M I S T A K E N

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, or any of the characters.

((trumpet sounds)) so in my notebook…I've written up to chapter twenty-three. I may be able to update up to chapter twenty this weekend… I'm not sure – since I've got end of course exams to study for… I'll try my best, though! Enjoy this unbelievably short chapter!

17) protection )

"She's in bad shape," Embry mumbled. "She was in the clearing, crying her eyes out. When she left without us, Sam freaked."

"Thanks, Embry," I gently took Ari from him. He had brought her home, carrying her after finding her in the forest, crying. Embry smiled slightly at the sight of her in my arms before nodding and leaving. Ari sat up as soon as she realized she had been transferred from one set of arms to another. She protested when I told her I thought she should get some sleep.

"What happened?"

I had only asked her once. When she didn't respond, I left her alone. She retreated into my room, and I took it that she didn't want to talk. I sat on the couch for many hours, staring at the late news. Over and over again, they showed her face, family photos, and the sobbing neighbor. I turned off the television and ran my hand through my hair. I went to the fridge and got out a couple of slices of pizza. I warmed the m up and went to my room.

"Can I come in?"

"Sure."

I opened the door and immediately wished I hadn't. Ari was sitting up in my bed with her stuffed wolf in a strangle hold. Her back was pressed against the headboard and the sheets were tight around her shoulders. Her eyes were wide, wet, and blank.

The way she stared at me when I came into the room let me know that she was already calculating the calories in one slice of the sausage and pepperoni pizza. Her shoulders started shaking as she concealed her sobs in the fur of her stuffed wolf. She must have been thinking of what her father would say in a situation like this – that pizzas were the main ingredients of a heart attack.

"You haven't eaten anything," I mumbled, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"I know," Ari sniffed. "And my body will use my reserved fat cells, and I'm going to blow up and develop diabetes."

I smiled sadly. It was more than obvious that she had been the daughter of doctors. "Well, then maybe you should eat," I tried to suggest gently. I set the plate down on the nightstand. My eyes caught sight of the ribbon around her wolf's neck. The ring I had given her was attached.

"So I don't lose it," Ari murmured, watching me.

"What'd you name it?"

"Eli," Ari pursed her lips at the name before she started petting her stuffed animal once more. I glanced back at the pizza, hoping Ari would eat it, but she didn't even look. I wrapped my arm around her and held her close.

"I met Bella," She finally sniffed.

"Oh."

"She told me to tell you she's sorry. She really cares for you, Jacob. She just wants you to be happy."

I didn't know what to say, so I kept quiet. I wasn't sure if Ari was angry with Bella or with me. Maybe she was angry with both of us.

"Do you want to go back?" I finally asked.

"I have to," Ari sighed. "I don't know what to do. I don't know anything, anymore."

I narrowed my eyes as I ran my fingers through her hair. I felt her shift beside me, her face pressed against my chest, her tears wetting my skin. I wished I could talk to her without her breaking down, but I guessed everything reminded her of what she'd never be able to have. Her family was gone, there was now possible way she could get them back.

"I can't go back until I'm sure whoever did this is dead," Ari mumbled, her voice hard. "I don't want anyone else hurt because of me."

"You'd give anything to give them back."

"What kind of question is that?" Ari exploded, sitting up. "Of course I'd give anything to have them back! I'd kill myself, sell every possession, sell my soul…"

"What about me?"

"What about you?" She frowned.

"Would you give me, too?"

Ari's eyebrows arched in surprise. Her shock quickly developed into anger. "Would you give me to have Bella back?" Ari countered.

I closed my eyes. I smiled slightly, thinking it wouldn't be much of a fair trade. "No, I don't think I would because she'd never forgive me. It'd be like taking drugs away from a hopeless addict."

Ari was silent. She didn't apologize, and neither did I. She fingered her ring, then sighed. "I guess I'm stuck with you, whether or not I want a used model."

"So I'm a car now?"

"You're big enough to be mistaken for a house," Ari drew her knees to her chest and started to hum. I listened to her, but soon tuned her out when I found it was a song I didn't know – possibly in her father's tongue, since it didn't sound the least bit like English. I thought about what she had asked.

If it were possible – would I do it? Was I capable of that?

I covered my face with my hands and silently left Ari to herself, letting her mourn and reminisce in peace. Now I had to protect Ari not only from herself, but from myself as well.

I think this is the shortest chapter ever – basically filler. Ummm, next one is in Ari's POV. And Leah's in it! So – I'll try to keep her in character. What chapter is this, seventeen? Eight more chapters until the end. Whooooot! Please review.