Chapter 33: Boys.

Amber's POV

The days passed with ease for me. Friday was back to being the day I looked forward to. After a long day of school work and making Andy blush, I was finally home. I didn't necessarily want the week to end but, like any teenager, I was excited for Fridays.

Silver and I were going to spend the afternoon with Seth. We weren't going to do anything in particular since it was pouring rain outside but anything was better than staying cramped up on a Friday night.

I was on my computer making some resume's so I could hopefully have a summer job but I doubted that would happen. In a town this small, it would surprise me that they were just giving away random jobs.

There was a knock at the door.

I sighed. I figured that at this point, Seth would stop knocking and just walk in. We were only women in our house but the front door was usually unlocked when Silver and I just step into the door. I got off the sofa and dragged my feet to let Seth in.

"Damn it, Seth, why can't you just—" My words got caught in my throat when I caught sight of the tall man in front of me. His coarse hair was clinging to his damp face. His mouth was stretched out into a huge grin revealing perfect teeth.

"Hey, Amber." He beamed, looking satisfied with himself for rendering me speechless.

"Hey!" I smiled and acted happy to see him. I was surprised to see him again. When he hadn't called a few days, I was quite relieved that I wouldn't have to deal with another boy. I had obviously been wrong since he was here and looked quite interested in getting to know me better. "W-what are you doing here?" I tried not to sound as outraged as I really was. I couldn't stop my voice from going up a few octaves with panic.

"I came for you, Sugar. Who else?"

"Uh, Silver?" I squeaked again—calling Silver. To Hunter, it sounded like I was suggesting that he came here for Silver. My smile became freakishly wide with my jittery nerves.

I didn't like the situation I was in and I wanted my little sister to save me from this big, beautiful man.

Sure, I thought he was hot, that didn't mean I was interested in him though. I just enjoyed looking at him. The thought being close to a man again almost gave me an anxiety attack. I suddenly felt like Hunter was standing too close.

"Did you call me?" Silver stomped up the stairs, "I think I heard a knock at the door. Was I right? If I was right, is it Seth? I bet it's—Oh! Hi Hunter." Silver quit blabbering and was as stunned as I was to see Hunter at our door, "How…how do you know where I live?" Silver eyed him suspiciously and opened the door wider. She gestured for Hunter to step out of the rain.

"I've got my methods." He smirked at Silver.

"I'm sure you do." Silver muttered, "Where's Seth? Is he with you?" She stuck her head in the rain and looked around for a sign of Seth and looked disappointed before shutting the doors, her blond curls already wet.

"He doesn't know I'm here. I was hoping you'd be gone and with him."

Silver frowned. She grabbed Hunter's shirt and pulled him down till his face was to her and she whispered in his ear. When she said what she had to say, she shoved him away roughly.

"Got it." He rolled his eyes, "Don't you have some place to be? I don't know, like, far from here?" he teased but there was a playful edge to his words. I couldn't tell if he was deliberately being rude to Silver or if this was usually how they spoke to each other.

"Amber and I were going out. With Seth." Silver's face was puckered in an angry glare, "We're waiting for you to leave." Silver slipped her hand in mine and discreetly pulled me so I was behind her. There was protectiveness in her stance that made me feel uneasy. I didn't want Silver defending me when there was no immediate danger. From where I was standing, a fight was brewing because of Silver's presence.

"Hey, um, if Hunter wants to talk to me, there's no harm in him talking to me, right?" I interrupted.

Silver whirled around to stare at me, Her gray eyes peered at me with panic and disapproval. She shook her head slightly.

"It's cool, Silver. I want to talk to Hunter. Can you give us a minute alone?" I smiled at my little sister, ignoring the twisting nerves in my stomach.

She bit her lip and huffed. She stomped her way down stairs and we both waited till we heard her door slam.

"So, I was thinking," Hunter was grinning again, "Ditch the dweebs today and you and I could do something—something fun like Go-Karting or laser tag."

His two options were intriguing but I didn't want to lead him on more than I already had. It was alluring to say yes. I would have loved to go play laser tag or go Go-Karting but that would make Hunter believe I wanted to spend time with him when, really, I wanted to go Go-Karting.

I wondered where he was planning on taking me to do such activities. We couldn't have that here, it had to be in a nearby city.

I pushed that curiosity away. There was no way I was going anywhere with Hunter. And I was definitely not leaving Silver. "Wow, Hunter, that sweet but I can't."

"You shouldn't feel bad for Sil and Seth. They like spending time together alone."

"No, it's not about that." I sighed and looked up at him. I didn't care to think about what I would say. I didn't care much about his feelings to watch my words. Hunter was really cute but I just couldn't imagine anything other than friendship with him—I couldn't even see friendship. "Hunter, I don't date anymore. At all. Whether you're asking me to just hang as friends or an actual date, my answer is no. It's nothing personal against you, it's really all men." I smiled to lighten the blow.

Hunter's face was serious but not angry. He watched my face and I watched his, waiting for his epiphany or whatever he was trying to do. "Bad break-up, huh?" his lips turned up in a crooked, sympathetic, half grin. There was no humour in his smirk; it seemed widely out of place right now.

My heart leaped and I inhaled deeply. I hated hearing the break-up being mentioned by someone else. I hadn't spoken about it in so long. I thought the whole world would forget my break-up since so much more important events had taken place. Was it really pasted on my face that I had been dumped?

Seeing Hunter watch my face careful—he was probably reading heartbroken off my forehead—the blood rushed to my cheek and I looked away hoping he wouldn't notice the colour.

"I'm sorry, Amber." He apologized and he sounded sincere, "I get it. I'm sorry for putting you through this."

My head whipped back up to look at him. I had dreamt of that very sentence so many times. Though, in my dreams it wasn't some random hottie saying it; it was Embry. Embry coming back to me and apologizing for leaving and putting me through this.

I hadn't had that dream in weeks though. I could barely remember how they went, but that sentence was unforgettable because I wanted that part to be real.

My smile felt more like a grimace, "Thanks for understanding."

He smiled back, it was sweet this time. There was none of his cockiness, "No need for thanking me. Get better and you can call me anytime." He gave me a much needed hug and went out into the rain.

Hunter really was a good guy despite all the horror stories Silver had told me. He was sweet and nice and definitely my type. Sadly, I wasn't ready to be with him how any girl would want to be with him. I hadn't healed enough for that.

"What did he want?" Silver demanded, coming up the stairs, her frown still in place. I hadn't realised she was this protective of me. She was taking this way out of hand. I understood that she was worried but she was the little sister.

"He just wanted to know if I'd go Go-Karting. I said I was spending the day with you."

She smiled and looked ashamed for her accusation, "Oh, that's good. Are you…going to hang with him another day?"

I shook my head, "No."

She sighed in relief. "Good, because Hunter is way too annoying for me to endure. You know who you should date?" Silver grinned walking towards the front door and leaning on it. Her smile was so huge it looked like it caused her pain.

It was amazing how much Forks had changed us so drastically. I used to be the happy sister that smiled and giggled all the time and Silver was the grumpy child. Now the rolls were slightly reversed. I wasn't grumpy but I wasn't as cheerful as I used to be. I was kind of still pissed that I was living here and I wished something would happen so that we could all move back to Montreal.

"Nobody Silver. I shouldn't date anyone." I rolled my eyes. She was so silly. I was so sure that it was written on my forehead that I was damaged goods and here was my sister, suggesting guys, "I'm flattered that you think I'm datable but I'm not ready."

Silver agreed so rapidly I wondered whether she even meant what she'd said before, "Oh, I know. I don't even know why I suggested that."

I flinched but she didn't seem to notice. She gasped and turned to open the door, "Hey, you!" she crowed, throwing her arms around Seth's neck.

Seth had a confused frown on his face, "Was that Hunter I just…" he jerked his thumb behind himself.

"Yeah," Silver and I mumbled.

"What did he…You know what, I'll ask him later." He looked down at Silver and pulled her into his chest, "How's my favourite girl in the world?" he grinned than looked up at me, "I'm sorry, one of my favourite girls." He corrected.

I couldn't help smiling when Seth was trying to be charming.

We hadn't planned anything in particular and the rain bummed Silver out.

I was fine with staying in as well. The snow and rain made the thought of Silver or Seth driving sound horrible and dangerous. We ended up watching TV and playing cards and board games.

This took me back. I remembered when there was a snow day when I was 12 and Cynthia came over. We stayed home, played board games and watched Much Music all day long.

The thought of Seth replacing Cynthia didn't make me shutter. Seth was cool and I liked him and Silver adored him. It was weird to see them together. There wasn't a moment Seth wasn't touching Silver. He was always caressing her arm or playing with her hair. He looked at her like she was the most amazing thing he'd ever seen.

It didn't make me sad to look at them like it used to. I was in a better place so that I didn't feel jealous. I was also less anxious about their relationship. As time progressed and they seemed to fall more in love with each other every day, I got more used to them being in love for the rest of their lives.

I knew that high school relationships never lasted but sometimes people did marry their high school sweethearts. If such a thing were possible, out of all the high school couples, Silver and Seth have got to have been the most liable.

And even though something like 70% of married couples get a divorce, if any two people should be in that rare 30%, it was my sister and her Seth. He was hers, that was for sure.

I spent the entire weekend with Silver and Seth then Monday came, followed by school and boys.

And my boy was there. He stepped out of his green car and joined me at Silver's bright red Chrysler. He was all smiles for me. It was a bit shy but his lips curled up in the corners. His flushed when he caught my eye. I was just as happy to see him as he was to see me.

"Hey, Andy!" I skipped towards him, "How was your weekend?" We both turned and started towards the building. Students scattered around us, but I tried to focus on Andy. He didn't talk much, he was more of a listener. That was probably why I was so drawn to him. I could talk for hours and hours and he'd just listen. He didn't give advice or disagree or give me his opinion like my other friends did. He just listened.

"Sucked pretty bad." He admitted, "I had to work all weekend."

"I didn't know you had a job." I tilted my head to the side. I wanted him to elaborate. Where did he work and why didn't he like it? If I didn't push he usually stopped with one statement. I shoved his shoulder and gestured for him to continue.

"I'm a cashier at the local grocery store." He answered quickly, "My boss forgot to give me my break yesterday so I was on my feet for 6 hours."

"Do you think you could get me a job application? I need a job."

He shrugged and held the door open for me.

"Thanks An—" My words got stuck in my throat when I looked around my school.

On the walls were bright red cut outs of hearts and little baby cupids. Ribbons and garlands discreetly hung from the ceilings. The decorations were tastefully done. Enough to be noticed but not too much to make the single people feel awkward.

It didn't make me feel awkward, it just made me feel like I was chocking for a split second. Chocking wasn't the way to describe it, I just felt like I had walked into a plate glass door that I thought was open but it was just really clean.

"What day is it?" I demanded, clutching Andy's arm and forcing him to look at me.

"Monday."

"The date!" I hissed.

"I don't know. The twelve."

"Oh." I breathed and released his arm. Now that I had gotten used to the idea of Valentine's day, I felt better. I was just angry that it had taken me by surprise and that none of my friends were nice enough to mention it.

We proceeded walking.

"So, you don't have a Valentine?" Andy asked nonchalantly.

I chuckled bitterly, "I love how my ex chose to dump me a few weeks before V-day. How convenient for me, huh?" I said sarcastically and nudged him with my elbow.

"So, your one of those girls that don't like Valentine's day." He muttered.

I shook my head, "No," I smiled sweetly, hoping the bitterness was still there, "I love Valentine's day. When I have a Valentine." I mumbled the second sentence in a lower voice.

A/N: The next chapter should be in narrative form as in 3rd person singular. I'm thinking about it. Or maybe I'll just split it in two…