Disclaimer: I own NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well, I own SOME things, but nothing that is related to the Twilight series, or Coke. (sobs)

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While we were in the car, I let Jacob do all the talking. I half-listened to some story he was telling about how he, Quil, and Embry walked into the wrong restroom at a diner. My thoughts were centered on the letter that was poking out of my science textbook.

What could he have written? He said that "it will be as if I never existed." What does he call this, then? A letter from "Beyond???"

I was surprised to find a hint of anger in my thoughts. In all honesty, I didn't know WHAT to feel…. I was so happy, and excited, and sad, and angry, and CONFUSED!!!! What could POSSIBLY be inside that envelope? Ughh….. I hated this. All I wanted to do was READ the stupid thing!!

"Bells? Are you okay?"

"Huh?? Oh. Yeah, I'm fine. Why?"

"Well, it's just that you normally comment on my stories-this one was really good, too-but you haven't said anything. You've just been staring out your window the whole time."

"Sorry, Jake. I'm just a little preoccupied today….."

I prayed that he couldn't hear the pain in my voice.

"Is everything alright? Do you want to talk about something?"

He heard it.

"Not right now, Jake. Right now, it's bike time. Nothing else."

The huge, doofy, "My-Jacob" grin that I loved so much spread across his face. I couldn't help but to smile back. I always felt so much better around Jacob; the air seemed fresher, the fog lifted.

"That's what I like to hear!"

I tried my best, for Jake's sake, to temporarily push that creamy envelope out of my mind.

I was unsuccessful, of course.

When we arrived in La Push, Embry and Sam, both in wolf form, ran alongside the car. I watched as Embry opened his mouth and let his tongue hang out in a huge, wolfy smile, directed at me. I smiled back at him, happy to see him, whether he was in wolf form or not.

When I looked at Sam, he kept his head facing straight ahead, but his eyes were looking at me. He didn't smile, but he raised his chin and winked, his own personal form of hello. I smiled slightly and waved, still not totally recovered from my anger toward him for Jacob's change. I knew it wasn't his fault, but I hated it when my Jake acted like him.

We drove straight to Jake's house, and the wolves disappeared into the forest.

"Where'd they go?"

"Where'd who go?"

Did he really not notice them running alongside us? He had to have.

"Jake, I KNOW you saw them."

"Who?"

"Embry and Sam. Duh…"

"I didn't see them….."

"Really…?"

"No, stupid. I saw them. I can't believe you bought that!!!! Haha!!!!"

"Jake…….. You're so immature….."

"I know. Isn't it WONDERFUL?"

"Umm, no. Not really….."

In all honesty, I really didn't mind it too much, but I wasn't in the mood for that at the moment.

We walked into Jake's house, only to be greeted by Billy on his squeaky wheelchair.

"Hey there, Bella. How's everything?"

"I'm doing pretty well, Billy. Thanks. How've you been?"

"Good. It's all been good."

"Aww, well that's great."

"Dad, Bella and I are going to go on a hike, okay?"

"Sure, you kids have fun!"

"Thanks dad."

"See you later, Billy!"

Billy didn't yet know about our motorcycles, so Jake and I had to "stretch the truth" a little every once in a while.

Jacob and I walked out back to the garage to where our bikes were hidden. Jake, with his inhuman strength, had no problem lifting them over his head and carrying them to the road.

"So, Bells, you ready?"

"Sure, let's go."

Jake and I mounted our bikes, kicked them to life, and we were off.

I followed him to the familiar clearing where we used to practice riding when we first started. But, instead of our usual route, he took a hard left about seven yards in.

"You alright back there?"

"Yeah, Jake. I'm doing great."

We rode our newfound trail around several ponds, streams, and incredibly large boulders. I had to admit, this new trail was awesome. I felt so… so… free. All thoughts of that letter were banished from my mind. I loved the feeling of the wind making my hair fly out behind me. I loved the way my eyes started watering when we went really fast. And I loved he power I felt. It was like the bike gave me new strength and exhilaration that had never before been there.

It was amazing.

When we returned to the clearing after about a half an hour, Jacob stopped. Not knowing what was going on, I pulled up next to him.

"Jake…? Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just…. Ugh..! What is that SMELL?"

"I don't smell anything……."

"It's so sweet….. But it hurts…… God, it's burning my nose!"

"Do you want to go back?"

"Sure, sure."

We brought our bikes back to the garage, and drank warm Cokes.

All the while, I wondered what Jake could have smelled. What could smell so sweet that it burns?