"It's okay, you are okay right? No aches, pains, nothing broken?" he said calming down immensely. I shook my head at him. He brushed a wet strand of hair out my face. " My name is Paul. I won't hurt you so you can stop looking so frightened." I felt his laugh run through me. For whatever reason, I felt so safe sitting here with him; which was dumb because he was a strange, very large man whom I didn't know.

"I'm really sorry"

"It's done with- let's just concentrate on making you better. Listen you dropped your bag before you ran into the water. I called the emergency number-the girl who picked up said she was your sister. I handed the phone to my friend Sam. He said she would be on her way. I don't know what he told her." I groaned as I tried to sit up. My head starting whirling and I felt sick. "Whoa, Loretta, lay down, you've obviously had a rough day."

"Can you ask Sam what he told my sister?"

"Uh" he rubbed the back of his head "he went home and the phone is in the other room. I don't think I should leave you."

"I won't run off, I made a mistake. I don't know what I was thinking."

"Yes, you do, so why don't you just tell me. Maybe I can help you"

"Paul, just drop it. Thank you for saving me-I owe you but why I did what I did is my business and doesn't concern you." It was only then that I realized that our faces were only inches away from each other. The hurt on his face was evident, however it confused me. A heard a faint knock on the door and then I heard my sister. The next thing I knew she was in the room staring me down.

"What the fuck were you doing?!" Paul looked at me and I couldn't force my eyes away from his. "We fly all the fucking way to Forks fucking Washington for you to leave me with Grandma and Grandpa! To abandon me in this fucking wetland all on my own?"

"I wasn't thinking."

"Obviously. Get your things, we're going. You need a warm shower and a fresh set of clothes." Thea picked up what I assumed was my jacket from the floor. I looked at Paul one last time before I felt a hand clamp down on my arm.

"Thank you, Paul"

"I'll see you soon." In my shock, I merely nodded. I felt Thea pulling me out of the room. She opened the car door and waited for me to climb into the seat.

"Thea, I can buckle myself."

"Obviously you need to be watched, otherwise you do crazy things. What the fuck were you thinking Loretta? I knew you were crazy, but suicidal? I mean come on. That is a little daytime drama don't you think? Yeah our parents are dead but that does not give you an excuse you go off and croak too? What the fuck?"

"I wasn't trying to kill myself, Theadora" she scoffed at that "I don't know what I was thinking. I saw the water and I decided to go for a swim. The water was too strong. I messed up, I won't do it again."

"You are supposed to be the older one. That is a load of shit, Etta and you know it. You call me the selfish one? That guy could have died trying to save you from your swim" She put the finger quotations around "swim". " But that doesn't phase you. God wait till Grandma-"

"You can't tell her! They can't know!"

"Why not? You need help Laurel , maybe they'll put you on some meds like mom." I ignored the mom comment.

"Please, I will do whatever it takes. I am not crazy, I do not need to explain my reasons to you, but please-"

"Whatever it's your life big sis. Don't do it again. What the hell was up with you and that guy?"

"Nothing-what are you talking about?"

"The tension and the electricity in the room was choking me."

"Now who's being dramatic?"

"Whatever don't tell me. You wonder why don't have a sisterly relationship. You don't talk about anything and I talk about everything. "We had gotten back to our house by then. Thea proceeded to drag me into the house. "Go take a shower; I will be up with some food later." I was rather surprised at her civility. In fact she was being nice.

"Teddy?"

"Oh so it's Teddy now?"

"Shut up" I reached over and hugged her as tightly as I could. "I am sorry I scared you. I am a crappy big sister."

"Yup-but you have your moments." I got ready to go shower and the hot water relaxed my muscles. My mind drifted to the silence of the ocean around me. I imagined I was back in the warmth of Paul's arms. Whoa-Loretta, what are you thinking? You don't even know him. Thea had left me some Mac and Cheese in my room. My stuff was unpacked. Grandma's maids must have done it. I searched the room for my pajamas. After I ate my dinner I fell asleep dreaming of Paul…

Today is my first day of school and I am a nervous wreck. I made friends right away, which was a relief. New people are sort of a novelty at Forks High. Everyone was very interested in me and what I had to say. Samantha Carmichael was really nice and we exchanged numbers. I met so many people. The teachers were really nice. I was missing home a little. My friends at home weren't really my friends; they were just people that I hung out with for Mom and Dad.

"Loretta there is a huge party this weekend and you need to go!" my new friend said to me.

"I don't know Sam.." I really did not want to go to a party. I heard it was on First Beach. I think one disaster on a beach was enough for me. Plus I really didn't drink, I didn't like the taste.

"You'll meet new people.."

"I'll call you when I decide." She smiled triumphantly. I felt bad since I was going to break her spirit.

"Loretta, you are going to the party on Friday. You need to get out."

"Teddy I am not going, it's not happening."

"Yes you are-otherwise I will tell Grandma"

"You wouldn't dare"

"Do you want to try me?"

"Fine, I'll go but-"

"Yes! Loretta this is going to be so fun. You need to loosen up. You can meet my new friends. Relax and breathe Loretta. You'll be fine."

An hour later I had an outfit picked out and had called Sam to inform her I would be making an appearance. I didn't want to play babysitter to Thea, been there done that. I absently wondered if Paul would be there. Loretta what are you thinking? What was I getting myself into?

Loretta's been acting weird the last couple of days. Well more weird then usual. She keeps drifting off into dreamland and I don't know what to do about it. I caught her humming the other day, something she hadn't done in ages, and it really freaked me out. It sounded suspiciously like "So This is Love". But the even weirder thing was that whenever I asked her about it she just blushed and ran away.

Aagggh! Why were girls so weird.

Public school. That was going to be weird seeing as how I had worn a uniform since kindergarten. It was weird none of my classes were connected, I really hope it didn't rain as I was making my way to my next class. But as usual as soon as the words had been thought the grey sky opened and rain poured down.

Great, just great.

And if the torrents of rain didn't suck enough, the person who just barreled into me causing me to drop all of my stuff did.

Bastard didn't even apologize.

"Bastard."

I turned to the person who had just spoken.

"My sentiments exactly."

The person who had just spoken turned out to be Kevin, the old new kid. He had moved up from San Diego a few years ago, and was still morning the loss of his tan. He was tall, with pale skin, bright blue eyes and a mop of black hair. He was the first non-wet land person I had meet all day.

He helped me pick up my stuff and we made our way to our next class. After suffering through biology together he was officially declared my soul mate. We had absolutely everything in common, including our love for men in uniform. A lovely quirk I thought I would have to leave in New York.

It had reached the end of the day and I had offered to drive Kevin home, to escape from the wretchedness that was public transport when Loretta joined us.

"So first day did you meet any new people."

"Yeah. Loretta this is Kevin."

"Loretta?" he mouthed at me with an odd look and I just shrugged and rolled my eyes.

After they shock hands I got right to my point I had been really nice to her that last few days and I deserved a reward.

"I promised Kevin that I would give him a ride home."

"Did you?"

"Yeah, so can I have the keys?"

Loretta laughed, "You do want him to still be your friend at the end of the ride right?"

"One almost, barely countable, incident and I am no longer allowed to drive? Fine."

"So when you say one, you mean like ten right?"