tongue twister • paul lahote

xviii

T H E S C H O O L W A S shiner now that the Cullens were back in town. Jacob spent a lot of time in his room grieving the loss of a love that was never there. He really believed that there was a chance with him and Bella. He was heartbroken at the thought of her running back to her precious bloodsucker. Little did he know that it would never be. He couldn't see what everybody else saw. Bella looked at Edward much like Paul looked at Santana. Jacob wished Bella could look at him like that, but fate wouldn't allow it. With pity in her heart, Santana couldn't allow herself to be angry with Jacob any longer. She saw the pain he was in, and she couldn't allow herself to cause him any more.

So with her new found happiness, she found it within herself a new strength to befriend him once again. She allowed herself to grow from the situation that they were a part of. After all, she loved him. He was her best friend from day one. She couldn't believe the weight off her shoulders now that Jake was back in her life. She was content overall. She had a loving boyfriend, wonderful friends, and her best friend, or in better terms, her brother was back in her life. Although in his depressive state, he would not talk about Isabella Swan in front of Santana. It was out of respect, and partial fear of losing her once again. Although heartbroken, Jacob had to admit his quality-of-life greatly improved with her by his side. They were meant to be in each other's lives, and although they had a slight bump in the road, they grew from it and realized how much they needed each other.

The other boys were ecstatic that Santana and Paul had made their affairs official. For once, things were quiet in Forks. Though, now that the vampires were back there was brooding trouble in the next town. Seattle was being terrorized. Nobody knew by what, Except for the wolves and the Cullens. Newborn vampires. An army of them, all searching to destroy one thing. The girl that causes trouble without even doing anything; Isabella swan. The worst part of it all was that nobody could do anything. They had no idea what kind of horrors were going to be let loose in the next few weeks. Paul and Emmett had gotten into a quarrel. Though they were both chasing after the same person, they couldn't let aside their differences when Emmett crossed the treaty line. Because of this, the vampires and wolves decided it would be in their best interest to join forces.

Jasper, with his newborn intelligence and experience had decided that he would teach them all how to deal with a situation like this. Although the wolves didn't love working so closely with the vampires, they knew that this was how they could defeat them and protect their land. Santana and Bella couldn't help, so instead of joining they watched. Although the two had a distaste for each other they had formed a bond. Despite Bella still hurting Jacob, Santana knew that there was no chance for them: Jake was holding onto nothing. They had grown closer, but the feelings Santana had for her never left. It would take a lot more for her to forget about that. Perhaps it would take Jacob moving on.

Santana and Paul were closer than ever. Santana had finally realized the strength of an imprint, and knew now that all the fears she had about driving Paul away had been irrelevant. Santana's father had grown more comfortable with Paul, more excepting. He could see how happy he made his daughter, and he could never stand between that. Although the looming threat never left. The promises Victoria made to Santana that day in Paul's bedroom never left her mind. Though the scratches left her neck, and it was long past, she couldn't shake her dread. She knew something bad would happen. But for now she couldn't do anything so she left the thoughts to brood in her head. She never spoke of the incidents with anyone. Anyone except for Carlisle.

Though she know what they were, she liked him. She trusted him above the rest. She admired his kindness and his compassion for humans. He saw everything in a different way, and he was gentle. She believed he really would be like that for the rest of his immortal life. She confided in him about things she would never tell the wolves. Some things, they were too hot headed for. Carlisle always had reason, and the right advice. She wasn't scared when she was around him, she thought of him as a second father. Or third or fourth after counting Billy and the rest of the boy's parents. He knew more than a lot of people believed. He knew what happened to her mother, and he knew everything she felt. Paul didn't love this relationship, but he did respect the fact that he could help her with things that Paul couldn't.

In the field where they practiced battle, Santana sat beside Bella as they watched Jasper's lessons. They did speak of things that they never would have before. Santana knew with time they could learn to be friends. She watched Paul intently in his wolf form. She admired his agility even with his big figure. He watched him fight alongside Jacob and his best friends. Though she didn't respect the Cullen's much, she was happy that they were getting along. They didn't need any more tension in the air.

She watched them as they mock fought. She admired Jasper's knowledge in all things considered. She watched as Isabella admired Edward. She saw the way she looked at him, and finally understood why Bella could never love Jacob. The look in her eyes was so desperate and infatuated. She knew what that felt like. She could not stay angry at someone in that much love. So she despised what she did to Jacob, but she didn't hold it against her. She knew if Paul left like Edward did, she could never love like that again. Not Jacob, not Embry, Quil, or anyone. Paul was her soulmate, as Edward was Bella's. though they called it a different name, which she thought was repulsive. ('Who calls it a 'blood caller' or 'singer' anyway. Nasty' she thought to herself)

Santana had a newfound respect for vampires like Edward and Carlisle. No matter the temptation, such as Carlisle being a doctor and Edward being in love with a human, they did not act on the urge. They valued what was important to them. Although disgusting to an extent, she knew how bad temptation could be. In knowing that they did not have a choice in their being, she had no bad feelings towards the family. Alice, Jasper, Edward, and the rest we're just trying to exist. Rosalie and Emmett would take longer to grow on her. She didn't love them because of the quarrel they had been in with Paul. Just like how she remembered the punch in the face Isabella delivered to him. But she wasn't going to hold these feelings in high contempt.

She was happy. She was also scared, but the content triumphed. She was in love, and mostly everyone was happy. That was all that mattered to her. She wished everything could stay the way it was. Except maybe, Jacob could find an imprint.