Thump. Thump. Thump.

The photos on the walls were literally vibrating from the booming noises erupting from the speakers. I watched as a giggling girl accidently dropped her bottle and let it smash against the ground. A crowd of boys who gathered around a table were whooping as they played beer pong.

I had almost forgotten what teenage parties were like.

Almost.

I sighed and wrinkled my nose slightly at the stale air. I knew this wasn't a good idea. As soon as we had arrived at Kylie's house, Lexi had run off somewhere, leaving me alone. I should have known this would happen. Lexi wasn't one to commit too much, despite her promises. She was too much of a free spirit.

So now two hours later, I was in the corner of a room in a dress that was several inches shorter than I preferred, holding a glass of mixed spirits, and completely surrounded by the whole teenage population of La Push and Forks. Fun.

I wouldn't mind parties if I had more friends to talk to, but I was more the lone wolf type. I had friends, but none I considered close, apart for Lexi.

I felt someone lean against the wall next to me. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a girl looking wistfully out at the crowd, where groups of girls laughed and danced together, and the boys had chugging competitions. I turned to look at her openly and recognised her as Kim, the shy girl who was Lexi's cousin.

Lexi's parents died in a car crash when Lexi was only a few years old. Since then, she's lived with her aunt and uncle, Kim's parents.

I remembered asking Lexi years ago why she wasn't close with Kim, considering they were family. Lexi had always said that Kim was too quiet and closed up have fun with. I thought that was an unfair thing to say. Lexi had never really gotten to properly know her cousin before- she thought that Kim was too plain for her taste. It had only gotten worse when Kim's crush on my brother had begun. Lexi hated the idea of the whole puppy-love, school yard crush types.

However, despite their differences, Kim always came along to parties to be the responsible one and drive her cousin back to my house when we were ready to leave.

I smiled at her. "Hey, Kim. Are you still aright with playing designated driver tonight?" I asked her, making her jump slightly.

Although the most interaction I'd ever had with Kim was some small talk when I was waiting for Lexi to finish getting ready, she was still a good person to talk to. Just because she was introverted didn't mean she was boring.

She smiled back at me, although it looked a lot like a grimace. "Yeah..." she spoke so soft that I had to lean in close. She looked down at the floor and I could understand why Lexi thought she wasn't the most open person.

"Do you ever get tired of having to come with us just to wait until Lexi's ready to leave?" I asked her, trying to keep the conversation going. Even though I wasn't the most outgoing person ever, I wouldn't describe myself as shy or quiet. I was hoping that if I kept talking, Kim might open up a little.

"No, I don't get tired of it." Kim denied. I was willing to accept that this is all she would say, but she continued after a few moments. "Well, I guess sometimes the time can drag on a bit. But I really don't mind. I like to people watch anyway, and parties are a great place to do that."

She blushed after admitting that, but I smiled encouragingly. It was the most I had ever heard Kim say, and I already found her interesting.

C'mon, Aria. Even you have to admit 'people watching' is nearing the stalker side of the spectrum.

"People watching?" I prompted. "That sounds cool. Who's the most interesting person to people watch?"

Kim didn't reply to my question, flushing even darker. It was only a second later that I realised that she was probably thinking of Jared, who was usually made an appearance at every party. He wasn't at this one though, and I wondered if that was why Kim had looked sad before. I knew she liked him - hell, everybody did, just about.

Even though she hadn't made a confession, we both knew what she had meant and we were left in an awkward silence.

After a few minutes, I began to shift uncomfortably at the amount of tension. Finally, I couldn't take it. "I'm thirsty, I'm gonna go get some punch. I like punch. Do you like punch? I could get you some, because I'm going to get some for me right now. Because I like punch, do you like punch?"

Kim eyes flashed down to the drink in my hand and I immediately felt guilty. But instead of saying anything, she just shook her head. After giving her a brief smile, I made my way through the crowded living room and dancing bodies, gritting my teeth when anyone tried to make me dance or drink with them.

Finally, I reached my target. But it definitely wasn't the punch bowl. That would have been spiked with about a hundred different types of alcohol ages ago.

I let the front door close behind me as I took a deep breath of fresh air. It felt so clean compared to the air inside. There was no trace of sweat or alcohol.

I started to head towards the beach at the end of the road, even though I didn't usually like going there due to certain past experiences. It was raining, but not the normal rain that La Push usually gets. It was soft, almost like mist. I was always happiest when I was in the rain - it felt like it washed all my problems away.

The sand on the beach was cold and slightly wet, but I sat down anyway, not caring what it would do to my dress. I'd probably burn it later anyway, to make sure that Lexi would never find it at the back of my wardrobe and force me to wear it ever again.

I kicked off my shoes and stretched out my legs, scrunching my toes and capturing sand between them. I closed my eyes and exhaled deeply.

Finally I could relax. I knew I'd have to go back to the party soon, but for now, I felt all my worries slip away. When I was alone like this, I could forget about everything... and everyone...

"Aria?"

Of course when you were finally getting some time to yourself, this happens...

My eyes snapped open and I looked up at the large shadow that overlooked me. I squinted at the face in the darkness and then felt sick.

I dragged my eyes from his face to the crashing waves in front of me. "Paul." I retorted shortly. My voice shook. Why did I always have to be so scared of him?

I felt him sit next to me, so close that the warm skin of his arm brushed against mine. I tensed up and very noticeably scooted away from him a few inches. Out of the corner of my vision, I thought I saw that arm shake slightly.

It was quiet for a few moments and I was beginning to think he had no desire to say anything. So I did. "What are you doing here?" I questioned, still not looking at him.

My heart pounded so loud I was sure he would hear it. I was regretting leaving the party now. Even with all the people, all the alcohol… it would still be safer there than here. He won't try anything, he won't try anything... I chanted to myself.

What are you on? It's Paul! Of course he's going to try something! Why else would he be here?

It was silent for a bit longer and I was beginning to wonder if he was either deaf or stupid.

"I came to say sorry."

I had to look at him then. Not just because of what he just said, but because he sounded like he actually meant it. He genuinely sounded sad.

I looked into his eyes through the darkness as he continued to blabber. "I'm so, so sorry for everything. For the last few years, for all what I've done... could you forgive me? I am so sorry, Aria. Believe me, I am." Paul looked expectantly at me, as if he expected me to forgive him straightaway and then for us to become best buddies.

I stared at him in disbelief, his words running over and over in my head.

What was 'sorry' exactly?

Sorry was just one word with five letters. Yet people used this word to apologise for things they did, even if what they did was horrible. Like when drunk drivers say sorry for killing someone. Or when someone apologises for breaking someone's leg. But in the end, it doesn't make a difference. That person is still dead, or still has a leg that would stay in a cast for months.

Sorry was just a word. And it wasn't good enough.

Why would Paul be sorry, anyway? This had to be one of his sick jokes that he plotted with his friends. Pretend to be sorry and then embarrass me in front of the whole school later? Like he did to Lucy that time? I wasn't going to be a Lucy 2.0.

Gee, that's tempting.

My mouth turned downward into a frown. I looked around the beach, trying to avoid his gaze, and took in the wide stretch of empty sand. My heart went into a panicked frenzy again

Don't panic. I mean, after all, you're only just alone with him on a deserted beach... with no one near... no need to panic at all...

"Hey, are you okay?" Paul questioned, putting his hand on my arm. I immediately ripped my arm out of his grip and a mixture of emotions flittered across his face. "Please tell me." I had to do a double take then. Because it had sounded like Paul Lahote was actually... pleading.

That's ridiculous. Paul? Begging? Yeah, right...

I decided to be truthful. After all, if I did get raped and then murdered afterwards, it would count that I was honest in the last leg of my life... right?

Sure. You will be guaranteed a place in heaven.

"No. I'm not okay. I won't ever be. You've treated me like absolute crap, Paul." I told him, spitting out his name. For the first time since I remember, my voice didn't waver as I talked to him. Paul, on the other hand, looked like I had just told him that someone had hijacked his car and drove it off a cliff while his whole family was inside. And then they had kicked his puppy.

Well, maybe it wasn't that dramatic. But he looked pretty sad, considering what I'd said was pretty tame.

"I'm s-"

"Sorry isn't good enough." I interrupted, deciding that if he did end up killing me then I should at least try to stand up to him. "Sorry is just a word and words aren't enough. Nothing you say will ever be good enough to make me forgive you. You know why?" I leaned towards him, so our faces were inches apart. "Because I hate you."

Paul's face was priceless. I almost wished I had a camera, but because I didn't, I tried to take a picture with my mind as best I could. I didn't get enough time, though, because soon Paul's whole frame was shaking so violently I couldn't see his face. He was just one, giant blur before my eyes.

I began to worry. What if he's having another seizure? Should I leave him be and let him possibly die, or get help?

Of course you shouldn't get help! I'm sure that heaven will let you in still. They'll probably be thankful to you for killing the devil!

I didn't get time to decide what I should do.

"Paul!" A voice echoed from across the beach. It rang of power and authority... I was struck with the visual of a mafia boss, and I had no idea why.

I twisted my head around to see two, shirtless men coming our way. I began to panic again.

Three on one! Shit!

I then noticed their faces and felt relief flow over me. One was Sam Uley. That explained the mafia boss visual. I knew he would never do anything bad; it was just the way he was.

The other was Jared. A very angry Jared who looked set on murdering me. I squeaked and inched backward from his gaze, unintentionally leaning into Paul.

I scooted forward as fast as I had back.

"What the hell, Paul?" Jared's voice was a lot scarier than Sam's. At least Sam's voice had one of those cool and calm exteriors, Jared's was just pure rage.

Since when had Jared called Paul by his actual name? Hasn't he only ever called him 'man' or 'bro' or something guy-ish like that?

Jared stormed toward me and I cringed back, only for him to sweep past me and yank Paul up by the neck of his shirt. I watched in disbelief and fear as he punched him straight in the jaw.

Paul quickly retaliated with his own punch, which made Jared act again. I noticed that Paul seemed stronger, yet Jared was faster and lighter on his feet. Well, as light on his feet as an over six foot something man can be. It was strangely fascinating. I felt someone –Sam, probably- pull me to my feet from behind and drag me away a few metres from the scene.

"Jared! Paul! Stop!" They both turned unwillingly and stopped. They both look shocked when they saw my terrified face. They were both shaking violently though, and Sam seemed to notice. "Forest, now!" He commanded and we watched as they both disappeared amongst the tree line.

I turned and faced Sam, a dumbfounded look on my face. He just stared back, his face serious.

"Ask no questions and you'll recieve no lies," was all he said, before he began to jog in the same direction that Jared and Paul had disappeared into.

That was a definitely a very mafia boss thing to say.

. . .

"Please?"

"You are not dragging me into this. I refuse!" I tell Lexi, who was massaging her temples. Served her right, thinking she could drink hard liquor for most of night without getting some kind of hangover.

We were in my kitchen and I was attempting to make a coffee that would meet Lexi's standards. So far she has rejected three cups that I've made.

Lexi always crashed at my house after a party. It was a weird tradition that we had going on. I preferred that she stayed over my house, anyway, because her aunt and uncle were never home much. They were work freaks, always on business trips. I didn't really want to risk what a drunk or hungover Lexi would be like if she went home alone. So she always stayed here.

It got me thinking about Kim, though. She must always be alone in that house. Her parents weren't there; her cousin was usually with me 24/7. As far as I knew, she didn't many close friends. She was similar to me in that sense; mutual friends with a lot of people, but few were close.

I was beginning to wonder if I should ask her to sit with us at lunch tomorrow on Monday when Lexi spoke again.

"Please? Best buddy, best friend?" She pleaded. Too many people were begging and pleading with me lately, it seemed. It wasn't normal.

"No, Lexi." I responded tiredly and set the fourth cup in front of her. She took a sip and wrinkled her nose. "Not enough cream." She told me, smiling sweetly. I rolled my eyes, but went back to the counter.

Who does she think we are? A Starbucks barista?

Lexi wasn't looking so good this morning. In fact, because of her hangover, she looked worse than I did yesterday when she told me I looked like crap.

That's karma. Now you know not to tell your best friend she looks like crap.

Karma was strangely satisfying.

"Please? Old buddy, old pal?" Lexi continued, trying to use the puppy-dog eyes. It didn't work due to the bags beneath her red-rimmed eyes. It didn't really pull off the desired effect.

Lexi was trying to persuade me to go on a double date with her, this boy called Oliver (whom she had met last night) and his random friend. I didn't see why I had to go, Lexi probably only wanted to go on a date to make Embry jealous.

Embry was Lexi's on again-off again boyfriend. They seemed to argue and then breakup at least twice a week, making everyone think they were over. But it always seems that whenever I go over Lexi's house after one of their breakups, armed with comfort food for these depressing times, I always find them making out on the couch.

Yeah, those were some awkward moment...

Anyway, it seemed that Lexi and Embry had another fight at the party and apparently broken up. Lexi now wanted to make Embry jealous by going on a date with this guy from Forks. This guy, Oliver, had suggested they make it a double date with each of one of their friends as well.

Leaving me in the hot seat.

"No. You already made me go to that party yesterday, and what did you do?" I turned around from the counter to look at Lexi, and pretended to think. "Oh, that's right." I gave her a mock, bright smile. "You ditched me."

Lexi frowned. "I said I was sorry for that. I thought you were right behind me."

Yeah, right. Right behind her for five hours.

I sighed. There was that word again. Sorry.

Marley stumbled into the kitchen then. Even though she had been walking for years, she still wasn't too good on her feet. Just by looking at her, you could tell she was going to end up a serious klutz when she got older. I wouldn't put it past her to trip over her own feet on her wedding day when she walked down the aisle.

"Hi Arr-ee-aa. Hi Lexx-ee." Marley waved at us as she pulled herself up in a chair. She began to reach across the table for one of the rejected cups of coffee. Thankfully, Lexi had enough sense to move it out of her reach.

"Nah uh, not for you. Have this instead." Lexi handed her a cup of juice instead. Marley eagerly accepted it and began to drink, spilling most of it on her clothes as she did so.

I sighed and grabbed some paper towels.

While I was attempting to clean Marley up, Lexi got a devilish look in her eye.

"Hey, Marley?" She asked leaning forward. Marley looked back at her expectantly with wide eyes. "Do you think that Aria should come to the cafe with me and two boys?" She questioned, raising her eyebrows.

Marley stared at her before turning to me, and then going back to look at Lexi. I gritted my teeth. I knew what she was trying to do. I couldn't say no to Marley.

Please say no, Marley. Please say no. Please say no. Plea-

"Boys icky." Marley said, shaking her head in disgust.

"I'll buy you ice cream if you tell her she should," Lexi stage-whispered to her, causing me to grit my teeth.

Marley's eyes lit up. We both had a slight addiction to ice cream.

Key word being slight... yeah, right. Must be a genetic thing.

"Go with Lexx-ee, Arr-ee-aa," she told me, the bribe winning her over.

Lexi smirked at me. "I guess you're coming then."

I was at loss."You are cruel and evil and mean, you know that?" I told her exasperated.

"Yep." Lexi said cheerfully, knowing this was my way of saying yes. "Cruel and evil and mean. That's me, the Wicked Bitch of the West."

Damn right.

. . .

Good? Bad? Okay? Whatever? Tell me! I need to know!... please?

Question of the chapter: Do you think Lexi should be imprinted on? Or should she stay that one friend (and cousin) that will be completely out of the loop and disapprove of Paul and Jared all the way?

I know that there wasn't much Aria and Paul, but I'm building up to it! Give me some time. I need time to make this full of suspense and all that stuff.

Thanks for all the reviews, keep telling me what you think! I love hearing all your opinions anf thoughts so far, it really keeps me motivated!