Thank you guys soo much! I love the reviews and thanks to all those who favorited and alerted this! Here's the chapter you've all been waiting for... hope you like it.

-a.

I sat with her for what seemed like days as my racing mind slowed and calmed. I looked at her and grimaced apologetically, "I'm so sorry. I was out of line."

She hugged my tiny shoulders, "No, you weren't."

I inhaled deeply and stood. "What time is it?" I was resolved. He would pay. I would make him pay.

"It's almost eight," she said warily, sensing my change in emotion.

I grinned wickedly, and her eyes suddenly went blank. I waited for a few minutes, and then her eyes snapped back to me. "Oh!" Then she matched my grin. "You're going to have to look really good."

I nodded solemnly, "Oh, yeah."

She pulled me into her bathroom, bouncing with excitement. I sat in my usual chair as she entered the giant abyss that was her closet. After a few minutes she emerged with a wide smile on her face. "It's absolutely perfect."

I saw a scrap of silver in her hands and a pair of very dark jeans, and I raised an eyebrow. She threw the clothes at me. "Put them on."

I did as I was told, and Alice squealed happily as she looked me over. The silver shirt was made of a shimmering cotton, with a satin ribbon that tied around my neck. From the front it was simple, but it was backless. The material wrapped around and met at the base of my back, forming a deep V. The jeans were a deep navy, almost black, and tight. The straight leg fit me perfectly. "Wait don't look until I'm finished!" she commanded.

"Ok, ok," I laughed. She handed me a pair of strappy black sandals, casual for the beach. She sat me back in the chair and rummaged through her giant vanity's drawers before pulling out shimmering white eyeshadow, mascara, and subtle pink lipgloss. I closed my eyes as she applied the makeup and rubbed a gloss through my hair. "Ok," I opened my eyes to see her pursing her lips at me, "I think your finished."

She spun me around to face the giant mirror, and I gasped. I looked drop-dead gorgeous. She had organized my unruly curls perfectly so that they framed my face, and I had on just enough makeup to enhance my features. The silver shirt played off my reflective eyes, and the jeans accentuated all the curves I possessed. I squealed and threw my arms around her neck, "It's perfect, Alice!"

She laughed and replied, "I know."

I got a call from Marlee then, telling me that we were meeting at the beach at eleven. I thanked her and smiled. Only one hour until the torture begins. I slung on Alice's black raincoat and called Tyler. We needed to go if we were to meet Jacob at the reservation.

He appeared at the bottom of the stairs, and I had to stifle a gasp. He was wearing a black long-sleeved polo that made his dark eyes look even darker, mysterious. He had on dark jeans and grey tennis shoes. I swallowed and spoke, "We have to leave now."

He merely nodded, and grabbed his keys from where they were hanging on the wall. We climbed in his sleek black BMW, and I closed my eyes as the engine purred. This was going to be fun.

We arrived quickly at the edge of the reservation, and I saw Jacob step into the road. Tyler slowed, and I hopped out of the car.

"Hey," I grinned. He smiled back at me and picked me up in a hug.

"You smell terrible," he teased.

I laughed, "Back at ya."

I heard a low growl from inside the car and hummed with satisfaction. He was already getting irritated.

"So what's the plan?" I asked Jacob. "Should we just drive through and let you guys follow us?"

He nodded, "We'll be around. A few will stay as wolves and the rest will join you and your human friends on the beach."

"Ok. Do you want to ride with us?" I asked, ignoring the hiss from inside the car.

He grinned as he heard Tyler's reaction as well. "I'd better not, but I'll meet you guys there."

I nodded, and he took turned and took off towards the trees. I climbed back into the car, and turned to measure Tyler's annoyed expression. "I really don't like that kid," he muttered. I giggled happily as Tyler accelerated towards the beach.

Our friends were already there when we arrived. I jumped out of the car and ran to hug everyone, being careful only to allow my wet raincoat to touch their skin. I lingered with Henry, grinning at him. He pulled me toward the water, and I closed my eyes, enjoying the thick ocean spray. He wrapped his arms around my waist as I looked out over the ocean, and I wrinkled my nose. He smelled like cologne and his embrace felt all wrong.

I stood like that for as long as I could bear, making sure Tyler would see us. Then I spun out of his grasp, sticking my tongue out. He laughed and tried to grab my raincoat, but every time I slipped just outside of his hand. Finally I let him catch me, and he pulled me closer. I tried not to gag as his cologne hit me. I held my breath as he hugged me tightly. I was so uncomfortable in his arms, but today was the day for my revenge, so I would have to bear it. I turned my head so I could see the rest of the group setting up for lunch, and I almost exploded with satisfaction as I saw Tyler gripping the side of a table as he watched us.

I pulled back from Henry so I could breathe and walked towards the arrangement of tables. I shoved my hands in my pockets so he would not try to hold one. We arrived just as they started eating, and I got a plate of food. I was hoping to side-step the trouble I had had at lunch yesterday by making it look like I was eating. Tyler did the same, I noticed as I sat beside Matt. He sat with Marlee who was sitting in front of me.

Everyone took their time with lunch, chatting happily. I flirted ridiculously with the blue eyed boy beside me. I avoided Henry's eyes as he kept glancing back at us. Tyler glared at me, and I widened my eyes innocently.

He turned to Marlee, suddenly fascinated by their conversation. He grinned at her, holding her gaze for longer than was necessary. I fumed. He was supposed to be the one suffering, not me.

Jacob and another russet skinned boy I didn't recognize arrived then. I jumped up to greet them warmly, and Jacob looked at me curiously. I pretended I hadn't noticed.

"Hey, Jacob!" I said with enthusiasm.

He raised an eyebrow and grinned, "Hey, Luce." He turned to the boy beside him. "This is Seth."

I turned to the shaggy blond haired boy and stuck my hand out for him to shake. He took it, and his mouth twitched as he felt my icy skin. I knew he was of Jacob's kind because of the musty smell, so he had to know of our skin. He smiled, "Nice to meet you."

I turned and walked back to Matt, who was eyeing the newcomers warily. I glanced at Tyler and saw that his expression mirrored Matt's. I grinned happily.

Darkness fell quickly, and a few of the boys worked to get a fire started. I sat on a dry log, stretching my legs out in front of me. Henry joined me as the fire burst into life, warming my toes. "Hey," he grinned.

"Hi there," he was really starting to get on my nerves, but I smiled back. The fire was growing, and it's warmth was radiating over my body. I sighed and closed my eyes.

Henry's voice broke through my reverie, "Are you cold?"

I looked at him, "No, I'm actually a little warm." I had noticed a few people beginning to remove their jackets, so I slipped out of mine. I moved off the log and laid on one of the towels that had been spread on the soft sand close to the fire, closing my eyes. I felt the heat warm my bare back.

I opened my eyes to glance at Tyler, who was sitting opposite where I had been. He was laughing at something Marlee had said, and I bit back a growl as I saw his arm snaked around her waist. His eyes flitted to mine, and he raised an eyebrow.

I bit my lip, thinking fast. I grinned as a thought occurred to me. I stood gracefully and rubbed my arms, as though I was cold. I walked to where Jacob was seated with Seth and tucked my tiny body into his side. He shivered involuntarily at the touch of my skin, but put his arm around me anyway as I whispered in his ear, "Play along for me?"

He chuckled and pulled me closer. He pressed his nose against my hair as he whispered back, "I'm a good actor." I giggled and snuggled closer to his burning chest. I glanced at Tyler and knew from his enraged expression that I had won.

He jumped up and shouted, "What's your problem?"

A hush fell over the group as a flash of my frustration returned, "What's your problem?"

He growled, grabbing my hand and yanking me roughly across a log and into the forest behind us. When we were out of hearing range of the humans he spun to face me. "What are you doing? You were practically throwing yourself at that... animal!" he shouted.

"Well you weren't being so rude to Marlee either!" I said sarcastically. He scoffed and turned away from me. I stomped my foot and shouted angrily, "Why do you even care, anyway?"

His gaze flashed back to mine, pain returning to his face. I watched his deep brown eyes as they raged with inner conflict. Suddenly they blazed with determination, and his lips were crashing down on mine.

I gasped wildly and twined my fingers through his silky hair while the electricity exploded inside me. I burned with need and desire as his mouth ravaged mine. His arms wrapped tightly around me and I trembled as his fingers brushed along my bare skin. He moaned softly, and my body responded to the sound.

I slid my hands down his muscled back and inside his shirt, desperate to feel his skin. He shuddered as I dragged my fingernails slowly along his flesh. I pulled his body tight along mine, my body curving around his. I had waited so long. I felt his body tense, and he moved his face back, trying to see into my eyes.

I whimpered and stretched up on my toes to press my lips to his again. I felt him smile as he responded. This kiss was softer, more gentle. I savored the way he tasted, the way his body moved against mine.

He pulled his mouth from mine and pressed our foreheads together. I was lost in his depthless black eyes, now so close to my own. He grinned, "You smell like dog."

I buried myself in his chest, perfectly content, and sighed, "Sorry."

I felt him chuckle and kiss the top of my head. I frowned, "I don't understand. You hated me."

He took my shoulders and pulled me away so he could look me in the eye, "Never. I never hated you." he said reverently. Then he grinned apologetically, "I wanted to though. So badly."

I was confused, "Why?"

He put a finger on my lips, and I kissed it. "Later," he promised. With a sigh I turned and started to walk back to the beach.

I felt him move very close behind me and heard him whisper softly in my ear, "I really like this shirt." He trailed a finger down my spine and I shivered. I turned and stood on my tiptoes to kiss him softly, lingering so our lips were barely touching. Light as a moth's wing.

His lips parted against mine as he spoke, "And here I was worried about those humans."

"There was never a contest," I said softly.

He pulled back and smirked at me. "I thought you said they were all very handsome."

I frowned, trying to remember when I had said that. I gasped, remembering dishing to Alice in her room. "You heard that?" I was embarrassed.

He chuckled, pulling me into his arms. "It's what made me decide to come to school with you. I had to make sure you didn't fall for any of them."

I grinned to myself, then paused, reluctant to move. I sighed, "We should probably get back to the fire."

He nodded, smiling at me. He was so much happier than I had ever seen him. There was no trace of the sadness I had seen yesterday. I held his hand tightly as we picked our way through the trees and back to the group. I was sure, in that moment, that I was falling in love with the beautiful boy at my side.

ok everyone I have a little deal. If you review for me, then I will send you a little SNEAK PREVIEW of the next chapter before anyone else sees it. sound good? everyone who reviews will get it, so i hope thats a little more incentive. thanks for reading!

-a.