Here's chapter thirteen, I'm trying to get in as many chapters as I can before I turn onto study mode. Don't worry, I love writing so I don't know if I'll be able to stay away from updating too long, but here's a hint: if I get more reviews, I just might feel obligated to update sooner than next week. Well anyway, thank you to those who have reviewed, especially pixielou and sassy1515, who've reviewed on more than one occasion, gracias!

I do not own any of Stephanie Meyer's work, of course, it is solely the plot that is mine in this story.

*************************Nessie*************************************

I got home late in the afternoon, still thinking about the big secret I was now a part of. I saw Jake sitting on the porch, looking miserable. I made my way over, and sure enough he made to leave.

I grabbed his wrist before he could make his escape.

Please, Jake.

He looked at me, and for a moment I thought he was going to do what he'd been doing more often these days, nod at me and leave, but instead, he let out a throaty laugh.

"Ness," his laugh grew stronger, "what on earth happened to you?"

My whole face lit up. "We went hiking, remember?"

He looked at me with a raised eyebrow. "And that explains why you're covered in dry mud, grass stains, and…is that blood on your shirt?" He suddenly looked concerned.

"One of the guys fell while we were running downhill and knocked me over," I explained, "he got cut pretty badly and I guess his blood ended up on me."

"Oh," a flicker of the 'sad Jake' came over his face, no doubt he was upset with the fact that the guys had knocked poor, fragile me over. There was a momentary awkward silence; then he got up.

"I guess I'll get on home, Ness," he said, trying to not look sad, but I knew better; my hand stayed locked onto his wrist.

No.

He sighed, "Ness, I got to get home to my dad."

Jake…why don't you want to be my friend anymore? I flashed him the memories I had been thinking about earlier. Jake looked at me with sad eyes, and to my surprise, sat back down.

"Nessie," he said resignedly, "you know how you're not supposed to tell anyone you're a vampire?"

Yeah, the same way you're not supposed to tell anyone you're a werewolf.

"Shape-shifter," he corrected, I rolled my eyes, but held on.

"Well," he hesitated, "let's just say I'm kind of in the same situation."

So…you're not allowed to be my friend anymore?

He looked horrified. "No, Ness, nah, come here kiddo," he pulled me into his chest, like he'd done so many times before. I don't know why but I started to cry.

I felt whole again, just having his big, strong arms around me, having my Jake back, even if only for a moment. Jake rocked me back and forth, "Hey, now, don't cry," he cooed, "you're still my best friend, my number one, you know that."

Then how come you're avoiding me…sorry, I know I'm supposed to be more grown up than this…is that why you can't tell me? Because I'm too young?

He laughed bitterly, but I couldn't understand what had made him react like that. "Don't be sorry," Jake rubbed my back, then said quietly, "it's not because you're too young, it's because you're growing so fast…" he paused, as if realizing something himself, "I just don't want to scare you away I guess."

I looked at him confused. Scare me away? You could never scare me, Jake, not even as a wolf… What do you mean?

Jake tensed. His brow furrowed; he was thinking hard.

"Lately," he began, "I haven't been myself, well, not the Jake you're used to anyway."

Huh?

He struggled, searching for the right words. "You know how your mom and dad are constantly, you know, with each other?"

I frowned. Do you have to remind me of that? They're my parents, ew…

I could tell he wanted to laugh, but he regained composure. "Well, in case you haven't noticed, I am a boy, a man actually," he continued, "and…" he stammered.

Why are you blushing?

That only made it worse of course.

"See, the thing is, Ness, you're very special to me, but your family feels that it'd be best if--"

And then it dawned on me, something so ridiculously petty that I almost didn't want to believe it…but it made perfect sense.

Oh I know! I suddenly interrupted. And I did know, and now that I'd realized it, I couldn't believe I hadn't seen it sooner.

He blinked once, and only stared at me with his mouth open. "Y—you do?" he managed to say.

Well, I have a theory anyway…but it's kind of personal…

Jake looked nervous. "Tell me."

I looked at him, unsure if I should tell him what I had just realized. He nodded his head urgently.

Ok, but don't freak out ok?

"Ok."

Well, I remembered something similar to your condition in this book…it was about dogs, how during a certain time they'd get like a bunch of mood swings, and sometimes even get violent over nothing and—

"Spit it out, Ness."

Are you like, you know, in heat?

"In heat?" he looked confused, "What does that---WHOA!" he jumped about ten feet away from me.

"You mean like a dog?" he squeaked. Yes, I said squeaked.

I blushed. "Well, it makes sense, I mean, you're talking about being a 'man' and whatever, plus you are part wolf, and canines have a, you know, time when all they want to do is…" I faltered; I just couldn't say it, it was too embarrassing.

Jake had the weirdest expression on his face.

"Oh," he said, then, "oh…hmmm, you know, that is an…interesting theory…huh…it would make sense…"

"So…" I asked, unsure of whether to continue the conversation or not. This was definitely not what I'd imagined we'd be talking about.

And then Jake did the weirdest thing: he burst out laughing, and came over to me and lifted me off the ground.

"You're absolutely right, you clever little vampire, you!" he said, twirling me in the air. I gawked at him; one minute we're both embarrassed because I think my best friend's got the urge to…well, you know, and the next he's telling the whole world about it.

He squeezed me close to his chest before plopping a huge wet kiss on my forehead. The mud was no longer dry.

"Jake," I complained, "stop it." But I was laughing too.

We both sat down on the porch again.

I still looked at him uncertainly, "So, this whole time, you just didn't want to be a bad influence on me?"

He looked at me, a grin still on his face, "Yeah, you could imagine how difficult it was to keep something like that, I just didn't want you thinking, you know, that I was some disgusting dog."

I smiled back at him. "But I already know you're a disgusting dog. Seriously though? Do you all think I'm that immature? Jake, you're my best friend," I hugged him, "and who knows, soon I'll be telling you all about my first kiss and stuff."

I felt his shoulders stiffen, then slowly relax. He laughed, though it wasn't the same carefree laugh he'd had a second ago.

"Yeah, imagine that, both of us," he said, "experiencing hormones."

I made a face, though I couldn't help grinning; everything was going to be ok after all.

"Ugh, don't say that word, I've been hearing it enough from Rosalie and Alice," I said. Jake agreed.

"But you know what?" I said, "I'm glad I know, now we can hang out like we used to, and if you're feeling exceptionally," I laughed, amazed at myself for finding the courage to even say the word, "you know, frisky, just let me know and I'll get out your hair."

"Yeah," he laughed with me, though he sounded anxious.

I nodded my head. "Gosh, to think all this misery just because mom and daddy thought you'd be a bad influence on me," I laughed, "It's not like you'd ever try to do anything like that with me. Plus, lately, that's all I've been hearing from mom, and especially Rosalie, how I'm going to feel like this, and like that…it's horrible talking about it with them."

Jake looked away, "Yeah," he said, his voice had lost its sudden high, "what a crazy thought, huh?"

I let out a low chuckle, "Now if I was having this conversation with Tom or Oliver, now that would be different."

Jake froze. "How so?"

I gaped at him. "Because, you're practically family, Jake, and my best friend, you can tell me anything," I paused, "but the twins, I don't know, I don't think I'd feel comfortable talking about this."

And as Jake took me in for another hug, I realized that talking to Jake about that kind of stuff was actually quite comforting, in fact, I felt more at ease with him than I did with anyone...I smiled, and squeezed Jake even tighter.

I'm glad to have you back, Jake.

Jake's body draped over me perfectly. "Me too, Ness," he said, and for a second I thought I heard the sadness in his voice again...

***

Alright, I don't know, I'm still uncertain about this chapter, but I'm going to go ahead and leave it up, if you all don't like it, let me know, and I'll change it in a jiffy lol. Until then though, review! Let me know what you think, this is what I kind of have planned: now that Nessie's in the clear, she's happy again, and you know what that means…hehehe, but who is she going to start to notice? You heard her conversation with Jacob, so does that mean he's out of the picture for now? Or will a new cup mean a change of heart? Review, review, and review some more, and I'll update as soon as I can. Thanks!