Sam and Emily are having their party down on the beach too, just like Mom did. Must be a La Push thing. Either that or Sam still wants us to be able to keep an eye on La Push in case any parasites come along. Miraculously we have perfect weather, again.

It's about six and Sam's pack has started the bonfires. Music's playing and I'm dancing with Joel. Lizzie and Embry have disappeared-I bet that little bastard is telling her everything- but Jake doesn't seem too fussed as he sits talking to Seth. Suddenly someone taps on my shoulder, jolting me out of my reverie. I turn and gape.

It's Toby.

"Toby!" I yelp. "What are you doing here?" Why don't I want to see him? He's my boyfriend; I should be pleased that he's here.

"Can I speak to you please Leah?" he asks, annoyed. "Privately?" He glares at Joel, who shrugs at me and walks off. I bite my lip in irritation and pull Toby away towards the woods where at least no one can see us.

"Why are you here?" I ask, confused.

"I came to see you earlier." He spits out angrily. "Only to be told that you've gone to a wedding. With him."

I scowl. "Toby, I already told you that I was coming up here for a wedding and-"

"But with Joel?" he snarls. I narrow my eyes.

"And his sister, Lizzie, too." I snap. "Look Emily invited them, take it up with her!"

"Leah, I'm meant to be your boyfriend!" he cries loudly. I shush him but he ignores me. "Why didn't you bring me?"

I turn to go but her grabs me by the shoulders and looks into my eyes, just like I did with Lizzie last night. I wriggle and try to escape. "Jeez, Toby, what is your fucking problem?" I yell.

"Joel is my problem!" he shouts back then he takes a deep breath like he's calming himself or something. "Do I mean less to you than Joel?" he demands.

I squirm uncomfortably. How can I answer that? They're so different to me. Yes I feel like I want to say, but I can't.

"Well?"

Is Lizzie right?

"Leah!"

"No." The word falls from my lips, but I'm not sure if it's true. Toby, however, looks relieved. But I'm not done yet.

"But Toby...this isn't a serious relationship. It's just a bit of fun." I say softly.

His face twitches, as if in pain.

"Really?" he whispers. "Because it's so much more to me...I-I..."

"Don't say it!" I shout. He looks hurt, but I can't let this go further. "Toby, this is a fling! And I love spending time with you, but that's all this is, a fling."

"So, it can never be more?" he asks. I feel horrible as I reply hesitatingly "Well...I don't know...maybe Toby. I've been hurt before, but..."

He blinks, than smiles and composes himself and nods. He takes my hand and we walk back silently to the beach. We dance for a little bit, and then I introduce him to Paul and Rachel by the beer and go to find Joel. I've already drank a bit to get through this hellish, nightmarish experience- Sam is turning me into an alcoholic- but I gather a bit more liquid courage to take with me.

Joel is sitting with a bottle of beer and staring out to sea. I clear my throat.

"Mind if I sit down?" I'm nervous. Why am I nervous? It's just Joel. Just my friend. Right?

He waves his hand at the empty space next to him. "Be my guest. "

I sit. There's a silence and then Joel bursts out with "Speaking of guests, why didn't you tell me that he was invited?"

"Because he wasn't!" I retort angrily, then bite my tongue. Joel looks at me, eyebrow raised.

"Oh, sure." He says sarcastically.

"You can be a real asshole sometimes!" I snap. Joel snorts.

"Have fun in the woods? Bit of a grope in the forest before you came to search for you lonely single best friend who you dragged up here out of pity?"

I can't believe he's saying this. "You're not single." I say stupidly. "What about Melinda?"

He makes a sound of disgust. "One date doesn't make her my girlfriend Leah. Even if that's how you judge relationships. I didn't like her."

I let the criticism pass. "If you didn't like her," I ask, bewildered "why did you spend so long chasing her?"

"Trying to take my mind off another girl. " ha says quietly and turns to look at me.

"Wh-" I begin, then stop. I know who. Of course I do. How could I not.

He starts to lean in, and so do I. What am I doing? His lips are mere seconds from mine...

4...I must be drunker than I thought.

3...What am I doing? What about Toby? I close my eyes.

2...There's still time to get away from this...

1...

A howl breaks the silence.

Involuntarily I turn my head away from Joel and sniff. The stench burns my nose, the trembling begins. I jump to my feet.

"Leah?" Joel sounds confused.

"Shh!" I hiss. Slowly I turn, barely in control of my shaking anymore.

Standing behind Joel is a vampire.

And it's hungry.

A/N Sorry this chapter is so short, I've got a history essay to write! I have like the next few chapters written I just need to type them up. Which should be soon, if people would just stop giving me homework!! XD