Chapter 6

I woke up Sunday morning to a few texts and missed calls from Seth. He had texted me last night this huge ass apology and explained that something came up that he couldn't miss. I ignored him and had gone to bed, but not before opening the message so he could see I read it. Petty, I know. I read his recent texts, all asking if I was mad at him and him telling me how sorry he was and that he'd make it up to me somehow. I ignored them all again and instead went to shower.

Afterwards, I went downstairs and had breakfast. My mom had asked if I could get some groceries from the store for stuff for dinner so once I finished eating, I grabbed my keys, phone, and wallet and walked to the garage where my baby waited for me. My car was a silver BMW convertible that my parents had got me for my birthday this year. I loved her oh so much so I rarely took her out since I didn't want her to get dirty. Plus, with the weather being mostly rainy, the convertible part was usually rendered useless. Today was a nicer day then normal so I took the top down and blasted the radio on the drive into town, Kevin Rudolf's Let It Rock playing from my iPod. I was in a good mood. Sure, Seth bailed last night and I was very annoyed about it, but I met Embry and actually had a really good time with him. He seems really nice, even though he IS part of that stupid gang that hangs around town. Maybe people are wrong about them I thought to myself.

I got to the store pretty fast, only going above the speed limit by 10mph. Oops. I grabbed whatever foods were on the shopping list my mom had made and a couple things that I wanted; an iced tea, a magazine and a bag of gummy bears.

When I finished checking out and loading up my car, I decided I would stop by the hospital in Forks and see DJ. It wasn't too far out of the way and I haven't heard anything about how he was doing so I figured I could see for myself. Plus, I'm sure he'd love a visit! My mom and dad had said for me and Selena not too because they don't want us to get sick but it's been over a week so it can't be that bad.

"Hi, can you tell me what room DJ Walsh is in?" I asked the receptionist sweetly. She smiled and checked the computer screen.

"I'm sorry but there is no DJ Walsh currently in the hospital." She said and turned around to get more papers.

"There must be a mistake. He's been here for a week now, since last Sunday." I told her, leaning over the counter a bit to try and see the computer screen.

She turned back around and shook her head. "No, sorry."

"Ok, thank you for your time." I mumbled as I walked back to my car.

If DJ isn't in the hospital, then where is he? He hasn't been home and both of my parents said he was in the hospital. They even went and visited him. Where could he possibly be? I'll have to ask my parents when they get home.

As I drove home, I got a text from a random number-

So you clearly don't like the beach, but do you like cute tiny diners? That serve AMAZING lunch specials?

I smiled, realizing it must be Embry. He was asking me out on a lunch date. I smiled as I answered my reply:

Hmm, that depends. Are you asking me to come eat at a diner?

Yes. Yes I am :)

Then I loooooove cute little diners that serves amazing lunch specials!

Wanna meet at Emily's Café in an hour? I'm getting off of work now and can be cleaned and ready to go by then!

Works for me :)

I couldn't help the big smile on my face as I pulled into my driveway. I was going on a date with a cute older boy that I flirted with at a club… who am I?!

I ran inside, changed out of sweats and into a sundress with a belt tied around the waist, adding some makeup as well. After about 45 minutes, I decided I could head over to the diner. It may have been a bit early but I'd rather be early than late.

The door chimed as I walked in and I saw Embry already sitting at a table. He looked up at me and smiled, standing up to give me a hug hello.

"You look cute, I like your dress." I blushed and said thank you, sitting down in the seat across from him. We talked about our morning and nonsense things about ourselves, laughing and joking with each other like we've known each other for years.

My panini came quickly along with Embry's shit ton of…whatever it is he ordered, I lost track after the second plate. "Jeez, hungry I see?" I laughed.

"Stoooop you're making me self-conscious." He pretended to whine. I rolled my eyes and took a bite of my panini. Things were going great, I was having a great time and I think he was too. I hadn't even thought about Seth or Brady or DJ or anything about my crappy week!

That was, until the door chimed and Seth walked in, laughing with Jacob Black. My eyes widened in surprise that he was up and out with Jacob Black, I didn't think they even talked to each other, never mind hung out together. I looked back at my food before Seth could see me. A part of me prayed he wouldn't see me on a date. The other part said fuck you Seth, you should see how happy I am right now.

"Oh! Seth! Jake! Come here I want you to meet someone!" Embry called to them, waving them over to our table. I looked up in shock, how did he know Seth? "These guys are some of my best friends." He told me with a smile.

Best friends? What? Seth never talked to Embry once in his life. Ever, like not at all. Never. I sat in confusion as they walked over, refusing to look up and make eye contact with Seth.

"Stevie?" Seth asked in surprise. I ignored him and kept my glare on the salt shaker in front of me.

"Guys this is the girl I told you about! The one I met last night at the club." I gave a small smile to Jacob and turned back to Embry, blatantly ignoring Seth.

"Hi Stevie…" Seth trailed off, sounding hurt that I wasn't acknowledging him. Good! He should be hurt. He's been "sick" all week and can't text or call me, then leaves me hanging for a date, and then is suddenly best friends with Jacob Black and Embry Call. What happened to him?

"Hey, you okay?" Embry asked me quietly, looking back and forth between Seth and me.

"Remember how I told you last night that some guy had stood me up at the bar?" he nodded. "Well this is that guy." I nodded towards Seth, finally turning to look at him. His eyes were on the floor, his face full of hurt and guilt.

No one said anything. Seth lifted his head to look at me.

"Stevie I-" He stopped talking once our eyes met. He just stared at me, his face changing from guilt to awe. This strange feeling came over me, like a bunch of butterflies were in my whole body. I shivered slightly at the feeling, trying to ignore why Seth was making me feel that way. I looked over at Embry and then back at Seth, confused as to why he suddenly stopped talking.

"Of fucking course…" Embry muttered. I looked over and his face seemed sad. He started to stand up, grabbing his last half of a sandwich to go.

"What? Where are you going?" I asked, confused and surprised that he was leaving. "Are you leaving?"

"Yea I gotta. Sorry Stevie, it was great meeting you and I had a great time last night. I'll be seeing you around though." He gave me a kiss on the head and patted Seth on the shoulder. "Good luck man." He nodded for Jacob to follow him and the two guys left. I was dumbfounded. What just happened? Why did he leave? Why did he take Jacob with him? Why did he tell Seth good luck? What the hell!?

"Well?" I asked Seth, raising my eyebrow to ask if he was going to ever finish his sentence. The butterfly feeling had subsided. I figured Embry was gone but Seth was still here so I might as well talk to him and figure out what happened.

Seth blinked and shook his head a bit. "Stevie…" he said softly. I raised an eyebrow. "I'm so so so incredibly sorry about last night. I had never meant to bail on you but something came up and I wasn't able to tell you about it and I tried to text you and explain this morning but I know you were angry and ignoring me and I just- I'm so horribly sorry. Please forgive me." He practically begged, grabbing my hands and sitting down across from me. I kept my angry glaring expression on my face, but on the inside, I was kind of happy he felt so guilty.

Seth looked different from the last time I saw him. He was taller, buffer, his shaggy hair was cut a little shorter and… he had a tattoo?! Why has he changed so much? Was it because he was hanging out with that group of guys? Was he doing drugs with them? Was he trying to be cool? I lost all care about him avoiding me all week and ditching me last night. I suddenly was scared for him. What if he was involved with drug dealers? What if he's in trouble? My face changed from anger to worry as I thought about it all.

"Seth, why are you hanging out with Jacob Black? Are you in some sort of trouble?" I looked around the diner to make sure no one was listening to us. "You can tell me you know, I'm your best friend, you can tell me anything…" I urged him to confide in me quietly. I needed to know if he was going to be okay. His eyes had sparked when I said I was his best friend. Great, he's going to know he's off the hook with me being so angry. He knows I can't stay that mad at him.

"I'm fine. Don't worry about me. I'm not in any type of trouble, I promise." He smiled at me and I couldn't help the small smile that I gave back.

"Seth…" I began, unable to say anything because I didn't want to start a fight or an argument.

"I know, I have a lot of explaining to do and I will, I promise. But I can't right now because I have to go… help my mom with something. But we can meet up sometime this week? Please" he asked, looking at his phone for the time. Figures he can't stay and talk.

I sighed, "Don't worry about it," I said with a sad smile, "I'll just see you later Seth." I threw a ten on the table because Embry had left money too but I wanted to make sure there was enough to cover our meal. I patted Seth's head and left before he could say anything else. Something was very different about him and I had a feeling he was hiding something, something big and something important. And I was going to find out what it was.

"STEVIEEEEEEEEE!" I heard footsteps running down the hallway. I shut my locker but before I could turn around to see who it was, a pair of warm arms wrapped around my waist and hoisted me into the air.

"BRADY!" I laughed back when I saw the bracelets on his wrist, recognizing them as his. He put me down and pulled me into a hug. "Dude, I've missed you so much." I mumbled into his chest.

"I've missed you too." he mumbled into my hair. I pulled away and looked at him. He changed. Just like Seth, Brady seemed taller, leaner, buffer, and just different. He was wearing dark jeans that hung low on his waist and a tight tee-shirt that showed off what looked like new muscles. His hair, unlike Seth, stayed the same length as it's always been. I smiled up at him as he looked down at me.

"How are you feeling?" I asked. His eyes met mine and within seconds I saw his smile falter and his eyes fill with sadness. It happened almost too quick for me to notice, but I did. He got his composure back and answered my question.

"I feel great! Amazing actually! I'm so happy to be back and walking on two legs again. I actually missed it." He laughed but I looked at him in confusion.

"What do you mean you missed walking on two legs?" his eyes widened a bit, like he realized he shouldn't have said anything.

"Uhh, you know, cause I've been bed ridden all week. I haven't gotten up to walk around or anything, I've just been lying in bed…" he trailed off, almost hoping to sound believable. I have no idea what else he could have meant so of course I believed him. It made sense, when he gets sick he tends to milk it as much as possible and make everyone wait on him hand and foot while he relaxes in bed.

"Well, I'm glad you're better. Is Collin back too?" I asked, looking around for his partner in crime.

"Yea but he wanted to find Kat first, sorry." He chuckled, throwing his arm around me in a side hug. "C'mon, we have to get to class."

We walked together to music, talking about our week and what I had done without everyone all week.

"Dude it sucked so much. I was alone all week." Brady laughed at me as we made our way to our seats in the music room. The class was incredibly small, consisting of just five students, including Brady and myself. It was Advanced Music II, the senior course designed for seniors who were planning on pursuing a music-related career in their future. Brady and I were two of the top singers in La Push High and we had always wanted to do something involving singing in our futures. Who knew if that would ever happen but we took the class because it was a place for us to be able to come and sing every day.

"Yea, aside from our little group, you don't really have other friends." He said, throwing his bag on the floor and lounging in the chair next to me.

"Thanks Brady. Real sweet of you." I said, kicking his feet off the table and making him fall forward.

"Hey now, don't get testy just because I'm right." He ruffled my hair and I was about to say something when the teacher walked in. Mrs. Miller was our teacher for Advanced Music I last year so we knew her pretty well.

"Good morning class! I'm going to give you guys free time to work on writing or playing or whatever you guys wanna do this morning."

This course was amazing. We were required to write a minimum of 20 song pieces of various genres that we'll be assigned throughout the year. Towards the last half of the year, we will have to pick our top three songs and complete, edit, revise, and add music to them. We will then perform our favorite one at the End-Of-Year recital in June.

This week we were required to work on a song of any genre we wanted, so that we could get a feel for it all. I glanced at Brady from the corner of my eye and saw the huge grin on his face. We loved writing and making music and Brady and I were pretty good at it. We never usually write full songs because we get bored and move on to a new tune but this shouldn't be hard. I lowered my hand next to his and he quietly high-fived it. We were going to ace this class.

After Music, I had Math and then Science, both by myself. Lunch came slowly because my other two classes dragged. I walked into the lunch room and saw Seth, Brady, Collin, and Kat sitting at our usual table in the back corner, near the door to outside. I sat down between Kat and Brady, joining the conversation about some weird homework assignment Collin was given in one of his classes.

"It's so stupid. I get sick for a week and now I'm being punished for it. He's such an ass, like I wanted to get sick for a full week…" Collin mumbled, stuffing a third burger in his mouth.

"Damn kid, hungry?" I asked, laughing at his confused expression. He rolled his eyes and kept eating. Now that I looked around, I saw all three of them had a huge amount of food on their plates. "Jeez, are you guys making up for not eating at all last week or something?"

They nervously laughed but no one commented on my question. We laughed and joked for the rest of lunch and quickly fell back into our usual routine. Seth walked with me to English after lunch since we had the class together.

"Think Daniels is gonna take it easy on you since you were sick last week?" I asked him, laughing as he rolled his eyes. Seth and Mr. Daniels didn't get along very well, he was always picking on Seth for not paying attention in class and Seth hated it.

"Probably not. It's fine though, I'll just not pay attention like I always do." He smirked at me. "I'll just stare at you instead." He winked at me as he walked through the door and I think my heart skipped a beat. I know he was joking but he was so smooth and serious about it that I was questioning if he was actually joking or not. He must not have been joking because for the entire class, I would glance over at Seth sitting next to me and find him looking at me. He would look away as soon as I shifted my gaze on him but once I went back to taking notes I could feel his gaze again.

"Seth stop staring, you're making me nervous." I whispered, giggling at his blush.

"Sorry." He mumbled, looking back at his blank notebook page. I rolled my eyes and pushed my notes closer so he could copy what I had written. "Thanks." He whispered with a guilty smile. I just laughed.

We all fell into our normal routine for the week. Seth and I walked to school together, meeting up with Collin, Brady, and Kat before the day started so Brady and I could head to music together. We all ate lunch together and walked to class like usual. Seth continued to stare at me during English and when I teased him about it, he said he was just proving a point of not paying attention to Daniels but I felt it was something else. Whenever I caught him looking, he'd blush and turn away, as if he didn't actually want to be caught. I let it go because I didn't mind the extra attention from him.

"Wanna come over tonight and write?" I asked Brady on Wednesday morning. I lifted my journal so he knew I meant writing music.

"Uhh.. I uhh, I actually have something to do tonight or else I totally would!" he tried to hide the hesitation in answering me but I noticed it. I nodded and went back to my music journal, ignoring his second lame excuse at not hanging out at night. Last night he said he had too much homework to make up from being sick. It was believable but only slightly- Brady doesn't really need that much time to do his homework.

"Hey, what's that?" he asked, stealing my journal from my hands and jogging to the back of the room where most of the instruments were located. He flipped through my journal and scanned some of the songs I had written last week. "Damn girl, you wrote a lot last week!" he laughed.

"Yea well I had a shit ton of free time. What do you expect?" he laughed at my annoyed expression.

"Sing me one." he demanded, handing my journal back and pointing to the song on that page. "Preferably this one." I rolled my eyes but smiled as I went and sat at the piano. My favorite thing about this class was that we spent most of the period just working independently because we all knew what we were doing and were all good at it. We didn't need much teaching from Mrs. Miller.

I started playing some keys and began to sing the small part of a song I wrote last week. It was about Seth.

"Making my way downtown walking fast,
Faces pass and I'm home bound.
Staring blankly ahead just making my way,
Making a way through the crowd.

And I need you.
And I miss you.
And now I wonder:

If I could fall into the sky,
Do you think time would pass me by?
Cause you know I'd walk a thousand miles
If I could just see you tonight."

Brady had a small smile on his face. "Wow, I forgot how good you were on the piano. That was really good Stevie, I like it." He smiled at me and I playfully shoved his shoulder as he laughed, "So have you showed it to Seth?" he asked with a mischievous smirk.

My mouth fell open, "No, why would I show Seth? It was just something I was feeling in the moment about no one in particular. I probably won't even continue with it." He watched me closely but didn't say anything, following me to the door as the bell rang.