I don't own anything, but I did create Erin, so I claim her.

Not much changed during the week, except for the fact that Quil began to gravitate towards Seth and I at school, despite being a grade above us. He sat with us at lunch and waited by our lockers at the end of the day, walking outside with us, then getting on his bus while we walked. Quil's presence was almost as comforting as Seth's, at least a part of my life was still normal. I used to hang out with Quil all the time, now I just did so without Jacob.

Friday, I walked outside with Seth and Quil, stopping in my tracks halfway. The boys were joking but stopped and turned to me upon realizing I was behind. "'Rin, what's wrong?" Seth asked, carefully.

"Baby Erin? You okay?" Quil asked, coming closer.

I tuned them out, staring forward. Across the parking lot was the Rabbit, Jacob's car. I knew it was his because he and Embry were leaning against it, arms crossed over their chests, looking out of place at their own high school. I, myself, was mostly guessing as to their identities because they both looked more like strangers than themselves.

Seth and Quil spotted them after a second; Seth turned back to me, "Come on, 'Rin. Let's head to my place. Bye Quil!"

Quil called a feeble goodbye while Seth took my hand and lead me away, towards the road.

"Erin!"

My chest constricted, making me feel like I was choking or something. Jake's sharp voice had picked the weak scab left in my chest, breaking it open. I gripped Seth's hand tighter, slowing.

"Erin! Seth! How was school?" Embry called, joining Jake's yells in a kinder tone. Seth stopped and glanced over his shoulder. I followed his example, looking to see Embry walking up to us, Jacob still leaning on the car. "Hey guys!" He gave us an easy grin and pulled me into a hug. If I'd felt even slightly cold before, Embry's embraced warmed it away. He was almost feverish.

I pulled away, putting on a glare. Embry and Seth bumped fists, both smiling. "Hey, dude!" Seth responded, finally.

"Why are you here?" I asked, coldly. Embry had practically abandoned me, Jake too, and that didn't just go away because he was nice for a minute.

Embry's smile flickered, but he forced it to stay on his face. "Good to see you, too, Baby Erin." I rolled my eyes at the nickname. Embry and Quil had called me that forever, even though I was only a year younger. "Anyway, we're picking you up from school. Then we're heading to your place, Seth. Billy's there and so is Baby Erin's things."

"I'd rather walk." I informed him, monotone. I wished I had more gusto in my tone but I knew it didn't matter, I'd end up in the back of the Rabbit no matter what. I was just determined to not make it easy for them.

Embry rolled his eyes at this, "Of course you would, you're the most stubborn person ever born, but unfortunately walking isn't an option," He swung his huge arms around Seth and my shoulders, leading us to the car, "Got to follow orders, you know."

"Sam's?" I asked, rudely jerking out of Embry's reach. Embry stopped, letting his hold on Seth drop, whatever optimism in his mood left, drained. He looked into my eyes for a moment, looking somehow pained. What did he even have to feel hurt about?

"No, Erin," He muttered, "Billy's." With that, he walked towards Jake, just expecting us to follow. I glared at him before feeling Seth just barely touch my arm, his fingertips skimming from my wrist to my elbow. If I hadn't been pissed, I would have probably questioned my best friend's actions. Instead, I just looked to see him giving me a 'be nice' kind of look. With yet another roll of my eyes, I huffed and followed after Embry.

Jake saw us getting closer and stood up straight, giving his friend a questioning look. Embry just shook his head and got into the passenger seat, slamming the door shut. Jake watched him before turning to us, wearing a worn out smile, like he hadn't slept right in a while. "Hey guys."

Seth gave him a small smile and a 'hey' before both of their eyes turned to me. I looked between the two and huffed, relenting. "Jacob."

Jake bit his lip and leaned his head up, looking at the sky before shrugging and looking at me again, "Erin. Get in the car, no throwing a fit." I glared but climbed into the back seat.

The drive was weird. Seth managed to get Embry laughing again with some suck-y, corny jokes, their common favorite. Jacob joined in their laughter with a few chuckles, but mostly kept his eyes on the road. I let a small, genuine smile slip through whenever Seth looked, but mostly just observed them, emotionless.

How could Seth be so ready to forgive? He grew up with these boys too and had been shunned by them too, so how could he be so casual? And how could Embry be so himself and still so completely the opposite at the same time? And Jake was just wrong, not himself or anything close, so I just ignored his existence; it made things easier.

Too soon, the conversation was turned to me. Embry calmed down, looking out of the window before clearing his throat, "So, Bab-" He paused, "So, Erin, how was your week?"

I really could have been nicer, should have been too. I was a better person that what I said that day at that moment but I was just so disgusted by the puny illusion of normalcy that Jacob and Embry were trying to mold that I blurted. And things always go bad when I blurt. "Good. I'm friends with Quil now, you know, because we share the experience of your complete and utter abandonment."

See? Not a shining moment in my history.

Embry froze, stopped breathing and everything and I saw him close his eyes in the side mirror. Jake's knuckles turned white on the steering wheel, from gripping it so tightly. Embry opened his eyes and took a shaky breath, "Erin, you really need to learn not to say things like that."

"Why?"

"Because a person who judges without knowledge is a fool and you're not a fool, Erin Black." Embry whispered, so I could barely hear him, while we pulled into the Clearwater's driveway.

I shut up and guilt trickled into my system, causing a slouch in my posture. I'd insulted a boy who once was like a brother to me and instead of saying something rude back; he'd complimented me, in an odd way.

Seth opened my car door and took my backpack. Jacob watched us and shook his head with a chuckle, apparently also recovered from my verbal abuse, "You can put that in the back, Seth. She's coming home today."

Seth nodded and looked at me while the boys went into the house, "You okay with that?"

I shrugged and nodded. "I guess I have to be, " I swallowed, "Maybe I'm wrong, maybe Billy and Jake are the same as they always are."

He threw my bag into the backseat and wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me into a tight hug.

I squeezed him tight, taking a deep breath and noticing out of the blue just how freaking amazing Seth smelled, like evergreens, rain, and salt water. Any worries temporarily melted away, Seth like some kind of protector that fended away my fears and doubts. When his strong arms unwrapped and he stepped back, a part me felt robbed with his warmth stolen from me. He smiled and nodded towards the house. "Let's go, 'Rin. You got this."

I watched him start towards the house and felt the confusion set in. Why had I felt so depressed when Seth had pulled away? And why did his smell matter? I really shouldn't notice his scent, right? Let alone long to catch another whiff? That was weird, right?

Must be stress, I reasoned to myself, following him.

What do you think is up with Erin's head going funny over Seth? How will things go at home?