This chapter isn't that long but it was one of my favorite to write. Quil and Embry have fast become two of my favorite characters. I don't know their personalities exactly but I see Quil as fun and a bit naive/childish at times and Embry as very sarcastic. I love them. I wanted to write more of everyday life on the res and hopefully give Jacob some happiness that we all know he deserves. I hope you guys enjoy this bit of innocent fun. Please review and let me know what you think, good or bad! (Thanks to my overworked beta, Kate Pedroso, I appreciate your work.)

Disclaimer: All characters belong to the wonderful Stephenie Meyer and her Twilight series. Stephenie, I hope I've done Jacob justice.

I helped Billy put the groceries away and then took the Clearwater's car back. No one was around so I stuck the keys in their mail slot. I got in my Rabbit and started to head towards home, but after thinking about it decided I didn't want to. Its summer, I'm going to go nuts if I just hide out at home all day every day.

The day was turning out to be gorgeous. It was one of those rare days where the sun actually made an appearance and the breeze coming in through the window smelled of freshly cut grass. I suddenly felt the urge to run, really run. I drove home as quickly as possible and changed into my jean cutoffs, not bothering to button them. I let Billy know I would be back later; I didn't want him to think that I'd taken off on him again, and then I was hurrying towards the trees.

When I could no longer be seen from the road I stripped off the shorts and knelt down to tie them to my leg. Thank heavens Sam made that suggestion. The first time I had phased back to my human self was slightly embarrassing. I'd walked into the house that day to find Billy waiting for me and all I could do was hide myself with a tiny, greasy towel from the garage. Billy had just smiled and told me to go change while I turned beet red, despite my dark skin. Ever since then I kept a change of clothes in the Rabbit and the band on my leg.

Most of the modesty that I'd felt before had faded over time and now I didn't mind being half naked. I even enjoyed it sometimes. Especially to make a particular someone nervous, I reminded myself with a grin. Making Bella blush had become one of my favorite pastimes. Remembering that amazing red color against her pale skin, the heat of her face in my hands, how she would drop her eyes…it once made me wonder how far down her body the blush went. That brought back feelings of lust that I was actively trying to ignore. The figure in my mind had been the things dreams were made of, my dreams at least. She had starred in them more than once. Even as I thought about it my heart started to race and I could feel my blood pumping faster. STOP! I didn't consider myself a masochist, but I could feel myself welcoming this particular pain. I knew I had to stop.

I sighed and straightened up as I finished tying the band and started into a slow jog, then a sprint, then a quick leap into the air. A slight twinge and I was in my wolf form. Becoming a wolf didn't exactly hurt; it just stretched our human nerves as we tore out of ourselves. After awhile it could actually be pleasurable, or at least distracting.

I ran, the cool shadow of the forest welcoming my burning form. There were voices in my head now and I realized Embry and Quil were running too. Sam had said he wasn't going to schedule patrols, so they must have phased for fun. I didn't feel like returning to my human form, or returning home, so I tried quickly to keep my mind on an acceptable subject. An evil thought made me snicker, which sounded more like a bull snorting.

"I'm a Barbie girl, in a Barbie wooooorld,

wrapped in plastic,

it's fantastic,

you can brush my hair,

undress me anywhereeee…"

I heard a painful howl in the distance and barked my laughter, though I didn't stop singing.

Jacob, you wicked dog. That was Embry. He wasn't upset at all even though the song was horrible and I sung off key in my head (if that's even possible). Turn that racket off! The feeling of happiness was emanating from him left and right. It genuinely made me feel better.

Hey Jake, we're going to the cliff to do some diving! Wanna come? Quil asked. His enthusiasm was also contagious.

I had to admit to myself that I had missed my best friends. We all had been so caught up in the drama of 'this' world that the every day things teenagers enjoy doing often got left behind. Today was just another day to be ourselves, to enjoy something simple and uncomplicated. I felt some relief wash over my body. I'll meet you there.

It didn't take long before I could see the clearing near the cliff. I stopped running and phased back to my human form. I quickly untied the leather band and put my shorts on. Embry and Quil had reached the cliff before me and I could see them waiting.

One would think these were my brothers if they didn't know us. For all practical purposes, they are. And it is possible that Embry really is my brother…or Quil's. My brows furrowed andI purposefully ignored that for now.

The only real difference between us now was the fact that my thick black hair hung past my chin, where theirs' was cut extremely short. I reached into my pocket for a hair band and tied it out of my face.

Quil was bouncing up and down on the balls of his feet like a little kid. Add that to his 6'5'' solidly muscled frame and I couldn't help but laugh. His smile took up his entire face, the white of his teeth shining radiantly against his dark skin. "Oh man, Jake, its sooo good to see you!"

Embry looked over at Quil and shook his head. He reached over and put a hand on Quil's shoulder and held him down. "You leave for three days and look what you've done to this boy. Its sick and twisted I tell you. Is there something going on between the two of you that I don't know about?" he said suggestively, raising one eyebrow. Of course his smile was just as wide.

I rolled my eyes, smiling in spite of myself. "As if you wouldn't know, smartass. I'm pretty sure I'm into the female species thank you." I paused. "Well, then again, Quil might qualify for that." After that comment I had to quickly dodge a fist that Quil threw. If felt so natural, so good to be like this. I really missed this, I realized with a jolt. "Be good Quil or I'll throw you off a cliff."

"Not if I do it myself," he said. With that he raced to the edge of the cliff and dove off screaming 'bonzaaaaaiiii'. Crazy man, I thought as I shook my head. The fall wouldn't hurt us and the exhilaration was fantastic, but Quil never felt any hesitation to do stupid things, of which cliff diving would qualify for the rest of the population.

"How you doing, man?" Embry asked, putting his hands in his back pockets. I should have known it was coming.

I took a deep breath and tilted my head back as I exhaled. I really wish people would stop asking me that already. "I'll be fine. I just….need some time. This isn't something you get over overnight and I wish everybody would just respect that." I didn't mean to be so forceful with Embry, but I knew the message would get passed on to the others. It was better than having to say it another half dozen times.

Embry held his hands out in front of him in a motion of surrender. "Hey, I get it. I'm glad you're back and it's good to see you laugh. I am here if you need me and that is all I have to say." He turned around to face the edge of the cliff. "Are you coming?" he asked innocently. He leapt off, doing somersault after somersault in the air, landing perfectly in the water.

I crept to the edge, letting my toes dangle off. I stood there, arms out, eyes closed, letting the wind blow in my face. I didn't worry about my balance; being a werewolf made my senses amazingly perceptive. I wondered if this is what it would feel like to stand at the edge of the world. I smiled as a thought crept up. Maybe I should scream out 'I'm the king of the world' for shits and giggles. I let myself slowly fall forward, off the edge of the earth.

AN: I was trying to think of the most annoying song in the world and besides anything written by Britney Spears (who I absolutely REFUSE to use in any way, shape or form) and 'Barbie Girl' by Aqua popped right into my head. Of course the song is their sole property and they can keep it that way. haha

PLEASE review now and let me know what you think. I have more chapters waiting to be posted but I'd like to have more input. Thanks everyone!

Update: I've decided that I'm going to hold off on posting my next chapter until I get a little more feedback with some reviews. I've had well over 100 hits now in less than 10 hours and only three reviews. That disappoints me. I can't tell if it means people like it or if they thought it was garbage. I've only got 10 reviews total on seven chapters so...I'm going to wait until I get at least 10 more. Sorry, I used to hate it when authors would hold stories 'hostage' but now I understand why. Looking forward to hearing from you all!