A/N So, this time I was nicer and prepared an update for you sooner. Hope you enjoy it! Also, I would like to say, that I'm planning on doing approximately 30 chapters alltogether, which means, we have about 13 left. Maybe it will change later, but at this moment that's my plan. Again, thanks for reading & reviewing! ;)

Also, there is something about the previous chapter I'd like to comment. Rac80 was so nice to point out my mistake – I let Charlie call Paul „an Indian boy", which in reality he would never do. It's diffictult to write about an unknown culture without making this kind of mistakes, so I hope you understand that I didn't mean to offend anyone in anyway, as well as I didn't want to seem historically/politically incorrect ;) Thank you.

Chapter Eighteen

I woke up a few minutes before the alarm clock could wake me. To my surprise, I couldn't remember dreaming about anything during the night. I felt relaxed and full of energy – something that hadn't happened to me in a while. I couldn't remember the last time I felt so good in the morning. And for the first time during those months of ignorance and emptiness, I was actually excited about the upcoming day.

I had loads of time to get dressed and prepare myself for school. I took my time to actually choose what to wear, and not just pick up the first things that caught my eye. I had to do extra work to tame my hair, since going to sleep without drying it previously had pretty serious consequences. After I finally got my hair to be nice and stay in the ponytail neatly, I went down to have breakfast. I felt hungry, which was weird since I almost never have the will to eat in the mornings.

Charlie had already left the building, leaving me a note which said that he would be late tonight, and I didn't have to worry about dinner. I chuckled to myself. The real meaning of the note was for me to make dinner. I guess, he didn't really like it when I left him without any food.

After having nice, big breakfast, I took the last sip of coffee and glanced at the clock. The time I saw made me jump up and get out in a hurry, leaving the dirty dishes on the table. I would just clean them up after school. Now it was important not to turn up late for school. As I was locking the door, I silently prayed for my truck to start up with the first try. Being this late I couldn't afford for my car to be unwilling to cooperate.

Lucky for me, there was no problem to start up, and I was at school a minute before the bell rang.

My day was exclusively dull. I tried to pay attention to teachers and their monologues, but nothing could keep my mind off the one thought that span in my head. Paul.

I tried to keep my mind off him as long as I could, and I was quite successful, with rushing to school kind of doesn't allow you to think of something else but being late. So, once I was in school, sitting in my first class, my mind took me where it wanted me to be.

I had to admit, I missed him. I wondered how could that be that I've gotten so used to him after spending just one day together. Yes, one day, though it felt longer. Lot longer. It felt like I've known him for months, years maybe. It felt weird, so I blamed it on the imprint. It was easy to blame everything on the imprint. It allowed me to avoid thinking too much about things I couldn't change anyway.

Somewhere in the middle of the day I remembered of the decision I had made before going to sleep. I would let my feelings, my instincts decide what to do when I see Paul again. The idea seemed wonderful yesterday, but today with fresh head and fresh thoughts, it seemed difficult. Could I really run over and jump on him to make out shamelessly in the parking lot, if my instincts wanted me to? I doubted it. I knew I'd feel insecure to show my real feelings to him, even though he had visibly changed, I couldn't get used to new Paul so easily.

During lunch I tried to listen to conversations surrounding me, just to keep my mind off of Paul. Jessica was babbling around as usual, not allowing anyone else to get a single word in. Mike was nodding his head, but I could see on his face that he wasn't listening. It was hard to keep focused on Jessica, since the things she said seemed too silly and boring for me.

I noticed Angela taking strange looks at me, but thought it was just my troubled imagination. Turned out, it wasn't, since near the ending of lunch hour, she turned to me and started talking.

„Hey, you seem weird today." I looked up at her, surprised. She just laughed. „Well, I mean, you're always pretty soaked up in your own thoughts, but today it's more visible. Did something happen last weekend?"

Damn, the girl was a telepathic. I tried to come up with an answer that would seem casual and innocent, but didn't manage to do that before Mike got into the conversation.

„So, what are you whispering about?" I guess he sounded too interested and excited for Jessica's like, since she stopped talking, made a sour face for just a moment, before her mouth turned into some kind of evil grin.

„So, Bella, I heard the Cullens were visiting." That made the rest of the table look at her with surprise. She enjoyed being back in the middle of everyone's attention. And I didn't mind at all, I just would've liked it better if she didn't use a topic that wasn't this uncomfortable for me. „Yeah, my mom, like saw that little weird girl.."

„Alice." Even I was surprised at the growl I made. But Jessica didn't seem to notice.

„Yeah, whatever, so my mom saw her, and I was like 'No, that can't be true.' I mean, they went away and left everything behind, right?" Meaning, they left you, miserable Bella Swan, behind. „Why would they suddenly come back?" She looked at me. „But I guess, from your reaction, that girl was here. What about the rest of them? Is Edward here, too? Are you like getting back together or something?"

At the mention of Edward I waited for the sting to come. And it didn't. I was still being quiet, since Jessica's news took everyone's attention. But that was just for a minute, since her news involved me, and everyone turned to me for more information. Mike was the first one to speak.

„So, that's true? They're back? Boy, and I was hoping to have a normal graduation, one without the weird ones." What he meant as a joke, I took very serious.

„No, Mike, they are not coming back." That got a nasty smirk out of him. „For now, I guess." I added to sweep that smirk off his face.

„So, Alice was here?" This time it was Angela.

„Yes." I answered as calmly as I could.

„Alone?" A nasty grin from Jessica. She must really get a lot of positive emotions out of my misery.

„Yes, alone." I felt I was losing my patience. I've never had this kind of a temper, but right now I wanted to take her rice pudding and smear it over her face. i shook that feeling off.

„So, what was she-like, coming just for fun? What was she even doing here?" Jessica's tone made it pretty clear that she knew why Alice was here, and obviously, she thought that visiting me wasn't too good of a reason.

„Well, she must have come here to see Bella, right?" Angela said in a soft voice, turning to face me. I gave her a small smile and nodded.

„So, they are not coming back?" Mike was so annoying, I thought that maybe Jessica's pudding would be enough to smear into both of their faces.

„No, they are not coming back." Not wanting to participate in this annoying conversation any longer, I got up hurriedly. „I'm gonna go now."

As I walked away, I heard whispering, and I knew that by the end of the day the whole town of Forks would know that the Cullens are back, and Bella Swan would be getting married to Edward Cullen pretty soon; and even though people would think 'what is that nice boy doing with that weird and depressive girl', they would still believe the stupid rumor.

I sighed. Luckily the end of the day wasn't far away, so I let my mind wander in any desirable direction. It immediately went to Paul, but right now that was the best I could do. These thoughts calmed me, and I started wondering how long would it be since I see him again.

By the time my day finally ended, I had been thinking of Paul so much, I felt like driving to La Push and jumping on him without any ceremonies. I successfully got away from my annoying lunch company, leaving them behind, and hurried to the parking lot.

There I realized that driving to La Push wouldn't be necessary, since there he was, leaning against my truck in all his glory. He looked more handsome than I remembered. I mentally slapped myself out of the trance. It was less than 24 hours since I saw him last time, but it felt like weeks.

Without thinking much (that would lead me to ignoring my last night's decision), I sped up and hurried towards him. He smiled at my fast pace, while I was praying not to trip over nothing.

Once I reached him, I did what my instincts wanted me to do. Well, almost. My feelings were screaming for me to kiss him, but instead of that I just threw my arms around his waist and hugged him fiercely.

I felt him hug me back and let out a chuckle.

„Wow, I knew you'd miss me, but I could've never imagined that it would be this much. Not that I'm complaining or anything." I felt him hug me tighter and I did the same. „Hey, who's that girl giving you the stink eye? Oh, and there's a guy too, he looks like exploding."

I let Paul go and looked in the direction he was looking, though there was no need for me to do that, I knew who that couple was.

„Urgh, that's Jessica. And Mike." I sighed. „Tomorrow the whole school will be talking about some native guy who Bella Swan threw herself at. Great, like I don't already have loads of rumors on my head."

I looked back at Paul. „Let's go?"

He was still looking at Jessica and Mike, who were staring back. Suddenly a sly smile appeared on his face.

„Hey, since they're talking about you anyway, why not give them something nicer?" With that he turned his gaze on me, and I immediately understood what he meant. Seeing the agreement in my eyes, he placed his hands on my waist and pulled me close. Just a second later his lips were on mine and I was flying.

Nothing else mattered anymore. It wasn't like our first kiss on the beach, this time we were already familiar with each other and it was easier to understand each other. Paul was gentle but persistent at the same time. His lips felt nice and warm, and there was something demanding, something primitive in his touch. Some kind of need I couldn't fully understand.

I didn't bother thinking much. At this point the only thing that mattered was that he was here, with me, our tongues exploring each other, sending electric jolts through my entire body at each touch. He tasted like spring, that was the first association. His masculine woodsy scent made me crazy. It was good he held me close, because I felt my knees give up. Trying to be even closer to him, I threw my arms around his neck.

Who cares what everyone will be thinking? Not me. Right now I only cared about the gorgeous man that was standing in front of me, holding me like he never wanted to let go. And I hoped he never would.

I don't know how long we've been standing here, making out, but once we finally pulled away from each other, I noticed few open mouths staring at us.

Paul smiled. „Get in, I'm driving."

I simply nodded. There was no way I'd be able to drive in this condition. If I had the same impact on Paul that he had on me, I doubted his driving skills as well. But I guess he had more self control, since just a minute later he was already pulling out of the lot.

As we drove away, I noticed that some mouths were still hanging open. Jessica's expression amused me the most. I chuckled. Paul looked at me with a question.

„Nothing, it's just that now they'll be talking about how you knocked me up." Normally I would've blushed saying something like that to Paul, considering the fact that if I go with the whole imprint thing, he would actually knock me up someday. But I just felt too comfortable to get uncomfortable about such small things.

For a moment I just sat there quietly, enjoying the calmness of his presence. I thought about how much had changed since the last time we saw each other. First of all, my thought of him. Second – my actions. Normally, I would've never initiated that kind of hug in public, let alone make out with him like this. And it was what, only two days since I know about the imprint?

„Thinking about me again?" Paul's cocky voice got me out of my trance.

I knew I could be just as sly. „Do you really want to know?" I asked, cocking an eyebrow.

He laughed. „Nah, I can still see everything written on your face." I nudged him. another laugh.

As the trucked pulled up in my driveway, we both got out. I knew I didn't want his to go so soon.

„Hey, Charlie's not home, wanna come in?" I got that out in a pretty squeaky and nervous voice, but I hoped Paul wouldn't notice. No such luck, I knew that, but at least he didn't comment on that.

„I was about to anyway." That cocky grin again.

„And what if I didn't let you in?" I asked playfully.

„I'd still go." He closed the distance between us and leaned in. „It's not like you could stop me or anything."

I knew what he was doing. He liked intimidating me too much to just give it up like that. And I did my best to stay ignorant to his obvious trying to make me lean in and kiss him.

I did lean in a little bit and whispered, almost against his lips. „Oh, really?"

I guess my answer to his seduction was a bit of surprise, since he stayed where he was for a moment after I quickly took off to be the first one by the door.

But, I was no werewolf to be faster than one. When I was only half across the lawn, I felt Paul grab me from backside, and whisper into my ear.

„Hey, I call myself a werewolf for a reason. I have the reflexes." With those words he spun me around and just a second later I was thrown over his shoulder, holding me by my thighs with one hand and reaching to take keys from me with other one.

It was a matter of seconds when he had gotten the door open and we were standing in the hallway.

„Where to?" Paul asked, obviously not planning on putting me down.

„Kitchen."

Once we were finally there, he decided to put me down. I felt dizzy for a moment, hanging upside down definitely didn't do any good for my head.

When Paul got me steady on my own feet, he let me go, and I almost cried at the loss of contact. I shook the feeling off.

„Tea? Coffee? I don't have anything else at the moment."

He laughed. „No thanks, we just had a nice and big meal at Emily's before I came for you." And he added in a mocking tone. „It' not like you ever feed me."

„Ha ha ha." I said simply. „It's not like you deserve it anyway." He did his best to look hurt but I just chuckled. „Fine, then just sit there while I clean up and make Charlie something."

„Hey, it's not like I said I wouldn't be hungry if you cooked."

„Is that your way of inviting yourself over for dinner?"

„Yep."

„So, you're waiting to eat with Charlie then?" I asked nonchalantly, while trying not to laugh at his expression of sudden horror. Even being a werewolf, he was afraid of Charlie.

Seeing my amused expression, he understood I'm just making fun. „Oh, yeah, I'd love to meet the grandfather of our children." Damn, he knew how to make me blush and shut up.

We spent the next half hour quietly, simply enjoying each other's presence. Once again I was surprised, how comfortable it was around him. There was just one little thing that kept bugging me. And after that half hour I finally gathered the gut to ask him.

„Paul." I used the reason to feel his sweet name on my lips.

„Yes, Bella?" My name on his lips sounded even sweeter.

„Hey, how come you imprinted on me just now? I mean, you've seen me before, and nothing happened. Isn't that supposed to be like 'from the first sight' kind of situation?"

He was quiet for a moment. „Well, I've been thinking about it. At first I had no idea, Sam couldn't tell me anything either. But, after hours and hours of intense thinking, I think I finally got it." He looked up at me and again I was startled by the deepness of his eyes. He continued.

„Well, the only thing I could come up with was that you never actually looked at me. I mean, for real. Like, you were in that shell of yours, not seeing anything much around you. And you've never looked me in the eye. But then, on the beach, your eyes popped open and you weren't that conscious at the moment to know what you're doing, what you're seeing. I'm guessing that was the first time you really looked at me, without that shadow of the leech covering your sight. And that was the first time I got to look in your eyes."

I was staring at him blankly. It made perfect sense. Everything made sense. Prior to that moment on the beach, I've never even known what colour his eyes were.

„I guess you're right."

He looked at me searchingly. „What, you're not even gonna protest that I called that leech a leech?"

„Is there any point in doing that?"

„Nope."

We were back to our joking selves, but something had changed in the atmosphere. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but there was something different.

Another fifteen minutes passed by. I had already prepared dinner, everything was in the oven. I sat down by the table to face Paul.

„So, now what?"

He didn't answer for a while. „Hey, can I ask you something?"

„Sure."

„About the leeches?" I knew I wouldn't like the question, but didn't want to disappoint Paul and leave him without an answer. I nodded.

„Why'd they leave?" And here it goes. Could I really tell him? I gathered up all the courage I had. It still wasn't easy talking about them. But Paul's calming presence made things easier on me. So I decided to tell him. But not everything. I doubted that Jasper's attempt to eat me would make Paul happy.

„He told them to."

„Why?"

„He said I wasn't safe around them." He looked at me as if he knew I was hiding something. But lucky me, he never said anything about it.

„Well, that's a smart thing to do."

„Yeah, but it wasn't the real reason. He just didn't love me, that's all." I felt my voice cracking, and prayed that tears wouldn't come.

„But you still love him, don't you?" What could I answer to that. Tell Paul that, yes, I still love my vampire ex boyfriend?

Paul must have noticed my hesitation. „Be honest. I know you still do, I just want you to say that out loud."

„Why?"

„Because then I'll know it's real."

„Yes." I said simply. And the tears came. I couldn't tell if I was crying over Edward or Paul. I still loved Edward and hated hurting Paul like this.

Paul didn't make any attempt to move. He stayed in his chair, it seemed to me like he was calm, but my blurred vision didn't allow me to see how tightly his hands were turned into fists.

After few minutes the tears stopped. I felt too ashamed to look Paul in the eyes, so I hurried out in the hallway to look at the mess I've become after crying. I felt grateful that Paul didn't try to calm me down, he gave me my own space to calm down myself. Now I only had to make myself look like a human being again.

I looked in the mirror. Terrible, like I had assumed. Red eyes. Red nose. Swollen lips. No the nicest look in the world.

I was too busy with looking at myself to notice Paul coming into the hallway as well. His sudden reflection in the mirror startled me. I jumped up comically, but he didn't react. Normally that should have amused him. I turned my back to the mirror to face him.

„Paul, I'm..."

„Don't."

„But..."

„Don't mention him again. Or I might explode. I thought I was ready to hear about him, but I'm not. Not just yet."

„So, you're not mad?" I said in a small voice, full of hope.

„No, I'm more like pissed." I looked at him with horror. „I mean, that fucker left you like that and you're still moping after him? First of all, I don't understand how it's even possible to love a fucking leech. They're filthy, bloodsucking and cold creatures. And second – now that they've proven how fucking filthy they are, you still mope around and miss them?" He was growling now.

„Paul..."

„I just. Can't. Fucking. Understand." He came closer. And while he was terrifying in his anger, I was still attracted. More that I've been before.

„Well, you don't have to." I whispered and leaned in to catch his lips with mine.

Sorry, about the cliff, but there was nothing else I could do, the chapter was long enough, and if I continued, it would me hard for me to figure out a way to end the chapter. So, please, don't be mad, and enjoy that the chapter is little longer than previous ones. Thanks :)