Disclaimer: Twilight belongs to Stephenie Meyer. She messed up the story when she made Jake imprint on Nessie. Fortunately for us there's always the world of fanfictions.

Author/Note: This is a Leah/Jacob story with all the normal pairings and the events in Breaking Dawn never happened, because just like my cousin said, Breaking Dawn shouldn't even be considered a book.

Translation to English of O Nosso Amanhecer 2. This version was subjected to a few changes from the original in Portuguese.

This translation was a request by FantasyLover74.

I'm not a native English speaker so I'm sorry for my grammar and spelling. Thank you for reading and thanks the people who reviewed, FantasyLover74, She-Wolf Heiress, brankel1, Chick, Piper9004, Jo Harv, JacobLeah, CallyGreen, Mariaxxx, RobertForLife, Darkmaster of the arts, BenitaxoxoCastiel, mehr03 and AllieBlack16.

Alert: the characters in this story curse a lot.

Our Dawn

Part II

Leah Clearwater

9. Pearl

I should've never suggested tutoring Jacob Black. I mean it was more than obvious that we would never get along besides I needed to rest. My life was a living hell and I hadn't been able to breathe for the last week. Fortunately Rick and Jason had finally controlled their phasing abilities and didn't have to stay at my place anymore. Now it was just me, Seth and Denis.

And Jacob. He had been betting with everyone about his grades and he was positive that with my assistance he'd be able to pass the year. Even the leeches were placing bets against him. That only fuelled his will to prove them wrong.

"Why are you doing this to me?" I asked a very excited Jacob who was standing at my doorstep on a Sunday morning.

"You said you'd help me."

"I was in bed." I groaned.

"I know but now you're not." He stated matter-of-factly.

I wanted to kill him right there.

"Fine, just let my have breakfast first and then we'll study."

"That'll be great, I could eat again…"

The guy's nerve! He comes to my house without a warning on a Sunday morning and expects me to feed him all day? I had the feeling Jacob Black wouldn't be able to reach the end of the day alive.

"Where's Seth?" He asked.

"Sleeping." I said with jealousy coming through my voice.

We spent the next three hours revising History, Geography and Maths. Jacob wasn't dumb he was just lazy and most of the time he wasn't even paying attention to what I was saying. I was trying my best not to slap him but my patience was running short.

"Do you want to be in High School forever?" I asked him throwing the book at his head.

"No." He said. "It's just that I don't like to study this crap. Why the hell do I have to study anyways?"

"You have to finish High School to get a proper job and a life." I stated.

"A normal life? As if…" He mocked.

"I didn't mean right now, but I guess when this is over and Irina is really dead the Cullens will go away and we'll stop phasing, right?"

Jacob shrugged.

"You don't want them to go." My voice sounded like an accusation but he didn't mind.

"It doesn't matter what I want. I promised I'd be by Bella's side forever and I'll keep my promise."

I shook my head disapprovingly. He was an idiot. Bella had made her choice and he was still waiting for her.

"What will you do when this is over?" Jacob asked me.

"I guess I'll leave."

"Where to?"

"I don't know. Away from here. It doesn't matter where."

"Is it because of Sam?"

"Maybe. I don't know. Anyway…there's nothing left for me here."

"What about Sue and Seth?"

"My mother has Charlie now and Seth…He won't need me. He's growing up and maybe he can even go to a good University like Rachel did."

"What about your friends?"

I laughed.

"Friends? I really have a lot of friends, don't I?"

"So you'll just leave us."

"You're going to do the same, aren't you? I mean if Bella leaves Forks, you'll have to go too."

"Probably."

"You're an idiot."

"Why?"

"Just because. Now get back to study."

He frowned. Ten minutes later he was sleeping and I was thinking if I'd kill him right then and there or wait until he was awake.

"Did you come here to study or to sleep?" I asked him right after I hit him in the head.

"Honestly…I don't know…"

"You'll loose the bet if you keep acting like this. This won't work if you don't try."

"If I didn't know you better, I'd say you're actually worried about my education." He mocked me.

"I guess nobody knows me that well, Black."

"Because you're always playing on the defensive."

"I have my reasons."

"Well maybe you should stop and try to change."

"Why would I change? You heard Old Quil…I'm a genetic dead end. I'll never be good enough for anyone."

"That doesn't mean you can't change."

"I can't believe you're actually trying to sell me this bullshit again. How many times do I have to tell you? I don't want to change I want to be left alone."

"And I think you'd be doing yourself a favour if you just stopped being so damn stubborn and tried to be nice once in a while."

"Go find a room and shut the hell up!" Denis said coming down the stairs. "I was trying to sleep, you know?"

The little prick was actually crossing a dangerous line by testing my mood. Jacob was now silent.

"If your mother didn't ask me to keep you safe, I'd rip your head off right now." I growled at him.

"You two have issues." Denis declared with a small smile on his lips before going to the kitchen.

Jacob put his books back on his schoolbag and walked to the door. I guess I really pissed him off this time.

"By the way you can go pick up your car tomorrow." He said before leaving. For some reason things between us always ended that way.

xxxxxxxxxx

My arguments with Jacob always pulled me on one direction: I always had the feeling I had overreacted. Maybe it was because he was my alpha and I should listen to him. I wasn't particularly happy to go to his place after our last fight a week ago but my car was fixed and I wanted it back.

He hadn't called me so I figured he didn't want my help anymore but since my offer was still up I decided I wouldn't pay him, he was the one who gave up having lessons, not me.

I found him in his garage still working on my car.

"I thought the car was ready..." I said making him roll his eyes.

"It is. I'm just checking something."

"Really?"

For some reason I had the feeling he was there because Paul was at his place with Rachel. Jacob was quite predictable.

"How's Denis?" He asked.

"Almost ready to go back home."

"About time."

"Well not all of us descend from a pure wolf bloodline like you, mighty alpha."

He rolled his eyes again and headed to the door.

"Where are you going?" Maybe I shouldn't have said that.

"Wait here, I'm going to get something.'

He came back a few minutes later with a paper bag in his hands but before he could tell me what it was Paul came running and a very upset Rachel was standing on the porch yelling insults at him.

"I didn't say you can't cook, babe." Paul explained. "You just don't know the difference between salt and sugar."

"Get the fuck out of my house or I'll kill you!" She yelled.

"Techinacally I'm not in your house. I'm outside."

Rachel threw him a plate with cake and gave him the middle finger. Then she turned around and went inside, closing the door behind her. It was actually quite funny to watch. Everything that made Paul look like an idiot was freaking awesome.

"Babe, come on…open up. I'm sorry…" Paul begged outside. That wasn't a smart move. Rachel's temper wasn't better than mine when she was pissed off. But that was his problem, his funeral…not mine.

"Let's go."

Jacob put the bag on the back of my car and started the engine. As soon as I joined him we left.

"What's the matter?" I asked surprised by his sudden need to go away.

"I know exactly how that argument is going to end." He muttered.

"I hope she kills him."

He smiled. I guess he felt the same.

"Unfortunatelly she'll forgive him soon enough and they'll cuddle and kiss and do other disgusting stuff." He made an ugly face.

"What's in the bag?" I asked to change the subject.

"Open it." He told me.

It was a brand new radio for my car. He had already taken out the old one.

"I couldn't fix it." he confessed.

"So you bought this for me?"

"A car needs a radio. And it wasn't that expensive."

I was a little touched. Jacob pulled over and installed the radio in just a few minutes.

"Try it." He said.

It worked perfectly.

"Look…I know it's none of my business but can I give you an advice?" He asked turning his head to face me.

Since he'd been nice to me, I was going to be nice to him too, so I let him talk.

"When you can't fix what's broken you need to replace it. It's the same for people Leah. Things will get better and it can start today."

He had started the car again and suddenly I realised where we were going.

"No…" I said in a firm voice.

"Please Leah. Just try."

"What the hell Jacob! What gives you the right to make me come here?"

"She begged me." He spat. "She thinks you hate her more because she went through the surgery."

"I do hate her."

"Fine, then go there and tell her that…just talk to her."

I glared at him when Jacob pulled over at Sam's place. I didn't move for a while and Jacob tapped on the wheel.

"He's on patrol. You can go. I'll wait here." He said.

I didn't know what was worse: the idea of talking to my cousin or staying in the car with Jacob.

When I finally realised what I was doing Emily was already opening the door. I couldn't back off now.

"Thank you for coming." She said.

Her face was covered with a mask and a few bandages. I waked in and noticed the house was a chaos.

"I've been taking so many medicines I don't have the strength to clean up…and Sam…he's always busy."

"Well, you could've called my mother."

"She has a new life now…she needs to look after Charlie and you and Seth."

"I'm sure she wouldn't mind coming here."

"It's ok. Some days are better than others."

"Maybe you should kick Sam's ass…I'm sure he'd help around a little more."

"I don't want to distract him from his job. The pups need to be ready…I heard you were the one who caught the leech." She said sitting down on the couch.

I guess that was the main difference between Emily and me. When there was a problem she would wait patiently for the solution. I would fight and try to do the things my way.

There was a moment of silence between the two of us. Since Sam had imprinted on her we didn't have much to talk about. We had some things in common, mainly Sam, but I would never talk to her about him.

"Does it hurt?" I finally asked.

"Sometimes but it's getting better each day."

"Good."

I didn't know if that made me feel better or worse. I had gotten used to see Emily's face disfigured. I always thought that she was paying the price for stealing Sam away from me. Her punishment was that huge scar and in a way I pitied them both as much as I pitied me. Now Emily's scar was gone but my pain was still lying dormant in my heart waiting to explode the day I would see Emily Young become Emily Uley. That day wasn't far now. Just a few more weeks.

"I need to go." I said.

"But you just arrived."

"I'm sorry I need to go home. Seth's there with Denis."

"But…"

"Emily…" I cut her off. "I'm glad you're back, it's good to know everything went well and I'm still going to be your maid of honour…but nothing else changed between us. Please don't ask for things I can't give you…I can't be your friend right now. I'm sorry."

"Leah? Will you hate me forever?"

I shrugged.

"Be happy, Emily. That's all I want."

I left quickly and once I was back in the car I grabbed Jacob by his shirt.

"If you do this again I will rip your balls off, understood?"

He nodded and a shade of green appeared in his face. He was scared. Good.

"Take me home." I ordered. "And tomorrow we'll restart our lessons."

I was going to make him suffer. A lot.

xxxxxxxxxx

Things didn't change much after my visit to Emily. Denis had finally left and Seth and I had different patrol's schedules. I was set to patrol with Jacob, Martin and Ethan while Seth was in a different group. I knew that Jacob's decision to put me in his group was to make sure I wouldn't do anything reckless that would upset the rest of the pack, especially Sam.

Three days a week Jacob would come around to have lessons but we weren't getting anywhere with that. I was far too impatient and he was too lazy. There was a small part of me that wanted to give up. After all Jacob would never go to the University, he would follow Bella Cullen around like a lost puppy for the rest of his sad life. He didn't need to finish High School for that.

But while I was tutoring him my mind was busy and all of my thoughts about the upcoming wedding were erased for a few hours.

"Can't we take a break now?" Jacob whined.

"Why?"

"Because I'm tired and hungry."

"The deal was to give you lessons not feed you. My salary isn't even enough to pay for my new clothes…"

"Nice. You can walk around naked then…We don't care." He grinned.

Stupid son of a…

"Fine. I'll make you one sandwich and that's all." I said ignoring his last comment.

"Do you have a coke?"

"No."

He got up and went to the fridge.

"Yes, you do."

I let my head fall on the table with a loud "bang" and sighed deeply. Dragging myself to the kitchen I made Jacob a light meal so he would shut up and stop accusing me of starving him to death and I was surprised to see him smiling at me when he finished eating.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing…I just think you did a good job…"

I arched my eyebrows. I had no idea what he was talking about, I mean it wasn't a big deal to make a tuna sandwich.

"I'm glad you like the food…can we go back to study?"

"I wasn't talking about that. Esme has been at Emily's house ever since your visit. You told Sue that Emily needed help on purpose didn't you? Because you knew she would talk to Charlie and we all know that Charlie can't keep a secret from Bella and then all the Cullens would know too."

I didn't answer. That wasn't exactly my plan. I mean I told my mother about Emily because I felt somehow compelled to do it besides my mum would go visit Emily one of these days and she would volunteer to help her, I just made sure she went there a little earlier. I wasn't expecting the Cullens to go and help too. I didn't even know how Sam was taking it since Esme was a leech, a nice leech but a leech nonetheless. I guess his love for Emily had made him a leech lover too.

"You have a soft side which is actually a very nice surprise." Jacob said, still smiling.

"I don't have a soft side." I disagreed.

"Yes, you do."

"No, I don't."

"Come on Leah. There's nothing to be ashamed of. It's sweet."

"I'm not sweet and stop smiling or I'll punch you in the face."

"You have a soft side and I'm going to tell everyone."

That was the last straw. He was begging for it. I clenched my fist and then I punched him right in the nose. He fell off the chair and grabbed his nose with his hands.

"Fuck! What the hell! You fucking hit me!" He cursed.

"I warned you."

"You fucking broke my nose." He whined.

"No, I didn't."

I didn't know that for sure because I really didn't pay attention to the strength I actually put on my right hook. I never thought I could actually do some damages.

"Yes, you did. It hurts like hell." He got up and I noticed he was bleeding.

Shit. I had broken Jacob's nose and now he was bleeding into my kitchen floor.

I pulled him to the bathroom quickly and used a towel to stop the bleeding. Thanks to our healing ability I knew he would be fine, I just had to make sure all the bones were at place.

"Let me see." I asked.

"No."

"Don't be a fucking baby. Let me see."

He lifted his chin and put his hands down. I examined his face carefully and it was fine.

"It's healing already." I stated while I was cupping his face.

"Since you're being nice, maybe you should kiss it so it can heal better."

He was unbelievable.

"I'm going to hit you again." I threatened.

"I dare you…I'm prepared now."

I looked at him for a couple of seconds and for some reason I was completely shocked by what I saw. His chocolate brown eyes were different than before; his face was somehow having a weird pull on me. I had never noticed before that Jacob Black was sort of beautiful. Sure he was a very annoying teenager, a leech lover, immature and irresponsible but what I was seeing in that moment was an alpha, a leader, a persistent and handsome young man who was genuine and brave.

Jacob was no longer a kid and he sure didn't look like one anymore. He was now even taller than Sam and that was saying something. His body was muscled, tanned and he looked a lot older than he was. He could easily pass for a twenty-three year old although he still acted like a teenager.

Nevertheless I could see the differences. He had changed. Jacob used to be carefree and happy, now he was trying to fight for what he believed it was right. Actually he was trying to move on by changing and even though he still had feelings for Bella, I could see that he had accepted her choice.

As for me, I was stuck. I was nothing like him. He was making amends while I was just feeling sorry for myself and shutting everyone out of my life by being a total bitch. That's why he deserved to be the alpha and I was just a fake beta to the pack. He'd always prefer Sam as beta than me.

I didn't know why all of the sudden I was seeing Jacob as someone who really deserved some credit when not long ago in my opinion Jacob was nothing but an idiot who had fallen in love with the wrong girl.

"Are you going to hit me or what?" His voice pulled me out of the trance.

"What?"

"I thought you were going to hit me…again.'

I shook my head.

"Never mind." I said. I was too confused to react now.

"Leah! Are you home?" My mother called.

Jacob and I met her by the door and she noticed the blood in Jacob's shirt.

"Are you ok?" She asked him.

"Sure."

"My daughter always had a nice right hook, right?"

"Yeah. I guess." He answered.

"Here honey. Take this."

I grabbed a huge purple box that my mother was carrying and the stench was all over it. I knew immediately what it was.

"Bella stopped by Charlie's house today. She told me to give you that. It's beautiful."

It was definitely the dress I would have to wear on my ex-boyfriend's wedding in a couple of weeks.

Jacob looked at me but I ignored his gaze. I wasn't ready to hear him yet.

"I need to talk to Billy. Can you give me a ride Jacob?" My mother asked.

"Sure. Let me just get my things."

I was glad when they both left. I needed some time alone. I had all these emotions inside of me that I couldn't actually recognise. First there was that epiphany about Jacob and his qualities and now the sudden memory that I was about to see another happy ending that should have been mine.

I dropped the box in the couch and closed my eyes for a few seconds. What the hell was going on with me? I didn't have much time to think about the answer because someone knocked at the door. Jacob had probably left something there. Damn it.

I was surprised when I saw Sam Uley at my doorstep. He was actually the last person I was expecting to see there.

"Seth's not here." I told him.

"I don't want to talk to Seth. I need to have a word with you."

Another surprise. Since he had imprinted on Emily we had hardly spoken to each other and now there he was. What could he possibly want from me? Unless he was going to tell me that he didn't love Emily anymore, I was not interested.

"Can I come in?" He asked politely.

We went to the living room and he looked at the box.

"I'm going to be honest with you Leah…I know that you're still hurting and that you probably hate me and Emily. I know it's difficult. I mean I feel bad for everything I've done to you."

"Really? And what is it that you feel Sam?" I asked sarcastically.

"I feel bad about leaving you. I feel bad about forcing Emily to betray you and I feel horrible because I still care for you although I love Emily more."

Nice way to put it. I really didn't want to hear him anymore. This wouldn't help me.

"I'm here because I know that Emily asked you to be her maid of honour…I know you don't want to go."

"Well, it's not on my top ten list of favourite things to do."

"And yet you accepted."

"For my mother and…the blood ties that Emily and I share."

"In that case please don't go to our wedding."

His words caught me off guard. It hurt me deeply to know that he didn't want me there. He didn't want me to be present in the most important day of his life. To him I was like a curse or a plague.

"It will hurt us more." He added.

That was true but still I needed that closure. I needed to see for myself that he was going to promise to be with my cousin for the rest of their lives. Only then I would stop dreaming about Sam coming back to me.

"Well…it was nice of you coming here to tell me that." I clenched my fists and tried to hold the tears.

"I'm sorry Leah. I'm just trying to do the right thing."

I nodded emotionless.

"I never meant to hurt you like this."

"Just get the fuck out of my house."

He sighed and left quietly. I stood there clenching my fists and hoping that a fucking meteor would just hit me in the head. Then my body moved forward and I took the beautiful dress out of the purple box and looked at it for the first time. It was a long and white dress with no sleeves. But it wasn't really white it was more like the colour of a pearl. Alice and Bella had good taste and I had to give them that.

Then I put it back on the box and took it to the garbage. I guess I wasn't going to need it after all.

A/Note (2): I want to thank all the reviewers and people who put this story on their alert list. You guys are awesome. I really appreciate all of your support.

Karisan