Giving up doesn't mean your weak;

It just means that your strong enough to let go...

Chapter 4; Ellie

Izzy

I felt horrible, Steph had almost died because of me. There was nothing anyone could say or do that would make me feel better. Embry called me; four times, but I couldn't answer. What made me feel worse, was that out of all the things I should have been worrying about, I only cared about the one thing that didn't matter. What did Embry think of me? Sara, Nicole and Kiara also called a few times, but I couldn't talk to them. I could never look Steph in the face ever again, or my other friends, not knowing that they saw me almost kill their friend. I crawled up into bed for a few days, my mom tried to talk to me, at first she wanted to know why I was upset. Then I think someone must have called her because she then started telling me it wasn't my fault. I hated it when people told me that. I hate it because they are lying. They blame me, but they care for me enough that they want to try to help. I never fully appreciated the people around me before, but I think I do now.

It had been four days since Steph had been discharged from the hospital and I was still locked up in my room. There was a soft knock on my door. I grunted and my mom opened the door. "there's someone here to see you Iz."

"tell them to go away, I don't want to talk to anyone."

"i've told him that but he wont leave, he said that he needs to see you."

"he? Who is it?"

"he said his name was amber? I think i'm not too sure."

"amber? I don't know any guys called amber? I know a guy called Em… Embry!"

"so… did you want me to let him in?"

"shit, give me five minutes." I jumped up and started grabbing clean clothes out of my drawer. I changed quickly not really even caring that my mother was in the room. I grabbed the brush and tried to yank it through my hair. She laughed quietly.

"you like this boy don't you?" she whispered leaning forward slightly.

"mom…" I whispered back feeling my face getting hot. She got up smiled hugely and went downstairs.

I put on a tiny bit of powder so that I didn't look so much like a dog. I rubbed off my smudged black eyeliner and put a little brown on. I also added some lip balm as well. I know I was being silly, but I couldn't help it. He knew that I was angry at myself and miserable, but I wanted him to think i looked pretty doing it. I heard someone heavy coming up the stairs and I knew it was him, the only other person that would make a noise like that was my oldest brother mike, but he was still in New Zealand. I sat on the seat by the window and stared out of it trying to make my face look blank and unemotional. I don't think it worked. I knew when he had walked in the room because I had the strangest feeling, my stomach tied itself in knots and I couldn't breathe properly.

He looked at me with his wide chocolate brown eyes and he looked sad. I couldn't look at him anymore so I shifted my gaze to my feet. He sat next to me and put his blazing arm around my shoulders. He pulled me into his chest and wrapped his other arm around me. I couldn't help it I just melted into him, my stomach relaxed, I could breathe easily again and all the anger I had been feeling disappeared.

"are you all right Iz?" he gave me a soft peck on the cheek.

"not really."

"why not?" I just shook my head I could feel tears running down my cheek. "you have to tell me so that I can help you."

"i don't … i…"

"its all right you can tell me anything. Ill always be here for you."

"why?"

"why what?"

"why are you being so nice to me? I don't deserve it." He grabbed my chin in his big hand and pulled it so that my face was about two inches from his.

"don't you ever think that! Don't you ever think that you aren't worth it. There are a lot of people who care for you, and want to make you happy. Don't push them away, you will regret it later." I looked at his full lips and then at his eyes staring so lovingly at me. I nodded my head and he let out a deep breath. He continued to hold me so I wrapped my arms around his waist. We must have stayed like that for about an hour. I heard my door handle squeak and I jumped violently, he laughed and grabbed my hand. The door swung open and Ellie froze were she was and her mouth dropped open. I heard someone calling her but she hadn't moved, I smiled slightly as Krystina came around the corner and her face dropped as well.

"did you want something?" I asked them.

"um… we… i… what the fuck!" Ellie stuttered and I knew she was surprised.

"fuck the what?" I answered back, Embry was laughing quietly next to me.

"never mind, ill talk to you later… we have much to discuss lil sis." She closed the door smiling sweetly at me.

Uh oh

"uh oh what?"

"oh did I say that out loud?"

"yupp, now you going to tell me what you meant?"

"oh right, um… did you see the smile she gave me?"

"yeah what about? She looked very sweet."

"that's how she pulls you in! i've seen that look a few times, never aimed at me though, but she is her most dangerous when she gives you that look."

"i'm… confused."

"well the last person she gave that look to was Mike, he did something, I don't know what, but the next time she saw him, she kicked him in the nuts stole his car and crashed it."

"shit, should I be scared?"

"most defiantly, I am."

"don't worry ill protect you." He laughed loudly and leaned back, I hadn't known how close I had gotten to him, till he wasn't there anymore. I got up and checked my phone, I had a new text from Steph, I hadn't talked to her since… since the beach. I didn't want to read her hatred for me so I growled and threw my phone at the bathroom door, I threw myself on my unmade bed and buried my face in my sheets, new tears forming. I felt the springs sink slightly when he sat down and put his hand on my back. I felt him lean over me.

"what's wrong?" he whispered in my ear. I couldn't speak, I couldn't breathe, hell, I couldn't even think. I was intoxicated by him, it was better than any alcohol id ever had. My breath hitched as his other hand came up to brush my hair behind my ear.

"tell me, its ok."

"I… i… I hate myself, how could I do that to her? She's one of my best friends! And I almost killed her!"

"shhh, Iz its not your fault, no one blames you. It could have happened to anyone." He spoke softly right in my ear, I wanted to believe him, I did but I couldn't forgive myself.

"she… she hates me! What am I going to do? I have no friends anymore, I cant be a loner not again! I wouldn't be able to handle it."

"she doesn't hate you, no one does. We want to be here for you."

"no, I don't believe you!"

"why not?"

"because I don't! they don't like me they never have!"

"why do you think that?"

"because i'm not an idiot! No matter what they think, I have ears and I can hear them talking about me, when they think I cant hear them. I hate it!"

"have you talked to them about it?"

"of course not! Do you know how bitchy my group of friends is? There is always people talking shit about others. Then it all turns into a big fight. We all make up and promise each other it wont happen again. it always does."

"but you have only been here just over a month and a half right? How many times has this happened?"

"about four. With a group as big as ours its hard to keep track of everything, and take note of who you can trust."

"is there anything I can do to help." I shook my head then rolled onto my side so that I could see his gorgeous face. He half smiled at me then handed me my phone.

"read it." He told me when I dropped it next to me. I pouted then went into my inbox

Izzy, hey how are

You? I haven't talked

To you in a while. I don't

Care what you might think,

But I don't hate you! I

Hope I haven't done any

Thing to make you

Think that. Love you,

Steph xo (:

I smiled slightly, that made me feel a little better but not completely.

"see?"

"yeah, thanks." I dropped my phone and pulled him into a tight hug, he froze, so I jumped away. "sorry… i…" I looked away blushing trying to think of an excuse to get out of there. He grabbed my hand and pulled it. I came crashing down to him. It was a little uncomfortable, but I didn't mind. I was half lying on top of him, he wrapped one arm around my waist and pulled me closer, the other started caressing my face. He leaned closer and I could feel his breath on my face. Then the door flew open. I jumped up to see my mother standing there red faced, looking like she was about to kill someone. That someone was probably going to be me. I looked at my feet and put my hands behind my back. I saw Embry get up and stand next to me. My mom growled loudly, so I took a small step away from him, she dropped an octave so I took another small step. I looked up and I knew what was going on. Ellie was standing behind her with a gigantic smile on her evil face. Ellie moved further into my room and crossed her arms across her chest. "shame." She muttered. She better stop being a bitch if she wanted to keep her arms. Mom was shaking. "you, Out!" she said pointing to Embry.

"mom, he hasn't done anythi-"

"shut it Isabelle Hope Daniels'!"

"but mom-"

"don't but me Isabelle!"

Ellie laughed at me, I jumped across my bed grabbed her shoulders and slammed her into the wall. Her eyes widened and she looked scared. She tried to fight me, but I was stronger. She struggled and my mother was clawing at my side. I grabbed Ellie round the neck and pushed her up against the wall so she couldn't move. I felt a warm hand close around my wrist, I looked up at Embry and he was shaking his head. I let her go grabbed my bag and walked out the door before my mom could react.

"Isabelle get back here!" she screamed.

"no mom I need to go."

"youre not going anywhere young lady."

"yes I am mom and you cant stop me."

"wanna bet?"

"not really in the mood right now, excuse me, i'm going to go have a smoke."

"YOU WHAT!!!!!" I started running, knowing that she was going to throw something at me. I heard something smash, i turned around and saw a pile of white dust and a garden gnomes head. I ducked as she threw another one at me. I kept running not paying attention to where I was going. I ran straight into the woods and kept running. I finally stopped and sat against the bottom of a tree. I had my smoke and when I was done I put my head down on my knees and cried.

"are you okay?" I jumped when I heard the soft melodious voice. I looked up and saw the most beautiful woman standing before me, well she wasn't that old she looked like she would be eighteen or nineteen. She was really petite, with spiky black hair, liquid gold eyes and the palest skin id ever seen. She smiled and sat down next to me.

"you shouldn't be out in the woods by yourself its not safe, you never know what you might come across. I'm Alice by the way." She held out her hand and I shook it holding in a gasp when I felt how cold her skin was, she smiled again.

"i'm Isabelle."

"nice to meet you Izzy."

"what?" how did she know I preferred to be called Izzy? I was confused.

"isn't that what you prefer?"

"yes… but how did you know?"

"Alice, what are you doing."

"i'm over here rose." She spoke barely louder than normal, and next thing I knew an even more beautiful blonde walked into the tiny clearing. She was tall and blonde, had completely different facial features, but the same gold eyes and pale skin as Alice.

"oh, sorry I didn't know you had company Alice, you better get her out of here, jaspers coming and he hasn't eaten yet, he says he cant find anything he likes."

"thanks rose." Alice grabbed me by the wrist and pulled me up easily, she started walking so fast that I could barely keep up. The blonde came with us and grabbed my other arm.

"i'm Rosalie by the way." She said to me.

"uh… hi, whats going on? where are you taking me?"

"no where we are just getting you away."

"from what?"

"it doesn't matter."

"you shouldn't smoke by the way, it only kills you." Alice said to me.

"everyone has to die sometime, smoking seemed like a fun way to go." they stopped and turned to me, with angry looks on their faces.

"jesus, I was just kidding."

"good, don't smoke again its not good for you." They stopped suddenly and Rosalie let me go. She took a step forward and growled. I flinched away from her and into Alice's cold arms.

"we were bringing her back, don't get your knickers in a twist, doggie. We haven't touched her don't worry." I heard another growl in the trees and I took a bigger step back. A huge pitch black wolf stepped out of the trees and took a step forward. I screamed.

"holy fuck! What is it?" I asked Alice quietly.

"it's a wolf, its here to take you home, to safety."

"no way! I'm not going anywhere near that thing!" I jumped back again when a slightly smaller one stepped out of the trees. This one was grey with black specks and it wasn't anywhere near as scary as the other one, I actually thought this one looked kind of cute. Rosalie growled again and took a step backwards towards us. I wasn't scared of her this time. I screamed again when four more wolves came into view.

"shit! we have to run they are going to eat us." Alice let go of me and stepped forward.

"Sam, not now ok? Jasper is about to hu- get something to eat she needs to get far away from here, and we need to go and get him so he doesn't pick up the trail." The black wolf nodded once. "she doesn't trust you let me or Rosalie, take her home then we will come right back, no harm need be done." The black wolf looked at the grey one and the grey one looked slightly pained. "emb-" Alice started but the black wolf howled loudly and shook its huge head cutting Alice off. "oh, I get it sorry, wont happen again. so can you let one of us pass?"

The black wolf nodded its head.

"Alice, you do it, I don't want to be around the mutts." Rosalie said letting go of me and taking a step backwards, "ill go get Jasper, Emmet and maybe Carlisle. Go. Bye Izzy nice to meet you." Alice grabbed my hand and pulled me forwards, I looked round but Rosalie was gone. Alice kept pulling me, but I dug my feet in to the ground.

"whats wrong?" she asked

"there is no FUCKING way I am going anywhere near those things!"

"its ok they wont hurt you."

"no, NO way!" as if on cue, all the wolves stepped backwards, melted into the trees and out of sight. This time I let Alice pull me forward, she told me to close my eyes and not to open them under any circumstances. I did his and she pulled me on to her back. I think. There was a slight breeze and a few minutes later Alice was putting me down.

"you can open your eyes now." I opened them and we were standing on first beach by the rock pools, right next to the edge of the forest.

"thank you Alice, thank you for getting me away from those things." I hugged her and stiffened when I heard a growl. I backed away towards the water. Alice smiled, waved and walked back into the trees. I walked along the beach and fell on to my knees. I had no idea what had happened.

"Izzy!" I turned around and saw Embry running towards me, with no shirt on. God! He was hot! His abs flexed and so did the muscles in his arms as he ran. He looked panicked. I got up and brushed off my jeans. When he got to me he picked me up in his arms and spun me round.

"you had me so worried." I laughed.

"why were you worried? i'm fine."

"don't ever go into the woods without me okay? Promise me?"

"okay, okay, what do you Alice and Rosalie have against the woods anyway?"

"its not safe."

"its no different than town, its not like a vampire's going to jump out and suck my blood." He didn't say anything; he just looked into my eyes. Oh god, are you trying to kill me? I silently shouted to the sky. It was unfair, he was so damn fine! I mean, dayum! His copper colored skin glinting slightly in the sun, his chocolate brown eyes on mine. He put one hand around my waist again and the other on the back of my neck. My breathing stopped when he put his forehead against mine. I wasn't sure but I think he stopped breathing too. He pulled me into a tight hug and took a deep breath, his head resting between my neck and shoulder. I hugged him back. I was disappointed when he pulled away, but was pleased when he pulled his face back to mine, we were closer than ever before; our noses almost touching. He was still looking in my eyes as he leaned in closer, so that my lips grazed his, I couldn't wait any longer, I leaned in the rest of the way and pressed my lips against his gently. They were so smooth and soft, and HOT! I closed my eyes and put my arms around his neck. He broke the kiss and leaned away smirking. I opened my eyes and pouted.

"I think I should do this properly, Iz, do you want to go out with me?"

"no… just kidding! Of course I do."

he picked me up and spun me round again.