Sorry for the delay, I have work ya know! Enjoy!

Chapter 4

"Oh god, I'll never eat again" she burped loudly and stroked her stomach.

"Alright, way to be one of the guys Tee" Embry high-fived her and grinned.

"Oh, that's my new nickname huh?" she eyed Leah, "it's still better than Tay-Tay".

"Aw come on!" Leah rolled her eyes and punched her shoulder.

Her pocket vibrated; it was a text from her mom.

Coming home soon? School night!

She texted her back saying she'd be on her way in 'five.

"Alright, time for me to go guys, anyone who wants to give me a ride?" she downed the last of a can of coke.

Leah opened her mouth to speak, but before she could say anything Jacob spoke up, "I'll take you".

She smirked at him then went to kiss all the guys on their cheeks, "Alright, I'll see you guys later". She hugged Leah, promising she'd call so they could hang out soon. Jacob pulled a t-shirt over his head as she grabbed her bag, waving goodbye. They stepped out into the brisk night-air. She closed her eyes took a good deep breath, smelling every little scent in range. When she opened her eyes she found Jacob staring at her with a soft expression.

"What?" she tugged a piece of hair behind her ear.

He smiled, "Nothing". He walked to his VW. She glared at his back, but gave up and skipped to the car and got into the front seat. She pulled out her iPod.

"Do you mind?" she asked, lifting up the apparatus.

"Uhm, no sure, but how'd-" he cut himself of as she pulled out a cable for connecting stereo and mp3-player, "Ah".

She chuckled as she plugged it into the car stereo, "any preferences?" she asked flipping through the music.

"Nah, just put on whatever you like" he said.

"You're gonna regret that" she laughed as "BYOB" by System of a Down started blaring through the small car. Jacob cringed at first and she snickered at him as she bounched her head back and forth. She turned down the volume so they could talk as he reved the engine and drove away from the house.

"You're taste in music is... intriguing" he said, starting to rock his own head a bit.

"And by intriguing you mean...?"she asked smirking.

"... Different", he glanced at her, "but I like it".

She grinned and leaned back in her seat. Something inside her enjoyed being this close to him, just being in his presence soothed her inner animal. She sneaked a peak at him now and then. God, was he handsome.

"So, school tomorrow huh?" he asked, a little nervousness creeping into his voice.

"Uh, yeah! Last semester even", she nodded excessively. Awkward.

"Sweet. So, uhm, if you have nothing better to do, you could stop by the garage after?" he kept his eyes on the road, "you know, hang with the guys?"

"Garage?"

"Uh, yeah. I fix... cars and stuff", he let out a nervous laugh, "I restored this baby myself". He patted the dashboard.

"Really? Wow, nice" a thought crossed her mind, "Hey, if I buy an old bike could you fix it up for me?". She hadn't even asked her parents about the transportation situation yet. Smart move Talae.

"You want to ride a bike? I knew I liked you for a reason" he smirked, then realized what he said, "uh, right. Uhm, sure, I'd love to help out". He bit his lip and tried to focus on the road in front of them.

She blushed, "thanks Jacob... oh, and uh, yeah I'd like to hang with you guys... tomorrow...". She giggled when she saw him chewing his lip to pieces, he didn't look like the kind of guy who got nervous over a girl. He smiled at her and the tension eased up.

"Great. If you want, I can pick you up after school?".

"Yeah, okay, cool", they pulled up to her house, "thanks for the ride Jacob".

"Hey no problem".

She got out of the car and walked to his window as he rolled it down, "I'll see you tomorrow then".

He gave her a lop-sided smile that just melted her heart, and she decided to take the chance. She leaned in swiftly and pressed a soft, long kiss to his cheek, "See ya later". She sauntered down the gravel path and up the porchsteps, trying hard not to look back. She threw a glance over her shoulder as she unlocked the front door and saw him staring into space with a smile on his lips and his hand lightly touched his cheek. She giggled as the shut the door behind her and discarded her shoes.

"Mom! Dad! I'm hoooooome!" she yelled as she threw her stuff down.

"Hi sweety! There's leftovers in the fridge!" she heard her mother yell back from the livingroom.

"Thanks, but I just ate" she said as she walked in, dropping herself down on the couch besides her moms outstretched form with her head in her husband's lap.

"So, how'd it go?" her mother enquired, nudging Talaes thigh with her foot.

She told them about the whole afternoon, leaving out the part about her perplexed feelings about Jacob of course. They could see the glimmer of joy in her eyes as she spoke; she was happy. Will glances at his wife and caught her eye, silently agreeing that they did the right thing coming here.

"And I'm going to hang with them tomorrow again, Jacob's picking me up from school, by the way if-I-buy-an-old-bike-and-Jacob-fixes-it-up-can-I-keep-it please please please?" she breathed, hoping that they'd just nod and say "yes dear", instead of asking her to repeat herself. She cringed as her father gave her a calculating look.

"No", her mother said plainly.

"Yes", her father said almost immediatly after her mother, earning a very disapproving look.

"What? William you can't be serious! It's dangerous, and she doesn't know anything about it, and and..." she rambled on before he put a pillow over her face to silence her.

When she calmed down he removed the pillow and continued, "Seriously Lily. If she got shot in the head, she'd probably roll over and say "Please sir, may I have some more?". He highfived his daughter, "You really think she's going to get hurt with a bike?".

Her mom gave him a long, hard look, twitching her one eye like a maniac. Finally she sighed, giving up, "fine".

"YES! Oh thank you thank you thank you!" Talae sprang up and hugged them both, then did a little happy dance.

"But you're paying with your own money! Now, get away from the TV, Bones is on", her dad waved her away. She kissed his and her mothers cheek, said goodnight, before she danced to her room, twirling and humming all the way.

She put a Papa Roach CD on her stereo, rocking around the room as she got everything ready for school in the morning. She liked being prepared, having everything ready should anything go wrong, like if her alarm didn't go off or the house burned down...

She packed her messenger bag full of writing and drawing utensils, 3 notebooks and a sketchbook. She'd get her books tomorrow and fill her locker up with them. Then she stuffed a small pocket on the bag full with lunch-money, gum and keys.

Various articles of clothing flew to the floor as she went through her dresser and closet, trying to pick out an outfit that would say "Hey, I'm cool, but not too cool" and would express her personality. Oh, and made her look good, of course.

Frustrated, she just gave up and did the old close-your-eyes-and-pick-something-rutine. Her first choice was immediatly discarded. Shorts and spagetti-tops just wasn't January in Forks-clothes. She had a bit more luck on the second try, picking up a pair of loose fitting jeans that hung low on her hips and a tight longsleeve shirt with horizontal black and green stripes. She matched it with a pyramid-studded belt and lime-green socks.

Satisfied she laid the outfit over the back of her desk-chair and put her bag on the seat. She undressed and pulled the same tee on she'd slept in last night. Turning down the volume on the stereo, she crawled into bed, just letting the CD run its course.

She drew up the sheets, enjoying the soft coolness on her bare legs, and put her arms behind her head. Things were just moving so fast now. Everything had slowed down over the last 4 years, with all that had went on. They said time moves faster when you're having fun. It was only logical it would apply the other way around too, that if you were just having a drag, time would slow down. One of the many ways the universe loved torturing you. But then, she got here, and everything changes with the speed of light. It was exhausting, but never before had she felt so alive. She felt that things might finally look up now. Maybe she could finally start to live a normal, the term normal being used very loosely, life, with friends, family, brothers and sisters, and maybe one day, love.

Love. The word brought feelings with it, the ache that was still present in her body hitched, and the image of a certain person filled the dark space behind her eyelids. Jacob Black. How did he manage such an impact on her, just thinking his name brought a sickening smile to her lips. She bit her lip as the mental picture zoomed out and she saw him standing there in his cut offs and bare torso. God, what was he doing to her? Was it some kind of ancient tribal magic? A curse? What ever it was, this bond was frustrating the hell out of her. Her whole diaphragm twisted thinking of him. For fucks sake, she'd known him for a day!

She tossed and turned furiously a dusin times before her mind finally gave up its hold on the physical world and let her drift on to sleep.

Her dreams were haunted by evasive wolves and shadows and stomach aches, but when she awoke the next morning to the annoying, continuing beep-beep of her alarm clock, she felt quite rested. She stretched, feeling her joints crack before she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes. She laid still for a couple of minutes, willing her body to move while she fought going back to sleep. She heard movement upstairs and finally swung her legs over the side of the bed. If she wanted a ride to school she'd have to be ready when her parents were. Tugging on her tee she chewed on her tongue a few time, but gave up trying to rid her mouth of the foul taste that was mandatory as soon as you woke up, and went to brush her teeth, and tongue, instead. She finished her business in the bathroom, put on some deodorant and went back into her room. As she finished putting on her shirt she heard her mom yell something in the lines of "breakfast is ready" from down the hall. She secured her belt around her hips and put her cell in her pocket before picking up her bag and going after the smell of food.

"Hey munchkin" her dad greeted as she entered the kitchen and sat down beside him by the island. He was reading the paper with a cup of black coffee. Her mom put a plate of toast and eggs in front of her, greeting her good morning. She poured herself a glass of milk and started chewing on a piece of buttered toast.

"If you're serious about the bike thing, maybe we should go looking for a cheap one in Port Angeles one of these days?" her father said sipping his coffee.

"Sure, if you're not busy at the hospital? Otherwise I could just take Jacob, he'd be the one to fix it anyway" she answered as she finished her toast, going for the eggs.

"Oh hoh! So you'd rather go with some kid than your old man?" he poked her ribs and she jerked away from him, sticking her tongue out.

"He's not a kid, he's my Alpha" she said with some kind of pride, puffing her chest out and pouting her lips in a "fierce" look, "besides, what do you know about MC's?".

"Oh, I had a Harley when I met you mom", he said, grabbing his wife around her waist as she walked by, "I was a real badass back then".

"You were a real jackass, you mean" Lily said with a smirk as he glared at her, "let the girl have some fun".

"Fine", Will sighed and sipped his coffee, "are you ready to go?".

She chomped down the last of her breakfast and nodded after she downed her milk, "Mhm".

"Good, lets get going then".

She reached the car first as she was all ready to go, her dad took the driver's seat as her mom locked up the house. She pulled on her headphones and let the music wake her up properly. The ride didn't take anymore than ten minutes, she was early. She'd have plenty of time to pick up books and get a feel on where everything was.

"Bye sweety, see you tonight!" her dad yelled out the window as her mother waved.

"Have a good day honey!" her mother shouted before her father rolled the window back up and drow of.

She turned around and looked at the gloomy building that was Forks High. Clutching her messenger bag she started walking into the building. Everything was quiet, almost no one was around yet. She saw a couple of teacher-looking personas pass her as she walked to the secretary's office, maybe a student or two. She gently pushed the door open and stepped inside the small office, pulling down her heaphones. She looked around for a minute before she was interrupted by a commanding female voice.

"Can I help you dear?".

She looked over a counter full of paper and saw a grey haired, short woman amidst the organised chaos.

"Uhm, yes, I-uh just transfered from Alaska?" she stuttered, not completely prepared for the small womans appearence.

"Ah, you're-" she shuffled some papers around, "-ah yes, Talae Littlecreek then?".

"Yes, thats me..." she adjusted the shoulder strap.

"Here, you'll have to go to the book depot to get your books -here's the note-, this is your class schedule and a map. We can't have you get lost on your first day", she said as she handed Talae a few papers, "Oh, and here's your student ID".

She looked at the picture and cringed. Oh well, it could have been worse. "Thank you Mrs...-"she looked at the small namesign on the counter, "Mrs Cope". She smiled at the old lady before she turned around and walked out the office.

As the office door closed behind her with a click she pulled out her phone to look at the time. She still had half an hour before first bell so she looked at the map she was given and quickly located the book depot. She put her headphones back on and started down the hallway.

She got her books and managed to put them in her locker with ten minutes to spare. She looked over her class schedule and went to find her first class; english with Mr. Mason. Her stride there was leisurely as she took in her surroundings, willing her mind to memorize it all so she could ditch the stupid map sooner. More student filled the hallways now and the noice increased very noticeably. She found the classroom with ease. Trying to figure out where to sit was the next mission. There was a couple of seats empty, plus a few tables completely deserted. There were chairs available next to a jock-looking guy and a cheerleader at her right, and a nerdy boy and a spacy girl on her left. Her first instinct was to go to the tables all the way in the back and sit alone like she'd used to. But she reminded herself that this was a new life, a fresh start, and damn it all if she was going to fall into her old ways. She took a deep breath and took the seat next to the spacer, who was entirely too preoccupied looking out the window to notice Talae sitting down next to her.

A couple of heads in the classroom turned as she sat in the plastically uncomfortable chair, and a few lingered when she'd settle down. She was new afterall, new things have to be examined. She tried to ignore it, refusing to look anybody in the eye, just trying to focus on getting ready for class. Disturbed's "Voices" was playing rather loudly in her ears and as she pulled the headphones off her head, seriously doubting sitting with them on in class would make her popular with the teacher, the girl next to her finally gave a few life signs. As Talae turned off the music, the girl sighed and turned her head back to the front. She had a stoned smile and heavy eyelids as she rested her chin in her hand. Talae raised an eyebrow at her as she wrapped up the wires, so they'd fit neatly into their compartment in her bag. This girl is spaaaaaaced...

The girl lazily let her head fall to the side and looked at her new table-buddy. She looked Talae right in the eye and said with a giddy, sluggish voice, "Don't you just love sunshine? It's so... bright... and beamy". It was a rare sight in Forks, but yes, the sun was out that day.

Is she high? was all that ran through Talaes mind as her eyebrow remained raised at the perculiar girl, who seemed to be flying as high as a kite.

Her eyes rolled upwards for a moment as she sighed. Then she turned her gaze at Talae again.

"You're new right?", she was still smiling that goofy smile, like she had no care in the world.

"Yeah..." she hesitated for a second, then slowly stuck out her hand for the girl to shake, "I'm Talae".

Her smile widened and she took the extended hand and shook it twice, then held it for a good, uncomfortably long time. Talae wondered briefly if she'd spaced out again, but she regained focus and let go off her hand, "Hi Talae, I'm Sunday, but you can call me Sunny" she said, as a-matter-of-fact-ly, "wow, you're hot".

Talae couldn't help but smile at her, knowing she meant her body temperature. She wished she could've had the same outlook on life that this girl apparently had.

"Sunny, and you like sunshine..." Talae mused as a small smile grazed her face. Sunday had long, golden curls cascading down her back. She had a cute button nose and petite, rosy lips. Even thought her eyeslids seemed to be constantly half closed, her shiny, deep blue eyes shone through easily. Her body was thinnish and she had sun-kissed skin. She had on a long soft brown skirt that reached her ankles and a black hoodie with a front pocket. And flipflops. In january. With snow.

And she smelled of honey... And beer... Maybe she was drunk, not high.

"Why do you smell like beer?" Talae blurted out, without thinking, but managing to keep on the down low, avoiding weird stares and whispers.

Sunday chuckled, "It's my homemade hair remedy, you like it? It's got beer, and honey, and jojoba oil and aloe and stuff". She flipped her hair and a whiff of mostly honey and beer hit her senses again. It was kind of nice, honey with the beer. The alcohol wasn't overpowering with the sweet smell accompanying it.

"It's nice", she admitted, twirling her own dark hair around her finger. She had a few split-ends and the tips were dry-ish, but she liked her hair. Sundays, however, looked like a cover from Vogue.

"You could try it, if you want to get rid of those dry tips", she said smiling, looking slightly more awake.

"Maybe. Thank you" Talae smiled back, then settled down as the teacher walked in.

"Good morning class" he said setting his things down.

"Good morning Mr. Mason", was murmured throughout the room.

"So, I see we have a new student today. Ms. Littlecreek?" he stated, looking up from a piece of paper, that no doubt just informed him of her arrival.

She sighed and raised her hand, "Here sir".

He looked her over, "Well, stand up and introduce yourself".

Oh, he was going to be one of those, huh? Great.

She reluctantly stood. "Hi, I'm Talae" she said with a small wave. She earned a few stares, a few smiles and a whole lot of indifferent glances.

"It says here you came from up in Anchorage, that right?".

"Yessir, correct-o. Though I come in peace", she said with a small smile and did the "Live long and prosper"-greeting. She heard a few amused snorts and a giggle from Sunday.

"Uhuh", he looked at her skeptically, "you may sit down".

She sat down quickly, Sunday nudged her side, "I think he likes you". She giggled and Talae looked at her as if she'd grown a second head.

"What?" was the only thing she could think of.

Sunday giggled again, "Relax, I'm pulling ya leg".

Class went by as fast as classes normally go by. Boring and way too long. But Sunday provided excellent comedy relief and Talae wished she could have her by her side all day. She was nice, she didn't seem to have one mean bone in her body. Okay, she was a bit on the hippie side, but she was really sweet and funny. And smelled of beer.

The bell rang, not too soon, and people trudged out the room. She got outside the door and stepped over to lean against the wall so she could access her path to her next class.

"What classes do you have?". Sunday leaned against the wall next to her.

"Uhm, I have art next", she said looking at her schedule.

"Cool, me too! With Mrs. Lewis right?" Sunday took the schedule out of her hands and studied it briefly, "Oh my god, we have like, four classes together! Awesome!". She gave her a sideways hug before taking her hand and dragging her towards the next period's classroom.

Talae smiled. At least she wasn't going to be lonely half the day. They also had AP Biology together and managed to make lab-partners.

They sat together at lunch, with a couple of Sunday's other friends, two guys and two girls, Caleb, Jack, Candy and Jennifer. Caleb had short, black hair that clashed with his pale complexion, but he was a cute boy nonetheless. Jack was almost the complete opposite, with tanned skin and dirty blonde hair, very surfer. Candy lived true to her name, platinum blonde, straight hair with a streak of pink and hiding behind a pair of candycane-colored glasses hid a pair of bright hazel eyes. Jennifer was of asian descent with black, long hair and dark eyes and smooth skin, sporting a casual school-uniform outfit. They were nice, upbeat and weird like Sunday and she found herself liking their company. She stuck like glue to Sunny though, and Sunny didn't seem to mind, she seemed rather happy about it. It was like the connection she had with Leah, that sisterly vibe. She felt wanted and cared for in Sundays presence. It was out of the ordinary and... nice.

In 6th period's P.E. she excelled in track, which was really not surprising, and the coach urged her to try out for the track team. She really wanted to be on the football team though, but since they didn't have a girls team and even though making the guys team wouldn't be hard with her assets, she tossed that idea, thinking it was better not to get involved in any physical sports. She might break a few bones. On the other team that is. She also kindly declined the track team, thinking it was better to have more free time for patrols.

Patrols.

Pack.

Jacob.

She smiled unconsciounsly as she tapped her pencil, not listening to her 7th period's psychology teacher anymore. The ache that settled itself in her body that day she met him had not subsided, and it fluttered delighted at the thought of him. She was confused beyond explanation at her sudden borderline obsession about her Alpha.

"Talae, you coming? Hello?" Sundays voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

"Huh?".

"The bell just rang, we're off! How did you not hear that?".

"Oh. Yeah, I'm coming". She gathered her stuff and walked side by side with Sunday to the parking lot.

"So, I was thinking maybe we could hang out some time this week and get started on that psych poster?" Sunday asked, flipping a stray piece of hair.

"Yeah, sure, here's my cell number, just text me with a time and we'll do it" she smiled, taking Sundays hand and scribbling her number on the backside.

She smiled, "Cool".

A whiff of testosteron and forest with a hint of something indescribable drifted past her nose and she turned her head to see Jacob leaning against a car, arms crossed, on the far side of the parking lot. She smiled and gave him a small wave which he returned.

"Boyfriend?" Sunday asked, glancing at Jacobs form, clearly checking him out.

Talae's lip twitched unwillingly and she stiffled a possesive growl. She mentally slapped herself. She's your friend, don't rip her to pieces 'cause she stared at a guy you like.. know, I meant know. Dammit.

"Nah, just a.. friend", she breathed, nervously adjusting the shoulder strap of her bag.

"Ahaha, not with the way he's looking at you", she grinned and nudged Talae's shoulder. She blushed furiously and muttered a "shut up". "Anyway, I'll text ya later, bye!". Sunday skipped over to Jack and Candy and they all boarded a red Ford and drove away.

She sighed, convinced that Jacob had heard the whole thing, and grudgingly made her way towards him. Stupid wolf senses.

"Hey", he laughed, unfolding his arms. He surprised her when he gave her a one-armed hug. Oh god, he smells so good... She blushed and smiled, extremely happy the telepathy thing only worked when phased.

"Hey back" she said still smiling.

He opened the passengers door very gallantly for her, grinning, "Mi lady".

She snorted and took the seat offered. He soon lowered himself into the driver's seat and reved the engine, "Who's your new friend?" he smiled.

Her eye twitched. He had heard. Son of a...

"Sunday. She's sweet. And smells of beer" she grinned, remembering the sweet smell of her hair.

"That was her? I thought it was one of the teachers or something" he laughed, "Why?"

"Why does she smell of beer? Well, her hair of course", she stated, earning a raised eyebrow and a gesture to elaborate, "she makes her own hair conditioner with honey and beer and stuff. Apparently beer is a profound remedy for hair. She's kinda hippie".

"Ah, I see. I think..." he chuckled, changing gears.

"I think it smells nice", she said, crossing her arms defiantly.

"Well, you're wierd, so" he laughed as she punched his shoulder, "Hey, weird is good". He sent a fond look her way and she had to look away, blushing.

She frowned, remembering her childhood and early teen years, where the word 'weird' often were accompanied by "freak" and "bitch" and other colorful and hurtful words.

"Not always" she murmured, staring out the window.

Jacob noticed her sudden change in mood and laid a comforting hand on her knee. She turned to look at him and a lump formed in his throat when he saw her pained expression. He gave her a reassuring smile. She felt him lightly squeeze her knee, and gave him a sad smile.

"Cheer up buttercup, I got something you might like", he pulled out a CD and put it in the stereo. She stared at him curiously until Linkin Park's "Papercut" started playing. She grinned and started tapping her fingers to the beat.

"You got Hybrid Theory? I didn't know you liked this kind of music".

"Are you kidding, who doesn't like Linkin Park?" he smirked.

"True", she smiled and wrapped her arm around his neck, and careful not to take his eyes off the road, she brought his cheek down and kissed it, then released him, "Thank you".

He chuckled and turned to volume higher.

Review, pwease! Spank you!