A/N: Hi, everyone! So, yeah. Long time, no see. I'm really sorry for such a delayed update, but I was really struggling with this chapter. I am absolutely blown away by your amazing comments. Thank you so much for reading and commenting. Enjoy!

Kim was supposed to figure out how to go to the bonfire without her parents noticing and it made her a little queasy. She was a terrible liar, one of those sweaty, trembling, mumbling creatures that couldn't repeat the same story twice. She often thought about what she would do if the police ever questioned her. She'd probably confess to anything. It was a sad thought.

So, as she was standing in front of her very observant mother, she tried really hard not to look fidgety and constipated. She also had to remind herself not to blink too much. Stick to the truth as much as possible.

"So, you want to have a sleepover at your grandmother's?" Her mother cocked an eyebrow.

"Yes."

"Ok... but why?"

"We're having a girls' night?"

"You and your grandmother?"

"Yes."

Her mother sighed.

"Honey, I know that you like your grandma and, don't get me wrong, I think that's great, but... shouldn't you consider hanging out with kids your own age?"

Well, Kim would if her parents didn't disapprove of almost every teenager in La Push. But it wasn't the time to fight.

"People my age don't really like me."

"Oh, honey, I'm sure that's not true. You-"

"No, it's true. They think I'm a nerd. Besides, I like hanging out with grandma. She tells me stories about Quileute history."

Her mother still looked a bit suspicious, so Kim tried the magic words.

"I don't know, they might be useful in my college application."

Kim held her breath. Her mother's lips quirked. Bingo.

"Well, ok. But don't stay up too late."

"I won't. I'll just go get my stuff."

Her mother had told her multiple times that she would regret her clothing choices. At the moment, Kim really did.

In a wardrobe full of goofy sweaters and jeans, she was struggling to find a decent outfit for the bonfire. Decent, because 'gorgeous' and 'spectacular' flew out the widow as soon as she opened her closet. As she started rummaging through it, she tried to imagine what her sister would wear. Lizzie would probably pick something flimsy and tight, but Kim didn't possess any such item. Even if she did, it was starting to get cold, especially at night. Some people said that beauty was pain, but Kim wasn't about to freeze to be beautiful. So, she grabbed her favorite sweater, a black, fluffy V-neck that felt like a cloud against her skin, and a pair of worn jeans. She could at least be comfortable.

Her makeup game wasn't much better. All the makeup tutorials she'd seen required a bagful of products and brushes. She owned a mascara, an eyeliner pen and some lip gloss. There was also the question of her hair. She'd tried to curl it but ended up with a heap of limp, noodle-looking strands that hung around her face. She'd have to go with the messy bun - the savior of all ruined hairdos. It was the best she could do at the moment. She stuffed her outfit and her meager makeup into her backpack. Now, the only thing she had to do was convince her grandma to back up her lie.

The house was unlocked, as always. Grandma was doing a crossword in her favorite chair. When Kim came in, the old lady just gave her an over the glasses look and sighed.

"Well. I expect you be back no later than 1 o'clock or I will never help you again. If you're going to drink, I expect you to be smart about it. If you're going to have sex, I expect you to use protection. You WILL NOT get into a car with anyone who's been drinking and wants to drive. And absolutely NO DRUGS, Kimberly. Do I make myself clear?"

"Wha... How... how did you know?"

"Oh, please, you think this is my first rodeo? Your sister did this too many times to count. It was just a matter of time when you'd start."

"But, how did you know it was today?"

"I know everything," Grandma paused for the dramatic effect. "I also heard that boy invite you. I may have been eavesdropping. I'm not sure about him, though."

"Jared? Why?"

"I don't know, he reminds me of a Ken Doll. He's too..."

"Handsome?"

"Slick."

"Well, you're wrong. He's a great guy."

"Oh, I see. So, that's how it is."

"It's not how it is. He has a girlfriend."

"Why do you only like boys who have girlfriends?"

"FOR THE LAST TIME, I do not like Sam Uley."

"Fine. But, let me tell you, meddling with attached men can get you into trouble. I should know."

"I'm not even going to ask. But, I'm not meddling. I'm not doing anything."

"You're lying to your parents for him."

"I... It's not... I'm going to get ready," Kim's stomach fell. Was she really changing for a guy?

"Honey, I'm not judging. Every young woman has to go through it and you're no exception. I'm just telling you to be careful."

"Yeah. Thanks."

A little bit of lip gloss, a dab of mascara. A dash of perfume. Kim looked in the mirror and cocked an eyebrow. Well, not perfect, but not too bad either. She could live with that.

She wrapped her jacket tighter around herself and opened the door. Her heart beat a little faster and she wasn't sure if it was from excitement or fear. Walking away from her grandma's house felt like a crime and she hoped that no one would see her and tell her parents. She half expected for the Pink Panther theme to start playing in the background, the perfect melody for all her ridiculous sneaking.

"You really are an amateur, Connweller."

She jumped with alarm and gave a high-pitched squeak when Paul suddenly appeared out of the darkness.

"Moron! Don't sneak up on me like that - you scared the hell out of me! Besides, we were supposed to meet at your place, what are you doing here?"

"I was bored. You were taking forever."

"My mother could have seen you."

"Oh, boohoo. Grow a pair and start choosing friends by yourself. Amateur."

"Why am I an amateur?"

"Well, you're wearing the thickest jacket you could find."

"It's cold. That's what I'm supposed to wear, smartass."

"Or you could do what other girls do - wear something flimsy and wait for a dude to give you his jacket. It's common knowledge."

"It's idiotic. Besides, I'd probably freeze to death waiting for an offer - I'm not exactly popular."

Paul rolled his eyes and motioned for her to follow. They were taking a shortcut, stumbling in the dark, between trees and houses. Kim smiled at the thought that only weeks ago she would have been terrified to be alone with Paul in the daytime, let alone follow him blindly through shortcuts and darkness. Maybe she was naive, but it felt safe. She felt safe.

"Who are you supposed to be anyway - Shaft?" She tugged the sleeve of his faded leather jacket.

"Is that supposed to be an insult? Because it's not. Shaft's awesome. Also, he wears a leather coat, so you're wrong either way."

"Look at you being a nerd and all. If you like Shaft so much, why don't you marry him?" she laughed.

"I'm really questioning your sense of humor, Connweller."

She was still laughing when Paul stopped abruptly, and she slammed into his back and almost fell.

"We're here," he smirked.

"Jerk."

She wasn't sure what she'd expected. But a single bonfire and a bunch of kids hanging around it didn't seem like an exclusive basketball team party the kids from school had presented it to be. Most of the ones gathered were holding plastic cups, some of which would surely end up in the ocean. Kim shuddered at the thought. A few of the guys were playing some sort of a game and jumping over the fire. Kim winced when one of them managed to jump over, but then stumbled backwards and almost fell into the flames. His friends laughed. Kim wondered if it was too late to turn back and go home. Her bed and a good book seemed more appealing than Sophie's loud laughter, stupid bonfire games and the sheer exertion of trying to fit in. She looked at Paul and wondered how he did it. Many people disliked him, even more so than they did her, but he seemed completely at ease, like he had every right to be there. Kim was about to ask him if he really felt it, but suddenly someone rammed into them and squeezed them into a bear hug. Kim got squashed into Paul's left arm and it almost knocked the wind out of her. A bit of beer spilt from their attacker's cup onto Paul's jacket.

"You came! Lahote and Bad Girl in da house!" hollered a familiar voice.

"What the fuck, Cameron," hissed Paul, trying to shake the beer off his sleeve and pushing Jared. But Jared wouldn't budge. He just stood there, gripping their shoulders and grinning like an idiot.

"Oh, lighten up, Lahote, you're still pretty," he pinched Paul's cheek. "Kim, I'm so happy decided to join us." Jared's smile was blinding and suddenly it didn't matter that the party was lame and that she didn't know what to do. Kim was happy to be a part of Jared's world, even if it was just for a night. Even if it was just as a friend.

"Yeah, I'm happy to be here."

"You two sound like a really bad interview. So knock it off. Cameron, better make yourself useful and point us in the direction of beer."

Jared led them forward, still hugging them. They passed Sophie, who gave Kim a venomous glare. Kim drew in her shoulders a little. Some of the other kids gave her surprised looks. She guessed nobody could process she had any connection to Paul or Jared. She sometimes couldn't either.

"What will it be M'lady? Beer or... beer ?" Jared chuckled.

"Um, actually, I think I'll just have water."

" Connweller, are you chickening out?" Paul asked.

" No, I'm just not in the mood-"

" You've never tried beer before, have you?"

She blushed fiercely, she could feel it. Her ears and cheeks were becoming hot and she didn't really know why. So what if she hadn't tried beer?

"Paul, stop bullying her. If she doesn't want beer, doesn't want beer," Jared winked at her.

" I'm just asking a simple question, geez. I don't care, more for me."

" It's pretty bad, so you're not missing much," Jared gave her a consoling pat on the shoulder. The warmth of his hand went through her body like electricity, but she refrained from making any stupid comments.

"Yeah, I can see it kept you from drinking it," scoffed Paul. "How many have you had? Your eyes are all sparkly."

"A few."

"I don't buy it. You smell like a brewery." Paul tried to pour himself a cup, but only some leftover muck and foam came out. "Seriously?" Paul whined.

"Well, you two decided to be fashionably late. You snooze, you lose, baby," Jared just smiled and shrugged.

"If there's no beer, we might as well ditch this stupid thing and go home."

"I'm messing with you, there's another keg. Help me bring it. Kim, we'll be back in a minute."

Kim was instantly filled with dread. Why couldn't she go with them? She wanted to suggest it, but it seemed to clingy. They weren't her babysitters. She could handle being alone for a while. Even if she hated every minute of it.