Chapter 2

Begins during the beginning of August, school starts in two weeks.

Now I'm 18, it's the summer before my senior year, and I finally convinced my mom to let me come home. My excitement is unfathomable. The day she agreed, Thursday, I packed up all of my clothes and important belongings, threw them into my dark blue Chevy Tahoe and hit the road to finally return to my family and best friend Kim. The whole week it took me to drive was filled with memories. I remembered Kim and I stalking Jared at the beach. Leah and her old boyfriend Sam babysitting me. Seth and I being inseperable. That last one was comprised of hundreds of specific moments. But the very last one happened right after I landed in Virginia. He called in tears, apologizing every way he could, saying he'd never forgive himself for hurting me the way he did. I told him it was ok and not his fault, and over the years I've continued to tell him, but he didn't forgive himself then, and as far as I can tell he still hasn't forgiven himself now. Just thinking of those phone calls and That day, I absentmindedly run my hand down the scars over my left ribs. As much as I forgive what happened, my body will never let any of us forget it. I snap myself out of those thoughts the moment I pass a "Welcome to La Push" sign, I'm finally home! After winding my way through the dirt gravel streets and passing the beach, I finally pull in front of our old blue house where two boys seem to be waiting. Did I mention that these boys are ridiculously tall, muscled, and shirtless? Oh yeah, and incredibly hot… Clearly they are wolves. As I hopped out of my car their heads swiveled my way and jaws dropped. I guess I should mention that I haven't only changed mentally or emotionally, but physically too. The last time anyone around here saw me I was short, flat chested, beanpole skinny, and quite plain. I wouldn't say I was ugly, but definitely not gorgeous…simply plain. But these last four years I've grown a lot taller, 5'11 to be exact. My curves decided to make an appearance, in all the right places, might I add. I'm not just skinny anymore either, since I started running and working out I have toned up a lot. And last but not least, I am no longer flat chested, in fact I'm a nice 34C, thank you very much! I'm definitely not one of those girls that knows just how hot she is, because I don't consider myself really hot. I just know that I look pretty damn good, I'm treading the line between cocky and confident. Anyways, the boys manage to close their mouths just as I'm reaching for the doorknob.

"Aren't you going to knock?" asked the shortest one – and I'm using shortest very loosely because they are all more than a foot taller than me.

Laughing as I turned to him and replied "Why would I knock to get into my own house?" before winking at him and heading inside. I honestly don't know what their reactions were because I was immediately trapped in the warmest, strongest hug I have ever received, coming from a screaming Leah.

I was gasping for air as I tried to return her bear hug. "Leah…..can't…breathe...Dying….now…."

"Leah! Let your sister breathe! At least long enough for me to get a hug in!" I recognized that voice, as I looked around Leah's shoulders I saw my mom and became a five year old again.

"Mommy!" I shrieked as I ran into her arms, "I've missed you so much! I'm never leaving again!"

She held me for just a few seconds before I felt something wet on my shoulders, she was crying!

"Oh my little girl is home, my family is together again!" she said between sobs before pulling back and taking a look at me. "Oh my word, Sidneigh. You aren't a little girl anymore; you've grown into a beautiful young woman!"

"A really hot young woman," whispered the shorter boy, causing the other start laughing.

"Dude, don't call my sister hot, that's gross," said a familiar voice behind me.

I spun around so fast I probably got whiplash, but it was worth it because standing in front of me was my twin brother Seth. I motioned to hug him, but he stepped back and looked down at his feet. "Seth, I haven't seen you in four years, Twinner! Give me a hug right now!" I requested with a smile. He took a moment before looking up with the saddest look I have ever seen in my life before admitting, "Last time I was close enough to hug you, I nearly killed you." His voice cracked when he said the last part.

I don't know if I was just really emotional being back home, or if I was really upset he still beat himself up about That night, but I just broke down crying and bawling as I argued "Its not your fault! *Sob sob* I'm fine! *sob sob* please just give *sob* me *sob* a *sob* hug! *sob sob sob*" Until finally I felt him gingerly hug me as though he were hugging a china doll. I don't know how long I cried in my brother's arms or when I fell asleep, but next thing I know I'm being shaken awake by my mom. "Wake up sweetie," she whispered gingerly. "The pack is having a welcome back party for you at Sam and Emily's house, so go get ready!" As my mom knows, I am barely coherent when I just wake up so my usual response is a mumbled "Mafmph." Two seconds later I'm being hit with a pillow by Leah who is simultaneously jumping on the couch that I'm sleeping on. "Wake up sleepy! I'm hungry!"

"Ugh fine!" I yell as a head up to my room to get ready. When I walked into my room, my jaw dropped. It was exactly the way it was when I left it. My Caribbean blue walls, my dark blue bedspread, my corkboard on my wall with pictures of my family and friends, I can't believe this is the first time I've been in here in four years!

Regaining my composure, I mosey over to my suitcases and boxes, which were mysteriously brought in from my car, to find my shower stuff and something decent to wear.