Author's Note: Hello! ^_^ I orginially uploaded this to DA and I recieved a lot of good feedback, so I thought I'd share it here, too. I'm not quite so twilight-hyped now, but I still enjoy writing about the characters. I expect to continue with this soon. Please let me know what you think! Good or bad.
Jacob hadn't returned yet. It was past sunset now, and the dark was beginning to consume me around the vast sea that was becoming more and more difficult to examine. I looked at the waves and listened to their angry movements with a sense of anxiety. I supposed it wasn't just my environment that was making me sit with an awkward stiffness that I tried to disguise. Then I relaxed. This is my choice. My choice. I can't live to please others, even those I love.
If I were human, I wonder how the ocean would sound to me. Would I be oblivious to their ferocious whispers, or would the sounds of the crashing waves appear just as vivid as they do now?
If I were a vampire, would my senses be entirely different and alter my current experience? Would I, as in my present state restricted, be able to even understand what they were saying to me? Would I be able to see the waves gleaming colours and pearly white edges, while all I can make out at this moment is the darkness around me?
I am a hybrid. I am the second of my kind to exist in this world - as far as my family's knowledge will excel them to discover. My heart beats and my body is not as cold, yet my speed and strength make up for my human, and very pathetic human, abilities.
I snap my head round as I hear movement behind me. I relax at the sight of the one person who would never do me any harm.
"Anything?" I ask, glancing to see whatever figures would loom behind him silently.
"Nothing," Jacob concluded.
His dark hair had grown to shoulder-length over the last year. I preferred it this way. He looked more carefree, more mysterious, more handsome.
I sat back on the sand. Soon enough warmth took over the cold spot next to me and an arm was placed carefully around my shoulder.
"Nessie," Jacob started nervously, "I think we should talk about this."
Without any hesitation I removed his arm from my shoulders and turned on him the very same gaze he had most likely become accustomed to after these few, difficult weeks.
"I've told you," I spat, "This is what I want." Silence allowed to sea to continue with its wrath. "And don't call me Nessie!"
The look in Jacob's eyes saddened to the very core. I hated that look. It as if he were helpless – having to be with me, needed me, yet what he wanted – that only being me - was completely letting him down. Even worse was the knowledge that he would never leave my side. I had heard a lot from my Jacob about mum, about how she almost broke him with her love for dad. Jacob had suffered long enough; I was supposed to be the cure for that. I was supposed to make everything better again. But now, he was hurting. And it was all my fault.
Before I could think of what to say, Jacob started. He stood with his back turned to me towards the forest.
"I can smell them a mile off," he said with a hint of disgust. "They're coming."
Panic soon found me; an emotion I was not expecting. I stood up next to him and took his hand firmly. I squeezed it hard enough for him to notice, and he turned his head towards mine with a look on his face that was hard to determine – curiosity, confusion, as if he did not know what to expect. From me, what would emerge from behind the trees in a few simple minutes, or anything else for that matter.
"Everything will be okay," I reassured him, knowing full well that I was not the one to decide the verdict.
"Jacob!" I exclaimed when his eyes did not fall in sync with mine. "Please." I moved my head closer.
He dropped my hand so he could hold my face. His eyes began to soften, with what to my dismay appeared to be tears. I couldn't bear it any longer. I kissed him. I took his face and hair in my hands and I tried to portray every ounce of feeling and love I had ever held for him. To both my relief and momentary desire, he responded. Every moment we shared like this was magical. It was as if it has always meant to be this way – and it always had. I didn't see him as just my childhood companion anymore. I didn't see him on this beach with me, playing in the sea and finding shells when I was half his height, as my brother. Something in me had changed. I was seventeen now, older, aware, and more in love with him than I had ever thought possible. More than anything I adored watching him in his wolf form, roaming the woods with Seth and Leah, teasing mum and challenging dad to a very advanced game of tag. La Push has become my sanctuary; I now understood why mum spent so much time here when she was my age.
I released him and returned by his side. I touched his face and showed him our home, our family, and how much I adored him with my one and only talent.
"I have to leave now," he said. Of course he did. There was no other way this would ever work.
"I will come back." I promised. He had to know that. I would only be gone until sunrise at the latest. Unless…-
"I know you will," he told me, or himself, kissing my forehead. With one leap and turn of his head, he was already running through the woods on all four of his heavy and giant paws, returning to what was now our one and only home.
The silence and loneliness pierced through me as suddenly as their figures appeared through the trees. I had never seen them before, nor been told very much. My memories of these faces were hazy. I could, however, work them out by their appearance and glaring eyes. There were six of them. Their formation was strong and confident. I knew now that I could not turn back.
I met each of their eyes as they came closer, analysing me with interest and somewhat satisfaction.
I had longed for so long now to meet the very people that made me who I was today. That held power to such an extent that they could create, destroy or exterminate an entire existence. My fear lessened and my desire grew stronger as I stood face to face with the Volturi.