I am infinitely sorry I took forever to update!! I have had a very crammed schedule!

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“Jay-cub Black,” came the crystal clear voice of a girl in my Algebra II class. Not just any girl, though, it was Alex Barrie, the captain of the varsity girls’ soccer team, one of the most popular girls in the school. She was talking to me. I wasn’t popular, nor was a I a geek, I fit snuggly in between—so, this wasn’t a shock, I talked with her all the time.

“Yes?” I asked politely. I was curious to see what was up. Her tone of voice had changed and she was more smiley and giggly than usual today.

“Well, I was wondering—with the end-of-year dance thing coming up—if you wanted to go…with me…and like…a group of friends, too…” she asked, trying to remain confident, there was something in her voice that suggested she knew I would say yes without a second thought.

Oh man, was this going to make me sound like a douche-bag. “Sorry…I already have a date.” I said finally. I could see about bringing Josie. That way I’d avoid getting in trouble with her down the road…I only hoped she could come with me.

“Oh really?” Alex asked, not seeming to buy it. “Who?” she all but demanded in a small fit of jealousy as she flipped her chemically straightened, perfect blonde hair over her left shoulder and began to twirl a finger in a lock out of nervous habit.

“Josie Fascino.” I replied confidently. “She lives in Port Angeles.” I explained apologetically. I’d ask her to go with me tonight for sure. I felt a little bad. I was pretty much lying to one of my friends! “But you can come with our group of friends. I mean there’s a chance she can’t go and if she can’t then it’ll make it convenient for you…” I offered.

This did not seem to be satisfying for her. “Nah…I’ll bring a date and our groups can hook up.” She decided finally, regaining composure. “Make sure to save me a dance, though!” she said with a wink and turning back to collect her books as the end-of-day bell rang. “Hey!” she said quickly, turning around, a little pink in the face. “Is she your--…um, well, y’know…you’re girlfriend?” she asked.

“Well…I’m not sure—I guess; not technically…at least not yet.” I replied.

“Oh.” She replied. She got to her feet and hurried away, looking totally upset and I stood, holding my books, totally confused and feeling like an ass at the same time. Why was she so upset? I shook my head, heading to my locker and grabbing my bookbag and homework then heading out to my bike.

It took until about 4:30 for me to recover feeling guilty, as I closed my last textbook and the phone rang. I picked up, hoping it was who I thought it was. “Hullo?”

“Hey, Jake!” rang out the very voice I was longing for.

“Jo! Hey, what’s up?” I instantly felt better as she talked on about her day.

“How about you? How was yours?” she asked finally after a rather lengthily description of hers. I could almost see her smiling on the other end of the phone with those perfect dimples.

“Decent.” I replied.

“Only decent?” she asked.

I told her about my day, conveniently avoiding the subject of the dance and Alex. “Pretty boring.” I concluded. I paused. “Oh, yeah! Hey! We have a dance coming up—it’s a casual dance and it’s the Saturday after next…and I was sorta wondering…do you wanna come with me?” I asked.

“Come with?” she asked, a small playful laugh in her voice. “Like how?” she inquired. Intentionally putting me on the spot.

“Um, like…as a date…?” I asked hopefully, feeling the lump in my throat get bigger.

“But what will I wear?” she asked playfully. “I’d love to. I’ll have to ask my parents later but it shouldn’t be a problem!” she told me excitedly. She was absolutely bubbling at the idea of going as my date.

“Hey, Jake?” Josie asked hesitantly.

“Yeah?”

“Why haven’t you asked me yet?”

“I…what do you--…? Asked what?” I began, totally confused.

“Nothing. Nevermind!” she said with a nervous laugh. “I’m just being a little stupid! Get back to me on the lock-in and I’ll get back to you on the dance. I have to go though, so I’ll talk to you later on! Byeee!” Click!

What was that all about?

“What’s up?” Sam Uley, escorting Emily, asked as the screen door closed behind him. I looked up at him hesitantly before he commanded me to “Spill.”

“Jo’s acting weird today. She said, ‘Why haven’t you asked me yet?’. What does that mean?”

“Idiot! Use your brain for a minute!” Leah barked, walking into the room, too and rolling her eyes.

“Shut up!” She was lucky I didn’t bring up her own misfortune in love in front of the guilty party.

“It means she wants you to ask her to be your girlfriend.” Emily explained calmly and sweetly.

“What?! But…it’s too soon, isn’t it? I mean…we’ve barely hung out and--…”

“You’re still thinking about Bella…you couldn’t save her, Kiddo…she ran off and married Edward. You’ve got to move on. This is the girl you’ve imprinted with and although your feelings for Bella are very strong, you’re feelings for Josie can and will surpass that if you give her a chance.” He said confidently. “And about the lock-in…you can go. Have fun. Take Paul with you, too.” He added.

“Why Paul?!”

“Because he imprinted with one of Jocelyn’s sisters. Julia.”

“Dammit Paul!” I complained.

“What? You expected me to imprint with Leah or something?” Paul complained sourly as he walked into the house himself. Was everyone freaking waiting to squeeze inside the tiny living space of my house?!

“Hey! Watch it, shit-face!” Leah fumed.

“I was kidding, jeez! Take a joke!”

I slammed my fists down on the table before running out of the room and outside in annoyance and utter confusion. I wanted to see her. I wanted to hold her and tell her what was what…I tied my pants to my leg and ran, morphing fairly quickly.

Take it easy, Jacob. I won’t stop you from telling her…but try just asking her out tonight. It’ll build up the confidence you need to tell her later on. Came the crisp, clear voice of the pack’s leader.

So, now I found myself running toward her house. To get to her soon as I could and tell her how it was straight…that is, until I realized I could’ve just called her as I stood awkwardly on her front porch, he father giving me a look that was a mixture of confusion and disapproval.

“Is Josie here?” I asked a little nervously.

“Yes…did you want to see her? She’s just in the living room.” He replied, his eyes boring into me. I nodded, feeling a little fidgety. How was it that such a small, scrawny man could make a tall, lanky, awkward adolescent like me feel so intimidated when I towered over him? He smiled kindly, though, and showed me in.

It was then that it struck me…Should I ask him for permission before I did what I was about to do? Was that too old fashioned or would he accept the gesture? I decided on the safe route and stopped halfway into the house before opening my mouth to speak. I squeaked. This was so weird!

“Are you okay, Jacob?” he asked, quirking an eyebrow. He looked more trusting now, as if he knew.

“I just…I wanted to ask…”

“Yes?”

“May I ask your daughter to be my…um…y’know…my girlfriend?” I asked, this was lame.

A smile graced his slightly-aged feature. “You’re all she talks about, you know. She’s my little girl, so, you better take care of her.” He said, there was that old-fashioned ‘I have no problem going to jail’ promise behind his words but I let out a sigh of release. Hell, I nearly hugged him!

“Thank you, Sir! I will never hurt her, I promise.” I vowed, my tone equally serious before I allowed myself to grin broadly. I had her father behind me on this one…

“I’ll just call her out of the living room. She’s with some friends.” He explained with a smile.

He opened the door and what I saw was a shock. On the couch, she rested, snuggled up to a boy with blonde hair as she, her sisters and friends watched a video, unaware of my own presence…

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Dun dun dunnnn! What kind of enemy is this?!