Disclaimer: Belongs to Stephanie Meyer and title belongs to Copeland.

CHAPTER 5: When Finally Set Free

I was finally free. Two days before Christmas Eve and I was finally allowed out of the house. I didn't have anywhere to go, but the knowledge that I was free to go was enough. Veronica and Ryan had come the day after my conversation with Jacob, to check up on how I was holding up being trapped at home. They informed me that the trip to the beach had been cut short due to the cold. Veronica had been by a couple of times after that.

This morning I woke up not knowing what to do with my new freedom. I had woken up pretty late this morning. Deciding to have a late breakfast in the diner rather than at home, I began to get ready. I grabbed a t-shirt, a thin sweater, some socks and a pair of jeans. I put on my shoes before leaving my room. I looked into my parents' room and saw my mom on her bed reading a book.

"Hey mom, I'm going out ok. Be back in an hour or so," I said. My mom looked up from her book and nodded.

"Ok, tell your dad before you leave," My mom replied before looking back at her book. I closed the door to the bedroom and made my way downstairs. I couldn't find my dad in the house or backyard. I got my jacket and dark green scarf out of the closet next to the stairs. I fetched for my matching mittens in the jacket's pockets. When I walked out the door after bundling up, I found my dad outside getting the mail.

"Where are you going?" My dad questioned when he saw me.

"I'm going out, first to the diner, and maybe later on a walk," I answered. "I'll have my phone if you or Mom need me."

"Does your mom know," He asked as he sifted through the pile of mail. I rolled my eyes at him in exasperation.

"Yes, Dad. Don't worry I'll be fine," I groaned.

"Well then, have fun," He smiled at me before closing the house door. I began my trek to the diner, following the path I took the last time. As I was walking down the sidewalk I came upon two girls.

"Hey Amy," I recognized the short, perky one as Alice from Calculus. I looked at her companion and saw that it was Bella Swan. Alice had introduced me to her brother, Edward, and Bella the day after she had asked me about my incident. I hadn't really talked to her, other than a hello everyday.

"Hi Alice, Bella," I said with a smile. Alice's smile grew larger.

"I love your scarf, where'd you get it," Alice gushed. I glanced at the intricate pattern on the scarf.

"My grandmother made it for me, she taught me how to knit," I answered pulling at the tassels at the end.

"Well it's beautiful, maybe you can make me one like it," Alice said her voice soft and kind of song-like. I nodded in agreement. "So where are you off to?"

"Oh, I'm going out for a walk, felt like being in the fresh air," I answered.

"Well be careful, we wouldn't want you lost in the forest again. The forest can be a pretty dangerous place around here," Alice warned.

"Yeah, I'm not going anywhere near it, that bear I saw might be around there looking for me," I joked. Bella perked up at the mention of the bear.

"A bear?" She asked. I nodded.

"Yeah, the animal was the size of a bear, but then again it did look a bit like a wolf," I shrugged. I noticed her eyes widen a bit when I said that. She shared a quick glance with Alice, but Alice could only smile at her.

"We should let you go then, Edward is waiting for us. He gets a little cranky when I take too long in delivering Bella to him," Alice winked and laughter like the tinkle of bells filled the air.

"Alice," Bella hissed and blushed. I laughed at their interaction.

"Ok, see you later I guess," I said as I waved and began walking down the street again. They waved to me and got into the really nice silver car in the front of where we stood. The rest of my journey was met with no more interruptions. The silence and cold was soothing. I began to breathe out my mouth just to see the thin wisp of air that appeared in front of my mouth. I finally made it to the diner and took a seat in a booth. I waited for the waitress to come to my table but she never did. I sat in silence looking at the dessert menu that was on the table.

"Hello sweetheart, this is from the gentleman in the corner," It was the same waitress that had served me last time. She pointed to the corner after she set the cup of hot chocolate and a cookie before me. She wore a smile. I looked at where she indicated, already knowing who it was. I saw Jacob smile at me and stand up from where he had been sitting with Quil and another boy.

"So the sentence is finally over?" Jacob teased as he sat in the seat in front of me. I laughed at his comment.

"Yes, today is my first day of freedom," I declared. "And this is a very nice way to celebrate it." I took a sip of hot chocolate, savoring the milky texture, chocolaty taste, and warmth. It settled nicely in my stomach making me warm up instantly.

"Is that so?" Jacob quirked his eyebrow. I noticed he did that a lot. I had to admit it made him sort of hot.

"With my comfort food and with the nice boy who remembered, how could it get any better?" I teased. It was getting surprisingly easy to talk to Jacob. Only two conversations and already I was, I guess you could call it, sort of flirting. Never in my life had it been this easy to talk to a guy. Let alone flirt with him.

"You are so strange sometimes," Jacob stated with a small smile. Some of his chin-length hair fell over his left eye, which he moved back.

"Strange? How so?" I asked curious but also amused.

"Comfort food? Walking into forests without thinking clearly? Sitting on your roof to see the stars? Does any of that ring any bells?" Jacob challenged.

"It does ring a few bells, but everyone has strange quirks. If not people would be boring to watch and get to know," I reasoned. "I find it refreshing to meet someone that is different, wouldn't you agree?"

"See it's comments like that that make you strange!" Jacob exclaimed. The smile on his face grew into the first grin I had seen, and I couldn't stop myself from staring.

"You have such a nice smile," I blurted; surprise filled me after the words escaped my lips. I desperately wished I could stuff them back.

"What?" Jacob stopped cold and stared at me.

"Uh, you have a nice smile," I repeated. "I've just haven't seen you smile since I met you. I mean, you give little ones, but you never truly smile."

"Oh, thanks I guess," He rubbed his chin a little, the smile gone. I was sad to see it go.

"So what made you give me the hot chocolate and cookie?" I asked trying to end the tense atmosphere surrounding us.

"What?" He seemed dazed.

"The hot chocolate and cookie," I repeated pointing at the cup and plate.

"Oh, that, I saw you walk in, and I wanted to say hi," Jacob answered. He pushed some hair behind his ear.

"In that case I really appreciate your hello," I said. I looked him in the eye and grinned at him. The tension seemed to be leaving and soon we sat in silence for a while as I finished my hot chocolate.

"Did you walk here?" Jacob asked suddenly. I took my last sip.

"Yeah, I needed the fresh air," I said.

"Yeah, you are strange," He muttered, shaking his head slightly.

"Not this again," I laughed.

"Normal people don't walk around by themselves after having an experience like yours," Jacob argued. He did seem sincerely angry and concerned.

"I'm fine, I'm not going to have a panic attack or anything," I remarked.

"You don't know that," Jacob protested. "You don't know what's out there. There are so many things that could hurt you, and you can't seem to understand that. Doesn't it scare you to walk around by yourself?"

"It's broad daylight, not necessarily a lot of sunlight, but it's day and I think I'll be fine in the day," I retorted. I stood up from my seat and grabbed my things. Jacob moved out of his seat in a quick, graceful movement. He stood towering over me.

"Jacob I need you to move," I said calmly.

"I'll move only if you let me walk you home," He replied, standing still in the spot in front of me. I made an effort to move around him but he stepped in my way again, blocking my path. I looked up at him in frustration before stepping aside again. Once again he copied my step. I let out a breath and turned to look at him again. His face was set in a determined expression.

"Fine," I surrendered as I wrapped my scarf around my neck.

"Was that so difficult?" Jacob sounded like he was talking to a three-year-old. We walked out of the diner into the crisp air.

"You don't have to do this, I'm fine on my own," I grumbled as I began walking back the way I had come. Thoughts of a walk around town were long gone after my confrontation with Jacob.

"Yeah I do, you might hear another noise, and then who might save you?" Jacob inquired. He was doing the thing with his eyebrow again. His teasing tone caused my frustration to soften.

"Won't your friends miss you?" I asked changing the subject. He shrugged at my question.

"They can manage without me," He stated. "You on the other hand, I'm not so sure."

"Oh don't start with that," I muttered. "I'm doing just fine."

"Yeah because if by doing fine you mean nearly getting killed, then yeah you're doing fine," Jake sarcastically said. I rolled my eyes at him. I was realizing that with Jacob Black things were complicated. There were moments that I had the sudden urge to just make him smile, to let the grin he showed me today appear on his face, lighting it up. But then there were times, like right now, that he was seriously getting on my nerves. I didn't know how to act around him, and I acted or spoke without thinking the majority of the time.

"Jacob Black you're a complicated man, you know that?" was my sudden statement. It caused him to stop short for a second before he caught up with me.

"Is that so?" He inquired amusement showing in the small dimple on his right cheek. I nodded at his question.

"Yep, there are moments that it seems like you can't get rid of me fast enough, and then there's some like today in which you come searching for me," I explained. He watched me intently as I talked his gaze as intense like the first day I met him. He was silent after that. We were both silent.

"You're quiet," I said.

"Mhmm," Jacob replied. I stopped, looking at my feet as I thought. Jacob kept walking then became aware I wasn't next to him. He looked back at me with a confused expression. "What?"

"It's that I just don't get you and for some reason that really bothers me," I answered. I looked up at him nervous of how he would react to my answer. The reaction surprised.

"It's fine, I don't get you either, so we're even," Jacob winked. I looked at him thoughtfully.

"Jacob are we friends?" I asked softly, pulling at the tassels of my scarf. Jacob watched me for a bit before answering.

"Would you like me to be?"

"That's not fair, you can't answer a question with a question," I chided.

"Well my answer depends on what your response to my question is," Jacob proclaimed.

"In that case, I think it would be nice," I decided.

A/N: Sorry for the long wait. Thanks to those who have reviewed or put me on alert and favorites. I really appreciate your comments. Well school is going to start soon so this means that my updates might be even slower. The story is progressing slowly, but at least there's more Jacob/Amy action. On another note, keep reviewing please, I'm not getting the amount of reviews I hoped for. It really is discouraging me a bit. If you have any suggestions send me a review or message.