Princess Leah

"So you are the girl replacing Bella Swan."

As soon as we walked in everyone, except for two woman and the ones that had already met me, bustled toward us. Jared, Kim, and two girls I had never read about named Susan and Janien greeted us warmly as they welcomed us in.

One of the two women who had waited slowly made her way toward me. The left side of her face smiled at me though the right side did not change. Even the broken half was beautiful. "Hello, I am Emily. I just wanted to tell you that I appreciate what you gave up to be with Jacob," she said in a calm, motherly tone.

"Believe me Emily," I smiled at her, "I am the lucky one." Emily hugged me tightly and walked back into the kitchen to finish a late dinner.

I noticed that everyone had greeted us except for one and I quickly put two and two together to find her name; Leah Clearwater. I decided that she was more mad at Jacob and Bella instead of me so I decided to introduce myself but, before I could Emily had called "Dinner!" and everyone got in line for chicken and biscuits.

I stood there, near the door, wondering whether I should get in line or wait for that line to dissolve. I realized then that Jacob was not near me. Tow minuets later he handed me a plate with mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, beans, chicken, a biscuit, and a small salad. How he fit all that on a plate I will never know.

"Thank You but, I cannot eat all of this."

Jacob snickered. "I will finish it for you."

I snorted. "Thanks!"

There wasn't enough room at the table for all of us to sit, but when Kim and Jared saw that we were standing they gave up their seats. "Don't be silly! This party is for you guys. Guests don't sit!" Jared proclaimed. We smiled thankfully and sat down.

My hands had already begun to hurt under the weight of the plate. I tried to eat as much as I could but I got sick after eating half of the delicious food was in my stomach. I forced down another bite of beans and swallowed. Jacob noticed.

"You don't have to eat it all!" Jacob laughed but he looked a little concerned and I wondered if my fullness showed that bad.

I sighed. "I know but she made it."

Something in my sentence caught Jacob as funny. He boomed a laugh. "It's not going to waist!" he gaffed.

"Alright! You can have it." I exhaled in defeat and pushed over the plate as he smiled.

"Poor Seth," Jacob said all of a sudden.

"What is wrong with Seth?" I questioned, alarmed.

He simpered. "Nothing! Just doesn't have a mate is all."

"Oh, but neither do Paul or Embrey."

"Yes they do. Did you notice that two of the women who greeted us were new; like you had never read about them?" I nodded. "Well, Susan Michaels is with Embry and Paul is with Janine Ruckson. I guess they got busy while I was gone."

I laughed. "Wow! I didn't even think about that! The cold must be getting to me!" Jacob put his arm around the chair protectively as Seth got up to get more food and the one girl who had not yet said hello took his place in the chair across from me.

"Hello," she greeted dryly. Ok the only one who had said hello without a smile. I resisted the urge to stick my tongue out at her. That would be rude and immature, I told myself, and not that she wasn't acting the same.

"Hello Leah! How are you doing on this fine afternoon?' I do not know why but whenever someone was mean to me I always acted sickeningly sweet towards them. It always worked with evil teachers. Jacob and Leah both cocked an eyebrow at me but Jacob finally caught on and laughed.

"Fine, you?" Her voice was not sweet but sarcastic.

"Great; now that I have met everyone," I answered.

"Yes it is nice to meet the girl who brought Jake back." I was amazed that I could not see the sarcasm drip out through her teeth; for it was evident in her voice.

"I am glad I could meet the one who kept him away."

"You think it is my fault!" Crap that meant I had said the last comment allowed.

I of course knew that it was not Leah who had driven him away. "No, but you did not exactly help!"

"So…. You are the girl replacing Bella Swan." Jacob stiffened and the entire room went silent. I did not know what to say to that so I stayed silent. Leah took this opportunity to go on with, "Well, at least I will get some sleep tonight."

Suddenly my subconscious mind gave in. Subliminally I had been worried that I was not the only one on Jacob's mind. "What about last night," I started to ask without even knowing it. "He met me yesterday," I stated so that she would understand.

I sad, smug smile came upon Leah's face, striking sorrow into me. My eyes glazed over and I tried not to cry. Leah stood up slowly. "Sad," she shook her head, "Just….."

"Stop it Leah," Sam commanded harshly. "Leah opened her mouth but made a chocking sound and shut it. "Fine!" she screeched, stalking out of the room.

Jacob untensed quickly and turned towards me. His face was one of horror. "Look, it's not my fault. I…." He started to apologize but I interrupted him.

"Who can decide what they dream and dream I do," I sang. That is what I kept telling myself to keep from crying. It is not his fault. It is not his fault.

"What?" he asked in disbelief that I was not angry with him.

"It is an Evanescence song. Who can decide what they dream and dream I do," I repeated but only spoke it this time. "You can't choose who you dream about. You just met me and maybe I will be on your mind one day."

He stared into my eyes in surprise as he searched them for falsehood, but he would never find it because it was not there. "I promise," he stated intensely, but in desperation. I could tell that he was convincing himself.

"You can't do that." Jacob opened his mouth to protest but I was not finished. "But, I believe you." I was incredulous but tired of the subject and wanted to change it.

Sam decided that we all needed sleep, though it was only 9:30. Jacob agreed that that was a good idea and walked me home. As soon as we crossed the threshold Billy told us it was bed time. I felt like a child but obeyed nonetheless. I was going to meet Quil tomorrow and needed sleep.

The comforter was down and comfortable. I switched the white and green pillows, putting the white under my cheek. Jacob was already snoring; luckily it was not as bad as when he was a dog and I was immune to the noise after 14 years of my Step father and brother doing the same.

The steady rain against the window acted as a lullaby as I settled into a calm, but not dreamless, sleep. I am glad to say I dreamt of Jacob, whether he dreamt of me or not. He was in it but I do not understand what it was about. We seemed to be standing across from each other in a white walled room. No emotion was on his face and I wondered what was on mine.

Then the scene changed, but not really. It was as if the walls were being painted repeatedly at lightning speed; his house, Uley house, our cave. Then the became what I had not yet seen but imagined; forest, beach, Forks High, Bella's house, the Cullen's house. This made me wonder:

'Are the Cullens still here?'