Chapter 3

I wasn't feeling much better the next morning. That sinking feeling was still there, and I was sure that I would burst into tears at the slightest push. I hurried to grab my backpack as I heard a car honk outside my house, and ran out the front door.

I was about to slide into the backseat of Embry's car as I usually did, when I noticed that the front passenger seat beside Embry was empty. This was weird, because Jake usually sat there. Quil, who sat in the back with me, was missing too. I slid into the front, and turned to Embry.

"Where are Jake and Quil?" I asked, concerned. Embry turned to look at me, and I stared at him in shock. He looked terrible. His face looked tired and exhausted, and there were huge bags under his eyes, which were red.

"Jake's a little mad at you." He said softly, looking worried that I might be upset. But then again, I knew that he would be. I decided that I was gonna go and apologize. Better have Jake as just a friend than have him hate me.

"And what the hell happened to you? You look terrible!" I exclaimed.

"Yeah, I don't… I don't feel too good today. I fact, can you drive? I have a headache." He said, scrunching his eyes together in pain.

"Maybe you should have stayed home today." I said, as I switched seats with him, and started the car.

"Nah, I'll be fine. Probably just a bug or something. The flu's been going around for a while. It could be that." Embry waved it off. But I could tell something was wrong. He wasn't telling me everything.

We walked into school together, both me and Embry silent. He looked nervous, and was extremely jumpy. He kept looking around the hallway, as if searching for someone, or trying to avoid them?

"Who are you looking for?" I asked him slowly.

"No one!" he cried, all of a sudden. "I'm not looking for anyone." What is wrong with this guy today?

I went to my locker, and grabbed my books for the first period, and then I went over to Embry, and waited for him to get his stuff. I looked around the hallway, still curious about why Embry was so jumpy today, and my eyes fell on two tall, muscular guys, staring fixedly at Embry. I'd seen them around before, the taller one, Paul, was in my Advanced Math class, and the other one's name I couldn't remember. Was it Josh…. Or maybe James…. No, I think it was Jared.

Why were they staring at Embry like that? People kept away from those guys, mostly because they were kinda scary to look at. And they stayed away from most people as well, I couldn't see any reason why they'd be staring at Embry, he'd never spoken to them before. Had he maybe picked a fight with them? But it wasn't like Embry to pick fights, and Paul and Jared didn't look angry anyway.

"Embry?" I asked, and he turned to look at me, his arms still full of books. "Why are those guys staring at you?"

He turned around to see who I was pointing at, and his face went pale. "I don't know." He whispered, sounding worried. "They've been doing it for a while now."

"Did you pick a fight with them or anything?" I asked, worried. Why would these guys be stalking Embry?

"No!" He cried, looking upset. "Do I usually pick fights with people twice my size? They've been doing it for more than a week now, It's getting creepy."

I didn't pursue the topic any more, but I was worried. Why were they stalking Embry? I tried not to think about it though, and I went to homeroom quickly.

"Heard about what you and Embry did to Jake last night." Quil said with a grin. He slid into the seat next to me in homeroom. He was the only one of our gang that was in the same homeroom as me.

"Yeah…" I said, not really wanting to think about that. It reminded me too much of how Jake might be taken soon, by Bella. I was feeling a bit distracted by Embry's behavior though. "Listen, I'm kinda worried about Embry. Do you think he's okay?"

"He's been acting kinda weird, actually." Quil said, his tone kinda serious. "Said that some guys were watching him. I'm not too sure what he meant though."

"Yeah." I said. 'Paul and Jared were staring at him today."

"Well, that's weird….I hope he hasn't done anything to upset them. They're practically twice his size! Though speaking of which, Embry's getting kinda big too. I get the feeling he's secretly working out or something." Quil said, trying to lighten the mood.

"Aww… is someone jealous of their best friend's muscles?" I teased.

"Oh, shut up." Quil hissed, and we turned away from each other as the teacher glared at us.

The day passed by, and I walked into lunch and sat by Quil.

"Where are Embry and Jake?" I asked him casually.

"Um, Jake had to stay back during Math, Mr. Robin isn't too happy with him." Quil explained. "Embry is over there." He nodded towards the corner of the cafeteria.

Embry was standing there with Paul and Jared. I couldn't see his face, he had his back to me, but Jared and Paul looked kinda sympathetic for a moment. Then their faces turned back to their usual blank emotionless stare that creeped me out a lot. Embry turned around, and walked back to us, his face really pale, and looking like he was gonna be sick.

"Are you okay?" I asked, putting a hand on his arm. "What was that about?"

He flinched at my touch, and turned to look at me.

"I asked them why they were staring at me." Embry said, his voice sounding forcibly controlled.

"Well?" I asked. 'What did they say, then?"

"I don't want to talk about it, Cherry." He replied quietly, and dug into his food. Jake came over with his lunch just then, and sat by Quil after shooting me a glare. I was suddenly distracted from Embry.

"Okay, are you mad at me Jake?" I asked. I couldn't bear to have Jake mad at me. "Because I'm really sorry. It was just fun, I guess I got a little carried away."

"No, it's okay" Jake said, his face softening a little. "I know you guy were joking, it's just… I don't want her to think I'm weird you know?" he said slowly.

I nodded slightly, and turned my attention back to my food. There was a slight pause of conversation at the table.

"Because, you know, I'm younger that her and all… and that really reduces my chances of being with her." Jake burst out suddenly. "I mean, I really like her you guys. It's not just a crush or something. I really like her."

I think my heart just shattered all over again.