Apology: I am really sorry about not updating for a while. We lost our internet for a few days so I wasn't able to upload. Thanks for all of you who have stuck with me through my story!

Disclaimer:

Me: Unfortunately, I have no witty puns about how I own Twilight because... *breathes deeply* I don't, Stephenie Meyer does."

*A few seconds later.*

Me: "Wow, that was a lot harder to say than I thought it would be."

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Nina

Chapter 24

(Haley's POV)

I waited a few moments before I continued my descent down the stairs. Why? I don't know. I wasn't sure if I was hoping Jacob would return to apologize, or return to fight for me, or maybe even come to tell me that the other night had been a mistake, but I waited just the same. After none of my suspicions came to pass, I went down the remaining stairs and looked at my mother, who seemed to be glaring daggers at the front door.

"Mom, what's going on?" I asked quietly, not wanting to startle her.

"What?" She asked, shaking her head as if I had broken her out of her train of thought.

"Is everything ok?" I asked cautiously.

"Yeah, it's fine," she said, but her tone seemed concerned, and her breathing had become labored. I was worried that she was going to pass out.

"Are you s-" I started.

"Everything is fine," she said again, cutting me off, her tone steely and controlled.

I was going to continue, but stopped, not wanting to get into an argument. I would figure everything out eventually.

"Ok," I said, a fake smile plastered to my face, "Can I go over to Alice's, then?" I asked, at least wanting to get out of the house for a little while.

"Alice Cullen?" She asked.

"Yeah, who else?"

"Um," she seemed to hesitate.

"No," she said, eyes growing slightly wider.

"Why not?" My tone was exasperated. If nothing was wrong, why couldn't I go over to Alice's?

"Because... because Doctor Cullen will probably be working and I'd rather you have his permission before going over," she stated, seemingly pleased with her blatant lie. It was obvious that the real reason why she didn't want me going over was something that I had no knowledge of, something that she had only just figured out. She had never had a problem with me going over to Doctor Cullen's house without him there before.

"Fine," I sighed. If she was going to play hard ball, then so was I. I was going to get out of here if it killed me.

"What about Jared's place?" I asked.

"I thought you two weren't friends anymore," she said, her tone suspicious.

"We made up. Friends do that," I said snarkily. She seemed to take my tone of voice as a challenge.

"No."

"Why not?" I practically shouted.

"Because I said so. You need to start listening to me, so I can protect you from... bad people."

"Protect me by keeping me away from my friends? That's cold... And kicking Jacob out like that was worse!" I shouted, turning my back on her and sprinting up the stairs.

I ran into my bedroom and slammed the door, clicking the lock in place.

I started pacing my room, thinking. What could I do to change her mind?

The secret wasn't to change her mind, but to not let her have the opportunity.

I carefully opened my window and stepped out onto the roof, taking in the cool air.

I steadied myself and slowly walked to the right, positioning myself right in front of the tree that was in front of our yard.

Why had I never thought of this before?

I put one hand out and grabbed a branch, followed closely by my other hand.

I closed my eyes and took my feet off of the roof, holding onto the branch with all of my might. I wrapped my legs around the branch and shimmied my way lower, until I reached the thicker part of the tree.

I slowly maneuvered my way on different branches until I safely reached the ground.

I took a quick sigh of relief.

Why had I never done that before? The answer was obvious now; because it was 100% crazy.

I thought about where I was going to go very carefully.

If I went to Jake's, then I would have to confront him; not one of my favorite things to do.

If I went over to Jared's, I would have to deal with the lovefest. I didn't mind Kim, liked her actually, but sitting next to a couple and becoming the third wheel was not something I wanted to deal with.

Lastly, Alice. She seemed like the best bet. She wouldn't question why I was there. She would just embrace any and all company.

I decided, seeing as I was sneaking out, that I would take my car. If I was going to be in trouble, I was not going to have to walk, just to remain inconspicuous.

I hopped in my car and revved the motor, feeling that rare need to be rebellious. It felt good to break the rules for once in my life. I was always good and always did what I was told, now was as good a time as any to break that streak.

Of course the feeling died when I saw my mom standing on the front porch, eyes wide, looking at me in the car. I wanted to smile, but truthfully, I felt bad for disobeying my mother.

I pulled out of the driveway and drove to Forks, thinking all the while of the possible reasons for my mother's strange behavior. Nothing added up. Normally there were small pieces of a puzzle that eventually fit together, revealing a truth at the end but now there was just... nothing.

Before I knew it, I had arrived at the Cullen's house, and was stepping out of my car.

I took a deep breath, stressing about how the day was going to end. I contemplated driving back home and apologizing for leaving, but before I could act on anything, Alice, in all of her agile grace, had grabbed me into a hug. I hadn't even heard her come out of the house, but I attributed that to the fact that I had been distracted.

"I'm so glad you're here!" She said in that perky voice that all but ruled her tone 24/7.

"Yeah, sorry I didn't call before I headed over here," I said sheepishly, rubbing the back of my neck and looking down.

She laughed, in a knowing fashion.

"It's no problem," she said, waving away my concern.

"You sure?" I asked.

"Of course! You know that you're welcome any time."

"Thanks," I said, smiling, as she eagerly led me into the house.

My day consisted of helping Alice work on her design project and playing video games with Emmett and Jasper. Unfortunately, the guys creamed me and made sure to laugh at my misfortune. Well, Emmett guffawed and Jasper chuckled, but the message was the same. I had some work to do before I would be any match for them.

"Thanks, but no thanks," I said, as Emmett offered me a controller. I was not going to play against them again.

"I think I'm actually gonna' head home. Mom wasn't exactly on board with me coming out here," I said.

"C'mon, Haley. One more round," he pleaded.

"Sorry, Emmett. I can't. I'll take you up on that rematch when I get a little better," I said, smiling at his put out expression.

"Fine," he grumbled as he walked away. I assumed he was going to go find someone else to play against.

"'Bye, Alice!" I shouted. She was upstairs, hopefully not sulking that her friend had been taken hostage by her brothers.

"Wait!" She yelled, walking down the stairs.

"Please, don't try to stop me. It was hard enough telling your brother no. He can be very persuasive."

"I won't. Just... Please come over again soon," she said, smiling glumly.

"I will, Alice. No worries," I said, hugging her and walking out the front door.

I hopped in my car and thought of any way I could avoid going home. It was inevitable, but there had to be some way to delay it.

I thought, and, choosing the best out of my worst options, headed to La Push.

Please tell me what you thought of this chapter and what you think Haley is going to do!