DISCLAIMER!
I do not own any rights to the beautiful world of Twilight other than my own original characters.
The beautiful world of Twilight belongs to Stephanie Meyer!

For those who are following my story "This Is My Destiny", please don't fret. I have not given up on that story. I just had an idea pop into my head this evening and I ran with it. I will work diligently on updating both stories as I go. If you like the potentiality of this story "Love Bites" please review or message me. I appreciate any and all feedback. Thanks for your support!

He's with her again. It's our weekly get-together and he is once again with her. For a year and a half now we make it a priority to meet every Friday evening regardless of what is going on in our lives. We all spend the evening at Quil's house gorging on snacks and soda playing on his PlayStation. Last week he missed and promised to not miss this week. His time has been consistently preoccupied with her since she showed up at his house last Tuesday with a couple of bikes for Jacob to fix up, promising one of them to him for his help. Sounds all hunky-dory, right? Not so much for me and the other two of our friend group.

Granted, my ability to hang out has been severely limited due to my job at the convenience store. My parent's convenience store that is. The Stop-N-Go has been in operation since 1998 when the council finally relented to my parent's pleas for a shop that was more accessible to those tribal members in La Push. The closest store of any kind for the longest time was located halfway between La Push and Forks. It was shut down in 1996 because the owners fell behind in their taxes. The community was in an uproar because we now had to travel to Forks for anything and everything. My father, Michael Clearwater, decided he needed to do something for his community. After all, Grandpa Peter was an elder on the council and instilled a sense of duty into all of his children, and grandchildren.

The council decided a convenience store offering a variety of supplies, food and gas would be the best solution. My siblings and I have always helped out one way or another since the store opened. When I turned 14 last year, I decided I wanted to earn money for my work. Dad made it clear that I would need to be an actual employee on the payroll for me to earn my own money. I conceded ad that's how I found myself running the store by myself most evenings after school at the age of 14. In a big city, this wouldn't be doable. However, La Push was a small community with only 1,000 residents. I knew almost everyone and Dad didn't worry about anyone trying anything shady. Our community is very family-oriented and everyone looks out for one another.

Since I had the responsibility of running the convenience store most evenings, Dad allowed me to have Fridays off to hang out with my friends. That's why the boys and I gathered together every Friday night. I've always been a tomboy, there aren't many other girls my age. The ones that are my age are snobs and act all prissy. That's why I stick to my boys, we get along and don't let others bother us. Embry is the eldest being born on Christmas Day in 1989. Jacob's birthday is the following month on the 14th. Quil follows next on March the 17th. We always joke around how he must be so lucky to be born on St. Patrick's Day. I'm the baby coming in on June 4th.

I'm the 3rd child out of 4. Daniel is the eldest and in his second year at Washington State University. He and the Black twins all received full-ride scholarships when graduating from high school 2 years ago. Daniel has always had a crush on Rachel, and we joke that he followed her there. Her sister, Rebecca, turned down the scholarship and ran off to get married to a Samoan surfer she met online. Billy was beyond furious with that little stunt. Rachel and Rebecca are Jacob's older sisters and their Dad is Billy. My older sister is next. Crystal is a senior in high school this year, with plans to go to California State University. We're awaiting her acceptance letter. She's already received her acceptance letter from Washington State University, but that's her backup plan just in case. She has until May to respond. Next is me, but ill explain more about me as I go along. The baby is my younger brother Max. He's 14 and just barely a year younger than myself and a freshman in high school.

Quil and Embry are currently playing Grand Theft Auto and stuffing their mouths with popcorn. I stopped playing after messing up the same mission twice in a row because I couldn't concentrate. Quil kicked me off and I haven't attempted to play since.

"You're going the wrong way there dude!" Quil's pointing at the screen, flapping his arm like a flamingo.

"Fuck you Quil! I'm not going the wrong way!" Embry's gripping the controller and leaning close to the TV.

"Yes, you are! See! You're going East when you're supposed to be going West."

"Hell if I am!" Emory sits up now. I see his eyes roaming around the TV screen.

"Yes! Look!" Quil is once again pointing to the screen, flapping away.

"You know what? I'm done! I'm heading home!" Emory throws the controller down and begins making his way towards the door. I throw my hand out to grab onto him and try to calm him down. This isn't the first time that he has been losing his temper lately. Once my hand makes contact, I quickly pull my hand back like I was burnt. Embry's skin is on fire.

"Woah, dude! You need to go home and go to bed! First, you need to take some Tylenol. Your skin is hotter than a sauna." I exclaim as I draw my hand away. Embry's steps falter and he stops to rub his hand across his forehead.

"Yeah, you're right Soph. I'm not feeling so good."

"Do you want me to walk you?"

"No, I'll be fine. I would hate for you to walk the long route anyways."

"I'm coming Embry. It won't hurt for me to stretch my legs. Plus it's not a good idea for you to be walking around delirious."

"Okay, if you're sure."

"I'm sure." I stand up and nudge Quil's back with my knee. "See ya later."

"Yeah, feel better dude," he calls over his shoulder without looking up from the TV. He's in the middle of a mission and evidently can't be bothered.

After safely depositing Embry at home I make my way for home. I failed to mention to Embry my other reason for wanting to walk him home. Jacob's house is on my way home if I cut through the woods on the trail. I'm getting closer to Jacob's house when I can make out the lights are on in Jacob's garage. Or as he likes to call it, his 'Taj Mahal'. Yep, I was right. Sitting in the driveway is Billy's old Chevy his friend Charlie bought off of him last year for her. As I'm walking along the trail and about to pass his house I see Jacob walk her out to her truck. He gives her a good-bye hug and stands there watching as she pulls away. Once the truck is out of sight and he's back in his garage I make the split decision to go confront him. He's letting some hussy get in between our friendship. What's even worse is she's either completely clueless or blatantly disregards Jacob's feelings for her own selfish needs. Everyone knows the fool has been head-over-heels in love with her since their talk on the beach last year. Yes, that talk. The same talk is brought up time and time again when Jacob is feeling nostalgic. The love bug has bitten him, and it has bitten hard. He never shuts up about her. It's enough to drive anyone insane. Standing in the doorway I peer in and watch Jacob tinker with the bikes for a few moments before making my presence known.

"I see you ditched us again, for her." I emphasize the word 'her' to make it clear my distaste for her. Just in case he may have forgotten since we last spoke.

"Jesus Soph!" He has launched his wrench in shock. It lands perfectly between the two cushions on his makeshift couch. It's a backseat out of an old car he swiped off of the junkyard for basically nothing.

"Geeze, jumpy much?" I walk over grabbing the wrench, handing it over.

"Shut up." He accepts the wrench, getting back to work.

"So, when do you think you'll wrap up this charity project and come back to your real friends? You know, the ones who have been with you from the beginning? Through the thick and the thin?"

"It's not a charity project, and I haven't abandoned you." Continuing to work he doesn't even look up to answer me.

"Quit lying to yourself, it's a charity project and you know it. She didn't have anything to do with you before bringing you the bikes and she won't have anything to do with you once you fix them up."

"You don't know that!" Now I've struck a nerve. He's raising his voice. "See, this is why I can't have her around you!"

"Oh! And why is that?" I put my hands on my hips to stare at him.

"Because you're a jealous twat. I've found someone who likes me and you can't find someone for yourself. It's making you jealous." What? He is now standing in front of me with his arms crossed.

"Excuse me?" Now I cross my arms across my chest, jutting out my chin.

"You heard me! No one wants you! So you can't let me be happy! It's eating you up!"

I stare at him for a few seconds before I respond. He's never spoken to me like this before and it takes everything in me not to cry in front of him.

"I'll just leave then! I can see when I'm not wanted! Don't come running back to me when she's left you high and dry!" I spin on my heel. I hastily make my way out the door. I hear him hollering out the door at me.

"Good! Go! Don't worry about me coming to find you! She's with me now! And she's not going anywhere!" I glance back to see him standing at his door.

I don't diddle daddle around. Making it home in record time. Walking in the door, I slam it shut and rush up the stairs to my room. I slam that door shut too for good measure. My shift starts early tomorrow morning so I quickly jump in the shower and brush my hair and teeth once I'm out. There's a knock on my bedroom door a few minutes later. Opening the door slightly to peek out, I see my Mom standing there holding our wireless house phone.

"Sweetie, it's Jacob on the phone for you. He says he's sorry for how he behaved and wants to talk to you."

"No, thank you." I go to shut the door, but am stopped by Mom's foot holding the door open.

"He sounds devastated, honey. Give him a chance to explain." knowing that I won't get rid of her until I at least talk I hold my hand out for the phone.

"That's a good girl. Now be nice." once the phone is in my hand I quickly yell into the receiver.

"Fuck you, Black! We're done! You want Swan, have at her!" I hang up the phone, not bothering to listen to his shrill voice yelling. I hand the phone back to Mom and motion for her to move her foot.

"That wasn't nice, sweetie." She gently chastises me. Mom has the temper of a saint. She's always calm while disciplining us. At times it can be scary.

"He was rude, Mom! Saying that I'm jealous of him because no one wants me! That no one will ever want me!" My facade is slipping and I feel a couple of tears fall on my cheeks.

"Oh, honey! I'm sorry!" She flies towards me, wrapping me up in a hug. "In that case, keep ignoring him. No one should be spoken to like that. I'll call Billy in the morning and talk with him."

"Mom, please don't."

"Nope, he needs to know how his son is behaving. Plus he hurt your feelings and that's not okay. Not by a long shot." I nod my head, acquiescing to her. It's no use, she'll call him regardless of what I say. When it comes to her children, she is a mama bear and not afraid of biting off anyone's head that hurts us.

Laying in bed I think over everything that has occurred since last March. Jacob came bursting into my door on that fateful Saturday night gushing about Bella Swan and how she has the hots for him. It was that way for a few days until the following Thursday when I got a phone call from Jacob. He was in hysterics. Bella not only had a boyfriend but had run back to Arizona because of this said boyfriend. He was determined that this other guy wasn't a serious issue and that he could get in her good graces when she got back. Regretfully, this was not the case and it was made clear that she was head over heels with this boy. Jacob came home from her prom devastated. He didn't tell me why he went to see her, but his Dad paid him 20 for it and promised him that master cylinder he needed for his car.

By the end of summer, Jacob was in better spirits. He had gotten over his 'crush'. We hit a little hiccup in September. Her boyfriend and his whole family ended up leaving basically overnight. While she was heartbroken, most of us kids and adults celebrated their departure. There was something fishy about those Cullens. Our parents told us to steer clear of them. My Dad even refused to take us to Forks. He ended up driving clear to Port Angeles that time I sprained my ankle. All in an attempt to avoid the father who was a doctor at Forks Hospital.

According to the word of mouth she became a zombie. Never talking, only existing. She appeared to be taking the departure of her boyfriend extremely hard. It was almost pathetic. Why would someone be that devastated over a breakup? It was almost like the guy had died, not moved away. Then, my world turned upside down last Tuesday. Bella showed up at Jacob's with those bikes needing to be fixed. Ever since Jacob's head has been stuck up her ass, figuratively speaking. Now anytime we do see him, it's Bella this or Bella that. I didn't care for this Bella Swan one bit. She came in like a tornado, ripping my best friend right out from under me. Jacob and I have been together since before we were born. Our moms were the best of friends, and because we were always around one another we became close friends as well. Always joking we were going to be friends for life, from the cradle to the grave. Which is great! Who doesn't want to have a lifetime friend? One you can depend on and trust with your life.

Jacob doesn't know this, hell no one does. My feelings for him changed in the last couple of years. It was a subtle change and I didn't realize it until these last few months. It has nothing to do with his looks, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate his beauty. Because Jacob is a beautiful young man and gets more beautiful day by day. He's gaining in height and bulk. His body is becoming more athletic and I try not to get caught staring at him. I think Embry is starting to question my actions because he has caught me a few times checking out Jacob while I'm supposed to be talking to Embry. These last couple of weeks have become extremely devastating to me and tonight only confirms my suspicions. I'm losing my best friend and possibly my chance at true happiness. Call me crazy, but I feel this closeness with Jacob that I don't feel with anyone else. He's my best friend and I've been falling in love with him slowly more and more every day for the last year. It's just too bad and clear that he doesn't want anything to do with me. Staring out of my bedroom window at the stars I contemplate why they call it a crush. I guess it's because it's not supposed to end good and it's only supposed to hurt. Yeah, that's a good way of putting it. My name is Sophia Clearwater and I am hopelessly and irrevocably in love with my best friend.