A/N: I'm tweaking a bit on the order when the guys "go bad" so no fussing ;)
Both Jake and Quil were staring angrily at Sam's back, and Sara looked disapprovingly at Billy. He was obviously in on the goings on. I met the gaze of Paul, and my heart took a summersault or five. My heart stopped for a second before it started to beat erratically. His eyes burned with such focused intensity I had to look away. When I looked up again he was on his way out of the house too.
Sara and I went home after listening to Jake and Billy's heated conversation. Jake had asked what was going on and Billy had fed him weak nothings. Sam was evidently 'good' for Embry. What were we then, dangerous? If there was anyone on the reservation who was dangerous, it was that lot. Sara and I were both in low spirits. "It really sucks that it has to be like this. Good against bad or whatever," I clenched my teeth in frustration. "Why can't we all be friends? What's so bloody difficult?" Sara gave me a wistful smile and a good hug before we parted ways. When I came home I went straight to my room, flung myself on the bed and the last thing I heard before I fell asleep was a very loud howl.
The next couple of weeks went by fast. Sara, Quil and me usually went for a movie, or visited each other and did all sorts of stuff. We even played hide and seek. Jake wasn't around much, he was mostly hanging out with Cullen friendly and Chief Police's daughter, Bella Swan. They came over from time to time and my stomach twisted every time. She looked so pale and thin it was a miracle Jake managed to make her talk or even smile. But knowing him he could do pretty much anything if he set his mind to it. Everything besides hide and seek; we could find him blindfolded. He was still growing like crazy. Much like Embry had before he suddenly ditched the gang for Sam and his scary cult. My perception of Sam had changed drastically since I last saw him, three months ago when I'd axed my foot. Back then I'd loved him like an uncle or a very big brother, but now, every time I saw or heard about him, all I could think about was Embry... and Paul...
For some inexplicable reason I couldn't get Paul out of my head. It was exasperating as hell since I often went into complete lala land, and because he was the supposed "enemy". Jake and Embry were really into the name calling and my turf-your turf stuff and would probably flip out if they found out that I was crushing on one of the "bad guys." It was very true in Paul's case though, gang or no gang, he was known for his short temper and numerous fights. If it hadn't been our friend who'd been snatched from us, I would have found the whole situation borderline hilarious and exceptionally dim-witted. But as it were, it was our friend who'd been snatched from us and I didn't find the situation even remotely funny; just sad.
The next morning I crept out of bed at around 12 pm; I wasn't in the mood to do anything in particular. Out of sheer boredom I started to tidy my room which had defiantly seen better days. It looked as if someone had dropped a bomb or four and then had let a few hurricanes pass through. It was such a big mess I could hardly see the floor. I laughed out loud when I found my favourite teddy hiding behind my dresser, and even louder when I found my battered copy of Lord of The Rings. If Seth could hear me from his living room next door, I bet he thought I was gone raving mad. My laughter certainly sounded evil enough, and had just the right amount of hysteria to qualify.
After I finished cleaning I went outside to breath in the fresh summer air. It was now mid July but the weather could have fooled me. It was a bit chilly and the sun hid behind the grey clouds. Not very mood lifting, but it could have been worse. I was about to walk inside when I saw Quil running towards me.
I froze in horror, remembering the last time Quil, and Jake, came running. It could be anything besides something to do with Sam, I thought sternly, but my mind had already spun alarming drama after alarming drama. Quil ran as fast as he could but to me it wasn't fast enough; it was like looking at very cheesy slow motion in some crappy soap opera. I tried to calm my breathing but my attempts were futile; I was such a worrier, making –maybe- nothing into something. By the time he reached me I was freaking out.
His broad smile seemed oddly out of place when it spread out on his face. "You look like you're having or are about to have a heart attack. What happened, did the big bad wolf come to visit?" He laughed and made woofing noises, trying to be a funny. He sure knew how to be annoying. His dog imitation was pathetic; I'd bet that every dog in a ten miles radius would drop dead from humiliation. "Naw, I'm just messing with you hun. Are you up for a barbeque down at the beach today? The weather is supposedly going to clear up later." His smiled grew. I nodded vigorously in response, not trusting myself to speak. My heart was still going at a hundred miles per hour, and a barbeque could be exactly what I'd need. Quil smile grew even more. I found myself wondering if it actually was possible to smile from ear to ear, because Quil was pretty darn close. One more happy comment and he'd make it. Unfortunately I never got to test the saying, because Seth's mum, Sue Clearwater, chose to show up.
"Have you two seen Seth? I haven't seen him in at least a week, and Leah isn't saying anything though I have a feeling she knows something." She sighed and mumbled something that sounded like "bloody teenagers." I questioned Sue's observation. Sure Leah was fond of her little brother but she'd never lie to her mum, this I was positive about. I'd gotten to know Leah very well when she'd been sulking about Sam breaking up with her, because Sam fell in love with Emily, Seth and Leah's cousin. Sue looked at us."Do you know anything, at all?" We both shook our heads. From the corner of my eye I saw that Quil shot me a look; and not just any look, it was that look. I arched an eyebrow. Seth with Sam was pretty unthinkable. I had no idea how Quil managed to come up with that. Those guys were well over 6 feet and made every male in Washington very self-conscious. Seth was tall, but not that tall though, and somewhat lanky. He didn't make the cut unless the guys actually were on something, cheating themselves to the rocking bodies they sported. Besides, he was the happiest most optimistic person I'd ever met. Granted I hadn't met a lot of people, besides the one in town, but I knew he was unique in that way. Sam's group all looked grouchy. There was no other way to describe it. It was like they'd gotten a Christmas present from someone they couldn't upset, but really didn't like the present.
Sue excused herself and left, probably to call Police Chief Swan. The moment she was out of earshot I hissed at Quil. "When did you go insane? Seth with Sam is not likely; ever." Quil gave me a weird look. "Well, I would have said the same for Embry a few weeks back, but now..." He trailed off. He was still miserable about Embry and scared silly that Sam would try to get him as well. Whilst he was in his moody moment I started to wonder where Sara was. I hadn't seen her in the last couple of days. She complained that she was lagging behind on the homework. Truth be told, all three of us were way behind. "Quil? Where's Sara?" He looked up confused; still moping. "I don't know. I saw her a few days back with Seth..." He trailed off again looking worried. I on the other hand started to laugh. "What's the matter Quil? You know they've been pining after each other for a long time now. Or didn't you pay attention? I guess you were too preoccupied with how many times you could beat Jake at dismembering bike parts." Quil shook his head and laughed too. "Yeah, I guess so. It was pretty hilarious; you should have seen his face. Damn, he nearly kicked my ass the fourth time I beat him."