I waited anxiously for his answer but Paul seemed to love drawing out the tension. It was either that or he felt uncomfortable about the question. Well, if that was the case then to bad for him. After a while he opened his mouth to speak. "He's doing ok. He's a good kid, and so are you. I still can't see why he decided on leaving you all." My heart lurched. It had been Embry's call, and not Sam's. And to top it off Paul had called me and my gang kids. True I was rather tiny compared to him, but that didn't make me any younger. Unless, of course you went all Jake-y and started converting traits and size into years. In his eyes size was everything.

Paul was only four years older than me so I couldn't see why he was calling us kids. I also couldn't understand why I felt upset at that; like I wanted for him to recognize me as a grown up woman. I shook my head, dispelling all lala-land related thoughts. I wouldn't ever live it down if he saw me zoning out. "What do you mean by ok?" I asked. "He's not in any trouble, right? You guys are being kind to him? Are you sure-" Paul cut me off by looking at me like I'd grown an extra arm or three. I ducked my head and blushed. I couldn't help it that I cared so much for Embry; I'd grown up alongside him.

A cold gust of wind hit me out of the blue and I cringed, leaning even closer to Paul. He was so warm, my left side felt like it was burning -comfortably- compared to the right. If all the big guys were like this, then I could understand how Emily and Sara weren't freezing. However I was still a bit sceptic to the no shirt concept. It wasn't until I was all but sitting on top of him that I noticed how close I was. I blushed for what seemed the millionth time that day and straightened myself up, cold wind slapping me in the face. I rarely ever blushed. It only happened when my parents decided it was time to bring out the baby pictures.

I got up and started towards the bonfire, back to the warm covers. Paul walked silently by my side, again halfway hidden in the shadows. My hand craved his. Through the corners of my eyes I studied him. What I could see at least. His arm caught my attention; not only was it massive with muscle, but it also had a tattoo. It looked like two dogs or wolves surrounded by tribal patterns. I thought mischievously of the white rose on my shoulder. Only Sara knew about it, but even that was accidental; she'd seen it when we went swimming. "Nice tattoo." I blurted out. I bit the inside of my cheek to stop me from saying more. My tongue was as careless and restless as my mind, and it was really beginning to freak me out. I was used to it being Quil spewing out random stuff. "Thanks, I guess." He said. He didn't sound to enthusiastic, but the corner of his lips twitched and gave him away. Back at the bonfire there was more room then when I had left. It was getting really late, but I decided to stay a little longer. Quil and Jake were still nibbling on food and laughing at the jokes being passed around. The rest of the hour I'd decided to spend there was used on sneaking looks at Paul. I couldn't have stopped myself even if I'd tried.

The next morning I found myself with a headache. The annoying ones I got from sleep deprivation, and I was suddenly very happy it was a Sunday. No bloody school to make things worse, only a date with a book and i-Pod. I threw myself on the worn sofa in front of the television, and put on my favourite song whilst reading The Named; again... I was deep into my reading bubble and felt at peace, like I usually did when reading, but something burst it. An obnoxious bleeping, that came from the pocket on the jacket I'd worn yesterday, tore me out my book. It was my cell phone bleeping a message income. I almost chucked the phone in the wall but curiosity stopped me. The message was from Quil and it consisted only of a name, but panic welled up in me.

Jake.

Curiosity killed the cat and satisfactory brought it back. If that was true then I was stone cold dead. Why, oh why didn't I kill my cell phone when I had the chance? I stared at the offensive lump of metal and plastic, tears seeping down my face and a different type of lump forming in my throat. Before my parents could find me in my shattered state, I stormed to my room and flung myself to the floor. The hard impact hurt; dulling the emotional pain. My head felt like it was spinning, my heart felt like it was being ripped out of my chest, and my face was wet with tears. It felt like my lungs were constricting, breaths coming in laboured pants. Analyzing the drastic difference between my reactions so far, I knew I wouldn't make it, psychologically, if Quil were to leave me too.

I didn't know how long I spent on the floor just staring blankly up at the ceiling. Minutes and hours blended into each other. A freak storm could have obliterated the whole of USA and I wouldn't have batted an eyelash. I felt completely numb. As time ticked away other feelings came stampeding forwards; self-pity, anger and disgust. Disgust over the way I was handling the situation; crying like a foolish child instead of actually sucking up the nerve to confront people. To ask what the heck was going on. It was what I should be doing. I got up from my uncomfortable position on the floor, and wiped away the black mascara streaks under my eyes. It would have been a cool look had it been Halloween. Determination lit my eyes up, making me look truly alive. Had this been an alternate universe or 500 years ago, I would have smeared on war paint. I stalked out the door, yelling goodbye to my parents. I walked the whole way to Jacob's instead of taking the car. I knew I might regret it later, but at the moment adrenaline was bubbling in my blood. This time I wasn't going to back down. Even if I felt like crying I decided I'd stand tall and demand answers. After all, I deserved them.

My mind was running double time whilst I was walking. How could Jake of all people run into Sam's embrace? He'd been the biggest protester of the whole cult thing all along. Had it merely been an act? Questions flew around my head like crazy, making me dizzy. Why did I always ask so many questions? I always asked questions. Maybe I was naturally inquisitive or something? My cell phone started to ring. I felt strongly for throwing it in dirt but I knew I'd regret it if I did. It was Embry. I held my breath and answered it. "Hey, it's Embry. I tried to call you at home but your mum told me you were out. Where are you going?" I smiled grimly. "I'm going to kick some ass and pluck some eyes."

Whistles came from the back of the house and I followed the sound. Sam, Jared, Embry and Paul stood by the edge of the forest. Jacob was nowhere in sight, but Bella was. She almost flew over to Sam and started yelling at them how it was their fault that Jake had left. I noticed that she only mentioned her and not his original bunch of friends. Suddenly Paul's body started to shake just like Embry's had many weeks ago. I think Bella hit him. Paul doubled over as in pain, and Sam started to yell at Bella run. I stared in shock at Paul. What the hell was going on? I started to walk over to them but Sam saw me. His eyes widened in shock and fear, but before he managed to open his mouth, Jake was running out of nowhere towards Paul. Paul gave one final tremble before he turned into a huge, grey wolf. Seconds later Jake turned into a russet coloured wolf and attacked Paul. All I could think about was the pieces of cloth falling from the air. I took a moment to react, but when my brain finally processed what had happened I screamed.