A/N: Hello, readers! It's been a while since we've talked. I'm so happy you all love the story so much! All of your reviews give me the inspiration and drive to continue writing. Thank you so much for your support and love of 'Drifting Away'. Now, if you're interested in reading more from me, check out 'Her Chocolate Eyes', 'Curly Sue and the Big Bad Wolf', 'Charlie's Christmas', and 'Calling from the Ashes'. They're all ongoing and are updated somewhat frequently. Okay, now that that's out of the way, review or PM me if you have any questions are comments. Now, on with the story!

WARNING: GRAPHIC MENTIONS OF SELF HARM, SUICIDAL THOUGHTS, MENTAL ILLNESS, SUICIDE ATTEMPTS, VIOLENCE, SEXUAL SITUATIONS, GRAPHIC LANGUAGE, UNDERAGE DRINKING, UNDERAGE SEXUAL SITUATIONS, AND TRIGGERING IMAGERY. IF YOU ARE TRIGGERED BY THIS OR DO NOT ENJOY IT, DO NOT READ.

Chapter Eighteen.

Bella's POV:

My last day at Forks High wasn't what I expected. There were no bullies, no hateful backhand comments, no Labrador-like admirers, no pinning after some inhumanly beautiful jerk. No, instead I had close-knit friends that supported me, and my close-knit friends had amazing relationships, especially the surprising but amazing Mike and Eric. And I was in love with my best friend, Embry Call, who has the cheesiest pickup lines and a smooth voice that calms down my worst panic attacks. I was loved and loved in return. My happiness knew no bounds.

The day passed quickly and soon I was leaving. It was a sad and happy affair. I'd miss this school and all it taught me, but I was ready to move on to bigger and better things. Such as a secretary job at the Forks Police Force. Embry would be working part-time at the Ateara General Store to save up for his own car.

That night Jessica threw a huge graduation party. Her family was out of town and she faked being sick, so she would have the house to herself. I feared getting caught at the wrong place at the wrong time, but Embry said he would protect me.

"What are you wearing to the party?" Embry asked as we walked into my room after having an after-school snack.

"Probably a t-shirt, a flannel, and some jeans."

"Why flannel?"

"If I get hot I can tie it around my waist. If I get cold, I already have something to keep me warm."

"Ah, good idea. Maybe the Chief will let me borrow one of his."

"Just take one, he won't notice. I do all the time."

"You little thief." He teased, and I blushed before grabbing my clothes and heading to the bathroom to change. It was so easy to be with him. With Edward, I had always felt inferior. With Jacob, I always felt scared of losing him. With Embry, it was comfortable. I felt at ease being with him.

Dr. Garrity had told me it was great that I had found someone like him. I couldn't help but agree with her.

When I was presentable, I walked back into my room and gasped. Embry had always been fit, but nowadays he was bulkier and larger than before. He winked at me before slipping the white V-neck shirt on. It stretched across his muscles in the sexiest way and I felt myself becoming faint.

"Like what you see?"

"Uhuh."

"I guess working out at Paul's really does make girls fall at my feet."

"Oh, hush," I slapped his chest and he laughed in return before pulling my body to his and pressing a sweet kiss to my lips. I melted instantly into him. He was so warm and loving, so different from Edward, who had been cold and resistant. I ate up the affection eagerly.

When he pulled away he kissed my nose and held my waist in a gentle hold, grinning down at me.

"Thank you for choosing me." He exclaimed, and I blushed.

"I should be thanking you. You've changed my life in so many ways. I'm so grateful for you." I said back before laying my head on his chest.

"I love you, baby."

"I love you too." We stay that way for a while before pulling away and finishing getting ready. Twenty minutes later we were on our way to the Stanley residence, Embry's hand on my thigh and my head on his shoulder. When we pulled up, Angela, Eric, and Mike were waiting by Mike's car, the latter two locked in a full-on make out. Angela didn't even seem to be bothered by it, just happy that her friends were happy.

"Hey, Belly. You ready to party tonight?" Eric asked as he pulled away from Mike, a smirk on his swollen lips. I shrugged in reply, interlacing Embry, and I's fingers.

"Jessica's been setting up all day. I'm so ready to get schwasted," Angela exclaimed with a grin.

"That makes two of us, Angie," Mike said before kissing Eric's cheek. "Okay, come on party people. Let's get shit faced!"

"Hell yeah, baby," Eric cheered before pulling Mike into another lip lock. The rest of us left the happy couple kissing against their car, eager to make the most of what would probably our last night together before graduation.

The music was already too loud, and the drinks were flowing like no tomorrow. Embry grabbed a bottle of whiskey and poured us both a cup. It was bitter, but I gulped it down like it was the last water on earth. Go hard or go home, am I right?

"Didn't take you for a drinker, Belly," Lauren teased, pulling Tyler along with her. He sported his own cup while she held a water bottle. Since our weird argument during lunch, she and I had started to grow closer. It was actually nice, surprisingly.

"Didn't take myself for one either. You're not partaking?"

"Nope, I'm driving Ty and Lexi home."

"Lexi?"

"She's my junior cousin. Probably shouldn't be drinking, but when was I ever a good influence?" Without giving me a chance to answer she yanked Tyler in the other direction, screeching about how many pepperoni and cheese crackers she was going to devour. I drank more of the bitter whiskey, bobbing my head to the popular pop song that blared through a large pair of speakers in the living room.

I glanced over at Embry, only to see that he was smirking at me.

"What, do I have something on my face?"

"Yeah," He leaned over and cupped my cheek with his free hand. "Beauty." I snorted and slapped his hand away as I started to flush an angry red.

"So cheesy, you should be arrested," Suddenly, the image of him in a tight officer costume made me blush harder. I coughed and sipped more of my drink before continuing, "Or maybe you could arrest me instead."

"W-what?"

"I mean, I've been pretty bad. Underage drinking and all…" I hadn't been this wild since I attempted to seduce Embry in my bedroom. But the alcohol must be getting to me, I suppose.

Embry's eyes darkened a tad and he leaned in again, lightly biting into my earlobe before replying, "My bad girl, what am I going to do with you?"

The whole room got a thousand degrees hotter. I turned to face him and just as our lips were about to touch, something interrupted.

Or someone. An annoying someone.

"Embry, my man! What are you doing at J's party?"

"Quil?"

"The one and only… Oh crap, did I interrupt? I'm sorry!" Quil didn't look the least bit sorry. I scrunched up my nose and glared. He glared back, sticking his tongue out.

Just as I was about to stick mine out, Embry came in between us with a soft smile, "Okay, children. There's enough of me to go around. And to answer your question, Bella's friends with Jessica." As Embry spoke, Quil glanced over at me as a sly grin slid on his face. I narrowed my eyes.

"So, you're going to help me then?"

"With what?"

"Getting her to let me in her secret garden." Embry scoffed at Quil's words, but I just furrowed my brow. Secret garden?

"Huh?"

"Her flower." What was he on about now?

"What are you talking about? Flower? I didn't know she gardened."

"Seriously, Bella? I meant her pussy!" I screeched and went to cover his mouth, trying to stop anymore vulgar language from coming out.

"Ew! You're such a perv!"

"Says the one roleplaying with Embry in the middle of a party."

Chugging back the rest of my beer, I handed the cup off to Embry and glared at Quil. "You really don't want my help do you?" He paled and grabbed my shoulders lightly before shaking me.

"Come on, Bella! I did you solid."

"How so?"

"I beat the shit out of Jake?" Okay, I guess I had to give that to him.

"Okay…" I huffed. "I guess I can help you…"

"Thank you so much!"

"But you better know consent! NO MEANS NO!"

"Of course, of course! I just need to grab her before she starts on the Hennessey or it's a no go." Quil disappeared and minutes later he was flanked by Jessica, who seemed like she hadn't had a drop to drink. Quil glanced down at her pink tube top and almost drooled. I smacked the back of his head.

"Down, boy! Be a gentleman."

"Fine, fine!"

"Hey, Bella! How are you enjoying your freedom from the chains of institutionalized schooling?"

"I love it. I'll miss school, but I'm ready to start a new chapter in my life."

"Man, I'm ready to start college and meet a bunch of hotties. College guys are the best," Quil turned to me with wide eyes and I shrugged.

"Quil's sort of like a college guy!" I blabbed and they all raised an eyebrow at me, confused by my statement. "I mean, he's big and sexy and smart and is probably super nice under that asshole façade!" Embry covered his hand with his mouth to cover his laughter as my face turned maroon. Jessica gave me an odd look again before bursting into giggles.

"Well, you're not wrong. Quil is pretty sexy," She purred before running a hand down his shirt covered abs. He sucked in a breath.

"You better head on upstairs, you two. Have some good old fashions fun!" I blurted out again before pushing them towards the stairs. "Use protections and consent. And remember, have fun!" Without another glance in our direction, they rushed upstairs, almost giggling with anticipation.

As they disappeared from sight I sighed and covered my face with my hands.

"I can't believe that just happened. 'He's probably nice under that asshole façade!' Oh my gosh, Bella. You're such a goob," Embry was almost crying from laughter. I pouted and sighed again.

"Stop it, I can't believe that happened. It didn't even take that much to set them up!"

"They've been flirting for a while, even before she and Mike broke up. I guess you just pushed them in the right direction." Embry pulled me into his arms and we swayed back and forth to the music blasting from the speakers.

"I hope something good comes out of it."

"I'm sure something will, baby. Now, how about we make some of our own magic happen?" He waggled his eyebrows and I cackled in glee.

"Come here, you dork," Our lips molded together like fine clay and soon we were lost in each other's tastes.

"How's Seth doing?" Embry asked Paul as they sipped from their beers. Paul had shown up with Rachel an hour earlier after Rachel decided she wanted everyone to know he was taken. She lay on his lap, arms around his neck and eyes steely as she glanced all of the women glancing in their direction. I sat cuddled up next to Embry, my head on his shoulder. My fingers drummed to the beat of a song I knew vaguely, one of Eric's favorites.

"Better. He feels horrible about what he did, but Jake's a dumbass. I think he kind of deserved it for treating his imprint like that."

I guess even soulmates can have unhealthy relationships, I thought to myself before sipping from the red solo cup. The alcohol was warming up my body and I was starting to feel looser and looser. It was nice to let go for a change.

"How long do you think Leah can make him stay away?"

"Only time will tell. She was very adamant."

"I don't blame her."

"We should ask her to hang out sometime. I'm sure she needs people in her corner," I said to Rachel. She smiled and nodded.

"Yeah, Lee-Lee needs a big huge and a gallon on ice cream. How about we plan something out tomorrow?"

"Sounds cool."

As the night went on I felt myself grow more and more tired, the excitement of the day wearing on me. After the third time Embry woke me up, he gave me a soft look and said, "Want to head home?"

"You think that'd be okay?"

"Of course, you've had a big day. You need your rest," With careful movements, he stood up and lifted me onto his back. I grasped around his neck lightly.

"See ya, buddy," Paul exclaimed with a wave.

"I'll text you tomorrow about the Lee-Lee plans, Belly," Rachel said, and I nodded in reply. Then we were walking out of the house. The party was still booming and inviting, but as we stepped out of the front door and into the quiet sidewalk, I didn't want to be anywhere but here.

Third person POV:

Jessica woke up with a pounding headache and warm arms wrapped around her. When she opens her eyes all she sees is the boy she slept with last night. Quil Ateara was huge, sexy, and knew how to use his mouth in ways one would dream of. She swallowed as she remembered his tongue and whined when his fingers suddenly found her lady bits and massaged the flesh there.

"Wet already, baby?" He asked huskily before leaning in and kissing down her neck. Jessica whined and rubbed into his hand. Quil slipped in two fingers easily.

"Mmm, Quil,"

"Yes, say my name."

"Quuuuuil."

"Ugh, fuck," He slipped inside of her easily. It only took a few thrusts to have them both coming and with a hiss, Quil slipped out of her.

They went to work putting on their clothes and then sat down next to each other on her bed.

"So, is this a one-night stand or will this become more frequent?" Jessica asked as she pulled her hair into a bun. Quil licked his lips absentmindedly.

"I'd like it to be more frequent if you were up for it."

"I like that idea," They both leaned in and kissed for a few seconds. When she pulled away a pained look appeared on her face. "Oh shit."

"What, what is it?"

"My aunt is supposed to drop off some medicine for me, but my house is trashed. She'll snitch on my ass for sure."

"Calm down. It's okay, I'll help you."

"You'd really do that for me?"

He pressed his lips to hers again before replying, "Of course, I would."

The next few hours consisted of throwing bag upon bag of trash in Quil's truck bed and doing a crazy load of dishes. Just as Jessica finished vacuuming, the doorbell rang. Quil gave her a thumbs up before ejecting himself out of her bedroom window as she giggled in delight.

The only thing that ran through his head as he raced through backyards was, I wish that I was Jessie's girl, I wish that I was Jessie's girl, a badly worded parody of Jessie's Girl. It took all he had to not cringe at himself.