Disclaimer: I'm not making the big bucks, Steph is.

Jeri POV

The sun poured into my room, not at all deterred by the curtains. I groaned as I pulled my sheets over my head, as if that did any good. Flimsy fabric wasn't good for anything. I made a mental note to go to the fabric store sometime soon to find some nice, thick material for some makeshift curtains.

I decided to bite the bullet and opened my eyes to find out that I blamed the curtains for nothing. They were wide open and so was the window. Cursing this situation under my breath for not letting me catch up on sleep, I swung my legs over and took a step forward, only to fall flat on my face.

This would have put me in an even fouler mood, but it actually set me on edge. For the thing that I had tripped over wasn't a thing.

It was a him.

Leaning against my wall, completely asleep, was Jacob Black.

Well, he wasn't asleep once I had fallen over his long legs. He looked around groggily until he spotted me with my legs on top of his. Then I guessed that he put two and two together and reached over to pick me up as if I weighed a lot less than reality and placed me on his lap.

And, to my horror, I liked being there. But a girl has to set her boundaries and keep them firm, so I relocated myself to sit cross-legged beside him. The righting of me was okay, it was the high concentration of physical contact when I was on his lap that exceeded the limits of us being acquaintances.

"Are you okay?"

I shugged. "I guess." But then I remembered that he was in my bedroom without my permission. The anger came back immediately. "What in the world are you doing here? You think it's just fine and dandy to come waltzing through my bedroom window and stay in my room? Last time I checked, acquaintances—even friends—don't do that."

He looked hurt and I instantly felt bad, but then his eyes flashed defensively at me. Apparently guilt was a finite emotion for him. "I came here, Marjorie, because I was worried. Yeah, I snuck in at around midnight to your room and stayed. But you know what? I did it to protect you. I tried to stay at the bloodsucker's place, but I kept seeing you cornered by the Volturi." He let out a frustrated groan and sprang to his feet and started pacing around the room. I stared at him wide-eyed.

After a few minutes, he started talking again, but with a quieter, more emotional voice. "I just wish you could understand, Jeri."

I was in no mood for romantic stuff coming out of his mouth. "If you ask me, breaking and entering a girl's house is no way to win her heart," I muttered under my breath.

Despite my efforts to say that quietly, Jacob still heard me. He whirled to face me and said, "Well, if trying to protect her won't do it, then I don't know what will."

I raised my eyebrows. "So you wanted to protect me by opening the window?" I just had to ask.

"Sure, sure, a piece of glass will keep the Volturi away much better than a werewolf—their most feared enemy—will," he snapped back sarcastically.

I knew that. I just couldn't help but wonder exactly how many vampires Jacob would be able to fend off before we were both doomed.

I really hoped that Edward and Bella would have everything under control over there. My face fell even more when I remembered that I wouldn't see them for months or even years. Sure, there would be letters and emails, but it wouldn't be the same.

But would everything be okay over there in five days?

Or was I worrying about the distant future when the next few days would decide all of our lives?

"Finally, a little emotion from you."

I looked up to find Jacob staring at me intently. As he studied my face, though, the satisfaction in his eyes grew to concern. I realized that I probably looked a little spooked, so I quickly plastered on my best indifferent face. I stared at the ground out of the corner of my eyes, hoping that would help.

Apparently it did, because the next thing I knew, Jacob saw kneeling down in front of me gently shaking my shoulders. "Jeri, don't you get it?"He sighed and seemed at a loss of what to say. I thought for a fleeting moment that he had at last given up. Good. This was not how he should persuade me to fall in love with him.

But what he did next sure did.

Jacob stared right at me, his big dark eyes penetrating right through my false pretenses. He whispered with more emotion than I had ever heard in his deep, husky voice, "Jeri, I love you."

Then he swiftly—but not forceful or rushed—closed the gap between us. I was immediately enveloped in his warm, woodsy scent and his lips against mine made my heart race and my nerves tingle. He was slow and gentle, but more passionate than I could ever imagine. His hands, positioned at my waist and neck, pulled me closer to him. They were so warm, even through my hair and shirt, and they were so gentle, despite their size.

And so I kissed him back.

I got up on my knees to shrink the height difference between us and snaked my arms around his neck. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, I thought it would explode. It was so strange, I never felt this way before.

But I liked it.

Eventually we broke apart, Jacob grinning smugly and me grinning shyly. I had to admit, I had no idea what to do next. I couldn't exactly get myself out of this slip-up.

He had won, and he knew it.

But I didn't care that he won. In my own way, I won, too.

"So…how about some breakfast?" I suggested.

His smile just grew.

I made us some banana chocolate chip waffles, but unfortunately, did not make enough. I had no idea that teenage boys could eat so much.

"It's 'cause I'm a werewolf," he explained in between shoveling food in his mouth.

I guessed I had a whole other species of horror story creatures to get used to. It was inevitable for m to get dragged into this world. I was a player now instead of a spectator. I supposed I just had to get used to it.

By the time we finished eating and I had gotten ready, it was past noon. Somehow, Jacob had managed to get all the right documentation to enroll at my school. He even had his transcript from his old school in La Push, which displayed the grades that would get him in here. Magnet schools were no easy establishments to enter.

He did tell me, though that Edward had something to do with it. That made sense to me. I didn't want to know how many times the Cullens had to do that.

We rode the bus in silence. I was way too nervous to attempt conversation, anyway. We were on our way to the institution that, for some reason, always put me on edge. I never meshed well with kids my age. Sure, some of them talked to me, but I could tell it was mostly out of pity. But they were always watching, scrutinizing each other. I felt like I was being probed by aliens whenever I was there. So, I stuck to my books, kept my head down and eyes on the floor, and endured each day as they came.

While we were walking the remaining blocks to school, Jacob noticed that something was wrong. By that time, my hands were shaking uncontrollably.

"Hey, Jeri? You okay?" He bent his head down to get a better look at me.

"I'm fine," I squeaked. "Let's just say that school isn't my favorite place."

He furrowed his brow, obviously not buying it. He put his arm around my shoulders, but I just shrugged it away. I did not want any more stares than I was going to get in the first place with Jacob by my side. He was six and a half feet tall and…quite handsome. His presence practically begged for attention.

Me, I preferred to stay invisible.

Right before we crossed the street, I grabbed his arm. "Look, there are a few things you need to know. Ground rules. First. Don't do any of that kind of stuff around here. You know, putting your arm around me and all."

He frowned, clearly hurt. I guessed I confused the poor guy considering I had kissed him this morning and now I was telling him to back off.

"It's just that things are…delicate around here. These kids aren't stupid. I just want to lay low for a while. I don't need any more rumors starting," I added under my breath.

He still looked at me confused. Didn't he understand?

"Trust me, it's for the best." I hugged his arm to try to reassure him.

We were about to cross since the walk sign was flashing, but I paused again. "Oh, and, from what I've heard from Edward and Bella and from what I've seen so far, you seem more of the outgoing type. So could you, erm, just follow my lead, just for the day?" I peeked up at him. He probably thought I was crazy.

But all Jacob did was shrug with a small smile playing on his lips and say, "Sure."

I breathed a sigh of relief. "Okay, let's go."

We jogged across the street since the sign was blinking angrily and headed right to our first hurdle: high school.

Of course, we got stares, Jacob for just being himself and me for walking next to him. I could see them talking in hushed tones, but I was thankful that I could not hear them. But I was sure Jacob could because he lifted his arm a few times as if to put it around my shoulders, but luckily remembered my request. I snuck an apologizing smile at him, only to find his face etched into a frown. I guessed that he heard exactly what people were whispering behind their hands.

Why did this school have to put all the juniors in the same time frame? I could have dealt with only a fourth of the kids being in my year.

While we were waiting in line for our ID pictures, one of the girls behind us tapped Jacob on the shoulder. We both turned around to see none other than Ali Schmidt staring up at Jacob, her clear blue eyes taking in his sight with an emotion I was sure was not PG rated. We had to be careful around this one. She was a genius, but liked to use her powers more for evil than good. I usually stayed away from her at all costs.

Her eyes flickered down to me, who was a good five inches shorter than her. "Oh, Marjorie," she greeted with false sweetness, "who's your friend?" She gave a dazzling white smile to Jacob.

That look made me so angry, I didn't know whether to haul Jacob away from her or to tell Ali that he was not available for her adolescent seduction, which really surprised me. I had been rejecting Jacob for the past few days and all of a sudden I was possessive of him.

I realized that I was jealous.

Luckily, that did not get conveyed through my response. "I, uh—well, he's—"

"I just moved down the street from Jeri and she'd said she'd show me around," Jacob explained for me. I was eternally grateful for that and secretly found his hand to give it a squeeze. Unfortunately, I had to quickly let go or else Ali would see.

Ali's thin eyebrows shot up, disappearing in her red bangs. "Really? Well, if there's anything you need…" She looked at him expectantly.

"Jacob."

"If there's anything you need, Jacob, don't hesitate to ask me." I did not like that look in her eyes. I couldn't take it anymore.

"I-I think I can handle it, Ali," I stammered. "I've been here just as long as you have." My voice got stronger with every word.

Ali just stared at me. She looked just as astonished as I felt. This was the first time I had ever truly stood up for myself. "God, Marjorie. I was just trying to be friendly," she defended a little too innocently. But then a wicked smirk stretched across her glossed lips. "But apparently you've been friendly enough for the whole school."

I felt my face turn red and hot. Next were the tears, I knew it. They were already pooling in my eyes. This was why I hated school. This was why I preferred to be invisible, why I never stood up, even though there were countless times that I wanted to.

Because it always ended up coming right back to hit me in the face two seconds later or take its sweet time to haunt me in the future. Either way was not pleasant.

I quickly turned around. I would not let Ali Schmidt see me cry, even if it was just a tear or two.

But Jacob wasn't done with her. "What the hell is wrong with you? Jeez, you need to find something better to do to waste your time." He didn't say it loudly, but I could hear the severity in his voice. Jacob could be quite the intimidating guy, I was sure.

We got through the endless line in silence. I didn't even care that Jake's warm arm was draped protectively over my shoulders. But that was not the place to talk, considering that Ali was still right behind us. But once we got through, he started walking us down a hallway that was in the opposite direction of the book line. After a while, he turned to me and gently held my face, giving me an intense stare.

"Are you okay? That was really mean for that girl to say all that."

I gave a humorless laugh. "It's a fact of life. Not everyone here is like that." They just had a tendency to avoid me like the plague, but I didn't tell him that.

"You didn't answer my question," he pointed out.

I pursed my lips nervously. "Yeah, I'm fine. I just have to get used to it again."

He scowled. "You shouldn't have to get used to it," he growled, but I knew that his harshness was not for me because his dark eyes, staring right into mine, held all the concern in the world.

I shrugged and gave him a smile. "Really, I'm fine. But thanks for asking," I assured him as I reached to give him a hug. I buried my face in his chest and let his embrace take away all of my worries.

On our way back, Jake looked down and gave me a smug smirk. "So, a little jealous back there, huh?"

The flames came back into my cheeks and I kept my eyes on the ground. "Well, I mean, I guess…maybe."

Jake chuckled and hugged me to his side.

"Jeri!"

I looked around to fine my one friend, Tara, waving at me nicely. She was over by the English station with a boy who was also waving. Under further inspection, I realized it was Noah. What was he doing? He had started to talk to Tara and a little to me last year during history and math, but I had figured that was through desperation since his best friend had moved away. He was nice, but I still thought it was just because he had no one to talk to besides us and the recently empty desk.

I could feel Jacob tense up as we approached them. Who was jealous now? I could just barely keep from throwing him a smug grin. Instead, I whispered, "Relax, they're both just friends."It helped a little but not much.

I made my introductions, saying that Jake was a new neighbor and friend. He politely shook both of their hands and kept a pleasant smile on his face. Noah, on the other hand, kept glancing warily at Jake and then at me. I felt a little sympathetic for him since Jake was quite a bit bigger than him.

We all made our way around the stations, collecting our books. And it was…easy, relaxed. One of them would tell a story or a joke, and I would laugh and say something back that was more than a few mumbles. Jake would even add something once in a while.

And the whole time, he would keep his hand on the small of my back, letting me know that he was there for me. That hand, with its strength, warmth, and tenderness—along with the person who owned it, of course—gave me the courage to finally come out of my shell.

And be myself.

I hope you guys had an absolutely spectacular Christmas! Or Hanukkah or Kwanzaa or whatever you celebrate! There are so many holidays I just can't keep track. (if you want to know why there are, ask) So this is you guys' belated Christmas present. I hope you liked it.

OK about Bella's talent...I honestly pretty much guessed the one in the book, so I made a new one. I thought that since no one can see into her mind, then the next step would be that no one can see her body. (did that one have any teenage boy connotations, Mar?) Get it, mind, body, and soul? And no one can see into her soul, either. (but they don't know that) Just ask if you're confused. Or you can criticize me about how lame and illogical it is.

I know that the school was a little over-the-top, but I was basing it on my experiences in middle school and my some of my friends' complaints of a small high school. I've got nothing against magnet schools and the people I've met there are friendly.

Oh, and just so you know, Noah is not a new character. Tara is, but not him. Go back to chapter 6 if you need a refresher.

--Loie