AN: Sorry for not updating guys!!! Been dealing with a lot of family related crap then school on top of it all. But I decided to make the best out of my 103 fever and TRY to get some creative juices flowing again! SO I don't know which pairing I want. Edward and Bella or Jacob and Bella, so I decided to open it up to a vote!!!! YAY VOTES^.^ So message me or review PLEASE!!!!! See, I said please, so now you know you want to do it. YOU WANT TO REVIEW!!!! .
Chapter 2
Billy was waiting for us on the front porch. "Did anyone hurt you?" He asked, his eyes searching my soul, trying to discover the truth. I shook my head aware of how I looked. My eyes were red and swollen so badly it looked like I had gotten into a fight, my hair was knotted and tangled into an untamable puff on my head, and my face was even more pale than usual, which is really saying something.
The anger I had felt earlier was now just a pit in my stomach. It was squelched by an overwhelming anguish. Looking at Billy I could see the distress on his aged face. His deep set wrinkles held a wisdom I could never know. Eyes like piercing daggers he watched as Jacob pulled me inside and stood me by the window. The couch was transformed into a bed in just three minutes and Jacob made me lie down.
"Thank you Jacob," I rasped out. My voice was weak and scratchy from crying so much.
"Bella you know I would do anything for you," Jacob said. I realized this was the first time we had spoken to each other all night. "Did you want to be alone or did you want me to stay here?"
I thought for a moment. Before he had come I had been uncontrollable, been ripping apart at the seams. But when he had come, his presence was soothing, he made the pain slightly more bearable. "Please stay," I begged slightly, my voice cracking in the process. Jacob nodded, a slight smile playing across his lips. I scooted over as he lay down beside me on the bed. Jacob raised his arm and motioned for me to scoot closer. I obeyed and laid my head on his chest. Flashbacks of Edward and I together, my head on his chest, flew through my mind. Tears immediately sprang to my eyes and pooled over. I didn't move, but Jacob still noticed.
"Bella," he whispered soothingly, "it's ok. You can cry in front of me."
"I think I have done enough of that already." I said laughing slightly, all the while sounding numb and monotone.
"That's fine, Bella, I really don't mind." He wrapped his arm even tighter around my shoulders and gave me a reassuring squeeze. I slid my arm over his torso just as Billy rolled into the room.
"Bella," Billy coughed before continuing, "your dad is going to be stuck at work for the next two days, some homicide case, and wants you to stay with us until he can be home. Is that alright with you?"
I could feel his eyes studying our position, my head on his chest and arm around him, and I could almost see the thought process taking place in his head. On any other occasion I would have been a blushing mess and straightened up right away, but at this current moment in time I felt absolutely nothing except for the gnawing pain at the center of my being. "No," I said in a zombie-like voice, "that is fine as long as it's ok with you." I found no shred of happiness in me, even when Billy said I was part of the family and welcome any time.
Edward had told me that once upon a time, before he had turned into an unfeeling… my thoughts froze. I couldn't even insult him now. Every ounce of animosity I held towards him was diminished and I was left with nothing but agony. I turned away from Jacob and clutched my arms around my chest, the only way I knew how to hold myself together.
My actions didn't go unnoticed. No longer had I begun to realize I was going to inevitably fall to pieces had Jacob wrapped his warm russet arms around me. Until that moment I had no idea I was cold, but upon contact I was almost instantly warmed. "Jacob," my voice sounded mangled and hoarse, "why are you so hot?"
Jacob chuckled, "Well I have been working out Bells. And it has been paying off." I turned my head to look at him, a small smile plastered on my face.
"Jeesh Bells, don't smile if you don't want to. It's kina creepy if it doesn't reach your eyes." He paused and watched as my smile slipped from my face. Like wax sliding down a candle. I turned back to facing the wall again. "Bells, I didn't mean it like that. I just don't want you to turn into a robot. I've seen this before."
I continued to stare at the wall. Jacob's heat combined with lack of sleep made the sudden wave of exhaustion irresistible. As I coasted along the waves of unconsciousness I felt for the first time in hours, not peace, but genuine confusion, betrayal, and the full force of pain I was facing.
But still, not once through that night, did Jacob let go of me. Not once.
