Bella

However, that same night Charlie came home and looked at the three us sprawled out over the living room, finishing homework with homemade pizzas in the oven. Individual pies that the three of us made up and I made up Charlie's, a salad was already prepared in the refrigerator.

"Hey, Nao," Charlie says from the armchair. She looked up at him from her essay, "You know that three-bedroom house around the corner for your house?"

She looked back down at her essay, "The one that was recently just rented out like … last week? The blue house?"

"That's the one," Charlie answered, smiling with mirth.

Naomi snickered as she looked up at him again, "Uh oh, what'd you do?"

"Nothing, nothing… I was the one that rented it out."

Seth and I jaws dropped as we shared a look and stared at Charlie, "Come again?"

Charlie looked down at us with a short sigh, "How would you two feel about moving to La Push?... Naomi's right down the street and the Reservation schooling system offers more benefits to college education."

"You're lying," Seth accused even though he had the biggest grin plastered across his face.

Charlie shook his head no.

Seth was flying to his feet and was upstairs in seconds, Naomi was laughing as Charlie and I watched after Seth in surprise. Charlie looked back at me, scrutinizing my face carefully.

"How about you, honey?" He asks gently, his eyes were cautious.

I pondered it. We were still in the peninsula… but… I refused to think about him and focused on the pros of this situation. Naomi, my personal sun, was going to be right down the road, which meant new school and new friends. But I was graduating this year.

"I'm graduating this year," I said worriedly.

"You're a smart girl, Bells. I'm sure the curriculum is somewhat the same if not easier," Naomi adds.

I smiled, "Yeah, you're right."

"When did you plan on starting the move?" Naomi asks focusing back on her essay.

"Around Tuesday next week. I wanted to say something earlier but you kids have been running around quite a lot lately. So… I hope you guys aren't too mad about this."

"Are you crazy?" Seth boosted from the top of the staircase, "This is the best. Day. Ever!"

Charlie groaned, "Oh God."

"Oh!" Naomi gasped sitting up and reaching for her backup while bending her legs to her chest, "Before I forget Bells, I got something for you." Naomi pulled something out of the front pocket of her dark grey backpack and then she held up a dreamcatcher.

It was so pretty. "You didn't have to."

Naomi shrugged, "You're best friend Bella. I had to," She says with a smile. "It'll catch all the spirits inflicting your bad dreams. It'll kick their butt so hard they'll be afraid to come back."

I never told her about my nightmares, how does she know about them? Even though I doubted that'll work but I trusted her. And she was certainly confident about this.

I laughed and reached out to the dreamcatcher, "Thank you."

Just as much as I surprised myself with throwing my arms around her again, but nowhere near as the same comfort I got from the contact. I was her best friend? I realized that she was mine, I loved her so much and care for her but that love would always be friendship. This heavy weight of the clarification of the bond healed a portioned of the hole in my chest, a relief to an excruciating feeling that was surely healing me in ways I wasn't sure I wanted to admit.

The next day in English, I broached the subject with Mike. But I didn't forget about Dad's warning that Friday night would be the last night to hang out with our Forks friends, unless we kept in contact, and then I remembered that Christine and Mike were now a full on fling. Last night, I approached the subject with Seth before bed, he didn't seem opposed to the movie night, he seemed eager to be honest. Plus, this was literally our last two days of school in Forks, what was the worst that could happen, his words not mine.

"Hey, Mike," I said when class was over, "Are you free Friday night?"

He looked up, for him being in a relationship, he seemed hopeful. "Yeah, I am. You want to hangout?"

I worded my reply carefully, "I was thinking of getting a group together to go see that new Transformers spinoff, Crosshairs." I've done my homework this time, I even read some of the movie spoilers so I wouldn't be caught off guard. "Does that sounds like fun?"

"Sure," he agreed, visibly less eager.

"Awesome."

After a split second, he perked back up to his near former excitement level, "how about we get Angela and Ben? Or Eric and Katie?"

Did he really thinks that low of Christine, I mean I couldn't talk but he was eager for a double date.

"How about both?" I suggested, "And Jessica, too, of course. And Tyler and Connor, and maybe Lauren," I tacked on grudgingly. I had promised Quil a variety.

"Okay," Mike muttered, foiled.

Here comes the final blows, "And," I continued, "I've got a couple of friends from La Push I'm inviting, a long with Seth and his girlfriend," I said when Christine came to Mike's side who seemed to recollect her existence. "So it sounds like we'll need your Suburban if everyone comes, is that okay?"

Christine's eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"These are the friends you spend all your time studying with now?" Christine smirked.

"Yep, the very ones," I answered cheerfully. "Though you could call it tutoring – they're only sophomores."

"Oh," They both said in surprise, after a second thought they both smiled.

In the end, though, the Suburban was unnecessary.

Jessica, Christine, and Lauren claim to be busy as soon as Mike let it slip that I was involved in the planning. Eric and Katie already had plans - it was that three weekend anniversary or something. Lauren got to Tyler and Connor before Mike could, so those two were also busy. Even Quil and Katelynn were out – Quil was grounded for fighting at school, and Naomi didn't go into details about Katelynn. Seth got a last minute notice for more track practices, so he had to drop out of the movie night much to both Naomi and I dismay.

In the end, only Angela and ben, and, of course Naomi, was able to go. Better manage numbers that didn't dampened anticipation, though, he was more excited that his girlfriend changed her plans. It was all I could talk about Friday.

"Are you sure you don't want to see Tomorrow And Forever instead?" Mike asked at lunch, naming the current romantic comedy that was ruin the box office. "Rotten Tomatoes give it a better review."

"I want to see Crosshairs," I insisted, ignoring Christine's glare, "I'm in the mood for ashen. Bring on the blood and guts!"

"Okay," Mike turned away with a she's-crazy expression.

Before lunch was over, I had to make the announcement that I was moving, I wasn't looking forward to some of the reactions of the table. But I mean… I only expected Angela to be truly crushed by the news, and most likely Mike from his previous behaviors around me.

"Hey, guys," I called out to the table, Lauren and Jessica ignored me, "I have an announcement to make."

"You're pregnant?" Jessica asked after a giggle with Lauren and Katie, I blinked at that confusion.

"You're moving back with your mom?" Lauren asked hopefully, Christine, Jessica and Lauren whispering giggling amongst themselves.

"What's going on, Bella?" Angela asked after casting a look at trio of snarky bitches.

Oh, Naomi is rubbing off on me.

"Well…" I started after looking at the clock and gathering my backpack together, "Charlie rented a house in La Push. It's my last day today."

"Oh!" Angela gasped, she grabbed my hands, "You remember my number, right?"

"Of course, Ang," I replied giving her a reassuring smile.

The bell rang.

"Thank God for no more Bella," Lauren says pushing her hair shoulder as if she needed too.

"And no more Seth either," Christine adds and then the trio were gone along with Mike and the others.

Angela was the only one who stuck by, she sighs, "I'm going to miss you Bella."

I glanced at her, "I'm going to miss you too, Ang… hey,… come with us for the movie night. I really want you to meet Seth's girlfriend."

"Wait, Seth really has a girlfriend?" Angela asks as we turned to Seth waving at us at the doors to go to class.

I nodded, "Yeah, I found out last night. When he kissed her before I took her home."

"How long have they been going out?"

"I… didn't ask… actually. I've been a bad friend and sister as of late, can you forgive me?"

Angela smiled and threw her arms around me, "I forgive you." She pulled away and we smiled at each other bashfully before catching up with my little brother. "Oh and I honestly I would love to come, but I'm honestly nit feeling too good."

"Oh-." I went to offer to walk her to the nurse but she hurried away down the hallway.

When I got home from school, a very familiar car was parked in front of my house. Naomi was leaning against the hood with her arms crossed and a huge grin brightening her face.

"No way!" I shouted jumping out of the truck, "You're done! I can't believe it! You finished the Camaro!"

Naomi beamed, "Just last night actually. This is the maiden voyage."

"Awesome," I held up my hand for a high five.

She smacked her hand against mine, she bounced excitedly on the balls of her feet, "Can I drive tonight? I have my permit."

"Definitely," I replied and then sighed.

"What's up?"

"I'm giving up – I can't top this one. So you win. You're the oldest."

"Yes!" I laughed at her little dance and then she humbled herself, leaning back against the hood and shrugging, "Of course I am."

Mike's Suburban chugged around the corner.

"This is the guy who got Christine to cheat? And the one who thinks you're his girlfriend even though he has one? Is he still confused?"

I sighed, "Some people are hard to discourage."

"Persistence pays off… sometimes." Naomi says thoughtfully.

"Most of the time it's just annoying."

"Amen, sister." Her head had jerked in agreement.

Mike got out of the van and crossed the road.

"Hwy, Bella," he greeted me and then he looked at Naomi, his eyes widened and his pale cheeks tinted with blush.

I briefly glanced at Naomi, too, trying to observe. But I seen the gears turning in Mike's head, and I have to intervene before he says something that would get repeated to Seth. I had a strong, deep feeling that if Mike says one wrong thing tonight and Seth heard about it. Naomi really didn't look like a sophomore at all. More like a senior in college, her body was toned and shaped stunningly and I know Seth will go berserk if I let Mike try anything on Naomi.

Plus, I didn't want Mike's oily hands going anywhere Naomi. I always had an unfamiliar surge of instincts to protect Naomi, especially after our conversation about Sam, the fact that she was creeped out by him always made me on high alert when we were out of the house. Mike was no different, this was no different. I hooked my arm with Naomi's and fixing hair on her shoulder, casually blocking view of the low cut of her long-sleeve shirt from Mike's eyes.

"Hey, Mike! Do you remember Naomi Black?"

"Not really," Mike smirked holding out his hand to Naomi.

"Old family friend," Naomi introduced herself, she cracked a bright grin. They locked hands with more force than necessary, "And Seth's girlfriend." When their grip broke, Mike flexed his fingers and Naomi continues to grin at him.

I think I seen him physically shiver. I heard the phone ringing from the kitchen.

"I'll get that – it might be Charlie," I told them and went to dash inside but then I turned to Naomi, she winked at me and I dashed inside.

It was Ben. Angela was sick with the stomach flu, and he didn't want to come without her. He apologized for bailing but I reassured him it was okay, that's why Ang hurried off after lunch today.

I walked back out to Naomi and Mike quickly, I really hoped Angela would feel better soon. It didn't seem Nao and Mike had made any progress towards friendship in my absence. I was thankful for that. They were several yards apart, facing away from each other as they waited for me; Mike's expression was sullen and Naomi was cheerful.

"Ang is sick," I reported glumly. "She and Ben aren't coming."

"I guess the flu is making another round. Austin and Conner were out today, too. Maybe we should do this another time," Mike suggested.

Before I could agree, Naomi spoke as if she proposing a challenege, Mike stared at her smirk.

"I'm still up for it. But if you'd rather stay behind, Mike—"

"No, I'm coming," Mike interrupted sharply, "I was just thinking of Angela and Ben. Let's go." He started towards his Suburban.

"Hey, do you mind if Nao drives?" I asked, hooking my arm with hers, "I told her she could – she just finished her car. She built it from scratch, all by herself," I bragged like a proud PTA mom with my child on the principal's list.

"Fine," Mike snapped.

"Who pissed in his cheerios?" Naomi whispered to me and I giggled softly.

Naomi pushed her seat forward to let Mike into the backseat just as I seen one of Seth's cars pull up behind the Camaro. Mike climbed into the backseat of Camaro with a disgusted expression.

Seth climbed out of the backseat of Gabe's silver sedan with other boys in the car, Seth laughed as the music from the car emitted from the speakers. Seth pulled on his backpack and his athletic bag, he went to walk to the car when his friend did a u-turn in front of him as they yelled his name and hoots and whoops before driving away.

Seth approaches from his place on the road, grinning, I grinned back with my hands on my hips, "I thought you had track?"

"I did to until they had a party for me during the last period of class," He answers as he walks over to Naomi. I watched as he dropped his bags and tackled her onto the yawn making her squeal, normally I would be uncomfortable with romantic affection but this was different. This truly brought me happiness to witness.

Mike groaned from inside the car and made his presence to Seth, "We have a movie to catch."

Naomi was her normal sunny self as she drove, chattering away happily until I forget about the boys in the backseat. I looked back to Mike and Seth staring at each other, Mike broke eye contact with Seth and looked at me looking back at them.

"Doesn't the radio work in this thing?" Mike asked with a hint of petulance, interrupting Naomi mid-sentence.

"Yes," Naomi answered, "But Bella doesn't like music."

I stared at Naomi, surprised, I never told her that. But then I remembered the gaping hole in my truck dashboard.

"Bella?" Mike asks, annoyed.

"She's right," I mumbled still watching Naomi serene profile.

"How can you not like music?" Mike demanded.

I shrugged, "I don't know. It just irritates me."

Mike leaned away with a defeated grunt.

When we got to the theater, Seth handed me a twenty dollar bill with his arm around Naomi's waist.

"What's this?" I objected.

"We're not old enough to get into this one," he reminded me.

I laughed out loud, "So much for relatives ages." Naomi snorted a laugh, "Is Billy going to kill me if I sneak you in?"

"No," Naomi shook her head, "I told him you were planning to corrupt my youthful innocence."

I snickered, and Mike quickened his pace to catch up with us.

I almost wished the Mike had decided to bow out. He was still sullen—not much is an addition to the party. But I also didn't want to be a third wheel either, but then I thought about it, this was the first time that Naomi and Seth showed more of their relationship. I stayed with them to avoid giving Mike's hints about the current situation.

The movie was exactly what it professed to be. In just the opening credits of the movie of gigantic alien robots landing on Earth during the fifties. Four people were blown up and one got beheaded. The girl in front of me put her hands over her eyes and turned her face into her dates chest. He patted her shoulder, and winced occasionally, too. Mike didn't look like he was watching, his face stiff as he glared at the fringe above the screen. I glanced over at Seth and Naomi two empty seats away, I would've preferred that they stayed closer, even if Seth had his tongue in my friends mouth.

I settled in to endure the two hours, watching the colors and the movement on the screen rather than actually seeing the shapes of people and events. I glanced over to movement to my left, Naomi was sitting down in the seat next to me and Seth took the other seat. I looked back at the screen, watching the colors again until Naomi started sniggering.

"What?" I whispered.

"The blood squirted twenty feet out of that guy," She whispered, "I know this is supposed to be CGI, but this ridiculous."

Naomi and Seth chuckled as a flagpole speared a man into a concrete wall. After that, I started watching, Naomi linked her arm with mine while holding Seth's hand. I glanced over at Mike claiming my other arm rest with his arm resting lightly, palm up, in an unnatural looking position. An uncomfortable position. Like a steel bear trap, open and ready. I shifted closer to Naomi inconspicuously, and I wrapped my free arm over my stomach hoping his hand fell asleep.

About halfway through the movie, Mike pulled his arm back catching Naomi's attention as he leaned forward to drop his head in his hands. At first, I thought the movie was getting to him, but then he moaned.

"Mike, are you okay?" I whispered.

The couple in front of us turned to look at him as he groaned again.

"No," he gasped, "I think I'm sick."

I seen the sheen of sweat covering his face in the light from the movie screen. Mike groaned again, and bolted for the door, Naomi and I unlinked arms. I followed him immediately, and the two followed instantly.

"No, stay," I whispered, "I'll make sure he's okay."

They followed me anyway.

"You guys don't have to come. Get your $16 worth of carnage," I insisted as we walked up the aisle.

"It's okay. I'm actually kind of disappointed in this movie. It sucks," Naomi's voice rose from a whisper to its normal volume as we walked out of the theater.

There was no sign of Mike in the hallway, and I was glad that Seth had came with, he walked into the men's bathroom to check on him. Seth was back in a few seconds running a hand through his hair.

"He's in there," Seth said, rolling his eyes, "I think he has that stomach flu."

"What a marshmallow," Naomi grumbled sitting down on a velvet bench against the wall.

"He might be in there for a while," Seth says.

But then three minutes barely passed before Mike stumbled out of the bathroom. His face ashen and covered in sweat, he looked horrible.

"Oh, Mike," I gasped.

"Do you mind leaving early?" he whispered.

"No, of course not," I answered as Naomi stood up from the bench.

"Seth?" we all turned to Christine's voice, and there she was with Jessica and Lauren who were smirking and murmuring to each other. "Mike?" Christine asked getting a good look at Mike.

"Hi, Seth," Jessica and Lauren batted their eyelashes at Seth, puffing up their non-existent chests as flirting.

Just as Naomi went to go to Seth's side, her and Christine almost ran into each other going on different directions, Naomi stopped a foot before Christine. Christine glanced up at Naomi who towered over her as the same height as me. Christine's face filled with recollection as Naomi took another step back away from her and I hooked my arm with hers.

"I know you," Christine accused glaring at Naomi.

Naomi snorted, "I don't know you."

"Christine is my girlfriend, Naomi," Mike groaned in the background, he looked sick but he also seemed annoyed but his tone wasn't annoyed with Naomi.

It was different and she caught the tone.

Naomi looked at him and then back at Christine, her head turned swiftly between them until I felt her aura change.

"Mi," Seth called with a shake of his head.

Naomi turned back to Christine as Seth ignored Jessica and Lauren, "Oh you're the Forks slut, La Push hears about all the time."

Christine gaped offended, "Excuse me?"

"I didn't stutter," Naomi snapped.

"Bitch, you don't know me," Christine gritted her teeth.

"Oh, so, you're not the girl that cheated on my boyfriend?"

"Your boyfriend?" Christine repeated in confusion and then it clicked, she looked at Seth in disbelief with a scoff, "You're dating this spic?"

"Spic?" Naomi demanded, she removed my arm from hers, pushing me away lightly. "Bitch, I'm not Spanish. I should punch you in the mouth for that anyways!"

"Nao," I called going to grab her arm

"I dare you. I bet you would—Ah!" Christine squeaked high pitch when she turned around to Naomi not even three inches away, I watched Christine's face pale.

"Hey Nao, calm down," I grabbed her arm and looked up at her face, shock ran through like being licked by a live cut cable.

Mike retreated back into the bathroom. The darkness in her eyes that wasn't directed at me, and the way her hair framed her face as her chin titled down. It was an similar outrage during our conversation on the cliffs about the twins and the others. But this was different, this was a different type of anger and I knew that Christine was stuck because of the intensity of Naomi gazes. Piercing even when she smiling, and bright with happiness, like the sun.

She was the dark sides of the moon in this moment. Dark side of something that seemed to clawing for it way out behind her eyes, but she stood still as stone. Even with the mean expression she was beautiful, it was scary. Standing still as stone in a low neckline of her t-shirt, the medium blue wash of her jeans, I didn't know if I wanted to admit this but – power radiated off her in slow waves, invisible but heavy like an aura. Her body temperature was high, too high, scolding hot.

Is she sick? Does she have that too stomach flu too? No. No, this is different.

"Naomi," Seth grabbed Naomi by the front of her waist, pulling her away from Christine who started to breathe again and stumbling backwards. Seth glanced back down at Naomi, his hands came to her neck and then her face, checking her temperature. "Naomi – you're burning up."

"I'm fine," Naomi answered lowly as Christine fell backwards before scrambling to her feet and scurrying away to Jessica and Lauren, pulling them away past the bathrooms. "Fit as a fiddle."

Jessica turned around, her face in a scowl, "We'll take Mike home."

"Mike? Is that what you want to do?" Naomi asked and I realized Mike had emerged from the lavatory once again. Everyone turned to him, and he shook his head, "Come on, Mike. Let's get you home," Naomi instructed before walking away with Seth on her tail but I was right behind them.

Mike followed too, Naomi stopped at the concession stand.

"Can I have an empty popcorn bucket please?" She askes the sales clerk who took one glance at Mike before shoving a bucket in her direction.

"Get him outside please," She pleaded.

I towed Mike out into the cool night air of Port Angeles, walking and staggering a bit here and there back the Camaro.

"Naomi," Seth came out in front of her, grabbing her face in his hands, Naomi grimaced and leaned away from his hands.

"Your hands are like ice," She complained.

Seth sighed, his back relaxing, "maybe it's me."

The road felt longer on the way back. I let Seth take the passenger seat as he watched Naomi intently, I did too, Mike was toughing it out with the cool air blowing on him.

"Hey, Bells… I know you don't like music…. But uh, maybe it would help distract Mike?" Naomi looked in the rearview mirror at me and then over to Mike whom nodded rapidly.

Intensely fighting the urge to puke.

I sighed, I couldn't be selfish forever. I nodded. Naomi turned on the stereo, pressing a button and then it was 80s or 90s rock or classic non romantic songs playing the rest of the trip.

I drove Mike home in his Suburban, he puked on the side of the railing in his mother's 'garden'. I got back in the backseat and I wondered over the music. I wondered how the difference between the experience of listening to music again with Jessica and now with Seth and Naomi. I wasn't slowly growing irritated, a lot of the songs were uplifting, encouraging in moving forward, but it didn't go deep. I wondered the differences of my reactions in certain people's presence's, and as if it was years ago I remembered how I felt in alone day two of waking up.

I wondered how long the pain would last, how so easily I believed I would never feel it in these moments. I had to force myself to not think about the nightmares that would await me when the night was fully over. I didn't want to go home. Not yet.

"I would invite myself in, since we're early," She says pulling up next to my truck, breaking me out of my current train of thought, "I'm feeling a little… strange."

"Oh no, not you, too!" I moaned in worry.

"Do you want me to drive you home?" Seth asked.

Naomi shook her head, "No, I don't feel sick… just… strange. I'll pull over if I have to."

"No, let me drive you home," Seth insisted.

She gave him a kiss that silenced his worries, she pulled away making him dazed. I scrutinized Naomi, she didn't look okay.

"Will you call me as soon as you get in?" I asked anxiously.

Naomi nodded with a frown, chewing on her bottom lip. Seth opened his door and got out and lowered the seat to let me out. As soon as I was out, Naomi stopped the door from closing leaning over the middle and passenger seat.

"What's wrong?" Seth asked.

"There's just something I wanted to tell the both of you… but it's going to sound so lame."

"What's up?" I asked.

"I know that you both are unhappy sometimes. A lot. Maybe it doesn't help anything but I wanted to you two to know that I'm always here. I won't ever let you two down – I promise that you guys can count on me. Wow, that's lame. But you guys know that, right? That I would never hurt you two?"

"Yeah, Nao, I know that," I answered, smiling softly at her, "I already count on you, probably more than you know."

"I know, Mi. I love you."

The smile that broke across her face that set the clouds on fire with its potency, and not a single word I said was a lie. She was my best friend and she could be my future sister-in-law if things worked out well between her and Seth. I was subconsciously hoping for it.

A strange look crossed her face, "I think I should get home now."

Seth and I stepped away from the car, and she reserved our of the driveway.

"Call me!" Seth and I yelled as she drove away.

"Movie over already?" Charlie asked in surprise when Seth and I came back inside the house, he was on the floor a foot away from the TV.

Must be an exciting game on.

"Mike got sick," I explained, "Some kind of stomach going around in school."

"You guys okay?"

"I feel fine now," I said doubtfully, definitely exposed to it already.

"Same here," Seth's voice was a little more edgy than mine.

Seth and I waited in the kitchen for Naomi's call, trying to wait patiently as we got lost in our own individual thoughts, Seths bouncing leg was radiating his anxiety to me. I should've insisted on driving her home, or Seth should've insisted harder as I thought about the strange look on Naomi's face. My fingers started drumming against the countertop, I watched the minutes tick by.

Ten.

Fifteen.

Even when I was driving, it only took fifteen minutes, and Naomi drove faster than I did. Eighteen minutes, I picked up the phone and dialed with Seth coming to my side.

It rang and rang. Maybe Billy was sleeping, maybe I dialed wrong. I dialed the number again.

On the eighth ring, just as I was about to hang up, Billy answered.

"Hello?" Billy asked, his tone wary.

"Billy, it's me, Bella – did Naomi make it home yet? He left here about twenty minutes ago."

"She's here," He answered tonelessly.

"She was supposed to call," My voice leaked with the little irritation running through my chest. "She was getting sick when she left, and we were worried."

"She was… too sick to call. She's not feeling well right now." Billy sounded distant.

Seth took the phone from my grasp, "Billy?... Is there anything we can-…" His jaw set, and his face tensing, "Okay…" He lowered the phone from his ear, "Bye."

"What did he say?" I asked.

Seth hung up the phone, his eyebrows pulled together, "To stay at our place." Seth went upstairs and I followed fretting over this.

I didn't feel any less worried, more in fact. I made a plan to go down to La Push tomorrow and bring some soup for Naomi.

But when I woke up the next morning before 5 am, I sprinted to the bathroom. Seth joined me in the bathroom not too long after, his releasing stomach only made me throw up again. Charlie found us there thirty minutes later, lying on the floor my cheek was pressed against the cold bathtub. Seth was laying down on his side with his eyes closed, breathing through his nausea with his head on the floor.

Charlie looked us for a long moment.

"Stomach flu," he finally said.

"Yes," I moaned.

"You guys need anything?"

"Call the Newton's for me, please?" I asked hoarsely, "Tell them I have what Mike has, and that I can't make it in today. Tell them I'm sorry."

"Nao," Seth groaned before lifting himself quickly off the floor and throwing up in the toilet.

Charlie retreated with that. Seth and I spent the rest of the day on the bathroom floor, sleeping for a few hours with my head on a crumpled-up towel.

A glass of water woke up when Charlie came back home from work. I could see that it was dark in my room—after nightfall. Seth was soundless asleep not to far from me, cuddling a towel to his head. Charlie clumped up the stairs to check on us.

"Still alive?"

"Sort of," I replied.

"Do you guys want anything?"

"No, thanks."

Seth replied with a light snore.

Charlie hesitated, clearly out of his element. "Okay then."

Naomi

I grabbed the phone from the receiver on Sunday morning with my body shaking from the excruciating pain raking through my body, every single inch of my being. The memories of Friday running through my brain like an endless slideshow, the voices that greeted me when I first entered. Memories of one girl running through my brain as I was informed of my current predicament.

It was the first time in my life that I felt anger towards Bella Swan. How was I supposed to accept this? How was I supposed to accept the fact that everything was different and would never be the same again? Nowhere fucking near the same ever again. And the worst part… I had to avoid all contact with the human world, I couldn't get close, I couldn't love a normal human life again. I wasn't human anymore.

Not fully human anymore at least.

"Hello?" I asked into the phone, the pain in my voice clear to my own ears.

"Oh, Nao."

The animal within me growled at the voice of Bella Swan.

"You sound horrible."

You don't even fucking know, Bells. Even though her voice stirred the animal within me, my anger began to fade away into mist. I couldn't be mad at here even if I wanted to convince myself to be. I couldn't.

"I feel horrible," I whispered, resting my forehead against the wall above the phone receiver.

"I'm so sorry I made you go out, Nao. This sucks."

I wasn't sorry though. I got to spend time with my boyfriend and my best friend, the weight of their titles in my life made tears brim in my eyes. Tears fell as Sam's voice echoed in my mind about no visitors, no one that didn't know the secret already or my future imprint… if that was likely to happen. I was genuinely happy that I got to go. I glanced over at my front door opening and the twins walked in.

"I'm glad I went," I whispered unable to get my voice to go higher in volume. "Don't blame yourself. This isn't your fault."

And it truly wasn't. It was the bloodsuckers existence that caused this… could I really be mad at her for falling in love with one?... Could I really be mad at something she had no control over?

"You'll get better soon." Bella promised, "I woke up this morning and I was fine. I think Seths getting up now."

I glanced over at Embry and Jacob sitting at my kitchen table, Jacob wiggled his eyebrows at me when Bella said Seth's name. They began murmuring and snickering as if I couldn't fucking hear them.

This confused me for a second until I remembered Mike had gotten sick two nights ago at the movies. I forced myself not to think about Christine or I was sure going to tear this wall apart with my copper red wolf paws.

"You guys were sick?" I asked, my tone was so dull.

"Yes, we got it too. But we're fine now."

"That's good," I said deadly.

"So you'll probably be better in a few hours." She encouraged.

"I doubt that Bells. I don't think I have the same thing you guys did."

"Don't you have the stomach flu?" she asked, confused.

Shit. I cursed to myself, "No. This is something else."

Jacob made a motion to cut the conversation, Embry whispering Sam's name.

Fuck Sam. I gritted my teeth and looked away from them.

"What's wrong, Naomi?" my heart skipped a beat at Seth's voice who echoed Bella's question.

"Everything," I whispered, inhaling sharply, "every part of me hurts."

"What can we do, baby?" Seth asks his voice thick with anxiety, a howl ripped open in my chest.

"What can we bring you?" Bella asked and I imagined them both holding the phone and listening as closely as they could.

They couldn't come here. They couldn't come here and witness this. I wasn't even supposed to be talking to them. Rage started to fill my body starting at my feet, I hated this. I hate this so much. I just wish I didn't have to fight Sam again for him wanting to deny me my rightful fucking place. Only because I wanted to change how things go with this, and everyone on the council expect my father supported me. Even Harry Clearwater refused for me to claim my title.

I was currently on house arrest until it was my turn for patrol I knew was coming soon because of the twins presence. I glanced at the front door and Sam standing in the doorway, I clenched my free fist turning away from him to keep my cool.

"Nothing…" I inhaled to deliver the final blow, "Nothing. You guys can't come here."

"We've already been exposed to what you have." Bella pointed out.

"I'll call you when I can. I'll let you know when you guys can come back over."

Sam gave me a signal to wrap it up, I cut my eyes at him and turned away again.

"Naomi—"

"I've got to go," I said more urgently feeling the shivers beginning to vibrate down to my nerves.

"Call when you feel better."

"I can't," I said, glowering at Sam who gave me a stern, calm glare.

"Naomi, let's go," Sam says gesturing for the twins to leave the house.

"What? Why?" Bella asked.

"I can't be friends with you guys anymore. I can't be in a relationship."

The hole ripped wider in my chest, "Are you seriously doing this?"

"Naomi, what do you mean? I thought you were sick?"

"I am but… I just can't around you guys anymore. My promise, I have to take it back."

"Hang up… Bella… hang up." Seths voice had some distance between the phone. "Seth… Bella." I whispered before Bella hung up the phone.

"Let's go." Sam ordered and my body instinctively listened, unwillingly.

I growled and shoulder checked him as I passed him, he growled in response but remained cool. Jacob reached out and locked me in headlock giving me a nudgie.

"What can we do, baby?" Jacob made a poor imitation of Seth's voice, he was tormenting me either way.

I managed to wiggle out of his grasp before I threw my right arm back and threw it forward with the rolling tremble of heat down my spine. I exploded into my reddish caramel colored wolf form.

Naomi. Jared greeted while running the perimeter of the cliffs.

Naomi! Paul greeted more enthusiastically than Jared as he ran the outer circle of the park.

All I seen was red as I launched after Jacob's russet red and tan wolf, Naomi! Jacob called through my rage haze.

Jacob let me crash into him and defended himself as I tore into him without reason, he just so happened to be the closest one and dared to fuck with me right now.

Naomi! Enough! Sam voice intercepted, his tone dropped an octave laced with authority and the weight of the alpha order weighed down me, stopping me in my tracks.

I snarled at him.

Patrol. Now. Sam ordered and I was obeying the gag order against my own will.

One of these days… one of the damn days I was going to claim my title. I don't give a damn of the council disapproves. I was the rightful heir and the descendant of the last Alpha.

Ephraim Black.

And I was meant to be the first female alpha of the Quileute pack to ever be recorded. You really believe I'm going to back down from that challenge. I was going to see my best friend and boyfriend again, and… you couldn't stop me even if you prayed for it. He made me break up with my boyfriend and my best friend.

He made me break my promise. For all I cared, he could rot in hell.

I pulled my clothes back on from the leather cord wrapped around my right ankle, a pair of cut off jeans into shorts and today it was a sports bra. It's only been two days, two long extremely irritatingly days of being denied my fucking title. I inhaled deeply and ever so sharply through my nose to hold back the shivers of heat rolling down my spine to initiate my phasing, again, I went through half my wardrobe along with my brother's clothes to stay clothed and not running around naked.

Paul would be pleased with that. Typical hothead Paul Lahote for a weakness of pussy. Girls. Naked girls, more than anything. I wanted to cut his whole junk off and he could pee into a colostomy bag for all I gave a shit. Jake and Bry – Embry hates that name – were awesome, as per usual, expect for when I was phased, typical but it has become weird since we figured out we were second cousins. Jared and I don't really talk, but Jared is cool, he's not like the others.

I walked back to my house on human feet, not paws. I was actually kind of losing my sanity, one I can turn into a gigantic wolf and two I haven't gotten my period. This was the week I'm supposed to get it and I'm really praying it comes, wouldn't that be a sight to see a pregnant giant wolf wandering around. Or me, fifteen year old Naomi Vivian Black with a boyfriend that's about to be eighteen pregnant with his baby, Dad would actually probably kill me. Or him. Or both of us.

"Are you hungry?"

I glanced down at Dad who was sitting at my side as I stared into the refrigerator. Okay, for one thing I didn't even realize I got into the house, I sighed and grabbed a red apple from the drawer. I turned it over in my hands a couple times as I closed the fridge door and leaned against the counter with a sigh.

"No, not really actually…" I looked at the apple in my hands, the red skin protecting the soft fruit flesh inside.

"What's wrong, butterfly?"

"Butterfly," I scoffed at the name.

"Well, you're still me butterfly, Naomi… what's wrong?"

I washed my hands and the apple, I turned the faucet off with the same temperature water no matter what angle it was at. Water felt the same, hot against my skin as soon as it came into contact.

I sighed, I would give my period a few more days to arrive, if it isn't by Thursday then I'll say something.

I shook my head, "Nothing… I'm okay, only tired."

"Charlie is beginning to move this week." Dad says taking the apple from my grasp, I watched my toes so he didn't run them over, "It's going to harder to keep Bella and Seth out of the secret."

I sighed, "If they wouldn't have to clueless if Sam would allow me to claim the title."

"Fight him for it. Don't give up, butterfly."

"Fight him for it?" I scoffed, "He alpha ordered me, I can't fight him even if I wanted too."

Dad heaved a sigh after my words sunk in, it was an aggravated sigh. He was pissed.

Bella

Naomi didn't call.

The first time I called, Billy answered and told me that Naomi was still in bed. I got nosy, checking to make sure that Billy had taken her to see a doctor. Billy said he had, but, for some reason I couldn't make any progress, I never believe him. I called again, several times a day, for the next two days, even during the move to La Push from Forks. Even when we passed their road, no one was ever there.

By Thursday Seth told Charlie and I that he wanted to move back with Renee.

By Saturday morning Seth was a on a flight to Jacksonville, by the time I got home from Port Angeles I decided to go see Naomi, invitation be damned. But the house was empty. This frightened me, was she too sick to be home? Had something happened to Billy? I stopped by the hospital before going back home, but the nurse said at the front desk that neither Naomi or Billy had been admitted. I kept looking over in the passenger side of the truck bench, I felt so alone and empty and nothing to distract me from deeper concerns of loneliness.

I missed Seth the moment he said he wanted to leave, and I barely held it together when he walked through the doors into the airport. He was done with everything. His heart break, all of the things that happened to him, he was done.

After Charlie came home from work, we went over to visit Harry Clearwater, his daughter, Leah, had moved back in not too long ago, not too long ago just like we moved to La Push. I sat with Charlie as he conversed with Harry while watching the sports channel, Harry's heart was extremely weak, and he didn't have that many years left. But Harry joked with him as Charlie forehead pinched together in worry and slight fear, blowing it off and when Charlie was laughing the topic was discarded.

Only then Charlie mentioned Naomi, Harry glanced over at him surprised and a bit nervous as he glanced between Charlie and I before he masked his expression.

"Billy's having some phone troubles. Naomi had mono. No visitors."

"No visitors?"

"Bella." Charlie raised an eyebrow at me, "Don't make a pest of yourself. Billy knows what's best for Naomi. She'll up and around soon enough. Be patient."

Mono is produced from kissing, Naomi certainly wasn't kissing boys around the area, it was clear she loved my brother. Or she did anyway.

"Harry!" the three of us turned to Harry hearing Naomi yell from the back of the house, the floor boards creaked loudly in the hallway but we couldn't see her. "Hey, Sam wanted to go know if you-."

Charlie did, he stood up cutting her off mid question, staring down the hall in disbelief, "Naomi?"

"Oh," Naomi says, "I'm sorry, I'll come back later." And then followed by Charlie stepping towards the hallway.

I was on my feet and making it through the small two bedroom house to the back door, the backyard was empty, an early 90's swing set swaying lightly from the chilly breeze.

"Come on, honey. Let's go to the diner." I turned to Charlie confused, his ears were red.

Once we were strapped up in the cruiser, Charlie pulled out of the driveway as he heaved a sigh.

"Listen Bells… I don't know what's going on… but if. If she's not sick then I can only guess Naomi doesn't want to be bothered."

"Why did Harry lie?" I asked, crossing my arms with angry tears beginning to brim in my eyes.

Charlie didn't answer and the conversation was over with his silence.

I'll give Billy and Harry a week. A week tops before I got very pushy and pissy. A week was generous.

A week was long. By Wednesday I was convinced that everything they were saying was bullshit. And I wasn't going to live until Saturday. Passing by her house everyday after school also wasn't helpful, I noticed both days that there was boys crossing the road into the driveway from the trees and yesterday we seen her crossing with two tall boys.

I guessed that they were the twins. On Wednesday, the very next day at lunch, the tables around Quil, and I's with straggler loner nerds started to babble louder. Heads turning and babble getting hard to ignore as some girls from other tables giggled and the babble of teenage boys was getting louder. I began looking around the small cafeteria compared to Forks High School, then I seen what everyone was going on about.

There they were, walking in a group like they had, but this group was closer together and they followed her. Her beautiful mid-thigh length hair was gone, cut just an couple inches below her jawline, she was wearing her usual black clothing but her pants were dark blue and her sneakers were black vans. Jacob and Embry I assumed by the basketball height sat down at an empty table with her, her back turned to us as the boys started eating like the gossip everywhere was undeniable, Quil reached out to my arm when I went to stand up.

"Don't," Quil says, "Even if you try to talk to them, they'll leave before you get there."

A group of boys hooted and then a sharp slam from Naomi's fist slamming down on the table, silence pierced the air as she stood up and turned towards the group of boys. I could only see the side of her face, but she was pissed, Jacob and Embry were on their feet when her hands started shaking. My stomach dropped into my stomach, something was wrong, something was very wrong with her. Jacob stepped into her view and picked her up off her feet and then the three were gone out of the exit doors.

"They never stay long." Quil says quietly as conversation murmured throughout the cafeteria.

Three more days. Just three more days.