Fell For You

Stupid Everything

After school, I push open the front door and wave back toward the van pulling out of the lot.

"Don't forget about the shirt!" Seth hollers, leaning halfway out of Jacob's van window with that lopsided grin that always makes my chest feel lighter than it should.

I smirk, crossing my arms. "I don't know, I might forget."

He narrows his eyes mischievously. "Then you can forget about the Kit-Ka—"

"No need to finish that sentence!" I cut him off, shouting, "It's already in my bag!"

He laughs, flashing a grin that's pure sunshine before ducking back inside. Jacob honks the horn, and the van disappears down the road.

"Bye, Leah!" Kristina calls after them.

"Bye, Tina!" Leah's voice echoes back, teasing and warm.

I glance sideways at Kristina, my grin turning sly. "Someone's found herself a best friend."

"Yeah," she mutters, shaking her head, "and I still don't get why the hell Sam left her in the first place."

I blink. "You met Sam already?"

Her jaw tightens. "Unfortunately."

"Well, he's a superficial asshat," I say flatly. "Leah's gorgeous. Whoever she ends up with is one lucky idiot."

We laugh, but it dies the second we step into the living room. The air shifts—thick and heavy.

Every couch is filled. Elders. Uncle Billy. Old Quil. Sue Clearwater. And—of course—Sam Uley.

"Speak of the devil," I mutter under my breath.

Sam's not alone. His so-called "pack" fills the room like a wall of muscle: Paul Lahote, Jared Cameron, and—

My chest twists. "Embry."

They all look up as we step in. Embry doesn't meet my eyes.

"Mum, Dad," I say slowly, "what's going on?"

"We're having an elder gathering, sweetie," Mum says gently.

I look straight at Embry. "Elder gathering?" My tone is sharp, accusing. He still doesn't look at me—just stares at his hands, fists curled on his knees.

"Embry."

Nothing.

"Embry." My voice cracks like a whip.

He still doesn't move.

"Melody," Dad says softly, his voice low but firm—the serious tone. "Why don't you go to your room? We'll be done soon."

I glare, still locked on Embry. "Come on, Kristina."

But Dad clears his throat. "Actually, Kristina will stay."

That makes me freeze. "Kristina?"

Embry's head lifts just slightly at her name. The blush creeping up his neck is all the answer I need.

I take a breath—too shaky to sound casual—and nod. "Kristina stays. Got it."

I turn, walk out before anyone can see the way my throat tightens, the way my fingers curl into fists.

As I climb the stairs, I hear Uncle Billy's calm voice say something that prickles under my skin:
"Don't worry. She'll come into the light soon enough."

Whatever that means.

They can keep their secret meetings and their cryptic sayings. Probably just some dramatic "feelings" circle anyway.

In my room, I slam the door shut, shove my headphones in, and blast Fix You by Coldplay loud enough to drown out my thoughts.

Stupid Elders. Stupid Embry. Stupid Sam and his stupid shirtless cult.

By the time I finish my English essay on scuba diving, my anger's dulled into a tired ache. I check my watch—4:32 p.m. I sigh and step out onto my small wooden balcony, the one Jacob helped me build two years ago.

Below, the meeting's ended. Sue helps Uncle Billy to the car, while Embry and Kristina stand in the driveway, laughing.

And not just laughing. Glowing.

I watch silently as she playfully bumps his arm, and he looks at her like she's the only person left on the planet. When she kisses his cheek, he turns scarlet, and she disappears inside.

Something in my chest twists and loosens all at once. I should be angry, but instead I just... smile sadly. At least he looks happy. At least she's smiling.

I head downstairs quietly and slip out the back door. Embry's already walking toward the woods.

"Embry! Wait!"

He stops but doesn't turn.

I jog closer. "Why? Why are you with them? Sam's group—what are you even doing?" My voice trembles, but I keep going.

He exhales slowly, still facing away.

"Come on," I whisper. "Say something."

Silence.

"We were worried sick," I press. "We went to your house three times! We paused movie night! And now I find out you're part of some cult?"

He finally turns—and I nearly forget to breathe. He's taller. Broader. His jaw sharper, hair cropped short, muscles flexing under his skin.

"What the hell happened to you?" I whisper.

"You don't understand," he says, low and rough.

I flinch. His voice sounds different. Deeper. Controlled—but dangerous.

"What part don't I understand, Embry?" I snap. "That you ditched us for Sam's pack of clones? That you lied about being sick? You—" My voice cracks. "You cut your hair, you idiot. I loved your long hair."

For a moment, his eyes soften—then harden again. "Try all of it," he says. "I'm done. I'm done with you idiots. With Quil's talking, with Leah's whining, with Jacob obsessing over Bella Swan, with Seth's golden-boy act—" His voice rises. "And especially with you, Melody. With your insecurities, your stupid drama, your—your everything."

The words hit like a slap.

I stare at him, my throat tightening. "You're a terrible liar," I whisper.

He looks away. "Get over it. I'm not coming back."

Something inside me cracks. "But—you're my best friend, Emmy-bear." My voice breaks halfway through his nickname.

He turns away. "Not anymore."

The tears come before I can stop them. My chest aches, my face hot. "Fine! Go ahead! Hang with your stupid cult! See if I care!" I choke out, then run—before he can see the rest of me shatter.

What I don't see is the tear he wipes away before disappearing into the forest, Sam's shadow falling behind him. What I don't see is the moment he changes—the last piece of the boy I knew fading into the wolf he was meant to be.

Back in my room, I throw myself face-first into my pillow. The caramel fabric muffles my sobs as I hug it tight, wishing I could rewind everything.

At some point, I hear the door creak open.

"I'm sorry, Melody," Kristina says softly. "You lost your best friend, and—"

"Whatever." My voice comes out broken and raw. "Everyone loses a best friend eventually. It's just... harder than I thought."

She hesitates. "I know it feels unfair. I just came here, and suddenly I'm allowed into elder meetings and—"

I turn, my eyes red and tired. "Kristina," I whisper, "just... please. I need to be alone."

Her lips press together. She nods once, steps out, and closes the door gently behind her.

The silence after that feels heavy.
Like something inside me has gone missing,
and the whole world knows exactly where it went.