I realized that this school year is kicking the crap out of me and that my teachers are giving boatloads of homework. So I decided that I'm going to try and post a new chapter every week or so. Right now, I think I'll be able to put up the second chapter by next Sunday (not tomorrow but a week from tomorrow). Maybe if you guys review my story and give me constructive criticism then I'll update sooner (hint hint). Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight; Stephenie Meyer does.

Chapter 5

Melody's POV

After the confrontation in the cafeteria, Jacob was silent and moody. I tried to get him to talk, but nothing worked. Eventually I figured out that Jacob needed his space and left him alone. I felt pretty alone after that, even though Quil and Embry had Spanish, Computer Tech, and Gym with us.

Dad picked me up as he said he would and went through a series of questions about how my day was. He was glad to hear that I had Jacob, Quil, and Embry in my classes. I guess he was worried that I wouldn't make many friends on my first day. He beamed proudly when I told him that I was ahead in all my classes and that I knew most of what my teachers were teaching us. It was just what any dad would do. Though he frowned when he heard about Jacob's reaction to Paul.

"I don't know anything about Jacob's feelings towards him, but Paul is a good kid. He may look like a bad kid on the outside, but he and his friends are honest people. They're very respected by the elders of this community and they've never done anything to look suspicious." He frowned as he talked.

"He seemed pretty nice to me. He saved me from falling today in the cafeteria," I told him. He gave a sneaky glance and smirked. I understood immediately.

"It's not like that, Dad. I just met him today." I could feel my cheeks burning.

Dad wasn't fooled. "Uh-huh, sure. Whatever you say, honey." His shoulders shook silently as he struggled to keep from laughing. I stuck my tongue out at him and turned to my window.

The rest of the week passed by in a similar fashion. I would get up, eat breakfast, and Dad would drive me to school. I would sit bored in my classes and try to prevent any fights from happening between Jacob and Paul during lunch. They didn't go near each other most of the time, but I caught them glaring at each other once or twice when they thought I wasn't looking. Even though it's annoying it kind of makes sense since Jake is like a brother to me and doesn't want me to get hurt. Paul and I talked every day which Jacob didn't like at all (it's my choice who I hang out with anyway so I don't see why I need his permission in the first place). My dad smiled whenever he saw me on the phone with Paul. He seemed like the only one who didn't have anything bad to say about my friendship with Paul. That included Quil and Embry.

Friday after school ended Dad drove me to the beach. I had asked him to bring my photography equipment with him when he picked me up. I grabbed my stuff from the back of his car and sat up front with him.

"Why do you want to go to the beach today? It's raining," he asked as I checked over my camera's memory. I sighed and put my camera down.

"I know it's raining and that's why I want to go to the beach. Now, before you say anything," I said, interrupting him, "I have my raincoat and boots. I want to take some pictures of the forest to send to Grandpa. He asked me to see some pictures of the local plant life," I explained.

"Then why are you going when it's wet and slippery outside?" A crease appeared on Dad's forehead.

"This is the perfect weather for me to work in. On a normal, sunny day, the sunlight would reflect into my camera's lenses and blind me. Out in the rain the light is just bright enough so that I can have a clear picture and keep my eyesight. Any other person would say that I'm crazy and would go on a sunny day, but my eyes are sensitive to light and need to be taken care of," I said defensively. Dad got an 'ah ha!' look on his face and kept driving.

When we reached the beach, he pointed out the tree line and told me I waved as he drove home with my schoolbooks in his trunk and made my way to the trees. The rain turned to a light drizzle, but the sky remained gray and dreary. A fine mist hung near the tops of the trees. I walked through the forest for a bit before finding a flat stone to put my equipment together. It was smooth, round, and gray flecked with black and blue. There was a thick layer of moss covering most of the surface. I set my bag down on top of it and unzipped the top. I quickly grabbed my camera, a memory card, and a ball of red string before zipping it back up. I unraveled some of the string and tied it around a tree branch. Then I started walking.

***** (174638) *****

Paul's POV

I couldn't get that girl out of my head. Melody. Her name was like a song that played over and over in my head. When we were at Chief Swann's house, she was cool and composed, showing little emotion. And the first day she came to school she was nervous and timid, but open around Jacob Black and his friends. And the more I got to know her, the more I fell for her. Sam told about when he imprinted on his fiancée, Emily. He said it was like seeing the sunrise in a clear sky. He was right. The moment I saw Melody, I knew I wanted her to myself and no one else.

Everything about her amazes me. Her skin, not pale, but not dark either. Her hair, dark and curly, going just past her shoulders. She has it pulled back in a single braid down her back most days, but when it's out, her curls bounce up and down with every move. Her eyes are a beautiful combination of blue, grey, and hazel. They always have a spark to them, like she's hiding something. And when we talk over the phone, I can imagine her eyes lighting up at the mention of photography. She is passionate about her hobby and I love to see her so happy. I love her voice the most. It is soft and smooth, like silk. And when she laughs, truly, her whole face lights up like the Fourth of July. I want to be the one who makes her laugh till she cries out of joy.

"Earth to Paul. We have patrols to do, remember?" Jared said, pulling me out of my thoughts. I shook my head a little and tried to focus. School had ended and we were outside the school by Jared's car. I caught myself staring at Melody as she got into her dad's car. I watched as she took out her camera bag and replaced it with her backpack before climbing back into the front seat. They drove off a moment later and Jared made a noise in disgust. I glared at him.

"What's with you this week? You always have this weird look on your face and you're always talking with that girl we saw at Chief Swann's house."

"Her name is Melody," I said, half growling. The way Jared said her name; it was like saying a curse.

"Whatever. What is with you, man? You never used to get so defensive over a girl." I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Do you want to be late for patrols?" I asked, annoyed. Jared just shook his head and climbed into the driver's seat. We drove to Emily's place in silence. I stared out the window watching the trees blur together as we drove by. When we finally reached Emily's house, I was out of the car and at the door before Jared pulled the key out of the ignition. The door was open so I just let myself in. Emily never locked the door, anyway.

The smell of muffins hit my nose as soon as I was inside. I could hear Jared coming close behind me. Emily was sitting at the kitchen table reading a book. There was a cooling rack with blueberry muffins on the counter behind her. She must have heard me come because she lifted her head the moment I walked in the door. Emily smiled at me and got up to give me a hug. I'm not one for hugs, but Emily gave me hugs anyway. I let her hug me because I didn't want to offend her and get yelled at by Sam. Speaking of which . . .

"Where's Sam, Emily?" I asked.

"I'm here." Sam stepped into the kitchen from another door. He was frowning.

"You're late," he said. Emily was fighting to keep a blank look on her face and losing. Sam looked at her and instantly softened up. He turned back to me and glared.

"Where were you?" Jared slipped past me to grab a muffin off the rack.

"Lover boy here was staring at the new girl again," he said before stuffing half of the muffin in his mouth. I glared at him and he shrugged. Sam raised an eyebrow at me and didn't say anything.

"Get your head out of the clouds, Paul. We have to make sure those vampires don't break the treaty," he finally said. I nodded and followed him out of the house with Jared close behind. We entered the woods and walked for a bit before taking off our shoes. At a nod from Sam I shifted. I concentrated for a moment and then my body started shaking. I could feel my muscles expanding and growing bigger by the second. My skin was replaced by dark silver fur and was I vaguely aware of a ripping noise. My body stopped shaking and I opened my eyes. I shook myself for a moment to get used to my wolf body.

Alright, enough lolly gagging. Jared, go by the town and make sure nothing's happening. Paul, go check the beach. I'll run by the border, Sam thought to Jared and I. We didn't have to ask which border he was checking.We split up and went our separate ways. I headed for the beach like Sam told me to and tried to stay out of sight. I was surprised by what I saw.

Melody was crouched down on the ground with her camera in her hand. She had her camera angled towards a flower with white petals. For a moment, I saw everything clearly: her hand twisting the lens to zoom in on the flower, the way she tilted her head when she took the picture. She took the camera away from her face to check the picture. Her hand moved to push back the hair that had gotten in her eyes and I felt my breath catch. I never wanted to move from this spot, but I had to. I whined softly, and turned in another direction, leaving Melody to her thoughts.

***** (174638) *****

Melody's POV

I lifted my head from the camera. I looked around the spot I had chosen. There was nothing near me except the trees and the bushes. I could've sworn I heard something just a minute ago. Oh well, I thought, shrugging my shoulders. I put my camera back in my bag and walked back to the clearing.