A/N: I lost my grip on this story, sorry! Here's a very long chapter to compensate :) Thank you for the reviews. This is Leah's POV. Enjoy and do leave a note :D

VIII.

"Hey Embry, dude. You can stop acting."

Embry, who had slowly turned bright red, squeaked and attempted to strangle Paul. He might have done a better job that I had just attempted, had he not only stop to look at me and radiate like a glowing star. Me, not so much.

I was panting heavily, not because of anger as much as it was due to a nervous breakdown. My nose flared and my fingernails slid against my palm. Acting? Fucking acting? I had to breathe deep to curb the ire from surging. Have I just been punked? God help me, because if I was, if everything that nearly gave me a stroke was all part of Embry's theatrical display, I was going to skin this sexy walking homo sapiens alive.

Holy shit, I was delirious.

Judging by that annoying sneer plastered on Paul's face and the horror of Embry's, I would gone to the school garage to snatch the sharpest machete available. But one look at Embry's shoulder was all it took for me to revoke the compulsion of peeling his smooth, russet skin off.

Stupid brain. Who the hell said smooth?

After a fractuous second of total irateness, I found myself not able to care less what Paul had just said, because even if the world turned upside down Paul Meraz was not the person I would trust. Acting or not acting, Embry Call looked like he'd just gotten his right clavicle smashed, and his shoulders dislocated. Hence also earnt the right to my concern.

My rage was suddenly superseded by uneasiness. Given, I wouldn't have cared if Embry smashed his head, but although he did ask for it, it was quite undeniably my mistake. How would I have known he would simply let the bookshelf crush him like that? I expected him to fend it off or at least swerve away from danger like an agile eagle, like he always seemed to be. But no, Embry Call opened his arms and welcomed the bloody thing like it was heaven.

"Embry?"

He was looking at me like that again. Like I was an exam he needed passing. Like I was making him happy. I didn't think he even noticed how stupidly fragile he looked, let alone realised he had successfully broken his bones. Idiot.

Beside me, Paul started to turn green.

"I--I gotta go," he stumbled, lips trembling. He looked greener than Shrek. I momentarily let go of Embry's hand (he must have grabbed mine) and pulled Paul by the collar. "Get the hell back here!"

"Wh--what do you need me for? He's urgh, he's okay!"

At this point, Embry has finally noticed his damaged shoulders and was doubling over with the pain. I wanted to punch Paul the asshole right in his mouth. He had his friend groaning in pain in front of him and he wanted to bail out like a scared kitten? Chivalry was a rarity these days.

"How do you think I'll be able to carry him to the clinic?"

He looked disgusted. "Why don't you let him ride you? I'm sure he won't mind."

The nerve of this guy! "You say one more word, kid, and I won't hesitate to grate your cheese balls."

"I am not a kid!" He ran his hand through what was left of his hair, while Embry made a futile attempt to get on his feet. I managed to convince him to stay put while I debated with the moron. "Listen here, kid. You--"

"I said I am not a kid!" Paul wailed dramatically.

"Yes Paul, I'm very convinced a full pledge man pukes at the mere sight of a broken bone."

"I'm not going to puke!"

I cocked an eyebrow. "Prove it."

Using a boy's cockiness to my advantage was a lesson growing up with Seth and being under the costant watch of Harry Clearwater taught me. Paul Meraz looked as if he was ready to punch me to the ground. His jaw was set solid, his fists raised and clenched tight. Behind me, Embry gave a low growl, sending Paul reeling with some sort of uncharacteristic frustration. Embry strained to warn Paul. "Don't you dare touch her. I will kill you."

He heaved a sigh, and then gritted his teeth at Embry. "You will tell no one about this."

How Embry managed to giggle while Paul carried him bridal style should be pretty flooring. The problem was, as Paul took the long way to avoid whoever met our path, I wasn't in any way feeling addled. I was livid.

Two weeks ago, after William decided to grace La Push with his flamboyance and that bloody Aston Martin, this giggling Embry suddenly decided to be an escapologist. Suddenly, there was no Embry around and too much of William in my miserable existence. Mr. Clarke, the school headmaster, lost more of his balding hair in sheer outrage. He did laps around the school corridors whining about students missing detention. The Protectors, Embry's fellow idiots, looked catatonic and mourned like someone died. Even mum and dad looked bothered and eyed me funny. Hello? I didn't even touch him!

Part of me couldn't help it. I got within a few feet of his house before dear dignity reminded me that I shouldn't give a damn about Embry Call. Still, as I walked siwftly away, it felt like I did. I wanted to claw the sickening feeling out of my miserable chest; it was dominating.

How I managed to connect everything to his disappearance was pathetic enough. But the more pathetic fact was that all throughout Embry's Harry Houdini act, it was I who felt ever more worried. The last I saw of Embry was his back, rushing into the trees. That was also the last time I didn't feel like I was spiralling into a black hole. The following week was hell, for the lack of a stronger word. I couldn't sleep, had no freaking appetite, and felt like the dumping ground for the world's worst problems. I got into an argument with mum every stinking minute, broke Seth's new Xbox and got myself grounded for snapping dad's fishing pole in two.

And I didn't fucking get why.

Usually, when my double X chromosome started its charms and got me in mood swings, I would often understand how I managed to get myself reeling with frustrations. Sam Uley was the favourite reason. So of course, when I found myself venting my anger at Sam, it seemed utterly normal. There was no surprise when You son of a bitch, die Sam Uley, DIE tagline slithered across my mind--until I realised that I wasn't mopping around because he was my worst nightmare and freaking dumped me for my cousin, but because I was certain he was the reason behind Embry's sudden evanescence.

So I thought of digging Sam's grave to release my volatile emotions, and voila, Embry Call found his way to them.

I had to bite my tongue to stop myself from squealing. I was horrified to find myself feeling entranced and fucking bouyant at the sight of him trapped in one of the pits, drenched from head to toe and, mind you, shirtless. Leah Clearwater feeling excited at the sight of half-naked men was not totally startling, but Leah Clearwater feeling ardent--flipping happy---at the sight of Embry Call half naked made a big difference. Hell, Leah Clearwater feeling fluttering butterflies--excited butterflies of all freaking possibilities--on the pit of her gut was worrying.

"You can't go in," the school nurse said, snapping me back to reality with her stout fingers. I found myself focused on them, before shaking my head to reawaken my senses. "What?"

"I said, you can't go in," she reiterated, drawing the curtains around the bed. Embry swore and reached out for my hand, but the damn nurse pushed me out of the door.

I held my breath, predominantly dazed. I had often wondered how Embry took everything that happened to me so personally; now I fully understood. I could even curl myself in a ball and whimper at the corner, simply on the thought that he was hurt. There was an uncomfortable feeling brewing in my stomach knowing I caused it; something too uncomfortable for me to ignore. Obviously, it could only be guilt. It must be.

Mr. Clarke walked stomped in angrily, his bald head receding much more than I expected. He glared at me for a minute, closed his eyes and yelled at the ceiling the next. "Why is it always you two?"

"Believe me sir, I wonder the same thing."

He took a short, quivering step towards me, apparently meant to intimidate. Yeah, whatever. I was still half a foot taller than him. "Miss Clearwater, just so you know, I found books a mile way from they should have been, a library shelf turned over, and a sophomore gagging in my office. I would appreciate you getting straight to the point."

Seriously? Was Paul vomiting? "Sir, it is solely my cousin's fault." I rolled my eyes for a more dramatic effect. "No other than William Clearwater, I repeat."

Mr. Clarke's jaw hung loose, more pathetically than a deer caught in headlights. This past few weeks, he and William had grown from mere acquaintances to best friends forever. It was almost bromantic.

"Willie?" Mr. Clarke choked out, before resuming the process of turning into a purple turnip.

Since when has my freaking cousin been Willie?

"The mastermind," I nodded casually, ignoring the bile that was about to spill out of my mouth.

Just then, the nurse strode back out, muttering something along the lines of bizarre bone structures. My heart fluttered involuntarily. "How is he?"

"Not too good, no. We have to take him to the hospital," she replied stewly. My palm hit my head. Shit, I'm screwed. Dad's ear would surely pick up the news. "Call's shoulder is in pieces," the nurse added.

"I'm ringing his mother," Mr. Clarke grunted, walking away.

Getting Embry to the hospital was more chaotic than forcing an oversized pig to get clean. Other than the unwillingness, Embry appeared immune to some medicines the nurse forced him to swallow. The anaesthetic did everything but calm him to obedience. By the time he was being wheeled into the emergency room, his face was pale from his tantrum and stubborness. I noticed his panic as he twisted around to call for me, who was dragged along without permission, by the way.

"Leah! I need you!"

For a moment, I wondered why.

I could glimpse Embry's fists starting to clench together. "Geroff me, nurse. Leaaah!"

For the well-being of the few recovering patients and the machine-mouthed medical staff, I aversely slumped forward. While Embry gazed torturously into my eyes I contemplated whether the pain that I could almost feel was due to his physical wounds or something more profound. He looked too agonized yet too entraced when his eyes swirled into my own.

"Your voice is higher than a female opera singer, Embry. Why are you shrieking for me?"

"I need you."

"Why? "

His voice was deep, as usual, yet so solemn, that I could almost feel the tenderness he would embrace me with. "Can I talk to you?"

"No," the nurse replied for me. Embry didn't agree, so I pressed on his shoulders to prove a point. He winced, though he held back a grunt of pain. Briskly, he grabbed my hand that was still on his shoulders. He held on to me so tightly the nurse could only try to save it. Even so, I didn't feel the force at all. It felt more like he was caressing it rather than clinging on to it. My hand must have been numb.

It was at this instant when Sam Uley showed himself, puffing his chest out so arrogantly I wanted to kick him right on the chest to punch the air out of his lungs. Damn, he was annoying. What had I been thinking dating this guy? A flicker of jealously hinted his features when his eyes landed on Embry's warm clutch on my hand and I reveled at the sensation; I had my more than my share of suffocating jealousy in our relationship, or lack thereof. It was just just for Sam to have his piece of the pie.

His lovers, Jacob and Jared, tailed him.

"Embry," Sam acknowledged, nodding his head without any apparent hint of genuine concern at Embry. He did not looked perturbed either. Just, annoyed. "Paul just told me. We need to go."

Jacob looked worried. "Dude, are you okay?"

"Come on, Embry," Sam impatiently demanded, words implying something much more than the obvious. "We have to go."

My ears tingled with rage at his well chosen words. I stepped forward, wedging myself between Embry's wheelchair and Sam. "If you think I would allow you to take an injured person under your wing, away from proper medical attention, then you asshole might as well snap out of the illusion," I snarled.

"Leah," Sam muttered, voice now humbled. "Leah you don't understand--"

"Oh I don't understand, that's why. Let's do a recap here, jerkface. When you went on fucking hibernation, you told me I didn't understand. Then you dump me and move on to my cousin, of all possible people, and there was nothing I could do because I didn't understand. You prowl around like some stupid over-protective guard dogs and no one explains anything because Leah Clearwater doesn't understand. If you think I would swallow that word from you ever again, Uley, you can forget about Leah Clearwater having to understand anything!"

I was out of breath after my frenzy. Sam looked dead guilty as usual, but before I could karate his neck, my attention was jailed by Embry. He was literally shaking, my hands quivering intensely with his. His eyes, blazing with fiery loathing, were glaring coldly at Sam. Jared and Jacob exchanged alarmed glances, looking from Embry to Sam. It was as if Embry and not I shouted those words at Sam; his anger was too real. Embry was, in many ways, clearly defending me with unspoken words. Uley stuttered, trying to sway Embry to follow his mandate, but the nurse wheeled him away from their pool of oversized, puny-brained morons.

I much preferred enduring a moody Embry than the arrogant trio that blocked the whole of the hospital's thrifted corridor. I stormed towards the room where the nurse left Embry to wait for the doctor, slipping obstinately into its lack of cosiness.

"Don't set yourself on fire," Embry said suddenly.

"Why are you so random?"

"I just want to lighten your feelings up. Are you okay?"

I crossed the room to open the window for some fresh air. It was stifling inside. Outside couldn't be more different, raining as usual. The sun awfully averted La Push. "No," I replied truthfully. "Seeing Sam annoyed the hell out of me."

"Sorry," Embry mumbled. I noticed how he had started to relax, so I promptly followed suit. He did manage to lighten up my emotions, despite that bizarre randomness. "Why are you apologising?"

"I don't know. I'm sorry you're upset."

"You apologise too much," I told him.

He chuckled lightly, but flinched as his shoulders moved. He seemed to ignore the pain, but I could see right through his facade, and no matter how much I denied it. I wasn't feeling good about him being hurt.

"If it wasn't for my st--ouch--stupidity, you would never have seen Sam," he expressed.

"It took you this long to realise being an imbecile isn't something entirely honourable?"

"I am an only child so I was always encouraged in every endeavour."

Stuck in the wheelchair, Embry couldn't make it to the bed (and I wasn't willing to help him up either) so I planted myself on it. Not that it was anything to go by; the thing was so ancient it could have easily been Taha Aki's deathbed. I had more back pain sitting on that springy mattress than if I had stood up. Embry confidently played his facade, but everytime I looked away I could feel the pain seeping through his mask. When I couldn't take it any longer, I found myself irate with him again.

"How dare you! How dare you try to hug the bloody bookshelf?! It's made from oak, asshole. Will you forget about your ego for one second? You're not invincible!"

"What'd I do?"

"Got yourself hurt," I snapped.

He looked extremely surprised one second, then his pondering face replaced his bewildered expression. He gave a little "hmm" before asking me to listen carefully to his words. "No matter how much I try, I know I will end up screwing this up," he mysteriously declared. His feet started playing with each other as he went on. "So I will say it, now."

The silence was seriously wounding my patience.

Embry quivered. "Will you give me a minute?"

"You are random."

But I gave him a minute anyway. It took him exactly seventy-two seconds to regain composure. With a final deep breath and a whole lot of nervous body language, he opened his mouth once more. "If you want me hurt, Leah, then I'd rather be hurt and see you pleased than be safe and leave you discontented."

Huh?

I wanted to ask why, but I settled with a more cynical approach. "Sorry to burst your bubble, Embry, but chivalry's dead."

"I'm serious," he mumbled gravely. "If you want me to stay away from you, to give you space or to never show my face again, I will. Anything you want, as long it makes you happy."

Oh wow. Not even Romeo Montague could procure a line more masochistic than that.

It felt so surreal. I didn't even dare myself to believe him. The devotion Embry exuded was almost tangible. Even the tips of my fingers were tingling with the unfamiliar electricity. It was difficult not to trust his words--it was too genuine to be impure. I found myself swallowing a couple of times.

"Will you really?" I joked. "'Cause you know, I was beginning to think you're stalking me."

"If you wish."

Embry's gaze fell to his feet, which were still busy fighting with each other. I could hear his heartbeat treble, but whether it was from his physical sufferings or emotional turmoil, I couldn't distinctly tell. His hands were limp at his side, and from where I sat, he looked like the epitomy of a dejection. I wanted to ease his burden, but what the hell was I supposed to say?

The door clicked and the nurse was back. Embry gave me a shy smile before being towed away; a smile which made me realise that he actually believed that I was going to ask him that.

Stupid, stupid, stupid!

What on earth was he thinking? Before Sam's wretched engagement celebration, Embry Call was no one. He wasn't my concern, and I was clearly not his. I was miserable, and he was being a normal teenage boy skipping merrily along the shore. The closest interaction we both had was when he casually asked me about Sam and his little gang. Then, without giving me enough time to cope, change decided to strike, and now Embry was confessing? To me? Embry? Me?

"You know, Leah, if you're so worried about Embry, I see nothing wrong in getting your butt off the couch and visiting him. Do you want me to ring him? You know, it's best to be warned that Satan is coming down."

William's sing song voice floated to my ears, his sarcasm clearly hovering over every word. I had been catatonic these past few days, thinking, and only thinking. I had ran away from the hospital three days ago, which happened to be when I saw Embry last. I didn't think I could face Embry ever again. Being utterly embarrassed would not even begin to cover my feelings. His little statement suited me perfectly.

"Fuck you, Will."

"Riiight. What's Embry's number? Lemme go ask Seth."

"If I see you anywhere near the phone, I will scratch your car."

He stuck his tongue out. "I've never seen anyone in a bigger denial before! I should hail you denial queen."

"Why don't you try, William Clearwater? Give me a sash and I will strangle you with it."

Seth stuck his head from the kitchen and eyed us cautiously, while the plates he was washing clamoured in the sink. He only retracted it when William had safely pushed me into the lounge. Looking at the way Seth was speeding up his chore, I knew he would nose in soon enough.

William dropped his voice. "Does Seth still change his mind every two days about what he wants to be when he grows up?"

"Nope. It stopped when he was twelve. Why?"

"Because Seth's been awfully interrogative lately and was eyeing Charlie Swan far too enthusiastically for my liking," he whispered.

"Been watching lots of NCIS and CSI too. I think he wants to be a cop," I added.

"Eewww," William whined. "Yesterday he told Uncle Harry he would have to kill him if he told him where he hid his bait."

"Are you talking about me?" Seth grumbled suspiciously, finally arriving to gossip. Raising Seth around Emily, William and I, and later with the two of us girls proved disastrous for my brother's masculinity. "You're talking about me!" he accused.

"Nope," William and I denied.

"I will sue you both!"

We rolled our eyes.

Seth wasn't pleased. "I heard you! You were whispering about bait. Dad asked me about bait yesterday!"

"Geez, Seth. Get a life."

William was a lot more blatant. "Come, Seth, I know a good porn website to revive the testosterone. I think you need it."

At this point, I decided to free myself from the boys and retire to my room. A dress lay waiting in my bed for me to wear for later, to William's birthday bash. I was too occupied that, according to my mum, I actually promised William that of course I would wear the dress without any fuss. See where Embry gets me? In fucking trouble.

Two monotonous hours later, when the sun had faded and the lights finally lit, La Push burst with tanned Florida guests of the birthday boy. William had commissioned himself to force me into the wretched corset, complete with make-up and four inch high heels. I looked like a fucking clown. A made-up fucking clown.

"Leaaaah," Seth yammered. "Where is the rest of your dress?"

"Apparently, Seth, according to William this is all I'm wearing tonight."

"That's only half a dress!" Seth moaned. "My classmates are oggling at your legs. I don't like it."

I almost yanked out a table cloth. "I'm gonna hunt William down and I don't care if he's ever related to us. Why don't you do us both a favour and gauge your friends' eyes?"

I vaguely realised Seth mumbling something in reply before skipping away as I caught all seven of them entering the scene. The bubble died as Sam lead the way to where William's throne was situated, tugging a graceful Emily along with him, followed by a smug Paul, a protective Jared with...is that Kim? I never knew they were together. The way Jared stared at Kim caught my eyes. He stared like...Embry.

I swatted the thought away and watched as Jacob trudged along with red eyes. He was last.

Embry swapped the cut-off shorts for a more formal outfit, although the cast and sling didn't fit well. Okaay, I'll admit it. He looks pretty endearing. The rest of Sam's gang had almost identical attires, but as Emily kissed me hello, I couldn't help but notice how despite the closeness of their features, Embry seemed to be the one to buzz with attention.

"You look dazzling Leah," Emily complemented.

I gave her a subtle smile and led her to our cousin. Sam didn't let go of her hand, and as much as part of me wanted to take his hand, I turned away and took hers instead. "Will's over there."

I ushered the pair to William and hurriedly left the scene.

As I made my way along the crowd, Embry's eyes caught mine from the end of the sea of people. Immediately, I wanted to shy myself away. If my eyes were left to their own, it would probably scour Embry from head to toe, and would never leave. As I tried to force my eyes away from Embry's neck, high voice distracted me.

"Oh my God. Oh my God, Oh my God!"

Some pathetic sophomore started squealing into my ears. I dodged away, but the brunette, entirely overdressed girl held a vice-like grip on my arms. She had more energy than a toddler hyped with sugar. "They're your friends, right? Embry Call? And Jacob Black?"

Bitch. Choose only one, and you better choose right.

"Wow, Embry."

I don't like her.

I also didn't like the way she said his name. Her eyes sparkled as she craned her neck to get a better glimpse at him. She was almost ready to pounce on Embry. "Vaguely. We're not close friends."

This stupid bimbo was far from deterred. In fact, she appeared to double her persistence. "He is sooo hot!" she sqeaked, fanning herself with her hand. "Is he available?"

You have got to be kidding me. Why ask me? I answered through gritted teeth. "No."

"Huh? What?"

"I don't know," I corrected myself. "And frankly, I don't give a rat's ass."

Her face lit up. "So you're not his girlfriend?"

I seriously don't like her.

"No?" I had made it sound like a question, so I cleared my throat before she could reply, and gave her a firmer answer. "No?"

It still sounded like a flipping question.

"I always see you in school together, though."

Is she a stalker? "Coincidence."

"You have to help me get him! He is totally smoldering!" she gushed. "Smex! Oh my God."

Screw you.

"I don't believe I have any obligations to you."

"Oh come on! Please? Leah Clearwater, right? I could totally do him!" One more word! One more word and I swear I could slap her. "I mean, look at those arms..." she pointed blatantly at Embry, who was too observant to fail to catch her. She giggled and waved, and Embry smiled awkwardly and nodded. My eyebrow flew. Oh so he is flirting now too? If I had only known, I would have saved him the bother and gladly drag her by the hair to fling her on his damn hips.

"He waved at me!" she swooned.

Forget slapping her, I could very well happily break her jaw, and crush it afterwards. The nerve! "Look here, if you like Embry Call, why don't you just go drag him to somewhere dark? He seems practically edging you on!"

"Really? You think he likes me too?"

I rolled my eyes to distract my fists from flying to her open mouth. "Why am I even talking to you? I don't know you."

"I'm Jessica Spencer," she introduced proudly. "I know you, though. You're supposed to be with him--" she nodded at Sam's direction, and seeing him sent my heart into back flips. He had Emily waltzing with him in such a romantic way that I felt my heart grow weak. "--but he ditched you for her, they told me."

Jessica didn't stop her assault. "Is he blind? I mean, she's a scar-faced traitor, and you look way better. She's hideous."

"That's my cousin you're talking about, bitch."

She either didn't have the mental capability to register my hostility or must have missed my last word. "He's such a loser choosing her over you. I mean, hello? No wonder you're so angry. I would too, if I were you. Imagine doing it with your ex's cousin. Such a no-no!"

My control snapped violently. Before I knew it, my hands were gone from my side and were on route to her neck. Thankfully, before she could notice, masculine cold hands pried it away from the proximity of her jugular and brought it to his mouth for a kiss. I found my anger vented at the stranger.

"Hello beautiful," the voice--completely unfamiliar--said, obviously made to revoke my anger.

"Oh," Jessica noticed. "I guess I'll see you later. Enjoy," she winked. Fuming, I watched her glide away to where Embry stood with Jacob, engulfing their respective trays of dessert. The bitch brushed her hair in disarray to prepare for her onslaught. I nearly gagged.

I turned to face the stranger holding my hands, ready to start the fight I didn't have the chance to. Standing beside me was someone about the same height, who had the classic Florida tan and an attractive smile. "Let go of my hand," I spat.

I felt odd. Like I was angry. Why the fuck is that girl even interested in Embry? Is he even interesting? Why was he fucking flirting with her like that? Yeah, that'll work. They can get together for all I care and they so fit. Stupid for stupid.

"I said let go of my hand," I reiterated, twisting away.

Did I just hear a growl somewhere?

"Not until you tell me your name," he urged, tapping his feet. I suspected he knew his smile was provocative, as he was constantly flashing me his teeth. "Are we or are we not going to reveal the name?"

"Barney the dinosaur," I told him.

Somewhere far away, I could just make out Embry's chuckle. I must be hallucinating again. The mysterious risktaker, on the other hand, introduced himself as Patrick Ricks and smiled even wider. "I like random girls."

I snorted. "Patrick reminds me of that pink starfish in Spongebob."

He let go of my hand and bowed like an English aristocrat. "I also find myself attracted to cartoon-loving girls."

"My brother is both random and cartoon-loving. You might find him attractive."

He did not appear to accept no for an answer, because even as I attempted to free myself from his wrath, he still ridiculously trailed me. At one point, William held him back to discourage him, but his feet kept taking the path my feet took. "I find your humour very beautiful," he said as-a-matter-of-factly.

I momentarily paused to face his smile, already diminished of patience. Seeing couples the likes of Jared and Kim, and more specifically, Sam and Emily, dance like they were the only ones existing didn't help matters. I felt like a knife was being constantly stabbed into my chest. "I understand you find many things attractive, Patrick, but I would like a personal space for the evening."

"Am I invading that personal space of yours?"

"Oh? Clearly. I didn't know it wasn't obvious."

I seemed to have encouraged him. "Are you available for dinner tomorrow night?"

Warm arms enveloped my shoulders before I could answer, so fast I didn't have time to react. My shoulders reveled in the warmth, and I found my head slung back into a crook of a neck which in turn embraced it with precise tenderness. The scent--which was that of a beckoning Carribean beach in the height of summer's heat--captivated my consciousness. Unmindful, I had started leaning towards the herculean frame, as though magnetised. I heard Embry's voice growling protectively. "No."

Patrick wasn't easily intimidated. "Who the hell are you?"

"Her boyfriend." With every single stress on the last word.

Speechless, and hoping my stunned expression did not undermine my only salvation, I watched as Patrick puffed himself out in comparison to Embry. The poor guy couldn't even match up. He gave me a small bow, then strode off indignantly, exhaling all the air he collected in his attempt to bulk himself.

Embry failed lower his good arm on my shoulders as he dropped his head to check on me. I didn't even think he was capable, let alone mindful of letting his embrace waver. "Are you okay? He didn't hurt you, did he?"

I shook my head slowly, still trapped in a daze. "No, but he annoyed me more than Sam Uley ever did."

"I can tell."

I tried to separate myself from his warm body. "Shove the fuck off and get back to your bitch."

"Get back to who?" he asked incredulously. "I don't have anyone to get back to."

"Jessica Spencer," I mouthed in disgust. "That bitch you were flirting with. Get the hell off me and go make out somewhere like you clearly wanted to." I can't believe I thought you confessed to me, asshole.

He laughed, amused. "Oh? That? I mean, her? I am not flirting with her," he frowned. "I don't even care about her."

I rolled my eyes, which to me felt like a sign of irritation. Embry snickered. "Are you angry with me because of that? I mean, her?"

"No!" Obviously!

"It's not what you think," he explained. "Not like that at all. I didn't even notice her walking over. I noticed him--" his fists clenched, and he eyed Patrick with hatred. "--and his advances."

He started leading me away from the crowd, towards the woods. I wanted to shrug him off to let him know that although his help was welcomed, what he had just said wasn't in anyway a reflection of reality. I wanted to, but I was far too comfortable to move, and so my feet kept on swishing beside Embry's.

"Jessica is no one," he whispered. I felt his breath creep on my ear, and I shivered. He held me even tighter, thinking it was the cold. I was far too comfortable to refuse. "I can't even see her face. She's not worth getting angry at."

He looked damn pleased when my body finally followed my mind. Wriggling myself free, I pushed him as strongly as I could. "What the hell happened to your 'if you want me to stay away from you, to give you space or to never show my face again, I will. Anything you want, as long it makes you happy' dialogue?"

Embry's smile grew. "You remembered each word, huh?"

I never had the chance to retaliate. My foot suddenly landed on air and gravity took its toll. Before I knew it, Embry's face disappeared from view, replaced by dark, damp soil. My feet was crushed beneath me and the person supposed to be my salvation lay in the same pitiful form, huddled to fit in the small, claustrophobic hollow that now housed both our bodies.

Identical looks of horror painted our faces as we realised what had just happened.

"The pits!"

A/N: I forgot what I was supposed to write here . Since I'm losing my touch on the story, a review would be really helpful. Cheers, cheers ;) I still don't remember what I was supposed to say!