I haven't updated in soo long! Wow, this is a record for me! Writers block, ya know? Poor excuse but it's true, plus homework and school... sorry :( I don't really know how well this story's been doing, so please review to tell me what you think about it. I'll try to update mroe often, I've just been soooooooo busy!

MICHELLE'S POV

When I said things could get better, boy was I wrong. When I woke up this morning, dad and Jesse were eating breakfast at the table. Everything seemed calm enough, so I joined them. I couldn't eat in front of Jesse. Paul would be mad, but I wasn't focused on him right now, which was a huge change. Paul was the only thing I ever focused on now a days.

"So dad," Jesse began, "I'm sure you're wondering why I decided to pop by, and-"

"How much money?" dad asked, cutting him off.

Jesse's lips hardened into a thin line, "Four grand. I'm helping this guy out with something."

I knew it was drugs. Jesse wasn't the sort of guy to "help." Dad sighed, I knew he was gonna say no. Then Jesse would yell, maybe break a TV or two. He'd be gone in an hour. To my surprise, dad took out his check book and wrote out a check for five thousand dollars. My jaw dropped, Jesse smirked at me.

He took the check from dad, "Thanks pop, see ya sis."

And just like that, he left. Dad ran his fingers through his hair and sat down.

"Dad," I whispered, "why did you…"

He sighed, "Michelle, I care about your brother and some time's I just gotta… give him what he wants."

I was shocked. He just handed my brother five thousand dollars to spend on drugs! I pushed back from the table, utterly annoyed.

"I just don't get it dad," I growled.

Grabbing my backpack, I headed outside to find Paul waiting for me in his truck. I slid in next to him, smirking when I saw Seth, Embry, and Quil squished in the back seat.

"How are you?" Paul asked quietly.

"Jesse left," I whispered, "Dad gave him the money and he just… left."

"That bastard," growled Paul.

"Not like I'm not used to it," I muttered, looking at my hands.

School was boring for the most part. I bombed a history quiz, but my teacher's hates me so I'm not surprised. I almost got killed in gym class from Casey. The gym teacher split the guys and girls up. The guys went to the field to play football and the girls stayed inside to play volleyball. Casey was on the other team and she got all her friends to peg the balls specifically at me. I knew she was officially out to get me. Crazy much?

"That bitch!" Kim yelled, shooting Casey a glare.

I laughed and shut my locker. Kim's words summed her up. Casey was a huge bitch, and I knew she was just waiting to ruin my life. Paul and weren't exactly dating… we still hadn't talked about the almost kiss. Casey could have any guy in the school; I didn't know why she was obsessing over Paul.

"Eh, Paul will kick her ass if she does anything to me," I shrugged.

"True," Kim agreed.

"Who's ass am I kicking?" Paul asked, walking next to me.

"Casey's," I growled.

Paul sighed, "What did she do this time?"

"Pegged me in the head with volleyballs," I grumbled.

"Are you alright?" he asked quickly, examining my face for bruises.

"I'm fine Paul. She's just bugging me," I sighed, leaning into him as he wrapped him arm around me.

"I'll talk to her," he growled.

"No, it's fine. I'll tell you if she gets worse, I really don't want to start anything."

I opened the door to the art room. This was a class where I didn't know anybody, but I managed to make one friend. Her name was Cara. I was friendly with everyone else, but they kept their distance because they thought I was a gang banger. That might make sense if I didn't wear sundresses and sweaters to school every day.

"Hey Cara," I greeted, sitting down next to her and taking out my drawing. It was supposed to be a flower, but it looked more like a penguin. I'm not an artist.

"Hey Michelle," she said happily. Cara, like most of the people at this school, had black hair and dark skin. She was really pretty, though. Her boyfriend, Tim, was super funny and we got along well.

"Nice uh… elephant?" she said, looking at my picture.

"It's supposed to be a flower," I whined playfully. We looked at each other and burst out laughing, earning a disapproving look from out teacher.

"Oh yeah I see it," she said, trying to sound convincing, "If you… er turn the paper and squint you eyes I can definitely see the petals." She turned her head and squinted, making a funny face.

"Cute Cara," I said sarcastically.

She laughed and started working on her painting. I was so jealous. She was amazing! When the bell rang, Paul met me outside the door. I handed him my drawing.

"Happy birthday," I chimed. No it was not his birthday.

He raised his eyebrow, shaking his head, "You're so weird."

I shrugged, "Do you like it, I made it especially for you!"

"Yeah it's a really good uh… mouse?"

I sighed dramatically, "It's a flower! I worked so hard on it, too!"

"Oh, I knew that!" he said, trying to cover up his mistake, "It's very beautiful."

"I'm joking Paul, I know I suck at drawing," I laughed, squeezing his hand.

"I wouldn't say you suck," I raised my eyebrow, "Alright you do but… at least you tried!"

I giggled and got in his truck. Casey was leaning against her car, glaring at me with her arms crossed. A low growl ripped through Paul's chest as he started the car. Speeding out of the parking lot, he was shaking slightly. I put my hand on his arm to calm him down and he took a deep breath. His shaking subsided.

"Sorry," he sighed, kissing my temple. I blushed and hid behind my hair, "I'll see you tonight, okay?"

"Yeah Paul," I said, giving him a quick hug and then running up to my house.

I was shocked to find dad in his room. He usually worked till late. I knocked on the door and went inside.

"You alright dad?" I asked tentatively.

"Yeah, I was just feeling under the weather, so I took the day off. I'm fine now," he said, looking up from his laptop.

"Alright, but call me if you need anything," I said.

"Sure Michelle."

I closed the door gently and went to my room to start my mountain of homework.

I know Jesse's part in the story was breif, but he'll be more important later one!

Review!