Disclaimer: I have zero ownership to Twilight and its awesomeness. No copyright infringement intended.
A/N: This is a one shot sample story for Sort of Beautiful Challenge. I'm serving on an incredibly talented panel of judges to decide the winner of the following categories.
1. Best "Bad Boy" Jacob
2. Best "Best Friend" Jacob
3. Most Unique Storyline
4. Best Peen for stories with Lemons; and Best Kiss for stories with No Lemons
The contest begins August 24th through September 28th and voting will be October 1st - 12th.
I am thrilled to be a part of this challenge and I encourage and challenge all of you to participate. First time writers are welcome.
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Title: Headfirst Fearless
Pen Name: crystalnicoleyo
If you would like to see all the stories that are a part of this challenge visit the "SORT OF BEAUTIFUL CHALLENGE" profile page:
www[dot]fanfiction[dot]net/u/2046940/
Head First Fearless
And I don't know how it gets better than this
You take my hand and drag me head first
Fearless
And I don't know why but with you I'd dance in a storm in my best dress
Fearless
Fearless ~ Taylor Swift
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I imagined hell to be much like Forks, Washington. I assumed, from all accounts told, that the incessant rain would be replaced with fire and brimstone. But the loneliness and desperation would be the same. To be constantly surrounded by hopelessness, and not a single distraction from the misery was, for all intents and purposes, hell.
I was trapped in this Godforsaken town practically against my will. I moved here three days ago to start my sophomore year of college at Peninsula University in Port Angeles. I had lost my scholarship to Arizona State after being placed on academic probation last semester. It wasn't that I didn't try; I did. My education was very important to me. But my life held an unusual amount of unfortunate calamity. I was hit by a van, robbed at gunpoint, and fell down two flights of stairs in the spring semester alone. Between hospital visits and outpatient therapy, my studies fell by the wayside, dragging down my GPA.
My mother, Renee, was too consumed in herself to notice my was life falling apart. She took my collegiate failure as proof that she needed to move to Florida to be with Phil, my soon to be step-father. Renee didn't have the money to pay for tuition, let alone room and board. I had no way to pay for ASU, and I had nowhere to live once Renee was moved across the country.
So, being the martyr that he is, my father stepped in and offered to pay for my education. Imagine my relief when he told me of this generosity. Imagine my disappointment when I realized the stipulations that came with the offer. I had to move in with him and attend in nearby Port Angeles. I was out of options, and with no place else to go, I packed up my clothes and a cactus, and I moved to Forks.
"Bella, can you come outside for a minute?" Charlie asked eagerly. Despite my miserable self-loathing and Charlie's asinine conditions, I didn't have any ill will toward him. I loved my dad, and I was actually grateful that he had offered me some semblance of stability. Our relationship, although at times untraditional, was embedded in love.
I heaved myself from my perch on the couch to join Charlie outside. I caught a quick glimpse of the sky through the window. It was void of sunshine but at least it wasn't raining. The clouds above teased me with hope, but there was never a guarantee of sunshine. I giggled to myself at the metaphor in my mind.
As I made my way out the door I saw Charlie with visitors. I vaguely recognized them. I hadn't spent much time in Forks since I was a kid and my memory was a bit unclear.
"Bella, do you remember Billy and Jacob Black?" Charlie asked enthusiastically.
Suddenly, I remembered them from the summers I spent here as a child. Billy was Charlie's best friend, and Jacob was Billy's son. They lived on the Quileute reservation in La Push.
"I think I was five the last time you saw me," Jacob said impishly. I couldn't help but notice how attractive he was. His dark hair was cut short, framing the soft russet skin of his face. His deep set, brown eyes danced as he spoke.
"Yeah, mud pies, right?" I asked unable to look away from Jacob. The last time I saw him we were carefree kids. It seemed like a lifetime ago, but yet he was still familiar.
Jacob nodded and gave me a slight grin of recognition.
" Jake here," Charlie began patting on Jacob's shoulders, "is fresh out of the academy. I have offered him a job on the force," he finished boastfully.
My dad was the sheriff of Forks, and he spoke of it as if it were the quintessential crime fighting mecca of the world. I doubted that he had arrested any more than five people in the last year. He spent most of his days working crossword puzzles.
I smiled in approval, not that it mattered. I would be spending more time in Port Angeles than Forks anyway. I didn't have any investment either way in Jacob's preferred occupation. I hoped to get an apartment close to campus by next semester and forget Forks altogether.
"Jake's going to be living with us for awhile. I've gained two kids in one week," Charlie said laughing brightly.
Did I hear him right? Was I expected to share Charlie's house with a stranger? There was only one bathroom! What could possibly be going through Charlie's mind? I made a mental note to stake claim on the areas of the house I wanted for myself.
"The politicians around here don't want to hire anyone outside of our town, so Jake needs to be a citizen of Forks. I offered him the guest bedroom, temporarily."
"Great," I mused.
"In return for my hospitality Jake is going to give you this truck, Bella," Charlie said as he displayed the old red truck like it was a prize on Wheel of Fortune. I had to admit it was really cool.
"Yep, fixed it up myself," Jake responded proudly.
"Jake's quite the mechanic, you know. Maybe you can make some use out of the old garage in the back," Charlie shot at Jake with a gleam in his eye. I began to think that Jacob Black was the son Charlie never had.
I went over to the truck and got in. I didn't know much about vehicles but it looked like it would pass my inspection.
"Mind if I take it for a test run?" I asked through the window. In a moment, Jacob jumped in the passenger seat and dangled the key from his finger. I noticed how sincere and sunny he seemed to be; maybe having him around wouldn't be so bad. I needed at least one friend and he seemed as good a choice as any.
I grabbed the keys from his fingers, noticing how big his hands were. Jacob had to be at least six and a half feet tall. He was very muscular and large. He had the body of a man and the face of a boy. His eyes shone brightly, and his constant smile reminded me of the little kid I once knew.
"Alright kids, Billy and I are going to see if the fish are biting," Charlie announced as he poked his head through the window. "You two be careful," he winked.
I turned the key in the ignition. The old truck roared to life beneath me, and I put it in drive. Jake started to tune in the radio station.
"The stereo is kind of crappy, so you'll need a new one," he informed me.
"So you really want to trade in this beauty for a police cruiser?" I asked humorlessly. I couldn't imagine why a career in law enforcement was attractive to him. It didn't seem very ambitious to me.
"Yeah, sort of," he replied.
I looked him over, weighing his response. I supposed he would be an effective cop. His size alone would intimidate most criminals. The crime rate in Forks was practically non-existent anyway. I assumed the deputies played card and ate doughnuts all day.
"I guess we need to lay some house rules if we're going to be living under the same roof." Now seemed like a good time to go ahead and get this dreaded task over with.
"No need. You'll be gone during the week and I'll be working on the weekends. I doubt you'll even see me."
I should have been relieved but I felt a touch of sadness. I liked Jacob already. Just being in my new truck with him for the last ten minutes had drastically improved my mood. Jacob Black induced happiness, and I needed all of the happiness I could get.
"Oh. Too bad," I said automatically.
I looked at him and he seemed surprised by my outburst. I needed a quick recovery. I certainly didn't want pity and I couldn't imagine how needy I must have sounded.
"I don't really know anyone here. It'd be nice to have someone to hang with."
"I'll see if I can pencil you in, Ok?"
"Thank you. I don't want to be a bother," I said scornfully.
I drove further through the town, finding myself on an unfamiliar road. Jacob was content to look out the window and sing, off-key, along with the radio.
"Do you know where you're going?" Jacob asked me skeptically.
"Not exactly, just following the pavement," I spoke truthfully. I was glad for the freedom, and Jacob's company was very up-lifting, even the singing.
"The pavement ends just around this next curve. Are you planning on a hike?"
"I don't really hike," I tried to explain. Surely Jacob remembered my flamboyant clumsiness from our childhood. It was hardly forgettable.
"You do today. You picked this road, its fate. Besides a little fresh air will do you some good. Replenishes the soul."
Fate, huh. Fate hated me. I didn't need to remind myself of the horrors I had endured throughout my life because of fate. I imagined just beyond the trees a grizzly bear or Bigfoot was lying in wait for me. I shuddered at the thought.
I pulled the truck over into the gravel lot at the end of the road. Was I really going to do this? I could hardly walk on a sidewalk; a mountain trail would definitely cause me problems. Jacob got out abruptly, and I joined him, guardedly noticing that the sun had peaked through the clouds.
"Are you sure you know where we're going?" I asked in earnest. My sense of direction was almost as good as my equilibrium. I didn't want to get lost in these woods.
"Relax, Bella, I've hiked this trail since I was in diapers."
"I thought you still were in diapers," I mocked.
"I'll have you to know that what I lack in age, I make up for in other areas." His lips turned up into a smile, and I couldn't deny how striking he was. I stood still for a moment, just taking him in. When I started to walk again, I stumbled, colliding into him.
"I'm sorry. I'm not the hiking type." I could feel the heat from the pool of blood on my cheeks. It was my signature trademark: ineptness and facial blushing.
He stood me up and eyed me cautiously, afraid I would fall over if he let me go. I shook him off and dusted off my jeans, trying to salvage what bit of dignity I had left.
"You really aren't the hiking type are you?" he asked, echoing my previous statement. He turned away from me in a fit of laughter and started back on the trail.
"I warned you," I yelled toward him, staring mindlessly at the forest that surrounded me.
"I want to show you something, come on," he called back to me as I stood still standing wide eyed.
We walked on for a little bit and then he stepped off the trail.
"You're fearless, aren't you?" I yelled at him, stopping him in his tracks. He walked back to me and grabbed my hands. My heartbeat sped up at his warm touch. My gaze met his and I felt a swing of emotion through my body.
"Sometimes a little risk has a great reward. You just have to jump in head first. Can you trust me?"
His words were so weighted, like there was a hidden insinuation that I was missing. He seemed, for a moment, older than his eighteen years. My breath was caught in my throat as I fought to respond to him. His eyes bore into my soul, paralyzing me with their mystery. Realizing I couldn't speak, I nodded and he pulled me close to him.
We walked a short distance until the trees opened up and the thickness of the forest became a clear open meadow.
It was beautiful, a simplistic but exquisite unknown sanctuary in the heart of the mountains. I breathed all of it in. The floral scent of wildflowers and sunshine echoed the beauty before me.
"I told you it was worth it," Jake whispered.
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My first month of school went off without a hitch. Because of my academic situation last semester, Charlie had really put the strain on me to behave. Although I was twenty years old, I respected him and obeyed his wishes. I confined myself to school and home. I hadn't made any real friends, but at least I had Jacob.
Jacob's presence in my life was a welcome distraction. Without him, Forks would be unbearable. In my five long weeks of living in here, he was the only taste of happiness I had found. His presence almost always made me cheerful, and I found myself growing more attached to him. I needed him almost as much as I needed oxygen. Jacob was the first person in my life that made me feel complete. I trusted him and connected with him in a way I never had with anyone before. Making friends and opening up to people was never my strong suit, but I could be myself around Jacob. He was fearlessand it was contagious, because when I was next to him, I became fearless.
Admittedly, I was becoming attracted to him in a different way. I really hated that I was so weak around him. The simplest of human tasks became complicated when Jake was around: breathing, walking, speaking. I didn't want to jeopardize our friendship, but the magical way I felt around him was hard to avoid.
He didn't make my dilemma any easier either. He walked around the house most of the time wearing nothing but his favorite pair of thin, black sweat shorts. Every ripple and contour of his muscular body was constantly displayed before me like a museum attraction. Stronger willed women would crumble at the sight of Jacob Black without a shirt. Jacob Black was sort of beautiful, in a romantic-sunset-on-the-beach kind of way. He was the perfect combination of rough exterior and soft interior. A heart of pure gold nestled in a robust, svelte body. When he spoke to me, I had to pry my eyes away from his glorious supple, full lips. Images of kissing him would flash through my mind, and I would lose myself in the beautiful torrents of my fantasies.
When he wasn't half naked it was even worse, because he was wearing his policeman uniform. My eyes almost always fixated on the tight shirt and pants. My imagination vividly ran amuck with thoughts of him. The badge, the gun, the handcuffs-all of it enticed me to make a fool of myself. The first time I saw him in uniform, I became a babbling idiot. Not one word I uttered was coherent, and he laughed at my attempt to speak. I was certain he could see through my parade. I was constantly hanging on to his every word and movement, as if I had been stranded on a deserted island for twenty years, and he was the first human I made contact with.
Flirting was out of the question because I was appalling at it. I really didn't know if his feelings reciprocated mine and I was too afraid to ask. I relied on his friendship; anything else I received was just a bonus.
"Pizza's here," Jake announced from the front door. I ran down the stairs to meet him, surprising myself when I didn't fall.
"Shouldn't you be working? It's Friday night. Tons of danger lurking in the city," I said casually.
"Bite it, Bells. The old man gave me a night off."
I rolled my eyes at Jake, but secretly, I wanted to burst with excitement. I knew what a night off and pizza boxes meant: Jake was staying in with me. I followed him into the kitchen and got the plates from the cabinet.
"So why are you spending your one Friday night off here?" I asked just to be sure as I sat the plates on the table.
"You want me to leave?" he countered sarcastically.
"I guess not. I've got nothing better to do." I grabbed two sodas and handed one to Jake, offering him my biggest smile. I reminded myself that I was terrible at flirting. I was also terrible at this game of cat and mouse that I was trying to play. Why couldn't I just tell him my feelings ran deeper? Why couldn't I say that I was attracted to him? Why couldn't I tell him I thought about him constantly? Why couldn't I tell him I wanted to taste his lips?
I sat down in the chair beside him. I wanted to silence the racing thoughts in my head. I was sure he could see the torture on my face-Renee had always said I was like an open book.
"Me either," he agreed with disappointment.
"You could go on a date," I replied. Where was I going with this useless garbling? I really wished for a filter between my lips and my brain. It would help to avoid situations like the one I had currently placed myself in. I stuffed an enormous piece of pizza in my mouth, hoping to silence my random outbursts.
"Would you say yes?" His face was covered with sincerity and optimism as he moved his chair closer to mine.
I nearly choked on the pizza in my mouth. My face contorted into many different shapes as I quickly chewed, hurrying to answer Jacob's very important question. My mind was a blur of commotion.
"Are you asking me out?" I asked as I painfully swallowed the last bit of crust in my mouth.
"Yes," he answered.
"Why?" I asked curiously. I was relieved and grateful by his question, but I didn't understand it.
"Bella, isn't it clear that I'm crazy about you?"
"No," I said flatly without really thinking about it. I moved my shaky hands to my lap in an effort to hide my anxiety. Jacob seemed so calm while I sat on the verge of nervous explosion.
"You know, Bells, some people can't see the forest for the trees. You're not one of those people. You're worse. You can't see Heaven for the clouds. You miss the complete picture that's before you."
He paused for a moment, fidgeting in his seat. He grabbed my hands gently and wrapped his fingers around them. I looked up into his dark eyes and felt my soul turn into a burning liquid.
"Have you noticed the way I smile when you walk into a room? The convenient way I try to be home at the same time you are? I like living here, don't get me wrong, but Charlie doesn't always offer the best company. Why do you think I want to be here so badly?"
I sat motionless allowing myself to absorb his words. His eyes pierced me once again, igniting an unquenchable fire in my soul. His feelings really did mirror mine.
"So I guess since my subtle hints aren't really working, I need a different approach." He leaned into me, locking his gaze on my own bewildered stare. "I think about you constantly. I like being with you." He inched his face closer to mine and whispered my name. I crumbled. I melted. His lips brushed across mine softly and his sweet breath stopped my own breathing. His kiss became more urgent and my lips parted to allow his taste in. He removed his hands from mine and wrapped his arms around me. He broke free from my lips leaving me to gasp for air.
"So, yeah. I guess I am asking if you want to go out with me on a real date."
I sat there staring at him. Part of me was waiting to wake up and the other part was still melting.
"Yes I do. I want to jump in head first."
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It was a quiet Sunday evening. Jacob was working and Charlie was fishing. I sat in the kitchen, the table cluttered with my books and notes. I needed to finish my English paper but my brain couldn't focus on anything but Jacob. It had been two days since I last saw him and I wasn't sure when I would see him again. He always seemed to be working.
Since Jacob first kissed me two weeks ago, my life had become amazing. I couldn't believe I lived twenty years without him in my life.
Keeping our relationship from Charlie proved to be difficult. I hated being dishonest, but Charlie, despite his affection for Jake, would not approve of us living under the same roof if he knew we were dating. I craved Jacob's touch, his kiss. It was killing me to know he was sleeping in the room next to mine and I couldn't sleep beside him.
"Hey Bells, studying hard?" Charlie asked as heentered the kitchen with a string of smelly fish.
"Just finishing up," I answered squishing my nose up in disgust.
I cleared the table of my mess and headed to my room to finish.
"Billy's staying for dinner. We're going to fry up this fish and watch the game."
"Sounds great," I mused.
In spite of the horrible odor from earlier, the fish actually tasted pretty good. I was thankful Billy was there to help Charlie fry them. Once they retired to the living room to engage in some man-bonding, I headed upstairs. I had made it halfway when I heard the front door open. I glanced back to see Jacob hanging his jacket by the door. He turned to notice my ogling, and I shot him an embarrassed smile as I came back downstairs.
I flung my body across the chair in the living room and sighed in contentment. With Billy and Charlie watching the game I hoped to sneak in some alone time with Jacob. He must have hoped for the same thing because he announced he was going to work in the garage. From the corner of my eye I saw him wink at me and nod for me to meet him outside. I anxiously waited five minutes and excused myself so I could secretly join him.
I eagerly walked out the back door and down the stone path to the garage in the back. I felt warm hands wrap around me, and the earth started to fade from beneath me. Jacob carried me around to the back of the garage. Without saying a word, he crushed his lips into mine, overpowering my senses with his goodness.
"They're gonna be busy for awhile," he whispered against my lips.
I only moaned in response. My mind was too consumed with kissing Jacob to process such menial tasks as speech. His tongue rolled against my own, igniting a fury of passion throughout my body.
Jacob put me down on the ground beside him, steadying me until I could stand on my own. My eyes met his stare and I knew exactly what he was thinking. I wrapped my fingers around his belt loop and followed close behind him, allowing him to lead the way.
Just past Charlie's backyard were the lush forests of Washington. Jacob and I had created an escape in a clearing nearby for when Charlie was home. I felt a twinge of guilt for hiding this from Charlie. But it was a short lived notion, because once we made it to the clearing, Jacob started kissing me again, and like always, I forgot everything around me.
We eventually settled on the ground and I had my head propped up in Jacob's lap looking at the clouds above. I could talk to him about anything. I could spend forever with him like this: in our own private place where we could just be alone together.
As we sat there, talking and laughing, the rain slowly started falling, drop by drop, from the sky above.
"We better get back," I announced, not wanting to move.
Jake hopped to his feet, pulling me up from the ground to join him. Something about the way the rain fell on his face and his hair was magical. The drizzle seemed to justify his beautiful face. I snuggled in close to him, never wanting to leave his embrace. The rain picked up and I closed my eyes to allow it to wash over me and take in the majesty of the moment. Jacob released himself from me and started a steady jog back to Charlie's, dragging me with him.
By the time we made it to the backyard, we were drenched from the rain. The small shower had slowed to a misty drizzle, and Jacob smiled as he brushed my wet hair away from my face.
"You're very pretty in the rain," he said as we reached the back of the garage.
"It was raining? I hadn't noticed," I responded breathily.
He kissed my forehead and then made a trail down my cheek, quickly brushing my lips before reaching my neck. My head rolled automatically as his touch blazed against my skin. My breathing became harder and faster as he slowly inched me back against the block wall of the garage.
"Bella, I love you."
Without a second thought, I had my hands in his hair, weaving through his dark locks with vigor and fury. He grazed his hands softly across my back and then he bravely moved them under my shirt. I collapsed into him, succumbing to the heat of his touch. His kisses became harder, almost violent, nipping at my skin against his lips. I moaned his name automatically, arching my body closer to his. His mouth moved across the flesh of my neck and then across my collarbone. He looked at me through his long dark lashes, weighted with tiny raindrops, begging for permission. Unable to speak, I only nodded, and he continued kissing me. His mouth burned through my skin into my very core. I braced myself against the wall as he made a trail down my stomach, stopping at the top of my jeans. Jacob picked me up and I locked my legs around his waist. He bucked his hips against mine and I spiraled into an arousing emotional frenzy. Every thought, every sound, every breath was Jacob.
"I love you, too," I finally responded, head first fearless.
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A/N:
Alright let me know what you think and go write your own for the challenge! Jake wants you too. As always reviews are very much welcomed!