Rhyme Mary and Embrys Story "After Breaking Dawn

8/2/2019 Rhyme Mary and Embrys Story "After Breaking Dawn

1/114

Disclaimer:Idon'townanycharactersyourecognizefromtheTwilightSaga.andtootooownsmaryandtheplot

Here'stheMary&Embrystoryyou'vebeenwaitingfor!

SOOO...

Read,andreview...TELLMEWHATYOUTHINK!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rhyme

ChapterOne

"Hey,Mom!"IgreetedasIenteredthehouse.Finally.ItwasoneHeckofawalkfromschool.MaybeI'dtakeanapbeforeImeettheguysatthemall.

"Hey,sweetie!Foodwillbereadyinten!"sheyelledfromthekitchen.

Irolledmyeyes;Mom,orjustAmelia,wasalwaysrushing.It'snotlikewe'reeverthathungrywhenwecomebackfromschool.

SinceDadandAllen,mylittlebrother,werestillnothomeyet,Iwentupstairstochillinmyroom.

Ienteredthedarkpinkroomandthrewmybookbagonthefloor,asifwishingitwoulddisappearifIdid.ExamswerenextweekandIhadalottodo.

Iquicklywenttomybathroomandtookaquick,warmshower.IchangedtomysweatsandT-shirtassoonasIgotout.

Iwasexhausted;Ugh,IhateitwhenIsleeplateatschoolnights.ButIhadtostudysome'Chemistry'.Ihuffedatthenameofthesubject.

Idecidedtotakeabreaktoday,todonothingatallbuthangoutwithmyfriendsandmaybelistentomusicorsomething.Iwenttomycomputerandswitchediton,leavingittoopenasIcombedmyhairanddriedit.Ididn'thaveitinmetodaytodoanythingspecialwithmyhairsoIjustdriedit.Imean,it'sjustanotherdayatthemall.


2/114

Isatdownonmyblackchairandworemyeyeglasses-theonesIonlywearwhenI'mreadingoronthecomputer;itwasn'tthatmuchofadeal.Ididn'twaitforlongbeforeMSNfinallysignedintomyaccount.

IwascheckingmymailandFacebookaccountwhenIheardthefamiliarbeep.OhGod.Who'dchatnow?

MyheartracedinmychestinsurprisewhenIsawthename.IthoughtIdeletedhim?Crap.IhadjustdecidednotaweekagothatI'mtotallyoverthiswholemess!

MaxWatson.

Myalmost-ex-boyfriend.Yeah,Iknowit'scomplicated,butwewerejustsoclosetoeachother,webeganasfriendsthenveryclosefriendsUntilwewereatthatawkwardstage,youknow?Whenyou'reacouplebutnotofficiallyacouple?

Iwasecstaticwhenwewerethatclosebutallmyhopesweresquashedwhenoneday,outofnothingatall,heignoredme.

Hedidn'tanswermycalls,hedidn'ttalktomewhenIdid,notevenasimple'Hi'.Ihatedthat.Iwantedtoknowwhy.Iwantedtosetthisstraight.

Iwantedrelief.

Backtoreality

HeyhesentmewiththisstupidsmileyfacethatIhate.Onlynowthough.

IwasdeterminedtogettheHelloverhim.Iwantedtodoit.

AndIwould.

StaceytriedtoencouragemetoaskguysoutafterIturneddownalot,IwantedtoaskJacoboutbutitturnedoutawful;NessieandJacobhada'thing'andtheyturnedouttobetogether.Ifeltevenworsethanbeforebutshruggeditoff;itwasn'timportantanyways.

Oh,sonowyou'retalkingtome?Isent,mytoneobviousinmyIM.

Ibeganbrowsingthroughmycousin'slatestpicturesasIwaitedforhimtoanswerme;Iwascurious.

Mybad!Iwon'ttalktoyouagain.Satisfied?

Whatdidhethinkhewas?Thiscocky,snobbishkid!Itwaslikehewasgood-lookingandheknewit.IthinkI'mhatinghim.Good.

Yes,Iam,actually.

Ismiledproudly;Iwouldn'tbeabletodothatearlier.Oneday,IsawhimandhisbrotherwhileshoppingwithStaceyandthenextthingIknewIwashyperventilating.

Oh,youare?

You'rebringingthison!

Yes,IAM,Max!So,STAYTHEHELLAWAYFROMME!IDON'TWANTYOUINMYLIFEANYMORE.I'MNOTTHEMARYYOUKNEW.


3/114

Ididn'twaitforhimtorespond.Iblockedhimandsignedoutofmyaccount,myhandssweatingfromallthestress.

Ididit!

Iglancedatmyclockanditwas3:30already,IhadaboutanhourbeforeImovefromhere.Ineededtocallthecabnow,Iguessed.

So,IquicklycalledthecabandwentdownstairstofindMomstillcooking.Tenminutes,huh?

"Mom!It'sbeenanhour!"Igroaned."Youknowwhat,IneedtosleepanywayssoI'lljustgrabsomethingfromthefridgeandheadtomyroom,'Kay?"Shesighed.

"Sorry,butIburntitandhadtore-doeverythingagain.Eatwhateveryouwant.AreyoustudyingChemistrytonight,too?"sheasked,washingherhands.

"No;Iwon'tstudytonightatall;I'llgooutwiththeguysatthemallandjustletmymindrest;I'vebeenworkingalittlebittoohardlately,don'tyouthink?"

Shechuckled."Doyouhaveatimetable?Areyousureyou'dbeabletofinisheverythingbeforetheexam?"sheusedher'Mom'tone.InoddedasIsearchedthroug

hthefridgeforanythingbutthenrealizedshecouldn'tseeme.

"Yeah,"Isaid,grabbingahugebarofchocolateandrunningtomyroombeforeshenoticeditandgavemeawholelectureondiet.

IsnatchedmyiPodfrommydeskandjumpedtomysmallbutcomfybed,settlingonaharmlesssong,onewithoutanythingtodowithheartbreakoranythinglikethat.Ihadone'safelist'thereanyways.It'sbeenayearandahalfsinceMaxstartedignoringmeandIneededtolistentomusic.

Ibegannibblingonmychocolateandcrying;IlovedMax.Ididn'tknowhowIcouldhatehimallofasudden.TheonlywayIbegantogetoverhimisthatIswitchedschoolslastyear.

Ididn'twanttodothat.Somewhereinmysubconscious,Ineededhim.

Thenithitme.

Ididn'tneedhim,notMaxWatsonanyways.

Ineededsomeonetobethereforme,toholdmeclose,tolistentomeandlovemenomatterwhat.Ineededtofillthatgapinme.

MaxwastheclosestthingtoboyfriendthatI'deverhad,andnowIlosthimforgood.Maybe,deepdown,Ihadhope.MaybeIhopedhewouldcomeback.

ButIhadtohaveahealthylife.Andthiswasn'tinanywayhealthy.

Icriedevenharderandgotbacktomychocolate.Ididn'tevenrealizeituntilmyalarmwentoff,announcingitwas4:30already.

Crap!Thecabwouldbeherein,like,well,NOW!

Ihurriedandgrabbedapairoffadedjeansandaredsweatshirt.ItwasuselesstodoanythingtomyhairnowsoIjustmadeitadecentponytail.


4/114

Irandownstairsandgrabbedmypurse,whichIquicklysnatchedmycellphoneandmoneyin.

"Mom!I'mgoingnow!"Iyelled,hurrying.

"Humph.ShegetstogoouttodayandIdon't!"Alwhined.Suchababy!Ican'tbelievehe'sonlytwoyearsyoungerthanIam.

Ifoundthecabwaiting.

"Ms.Anderson?"heaskedprofessionally.

"Yes."

Islidinthebackseatandtookaminutetocollectmybreath.IwasabouttenminuteslatewhenIfinallygottothemall.

"Thankyou,"IwhisperedasIhandedhimthecharge,alreadycomingoutofthecab.

Ienteredthemallandscannedtheentranceforthem,untilIfoundthemthere;Nessie,Stacey,Brad,MattandJacob.

"Hey,guys!"Isaid,forcingasmile;Iwasinaterriblemood.

"Hey,"theyallrepliedinunison.

"So,whatdoyouwanttodo?"Iasked.

"IthoughtmaybeseethelatestbagcollectionatGuessthen-"theguysgroaned-"What?We'llgotoStarbucksafterward!"Staceysaid.Inodded;Idefinitelyneededshopping.

ThenIheardsomeoneelse.

"We'rehere!"Aguysaid,lookingatJacob.Iassumedhewasoneofhisfriends.

Buttherewasanotheronerightafterhim.

Hewastanandverymuscular,hisperfectbrownhairwasinsmoothspikes,bringingouthisbeautifuldarkbrowneyes.

Hewaswearingablackshirtonlow-waistjeans.Ihadtocollectmybreathsforthesecondtimetoday.

Thewayhestaredatme,hiseyesfullofwhat?Love?

I'vebeenimaginingthings;afterall,Iwasonchocolate,milkychocolate.

Iwalkedabsentmindedlywiththeguys,well,nexttoMatt,theonlysingleguy.

Iwasthinkingaboutthismysteriousguy,orratherman,helookedlikehewasatleast20.

IfeltmyheartpoundinmychestwithafeelingthatIhadlostaverylongtimeago,onlythatitwasmuchstrongerthanthelasttimeIexperiencedit.

Ilikedhim.

Oh,Mary,Mary,Mary.Itwasthechocolatetalkingthere.IknewIshouldn'thave!


5/114

Icouldfeelhisstaresburningholesinmyback.Naw.IshouldprobablygotoDr.Brooke,Stacey'sfather,toseeifIhadanypermanentbraindamagebecauseofthatdoseofchocolate.Whoknows?

IenteredGuessandstartedscanningbagsandshoeswithmyeyes.Ineededsomeshopping,butallIcouldaffordatthemomentwasonlyonebag,soIpickedupthepurpleone,thoughIhavenothingpurpleinmywardrobe.

WhenIgotoutIheardonevoicethatmademykneessoweakthatIthoughtIwasgoingtofall.

"MayIcarrythisforyou?"theMysteryManasked.Iblinkedandfeltmyfacegothotter.Ilovedthosedelusionsanyways.Ihandedmybagtohim."I'mEmbry,andyouare?"hespoke.Ittookmeamomenttobeabletoformanaudibleresponse.

"Mary,"ImanagedtowhisperthatIthoughthewouldn'thearit.Iwassurprisedthathedid.

Hesmiled,showingthosesuper-cutedimpleshehad.Ittotallycontrastedwithhismanlylookbutitstilllookedadorableonhim.

STOPIT,MARYGRACEANDERSON!YOU'RENOTDOINGTHISMISTAKEAGAIN!YOU'RENOTFA

LLINGFORANYONE!

Isighedmentally;Ididn'twanttogethurtagain.Onceiswaymorethanenough.

"So,Mary-"OhmyGod,thewayhesaidmynamemade-FOCUS,GIRL!-"Whatdoyouwanttoorder?"Oh,Ididn'tnoticewewereatStarbucksalready.

"Chocolate,"Isaidautomatically,reluctantlybreakingeye-contactwithhim.DidIjustsaychocolate?Again?WhatamIdoingtomyself?"Imean,chocolatemilkshake,"Iquicklycorrected,stillnotlookingathim;Ididn'twanttomakesomethingorfeelsomethingIwouldregretlater.

Ihatemorethananythingnow,Max!Ihateyoufordoingthistome!Ihateyouforbreakingmethatmuch!

Ifelttearsforminginmyeyesand,beinginopen-air,somedustenteredmyeyesthatIhadtoblink,forcingmytearsdownmycheek.Ugh.

Embryseemedalarmed,heimmediatelytookmyfaceintohishandsandlookedintomyeyes.

"What'swrong?"heaskedquicklythenrealizedthathishandwasonmyface,sohedroppeditimmediately,cursingunderhisbreath.

NO!

Insomeweirdway,Iwantedhissuper-warmhandtostayonmyface.Iwantedhisvoicetosootheme.Iwantedtohughimandleteverythingout.

Hell,Idon'tevenknowhislastname.

"Canwetakeawalkorsomething?"Isuggested,whispering;ifI'mdoingthisIwasgoingtoneedtobealone.Henoddedandturnedtohisotherfriend.

"Seth,I'mgoingtotakeMaryandwalk,"heinformedhim,helookedathimquest


6/114


7/114

NO!

Oh,great.NowIwastalkingtomyself.

IsuddenlyaskedaquestionthatIhadinmeforawhile,almostwithoutthinking.

"Whydoyouactlikethistowardsme?Imean,youjustmetmenotawhileagoandyoualreadyactlike-"hecutmeoffwithalaugh,almostbitter.

"Ilikeyou,"hesaid,butIsensedthattherewasalotthathedidn'ttellme.Isighed;Iwasdoingthisagain.Itwasalmostlikehecouldreadmymind-ormyexpressionsjustgaveouttoomuchbecausehetookmyfaceinhismassivehandforthesecondtimetodayandwhispered,"Iwouldneverhurtyou,ifthat'swhatyou'reworriedabout."IwasabouttoprotestthenIclosedmyselfandfrowned,knowingthatthatwasexactlywhatIwasworriedabout.

"Thanks,"Iwhisperedback.

Then,Sethnudgedhisarm.

"Comeon,man!Aren'twegoingtoleave?"heasked,winkingathim.Heletgoofmyfaceandstoodup.

"Yeah,sure.We'regoingtoLaPushnow,right,Nessie?"hesaidasIbegantotakemypurseandsearchedformybag."No,I'mtakingthat,"hewhisperedinmyear.Ismiledandblushedagain.

EmbryjoinedJacobandSethandIjuststaredathim,mybrainincapableofcomprehendingthewholeday,andIcouldn'tblameitonchocolateanymore.

"EarthtoMary!"Nessiesaid.Iblushedandchuckled.

"What?Ilikehim!"Itriedtosoundasnormalaspossiblewhenwhisperingthistoher.

"Sureyoudo,"shemumbled,"Whatdidhetellyouwe'redoingatLaPush?"shea

sked,almostsuspiciously.Weird.

"Hesaidthathehadtoshowmesomethingreallycoolandthathelikesme,(HeLikesMe)"Isaid,sofastthatIwasn'tsureshe'dbeabletoknowwhatIwassaying.

"Great!"shesaid.Shesoundedgenuinelyhappyforme.

""ButI-I...well,dunnohowtodescribeit.Imorethanlikehim.It'screepy,consideringthatIfirstmethimacoupleofhoursago."Nesswasoneofmyveryclosefriends,maybeshe'dtellmesomething.

"No,it'snot.Really."Huh?Hmm

WewentintoNessie'sblackFerrariandJacobdrove,Isatontheside,Embrywasinthemiddle.

Icouldfeelhisheatradiatingthroughme.Ilovedthatfeeling.

"Ilikeyoursweatshirt,"hecommented.Wow,Ihaven'tnoticedthatbefore.

I'dneverthoughtanyonewouldlikemeinmypony-tail-and-sweatshirt-no-make-upstate.Imustlookhorrible.Isuddenlyfeltself-conscious.


8/114

"UmmUh,yeah.It'smyfavorite."Now.Hesmiled.

"Redisdefinitelyyourcolor,"hewhispered,"Itgoeswithyourhair"hemumbled.Iblushed,again,andsmiled.

"Thanks.Youlookgreatyourself,"Icommented.DidIjustsaywhatIthinkIjustsaid?

OhmyGod.

Oh,well,itwasaweirddayanyway.

Hisdarkskindarkenedevenmore.Wasthatablush?

Aw!

Afterchattingrandomlywithhimforalongtime,Jacobspoke.

"Hereweare."

Wegotoutofthecar,whichwasnowparkedinfrontofasmallredhouse,andbeganwalkingtowardstheforest.Thiswasgettingweirderthanever.

"I'llgocheckonAmy,"Sethsaidandleftus.Ibeganfeelingcold,scared.

"Okay,Mary.BeforeIshowyouanythingIjustneedyoutostaycalm.Don'tbescared.There'sreallynothingtobescaredof,"Embrytoldmeashecamecloser.Ididn'tknowwhetherIwasgettingwarmerbecauseofthesenseofsecurityIfeltaroundhimorbecauseofhisfreakishtemperature.Inodded.

"Okay."Itsoundedmorelikeaquestion.

Hegotawayfromme,onlyafewfeetthough.Thelookonhisfacesuggestedthathewasconcentratingreallyhardonsomething.Hestartedshakinggraduallyuntil,inablinkofaneye,hewasgone,agiantgraywolfwithcuteblackspotsonhisbackreplacedhim.

Wasthathim?Embry?

OhmyGod.

AW-Werewolf?

IfelttheblooddrainfrommyfaceasIstaredathim.

"E-Embry?"Istuttered.Hehowled.Itwasgettinghardertobreathe.Thiswasn'treal.NO,itcouldn'tbereal.

Werewolvesdon'texist.

Thiswholedayisadream-Yes.

Exceptthatitwasn't.

"It'sokay,really.Hewon'thurtyou,"Nessiesaid,rubbingmybacksoothinglyasIfrozeinmyplace.

"Youknew?"Iaskedinawhisper,sherolledhereyes.


9/114

"Sure;Jake'sawerewolf,too."T-ThisisjustOhmyGod.OhmyGod!

ItriedtocollectmybreathsbeforeIpassedoutand,surprisingly,Iwasabletocalmmyselfdown.

Heapproachedme,rathercautiously,andnudgedmewithhisnose.Ilaughednervously,Ididn'tknowhowitcameoutthoughandtouchedhisfurwithmyhand.Itwassosoft,sobeautiful.

God,Mary!You'retalkingaboutaguythatjustmorphedintoahorse-sizedwolfthing!

Afewminuteslater,anotherguy,wholookedlikehewasfromhere,too,cameinonlyhissweats,carryinganotherpairoftheminhishand.

"You'restupid,youknowthat,Embry?Yougotmerunningtoyourhousejusttogetyouthose!"hecomplained.Thenhenoticedme."Oh,hi"hesaid,"Soyou'reEmbry'simprint?"Im-what?

"Huh?"Isaid.

"Sometimesyou'restupid,too,Quil.Hehasn'ttoldheranythingyet!"Jakesaidasthegraywolfranbehindthetreestophaseback.Whatmorewouldhetellmenow?Isthereanythingmorethanthis?

Waitasecond!

Whywasheshowingmethisinthefirstplace?

HecamebackinthepairofsweatsthatQuilgavehim.So,clothesdidn'tjustpopinandoutofexistence,didthey?Toobad;Ilikedtheshirt.Icouldn'ttakemyeyesoffhimashecamecloser,shirtless.Ihopedhewouldn'thearmyerraticheartbeat.

"So,nofullmoonsorsilverbullets?"Iasked.

"Nope,"heanswered.

Then,Jacob,QuilandEmbrywereexplainingalotofthingstome.Theysaidthatthosewereonlythe'basics'andthatIneededtoattendabonfirewhenthe'elders'explainmoreoftheirlegendstome.Embrystayedbymysidethewholetime.Ididn'tknowwhyIwasn'tscaredofhim,whyIdidn'tjustrunawayandscreammylungsout.Ifeltthetotalopposite;Itrustedhim,Ifeltsafearoundhim.

IwassureIwasgoingtogointoshocklater.

Onethingtheytoldmecaughtmyattentionthough.Theysaidheimprintedonme,whichmeans,andIquote,that"hewouldalwaysbethereformeandprotectmeasI'mthemostimportantthingtohim;thegravitythatattacheshimtoEarth."

Thewhat?

He'sWHAT?

I'm.WhattheHell?

Hewasmyprotector.Myguardianangel.

Thiswasjusttoomuch.


10/114

Chapter2

Theykepttellingmeaboutthewolves,theirabilitiesandtheytoldmeeverythingaboutimprinting,Ithink.

Embrysighed,"Themainreasonwephaseinthefirstplaceiswhenvampiresare

near;ourmissionismainlyaboutkeepingthesafetyofthetribe."

Yeah,sure.

Wait,WHAT?

"V-Vampires?"Istutteredforthemillionthtimetoday.Hey!Ihadverygoodreasonstodoso.

"Yes."He,forsomereason,kepthisreplysimple,maybebecauseIwasshakingnow.

"Wouldyouliketogohomenow?It's10:30already...Ibetyourparentswouldbe

worried,"Jakesaid,"Nessie?"hecalledafterward,asifsuddenlyrealizingshewasn'tstandingwithus.

Yeah,IjusthopeDadwouldn'tcallthepoliceorsomething.

JacobwenttoNessie,whowassittingonthegrass,probablytired,whileQuilexcusedhimselftogohome.

"Please,Mary,don'tbeafraid;Itoldyouthere'snothingtobeafraidof.Trustme,"healmostbegged,wrappinganarmaroundmyshoulder.

"Idotrustyou,maybethat'swhyIdidn'trun."Iletoutasmallsmile;Iwasrelaxingbitbybit.

Hechuckled,"Iwould'vecaughtyouanyways,"hewhisperedinmyear.Hewasrelaxing,too.

Yeah,right;superspeed,superstrength,superhearing.Ismiled;Ihadmyown-super-hero-protector.

IneverthoughtI'deverfeelthatcomfortablearoundanyone.Isthatsomethingtodowiththoselegendsandmagicandstuff?


11/114

Itriedtotuneouteverythingthathadtodowiththesupernaturalfornow;Iwassavingthewholeshockforlater.HewasjustaguythatIreallylike(thoughthatworddidn'tcoverit,butIdidn'twanttofeelsoweird)andhelikedmeaswell.ThoughIdidn'tknowwherewewere.Friends?Maybemore?Howdoesthatwork?

"Yeah,"Iwhispered,movingtowhereNessiewas."Howlonghaveyouknownaboutthat?"Iaskedcuriously.

"Sixyears,"sheanswered.

"Wow."Wasmysmartreply.

"Yeah,Iknow."

"Aren'tyouafraidofthosevampires?Ineverthoughtthatworldevenexisted,"Icommented.IheardEmbryandJacobcough,probablyhidingtheirlaughs.Hey!It'snotmyfaultIdidn'tknowaboutthis!Theyactlikeit'snothing,likevampiresarejustnormal.Buttheyaren't.

Thewolves'missionistoprotectpeoplefromblood-suckingvampires.Becausethey'renotnormal.They'redangerous.

ThatwasABCmythicalcreatures.

"Ummm...Look,Mary,thisissomethingIthinkwe'dhavetotalktoyouaboutlater,"shesaid.

"We?"

"Later,Mary,"shesaidwithfinality,Ijustnodded.

Wewho?Maybethe'Pack'orotherimprints?Idon'tknow

IslidforthesecondtimeinthebackseatoftheFerrariatthesametimeEmbrydidandtoldJacobwheremyhousewas.Hesmiled,erasingeveryreasonIwasafraid.Rightnow,Iwasn'tafraidofvampiresorevenheartbreak.

Itrustedhim.

Helookedatmeandsmiled,comingclosertome.Iapproachedhim,too;gettingclosertohimonlymademefeelbetter,andwrappedmyarmsaroundhim.Ihopedhewouldn'tmind.

Hedidn't;hewrappedhisarmaroundme,tooandkissedthetopofmyhead.Myheartlostitstrackashedidthat.GodwasIfallingforhim!

"Takecareofyourselfforme,"hewhispered.Ismiledandnodded.

"Thisisit?"Jacobasked,slowingdown.

"Yep;theAndersonresidence,"Ianswered,"IguessI'llseeyoulater?"IspoketoEmbry,hopefillingmyvoice.

"Rightafterschool.Promise,"hereplied.Ichuckled,stillnotbelievingwhathadhappenedtonight.

"'Kaythen,byeeveryone!"Isaid,"Seeyou,Embry."Verysoon,please.

Igotoutofthecarandwalkedtowardsthehouse.Iknockedquicklyandprayed


12/114

theywouldbeawake;itwas11pm.Uh-oh;Iwasgoingtohavealongnight.

Allenopenedthedoor.

"Well,well,Mary.Whatbringsyouheresoearly?"heaskedsarcastically,Istuckmytongueoutathim.

"Gosleep,squirt;youhaveschooltomorrow,"Imuttered.Hesmirkedandletmein.

"Wherehaveyoubeen?"William,myfather,asked.Iflinchedathistone.

"ItoldyouguysI'dbeoutwithmyfriendstoday,"Imumbled.Hecrossedhisarmsoverhischest.

"IwasjustonthephonewithDr.BrookeandStaceyhadbeenhomealmost3hoursago!"hewasyellingnow.

"IwaswithNessie,"Iwhispered,loweringmyhead.Hesighed.

"Nessiewho?"heasked,calmer.

"RenesmeeCullen,Dr.Cullen'sdaughter."Ilookedupathimtofindhimsighingagain.

"Okay.Butnexttime,remembertorechargeyourcellphonewhenyougooutalone;alotcanhappeninPortAngeles.Iknowthatmorethananyone."Ofcourse,hewasapoliceofficer.Inoddedandgotuptomyroom.

IthrewmypurseandbagonthefloorandchangedquicklyintomypajamasbeforeIdriftedtosleep.

Mynightwasn'taspeaceful;nightmaresthathaddisappearedlongtimeagowerecomingbackexcepttheyweredifferent;insteadofcallingafterMaxandhekeptrunningaway,Iwasrunningawayfromhim.

Iwokeupearlythatday,at5am.Iquicklytookashowerandchangedintoaden

imskirtthatwenttomykneesandaredtopthathadblackwritingsonit.IknewEmbrywasseeingmeafterschoolandIcouldn'thelpbutfeellikeIneededtodothat.

Igrabbedmyeye-linerandapplieditontheinsideofmyeyelidandappliedmyChanelmascara.Ihadtoturnitupside-downfortenminutestogetanythingoutofit;I'dgotitatmylastbirthday,andthatwaslastJanuary.Iputonlightpinklip-glossandkeptitinmybag;maybeI'dneeditlater,afterlunch.

Oh!Lunch!

IhadtheYearbookcommitteemeetingatLunch!

Itwasstillearly;6:30.IhadhalfanhourbeforeIstartedwalkingtoschool.SoIgrabbedmyiPodandstartedlisteningtomusic.Ideletedthe'safelist';Iwouldn'tneeditanymore.IwasofficiallyoverMaxfreakin'Watson.

IgotdownstairstoMom.

"Goodmorning,sweetie."Shesmiledatme.Ismiledback.

"Morning,Mom.Sleptwell?"Iasked,chewingabreadstick.


13/114

"Yeah.Whataboutyou?"sheasked,fightingasmile.Whatwasthatabout?

"Whatisit,Mom?"I'dalwaysbeenstraightwithMom.Shelookedattheceilingbeforeshespoke.

"Whodroveyouherelastnight?Isawthecarfromupstairs,youknow,"shewhispered.Ismiled.

"ItwasNessie'scar,herboyfriendwasdriving."Shecouldn'thaveseenEmbryinthebackseat;thewindowsweredark.

"Oh."Wasallshesaid.Iglancedatmycellphone'sclockandfounditwas7am.Finally.Igrabbedmybookbagandstormedoutside.

"Loveyou!"Icalledandstartedwalking.

Iwasactuallyproudofmyself;Ididn'tgetscared,Ididn'tpassout,andIdidn'tgetintrouble.Plus,IwasseeingEmbrytoday.Thethoughtofhisnamesentbutterfliesinmystomach.

Maxwashistory.Icouldn'twaittogotoschoolandtalktoStaceyabouteverything.Well,noteverything;theytoldmeIcouldn'ttellaboutthevampiresorthewolves.

Igottoschoolat7:45.Alwaystheperfecttiming.Ismiledatmyself.IwasdefinitelyinabettermoodthanI'dbeeninabout18months.Wow;it'sbeenthatmuch?

"Hey,M!"StaceysaidfromBrad'scarasshegotout."How'veyoubeen?"

"I'mmorethangreat!"Isaid,grinning.Sheshouldgetthehint.Shesmiled.

"Hey,Brad?"

"Yes,Stacey?"

"IhavetotalktoMary,so,I'llseeyoulater,honey,'Kay?"shekissedhisch

eekandhenodded,wavingatme.IwavedbackandpaidattentiontoStacey,whosegrinwasfromear-to-earnow.

"What'sgoingon?"sheasked.

"YouknowthatguyIwastalkingtoyesterday?Embry?"Iasked.

"YeahWhatabouthim?"She'dneverexpectmetosaywhatIwasabouttosay.

"Ikindalovehim"Imumbled.Hereyeswidened.

"MissI-didn't-get-over-Maxsaywhat?"sheasked,raisinganeyebrow.

"Okay,translation:I'msototallyoverWatsonandIthinkI'mfallingforEmbry!"Iwhisper-yelled.Shehuggedme.

"Goodforyou,sweetie.Justbecareful,"shewhispered.Inodded."Areyougoingtoseehimagainsoon?"shesuddenlyaskedassheletmego.

"Yeah;hesaidhe'dbehereafterschool."Shenodded.

FirstclasswasEnglishwithMatt.Imethimthere.


14/114

"Mornin',M!"Wehigh-fived.

"MorningMatt!"IsaidasIthrewmybookonthedesk.

"YouhavenextclasswithStacey,right?"heasked.Inodded,frowning.

"Why?"

"JusttellhertotellBradthatthewholefootballteamistakingLunchandthefourthperiodtotrain;wehaveagameagainstForksHighafterschool,"hesaid,playingwithhispen.ForksHighMyformerschool.

"Sure,I'lltellher."IsatdownandpreparedmyselfforanotherboringGrammarrevision.

AfterEnglish,ChemistryandGeometry,Irushedtomylockerandputmybooks,grabbingmynotebooktoattendthecommittee'smeeting.

"Hey,"IsaidasIgotintotheroom.

"Hello,Mary.Haveaseat."IrolledmyeyesatMrs.Cox'sformaltoneandsatdown.

Aftersettingourtasksstraight,weweredismissed.Iwassupposedtodesignth

ecover.Mrs.Coxrealizedthenthatwealreadymissedthefourthperiodandhalfofthefifth;theboyswerekiddingalot.Anyways,wewereexcusedfromschooltoday.

Oh,great;nowIhadtowaitforhalfanhourbeforeEmbrycomes.Butterfliesareback!

Hewastotallyworththewait.SoIgotoutandsatonthestairsinfrontofthemainbuilding,facingtheparkinglot.IgotoutmyChemistrybookandstartedstudyingalittletokillthetime;ChemistrywastheonlysubjectIhadtroublewith.

IwasrevisingthePeriodicTableforthethirdtimewhensomeonenudgedmyshou

lder.Ismiledandlookeduptoseewhoitwas,expectingEmbry.

Exceptthathewasn't.

ThesmilefadedfrommyfaceandIfeltalumpinmythroatasIsawthecreamy-skinnedboywiththefamiliarlightbrownhairandgreeneyessmirkatme.

"Max,"Iwhispered,acknowledginghim.Hesatdownbesideme,soclosethatIstooduptoavoidphysicalcontactwithhim.

"Hey,Mary,"hesaid,standingup,too.

Myhandwastrembling.Yes,IgotoverhimbutIhaven'tseenhiminalotofti

me.Iwasnervous.

"Didn'tItellyoutostayawayfromme?"Isnapped,tryingtocalmmyselfdown;beinghypotensivedidn'treallyhelpmysituation;Iwasstartingtogetdizzy.

"Oh,Mary,don'tbelikethat,"hewhispered,approaching.Itookastepback,clutchingtomybookasifforsupport.

"ItoldyouI'mnottheMaryyouusedtoknow.Please,Max.Leavemealone.Whyareyouhereinthefirstplace?Didn'tyoudecidetokickmeoutofyourlife?


15/114

What.Do.You.Want?Didyourcheerleadergirlfrienddumpyou?"Irushedthroughthewords,annoyed.

"Iwantyouback,Mary,"hesaid.

"AndIdon'twantto.So,stayawayfromme!Stopfollowingmeifthat'swhatyou'redoing!"Iwhisper-yelled;Icouldn'traisemyvoiceanyharder.

"I'mnotfollowingyou!"Heyelled,"Wehaveagamewithyourschool'sfootballteam!That'swhyI'mhere!Wewerebestfriendsandthenyouswitchedschools!"heyelled.Iflinched.

"That'safteryoustartedignoringme!Icouldn'ttakeitanymore!Weallhadtomovebecauseofwhatyouhaddonetome!"Iaccused,tearsforminginmyeyes.

"I'msorry,okay?I'mjustsorry!I'vemissedyou!"Hesaid,approachingandrubbingthebackofhisneck.

"Sorry?Isthatthebestyoucouldcomeoutwith?Ayearandahalf,Max,18freakingmonths,notaphonecallorevenaHi,andyou'resorry?"Iwascryingnow,mybacktothewall.Hewascloserthannecessary.

"Hey!"Mattyelledfrombehind,grippinghisshoulder."WhattheHellisgoingon?"heasked,eyingmytear-soakedface.

"It'snoneofyourbusiness!"hespat,annoyed.Ifeltblooddrainfrommyfaceandmykneesweren'tsupportingmeanymore.

"Yes,itis!Whathaveyoudonetoher?"heasked.

"Ididnothing!"hedefendedhimself.Peoplewerestartingtogatheraroundus.Myvisionwasstartingtogetblurry.Damnblood-pressureissues!

"Mary?Mary?Areyouokay?"IheardStaceycall.Inoddedweakly.

"Mary?"Iheardanothervoicecall.TheonlyvoiceIreallyneededatthemoment.

Embry.

Iscannedthecrowdwithmyeyestofindhimpushingthroughthestudents.HesupportedmyweightasIfeltmyselfgiveinslowly.

"Edward?"hecalled.Edward?

Ifeltacoldhandonmywrist,contrastingwithEmbry'ssuper-hotarmsthatheldme.

"She's-"ThatwaswhenIlostitcompletely;Idriftedtopeacefulunconsciousness.

ItfeltlikealotoftimehadpassedwhenIstartedhearingsomevoices

"Comeon;you'vegotmewaitingforlong,"Embry'ssoftvoicesaid.Ismiledandopenedmyeyesslowly.

"Hey,"Iwhisperedandstartedtoseemysurroundings.Iwasinthenurse'soffice.Isawhimgrin.

"Hey.Areyoubetternow?"heasked,holdingmyhand.Itfeltsogoodrightther


16/114

e.

"Yeah;I'mfine.Iwasjust-"Ishruggedandsighed,"It'snobigdeal.Ihatebeingsoweak,"Imumbled,mostlytomyself.Hesqueezedmyhandmore.

"That'swhyI'mhere.I'msorry;Ishould'vegotearlierbutIgotlost,"heapologized.

"It'snotyourfault,Embry!I'mreallyfine!"Igotupandhoppedonmylegs."See?"hechuckled.

"I'mgladyouare."Thatwaswhenthedoorslammedopen.

"Areyoualright,sweetie?Whathappened?"Momasked.

"Nothing,Mom.I'mreallyfineandIreallydon'twanttotalkaboutitnow.Please?"Ibegged.Shesighedandnodded.ThenshesawEmbry.

"I'llwaitinthecar.Grabyourstuffandcome.Ihavemyworktogobackto,"shesaid.IlookedupatEmbrywithpleadingeyes;Ididn'twanttogohomejustyet.

"OrIcoulddriveherhome,Mrs.Andersonsoyouwouldn'tbelate.Isthatokay?"heoffered.Shelookedatbothofusandsmiled.

"Sure.Behomebefore4!"shesaidassheexitedtheroom.Isearchedformybookbagaroundmebutdidn'tfindit.

"Whereis-"hecutmeoff.

"This?"heasked,flippingthebagasifitwasafeather.Anditwasprettyheavy.

Ismiledathim.

"Yeah."

WegotoutoftheroomtofindBrad,StaceyandMattwaitingforus.Staceyrushedtomewhenshesawme.

"I'msosorry,honey.However-"shesmiledproudly,"Iyelledathimandtoldhimtoleaveyoualoneandnotcomeanywherenearhere!"shecameclosertome,"beforeEmbrykillshim.Boywashemad!"herlipstwitchedintoaknowingsmile.Ilookedather,horrified.

"Theyfought?"Iwhispered.Shenodded.

"Buthewasmoreconcernedaboutyousoheleftme,MattandBradshoutingathimandtookyoutothenursewhojustleftbecauseshesaidthatyou'regoingtobeokayandthatsheneededtogohome."Sherolledhereyes.Isighed.

"Thanks."

"Thisjerk!"Mattmutteredashehuggedme,"Icouldn'tbelievehehadthenerve!"Ichuckled.

"Guys!Really!I'mmorethanfine!"Staceywinked,"AndIhavetogonow,so"Imumbled.

"Takecare!"BradyelledfrombehindasIbeganrunningtowardstheparkinglot.


17/114

Embrywaswaitinginfrontofhismotorcycle.Cool.

"Comeon!Iwanttotakeyousomewherebeforewegotoyourhouse!"hesaid.Ismiled.

"Whereto?"Mymoodgetsbetteraroundhim.RuleNumberOne.

"IwanttoshowyouFirstBeach.It's2:30nowso,ifwegotherefastenough,we'llbeabletobeatyourhouseat4exactly.Justaquickvisit."Hiscutedimpleswereshowingashegrinned.

"Sure."ThenIeyedthemotorcyclethenlookeddownatmyskirt."Err-howamIgoingtoride?"Iasked.Hechuckled.

"Come,"heliftedmeupeasilyasifIweighed2poundsandsatmeinfrontofhiminthemotorcycle,Iwasfacingtherightside.

"Andhowwillyoudrive?"Iasked,raisinganeyebrow.Hesmiledevenwider.

"Likethis,"hesaid,stretchinghislongarmsthatreachedthecontrollersperfectly.Icouldfeelhisheat.Myheartwaspoundingveryhardlyinmychest.

Hestartedtheengineandthemotorcyclevibrated.Iheldhisshirtforsupport.

"Shallwe?"heasked,amused.Inoddedeagerly.

IcouldfeelthewindflowthrewmyhairandIautomaticallyleanedonhischest,relaxing.Ididn'tfeelthetimepassuntilhetoldmewewereatLaPushalready.

"So?"hesaid.Iwatchedtheextraordinarilybeautifulwavesflowedonthesoft-lookingsand,leavingcutewhitetracesthere.

"It'sbeautiful,Embry,"Isaid,"Wow."Hesmiled.

"You'remorebeautiful.Iloveyou,Mary,"hewhisperedinmyhair.Ifroze.

DidhejustsaywhatIthoughthejustsaid?

Helovesme.

OhmyGOD.

Toomuchinfofortwodays.

"Iloveyou,too,"Iwhisperedautomatically,meaningeverysinglewordofit.Ididn'tknowIhaditinme.

IknewitwascrazyandprobablystupidbutIcouldn'tdenymyselfthat.

Ireallydidlovehim.

Icouldseehiseyeslightupashetookmyfaceinhismassivehandsandleanedcloser.Now,myheartwasn'tjustpounding,itwasprotesting,yelling,tellingmeitwastoomuch.

Ibroughtmyfaceuptohisashekissedme.

Ididn'tknowwhattodo;I'dneverkissedanyonebefore.So,IjustdidwhatIthoughtwasright.


18/114

Ikissedhimback,Ithink.Hepulledaway,smilingatmeandhuggedme.

"Idon'tknowyourlastname,bytheway,"Icommentedafteramomentofcomfortablesilence.Hechuckled.

"Call.MynameisEmbryStephenCall,"hesaid,"AndIdon'tknowyourmiddlename."

"I'mMaryGraceAnderson,"Istated.

"Lovely,"hewhisperedinmyearandIsmiled,ridingbackonthemotorcyclethathehadalreadystarted.

"Hey,Embry."

"Yeah?"heanswered.

"WereyoureallygoingtokillMaxtoday?"Iwhispered.Ididn'tliketheideaofhimfightingforme.Hetensed.

"Hehurtyou,"hereasoned,"Icouldn'tjuststaytheredoingnothing.ButIcouldn'tleaveyou;Edwardsaidyourpressurewassolowthatitwasn'tnormal."Histonewashurt.IfelttheneedtocomforthimsoIleanedonhischest.

"It'sokay.I'mfine.Butyouhavetopromisemeonething,"Istated.

"Yes?"hesaid,waitingformetospeak.

"Pleasedon'tfightforme.IknowabouttheimprintingthingandallbutI'mnotreallyworthit.Itwasn'tthatbigofadealanyways."Heraisedhiseyebrow."Okay,okay.Itwasabigdealthenbutitwasn'tworthit.Please?"Ibegged.

"I'msorry."

"What?"

"I'msorry,Mary,butIcan'tpromiseyouthat."Ihadtoadmitit,Ilovedbeingtakencareoflikethat.

"Okay,Embry,"Isaid,tryingtosoundmadbutfailedmiserably.

"Iknowyou'renotmad,"hesaidmatter-of-factly.Ichuckled.

"IdiscoveredthatI'mnotgoodatgettingmadatyou."Hegrinned.

"So,doyouwanttogooutsometime?"heasked.HowcouldIrefuse?

"Sure.When?"

"Tomorrow,Iguess.Youknowwhat,I'lltellyoutonight."Therewasgoingtobea'tonight'!

"Doyouhavemynumber?"Isuddenlyaskedasheparkedinfrontofmyhouse.

"No.I'lltakeitwhenIcometonight.You'regoingtostudy,right?"Inodded,frowning.

"DoyouthinkDadwouldallowyouin?"Iasked,"Imean,it'sgonnabeawkward."


19/114

"Whydoeshehavetoknow?"heasked."I'llcometoyourroom."Ihalf-smiled,notsureifI'dhavethenervetodothat."OrwecouldsaythatI'llstudywithyou,okay?"heasked,changinghismindimmediately.

"Sure,it'dbegreat,"Iwhispered,kissinghistancheek.

HewasabouttokissmeagainwhenIheardAl'svoicecall.

"Hey,Mary!"Ugh.Whatarelittlebrothersforagain?

Chapter3

Embrychuckledandkissedmycheek,smirkingatAllen,wholookedratheracombinationofconfusedanddisgusted.

"I'llcomebyat7,okay?"heasked,strokingmycheekwithhiswarmhand.Ismiled.

"Sure.Seeyou!"Iwavedathim,goingtowhereAlwasstanding,infrontofthedoor.

"Idon'tlikehim,"Alcommentedasweenteredthehouse.Irolledmyeyesathim.

"You'renotsupposedto,"Isimplyreplied.Throwingmybagonthefloorandheadingtothelivingroom.

"Whatever,Mary.Justmakesurewedon'thavetomove,again."Ouch;thathurt.

Ijustignoredhimandgotuptomyroom,changingintoapairofloose-fittingjeansandawhitet-shirt.

IdecidedtosleepalittlebeforeMomandDadcamehomesoI'dhavesomeenergytostudy.Then,beforeIevengottograbthecovers,mystomachgrowled.Igroaned;Ihadn'teatenanythingatallbutthebreadstickthismorning.Thatdefinitelyhelpedthepassingoutthing.

AsIatesomeyoghurt,thephonerang.Allenwouldn'tbothertomovefrominfrontoftheTVanywayssoIwenttoanswer.

"Hello?"Ianswered.

"Hey,M!How'reyounow?"Staceyasked.

"I'mfine,Stacey.How'severythinggoingwithya?"Iasked,playingwithmycupofyoghurt.

"Goodgood.How'sEmbry?"sheasked,hertoneplayful.IsmiledthennoticedthatMomwasunlockingthedoor.

"Uh-Later.Ihavetogonow."Pleasegetthehint.


20/114

"Oh,Ameliaoryourdad?"sheasked.

"First."

"Okay,then.I'lltalktoyoulater."Shehungup.Iputthephonedown.

"Hey,"Mombreathedasshekissedmycheek.

"Hey,Mom."

"Ineedtotalktoyou,"shewhispered,gettingtoherroom.Ifollowedher,myheartracing;Iknewwhatthiswasabout.

"Yes,Mom?"Isaid,tryingtosoundcalm.Shesatontheedgeofherbedandsmiledatme.

"Youtellme,"shesaid.Iblushedandlookedattheground.

"AboutEmbry,Isuppose."Awkwardnesswascreepingthere.

"Sothat'shisname?"sheasked.Icouldtellshewasfightingasmile.

"Yeah."Awkward.Shesighed.

"Mary,I'mreallyhappyforyou."What?Ididn'ttellheranything

"Mom-"Itriedtoobjectbutshecutmeoff.

"Iknowthere'ssomethinggoingonbetweenyoutwo.I'mnotthatstupid;Isawitinbothyoureyes."Itwasmyturntosigh.

"Okay,Mom.Sowhat?"Iasked,shrugging.

"Sowhat?Doyourememberwhathappenedlasttime?"Noonewouldletmeforgetthat!Noone!

Flashback

Icalledhimseveraltimes.Noanswer.Isighed;whywasheignoringme?Washeevenignoringme?Maybehe'djustforgottenhisphonesomewhereorhe'sbusy.

So,tobesure,IborrowedMom'sphoneanddialedhisnumbers.Heansweredaftertworings.

"Hello?"

"Max!"

"Whoisit?"

"It'sMary,Max.What's-"ThatwaswhenIheardthefamiliarbeep.Heendedthecall.

Ifellonmybed,unabletocomprehendwhatIhadjustdiscovered.

Hewasavoidingme.

Ireplayedeverysinglemomentinthepasttwoweeks.Icouldn'tfindonethingthatI'dmadethatcouldhavemadehimmad.Iknowhimtoowell.


21/114

AllIcouldrememberwashowIcalledafterhimandhedidn'tfaze,howhejust,overthenight,kickedmeoutofhislife.

He..He

OhmyGod.

Ibrokeintotears,rockingmyselfasiftryingtocalmdown.IheardknocksonthedoorbutIdidn'tmove.Ididn'thaveitinmetorespond.Whywoulditmatter?Whywouldanythingmatteranymore?

IloveMax.Hechangedalotinme,Ibecameadifferentperson.Iusedtobeatomboy,acarelessgirl.Allshecouldthinkaboutwasonlyherschoolworkandbestfriends.Butheshowedup,andchangeditall.

Hetaughtmewhat'butterflies'are.Hetaughtmehowtolove.HewasthereasonIgotupeverymorningandwenttoschool.

NowIhavenothingtowakeupto.

Hedidn'tcare.

ButIdid.

Ilockedmyselfupinmyroom,lyingonthebed,untilDadbrokethedoorandfoundmelikethat.

IthoughthegotadoctororsomethingbutIcouldn'tbethatsure.Itdidn'tmatter.Nothingmattered.

"Wehavetomove,"IheardhimtellMom.Move,ummmIdon'tcare.

"Ifthat'sgoingtohelpherthenfine."

"ChiefSwanwasveryunderstanding;hemanagedtogetmeanotherjobinPortAngeles.Ifoundaschoolthere,too.Well,two;forAlandMary."

Move?Huh.Iwishitwouldhelp.Maybe

No.Iwouldnevergetoverhim.Ijustknowthat.

Endofstory.

EndFlashback

"Mom,please-"shecutmeoff.

"No,Mary.Youhavetolistentome!"shesaidsternly.

"Mom!Iknowwhatyou'regoingtotellmesojustsaveit!Embrywouldn'tdotha

ttome.Ijustknowthat,"Iwhisperedthelastpart,tearsalreadydownmycheek.

"Oh,honey.Ididn'tmeanitthatway.Just,bemorecareful.Don'ttrustjustanyoneeasily."IalreadytrusthimwithmylifeMom.

"Sure.Bytheway,he'scomingtostudywithmetonightat7,"Iinformedher,alreadycomingoutofthedoor.

"DoesWilliamhavetohavehisgunready?"sheaskedplayfully.


22/114

"No,Mom!"Iyelledfrommyroom.

Ijumpedtomybedanddriftedtopeacefulsleep.Ifeltreallytired.

Ifeltsomeonegentlyshakemyshoulder,Ifrowned.

"Aloneminute,"Imumbledgroggily.Iheardachuckle.

"I'mEmbry."MyeyesshotopenandIfoundhimsittingonachairbesidemybed.Isatupimmediatelyandblushed;myhairmustlookhorriblenow.

IglancedaroundmetofindDadstandingatthedoor,hisarmscrossedoverhischest.Ifawkwardnesswasvisible,Iwould'vebeenblindedbyit.

"Um-IDad?"Istuttered.

"Yes?"heanswered,hisglarefocusedonEmbry.Isighed.

"We'regoingtostudy,so"Imumbled,trailingoff.WhydidtheytreatmelikeI'mincapableofdealingwithpeople?

"Okay,"hesaid,"Butthedoorremainsopen."Ichuckled.

"Sure,Dad."Istartedtogetup.Hewentdownstairs.IturnedtoEmbry,"Um-I'llberightback."IrantothebathroomandgroanedasIsawmyreflection;Ilookedterrible;myhairwasgoingeverywhereandtheeye-linermademyeyeslooklikepandas'.IshouldhaverememberedtowashmyfacebeforeIslept!

Iquicklygrabbedmymake-upremoverandstartedworkingonmyfaceandhair.

EmbryCall

Shelookedsobeautifuljustlayingthere,sleepingpeacefully.Evenwhenhersmoothhairwasflowingonthepillownexttoher.

Shelookedsotiredthough.Iwouldn'thavewakenherupofitwasn'tforherfa

therstandinginfrontofthedoor,glaringatme.Iwouldn'tblamehimthough.

SherantowhatIassumedwasthebathroom.Icouldn'tunderstandhowanyonewouldhurtthisangel.

MyhandsturnedintotightfistsandIletoutalowgrowl.ThisMaxdid.IwishedIcouldriphisheadoff.ButIcouldn't

Flashback

Ugh;Ihategettinglost.Jakewasveryspecificwiththedirections.Ichuckledatmysarcasticthought.

Oh,hereitis!

Ienteredtheparkinglotonmymotorcycle,scanningtheplacetofindher.

Mary.MyMary.Definitelymine.

Ifoundagroupofpeoplegatheringaroundtheentranceofthemainbuilding.Whatwasthatabout?Issheinthere?

Iparkedthemotorcycleandshutofftheengine,runningtowheretheywereall


23/114

gathering.

"Mary?Mary?Areyouokay?"Iheardsomeoneask.Mary?WhatwaswrongwithMary?Isshehurt?

Ipushedthroughthecrowds,callinghername.

Shestoodthere,herfacewasmuchpalerthanusual,hersmallhandsweresweating,trembling.Shedidn'tlooklikeshecouldbestandingforlong.

Irushedtoherside,supportingherweight.IrememberedthenthatalltheCullenswenttoschoolhere,IevensawtheVolvointheparkinglot.

"Edward?"Icalled,prayinghewouldbethere.Hecameoutfrombetweenthecrowd,obviouslyhearingmycall.Heheldherwrist,measuringherheartbeat;itwould'velookedweirdifhecouldtellherbloodpressurewithouttouchingherwrist.

"She'sfaintingslowly,Embry;herbloodpressureislowerthananythingIwouldconsidernormal.Unlessshe'shypotensiveorsomething"hemumbled."I'llgogetthenurse."

HewentinsidethemainbuildingandIputMary'spassed-outbodyonthefloor,restingherheadcarefullyonthewall.

Ipaidattentiontomysurroundingsthen.IsawMary'sfriends;Matt,StaceyandBrad,Ithink.Theywereyellingataguy

"Isn'titenoughwhatyou'vemadehergothrough?ShewasjuststartingtogettheHelloverallofthisandyoujustdecidetoshowup?Whatareyou?Apieceofice?"Staceyyelled.

Sohedidthistoher.

Thesonofa-Matt'swordscutmythoughtsoff.

"GettheHellawayfromher,Max!Lookwhatyou'vedonetoher!"hepointedatM

ary,passed-out,herfacestillpale,hernow-whitelipswereshaking.

So,that'sMax?

Icouldn'tcontainmyragethen,mybodystartedshaking.ButIcouldn'tphasewithallthosepeoplearound.

"Soyou'retheonewhohaddonethistoher!"Ispat,pushinghim.

Hetriedtopushmebackbuthecould'vebeenpushingabrickwall.

"Andwhoareyoutoher?Thisisbetweenmeandher!It'snoneofanybodyelse'sbusiness!"heyelled,defendinghimself.

"Listen,youjerk,ifyouEVERandImeanEVERcomeanywherenearher,IsweartoGodI'llkillyouandI'llkillyourealslow!"Ifeltacoldhandonmyshoulderthen.Edward.

"Sheneedsyounow."Wasallhehadtowhispertogetmyattentionbacktoher.

EndFlashback

Shegotoutofthebathroom,herhairpulledupinacutemessyponytailandher


24/114

facelookedmuchbetterthanthismorning.

"Hey,"shesaid,rubbingthebackofherneck."Talkaboutawkward,"shemumbled,Iguessedtoherself.

"Hey,honey."DidIjustsaythat?Smooth,Embry.Realsmooth!

Sheblushedandlookedaway.

"UmmIguessIshouldstudy."Hervoicewasbarelyawhisper.

Sheleaneddowntograbherbookfromherbagandthrewitonherdesk.Then,shejumpedonherblackchair,thenonherdeskandgotanotherbookandanotebookfromthebookshelfshehadupthere.Shelookeddownatthefloorandgulpedassheheldthebackofthechairforsupportandtriedtojumpbackatthechairbutitturnedaround.Irushedtoherandcaughtherbeforeshefellonthefloor.

Shegiggledandblushed,lookingawayagain.Ihelpedherbackonherfeet,reluctantlythough.

"Sorry,I-Idon'tusuallyfallfromthere,"sherushedthroughthewords.

"No,it'sokay.Itoldyouthat'swhyI'mhere,"Iwhispered.Shesmiled.

"Yeah,Mr.Bodyguard."Webothlaughed."Now,Ireallyhavetostudy.Look,I'llrevisethoseequations,"sheopenedthebookonsomenumbersandlettersthatIcouldn'tgetmyselftolookat;Ihatedschool,"AndifIcouldanswerthoseexercisesinthatbook-"shepointedatthebookshegotfromthebookshelf-"I'llbefreetonight!"shefinallyconcluded.

"Great,"Isaidandkissedhercheek,sheblushedagain,"I'llstaysilent."Andwatchyourbeautifulface.Shenoddedandgotimmediatelytowork.

Shelookedsocutewhensheconcentrated,wearinghereyeglassesandplayingabsentmindedlywithherpen.Poorpen;shebititwhenshedidn'tknowtheanswer.Hell,Iwasjealousofthatpen.

Ithinkwe'removingtoofast.Butthisisn'tjustagirlthatImetandliked.She'smyimprintMysoulmate.

"Yes!"Shesaid,alittletooloudly,snappingmeoutofmyreverie.

Hersmilejustmademesmilebackimmediately.

"Areyoudone?"Iwhispered,makingsureherfatherwouldn'thearus.Shenoddedandglancedatherwatch.

"MomandDadshouldbegonebynow;theygoouttogethereveryThursdaynightat8,"shesaid,smiling."So,weonlyhaveAllennow,whoIbetiswatchingTV."

Hersmilegotevenwider.Itooktheotherchairandsatbesideher.Icouldhearherheartbeatloseitstrack.

"Whatdoyouwanttodo?"Iasked.

"Umm-Uh-Idon'tknow.Doyouwanttohelpmewiththeyearbookcover?"sheasked.Sheworkedtoohard

"Sure.Whatareyougoingtodo?"TheonlythingIcouldreallyhelpherwithiscars.Hmmshedoesn'thaveone,doesshe?


25/114

"Ihavetodesignthecover.Idon'tknowmuchaboutPhotoshopbutIguessI'lljusthavetofindout."ShesighedandgotoutaCDfromherbag,"Istillhavetoinstallit,youknow."

"Sure."

SheputtheCDinthecomputerandleanedbackonherchair.Ileanedcloserandkissedhercheekagain;Icouldnevergetenoughofher.Herbreathhitchedbutshegrinnedwidely.ShedidsomethingIdidn'treallyexpect,notlikeIdidn'tlikeit.Sheleanedcloseruntilourlipswereinchesapart.Then,sheshookherheadandblushed.ShewasabouttopullbackwhenIgrabbedhercreamyfacebetweenmyhandsandkissedher.

Itgotdeeper,morepassionate;herhandswereinmyhairandminewerealreadyonherwaist.

Icouldfeelmyselfbecarriedaway;myhandwasontheedgeofhershirt.Thatwaswhenshepulledaway,herfacetomatored.

"I-uh,umWow,"shestuttered.Shewassocutewhenshestuttered.

Ifeltembarrassedmyself;Ididn'twanttogetcarriedawaywithher.Afterall,Ihadonlyknownherforoneday.ItseemslikeI'dknownherforcenturiesal

ready.Butthiswasjustwrong.

"Yeah.SorryIgotcarriedaway."Shelookedattheground,blushingevenmore.Ittookheramomenttocollectherbreath.

"Uh-Noproblem.I-I-theprogramisinstalled."Shesmiled."Youknowwhat,thecovercanwait."Ilaughedlightly.

Weendeduponthebed,lookingatherpictureswhenshewasababy.Shehadalwaysbeensoexquisite.Herdarkbrowneyes-almostblackifIdidn'thavethesuper-vision-wasalwayssowideandbeautiful,likeanangelfromheaven.

Herphonerangthen.Shehoppedoutofthebedandgrabbedit,answeringthecal

l.

"Hello?"shesaidandpaused."Yes,Ihavehernumber.Why?"Anotherpause."Oh.Okay.I'llcallher."Onemorepause."Loveyou,too.Seeya."Shepressedtheendbutton.

"Whatisit?"Iaskedthenslappedmyselfmentally;shemustthinkI'mrudenow.Whoasksaboutthat?

"It'sStacey.ShewasjustaskingaboutNessie;apparently,shedidn'tgotoschooltoday."HmmWeird."I'llcallhernow,'Kay?"Wassheaskingforpermissionorsomething?Inoddedmyheadanyways.

"Hello,Mrs.Cullen,"shestarted,"Yes,I'mMary.IsNessieathome?"sheaskedandwaitedforasecond."Oh,okay.I'llcallherlater."Sheendedthecallwithafrownonherface."She'swithJacob,"sheexplainedthenshrugged,"goodthingsheisn'tsickoranything,right?"Isnorted.Sick.Yeah,right."What?"shewasconfused.

"Nothing.Wait,whattimeisitnow?"Isuddenlyasked.ItwasJacob'sturntopatroltonight.

"9:30.Why?"shesatnexttomeagain.


26/114

"Jacobwassupposedtobeonpatrolnow."Shelookedevenmoreconfused,"Wolfthing,"Iexplained.Shenodded."Look,Ihavetogonow."Ihateyou,JacobBlack!

Herexpressionturnedalittlesad?

Ihateyoumorenow,Jacob,what'ssoimportantthatyouhavetoskippatrollingtobewithNessie?

Irubbedthebackofmyneck,"I'llseeyoutomorrow,Okay?I'llpickyouupafterschool.Loveyou."Irushedthroughthewords.Shenoddedandsmiledatmyrush.

"Okay,"shemumbled.IkissedherforeheadandwasabouttoexitwhenIrealizedIdidn'thavehernumber.

"Idon'thaveyournumber,"Icommented.Hereyeswidenedasifsherealizedthesamethingtoo.

"Hereitis,"shehandedmeapieceofpaperwithhernumberwrittenon,withhernamerightaboveit.LikeI'dneedthat;I'drememberitwasheranyways.

Iputitinthepocketofmyjeansandrushedout,leavingastunnedyoungbroth

eratthedoor.Dammit!Iwasrunningfullspeed.

Whatever.

MaryAnderson

Thiscouldn'thavebeenanymoreperfect.Well,itcouldhaveidhestayedlonger.But,whatever.

Iwasgettingmoreandmoreattachedtohimbythesecond.Ididn'tregretitthough;Itrustedhim.IfIcouldchoosesomethingnow,Iwouldchoosetolivemylifewithhim.

Crazy,Iknow.

Butthat'sjustme.

Igotbackonmycomputerandopenedtheprogramtostartworking.Icouldn'thelpbutrememberthelasttimeIsatthere,aboutanhourago.Wow.

Ispentanothertwohoursonthecomputerandfeltmyeyelidsbecomeheavy;Iwasmoretiredthaneverthatday.

IshutdownthecomputerafterIsavedmyworkandgotintotheshower,enjoyingthehotwateronmyskin.Ichangedintomypajamasandhoppedintobed,turningonmyiPod.

ThefirstsongwasAlwaysbyBonJovi.Isnorted;Iusedtolistentothatonelongtimeago.

NEXT!

IBelieveInAThingCalledLove.Wow;someofthelyricsjustfit.

"Can'texplainallthefeelingsthatyou'remakingmefeelMyheart'sinoverdriveandyou'rebehindthesteeringwheel."Ilaughedatthe


27/114

hugesimilarity.Embrydidthattome.

Ikeptlistening;Ihadn'tlistenedtoitforsolong.

Ibelieveinathingcalledlove"

JustlistentotherhythmofmyheartThere'sachancewecouldmakeitnowWe'llberocking'tilthesungoesdownIbelieveinathingcalledloveOoh!Huh!"

IsmiledtomyselfasIdriftedtopeacefulsleep.

"Mary,sweetie,wakeup,"IheardDadsay,shakingmyshoulder.Iopenedmyeyesreluctantlyandyawned.

"Whattimeisit?"Iasked.

"It's4:30."Igroaned;itwastooearly."Ijustwanttotalktoyou."Ohh

"Dad,ifit'saboutEmbrythenIamcarefulandIwon'tgointoanythinglike'lasttime'.CanIsleepnow?"Ialmostbegged,re-closingmyeyes.Hesighed.

"Wheredoeshelive?"Hesuddenlyasked.

"LaPush."Iburiedmyfaceinthesoftpillow.

"What'shislastname?"

"Call."Igotupthenandturnedtofacehim,"What,Dad?Areyougoingtorunaninvestigationorsomething?"Iasked.

"Notexactly.Ijustneedtoknowyou'resafe,sweetie."Ismiledathim.

"Don'tworryaboutthat."Especiallythat.

"I'lltrynotto."Hechuckled."Areyouseeinghimagainsoon?"

"Yeah;he'llpickmeupafterschool."Igotbacktobed.

"Canyoucomeherefirst?Thetwoofyou,Imean?"Whatwasthatabout?

Isatupforthesecondtimeandlookedathimsuspiciously.

"What'sthatabout?"Iasked,narrowingmyeyes.

"Nothing;Ijustneedtomeetmydaughter'sboyfriendbeforehetakesherout.Anyobjections,younglady?"hesaid,usinghis'Dad'and'Officer'tonestogether.

"Yes,sir,"Imutteredsarcasticallyandmanagedtogetbacktosleepbeforehespokeaboutitanyfurther.

Igotupagainat6:30,soIhadtorushthrougheverythingbutfinallymanagedtogetdownstairsat7sharp.I'mproud!

Igrabbedmynow-rechargedcellphoneandgotout,missingbreakfastagain.Irememberedtogetmyboxofvitaminsthough;Staceysentmeamessagetellingmethatherfatherrecommendsthem.Whatever.


28/114

IwalkedtoschoolbutIwasbeingslowerthanusual;nobodywantstopassoutinthestreet,right?Ididn'thavebreakfastandmyvitaminsweresafeinthebox.

Iarrivedthereat8:03am.Uh-oh;IjusthopeIwouldn'tgetadetentionoranything.IranmywayupthestairstotheEnglishclasstofindtheteacherlate.Iletoutasighofreliefandenteredtheclass.

"Hey,"Mattgreetedme,"How'veyoubeen?"

"I'mgreat.Anynews?"IaskedasIsatdown,gettingoutmynotebookandpen.

"NotthatI'dknowof,"hesaid,"So,youhaveaboyfriend."Iblushedandnodded.Hehuggedmewithonehand."Goodforyou.JusttellmeifhehurtsyouoranythingsoIcouldbeathimup."Webothlaughed.MattandIwereprettyclose,especiallyafterheandSamanthabrokeupandStaceyandBradwell,hookedup.

Therestofthedaypassedbyprettyquickly;IwaslookingforwardtomeetingEmbry.

IwonderedwhytheCullensandHalesdidn'tshowuptoday.Ijusthopedtherewasn'tanythingwrongwithanyofthem.

Iranmywaydownstairs,expectingtowaitforEmbry.But,tomysurprise,hewastherealready.

"Hey,"Isaid,ridingbehindhimandholdinghiswaistforbalance.Irememberedtowearpantstoday.

"Hey,honey."Butterfliesagain!OhGod.Iwasjustgladthathecouldn'tseemyblushingfacejustnow;he'dseenenoughyesterday."Shallwe?"heasked.

"Yeah,sure.Butwekindahavetogohomefirst,"Imumbled.

"Why?"heasked."Didyouforgetsomething?"

"Umm-No.ButDadwantstotalktoyou,"Istateddirectly.

"Oh."Wasallhesaid.

Ijusthopeditwouldgowell.

Chapter4

Hestartedheadingtowardsthehouseonhismotorcycle.AlthoughIfeltsosafearoundhim,Icouldn'thelpbutfeelafraidofwhatwasgoingtohappennext.Dadwasgoingto'talk'toEmbry.Ibetthatwouldn'tbepretty.

HeparkedinfrontofthehousebutIdidn'tletgoofhiswaist.Heunwrappedmyarmsgentlyandturnedtolookatme.

"Hey,nothingwillhappen.He'djustgivemethesameoldtalk."Ishuddered,"I


29/114

healfast,youknow."Hechuckledbutitonlymademegrimace;Daddidhaveagun.

Hestrokedmyfacewithhishandandthenwrappedhisarmaroundmywaist.Iheldhishandthatwasonmywaistwithbothofmineasweenteredthehouse.

Dadwasalreadywaitinginthelivingroom,hegotupandeyedbothofus.Ourstancewasn'tthatimpressive,nottomyfatheranyways.

"Mr.Anderson,"Embrygreetedhim.

"Hello,Embry,"hegreetedhimback.Amassivedifferencebetweentheirtonesthough."Comein,"hegesturedtowardsthelivingroom.IhaveneverseenDadatwork,butthat'sthewayI'dguesshe'dtreatasuspectbeforeinterrogatinghim.WebothenteredthelivingroombehindDad."Sweetie,"hecalledme.Iwenttohisside.

"Yes,Dad?"

"Wouldyouexcuseusforamoment?IneedtotalktoEmbry,"hesaid.Uh-oh.

"Dad-"hecutmeoffwithpointingatthedoor.Ihuffedandgotout,butnotbeforemouthingEmbrya'goodluck'.Icouldn'tleavethemalone,couldI?SoIstoodbesidethedoor,listening.Sorry,guys,butifthisisaboutme,thenInee

dtoknowit.Imprintingornoimprinting,Dadcouldeasilyscarehimoff.

Ijusthopedhewouldn'taskhimaquestionlike'whatareyourintentions'orsomething.Whatwouldhesay?'We'rekindasoulmatesso."

God.

Dadbeganwithasigh."Iguessyouknowbynowwhathadhappenedtoherthelasttimeshehadaboyfriendorwhatever."Smooth,Dad.

"Idon'tknowanydetailsbutyes."Embrywasbeingsuper-formal.Goodforhim.

"Shewasinaterriblecondition.Ithinkshe'sjusttoosensitive.Mypoint:Yo

u'dbetternothurtherthewayhedid."IwishedIcouldseeboththeirfacesthen.

"Iwon't,Mr.Anderson;youhavemyword.Iwon'tletanythinghappentoher."IheardDadsigh.

"Onemorething,thetwoofyou-"Icuthimoff.Ifthat'swhatIthinkitisthenhe'dbetterstop.

"Dad,you'renotgivinghim'thetalk',areyou?"Iwentintotheroom."Pleasesayyouwon't,"Igroaned.

"Mary,"hesaidsternly,"I-"Embrycuthimoff.

"Iknowmyboundaries,Mr.Anderson."Hesoundedalittleannoyed.Well,whowouldn't?

"You'dbetter,"Dadmuttered.

"Dad!"Iwhined."Canwegonow?"

"Okay.Whereto?"heasked,lookingatEmbry.


30/114

"LaPush,"hequicklysaid.

"WhereatLaPush?"Dadpushed.

"Myplace,"heanswered,"WhereMomis.IwanttointroduceMarytoMom,that'sall."Iknewhewouldadda'Jeeze'inhisheadnow;IknewIwould.

"Fine,"Dadmuttered.Irolledmyeyesathim;whatwouldEmbrydo?Kidnapme?God!

"Comeon,"Imumbled,practicallydraggingEmbry."Thisisunbelievable,"Imumbledaswegotoutofthehouse.

"He'sjusttakingcareofyou.Iwould'vedonethesame,"hedefendedhim.Istoppedmid-waytothemotorcycletoglareathim.HesmiledandIjusthuffedandwenttothemotorcycle,leaningatit.

"Comeon;IhaveaChemistryexamonMondaysowe'dbettergetgoingsoIcouldstudylater."IhoppedonthemotorcyclebuttrippedinsomethingIcouldn'trecognize.HecaughtmebeforeIfellonthefloor.

"Ican'tstanditwhenyou'remadatme.Sorry,Mary."Heapologized.Ismiled.

"AndIdon'tknowhowImanagedtostaymadatyouforthatlong.Apologyaccept

ed."Istuckmytongueoutathim.Hegrinned."Embry?"Ibeganaswewereontheway.

"Yeah?"

"Canyoutellmemoreaboutvampires?"Icouldfeelhimtense.Hecametoanimmediatestop.

"Why?"heasked.Wasitthatunexpected?

"Ijustwanttoknow.Outofcuriosity."Hesighed.

"Whataboutthem?"Hestartedmovingagain.

"Whattheylooklikewheretheyarestufflikethat."IwassurprisedmyselfatthecourageIhadtoaskaquestionlikethat.ButI'dgrownusedtothefactthathe'sawolf.Well,Itrytotuneitoutbutwhatever.Vampiresdidn'tseemasrealanyways.Ifoundithardtobelieve.

"Thecoldonesarestrong,beautifulandhavethe'supersenses'wehave,someevenhavespecialpowerslikemindreadingandstuff,"hesaidrobotically,"They'reeverywhere.Theydon'tagebuttheycan'tcomeoutinthesuninpublic;theysparkle.Iguessthat'sit."IcouldfeelhisdiscomforttalkingaboutthissoIdroppedit.

"SorryIasked,"Imumbledagainsthisback,"Ididn'tknowyoudon'tfeelcomf

ortabletalkingaboutthem."Thatwasstupid,Iadmit.Imean,they'rehisenemiesofcoursehe'suncomfortable!

Hesighed,"No,it'sokay;Ijustdidn'texpectthat"hemumbled,trailingoff."So,whatdoyouwanttodo?"hesuddenlyasked.

"Aren'twegoingtoyourmother?"Iasked,confused.

"Uh-Rulenumberone,daughter'sboyfriendnevertellsherfatherwhatthey'reactuallydoing.ButwecanvisitMomlater."Ilaughed.


31/114

"Howmanyfathersdidyouhavetodealwith?"Iasked.

"Alot."Heseemedembarrassed.Why?Idon'texpecthimtohavenogirlfriendsbeforeme.Actuallyitwould'vebeenweird.Imean,justlookattheguy!

"Idunnowhatyouguysdothere.WhateveryouwannadoI'mfinewithit."Heseemedtothinkaboutitforamoment.

"Icanshowyouthecliffswecliff-divefrom,"hesuggested.

"Youcliff-dive?"Iasked,theaweobviousinmytone.Hechuckled.

"Yeah."

"Yousohavetotakemecliff-divingonetime,"Idemanded.

"No,"herepliedshortly.What?

"Whynot?"Iwhined.

"I'veseenhumansjump,Mary,soI'mnotallowingthis."Nowhereallydidsoundlikemyfather.Onewordcaughtmyattentionthough.

"Youarehuman,"Imumbled,leaningonhisback.Hesighed.

"SometimesIdon'tfeellikeIam,"hesaid,histonesad."But,youknow,ontheupside,ifIwerecompletelyhuman,maybewewouldn'thavefoundeachother,"hewhisperedgently.Ismiled.

"Yeah,"Ibreathed.

Wegotthereinabouthalfanhour.Heparkedonthecliffs.

Thescenerywasmorethanbeautiful;thecloudyskygavetheoceanashadeofdarkblue,whileIcouldseethewhitewavesstrugglewiththerocksdownthere.Wow.

"Embry,thisis-"hecutmeoff.

"Stillnotasbeautifulasyouare."Iblushedashehuggedmefromtheback.

"Toomuchformyego,"Icommented.Webothlaughed.

Heturnedaroundandhadtoleandowntokissme;hewasabout8inchestallerthanIwas.Thiswasliterallyheaven.

"Doyouwanttomeettheguys?We'resupposedtomeetatSam'sat4:30."Hesatdownontheedgeofthecliffwithmeonhislap.

"Sure."

WespentthenextfewhoursatSam's.Ifoundoutthat,forsomereason,JacobwasleavingSaminchargeofthePack;hewastravellingorsomethinglikethat.

Imeteveryonethereandtheirimprints.Ihadtoadmit,Emilywasanawesomecook.Therestofthegirlswerereallynice,too.

TherewassupposedtobeabonfirenextThursday,beforeRachel's,Jacob'ssister,wedding.


32/114

Therestofthedaypassedbyprettyquickly,Ididn'tgetthechancetomeetEmbry'smotherbutIthoughtIcouldmeetheranothertime.

Embry,somehow,managedtoconvinceMomtotakemetothebeachonSaturday.Shereallywashappyforme.

WeweresittingatthebeachincomfortablesilencewhenEmbrystartedtalking

"Jacobgotbackyesterday."Heseemednervousaboutsomething.Whatcouldthatbe?

"Good.DoesthatmeanNessie'sback,too?"Iasked,heraisedaneyebrowatme.

"Howdidyouknowhe'swithher?"heasked.

"Well,atthesametimehewasgone,shewas,too.Itdoesn'tneedarocketscientisttofigurethatout."Irolledmyeyesathim.Helaughed.

Afewsecondslater,IsawhimnodtosomeoneIcouldn'tsee.SoIturnedtoseewhoitwas.

JacobandNessie.

"Hey,Nessie!"Igreetedher;I'dmissedher,andwavedatJacob,"Wherewereyouthelasttwodays?"Iasked.Shesmiled,butIhadafeelingitwasforced.HmmIwonderwhy.

"Italy,"sheansweredquickly.

"Italy?"Irepeatedtomyself.TheyjustflewtoItalyovertheweekend?Cullens.

"Ineedtotellyousomethingimportant,Mary,"shewhispered.Ilookedatherquestioningly."AboutthevampiresEmbry,JakeandQuiltoldyouabout."Whatwouldshewanttotellmeaboutthem?Inodded,alittlebitlate,Irealized.

"Whataboutthem?"Iasked.

"Well,I-uh,well,um,"shestuttered.Igotsuspicious.Didsheknowthem?

IsawJacobwhispersomethinginherearasEmbrysqueezedmyshoulderreassuringly.WhattheHellwasthatabout?

"I'mhalf-vampire,myfamilyareallvampires."W-H-A-T?

Thebloodranawayfrommyface,Ididn'tknowwheretobecauseIcouldn'tfeelmylimbseither.Embrywasholdingmeclose,keepingmefromfalling.IhadtoremindmyselfofhispresencesoIwouldn'tfaint.

"It'sokay,"IheardEmbrywhisperinmyear.What'sokay?Ijustfoundoutoneofmyveryclosefriendsisaavampire."Please,don'tbescared.I'mrighthere.Iwon'tletanythinghappentoyou."

"Vampires?"Iwhispered,"That'snotaprank?"Iaskedhopefully.Sheshookherhead.

Istretchedmyhandtotouchhers;I'dnevernoticedthatshewascold.

Shewasn't.Infact,shewasalittlebitwarm.Ilookedatherquestioningly.


33/114

"Butyou'renotcold.Embrytoldmethey'recalled'thecoldones'."Shesighed.

"That'sbecauseI'mhalf-vampire.I'mhalf-human,too,"sheexplained.

"Sothat'swhyyoueatlikeus?"IrememberedthechocolateIalwayssawhereating.

"Icansurviveoneitherthatorblood,butIpreferblood."IgulpedandgotclosertoEmbry,ifthatwasevenpossible.Blood.Whywasn'tIrunningaway?Whywasn'tEmbrymoving?"Animalblood,"shecorrected.

WhattheHell?

"What?"Iwhispered.

"Myfamilydoesn'tdrinkhumanblood;wesurviveonanimalbloodinstead."IlookedatEmbrywhonoddedreassuringly.

RenesmeeCullenisahalf-vampire.

AlltheCullensarevampires.

Thedaypassedbyprettywell,wewenttothecliffsafterwards.Nessiehadshow

nmeherown'gift',too.Thatwouldtakeawhiletogetusedto.

AndshetoldmethatsheandJacobaregettingmarried.

Like,marriedmarried.

Wow.

Itwasamazingwatchingtherelationshipbetweenthewolvesandtheirimprints;theyweresoclose.Likelovewasfillingtheair.

Quil'sandSeth'simprintsweren'tliketheothers;theywerejustbestfriends.IwonderedwhenAmyandSethwouldfinallybe'together'.Iknewforsureitwa

sgreat.

Embrywasmorethanaboyfriendtome;hewasmyownsafeharbor,mysuperhero.Hewasalwaysthere,IknewIcouldrelyonhim,Itrustedhimwithmylife.Itrustedhimnottohurtme,Itrustedhimtoneverleaveme,notunderanycircumstances.

Mythsornomyths,IwasdeeplyinlovewithEmbry.

IknewDadwouldknowsoonerorlateraboutEmbrybeing24andhe'dbemad,consideringItoldhimalotthatwe'study'together.Itwasn'tmuchofaliethough;Ididstudy.

ButIdidn'texpectittobethatsoon

"Mary!"IheardDadcallfromdownstairs.What,Dad?IneedtogetreadyforRachelandPaul'sweddingtonight!

"Yes,Dad?"Ianswered.

"Ineedyouhere!"Irolledmyeyesandgotdownstairs,notquiteexpectingwhatIfound.


34/114

"Yeah?"IansweredassoonasIenteredthekitchen,whereheandMomwere.Shelookeddisappointed?Whilehewasjustplainangry.

"Do,ordon'tyouknowhowoldyourboyfriendis?"heasked,crossinghisarmsoverhischest.

"Iknowhe's24,Dad.It'snobigdeal,"Isaid.

"It'snobigdeal?Theguyiseightyearsolderthanyouare!"Heyelled.

"Andwhydoesthatmakeadifference?You're5yearsolderthanMomandIdon'tseeaproblem."Ineverspoketomyparentsthatway.IregrettedeverywordIsaidbutrightthen,Ididn'tcare.

"Ican'ttrusthimaroundyou,"heconcluded."HowdoIknowhe'snotusingyou?"

"Dad!"Ipracticallyyelled."Embrywasn't,isn'tandwon'teveruseme!"Idefendedhim,knowingIwasone-hundredpercentright.

"Itdoesn'tmatter,"hesaid.What?"Becauseyou'renotseeinghimagain."

"What?"Tearswereforminginmyeyes.Howcouldhedothattome?

"Whatyou'veheard,younglady,"hesaidsternly.

Hewasn'tgoingtotakehimawayfromme,never.Embrymeanttheworldtomenow.IlovedMomandDad.Butifthey'retakingmeawayfromhim,Iwouldjustleave.TheycouldcontrolAllenoftheywantedbutnotme.

Never.

Iwaslatealready,Embrywassupposedtopickmeupat9.Nowitwas8:45.Great;Ihave15minutes.

Iranuptomyroomandlockedthedoorbehindme.IkeptcryingasIcontinuedwearingtheblackdressI'dpreparedfortonight.Iputonmyheelsandgrabbedat-shirtandjeans;thatwasallIcoulddorightthen.

ItookoutmycellphoneanddialedEmbry'snumberIhopedhewouldanswer.

"Hello?"heansweredafterthefirstring.

"E-Embry,"Istuttered,myvoicehoarsefromallthecrying.

"What'swrong?"heaskedimmediately.

"I-Iwanttoleave,"Ifinallysaid.

"What?Leavewhat?Mary,whattheHellisgoingon?"

"DadLook,Ijustcan'tstayhereanymore."

"Mary,"hebreathed,"DidyoufightwithyourDadorsomething?"heguessed.

"Yeah,"Ibreathed,too.

"I'llberightthereintwominutes;I'monmyway.Juststaywhereyouare;don'tdoanythingstupid."Stupid?Nowstayingwithyouisstupid?Ifyouonlyknew

EmbryCall


35/114

Whatwasthatabout?Mary,thegoodie-two-shoes,wantedtomoveout?

Iknewshewassomehowcrazybutnotthatmuch.God,whathappened?

IwasalreadyinfullspeedinJake'sRabbit;I'dborrowedit.Ihadtogothere

HereIam

Iparkedinfrontofthesmallhouseandgotoutofthecar,lockingit.Iknockedonthedoor,notexpectingwhattofind.

Hermotheropenedthedoor.Shelookedatmeapologetically.

"Idon'tthinkshecouldcomewithyoutonight"shemumbled.

"What'sgoingon?Where'sMary?"Iasked,confused.

"Openthedoor!"Iheardherfatheryell.WhattheHell?Whatdidshedotodeservethis?

"NO!"Sheyelledbackdefiantly."I'mnotopeningthedooruntilhecomes!"Icouldhearthetearsinhervoice.PoorMary.

"Excuseme,Amelia."HermotherhadinsistedI'dcallherbyherfirstname.Women.

Sheletmethrough,Iranupstairspassingbyherbrother'sbedroom,whichIcouldhearmusicfrom.God,couldhebemorecareless?

"MARYGRACEANDERSON!Openthedoor!"Heyelledather.IwantedtogetbackathimforyellingatherlikethatbutIjustcouldn't.

"What'swrong?"Iaskedforthemillionthtime.Ijustwishedsomeonewouldanswerme.

"Stayawayfromher!"hehissedatme."Gofindsomeoneyourage,"headded.

WhattheHell?

"Embry?"shecalledthroughthedoor.

"Mary!"Herfatheryelledather.

"NO,Dad!Look,we'reapackagedeal,that'sifyouwantmetostayhere."I'dneverexpectedhertosaysomethinglikethat,nottoanyone,letaloneherdad.

Hestayedsilent,frozen.

Sheopenedthedoor,tearssoakingherface.

"Mary."Itwasmyturntospeak."Let'sgoinside."Herfacewasshocked,confused.Butshewentinsideherroomanyways.

"Iwillfindsomewheretostay,Em.EvenifIhavetostayattheCullens',"shemumbled,lookingatthefloor."Buthecan'ttakeyouawayfromme;you'reallIhavenow,"shewhisperedherlastpart,cryingevenharder.Ipulledherintoatighthug.

"ShhEverything'sgoingtobejustfine,"Icooed."Butyoucan'tleave,Mary;the


36/114

y'reyourparents,yourfamily.Youdon'tknowhowluckyyouaretohavethem.Theycareaboutyou,Mary,"Iwhispered.Iknewexactlyhowluckyshewas;I'dneverevenmetmyfather,atleastwhenIknewhewasmyfather;Idon'tknowwhoheis,andmymomdoesn'tevenknowI'mawolf,thoughit'sbeenabout7years.

"Iknowtheydo,"shewhined,"ButIcan'tlethimcomebetweenus.Never.Embry?"

"Yeah?"

"You'retheonlygoodthingthathadhappenedtomeinaverylongtime,Ican'tjustleaveyou."Ithurtmeterriblytohearthosewordsandnotbeabletorespond.Wereweinadifferentsituation,Iwould'veleaneddownandkissedheruntilshecan'tbreathe.

"We'llfindaway,we'lltalktohim.Ipromiseyou,Mary,Iwouldneverletanyonecomebetweenus."

"Iknow,"shewhisperedagainstmychest.

Icouldn'timaginemylifewithoutMary.Itwaslikemylifebeforeherwasalifeofloss,whenIfoundher,Ifoundlight,Ifoundbeauty.

Ifoundmysoulmate.

Hewouldn'ttakeherawayfromme.We'lltalkourwayoutofthis,right?

Icouldn'tsupportherinherdecision,thoughitwould'vebeenbetterforme;I'dseehermuchmore.ButIcan'tdothistoher,Ican'ttakeherfamilyawayfromher.Ican'tjustdepriveherofthehappinessthatI'dneverfound.

"Let'sgototheweddingnow,shallwe?We'relate,youknow,"Imuttered,strokingherhair.

"Comeon,"sheanswered."Dad?"Hewasstillstunned;heonlykeptglaring.

"Yes?"

"I'mgoingtotheweddingnow,I'llcomebefore12,"shewhispered."PleasethinkaboutwhatI'dtoldyou,"shebegged,"becauseIreally,reallydon'twanttomoveout."

PoorMary;andshe'salsomeetingthevampstonight.

Whoknowswhat'sgoingtohappennext?

Chapter5

MeetingtheCullenswentwell.NowIstillhaveonetinylittleproblem.

Dad.


37/114

Icalmeddownalot,mainlybecauseofEmbry'spresence.NowIfeelguiltyforwhatI'ddone.I'dneverspokentomyparentslikethat.

"I'lltalktohimtomorrow,okay?"Embrysaidonourwaytomyhouse.Inodded.

"Thanks,Embry,"Ibreathedbuthewouldhear.Hesmiled.

"Mypleasure."Icouldfeelhemeanteveryletter.Iletoutasmallsmile.ThenIrememberedsomething.

"There'sthispartytomorrow,"Isaid,hefrownedinconcentration,"I'mgoingtherewiththeguysfromschool,doyouwanttocome?Idon'tthinkHamiltonwouldobject."BryanHamilton'spartyoftheyearwasgoingtobetomorrow.Heshrugged.

"When?"heaskedaswegotclosertothehouse.

"9pm,"Iinformedhim,nowthinkingaboutwhatIwouldwear.It'snotlikeitmatteredthatmuchbeforeButnowitdoes.

"I'llpickyouupat8:30andyou'dtellmewhereto,okay?"heoffered.Inodded.

"Sure,"Isaid.

"Hereweare,"heannouncedashestoppedinfrontofthehouse,"Takecare."HekissedmyforeheadandIblushed,"Andpleasecalmdown,"headded.Inodded.

"I'lldomybest.Promise,"Isaid,tryingtosmilebutitturnedoutmoreofagrimace.

"Loveyou!"heyelledaftermeasIgotout.Igiggled.

"Loveyou,too,"Isaid,wavinghimgoodbye.Theporchlightwaslit.Theywerestillawake.IknockedandDadopenedbeforeIcouldblink.

"Well,I'mback,"ImumbledasIgotin,"See?Noharmdone,"mytonewasdark.

HowcouldhethinkthatwayofEmbry?

Hesighed.

"Mary,"hestartedasweenteredthelivingroom,Ikickedoffmyheelsfirstthing;theywerekillingme,"Ididthatforyoursake;Iwantyoutobesafe,"hereasoned.Iheldmybreathforasecondtoavoidcrying.

"Don'tyoutrustme?"Iasked,"Ormyjudgment?"Hesatdownbesideme.

"Idotrustyou,but,honey,I'veseenthingshappen,"hisvoicewasrestrained.

"Then,trustme,Embrywoulddiebeforeanythinghappenstome."Iknowthatmor

ethananyone.

Herolledhiseyes.

"Sweetie,you'resixteen,Iknow,butI'dneverthoughtyou'dfallforsuchtalk,"hesaid.Ilaughedmentally.Iwantedtotellhimthatheimprintedonme,thatwe'remeanttobebutIdidn'tknowhowtoexplainthattohimwithoutblowingthesecretIwasboundtokeep.

"CanIreachsomekindofcompromisewithyou?"Iasked,hopeful.Heraisedane


38/114

yebrowatme.

"Howso?"heasked,suspicious.

"Embrywouldalwaysbewithmesomewherepublicorwithparentalsupervisionorwhatever,justdon'tkeepusfromseeingeachother,"Iwasbegging,notcompromising.Hethoughtaboutthatforamoment.

"Okay,"heagreed.Iwantedtosqueal,tojump,but,instead,Ihuggedhim.

"Thankyou,"Iwhispered,"Youdon'tknowhowmuchthismeanstome."Really,youdon't."Icanstillgotothepartytomorrow,right?"Iasked.

"'BryanHamilton's?"heasked.Inodded.

"ItoldyouIwouldthinkaboutit,"hestarted,"No,"hesaidwithfinality.Ipouted.

"But-"hecutmeoff.

"Nobuts!Thekidhasarecord,"hesaid.Isighed.

"Okay.CanIgotoLaPush,then?"Iasked.

"Youbothcanstayhere,"hesuggested,"Don'tpushyourluck."Iwantedtoobjectbutthoughtagainstit.

"IsMomasleep?"Iasked,notreallycaringaboutAllen.It'snotlikehecaredwhenthewholeargumenthappened.Dadnodded."Okay.I'llbeinmyroom,"Istatedandgotupstairs,snatchingmyheelsonmyhands.IthrewthemassoonasIenteredtheroomandchangedintomypajamas.Ijumpedonthebedandletoutahugesigh.IfeltmymusclesrelaxasIlaidonthecomfybed.IdecidedthatIdidn'twanttosleepjustyetsoItextedEmbry.

Hey=)ItalkedtoDad.He'sbetter.Nopartytomorrowbtw.Comeatmyplace?

IturnedonmyiPodandlistenedtosomeRihannasongsasIwaited.Myphonevib

ratedwhileIwaslisteningtothethirdsong,Hypnotized.

Toldyou=P7isfine?Missyoualready.

IrolledmyeyesandkeptlisteningtotherestofthesongbeforeItextedhimback.Iloveditslyrics,especiallynow.

I'mfeelinsomethinthatIcan'tunderstandIt'slikeI'mcapturedbythetouchofyourhandIt'syourvibeIt'syourstyleIt'sthewaythatyousmileGetalittlerushwhenIhearyourname

It'ssomagneticwhenyou'reherenexttomePullin'mecloserhappenssonaturallyWeconnectIt'selectricThisfeelin'insideCouldn'tholditbackevenifItried

God.

Istartedtexting


39/114

Great.MissYoutoo.Whatareyoudoing?

Mycreditwasgoingtoend,soon,butwhatever;IwastextingEmbry.Icouldn'tcareless.

BythetimeIfinishedthesong,hetextedmeback.

Watchin'CSI,wbu?

Istartedwritingagain

WaslisteningtoHypnotized*hint**hint*=PLookIgottasleepnw.Cutom.

HypnotizedIsurelywas.

Lol.SleepTightxD

Isighed.Ididn'thaveanyideahowmyrelationshipwithEmbrywouldcontinue.Frankly,Ididn'tcaremuchaboutthehows;Ijustcaredabouttheresult:IwouldbewithEmbryCall.

Mysuperhero.

Ifeltlikealittlegirl,crushingovertheguynextdoorandwaitingforhimtocome.Iwouldn'ttradethatforanythingthough,evenifI'mfriendswithvampiresandisawerewolf'sgirlfriend.Idon'tcare.

Embryhaschangedalotinme,hetaughtmewhattrueloveis,hetaughtmethisfeelingofsecurityandsafety,hetaughtmewhatitfeelsliketotrustsomeonesomuch,hetaughtmealot.

LikeIneededanymorereasonstolovehim.

Hisbrowneyesweremesmerizing.Idon'tcareifthat'sbecauseofallthismagicandmyths.AndhishairGod,hishair.

Isighedagainandforcedmyselftosleep;ifIthoughtabouthimmoreIwouldn'tbeabletosleepatall.

Iwokeupnextmorningonmymother'svoice,whichIhadn'tquiteexpected.

"Mary?"shecalled.Inoddedgroggilyforhertokeeptalking,"It's1pmalready.Get.Up!"shesaid,hervoicecheerful.

"'Kay,Mom,justoneminute,"Imumbled.Shestrokedmyhair.

"Okay,honey,justgetupbeforeWilliamcomesbackfromworkandfindsyouasleep."Icouldhearherexittheroomandclosethedoorbehindher.Igotupandrubbedmyeyesthengroaned;rememberingthatIhadn'twashedmymake-upfromla

stnight.Imustlookterriblenow.

Iwashedmyfacethenusedthemake-upremoverthatI'dbeenusingforawhilenow.Then,IsteppedintotheshowerandleteverysingleounceofstressthatIhadfromyesterdaydisappear.

Igotoutanddressedupinapairofjeansandaredpullover;itwasprettycold.ThenIcombedmyhairanddriedit,leavingitdownonmyshoulders.Inoticedthatitcameaboutthreeinchesaftermyshoulderline.Ineededtocutit;Ihatedittoolong,itbotheredme.


40/114

IturnedonmycomputerandwaitedforittoopenasIrandownstairsandbeganpreparingmybreakfast;MomwasbusytutoringAllen.

Aftereating,Igotbackupstairstofindthecomputerhadfinallyfinishedloading.Isignedinintomye-mailaccountandbegancheckingtheOnlinelist,wantingtokillthetimebeforeEmbrycomesat7.IscannedthroughthemuntilIfoundher.

Couldn'tyoufindanylongername,Stacey?Irolledmyeyesanddoubleclickedonhernameandthechatwindowappeared.

JustMary:heysweetie

:heyM.hru?

JustMary:gdgdwbu

:sameasusual.Howsurbo?

JustMary:*sigh*dadisdebatingwhethertokillhimbyhandorgun*rollseyes*seriously,hecantstandhimsinceheknewhowoldhereallyis.

IonlytoldStaceyaboutthis;Ineededtotellsomeone.Wolfsecretremainedsafethough.

:OMG!Wtddudo?

JustMary:sortacompromised.Parentalsupervisionandstuffliketht.

:Aw!Imsorryhon.GoodluckdoingTHAT.

JustMary:Idon'tmindthtmuchReallydon'twannaknwwtunBraddo*shudders*

:Idiot;it'sntliketht.AnywhoIgtgnw

JustMary:*stillshudders*kkcu

:Stillanidiot*stickshertongueout*bye!

Ilaughedandclosedthechatwindow,spendingthenexthourcheckingoutmyFacebookaccount.

"Mary!"IheardMomcallfromdownstairs,"Grey'sAnatomyison,wannawatch?"Ilovedmed-shows.

"Coming!"Iyelledandsignedoutofmyaccounts,headingdownstairs.

6:59Icouldn'twaitforhimtocome.Ibegancountingseconds

.3,21

Thebellrang.Ihoppedoutofmyseatandstormedtothedoor,openingitwithamassivegrinonmyface,andtherehestood,smilingsoftlyashekissedmyforehead.

"Hey,sweetie,"hesaid,"Anybetter?"heasked,removingthestrandofmyhairthatwasonmyfaceandputtingitbehindmyear,myheartthuddedhardlyinmychestandIblushed.


41/114

"Yeah,"Ibreathedandgotonmytiptoestokisshischeek."Comein,"Isaid,gesturingforhimtocomeinsideandhedid,knockingmybreathoutwithhisarmwrappedaroundmyshoulder.

"Hello,Embry,"Momgreetedhim,smilingpolitely.Apparently,dadwastheonebehindyesterday'slittleargument.

"Hello,Amelia,"hegreetedher,smilingandtakinghiseyesoffmefortheshortestsecond.Iheldhishandanddraggedhimtothelivingroom;Dadsaidthatmyroomwasofflimits.Hestayedupstairs,refusingtoseehimthen.Hewasjustbeingwell,dad.

"So,"hestarted,sittingbesidemeonthecouch,"Whatwereyouwatching?"heasked.

"FirstwasGrey'sAnatomy,thenER,thenIjustletMomwatchthismovie,"Ikepttryingtorememberitsname,"Ohyeah,AWalkToRemember."Ijustwasn'tthetypeforromanticmovies.Hechuckled.

"Youlikemed-showsalot,don'tyou?"Irolledmyeyes.

"Yeah,"Isaid,thenIlookedupathim,"Beingadoctorwasonmywish-listwhenIwaslittle,"Istatedtruthfully.Ialwaysimaginedmyselfworkingatahosp

ital,helpingpeople.

"Whydidyougiveitup,then?"heasked,curious.Igrimaced.

"It'sjust,well,Idiscoveredthatit'stoomuchwork,"Isaid,ratherplayfully;thatwasn'ttherealreason.Hechuckled.

"Really?"heasked,"Becauseyoudon'tseemlikethetypeofpersonwho'dbackoutjustbecauseofmorework."Heknewmetoowell.Andwehaven'tbeentogetherforalongtime.

Isighed,"Idon'tthinkIcanmakeit,youknow?"Ibrokeeye-contact,"Alotof'doctors'graduateeveryyearand,well,they'renotallgood."Ihateddoing

somethinglessthanperfect.Especiallyifit'ssomethingIlove.

Hetookmyfaceinhishandsandforcedmetolookathim.

"Don'tthinkthatway;you'reamazing.I'msureyou'dbeanawesomedoctor,"hesmiledproudly.Irolledmyeyes.

"You'rejustbiased,"Icommented,smiling.Hegrinned.

"No,you'reperfect."

"Thatprovesmypointfurther,"Isaid.

"See?You'dmakeagreatdoc."Ilaughed.

"You'reweird,Em."Hesmiled.

"Iknow."

Wekeptonchattinglikethatforthenexthour,thenDadmadehisappearance.

"Hello,"hesaid,enteringthelivingroom.Webothtensed,especiallyEmbry.Idon'tblamehim.


42/114

"Hey,"IsaidasEmbrysaidhis'Hello'.Dadcamebymysideandputahandonmyshoulder.

"Allenneedssomeonetoexplainagrammarruletohim,couldyougo?"heasked.Iknewrightthenthatitwasn'taboutAl;hewantedtotalktoEmbry.ButIdecidedtoplayalong.

"It'sgrammar!What'ssohard?"IaskedrhetoricallyasIgotoutoftheroomandDadclosedthedoor,killinganychancesformetoheartheirconversation.IsighedandgotuptoAl'sroom.Turnsoutthathedidn'tneedanythingandthatIwasright.Ichuckledtomyself,alittlenervousaboutthisconversation.

Iwenttomyroomandclosedthedoor,turningontheonesongthatIdecidedremindedmeofEmbry;Hypnotized.

Ididn'trealizethatIfellasleepuntilIfeltahandshakemyshoulder.

"Wakeup,honey.It's12am.Changeandgobacktosleep,"Momsuggested.Igotupimmediately.

"What?12?"Isaid,removingtheiPodheadphonesfrommyears."Where'sEmbry?"Iaskedandyawnedhugely.

"Heleftabouthalfanhourafteryoufellasleep,"shesaid.Isighed;Icouldn'tbelieveImissedthat.

"Fine."IgotupandchangedasMomwentdownstairs.ThenIdecidedtocallEmbry.

Iwaitedforhimtoanswerbuthedidn't.Maybehewasonpatrolorsomething.Buthetoldmeitwasn'thisturntonight

Afewsecondslater,Ireceivedatextmessagethatmademyheartmissafewbeats.

Ican'tcometomorrow.Ineedsometimealone.Sorry.Willcalllater.Dunnowhe

ntho.~Embry.

No!No,no,no,no!Iknewthiswasn'tnormal;Embryalwayscame,evenifhehadpatrollingtodo,evenwhentheirAlphawasinItaly,eveniftheworldrevolvedtheotherwayhealwayscame.

Thiswasn'thappening!

Notagain!

Chapter6

MatthewDavis[Matt]

Finallytheexamswereover.Andpartyingwasactuallythebestwaytofinishthem;Hamilton'spartywastonightasinnow.


43/114

IwastheDJ,well,justforacoupleofsongsorsomethingthenIwouldgiveitbacktoBryanorBrad.

Ikeptswitchingbetweensongsandeveryonejustkeptdancingandhavingfunthekindoffunthatwouldprobablyendwithapolicecruiser.But,whatever.

IsettledonLowandBradandStaceyhadthespotlightonthatone,movingwiththebeat.IkepthummingthefamiliarlyricsandmovingmyheadwiththebeatuntilIwastired;itwas1amalreadyandIhadbeentheresince9.

IcheeredforBradandStacey,"Thatwasawesome!"IcommentedusingthemicrophoneIhadaccessto,"NoweverybodycheerfortheoneandonlyBryanHamilton."Iwasn'tinanywaystayingthereforoneminute.TheycheeredandwaitedforHamiltontocomeupwhereIamandtakethelead.Ismirkedasheglaredatme,leavingthebarandcontinuingwhatIwasdoing.

Ileftthe'stage'orwhateverandwentoutsidebythepool,relaxingasthefresh,coldairhitme.

"Hey,dude,"David,oneonourfootballteam,said.Iwould'vebethewasdrunkokay,maybehalf-drunk.Igavehimthatmuch.

"Hey,"Ireplied,leaningonthewall.Hecameandgotwhatlookedlikeacigar

outofhispocket.

"Checkthisout,"hesaid,grinning.Itookitinmyhandandflippeditonbothsides,waitingforhimtosaysomethingbuthedidn't.

"Acigar?So?"Ihavesmokedbefore.Ididn'tlikeitthatmuch,franklyspeaking,butitwasn'tsuchabigdeal.

"'So?'"Hequoted,lookingatmelikeanidiot."ThatcamestraightfromCuba.Avanillacigarwhichpeoplewouldbegfor.Andyou'resaying'so'?"hesnorted.Ichuckledathisexaggerationandtookit.

"Well,IguessI'llseewhatpeople'beg'for,"Imumbledashelititforme."

Thanks,man,"IsaidbeforeIinhaled.Hesmiledandturnedtheotherway,goingtosomeoneelse.Assoonasheturnedhisback,Icoughed,gettingoutthetobaccomixedwithvanillathatI'dbeentakingin.Itdidn'ttastethatgoodatall,formeatleast.SoIjustthrewitonthegroundandsteppedonit,leaningbackonthewall.

IgotoutmyphoneanddialedMary'snumber;thegirlsaidshewouldcometonight.Wherewasshe?

Sheansweredimmediately.

"Embry?"shewhispered.Ifrowned;whywassheexpectinghimtocall?Imean,weren'tthey,like,togethernow?

"No,it'sMatt.Whereareyou?"Iaskedcasually,thoughthewholesituationfeltawfullyfamiliartome.Ohthat'swhathappenedthenightSamantha,myex,brokeupwithme.Theroleswereswitchedthough.

Shesighed,"Home,"shewhispered,hervoicebreakingasifshewasresistingtears.

"What'swrong?"Iasked,concerned.Whatcould'vehappened?


44/114

Shebrokeintotears,"Idon'tknow,Matt,IwishIdo,"shemanagedtosay.

"Whoa,whoa!Calmdown!Whathappened?"Ipushed,slightlyguessingwherethiswasheadingtowards.

"Hewon'tcome,"shepanted.Huh?

"What?"Iasked,"Look,doesyourdadhaveanightshifttonight?"Iasked,rememberingthatshe'dtoldmebeforethathetakesdoubleshiftssometimes.

"Yeah,"shebreathed,"Why?"sheasked.

"Whatdoyousay,Icomegetyouandyoucantellmeallaboutthis?"Ioffered.Iowedhermorethatthat;MarywasactuallytheonewhohelpedmegetoverthewholeSamanthaissue.Plus,IhadpromisedbeforethatIwouldbetherewhensheneededmelikeshehadbeenrightbymysidewhenIneededher.Shewasmybestfriend.

"Areyounuts?"sheasked,"Oh,wait,youare."Shepaused,"Dadwouldkillmeifheknew,"shesaid.

"Whywouldhe?Hewouldgohomeat5,right?"Iasked.

"Yeah,"itsoundedmorelikeaquestion.Irolledmyeyes.

"It's1:15now,I'dgetyoubackhomebeforehe'sanywherenearit,promise,"Isaid,alreadyworriedabouther.

Shesighed,"'Kay.I'llbeatthecornerin10,"shesaid,slightlydistracted."Seeyou,"shesaid.

"Seeyou,"Isaidtothenow-deadcellphone.IstuckitbackinthepocketofmydarkbluejeansandgotoutthekeystomyNissan,goinginsidetofindBrad.

Therehewas.

Inudgedhisshoulderandheturnedaround,reluctantlyleavingStacey'sside.H

elookedatmequestioningly,givingmethat'that-better-be-important'look.

"Justmakesureyouendupsoberenoughtodrive;I'mleaving,"Iannouncedandturnedmybacktothemhegrabbedmyshoulder.

"Why?"heaskedsuspiciously.Ididn'twanttotellthem,honestly;theymightgetworried.Besides,Ididn'twantanyonetoknowaboutthisandtellherfather.

"I'mtired."Noliethere;Iwas.Heraisedaneyebrowatmethenshrugged.

"Okay,Iguess.Seeyoutomorrow,"hewavedmegoodbyeandIturneditback,gettingoutofthere.

TheroadtoMary'sstreetwasshort;onlyfiveminutesawaysoIwaitedforheratthecornerasshetoldmeshe'dgo.

Iwonderedwhatwaswrongwithher.Didheleaveher?Isthatpossible?Imean,justthewayhelookedatherdidn'tsuggestinanywaythattheirrelationshipwasgoingtoendafteronlyoneweek.Heusedtogetherfromschooleveryday,callatLunchtocheckuponher,takeheroutonweekend.Thisisjustunexpected.


45/114

Naw;thatcouldn'tbeit.

But,then,whathappened?

Iwassnappedoutofmyreveriewithherknockingonmywindow.Iopeneditandeyedhertear-soakedface.TheoneIhadn'tseensincelasttimeMaxvisited.Oh,thatwasonlyaweekago.Itseemedlikeforever.

"Hey."Itriedtosmilebutnotthecruelestdemoncoulddothatwhenjustlookingatherheart-brokenexpression.

Shetriedtosmileback,Ithink,butitturnedoutmorelikeagrimace.

"Well,comein,"Ioffered,unlockingtheotherdoorwithmymasterlock.Sheshookherhead.

"Idon'twanttobelate.Wecanwalkaroundhereifyoudon'tmind?"sheoffered,zippinghersweatertoherneck.Irolledmyeyes.

"Comeon;it'scold,"Itriedtoreasonbutsheshookherheadagain.Isighed;Iknewthataskingheragainwouldjustendupinherinsistingorgettingbackhome.JusttheoldtypicalMaryAnderson.Iclosedmywindow,grabbedmyjacketfromthebackseatandgotoutofthecar,lockingit.Ihopedthatparkingwasallowedthere.

ShestartedwalkingtowardstheendofthestreetandIkeptwithherslowpaceforamomentbeforeIspoke.

"So,"Istarted,"Tellmewhathappened,"Idemanded.Shestartedcrying,again.

"Heleft.Idon'tknowifitwasDadorjustme.Imean,it'sthesecondtimethathappenswithmetheremustbesomekindofareasonforthis.ButthenIdon'tknowwhatIdidforhimtoreactlikethatIfIonlyknew-"shekeptbabblingdoIcutheroff.

"Left?Didhejustbreakupwithyouorwhat?"Ipushed.Shestoppedandstartedsobbinginsteadofjustwell,crying.Acoupleofsecondslatershegotoutherc

ellphoneandopenedamessagethatIread.

"So?Maybehereallyneedssometimealone,"Iconcluded.Whywasshereactingthatway?

Sheshookherhead,"N-NoH-Healwayscomes,"shepanted,sobbingevenharder,"H-Hedoes-doesn'ta-answerhisp-phone."Ipulledherintoahugandshekeptsobbing,herbreathbecomingmoreandmorerigid.ThatwaswhenIpattedherback;sheneededtocalmdown.

"ShhI'msurethisisnothing,"Icooed,truthfully.Imean,theguysaidheneededsometimealoneandthathe'dcalllater.Whydidshethinkheleft?

"No!"shewhisper-yelled,probablyunabletogetanymorevoiceoutofher,andsobbedevenharder,ifthatwaspossible.Icouldfeelherhandstrembleonmyback."Heim-"IwaitedforhertocontinuebutIfeltherbodybecomeheavierandshecollapsedinmyhands,almostcausingbothofustofallontheground.Ijuststaredatherforamoment.

Wow;shefainted.

Whattodonow?


46/114

Whenpeoplefainttheygetthemtothehospital,right?

Right.

ButIhadtotryoncebeforeIcarriedhertomycar;okay,soIwasstrongerthananormalguy;beingonthefootballteamandsuch,butjustnotthatstrong.

"Mary?Mary,canyouhearme?"Istrokedhercheek.Noresponse.

Ofcourse!

I,somehow,managedtogethertotheNissan.Weweren'tthatfarawayafterall.Iopenedthebackdoorandlaidherbodyin,sighingheavilyasIdid.Islippedquicklyintomyfrontseatandturnedthekeyintheignition,speedingmywaytothehospital.

IknewDr.Brooke,Stacey'sfatherwouldbethere.Bradtoldmethathehadtoconvincehimtotakehisdaughtertothepartywhilehe'sout.Ididn'tgethispointthough,Dr.BrookeImean.

Ileftherinthecarandrushedinside,callingforanybodytogooutandgether.Iaccompaniedthemastheytookheronawhitebed.Ifollowedtheminsideandwentdirectlytothe'reception'orwhatever.Iwasmetbyanurse.

"Hello,howmayIhelpyou?"Howdoyouthink?

"IsDr.Brookehere?"Iasked.IhadtogetsomeoneIknew;Iwouldn'tbeabletodoanythingiftheyaskedmeaboutanythingthere.

"Yes,"sheansweredandgotbacktoherpaperwork.Seriously!DidIcomeheretoaskwhetherornothewasthere?

"Canyoucallhim?"Iasked,shelookedatmesuspiciously.

"Andyouare?"Irolledmyeyes.

"MatthewDavis,hisdaughter'sfriend.Justcallhimorpagehimorwhateveryou

do!"Iwasgettingimpatient.Normally,apersonwouldn'tbeinthebestmoodat2amwithhisfriendsomewherehedoesn'tknowatthehospital,knockedoutandanursewasjustbeingsoveryannoying.

"WhydoyouwantDr.Brooke?"Iglaredather.IfStaceywasn'tattheparty,herphoneprobablysomewhereshecan'thear,Iwould'veaskedforherfather'snumber.

"Justcallhimalready!"Iyelled.

"Matt?"Iheardafamiliarvoicecall.IturnedaroundtofindDr.Brookestandingwithafileinhishand,whichheputonthecounterandturnedtofaceme.Isighedinrelief."Iseverythingokay?"heasked,"Where'sStacey?"Ishookmy

head.

"She'sfine,probablystillatthepartyorheadinghome,"Ianswered,relaxingjustalittlebit."It'sMary,"Iinformed.Hefrowned.

"Issheokay?"Whatdohospitalsdotopeople?I'mhere,askingforadoctor,at2amandtellinghimthatMary'stheproblem.Howcouldshebeokay?

"No,"Iansweredsimply,"Ijustgotherhere,knockedout.TheytookhersomewherebutIdon'tknowwhere,"Isaidtruthfully.Henoddedinunderstanding,moti


47/114

oningformetofollowhimtowhatIrealizedlaterwastheER.Ifollowedhim.

"Wasshedrunk?"heaskedprofessionally.

"No;shewasn'tatthepartyinthefirstplace."ThatwaswhenhereturnedStacey'sfather,notthedoctor.

"Then,whywasshewithyou?"heaskedcuriously.Damn!Howcouldn'tIthinkofit?Nowshe'sintrouble.IsighedknowingthatIcouldn'thaveleftherwithoutgettingherhere.Itwasmyfault.

"Sheneededtotalkaboutsomestuff,wewerewalkinginthestreet."IwastooyoungtobeshotbyOfficerAnderson.Seriously.

Henodded,"WaithereandI'llberightback,"hesaid.InoddedandwaitedashewentdeeperintotheERwhileIwasjustinthefront.IcrossedmyarmsovermychestandwaitedthenIdecidedthatIshouldcallherfather.WewereintroubleanywayssoI'dbettercallhimmyselfinsteadofDr.Brookeorthehospital.MyfamilywasoutoftownfortheweekendanywayssoIdidn'tneedtomakethemworried.

IpulledoutmycellphonethenrememberedIdidn'thaveherfather'snumberandhewasatwork.

BeforeIcouldthinkofanythingelse,IfeltDr.Brooke'shandonmyshoulder.Iturnedaroundandlookedathimquestioningly.

"She'sfinenow.Apparently,therewasn'tenoughoxygenforherbrain,andbeinghypotensive,shefainted.Howdidthathappen?"heasked.Whatdidhethink?

"Shewascrying,well,sobbingactually,"Iexplainedandhenodded.

"I'mgoingtocallWilliam."HeleftandIsighed,goinginside,scanningwithmyeyesuntilIfoundher,sittingupandtakingoffsomekindofamask.Sheletoutasmallsmilewhenshesawme.

"Sorry,"shewhisper-apologized.Ismiledbackather.

"Better?"Iasked.Shenodded."Wereyouevensupposedtotakethatoff?"Iasked.Sherolledhereyes.

"It'sokay,"shereassuredme.

"Yourfatherisgoingtobeherein-"Dr.Brookecutmeoff.

"

Documents

Rhyme Mary and Embrys Story "After Breaking Dawn