A/N: This chapter is written by BrokenYetDreaming, hope you enjoy, please R&R!

I close my eyes and inhale sharply.

"Jake!" she says again.

"Bella!" The way he looked at her, the way he moved to get closer to her, told me that I was instantly forgotten of.

"Where have you been?" she asks. The way she said it bugged me. It was like he had to check in with her before he did anything. Like, her life had to the center of his life. "I called your house, and Billy said you came here. . ."

I could feel eyes on me. My throat felt heavy.

"Oh. You're with someone. . ." at least she had the decency to sound embarrassed. But she was also confused, and her voice turned wary.

Jacob says, "Yup. Charissa. You remember her, right?"

Bella didn't reply. So her answer was that she didn't remember me.

I don't know why that hurt so much. I know I'm nothing special. I didn't date a freaky, pale boy. I didn't get lost in the woods. I didn't weep after my boyfriend dumped me. I didn't act like the world I lived ended just because a boy left me. No. I haven't done anything that people would instantly recognize me for. I'm plain, and normal, and boring.

I wince. I was boring. Is that why Jacob doesn't like me anymore? Why he prefers Bella over me now?

"It's okay," Jacob suddenly laughs. My back is still to them, still.

This hurt even more. So he doesn't think my existence is worth remembering?

I hear Bella giggle along.

This was the thing that made me walk away. I could hear Jacob's calls, asking me where I was going, but I ignored him. A part of me hoped that he would run after me, but the realist in me knew he wasn't. It still hurt, though.

Suddenly, two large, warm hands covered my eyes. I gasp, struggling. A familiar laugh made me stop.

"Paul!" I growl. "Let me go!" I wasn't in the mood for his bullshit. I just wanted to go home, eat some ice cream, and feel sorry for myself. Crying wasn't in my plans.

He slowly lets me go. "Aw, I wanted to surprise you."

"Better luck next time."

"Are you okay?" Paul asks, his face suddenly popping into my view. His eyebrows knitted together, a look of concern dominated his features. I remember the last time I talked to him, he had sounded really upset.

I felt a sudden urge to cry. "Yeah, I'm okay," I lie.

He gives me a searching look. "Are you sure?" He didn't believe me. I smile faintly. His concern for me made me feel special.

I pause, unsure if I should tell him. After a moment, I say, "No. I'm not okay." my voice shook, and I looked down, trying to fight off the tears. "I feel awful."

Paul had me in his arms, and he was hugging me tightly. I took a raspy breath, and clutched my fingers tightly.

"What's wrong?"

"My existence isn't worth remembering." I whisper. I close my eyes tightly, my last attempt to not cry.

I could feel his body tremble. "Says who?"

I don't answer.

"Charissa," Paul says, grabbing my chin. "Look at me." I open my eyes, and the tears finally escape. I can see his angry face, but it was blurry. "Says who. . . . Black." His voice shook with anger.

"No!" I quickly say. "No, don't take it the w wrong way." I started to panic. His blurry face looked scary. "He just- He-" My sobs interrupted me.

"He hurt you."

I didn't know what to say. I simply nod and cry. I felt stupid. So, so stupid. I was crying and I knew I shouldn't be. I shouldn't let Jacob and his new girlfriend get to me. But unfortunately, I did.

"I don't know what to say," he says, voice tight. "But just. . . He's a turd. He's stupid, and meaningless, and he deserves a good beating for making you cry. You don't cry, and it takes a lot for you to cry."

I sniffle.

"Forget about him," Paul says softly, his trembling ceases. "Forget about Jacob Black, and about that stupid pale chick. You're better than him. Better than her. If I were him, I would pick you-"

"I don't like him like that," I say defensively, voice cracking. I knew I didn't sound convincing. "I don't." This wasn't a lie.

Paul pauses. "You- You don't?"

I shake my head. By now, my tears began to disappear.

"Really?"

"Really," I say.

I struggle to get out of his embrace. I started to feel embarrassed. "Thanks, Paul. You made me feel better." I force out a laugh, and it sounded too awkward. I avoided eye contact with him.

Paul sighs, almost as if disappointed at something. "It's okay. I'm not just hot. I'm also a good listener."

This makes me laugh so hard. I jab a finger at him, and laugh, "Hot? HOT?"

Paul chuckles. "You can also say I'm sexy."

"Oh. . . My. . . Go-" My giggles interrupt me. When did he get so self absorbed?

He playfully swats my finger away. "Shut it," he says softly. I look up at him, and notice the smile on his face. It was a Paul smile. The smile I liked. I smile back.

After I managed to finally shut up, I exhale loudly. "I needed that."

"Needed what?"

"To laugh," I murmur, smiling widely up at him. "Thanks."

He glares at me in a mocking way. "Well, if my sexiness makes you laugh... Then, well... Hi, I'm Paul the Sexy." He chuckles when I giggle a bit more and push him away - or, at least, I tried to. I don't think he even noticed my pitiful excuse of a push. Am I really that weak?

"Hi, I'm Charissa the Badass."

Paul snorts.

"Ha! More like Bigbutt."

I blush instantly. "Uh, shut up!"

His freakishly warm finger pokes my cheek. I glare at him, still really embarrassed and self conscious for some reason. Had he been checking me out? I hadn't even noticed.

"Stop," I say, annoyed. I try to get his finger off my cheek, but I failed.

Paul sighs suddenly. "I missed you."

I blink up at him. "Oh?"

"Yup."

I nod, unsure of what to say. That's when I realize I missed Paul too. It seemed so obvious. I mean, this feeling of serene peacefulness, how much fun I was having... I missed spending time with him.

"Missed ya' too."

He grins. "I know."

I roll my eyes. "Sure, sure."

There is an immediate change in Paul. He stiffens and his eyes harden.

"What's wrong?"

He looks away from me. "Nothing."

"You're lying."

"No. I'm not." He closes his eyes.

I cross my arms. "Yes, yes you are. What's wrong?" I asked again, stubborn.

"Drop it," he says curtly. I notice his hands are trembling, and at the same time he closes them into fists.

I was angry now. "Sure, sure." I look away. Things were going so well. "Whatever you say, Paul."

"I gotta go."

My head instantly turns back to him, and I notice his trembling body is leaving me. I don't know why I start to panic; is it because he's shaking and he might have a seizure? Or because I'm selfish, and greedy, and mean. I wanted somebody around me, and I was afraid to be left alone. I wasn't sure which one was the reason for my sudden panicking.

"Paul!" I yell, running. He walks so fast! And his steps are SO long! "Pau-"

"Go back to Jacob. I don't want to be around you anymore."

That stung so much. I stop chasing after him, and my throat feels clotted. My eyes burn, but I don't let myself cry. What's up with me? Why do I have so many urges to cry now? Gah!

I don't want to show him how much he affected me, so I say, "Fine. Bye."

I turn around, and walk away, too.

A/N: So that's the end of chapter 5. I hope to update soon but I'll be pretty busy for the next couple months. Please leave a review telling us what you think.

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