Two sets of cold eyes turned on Jake and I and I squeezed his hand for comfort. What other teenager has to deal with this shit on a daily basis? Everyone I know is either at the movies or going to a party. Not Jake and I. No, we are at his sort of ex-girlfriend's house in the middle of a leech-werewolf confrontation. I just wanted to catch up on homework tonight!

Bella turned back to Alice and grabbed her shoulders. It was so strange seeing Bella interact with the Cullens as if they were human. Maybe she belongs with leeches. It seems natural for her. "What do you mean? Why?" She sounded hysterical. But I couldn't blame her, because if it was Jacob, I would probably be on my knees… Oh God, just the thought that he would ever… No! It makes me sick, I can't think about that.

"He thought you died. I saw you walk out into the street and then nothing. I told him not to jump to conclusions, but when he called…"

With deadly speed, Bella spun on her heal and glared at Jacob. "Why didn't you give me the phone?" she shouted.

I stepped forward in front of Jacob. "Bella, he didn't know. None of us could have known."

She didn't even bother to fight with me, which was good because I didn't want to fight. Because if we did start fighting, I don't know what would stop me from throwing everything that I hate about her in her face. Like the way she's still hurting Jake with her stupid decisions. She doesn't see it. I do. She doesn't care. I do.

"I have to save him" Bella suddenly exclaimed.

Jacob tensed up beside me and reached out to her. "Bella wait. You're not thinking" he tried to persuade her. But she was already out the door with Alice. We followed them. Bella hoped into a very expensive looking car that actually caused me to stop and stare. I'd never seen something so shiny before. Jake, however, didn't break pace even though he loves cars.

He reached into the window and made a grab for her hand. I stayed behind, unsure of what to do. "Bella please!" he begged. "For me."

"I'm sorry Jake" she said and I saw her give Jake's hand a little squeeze. And then the car was speeding down the road to God knows where.

For a few moments, I was afraid that Jake was going to phase right here in the street. I took a step back because I wasn't sure if he knew how close I was. My hand instinctively traveled to my stomach where I could feel the little bumps where the scars were. Before I could move my hand away, Jacob turned. His eyes narrowed in on my stomach and they filled with chocolate brown sadness.

"Jake" I said, preparing to go into another speech about how he didn't need to feel guilty.

I was surprised when he wrapped his arms around me and buried his head in my neck. "I'm so sorry Emma" he breathed. I didn't know what to do so I just rubbed tiny circles on his back. And before I could say it's ok, he mumbled something into my skin.

"What's that?" I asked and ran my hand through his hair.

He picked his head up and I saw that there were two thin lines on his face that was lighter than the rest. He was crying. I don't think I've ever seen him cry before. "I'm so sorry for what happened. When I hurt you, I was defending her. I was so blind! You are the only one I should ever be defending. Because you would have stayed, wouldn't you?"

His eyes were so desperate, but they did not affect my answer at all. Still, I felt them bore into my soul and search for the answer. I cupped his face between my hands and held his gaze. "Of course I would" I said and gave him a quick peck for good measure.

His face instantly lit up, and before I knew what was happening I was flying. "Jake!" I squealed and clung to his hands on my hips for dear life as he swung me around and around. He placed me back on my feet and attacked my lips with his own. I smiled into the kiss. This wasn't like the other kisses we've shared. He seemed needy and desperate to press his lips as close as possible to mine.

I pulled away when I started seeing spots and gasped for breath. "Sorry" he apologized, having already recovered from the lack of air. It must be a wolf thing.

I shook my head and smiled as I sucked in as much oxygen as possible. Jacob laughed and led me back towards the house. "Come on, let's get you home."

"My math test!" I suddenly exclaimed. "I'm going to fail."

Jake shook his head and chuckled. "You worry too much" he laughed.

I crossed my arms and huffed dramatically. "Do not! I just want to graduate."

Jacob reached forward and uncrossed my arms. His took my hands in his and gave them a little squeeze. "You will. I'll help you as much as I can" he promised. And I believe him with my life. "Now come on! Your sister's going to kill me if I don't get you home soon."

I love riding on Jake's motorcycle. There's something about being in the open air and moving so quickly. I wonder if this is how the guys feel when they run as wolves. It must be so exhilarating. It was even better at night. I loved feeling the cold air twist its way through my hair. I loved having Jake's warm body to hold onto. This was heaven. This is all I ever wanted to do. So I was very reluctant to get off when we reached my home. The only reason I did was because Jake promised that he would take me out more often.

It turns out that Jake didn't need to worry about Emily. It was Sam that was freaking out when we got home. "Where have you been?" he nearly shouted and pulled me into his arms. I was so tired, I didn't notice the way his nose wrinkled or how I was passed from arm to arm to my room. I lay down on my bed and stared at the window as my eyes slowly closed. But I couldn't fall asleep because I was waiting for Jacob. I could hear them talking below, I knew he wouldn't leave without saying goodnight to me.

And sure enough, just when I thought I was going to pass out, Jake entered my room. I patted a spot next to me on the bed. Jacob smiled wide and sat down next to me. He reached out with his large hands and rubbed my back. "What did you guys talk about?" I yawned.

Jake laughed and moved a strand of my hair out of my face. I smiled at his touch and memorized the tingly feeling it gave me. "Nothing important" he said although I was sure he was lying. But I was so tired that I couldn't argue.

Jake returned his hand to my back and continued his pleasurable little circles. I wanted to savor this moment. So I stifled another yawn. Jake caught me though. "Em, you're tired. It's ok. Go to sleep" he said.

"No I'm not" I tried to argue.

He smirked and moved so that he was sitting behind me. Then, he used both of his hands to rub those tantalizing circles on my back. I couldn't help but let out a soft moan as he completely relaxed me. He leaned down and tickled my ear with his breath. "Are you sure?" he teased.

I sighed, "Yes".

"Alright then" he said. And suddenly, his hands were far from my back. Farther than I wanted them to be.

"Jake" I whined.

He laughed silently. "Admit it then" he teased. I'd have to remember this for later. Jake sure doesn't play fair.

"Fine" I sighed, longing for his touch. "I'm tired."

And he gave me what I wanted. He continued massaging my back and I relaxed into his touch. "Sleep tight Em" he breathed and kissed my forehead. This was supposed to relax me, but the second he stood, I sat bolt upright and jumped for him. "Easy Em" he laughed and set me back down. "What's the matter?"

I don't know what happened. I just snapped. Maybe it was trying to place all this new information. Maybe it was knowing that the Cullens were back. Either way, I was afraid and I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep without him. "Stay with me, please" I nearly begged.

I could see his eyes softening as he sat back down. "Of course I will" he said without a second thought. And to my pleasure, he pulled off his shirt. It wasn't as if I'd never seen Jake without his shirt. I had. Probably more times than I'd want to admit. However, this time was different. Jake's muscles were clearly visible in the moonlight and his skin seemed so warm.

"Move over" he said. I either didn't hear him, or couldn't move. Jake smiled and scooped me up in his arms. "Here we go" he said and laid down next to me. I smiled as his arms snaked around me. I snuggled my head into his chest and sighed deeply. "Happy?" he teased.

"Completely satisfied" I breathed.

"Good. I'm glad. Get some sleep Emma. I'll be here when you wake up."

"You promise?" I yawned as I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer.

His lips surprised me when they touched my own and he slowly, meticulously, smothered me in kisses. "I promise."