A/N: I am sorry for the delay in updating. I had a stalker situation and a work retreat that occupied the last two weeks. But both are behind me now. I hope I can update more frequently.

Dear Diary,

It's Christmastime again! This is my favorite holiday. Halloween comes in second, but nothing compares to the joy of the season. The lights, the trees, the presents, food, dancing, it's all so magical! And this year, I have someone to kiss under the mistletoe.

Actually, two people. I promised Jake that I would give him a kiss. He will be spending Christmas Eve and part of Christmas Day with the family, much to dad's dismay. Dad wanted it to be just mom, me and himself. Everyone else was going to spend it with their significant others as well and then do the family thing on the 26th. But now Jacob will be over.

Mom invited him without consulting dad. She said "Jacob's my friend and Nessie's 'betrothed,' we need to have him here." Dad retorted that I haven't made a decision (it's true!) and that he wanted the time for the three of us. The reason why he was so insistent is because we haven't had much "family time" lately. I've been spending most of my free time with Nathan or my friends and they've been busy as well. In fact, dad and I haven't gone hunting together in about a month. I miss it. I mentioned it to him and he promised we would go next week.

So needless to say, this family time was really important to him. I told him that it will be okay; we can make sure to only have the three of us for New Year's. And it wasn't like Jacob would be here all day. He'll come over in the afternoon after celebrating with his father and the others on the reservation.

Dad was still being pissy about it and I told him that I don't want him ruining the holiday for me. "It's my favorite one, dad." When he realized it was upsetting me, his daughter, he relented. He's not happy, but will make the most of it for me. I'm so spoiled.

Anyways, I just returned from a shopping marathon with Aunt Alice. Yes, I know. Aunt Alice and shopping is the epitome of marathon. But she made it fun. We spent some time people-watching and pointing out the cute boys. "I'd so do that one," she said, pointing at a tall, blond-haired surfer guy. I stared at her. "Oh come on. You know I love Jazz and would never hurt him, but it's okay to look. Besides…" she leaned closer to me, "you notice that guy's similarities to your uncle?"

She was right. He could have matched Uncle Jasper in a contest. I understood Alice's thoughts. It makes sense. When you've been together as long as they have, they have to have fantasies. Besides, I think she was doing it for my benefit. I couldn't believe she was so open about it, though. But I was glad; my parents shelter me. Well, somewhat. When they're not destroying furniture while enjoying each other, they try to not talk to me about it, preferring the "our daughter's innocent" theory. So I usually get my information from my family or friends. Uncle Emmett said that they have their heads up their asses and they'll come around. "They have centuries to realize that," he told me.

So yes, I know all about the birds and the bees. I probably know more than most humans my age and I'm not sexually active! That's what happens when you live with vampires. Aunt Alice and Aunt Rosalie were very open in talking to me about their sex lives and explaining things (honestly, I could have gone all of my existence not knowing what "69" is). Uncle Jasper was more reserved, saying that there are things I'll learn about when the time comes. He pointed out that would be when I'm in my forties. I whined that my body will never grow that old. He chuckled and said my body won't, but my mind will. Leave it to him to get philosophical on me.

Okay, on to other topics. Corey is safe…for now. He nearly lost his life last night, though. He, Sally, Nathan, Leslie, Adora, Carmen and I were all hanging out at Leslie's house watching movies and playing games when he started becoming aggressive. Apparently, Corey is very competitive (makes sense. He is on the basketball team) and hates losing. We were playing a movie game and Sally was on his team. He got mad at her because she kept guessing incorrectly. So she isn't a movie buff. Big deal. Apparently, it was to him. At one point he was yelling and calling her names and before I knew it, he struck her. In front of all of us! That was all I needed. I was in his face, telling him to hit me. "Hey big man," I said to him, "you're so tough huh? You like hitting girls? Huh? Why don't you hit me? Go ahead! I dare you!" And the idiot did. It did absolutely nothing to me, having my tough vampire skin and it broke his hand. He screamed in pain and cradled his hand to his chest. I smirked, seeing the discomfort he was in. Unfortunately, everyone else saw it too. Sally and Nathan know what I am, but the others don't. I didn't have time, though, to worry about repercussions.

Before I could do anything, Nathan had literally thrown him against the wall. He told him that if he ever laid a finger on Sally or me again, he would end him. Nathan's eyes were dark black when he said that. Corey's eyes showed fear, even though he wouldn't admit it. Leslie made him leave after actually kicking him in the ass a few times and we tended to Sally. She had a black eye and couldn't stop crying for awhile, but eventually we got her to calm down.

Leslie pulled me aside later and asked what I did. I told her that I take supplements that harden my skin. She didn't believe me. She figured it out. She knows we're half-human, half-vampire. But she told me our secret is safe. She also said that Carmen and Adora had suspicions as well. I panicked a bit, but she calmed me quickly. "We are your friends," she said. "We would never tell." I believe her. She's never done anything to betray my trust. Besides, even if she did, she'd be dead. So it's best to stay quiet.

Even though I risked exposure, it was worth it. Corey was bad news from the get-go and now his actions are evident. I believe he would have continued to hurt Sally if we weren't there. The thing that gets me is that he didn't care at all that there were witnesses. Did he really think that we would let him get away with it? Did he really think that we wouldn't retaliate? Come on! We're her friends; two of us are half-vampires. Of course we're going to retaliate!

Grandpa Carlisle says everything will be okay. He doesn't think my friends will say anything. He said that due to everything that happened, their stories probably wouldn't hold any weight. Most people would think that he missed me and hit the wall. "People may think they dreamed it," he said. And Aunt Alice hasn't seen an abrupt change in our future. We will be staying in Forks, much to my happiness. Funny thing, though, that she didn't see much of Corey either. Maybe the guy finally got the message.

Interesting couple of days, huh? I wonder what the rest of the year will hold? Hopefully romantic kisses under the mistletoe (both Jacob and Nathan), lots of presents and uber-family time. Great memories made with friends and ringing in the New Year in style. Sounds fun, huh?

If only I believed that.

A/N: A bit of foreshadowing, huh?

The next few chapters will have Nessie's developing relationship with Nathan. And for good measure, Jacob will be thrown in as well.

Thanks for reading! Please review, it will make my day!