LPOV

Things have quieted down a little since the night I hung out with the Cullens. Mom and Dad were quieter than usual and Seth outright avoided me like the plague. The only time he acknowledged me was to ask if I was alright and if I had any plans for the day. He barely spoke but the alert look he always had in his eyes didn't go unnoticed by me. It was like he was waiting for something, like he was expecting something. And he wasn't the only one. Samuel and his disciples would drop by every so often to "check up on the residence," but even then I saw how cautious they were, how they all would literally sniff the air.

Jacob was the worst. Not only would he sniff the air, but he would actually sniff me. He was like a puzzle I couldn't figure out and it was frustrating beyond belief because as hard as I try to deny it, I might actually like him. There's just this sense of rightness with him, like nothing can ever go wrong because everything is already in place. But lately….everything he said and did was guarded. Every time I refused to tell him who my friends were, his would drop and he would actually look like he was in pain. Denying him answers was starting to get more difficult the more he asked because the anguished look on his face would tear at my heart.

But I have to stay strong. As much as I would love to tell Jacob and my brother about my great friendship with the Cullens, I need to know that they trust me with whatever they're hiding too. I just don't understand. I've never been one for gossip and everyone knows that. So why do they all insist on hiding their painfully obvious secret from me? I mean, normally I could care less about a group of boys hiding something from me. But the fact that my parents, the whole council, was in on this secret was infuriating. And the fact that Cullens know exactly what I'm struggling with makes me even more curious to find out just what the hell I've missed while I was gone.

Sighing, I picked up my phone and scrolled through the missed class and unread text messages I received while I took a nap. 1 missed call, a voicemail, and 3 texts from Jacob, a missed call and voicemail from Seth, 2 texts from Samuel, and a missed call and text from Edward.

Edward's was the most recent, so I checked his message:

"Would you like to hangout sometime this week, Leah? I do believe we both have much to catch up on, and the club wasn't a particularly brilliant spot to do that. What do you say?"

I grinned. Hell yeah we had a lot to catch up on! For starters, I thought he left Alaska for Bella's funeral! I needed an explanation for that.

"I'll be there. And please don't bring Bella, your girlfriend's kind of a weirdo."

Samuel's name was next and deleted his messages, not bothering to read them. I don't know what possessed him to think I was okay with him just sending me text messages. Just because my parents can tolerate him being in our house whenever he damn feels like it, doesn't mean I am anywhere as welcoming. Why on earth would he even think for a second that I would even respond to a text from him, nonetheless two?

Seth's voicemail was next.

"I bet you're asleep right now. You always were the one who could sleep through a warzone. Anyway, when you wake up and listen to this, I hope you're smiling 'cause you get to hear your awesome brothers sexy voice! Also, we're all gonna hit the beach tonight for a bonfire if you wanna join. You should come, Lee, it'll be fun. If you decide to join us, just give me a call and I'll come up and walk you. Bye, sis!"

I chuckled and had to roll my eyes at the message. Seth was so full of himself! This was the first time in days that Seth has asked me to hang out, and since I actually do miss the little punk, I suppose I'll go. Even if that means Samuel and his clones will probably all be there. Then again, just because Samuel will be there doesn't mean I have to mope. I am Leah Clearwater and I am a strong woman. I will let no man get me down. If Edward were here, he would be encouraging me to have a good time and chastising me about feeling ill over the fact my ex will be there.

"He does not control you, Lee. Do not let him rule your life." That's what he would tell me. That's what he always told me, and each time he did, it was like a charge of energy that I needed to get me to realize that yes, Samuel doesn't run my life. He never has and he never will.

I went to Jacob's messages next. He sent me three different texts all at the same time.

"I know it kind of sounds like it, but I swear I'm not some creep :/"

That got me to laugh out loud. Jacob was so freaking cute it was ridiculous! No matter how stupid he thinks he sounds, it's the total opposite for me. The guy is sex on legs. He does things to me without even trying and it's completely mind-blowing that he can't even see that!

"I sound retarded…. -_-"

"Don't even look at my other messages. Just please think about it, Leah. I miss you :)"

I couldn't help the humungous grin that stretched across my face. He misses me. Why did that feel so damn good? Lots of people tell me they miss me and it doesn't get me feeling like this. It's just something about Jacob that makes me feel so good. He was here with me yesterday and he misses me already. That, at least makes me feel a little better about missing him the moment he left my house yesterday. At least now I know I'm not crazy for missing someone so quickly.

I pushed the play button and listened to his sexy, deep husky voice through the speaker:

"Hey, Lee. Listen, the guys are thinking about having a bonfire on the beach tonight. I was, uh, wondering if you wanted to come? Well….actually I was wondering if you'd wanna head to the beach with me a little earlier before the rest of them show up….I kind of wanted to talk to you about something and well….I, uh, I really like spending time with you. We can talk about anything and walk along the beach – we can even watch the sunset! Anything you want, Leah. I'd really like to see you tonight, so please think about it. I miss you already."

My stomach was filled with butterflies fluttering crazily like they were all hopped up on crack.

I was dialing his number unconsciously, anticipating the sound of his voice through the receiver.

"Hello?" he said huskily.

"Hey Jake!" I said a little too enthusiastically. I face-palmed myself. I don't want to sound like some desperate teeny bopper.

"Leah," he breathed. "What's up? Did you think about it?"

"Yeah, I did. I'd love to kick it with you beforehand, Jake."

I heard him blow out a gust of air in…relief? I don't know.

"Thank you," he said seriously.

"For what?"

"For agreeing to this."

"I like hanging out with you, Jake, it's not that big of a deal. So what time should I meet you at the beach?"

"Actually, I'm already on my way over to your house right now," he said, sounding guilty. I laughed.

"Anxious, are we?" I joked.

"You have no idea," I heard him mumble. "I'll Seth know you'll be with me."

"Oh. I was just gonna call him to let him know, but okay, that works too! Thanks!"

"My pleasure. Hey Leah?"

"Yes?" I loved the way he said my name. I hate to sound cheesy, but the way he says my name…it's like musical in a way. Like he harmonizes it. It just rolls off his tongue so beautifully. I wonder if I sound the same way when I say his name. Probably not. I've heard my voice before on camera, I pretty much sound like an idiot. Then again, most people hate how they sound on camera.

He sighed, "Never mind. I'll be there in 5, okay? Bring a sweater, it's gonna get cold later tonight."

"Okay. See you in a few, Jake."

I hate when people begin to tell you something then just saying "never mind." It's like, why bother even saying something that'll peak my curiosity then disregard the whole thing? That's like dangling a soft, warm, delicious cookie in front of someone's face and asking if they want it, then changing your mind and eating it instead. Such a douchebag move, if you ask me. One of my biggest pet peeves.

"You going to the bonfire tonight, princess?" my dad asked, breaking me out of my reverie and planting a seat next to me.

"How do you know about the bonfire? Wait, never mind. Of course you know about the bonfire," I say, frowning.

"You mind clarifying what you mean by that?" he asked, sounding amused. I huffed in annoyance. This not-knowing-anything thing was really frustrating.

"I mean you know everything about whatever it is that's going on around here," I say.

"That's not true," he laughed. "I don't know your friends you spent time with a couple of nights ago."

"That's my business," I all but whined. What is with everyone wanting to know so badly about who my friends were? Do they think I'm running with the wrong crowd or something? Well, I guess technically vampires aren't ideal company, but the Cullens are different.

"Such a stubborn girl," he teased, poking me in the rib, knowing it was my most ticklish spot.

"I bet you could take a wild guess at who I inherited it from," I said, snidely looking at him with a smirk.

"Definitely me. You have all my good traits, of course," he chuckled.

We were interrupted by Jacob's knocks on the door. He walked through the door when my dad offered him an invitation in.

"You ready to go?" Jacob asked in a low tone, with eyes deep enough to drown anyone lucky enough to get caught in them. Today was my lucky day. Aside from his Greek God appearance, his eyes were these orbs that compelled me to look directly into them. It was like looking anywhere else would have been a crime. That animal in my head was purring again, enticing me to go to Jacob and wrap myself around him.

My dad cleared my voice loudly with a stern but amused face. "I guess that answers my question then."

"What question?" I asked, quirking an eyebrow at him.

"I asked if you were going to the bonfire," he said, chuckling.

"Oh. Right. Yeah, I'm going."

"Aren't you two a little early? I thought it wasn't going to start until later tonight?" he asked.

"Sorry sir," Jacob said sheepishly, "I asked if Leah wanted to hang out beforehand."

I beamed at him. He was so cute! Even when he was a nervous wreck in front of my dad, he was undeniably sexy.

God, if either Rachel or Rebecca were here to see me fawning over their brother, they'd be having a field day. Thank God they're out of town at the moment!

My dad gave Jacob a hard look in which Jacob gave a slight nod. "Well what are you waiting for, princess? You don't want to keep Black waiting all night."

I blinked once.

Twice.

Thrice.

Then I stood up wordlessly, not even wanting to question my father's odd behavior. Jacob held the door wide open for me with a huge smile on his face. His eyes never left me once.

"Hey," he said, pulling me into a tight hug once we were outside.

"Hello to you too, Jake," I laughed, wrapping my arms around his torso. The butterflies in my stomach were going bat shit crazy, and I was already feeling light-headed by his intoxicating scent of fresh pine and musk.

"I walked the whole way here," he said, slowly releasing me. "It wasn't too far of a walk from my house to yours, I hope you don't mind."

Not at all! More time with you is not a problem with me! "That's okay, no big deal."

"Good. Let's get started then, yeah? What do you wanna talk about?" he asked, slinging an arm around me.

The animal in me was prancing and rubbing herself against anything solid, wagging her tail furiously. I really need to get Carlisle to check my head for any sign of mental damage.

"How 'bout we start off with what you're so anxious to tell me?"

"Straight to the point, huh?" he laughed, giving my shoulder a light squeeze. "And there isn't any way I can somehow postpone that conversation till later?"

"No can do, Jake," I smiled.

"Okay, you win," he sighed dramatically. His face turned serious instantly. "I know you're probably fed up with how many times you've been asked who your friends are and where you were."

I looked him in the eyes and saw the concern on his face and the pain in his eyes, and nodded.

"I thought so. I would be too, if the roles were reversed. But I want you to know we're all just worried about your safety. If something ever happened to you…."

"Nothing won't happen to me, Jake," I said quietly, avoiding his piercing stare.

"Damn straight. If anyone lays a finger on you, they'll have me to deal with."

"Have you always been this protective?" I joked, attempting to lighten up the mood. "I bet Rachel and Rebecca just loved that."

He snorted, "Yeah right. You know how many times I got a beat down from them for being a good brother? Too goddamn much to count."

"That sounds like them," I laughed, relieved to see the softness of his face reappear in place of the hardened features.

"Back to the topic at hand," he said, pulling me tighter against his body. "That night you came back from hanging out with your friends…..you said something. You said you wouldn't tell us your secret unless we told you ours. I was completely mind blown. I thought we were all doing a good job at being discreet. Apparently not. Or maybe we were, but you're just too perceptive for your own good."

He smiled down at me to let me know he wasn't meaning to offend me.

"I don't remember saying that at all," I said confusedly.

"You were pretty gone," he laughed loudly, remembering my drunken stupor.

"Too gone," I agreed, shaking my head.

"But I'm glad that comment slipped out. I don't know how much longer we can keep up this act when basically everyone you know, your whole family, is in on it."

"Please don't tell me you are all part of a gang affiliation," I groaned jokingly.

"Funny," he said sarcastically. "No, we're not a gang. Well, not technically. It's complicated, Lee. You have no idea how much I want to tell you. I swear to you on everything I have that I would tell you if I could, but I literally can't. It's sort of a long process, an initiation really, before I explain it to you and you fully understand."

"What if I don't want to be initiated in whatever is going on?" I asked slowly. I want nothing to do with La Push. My intention was to come back to support my dad, that's it. Jacob was never part of the plan. And every minute I spend with him ruins my plans of ever leaving again. I start to feel my desire to leave slowly disperse. I get this feeling that I belong here, that I was brought back for a reason. And as much as I want to ignore it, I can't.

"That's what I'm worried about," he said quietly, not meeting my eyes.

"What do you mean?" I asked, sensing the sadness in his voice.

"It's so complicated, Lee. There are different layers that I have to explain for you to understand. You won't understand one part until you know the layer beneath it. The highest layer is a bond that is the most difficult to explain and that's where I am right now."

"And what does that have to do with me?" I asked.

"Everything," he breathed, still not looking me in the eyes.

"What? How? That doesn't even make sense." How the hell am I even a part of this whole thing? I was gone for like a year. How can I possibly be a part of whatever it is Jacob is struggling with?

"It doesn't make sense because you don't understand the layers beneath it," he sighed. "I promise you'll find out real soon. I won't make you wait any longer."

"How soon?" I asked.

"Tonight."

a/n: Hey everyone! I hope you all enjoyed the chapter! =) Please review!

So as you may know, I had finals last week, and I got my grades back today! I totally kicked ass! ;) Hard work definitely pays off! Stay consistent and follow your dreams, everyone! Don't let anyone ever tell you you can't do something! Just thought I'd offer some words of encouragement to all of you who have been so supportive of me. I truly believe that if you work hard and put your mind to something, the possibilities are endless!