiled up at him.

"Hey Jake," she said shyly and he smiled.

"So do you like your new room?" he asked.

"Yeah, its bigger than my old room," she told him.

"That's good." he said. "And once you get it decorated it will be even better."

"Yep," she said. "Paul said we would decorate it however I wanted."

"That will be fun decorating your new room," Jacob said and she smiled.

"Yes," she said. "Are you going to help?"

"I can," he said. "We'll all help." he told her. "Even Lissi."

"Lissi has to help?" Zuri asked.

"You don't want her to?" Jacob asked.

"No," Zuri said, the guys looked shocked when Zuri said no.

"Ok, she doesn't have to," Jacob told her.

"Ok." she said. "Where's Paul?" she asked.

"In the kitchen I think," Jacob told her.

"I'm going to find him," Zuri said and stood up and walked away.

"Why doesn't she like Lissi?" Embry asked.

"I have no idea," Jacob sighed. "But Lissi thinks Zuri sees her as someone she has to compete with Paul's attention for."

"I didn't think about that," Jared said.

"Lissi was just as excited as Paul was about Zuri getting to come here," Quil said.

"I know she was, Lissi is really hurt Zuri doesn't seem to like her so she's trying to give Zuri space and time to warm up to her because she doesn't want to push herself on Zuri."

"But what about Paul and Lissi?" Jared asked.

"They may have to spend less time together which is going to be horrible for both of them, not only because of the imprint bond but because their bond is really strong," Jacob told him. "The way they perfectly balance each other out and seem so tuned into each other, knowing what the other one needs before they have to ask." he added. "Its not going to be good for either one of them and I'm worried about Paul and Lissi because just seeing each other at school isn't going to be enough to satisfy their imprint bond, they're both going to be in a lot of pain."

"That's horrible," Embry whispered. "Hopefully Zuri will come around soon."

"I hope so to," Jacob said.

"So are you going to help me with Zuri's room because you know I have no clue how to decorate a room for a little girl." Paul asked.

"If she wants my help Paul, Zuri may not want me decorating her room."

"I need your help though," he told her.

"You know I want to help and I want Zuri to like me."

"I know you do baby," he whispered and leaned down and kissed her lips. Paul pulled away and touched his forehead to hers. "I love you."

"I love you to," she whispered as Zuri ran into the kitchen.

"Paul!" Zuri exclaimed and he pulled away from Lissi.

"Hey kiddo," Paul said and she ran over to him. "Say hi to Lissi."

"Hi," Zuri said and looked up at her.

"Hello Zuri," Lissi said.

"So I was asking Lissi if she wanted to help us decorate your room," Paul told her.

"Oh," Zuri whispered. "Jake said he would help," Zuri told him.

"Oh you want Jake to help." Paul said.

"Yes," Zuri said softly.

"But Zuri I…."

"Paul don't," Lissi told him and he looked over at her and nodded.

"Ok Zuri if that's what you want." Paul told her.

"Thanks," she smiled and looked over at Lissi.

"I think I'm just going to go home," Lissi said.

"Lissi you don't have to go," Paul said sadly. "Don't go."

"I'll see you at school," she told him. "You and Zuri have fun tonight." she added and walked out the door.

"Come on Zuri, lets go back with the other guys," Paul told her and led her back to the living room with the other guys.

When Paul walked in the room with Zuri the guys looked up.

"Hey," Jacob said. "Lissi still helping Emily?"

"She left," Paul said sadly.

"I'll take care of it," Jacob said and he stood up.

"You're leaving?" Zuri asked and Jacob knelt down and looked at her.

"Just for a few minutes, I'll be back," he told her. "Ok."

"Ok," she said softly.

"I'll see you guys later," Jacob said and he ran out.

When Jacob got outside it didn't take long for him to catch up with Lissi, she actually hadn't walked that far.

"Lissi wait," Jacob called out and ran to catch up with her.

"Lissi," Jacob said and she turned to look at him.

"She likes everybody but me," Lissi told him and wiped a tear that ran down her cheek.

"Lissi," Jacob said and he wrapped his arms around her in a hug. "Please don't cry." he said. "Things are going to work out, you'll see," he told her and she pulled away from him and shook her head.

"Yes they will." he told her. "And I'm here if you need me," he added.

"Thanks Jake."

"Hey that's what brothers are for," he told her. "To be there for you when it feels like everyone else has walked out on you."

"Jake…."

"I know this is going to be hard on you and Paul, not getting to see each other like you're used to," he told her. "Just know I'm here when you need me, the imprint bond will only let you go so long before its painful to be away from each other."

"I know Jake," she said.

"You and Paul have such a strong bond and the way you two are together, I'm not sure if you two can even go a week before its to painful."

"We'll see I guess," Lissi sighed. "But now I'm ok Jake," she told him. "go back to Sam and Emilys. You're supposed to be getting to know Zuri. Its about her right now not me." she told him.

"Lissi I…."

"Go on Jake I'm ok, I promise."

"You're sure."

"Yes, I'll see you tonight ok."

"Ok." he said and she nodded and walked away from him towards home.

When Lissi got home she went to her bedroom and sat on her bed. She really wished she knew why Zuri seemed to not want her around and not want her help with anything. Lissi was really trying not to obsess over it because she knew she couldn't make Zuri like her. Lissi let out a sigh and decided she could dance some to take her mind off things. The way her room was arranged now didn't give her much room but if her bed was moved against the wall and her bookshelf moved down a little, it would work. Lissi changed out of her jeans and into something comfortable and started moving things around. When she was done she went and drank some water and then took a glass of water to her room to dance. She pulled her hair up in a ponytail and looked through her CD's to find something to dance to. After looking through her music she finally found something and started it and began to dance.

After talking to Lissi, Jacob made his way back to Sam's. When he walked in everyone was eating.

"Grab something before its all gone Jake," Emily told him and he fixed a plate.

"Where's Lissi?" Quil asked.

"She went home," Jacob told them and Paul let out a sigh.

"You ok?" Embry asked Paul.

"I'll be ok," he said quietly.

Not much later Jacob decided he would leave and go home to make sure Lissi was ok.

"Hey I'm going to head home, I'll see you guys at school tomorrow." Jacob told them.

"Alright Jake," Embry said.

"You're leaving?" Zuri asked. Jacob walked over and knelt down in front of her.

"Yes, I have a sister to take care of to," Jacob told her. "And she kind of needs me right now, but I'll see you soon ok."

"Ok," Zuri said quietly. Paul looked over at Jacob.

"I'll take care of her," he told him and Paul nodded.

"Thanks," Paul whispered.

When Jacob got home no one seemed to be there. He heard music coming from Lissi's room and headed that way. He opened her door and when he looked in her room, he saw she was dancing and she was amazing. Every move seemed to flow from her body perfectly. She did perfect spins and everything. When the song was over Jacob clapped, Lissi turned around and saw Jacob standing in her doorway.

"Jake," she said.

"Hey. That was amazing." he smiled as he walked in her room.

"Thanks," she whispered. "I didn't think you'd be back for a little longer."

"I wanted to come and check on you," he said.

"I'm fine Jake," she whispered.

"So was that your Julliard dance?" he asked.

"No Jake that was just me dancing."

"Maybe you can show me the dance you were going to do for Julliard," he said hopefully.

"Jake," she said.

"Come on," Jacob said and walked over and sat on her bed. "I'm waiting."

"And not taking no for an answer I see," she said.

"Nope," he said.

"Fine Jake," she sighed and she found her music and put it on and started to her dance. Jacob sat on her bed and watched her dance. He couldn't take his off of her as she danced. She was really good, every move seemed effortless. It was like she was born to dance and he couldn't believe she would have ever stopped dancing if she was this good and seemed to love it so much. When she finished Jacob got off her bed and walked over to her.

"I never imagined you were that good Lissi," Jacob told her. "Why would you ever stop if you were that good and you look liked you enjoyed it."

"I do enjoy dancing and I don't know why I stopped Jake." she sighed. "But I'm glad to be dancing again."

The next morning when Lissi was at her locker she felt two arms slide around her waist.

"I missed you so much last night," Paul whispered in her ear.

"I missed you to," she said and closed her locker and turned around.

"I can't just see you at school everyday, its not enough."

"I know baby," Lissi said. "But its going to have to be." she told him and he leaned down and kissed her lips.

"I love you."

"I love you to," she whispered and he kissed her again as the bell rang. "We have class."

"I don't want to go," Paul said.

"But we have to," she said. "Bye Paul," Lissi said and walked away to class.

Lissi and Paul didn't see each other the rest of the day at school and when he got out of school he had to go get Zuri. Lissi and Paul didn't get much time together the next couple of days either. By Thursday everyone could see the toll it was taking on Paul and Lissi. Everyone knew the only reason Paul kept going was because he had Zuri to take care of. Paul still looked terrible though, he looked exhausted and there was no more light to his eyes and he just seemed sad all the time. A lot like Lissi, except she kept getting worse. She barely ate, she slept but it was a restless sleep, she was sad like Paul and just didn't want to do anything. There was also the pain both of them were in, the pain that wouldn't go away and just kept getting worse the longer they were away from each other. And because they could feel each others pain that only made the pain they were already feeling worse. Thursday night Jacob went to Lissi's room and found her already lying in bed. He walked in and over to the bed and sat on it.

"Lissi," he said. "Talk to me," he told her. "Sit up and talk to me." he said and Lissi sat up and looked at him. "Lissi you and Paul have to spend some time together, its not good for you two, you can't last much longer apart.

"I know Jake," she whispered as tears filled her eyes. "I miss Paul so much, it just it hurts Jake," she told him and tears fell down her cheeks. "You can't imagine how much this hurts, it hurts so much but I don't know what to do." she cried and Jacob wrapped his arms around her.

"We're going to have to figure something out because you or Paul can't go on like this much longer. The imprint bond won't allow it and you need each other." he told her. "I'll think of something."

Friday night Jacob peeked in on Lissi and saw she wasn't any better than yesterday and when he walked in her room to check on her she barely responded to him.

"Lissi," he said softly.

"Jake," she whispered but he barely heard her even with his wolf hearing.

"Damn it," he cursed. "Lissi!"

"Jake," she said weakly.

"That's it I'm taking you to Paul, Zuri will get over it." he said. "I'll see if Emily can get Zuri for a little while."

At Paul's house he was lying on the couch staring at the TV. Zuri ran in from the kitchen.

"Paul," she said and ran over.

"Hey Kiddo," he said weakly.

"Are you ok Paul, you don't look good."

"I'm ok, don't worry about me." Paul told her.

"Are you sad?"

"I'm ok," Paul said.

"Paul," Zuri said.

"Emily," Jacob said. "I need a huge favor."

"What?"

"Watch Zuri for a little while, Lissi has to spend time with Paul," He told her. "She's barely able to move, if her and Paul don't get some time together, I'm afraid of what will happen to both of them," he told her. "I know he's not much better, Zuri is the only reason he's managing to keep going." he told her.

"I understand Jake," Emily said. "I have no problem watching Zuri for a few hours." she said. "She's a really sweet girl."

"Well she doesn't like Lissi," Jacob said.

"Give her time." Emily told him. "I'll just keep Zuri for the night and that way Paul and Lissi can have all night together."

"Thanks Emily," Jacob said. "Lissi won't last much longer Emily, I'm taking her to Paul now." Jacob said.

"I'll get Zuri," Emily told him.

"Thanks," Jacob said.

Jacob walked back into Lissi's room and over to her bed.

"Come on Lissi," he said and picked her up in his arms and carried her out of the house.

Emily arrived at Paul's house not much later after Jacob called him. When she walked in Paul's house Zuri was sitting on the floor by the couch, Paul was lying on.

"Emily," Zuri said. "Somethings wrong with Paul." she said worried and Emily walked over to her.

"I know sweetie, Jake called me," Emily told her. "How would you like to come stay with me and Sam tonight and then you'll be there to help me with your party."

"What about Paul?" she asked worried.

"Jake is going to take care of him," Emily told her. "So you want to go pack a bag?"

"And Paul will be ok?"

"Yes as soon as Jake gets here, Paul will be ok," Emily assured her.

"Ok," Zuri said.

"You go to your room, I'm going to talk to Paul first and then I'll help you pack ok."

"Ok," Zuri said and went to her room.

Emily walked over to Paul and knelt down by the couch.

"Paul its Emily," she said and Paul opened his eyes and looked at her.

"Hey," he said quietly.

"Zuri is going to stay the night with me tonight," she told him. "Why don't you go to your room and get in bed."

"I don't feel like it," he said. "It hurts more than I ever imagined it would," he told her. "So much Emily." he told her.

"Jake is bringing Lissi over," Emily told him. "She's worse than you."

"Lissi's coming over," he said hopefully.

"Yes, go get in bed Paul., I'll take care of Zuri tonight and see you tomorrow."

"Ok," Paul said and Emily stood up and went to Zuri's room. When Emily walked away Paul managed to get off the couch and somehow drag himself to his room where he collapsed on the bed.

When Emily walked in the room Zuri was sitting on her bed.

"So lets get you ready to go ok."

"Ok." she sighed.

"Is Paul sick?" Zuri asked as Emily put some clothes in a bag for her.

"Not really sweetie," Emily told her.

"Is he sad? He seems sad."

"Yeah sweetie he's a little sad," Emily told her.

"Because of me?" she asked quietly.

"Oh no, its not your fault Zuri," Emily told her. "Don't worry about Paul, he's going to be ok."

"Ok," Zuri whispered and she didn't say anything for a few seconds as Emily packed her clothes and then zipped her bag.

"Does he miss Lissi?" Zuri asked.

"Why would you think that?"

"I heard him saying her name the other night," she said quietly.

"The truth is I think he does miss Lissi a lot." Emily told her. "He loves her."

"Oh," Zuri whispered and Emily walked over to her.

"He loves you to Zuri, you're his sister," she told her. "Paul can love both of you."

"He can?" she asked.

"Yes sweetie, now are you ready to go?"

"Yeah," she said softly.

A few minutes after Emily and Zuri left Jacob showed up with Lissi. He opened the door and walked inside.

"Paul!" Jacob called out as he walked through the house carrying Lissi. He walked to Paul's bedroom and went inside. He saw Paul lying in the bed and he walked over and laid Lissi next to Paul. Lissi and Paul seemed to move closer to each other immediately.

"Lissi," Paul whispered as he opened his eyes.

"Paul," she said quietly as he wrapped his arms around her. Jacob quietly slipped out and made his way to Sam's.