I'm so happy this story has such a devoted following! I really like writing for you guys and your reviews really make my day. This chapter doesn't have too much conflict but next chapter there will be WWV (Wolf on Wolf Violence). Also, I'm thinking about posting a few oneshots that I've made for Jakeward. They're mostly funny. BTW I'm using the actors from the movie to play their respective characters; so Rob Pattionson is still Edward and Taylor Lautner is still Jacob. I just both of them are totally scrumptious. But feel free to imagine "your" Edward and Jacob, I've got nothing against creativity.

Enjoy!

Chapter Seven: Hearing Damage

So my birthday was rapidly approaching in four days. Now I love birthday parties. I'm always a hoot at them; the cake, the dancing, the whole shebang really. I was a party animal (in more ways than one).

I fidgeted in my desk as the teacher droned on and on about ions or protons or PowerAde. I was too spaced out to pay any attention. My brain was busy wondering what Edward was planning for me. After devouring all the food in the house (not that they eat it anyway!) he let it slip that he was planning something special for my birthday. I knew my imprint. He'd never let something slip unless it was deliberate. Which got me wondering; I'd never had a boyfriend (or significant other for that matter) so I had no idea what to expect. I gulped dryly and walked to lunch. Maybe… no… Edward wouldn't. Would he?

'Birthday sex.' Damon winked.

Sex? I doubted it. Edward might've been incredibly hot but he was also a total prude. But I loved him for it. But a part of me, which I thought was mostly Damon, wanted birthday sex. I was still a virgin in every aspect of the term. I imagined myself writhing beneath Edward as he pounded into me. I almost wished he was there to read my thoughts so we could make them come true.

"Jake, you okay?"

I whirled around from the lunch line and saw Quil staring at me.

"Um yeah," I lied quickly. Lies were becoming a daily part of my vocabulary. "I'm just a little tired."

"Yeah dude, you look wiped." Embry said, sitting next to me at the table.

Their chatter somewhat annoyed me so I retreated back into my erotic fantasyland where evilly sexy Edward was telling me I was a bad puppy who needed to be punished.

What? Like you've never thought about it.

Seth was a true friend, never spilling my secret; though I surmised it was because of his crush on Alice and Esme's cooking. I bet Edward had invited him to my little bash too.

"Saw a bloodsucker yesterday." Paul growled.

I was suddenly interested in their conversation, "Really?"

He nodded furiously, "Yeah, it was that weird one-"

Embry interjected, "They're all weird."

I suppressed a snarl but let them continue.

"It was…you know the one who dated that clumsy girl- the one Jake likes."

"Bella." I said, leaning in, "You saw Edward yesterday?"

I tried not to let my voice get dreamy when I said his name. Around the guys I needed to at least keep up the illusion I hated the Cullen's, and that I was straight.

"Yeah," Paul said, "he was just skulking around the woods. Close to your house Jake, actually."

Everyone looked at me but I let it roll off my back, "Didn't smell him. What was he doing near the reservation anyway?"

Paul shook his head, "Dunno, but Sam found out. There's a pack meeting tonight, we're all expected to be there."

Crap. I was supposed to go over to Edward's after school. I stirred my radioactive cafeteria chili, "So it's mandatory?"

"Yeah Jake, especially for you. Where've you been lately?" Embry asked.

All my friends looked at me intently, waiting for an answer. I shrugged and tried to play dumb, "What do you mean?"

"I mean," Embry said, "You never hang with us anymore. Like never. Are we even friends anymore?"

"Seriously? Just because I don't spend every waking moment with you guys doesn't mean we're not friends!" I said indignantly, "I've just been going through some rough shit, okay?"

Paul sighed, "Well we're here for you Jake. That's what the pack's for."

I wasn't so sure my vampire imprint would qualify for the pack's special therapy session. I scratched my head,

"I know, I know, you guys are like my best friends. It's just…" I sighed, I can't tell them everything.

The bell rang shrilly and we hurried to our next class. As I shut my locker, watching them walk away, I couldn't deny how distant we'd become and I wondered if the rift would only get bigger.

When I got home Seth was there. He reeked of vampire so I guessed he'd spent the day with Alice and Jasper. They both had taken a liking to him. All the Cullen's had. Even Rosalie.

"Hey Seth." I said, shedding my backpack and plopping on the sofa.

Seth smiled nervously, "Uh hey… what're you doing home?"

"I live here."

"I know but I thought you had stuff to do today."

He was hiding something. For once I wish I had Edward's mind reading capabilities; I'd love to know what Seth was thinking. But for now, I'd let him squirm.

I stretched my hands above my head, "Nope. I'm free as a bird until the pack meeting. So, how was your day?"

I watched him closely as he pushed a colorful box behind the counter with his foot.

Seth shifted awkwardly, "Oh you know. Pretty boring."

"But you saw Alice?" I pressed, grinning inwardly.

"Um yeah!" he stammered, "She and Jasper… we uh went… somewhere."

I decided not to torture Seth anymore, "Cool."

The phone rang and Seth went back to trying to hide my gift. I laughed a little as I answered the phone.

"Hello?"

"You really need a cell phone."

It was Edward, of course. I suddenly felt like a love struck teen girl as I twirled the phone's cord around my fingers.

"Not really. You're the only one who calls me anyway."

Edward sighed, "I could always-"

"No." I said sternly, "You're not buying me one. My people survived for hundreds of years without cell phones. I think I can handle not being able to check Facebook on the go."

"I just worry Jake." He said. I could tell he was frustrated with me, "What if something happens and you can't reach me. It's just… safe."

"Hello? Werewolf remember?" I said playfully but added in a serious tone, "Edward you shouldn't worry about me. I doubt someone would try to hurt me at all."

"If they did their ass would be mine." He growled, sending shivers down my spine.

I tugged on the phone cord, "Aw you're all possessive. But seriously, I can take care of myself."

"Whatever you say, love."

His tone of voice was definitely a 'we'll talk about this later' type of tone. I quickly changed the subject of my phone independence to Seth's "strange" behavior.

"So Seth had fun with Alice and Jasper?" I asked nonchalantly.

"Just ask me about the party. I know you want to."

"Wow, you can hear my thoughts over the phone?" I said, shocked.

Edward laughed, "No but I do know you. And I know you'll be curious, silly wolf."

"Oh really?" I said. The phone cord was now successfully wrapped around my leg and part of my torso. I smiled, "So there is a party?"

"You know there is." He said, "Alice wants it to be a New York theme. You know like that dreadful show she watches."

"Gossip Girl? Seriously? She wants to throw me a Gossip Girl party? What are we, fifteen?" Well technically I was just a year older than that but you get the point.

"Yes. We're having it here at the house."

"And Seth's in on this little shenanigan?" I asked painfully.

"Of course," he added, "My family's grown quite attached to you both. Alice always did want pets." He joked.

I mock-growled, "I am not a pet Edward Cullen. I am a wild animal."

"Oh really?" he said purred, "Do most wild wolves receive this much love daily because I can't tell you the last time I saw one getting kissed so much."

"I guess not. But then again, do most vampires swap spit with werewolves?"

I heard the front door slam. Shit. My dad was home.

"Edward I gotta go. My dad's home." I whispered.

"Jake?! Are you home?!" Dad yelled.

I covered the phone receiver with my hand, not that it made a difference, Edward could still hear everything.

"Yeah dad! I'm on the phone!" Crap! Why did I say that?!

"Bye Edward." I said quickly, "I love you."

"Love you too. See you tonight."

Damn I forgot to tell him about the pack meeting. Before I could say anything else he'd hung up. When I walked into the kitchen I saw Seth hopping out the door. My gift was visible for all to see, as he was balancing it on his head.

"Who were you talking to?" Dad asked.

I took two sodas from the fridge, "Bella."

Dad nodded, accepting the soda, "How's she doing in D.C.?"

"Fine." I lied. Gulping, I mustered up my courage to ask the question I'd been dying to ask all day.

"Um Dad, are you planning anything for my birthday? Like a dinner or something?"

This was beyond awkward.

Dad sighed, "Well Jake if you want to. I mean we could go to Port Angeles."

Dad wasn't a fan of going into town. Maybe this party could benefit us both.

"Because I kinda had plans… a friend of mine was throwing me a party."

"Well I think you should go." Dad said, "I mean, you only turn sixteen once. Who's throwing the party?"

Here it comes… the word vomit I'd been dreading, "Actually it's one of Bella's friends." Okay so it wasn't all a lie.

"That's nice of them."

I could tell Dad officially had enough of this birthday talk so I went back into my room. Falling on my bed I couldn't help but let my eyes close.

My dreams were of Edward.

I woke up to blinding cold pressed against my cheek. This was strange because I was never cold. Shivering, I looked up. My eyes met the golden caramel color I'd become so accustomed to. Edward smiled down at me,

"Sleep well?"

I yawned, "You have no idea."

He chuckled and I pressed a kiss on his jaw. Glancing out the window I saw it was still light outside.

"Edward, this is really risky." I said.

He pulled me closer, "I know. But I don't care Jacob. We shouldn't have to hide."

"But we do."

A small trickle of sunlight penetrated into my room, landing directly on Edward's face. It sparkled like a brilliant star and gave him an angelic halo. I smiled,

"You're all sparkly."

He sighed dramatically, "It's a curse."

I traced a finger over his chest, "It looks kinda like stripper body glitter."

Edward raised an eyebrow, "Have you experience this first hand?"

"Nope, but I still think it's sexy." I said playfully.

Down the hall I could hear Dad talking to Sue Clearwater. They were both worried about me and Seth disappearing all the time. I wanted to tell them badly; I hated lying to my Dad. Edward felt my spirit drop,

"Maybe you should tell him."

"I can't." I sighed, looking away from Edward's brilliant eyes.

Edward gently lifted my chin so I could look at him, "Are you ashamed?"

I felt a blush creep up my face, "No… I mean-"

"Jacob," he said seriously, "if you want, we can stop this. I have no intention of chasing you if you don't love me."

"But I do!" I whined. Everything sucked. I fucked up everything just by looking at it. I shook away my nerves, "I just don't like lying. I mean, I've gotten so good at it sometimes I don't know when what's the truth and what's not."

He kissed me, his cold lips meeting my perpetually hot ones. There was so much emotion building in the kiss I thought he might break my jawbone. This conflict between our families could be solved without bloodshed. Perhaps our relationship could bring them together. When Edward finally drew away from me I was panting from lack of oxygen but it was almost like a high.

"I'm making you high?" Edward said, confusion and amusement coloring his marble face.

"You're like my personal brand of heroine." I laughed, knowing how completely cheesy the line sounded.

"So what would you like for your birthday?" he asked, pulling me closer so that I was resting my chin on his chest.

'Sexual favor coupons.' Damon deadpanned, 'Edward naked with a Snickers bar sounds wonderful.'

I mentally liked that idea, sans the Snickers bar. I mean I loved the candy but I don't think I wanted to know what Damon was thinking.

"Nothing really." I said nonchalantly.

Edward tapped my nosed playfully, much like you would do to a little puppy, "Nothing? Well that won't do. I'd planned on getting you something wonderful, maybe a new car? I just saw the new Audi-"

"Edward!" I said, "I told you, don't be extravagant!"

"You're starting to sound like Bella."

Rule number one when dating me: Don't mention your ex-girlfriend. I mean Bella and I were friends but that didn't mean I wanted to hear about her. But she was right.

"I can't accept expensive stuff." I sighed, "It's just a pride thing for me. And besides, my car is fine."

I saw Edward's face wrinkle with distaste at the thought of the Rabbit. He gave me a look,

"As least let me fix it up for you."

That I could allow. "Done."

Yes! Maybe 14 reviews? I'm reaching for the stars! Show me some love and you'll be invited to Jacob's b-day party!