Chapter 1

A/N: I began this story many years ago when I was much younger, but I am in love with the plot. I'd like the opportunity to redo the current chapters and continue on with the story this time but as I feel it should have always been written. Thank you for coming back if you are an original INLY reader.

• Embry phased before Jake in the book, but in my story he phases after him.

Bella 17 Quill 17 Jacob 16 Embry 16

Quileute Words Translation for this chapter: Balima= Princess

DISCLAIMER; I DO NOT OWN TWILIGHT

I laid my head against Quil's chest as I cried. My head was beginning to ache, and I didn't need a mirror in front of me to know my face was bloodshot and my eyes were puffy. My eyes, whole head really was beginning to feel heavy. I couldn't believe this was happening. Again.

4 months ago Jacob Black, the boy I thought was my best friend, my beam of sunlight that recused me from depression's crushing claws only months before. The boy who had made me feel as if I had family outside my dad again, who I had spent almost every day of the summer with, selfishly letting him attempt to fix me even when I knew it impossible. Because of how alive I felt when he tried, had left me. Jacob Black left me just like he said he never would. Loosing Jacob, as absolutely painful as it was, was nothing to what I felt now. Because the same exact thing is happening as before, but this time it was the boy that had become more to me than a friend. Embry felt like the brother/ sibling I never had growing up. Quil, Embry and I had become amazingly close the last few months. I had of course sparked up a friendship with them this summer while hanging out with Jacob so much. It was bound to happen, them being his best friends and him becoming mine. The friendship Quil, Embry and I had back then was nothing compared to now though. We were inseparable even more than I remembered them being with Jacob. They were just as much my best friends as Jake had been. And now here Quil and I sat pitifully as I cried over a lose that I would have never guessed I would be so familiar with. The loss that I have been through, in the last year alone, I would not wish upon my worst enemy. Quil rubbed soothing circles into my back as I cried. For once not saying anything, too lost in his own thoughts and emotions as well, I think.

Flashback

I headed over to Quil's again today. Today was going to be different, better than the last few days. We were gonna go get Em back, even if we had to kidnap him. I was picking Quil up so we could execute operation Embry rescue. A.K.A stop by Embry's to see for ourselves he was okay and ask why he wasn't texting us back. He had missed almost the last week of school according to Quil, and when we called, Lisa, his mom only ever said that he was in bed 'sick' still and not to worry. On day 6, we were officially not taking Mrs. Call's advice and we were absolutely beginning to worry.

Although unspoken, we both seemed to sense the other growing more and more worried, and knew it was because Jake had been 'sick' just before he abandoned us for Sam and his gang. I shook my head trying not to think about the best friend I mourned over everyday. I was getting better, I didn't need to go there right now. I pulled into Quil's drive and hopped out. I half skipped to the door so excited to see Quil, and begin operation Embry recuse. I knocked on the front door all of two times before Quil was snatching it open. It almost sent my hand flying into his face since I was mid knock. I stopped just in the nick of time, my fist hovering just above his nose. He threw his head back laughing and I threw myself into his arms. He continued laughing with his head back but still held onto me as I basically hung off him, then straightened up and pulled me into his signature bear hug.
"Quil!" I shouted as I squeezed him as hard as I could. I was always so excited to see him. In a way I'd never really experienced, but yet it was close enough to another experience in my life that had me shutting down the thoughts of why.
' Hello there hot stuff!" He joked. I laughed and pulled away while I looked around.
"Where's Gramps?" I asked.
"Oh he's in the kitchen making himself something to eat." I nodded.
"Hey Gramps!" I leaned in the door just enough to shout so he could hear me. I saw his head peak out of the kitchen, and the giant grin that broke out on his face when he saw me.
"Hey Bellsy! I missed you yesterday. Where were you?" He asked.
"Unfortunately I had to work till late." I told him frowning. He chuckled at my expression and disappeared into the kitchen. He knew how much I hated work, and why. I'd recently told him about Mike never give up or take a hint Newton.
"You two have fun! I won't be here when you get back, I'm going to an evening council meeting. Bella, if you stay tonight I moved your Quilt into Quil's closet instead of the hall closet. I don't let anyone else use it, so I'm not sure why it was with all the others the begin with. Anyhow, that way you won't have'ta look around Balima." He said, giving me a wink . I smiled back widely. I adored the quilt Gramps had made me when I first started hanging out with Quil so completely.

Quil's family owned the reservation grocery store. His mom Joy Ateara had ran it for years before she and her husband, Quil's dad Quil Ateara IV had died in a car crash when Quil was only 10. Ever since Gramps had raised Quil and ran the store in his daughter in laws name instead of selling the place. Gramps' quilts are almost as popular as the groceries they sell believe it or not. His hand stitching was otherworldly, like the spirits themselves worked through him. Every one he made felt so personal and special, and mine was no different. It was sage green and Tiffany blue. It reminded me of earth, it was perfect. I kept it here instead of taking it home for when I didn't feel like driving after late nights with the guys and I ended up staying the night, which happened often. Gramps never once complained. I really did love that old man, he was the closest thing I had to a real grandpa.
"Got it! Love you Gramps!" I said as we made our way out the door.
"Love you too Bells! Quil too, not that I'd ever admit it." He shouted the first half and half mumbled the second. I laughed as I shook my head.
"Just did! Love you too you crazy old bat!" We laughed as Quil closed the door. Quil slung his arm over my shoulder and we began the walk to Embry's.

"Operation Em Rescue, is officially underway. " He smiled down at me rolling his eyes. I smiled back, he might've tried to fool me into thinking he wasnt really worried about Embry and that he was only going along with this to humor me, but I knew otherwise. He may have been able to fool me a while back but not since how close we've become. I knew him better than just about anyone now, so I was sure that Quil was just as worried about Em as me.

We got there in no time considering he lived so close to Quil. We knocked and no one came to the door. Quil looked at me curiously and knocked again. Still no answer. After the third try, we gave up.
"Come on, we'll come back later. Let's go to the beach." Quil said softly, grabbing my hand and giving my arm a gentle tug. I could tell he was trying not to sound as upset as he was. He wasn't doing as good of a job hiding it from his face.

I didn't speak, just glanced back at Embry's front door hoping it would magically open to reveal a red nosed Em wearing his signature shy smirk. It didn't, my already present frown deepened. I nodded and let him pull me silently down to First Beach.

It was only about a 7 minute walk, but it felt like 7 seconds I was so lost in my thoughts. I hadn't even registered we'd gotten there when Quil pulled me into a his chest hugging me. He sighed, resting his head on top of mine sideways, cheek first. I immediately noticed how warm his skin was. I had just held his hand the entire walk to Em's and then to the beach and I hadn't noticed him feel this warm. I was about to say something when he started talking first.


"It'll be alright Bells, I'm sure he's fine." He said seriously. He was rarely ever so serious. In fact, it was enough to distract me from my other thoughts. Almost immediately, I was rebutting, unable to continue not speaking my fears aloud. They came tumbling out of my mouth without me being able to stop them. Like a faulty dam, all of a sudden I was powerless keeping them in.


"I haven't gone over a day without talking to either of you in months. I haven't talked to him in four, neither have you. If Embry is sick, why isn't he at home? Or his mom? Why is he so sick he can't text or call us? This is too familiar, I know it can't possibly be the same, but am I crazy? Does is not feel like it is?" I rambled panicked.
"Shhh Bells, calm down. It'll be alright, just breathe." Quil sounded like he was beginning to panic himself. That got me to follow his advice and breathe. After a few breaths I was centered again, my hand was on Quil's chest and the other was holding onto his arm steading myself. Again I noticed how hot his skin felt.


"Are you okay Quil? You feel warm, hot almost." I said, remembering my thoughts from just a few minutes ago.
"Yeah Bells, of course I am. You're who I'm worried about. You have about the lowest percent of melanin a person can have in their skin, maybe you're just cold." he teased, obviously trying to lighten the mood and distract me. We were already by the water now, so I decided to reach down as we walked and scooped up a handful of water quickly throwing it his way as I feigned anger. "Hey, I resent that!"

Luckily I somehow managed to splash him right in the face. I almost fell in the water myself, laughing so hard at the look on his face. It was priceless. He quickly shook off his shocked stupor and the mischievous grin plastered across his face next had me running full speed down the beach's shore.

I looked back to see that he was gaining on me way faster than I would have guessed. I couldn't help the scream of actual surprise that left me then. I didn't get far at all before two warm arms had wrapped themselves around my waist, hoisting me in the air spinning me slightly until my feet landed in the water. I was wearing short and flip flops, so it wasn't a big deal. That is until Quil reached down and began repeatedly splashing me with the icy cold salt water demanding I apologize. I refused of course and tried to splash him back but he was so fast. Before I knew it I was hoisted up again, but my face was inches away from the ocean.
"Okay! Okay! I'm sorry! Now put me down Ateara!" I laughed out, giving in.
"Yeah, yeah." He said, pulling me upright and setting me on my feet. Just as I was put back on them, my legs almost buckled from under me as I saw them. I grabbed Quil's forearm tightly not trusting my legs. There, coming out of the woods directly in front of us a few yards ahead were Jacob Black and Embry Call. They were with two other people I almost didn't recognize; Paul Lahote and Jared Camron. I knew them both just barely, but they looked so different from what I remembered. Taller, more muscular, and they had chopped their hair off. All of them , even Embry. I felt my eyes immediately turn to slits when I finally spotted their stoic leader, non other than Sam Uley. Before I knew what I was doing, I was running. It took a second for my brain to catch up with me body and for me to realize I was running straight at them. I ran, slightly aware of Quil following behind me, shouting my name. I didn't stop, or slow down. I ran as fast as I could.

I didn't bother going up the Jake. I ignored him completely, the way he usually does us. We had tried many times to talk and plead with him, but he never talked to us, just shook his head and walked off. I went straight up to Embry, instead cutting off his path. I glared up at him, my eyes already starting to water.


"Are you fucking kidding me?" I seethed barely above a whisper. I could have sworn I saw uncertainty or guilt in his eyes, but just as soon as I thought I'd saw it, it was gone. His face drew blank, all emotion disappearing. Leaving behind an expression meant for a corpse. I was screaming suddenly, so overcome by betrayal and anger. "I trusted you! I trusted you after everything you know I've been through, and I trusted you when you lied over and over again about never talking Jacob again after how he hurt me, abandoned us. You could never understand why anybody would willingly follow Sam Uley around like a lost puppy, but it sure would never be you. So at least I could always count on you to stick around, right? You promised to always be there! You knew what it did to me to loose him and yet here you are running around with him and running behind Sam like the pitiful puppy you always 'feared' you be. Quil and I have been worried sick, and it's all for nothing!" I screamed as a tear trickled down my cheek.

He was supposed to my baby brother. I'd never felt such a strong familial connection to a friend before, not even Emmett. We were so much alike, that understanding each other was easier than most. It had developed naturally and as strong as ever, or so I had thought. He still hadn't said anything. Just continued staring at me with dead eyes. I saw movement from the corner of my eye, alerting me that Jake was coming up behind Embry.
"I'm done trying to understand why you woke up one day and began hating me Jacob. I'm done hoping one day you'll drop it and come running back to allow me to fix it. It's clear that you are determined to hurt me in as many ways as possible for whatever reason. Just leave me be, ok? I'm sorry for whatever I did, just forget about me ok? No need to keep trying to hurt me better than the last time, you've done a spectacular job thus far." I finished quietly the tears ran freely now. I turned to Embry and looked down. "I want to hate you so bad. I just don't understand what I'm doing to make everyone leave." I whispered, more to myself.
"Not everyone. You haven't done anything but be an amazing friend to everyone Bella. You don't deserve any of this." Quil said sternly. I turned around and could see the unshed tears in his eyes and the conviction in what he said.

"You don't either." I told him, my heart breaking more realizing Quil had just lost the last one of his two lifelong best friends. I was being selfish. Quil was hurting too. I was suddenly overwhelmed with emotion, I had to get to him. I went to run back to his side but I found I could barely take a few steps without stumbling even more than normal. Was the ground moving? I hope my hammering heart in my chest and ears hadn't masked the sound of an earthquake. Earthquake's weren't common in Washington right? My breath just kept coming faster and faster, I felt like I was having a panic attack. Somehow Quil ended up in front of me, I just barely registered him saying something to the group, and picking me up. He tucked his arms under me and carried me bridal style away from the still gathered boys. Embry hadn't said one word to me.

End of flashback.

"Why is this happening Quil?" I sobbed into his arms. We were back at his house on the couch in the den. I was practically in his lap how close I was to him, practically clinging to him, lest he disappear too. He shushed me and rubbed my back.

"I don't know sweetie, I don't know." He said and I could hear the break in his voice. I looked up to his face to see the tears making their way down his tanned cheeks. I was so overcome with fear at the question I was about to ask, but that fear also drove my need to ask.
"Quil... will you leave next?" I half asked, half gasped out . My heart was hammering in my chest.

"I don't know what happened with Em and Jake Bells, I really really wish I did. That way you'd stop blaming yourself at least and stop thinking you had anything to do with this. What I do know, is that no one on this planet could ever pry me away from you Isabella. I'm serious. You've been the best outcome of all this, getting to be your friend. Having your love is the warmest thing I've ever experienced. You go out of your way to do things for me, Gramps, our friends, your dad. You are the most pure hearted person I've ever met and your presence is a gift. Trust me when I say you did nothing to make them abandon us, the same way I know you know I didn't do anything. Either way, you'll never have to worry about me. I will never leave you and that is a promise, I can bet my life on." He said seriously, never looking away from my eyes. I smiled happily, I don't think I had ever heard Quil be so serious before. My heart sped up, this time for a different reason completely. Lately, I was starting to see Quil a bit differently. Maybe not different, just… more. I noticed him more. Like now, I couldn't help but notice how he somehow knew exactly what to say to ease my wounded heart. Or see the Quil I'd known for all this time, but see him more. He was beautiful, like drop dead gorgeous on the outside and in. It scared me terribly when I first realized I was beginning to develop feelings for Quil. Why wouldn't it: with my history of abandonment and lack of attention holding qualities. But this was Quil, and I knew that I could trust him with my life. No matter what.
"I'll never leave you either you know." I said as I laid my head back against his chest. And it was true. No one would or could ever take me away from my Quil Ateara. Not a soul on this planet, not even Sam fucking Uley.

A/N: What do you guys think?