There he was. My number one rival. The only vampire that had ever bested me at the childish games I loved so much. And I had to settle the score.

Emmett Cullen saw me from the corner of his eye and grinned in anticipation. His eyes were glittering eagerly with the sense of a great challenge. I grinned back, my teeth flashing against my unnaturally pale skin. Rosalie saw me and rolled her eyes.

“Talk to you soon, honey,” she said and kissed the top of his head. She gave me a look that said good-grief and went outside to tune her beloved convertible.

We watched her go with a faint smile. Rosalie was actually kind of cool once she realised I wasn’t trying to steal her boyfriend. I shook my head at the memory and sighed. How could she have been so wrong?

“Emmett, up to?” I asked, unconsciously flexing my fingers. I swiftly made myself comfortable on the sofa with him to watch the ball game. It really wasn’t all the interesting, Emmett just likes knowing he’s better than all the human athletes.

“Nah dah,” he replied casually, slouching into the sofa. His foot twitched and I knew that he wanted to beat me again, just because he could.

I was vaguely aware of Jasper and Edward hovering over us, hoping we’d get mad at each other and start a fight. Emmett never could take a loss very well.

“Hurry up!” Jasper cried in exasperation when all Emmett and I did was stare at the television, not even paying any attention to the screen. “Name the challenge.”

Edward chuckled and positioned himself at my shoulder. He bent down low to whisper in my ear. “I’m betting on you, don’t you dare lose.”

I laughed as Emmett glared at Edward and flexed his biceps at me, as if that was scary. Edward laughed at him and ruffled his hair.

“I’m still betting on Lara. Emmett, you’re going down.”

Jasper bounded in front of us and hauled both Emmett and I off the comfortable sofa. He slung me over his shoulder and dragged Emmett outside. I laughed and complained for Jasper to drop me this instant but he ignored me.

When we were outside, Jasper dumped me on my rump on the grass and grinned. He clapped Emmett on the shoulder while he began to loosen up his muscles and rolled his neck. I stood up in a huff and Edward rubbed my shoulders, whispering encouraging words. He also listened in to Emmett’s thoughts and kept me informed. It was quite funny really, how the boys and I played.

Alice, Rosalie and Esme hated rolling around in the dirt but very much enjoyed our spectacles of pure idiocy. And if Carlisle was home, he enjoyed our little scenes too.

Esme smiled at Alice and raised her eye brows in a silent question. Alice could see the future there for she probably already knew the outcome of our game. She grinned and shook her head.

“Tease!” Jasper called to his lover. She bounced up and down excitedly, beaming with expectancy. She gave me a little finger wave and I stood at attention waiting to see who would be our referee. I hoped it wouldn’t be Jasper. He always made Emmett win even if he was the clear loser.

“But I’m ref,” Edward complained, petting me on the back. Alice trilled in laughter. We all knew that Alice had something up her sleeve.

“No you aren’t, you would be biased.” She told him firmly but her eyes were dancing in amusement. Edward grumbled something nasty.

The atmosphere was incredible. It was always a buzz to hang out with the Cullen’s. Never a dull moment with the exception of their hunting style. I don’t think I would ever understand their chosen way of life though I respected their decision.

I glanced up at Emmett and cocked an eyebrow, waiting. He grinned and held his hands up. “It’s my turn to name the challenge, right?” his tone was slightly boastful.

Little Alice cleared her throat, drawing our attention to her. She held up a finger and her face lit up. “Actually, Carlisle’s on his way. He’ll be the one to name the challenge.”

Emmett and I froze. We shared an astonished glance before turning back to Alice. “Pardon?”

She bounced up and down excitedly. “He has a really funny one. You’ll love it.”

Five minutes later, Carlisle joined us in the backyard. Emmett and I were ready for whatever he threw at us. We weren’t quitters.

Jasper beat us both to the punch and just about tackled Carlisle in his enthusiasm. Luckily Carlisle was quick enough to dodge him.

“Carlisle, name the challenge, name the challenge!” Jasper was practically vibrating with happiness. Instead of acting his age, he reminded us all of a child anticipating a trip to the newest theme park.

“What challenge?” Carlisle mused quietly. He knew very well that I was visiting. I nearly groaned in boredom and began tapping my foot softly against the grass. I was getting impatient.

“Lara’s here and Alice said you had a good one. Remember, Emmett’s in the lead 385 to 384. It’s a make it or break it face off.”

Carlisle smiled at Jasper’s enthusiasm and comically held his chin in his hands. He hummed and hahhed for a while until I thought I would burst with annoyance. I could see from the corner of my eye the Emmett was having the same trouble.

I looked up anxiously at Edward but he grinned and shook his head. I gave him my best puppy dog eyes but the cruel boy wouldn’t budge. I crossed my arms over my chest and pouted. I could hear Rosalie giggling to herself the evil little minx.

Carlisle snapped his fingers together and smiled. “Got it,” he said. I wasn’t silly enough to interrupt him but Emmett was.

“Whacha got for us, Doc?” his eyes blazed with the promised challenge. He curled his fingers back into fists and grinned at me, showing off his incisors. My grin mirrored his own and we both turned to face Carlisle.

“Pinako.” He said simply.

My jaw dropped and Emmett flinched. I stared wide eyed at Alice and then Edward and they were both trying extremely hard to not laugh. Jasper was torn in half. He could really see how funny seeing two vampires battling with their thumbs would be but he wanted action.

“I can’t have heard right,” I mentally rolled my eyes. I have supersonic hearing and I can’t have heard Carlisle right. “Did you just say Pinako?”

Carlisle inclined his head, composing his face. I had to admit, he was very good at keeping his feelings hidden. “Pinako,” he repeated simply.

Emmett punched the earth, sending a giant wave coursing through the ground. “What the hell possessed you to think of that? It’s not even physical!” he roared.

It was Rosalie who answered before I could simplify it for him. “Actually, it is. Pinako is thumb wrestling. Hear the key word? Wrestling.”

I slapped my forehead and the Cullen’s laughed. This was not my idea of a challenge. I wanted to run around or beat him up. How could I even consider thumb wrestling a win?

Alice danced between Emmett and me and pulled us to the stone table. She trilled in her high laugh and teased us about being what the humans call jocks. I was too miserable to be amused by her silly jokes.

“Thumbs at the ready!” Alice cried enthused.

I rolled my eyes and placed my elbow on the table as if poising for an arm wrestle. Emmett grunted and did the same. We clasped hands and Alice laughed. We must have looked ridiculous standing over a bench with our teeth gritted in disappointment.

“I propose a new rule,” I whispered to Emmett as the others laughed at us. If I were warm blooded, I would have been blushing. I could tell that Emmett would have been doing the same.

“What’s that?” he whispered back.

I shrugged. “Never, ever let them choose again.”

A reluctant pull from his cheek made him smile. “Deal.”

We stared each other off and then began to giggle. We said together while moving our thumbs from side to side. “Pinako, Pinako, one, two, three!”

Emmett smashed my thumb around relentlessly, using his shoulder to help over power my significantly smaller thumb. I gritted my teeth and used my superior speed to keep out of range. I jabbed his thumb forcefully and the retreated quickly so he wouldn’t catch me. I knew that if he could just pin my thumb down he would win.

We backed off at the same time, and began to circle each other as if it was a real face off for our thumbs. I couldn’t help but burst out laughing at how seriously Emmett was taking the stupid game. His face was strained in concentration but I distracted him momentarily with my laugh.

Yes, an opening.

I slammed my thumb down hard and shouted the phrase. “Pinako, Pinako, one, two, three!”

I had him pinned. I wrenched my hand out of his grip and punched the air in triumph. I let out a shout of glee and clapped my hands while laughing.

Emmett’s face dropped. “Best out of three!” he shouted, desperate to not let me win. He slammed his elbow back on the counter causing it to crack straight down the middle. His eyes twinkled dangerously, he was fired up for the challenge.

I smiled as sweetly as I knew how. “Nuh uh, I won fair and square.” I propped my fists on my hips and cocked an eyebrow at him. “It’s overs.”

Alice grabbed my hand and thrust it in the air like a real referee. “Lara wins!” she cried out.

The others laughed as Emmett sulked and kicked the table in frustration. I winked at him and Emmett couldn’t stay mad. Even if he did just lose, he was still my best friend. He reluctantly smiled but pointed a large finger at me. “Next time, I choose.”

“Bring it.” I jeered.

I saw Jasper grudgingly hand something small to Edward who smirked and pocketed it. Alice was dancing around, trying to make Rosalie do the same. Rosalie just gave her the infamous Rosalie glare that would peel paint. Anyone else would have shrunk away from her, but, Alice wasn’t the average person.

Esme petted Emmett’s arm sympathetically and tugged her husband inside. Alice ran to comfort a forlorn looking Jasper and Edward followed them inside. Rosalie looked at Emmett, rolled her eyes and retreated to the garage. The faint clank of metal on metal could be heard as Rosalie began tuning her car. Again.

Emmett slumped off into the garage after his wife, his shoulders hunched and his hands jammed into his pockets.

I stared after him with a faint smile.

Actually, Jasper miss calculated. He said we were 384 to 385. But really, the score was 385 a piece. This win put me in the lead and Emmett knew it well.

“See you later loser!” I called out to Emmett’s retreating back. I took off but I could still hear his booming laughter.

Home, I thought to myself. That sound means home.