The rain was pounding hard on the house. The windows were bending like plexiglass. I heard a familiar sound outside. I turned my head to see a familiar face. "BELLA!" I shouted. Though no one was in the room, which was probably a good thing. I ran outside, disregarding the freezing rain.
"Jacob, you look great. I mean your huge," Bella said. " Yah, I guess I hit a growth spurt. You're wet," I said, hoping that she heard the sarcasm, though she always does. I gave her a hug and gestured for her to follow me.
When we walked through the door, I ran into the bathroom and grabbed a towel. "Here, you should probably dry off, you're really wet," I offered. She took the towel and started to her dry hair and clothes. "Thanks Jake," she said, " so, what's up? I haven't seen you in awhile." "Oh you know high school," I wasn't really in the mood for small talk, plus the fact that any of the pack could be eavesdropping. If any of you are listening, I'll kill you, and that's a promise! I thought.
"So what do you want to do?" I asked her. I haven't gotten to hang out with her since the leach came back. "I don't know. I was actually hoping you could put some excitement into my day, Edward has me on house arrest," she said. "So how are you..." I started. " I snuck out," she explained. "And Alice?" I asked. " Spur of the moment idea. She'll figure out later, when she realizes she can't see me." she explained. " Ooh is someone breaking rules," I teased. " Yah well I'll deal with the rathe of Edward tomorrow." "Alright then. Let's do something!" I said ready to have some fun.
We walked to the garage where the Rabbit was parked. "Alright get in," I told her. he climbed in and automatically fastened her seat belt. She looked as if I was going to kill her in some horrific car accident. I wonder how Edward would react to that. Never mind that thought.
"So what are we doing?" she asked. "I'm not telling you." I wanted to surprise her. Embry, cause I know you're listening, go to my garage and get mine and Bella's motorcycle and bring them to La Push. I thought. I knew if he weren't listening then someone else was. Alright, Jake anything else? Like maybe a hospital? Embry thought. Ha ha very funny, just bring the motorcycles, I thought. I'd get him for that later.
Bella was eager to find out what was going on. I circled the reservation a couple of times, just to guarantee the bikes would be there. Embry was never very reliable.
When I started down the road to La Push beach, I saw Embry leaning against my bike with Bella's next to it. " Jacob Black, you really do know how to excite my day," she said. She sounded a bit shocked at first. Then she rushed to get out of the car, struggling with her seat belt. " Careful Bella, Edward will kill me if you get hurt!" I shouted. Bella climbed on to here bike and waited for me.
When she heard the roar of the engine on my bike, she started hers. " Let's tear this beach up!" She shouted. She punched the gas and flew down the beach. I was quickly right beside her I could tell she was really enjoying herself. Then out of nowhere she slammed on the brakes. I followed. " What's wrong?" I asked. "It's Charlie. He's calling me. Cut the engines. Hurry!" I turned the key in both bikes killing the engine.
"Hey Dad," she said. I stood there very silently. "Oh no Dad it's okay you don't have to come home, I'm with Jacob. Are you working late tonight?" She asked, "He's out of town tonight, I was going to go sleep over with Alice." I flopped into the sand. "Okay, well dinners in the freezer. I love you Dad, see you tomorrow, Bye!" Then she flopped into the sand next to me.
We laid there for a few minutes. Then I started to roll around, and she threw sand at me. "Oh it's on!" I yelled in a friendly tone. "I hope you're hungry Jacob Black, 'cause you're going to eat sand," she teased. Sand was flying everywhere.
After a few mouthfuls of sand, I threw my shirt off and, ran towards the water and dove in. "Come on in the waters fine," I shouted. Just then Bella ran towards the water, and jump right in next to me, splashing me with water. I pulled her onto my back and swam to the opposite side of the beach.
"Okay, Bella Swan, I'm going to teach you to properly cliff dive," I said. Her face went white. "I don't know Jake. I might kill myself," she said. "Have you forgotten, I'm a werewolf?" I asked, " Take my hand we'll jump together." "Okay," she said, "I'm trusting you not to kill me." She grabbed my hand and squeezed it as tight as she could. "One...Two...Three!" I shouted. We both leaped into the air, screaming our heads off. Just then I felt the cool water against my too hot skin. I rapped my hands tightly around Bella's waist and rapidly swam to the surface. Bella and I took a huge gasp of air. "Oh my god!" She shouted, "that was amazing! Let's do it again." "Bella we should probably start to go home, it's getting late and you should probably call your psychic," I said. "Yah, you're probably right," She said.
We swam back to the beach and I shook off and threw my shirt back on. I tossed Bella a jacket of mine I had in the trunk of my car. Embry was asleep in the bed of his truck when we got up there. "Embry!" I shouted. "Dude, you scared the shit out of me!" He yelled. "Boohoo! Help me load the bikes up," I commanded. He stretched his arms and walked over to the bikes, still laying in the sand. I followed him.
We easily pulled the bikes up the hill and into the truck. "Thanks, now would you take these to my place, but don't let my dad see them. He'll freak out and tell Charlie," I told him. Bella was sitting in the passenger side of the Rabbit with the door open, dialing the psychic. "Alice? Hey it's me Bella," she said, "I'm fine. I just swung out to see Jake." I climbed into the drivers side and started the car. Bella slid her legs into the car and shut the door. "Because if I did, you would've let me go," she was still arguing with Alice.
When we pulled into the driveway, I stopped and turned off the engine. I didn't feel like going back to the garage. Bella fell asleep on the drive home. "Bella, we're home," I said. She woke up and stretched her arms. "Do you want me to drive you to the Cullens'," I asked. "Yes, please," She said. She was still half asleep. It was nine o'clock when I put Bella into the passenger seat of he truck.
Bella's phone rang, so I grabbed it. "Hello, it's Jacob can I help you?" I was hoping it was Alice, or Edward. "Jacob, give the phone to Bella, now!" She said. "Oh Alice it's you," I said very sarcastically. I knew this was going to end up biting me in the end, so why not have some fun? "Jacob, you bring Bella to me this instance," Alice said. "Alice you sound angry. Is something the matter?" I asked, not that I didn't already know the answer to that one, "I'm bringing her over now, so go find Jasper, and chill out, 'kay." I said. I punched the gas and sped down the road. "Jacob I want her here in no more then ten minutes!" She demanded. "Fine, good bye!" I hung up the phone.
When I went to reach for the radio, all I found was an empty whole in the dashboard. "Ugh!" I moaned, "no music, okay I'll have to fix that later," I said. I pulled into the Cullens' driveway around nine thirty.
"Early enough psychic!" I shouted. Then I lifted Bella out of her truck, and she wrapped her arms around my neck. I carried her up the stairs and into the house. "Finally, I can't believe you'd take her like that!" Alice exploded. "Alice, she came to me, looking for some fun!" I said. "Just give her to me," I handed Bella to Alice. It made me laugh to she this short girl carry Bella up the stairs to Edward's room without a struggle. "Well, good bye then," I said.
I stepped out side and started to strip down. I neatly rolled up my clothes and tied them to my ankle and began to run. It felt good to be back on four legs. So how was the date with Bella. It was Quil. EMBRY!!! I'm going to kill him one day you know that. I threatened. Yah, that's imaginable. You have temper issues when it comes to Bella. He thought. I do not, I just want to make sure Edward doesn't hurt her again. It hurt to talk about that. Ah yes the leach. He said. Well I'm home now, so I'm going to change back and go to sleep.
I got off the ground and put my clothes back on, then I dragged myself inside and flopped onto my bed. "Jacob, is that you?" my dad said. "Yes dad, I just got home and I'm going to bed," I said. Then I took my shirt off and laid in the darkness of my room. I couldn't get myself to fall asleep. Picture of Bella and me rolled through my head. I just laid there and smiled.
When I finally fell asleep, the phone rang. "UGH!!" I shouted, "I got it." I knew it'd take my Dad too long to get to the phone. "Hello," I said while rubbing my eyes. "Jacob? It's Edward," he said. "Ah crap, I'm going to guess you called to tell me you're going to bite my head off, because of yesterday, right," I asked. "Jacob I'm not angry at all, I want to thank you. Ever since I got back I never thought Bella would forgive me, but then when I came home this morning Bella was sitting in the kitchen with a bowl of cereal. She couldn't wait to tell me about her day yesterday," he said. "Wait so you're not mad at me?" I asked sort of confused. "No, because of you Bella's finally forgiven me, and I'm so grateful. How could I be mad at that?" he asked. "I don't know, I just thought you'd be furious what with the motorcycles, and the cliff diving," I said. "I did think it was very dangerous, but she was happy and that makes me happy, so thank you. Well anyway you sound tired so I'll let you sleep. Good bye," he said. "Bye," I replied.
Then I crept back to my room and closed my eyes. "Jake!" Embry shouted. "UGH! What?!" I said. "Sam want everyone to come to the clearing for a pack meeting," he said. "Okay, okay. I'm coming," I said.
I jumped out of bed and through the window. We walked till we were out of sight, then tore off our clothes and phased, then ran into the forest to the clearing. the cool morning breeze was running through my thick fur, and it felt good. Embry was running beside me.
So how'd you sleep last night? he asked. I didn't. The sights of me and Bella on the edge of the cliff just looking down at the clear blue water. Her wrapping her hands around my neck and swimming to the surface with me. Her beautiful brown eyes just staring right into mine. I explained. Dude, not that I don't want to hear every detail of the way you feel about Bella, but I don't really care, he said very sarcastically. Thanks for the support, Embry. I really enjoyed that. I said.
When we came to the clearing, Sam was already there with the rest of the pack. Embry and I phased back and slid our clothes on. Leah was sitting on a rock next to Sam giggling. "Shut up Leah," Embry said. "Settle down Embry, you're the one who phased back here instead of in the woods. You knew Leah was going to be here," He said. The whole pack bursted into a roar of laughter. " Ha ha very funny," I said, "are we ever going to start this meeting?" Everyone's faces went straight.
"Victoria is still out there, now we aren't even sure if she's still in Forks, but we have a good idea," Sam said. "Oh no, you're not going to make us patrol again are you?" Leah said. sam glared at her. She slumped back. "Yes I am, our job is to protect and we can't protect people if you aren't on alert," he said. "Sam," I stood up, "We don't even know if she still is in Washington, so why should the whole pack run patrol?" I said. "You're right," he said, "this meeting is postponed for a while. You are free to go. Uh but Jacob I need to speak with you." Every one phased, except for Leah. She walked out of sight first.
"Yes, Sam," I said. I stood there trying to wake myself up. "We need a plan, something. We can't just leave Forks defenseless, think of Bella," he said. His words stung like a knife. "Bella is perfectly safe with the Cullens. We don't have to worry about her, plus Victoria's only interested in hunting down Bella to get even," I said. I wanted to walk away, but I didn't. "Jake, just think about, okay. We can't just risk the safety of everyone else for something that may or may not happen," Sam argued. "Sam, I realize how you must feel. You feel like you're powerless, like you have no control, and it sucks, I know. But you have to trust me when I say nobodies in danger," I said. "I understand Jacob, thank you. You may go now," He said.
I stripped down and phased. I didn't feel like going home, I wouldn't be able to sit there knowing that my Dad would ask what's going on. And frankly I didn't feel like a lecture. I ran to the beach and went to the cliff. I stood there just looking down at the water. I phased back and put on my clothes except for my shirt.
I just stood there on the edge of the cliff thinking about what Edward said. Jacob I'm not angry at all, I want to thank you. The words just kept ringing through my head. I didn't know what to do with them. They were just there.
I thought about jumping. Maybe a suicide pact. I know someone who could help me with that. Actually a whole family of them. I wouldn't be much of a cutter either, seeing as it wouldn't hurt me. Then again I would really hurt Bella, and my Dad. They don't deserve that. Instead I just turned around, put my shirt on and left. I didn't know where I was going, I just know I wasn't going home.
I walked to Forks and found a pay phone. I pulled 50 cents out of my pocket, and called Charlie's house. "Um Hey Charlie, is Bella home?" I asked. "Nope, sorry Jake. She's still at the Cullens'. She wanted to stay with Alice again tonight. If you really need to talk to her you can call Edward. Do you need his number?" he said. "No Charlie that's okay, thanks though," I said. "Okay well if you need anything else just ask," he offered. "Thanks, bye," I said. "Bye Jacob," He said.
Edward if you can hear me, I need to speak with you. I thought. I turned the corner to go home and Edward was sitting there in his Volvo. "Jacob!" He shouted, "you need to talk? What's wrong?" "Yah, I don't know who to turn to, I'm not in the mood for a lecture, my friends are no help," I explained. "What about Sam? Can he help? Here climb in," he said. He pushed the door open. I climbed inside and shut the door. "Sam is no help at all, he's actually the source of the problem," I said. Edward began down the road. "Ah, I see. I don't know if I can help, but I can try," he offered.
"Well my pack stabbed me in the back, and Sam turned the knife," I explained. "That's horrible, why?" He asked. "They think that I'm betraying them by defending you," I said. "Defending us? What do you mean? I'm confused," he said. "Sam want's to make the pack patrol. I told them there was no imminent threat, that you were protecting Bella from Victoria. But the pack stabbed me in the back," I explained. Edward pursed his lips. "Bella is safe, thank you Jacob. You really are a friend," he said.
We pulled up the driveway to the Cullens' place. "You can come in if you like. Bella's here, she'd be thrilled to see you," he said. He got out of the car, and I quickly followed. "Edward, I think your family will be less than thrilled to see me," I mentioned. "They'll live," he said. "Yah, but will I," Edward just laughed. "Jacob, they wouldn't hurt you. It would hurt Bella to much," he said. "That's a relief," I felt a little better, not that I was about to walk into a house full of vampires, but because they weren't going to kill me.
When I walked through the door, the instant scent of vampires burned my nose. Then I saw Bella sitting on the couch in between Alice and Emmett. Jasper was leaning against the wall by the piano, and Rosalie was sitting on the piano bench. Carlisle and Esme were sitting on the love seat together. "Oh great who invited the werewolf," Rosalie said. "Hey Rosalie, it's so nice to see you too," I said very sarcastically. "Hey Jake. What's up?" Bella said. I dropped my head and just glared at the ground. " Jake are you okay?" Bella asked. "Jacob's had a rough day. Bella maybe you should talk to him?" Edward said. "Aw is the poor werewolf having an issue?" Rosalie said in a sarcastic tone. "Rose do you ever shut up?" Edward asked.
Bella lead me to Edward's room. "What's on your mind, Jake," Bella asked, as she shut the door to Edward's room. I knew that wouldn't help they'd be able to hear anyway. "Sam says you're not safe," I said. "What do you mean, I'm not safe. Is someone trying to hurt me? Well besides Victoria,"She asked. "Nope, just Victoria, but Sam doesn't think the Cullens' are capable of protecting you," I said.
"Jacob Black how dare you, come to their house, whisk me away from them, then say that they aren't capable of protecting me. That's not right," She said "No that's not, but I didn't come here to say that, Bella. I came to say I need your help. I don't know what to do!" I flopped down on the couch. I felt like screaming, but I didn't. "Jake, I'm so sorry. What exactly happened? I want to know," Bella asked.
" Sam thinks that'd you'd be better off in La Push. I told him that Edward and the rest of the Cullens were perfectly capable of taking care of you," I explained. Bella sat down next to me and caressed my face. "It's going to be okay. I'm safe here, and you're welcome to stay here as well," She said. "Thanks, but I think I should get home my Dad is probably freaking out, But thanks Bella," I said.
We walked down stairs together. "Jacob would you like a ride home? I'd be happy to drive you," He asked. "Thanks Edward," I said. I walked outside and took a deep breath of fresh air, then climbed into the Volvo. Edward came out a second later. "Jacob, you are always welcome here, just to let you know," he said. "Thank you," I replied. I was home in no time at all. And I thought my driving was insane. "Good night Jacob," Edward said. "Thanks a lot," I said.
I walked in to the house and called for my dad. "Dad, I'm home," I said, "sorry if I worried you, I had a lot on my plate, but I'm going to go to bed, I had a bad day." "Good night, Jake," He said. I walked to my room an d pulled off my shirt and laid in my bed. It felt like every horrible thing that happened today was hitting me in the face, but eventually the bad thoughts knocked me out, and I fell asleep.
To be continued...
