I do not own Twilight.

All rights go to their creators.

I only own Danica and Henrick.

This story will contain Mature themes such as, but not all, strong language, blood, death, supernatural themes, violence, and fluff.

Important:

I have aged up Jacob to 18 due to guideline reasonings.

This story IS a fanfic, it will follow the story loosely but might go on its own journey. If you do not approve of this, simply do not read. I am very happy with comments but if you are rude I will delete or block. I will also try to get to every comment that is left and reply, if I don't, it has nothing to do with you, I probably just didn't know how to reply.

Chapter 1

Henrick grunts like he's in pain when he kisses me but his closed eyes and relaxed face says something different. He makes the sound every time we kiss since we started dating a month ago. I thought it was because he didn't want anything to do with me but here I am on my back in bed with him on top of me. He squirms his body all over mine, making me wonder when it'd be over. We've gotten into this position before but I never let it get too far. It has nothing to do with his looks either. He's a very handsome man with a strong jaw that hasn't been shaved in a day or two with steely blue eyes and dark brown hair. I keep telling myself that it has to do with me wanting to wait for the right time - make it special - but I am not sure if that'd happen with Henrick.

I often think there is something seriously wrong with me. I don't find many people attractive and when I do, I keep it to myself, and Henrick was no different. He was just a high school crush of mine and when I say, I was going to keep it to myself. I meant it. Until he walked up to me and asked me out. Henrick is your typical high school jock with a little darkness behind his eyes that leaves a mystery to be unfolded. Girls all over the school swoon for him and maybe I was no different.

Of course, I wanted to know the mystery that was Henrick Davidson. So I agreed to go out with him. On the first date to a movie that had a load of romance in it and no horror or action, I asked him why he picked me instead of a cheerleader. I knew all the girls on the squad wanted a piece of him and would most likely give themselves up for him as well where as I have been denying him ever since we've started dating.

He said what most boys say to me when they ask me out. 'I've never seen a beauty like you before.'

He isn't the first to ask me out. I've been asked out more times than I can count - or care too. I could have had any boy I wanted to go to the dance with but I always preferred to dance by myself. Maybe I am like my sister on that matter.

My sister, Bella Swan, is beautiful too but we look nothing alike. Where she has brown hair, I have blonde hair. Her brown eyes stick to books while my green eyes like to observe other people. The only thing we have in common are our pale skin and delicate features but other than that, I've known I've been adopted since I first could look in the mirror and realize, 'hey, that's me.' To my mother's dismay. She was hoping I'd think I was related with long delayed genes from someone other than my parents.

Bella and I couldn't be more different.

She chose to move in with our father, even though it pained her, while I chose to stay with my mother, who I knew needed me. We traveled a lot for my mother's new husband's job but we finally settled in Jacksonville, Florida.

I think a lot about my sister, even while Henrick laps at my neck with his tongue, his hands daring to explore the rest of my body. She's filled my mind because as of lately she's undergoing severe depression from a recent breakup. Charlie, my father, has asked me to move to Forks since my mother and him couldn't convince Bella to move here instead.

I feel Henrick's hands reach for the end of my dress, I snatch his wrists and pull them away. He grumbles something against my neck and sits up, scooting to the edge of the bed and rubbing his face with his palms in frustration.

"I'm sorry," I whisper, but I can't be sure if I mean it.

"You always do this," he says. He runs his hands up his face and through his dark hair. "I could have any girl, you know."

I sit up slowly, having heard this same comment every time I've denied him. I wipe the saliva off my neck with a frown and fix my dress that has been dragged up my legs. I position myself on the edge of the bed next to him and raise my hand to plant on his back but refrain. "I'm just not ready."

"You'll never be ready, especially now that you're moving."

"My sister needs me."

"I need you."

I pull my hand away from almost resting on his back. "I've only been with you for a month, you can't expect me to choose between you and my sister."

"Ugh," Henrick stands up and paces in front of me. "This isn't fair. We just got together."

"We can still talk over the phone - I can still visit - it's not like I am never going to see my mother again."

"I don't think you understand," he turns his head to me and his eyes pierce through me. "I am a football player. I can have any girl at school I want and I choose you."

"I am not some trophy you can put on your shelf." I cross my arms and pout, why is he acting like such a jerk?

"You're right, you're not even worth that," he snaps. He turns, opens the bedroom door, and rushes out of the room leaving me dumbfounded with my mouth dropping open at his comment. He's never said anything like that before and though, I should be hurt. I am not. Just a dumb high school crush. Yeah…Dumb high school crush.

I sigh, my palms rub against my face in an attempt to wipe the shock off of it.

"You're worth the wait, Dani. You're worth it," I repeat to myself.

—*-

My mother drives me to the airport. I stare out the window, watching as the scenery of Jacksonville passes by. It's large and small buildings blending together as my thoughts of Forks run through my head. It's January but it's Florida, so it's the coldest at sixty degrees. I wear my green hoodie, a long sleeved dress underneath and knee-high black boots.

Forks won't be so forgiving.

Forks is a small town in the northwestern part of Washington and it is under a near-constant cover of clouds from what I can remember way back when I last visited when I was fourteen. My sister found it horrible going to Forks, she's always preferred the heat and sun of Arizona while I rather enjoyed the green liveliness of the forest that encroaches the town. Bella didn't want to endure Forks any longer so she convinced our parents to have Charlie visit us in California for two weeks every summer instead.

It was a surprise to all of us when Bella told us she's decided to move in with Charlie over staying with mom. It was a bigger surprise when I told them I would stay with mom over moving to Forks. I felt it was important to help my mother through some of the times when Phil, her new husband, would be busy training. Besides, I wasn't sure how my mother would feel if both her daughters went off to Forks to live with Charlie.

My mother pulls up to Jacksonville International Airport, ignoring the honks of the cars behind her as she puts the car in park. Her short brown hair frames her face but it can't hide the frown and the deep sadness that overtakes her normally wide eyes. "You have to help her, Dani. Charlie and I don't know what to do anymore."

The honking cars may not bother my mother but it sure has my heart on full drive. I nod quickly and unbuckle. She snatches my wrist with her soft, warm hand.

"I love you. Say hi to Bella and Charlie for me, and if you can, try to get her to call me or at least answer my emails."

I glance down at her hand, unsure if I should lean over and hug her or pull away. I love my mother, but my mother always loved Bella. Bella has always been her favorite and I understood why. Bella looks like Renee, but Bella is more like Charlie in the emotion department. Maybe that reminds Renee of her first love? Or maybe it has to do with the fact that Bella is their true born daughter. I try not to think that is the reasoning. I was wanted enough to be adopted, right?

"Of course, mom. I got to go," I try to smile and she releases my wrist. I grab my bag from the back and close the door. I face the entrances of the airport, sigh, nod to myself and head inside the busy building.

—*-

My flight took me to Dallas to Seattle and then I took another small plane up to Port Angeles. Once out of the airport I see Charlie waiting for me by his cruiser. He leans against the passenger door with his arms crossed and exhaustion in his eyes. Even with everything he's seen as a Police Chief, I am guessing having to live with a depressed teen doesn't compare.

"Danica," he nods to me as I approach. I stop a foot away and try to smile yet again but up close and personal, I can see just how worried he is over Bella's condition. He looks like he's aged quite a bit since I last saw him.

"Dad," I counter.

"I'm glad you're here, kid," he says, pushing off the cruiser and giving me a tight hug around the shoulders. "I missed you," he whispers into the top of my head. Normally, Charlie isn't like this. He's awkward with affection and like Bella and I, doesn't know how to express it properly.

"I missed you too," I mutter into his brown leather jacket.

He pulls away but still holds my shoulders with his hands as he looks me over. "Wow, your hair has really grown and you're taller than even Bella."

"Thanks for noticing," a small smile tugs at the corner of my lips. I'm very fond of my hair. Even if I cut it, my hair grows back fast and I never get split ends. The soft texture of my hair rarely gets tangled either, making it a dream to brush. "We should get going, shouldn't leave Bella alone for too long."

"You're right, let's go." Charlie releases my shoulders, opens the passenger door for me and waits till I crawl into the cruiser. He closes the door and walks to the driver's side to get in. I push my bag to the back of the cruiser and stare out the window. The clouds above threaten to pour down rain on us but at least it's not sunny out.

I might have lived in Arizona and Florida, but I'd be the first to admit, I never preferred the sun. The heat never bothered me nor does the cold, but if I had to choose, I'd pick an overcast day while roaming a thick forest or hanging out on the beach before a storm. Secretly, night time is my solace. I often would sneak out to dance alone under the moonlight, maybe sing a song or two. I glimpse over my shoulder at my bag, half paranoid that I may have forgotten by ipod back in Florida but I clearly remember packing it.

It takes an hour to drive to Forks from Port Angeles and through the most of it, Charlie and I remained in silence. He'd ask how school was and how mom has been doing. Once we passed the town sign he cleared his throat, earning my attention from staring out the window at the little houses and storefronts.

"Did you leave any…" he clears his throat again, his eyes narrowed but on the road. "Did you leave anyone important back at home?"

I raise a brow. "Do you mean, did I leave a boyfriend behind?" I ask. He glances at me from the corner of his eyes and nods.

"No, he broke up with me a day before I came," I play with the ends of my yellow dress that barely reach the top of my kneecaps.

"Oh? So, you had a boyfriend - how long did you two go out for?" His hands clench tightly around the wheel of the cruiser, telling me he doesn't want to talk about this but something inclines him to do so. I know why he's asking. He wants to know if it's normal for a girl to be fine after a break up with her boyfriend. Though, I am fine after my breakup - Bella isn't. She fell into such a deep depression that my mom had to fly to Forks to try and take her back to Florida because Charlie wasn't sure how to handle the change in emotion. Bella refused, screamed even, I am told. So, that's why I am here.

"We were only going out for a month, he was nothing special to me," I mumble. Am I a bad person for feeling like this? Charlie doesn't relax hearing my response. "We'll figure this out, dad. I am sure of it."

He nods and his lips go straight. "Did you ever get your drivers' license?"

"Yeah." But I barely passed. "Why?"

"When Bella moved here, I got her a truck, an old Chevy, but I wasn't able to get you one. You might be able to borrow Bella's truck on occasion since she only takes it to school and work now."

I smile at the thought of being able to escape to the beaches nearby. I was told that La Push beach is nice with few people from Bella after she had visited once before. "I'll take that opportunity."

We remain in silence the rest of the way, passing by the populated area of the town towards the forest encroached roads. My heart skips a beat at how green everything is. The trees are tall, like sleeping sentinels with green moss climbing all over their trunks. Greener ferns dot around the trees on the ground and even the light filtering down from the green canopies is a shade of green as well. I barely remember this part of the trip since I was young when we stopped coming.

My face plants against the glass of the window, my eyes dart all over the passing forest in search of deer, wolves, rabbits, or bears. This place is so alien to me but it makes me want to jump out of the cruiser and run. Run deep into the forbidden wilderness and unlock all the mysteries of the hidden world. I wonder why Bella never liked this sort of environment. It's majestic and beautiful.

"If Bella is alright with it, can I take the Chevy to La Push beach tonight?" I break the silence.

"Tonight? Are you sure it gets pretty dark around here?" He retorts with another question. I turn back to him with a reassuring smile. "I mean, La Push beach does have some bonfire nights, you should be fine as long as you stay around the populated areas."

Little does he know, I won't be anywhere near anyone else but to assure him of my safety, I nod and continue to smile. "Of course."

We make it to the house not too long after our short conversation. He lives in the small house that has three bedrooms that he bought with mom in the early days of their marriage. Now whether or not the third bedroom was supposed to be used as an actual bedroom is beyond me. It isn't that large, not even in comparison to Bella's room but the size of a decent walk in closet. I don't expect to be staying here for too long so the room will do. Parked in the driveway is a faded red colored truck with big, rounded fenders and a bulbous cab. That must be the chevy. It also means…

Bella's home.

Charlie pulls up in front of the house and puts the car in park.

"Ready?" He asks.

My hand is already on the handle when he asks and when he sees this he nods. We both open our doors and get out. I grab my bag and head inside the house avoiding the mess of slush and mud from a once snowy day. The door is unlocked when I twist the knob and I wonder if Bella knows I have arrived. I wasn't sure if my parents wanted to keep my arrival a surprise or not. Bella hadn't called me in a good while so I wasn't the one who told her.

I walk in and head for the living room where I spot her, sitting on the couch with her back flush against the pillows and her eyes staring somewhere beyond me.

"Hey," she says, in such a monotonous tone I feel a hundred pounds weigh on me from just hearing it. From the looks of it, it was no surprise I have arrived.

"How are you?" I ask.

"Doing okay."

I drop my bag on the floor and sit on the couch next to her. The couch shifts and I notice she's scooted closer to me, resting her forehead on my shoulder. Instead of wrapping my arms around her, I rest my head on top of hers and listen to her breathe.

I catch sight of Charlie watching us from the living room entrance, his arms are crossed and there is the faintest smile on his face.

"Oh, dad," Bella mutters. "I am going out with Jessica to see a movie in Port Angeles tonight." She doesn't lift her head, so how she knows he's here is a surprise to me.

"That's fine, is she picking you up? Dani wanted to know if she could borrow the Chevy tonight if you were okay with it."

"Yeah, I can have her pick me up," I feel Bella lifting her head, so I remove mine. She looks me in the eyes, hers are darkened as if she's been having difficulties sleeping. "Be careful, the keys are on the nightstand beside my bed."

"You should be careful too," I suggest, having only a glimpse of Port Angeles. It didn't seem like a bad place - but every place - even the nicest looking ones, have their bad parts.

"Well, I am going to call her, ask her if she can drive. You two will need to get your own dinner," Bella stands and leaves the room, rounding Charlie and being careful not to bump into him.

—*-

I pull up the Chevy into the small parking lot in front of La Push beach, earning the attention of those who are prepping for the waves or who are relaxing in their cars. The sun has passed the horizon by now but like Charlie said, there are quite a few bonfires scattered across the beach with people populating the lit ones.

I grab my ipod from the cupholder and hear a knock coming from the driver's side window. I stiffen and frown. I was hoping to be alone. Glancing over my shoulder slowly, wondering who could possibly want to be knocking on the window when I know NO ONE in town and see a tall pale blonde boy standing outside the truck. Rolling down the window just a smidge, my eyes narrow at him.

"May I help you?" I ask.

"I know the owner of this truck and was wondering why you have it," he asks. His eyes narrow as he peers in through the window but once he sees me, he pulls away and his eyes relax and a smile crosses his face.

"I am her sister, Danica Swan, I am borrowing her truck for the night," I roll the window back up and open the door with a loud creak. He steps out of the way as I climb out. Digging my fingers underneath my hoodie, I pull it off and throw it onto the passenger seat. It is a little chilly but not enough to deter me from enjoying the moon's light tonight. Grabbing the keys, with my body still slightly facing this boy - never trusting anyone with my full back - I close the door and lock the truck.

"I didn't know she had a sister. Wow, you look nothing like her," he says, his smile only growing.

"I'm adopted, and you are?" I ask. I slip the keys into one of my dress pockets and cross my arms with my ipod in one hand.

"Mike Newton. I am Bella's friend. We go to the same school together. Will you be joining us at Forks High or are you just visiting?"

"I will be going for the immeasurable future."

"That's awesome," he says, his clear blue eyes looking over my body once and then twice. "People must tell you all the time how beautiful you are."

"They do. I don't have much time, so I am going to go," I nod my head in the direction of the beach. "It was nice meeting you, I am sure we'll see each other again at school."

Before he can say anything else to stall me, I turn on my heels and head for the beach, making a show that I am going in the direction of a currently used bonfire that is closer to the forest line than to the water. Occasionally I sneak back looks over my shoulder to see if he's still watching and once he looks away, I burst into the forest nearby. I can hear the waves still crashing ashore as I bury myself into the forest and go as far as I can until I can no longer see the bonfire from the beach.

Unzipping my boots, I kick them off to the side and feel the cold mud cake at the bottom of my feet and toes. The earthy essence fills me up with life and now to complete the process.

Taking my ipod, I plug one earbud into my ear and scroll through the songs, stopping only when I get to 'Bury me deep inside your heart,' by HIM. I do as I normally do when I sing and dance by myself. I close my eyes and let the music sway me like the wind dances amongst the trees. I sing along with the lyrics using my own voice as the song fills me with a deepness that I can't describe when I listen to this song.

The feeling of the moon piercing through the canopies of the trees and stretching across my pale skin fills me with a new energy I only get when I dance in the moonlight. I don't care that I kick up the mud onto my shins, I don't care that the rain that once settled on the leaf's above fall onto my skin sending chills through my core and I simply don't care about anyone or any of their problems while I dance amongst the forest.

The song comes to an end and the sound of clapping sets my soul ablaze. I freeze and open my eyes, my hands still above my head as I gaze at a tall boy standing near my boots near the mouth of the forest. His long black hair frames his russet colored face, and his dark eyes, hard to see the color in the darkness, watch me intently. He drops his hands down to his sides when he notices my eyes turn from a normal stare to a glare.

"Did I scare you?" He asks, with a mix of smooth but husky tone.

My arms fall to my sides and my head tilts to the side, my long hair draping waves of blonde locks down my body. "Not entirely. Did I bother you with my singing?" I ask, looking around for any other audiences I may have brought to myself.

"No one is here, just me and it didn't bother me. I just heard you when I was passing by on the beach and had to see where that voice was coming from," he smiles. His white teeth somehow match against his tinted skin. "My name is Jacob, by the way, you are?"

"Danica Swan."

"Swan? Like Charlie and Bella?"

I nod. How many people know my family in this town? Then again, this isn't entirely Forks, this is part of the reservation.

"How are you related?" He asks.

"Bella's adopted sister, how do you know my family?"

"No way - you're Dani," Jacob's eyes widen and his mouth drops open. "You don't remember me? I mean, I can't believe it's you but we used to play together when we were little when Bella and you visited Charlie."

I pause, tilting my head to the other side as I examine him. I do recall a little boy hanging out with us when Bella and I were little but it was a long time ago. His hair was shorter then, and he was much scrawnier. This boy - who looks like he may be eighteen to nineteen - is strong in appearance. His clothes stretch tight around his muscled body that looks to be still growing. It is not hard for me to understand that he doesn't recognize me. My hair was a lot shorter back then and I hadn't filled out my body because I was a little girl. I imagine I look quite different from my childhood self.

Feeling I won't be able to relax again after being caught dancing in the moonlight, I turn off my ipod and walk up to Jacob, snatching my boots from his side.

"Sorry if I interrupted you," Jacob frowns - something about the way he frowns has my heart sputtering in my chest and I sigh.

"No, I am sorry. I am not exactly the nicest person to people I don't know," I admit. I carry my boots to a log and sit down, tugging them on and zipping them up.

"And why is that?"

"You can't trust anybody."

"I believe it," he says, digging his hands into his jeans and shrugging. "Can't meet new people that way though."

Zipping up my last boot I stand, brushing myself off from the forest debris. "Could explain why I have no friends." I think out loud. The concept of being alone never bothered me and my attitude never deterred boys from asking me out.

"We were friends when we were little," Jacob smirks playfully. "We can be friends now."

Crossing my arms, I pinch my chin with my forefinger and thumb as I think about his suggestion. I had no where to go but the forest or the beach but to have someone I could go to to escape the lingering depression of Charlie's house. The sense of this boy is that of an upbeat, energetic feel and he's not half bad to look at.

"Alright Jacob, we can be friends," I walk up to him and hold out my hand. He watches my movement and slowly takes my hand, squeezing it with warmth and gentleness I haven't felt from a boy before.

"You can call me Jake."

"Okay, Jake, I do have a favor," I wait for him to release my hand but he doesn't until a solid minute passes. Once out of the warmth of his touch, I bring my hand back up to my chin.

"What can I do for you, Dani?"

"Walk me to Bella's truck?"

He smiles brightly. "Sure sure."

Jacob and I walk out of the forest and down the beach. I wouldn't normally need an escort but I have the feeling Mike is still lingering by Bella's truck waiting for me to arrive and I'd rather not deal with another popular, jock type of guy at the moment. Not after Henrick.

"How long are you staying with Charlie or is it permanent?" Jacob asks.

"For the unseeable future," I say honestly.

"And…ah…How's Bella doing?"

There is the faintest blush on his cheeks that goes in and out of color as we pass by bonfires. "From what I am told, not so good. When I asked her she said she's doing okay but I am not sure how much I believe that." From how his eyes glaze over as he asks about her, I get the impression that he has feelings for her. If she's still broken from her last relationship, I can't see getting into another one being easy.

"You're here to help, aren't you?" He asks.

"Of course, I wouldn't be here if I wasn't," I reply.

"Don't like the cold?"

"Ha, it's not that at all. I was just taking care of my mother mostly but even she requested I leave to help Bella." We reach the parking lot faster than I expected and I see Mike, lingering by Bella's truck. I nod to Mike who looks from me and Jacob, to me again. Unlocking the door, I open it and turn to Jacob. "Thank you for walking me."

"Not a problem," Jacob smiles.

I climb into the truck, setting my ipod back into the cup holder and turn back to close the door but as I do, I see Jacob closing the door for me. He waves and I wave back. He's about to turn to walk away and I take this chance to turn on the car and back out of the parking lot to escape Mike.

I never really make friends…but Jacob…may be worth it.