Jesse and I were instant friends. We did everything together. It was like having a sister. I told her everything. One day I was in the living room watching a movie when Ben walked in.

"What are you watching?"

"New Moon."

"Why would you want to watch a movie about vampires and werewolves when you are a werewolf and you know a vampire?"

"Because I like this movie that is why. And what does it matter. I like what people think vampires and werewolves would be like."

" Yeah right you just like to see Jacob with his shirt off. I know how teenage girls minds work."

"You think so do you. Jake has a nice body but I know someone with a better one."

"And who might that be?"

"Like I would tell you."

" I know why you won't tell me."

" And why is that?"

"Because your talking about me."

"What in the hell would make you think that?"

"Well if you aren't talking about me then tell me who it is."

"No then you would just go tell them. I'm not a stupid little girl like you think I am."

" I think you are a lot of things, but stupid isn't one of them."

"Well thank you, I think. Now can you please be quiet so I can watch me movie."

" Fine."

I couldn't help but think about his comment for the rest of the movie. I kept wondering to myself what he thought of me. I could help but watch him out of the corner of my eye. Jesse plopped down beside me about half way through the movie. We watched the movie in silence after it was over I got up and went in the kitchen. I couldn't stand to be in the same room as Ben any longer. Jesse followed me and grabbed my hand. She practically dragged me up the stairs to her room.

"What the hell is going on?"

"What do you mean?"

" I mean you and Ben. You could almost cut the tension with a knife and you kept looking at him out of the corner of your eye."

"Nothing is going on."

"Don't lie to me Phee. I know you."

"He just said something that got me thinking."
"And what could Ben have possible said that bothered you that much?"
" He said that the only reason I liked that movie was because I liked to see Jacob with his shirt off and I said that I know someone with a better one. And when I wouldn't tell him who he assumed I was talking about him. I told him that I wouldn't tell him because then he would just tell them and that I wasn't just some stupid little girl like he thinks. Then he said that he thinks that I'm a lot of things but stupid wasn't one of them. That got me to thinking what he thinks of me."

"That would make me wonder too. It was him you were talking about wasn't it?"

" Yes but I'm not going to tell him that now am I. I mean I can't like him can I?"

" Well do you like him."

"I don't know. Well yeah kind of."

"What do you mean kind of?"

"Well he's hot and he's nice to me anyway and that smile."

"You have it bad."

"I do not shut up."

"Don't let your dad know. He will flip out."

"I know."

When it came time for the full moon hunt I had a hard time keeping my eyes off Ben. He knew it too and when my dad wasn't looking he smiled and winked at me so I flipped him off and turned my back to him. The next day I was on the computer when Ben walked in.

"Did you have fun at the hunt last night."

"Yeah why wouldn't I?"

"I don't know. Looked to me like you liked the scenery."

"What is that supposed to me?"

"I saw you looking at me."

"So I looked at you big deal."

"I didn't say it was a big deal. I'm just saying you better not let your dad see you looking."

"I can handle me dad. I mean what am I supposed to do wear a blind fold during the full moon hunt? What do you care anyway?"

"Well that's a little extreme and I don't care."

"Well then why don't you mind your own business and leave me alone."

"Fine I will."

After that Ben didn't bring it up again. He didn't treat me any different then he did before. It was two days before my seventeenth birthday, Ben, and Warren were on protection detail due to some rogue wolves in the area. We were sitting in the living room listening to music.

"What do you want for your birthday?"

"I can't have what I really want."

"Why not?"

"It would cost too much."

" Yeah it would and it wouldn't be worth the trouble."

"How do you know Ben?"

"I don't. I just have a pretty good idea."

" Oh really is that a fact?"

"Yeah it is."

My eyes filled with tears so I put my head down to hide it.

" I'm going to go take a shower."

"I'll make something to eat while your in there."

"I'm not hungry."

I went to the bathroom and shut the door. I turned on the shower and lost it. I sat in the bottom of the shower and cried for what seemed like hours. When I came out Ben was gone.

"Where did Ben go?"

"I don't know. He seemed agitated and when I asked him what was wrong he said he had something to do."

"Alright then."

"Are you OK? You seem a little down in the dumps."

"I'm OK"

"No you aren't. Now tell me what is going on."

"Nothing it's just I'm almost seventeen and I've never had a real boyfriend and the guy I like doesn't seem to be interested in me at all. I'm starting to think there is something wrong with me."

"Trust me there is nothing wrong with you. If you ask me there is something wrong with him. You are a great person. You are beautiful, smart and funny."

"Thanks Warren."

"Anytime."