I walked lazily down the beach at La Push, with Jacob chatting eagerly beside me. It was just another day to me, nothing important. Edward was away hunting, and I'd gone to see Jake. Of course, he just talked and didn't pay attention to my absent minded state. I didn't feel inclined to listen, I just nodded and smiled where it seemed appropriate. It surprised me how much Jacob had changed in the last couple of weeks. He'd finally accepted that I loved Edward instead of him, and seemed content with the idea that I loved, or had loved him in return.
"Jake?" I asked, not caring that I'd cut off his story.
"What is it Bells?" He replied, confused at the promptness of my interruption.
"When I'm...you know...changed?" I asked, picking my words carefully. He frowned, but I ignored him. "Will you come see me? Will it be the same?"
He looked stunned, but slightly angry. Sure, he'd thought about it before, but something told me he wasn't quite ready to accept it yet. Me changing wasn't exactly his favourite subject. "Bells...I'll try, I really will. But you know how it is. It's not you, it's that blo...Edward. You have to understand- he's a Vampire Bella! And you're gonna be one too!"
I nodded glumly. I knew that he'd say something like that. So noble, but still wouldn't let anything stop his hatred with the Cullens. I sat down on the sand swiftly and Jacob followed suit, only an instant after me.
"What did you just say?"
I recognised that voice, though in the state I was in my brain didn't click into place straight away. Jacob however, the idiot, hadn't twigged at all, and he made the mistake of his life. Big time.
"You heard me Bella. I can't hang with you as much when there's vampires around…"
"Oh. My. God!" That time I recognised the owner of the shrill voice, and I spun around in shock. Lauren and Mike were standing behind us, their mouths wide open, staring at us wide eyed. Jake had realised it too, but his head wasn't jumping to conclusions like mine. He seemed dazed, but I was seconds away from hyperventilating. They knew. They'd heard every stupid word that came from Jacobs stupid mouth. They knew it all. They knew that Edward was a vampire…
Oh no. The worst had happened, and it was my fault, as always. Why did I always put the Cullens in such danger? This had to be the worst. The Volturi punished anyone who broke this law with instant death, anything to keep the Vampire world a secret. Then why wasn't I dead? Why wasn't Jacob dead? He was the one who said it after all. I should be a smoking carcass by now. What was wrong? But then it snapped into place. Alice couldn't see werewolves in her visions. Did the Volturi not even know about this yet? Whatever happened...they would soon.
It took me a second to realise that no time had passed, and Mike and Lauren were still staring at me. "Bella? Is this true?!" Mike asked, but Lauren just laughed with a malicious snarl.
"Of course it's true! That's why the Cullens are so different isn't it? I told you something was up with them didn't I. I CANT BELIEVE IT!"
I didn't say anything back, I was too stunned myself. How could you reply to that? "Yes, my boyfriend is a vampire….hadn't you noticed?" or "No! Of course not. Jacob's just deluded…he doesn't know what he's saying…" Nothing would work. Anything I said would drag me deeper into the hole I'd already dug. Desperate, I turned to Jacob for help. He was gone. Typical Jake, ditching me when times get tight. But even without guidance, I knew I couldn't stay here. I had to get away, far away, warn someone about what was happening before it got out of control. I began to run. If I could get to my truck, get back to Edward, we could try and make things right. Not perfect, but better. If we had to move away, I would. I loved him too much to leave him. My keys were in the ignition before they caught up, and Lauren banged her fists on my window angrily. I drove, fighting any temptations I had to 'accidentally' run over her on the way out.
The drive was silent, and I could hear my panicked breathing over the engine, the lashing wind, and the gravel beneath my tires. I would be back soon. Twenty minutes and I would be back where I belonged. Halfway to the Cullen's house, I slammed my foot on the brakes. Alice was standing in the centre of the road, a look of pure panic slapped across her beautiful face. Der. Of course she'd seen it happen. Edward had her watch me like a hawk, and this was something she couldn't miss. But he face still scared me, like all the life had been drained from it.
Whatever was up, it wasn't good.