Landslide

Chapter Seven

Leah's point of view

It had been a week since Jacob had essentially asked me to be his girlfriend. Really, nothing had changed if I was being honest with myself. You would think after that kind of talk, where you both decided to 'try a relationship' that everything would be rainbows and butterflies, but I was still cautious about indulging in any sort of relationship with Jacob. When I told him I hadn't known if I even wanted to feel this way about someone, I was being honest. It was a big step for me to be with someone that wasn't Sam because even with this new feelings, I knew there would always be a part of me that still loved Sam and another part of me that was scared to be hurt in the same way. I guess that was fair considering if we did manage to further our relationship and Jacob did fight the imprint, there would also always be a part of him that loved Renesmee. I didn't scowl when I thought about the small girl, anymore, though. Progress at it's finest.

Ever since Jacob and I decided to try and make this work, as apprehensive as we both were, things had been... Well, easier. He held my hand sometimes, when we were alone and I wasn't expecting it. We decided to keep this information from the others as best we could until we really decided that this was what we were going to do; if it would work. Nevertheless, I knew it was only a matter of time – days, even – until one of us slipped up in wolf form and Seth, Embry and Quil found out. After that, the others would know immediately I was sure.

I sat outside the Cullen's house, on the steps with Quil and Embry as Jacob and Seth went inside to see if there was any new information about the newcomers. We hadn't found anything so far, but as far as I knew, Alice was still intent on them making their way to Forks. If she was right, they would be here in a matter of days. Really, they should have already been here. The pixie-vampire had no knowledge of why they hadn't already arrived but continued to insist that she saw them. I was beginning to doubt her visions, but I knew we couldn't get sloppy, either. The Cullen's took the day time patrol, now, and we took the night time. Unless it was unusually sunny, then Jacob told them we would switch.

"Should we go inside and see what's taking them so long?" Quil asked openly.

Embry shrugged, "I'm going to take a nap on their porch in a second, so I hope they hurry it up."

Quil and Embry had the last shift and had only just gotten off so they were definitely complaining more than usual from lack of sleep.

I smirked but nodded. "I hate the night patrol, too. It's so much easier to sleep in the dark."

Quil snorted, "No arguing there, Clearwater."

"I guess it just takes some getting used to," we heard a new voice behind us; Seth.

"Any news?" Embry asked as we turned to my little brother.

"Jacob's inside saying goodbye to Renesmee, then he'll be out to explain. But nothing really," Seth explained.

I wasn't as jealous as I would have been last week at the thought of Jacob saying goodbye to Renesmee. I knew at the end of our night patrols when we were together he hugged me tightly - intimately, that he was trying, and although we hadn't kissed since that time in his room, I was content with the closeness we'd achieved through that hug alone. We hadn't really spoke about us since the that we decided to try it, but I knew it both loomed in our minds a lot. Sometimes I felt like he seemed to be walking on eggshells around me, though, and I didn't like that.

To my surprise, Jacob came out with Renesmee. He gave me an apologetic look. "Edward and Bella needed to hunt so I volunteered to take Renesmee while Esme, Carlisle and Blondie and Emmett were on patrol. The future seeing one is being told to stay at home in case she gets anymore epic revelations," Jacob said, half sarcastically.

"As long as we get to sleep now," Quil said. "I don't care who you bring home."

Jake rolled his eyes, and Renesmee held his hand in a child-like way, staying silent. She wasn't too familiar with the rest of us even though we lived close by. Obviously her closeness to Jacob was because of the imprint but aside from her occasional conversations with Seth, that was about all interaction she had with the wolves.

"I like Aunt Rose's blond hair," Renesmee told Jacob softly after hearing his 'blondie' reference. "I wish I had hair like her."

Jacob chuckled and looked down at her. "Your hair's nice, Ness."

She smiled up at him and I turned away. Okay, time to go home. I had only patrolled from 10PM-3AM with Seth, so I had gotten some sleep before this beautiful outing to the Cullen's, but I would still rather catch up on shut-eye before watching Jacob's imprint taunting me.

"You can ride on Jake's back, Ness," Seth said before we all started home, having phased.

I was successful in keeping my thoughts in line, and I could tell Jacob was trying to, too. It was kind of exhausting to have to try so hard, honestly. I quickly dismissed that thought, however, and mindlessly tried to identify all the trees passing by.

You're wrong, Embry thought loud and clear.

Huh?

It's a Native Coniferous! He replied proudly.

Whatever, I responded, rolling my eyes as best I could in my wolf form.

Jacob chuckled, and finally, we were able to change back into our human forms. I didn't waste any time in getting out of their heads, and quickly pulled my newer brown dress over my head. It was nothing special, just an easy way in and out of clothes for quick phasing, but the neckline was low-cut and had a lighter brown band across the mid-section, stopping at my knees. It was nicer than the rest of my phasing dresses, but it still worked. I didn't stick around to watch Jacob and Nessie. Instead, I went upstairs into my room. I had been looking into dance classes the past couple days. I promised Jacob I would look into something that gave me an outlet for my feelings and I decided I didn't need meditation or self-defense classes. I decided dance classes would be a better way to express my feelings.

I called the studio I liked the most. It was close by, but still a little drive. A female answered. "Hello?"

"Hi, I was wondering how I could go about registering for one of your dance classes?"

"Which category, miss?"

"Uh..." I hadn't thought that far ahead. "Which ones are open?"

"Hip-hop, ballet and contemporary."

I definitely wasn't becoming a ballerina, but the last one caught my attention. "Contemporary."

"The classes start tomorrow, but there's still two spots open if you're interested."

"Definitely, sign me up."

"Name?"

"Leah Clearwater."

We finished up with the formalities and she told me to be at the studio at 4PM tomorrow afternoon for the start of the group lessons. I was informed that the solo-lessons would be distributed by both emerging talent and the willingness to learn after we got comfortable with the style. Only a few students were lucky enough to be accepted into the solo-lessons and usually they were in large productions in Seattle once a year. I wasn't looking to become famous, though and I tuned the majority of it out. I just wanted something to channel my energy into.

I left my room and went downstairs to get a beer. Jacob and Renesmee were in the living room watching TV.

"Hey Lee," Jake said softly. "The guys are gone for a run, I don't know if you wanted to join them. I went up to ask but I heard you on the phone so I didn't want to interrupt."

"I'll stick around here," I said lamely. "Uh, actually, I was wondering if you could do me a favor?"

He looked at me, his brow furrowed. "What is it?"

"Well... I know I'm supposed to take the evening shift tomorrow but could I maybe take the late night one instead?"

"What's up?"

I hesitated and decided I wanted to keep this to myself for a while. "Well I signed up for these... Uh, meditation classes; yoga and stuff, that we were talking about, and they start tomorrow at 4 and I'm not sure how long it's going to run."

Jacob smiled. "Of course," he said compassionately. I could see in his eyes that he was glad I was taking this step.

Later that evening, when Renesmee had to be returned home, I offered to bring her. Jacob had been confused, but he stayed back with the guys. I had my own motives, though; I needed dance clothes and if anyone had everything you could ask for in a closet, it was Alice and Rosalie. I wasn't really on speaking terms with Alice, but Rosalie and I had some sort of... common understanding. It was silent on the way home, and once we got to the Cullen house and I phased back, Renesmee jumped into her parents arms, and they directed me up to Rosalie's room.

I knocked hesitantly on the door.

"Come in," she called.

I opened the door and hovered in the doorway. "Hey," I said awkwardly.

Rosalie was doing her make-up in the vanity. She turned when she heard my voice, though, and raised a brow. I was sure she smelled me as soon as I stepped into the house, but she wasn't expecting to see me. "Leah, what's up?"

"I, uh, well I was wondering if you had any.. dance clothes. For like, contemporary."

Since changing into a gigantic wolf, I never had much of a closet anymore.

Rosalie nodded. "Of course," she said, getting up from the vanity. "You're joining dance?"

"I think so, yeah. Just don't tell the guys, I don't really want them to know."

She shrugged, "My lips are sealed."

She dug in her closet and eventually picked out a couple pairs of stretchy shorts with a blue band around the waist and some stretchy, black tank-tops and t-shirts. "Good?"

I nodded. "Perfect, thank you."

"No problem, if you need anything else, I've got ballet shoes and stuff there too. You look like you're about my size."

I thanked her again before leaving, and going back to the house.

"Hey Lee," Seth called as I walked in the door. "Wanna play cards with us?"

The Cullen's took patrol tonight, and all the guys were sitting around the table with a deck of cards. "Sure."

"So," Embry said as they counted me in. "Poker?"

"You always lose at poker," Jake pointed out.

"Not always," he retorted. "Maybe this is the time I'll beat you, Black."

Jacob snorted. "I don't think so, but poker it is."

Seth distributed the chips and the game kick-started.

We played well into the night until Jacob occupied most of the chips, as was predicted, and I couldn't remember how many drinks I had. We were all laughing and carry on, like a true family would and I began to have a new appreciation for my brothers.

Finally, as we all got up from the table, and my head whooshed, I stumbled, laughing, and Jacob caught me. Quil and Embry went over to watch TV, with Seth, and Jacob chuckled, helping me upright. The guys were all laughing loudly and obnoxiously at something that I would bet wasn't all that funny. The alcohol had affected them, too. Jacob's scent was intoxicating and I felt myself succumbing to the arms wrapped around me. I turned to face him, and leaned up, brushing my lips to his when the others weren't looking. My head was foggy and I could only see Jacob.

He looked down at me, equally as fascinated. Maybe those last few drinks hadn't been a good idea, I thought, but quickly threw that idea away when Jacob took my hand and started leading me upstairs. His bedroom found us quickly and he pushed me back onto the bed, climbing on top of me. The kissing started right away, and I couldn't help myself. It was all I could remember, the alcohol swimming over me, and when we passed out together, in his bed, I didn't expect to wake up to what I did.

When my eyes groggily opened, and I felt my stomach churn, unhappy with me from the night before, I rolled over and groaned. However, I didn't expect to roll on top of Jacob Black's naked body with, well, my own naked body.

"Oh shit..."

I looked down, analyzing the situation. Surely that didn't happen... Surely... He was still asleep and the innocent look on his face made me believe that I wanted to; this was all a huge misunderstanding. Did I sleep with Jacob Black the night before... My head was spinning and I felt sick, but not because of the hangover anymore. I slept with Jacob Black...

No. It couldn't be true. There was some other logical explanation how I ended up in Jacob's bed. There had to bed. However, no matter how hard I tried to believe the words, I couldn't and as I stretched, I felt my sweet spot tinge with a slight ache. I wasn't used to sex anymore after almost two years of not having it... Was that confirmation of what happened the night before?

"Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit..."

Did the guys know!? What would happen now! Jacob would hate me...

He stirred beside me, and I cursed. Did I wake him? What would happen now?

He stretched slightly, and rubbed his eyes before opening them. The blankets were only half-draped over our legs, not covering anything and once he opened his eyes, and saw his compromising position, his brow furrowed, and then he looked at me.

"Leah..." He looked at my body, which I now had covered with a sheet. A see-through sheet, at that. I saw realization flash in his eyes, and they went wide. "Last night..."

"Did it actually happen..."

Jacob sat up, pulling the blankets over his manhood and ran a hand through his hair. "... I... I only remember parts." He leaned back against the headboard. "God... Did we... I mean... Did we really do that..." I frowned, wondering how much he regretted the night before. Not that I could say much considering I couldn't remember any of it after losing the first poker game.

Then, a knock came on the door. "Shit, shit, shit..."

Jacob looked at me, panicked and sighed. He grabbed a robe from the nearby chair and threw it to me. "Put this on." He grabbed his boxers from the floor after looking for a minute, and then went to get the door.

"Hey man," Quil said, pushing past and entering before Jacob got a chance to step in front of him.

As soon as he saw the messed up bed, and well, me in it, he froze. "Uh... What..."

"We'll talk later," Jacob said hurriedly. "Look man,"

"Dude, you guys..."

Jacob gulped, looking over at me. "I think so."

Authors Note: So I know there's not a /whole/ lot of action in this chapter but it's been so long since I updated! I had a recent trip to Europe then grad and now exams so sorry for the delay! The Summer will definitely give me the inspiration and time I need to continue! Reviews are appreciated, as always!
-Dramaticfield