A/N: So this is my first attempt at writing a fan-fiction. Just a forewarning: The first part of this story is gonna have a lot of the same stuff as the movie theater scene in the book. I just really love the conversation between Jake and Bella. Stephenie wrote it best. =]
Stephenie Meyer owns it all. I'm just deviating the story a bit. Hope you like it! ;]
Chapter 1-Complicated
Jacob POV
In the past two weeks life has gotten very complicated.
Two Weeks Ago
Everything was going perfectly. Bella and I were hanging out in the garage. I was working on the Rabbit and she was lounging on a spare tire. "You know Jake, if you don't quit glancing over here at me, you won't ever get that car finished." she laughed. I looked at her through a stray strand of hair. I was so happy to hear her laugh, and see her smile that I didn't answer for a minute. She was finally acting like herself again. I think she finally realized that Edward wasn't coming back. I was glad that I was helping her through it. "Well, I can't help it. You haven't said much, so I was just making sure you were still here." I said. "Of course I'm still here. So, several of my friends and I are going to the movies in Port Angeles tomorrow. Wanna come?" she asked, the corners of her lips turning up.
"Who all is going?" I asked, turning away from what I was doing to face her. "Um, Angela and Ben, Jessica, Mike, me, and hopefully you." she frowned, like she was worried I would say no. "Of course I'll go and guess what." I said, grinning. "What?" she asked, her smile back in place. "I'll be picking you up." I said, stringing her out a little bit more. "In what? You don't have anything to drive. The Rabbit's not ready yet." she said, sitting up a little straighter. I walked to the driver's side of the car and got in. "Who says it's not ready yet?" I asked, then turned the key. The Rabbit started up and idled like a dream. It was finally finished, I got out of the car. She squealed and ran towards me, knocking me to the ground in a bone crushing hug.
I didn't want to let go, but I didn't want to push her either. She got up and was a bright as an apple, from blushing. "Sorry Jake. Be at my house at 7." she said, blushing even deeper, if that was possible. "Alright Bells." I said, getting up and dusting off my ass. She looked at the grease covered clock radio and gasped, "Crap, I gotta go Jake. I promised my dad that I'd have supper ready. Bye Jake." she pecked my cheek and ran out of the garage to her truck.
I watched her leave and then went into the house. My dad was still out fishing with Harry. He had said before he left that if they caught any fish, he would probably eat at the Clearwater's. I went to the kitchen and called over there. "Hello?" Seth answered. "Hey, Seth, it's Jake. My dad there?" I asked. "Yeah, they're here. You coming over to eat?" "No, man. I'm just gonna eat here. Got some stuff I gotta do." I answered. "Alright Jake, see ya around." he said. "Yeah, bye Seth."
I hung up the phone and sat down on the couch. All of a sudden I felt like I had been doused in ice cold water. I felt my forehead, it was burning up, like I had a major temperature spike. Then like it hadn't even happened I felt fine. I got up off the couch and went to the fridge, pulled out some left overs and heated them up. I sat back down and turned on the TV. I sat there eating thinking about Bella crashing into me, knocking me to the ground. Before I knew it, my plate was empty. I put it in the sink and went to lay down on the couch. I couldn't quit thinking about Bella, the way she smiled, the way she blushed when she said something funny, her chocolate brown eyes. Before I knew it my dad was shaking me, "Jake, son, wake up and get in the bed." I grumbled and got off the couch and went to bed. When I woke up the next morning I couldn't wait until tonight. I was glad the rez school was out today.
The day passed fast, I got to Bella's house at six. I knocked on the door, "Jake, you're early." Bella said after she opened the door. "Good to see you too, Loca." I hugged her and walked into her living room and sat down. She plopped down beside me and said, "So how was school today?" "I didn't go." I said, smirking. "Jake, you know better than to skip school." she scolded. "Hey! I didn't skip. We were out today." "Oh." was all she said, but her blush said it all. We turned on the T.V. and was watching some random show when the phone rang. She went to the kitchen to answer it. When she returned she
said, "That was Ben. Angela got the stomach flu that's been going around so he's staying home to take care of her. So it looks like its Mike, Jessica, you and me." I nodded and patted the cushion next to me. She sat back down.
Before we knew it there was a knock on the door. She got up to answer it and when she came back in the living room, Mike Newton was following her. "Hey Mike," I said, "Where's Jessica?" He scratched his head and said, "Um, she bailed. So, yeah." "Well, there's no since in going in two cars then." Bella said. "We could take my Suburban." Mike supplied. "Well, Mike, Jake was wanting to take his car. He just got finished rebuilding it and he wanted to take it on its maiden voyage and I promised. So, Jake, you ready?" I jumped up off the couch. "Yeah, let's get going."
Mike went out first and climbed into the cramped backseat. I followed Bella out and waited for her to lock the door. I let her get in the car and then shut her door. Outwardly I was being as cool as a cucumber. But inside I was screaming, I knew Newton had a thing for Bells and I wasn't happy about it. But I was going to suck it up. She would never date Newton. Or at least I hoped not.
The ride to Port Angeles was a quiet one. Bella didn't want the radio on, and Mike continued to skulk in the backseat. When we got to the movie theater and went in, Mike and I sat on either side of Bella. I noticed he had his hand facing up on the armrest as if expecting Bella to grab it. So I did the same. I noticed out of the corner of my eye, Bella looked at both of our hands, shook her head with a small smile and folded her hands in her lap.
We watched the movie mostly in silence, except for my few whispered comments about how lame this movie was, then not long before it was over, Mike got up and ran out. Bella and I followed him. We saw him rushing into the bathroom with his hands over his mouth, as if he was about to puke. I went in and checked on him. Sure enough he was in a stall with his head in the toilet. "Oh, he's in there, alright," I said, rolling my eyes. "What a marshmallow. You should hold out for someone with a stronger stomach. Someone who laughs at the gore that makes weaker men vomit." I said laughing, thinking of myself.
"I'll keep my eyes open for someone like that." She said, her voice dripping in sarcasm. I walked over and sat down on a bench and patted the velvet beside me. "He sounded like he was going to be in there for a while," I said, stretching out getting comfortable. She walked over sighing and plopped down next to me, as soon as her butt hit the cushion I reached over and put my arm around her shoulders. "Jake," she said, exasperated and leaning away. I dropped my arm, a little hurt at her rejection but I tried my hardest not to let it show. I reached out and took her hand with one of mine and grabbed her wrist with the other when she tried to pull away again. I was going to say what was on my mind and I wanted to have physical contact with her. "Now, just hold on a minute, Bella," I said calmly. "Tell me something."
She winced. She didn't want to hear this, I hated making her uncomfortable but I had to say this. "What?" she muttered. "You like me, right?" I asked, trying not to smile. "You know I do." "Better than that joker puking his guts out in there?" I pointed towards the bathroom. "Yes." she sighed. "Better than any of the other guys you know?" I asked calmly, I already knew the answer but I wanted to hear it straight from her. "Better than the girls, too," she said. "But that's all," I wasn't questioning her.
She looked like she was struggling with the simple answer she wanted to say. I could see her jaw clenching, after what seemed an eternity she whispered, "Yes." I couldn't hide my grin any longer. "That's okay, you know. As long as you like me the best. And you think I'm good-looking-sort of. I'm prepared to be annoyingly persistent." I said, satisfied with my speech. I wasn't prepared for her response. "I'm not going to change," she said, I could tell she was trying to keep her voice normal, but she couldn't keep the sadness from creeping in. It was killing me to see her in this turmoil.
"It's still the other one, isn't it?" I asked, my teasing tone had vanished. She cringed, so I said, "You don't have to talk about it." she nodded, and the tension in her body eased. "But don't get mad at me for hanging around, okay? Because I'm not giving up. I've got loads of time." I said, patting and rubbing her hand. She sighed again, "You shouldn't waste it on me." "It's what I want to do, as long as you still like to be with me." I said. "I can't imagine how I could not like being with you." she said. I couldn't help the genuine smile that erupted on my face. "I can live with that."
"Just don't expect more," she warned me, trying to pull her hand away. But I wasn't letting go yet, so I squeezed her fingers, "This doesn't really bother you, does it?" "No," she sighed, putting a little pressure into her hold. "And you don't care what he thinks." I jerked my head towards the bathroom. "I guess not." "So what's the problem?" "The problem is that it means something different to me than it does to you." she said, her brown eyes turning sad. "Well." I tightened my hold on her hand. "That's my problem isn't it?" We were quiet for a few minutes, I was tracing designs on her hand when I noticed a crescent shaped scar on her hand. "That's a funny scar you've got there. How did that happen?" "Do you honestly expect me to remember where all my scars come from?" she asked, as my index finger was tracing it. The temperature of the scar was so much cooler than the temperature of her hand. "It's cold," I murmured to myself.
I felt her tense up again and I looked towards the bathroom. Mike was stumbling out, white faced and sweaty. I felt a wave of anger was over me. He was ruining my moment with Bella, I was just about to find out where that scar came from and I was getting closer to Bella. He was pissing me off. Then as quickly as it appeared my pain disappeared and I was wondering why in the hell I was mad at Mike. He was sick, that wasn't his fault. "Oh, Mike," Bella said, her voice full of worry. "Do you mind leaving early?" he whispered. "No, of course not." she pulled her hand free and went to help Mike walk. He looked about ready to collapse.
My anger flared again, "Movie too much for you?" I asked, savagely. He looked at me like I was his worst enemy, "I didn't actually see any of it," he mumbled. "I was nauseated before the lights went down." "Why didn't you say something?" Bella reprimanded as she staggered towards the exit with him. "I was hoping it would pass." he said. "Just a sec," I said, as they reached the door, he was not going to upchuck in my car. "Could I have an empty popcorn bucket?" I asked the salesgirl. She handed me the bucket and said, "Get him outside, please."
I helped Bella get him in the backseat and handed him the bucket. "Please," was all I said. We rolled the windows down against my better judgment. I didn't want Bella getting sick. But if the icy night air kept Newton from puking in my car I couldn't complain. As we were driving, I glanced at Bella. She had her knees pulled up to her chest with her arms wrapped around them, trying to conserve body heat. "Cold, again?" I asked, putting my arm around her. "You're not?" I shook my head. "You must have a fever or something." she grumbled. She lifted her hand up to my forehead, "Whoa, Jake – you're burning up!" she exclaimed.
I felt fine, and I told her so, "I feel fine. Fit as a fiddle." She frowned and touched my forehead again, her fingers were just as icy as the wind funneling through the car. "You're hands are like ice." I said. "Maybe it's me," she admitted. Mike wretched in the backseat. I looked anxiously over my shoulder making sure he made it in the bucket. We were quite on the way back to Forks. Bella was deep in thought. I could almost see the gears turning in her head. Then she shuddered and I tightened my arm around her. When we got to her house, she led Mike to his suburban and then climbed into the driver's seat. I followed her to Mike's house then took her home. I was beginning to think she was right about the fever. I was feeling like I had yesterday, I could feel the fever now. Maybe I was catching the flu too. I hoped not.
"I would invite myself in, since we're early," I said as I parked beside her truck. "But I think you might be right about the fever. I'm starting to feel a little...strange." "Oh no, not you, too! Do you want me to drive you home?" she asked, genuinely concerned. "No." I shook my head, I could feel my eyebrows knitting together. "I don't feel sick yet. Just...wrong. If I have to, I'll pull over." "Will you call me as soon as you get in?" she asked, anxiously. "Sure, sure." I frowned, staring out the windshield, biting my bottom lip.
Bella opened her door to get out and I grabbed her wrist lightly and kept her there. "What is it, Jake?" she asked. "There's something I want to tell you, Bella...but I think it's going to sound kind of corny." I was embarrassed to admit this. She sighed, "Go ahead." "It's just that, I know how you're unhappy a lot. And, maybe it doesn't help anything, but I wanted you to know that I'm always here. I won't ever let you down-I promise that you can always count on me. Wow, that does sound corny But you know that, right? That I would never, ever hurt you?"
"Yeah, Jake. I know that. And I already do count on you, probably more than you know." A smile broke across my face. I was ecstatic. But then that funny feeling hit again, like my skin was going to rip apart. I felt my smile melt away, "I really think I'd better go home now." Bella jumped out quickly. "Call me!" she yelled as I drove away.
The funny feeling lasted all the way home. I parked by the back door and walked in. My dad was sitting in the kitchen looking at some mail. "Hey, son. How was the movie?" he asked, innocently. As I quickly recounted the evening, I began shaking uncontrollably, I was beyond angry, I was enraged. My dad had looked up, curious about my long silence, he noticed my shaking frame, "Son, you need to go outside now." He said, and started wheeling towards the door. I obeyed him and walked hastily outside. He had the cordless phone in his hand and was dialing a number. He put it up to his ear, after a minute someone answered, "Sam, it's Billy. It's happening. Get over here now." he hung up.
"Dad, what is this about?" I asked, still shaking. "You'll find out soon enough, son." he answered, only pissing me off more. I felt as if I was vibrating, my teeth were chattering, my vision blurring. I started replaying the evening in my head again. It had gone so great until Mike got sick, damn pretty boy. All I kept seeing was Mike's face and it was making me even more on edge. Then all the anger started moving to my spine. It felt like I was on fire. I could literally feel my skin starting to rip apart, I remember my clothes shredding and falling around me. Then I was on all fours and still seeing the world from the same height. I looked in the dark windows of my house. I don't know what I expected, but it definitely wasn't the huge, russet colored wolf looking back at me.
Yeah, I'm a werewolf. I love it and I hate it. I love the freedom, the speed of running on all fours. I hate not being able to talk to or see Bella. I now know the reason everyone was following Sam around like they were lost puppies. Sam is the alpha of the pack. His commands are impossible to resist. The night I phased he immediately laid down the law that I couldn't tell Bella. Not only could I not tell her I wasn't even allowed to see her. It was killing me. I was breaking my promise. She called everyday and I couldn't even answer the phone.
One day I was skulking around my house, still mad about Sam's orders, when my dad came in my room. "Bella called again." He was not improving my mood. I was about to tell him that when I heard a wolf howl in the woods. "Dad, I gotta go. If she calls again, tell her I miss her." I jumped out my window and ran to the woods. I pulled my sweats off and tied them to my leg and let the familiar heat take over my body. What's going on? I asked, mentally. That was another thing I hated, when I was in wolf form I couldn't keep my thoughts to myself. We were all connected mentally. Embry and I caught a fresh scent from a leech. Paul said. Heading towards that clearing off of the one-ten. Embry supplied. I bet that was the clearing Bella and I were trying to find that day. I said, remembering that hiking trip.
By this time, the rest of the pack had joined us and we took off running in the direction of the clearing. Even with our immense speed it took us about 20 minutes to get there. We bounded through the underbrush following the sickeningly sweet stench of the leech. As we passed by, I thought I caught another scent, one that smelled familiar. But it was heading in the opposite direction. When we reached the edge of the trees surrounding the clearing, I looked out at the barren field and my stomach disappeared into my chest and my heart went into my throat. Bella was standing in that clearing with the leech, slowly inching towards her.