A/N: To cut to the chase this is New Moon told from Jacobs's POV. And even though I don't support either Edward or Jacob, (I like them both), I hope I do justice to the characters. The only reason I'll be writing New Moon from Jacob's perspective is because to write it from Edwards POV would require a lot of research of the places Edward has been. That's too much work for even me who is known to be an overachiever.

But if I finish this story, I'll write one of the other stories from Edwards's eyes to be fair and objective.

This is definitely an enjoyable story to write and I hope it's easy on your eyes and brain.

So without further delay, here's Jacob.

Prologue

What's happening to me? What's wrong with me? Everyone was staring at me as if they were EXPECTING this to happen.

Why won't they tell me what's going on? Am I dying? If I am, I think that I should at least know before it happens. If this is death, the rumor that death is painless is a total and complete lie.

Sweat poured out of my every orifice. My heart is pounding in my throat and ears. My muscles and bones ache as if they are being broken and torn apart. My head pounded and every breath I took burned my lungs.

If I am dying, please someone have mercy and put me out of my misery! Please! God, if anyone gave a damn about me they would do this one thing for me! Please!

The Birthday Present

Something was amiss.

Paul hasn't been in school for the past couple of days. Rumors flew. Some people are saying that he'd dropped out of school, others that he'd contracted some weird unknown disease.

Oddly enough, it's the same thing that happened to Sam Uley. He just didn't come to school one day. But after a while he was seen in town, seemingly happy, healthy, and normal. So it's probably not the unknown disease that got to Paul.

Now don't get me wrong here, I personally don't like Sam or Paul. They ignore me, I ignore them. It's an unspoken agreement. I'm just worried that whatever it may be, will spread to the rest of La Push. Then all hell would break loose.

Not only would most of La Push be put under quarantine, but Bella wouldn't be allowed to come over either nor will I be able to visit her. Charlie would be so afraid of her catching something that he wouldn't want her to take the risk.

It's bad enough as it is that she barely comes over to say hi since she spends all her time with that Cullen guy. It's like she has an unhealthy obsession with him. It's kinda creepy actually.

I don't even know what she sees in him. His hair hasn't seen a comb in what looks like months and I don't think he's heard of something I like to call the sun. He seriously needs a tan. The only redeeming quality that I can see is that his family has money

Maybe that's why she never wanted to be with me. I don't have enough money for her. Granted, I'm not the most handsome guy in the world, but I have to be considerably more handsome than Cullen. At least I don't look like death warmed over.

I closed my eyes and rubbed slow, soothing circles on my temples. There has to be a way I can win Bella's heart. It's only gotten worse since she returned to Forks. I've had a crush on her since we were little kids. She always wore pigtails and I would push her on the swing.

But after her and her mother left, my feelings subsided, like a hibernating bear. But all hibernating animals awaken, and this, unfortunately, is no different.

I opened my eyes and stared around my room. Bella's birthday is only a couple of days away and I had to give her a better gift than Cullen.

Cullen will try to buy her something expensive, but if I know Bella like I think I do, she doesn't want people to spend money on her. So I'll do the opposite. I'll make her something. That would mean so much more than going to the store and laying your money down on the counter.

But I can't just make her a birthday card. That would be too simple. Anyone can do that, even Cullen!

I have to make something… unique, something memorable.

But what?

X-x-X-x-X

Six hours and two pots so coffee later, I was no closer to a gift idea than I was earlier.

I sighed. I can see why Cullen would buy something rather than giving her something he made. It's a lot easier to say the least.

I leaned back on the couch and stared at the television screen. Some killer was going around stabbing some damsel with a meat cleaver.

I couldn't help but laugh at the sheer irony of it. When I was a little kid I would lay in bed awake all night or would have nightmares because of this same movie. Nowadays the only thing that scares me is life. Life can be more of a nightmare than any old chop-'em-up horror movie ever could.

I laughed out loud. "That's it," I muttered to myself. "I've got the perfect gift. I just hope I have enough time to make it."

Let's see Cullen beat this.

X-x-X-x-X

I pulled a shaky hand through my hair. Usually I'm not a nervous guy. Especially when I'm just giving a birthday gift, but somehow, this seemed different. More important.

People were pulling into the schools parking lot already and even from where I was on the outskirts of the lot, I could hear people talking away happily, seemingly without a care in the world.

Cullen was the first one here. He was leaning against his car, and in all likelihood, waiting for the same person I am.

Even from where I was I could see that he was the picture of ease. His hands inside the front pockets of his jeans, the front of his flannel shirt opened to reveal a crisp undershirt.

What I'd like to know is why he isn't shivering. He was only wearing light clothing, and yet, I'm having a hard time staying warm with a thick coat and a couple of shirts on.

There was something weird about that guy, and I am determined to find out what.

As if I had yelled this declaration for all to hear, Cullen turned in my direction.

His face was hard and expressionless, his eyes said it all though: I am an unwelcomed visitor. My gaze never wavered from his. It was the battle of the wills and I was determined to win.

In the distance, I could hear the low rumble of the old Chevy coming down the road. I'm still thankful to this day that Charlie had taken that old rust bucket off my hands.

That truck had been a major embarrassment to drive in. Attention was always drawn to me because of the noise. It made me feel more than a little uncomfortable.

Bella pulled into the empty spot next to Cullen and turned off the engine. The door creaked open not much later and she stepped out.

She looked like a goddess. Her hair like brown silk flowed down her back, her skin perfect like a china doll. Her lips… well, they were definitely kissable. Even in the ugliest of clothing, her beauty would shine through.

I took a deep breath and kept my eyes on Bella, ignoring the fact that Cullen was watching my every move from beside her.

A small smile curved the corners of her lips when I finally reached them. Cullen looked murderous as he whispered something into Bell's ear. She nodded once, neither of them taking their eyes off of me. It was enough to give me a complex, if I were the sort of guy to get one, that is.

After one final whisper into Bella's ear, he turned on his heel and headed toward the main building.

The immediate thought that popped into my head after seeing that was that he was an arrogant, rude, son-of-a-

"Hi Jake," Bella said, smiling. It looked forced.

I looked down and smiled. "Hi Bella. It's been a while."

She sighed and looked awkwardly out of place. "Sorry, I've just been really busy lately."

She stared after Cullen's retreating form longingly. My heart fell ever so slightly. I was never going to get her undivided attention, was I?

I wrapped my fingers tighter around the dream catcher in my pocket.

I took a deep breath and removed the dream catcher. I made it this far, why not see it all the way through? "Happy Birthday, Bella."

Her mouth fell open slightly and I couldn't help but smirk. I was finally able to catch her by surprise. I've never been able to do that before.

She reached for it and tentatively rubbed her fingers over it. "Jake… you really shouldn't have."

I scowled. "You don't like it?"

"No I love it!" She gently took it from my fingers. "It's beautiful."

I nodded once, unsure what to think. "Life is full of nightmares; your dreams shouldn't be riddled with them too."

She smiled. "Thanks Jake, this means a lot to me."

"It was no problem." The bell rang, loud and shrill. Students started ambling their way to their classrooms. "I should get going, Happy Birthday."

I turned and huddled closer to my coat. I still had no idea how to feel over what happened. She seemed to genuinely like what I gave her and yet… she seemed sad.

I know that she loves Cullen but she hasn't given anyone else a chance. Maybe it's time that I get her to open her eyes.

But if I'm going to that I'm going to have to take this up a notch.

So? How was it?

Review please. Constructive criticism is always welcomed.