My story starts after the paragraph on page 184 of New Moon, where Jacob is showing Bella how to ride the motorbike:
The bike bucked under me, yanking me forward and then collapsing to the ground half on top of me. The growling engine choked to a stop. "Bella?" Jacob Jerked the heavy bike off me with ease. "Are you hurt?"
My version picks up from here. [Italics = Edward's voice]
"I'm fine" I mumbled incoherently. The voice brought on pain for the first time, and a sort of rage.
"Lemme try again".
"You sure?" Jacob asked. I simply nodded, worried my voice would sound too frightened. I sat myself back on the bike and tried to kick-start it myself. It took me a few tries, but it finally purred to life. Jacob and I both grinned with satisfaction.
The voice broke in at that moment, and I then knew that it was not what I wanted to hear. I fought it back, trying to erase the image of him.
"Quit being so reckless, you'll get yourself killed!" He growled.
I've never cared for over-protective people, it scares me, makes me feel like a child. I didn't want to hear his voice any more, and knowing that made me sad. Jacob saw my face and immediately started to worry.
"What's wrong?" He asked. I didn't feel the same way I had before I heard his voice. I felt...worse. I wanted someone to hold right now, to keep the tears back. I thought up an excuse.
"Just a little scared..." I lied. "Do you think you could ride with me...just this first time" He was ecstatic, but immediately noticed and tried to cover it up.
"Uhm, sure!" he said.
I slid back on the seat a little and he jumped in front. I had kept the bike going to avoid kick-starting again. I put my arms around Jacob and we took off.
The ride was exhilarating, with Jacob there to hold me together. I didn't hurt anymore and was grateful for that. I was thankful for everything Jake has done for me these past few months. We zipped through the trees, uninterrupted by my visions. It felt freeing – wanting to move on – it made me feel like I had a chance. A chance at happiness, and he might too.
I thought about my obsession for a moment, about why I felt so close to him, and it reminded me about when we were in the meadow. He had been talking about how people are drawn to him, and they don't have a choice. I wondered if maybe that was it. Why I was so attached to him was because of what he is, it was just that.
My mind sifted through all the possibilities as we rode down the dirt path, until I came across one that seemed to make the most sense. I had dreamed up that Edward loved me. I was never in love with him myself either. What drew me to him was curiosity, he was always so mysterious.
I hadn't noticed that the bike had stopped. I was too deep in thought.
"Bells, you still here?" Jacob questioned, noticing that my mind was clearly someplace else. I answered automatically, waking myself up.
"Yeah," I searched for an explanation." Just getting ahead on ideas for our next project"
"Really? What did you have in mind?" His voice flared up in excitement.
"Well, I was hoping it would be something that I can do too. I feel kinda bad for not being able to help you out with the bikes." That was true. I wanted to spend every moment of spare time I had with him, and I didn't want to just stand by and watch him do all the work.
"Okay," He agreed. "But can I choose?"
"Whatever you want to do, I'm up for it"
"Sweet, how about something that we don't have to work at?" I nodded to that. "Like a movie or something?"
I hesitated. It might seem insensitive to move on so quickly, but I love Jake; he's my best friend.
"Sure"
Jacob grinned, effortlessly lifting the bikes and putting them back on the truck. I got in the car after he did, surprised by how thrilled I felt. I was going on a date with Jacob.
Jacob and I went over all the movies that were out at the moment. I was listening to him explain them, trying to find one that sounded innocent. I wanted to go out with Jake, but not alone just yet; I wasn't ready for that. Edward had been my first boyfriend, so I wasn't used to dates. I opted for the action movie, it seemed decent enough.
I asked Jacob If he wanted to bring Quill and Embry along, and I'd bring some of my friends from school. He seemed slightly less excited about the date, but agreed anyway. We both decided that next Friday would be the best day for it, because that's the day we'd usually be working on the bikes.
We pulled up at his house around four and we lugged – or at least I did – the bikes back around to the garage.
"Is it okay if I leave my bike here? I don't have a place to keep it and Charlie would lose his mind if he found it." I shook my head at his unnecessary worry. I didn't even bleed or bruise today.
"Yeah, sure..." He changed the subject. "Bella?"
"Yes?"
"Do you want to maybe stay for dinner?"
"Absolutely, what's on the menu for tonight?" I giggled.
He answered back with a chuckle "I dunno, I'll ask the chef when he returns. What do you want to do in the mean time?"
"We could play a board game. Or do you have an idea?"
"Board games are cool. We've only got Battleship, Scrabble and Monopoly, though. And I think you can't play the last one with only two people."
"Okay...uh; Scrabble, then?"
"Scrabble it is! I'll be back in a minute." I sat down on the floor of his garage and realized how much it hurt to be away from him, instead of Edward. I needed Jacob now. Every second of every day, he made my life worth something. I wish I hadn't wasted those months sulking about Edward, I should have spent all that time with Jake. And maybe, just maybe, we might be happily in love right now.
I had this new feeling in my chest when I thought about that possibility.
"I love Jacob." I hadn't realized I'd said it out loud, but in doing so I was elated. I giggled and smiled ear to ear. Good thing Jake wasn't there at that moment, I would have died from embarrassment.
"Got it" Jacob came jogging around the corner with the Scrabble box tucked under his right arm. He sat down on the floor too and unpacked the box. Obviously he noticed my giant smile, he gave back one even brighter.
"You're amazing, you know..." he pointed out. I flushed, taking the compliment by surprise.
"Thanks, but where did that come from?" It was very random, I have to say.
"It's true" he retorted. He then became serious "You're the best thing in my life, Bella. You mean so much to me. I promise you I'll never let you down, I'll never hurt you." He reached his arms out into the space between us, and gently pulled me to his chest. I closed my eyes, taking in the moment, fearing it would end too soon. But it didn't. We stayed like that that for a long time, but I didn't mind. I could stay like this forever with Jacob. He slowly released his grip from me and made a long resigned sigh.
Just at that moment, I heard a car pull into the driveway. Charlie and Billy were chatting about their catch, so Jacob and I walked out to greet them.
"Hey, Dad" we both said, right about the same time. "I invited Bella over for dinner, is that okay?" he tacked on at the end.
"That's fine." Billy cleared his throat, "Charlie, you're welcome to join us, too."
"Thanks Billy, should we cook up our catch, then?"
"Sounds Good" The two of them walked off into the house, Jacob and I followed behind.
My story follows parallel to the book. The same events happen. It's not set in the same timing though. I'll post the next chapter soon - hope you like it!