I gently pulled my powder blue dress over my head, trying not to disturb the soft curls I had been agonisingly trying to perfect. I then began to scrutinise my reflection in the bathroom mirror, I smoothed my dress and absentmindedly pushed a curl back into its position behind my ear. My mind was trying to imagine what my Aunts house was going to look like tonight, the fairy lights sparkling and hitting Quil's making his smile even more breathe taking. No Claire stop, bad. I really shouldn't be thinking about Quil in that way, he didn't think about me like that, I was just his annoying best friend and he was older more mature, he was perfect. I tried to draw my attention back to my appearance. My hazel eyes were sparkling with anticipation and I couldn't help but be pleased that my usually limp black hair had actually cooperated, I was actually looking halfway decent for once. After coming to this decision I decided it was time to go down stairs and help my family set up for my party.

The familiar steps that lead to my Aunt and uncles living room was over flowing in streamers and balloons in a non cliché way. The living room was equally as stunning and I felt tears of joy on the verge of over flowing. Before I started to turn into a blubbering mess my mum came into the room asking if I was hungry, I was a bit peckish so I followed her into the kitchen to find my Aunt Emily in one of her cute kitchen aprons mixing cake batter. Emily was incredibly beautiful on one side of her face, the other side harboured 3 thick scars. I sometimes felt bad for Aunt Emily when I looked at her scars, being mauled by a bear wouldn't just leave physical scars.

"Are you hungry, Claire? Your party won't start for a few more hours but I can whip you up something now if you like?" asked my Aunt with her gentle voice.

"Yes please, if it isn't too much trouble."

"Definitely not, you're the birthday girl, it's your special day" she said with a wink.

Whilst I was waiting for something to eat I couldn't help but let my mind wander into thoughts of Quil.

I had been officially 16 for just over 20 hour and no one was letting me live it down, especially not Embry. His constant winking and giggling was annoying to say the least and it only got worse when I looked at Quil, it was like he was going to wet himself with laughter. Even with Embry's idiotic laughter it was hard to look away from Quil, his cropped hair was swept back from the night's breeze showing off his chocolate brown eyes and his shirt clung to his body revelling his muscled body, he was perfect. Damn it why did I have to be so plain?

I was startled out of my day dream by a booming laugh that I swear shook half the trees in my aunt and uncles small backyard. Damn Embry I am going to slap him I swear. First he laughs like a dog then he starts pointing at me and spluttering my name in between laughs. Even Quil was torn away from his hushed conversation with my uncle to look at me. The blush that crept up on my face couldn't have been helping the situation so I quickly turned around looking for someone to hide me. Ahh just who I need. I said spotting the petite frame that belonged to my other best friend Bridgette. I felt a slight twinge of jealousy when I had seen her for the first time tonight, me and about every other female in a five mile radius I'm sure. Bridgette was effortlessly beautiful, her pale skin had a faint glow under the fairy lights and her brunette hair cascaded in waves around her face drawing attention to her starling emerald eyes. She was wearing a knee length satin dress that was that same emerald colour that not only drew attention to her legs but further emphasised her eyes.

"Happy Birthday Claire" She said as she saw me walking towards her.

"Thanks Bridge, having fun?"

"Yeh tons!"

"I'm glad, I thought you guys were going to freak over the Quilette guys" that and Jack and Luke would run away crying.

"Hey I didn't freak the first time I saw Quil." She replied defensively.

"You almost had a heart attack you thought he was that good looking"

"Hmm, well I knew you liked him so it's not like I would have done anything anyway."

"I do not and plus he is like twice your age!"

"You so do and they all only look about 23, so 7 years!"

"Enough, c'mon lets get a coke or something" I tugged her arm trying to avert her gaze away from Colin who was looking unnerved by Bridges staring.

By the time we finally got to the drinks table we both grabbed a coke and sat down to look back at the lawn. After a few minutes the table was surrounded with my friends from school and we sat chatting for what felt like an hour and I could feel myself slip out of the conversation into some deluded day dream whenever I would see Quil out on the lawn when I finally was forced out of my little cloud of happiness it took a few solid minutes to try and catch up with what they were talking about. I could feel my mind drifting into another day dream when bridge pulled me into a hug whilst saying her mum was here. She was the last person that had been sitting with me at the table so I decided that it was time to start putting all the empty cans in the bin and then to tell Emily that I was going to go to bed. Unfortunately cleaning up was just a job that kept my hands busy my mind was still thinking of How amazing Quil had looked tonight under that moonlight and his woodsy, oaky smell that I loved so much. I sighed taking in a deep breathe and for a moment I thought I could smell it. I turned around to get another trash bag and collided into something hard. My brain was a little rattled and as I looked up into Quil's deep brown eyes I was completely under his spell. He pulled me into a warm hug and whispered softly into my ear.

"Happy birthday Claire"

His breath against my ear made my heart flutter. He let out a little laugh that he tried to muffle as a cough but I wasn't convinced I was sure he had heard my heart rate rise. How embarrassing, I knew Quil didn't think of me in the same way I did him, he thought of me like a little sister. He had been around ever since I was two, he had seen all my awkwardness and all my temper tantrums he was my best friend but ever since my last birthday I have wanted more but I knew he didn't want what I did but that didn't mean I was going to let him leave.

"Thanks Quil, I'm glad you came tonight" I finally replied hugging him back.

"Wouldn't have missed it for the world Claire-Bear" he said as he slowly let me go.

I was going to say something witty or suave in response but all that came out was long yawn which naturally triggered Quils maternal instincts.

"Oh I'm sorry Claire your dead on your feet I should have noticed. C'mon I'll finish up in here you go to sleep in the guest bedroom. Go on now scoot."

"Only if you promise to tuck me in Quil" I pleaded with him, I added my puppy dog eyes knowing Quil would cave, and he always did when I pleaded.

"Ok but hurry up before Embry comes in coz I have to go soon and you know Embry."

I guessed it was some where close to 12 and Emily's house was completely empty on the way to the guest room, and the house was an eerie type of quiet because of it. The only reason I could tell Quil was still behind me was because of the sheer heat he was emulating. That was a nice thing about Quil he was my person electric blanket perfect for LaPush. The door of the guest bedroom was open and the faint sounds of snoring could be heard from just beyond the door.

"I think Steff is asleep in there so I'm just going to sleep on the couch." I whispered to Quil trying not to disturb my sister.

"Ok" he said and we turned walking down the stairs into the living room.

The couch was already pulled out and sheets were laid over the mattress when we got there. I was definitely going to have to thank Aunt Emily again. I quickly slumped into the bed just wanting to fall asleep. It seemed like Quil knew this so he pulled the covers over me and kissed my forehead like he did when I was little. I'm not sure if it was my tired state but I think I heard Quil whispered something in my ear before I finally drifted to sleep.