Hey guys:) Here's a nive long chapter for you! So I've been having a ton of writers block with this chapter. I just didn't know where to take it. Let me explain something. I started writing this story in the summer and I wrote sixteen chapters in about three days. Then school started and now I'm hardly able to write a paragraph. Please be patient with me because I might not be updating as often. I'll try to get a few more chapter out over the week. To tell you the absolute truth and not to be a review snob, but reviews make me update faster. Honestly they give me inspiration and stuff like that:)

"Can you at least try to dry the dishes correctly?" I snapped.

"Dude, calm your ass down," Jesse muttered, snatching the towel up and scrubbing the water away.

"Don't call me dude, Jesse," I grumbled, glaring at him.

"You're right. You sure as hell don't look like a dude anymore," he noted.

Paul growled softly from his spot at the kitchen table. This whole situation we extremely uncomfortable for me. Having Paul in my tiny kitchen was one thing, but seeing Jesse here, in person, was another. I couldn't believe he actually dared to show his face here! To stand on my cracked linoleum floor and eat dinner at my rickety kitchen table. He'd caused enough trouble in dad and my life already, he didn't need to do anymore damage. To make matters worse, he smirked at me every time I took a bite of food, causing me to give up on eating dinner all together. Paul glared at me the entire time, but didn't say anything.

"Shut up," I mumbled to my brother, picking up another plate to wash.

"So who is this guy?" Jesse asked, beckoning to Paul with his head, "He like, your bodyguard or something?"

"Something like that," I murmured.

"Ha, would have never guessed you needed a bodyguard. Could have used one last time we saw each other, huh? Didn't I punch you in the face or something like-"

"Why are you here Jesse?" I asked, cutting him off. Paul was fuming behind me.

"What? A guy can't have a friendly visit with his sister?" he said innocently.

"Stop playing games. What do you want?"

He studied me for a second, "Four grand."

"Get out."

"Aw, come on Michelle," he groaned.

"No Jesse. You always do this to us. Do you get what it does to dad every time you leave? What would mom think about-"

"Whatever!" Jesse yelled, throwing his hands in the air and storming into the living room.

I glared at his back and then went back to scrubbing the plate.

"Are you alright Michelle?" Paul asked steadily.

"Just peachy!" I snapped, dropping the plate in the dish water and splashing both of us with soapy water.

"Michelle, look at me," Paul pleaded.

I turned to glare at him, but he looked so sad that my expression softened. I walked over to him and let him pull me on his lap.

"Please Michelle, tell me what I can do to help you," he whispered.

"I'm fine. My brother just stresses me out a little," I explained.

"I can feel what you feel Michelle, it's more than a little."

"It's just been hard," I sighed, leaning my head on his shoulder.

"Do you know how amazing you smell?" he asked after a while.

I giggled, "I haven't showered since yesterday!"

"You still smell wonderful."

"What do I smell like?" I asked, perking up slightly.

"Like vanilla. And roses. And chocolate chip cookies," he inhaled deeply, "And happiness."

"Happiness doesn't have a smell," I laughed.

"Well I think it does. Happiness smells like you, at least to me it does."

I giggled and ran my fingers through his hair. Jesse totally ruined the moment by barging through the kitchen door. We both glared at him, but he just smirked at us and opened the fridge, grabbing the milk and drinking it straight from the carton. And then he put it back.

"Ew, gross Jess!" I yelled.

He shrugged and laughed, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

"I thought I told you to get out of here before dad gets back," I grumbled.

"Why? Dad'll be happy to see his son again," he smirked.

"Jesse, come on! You guys didn't exactly end on good terms last time you visited and he's not gonna be happy when you beg him for money."

"Listen fat ass, don't question my motives. I'll be out of your hair in no time, but I just need some cash. Now you can go run along and stick your fingers down your throat again while I work my magic," Jesse mocked.

Paul was on his feet before Jesse had even finished his sentence, towering over him. Jesse didn't look in the least bit intimidated. Because he was high. Yet again.

"Don't talk to her that way!" Paul growled.

"I'll talk to her any way I want," Jesse laughed, turning to walk away.

Paul, who was shaking violently, grabbed Jesse's shoulder and a growl ripped through his chest.

"Paul, Paul it's okay," I whispered, grabbing his hand. His shaking stopped and he took three deep breaths.

He opened his eyes and looked at me, pulling me into a hug. Jesse coughed to get out attention.

"So, uh are you like, on steroids 'cause it'd be totally awesome if you could hook me up," Jesse said casually.

"Jesse, seriously. You need to leave. Now," I said through gritted teeth.

"Hey Michelle, I'm home!" Dad called.

If it had been a lighter situation, I would have face-palmed. Paul quickly composed himself and just remained in a protective position in front of me. Jesse just stood there looking slightly bored, and I was trying to keep tears from spilling over. Dad walked into the kitchen and gasped quietly. He blinked a few times and his face became emotionless.

"Hello son," Dad greeted stiffly.

"Hey dad," Jesse said, slurring out the words.

"You came back," it wasn't a question.

"Just for a while. I wanted to pay a visit to my dearest sister here," he jerked his thumb towards me.

I rolled my eyes and grabbed Paul's hand, towing him out of the room. I didn't want to see where this little reunion would be going. All I wanted to do was get out of here. I opened the door of Paul's truck and took a seat on the passenger's side. Paul got in next to me.

"Drive," I demanded.

Paul didn't say anything, he just drove and drove and drove. I was happy for the silence. Happy that he was making any remarks about my screwed up life. I wasn't sure how worse it could get. My mom and brother were dead. My older brother was on drugs and I hadn't seen him in years. I had an… eating disorder. I blame my brother for that one. His constant remarks about being fat and making myself throw up really started to wear me down and eventually I cracked. I can't look in the mirror without thinking the word fat. I'm constantly pushing myself to be skinnier, eat less. The one person I've been trying to impress this whole time is Jesse. Just one time I want him to say something nice. A you look good sis, or even a praising smile would do. Jesse had his hooks so deep in me and even now, after years of betrayal, his words still hurt.

Paul was hurting, I could feel it. But he did as I asked and just drove. Mostly around La Push and Forks. At one point he pulled over and turned to face me.

"What are you thinking," he asked desperately.

I thought for a moment, trying to put my thoughts into words, "I… I'm not sure exactly. I just can't be at home when Jesse and dad are fighting again. I can't see my dad so stressed out and I can't see Jesse being the jackass he is towards him. And I'm… I'm tired. I think I'm ready to go home now. Thank you Paul, thank you for being there and thank you for not saying anything about my screwed up life."

Paul started the car, "Michelle, I will always be there for you. Thank you for opening up to me. I'm going to do whatever I can to make you feel loved and beautiful. Because you are truly amazing."

I smiled to myself. Hearing Paul say that meant a lot. He was always complimenting, but there was so much emotion going into what he was saying.

When Paul dropped me at home, I was absolutely terrified of what I was going to see when I walked through that door. It was something I knew I needed to face alone though, so I made Paul agree to wait in the car. I would call him if I needed him. I was shocked to see things relatively normal when I got inside. Jesse and dad were sitting on the couch, watching a sports game on TV and making small talk. It looked so natural, and both of them looked happy. And for the first time in my life, I thought maybe, just maybe, things could go back to normal.