Okay if your reading this thank you and I want to tell you I will be transitioning more and more into Jacob's POV (though most of it is already in his POV) but I tweeked the story a bit because I got carried away. I hope you love this story and please comment (it keeps me going and the chapters coming), tell me what you think! Also you can click on my name and find out how I see the characters. Maybe you will see them the same. Thanks again!
Year Of The Animal
(Jacob's New Moon)
Growing Pains
After Mike hurled what was last of his guts, I began to feel like I might have caught whatever it was Mike was hurling out. But again Mike was hurling because of the horribly bad, blood and gore film. It seemed to have pleased Bella whom wasn't as hollow as usual. But as beads of sweat peppered across my forehead, my bones began to ache and throb like they were swelling beyond proportion.
"Jake are you okay?" asked Bella as she leaned into him.
"Yeah I just think I ate something bad from the concession stand. I'll be fine Bells."
"You're sweating a lot and you look pale. Let's get you home."
"I'll go get Mike," I mumbled.
The ride was quick and less painful then the ride to the theater. As Mike pulled off, I hopped into the rabbit.
"You don't look well enough to drive. I'll drive if you want?" asked Bella.
"No Bells then you'll be stuck at my house while I'm puking my guts out. That's okay I'll call you when I get home."
"Okay be careful and you better call!" yelled Bella as I pulled out of the driveway.
~*~*~*
"Your burning up," said Billy; blankly. A pained expression on my face as the tug of war in my body intensified. Like my bones were trying to rip through my skin, I cried out and Billy seemed…happy.
"What's wrong with you!" I yelled.
"Jake I know I should have told you this earlier but sooner is better than later."
"What!"
"You're becoming a wolf son. Not permanently, you phase from time to time. When your angry or at free will."
"You've lied to me this entire time!" I roared as a painful prickling under my skin began to spread. I could hear the tearing of material and before I knew it, Billy was at the backdoor with the doorknob in hand. Silently I freed myself, out into the night, my clothes shedding off my body.
*~*~*~
Bella's POV
"He was supposed to call as soon as he got home," I said.
"He's sick Bells because if he wasn't Jake would have called. Jake's a standup young man," replied Charlie in between bites of toast and sips of coffee.
"Your right but I'm going to call anyway and see how he's doing."
"I know you are Bells."
The yellowing phone in hand, I quickly ran off the numbers to Black residence. "Hello?" asked a drained Billy.
"Is Jacob there?" I asked.
"Yeah but he's being checked on by a doctor."
"Oh so do you know what's wrong with him?"
"No it's a toss up between mono and some sort of virus…Look I have to go."
"Oh okay please keep me-"
"Okay bye."
Why is Billy acting so weird? Annoyed maybe? No he's a concerned father Bella, give him a break.
"So how is Jake?" asked Charlie, an empty forks police department coffee mug in hand.
"Billy said a doctor is looking at him right now and he might have mono or some sort of virus."
"You sound like you don't believe him?"
"I don't know dad…something just isn't right. I'm going to call Josslynn."
Josslynn's POV
"Jay phone!" yelled Bryant Bale.
"Who is it!" I called downstairs.
"Come down here and answer the phone!" yelled Malinda McQueen-Bale.
"Okay mom," I mumbled before hopping down the stairs. It's different having my mother visit with the separation and all. I never could quite understand why they had separated because they act as if nothing has changed when she visits. Malinda lives in New York and if I don't visit her for a while she's comes over to see me.
"Hello?" I asked, taking the kitchen phone in her hand.
"Joss its Bella, something is wrong with Jake."
"What do you mean?"
"He was sweaty and pale last night and he promised he would call me when he got home but he didn't. Then I call Billy and he says he seeing a doctor right now and he might have mono or some sort of virus."
"Okay you don't believe him."
"No because of his tone like he knew and he was aggravated. We have to go down to the reservation."
"Bella, Bella relax Jake's probably fine but let's wait a day and if Billy is still acting weird we'll start looking around ourselves."
"What do you know?"
"What are you saying?"
"Joss you knew about the Cullens and you didn't tell me. So what do you know about Jake?"
"Bella it wasn't my place to you about the Cullens, that was their secret but I know nothing about Jake. I am just as mystified about this as you are."
"…I'm just worried, you and him are all I have unless you're still mad at me?"
"Bella that was years ago and I get why you didn't keep in contact with us anymore, I'm over it. We'll find out what's up with Jake, don't worry and oh yeah before I forget. You could have called me on my bedroom phone."
"Yeah I wasn't thinking…Do you have plans today?"
"Nope, sleep, sleep and more sleep."
"So do you want to hang out?"
"Yeah sure your place, I'll bring the movies you'll bring the junk," I said.
"Okay deal and thanks Joss."
"For what?" I asked, my brows furrowing.
"Being one of the few people I still rely on…After they left."
"Bella you don't have to thank me for that. I'll be over in a few."
"Okay bye."
"So I heard something is up with Jake?" asked Bryant.
"Yeah," I replied. "…Do you believe it's actually true Dad?"
"I guess so with all that's happening down there."
"Mom do you think he's going to be okay?" I asked with pleading eyes.
"Yes sweetie he'll be fine."
Third Person POV
Neighbors to the Swans, The Bales live in a two story pale, warm yellow house with a chimney. Persian green shudders, and a Persian green door with a half circle cut of glass above the door and small, squares of glass alongside the door; giving you a taste of the living room. The house is surrounded with plants that also trail along the pale, dark blue cobble that leads to the curb. The house with purple, yellow, pink and red flowers in front of the windows and a tree on the left side, the forest falls along the left of the house and the back, leaving enough room for a backyard.
The Bales lived their since Josslynn was born but Bryant and Malinda have lived in forks since they were kids.
Bella's POV
Joss always knows how to calm my nerves, now only if it was tomorrow already?
As I walked into the living room, I let my mind wonder over how things had changed, my friends in particular. Jake still had that cheery, boyish personality. Like if he made a mistake, he would shrug it off and not dwell over it but he was wise at the same time (he was just silly when they were younger). With those honest, dark brown eyes and long black lashes and that big, perfect white smile. It still shocked Bella how Jake shrugged off dating, he was perfect.
Josslynn had even shocked her by her lack of dating, being as beautiful as Jake. A brown complexion with smoke gray eyes, long black lashes and the deepest dimples you'd ever see and a pretty smile that envied Jake's. Joss and Jake even had long, healthy black hair, Bella envied. Jake's was long, fine and just unbelievably soft while Joss's hair is long, black, thick and unbelievably soft. Bella had hair with a mind of its own that she either tied up or let flail around…
"Bells, Joss just called and said she'll be over in an hour. Malinda and she are buying movies at the mall."
"Okay dad that means you and me have to go to the grocery store and buy a bunch of junk."
"Oh boy, chick flick night…let's go," laughed Charlie.
~*~*~*
Jacob's POV
It's like being stuck in someone else's body. It's uncomfortable and did I mention it hurt like nobody's business!
Yes you have but the pain will subside so don't worry. Just worry about controlling your rage.
Sam I'm angry twenty-four seven. I want to punch a wall or someone else that kept this from me…like you!
Jake you wouldn't have believed me if I told you this would happen in the first place. Now calm down.
He's not going to do a thing anyway because he's wimp, snickered Paul.
Paul! shouted Sam.
No Sam don't defend him, he'll learn when I knock his teeth out! I roared.
Jake! shouted Sam.
Jake come on relax and Paul shut up, thought Embry.
All of you shut up,said Jared,his tongue dangling out of his mouth.
All of you quiet and listen! demanded Sam in Alpha tone as Embry was about to speak, a puppy's whine leaving his mouth instead.
Embry, Jared and Paul and I all stiffened our body's weakening under Sam's authority. It was like being possessed but only until the Alpha tone wore off, it seemed to grip Embry, Jared and Paul but wean on me as I looked around and noticed Sam had everyone's undivided attention except mine.
"You got another call," said Billy as I trudged by.
"I'm not calling Bella back," I replied in a gruff, annoyed tone as I walked past the couch.
"The calls not from Bella, it's from Joss."
As I reached the stairs I stopped jerking around toward Billy. "Why would she call? She hardly ever calls."
"I dunno she just asked if I could make sure you called her back and on her bed phone."
A faint smile playing on my playing on my lips, I turned walking past the couch again.
"Jakey?" asked the soft voice.
"Hey," I answered, attempting to level out the base and gruffness in my voice.
"…Wow, are you okay?"
"Yeah I'm just sick."
"Are you lying to me?"
"No, I think I have some sort of virus."
"You are so full of crap."
"No really I am. I just woke up because I heard you called while I was sleep."
"Jake I'm worried about you…but since you don't want to tell me the truth. I guess I'm going to have to assume what's going on with you."
"And what is that!" I snapped.
"You know."
"Joss, you don't know what's going on so don't go blabbing to Bella!"
"Bye."
"Joss I'm sorry I yelled at you…Joss?" I asked as the dial tone began to play. My grip tightening on the old, crappy house phone as heat began to travel through my body.
"What is it son?" asked Billy, rolling up in his wheelchair.
"I'm pushing everyone away, that's what."
*~*~*~
Bella's POV
As we stuffed our mouths with Raisinets and M&Ms, Spread with Ashton Kutcher played before us. His long, hunky body spread across Anne Heche's bed…
"I um called Jake," said Joss, M&M's and Raisinets muffling her already soft-spoken tone.
"What! When?" I exclaimed, an M&M shooting out of my mouth and hitting the screen.
"Three and a half hours ago. We got into an argument, he was so…angry."
"Why?"
"I don't know. We really should go sneak up on him," answered Josslynn as she swallowed the mouthful of candy; a large lump sliding down her throat.
"You're holding something back. What is it?" I asked before swallowing my mouthful of candy. It felt like swallowing gum knowing it would be in your digestive system for seven years.
"Bella, I think Jake-"
"Joss?" I asked as Joss kneeled over on the couch, her hand gripping her stomach.
"Ow, ow oh my god," whispered Josslynn.
"What's wrong?"
"Ow…I'm getting these…these cramps. This one hurts like…OW, OW!"
"DAD!" I yelled.
"What's…going on…what's wrong?" asked Charlie as he fought to catch his breath.
"I don't know she keeps grabbing her stomach she says its cramps and she's starting to look pale dad."
"Okay, okay calm down. I'm going to call her parents."
Within seconds Bryant was in their living room, cradling Josslynn in his arms. Her skin glistening with sweat, her breathing had slowed tremendously. Her long lashes lying on her cheeks, she looked sleep but I knew better as hot tears streamed down my cheeks.
"Anything we can do to help?" asked Charlie.
"No but thank you, Malinda's outside in the car, were taking her to the hospital," said Bryant hurriedly as he took off for the door. He must have been preparing for work because he was in a navy blue fire department shirt tucked into matching navy blue Dickies work pants and black boots.
"She'll be fine," said Charlie as he gripped my shoulder but words couldn't find my lips as I watched another person in my life go.
Why don't I have what Jake and Joss have? Why does everyone have to leave? Why haven't I heard from Jake or Joss? Were they okay?
But I'm going to find out, tossing on a tan brown jacket over my white v-neck t-shirt to go with my dark blue jeans and matching tan boots unlaced at the top. Charlie had to go to work it was Monday but it was summer for high school students so even my weeks were empty.
As I grabbed up my keys I yanked up my cell just in case Joss called or something and made my way to my clunker. "I haven't driven you in awhile," I said as I ran my fingers along the hip of the red, faded truck.
The change in the shade of green trees informed me I was about ten minutes away. The broken trees, glossy water and Island in the large vast body of water ringing in a wave of nostalgia as I recalled visiting Jake; he was all skinny then and I looked worse than I did now. Jake was so scared of Sam and the guys trying to bring him into a gang. Had Jake joined them? No, not my Jake, he was too much the sweetheart. Jake wouldn't harm a soul.
Parked along the curb I eagerly, sprinted for the front door, knocking nonstop, hoping to catch the ever-growing Jake.
"Hi Bella," said Billy, cordially.
"Is Jake home?"
"No Bella he's out with Embry."
"Oh do you mind if I sit and wait?"
"No problem, it will be awhile."
"I know."
Billy wasn't lying as minutes took on hours and the day sky began to turn pink and purple, cloudless, as the moon became whole and confidently guided you through the night.
"You want some Chilly?" asked Billy as he rolled into the kitchen.
"Um yes please."
"Want some cheese on it?"
"Yeah but do you mind if I help?" I asked.
"Yeah sure, give you'll something to do, huh?"
"Uh huh and I know you weren't lying. Embry and Jake stay out all day."
"Hmm, yup," mumbled Billy as he passed me a bowl. As the sweet aroma of chilly beans and melted cheese filled my nostrils, I could hear my stomach growling and hungrily began scooping up chilly.
"Billy I don't know what you put in this food but it smells amazing."
"Charlie's at work, isn't he?"
"Is it that obvious?"
A broad smile on his face, he nodded as I passed him his bowl filled with Chilly and white rice. Across from him with my chilly and punch, I eagerly began feasting on the food realizing I hadn't eaten this morning. Billy and I on our second bowl, the accent of whipping in the wind and a tussle not too far away became a large russet seventeen year appearing in the dining room.
"Jake!" I exclaimed as pieces of rice popped out of my mouth.
"Bella," huffed Jake.
"This is sick?" I asked, marveling and astonished at his frame.
