A/N: Three things alright?

1.) Thank you for all the comments and I would respond to every one, but my computer swollwed them. I read them all though and they warmed my heart. As cheesy as it is, BUT I love cheese.

2.) My computer malfunctioned and deleted my chapter so I am seriously upset, as you can imagine.

3.) That is why this chapter will be very short. I'm sorry.

Still love me?

I ran my hands over the pleats in the black halter dress Emily had bought me for Christmas. It was beautiful and fell just above my knees in its floral print. I pulled on a black vest and pinned my hair up in a twist. I pulled on the dog tags, I would wear them today for strength.

"I love you Jake," I rehearsed in the mirror as the rain pounded against my window. I cleared my throat, "I love you Jacob and I want you to choose me." Yes, that was the one. I needed him to choose me. I slid down my stairs and grabbed my keys for the hunk of metal I drove off the counter. I love you. Three words that were always thrown around so casually. I remembered back in California when I would hear the kids in the hallways screaming it to each other. I had thought that it wasn't love, that you didn't love someone that quickly. I was wrong, it was so easy to love someone, so simple. All you had to do was let them into you and you just knew it. They were you now and you loved them.

I made the mad dash to the car and climbed in quickly inserting the car key to start the air conditioner. I breathed in through my nose and out, that's all I had to remember to do. Breathe, in and out. I drove steadily through the rain. Slowly though and a few cars honked at me impatiently, but I culdn't help it. I hated everything about cars. A car killed my brother. I stopped in-front of Jake's house and sat in my car while the what-ifs filled me. What if he didn't love me? What id he said he loved Bella more? What if he didn't decide? I stopped and thought for a moment. What if he said he loved me? A warmth filled me, starting with my toes and spreading to my finger tips.

I unlocked my car and ran up the walkway and under the overhang that sheltered Billy's worn and chipped front-door. I knocked and heard the familiar hum of wheels on hardwood floor. Billy pulled open the door and smiled broadly like he was expecting me.

"Sorry to come over without calling, Billy. I just need to talk to Jake, if that's alright?" I asked my voice quivering a bit.

Billy nodded and again looked like he had known, "He is in his room, just got in there. Suppose he isn't just sleeping quite yet. Your a nice girl Tessa, you should come around more." I smiled and nodded knowing all too well that translated that meant: your always welcome here whether or not Jake accepts the imprint.

"Thanks, Billy," I smiled and inched towards the door, "means a lot," I paused and rested my fingers lightly on the brass door handle, "more than you know." Billy smiled then rolled over to the television, suddenly immersed in the football game that was broadcasting on the crinkly screen.

I knocked on the door then pulled it open to see Jake sitting cross-legged on the bed with his hands behind his head wearing a thread-bare grey shirt. I blushed a bit then reprimanded myself for it, I'd been in a boy's bedroom before. Why was I acting silly?

"Hey Jake," I twisted my fingers together, "we, um, need to talk about things. Don't blow me off and say we don't because we do and its important." I watched as he sat up straight with his hands in his lap.

He inclined his head, "I'm listening Tessa," Jake said and even my name sounded pretty in his deep voice. He squinted at me then gaped at my hair, "You've changed."

Two little words that could make all the difference. I gulped and smoothed down my dress stepping closer. I squeezed my eyes shut then opened them, "I know you love her, but I love you and I want you to pick me over her." Dead silence and I was ready to start ripping out my own hair. He really did love her more. My heart was falling to pieces and I had the faint sensation that I myself was falling.

Jake stood up and crossed the bedroom till he was standing in-front of me, "Are you saying that you really love me?" He asked and he was much too close. His breath was against my neck. I couldn't think so I nodded. "Tessa Wright? Loves me, Jacob Black?" He asked again and I couldn't help, but smile.

"I love you," I said again and he grinned that dopy grin I hadn't seen in too long.

He cupped my cheek with one hand and wrapped the other around my waist pulling me close. "I love you," he whispered and then his lips met mine. Gentle at first like he didn't want to hurt me. Then he kissed me with more pressure and I thought I was going to burst. His hand traveled down my neck and brushed the cord that held the dog tags a bit too hard. It snapped and they fell to the floor.

He swore and picked them up quickly moving to hand them to me. Tears filled my eyes as I took them gently out of his hands and held them to my heart. "I'm so sorry Tess, we can fix the string, tie it or something. Just don't cry it's just a necklace. Don't cry."

I swolled my tears, "My brother was in a Humvee. It exploded in Afghanistan and he was killed on impact." My voice sounded dead even to me, I could feel the sadness moving throughout me. I touched the chain around my neck, the chain that had his name stamped in the cold hard pliable metal. Nicholas W. Wright and next to his name, special forces. In and out. Before Jake could sat anything I said, "We couldn't see the body because there was no body," I whispered my voice breaking, "he was in pieces. These dog tags are all I have left of my brother."

"Tessa," he tried to hug me, but I backed up knocking my shoulder against the door frame painfully.

I sucked in some air, "Don't touch me," then I ran out into the rain.

Expert from the next chapter:

My feet hurt and my chest ached from crying.

"Tessa?" I heard Jake call my name, but I leaned against the nearby tree. Pain overwhelmed me, I had cried too hard now I was going to die.

Darkness closed around me and it was too late to scream.

A/N: Not too shabby, eh? They have their first kiss... Awww, but it ends in crying. Not good?

xoxo - ggbrownie