The next couple of days I avoid Jacob. Jacob seems to understand my wishes and has stayed out of my way. At lunch I usually sit with Antonia and Kiro and the few times Jacob and I have been in the same room or at the same table we avoid talking to each other. Sometimes I feel his gaze linger on me and I have to admit that it's difficult avoiding him, I almost feel gravitated to him. I guess it's the imprint. Emily told me that she's never heard of a broken imprint.

Today it's friday and the pack are gathering at Emily and Sam´s house tonight. The gathering is in honour of Collin, a young guy who has joined the pack. Kim and I are at the big supermarket in Forks grocery shopping. Jared is with us as well. After the incident with Victoria and I I am very rarely alone. Usually Jared isn't allowed to be here in Forks with us, but Sam and Carlisle have made a new treaty deal that makes it easier for the pack and the Cullens to hunt Victoria, not having to have to stop the hunt because of border lines. And the new deal allows one unphased pack member at time to be in Forks so they can accompany us girls.

Jared is lazily pushing the shopping cart forwards while Kim and I are throwing down food in it. The amount of food that is eaten on pack gatherings is insane. I leave Jared and Kim for a couple of minutes to find baking soda. The store is really big so it takes a while before I find it. I am thoroughly eyeing the shelf when I hear my name.

"Stephanie?"

I turn around. It's Bella and Edward.

"Oh, hi! Ehm, how are you?" I say nervously.

"We're good. How are you? I heard about what happened, with Victoria, I am really sorry" Bella says carefully.

I nod.

"I´m fine, I guess". I reply.

"How is Jacob?`" Bella questions. I look up to her confused.

"I mean, I haven't seen him since that night. I have tried calling him but he hasn't taken my calls."

I knit my eyebrows together feeling confused.

"I don't know. I mean, we haven't spoken to each other since that night either" I say and look down.

"What?" Bella asks, confused.

"Bella" Edward says and gives Bella a meaning look.

"Oh I am sorry, I didn't mean to intrude. I just, I thought it was you had forbidden him to see me". Bella says.

"What? No, I would never."

A tense silence follows.

"Well, I need to get going. I am here with Kim and Jared" I say and hurriedly grab the baking soda.

"Stephanie, wait"

I look up.

"I don't understand what's going on. Maybe, I don't know, you and I could talk. Alone. To clear up some things." Bella says.

I hesitate.

"I don't know if that's a good idea." I say.

What would we say to each other? Bella must hate me. Her best friend imprinted on me and now everything is complicated. And she is the reason why my imprint hates me. Doesn't she know that Jacob loves her?

"Bella doesn't hate you" Edward suddenly says. I look at him in shock.

"Oh, Edward reads minds" Bella says with a subdued voice.

"Oh okey" I reply. Can everyone in this state read minds, but me?

Edward chuckles.

"But seriously, we should talk. Especially with everything going on with Victoria" Bella tries again.

I hesitate once again but then I give her my number and then I say goodbye. Before I leave them Edward voices up.

"And Jacob doesn't hate you either, Stephanie"

I halter and stay quiet, and then I walk away.

Later that night I am over at Sam's house helping Emily with all the food. It's still quite warm outside so I am wearing a dress, it is red with small white flowers. I have a sweatshirt with me as well. I am baking a carrot cake and small talk with Emily. More and more members of the pack are entering the house and everyone goes outside. Everyone helps bringing the food outside.

I am alone in the kitchen finishing up the cake, I hear everyone outside laughing and talking. I am standing with my back towards the front door so I dont hear when someone else steps through the door. Suddenly I feel a warm hand on my shoulder and I jump out of fright,

"Oh shit sorry, I thought you heard me. I didn't mean to scare you" Jacob says.

"Oh it's fine, I was just so deep in thought"

"Do you want me to help you with something?" Jacob gently asks and gesticulates to the cake and fruits that are laying on the countertop.

"Ehm, you could help me carry these outside, thank you"

"Sure, no problem"

I don't know why Jacob decided to interact with me today, but it is fine by me. I would much rather be polite to each other. All the arguing and ignoring each other is exhausting me. We carry the rest of the stuff outside and sit with the others. I go sit in between Quil and Kim and Jacobs goes to sit with Seth and Embry.

It turns out to be a good night. Sam holds a short speech to Collin about him being a new part of the pack and we eat, talk, laugh and play games. In one game I end up on the same team as Jacob and our interaction flows naturally and easily. I am surprised. But it feels good. But I still have my guard up. I have to.

At the end of the night, my phone plings. I expect it to be a text from mom or dad, but it's not. It's from a number I don't recognize. As I read the text I realize who it's from. It's from Bella.