By the end of class, I had two projects before me. Thanks to my over-the-top eagerness to be prepared, Edward and I were already ahead of schedule. While everyone else was doing research, the two of us planned out when we would be doing what. There were only two other in-class days of preparation according to the packet. That meant at least one day after school, or maybe a Saturday, to work on the presentation.

"We'll figure it out when it comes to that," Edward had said in regards to how we would order the short PowerPoint.

So, with all that done, I gave myself another experiment to conduct. My hypothesis was that over time, I could get Edward to open up and be my friend. Up close, it was easy to see that there was so much more behind the glare. During the class period, he never smiled. Occasionally, I would say something that seemed to amuse him and the corner of his mouth would flicker involuntarily, but it was the only crack in the mask. I considered it progress.

At the bell ringing when sixth period was done, Edward had given me a monotone goodbye and taken his half of the papers with him. Now that what I had been waiting all day for was over, gym flew by in a flash. Before I knew it, I was in the driveway in front of my house.

I didn't have much homework this time and I was done long before the time Mom arrived home.

"Hi, honey," she greet as she struggled through the door with several bags of groceries in hand. I jumped up from the couch and helped her to the kitchen. "Thank you."

"Yup."

We started putting the food away, Mom taking the fridge and I the cabinets.

"How was school?" she asked.

"It was good," I smiled as I tried not to drop the cans piled in my arms. "Really good."

"What did you do?"

I chose my words carefully, not wanting to let it slip that I hadn't finished my trig the night before. It was a lecture I'd prefer to skip. "We're still on Dickens in English, which is okay. I'm just not his biggest fan. Trig is still a struggle, but please don't tell Dad, it's worse when he tries to explain it."

Mom laughed, knowing exactly what I was talking about. "I won't. How's physics going?"

I paused. "It's pretty good. Yesterday Shetler assigned a project we have to do with a partner."

"Really?" Mom gasped. Even the parents knew what a shock it was. "Who's your partner? I hope you didn't get someone who's lazy."

"No, I didn't," I reassured. "I'm with Edward Masen."

It was her turn to freeze, her hand hovering in midair, just about to put away a bag of apples. "Edward Masen?" Her tone was unsure, like she hadn't heard me correctly.

"Yeah, you know, Dr. Masen's youngest?" Yesterday, I'd known, vaguely at least, what EJ's reaction would have been if I'd told him. My mother, however, was unknown territory. She didn't dislike the Masens, but, like everyone else, she'd moved on from talking about the new family after about a month or so. How much they'd moved on was another question.

"Oh, okay," she relaxed a bit, put the apples in their assigned drawer. "He's a good kid, from what I hear. They all are."

"He seems nice. If a little…," I searched for the word I wanted to use, "lonely. Nobody really interacts with the Masens." Then again, they didn't really interact either."

"That's very disappointing," Mom sighed. "Why people have to be so rude, I'll never understand. I'm glad he's been paired up with you."

I suppressed a smile, somewhat unsuccessfully. A small twinge of guilt crept up, due to my initial ulterior motive for going along with this. What I wanted at first was information, something no one else knew about them, but that was quickly taking a back seat to wanting to be his friend. The former would come in time anyway.

He really did seem lonely. Melancholy, like I'd said.

The groceries were put away and Mom started on dinner as we waited for Dad to get home from the office in Port Angeles.

For the rest of the week, I didn't get a chance to talk to Edward. Mr. Shetler kept his lessons drawn out so they took up all the time between bells. He never seemed to be around during passing period. The only other time I ever saw him was at lunch and my bravery wasn't exactly high enough to approach with his family around. On Friday, however, there was a bit of an interaction.

Jackson was complaining on how he had to work on Saturday even though the weather was supposed to be uncharacteristically warm and sunny for late January, nowhere near the mid-fifties, but that's still good for this far north. His job at the outfitters on the edge of town was a coveted one for its flexible hours and good pay. We all knew his complaining was superfluous. He'd never quit until after high school. And maybe not even then.

The lunch hour was dragging, even more so than on a normal Friday. I was reading the label on my lemonade bottle, not really wanting to participate in the conversation. It had more sugar in it than I was expecting. I'd have to be mindful on what I ate for dinner. Salad was always a safe option.

With my attention in front of me, Abby slapped my leg with her palm repeatedly under the table.

"What?" I hissed though clenched teeth, my thigh throbbing slightly.

"Edward's looking at you," she whispered back. Her torso was twisted so she was facing me completely. She was leaning forward even though she still had to look up at me.

"What do you mean?" I tried to remain casual, pretending that we were discussing something dull and unimportant instead.

"I mean he is practically outright staring at you," she kept her voice low, though her tone scoffed at the idea that I hadn't understood her the first time. The others at our table were too wrapped up in their own world to notice our secluded conversation.

Running my fingers through my ponytail, I tried to glance over Abby's shoulder. His eyes were definitely in my direction. Trying my hardest to be coy, I looked back at Abby, feigning conversation before looking at him again. Edward looked away the second time, but not before I could gauge his expression. It was one of curiosity and concentration. He glanced at me once more before his eyes flickered away again.

So, it wasn't just normal gazing around room in boredom. He was staring at me for a purpose. But what about me could be so confusing or require concentration on that level?

I stared back with the same questioning look I'd seen from him. Out of my peripheral, Abby stood up and snapped her fingers in front of my face, causing me to jump just a bit.

"Good thing you sit at the front of the room," she mused.

I frowned at her and snatched my tray off the table. We didn't speak on our way to class. From the tightness around Abby's lips and the twinkle in her eye, I suspected she was finding all of this, including my sudden attitude, amusing.

I didn't talk to Edward during class. He still sat in the very back and, even if I'd thought of anything logical to say, Shetler kept the lesson going until the end of class. Edward was one of the farthest students form the door, but when that annoying chime echoed through the building, he was the first one out the door.

Damn.

Throwing my bag over my shoulder, I contemplated maybe "running into him" in the parking lot after school. No, better not. I didn't want to come off as overeager or even stalkerish. But if I wanted the whole friend thing to work, I'd need to talk to him outside of our project.

"Next week," I told myself. I'd take the weekend to really think of the best way to start the conversation.

Here I was, making another deal with future me. I'm sure on Monday I wouldn't be as agreeable to the arrangement as I had been the last time.

The average teenager can sleep in until somewhere between the hours of ten in the morning to one in the afternoon. I, on the other hand, went against the current and woke up to my alarm at seven-thirty sharp.

I threw on warm clothes and quietly made my down the stairs with my hiking boots in hand and my favorite jacket draped over my arm. It was a faded sky blue color with pockets everywhere, including one on the right sleeve near the shoulder.

After eating a quick breakfast, I brushed my teeth using an extra toothbrush I stored in the downstairs bathroom. A note in my sloppy hybrid writing was left safely on the counter for Mom and Dad in case they forgot where I'd be. Hopping to the door and tugging on my boots, I double checked to make sure I had the map, compass, my camera, and plenty of water. The guys were in charge of snacks. I jumped into the car and my smile grew wider the closer I got to La Push.

The parking lot of the general store just inside the reservation was virtually empty when I pulled in. Two boys – who looked more like men – stood with their backs to me, talking to each other. One was just smaller than the other, not quite as much muscle, with curly hair that stopped at the nape of his neck. The other boy had his medium length hair up in a bun on the top of his head. I huffed as I turned off the engine.

Alex and Graham turned around when they heard me slam my car door with extra force.

"There she is," Alex sing-songed.

"Better late than never," Graham teased.

I rolled my eyes. "Please, I'm only five minutes late, tops."

The guys were dressed in thin hoodies that were more like shirts and cutoff cargos with tennis shoes. They were insane, but I didn't say anything. Even if there was snow on the ground, that's how they dressed. If they wore shirts at all. EJ used to wear more sensible clothing for these exhibitions, but after the two week "event" he started dressing the same way. I glanced around the parking lot, search for the third boy.

"Where is he?" I tried to keep my tone light.

Guilty looks came across their faces. Graham rubbed the back of his neck.

"Well, you see, Sloane," Alex started.

"Are you serious?" I yelled. "I'm gonna – Ah!"

Two giant arms encircled my waist in an unbreakable vice and lifted me up off my feet. I struggled, kicking my fee at the air and pulling at the tan arms that refused to let go. Alex and Graham just laughed no help at all.

"Come one, EJ," I grunted. "Let go!"

Chuckling in my ear, the big brute finally put my feet back on the ground. I whirled around and shoved him hard in the chest. He didn't even budge. I might as well have been shoving my car.

"That's not funny," I grumbled, staring up at him. EJ was roughly the same size as Alex, with muscles that didn't belong on a seventeen-year-old. His short, thick hair was wet and it sprayed drops of water everywhere as he ran his fingers through it.

"Very much worth it," he laughed.

I glared at him, trying to look mad and intimidating. "If you three are done playing I'm going to go hiking."

While they were busy high-fiving each other, I marched to my car and got in. I started the engine and they still didn't move. Rolling down my window, I called out, "Of course, I can just go by myself, I don't mind."

When my window was closed, the three of them exchanged weary glances before scrambling towards the car. They pulled at the handles, but the doors didn't budge.

"Sloane, open the door," EJ ordered. I revved the engine in response. "Okay, I'm sorry. Happy, now?"

Smirking, I unlocked the doors. They climbed in and I followed the one-oh-ten out.

"That wasn't funny," EJ growled from the passenger's seat. The other two were in the back, already chowing down on the meal bars they'd brought.

I gave EJ a sideways glare. "What? Locking you out of the car? Talk about a double standard."

"No," he leaned his back against the door, not wearing his seat belt. I hated when he didn't wear it and he knew that, but I kept my mouth shut. That wasn't the pressing matter right now.

"I meant about you hiking alone. It's not safe, I've told you that."

Keeping my eyes on the road, I tightened my grip on the steering wheel. "Don't act like we didn't grow up in the same woods."

"That's not what I'm saying."

The crumpling of wrappers stopped. In the rearview mirror I could see Alex and Graham leaning forward, their eyes anxious as they watched EJ. His fists were trembling in his lap. Alex reached out and touched his shoulder.

"Then what?" I pressed. "I used to go hiking by myself all the time. Now just because you say so, I can't?" Initially, I'd only said it to get the guys to move their butts. EJ had asked me not to go alone in the past, but it was just him being cautionary or joking about me leaving him out. It'd never been this harsh.

"Sloane, there are dangerous creatures out there," he said, calmer now. His hands had stopped shaking. "We don't want to see you get k- hurt."

I frowned. His phrasing was weird. "Creatures"? Why not just say animals? Yeah, bears and wolves could be dangerous, but I knew what I was doing. The guys were becoming more like annoying overprotective big brothers. And I already had one of those.

The road came to an end and I pulled over to a parking spot close to the trail marker. We all got out. I threw my bag over my shoulders, tightening the straps so it sat close to my back. EJ came around the car, an apologetic look on his face.

"Hey, I'm sorry." He stared down at me. Sometimes the height difference between us was endearing, others it was annoying. Unfortunately, for me, this time was the former. I fought back a smile, but it leaked out. I couldn't help it; he looked so much like a kicked puppy with those brown eyes staring down at me.

After a playful punch to the stomach, I leaned into EJ and curled up into his chest as he wrapped his arms around me into a hug, resting his chin on my hair. Even through his long-sleeved shirt and my thick jacket, his arms radiated heat. I hoped he didn't force himself out here when he's sick. That was an excuse I wouldn't argue.

"Hey guys!" Alex called out. "You ready or what?"

EJ and I pulled away, neither of us phased at the intimacy. Strange.

"Where should we start?" Graham asked.

"I kind of want to start where we did last time," I pointed to area left of the trailhead. "But go just a bit more to the west."

Unzipping the largest pocket, EJ took out the map, pulling a pen out of his own pocket. He pulled the lid off with his teeth and used the pen as a pointer, picking out the line on the hand drawn grid that matched closest to what I wanted.

"So, you want to go this way?" he guessed.

I nodded. Technically, we could use our phones to track our movements in real time. It'd be easier. Both satellite and ground tower signal had vastly improved in this area, even better than it was fifty years ago. There were hundreds of apps that could even be used on my watch to save my phone battery, as if it would ever go dead, but that took the fun out of it. I preferred the old fashioned way.

"Let's get started."

We cut through the trees, into nature and away from civilization.

EJ was in charge of the map while Alex watched the compass, together keeping us all on track so we could find our way back to the car. Graham was in charge of me. I wasn't extremely clumsy, only a tad, but there have been a few accidents when I was messing with my camera and not paying attention to my footing. No hospital visits, but the cuts and bruises still weren't pretty.

About forty-five minutes into our trek, I found a giant evergreen that had fallen during the last storm. It was leaning against its sister tree at an odd angle. The fallen tree should have taken down the other, but it kept its ground. Both were covered in a thick moss that was hanging between the two trees like a curtain hiding another world behind it.

Seeing the potential, I dropped down to the ground on my stomach. The earth was still wet from last night's sprinkle and I knew I would regret it when I stood up. Using my elbows as leverage, I took several shots of the trees, a few wide ones and several zoomed in to different spots. Standing up, I brushed off all the leaves, moss, and dirt from my jacket and jeans that I could.

"She's always got to get dirty on these things," Alex scolded.

"There's no adventure if you come out clean," I countered. The wet jeans, however, was going to be uncomfortable.

We walked for another two hours, occasionally stopping so I could take a picture or the guys could eat. The endless pits of their stomachs amazed me. Though it was barely hitting fifty degrees, my face was sweating, causing my bangs that usually hung straight across my forehead to gather in wet clumps. Giving up, I pushed them off to the side.

EJ soon found a tree perfect for climbing. Without even a little hesitation, all three of them raced up the bark to see how high they could get. I shook my head as I captured it on film. How I wished I could have their fearlessness.

"Sloane, come up here!" EJ yelled from about twenty feet up the tree.

"Nah, thanks!" I yelled back. "I'm good!"

"Chicken!" Alex mocked. Graham even clucked at me.

Refusing to give in to their peer pressure, I stood my ground. "You guys are going to break your necks!"

"That's half the fun!" One of them crowed. They were too far up for me to distinguish one from the other.

Bouncing from foot to foot, my nerves started tingling. One of them was going to fall. Sure, they were swinging up the branches pretty gracefully for muscled up teenagers, but the moss was slippery. I didn't breathe normally until they started coming down. About ten feet from the ground, they all jumped, flipping through the air in sync, and landed just a few feet in front of me.

"You all could have joined the circus if they weren't banned twenty years ago," I muttered sourly. They hardly noticed. EJ grabbed Alex and slung his arm around his neck, putting Alex in a choke hold. Graham jumped on EJ's back, sending all of them to the ground. They'll be dirtier than me at the end of this.

Then it was a free-for-all.

Arms crossed and head shaking, I couldn't help but smile. They were so much like a family, it made my heart swell. And they looked like brothers, too, reinforcing the idea. As more and more people settled in the area, other physical features not traditional among the Quileute started showing up in their offspring. Alex's sister even had blue eyes.

But these three, along with a few other boys they hung out with, looked pure Quileute. As mad as I would get when they hung out and did exciting things, like cliff diving, without me, I understood it a little. They each shared a heritage that I would never be a part of.

Their similar appearance made my mind bring up the Masens. How – besides the twins – none of them were related and yet they all had the same complexions, the same dark, bruise-like circles under their eyes. My stalkerish tendencies had picked up more than they ever had before, now that I was looking extra hard during the lunch hour.

They all had dark eyes that clashed with their different hair colors. Especially Edward's. Up close, even without the glare, his black eyes looked severe against the backdrop of his smooth, pale skin and coppery bronze hair. My fingers twitched as my mind focused on the silky strands of his hair. I wanted to capture the impossibly color on film, to always have it perfectly preserved.

Lost in the maze of my thoughts, I didn't notice the stray hand that escaped the play fight and wrapped around my ankle. The arm pulled, sending me to my butt.

"Shit!"

The guys stopped and stared at me as I rubbed my sore cheeks.

"Which one of you did that?" I demanded. They scrambled to their feet, but no one fessed up.

EJ stepped towards me. I held out my hand expectantly, but he ignored it, scooping me up in his arms. There was a brief pause and then he set me on my feet. No one spoke.

Leaves rustled against the ground somewhere behind me. Strange, there was no wind today. Suddenly, the guys were on high alert. Graham sniffed the air, wincing just a bit. I didn't smell anything.

"Come on." EJ nudged me out of my daze. "We need to head back."

"What? Why?" I protested. "We've hardly seen anything new."

"I think it's time for some real food."

I huffed. Boys and their stomachs. They sure liked being able to eat practically anything and still stay solid muscle. The little green monster started poking her head out, but I shoved her back down.

"Fine."

We trekked back. I purposefully walked slow, adding an extra forty-five minutes to our journey. From the looks EJ was throwing me, the irritation revenge was working.

When we broke through the trees, we'd settled on Sully's, the local burger joint in Forks, to eat. Their fries were to die for.

"Sloane, can you stop back at the store first?" EJ asked.

"Um, sure," I nodded.

At the fork back into town, I kept straight, turning into the spot I'd parked in earlier at the store. The guys scrambled out and through the automatic doors without a word to me. For a minute or two I flipped through the music stations on my stereo. Then, all the water I'd taken in on the hike hit me at once. I got out of the car quickly.

The bathrooms were located at the back of the store. In the corner near the coolers, the guys were standing around, whispering. But they'd been joining by two older men. Boyce Clearwater and EJ's dad. They hadn't notice me passing them.

Being shorter than the tall shelves had its advantages. Quietly, I edged towards them, listening hard. I had a nosey personality and there was a secrecy radiating off of this little meeting.

"…smelled different," EJ said in a hushed tone.

"It's a new one," Alex agreed.

"If Sloane hadn't been there–"

"We'll change a few routes," EJ's dad added in.

My ears were burning. What had the guys noticed that I didn't? What smell? All I had been able to smell was wet dirt and evergreen trees.

I didn't get to find out. My bladder was screaming at me, threatening to embarrass me. I ran to the bathroom, thankful it was empty.

When I came out, Boyce was gone. Not needing to hide this time, I walked up to the group, smiling innocently.

EJ's dad nodded at me. "Hello, Sloane."

"Hi," I greeted back.

He turned away from me. "We'll take care of it. I'll see you three later tonight." He walked away and the guys' serious faces melted into goofy grins.

It was for show, but I let it slide. I was always in the dark and, as much as I hated it, I didn't have a valid reason to push.

"Who's ready for some food?" Graham clapped his hands, rubbing them together.

I rolled my eyes and headed for the exit.

AN: Sorry this chapter is a bit shorter, but things are going to start rolling from here! I hope you guys are enjoying it! Thank you to everyone who has followed, reviewed, and favorite this story. It means a lot to me! Happy reading!