After Sam left, I lay on my bed with some paper beside me and thought of some lyrics. I, of course didn't have a piano or drum set beside me, but I could always go over the Cullen's tomorrow.

The next morning I woke up with not a nightmare in sight. It must have been that I had too many things to think about that a nightmare just couldn't surface to my head. Going downstairs for breakfast, I found Charlie still sitting at the kitchen table with his uniform on.

"Why aren't you at work?" I questioned.

"I thought you and I should talk," he told me setting down his coffee and newspaper.

"Okay," I said curiously as I went to sit across from him with a glass of orange juice.

"I heard what you were saying to Sam last night." He started. "And I understand your point of view and your attachment," he said.

"Dad," I warned. He was making me sound like I was a little kid stuck to a stuffed bear or some addict addicted to a drug.

"I just don't want you getting hurt," he spoke cutting to the chase.

"I wont," I told him in a definite tone. Like I thought before, I trusted the Cullens. It was probably an odd thing to think but it was true.

"What the hell do you even do over there?" he asked with a twisted face.

"They have a drum set and piano." I smiled, "plus, Esme is a surprisingly good cook. She made the best Mac and cheese I have ever had in my life."

"Right," he said a bit oddly.

"So am I okay to go over there?" I asked.

"Maybe," he said picking back up his coffee and paper.

"Dad," I whined. Did we not just make progress?

"Bella, give your old man a few hours to think," he exclaimed tiredly.

"Fine," I huffed. Grabbing some toast, I headed upstairs to put on some clothes.

"Where are you going?" he called.

"To the beach," I said. If I wasn't cleared to go to the Cullen's yet, I wanted to go somewhere else.

After pulling my swim suit on and some clothes over it, I took my papers I was working on last night and grabbed a towel.

I gave Charlie a kiss, understanding where he was coming from too. I felt bad for what I said last night. And his efforts of trying to accept I wanted to spend time with the Cullens made me happy inside. He was trying- so I was going to too. Driving past the La Push boundaries, I quickly high tailed it for the beach. It was a nice day out again- nicer than yesterday. The sun was shining brightly and it actually felt somewhat warm out.

Settling into a spot, I read over my lyrics, trying to hum out a tune. I worked on it for hours trying to come up with the right rhythm to fit my words.

"Bella?" a voice called.

I turned, finding Embry walking towards me.

"Hey!" I said smiling up at him.

"What are you doing out here?" he questioned.

"Getting away from the house and the man in it. I'm sure you heard about my affiliation to the other side," I said rolling my eyes.

"Yea," he said sitting beside me. "Nice move by the way. I'm pretty sure you gave all the wolves a scare."

I winced at his words. That was not my intentions.

"So what are you working on?" he questioned looking at the paper and pencil in my hand.

"Oh, just some lyrics," I told him, now trying to subtly hide them.

"Can I see?" he asked.

"Sure," I said biting my lip. They weren't that good and I wasn't sure if I was finished with them. "They may suck a bit. I can't seem to get a good rhythm."

He nodded and read the words over.

("These Times" by Safetysuit)

These times will try hard to define me
And I'll try to hold my head up high
But I've seen despair here from the inside
And it's got a one track mind

And I have this feeling in my gut now
And I don't know what it is I'll find
Does anybody ever feel like,
You're always one step behind?

Now I'm sitting alone here in my bed
I'm waiting for an answer I don't know that I'll get
I cannot stand to look in the mirror, I'm failing
I'm telling you these times are hard
But they will

And I know there's someone out there somewhere
Who has it much worse than I do
But I have a dream inside, a perfect life
I'd give anything just to work
It's like I'm only trying to dig my way out
Of all these things but I can't

And I am sitting alone here in my bed
I'm waiting for an answer I don't know that I'll get
I cannot stand to look in the mirror, I'm failing
I'm telling you these times are hard
But they will pass,

They will pass
They will pass
These times are hard
But they will

These times will try hard to define me
But I will hold my head up high

Sitting alone here in my bed
I'm waiting for an answer I don't know that I'll get
I cannot stand to look in the mirror, I'm failing
I'm telling you these times are hard
But they will pass

And I know there's a reason
I just keep hoping it won't be long 'til I see it
And maybe if we throw up our hands and believe it
I'm telling you these times are hard
But they will pass

They will pass
They will pass
These times are hard
But they will pass

"These are really good," he told me. "Why don't you like them?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. I guess it's easier to figure everything out with an instrument. I feel like the lyrics don't click right."

"Well Jake has a guitar," Embry said.

"Yea, I know. But he's probably still mad at me right now. So…"

"He isn't mad, just worried about you. You mean a lot to him." Embry said looking down at the sand.

"I didn't mean to hurt you guys," I told him softly.

Embry nodded. "So do you sing?"

I let out a small laugh, "not really. I mean, the Cullen's had me once, but its not going to be a repeated thing. I'm sure someone else could belt the notes out a lot better."

"The Cullen's have heard you already?" he questioned sounding a bit jealous.

I hesitantly nodded. "I was using their drum set when I thought of a song. So you know…I wrote it down, figured out a melody. And they just happened to be standing around watching me at work. So I sang for them."

"Well…do I get to hear you since im watching you at work?" he asked hopeful.

"I don't have a melody. Or a drum set," I blushed.

"The best ideas come to you when you least expect it," he said bumping my shoulder with his. "Maybe if you just started singing, it would come to you."

"Okay," I said biting my lip. Taking a deep breath, I opened my mouth and began reading the lyrics. My eyes went big. Embry was right, it was working! My head cleared of all my problems and I could picture everything I wanted to hear together.

Smiling at him, I watched him grinning at me.

"It worked!" I told him when I was done. He laughed, hugging me as I practically jumped into his arms. After that, he walked me home and went on patrol. I skipped into the house with an extra beat in my step. I could make music without even having an instrument by me.

"You look happy," Charlie said from the kitchen table.

"I am," I told him.

"Do I even want to know why?" he asked setting down some paperwork.

I rolled my eyes. "I didn't go to the Cullen's if that's what you are implying."

"Okay," he said now very interested.

"Even though I can do as I please, I do care about your opinion."

"So if I said you were allowed to go to the Cullen's," I spun around from where I was standing at the fridge.

"I would say I love you."

"Then you better say it," he said sighing a bit. Running over to him I gave him a hug and grinned. "Thank you!"

"Just promise me you will tell someone before going over there. I don't care if it's me, Jake, Embry, Sam-whoever. I just want someone to know you are over there."

"Will do," I said kissing his cheek. After that, I took a seat on the counter and we talked a bit. I gave him the down low about my music making, and he told me about some of his paperwork and cases he was working on.

"Oh crap!" I said spotting the time.

'What?" he called to me as I ran out of the kitchen.

"Online class!" I yelled back running to my laptop. Quickly logging on, I found myself to be one of the last ones to sign in onto my virtual class. The lecture took about 2 hours. I sat on my bed, trying my hardest not to fall asleep.

When we were finally dismissed, which I was unbelievably glad for, I headed downstairs to see Charlie again.

"Hey dad, I have to run to the bookstore. Did you need anything?" I asked.

"No, im good. Are you sure you can drive? You look pretty tired Bells," he said.

"Yea, im fine. I'll see you soon okay?"

"Sure. Have your cell on you!" he told me as I walked out the door. Getting into my car, I turned up the heat. It got pretty cold fast. I debated getting my jacket from inside, but shook my head thinking I could just run in the store real fast.

I parked in the streets of Port Angeles, paying the city meter before going inside. I was in the store for about 10 minutes, standing there trying hard to pay attention, when someone came to stand next to me. Glancing at the person briefly, I looked back down and then snapped my head back up.

"Sam?" I questioned.

"Hey," he said with coincidence in his voice. He put his hand over the back of his neck to rub it.

"What are you doing here?" I wondered. La Push to be like their turf. I always thought because they were wolves and protectors and all, that they didn't leave there or whatever.

"Just looking for a new book to read. How 'bout you?" he asked.

"School shopping," I told him holding up my small pile.

"You're going to college?" he asked.

"Taking online classes," I told him. He looked at me impressed.

"So how is it so far?" he wondered.

"Not too bad," I told him rubbing my forehead.

"Long day?' he asked watching me.

"Something like that."

He gave me a raised eyebrow. "Really long class lecture. Total bore. And now I have to read the back of like, 5 more books to make sure they interest me for when I do this research paper and all of that crap. I swear I could fall asleep right here."

"Did you drive here?" he asked concerned.

"Yea, but don't worry. I'm be sure to wake up before going back home officer," I said knowing what he did for a living. Charlie only brought him up like a million times today when we were talking in the kitchen.

He blushed a bit and I held back a laugh. Turning back to my book, I glanced at the title, the cover, and shrugged. Hey, it seemed good enough.

"Did you want to grab a coffee?" he asked as I was onto my next book.

"Now?" I asked.

He shrugged and stuck his hands in his front pockets, "whenever you are ready."

I bit my lip. Wasn't this breaking the rules of staying away from each other? What about Emily? Was she even with him?

Reading my face, he spoke up, "Its just me here. And we don't have to talk about…that…if you don't want to," he said referring to the imprint.

"Right. Umm… yea, sure why not? I could use the caffeine. Meet me back here in like 10?"

"Sure," he said with a smile.

"Cool," I smiled, adding my next book to my stack. Peeking up at him one last time, I continued my adventures around the store. When I had my five more, I went back to the register and paid for everything.

"Here you go," the woman said handing me my bags.

I gave her a smile, thanking her and wishing her a nice night.

"Hey," I said startled a bit as I found him at the door to leave.

"I saw you paying so I figured I would just meet you here instead."

"Okay," I said a bit oddly. Had he been watching me the whole time?

"You didn't get anything?" I said looking at his empty hands as he opened the door for me.

"Wasn't sure what to get. Nothing really stood out."

"Well what do you read?" I asked as we stepped outside.

"Books," he mumbled. I let out a laugh and rolled my eyes. "I meant what genre of books? Fiction, science fiction, non fiction, historical fiction…"

His face scrunched up and I thought of how cute it looked. "I guess im more of a classic kind of guy."

"Okay," I breathed. I definitely should have brought my jacket. "What about the Great Gatsby?" I asked.

"Never read it," he said taking off his jacket and offering it to me.

"You should ke-"

"I don't even need it. Warm blooded remember? Emily just makes me put it on so I look somewhat normal and don't stand out," he said holding it out for me to slip on.

"Oh, umm…thanks," I said feeling slightly awkward as he brought up his girlfriend.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to-"

"Its okay," I said with a weak smile as I pulled his jacket closer. It smelled like him. Woodsy with a touch of something else- I couldn't place my finger on it. His jacket was nice and warm as I cuddled it to my body.

"I can-" I said trying to grab my bags full of books as he took them from me.

"I got them."

"I can carry them. I know they are kind of heavy and…right. You are a werewolf." I said reading his face. I forgot he had that whole super strength thing going on.

We continued to walk. "Are you sure?" I asked feeling bad. Here I was with his nice black leather jacket around me while he was in a black short sleeve tee shirt, carrying both of my heavy bags of books in this chilly fall night.

"I'm fine Bella. Don't worry," he smiled.

"Right," I breathed turning back to look at the pavement.

We made it into the coffee shop, settling into two comfy seats that faced the fireplace. Setting our things down, we quickly got in line to order something.

A man took my order, and then glanced over at Sam to see what he wanted. After taking his order, Sam pulled out a 10.

"You're paying for me too?" I asked feeling even guiltier (yet at the same time, my heart was melting at how gentlemen like he was). He smirked. I guess he could feel that.

"Well, thank you," I said when we got our drinks.

"You're welcome," he smiled as we sat down. The scene in my head determined that this would be a pretty awkward conversation, but it actually wasn't. He asked me about school, living with Charlie, and even asked if I was thinking about working. From there, I asked him about being a cop in Forks, the whole alpha thing, and all the responsibilities that went along with it.

It was almost two hours later when my cell phone began to ring.

"Hello?" I asked forgetting to look at the caller ID.

"Bella? You okay? I thought you would be home by now."

"Oh," I said mentally slapping myself. "I'm fine dad. Sorry, I uhh…ran into Sam at the bookstore and we went to grab a coffee.

"Oh!" he said with surprise. I held back an eye roll. He was always a fan of Sam. "Well take your time. I didn't mean to interrupt you two. This old man is going to go to bed though, so I will see you tomorrow for dinner okay?"

"Sure, okay. Oh hey dad, I was thinking about going to the Cullens tomorrow, but I will be home before you are to make dinner…just to give you a heads up and everything."

He sighed, "Okay Bella." We said goodnight one last time and then hung up.

"Sorry."

"Not a problem," he said staring at me. "So he gave you the O.K.?"

I shrugged. "Sort of. As long as I am to tell someone that I am going over there, and check in once and a while, I'm cleared to go."

"That's…good." He said. I bit my lip. His disapproval was evident.

'I know you don't like it," I said curling up on the chair, leaning my head against the back cushion.

"No I do. What makes you happy makes me happy. I just-…I don't trust them that's all."

My heart gave a painful squeeze at his words. What makes me happy makes him happy. Well truth be told, I haven't been very happy. So does that mean he wasn't?

"Well do you trust me?" I wondered.

"With my life," he said, not a doubt in his voice.

"Then you don't have anything to worry about," I whispered softly. I could feel him staring at me. Everything I was doing was now being clouded with self-doubt. Maybe pushing Sam away has been the wrong thing to do. Maybe I needed to rethink this all over. Looking at the time on my phone, I sighed. It was getting late.

"I should probably get going." I told him getting up.

"Let me walk you to your car," he pleaded.

"Sure," I said with my hands in my back pockets. Leading the way, I thanked him as he opened up the doors for me.

"Are you happy?" he questioned to me as my tuck came into view.

I looked at him confused. "It's just- there's something in my heart- something that I feel. And I know its you. I can feel parts of things that you can and I just-" he sighed, frustrated with himself. "I just feel like you are unhappy here."

I bit my lip and plastered on a fake smile. "I'm just still adjusting."

He stared at me. "No, I know that isn't it."

My brows furrowed again. How could he tell?

"Bella, I know it's more than that. I feel it. I mean, it not something I can explain. But, I just see it- in your eyes, the way you hold back from everyone. The way you phrase your words and hold back your smile. What-…what is going on? Is it because of your mom?" he wondered.

I tried to hide my grimace but he could still tell.

"Bella, if you are feeling guilty over that, you shouldn't. Your mom killing herself wasn't your fault." He said stepping closer.

"How do you know? You don't even know what happened." I rebutted with a snap. I shut my eyes, ignoring the ripple of pain that hit me.

"Sorry," I apologized. "Look Sam. I'm not unhappy-or- im not always unhappy. It's just going to take some time. Everything is so much different from Florida. I need to adjust and get used to everything," I told him. My heart was screaming at me to blurt out ' especially watching you and Emily together,' but I held it back.

"Is that it?" he wondered.

"Yes," I pronounced clearly, as I looked at him, making sure I hid my hurt from him deep down. He nodded and then put my books in the back of the truck. His chest barely brushed against me and I let out a shaky breath.

"Here, you should take this," I said pulling myself together.

"No, keep it," he said pushing his jacket back on my shoulders.

"Its yours, you should take it," I told him.

"It looks good on you," he whispered as he hovered over me. My heart quickened.

"What will Emily say?" I whispered back as he put his hands on my waist.

"I don't care," he told me. With a slow, soft kiss to my head, my eyes fluttered shut. My body pleaded with my mind to lean against him, but I didn't. Instead I just savored his presence. It was almost like he could feel my want though, because he bent his head down further, almost running the side of his face over mine. Flashes of his wolf doing the same thing to me when we were outside had my heartbeat against my chest faster. Slowly, his breath got warmer as he came closer. Pressing a small, warm kiss to my cheek, my heart melted into goo.

He stood there for a second or two before pulling away. Finding the moment to be over, he stood back giving me some space, watching as my eyes fluttered back open.

"Goodnight Sam," I said shakily as I hurried to the driver side door of my car.

"Night Bella," I heard him breathe as I shut my driver door and took off.

When I made it home, pulling my truck into the driveway, I shut off the engine and let out the breath I had been holding since I left Port Angeles. My determination was crumbling. Everything that screamed 'stay away from him!' was now starting to silence. Shoot, I was cracking. It was only a matter of time before I broke, and I think Sam was starting to see that.

Getting out of the car, I made sure to be silent as I went upstairs and put my books away. Throwing them on the bed, I stood there wondering what to do next. Sleep wasn't my number one priority anymore. That caffeine fix was for sure to have me up for a while longer. Settling beside my things on the bed, I noticed that I still had Sam's jacket it on. Touching it, I smiled, remembering he had it on. Blushing a bit, I laughed at myself. Here I was sitting on my bed, reminiscing about a jacket. Thinking about shrugging it off, I bit my lip. I really didn't want to yet.

Instead, I hopped off my bed, putting my new purchases away. After I was done, I decided to take a trip out back. Tiptoeing through the hallway, I made sure to be careful of some of those creaky stairs I heard when I was walking up. When I made it out safely, I pulled the jacket closer and sat on the steps.

It was so beautiful out. The whole world was going around, living their own life. The crickets were creaking and the owls were hooting. The noises almost became a comfort. I watched as my breath blew out like smoke. It really was cold out.

Rustling was heard from the forest and I knew whom it would be. Out came a black wolf staring at me, gently coming closer.

"You know I just saw you like 20 minutes ago right?" I told the horse-sized animal.

He nodded, "So…what? Did you follow me home or something? Because if so, I am going to label that as creepy," I told him.

His big head shook from side to side saying 'no'. "Well that's good to know," I teased a bit. It was comforting to have Sam around. My heart ached less.

"I thought Quil and Paul had patrol today?" I questioned to him. He bowed his head to me like I scolded him, but still watched me with his eyes.

"Sneaky," I told him a laugh. Sam was cute in his own way I guess. Silence passed us for a while, so I broke it again.

"Do you always come out here to watch me?" I asked him. He shook his head and nodded up to my window. Then, he scrapped his paw against the grass.

"You hear me and coming running?" I asked, finding myself not to be the best at charades. He twisted his head to the side. Walking closer to me, he pushed his nose against my heart.

"You can feel me," I whispered. He nodded, watching me. "You feel me and come running." He again, nodded.

I let out a breath and looked away from him. So he could feel what? My fear? Worry? Pain? Heartache?

"Well, that's nice of you." I said trying to let him know it wasn't a bad thing. I just wasn't sure how I should react to that.

"You know," I breathed, "its a lot easier to talk to you when you are a wolf. I don't know why…maybe because it's easier staring at you and thinking of you as a big furry dog, or because you don't look like the human you, either way, it's comforting," I told him. Thinking over my words, I winced, "no offense."

He just sat in front of me staring, his long tail swaying back and forth.

"Do you have control of that thing?" I asked looking at it. He turned his head to see what I was looking at, and he shook his head. Standing up, he began to chase it a bit.

I let out giggles, finding it to be really funny. He gave me with wolfy smile, his tongue sticking out the side of my mouth and I rolled my eyes with a grin plastered on my face. As the wave of calmness subsided, I looked back down at my lap and saw my hands playing with the sleeves of his jacket.

"You really should have taken this," I told him. "I couldn't imagine what Emily would have said when you came home without it."

He shook his head and let out a rough huffing sound.

"It smells like you," I admitted, not staring at him. "Your jacket I mean. And I know this is going to sound weird, but I like it. It relaxes me almost."

He let out a purr and I snapped my head up to look at him. He was lying down with his body flat on the grass. He seemed so perfect- his black fur coat, with a creamy white chest and belly- his tail, which was still wagging from side to side, and his dark chocolate eyes.

My heart felt heavy again. I knew I was sending mixed messages- one minute I was telling him to stay away from me and be with Emily, and the next minute I was practically crying that he was with her. I was letting him take me out for coffee and give me his jacket. I could feel how hopeful he was as I sat outside with him. It was an odd feeling.

"I'm sorry for always pushing you away," I breathed, turning my attention to my shoes. "Its just," I paused, "I'm not sure how this is all supposed to work. I mean, I get that we are meant to be together, but why? Why me? Why you?" I questioned. I let the wheels start turning in my head. I needed to get this off my chest.

"Love at sight just seems so…fairytale like," I told him. "I mean, nobody can have that good of luck. It just doesn't seem real. And what sucks is that even though I tell myself that, I still find part of me believing it could happen," I said looking up at the wolf. His head snapped up.

"You and me can't possibly be meant for each other," I declared staring into his eyes, "you barely know anything about me."

His brown eyes narrowed and he got up. "Sam," I called. "I know I have been avoiding our talk- about the whole imprinting thing- and truth be told, I still am, but I want you to know, I don't mean to hurt you. I just- want to do what is right."

He trotted into the forest and I let out a protest. "Don't do that. We shouldn't-"

He came out of the woods human, with a pair of jeans, which hung low on his hips while showing his very muscular upper chest.

"Do this," I whispered at the end. He walked over to me and I let out a sigh. What was I doing? I shouldn't have come out here or opened my big fat mouth.

"We really shouldn't talk about this," I told him as he sat next to me.

"Its long over due don't you think?" he asked.

"Has it been long enough that we can just forget about it?" I tried, putting some charm into my plea as I looked over at him.

"Nice try," he said glancing down at my lips and staring back into my eyes.

I let out a long breath and looked back at my shoes.

"A lot changed quickly for you," he started out, "and I know it was probably too much for you to handle all at once," he sucked in a deep breath. "But we need to clear the air."

I winced at those last words. Clear the air. Not only would we be talking about Emily, but what going on between us and what would happen from there.

"Emily," he deadpanned. I stiffened at his words. "She umm- is a fickled person," he described. "She can be this great girl one second, but the next, she can be quite a handful. The way she acted towards you at the bon fire- I just want you to know she isn't always like that. I think she was just jealous because she could sense something was going on between you and me."

"Wait," I choked out, "you didn't tell her about imprinting on me?"

"She doesn't know much about the supernatural world, other than that I am the alpha wolf."

"You can't be serious," I said turning to him.

"The elders didn't think she needed to know. Imprinting was considered to be a very rare thing, and I didn't want to worry her about it if it was to never happen."

"But it did," I whispered.

"That it did," he replied.

"See, this is why we should just forget about it. You have her…and I have…my sanity. We both are trying to hang onto them, so we should just continue our ways because so far, they haven't been too bad," I said trying to comfort myself.

"Yes they have," he said. I looked at him confused. "They have been really hard. I can't keep doing this to myself." He said.

I bit my lip holding back a long screaming 'nooo!' in my head.

"I keep trying to tell myself this is what you wanted, that this is how you wanted it to be, but every time I see you, or you get close to me; Every time I am practically in the same room with you, all I want to do is call you mine and kiss you. I look at you with Jake and Embry. Hell, sometimes I even watch you interact with Quil, and I feel so jealous because they get to hang out with you and I don't. When they show up for patrols after being with you, all I can do is smell your scent on them. And it kills me- it literally kills me. I can't go home to Emily half of the time because I know its not real. What I feel for her-what I felt for her-" he corrected, "Is no longer true. I'm wasting my time with her, yet, its what you want." He huffed.

I closed my eyes for a second and scrunched my face. "That's not what I wanted." I told him. "What I wanted was for you to be happy. To not feel like, because of this whole imprinting thing, you had to like me or you had to be stick around me because it felt right. I didn't want you to feel like the imprint stuck you with me and sealed our fate, because that isn't true. We can fight it. It may be rough but it could be the right choice in the end. You should have your own rights, your own thoughts, and feelings, instead of some pull that tries to tell you what to do and how you should think how you feel. I just don't want this imprinting thing to tie us together because it's just how it's supposed to be."

"But that's not how I feel," Sam argued getting up to sit in front of me. He took my hands in his and stared into my eyes. "I don't feel like I have to be with you, or that I am tied down to you. I can make my own choices. I truly want to be with you Bella. I want to take the opportunity to get to know you and experience life with you. Why does that have to be so hard? Why can't we try?"

"Because," I whispered breaking eye contact.

"Bella, I know it all sounds too good to be true, but it could happen. We could make it come true," he said with determination in his voice. He sounded so convincing, I almost gave in.

"I can't Sam," I said biting my lip. The phrase burned by head reminding me I hated hearing that. "I just- don't believe in the magic of imprinting like you do."

Retracting my hands, I slowly got up, pulling myself away from his proximity.

"What can I do to make you believe?" he asked.

"You cant," I told him turning to face him. "Its not something you can just tell me is real and have me jump into it with blind faith. I don't see what you do- sure, I can feel it. I feel the pull to you all of the time. I get that weird heart ache thing when you aren't around, and I even sometimes feel what you are feeling," I stated, "but I just- I cant wrap my head around the part where we can find a happily ever after in all of that."

"So what?" he asked sliding in-between the back door and me. "What are we supposed to from here? Go on like we have been? Because I am telling you Bella, I can't do it. I know you feel something for me- you just have to admit it."

"I don't want to," I swallowed staring at his chest. He sucked in a sharp breath. "You deserve someone better than me. You deserve-…you deserve the girl that can face any fear, yours or her own. Someone who is willing to stand beside you, helping you conquer them head on. You can do better than me. Chasing after the girl who can barely face her own fears is just a waste of your time, and that's me." I spoke.

Trying to settle my racing heart, I put my hand over his heart. His skin burned against mine.

"You're a great guy Sam. You're pretty much perfect," I laughed thinking about his body and smile. "Which is why you have to move on and find someone better."

"I don't want anyone else but you. You are perfect to me." He whispered.

"That's what the imprint makes you see," I told him with a sad smile. "I'm not perfect. I'm actually far from it."

My hand started slipping down, away from his chest, but he caught it, bringing it back to hold my hand in his.

"I think I love you," he admitted with a shaky voice.

"I know," I breathed, my voice now shaking too. I think I love you too, I wanted to tell him but I didn't. Instead, I looked up at him with a teary smile. Cupping his head down to lower closer to me, I let my tears fall from my eyes as I brushed the side of my face with his. Planting a soft, yet meaningful kiss to his cheek, I slipped my hand out of his and whispered a soft "goodnight," and going inside the house.

Leaning against the door, I cupped a hand to my mouth, holding back my sobs so I wouldn't wake up Charlie. A painful howl was sounded in the night, crying into the air, and I knew it was Sam.

My butt hit the floor and my tears cascaded down my face, running like a waterfall. What was I doing?