Super short chapter guys! Sorry! I have to write a report on my year in Sweden, but then I'll update again.

That night I slept in my window, my face pressed up against the cold glass, trying to draw the heat of embarrassment away from my face. An ashtray rested on my thigh, halfway full and threating to slid off with every breath I took until the sun leaking through the glass finally woke me.

I slid out of my sill, my legs cramped and shaky from being twisted to fit in the narrow window space. The ashtray would get dumped the next time I took out the garbage. The watch the weighed down my wrist claimed to be just past six in the am. I pushed a thumb over the watch face grudgingly. It had gotten dirty last night when I was in the woods.

I stripped off my sweatshirt and the shirt under it, wincing as they caught the tip of my nose. It was still tender from when it got broken, about three months ago. Hitting it against Paul's back hadn't exactly helped its healing process, either. For a split second I vied for my life a year ago, but scorned myself immediately. This was who I was now. I couldn't go back.

The sound of Ron's car starting made me sigh in relief as I stripped off my sneakers and filthy jeans. Having him confront me about last nights little adventure was not something that I was looking forward to. It was on the same level as explaining to him that the unknown purchase he had found on his visa receipt had been for my birth control pills.

I walked down the hallway to the only bathroom in my underwear- Ron was already gone and I could still hear Tommy's snores from across the hall- and cranked the shower on, stripping down the rest of the way before I ducked in, sighing as the droplets of heat perforated my back and shoulders.

I stood in the same spot for a long time, unwinding the kinks in my neck and shoulders. After a solid ten minutes I sighed, letting the painful memories of yesterday wash down the drain. I stepped back, rubbing shampoo into my scalp gently as I combed over my thoughts.

I missed home. Not necessarily being back in Jersey, but the feeling of constant family. When we lived in Queens the idea that I could walk across the street and be with my best friend was more than enough for me to stay. Now that we were back in Forks, the feeling had evaporated.

I rinsed my hair, still lost in memory. We had moved to New Jersey when I was three. My parents felt it would be easier on all of us if we were at least in the same country as the rest of my dads family. My moms side remained in Bulgaria. As far as I can remember they never came to see us.

Every Christmas we went to see my dad's family here in Forks, even though it was over three thousand miles away. My grandparents died before I was born, but I had a few aunts and uncles that welcomed us with open arms.

I stood, lost in memory for what felt like hours. I knew I was running out of hot water when I climbed out of the shower, scrambling for a towel to ward of the chill that hit me.

I buffed my arms and face dry, focusing on the giant mirror in front of me. I had cut my waist-length hair to my shoulders right before I left home. Long hair seemed unpractical with all the rain up here. I was sure it would never get dry. The wispy style it had taken on made me frown slightly. The color seemed so much lighter with less hair, too. I had gotten used to the rich chocolate brown, laced with bright highlights. It was now much lighter than before, streaks of white gold- most definitely a gift from my mothers genetics- racing through it.

I took on most of my looks from my mother. Long lashes that surrounded dark, forest green eyes, a small, full mouth and straight nose. Of course my fathers Indian heritage had warped my face, distorting what could have been perfect features. My nose was dented, even more so since it had been broken. My eyes were set deep and my mouth was crooked when I smiled, giving me the look of a rouge fox. I laughed and dried my hair. I had things to do today, and none of them included staring at a mirror.

Once most of the condensation on the mirror had cleared, I wrapped the towel more tightly around me, tossed my dirty garments into the hamper and unlocked the bathroom door, striding out into the hallway without bothering to check first.

The embarrassment I had felt last night was nothing to compare to this.

Seven boys stood there; a group of Tommy's friends. Their eyes bugging out of their heads and their mouths hanging open in surprise.

I know I said Jacob would be in this chapter, but...well, he is, sort of. Ah, anyways. It goes full-swing in the next chapter. Remember: Reviews make the heart grow fonder.