A Reason To Smile

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Twilight characters or anything Twilight related.

In The Other Half, Lucas thinks Krystal was avoiding him but Krystal believes the other way. Let's hear it from her side.

Chapter 16 – Miscommunication & Healing

Krystal's POV

Two weeks has passed since my dad's funeral and it's now the first week of November. Things haven't really been the same. Miley is still reported missing and hasn't been in school, not that anyone's been complaining. School has been in much better spirits now a day since her absence. She isn't the only one that is missing.

I heard on the news that many other people have mysteriously disappeared. I wondered what's causing all these disappearances. Alice is trying her best to see it but lately her visions have been, I don't know… confusing like she's been giving false information or something.

Lately there haven't been any signs for that vampire that is after me. The Cullens have been taking turns patrolling their side of the area while protecting me while Jacob and his tribe did the same on theirs. I did felt safe with all this protection but there was one thing I'm not happy about. Lucas.

After my dad's funeral, Lucas has been different. How different you ask? He wouldn't talk to me to ask what's wrong, he isn't there to comfort me and won't come near me. What gives? Why is he avoiding me? Doesn't he know that when your girlfriend loses someone very close to you, you're supposed to be there by her side trying your best to soothe them? Doesn't Lucas know that I need him? I thought he loves me so why is it that he refuses to talk to me? How can he behave like such a jerk?

"Krystal?"

I was on my bed near the headboard with my knees to my chest when I looked at my door to see Rosalie and Bella standing there.

"Are you okay?" Bella asked as she and Rosalie sat down on my bed.

"No, I'm not." I said.

"Hey," Rosalie said coming to my side and rubbed my back. "I know you miss your dad and that it hurts so much to lose him,"

"It's not that." I said.

"Krystal, you don't have to worry about the vampire that's after you," Bella said. "We got this under control. Jacob and his pack are patrolling and we have Edward's mind reading, Alice's visions and Lucas's aura to give us the upper hand."

At the mention of Lucas's name, I snapped. "That's not it either."

"Well then what is it?" Bella asked.

"Lucas!" I said as I grabbed one of my pillows and threw across the room hard startling Bella and Rosalie. "Lucas is what's wrong!"

"What happened? Did you two get in a fight?" Rosalie asked.

"No."

"Then what's the problem?"

"You ask him." I said. "He wouldn't talk to me, comfort me and he's been acting like a total ass for not being here when I needed him."

When I finished explaining to them, Rosalie and Bella looked at each other in surprised and confusion then turned to me.

"You're saying Lucas has been avoiding you?" Bella asked.

"Yeah, why?" I asked looking at them back and forth.

"Krystal, I think you and Lucas need to talk it out." Bella said. "There might have been some misunderstanding."

"What do you mean?"

"You should talk to Lucas and find out yourself." Rosalie said and she and Bella got up and left my room leaving me confused.

Talk it out? How are we gonna talk it out if Lucas refuses to speak to me? I'm just so upset at him for his childlike behavior. If they think Lucas and I are gonna talk it out and I hear Lucas coming up with a stupid reason why he's been avoiding me I'm gonna –

"Krystal?"

I looked up to see Lucas standing at my doorway. I'm guessing Bella and Rosalie knock some sense into him.

"What do you want?" I asked all annoyed.

"Can we talk?" Lucas asked. Oh so now he wants to talk? Well he should've done that earlier when I needed him.

"What about?" I asked.

"I don't know, anything at least." Lucas said. "It's just… for the past two weeks whenever we're together, you keep a piece of yourself hidden. That beautiful smile and laugh, that amazing sense of humor, it's just… I feel like you're slipping away from me, closing yourself off. You never speak to me whenever I try to talk to you making sure that you're okay."

What? He's been talking to me all this time? How could I not notice? I never once heard from him or felt his presence. I was about to say something when Lucas held his hand up to stop me.

"I assume you would say that you didn't know I was there." Lucas said. "If that's the case then why is it that you're comfortable around everyone but me?"

I tried to remember back when he asked me that question. I have been talking to everyone else casually but what's that got to do with what we're talking about?

"You've never been bothered whenever you talk to them but with me it's completely the opposite." Is it me or does Lucas sound like his voice is hurt with agony. "You never speak to me when I speak to you, you never respond when I hold your hand for comfort or such or even look me in the eye."

My heart started aching to what he said next.

"Krystal, am I hurting you whenever you see me?" Lucas asked sounding more broken. "Is seeing me too painful for you?"

"W-What are you saying?" I asked softly holding back a sob, trying to calm down.

"I may have almost died but I want to know what's wrong Krystal, I want to be there for you, I want to be the shoulder for you to cry on because it's killing me that you're not letting me in." Lucas said. "I just want to know if you need me."

I just sat there like I've been slapped in the face. I tried to find my breath. All I wanted was to be able to breathe normally. All this time I thought Lucas has been avoiding me but this whole time it was me. I pushed Lucas away unaware he was with me this entire time. I've broken Lucas.

Lucas turned around to leave my room. No! I jumped right out of bed and Lucas just turned around to see me running into his arms that caught me, as I hugged him and buried my head in his chest sobbing.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry Lucas." I cried as Lucas hugged me tightly. "I never meant to push you away. I didn't mean to hurt you."

"I know you didn't." Lucas said softly as I continued sobbing. Lucas let go of me only to cup my face in his hands. "I know it must have been hard losing the people you love. I know because I've been through the same thing when I lost mine. You should know however that I will always be there for you. I do this because I love you Krystal."

"I love you too Lucas." I said tearfully with a smile, the first time I've done in the last two weeks. Next thing I knew was that our lips met. I forgot what it was like kissing Lucas. His cold lips against my warm ones were blissful. After what felt like forever, we broke apart.

"So," Lucas finally said wiping my tears. "Do you want to do something? Just to get your mind off of things."

"Like what?" I asked.

"I know what we could do."

Lucas and I turned to see Nessie standing by the door.

"Have you been eavesdropping?" Lucas asked eyeing her suspiciously.

"No." Nessie said slowly. That's an obvious lie there.

"Okay, then what do you suggest we do?" Lucas asked.

"I'm spending time with Jacob and his friends at La Push tomorrow. You guys should come." Nessie said excitedly.

"What do you think?" Lucas asked me. "We haven't been there in awhile."

"Sure." I shrugged. "It sounds fun."

"Hey, why don't you invite your friends along? I'm sure they'd love to come." Lucas asked.

My face fell at his suggestion. I haven't talk to my friends for awhile since my dad's funeral. They probably hate me by now.

Lucas stroked my face and said, "I know they miss you and I'm sure they still care about you."

I nodded and went to my phone and nervously dialed Carly's number hoping that's still her number.

"Hello?" Carly answered after three rings.

"Hey Carly, it's me, Krystal." I said.

"Krystal," She sounds a bit uncomfortable. Oh no here it comes. "Um, how are you doing?"

"O-Okay." I said. I looked at Lucas who is listening to the conversation.

"You can do it Krystal." Lucas whispered in my ear. "Just tell them. Everything will be alright."

"Krystal?"

I nodded my head and spoke on the phone.

"Listen Carly," I said. "I'm… I'm really sorry that we haven't talked in awhile, but I really miss seeing you, Nathan and Danielle like a lot. I know you guys are mad at me and I don't blame you but I just wanna tell you that. You guys are my best friends and I don't know what I would do without you guys. I just hope in time you will all forgive me for how I've been acting and again I'm sorry." I finished with tears coming out.

"Of course we forgive you!" I was surprised to hear Danielle talking in tears. I guess I'm on speaker when I heard Nathan spoke.

"We miss you too Krystal." He said. "We don't blame you for how you've been acting for the past two weeks. It's just been awkward without you especially dealing with these two lunatics. OW!" I laughed as someone hit Nathan.

"We understand that you had it rough after losing your dad. We're really sorry for that." Carly said. "We were just worried about you. Just know that no matter what, you'll always be our best friend."

"I love you guys." I said as I wiped my tears.

"We love you too Krystal." I smiled at their words.

"So why do I get the feeling you didn't call us just to apologize?" Carly asked.

I chuckled. "Nessie is spending the day at La Push with Jacob and his friends tomorrow. She invited me and Lucas along and I was wondering if you guys want to join us."

I heard Danielle squealing. "Anything that involves cute boys, count me in!"

"As long as I get to make some male friends, I'm down." Nathan said.

I heard Carly laughing as she said, "We'll be there. See you then."

"Bye." We hung up after and I let out a breath of relief.

"I told you." Lucas said.

"You sure know how to understand people." I said.

"I've been in the same boat like you with my friends." Lucas said. "The only difference is that I snapped and I let my anger out on my buddy Matt but that's not point. Friends understand how one person's pain is everybody's pain. We're all like one person."

I smiled at Lucas's wisdom. I'm glad Lucas and I talked it all out after some miscommunication. I'm starting to feel myself healing inside like I'm about to get back on my feet. I think it's time to close this chapter and open the next one to a new life.

Saturday is a perfect partly cloudy; a perfect day to spend the day at La Push. Nessie, Lucas and I walked to La Push with Jacob allowing us to come on their land since he's the Alpha. We arrived at the beach where Jacob, Quil, Seth, Leah and Embry are waiting for us.

"Hey you guys." Jacob said as he hugged Nessie with one arm and gave Lucas a high five with the other.

"Hey." Lucas said. "Before we do anything, have you got any updates?"

"Nothing unusual." Seth said.

"Don't worry about us. Sam and his pack are patrolling right now giving us time off." Leah said.

"So come on, let's have so fun." Quil said.

"Where are these 'friends' you been telling us about?" Embry asked me.

There was a honk and we turned to see Nathan's silver Audi parked near the beach.

"That would be them." I said. "Hey guys."

"Krystal!" They cried as they came over to me and hugged me like crazy.

"So good to see you again!" Carly cried.

"I missed you girlfriend!" Danielle cried.

"What they said." Nathan said.

"Hey guys." Lucas said to them as they replied back. "Well I think introductions are in order. You three probably know my sister Nessie. That's Jacob, her boyfriend, Quil, Embry, Leah and her brother Seth. Guys these are Krystal's friends; Carly, Nathan and Danielle."

"Hi." They said in unison.

When everyone greeted each other, I saw Leah, Seth and Embry all frozen. They look like they're staring at something. I looked at where they're staring at to see their eyes on Nathan, Carly and Danielle who appears to be staring at them as well. What's going on? I turned when I heard Jacob laughing. What's so funny? I looked at Quil and Nessie who were confused and then Lucas who had realization look on his face.

Lucas elbowed Jacob and asked while pointing, "Did those three,"

"Yeah, they imprinted." Jacob said. They what?

"Say what!" Quil asked in surprised looking at Jacob and Lucas then at the group. Yeah, what?

"Oh my gosh, who?" Nessie asked trying to hold her squeal. Who what?

"Well obviously Leah and Nathan. Then there's Seth and Carly and Embry and Danielle." Jacob said. Quil and Nessie couldn't stop smiling. Okay what?

"Talk about a triple whoa." Lucas said.

"Huh?" I asked. What did they know that I don't? I don't like being left out here.

"Oh right, you don't know about imprinting." Lucas said slapping his forehead. "You see imprinting is how a werewolf finds their mate."

My eyes widened in surprised at what I'm hearing. "Really? Oh my gosh! So are you saying that –?"

"Yeah, your friends and my friends will be together." Lucas said. "I forgot to tell you that that is the reason why my family and Jacob's tribe aren't feuding. Jacob imprinted on Nessie and whoever the wolf imprints can't be harmed."

I couldn't stop smiling as I watched Leah, Seth and Embry in a conversation with my friends, their lovers. I joined my friends, who had a dazed look on their faces, afterwards while Jacob, Nessie and Lucas dragged Seth, Leah and Embry away for a moment.

"Hello," I laughed waving at my friends' faces. "Anyone in there?"

"What?" Danielle asked blushing. "I like him." She said that part quietly.

"You say that about every boy you meet." I teased.

"Yeah but he's different." Danielle said. "He's not like any guy I've met."

"I met a lot of beautiful girls before but Leah is by far the most beautiful girl I've ever seen." Nathan said not taking his eyes off her.

"And Seth, I don't know how to describe it, but it's like I'm being drawn to him, almost like love at first sight." Carly said with a dreamy look on her face.

I couldn't help but giggle. "There's more to them than you guys think."

Next minute, Danielle attacked me with a hug.

"Have I ever told you how much I love you?!" She asked squealing.

"Thousands of times." I laughed.

We spent the rest of the afternoon hanging out, playing soccer and messing around in the waves. I haven't had this much fun in awhile. It feels good to just let lose, have no worries and just enjoy the time with friends. Speaking of friends; Seth, Leah and Embry wouldn't leave my friends' side the whole time. They're really getting along now.

We are now sitting in the sand watching the waves. I leaned on Lucas's shoulder as his arm wrapped around me. Gosh I missed this feeling of being close to Lucas. I saw how close Seth, Carly, Leah, Nathan, Embry and Danielle are together. This is perfect. How could this get any better?

"Um Nathan, there's something I need to tell you before we do anything." Leah said to him.

Nathan was confused until Embry said, "Yeah there's something I need to you too Danielle."

"Me too." Seth said to Carly. My friends got up all confused when the others stood and faced them.

I looked at Lucas and the others asking what they're doing.

"They're gonna show their imprints their wolf forms and explained to them about our legends." Jacob said.

Wow, this is gonna be my first time seeing someone transform into a wolf. I watched as suddenly, Seth, Leah and Embry transformed into huge wolves; Seth a sandy colored, Leah a smallish grey one and Embry grey with black spots.

"What the!" Nathan panicked taking a few steps back as Carly and Danielle came to his side.

"Guys chill out, it's alright." Lucas said as the wolves howled.

"Wait you guys knew about this?!" Danielle asked them.

"Yeah." Nessie said.

"How long have you known about this?" Carly asked me.

"About a month." I said.

"And you didn't tell us about it?!" Carly asked.

"There are reasons for it." I said.

Nathan looked at me and then at Lucas and the others. "You guys don't turn into an animal too do you?" he asked nervously.

"Jacob and Quil can but not me and Nessie." Lucas said.

"Then how do you know all this?" Nathan asked.

Jacob and Quil started explaining to them about their legends. They told my friends that they are shape shifters and they protect humans from vampires.

"V-Vampires?" Danielle stuttered apparently surprised.

"Yep, like me and Nessie." Lucas said.

"You two are vampires?!" Carly asked while Danielle and Nathan's mouth were hanging open.

"Yeah and so is the rest of our family." Nessie said.

"That would explain why you guys don't eat." Nathan said. "Wait a minute you guys drink blood!" All three of their eyes widened in horror. Okay that's not good.

"Our family is different than the others." Lucas quickly said. "We survive on animal blood."

They took a breath a relief. "Hold on, Nessie eats like us." Danielle said.

"She's half-human and half-vampire. Born when Bella was still human and Edward was a vampire at that time." Lucas explained.

"Bella and Edward are your parents?!" Nathan asked Nessie. He looks like he's about to faint. I couldn't help but laugh. This is definitely gonna take some getting used to for them.

"We'll explain it another time." I said. Everyone else seems to agree since it's gonna take a lot to take in.

"So why are you guys telling us this?" Carly asked looking at Seth who along with Leah and Embry is still in their wolf form.

"Because they imprinted on you guys, meaning that they are in love you." Jacob explained.

Seth approached Carly carefully and nudged her with his nose. Carly laughed nervously and touched his fur with her hands. Danielle slowly walked over to Embry and did the same thing.

"I already love him even before I knew." She said happily causing Embry to lick her face.

"This is weird." Nathan said as he touched Leah. "Cool but weird."

I was beaming at the sight that my friends being happy and now know the truth about Lucas and his family and seemed okay with it.

I looked at Lucas who is looking at me, and kissed his lips.

"Thank you Lucas." I smiled.

"What for?" Lucas asked.

"For being here for me when I need you." I explained. "And for bringing me happiness."

Lucas returned the kiss back to me. "I should be the one thanking you." Lucas said. "I love you Krystal."

"I love you too Lucas." I said as we kissed again.

This day has definitely healed me from the pain I've been dealing with. I'm so happy for everything that I didn't worry at all about that vampire who is still after me. It doesn't matter; as long as I have my friends, my new family and Lucas, everything will be alright.

How are you liking this story so far? The real stuff is about to begin next chapter. Please review.