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TWO; DINNER

     LA PUSH felt empty. Deserted was actually a better word for Leah to describe how it feels to be without Sierra.

     She had only left yesterday, but it already felt like the beginning of the end.

     Goodbye was a hard word for Leah to choke out and say. She wanted to tell Sierra so many other things, but she was holding herself back from doing so. Leah couldn't afford being so emotional with the fear of accidentally spilling all of her secrets to Sierra.

     "You look more upset than usual."

     Leah glared at Sam, finger tracing around her coffee mug. "I'm also more pissed than usual, so watch out for that."

     "Why don't you give her a call, Leah?" Emily asked gently. "I'm sure that'll bring your spirits up."

     "I already talked to her this morning before her first class," Leah sighed. "She says she's doing well, and that Lewis walked her to her classes yesterday."

     Leah spat out the last part of the statement. Sam and Emily exchanged nervous glances. Luckily, they were saved by the pounding of feet on Emily's front porch. Jared and Jake entered, looking equally exhausted.

     "Perimeter is clear," Jared informed, slouching down on one of Emily's kitchen chairs. "Paul and Embry are taking over. Why does Leah look like she wants to kill her coffee?"

     Emily mouthed Sierra's name, and Jared immediately nodded in understanding. Jake huffed, head dropping to slam on the table. Emily chuckled at the amount of relationship problems surrounding her kitchen. "I can't believe she just went straight back into his arms," Jake muttered to himself. "To accept him like that? It's insane!"

     Leah leaned over to flick his forehead. "You're not the only one with girl problems, ass."

     Jared shrugged. "Well, Leah, we did tell you to confess to Sierra before she left."

     "And I always tell you that you're an asshole," Leah responded, offering him a fake smile.

     "We're just saying that we think you would be happier if you just told Sierra how you really feel. I'm sure she would come to the realization that she loves you more than anything," Emily advised, hovering over her cousin's chair.

     Leah's fists clenched. "And I know I'm being extra sulky since Sierra's left, but I adamantly stick by my decision. If I ever told Sierra about the imprint, she would be forced to love me because the universe thinks we're soulmates. On the phone today, she sounded so happy because she's finally far away from this place. I want that for her. I want everlasting happiness for her."

     Sam sighed while Jared and Jake raised their eyebrows at Leah's statement.

     "Whatever you say, Leah."

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     "I went to this frat party last night. It was actually pretty boring, but Lewis stayed with me all night," Sierra murmured, wide smile on her face. It was contrasting Leah's frown from the other line. "He's really something, Leah."

     "He's really an ass, from what I've heard," Leah muttered.

     "Did you say something?"

     "Nope," Leah quickly covered her side comment. "Absolutely nothing. Are you sure you're doing okay? You're not feeling homesick, are you?"

     Sierra chuckled. "Just a little bit. Missing you more than others."

     Leah felt her heart skip a beat at the words. She knew that Sierra meant it in a friendly way, but Leah couldn't help imagining that it was different. She shook her head, slapping her forehead to try and stop thinking that way.

     There was a sudden knock on Leah's bedroom door, and Seth's head peeked in. "Hey, dinner's ready. Wait, are you talking to Sierra?" Seth suddenly became excited, bouncing over to Leah, who was sitting at her desk. She growled, sensing his intentions.

     "Seth, go away."

     "Hi, Sierra! How are you?" Seth yelled, hoping Sierra would hear him even though Leah was doing her best to push him away.

     "I'm good, Seth! I miss you!" Sierra screamed back. Leah was now kicking at Seth's ankles, but the boy paid no attention to his older sister's attempts to get him out of her room.

     "I miss you too! Leah talks about you everyday!"

     If Seth thought Leah was mad before, she was extremely furious now. She tackled her brother to the ground, ready to punch him for slipping out the confession. "I'll kick your ass, Seth. Actually, I'll phase right here in my room and tear you apart limb from limb."

     The boy simply grinned. "Hey, you weren't going to say it, so I did. I'm trying to help you, Leah."

     "I don't need your help," Leah hissed as she stood up, reaching for her phone. "Sorry, Sierra. Seth was annoying me."

     Sierra chuckled. "What's new? It's nice to hear that you guys haven't changed since I left," she sighed in content. "Alright, I think I'm going to head to bed. I have another early class tomorrow. But I'll see you this weekend, yeah? I'll drive over for a quick visit."

     Leah's eyes widened at the thought of Sierra coming back to visit so soon. "Oh, you are?"

     "Yeah, of course," Sierra laughed. "I miss everyone. Truth be told, I am feeling slightly homesick."

     "Then I can't wait to see you," Leah grinned.

     "Me too. Night, Lee."

     Leah ignored the kissing faces Seth was making. "Night, Sierra."

     Leah couldn't wait for the weekend. She was practically jumping up and down for joy, but if any of her pack members asked her, she would vehemently deny it. She didn't tell anyone that she traveled down to Port Angeles just to buy a new outfit for the weekend. She also didn't mention that she cleaned up her room for the first time since Sierra left, even though Seth smirked at her when he heard her vacuuming.

     However, when she heard a knock on her door Friday night, she didn't expect to see two people standing underneath her entryway.

     Sierra grinned and enveloped Leah into a hug. "Lee! Oh my God, I'm so glad that I'm here."

    "Yeah," Leah spoke hesitantly, glancing at the other person present. "Who is this?"

     "Oh," Sierra said, a blush dusting her cheeks. "This is Lewis. I hope it's okay that I brought him along. He said that he really wanted to see La Push."

     Leah's eyes narrowed — she doubted that anyone would want to see La Push for fun or travel. Although, she kept these thoughts to herself and hummed. "I see. Hi, Lewis. My name is Leah."

    Leah offered her hand, and Lewis grinned, shaking it. "It's so nice to meet you, Leah. Sierra's told me so much about the best friend she loves more than anything."

    Lewis wasn't bad-looking. In Leah's eyes, he was pretty average, but definitely not handsome enough to be with Sierra. To even stand next to Sierra, for that matter. His jet black hair was swooped to the side, and his chocolate brown eyes twinkled in the light. Whenever he would glance at Sierra, his eyes would sparkle so much more. Leah tried to hold the insults that were threatening to spew.

     "Well, I'm glad I still get mentioned," Leah smiled tightly. "Do you guys want to come in? My mom's just finishing dinner."

     Lewis and Sierra smile at one another before entering the home. Leah's hand tightened around the doorknob, slamming the front door shut. Lewis and Sierra take no notice to Leah's growing rage, completely lost in each other.

     Seth came barreling down the hallway, hands thrown in the air and a smile gracing his face. "Sierra!"

     Sierra grinned, returning the gesture and throwing her hands up in the air as well. "Seth!"

     The two hug one another and just like Leah's own reaction, Seth confusedly gazed at Lewis. "Sorry, I don't think we've met before. Do I know you?"

     "This is my friend from college, Seth. His name is Lewis," Sierra introduced. With one look at her beaming face, Seth can tell that Sierra wanted her relationship with Lewis to be something more. He looked over at his sister, who was doing her best to keep quiet and let Sierra be happy.

     "Oh. It's nice to meet you, Lewis," Seth said half-heartedly. Seth quickly noted that Lewis was not that much taller than him, and if Leah needed, he could totally take the guy down with one punch.

     Leah could sense what her younger brother was thinking and stepped in between the group. "How about we head into the kitchen? I'm sure my mom missed you, Sierra."

     As soon as they stepped onto the marble tiles, Sue was attacking Sierra into a hug, a bright grin on her face. Lewis was smiling at the scene unfolding before him, and all Leah wanted to do was slap that smile clear off his face.

     "You have a beautiful best friend, Leah," Lewis complimented, leaning over to whisper to her. Leah almost gagged.

     "I know."

     Sue tried her best to make Lewis feel welcome, even though she wasn't very pleased by his appearance. She was slightly hoping that Leah and Sierra would make some romantic progress during her brief visit.

     "So, Sierra, how long are you going to be in town for? I know your mother is thrilled about you finally being in college," Sue started the conversation, eating her dinner contently.

     "Just the weekend," Sierra replied sadly. "I wish I could stay longer, but college is college."

     "You sure you're talking about college or those wicked parties you must be having fun at?" Seth winked.

     Lewis was slightly shocked by the way Leah and Seth were able to devour their food. Leah paid no attention to the man.

     "Ah, college parties aren't really my thing," Sierra shrugged. "You know what I miss? Those sleepovers I used to host with Leah. It was always fun seeing you squirm because you didn't like any of the other girls, Lee."

     Leah blushed at the memory. She could recall hissing insults at teenage girls when they weren't looking, and Sierra scolding her and telling her to behave. Leah glanced at Lewis — he would never understand what the two girls have experienced together.

     "You know I'm not a people person. Plus, would you really rather have that instead of downing drinks with some frat boy?"

     Sierra gazed over at Lewis, smiling. "I don't think I need any frat boys."

     "I think she needs some frat girls," Seth mumbled, coughing so that Sierra wouldn't hear. Leah elbowed his side roughly.

     "So, Leah, where do you go to school?" Lewis asked. Leah knew he was trying to be friendly, but at the current moment, she just saw him as competition for Sierra's attention.

     "Community college," Leah answered without hesitation. She wished that she didn't have to say the answer with such contempt, but the shapeshifting gene loved to screw her over. "I want to stay closer to home."

     Sue knew her daughter was lying, and gave her a sympathetic smile. Leah was making many sacrifices, but Sue knew that the reservation needed her to keep the people safe.

     Lewis nodded. "I can see why. From what I've seen so far, La Push has been extremely lovely."

     Seth made a few gagging noises, but Sue shot him a look to keep him quiet. Leah shrugged. "It's alright."

     "Are you still talking to Sam, Lee?"

     Leah paused at the sudden question. Sierra was looking at her expectantly, and Leah knew that Sierra wanted her to deny it. She still didn't understand why Leah forgave Sam for what he did, and Leah made sure that she would never find out.

     "Yeah," she responded timidly. "I actually have to go to Emily's tonight."

     Sierra hummed, but Leah knew it was one of disapproval. Lewis could sense the tension, and quickly attempted to change the topic. Although Seth loved positive people, all he wanted to do was wring Lewis' neck because he can see the clear pain spreading throughout his sister's expression.

     "Do you work, Leah?"

     "Yeah," Sierra chuckled dryly. "She works for her ex-boyfriend and local cult leader, Sam Uley."

     "Sierra-"

     The sound of Sue's chair scratching against the floor echoed throughout the room. Leah watched as her imprint stood up, eyes devoid of any clear emotion.

     "Thank you for dinner, Sue. I think Lewis and I are going to head back to my house. I'm sure my mom is already up waiting for me," Sierra said. Leah stood up, wincing when Sierra moved away from her.

     "Sierra, don't be upset. Stay for longer," Leah insisted.

     "Didn't you say you have to head to Emily's house?" Sierra raised an eyebrow. "Sam must be missing you if you're gone too long, right?"

     "Babe," Lewis spoke, trying to get Sierra to calm down.

     Leah's head darted to face him, finally snapping. "Don't call her that."

     "Leah!" Sierra exclaimed, shocked by the rudeness of her words. "I'm sorry for leaving early, Sue. Let's go, Lewis."

     Leah watched as her imprint stomped out the front door, trying to ignore the growing pain in her heart.

i really thought leah was gonna punch lewis in the middle of dinner