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"Scarlette, let's go!" Seth's booming voice echoed off the walls.

"In a minute!" I yelled back. I was still in the bathroom getting ready.

"Everyone's already there." He groaned.

"Then we'll be fashionably late."

It was Friday and we were about to leave for another bonfire. It was colder tonight then it was last week, so I was wearing jeans and a long-sleeve shirt.

Finally, I emerged from the bathroom, "Has anyone ever told you that patience is a virtue?"

"Has anyone ever told you to start hurrying your ass up?"

We continued bantering as we climbed into Aunt Sue's car. She had gotten a ride to the beach a few hours ago.

The ride was short and just as Seth had said, everyone was already here.

"Aw, they already started the football game." Seth whined. He jumped out of the car and started running. I noticed they were all shirtless again.

I laughed as I took my time walking towards the woman, Old Quil, and Billy.

"Scarlette, it's so good to see you again." Emily embraced me as soon as I was in arms reach.

"It was good to see you, too." And I meant it. I had been excited to see her and Kim again; after being with the guys all week it was nice to have some female interaction. Kim and I shared a quick hug.

"Hey, Scarlette." I turned around and was met with an awkward smile for Bella. My stomach dropped. Could Jacob go anywhere without him?

"Oh, hey, Bella, how are you?" I forced a smile which I pretty sure turned out to be a grimace.

"Good, you?"

I wanted to be nice, I really did, but seeing Bella brought up memories of Jacob that I didn't want to relive.

True to his word, Jacob hadn't spoken a single word to me. He had fully mastered the art of pretending I didn't exist.

He was only in one of my classes—which I was grateful for—but he was refusing to sit with his friends at lunch because of me. I offered to sit somewhere else but Seth wouldn't hear of it.

It was Jake's problem, he said, and he had to grow up and get over it.

I found out on Monday that Seth had tracked Jacob down and really tore into him. I didn't really understand what that meant because Jacob looked fine to me, but Seth was really proved of himself and I didn't want to ruin that.

"I'm good, thanks." I told her.

"How was your first week of school, Scarlette?" Kim asked, delicately pulling me away from an uncomfortable conversation with Bella. I gave her a grateful smile.

"It's pretty good, actually. Not as bad as I thought it would be." I said.

"Are you getting all caught up in your classes?" Emily questioned. I noticed she had a mothering way about her.

"Yeah, Embry's been helping me with everything," I explained. He was quickly becoming my best friend, "We've been together almost every day, studying everything I need to know. I don't think I could get through it without his help."

"Son of a bitch!" I turned at the sound of Embry's voice. He was laying in the sand, holding a bloody nose. Jacob was looming over him.

"Embry!" I ran to his side and dropped to my knees, completely ignoring Jacob, "Are you okay?"

"I'm good." His voice was muffled as he covered his nose.

"Let me see it," I ignored the heat from his hands as I pried them away from his face. I was shocked to see that his nose was no longer bleeding; there wasn't even a hint of bruising.

"What the hell?" I gasped.

"Did you honestly think a pathetic punch like that could actually hurt me?" He climbed to his feet, pulling me with him.

"He punched you?" I wanted to confront Jacob, but I willed myself not to look at him, "Why?"

"Unnecessary tackle," Embry said quickly, "I took him down when he wasn't looking. He was just getting his rightful pay back. It was no big deal." He must have sensed my apprehension because he added, "Trust me."

"Okay," I said after a minute, "I trust you." Even though I didn't.

He smiled at me.

"Food's ready." Emily yelled louder than I would have expected for her. I was convinced it attempt to distract me for what happened.

I felt like I was suddenly in the middle of a stampede. The guys started running to the picnic table supporting all the food.

"Go sit by the fire, okay?" Embry instructed, "I'll make you a plate."

At first I couldn't understand why I wasn't able to make my own plate but I quickly saw why.

Each one of the guys swarmed the table, punishing and shoving each other to be the first in line.

"It's safer this way," Kim laughed as I joined her on a log, "They're ruthless when it comes to food. They act as if they've never eaten before."

"Are they always like this?" I couldn't take my eyes off them. I was surprised no one had gotten hurt yet.

"They're like this multiple times a day," Kim said, "If Jared didn't get me food, I probably wouldn't get to eat."

I didn't doubt it for a second.

"You dinner, my lady." Embry placed a paper place in front of me.

"Thank you, kind sir." He had gotten me a hamburger, chips, and pasta salad.

Everyone joined us after that—except Jacob and Bella would stayed at the picnic table. It was the first time I had seen Paul, Jared, and Sam since last Friday.

"We're going cliff diving on Sunday, are you in?" Paul asked between stuffing his face with food.

"Cliff diving?" I had never heard of it before.

"See those cliffs over there?" Jared pointed to the edge of the ocean. I could see the cliffs blend into the forest, "We jump of those."

"For fun?" I screeched, my voice an octave higher.

"Of course," Quil laughed, "It's recreational."

"Oh."

"So, are you in?" Paul questioned, this time his mouth was full.

"Um…"

"You don't have to jump," Kim added, "I don't like to, but it's fun to go and hangout with everyone."

I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Okay, I'll go, but I won't jump." I stated.

"We'll see about that." Paul winked.

We continued to chat as we finished eating. Bella and Jacob eventually joined us again. They sat on the other side of the fire.

"Alright," Sam spoke, rising to his feet, the football in his hand, "Half time is over. I want you back on that field, but, this time, no punching. Got it?"

My eyes flickered to Jacob before I could stop myself. He was glaring daggers at Embry.

"Let's go." Sam commanded and the guys got to their feet.

I laughed as they started trash talking each other. I watched the game briefly but for the most part I just talked with Emily and Kim. Emily told me I was welcome at her house anytime—I learned that that's where most of the guys spent the majority of their free time. Kim offered to help me with my homework if I needed it. I appreciated the offer, but I wasn't sure if I wanted to give up my time with Embry.

It was clear that Emily and Kim thought of me as a friend and I swelled with pride.

Bella didn't say much to us; she spent the entire time keeping her eyes on Jacob. It irritated me. If she had a boyfriend, she didn't need to stare at him.

I should've noticed their facial expressions, but I was too consumed in my own thoughts to realize something was wrong.

When I did finally catch on, it was too late.

Collin's large body collided with mine so fast that I didn't have time to brace myself as I fell off the log I was currently occupying. I hit the sand so hard it knocked the wind out of me. Although that was nothing compared to the searing pain in my forehead when my head hit the log next to me.

I cried out from the impact.

"Scarlette!" I couldn't distinguish whose voice that was.

Collin's weight was crushing me, making it almost impossible to breathe.

"Get the hell off of her!" Someone else unrecognizable screamed.

"Shit! Scarlette, I am so sorry." Collin's voice was frantic. He yanked me off the ground by my arm. The quickness of it caused black spots in my vision. My legs started to give out. Someone—I wasn't sure who—caught me.

"She's bleeding." I already knew that. I could feel the blood on my face.

"Scar? Scar, can you hear me?" If it hadn't been for the nickname I wouldn't have known it was Embry talking to me. He sounded so far away.

"Embry." It came out as a moan.

"I'm right here." There was a tightness around my hand; he was the one holding me.

"Scarlette, I am so—" Collin?

There was a sickening crunch, like the sound of a bone breaking.

"Enough, Jacob." Sam?

Had Jacob punched Collin, too?

I felt someone's hands on my face. They were cold, soothing.

"She doesn't need stitches," It was Aunt Sue, "She just needs to be taken home and cleaned up. She might have a concussion. I need to get her home."

"I can do it." Embry said.

I was relieved, I didn't want him to let go of me.

"No." A sharp voice said, "I'll take her." I couldn't figure out who it was.

Embry growled, "Like hell."

"Embry…" A voice warned. Sam?

"I'm with Embry." Paul?

My vision was blurry, I tried to squint so I could see who was talking but it caused too much pain.

I groaned.

There was a snarl and a yelp.

"Jacob, if you're going to take care of Scarlette, then you need to leave Collin alone." I was positive it was Sam.

Jacob? Taking care of me? I panicked at the thought.

I struggled against Embry's hold.

"No," I cried, "Not Jacob."

Embry held me tighter, "I'm not leaving her with him."

I was thankful he was fighting for me.

"I've already told you, she's not your concern." I could distinctly make out Jacob's voice now.

"She doesn't trust you." Embry snarled, "She has no reason to."

"I'm not going to hurt her," Jacob growled at him, "I need to make sure she's okay."

Since when did he care if I was okay?

"Because you care about her or because of the damn—"

"Give her to Jacob." Sam demanded.

I struggled against Embry.

"It might just be me, but it clearly looks like she doesn't want Jacob." Was that Jared?

"Now, Embry." Sam barked.

"I am so sorry, Scar." Embry whispered in my ear, "I'll come see you as soon as you can. You're gonna be okay."

"Bandage her head, give her two Tylenol, plenty of water, and put her in her bed," Aunt Sue instructed, "Are you sure you can handle this?"

"Yes." His tone was aggressive.

She didn't say anything else. He started walking away from everyone.

"Jacob." A timid voice called out.

"Go home, Bella, I'll stop by later if I can." He started walking.

"But—"

"Please, Bella, just go."

"Be careful with her!" Seth called out, "She better be okay when I get home!"

He ignored Seth's comment and kept walking. It dawned on me that he planned on walking with me in his arms all the way to the house.

"You can sleep if you want," When I finally looked at him, he had a worried expression on his face, "I've got you now."

I didn't have the energy to argue.