Summary: What if Bella had felt the same spark that she did with Edward when Jacob grabbed her hand the night of the movies? Bella gives up on the memory of Edward and gives into the reality of Jacob. Now Bella just has to figure out why Jacob won't see her and how to get around his suddenly strange attitude.

A/N: The first bit is lifted directly from the book because I thought the moment was so perfect, so shout out to Stephanie Meyer for setting up such a good connection between these two. Of course, I don't own the characters and all rights and reserves belong to Meyer herself. Now onto the story, please read and review.

Edit: Thank you so SO much for everyone who commented to let me know that the format was messed up. I'm working to get that fixed so fingers crossed that you can read this.

When I get home from school a very familiar car was parked in front of my house. Jacob was leaning against the hood, a huge grin lighting up his face.

"No way!" I shouted as I jumped out of the truck. "You're done! I can't believe it! You finished the Rabbit!"

He beamed. "Just last night. This is the maiden voyage."

"Incredible." I held my hand up for a high five.

He smacked his hand against mine, but left it there, twisting his fingers through mine. "So do I get to drive tonight?" A shock went through my body as he held my hand, it was soft but firm- and warm. My heart began to hammer against my rib cage and a fought a blush. It was just Jacob my Jacob, I reminded myself before taking a deep breath.

"Definitely," I said and then sighed.

"What's wrong?"

"I can't top this, you win. You're the oldest." His smile lit of like a Christmas tree when he said that and I felt my knees quiver. This is just Jacob, this is just Jacob, I chanted inside my head, a weak attempt to keep my face from turning the bright shade of red that I knew would give me away. Mike drove up then and I tugged my hand gently away from Jacob, a light smile playing at my lips. Jacob looked like he couldn't have been happier.

"Oh jeez, this guy again?" he asked quietly, a low chuckle coming from his chest. "Isn't this the guy who thought he was your boyfriend or something? Is he still that confused about it?" he nudged me gently and I half smirked.

"Oh leave him alone, he's my friend" Jacob rolled his eyes and muttered something under his breath. Mike came over to us and gave me a hearty smile and then faked a weak one for Jacob.

"Hey Mike, this is Jacob. He's an old family friend" I explained, trying to smile and pretend that the situation wasn't quite as awkward as I was feeling.

"Yeah I think I remember you, you came to first beach the first time we took Bella there. You had a whole pack of friends with you, right?" Mike was making an attempt and I let out a small breath that I hadn't realized I'd been holding.

"Sure sure," he agreed in a totally Jacob-like way, "I mostly just hang around Bella these days though." He commented, clapping me lightly on the shoulder.

"Okay, so when are Angela and Ben going to get here?" I asked Mike, hoping that would break the tension. Mike grimaced at me.

"They actually called me right before I came over, they are both sick with the flu and aren't coming, I hear it's going around pretty bad. Maybe we could do this another time?" he suggested. I mulled it over in my head for a second, but Jacob answered before I'd had a chance to speak.

"I'm still up for it, Bella has owed me a date for weeks, but if you'd rather stay behind I get it" he smiled at Mike like he has won an invisible war. Jacob had clearly gotten under Mike's skin with the whole "date" thing.

"No, I'm coming" Mike said quickly and Jacob fought a low laugh. The disparity in Mike's voice was so obvious. I felt bad for the guy. Jacob must look menacing to him, towering over the both of us, muscled with a great smile. It was a tough break.

"Is it cool if Jacob drives?" I piped in, "Jacob just finished it- he built it from scratch" I bragged, I could feel the pride radiating off of Jacob.

"Yeah cool, sure" Mike replied glumly. I hopped into the passenger side and Mike hopped in the back and Jacob began chattering away like we were all old friends. Jacob was so sweet it made my heart swell. Mike grumbled in the back seat, nearly forgotten and changed up his strategy, leaning forward so that his cheek was close to brushing against mine. I pulled away as far as I could and turned my body so that it was facing Jacob, our conversation flowed effortlessly.

Once we finally got to the movie theater Jacob sheepishly handed me money and mumbled something about not being old enough to buy his own ticket once Mike was far enough away that he wouldn't over hear us. I smiled back and bought his ticket for him. The movie was exactly what it was promised to be. All gore and bloodshed, Jacob and I laughed quietly together at the unrealistic gore while Mike sat next to me with his hand out, seemingly waiting for me to get scared and want to take it. I rolled my eyes at that and continued to watch the movie, Jacob and I still snickering over the effects when a low moan escaped Mike's lips.

I glanced over at him and he was pale, a thin layer of sweat covering his forehead as he squeezed his eyes closed. He mumbled something about having to go before darting out of the theater without so much as a glance at Jacob or I. I stared at him, not sure what I was supposed to do.

"Wow good pick Bella, your boyfriend has a really weak stomach" Jacob snorted, his arm falling over my shoulder innocently enough.

"Yeah I don't think it was the move, he must be really sick" I whispered quietly catching a glare from the couple a few seats away from us, "I need to go check on him." I excused myself and moved as quickly as I could through the darkened theater. Jacob followed behind me like a puppy, I should have known that he wouldn't leave my side. I was grateful for it when he disappeared into the men's restroom after Mike. I sat on the seat across from the door and took a sip of my drink. Nothing felt right, it was like my whole body had come to life after a long time of being asleep, every time Jacob brushed against me I could feel the same shiver running over my sensitive skin. I hadn't felt like this since the last time he touched me. I couldn't bear the thought of his name suddenly, memories threatening to burn a hole through my skull.

Jacob trudged back out and gave me a sheepish smile. "I don't think he's coming out of there anytime soon." He plopped down on the bench next to me and wrapped his arm around my shoulder. Instinctively I wanted to pull away, he was my best friend, but it just felt so safe having his arm around me like that. It felt like no one could ever hurt me.

"Can I ask you a question?" he asked quietly, his voice was soft and gentle, like he didn't want to scare me away. I wasn't sure that could happen so easily.

"Always" I didn't know why but I poured as much sincerity into the word as I possibly could. I didn't just want him to know that I was there for him, I needed him to know.

"You care for me" it was more of a statement than a question but I knew what he was asking.

"Of course I care for you, you are everything to me, Jacob" my voice was small, like I was telling a secret that I knew I shouldn't.

"But you still love him" he countered, not looking down at me but keeping his arm wrapped protectively around me.

"I…" I began, knowing what the answer would have been just a few hours ago, but everything felt different, I felt okay, and Jacob felt like my world was centered around him. "I don't think love covers it, I think there is just a lot of… stuff." I finished, my mind swirling with the things that had been said to me over a year ago in the tiny meadow where the sun light had shown. Everything about me invites you in-my voice, my face, even my smell, Bella remembered from that day. He had practically admitted it to her right then and there that he was made for people to be drawn to him, and I hadn't even been able to realize it because I was so swept up in the fantasy of it all.

"I'll be here you know, for when you get over your stuff" He smiled kindly down at me and touched his forehead to mine. "I think we have stuff too," he said jokingly, making fun of me for my gross understatement of what was between Edward and I.

"I think I always knew that" I mumbled turning my head and playing with the sleeves of my sweater, picking at the stitching like it was suddenly the most interesting thing I had ever encountered. He really was my own personal sun, when was I finally going to realize that there was something more about my feelings for him than just the sisterly love I projected? Mike finally stumbled out of the bathroom looking worse for the wear.

"I think you guys should take me home" he mumbled, exhausted from his clearly violent sickness. Jacob ran and got an empty popcorn bucket and I stood up to steady Mike and get him to the Rabbit. He wasn't very steady on his feet and his skin was warm to the touch, his fever obvious. Jacob and I finally got him into the backseat and buckled in. We drove with his window down and he clearly appreciated the cool air on his face as we started on our way back to Forks. I rested my cheek against Jacob's warm arm as we drove, the car quiet enough for me to hear the dull thudding of Jacob's heart.

A/N: So I'm taking a bit more than just the first couple of lines, but the rest of the story is going to be loosely based on what happens in Stephanie Meyer's novel. Bella and Jacob just have such good chemistry and I can't get over it. Thinking of doing some Edward bashing or making him a very possessive character, let me know what you think in the comments.