Chapter 7

The next day was warmer. Bella was holed up in her room all day working on her English assignment. Dad and I watched TV some, and then he dozed off in the chair. It was late afternoon and we were all getting a bit hungry. I ordered in a pizza, again. I was so used to it just being Dad and I, that I was used to ordering in pizza's. I picked up around the house, while waiting on the pizza's. I did some dishes, swept the kitchen, and mopped. I picked up random items strewn throughout the living room, and started the laundry. The bell rang, and I opened the door, paid the lady, then took the pizza's to the kitchen. Everyone came in, grabbed some slices, then went back to their holes. I sat at the kitchen table for a change and ate.

When I was done eating, I cleaned up, and went to my room. Dad was back to sleeping in the chair, and Bella was still in her room, with her homework. I finished up my homework, and then crawled into my bed and read my book a little more. By the time 8 rolled around, I went and took a shower. I brushed out my hair and dried it. I threw on some comfy clothes, shut off my lights, and crawled into bed. My phone lit up with a message, I miss you. was all it said. I sighed and hit the call button.

"Hello?" He answered groggily.

"Jake, you can't keep messaging me. I told you, we can't be friends right now."

"Ki, I need my best friend. I messed up. I know this."

"Yeah Jake, you did. But I cannot be around you right now. I can't be around you while you love someone else. I cannot make you choose. And you know that. So, you do your thing, I am going to do mine. Goodbye Jake." I said and hung up the phone.

I sat my phone down on the charger and rubbed my eyes. Tomorrow was going to be a long day, and I wasn't ready for it. I laid down and pulled the covers up over my head. I quickly fell asleep and heard Jake's voice again.

"I can't believe he's on about this again." Jake shook with laughter. "He loves telling these stories."

I just beamed up at Jake, "Just listen. You know how these stories go. Besides, I thought they were legends of the tribe?"

"They are, but at this point its more like a story for the younger children."

"I still like hearing them. We've grown up on them Jake. I'm always going to listen to these."

"Long ago…" Billy started out, telling the legend of the tribe. We sat there on the log, eating our hot dogs around the fire. "Our tribe came across something unnatural. They were…not human. They claimed to only drink the blood of animals. They were hunting on our land, which upset the elders. So my grandfather, Ephraim, made a treaty with them, as long as they stayed off the Quileute land, we wouldn't tell the world what they really were."

The fire around me started blazing and roaring, and the scene started to change. Suddenly I was standing in a forest, with a familiar face. Edward Cullen was standing in front of me, hiding in the shadows. I tipped my head to the side in confusion, and then I heard a deep growl next to me. A large reddish-brown wolf stood at my side, its teeth bared toward Edward. I stumbled backwards to get away from the wolf and tripped on a log. The wolf snapped its head in my direction, hid its teeth, and looked at me worried. I quickly got up, brushed the dust off and ran. I ran as far as my feet would carry me.

I woke up in a cold sweat and looked around. I could see the lights from the alarm clock across the room. The lights read 5:32 a.m. I groaned and rolled over. I tried to get a few more minutes of sleep, but a loud bang and a flash of light told me that it wasn't happening. I grabbed my phone off my nightstand and looked at the weather app. There was a huge storm covering us, and it was only going to get worse from here. I was going to have to make it to school early.

I got up and grabbed a hoodie out of my closet, a t-shirt and some jeans. I quickly got dressed and grabbed the keys to my bike and my helmet. I grabbed my backpack and slung it over my shoulder and walked out the door of my room. Dad was already up and getting ready for work.

"Hey Dad. You going in early?"

"Yeah. That and I have to jump ahead on the latest case. We still haven't found the animal that killed the security guard."

"Well hopefully you find the animal soon. Be careful out there."

"Always am. Is Jake picking you up?"

"No Dad. Jake and I had a fight, and we aren't talking right now."

"You taking your bike then?"

"Yes Dad. I will be careful. I promise."

"You'd better be. It's slick out."

I can see where his mind had flashed too.

My mind flashed there too.

"Kierra, you had better get back in here and tell me what is going on!" My dad yelled, as I ran out the door. "I am so close to sending you back to your mom, it's not even funny!"

"I bet you won't. You need me more than anything. I'm the one who keeps you going. At least, I thought I was. But I guess you need Bella more, right? She's your special child. You probably love her more than me."

"You do not get to talk to me like that! I am your father, and you will respect me!"

"No Dad. I'm not doing this. I'll be back later. You can make your own dinner for once!" I hopped on my bike and sped away. It was pouring rain all day and had gone on into the evening. I drove through town in the rain, crying as I went. I stopped at the library, but I couldn't even walk inside. The only place I wanted to be was at Jakes. So, I hopped onto the highway and went speeding off towards his house. I was frustrated, upset, and angry and sped just a little too fast. The bike walked out from underneath of me, and I hit the pavement. Thankfully, the only thing that got hurt was my arm. I had snapped it at the elbow. I laid there in pain for the longest time until a car had come across my path.

I could see the figure of a teenage boy running at me, and I could faintly hear my name being called. I looked up and saw a familiar face, but everything was becoming blurry.

"Ki are you okay?!" the boy kept asking, over and over. I could hear his sweet voice until I passed out. I later woke up at the hospital surrounded by doctors and nurses.

"Dr. Cullen, we have eyes." A nurse said, glancing towards me.

"Thank you, Mary." The blonde doctor said, coming over to the left side of my bed. "How are you feeling Hunter?"

"My head hurts. My arm too. What happened?" I said, wincing at the pain I was in.

"We will get you something more for the pain. You crashed your bike out on the highway. Do you remember what happened that caused you to crash?"

"Speed got the best of me. It was my fault."

Then the door opened and in walk Jared. "Hunter, are you okay? You scared me out there!"

"Jared?"

"She may be a little groggy from the meds." The nurse told him.

"Yeah, it's me. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I'm hurting, but I'm alive."

"I didn't like seeing you like that. You were in so much pain, and it wasn't a good sight."

"You saw me out there?"

"Saw you? I'm the one who found you! The crash had to of just happened too, cause the bike was still super hot. Fuck. Your bike. Do you want me to get Jake to get it?"

"If he hasn't already, yes please."

The door opened again and in walked my dad. He stood by the door, glaring at me. "Can I have a minute with my daughter please?"

The room just nodded and left. "I'll be back later." Jared promised, and then walked out the door.

"What in the hell were you thinking out there Hunt?! You could have gotten yourself killed! What would I have done if I had lost you? Do you know what that would have done to me? I would have died inside without you! I cannot lose you Hunt. I just can't!"

"I know Dad. I'm sorry. It was an accident. I made a wrong move. I am so so sorry."

Dad just came over, leaned down, and hugged me. He held me tightly until the door opened again. "Chief. Her scans are back. Hunter, you did break your arm, but it seems you have some fragments of bone floating around and we need to get those put back as soon as possible. We are going to have to put you under soon. I will give you guys a minute while we go get prep done."

"Kierra, I love you. I'm not sending you anywhere. But we do need to talk when you get home. I love you so so much. You are gonna be okay."

The doctors came back in and started prepping me for surgery. "I love you too Dad. I promise. I will be more careful."

"You aren't getting on that bike again. We will discuss it when you are out." He holds my hand and walks with us while they wheel me to the big double doors. "I will see you when you get out. I will be here. I'm not leaving."

"Charlie, this is where we have to leave you." One of the nurses said, touching his arm. "She is in safe hands. I promise."

He just nodded and stood to the side. He tried to hide it, but I could see the pain in his eyes. "I love you Hunt."

"I love you too." I said, letting go of his hand.

They continued to wheel me into the operating room and started hooking wires up to me. Dr. Cullen came back in and walked to my right side. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm hurting, honestly." And I wasn't sure if the pain was from my arm, or from the fact that my dad said what he had.

"Jackie, can we get something for her? We are going to put you to sleep for a few hours and get that arm fixed. How's that sound?"

"That would be great. Thank you."

Dr. Cullen pats my shoulder and the walks out of the room. I lay there for a few moments and watch as a nurse comes up and sticks something into the line that leads from the IV into my arm. "You're going to get really groggy here. Don't fight it."

I just nod and look around. Another nurse puts a mask on my face for oxygen, and I just took some deep breaths. I started to feel really sleepy, and I took a few more breaths and slowly closed my eyes.

I shook my head, clearing it of the memory. "I promise Dad. I will be careful." I remember having to talk to him hours on end, in order to just keep my bike. Jake had fixed it up and got it running again.

"I will be watching the scanners. I am not going through that again. Please. Be careful. I hope whatever happened between you and Jake works out. I know how much you care for him."

"Thanks Dad. Me too."

I put the key in the ignition and slung my leg over the bike. I put the straps for my backpack on right, and then pulled my hair into a low pony. I put my helmet on and then started the bike. Dad watched out the front door as I slowly but carefully pulled out of the driveway. I eased my way into the speed limit and headed out of town to the school. I could see the sun just peaking over the horizon and so I pulled out onto a vista and watched the sunrise. I breathed a deep breath and cleared my head. Things had gone so wrong lately, and I didn't know how I was going to get through it all. I parked the bike and shut it off and pulled my helmet off, then put it on the handles. I took my bag off and sat it next to the bike and went to sit on one of the benches that was there.

I didn't know how I was going to make it through the day without either best friend by my side. I knew everyone was off looking for Sam. Leah wasn't going to be at school, and with good reason. I sat there on the bench and realized that it was starting to rain. I quickly got back up and slid my helmet back on and started the bike back up. I got going down the road again and headed towards the school. I pulled into one of the open spots and looked around as I shut off the bike. There was barely anyone here as it was early. As I was sliding off my helmet and taking my hair out of the pony, I had a tap on my shoulder. I jumped and about knocked the bike over.

"Woah, easy. It's okay!" Jared said, laughing.

"What are you laughing about? You gave me a heart attack!" I said, smacking his shoulder.

"You should have seen your face!" He laughed some more. He wrapped his arms around me and gave me a big hug. "It's nice to see you. I feel like I haven't seen you in ages."

"Yeah, that's what happens when shit blows up." I hugged him back, "Do you mind if I put my helmet in your truck? I don't feel like packing it around all day."

"Yeah." He said, pulling out his keys, "Let's go put it in there."

I got up and walked with him. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder, which was a normal move. Everyone knew this, so it wasn't a big shock. I wrapped my arm around his lower back, and looked up at him, "Thank you for staying my friend."

"Why wouldn't I?"

"I know you would stay my friend, it's just that I don't want people to choose sides. I want everyone to stay friends."

"Oh, you're referring to Jake." He said, looking down.

"Did he say something?"

"No, no. But if it came down to it, I would be on your side."

"No. You would be friend with everyone."

"Ki…"

"No Jared. I mean it." I said and stopped walking and faced him. "I do not want anyone to have to choose sides. He is more interested in my sister, and I am not stopping him, even if I lose my best friend."

He pulled me in and gave me a tight hug, "I know. I know. I won't choose. I promise."

I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him back. I hadn't realized how much he had grown over the summer and now I had to look up at him. "You've gotten so tall. When did that happen?"

"That's what happens when you don't hang out with your friends in forever." He laughs and then continues to his truck. He opens the passenger door and I toss my helmet in. I lock the door and then shut it. He puts his arm around my shoulder again and we start making our way inside the school. I could hear the car before I even saw it. Out of the corner of my eye I could see the Rabbit making its way into a spot close to us.

"Jared, I have to go. I don't want to be out here anymore."

"No, I am walking with you. I told you. Not choosing sides." He turned and waved, "Hey Jake!"

I could feel the glare coming to us, and I could feel Jared smiling. "Jared, don't egg him on."

"He is not a happy camper. And I am not 'egging' him on. I was saying hi to a buddy."

I couldn't help it, but I turned and looked at Jake. If the term 'If looks could kill' was an actual thing, I am sure Jared I would be dead right now. I just looked down and started walking faster into the school. Jared with his long legs kept up, and never once did his arm leave my shoulders. "Jared, you don't have to do this. I promise, I will be fine."

He stopped me, and then turned me to face him. "You don't get it, do you?"

"Get what?"

"I would rather be your friend than his. He is hurting the one person that I care about more than most the people at this school. I am not going anywhere. I promise." He said, placing a hand on my cheek and tilting my head up to look at him. I looked into his brown eyes. The eyes I thought were dirt at one point, somehow turned into a warm chocolate. "Ki, I told you that day in the hospital, I am not going anywhere. I have meant it that day, and I do now. I will always be here for you." He was getting closer and closer, and then tilted my head up just and inch and bent down and kissed me. I closed my eyes, and breathed him in.

The instant his lips left mine, I could feel mine wanting more. I took a step back and opened my eyes. He was smiling and looking down at me. "I have been waiting to do that for months now."

"Why didn't you do it sooner?"

"Cause I made him promise not to." Jakes voice boomed out from behind me. "Apparently promises don't mean anything to you people." He looked between Jared and I, and just shook his head. "I can't believe you Ki. Here you are, wanting me, but then kissing him. Do you know what that makes you seem like?"

"Go ahead and tell me Mr. I want your sister, but I want you too. Go ahead and tell me."

"It makes you desperate. Slimy. Some may even say a whore."

That stung. I put my hand to my chest and stepped back. "Really? That's what you want to call me?"

"I didn't call you it. I said some would."

My hands were balled into fists and down at my side at this point. I took a step back and swung. Mid-swing, something caught my right arm. "Ki, we need to go. He isn't worth it. He will get what is coming to him." Jared said dragging me down the hall.

"That's right. Run away. You're both like dogs with your tails tucked. Disgusting. Both of you." Jake yelled after us.

This time, it was Jared to throw fists. I couldn't hold him back. I could hear shouting coming down from the hall and couldn't determine if it was teachers or authorities. Then a flash beside me, pushing me out of the way, and I could tell it was Paul, Embry, and Quil, pulling the boys apart. Quil and Embry took Jake, and Paul pulled back Jared. "Enough!" Paul yelled, then turned to look at me. "What's going on here?"

"I'd rather not talk about it. Apparently, I no longer have a best friend in the one person that was supposed to be there. Don't worry. He still has Bella."

"What do you mean?" he asked, starting to ask more but was cut off.

School officials came and helped finish breaking up the fight. "What is going on here?" the principal asked, looking between the boys.

Jared looked at me and then back at Jake. "He called her a whore sir."

The principal looked at me, then at Jake, then back at me, "Is that true?"

"Yes sir." I said, the pain in my heart returning.

I could see the anger flash across Paul's face, as he looked at me and then to Jake. "I know you didn't do that."

Jake just hung his head and walked with the principal.

"Alright. I need all three of you to follow me." He said, leading us to the office.

The pain in my heart grew heavier, and my eyes started to tear up. Jared glanced at me and could see the pain in my face and put his arm around my shoulder again. "I don't want you talking to her again Jake. You've caused enough damage."

"No, you don't get to make that call." Jake said, looking at me. "You aren't her boyfriend, or anything. You're just as desperate as her for attention."

I turned and slapped Jake as hard as I could. "You don't EVER get to talk to me or about me again. Do you understand? I do not want you at my house. I don't want you around me at all."

"All right, that's enough. Young lady, you need to go sit down." He led me to a chair in his office with the boys in tow. "Sarah, can you call their parents? They are all going home today."

The assistant just nodded and went to the phones. I hung my head and put it in my hands. I couldn't help the emotions anymore and just started crying. I felt arms around my shoulders and could hear Jared 'shhhing' me. "It's okay. I promise. You've got me. I promise. I am not going anywhere."

I just nodded and tried to calm my breathing.

"Ki… I'm sorry. I didn't mean that." Jake said, walking towards me.

Jared stood up and placed himself between us. "No, I told you. You don't get to talk to her."

"Jared, Jacob, sit down." The principal said, walking back in. "All your parents are on their way. I want you all to sit here and be quiet until they get here." We all just nodded, and Jared sat back down by me, with Jake across the room. I calmed down and looked at Jared. He had a cut above his eye and his lip was split.

"Jared, your lip! Your eye!" I got up and grabbed Kleenex off the desk.

"Young lady, I said to sit down." The principal snapped at me.

"He is bleeding. I am not gonna let him just sit there and bleed." I said, pointing at Jared. I walked back over and started dabbing at the wounds. Jared grabbed my hand and held it as I put the Kleenex on the wounds.

"Thank you dear." Jared said, taking the Kleenex.

I could hear a grumble from the other side of the room but didn't bother looking. "Don't you care about me? Don't you care if I am bleeding?'

I turned around and snapped, "No. I don't. Not anymore. You've messed up. This is on you."

"Okay. Both of you," the principal said, pointing to Jared and me, "out in the office. Jacob and I are going to have a talk."

Jared got up, grabbed my hand, and walked me out to the office. I saw Jake getting up as we passed him. "Jacob, sit down. You're not leaving." I pulled the door shut and let them have their privacy.

We went and sat down in the corner and continued to hold hands. I grabbed the Kleenex and wiped away some more blood that trickled down his eyebrow. He winced. "How bad does it hurt J?"

"It doesn't."

"Don't lie to me." I said, getting up and going to the desk. "Can I get a cup of water?"

The assistant just nodded and went to her side office. A minute later she came back out with a cup of water. As I passed the principals door, I could hear yelling on the other side. "I DON'T CARE ABOUT HIM BEING HURT. I CARE ABOUT HER."

My heart skipped a beat and I paused for a second. But I continued walking and got to J. I handed him the cup and dug in my bag for my Tylenol. I pulled out two tablets. I handed them to Jared, and he took them. "Thank you dear. Thank you for taking care of me."

"Always."

I chose the seat next to him and laid my head on his shoulder. I closed my eyes, and yawned. "If you need a nap, take one. I will wake you when everyone gets here."

"She can't do that." The assistant said. I opened my eyes and saw her slowly sit back down. I could guess that she didn't push it further from the face that Jared had made. He leaned back and pulled my head back down to his shoulder. I closed my eyes again and breathed him in. He smelled of fire, and grease. He smelled good.

"J, thank you. I can't lose you. Not now."

"You won't. I promise." He moved his head and kissed my forehead. "I'm not going anywhere."

I yawned again, and slowly drifted away.

About 30 minutes later, Jared was shaking me. "Ki, the parents are here."

I looked around groggily, and yawned. I sat straight up when my dad came into the room and rushed to me, "What happened? Are you okay?" He asked, grabbing my face and looking to make sure I wasn't hurt.

I pulled his hand away, "I'm fine. I wasn't in the fight."

"Then who was?"

"Jared and Jake." I said, looking down.

"Wait. So you weren't in the fight, but you know why they fought?"

"Yeah."

"Charlie." Billy said, looking at me, and then at Jared. "Take her into the hall. Talk to her there. I don't think she wants an audience for this."

Dad looked back at Billy, and then to me, and then Jared. "Kierra. Hall. Now." I got up and followed him into the hall. "What happened exactly?"

"He called me a whore Dad. Jared was just defending me."

Dad took a second, took a breath, and then asked, "He called you a what?"

"A whore."

"You are telling me, that the boy I have watched grow up, and has been like family, called MY daughter a whore?"

"Yes. But please, don't be mad at Jared. Like I said, he was defending me. Jared and I kissed, and then Jake was behind us calling me a whore."

Dad's eyes got as big as saucers, "You and Jared kissed?"

"Dad, please, don't make a scene. Yes. He kissed me."

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. My heart hurts. For obvious reasons."

He pulled me into a tight hug. "I am so so sorry. He had no right to say that. Let's go get this over with. You are not in trouble with me. If they send you home for the week, then they do. But you will not be punished by me. I promise that."

"Thank you, Dad."

We turned and walked back into the office. Billy was not in sight, and so we assumed he was in the office with Jake. Jared's mom was sitting next to him, and so I sat down where I had originally been seated. Dad sat on my other side. Jared placed his hand on my shaking knee and rubbed his thumb back and forth. "You're okay Ki. I promise." I just nodded and continued shaking.

The door for the principal's office opened and he stepped out, "Okay, I would like for everyone to join us in here." We all got up and walked towards the room. It was big enough to fit us all in.

"Alright. Jake has told me his side, and his dad, but I would like to hear from you two. Jared?"

Jared nodded, "Well, Sir, I know that Ki and Jake have been fighting, but she asked me not to pick sides, because we have all been friends for the longest time. She didn't want fighting between us, not that that helped. Anyways, we put her helmet in my truck, and walked towards the school. Jake drove in and parked, and so I turned and waved and said hi. He glared us down, and Ki wanted to go in, so we did. She started apologizing and was upset. I've been growing feelings for her for months, and so I kissed her, and she kissed me back. Jake walked up and wasn't happy. Called us desperate, and then called her a whore. And so, I punched him. And we fought."

"I didn't call her a whore!" Jake yelled.

"Jake, sit." Billy said.

"Okay. Kierra, what do you have to say?" The principal asked.

"It's just the same as J. He called me a whore, and Jared defended me."

Jake huffed and sat back in his chair. "This is bullshit."

"Language Jacob." Billy said, giving him a look.

"Well, I think with everything that's been said, I am going to give you all 4 days suspension. We cannot have fighting in the school. Are we clear?" We all just nodded ours heads. "We will see you all back next week." I have already emailed your teachers and they should be emailing you your homework for the week. I expect it to be completed by Monday. Am I clear?" We all nodded again. "You are free to go."

Jake rolled Billy out and then we shuffled out one by one. Jared, his mom, Dad, and I all walked together. Jared's mom turned and looked at Dad, "I don't know about you, but my boy isn't in trouble. I don't like the way he went about it, but he was raised to defend a ladies honor."

"I am in agreeance with you. My girl isn't in trouble either."

"Would you mind if they hung out this week? Apparently, they have some… talking… they need to do." She giggled and looked at me. "I am sorry about this. You did not deserve to be called that."

"Thank you." I said, looking down.

"That sounds fine with me. As long as we get homework done?" Dad said, looking between us two. We both nodded.

"Can we go to the library?" I asked Jared, who just smiled at me.

"Yes. Let's go to the library. That sounds perfect."

"Thank you, Dad." I said, hugging him. "I will see you when I get home. I won't be long today. Were going to go study for some upcoming tests."

"You do that. I want all homework completed by the weekend. Got it?"

"Yes sir."

"You two go have fun. We will see you when you get home."

Jared's mom and my dad walked to their vehicles. I walked over to Jared's. "Do you want me to just follow on my bike?"

He unlocked his passenger door. "Hell no. Get in. You get to ride with me."

I laughed and hopped in. He shut the door behind me and went to his side, unlocked it, and hopped in. He started up the engine, turned the music down, and backed out. We got going down the road, and he reached over for my hand. We drove to the library like that, the whole way.