III.

"Geez, Paul," Hugh leaned across Ken to give Paul's shoulder a shove, "please tell me you know her and don't look at all strangers that way."

"Never seen her before," Paul took another drag from his cigarette, blowing the smoke out of his mouth as he turned to look at his friends, his focus no longer on the girl he'd been staring at, "you know her?"

"I'm pretty sure I know a total of three girls from Forks," Ken said, glancing over at Hugh who only shook his head no.

"Beats me," Hugh shifted, pulling his jacket a little tighter around him as the wind increased, ruffling the large trees around the property. "But I have a feeling that'll change by the end of the night."

"Do you think he'll wait until the end, or swoop in right away?"

"Can you two please not talk about me like I'm not here?" Paul took a final drag from his cigarette before stomping it out, "and you're both wrong—I'm not going to talk to her."

"I don't believe you." Ken shook his head, Hugh nodding in agreement, "there's no way after what I just witnessed that you're not going to find yourself in a dark corner with her by the end of the night."

"Or in your car."

"I'm not here to hook up with anyone," Paul shook his head, "In fact, I'm really not all that interested in girls right now—they're more headache than they're worth."

Hugh and Ken exchanged a look as Paul headed into the house, following a few steps behind their friend. "Do you think he's serious?"

"I'm not sure," Hugh shook his head, "He's been in a weird mood lately—after everything that went down with Abby. So…maybe?"

"Well if he doesn't go up to her…"

"I don't think you have a chance with her," Hugh nudged his friend as Ken shot him a dirty look, "c'mon, let's get a drink."

Paul ignored the two behind him as they diverted off to the kitchen, opting to take a spin around the house to see what was happening. Most of the party was in the living room, where an impressive surround sound system was currently playing songs from a mix CD. He vaguely recognized a popular Ashlee Simpson song as he made his way through the crowd of teenage bodies dancing—or more like grinding. More littered the couches and armchairs of the large living area, with the move introverted students sticking to the perimeter of the room. He recognized a few of the kids from earlier, making their way out of the kitchen, red solo cups in hand.

From his position at the edge of the living area, he could see through the large doorway and into the kitchen, where dozens of wine coolers littered the counter with cheap beer mixed in. There also appeared to be a punch bowl he was almost certain would be spiked with some type of hard liquor soon if it hadn't already. Opposite of the punch appeared to be a handful of different 2-liter soda bottles all over the counter. He watched Hugh and Ken each choose a beer before turning his attention to the rest of the house. From his position he could see into the dining room where it looked like a card game was taking place, piles of money, both paper and coin, scattered across the table. On the opposite side of the house, a formal living area appeared to be the designated make-out room, the lights turned down much lower than the rest of the house.

Why was he even here again?

Paul was pulled from his thoughts as Ken handed him a beer, coming to a stop beside him near the sound system. "Your girl's in the kitchen," Ken slurped along the rim of the can, picking up the excess liquid before drinking it normally, "in case you were wondering."

"I wasn't."

"She's just drinking soda."

"...great."

Ken took a long drink, exhaling afterwards, "you're really not going to go talk to her?"

"I wasn't planning on it," Paul cracked open his own beer can, he wasn't super interested in drinking the piss water that was Bud Light, but he desperately needed something to do that didn't involve playing 20 questions with Ken.

"So you wouldn't mind if I did?"

Paul extended his arm in a sweeping motion towards the kitchen doorway, where he watched the girl from earlier step out with a few girls from her group, "be my guest."

Ken finished his beer and lifted it towards Paul's, tapping the edge of it against his. Paul only frowned as some of the liquid swished out of Ken's can and splattered across Paul's shoes.

"Wish me luck."

"Sure."

On his way towards the girl in question, Ken passed Hugh in the living room, the latter coming to a stop beside Paul as the former approached the girls.

"He's really going to shoot his shot, huh?"

"It appears that way," Paul sipped his drink again, grimacing as he did so, "this beer really sucks."

"Forks High," Hugh said, "lame set up. They don't even have brand-name soda in the kitchen. I can't even tell you the last time I had a Diet Rite."

"What's going on in there?" Paul purposefully turned his attention away from Ken as he greeted the girls, not wanting to watch whatever was or wasn't going to happen.

"Looks like a game of Texas hold'em," Hugh looked towards the dining room where Paul had motioned, "doesn't look like there are any seats available. You wanna play?"

"Nah," Paul shook his head, sneaking a glance towards Ken to see he was still talking to a few of the girls, one of whom was the one he'd connected with on the porch. A soft smile was spread across her lips as she held onto her red cup of what Paul now knew to be just soda. Everything about her screamed his type—from the tight jeans to the dark hair…under normal circumstances he'd definitely be flirting his way into a dark corner with her. But not tonight.

He couldn't get his dad out of his head. No matter what he did or didn't do, all Paul could hear and see was his old man leaning against the wall beside him, arms folded as he said, "women are the devil, son. You can't trust 'em."

Paul physically shook his head, trying to shake his dad out.

Was he going to be like this his whole life?

He really hated Abby and Dan at the moment.

"How'd it go?"

Paul had been so wrapped up in his thoughts that he hadn't realized Ken had made his way back over to their group, a smile across his face.

"Good," Ken nodded, taking a sip of his drink, "she's really nice—her friends are really nice too."

"And…?" Hugh motioned for Ken to continue.

"Her name's Daphne," Ken glanced back over towards the girls to see them talking amongst themselves, one of the guys from their group having joined them now, "she's a senior at Forks. Just moved to town."

"Interesting," Hugh said, "what else you got? Did you get her number?"

"She says she's not interested in dating anyone, but wished me luck in finding someone else this evening."

"So I guess that's a no?"

Ken rolled his eyes at Hugh as he sipped his drink, "it wasn't a 'no,' she just isn't interested in dating right now."

"Sounds like a no to me. What do you think Paul?"

"I think I gotta get a different drink," Paul exited his friends conversation quickly, he wasn't quite sure why it was bothering him so badly, but he knew he wanted to be as far away as possible from this talk.

The kitchen was mostly empty when he walked in, a few kids from Forks loitering in the corner near the refrigerator. Paul made quick work of tossing his can before reaching for a red cup and selecting a soda for it. He really wanted some of the punch—what he wouldn't give to forget for a little while. But he was in Forks, and the cops were a little more strict and the last thing he wanted was to have to call his dad from the drunk tank and explain to him not only where he got the alcohol, but also why he'd consumed so much.

Paul took a sip of his soda after he finished pouring it, inwardly groaning at the flat tasting liquid.

Could this day get any worse? He needed to get out of here.

Before he could exit the kitchen a sinking feeling settled in his chest as he watched one of the kids in the corner pull out a small clear baggie, a single white pill between the plastic. Pretending to reach for a few beers, Paul watched out of the corner of his eye as one of the kids, a tall ginger haired guy, slipped it into a drink. The two whispering together as the other shoved the baggie back into his pocket. The kids looked around, eyed him for a moment and then quickly exited, leaving Paul alone in the kitchen.

Shit. He couldn't leave now.

Paul inhaled deeply as he leaned against the counter, sipping the flat soda slowly, coming up with three options. He wouldn't be able to notify anyone—the party was a Forks High party and they'd take one look at him and laugh.

He could call the police to break up the party—but that could land him into some trouble too.

Or the third and most likely option was to watch the kids and let whoever they were trying to drug know as soon as the switch was made.

He must've been born under a bad sign or something.

Across the house, Daphne sat with Jessica Stanely and Angela Weber as they people watched. "Oh here comes Kirk," Jessica nudged Angela who only hid her smile behind her own cup.

"Kirk's on the swim team," Angela whispered over to Daphne who sat beside the girls with an amused look on her face.

"Is it a secret?"

"No," Jessica shushed them, her voice a little louder than Angela's. Daphne was only slightly suspicious that the punch Jessica kept raving about wasn't just punch, "but the padding he uses is."

"Padding?"

"We think he pads his Speedo, if you know what we mean."

"Yeah," Daphne laughed, sipping her soda as she eyed the tall, lean guy in the corner, "I think I cracked your code."

"But he's just so thin," Jessica shook her head, "I don't see how he could be packing something that…not thin!"

"Shhhh," Angela giggled, Jessica joining in a moment later.

"You two are having way too much fun," Daphne laughed softly, leaning back against the couch the girls sat on, "did you both get punch?"

"Speaking of small or not small," Angela knocked her knee against Jessica's, "how's your guy in Austin?"

"Basically non-existent," Jessica rolled her eyes, "we met up a few times when I was there this summer. He's a really, really, good kisser, but he's only emailed me once since I've been back. I don't think he's interested."

"That sucks." Angela leaned heavily against her friend, the girls watching as highschoolers alternated from dancing to talking in between songs, "do you think Mike'll ask you out again? You guys looked a little close earlier today…"

Jessica glanced sideways toward Daphne, "are you gonna blab to Mike about anything we say?"

Daphne made quick work of miming her lips being locked up and throwing away the key. "I'll pretend like I can't even hear you."

"No, no," Angela clumsily reached over and grasped Daphne's hand in her own, "no, we don't want to alienate you." Angela looked over at Jessica, "besides, she could have some really good insight into Mike. Right, Daphne?"

"Sure..."

Jessica looked as thrilled as Daphne felt.

"You and Mike called things off and…"

"You don't need the whole play by play," Jessica waved her hand, drowning the rest of her drink, "if we're going to do this, I need more."

Jessica was gone before either Angela or Daphne could blink, the two girls staring at one another.

"I think she really misses Mike."

"Love makes us do weird things."

"Does Mike love her?"

"I…" Daphne shook her head, "no, I didn't…that's not what I…ugh."

Daphne had forgotten how not awesome it was to deal with tipsy highschoolers. Sighing, she continued, "from my perspective, it seems like both Jessica and Mike wouldn't be opposed to getting back together."

"I think you're right," Angela nodded, her eyes zeroing in on a trio of guys across the room, "why aren't you going to talk to that guy from the reservation?"

"Who?"

"The guy from the porch," Angela turned her full attention back to Daphne, "the one you were staring at. I've only seen looks like that in the movies."

Daphne bit down on the rim of her plastic cup, the plastic hard between her teeth as she stared over it in the direction of the guys she'd seen on the porch. They stood near the staircase by the front door. Every so often they'd whisper something to one another, but for the most part it looked like they were looking for someone or something. Daphne released the cup just as her eyes met those of the guy she'd connected with on the porch.

He held a cup of his own in his hand and he seemed to take in her surroundings slowly, eyeing first Angela and then the kids surrounding them before his dark eyes returned to her own.

"Him," Angela nudged her, "his friend came over to talk to you earlier, right? If someone looked at me like that…"

"New topic, I think."

Angela seemed to hesitate, unsure what to do as Daphne purposefully broke the eye contact she'd had with the guy, her focus now on Jessica as she weaved her way in and out of bodies before plopping down onto the sofa beside Angela. "Alright, I'm here," Jessica sighed, sipping her drink greedily, "I think Mike's penis…"

"Oh no," Daphne shook her head, pushing herself into a standing position, "no, this I can't do. Good luck, ladies. Go easy on the punch, yeah?"

Daphne left them before they had a chance to say anything, doing her best to make her way out of the slowly heating living room. Even though the temperature had dropped considerably outside, with both the heat and this many bodies inside, Daphne could feel herself starting to sweat.

As she made her way along the perimeter of the room, she spotted Mike and Tyler in the dining room, cheering on Ben and Austin as the rest of the table folded their hands. Briefly she could see Lauren Mallory and a girl Daphne didn't know talking to the guy by the surround sound system, they seemed to be laughing and joking about something. Eventually the guy ended up taking a CD from them and Daphne couldn't wait to hear what this was going to be.

She slowly made her way outside, pushing through the two french doors that led out onto a large deck. Daphne was surprised to see a few nice heaters scattered out along the wrap around back porch, as well as various pieces of patio furniture. As Daphne took in the couples spread out on the furniture, she realized she wasn't the only one wanting to escape the loud and warming living room.

"Daphne, hey!"

Daphne turned her head to see Will sitting near one of the heaters with a few students she didn't recognize. "Hi," Daphne held up a hand and at Will's beckoning, she made her way over towards them.

"This is our new addition I was telling you about," Will held his hand out towards Daphne as she took a seat on one of the patio chairs near the heater and Will's group, "Daphne's going to paint some of our pieces."

"You have no idea what a life savor you are," one of the girls leaned over and rested her hand on Daphne's elbow, "that's such an important role in the theatre process—"

"I really just wanted to get out of gym."

Will laughed, shifting his drink from one hand to the other, "Daphne this is Nicole Casey, Whitney Heart, and Brian Lancaster. Guys this is Daphne Blake."

"Nice to meet you all."

"Likewise," the girl called Whitney lifted her own red cup and smiled back, "Will says you just moved here from…?"

"California."

"Oh, where in California?" Nicole, the one who's spoken earlier about theatre roles, sat up straighter, "Los Angeles?"

"Orange County."

"But that's close," Nicole's eyes were wide as she clasped her hands, "have you seen any movie stars? Celebrities?"

"Not that I know of, sorry."

"Is The O.C. filmed in Orange County or—"

"Let's talk about something else, guys," Will didn't know Daphne very well, but he could tell the constant questions about California were starting to make her uncomfortable.

"Do you plan on trying out for any parts in the musical?" Brian asked, "or did you really just get roped into painting set pieces?"

"I really just wanted out of gym," Daphne smiled, "but I'm happy to help out. Are you all in…it…?"

"Beauty and the Beast," Will said.

"Will's the stage manager," Daphne didn't miss the way Nicole looked over at him and all but batted her lashes while Whitney explained, "but other than that, we're waiting to hear who gets which part."

"I hope you all get what you want."

The three smiled back at her as Will took a drink of his soda, "are you enjoying your first Forks High party?"

"They're dreadful, really," Nicole sighed, "but there's almost always nice punch and in a town like this, that's the most you could ask for."

Whitney laughed.

"It's alright," Daphne shrugged, "pretty standard. Minus a pool, I guess."

"It would cost a fortune to heat that," said Brian.

"What brings you to Forks?" Whitney shifted in her seat to better face Daphne, "not that we're not happy to have you, but people usually move out, not in."

"The Newton's are my family," Daphne said, "so Forks seemed like a logical choice."

"Your whole family moved?"

"No, just me."

Daphne sipped her drink as silence fell upon the group. Brian and Nicole exchanged glances before she caught Nicole mouth something at Will, who in turn rolled his eyes back at her. Whitney only smiled, "well, that's an adventure. I hope you're enjoying your time here so far."

"So far so good."

"You're a senior—"

"Hey, sorry," Daphne turned around to see a blonde girl with a clean face approach, her eyes wide as she stood off to the side, "I couldn't help overhearing your conversation. You're Daphne Blake, right? The new girl?"

"That's me," Daphne didn't even bother to hide the flatness from her tone. Was it too early to try to leave?

"I'm Jennifer Ford," the girl held her hand out, Daphne taking it a moment later, "captain of the soccer team. Ms. Gereld gave me your information, I was planning on calling you this weekend, but since I've got you now, do you have a few minutes?"

Daphne wasn't sure which was worse, answering a million questions from Will's theatre friends or having to inevitably explain to Jennifer that she didn't want to play soccer anymore. Sighing, Daphne nodded and pushed herself to her feet.

"It was nice meeting you all, I'm sure we'll see each other soon?"

"Yes," Whitney waved excitedly while Will gave her an apologetic smile, "we'll see you Monday!"

Daphne followed Jennifer away from the group and over towards the side railing across the porch, the two leaning against it. "Sorry to pull you away from your friends."

"I'm just mingling tonight, it's alright."

"Ms. Gereld said you would be hard to convince to join the team," Jennifer said, "but we would love to have you. I mean it. I know a lot of girls say that in the movies and then they try to bash your head in with a soccer ball or steal your underwear after practice, but I really mean it. We'd be lucky to have someone like you."

So Jennifer had access to an Internet search engine.

"I really appreciate your words," Daphne said a moment later, "but I'm honestly happy just being a regular student right now. Things back home were…chaotic, and I'm looking forward to it not being that way here."

"I read about the accident and I totally get that, but just know that it's a standing offer and that we'd love to have you anytime. Our next practice is—"

Daphne wasn't sure if she blacked out or if Jennifer just started talking in a different language, but all she could hear was water rushing into her ears as the sound of her heartbeat took over her entire sense. Jennifer's mouth was moving but nothing was coming out.

The accident?

"I read about the accident…"

There were articles about it?

Daphne hadn't bothered to look into it, she'd assumed that it wouldn't be significant enough to end up anywhere. But now as she stood there, staring at Jennifer as she rattled on about soccer games and schedules, Daphne wondered if this had all been a mistake.

She came to Forks to start over, to be a normal highschooler again and to try to get through her senior year as easily as possible. But now she was starting to regret that. Perhaps she should have stayed with the devil she knew.

"Hey Jen," Daphne snapped out of her conversation with Jennifer as she felt Mike's hand rest on her elbow. "D'you mind if I take Daphne for a minute. I need her help with something."

"Of course! Just keep what I said in mind, it was nice to meet you."

Daphne only nodded.

Mike took Jennifer's place as the blonde made her way back to her own group of friends further down the porch. He ducked his head to look at his cousin, not liking the wide eyed, pale look she had on her face.

"What happened?"

Daphne didn't say anything.

"Daphne," Mike squeezed her elbow, "what'd she say? Jen's harmless, I wouldn't think she'd say anything rude—"

"Mike!"

Mike turned his head to see Angela standing near the doorway, her arm thrown around a swaying Jessica. "Uh, geez," MIke turned back to Daphne, "can you stay right here for a second? I'll be right back."

Daphne only watched Mike disappear back inside the house. She stood there for what felt like both hours and seconds, everything slowly fading into nothing as she ran through the events that had led her to Forks. The argument, the break up, the phone call, the news.

Suddenly she felt sick.

"Hey, are you Daphne?"

Daphne was thrown from her memories for the third time today, her attention snapping back to the present as she stared at a tall guy she'd never seen before.

"What?"

"Daphne," he said, "are you Daphne? Mike just told me to tell you he's going to take Jessica home and that he'll be back soon."

"Oh, ok."

"You ok?" The guy lifted his eyebrows as he looked her over, "you look a little sick. Do you need some water or something?"

"Yea—yeah. Water would be good."

Daphne allowed the tall kid to lead her back into the house and the next thing she knew she was sitting on a very comfortable loveseat in a much quieter room.

"I'm Zack," the guy held out a cup of what she presumed was water, "here, have some water."

She'd just taken a small sip of water, glad to wet her tongue and hope that she would soon be able to think a little clearer when everything went from bad to worse to confusing.

"Daphne," her name sounded nice from unknown lips, her head turning quickly to find the source of the voice. His tall frame stood in the doorway of the room, just as intimidating and interesting as she remembered from the porch, "let's go."

Daphne knew she was having trouble at the moment, but she really didn't remember meeting this guy. Had she spaced out for longer than she thought?

"Hey man," Zack, apparently, shook his head, "I've got her. Mike said he'd be right back."

"Yeah, I heard what he said." The second guy shook his head, "and unless you want to explain to Chief Swan what's in that cup, you'll leave now."

There was a brief stare off before Zack left the room, leaving Daphne alone with the guy from the porch and apparently something in her hand that was not just water.

Daphne set the cup down on the coffee table, staring at it curiously as Paul turned his attention towards her, "are you ok?"

"I think so?"

"Did you have anything to drink from that?"

"Barely, like a small sip, if that."

He took the drink from the coffee table and left with it. Daphne wasn't sure if he'd be back anytime soon, or if at all, so when she stood to leave the room she was surprised to find him walking back in.

"You're back."

He gave her a funny look.

"Is Mike really gone?"

"Yeah, he's taking the drunk girl home. You're supposed to catch a ride home with Tyler. But this asshole stepped up and well, here we are."

"Was the drink really drugged?"

"Yep."

"Well, thank you. I'd introduce myself, but apparently everyone knows who I am tonight. So I'll just let you get back to the party."

Daphne expected him to move aside and let her exit the room, but instead he stood there staring down at her and if she hadn't been teetering on the edge of a panic attack, she might have found herself gazing back at him like she had earlier on the porch. But instead she broke away from his gaze and made her way around him.

"I'm Paul."

Daphne paused in the hallway, looking back curiously at the guy she now knew to be Paul. He was tall, even from this far away as he stood in the doorway she could see how tall he was. On the lean side, but he filled out his jacket nicely.

"Daphne."

"So I've heard."

Daphne only laughed softly, "thank you, again. Really."

"I'm pretty sure it was a prank," Paul offered, "I don't think it was intended for anything other than hazing. But regardless…illegal."

"How did you know? You don't go to Forks, do you?"

"Thankfully no," Paul took a few steps closer, the corner of his lip twitching, "no offense."

"None taken."

"I saw him and his buddy put it into a drink earlier. They made the rounds around the soccer team and diluted it into various cups that they drank. I don't know what it is, some sort of hallucination—a party drug probably."

"In Forks, Washington—who would've thought."

"It's the small towns you've gotta watch out for," Paul said, "I'll get you back to your friends."

Daphne walked down the hall after Paul, the two making their way back into the living room. Paul spotted Ken and Hugh near the front door where he'd left them. They nodded towards him and Hugh mimed driving before the two left the house. He'd catch up with them later.

The crowd of highschoolers seemed to have doubled, although Daphne recognized less people than before. Mike and Jessica were obviously gone, but she didn't see anyone else from the group either. Chancing a look over at Paul, she noticed that he also appeared to be coming up empty on finding someone from her friend group. Although he did pause briefly on the boy's varsity soccer team, the group doing its best to leave the house party as quickly as they could.

"I'll take you home." Paul nodded towards the front door, "I'm sure it's on my way out of town."

Daphne hesitated and Paul lifted his eyebrows, "do you think I'd save you from being drugged only to murder you or something?"

"Stranger things have happened, I'm sure."

Paul slid his hand into the pocket of his jeans, pulling out a set of car keys, "would it make you feel better to drive?"

"I don't know my way around town."

"Well, it looks like we're up a creek then."

Daphne gnawed on her lip as she glanced around one last time, failing to notice Paul zeroing in on the motion before he immediately kicked himself out of that thought process and back onto his 'swearing off women' promise.

"You're not going to kidnap me?"

"Kidnap you?

"Adult-nap me?"

Paul gave her a flat look.

Daphne sighed, "ok, but I'm going to text my cousin and if I don't make it home he'll know why."

Paul only nodded before leading Daphne out of the house. The two made their way off the porch and down the steps before moving towards Paul's parked car. True to Paul's word, both Mike and Tyler's cars were gone, as well as Jessica's car.

Daphne fired off a quick text to Mike that said she'd be home soon and if she wasn't to call the cops.

Mike only responded with several question marks.

"That guy—Mike. He's your cousin?"

"Mhmm," Daphne watched as Paul pressed a button on the fob and an older model Toyota 4Runner lit up.

She watched Paul walk around the SUV, glancing over at her as he opened the door, "having second thoughts on driving?"

Daphne shook her head before climbing into the passenger seat. While Paul emptied his pockets into various places of the car, Daphne busied herself with buckling her seatbelt, eyeing the pack of cigarettes Paul had tossed into a cup holder before starting the car.

"How long have you smoked?"

Paul glanced over at her as he shifted the car into reverse, his hand coming up to rest on the back of her headrest. The car idled for a moment as he took in her question, his eyes also glancing towards the pack before looking back at her. "A few months or so."

The atmosphere in the vehicle started to feel more charged and she worried if she kept holding Paul's look that they both might combust, so she turned her attention away to look out the window at the house.

"How long do parties usually last around here?"

"The cops will probably break this one up in the next hour or so," Paul said, "the constant flow of cars in and out will start to wear on the nosy neighbors and they'll call the police."

"Do you crash Forks parties often?"

"More often than I care to," Paul admitted, "where's your cousin live?"

Daphne gave Paul the address to the Newton's house and watched as he took off down the dark road she'd driven in on with Mike a few hours ago. The clock on the dash glowed ten 'til midnight and Daphne secretly hoped that Mike had actually left a window open.

The drive back to Mike's house was filled with a comfortable silence, the radio playing softly combined with the sound of the turn signals helped sooth Daphne's anxiety. It had been a hectic end to an even crazier week and Daphne was glad that she would be able to sleep off some of her emotions tomorrow morning. She'd only known Paul for a few handfuls of minutes now, and while he didn't strike her as a talker she was grateful that he hadn't tried to make any small talk with her—or worse, ask her why she moved to Forks.

The comfortable feeling of Paul's seats had almost started to lure Daphne into a doze when Paul's voice broke through the silence, "should I park a few houses down or…?"

"No, I think you can pull into the driveway," Daphne said, "worst case Uncle Greg is on the porch with a shotgun and I'll tell him the soccer team tried to drug me."

"Let's hope that really is the absolute worst case scenario," Paul glanced at her sideways, "I'd rather not have to do that whole song and dance tonight."

"You and me both."

To both Daphne and Paul's relief, the house and surrounding area was quiet as Paul pulled into the driveway behind Mike's car. Daphne waited until Paul slipped the car in park to thank him again.

"It's nothing. On the way, really."

"Regardless, I appreciate it," Daphne unbuckled her seat belt, "I also appreciate the not prying."

Paul only lifted an eyebrow.

"You're the only one that hasn't asked me a million questions this week," Daphne said, "so thank you. Really."

Paul only nodded, watching as she returned the seat belt to it's place before resting her hand on the door handle, "let me know if you ever need a ride," Paul found himself saying, to both his and Daphne's surprise, "I'm the only Paul Lahote in La Push."

"Lahote," Daphne smiled at him "I like that."

Paul was pretty sure his brain short-circuited as he nodded wordlessly.

This was the most comfortable Daphne had felt all week, and as she pushed down the guilt that threatened to bubble up, she reached across the console to grab the cigarettes. Pulling a pen from her purse, she scribbled something on the pack before placing them back in the cup holder, "it's a bad habit, you know."

Paul rolled his eyes good-naturedly, "I'm just trying it out."

"I think you can find something else to round out the bad boy persona," Daphne slipped out of the car and gave him one last smile before closing the door and heading into the house.

Paul waited until he was down the street, idling at a stop sign to look down at the pack of cigarettes. There on the side in neat writing Daphne had scrawled her first and last name, followed by a ten digit number.

He sighed deeply.

So much for swearing off women.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Please review!

Question of the chapter: Who's your favorite character from the Twilight universe, and why? :)