February 16th

Dear Journal,

My plan wasn't so ingenious as I had thought. So I went over Jason's yesterday about 7:00. I knew Jacob was coming sometime after that. Jason was really surprised, I tried to act really sweet and innocent and of course he bought it. Jacob came only a few minutes later.

"You made me completely forgot! Jacob's here. You probably shouldn't stay," Jason said giving me a quick kiss as if to say goodbye. I held his face to mine a little longer than was natural. The doorbell rang again and Jason was too caught up in the kiss to get his head straight. So I answered the door for him.

"Cade?!" I exclaimed. Man, was I shocked. Jacob had brought Cade. I was dumbfounded. Jason was confused. Jacob was worried. "What are you doing here? I though...the border?"

Caden had an obnoxious smile on his face as he entered, placing his arm around me and kissing my cheek. "The elders want to review me to see if the border needs to be moved," he said with a wink. I pushed his arm from off of me. Jason stood defensively. I went to stand beside him and took his hand.

Sam Uley, Jason's father Bill Black Jr., Seth Clearwater and two others came out from the back room. One of the guests, a man, was tall but not as old as Sam, maybe in his 50's. The other was a female, a woman in her mid 30's, though I will say I have been VERY wrong about ages lately. "Jacob," Sam greeted with a nod.

The female eyed me, as if asking why I was here at all. This wasn't what I had in mind. "Jason, why don't you and Jennifer go to your room," Mr. Black suggested without taking his eyes from Jacob. I saw Cade tense, repressing a growl. Jason tried to lead me away but I was firm in my place.

"Jacob, we'll talk to you back here for a moment. Quil will keep an eye on the boy out here," Sam said, though I could hear suspicion in his voice. Jacob whispered some words to Caden, patted his shoulder and then following the three Quileutes into the back room. 'Quil' sat down in the lazy boy but his eyes were on the young vampire.

I held tight to Jason's hand and we sat down on the coach. I leaned my head on his shoulder, trying to watch whatever was on the T.V.. C.S.I., my mom's favorite. However, I jerked up when I felt something sit down beside me: Caden. He ever-so-casually put his arm around me as if I was his.

"Cade, please stop," I said, shrugging out from under his arm.

"Yeah, man, keep your hands off," Jason said defensively, I was glad he did. It felt good to have someone defend me. Jason replaced Caden's arm with his own and I wonder why I hadn't taken Mr. Black's suggestion and left.

Cade didn't like being ignored. "So, it's nice to finally meet Jason Black. Jenny's told me a lot about you," he taunted.

"Cade, stop," I whispered but I knew the moment I did, Jason's interest was perked.

"When have you guys talked before? I mean, I know about that one type but Jen never mentioned..." Jason began to question.

"It's only been a few times at the cafe where I work...and he's delusional," I said quickly, rolling my eyes and hoping they would both drop it. But I should have known Cade wouldn't.

"Yeah, a few times here and there...and then that one lovely night," Caden mention with a growing smirk. Jason loosened his hold of my hand and looked into my eyes, full of questions.

"I'm sure the elders would love to know that you broke through their border several times," I snapped back, and then realized I should have chosen my words more carefully.

"Several times?" Jason asked and Quil turned off the T.V., accusing both me and Caden with his stare. "Jen..."

"Jason, please don't listen to him..."

"Listen, Jace, she's just trying to hide her feelings for me by crushing on you. It's best just to let her go now rather than later. After all, I'm sure we both know that it's me she really wants," Caden jeered, I couldn't take any more.

I slapped him as hard as I could; my hand throbbed with pain. Jason took my "good" hand and we stood. I looked at him with eyes full of pleading. "I think we need to talk," he said gently and I knew he was angry with Cade, not me.

"Go and talk then. Me and Jen have a lot more than that to do later," Cade snickered. I hated him more than ever for what he had said and knew that I loved Jason for what he did in return. He pounded his fist into Caden's face; he was stronger than I thought. The vampire's body fell to the side from the impact.

Jason took my hand to lead me outside as Cade stood to fight back. Fortunately, Jacob and the elders came out then. They asked what was going on and Jason told them "the bloodsucker was insulting Jen". Jacob looked sternly at Cade, though I knew he was thinking about Jason's exact wording.

I think Jacob knew that Caden had been sneaking out to see me. From what I saw in the elder's faces, I assumed he had told them. They sat down to talk to Cade as Jason lead me outside.

"Jason, I'm so sorry, are you alright?" I asked as I took his hand in mine. I kissed his red knuckles, knowing it must have hurt. He placed his arms on my shoulders. I could almost hear the conversation inside. We were standing just outside the screen door. I hoped they weren't watching us. I knew Cade was.

"Jen, you have to tell me the truth about...about what he said," Jason told me. I was afraid to tell him, not because I thought he would be angry but because it made me feel like I didn't deserve him. Let's face it: I don't.

"The other night when I told you about those drunks? Well, I didn't tell you everything. They got...wild when I went to leave and Caden saved me from them but my car was broke so her drove me home," I began, trying to get through it as quickly as possible. "We had spoken a few times before that.

"That night, our first date, he was the one that jumped on your truck and a week later knocked on the door. Well, a couple days after that first date I woke up after a nap and he was in my room. After our second date he showed up again. I had had a nightmare and when I woke up I was so scared. Jason," I took his face in my hands. "You've got to believe me when I say that I don't want him around. He puts a spell on me or something, like he's seducing me. I promise I didn't kiss him back."

"HE KISSED YOU?!" Jason yelled and turned for the door to give Caden another beating. I put my hand on his shoulder and saw Cade wink at me, obviously hearing Jason's outburst. Jason sighed and turned towards me. "I believe you, everything you said about your feelings for him."

"I'm so glad, I thought you would take his side," I admitted as he pulled me into his arms.

"Never, I can promise you that," he told me and kissed my forehead. "Just promise me that next time he shows up, you'll call me to give in a proper beating." I nodded, but I knew I wouldn't. Cade could kill Jason in a heartbeat and I wouldn't risk him for anything.

I was so relieved that Caden hadn't been able to influence Jason. I knew he was still watching so I gave Jason the most passionate kiss I ever have. It was probably the longest too. After that he drove me home. So much for resolving questions. I'll have to catch Jacob another time.

XoXo Jennifer Heartly