Mumbles
I can't believe I didn't see this coming, didn't see the look in Nessie's eyes like there always is when she gets tired of something. Or someone. I was like a toy to her. Just a toy, nothing more. Something she could throw away once she got bored of it. News flash, girl. I'm a living person. Unlike your little toys and cell phones, I'll get hurt if you all of the sudden get bored of me. As I quietly move away from the Cullen's snow covered yard, trying not to think about Nessie, I see a shivering figure. But it can't be shivering because she's cold, as I get closer, I can see that it is Leah. "Doesn't feel good, does it?" she mumbles. "To get left by someone you care about more than anything in the world. I saw this coming, Jacob Black. I knew the half leech wouldn't care for you for that long. I considered telling you, but why should I tell you, who obviously can't pick up hints of any kind?"
"What do you mean, 'hints of any kind'?" I ask. Leah doesn't answer, so I try to change the subject. "Leah, when was the last time you slept a full night? Or ate a good meal?"
"I don't know," Leah mumbles, rolling her eyes. "A week or so."
"Leah, you need sleep," I say. "Sleep. Now." I point to the ground.
"Right," Leah snorts. "You expect me to sleep. Right here. With you watching me." Her voice gets quieter. "Fine, I'll go to sleep."
"Good beta," I say jokingly. Leah's eyes flutter close, and she falls asleep. While she sleeps, she mumbles something.
"Jacob," she mumbles. "Jacob. Don't go. I don't want you to go." At first I think she has woken up, but she keeps her eyes closed and is silent.
"I…I won't go, Leah." I grab her hand and pull it close to me. "I can't believe I didn't see this," I whisper to myself. I lean down to kiss her neck. As I get closer to her, her eyes flutter open.
"Hi," she whispers.
"Hey." I smile gently at her, then realize I am still holding her hand. I drop it.
"What was that for?" she asks.
"I, um, er, you were mumbling in your sleep."
"I guess I have some explaining to do, then," Leah says.
"Explain what? That I'm an idiot for not seeing this before?"
"What about Nessie?" Leah says. "Even if she doesn't love you, I don't really think you have a choice."
"Like I care about the rules to imprinting," I say. "If I want to love someone else, I'll love someone else."
"Mmm…" Leah mumbles. She closes her eyes. "And I won't imprint. It's as simple as that."
"Leah, you're delirious. Go back to sleep. I promise I won't leave. Unless you don't want to sleep in the snow, in which case…" I pull her into my arms. "The Jacob mattress. Available only to you." Leah curls into sort of a ball on my lap, and sleeps. This time, she doesn't mumble. I brush her hair out of her face and study her face. The first time I've really seen it. Now, I am sure of the path of my life. Nessie can have whoever she wants, the spoiled brat. I have everything I need right here. Leah and Jacob. Leah Clearwater and Jacob Black. Leah Elizabeth Clearwater and Jacob David Black. I mouth the words over and over, getting faster until they seem to blur into one word. I pull Leah closer to me, and she wakes up, looking up at me.
"Leah," I say. "We're breaking all the rules now."