CHAPTER FOUR

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CALLIE

Soon we pulled up to Jake's house, "Jake doesn't know what we're doing. Let's see what he's up to."

Quil snorted, "Probably still working on that piece of junk Rabbit."

Embry laughed, grabbing my hand. I took my hand from his and wrapped both my arms around his waist. He wrapped an arm around my shoulders and led me behind Quil.

Quil called out into the garage, "Yo, Jake, you in there?"

I heard Jake talking to someone, "It's cool, it's just my boys."

We all walked in. Embry smiled, "Hey, Jake-" We all stopped when we saw who he was with.

Bella.

My sister.

Jake smiled when he saw me, "Callie!" He stood up and bounded over to hug me, "Hey, what are you doing here?"

I smiled tightly and hugged him back, practically falling back into Embry's arms when he let me go.

"We were coming to see if you wanted to celebrate with us today before the party tonight." Quil answered for me. He could see how uncomfortable I was.

Jacob looked confused, "For what?"

Embry gave him a look, "Callie's birthday. Today."

Jacob looked at me shocked, "It's your birthday, today?" I nodded. He looked back at Bella, "Why didn't you say anything?"

Bella was staring off into nothing while we were talking. But when Jacob spoke to her, she snapped out of it and spoke, "I... what?"

Jake looked somewhat peeved, "You didn't mention that today was Callie's birthday. Why are you here?"

Bella looked at me for a millisecond before locking eyes with the wall, "I... forgot."

"Guess it wasn't important enough to remember," I said almost inaudibly. But everyone heard me.

Embry argued with me, "Your birthday is the most important thing. Anyone who doesn't see that obviously doesn't care about anything but themselves."

I should have defended against the obvious jab at Bella. But I couldn't help but agree. What kind of sister forgets her baby sister's seventeenth birthday and instead goes to hand out with some guy she doesn't care about?

Answer; Bella.

Quil interrupted, "We're taking Callie cliff diving-"

"What?" I asked.

Quil smirked, "It'll be fun."

"I don't have any bathing suit though."

"We had Sue sneak into your room while you were in school to get everything you'll need today. It's all in the car."

"You guys thought of everything," I tightened my arms around Embry.

Jacob smiled, "We're in. Right Bella?"

Bella looked at Jake, "But we're working on the bikes."

I felt the hurt bubbling up in my eyes, "I have to get out of here." I whispered it so quietly. But Embry heard me and began steering me to the door.

He paused in the open doorway and turned to Jacob, "Let us know when you want to hang out with your real friends."

And we walked out.

I let some tears out. Embry took me fully into his arms and whispered, "Don't let it get to you. It doesn't matter."

He helped me into the car when Quil got into the backseat muttering, "Bitch."

We drove up to the bottom of the cliffs at the beach. I was glad I was wearing my hiking boots. We hiked to the lower drop off. Embry handed me his backpack, "Your suit's in there. You can go change behind a tree or something..."

I smiled and took the backpack, "Whats the matter Embry? Afraid of some lady-parts?"

"Smart ass."

I giggled and went to change. I came back out in a dark red bikini with white flowers on it. I felt so exposed and awkward.

Embry and Quil looked over and their mouths dropped. Embry stammered while Quil wolf-whistled.

I blushed heavily, "It's kind of an old suit. Never needed to get a new one." It sure was old. My boobs were threatening to fall out.

Quil backed up and took off running. He threw himself off the edge of the cliff letting out a "Whoooop!"

"Quil!" I shouted and almost ran after him. But I stopped at the edge of the cliff. I saw Quil land in the water. A moment later his head popped up, "Come on in, the water's fine!"

Embry laughed at my reaction. I playfully slapped his arm.

He extended his hand to me, "I'll jump with you. I promise it'll be fun."

I hesitantly put my hand in his. He pulled me closer and pulled us away from the cliff. He counted, "1... 2... 3!"

We sprinted towards the edge of the cliff and Embry propelled our bodies away from it. He pulled me to him and wrapped his arms around me while we fell.

The water was cold on my heated skin when we fell into the salty blue. I kept my mouth tightly closed. But I opened my eyes. They burned slightly but I managed to look at Embry until he pulled us up.

Our heads broke the surface and broke out laughing, "That was fun!"

Embry grinned, "Told you."

He swam us to shore and we cliff dived for about an hour and a half before we were interrupted.

"What are you guys doing here?" A man asked, with two men flanking him. They were all tan, shirtless and shoe-less in nothing but cut-offs.

It was Sam Uley who spoke.

So I answered, "You're Sam."

The man nodded, "You're that girl's sister."

"I'm Callie."

He registered the name and asked, "Is your sister alright?"

I shrugged, "Jacob knows more than I do. Ask him."

The boys seemed to realize that I didn't want to talk about Bella. A guy behind Sam spoke, "You never answered Sam's question. What are you guys doing here?"

Embry put a protective arm around me, "Cliff diving."

"You shouldn't be out here," Sam... growled?

He growled. Like an animal.

What the fu-

"It's just some fun and games," Quil broke it, trying to ease the tension, "To celebrate Callie's birthday. We're winding down anyway."

Sam nodded tensely, "Be sure that you do." And he and his followers left into the woods.

We did wind down, hiking back down to the car. Embry drove back to Jake's house. He told me that I would change into whatever Sue picked out for me and we'd hang out for a couple hours before the party started. He said Billy wanted me to visit for a while now.

We pulled up in the driveway and Jake walked out to meet us. He looked very guilty, "Callie I'm so sorry about earlier."

"It's okay," I dismissed it.

"How is what Bella did okay? She forgot your birthday." Jake asked, disbelieving.

"I know. Bella hasn't care about me since we moved here. It wasn't anything new," I said as Embry wrapped his arm around me and led me inside. Quil followed us with the backpack.

Billy smiled when he saw me, "Happy Birthday, Callie. How does it feel to be 17?"

I smiled at the man. He was always smiling. "Doesn't feel much different. I guess 17 isn't as life changing as 16."

Billy nodding, agreeing, "Or 18."

"Or 21," Embry grinned.

We all laughed at that. I pulled out of Embry's arm and took the backpack, "I'm gonna go change and call Angela to invite her to the party."

Embry nodded, "Kay."

Of course Sue just had to pick that dress. The same dress I wore for Bella's birthday. The one Alice bought me.

I came out of the bathroom, "Embry!"

Embry walked over to me, Quil and Jacob behind him, "Yeah, Hun?"

"I-" I stopped and held up the dress, "I can't wear this."

"What's wrong with it?" Quil asked.

"It's..." I trailed off. How do I explain this without sounding like a pathetic baby? "Alice got me this dress for Bella's birthday party. Before they left."

The boys were silent for a while. Embry gently pulled the dress from my hands, "You don't have to wear it."

"I'll see if Rachel or Rebecca have anything you can wear in their old rooms." Jacob said and left.

I leaned against the door frame.

Jacob came back with a pretty green dress. "Hope this fits." (link on profile)

I took the dress from his hands, "Thanks." I went into the bathroom and slipped the dress on. It was slightly too tight but nothing uncomfortable. The dress fell softly to my knees. Sue packed a black shrug in case it gets chilly.

I came out of the bathroom and found that the boys hadn't moved. Quil whistled, getting Embry and Jacob's attention.

Embry smiled, "Fits like a glove."

I smiled, "Better than the other dress, that's for sure."

We all looked at Jacob. His eyes were slightly wide, "You look great. Glad it fits alright."

"Thanks. Now I just have to call Angela. Are we eating there or before hand?"

Embry answered, "We're having pizza here. Hawaiian, your favorite."

I smiled widely, "Love you, guys."

Embry kissed my forehead, "Love you to Callie."

I heard the ringing and then Angela picked up, "Hello?"

"Hey Angela, it's me."

"Hey Callie! I was just gonna call you. Happy Birthday. Finally 17. wow."

Have I said how much I love Angela?

"Yeah, I know. Thanks. Are you doing anything tonight?"

"No, just some studying. Why?"

"Well my friends in La Push are throwing a party for me at the beach. Bonfire. They said I could invite any one I wanted. Do you want to come?"

"Wow. uh... yeah that'd be great."

"Only, please don't tell anyone else. I didn't feel like telling Tyler or anyone."

I could tell she was touched not to be included in the people I didn't want to see on my birthday. "No problem."

I gave her the details of when and where.

"Can't wait. I'll see you there."

"Great thanks. See you."

"Bye."

I hung up.

I walked out to see that the pizza had arrived, "Better have saved some for me."

They all looked over and Billy paused a bit, "Is that Rebecca's?"

I looked down at myself, "Yes. I hope it's alright."

Billy smiled though, "It's quite alright dear. Just a shock. You look beautiful."

I beamed at the complement, "You won't be saying that in about two minutes when I start in on that pizza."

Everyone laughed and we all dug in. I wasn't kidding about that pizza. I looooove my pizza.

Soon it was time for the party. Embry and I got in front and Quil in back. Jacob was driving over with his dad.

When we got there, nearly everyone arrived. A huge bonfire was set up and a BBQ going. Everyone was laughing and talking.

When I got out of the car people called out to me, wishing me a happy birthday and so forth. I smiled at all of them.

Angela arrived shortly after we did. She practically ran out of her car and crushed me in a hug, "Happy Birthday!"

I laughed, "Thanks."

She handed me a card and a medium size box, "Open it."

I humored her and opened the box to reveal a flip video camera, "Oh wow. You didn't have to get me this Angela."

"You're always saying you miss your home videos. Now you can make some."

I smiled and hugged her, "Thank you. I love it."

We all spent the night having a good time. Even the fact that Sam and his crew was here couldn't ruin it. They didn't seem that bad.

Embry had a total crush on Angela. It was so sweet. He followed her around like a little puppy dog. She'd get shy and stutter. I could tell that she liked him too. But she was still with Eric. That could be easily remedied though.

Quil and Jacob played around the fire while I talked to Billy and Sue. Sue didn't seem to notice that I wasn't wearing the dress she packed for me.

One of Sam's lackeys approached me though, "Hi. I'm Paul."

I nodded to him, uninterested, "I'm Callie."

"I know," he answered, "You're the birthday girl."

I nodded, "No offense but... why are you talking to me?"

"What do you mean?" He chuckled.

"I mean that you guys don't talk to anyone outside your precious circle. Almost like it's forbidden."

Paul didn't agree with me but he didn't deny it, "Think of this as my little rebellion."

I grinned a bit. "Well I'm flattered to be your excuse to rebel."

He grinned, "Good. Be flattered."

I had to laughed at that.

"So..." Paul started, "Heard you're that Bella girl's sister?"

Needless to say my laughter abruptly stopped at that. "Yeah, you can say that."

"You sound upset," Paul looked apologetic.

I shook my head, "Bella hasn't been a sister to me in a while. She was with Edward all the time before they left. Then she didn't talk to anyone after the left. And now she'd rather spend all her time leading Jacob on than wishing her sister a happy birthday. I honestly think she did forget."

Paul let me have my mini-rant and I was thankful for that.

Just then Jacob came up to us, "Paul."

Paul nodded to him, a grin still on his face, "Hey Jacob. How's your night going?"

"Just fine," Jake stood by me, tense, "Yours?"

"Pretty good," Paul grinned, "Just getting to know Callie here."

"I see that," Jacob deadpanned.

I stood awkwardly between the two guys, "O...k, this isn't awkward at all. Can we put away the overflowing testosterone for my birthday night, please?"

The guys stared each other down for a little longer before they broke eye contact. Jacob half-smiled at me, "Sure, sure. You having a good birthday?"

I smiled, "I am."

Just then we heard Embry yell, "PRESENTS!"

I blushed but Jacob put his arm around me and tugged me over to where Embry and Quil were carrying about five presents. "You guys didn't have to get me anything."

"Shut up. Yes we did." Quil quipped. We all laughed at that then Embry excitedly handed me a present, "Mine first!"

I laughed and opened the package to reveal the book I had been wanting for months. I looked up at him, "Filling In The Blanks? How did you know?"

Embry looked pleased with himself, "I do actually listen when you talk."

I laughed and gave him a big hug, "Thank you."

"Love you Call," Embry whispered.

"Love you Call," I whispered back. Get it?

Quil then handed me his gift. It was a hand knit scarf. He played it off like his mom knit it but I knew he knew how to knit.

Billy had gone through his daughter's stuff and given me all their old clothes he thought would fit me. I thanked him. He explained that he didn't know Sue was going to pick out a dress and left the one I was wearing out for Jacob to find for me. This man was all-knowing like Dumbledore or something.

Sue heard that I was the cook for the family so she got me a recipe book. She said that she had gathered recipes from all the friends she could. I thanked her.

The fifth and final gift was from... no one.

I looked up, "There's no name on this one, who is it from?"

Embry looked confused, "We only had four gifts when we put them in the car. I honestly don't know where that one came from. But it says 'To Callie' on it." He shrugged.

So I shrugged and opened it. It was two books. Well more like journals. One was a new black leather bound book with blank pages. The other was considerably worn out. The pages were dogeared and browned on the edges and it looked like it had been stashed for years. The cover had the gold letters J.W in-scripted on them.

I opened the cover and saw the top right corners of the pages dated back to a couple years before the civil war and about three years into the war. And suddenly I knew.

I quickly opened the new one and lo and behold there was a note on the inside cover.

When you need to talk and I'm not there to listen. You will always be my sister.

Until we meet again,

Your brother.

Tears came to my eyes. Embry grew concerned as he read the note over my shoulder, "Your brother? Do you know who this is from Callie?"

I sniffed slightly and nodded, "Yeah I do."

The gift was from Jasper.

My brother.

After that the night wound down and it was time for me to go home. For some reason, Jacob was the one driving me home. I didn't question it.

But it was then I noticed that he didn't get me anything for my birthday.

Oh well. I didn't care.

I didn't.

Jake must have thought the silence was awkward because he turned the radio on. A soft guitar filled the car.

So I'll get to the point and cut the suspense short.

I recognized the song immediately.

It's you. You make it worth it.

It was all I could do not to scream. I didn't want to be reminded of that night. And of course that song would play while I was alone with Jake in his car late a night. Perfect coincidence.

Worth waking up in the morn-

I shut the radio off.

Jacob looked uncomfortable.

But soon we pulled up to my house anyway, past midnight but I doubted Dad would care since he knew where I was and everything.

When the car stopped I looked at Jake, "Thanks for the ride."

"No problem."

"And.." I trailed, "Thanks for the party. I haven't thanked you for that yet."

Jacob looked at me, "I didn't do anything but show up."

"You cared enough to show up," I answered and got out of the car, "Goodnight."

But before I even got to the concrete steps Jacob got out of his car and called out, "Callie. Wait."

I turned, "What?"

Jacob looked nervous and I idly wondered why. "I know you think I didn't get you a birthday present."

Was that it? "It's fine. You didn't have to get me anything, Jacob."

"But I did."

I looked confused as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small jewelry box. I tentatively took the box and opened it. Inside were two earrings. They were small wolves carved out of wood. They had to have been hand-carved because I could tell slight differences between the two of them.

"I carved them for you. I got Sue to attach them to the earring things though." Jake looked modest.

I was absolutely touched. I looked up at him, not knowing what exactly to say. "They're perfect. I don't know if I've told you this but I'm a total wolf lover."

"Really?" Jake looked like he thought I was just humoring him.

"Ever since I was little. It's funny... and a little weird, but back when I could sleep... I'd dream about this one wolf." I felt so weird telling him this. I hadn't told anyone about my dreams of my wolf. It was kind of private.

"What wolf?" He looked interested.

"It'll make me sound crazy but I just dreamed about this giant wolf with these intense brown eyes. I kind of miss him." I sighed. I really did. I hadn't seen my wolf in months.

"Him?"

I nodded childishly, "I decided that it's a him. But since I stopped sleeping, I don't dream and if I don't dream, I don't see him."

Jacob stepped forward a bit, "I hope that you can sleep soon."

"I do too. Maybe I will. This day was... amazing."

Jacob smiled, "I better go..." But he didn't look like he wanted to.

I'm not sure I wanted him to either. "Yeah..."

Jacob seemed to be debating something in his head. He must have won because he was slowly leaning forward. I felt my breath freeze and my heart race.

He leaned forward until he kissed the corner of my lips. Half on, half off. I closed my eyes.

It was slow. Close. Too close. At danger off crossing that invisible line that always exists between friends.

I was about to cross that line and turn my head to catch his lips but instead I pulled away, "Thank you again for the earrings. I really do love them."

Jacob seemed to be gathering his thoughts. "Yeah, it was nothing."

"Really, Jake," I argued, "You sell yourself short way too much."

Jacob smiled – but not in the convinced way – and backed up a bit until he stood by his car, "Goodnight, Callie."

"Goodnight Jacob," I walked into the house and watched his drive away from the window.

Today was a good day. My friends and family – sans Bella – proved that they loved and cared for me. I smiled to myself as I placed my presents on my presents on my desk.

Things seemed to finally be looking up.

How wrong I was.

Two chapters at once! Merry Christmas to YOU!

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RegalGirl94