Lily I can't...

Scratched out

Please don't try and call...

Scratched out

You're the one who chose those leeches...

Scratched out

I really miss you too Lily, but it's more complicated than you think.

I read the note Jackson had left me with three lines scratched out until he found the words to say how he felt. At the bottom of the note I read:

I'm sorry, I wish things were different. -Jackson-

It was hard to read this and not get a little teary eyed. I understood Jackson had a loyalty to his pack and if he were to become a friend of a vampire or his lover things would get messy. But I still wanted him in my life, I wanted him to be there like he had been when I needed him most. I knew it wasn't going to happen but I was still hopeful.

"Lily, Oliver's here." My dad said from the kitchen.

I grabbed my backpack and went outside to Oliver's car. "Hey."

"Hey. Are you ok? You look like you've been crying."

I wiped my wet red eyes and sniffled. "It's just a stupid cold that's been going around, I'm fine."

I was a terrible liar, I always have been, so Oliver immediantly could tell something was up even though he couldn't read my mind.

"Jackson isn't it?"

I looked up at him then looked away. I couldn't bear to look him in the eye with Jackson on my mind. "Let's get to school I have to talk to Miley about the party."

"Why?"

"I'm going to convince her to cancel."

"What? Lily come on, it'll be a lot of fun and Mileys' really been looking forward to it. She's made a lot of plans-"

"What?" I interrupted "I told her to keep it small."

"...Oops." Oliver ran in the car and I followed after getting in the passenger's seat. "What is she planning?"

"Just a few friends here and there, some family, you know." I gave Oliver a look. "It's going to be small...ish. Maybe medium sized, if that's even a size for a party."

"Oliver!"

He sighed "What? This was Miley's idea."

"You could have stopped her!"

"She had her heart set on making this party amazing for you. Besides you have plenty of time to get excited about it, or at least practice looking excited about it."

I rolled my eyes and sat back. Oliver placed his hand under my chin and turned my head to face him. "Hey, it's going to be fine, just smile and pretend you're having fun ok?"

"Are you looking forward to this party?" I asked.

"I'm just looking forward to spending the entire night with you."

Damn it! Even when I was mad he still managed to make me smile like a little girl. But what could I say? He dazzled me, he always had and he always would.

We drove to school and I tried to keep my mind off Jackson and Miley's big party which was easier said than done.

I saw Miley at school looking as excited as ever. How could I tell her that her party she was planning was the last thing I was looking forward to? And it wasn't only because she could easily drink my blood.

"Lily! I finished the guest list." Miley handed me a looong list of names, some of them I didn't even know.

"Who's Andrew Reed?" I asked reading the list.

"You know, the guy who sits next to you in history?"

I looked at her puzzled "The one who talks to himself?"

"He's going to be one of those guys who was made fun of in high school and turns out to make millions!"

"I'll believe that when I see it."

"Don't worry I already have."

I rolled my eyes forgetting about Miley's special power. "So you want me to make friends with him so if I ever need large amounts of money I have someone to turn to?"

"You can look at it that way."

I continued reading the names until I saw one that rang a bell. "The Wes Coven?" I looked at Miley like she was insane. "Your cousin clan."

She smiled "Uh huh."

"But they're vampires, are you sure it's a good idea to put them in the same room as a bunch of humans?"

"Uh..."

"MILEY!"

She laughed and put her arm around my neck and continued walking with me. "Relax, they're vegetarians too. Lil I have this all under control ok? All you have to do is have fun at the party."

That was something I don't think I could do but for Miley I would try especially after seeing all the work she put in.

"Is there someone else you want to invite?" she asked me taking the list back.

The only other person I wanted to see there was Jackson. I wanted to see his smiling face so badly but I knew it was out of the question. "No, I think the guest list is fine."

"Good, because I'm starting to think this party is getting a little big."

"No!" I added sarcastically.

Miley ignored my comment and continued walking with me. As we were walking I heard a humming sound almost like an engine of some sort but not a car. I turned around to see what it was and there driving up to the school was a jet black motorcycle and there was Jackson riding it.

"Lily." he said as he pulled up beside me.

"Jackson what are you doing here? You're going to get the cops called on you."

"We need to talk."

Just then Oliver walked up looking a little irratated. "I thought I heard your thoughts."

"Good to see you again bloodsucker." he added in a surly tone.

People began to crowd around Oliver and Jackson who was now off of his bike and was an inch away from Oliver looking like he was ready to start a fight.

"You should probably go now Jackson before the principal calls the cops."

"You think I give a damn about the cops Oken?" everyone was now waiting for one of them to throw the first punch. "I'm here for Lily." he turned to face me "We really need to talk. Hop on and we'll ride down to Dunn."

I did want to talk to him but I knew if I got on that bike I would be hurting Oliver even more than I already had. "No, we can talk later."

He shrugged "If you say so, that is if he lets you."

"Easy Jackson."

"Or what?"

This was it, the moment everyone had been waiting for, the fight. Werewolf vs. Vampire.

"What are you doing here young man?" the principal came out of nowhere looking more than agitated. "You better get off this campus before I call the cops."

"Ooo no not the cops!" he said sarcastically "I'm already on my way out old man. See you around Lily." He hoped on the bike and rode off quicker than a bullet popping a theatrical wheelie.

"I bet that tall kid could have taken Oken."

"No way! Oken would have ripped him to shreds." said to kids behind me.

I didn't care who would have killed whom, all I glad for was not having to find out.

Sneak Preview:

"Did you read this?" my dad held up the newspaper. "There have been a string of murders right here in Seattle."

"Murders?"

My dad was being shockingly cavalier about this "Yup, there have been two bodies and four people missing."

"How are they being killed?" I began pouring some milk in a glass.

My dad looked down at the paper. "Uh...it looks like their having their jugulars cut or bitten."

I dropped the carton of milk causing it to spill everywhere and make a loud SPLAT!

"Bitten?" I whispered to myself. "She's back, Maya is back."