Chapter One

I felt irritation settle over my features. I slammed the phone, so loudly that Charlie jumped in the living room before turning to look at me. I wasn't usually this violent, but I was coming to the end of my rope. I felt almost feral at the moment.

"Bells?" Charlie called cautiously.

"Yeah?" I continued to glare at the phone. I was taking this personally.

"Did you get Billy again?" Charlie was getting off the couch now, full focus on me. I was usually easy. I usually wasn't very attention seeking, I did my homework, I did most the housework—I'm sure at the moment Charlie was beginning to fear that I would revert.

"No." I folded my arms across my chest, I was beginning to wonder if it was even worth it. Then I exhaled, if I wasn't still having nightly dreams about Jacob Black I would let this go. He was becoming harder and harder for me not to talk to.

"Jacob answered?" He sounded surprised, almost excited. I grimaced. Charlie crossed his arms, before grabbing the phone. "If he was that rude to you, maybe I should have a talk with Billy about-"

"Dad, he just said he didn't want to talk. Its... It just kind of bothered me." I had always been a bad liar. Jake could be a jerk all he wanted, but I wouldn't ever sell him out. Though I was slightly tempted just because of the motorcycle thing he pulled with Charlie when I came home with Edward. He must have been pretty mad, he knew Charlie's dislike for the two wheeled vehicle.

I winced remembering Charlie's rant about how they didn't have seat belts, airbags, and how a majority of the time the riders didn't even wear helmets. Then he grounded me.

No, Jacob had been much, much more unfriendly. He had told me I had made my choice, and to be grateful. He had more than just upset me. I was now pissed. I had had enough of this attitude—this childish thing of I made my choice and I couldn't have both in my life.

I felt like snorting. I could have both. In actuality, I felt like I needed Jacob too. Almost more so now because he had never left me. He was loyal. I almost laughed as I pictured his wolf form—almost like a dog. If I were in trouble now, Jacob would risk it all to help me.

Charlie stared at me unconvinced. "Ah, well, maybe we should visit La Push. It's been a while since we've gone to visit..." I could tell he was testing the waters.

"I don't know, dad," I knew what he was imagining. He was picturing a normal family, in a normal community, with a normal daughter, and his normal best friend. Charlie's world was a stage, all actors playing their part—behind the scenes, the make up and lines stayed behind. Charlie's view was a lot less complicated than the actual reality of the situation.

The situation was this: my best friend, a werewolf, told me he loved me. I ditched him to dash back to my vampire lover who had left me to begin with—which caused the werewolf best friend to fall for me in the first place. Now instead of the gaping hole I had for Edward, it was a giant crevice for Jacob.

Charlie stared at me, seeming to know he needed to be more assertive. "Well, I'm the parent... so we're going." He then nodded, as if to make it more firm.

I attempted to hide a smile. "If you say so, dad."

Charlie nodded again, grasping the phone. "I'll call Billy and let him know. Tonight, okay?"

I exhaled. Memories of what Jake had said to me cruelly flew through my head. I could imagine him holding the phone so tightly his knuckles were white. I couldn't see him wanting to see me tonight. "I guess."

Charlie winked, "Don't give me no back talk, kid."

I couldn't help it, I laughed.

As I walked upstairs I thought about Edward, who I knew was most likely sitting in the rocking chair. He had probably witnessed most of the events through Charlie with some mild commentary. I knew soon Edward's patience may run thin. Since he had been home, I had been so distraught about Jacob that it seemed like they had both traded places. Instead of Edward leaving, Jacob had—even if he was right down the road. Edward was kindly putting up with me, my frustration, and my sadness at this situation.

Worst yet, I had distance myself from Edward. I wasn't letting him spend the night anymore. Mostly I was doing this because if he left again, maybe I would be slightly less hurt. On the small side, I was doing it because of the dreams I was having about Jacob. I'm sure Edward had plenty of reasons to leave besides hearing his girlfriend saying his enemy's name in her sleep.

I cracked open the door watching Edward as he shifted through my CD collection. I was sure of two things then, that he had probably already memorized it but was just going through the actions and that he also knew I was standing here. Sometimes I think that he does these things on purpose just to seem more human to me.

"I just bought the Shinedown CD if you were wondering..." I offered from the doorway, Edward's back still facing me. I watched his actions still as I spoke.

He nodded. "Yes, that one did look new." He turned to look at me then, the CD we were talking about in his right hand while the rest of the collection sat in his left.

"They're very good." I didn't know what else to say, my music was varied but Jacob had introduced me to Shinedown. He wrote one of their lyrics in a note, and Google helped me find the band.

If only it hadn't been about goodbyes.

Edward sighed before he placed the CDs back were they belonged without turning around. He was watching my face. He did this a lot now, I wasn't sure why. He always had a thoughtful look on his face when he studied mine, as if what he saw there didn't put him at rest but made him contemplative.

"Billy said for you and Charlie to come on by tonight," he watched me very closely now, I felt a muscle in my face go taunt. "Why didn't you want to go?"

I could think of a million reasons why I didn't want to go to Billy's. I was mad at Billy, mad at Jacob, the werewolves hated me, Charlie would be lost, and Edward would be anxious. I could see Edward staring out the window as I thought. Mostly, I didn't want to go because either Jake wouldn't be there or he would and he wouldn't be my Jacob.

I could see Jacob's arrogant mask plastered on as walked past Billy, Charlie and I on his way to his bedroom after a great deal of patrolling. I could imagine Charlie trying to bully Jacob into the living room and Billy making up some excuse why Jacob didn't have to be around me.

It was just going to be a big waste of time.

"Because it's going to be uncomfortable." It was the only short answer I could think of that Edward would also agree on.

"Unfortunately," Edward stepped forward before brushing the hair out of my face. "I think this is a good opportunity for you to talk to Jacob without him running."

I felt like my world had flipped. Was I getting an okay? A push to go to La Push? I felt dizzy. When did this happen?

Where was Edward?

"Yes," I replied uncertain watching his face. Not even the slightest movement to show hesitation in what he just said. "If you say so."

"Bella," Edward clasped my hands in his, not very tightly but enough pressure that I knew he was being firm. "This is making you insane. Maybe a little talk with the juvenile werewolf will keep you a little more sane."

"Or make me worse?"

Edward shook his head, trying to hide a small smile. "I seriously doubt that's possible."

I wanted to push him, but instead I hugged him.

I could imagine Jacob asking me if Edward knew where I was. It was almost hysterical what I imagined Jacob's face would look like when I told him Edward was the one who convinced me to come. I wondered what his response could possibly be. But then I was sure it would be horribly injustice.

Edward's arms tightened around me considerably. I could feel his nose pressed into my hair, almost hear him inhaling deeply. I never realized how much taller Edward was from me except in moments like these. He looked smaller than Jasper, Carlisle and Emmett-but then again I didn't really remember them lining up next to each other any time I'd known them. Edward inhaled audibly this time.

"Why do you keep doing that?" I asked after the uncomfortable moment.

"Just getting a good grip on your smell before that dog ruins it," he answered simply. I snorted. "Charlie's coming."

Before I could comprehend Edward's statement, he was gone.

Longer chapter 2, I promise.

Please, let me know what you think so far.