A/N: Sorry in advance about all the Paul-ness but I promise Edward appears. Don't worry Jacob thoughts will gradually turn more Edward-y as we go on with the story. Besides Jacob's fixation on Paul and James is kind of needed at the moment.

*sigh* I broke my leg, my stupid cousin decided he was going throw stuff at me while I riding by bike. No worries, it just means I have a little more time to my self to write.

Warnings: check the first chapter……


I. "Approaching the train tracks, he sighs, lays flat across the line, and shuts his eyes."


"Now listen

Well I'm not trying to question your decision,

In my opinion

You've made an excellent choice.

I don't want to put the doubt in your my head,

well, you're just fine,

Excellent choice."

The Horrors, Excellent Choice


While Billy didn't take Jacob to the doctor, he did monitor his sons activities ever more closely. He took to dropping the boy off at school after ridding Jacob of his car. He drove him everywhere, he demanded to know who his friends were, how long he was going to be out for, sometimes even called up the place to make sure he was still there. It was aggravating. But Jacob did make time for his hobbies and even picked up a new one, pill pushing. James told him the job was simple enough and as always James was right, he'd sold maybe four bottles of oxy in the past, but now he was a business man, it was the easiest way to keep his shit out the house while still keeping some for himself on the side.

Paul didn't condone his new little enterprise but didn't like when Jacob tried to sell his shit out his car. Mostly when Billy would drop him at the café the two would go out for some drinks in the back or call Billy to tell him he was waling home, even though that was an excuse to take longer to get home. Paul and him still fucked. Jacob wasn't sure if it could even be considered fucking anymore. The sudden tenderness in Paul during their quickies had been a surprise to him. Paul took to hovering around more often and even made a hiss fit about covering for him when he went elsewhere to hook up with someone.

But Paul was so good to him.

Paul, yes dear sweet Paul.

~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~

Jacob sat under the bleachers. School had ended about an hour ago, but he told Billy he'd be home late due to a project he was working on. He knew he probably shouldn't lie to Billy but with his sisters coming home for vacation soon he knew the opportunity to smoke would be rare for the next week or so. He'd happily puffing away when a sudden noise caused him to stand and tried to put the cigarette out. After school or not smoking on the school grounds was still a criminal offense. Jacob hid behind one the lower beams and went into a crouch.

A taller boy walked under the beam and began pacing. Jacob snuffed out the but of his cigarette into the dirt.

The boy was obviously one of the reservation kids. His dark skin and black hair told Jacob that much. Jacob himself was not familiar with the boy. Then again he hadn't hung out with the other reservation kids for some time. The boy easily hit around six feet tall and sported a short haircut that made him look even move attractive. His face was set in angry expression that made him appear broody. His face had a bit of a narrow quality to it unlike the somewhat rounder face of Jacob.

"Mother fuckers, mother fucking Sam, should keep minding his own god dammed…." he went on into his angry rant. Kicking some of the beams for emphases on certain profanities. The little tirade went on until a dry cough from Jacob interrupted him.

"What's this?" the other boy said, the tone had traces of promising cruelty and that made Jacob shudder from his spot. He wasn't in the mood to get beaten up right now, he had an appointment with James a bit later.

He crawled backwards hoping to remain unseen by the other. This didn't work, the taller male crouched down and snagged Jacob's ankle. He dragged Jacob out with strength Jacob figured most kids in high school don't have or should possess.

"Ugh!"

The experience was unpleasant and Jacob's cigarette pack slipped out of his pocket as he was dragged.

Paul abruptly dropped his ankle and backed off a little taking Jacob's appearance in. Paul narrowed his eyes and sighed. The vicious expression did not change on the boy but his demeanor did. Jacob could only gape as the boy suddenly leaned over and began to pick up the now dirt laden cigarettes that slid out from the pack.

Jacob looked indignant from his spot on the floor.

"What the hell is wrong with you!?"

They continued nabbing the loose cigarettes and nabbed the pack. He handed it over to Jacob and quickly withdrew his hands and shoved them into his pockets. He kicked up some dirt and mumbled something inaudibly. He grabbed Jacobs wrist causing him to cringe a bit and yanked the shorter male to his feet. Jacob brushed up some dirt off him before glaring up at the other and reiterated his question.

"What the hell is wrong with you, you-"

"Paul."

"What?" said Jacob.

"My name it's Paul…"

Jacobs eyes widened for a fracture of a second. A pensive expression crossed his face as the taller of the pair looked in another direction and took his hands from his pockets and placing the on his hips and leaned back on his feet.

"Oh… so you're the one living with Sam now right?"

Paul nodded and continued to look else where.

Jacob frowned, the other boy had been mentioned a few times by Billy in passing but not much other than that Sam would be looking over the kid for a while. He fished into his pack and blew some dirt off a cigarette.

"Here." He offered one of his precious smoke to Paul. Paul snatched it up quickly and stared at Jacob expectantly. It took about a minute for him to realize what the boy was waiting for. Jacob shook his head, searching his pockets for his---no James' lighter. He groaned as he realized it might've slipped from his pocket.

He was miffed and looked at Paul.

"Help me find that stupid lighter, it's green."

So they spent the next twenty minutes looking for it.


~x~x~


"Do you need a ride home?"

It was getting dark soon altogether they ended up smoking about eight cigs between the two of them, nine if you counted Jacob's earlier one. It would be dark in an hour and it wasn't enough to walk back to the reservation, he'd cal James later and cancel. He knew James would probably be annoyed at canceling again, but he did have a life. Besides sneaking around James' wife could get annoying.

Paul nodded and Jacob led him over to his car. The car was kind of old so he had to open it via car key rather than remote like most kids. He pulled the key from his sock and jabbed it into the lock. Paul shot him a skeptical look as he opened the door, the other only rolled his eyes to. After getting in he leaned over the passenger seat to let Paul into the car. Paul clamored into the vehicle and looked a little uncomfortable. He adjusted his seat and it went back into the backseats to accommodate his long legs. Paul settled in even though his knees still looked a little less than lax.

Jacob frowned, but Paul didn't complain about the space.

They drove for about a mile in silence. Jacob a little hesitant to say anything to the stranger. Jacob knew he was a very social creature be realized at this point talking to his passenger was inevitable. He took one hand off the wheel to scratch his semi-burning nose. He did a deep dry sniffle and cuffed his nose before relaxing his hand on the wheel again.

"So to Sam's right?" he asked.

Paul tilted his head over. "Yes…to Sam's"

Paul turned his head back still staring at the passing scenery.

Silence fell in again awkwardly and Jacob was at a loss of words to say to his passenger.

He decided to start with the most obvious one.

"So what brings you to La Push?"

Paul shifted in the tight space forcing his body to turn halfway in the seat.

"Life." he said.

It got quiet and the two wallowed in their own little miseries. Jacob gave a nod of understanding. He gave Paul a pointed look.

"Ah… doesn't it suck. Check under your seat."

Paul forced his knees apart leaning over, he hadn't bothered with the seat belt so their wasn't so much restraint. He pulled a small prescription bottle out from under.

Paul read the label and looked incredulous, Jacob didn't smile.

"Oxy?"

"Help yourself, I don't use them, James just gives to me. I don't wanna say no."

Paul looked like he was thinking.

"I'll hold onto this…."

"If you want."


~x~x~


Paul slammed the car door, whether it was intentional or due the boy's large arm Jacob was unsure of. Paul walked around the car to drivers side. He leaned over slightly so he could be level with Jacob.

"I'll see you around."

He stood straight and walked towards the shanty looking house. The brown house whose two front steps were slightly off in color led up to a strange blue door that the Uley's weren't too keen to get rid of. The place wasn't large but seemed to have enough space for all its residents.

There was still some light out and Sam's truck wasn't in the driveway.

With a final nod in Paul's direction, Jacob sped off.


~x~x~


"You can drive Paul to school, its not a big deal. He's the same age as you!"

"I don't want to!"

"He lives a two hour walk from the school and we live ten minutes from the Uleys by car. Jacob, you don't even have to drive him home."

Jacob was annoyed, he'd already driven the boy home. He wasn't a chauffer, he was not a freaking car service. Besides he had things to do in the morning. He drove over to James bright and early and took care of business, except when Victoria was home. He made the mistake once of not noticing Victoria green car once and walked over to the door. It was not pleasant, and James was not amused.

"Jacob."

"…Fine"

So, Billy got his way and Jacob would now drive him to school.


~x~x~


A week after the driving stint began, Paul began to ask questions.

"Where do you get your 'stuff' from?"

"Are you dealing?"

"You always seem to have a wad of money….what do you do for it?"

Then came that question:

"Are you whoring yourself out or something?"

Jacob hit the brakes and swerved to the side of the road. The car came to shaky stop on the side.

"What!?"

Paul looked smug.

"Well I kind of figured, and figured with you wrist always wrapped up you'd have bruises and the band-aids on your neck don't do much to quell suspicion. So tell how much are you worth."

Paul leaned over the cramped compartment.

"I'm not a whore!" Jacob was getting annoyed, he needed some aspirin. Sure Jacob had sex with James in exchange for favors and free usage of James' inventory but whoring himself out? No! So sometimes the man put money in his pocket before he leaves, so what if he found fucking more enjoyable if knew there was a reward at the end of it all.

"So what do want? A twenty, naw you look a little more pricey…twenty-one fifty for a blow job how about that? "

Paul was not all but in Jacob person space. He was about to hit the gas, but Paul all but yanked the keys out the ignition.

"Hey!"

Paul was now leaning back over sitting upright.

"Give them back!" Jacob punched the bigger boy.

Paul seemed to shrug it off he opened the car door. Jacob followed the motion and exited through his own door. He all but ran to the other side of the car, as Paul tossed the keys away and tried to beat Paul's much meatier frame in with his fist.

Paul grew agitated, and just held the boy's arms firm to stop Jacob's useless hits.

"Okay---okay, I'm just fooling with you." Paul drawled out. He glared down at Jacob's smaller frame still hold onto his arms just incase the other chose to try to strike him again.

Jacob was annoyed Paul was not talkative at all, so the constant banter made him idly suspicious of the boys behavior. He narrowed his gaze up at Paul and something hot went through his body as he panted from the exertion of 'beating' Paul.

Maybe it was lust…hatred…he didn't care. Long story short he and Paul ended up fucking on the side of the road as the sun came up to rest in the sky.

They did not go to school that day., however the malice of Paul's earlier words was stored and noted.


~x~x~


Paul in the last few months did not change.

The two didn't speak much and Paul dropped his questions.

They only drove to school together occasionally had a romp in the bathroom stall, locker room, or in Jacob's car but neither invited the other into their homes. Jacob understood this, he'd pass drug along or a cig Paul's way but knew they were not friends. These meet and greet were merely a personal intimacy that the two shared briefly.

"Jacob! I need to use the bathroom so hurry it up." a voice yelled from the other side of the door. A loud set of knocks also ensued for extra measure.

"Just a second Billy." he replied.

He stashed his blade back into the new dental floss and wrapped up his arm in a towel. He slid on his sweats, yeah they be damp because he dry off his legs but hey.

"All yours."


~x~x~


Paul became stranger, Jacob was unsure as to how but...he did get weirder.

Paul started to spend more time away from the Uley household and took to spending more time doing useless errands for James with me.

Jacob and Paul were sitting in a playground in Forks , a dumb idea they had and end up in one of those tunnel things to avoid the rain pouring outside.

Paul seemed a little pensive today.

Jacob decided to ask him something.

"So why are you living with Sam?"

Paul grunted and shut his eyes for a moment.

Jacob waited eagerly for the answer.

"My stupid mom says she can't deal with me. Stupid bitch can't even deal with paying out god dam bills or send me to school. I don't want to deal with her shit, so I let her and her boyfriend know."

Jacob was curious to how exactly he let them know.

He never pressed though.

Paul laid a hand on Jacob's thigh.


~x~x~


"I burned the house down."

Jacob was confused at the sudden statement but managed to link it back to their discussion on the playground.

They were in his car again, much like they always were. This time they were parked near the cliffs watching the sunset through the windshield. The windows were down and smoke passed out through it.

"Ah." said Jacob, he supposed arson was some he could see Paul capable of. It was not a shock considering how the boy set fire to a dumpster once or enjoyed to play with is lighter one too often.

"Her boyfriend died you know. I feel bad, but I never did like him in the first place, nothing to miss you know."

"How did you not go to-" Jacob was interrupted.

"Juvie?" Paul interjected.

Jacob nodded very curious now.

"Let's just say I have a few people down in the courts who can do a few things for me." Paul said very seriously.

Jacob looked over at Paul's serious face. He laughed, he couldn't help it, maybe it was they join the just had.

"What are you in the mafia or something!"

Paul chuckled and snaked away the blink took a deep inhale and tossed away the last of the blunt--- now roach out the window.

"Nope, but you don't know the half of it."

Jacob started laughing, whatever he just had must have been strong.


~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~


Paul him were close, and he had doubts about what exactly the two of them were, he knew now they were at the least friends. But Jacob was very content about how it is at the moment, he hoped nothing would change that.

He held Paul's hand with more certainty, yes they were friends.

XX

"Look, you need to go me and Victoria are going through some shit right now, she's going to be home more often. Find something else to do for now."

"Again?"

"Yeah, I know it annoying, but she's a bitch…don't look at me like that."

"Okay."

"Right so lets find your shirt, boy."

XX

"I don't like classical music." Paul said.

"C'mon I don't wanna get stuck there alone." Jacob whined.

Jacob was spurned by James once again and had passed a few café's on his walk home. One of them seemed to some live entertainment of the classical variety. Jacob knew neither one of them liked classical music but it was Saturday, and Jacob needed something to do. He refused to get trapped at home with Billy where tensions were still high. He could practically feel Billy's eyes clawing into him every time he got out the car when he was dropped off or even when sitting at home watching TV. The cold accusing stare had began to ware down on him and he refused to fall victim to Billy's scrutiny or disgust. Fuck Billy, he thought.

"No."

He was now a little pissed off. I mean Paul and him did everything together, Paul basically followed him around everywhere. Paul hated classical music he said that the sound of a violin caused his ears to bleed and the idea of flute made him think of shoving the flute elsewhere.

"I'm not going, you know its going to be horrible."

"Fine. I'll see you around then."

Paul nodded and depart in the opposite direction of the café.

Jacob sighed, he guessed he was flying solo.

He walked up the street and the off white café with the ugly chalk board sign that scrawled, 'Classical Music Played Tonight, 8:30-11:00.' It was around eight fifteen and people were clamoring into the place. People were always curious to whatever different form of entertainment the small business had to offer the small neighborhood.

It was getting darker, Jacob walked into the café, and found a decent spot in the middle of it. He'd have a good view of the stage.

XX

Paul was right of course about the music.

Jacob wanted to leave but he figure there were only twenty minutes left of this torture so he could wait. There was only one more person left to go in the sets too….

"Now, I'd like to welcome Edward Cullen."

Cullen? Where had Jacob heard that name before.

The man stepped on stage, some women gasped. Jacob had to croon his neck over people to see.

Oh, oh wow. The man was perhaps the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen appear in this area in all his life. He was tall, pale, and lean looking. His face seemed to be carved from marble its beauty could not be rivaled by anyone in the quiet town. His eyes were beautiful and the light seemed to bounce off them in the center showing a brilliant shade of topaz surrounding the pupil.

His eyelashes fluttered and Jacob's eyes briefly met the other.

He immediately sat down straight.

His heart beat accelerated. He'd never felt like this before.

What was this?

________________________________________________________________________

Not as dark as the first chapter, but I wanted emphasize while Jacob is depressed he's not always miserable. That wouldn't give any substance. I wanted to show the casualness of his unhealthy habits and intimacies bouncing between Paul and a married James. Not too much James here….that's going to change next chapter yeah and it gets real angst once again:

Edward and Jake official meet next chapter, and I promise it will be satisfying…(cough). And Jacob meets his doctor, and his oh so lovely (already acquainted) son. Edward meets James…

Thank you to: Avada Cantare, takane-takashi787, rebelwilla , frapanappy, msashlyjudd8, mia-dwcut-09, Dario Argento Syndrome, l', kaiistar, Pace1818, yay4fiction, animecatgirl123, shona, and lilli kitty.