a/n: Wow! 21 faves and 38 alerts? That's absolutely amazing! I'm glad so many of you seem enjoy my story so far, and I would really like it if you left me a pretty little review. To us authors, reviews are like candy, and get us really hyped about the story. So please, review. I like to hear from my readers, whether it's to tell me something you love or dislike. Critique is always welcome!

But enough of my shameless begging, there's a story to read.

Hope you like it!

Disclaimer: Me no own Twilight. If I did, I wouldn't be here now would I? (wink, wink)

P.s.-I know I promised excitement in this chapter but, well, I lied. Sorry, but sometimes the pace of the story doesn't go the way I want it to, but it definitely should pick up speed next chapter.

P.s.s-I apologize in advance if you get multiple emails for this chapter, I am constantly editing and adding things because I'm obsessive like that.

P.s.s.s-Nothing. I'm just obnoxious. Now on with the story!

Dinner proved to be quite interesting, to say the very least. Jake made certain he chose the seat as far from me as possible, directing dirty looks across the space between us whenever our eyes happened to meet.

Which happened quite a lot mind you.

And I knew it wasn't all me. He was looking at me too, I could feel his scrutiny, branding my skin as it trailed all over my face. It was pretty hypocritical of him, I couldn't help but think, but nevertheless did my best to ignore it, not wanting to be subjected to another one of his glares.

Billy and Paul were too busy quarreling over the result of some football game to notice much else, in which the latter adamantly believed that Billy's team had cheated somehow. Rachel was surprisingly quiet, and I realized why when I glanced up to see her frowning between Jake and me.

Time passed in this fashion for numerous minutes, and I focused on meticulously clearing my plate rather than Rachel's bafflement. Billy was actually a fairly decent cook, far superior to my father, who thought microwavable pizza constituted as a home-cooked meal.

My eyes caught Jake's again, and I cursed beneath my breath, swiftly dropping my gaze before I could see his expression.

This was torture.

"Good grief!" Rachel shouted, causing everyone to snap their eyes in her direction. She pointed an accusing finger in at her brother, whose eyes had grown wide at the sudden noise. "What the hell are you doing?"

His brown eyes tightened, startled expression dissolving into his seemingly pervasive scowl.

"What are you talking about?"

Rachel scoffed, eyes narrowing as she gestured emphatically at me. I practically choked on my chicken.

What was with her and Paul shoving me into conflict?

"You know exactly what I'm 'talking about' Jacob Black." She growled, "Ever since Sydney got back you've been treating her like shit. All she wanted was to see you again, why are you being so difficult!"

Paul, for once, saw fit to remain silent, while Billy looked decidedly uncomfortable, clearing his breath multiple times at he pushed potatoes around his plate.

"Rachel, honey…"he began, eyes darting between the two glaring siblings, "Perhaps now isn't…"

But his daughter cut him off, gaze never straying from Jake.

"It's never the right time." She alleged, "That's the problem. He's been acting like a total ass since that gloomy chief's daughter dumped him and I'm about sick of it!"

My heartbeat accelerated at the information, fork falling slack in my grip. Jake had dated someone?

I didn't know why the revelation bothered me, but it did. Immensely.

Perhaps it was because it meant that he had grown close to someone else after I went away. Closer than Jake and I had ever been.

And she dumped him.

Jacob bristled, shooting his sister a venomous look.

"It's none of your business who I associate with Rachel." He hissed crossly. I could see the veins clearly from his neck, throbbing and protruding in tandem with the flare of his nostrils. Somehow, even while irritated he remained devastatingly attractive, and I felt heat creeping into my cheeks.

Get a grip Sydney, it's Jake for Pete's sake!

Rachel sneered at him, eyes flashing with just as much fury as his voice possessed.

"Of course it is!" she exclaimed, "This behavior cannot continue. I'm…" She paused, voice growing softer. "I'm really worried about you Jake." Her entire body seemed to deflate, her eyes pleading with him.

The youngest Black averted his eyes, staring blankly at the cream colored tablecloth.

"No one asked you to be." was as his stony response that sent a shudder skittering down my spine. The old Jacob would never have said something as callous as that, he was far too sensitive to others' feelings.

And yet here he sat, face void of emotion as he basically told his sister that what she felt didn't matter.

My heart was in agony, feeling as if it were being split straight through the center.

What had happened to him? When did he get so cold?

Rachel reared back as if slapped, hurt flaring across her pretty face. She stared in disbelief, before seeming to compose herself, features hardening. She squared her jaw, chin jutting out defiantly.

"She doesn't love you okay?" she barked matter-of-factly. "Despite what she keeps telling you, and she never will. So Get. Over. It."

An uncomfortable silence settled over the room. Billy appeared stunned, while Paul's expression kept flickering between agreement and apprehension.

I was numb. Boneless. My entire body had come to a lurching stop as I gawked at the scene presented before me. Was this a mistake? Had I caused all this commotion?

Perhaps I shouldn't have come.

Jake's entire body was convulsing, his face twisted with such rage I found myself sliding my chair back.

"Easy Jake." Paul rumbled warningly. His own body was coiled as if preparing for something, his face the most serious I'd ever seen it.

Jacob flinched at his words, giving a cursory appraisal of the table, before standing stiffly from his chair and vacating the room. His departure seemed to suck all the air out with him, as we were all left staring dumbly at each other.

"Well." Paul stated after a beat. "That was intense."

I snorted. Not because I thought it was particularly funny, but because it was better than the silence.

He grinned crookedly and Rachel rolled her eyes, stuffing a spoonful of potatoes into her mouth with more force than necessary.

Billy cleared his throat, pinning me with a mournful look.

"I sincerely apologize for that Sydney." He expressed, "Jake's been going through a lot of things lately, but that in no way excuses his behavior." His eyes cut across the table at his daughter. "Or Rachel's." he added implicitly, to which the woman huffed.

"The brat was asking for it." Was her incensed reply. "And I was tired of him taking his frustration out on Sydney."

He eyes connected with mine and I smiled, glad that at least one Black sibling wanted me around.

"Oh he's frustrated alright." Paul snickered, and the suggestive way in which he worded it caused me to flush and Billy to chuckle around the rim of his cup.

Yeah, I don't think so.

"I highly doubt that Paul." I was swift to rebuff. The kid hated me, it was obvious.

Painfully so.

Rachel was quick to disagree, sharing a perceptive look with her husband.

"Why not?" she implored. "You're beautiful, easy to get along with, and have a bangin' bod." Here she gave a playful wink. "Hell, if I swung that way I'd be all over you."

My blush deepened, and I stuffed some chicken in my mouth so I wouldn't have to respond.

Because in all honesty, I didn't know what to say.

Though my confidence was far from lacking—I believed myself fairly decent looking—I wasn't used to being showered with compliments like this.

Paul shot her a look of mock-offence, gesturing at himself with his fork. As he did so he managed to flick rice bits across the table, not that he noticed.

"Um, hello?" he scoffed, "Why bat for the other team when you've got this luscious, piece of man-meat right here?"

Rachel's returning look was flirty, and I directed my attention to the hallway as the two continued to trade witty remarks. I could see a light shining beneath what I now knew to be Jake's door, and my chest gave a little pinch.

I came here to set things right with him, yet things had started off so horribly.

If I could just figure out what happened to make him this way, then perhaps I could find a way to make things okay between us.

Before I have to leave again, my mind inserted, and I banished the thought away. No. I had to think about the here and now. I'd cross that bridge when the time came for it.

Billy noticed my concentrated expression, eying me with curiosity.

"What's on your mind Sydney?" he queried, and Paul and Rachel immediately ceased their bantering, both watching me with expectant faces.

I bit my lip, returning the gazes of my new make-shift audience.

Well, it was now or never I suppose.

"What happened to him?" I asked point-blank. There was no time to beat around the bush. I came here on a mission and I intended to follow through.

Rachel curled her lip, eyes flashing with what could only be described as distaste.

"Bella Skank happened."

She said it with such a straight face I felt my brows draw together in contemplation.

Was that actually—

"It's not her real name." Paul divulged, reading my expression. His lips quirked in blatant amusement. "Though Rachel likes to act like it is."

"It should be." Rachel mumbled, and Billy gave her a warning look that spoke volumes.

I pursed my lips bemusedly.

"Oh."

"Her real name's Bella Swan." Paul injected between mouthfuls of potatoes, "She's the Fork's police chief's daughter, and Jake's been in love with her for years."

I could feel my brows rising impossibly high, in sync with my suddenly erratic pulse.

Jake? In love?

The concept seemed to floor me. My mind couldn't process that the same boy I used to dig for worms with in my backyard had given his heart away.

And to this Bella Swan.

"Enough of that." Billy spoke abruptly. His eyes drifted in the direction of the hallway. "I doubt Jacob would appreciate be spoken of when he isn't here to defend himself."

Rachel, Paul, and I exchanged guilty looks, though I didn't know exactly what I was feeling guilty for. They were the ones discussing his love-life. I was just an innocent bystander.

Who also happened to vow to further investigate the manner.

Without Billy's knowledge, of course.

"Paul, come help me clean up." Billy ordered, and the man groaned.

"Why me?" he whined, and the sharp look Billy sent him displayed exactly how unimpressed he was. He backed his chair away from the table, wheeling towards the kitchen.

"Rachel is pregnant, and Sydney helped set up." He quipped. He whacked his son-in-law on the side of the head as he passed his seat, causing the man to yelp. "Now get your lazy ass up."

Paul puffed, but obeyed, darting around the table to collect all the plates while Billy maneuvered into the kitchen to prepare the dish-water. When they were both gone, Rachel turned to me, placing a hand to my knee and gazing imploringly into my eyes.

"Please don't give up on him Sydney." she murmured, dark eyes flickering in the direction of Jake's room then back to me. "Despite how he acts or may believe, he could really use a friend like you."

I bit my lip.

"I'll do my best."

For both of us.

After Paul and Rachel left, the house seemed much quieter. Billy had gone to bed not long after, and I had been lying in my bed for the past two hours, camera aimlessly panning the walls and ceiling as I mulled over Rachel's request.

Of course I wanted to be friends with Jake again.

I wanted it more than anything.

And yet...

Apprehension clawed at my insides with a vengeance, making me timid and unsure. Could I really help him? Or had our time as friends already come and gone?

What if I wasn't what he needed? If his own family couldn't get through to him then why did Rachel believe I could?

What made me so special?

These thoughts swirled through my head like a tidal-wave, submerging me in self-doubt. My fingers curled distressfully around my camera, the coolness of the metal serving to ease some of my anxiety. I exhaled, squeezing it tighter.

No.

I couldn't think like that.

I had to at least try.

I owed it to Jacob and myself.

Decision made, I flipped the camera on myself, waiting until the red light blared to life before fixing my face on the screen.

"The date is August 24th. The time 12:43 am." I breathed, gazing steadfastly into the lens. I paused and it seemed to stare back, urging me on. I took a deep breath. "And I, Sydney Aylin Wood, vow to do my absolute best to fix things with Jacob Black, no matter what."

The recording light ceased blinking and I lowered the camera, trailing my indent finger along the crevices.

Part of me regretted doing that. Because I knew.

"There'll be no going back now." I whispered into the darkness.

Heavy footsteps echoed down the hall, startling me, and I crept stealthily to my doorway, peering through the crack in my door to see a shirtless, disheveled Jake slip into his room across the hall. My heart thudded in my throat when I saw him, confusion and worry filling my insides.

His entire form was drenched, and I knew he had been out and about. But at this time of night?

And just where had he gone?

Spurred on by my worry, and a pinch of curiosity, I left the comfort of my room, braving the distance between our rooms in three long strides. Jake's door was wide open, and as I squinted through the blackness I detected movement, releasing a quiet gasp when the moonlight revealed his stunning form beside the window.

My pulse sped faster, and I couldn't help comparing him to the Native American equivalent of a greek statue.

He was just so beautiful.

The upper half of his warrior-esque body was illuminated by the moon, damp copper skin sparkling silver as he gazed out into the night. Strong arms crossed at the chest, biceps and pectorals bulging enticingly. Mesmerized, I stepped closer, only to be rendered still when dark eyes abruptly snapped in my direction. They trailed slowly over my body, taking in the loose tank and small cotton shorts with interest, before his expression became pained. Muttering what sounded suspiciously like a expletive, he hastily redirected his gaze to the floor.

"What are you doing here?" he growled, tone doing nothing to disguise his irritation.

I opened and closed my mouth several times, yet nothing came out.

I was just so startled. Utterly discombobulated by my own behavior.

Why had I come over here?

To reprimand him? To accuse him?

Jake scoffed, turing his back to me. Drops of water trailed down the shifting muscles enticingly, and I found myself cataloguing their journey, envious that they got to touch him so intimately while I was stuck to just admire from afar.

"Well if you have nothing to say, then get out." he snapped, interrupting my thoughts, and I felt a small niggling of annoyance creep through me.

What right did he have to speak to me like that?

Sure, I wanted to salvage what we had, but that didn't mean I had to take this. And I refused to. Not anymore.

I was not Jacob Black's personal whipping post. And I never had been.

Regardless of what he was going through, I couldn't let things continue the way they were. We were equals dammit, and he was about to learn that real quick.

Indignation surging through my veins, I emitted a rather primal growl. The sound seemed to surprise him, and he whirled back towards me with wide eyes.

"I am not a meek little push-over Jacob Black." I seethed, stalking straight up to him. I could feel his body heat as I stood my ground, meeting his dark eyes purposefully. "And I will no longer be taking any of your crap."

His face was unreadable, shock ebbing away as he seemed to consider me. For once, he wasn't scowling, but that did nothing to ease the nervousness festering in my stomach. We were standing close. So close, in fact, that I could see my reflection in his eyes. My hair was chaotic, cheeks flushed, and eyes bright.

I looked insane.

Jacob huffed, and I might've imagined it, but I could have sworn I saw his lips lift slightly at the corners.

Shrugging in a 'what can you do?' type manner, he then promptly began undressing.

My eyes enlarged as russet skin and muscle were revealed in large quantities.

"Um, hello!" I shrieked, face flushing crimson. Oh my God."I'm still Here."

He didn't spare me a glance, shucking out of his soggy jeans and reaching for his boxers.

"Then get not here." he drawled pointedly.

I was flabbergasted. Would he really resort to such measures to avoid talking to me?

"But I was—" I protested, only to cut myself short.

His boxers had begun sliding down his hips, and I saw a flash of dark hair before I was barreling out of his room like a madwoman. I was across the hall with my door tightly shut before they even hit the ground.

My pulse was rapid as I slid down the expanse of the door, landing on the floor with a heavy thump. I saw the light from his room flicker on briefly, then go out, and felt myself scowl.

Did the boy have no shame?

I nearly saw his—

No. Nuh-uh. Nope. Not thinking about it.

He was my best friend, that's weird.

Er, or least he used to be.

I sighed, crawling over to my bed and hauling myself onto it. I didn't bother getting under my blankets, as they always ended up on the floor anyway. I clearly had a rough and treacherous road ahead of me in regards to Jake, and I groaned, knowing this was going to be the most stressful year of my life.

I stretched and felt the cool metal of my camera brush against my calve, reaching down to bring it to it to eye-level.

And I, Sydney Aylin Wood, vow to do my absolute best to fix things with Jacob Black, no matter what.

A small groan pushed past my lips.

I was such an idiot.

Crickets chirped noisily outside my window, and I thought I heard a wolf howl. It was majorly creepy, and I dove beneath my comforter despite myself. I had been in the city too long. I was no longer used to all this...nature.

Not to mention my childhood friend had morphed into an antisocial exibitionalist who hated me.

Pattering on the window alerted me that it was raining again and I huffed, attempting to drown out the noise with my pillow.

This whole living in La Push thing was turning out to be a lot harder than I anticipated.

If only I knew the half of it.

A/n: Anyone else find it funny that these first three chapters all encompass Sydney's first day back? That's one long day. Or perhaps I just dwell too long on things (lol)