Disclaimer: I do not own twilight.

Chapter 3: Silence

We got to the parking lot and I nearly had to use both elbows and fists to open my way to Amber. Once I got to her she'd already told the entire story, judging by the nervous looks of everyone in close reach.

-We should call the police. Suggested a tiny blond, biting at her cheaply manicured nails.

-No- I cut in, my voice sounding a little to flat, while enveloping Amber in a one armed hug- Amber is to scared right now, we should just take her home.

-But if that guy is a psycho and follows you home? Another guy said, one I didn't know his name, but his eccentric hair style, a messy half shaped afro, said everything. Not exactly your "to listen to" people.

I signed- Please, let's just go home, nothing happened and if we say anything to the cops our parents are going find out. Let's not blow this out of proportion.

-Blow it out of proportion?- My face turned to Amber in shock, she shuck my arm off, her face stained with tears- We were nearly raped!

I flinched. I'd never seen Amber so angry, let alone upset. And having heard her say the word, well, it just made it more real, more than I would ever want to admit. It wasn't allowed. I couldn't.

-But we weren't- again that flatness, but it was definitely better than desperation- , do you really want to explain this to your parents- I paused, not standing the betrayed look on Amber's face, and instead turned to all the others- Do any of you?

The fear was obvious in their faces. – Nothing happened, there's no reason to exaggerate and no one has to know.

-What's your problem? Amber hissed, eyes red with tears and anger- How can you be so calm about this?

-Amber, nothing happened, calm down please…

-Don't tell me what to do! What's wrong with you? Did you know the guy?

I had it there.

-Amber, really- I laughed sourly-, listen to yourself.

-Well I don't see another explanation. She finished so matter-a-fact. I almost laughed, really laughed. The guys around us started whispering and staring at each other with doubt. Actually considering this.

-Amber, I barely know my relatives… and seriously, this kind of stuff happens all the time in Mexico.

-Is that why you had that blade with you?

I froze and so did everyone else, was she really?...

I past an exasperated hand thru my hair that leaped at my face again. Breathing in and out slowly I didn't look at Amber. Not wanting the hurt to show as I stared intently at my sandy boots.

-I brought that blade in case we needed to cut something. - Not entirely a lie.

-Like wood? Sarcasm leaking from Amber's voice. I nearly groaned but settled with just pinching the bridge of my nose. It wasn't until I had my hand in front of my face that I noticed I was still shaking. I paid no mind to this and concentrated in finding something to say to them without either insult them or scare them. And amber wasn't making it easier. That blade wasn't that big. Only the military basic…

I took a deep, long breath and just shuck my head in defeat.

-Look guys, I don't know you… but I really, really don't want to get grounded over this so… do whatever you think best, I won't interfere.

With that I walked away towards the olive green and majorly rusted looking van in which I came only to stop with the thought that maybe, just maybe, I wouldn't be welcomed anymore. I thought in looking for a taxi but a voice calling my name made me turn around. It was Jamal.

Relaxing against the van I waited for him to reach me while seeing the group behind him. Amber was squished in a group hug and others glared resentfully at Jamal's back.

-If you came to try and change my mind, you're wasting your time. I said as soon as he was planted in front of me. He shuck his head and opened his mouth to speak, and stopped, as if he were trying to choose his words, very carefully. I mentally rolled my eyes but kept my face impassive, he was probably scared of me too. Then he finally found his voice and started with a kind murmur.

-Look, I'm on your side; I don't want to be grounded 'till collage… but I think this is serious and I really think Amber would feel a lot better if we told someone, too.

-I know. I breathed, shoving my cold hands in my jacket pockets and leaning my head on the van, staring tiredly at the gray sky. Jamal leaned closer to me, placing a hand on a side of my head, his arm shielding our faces from the inquisitive eyes of the others. I could nearly feel his breath on my face. Only this close did I notice just how attractive he really was. He was a lighter Afro-American with all their privileges, tall, just the right amount of muscle on him, the lean athlete look on him, a slightly squared jaw, pouty lips, big clear chocolate eyes with an honest gleam to them, crowned with long black eyelashes from which he looked at me, somewhat pleading.

-I've been talking to the boys and Chris said he knows some guys from the reservation that are sort of like their local police- Jamal leaned in even closer and his voice got even lower, barely audible, I wondered from who he was hiding this conversation, instead I concentrated in listening closer.-, they call them self's "the protectors", they could help and the police wouldn't be involved.

-Let's do it then, take Amber and let her tell them.

Jamal's eyes widen with surprise and then confusion. - You're not going?

I shuck my head: - I don't think it is best if a got near Amber right now, she's upset and I don't want to make things worse… She's my only friend.

Jamal nodded understanding and, I tried not to be offended, compassion softened his features. For a moment I thought I saw his eyes travel down to my lips but it was so fast that I couldn't say if it was real. Maybe I'd imagined it, he did have to look down to see me after all, he was a little more than half a head taller than me. Still, I felt uncomfortable.

With a nod as goodbye I walked away towards the beach, carefully avoiding everyone while watching sideways as Jamal gave instructions and explained to Amber everything he'd said to me. Amber took up on his offer immediately and some guy Elliot and a bunch of kids hopped on the van we'd came in and drove off to the reservation.

Jamal stayed behind and talked the guys down to a peaceful retreat, seeing they were too nervous to go home. I sat down on the same log Amber and I had been, how long ago? An hour? Two? Incredible how things can change so fast.

I found my backpack near the log and hugged it to my chest, meditating my situation, I was pretty sure no one in their right minds would drive me back now, and absolutely sure there were no taxis in La Push, so that only left… Walking back.

I groaned inwardly and rubbed my face, exhausted only to think about it. Sure, a 15 minute way from La Push to Forks, on car, walking… maybe an hour. I turned my face to the skies, clouded and visibly darkening, I could make it before night fall, but not before it rained.

-Shit. I signed into my hands. Best day of the week, hands down… Great, now I'm being sarcastic with myself. I groaned again and got up before a voice in my head started to argue with me. I was just crossing the parking lot towards the road when I heard a honk and my name being called. Turning back around I saw Jamal in his second hand Altima waving and making signs for me to go ridding with him. The other people in the car gave him incredulous and irritated glares. He didn't seem to notice or he didn't care. I smiled hesitantly.

I'd already gotten in peace with the idea of walking and I seriously didn't want to make people angry with Jamal. But, I was actually a little frightened to go alone, and without my blade, I was easy prey if that guy decided to go after me. So, exhaling very slowly, I made my way to his car and sat in the back seat with other two, not very happy looking boys.

All the way back to Forks I avoided any type of contact with everyone and stared out the window, the only exchange was when Jamal asked where he should drop us off, the guy riding shotgun said at his place and as he asked us, I merely nodded. And then silence, a strange uncomfortable silence.

I found a little relieve with the green forest surrounding us, the green color was intense in some places, others more pale, but always green. At a point I really felt as if would suddenly creep up to me and swallow me whole. I dismissed it as nerves and boredom. We got to Forks and Jamal stopped at the shotgun guy's house and I quickly got out, the boy beside me looked confused to which I simply smiled and waved bye to them before turning around and made my way home. Under the fresh rain, and shaking hands.

It was so quiet…

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