Chapter 2: Persuaded to stay
I never had trouble with getting my way. When I was little I realized soon that my will was the law. We would often play hide and seek on the reservation and somehow I would never be the one who had to seek.
Even the reservation looks the same. Maybe not so strange as most of it is nature. Nature has a way to reserve and restore itself. I could see Jacob had informed the rest of civilization that I was coming. Apparently, they didn't feel the need for going into hiding. I stepped clumsily out of the car. Wow, they have all gotten big. I could swear I was looking at an American Rugby team by the size of these men. A beautiful girl with long black hair came towards me. "Hey Bella, so nice to see you again!" It was Emily. I played with her one or two times when I was younger, I remember she pulled my hair once. She took me inside Billy's house where there was a gathering or so it seemed. It still smelled the same. Good food. The women were already in the kitchen cooking away. I asked if I could help but I was shuffed towards the couch where Jacob was already relaxing with his family and friends.
They are all really nice people but what I need now is sleep. And alone-time. Just leave me alone. Jacob still couldn't stop talking, or glancing my way… Fortunately I have the gift of blacking stuff out. So before I knew it, we were in the car ride back home. Jacob offered to drive us back but I already made different arrangements with Emily. She made the evening a little more pleasant with here kindness. And she sat down right in the middle of me and Jacob, that helped.
I have made the decision to stay a while. I enrolled in a few classes at college so I could stay busy. I can't leave Charlie alone, what if it happens again? I will never forgive myself if it happened again and I wasn't here. Ever since mom left us the dynamics had changed. I took care of us from a young age and I didn't mind. But I knew I would get out of this situation as soon as I could.
Community college wasn't that bad, there were some pretty decent teachers and the students were nice enough. The first day Eric came to me in an instant. Like he could smell new blood. "Hi Isabella Swan. We have all been expecting you." "It's Bella… and wow, that is creepy." He laughed at that, "I didn't mean to be creepy. But when the daughter of the chief of police returns from her European tour, you can't help but wonder!" I had to give him that. Would I know anybody here? I was always kind of an outsider in high school. Maybe I'd recognize some faces. Eric gave me the grand tour which ended in the cafeteria. I met his friends who weren't that interesting either. No, I do not use make-up on a daily bases. No, I will not put that in my hair. Yes, it flows like this naturally. There was one nice girl in the crowd. Her name was Angela. She was the only one who asked if I missed Europe. She seemed sincere about her questions. Time flew by and I already had to go to my next class. I stood up only to get knocked down again in a glance. He was here. His scared face had changed into a concerned one. He stared right back at me. How can he be so blunt? Stop looking at me. He immediately looked away. No wait. Who are you? But he kept moving out of the cafeteria. "Don't even bother with him, he finds himself way to pretty for any of the girls here." The tall blonde girl at our table snapped. What was her problem? I could only guess she threw herself at him and he refused. Good job Topaz.
Next class was business dynamics. The classroom was almost full so I had to sit in the front. He kept talking and talking. He is not making any sense. He must be joking. My hand went up automatically, "Excuse me." He looked up surprised, "Yes..." "I don't agree." "What do you mean?" "I mean I don't agree. Your assumptions are not based on any of the facts that I know and …" But he interrupted me, "Miss, this is not a discussion class. I came here to teach." "To teach yes, not to recite. I was only asking for a clarification!" "You can do that after class. Now, let me teach!" "You can't be serious, sir! If you are a respected teacher you will not flinch when I question your methods. You will try to persuade me to see things your way!" "As I said before, this is not a discussion!" "Well then I am out. And for all of you students: I suggest you do the same if you have a mind of your own!" I stood up and walked out of the classroom. Why does my mouth always speak before my mind can grasp the idea of my actions? Now what… I slammed the door and stood alone in the hallway.
"Nice argument." Now I flinched. "Ow, hey." It was the guy from the hospital. My god his eyes where intriguing. How could anyone ever get anything done with him around? He smiled a crooked smile. "I took your advice." Get over it Bella. "Ehm, yeah I can see that. Very good." Say something deep. "Now what do we do?" he asked. "Well, maybe we can have a sincere discussion about the subject." Clever Bella. "I would rather discuss something else." Was he flirting with me? The whole time his eyes never left my face. Damn it, my face had to react to my thoughts. My face probably matched my red jacket. He started walking towards the entrance. There really was nothing better to do but follow. I had no idea where he was going but I was still intrigued. Once we were outside he stopped his pace "I can see someone has different plans for you." and left. He was to fast to follow or ask questions. What did he mean? Did I say something? Did he realize I didn't say anything deep? I walked towards the parking lot. I know that car - It was Jacobs's car. How did Topaz know he was here for me? "Hey Jake. How are you today?" he opened the door for me, "I thought you might want to go for a ride, check out the scenery. Beats being in class right?" Apparently so. I stepped in and must admit, it immediately felt familiar. Was he growing on me already? He does have this rash quality about him. He started talking about the years I missed. As I predicted - nothing happened. Without me noticing I found myself in deep conversation with Jacob about my experiences in Europe, what I was going to miss - and not. The people I met and what I learned. He was really interested. Before I knew it we were out of the car and walking in the woods. I always loved to roam these woods with mom and dad. Until that unforgettable day. Jacob forgot it though. He looked at me as I stopped mid sentence. He looked at my face, which must have read terror on it because he reacted so fast I can't be sure what exactly happened.
This was the place where it happened 11 years ago. I was 10 years old. My parents and I went hiking in the woods all the time. We would take a backpack and stuff it with everything we felt like that day - it always included chocolate muffins - and pick nick in the meadow. One day my dad couldn't get out of work and me and my mom went alone. It was the most beautiful day. The sun was shining and the meadow looked like a fairytale.
"Bella, are you alright?" Jacobs face still looked scared. For me? I am ok, I didn't get hurt. Not me. I still couldn't speak but I nodded slightly. He picked me up like I was a leaf and carried me back to the car. I couldn't even object. How can this still haunt me? It has been over 10 years. It should have been locked away somewhere save.
We were almost done with the chocolate muffins and were making cartwheels in the grass. Out of nowhere two men appeared. Everything is blurry from that point. It either happened really fast or I am missing some pieces. Before I know it my mom got dragged away screaming my name. Telling me to run. But even as a little girl, I got intrigued fast. One of the men was looking at me directly, blood in his eyes. The other man was shouting something I couldn't understand. But I couldn't get my eyes of the man who stood only inches away now. "You are special. I'll come for you when the time is right."
"Jacob." It wasn't even a question. I was glad he was here. He was so warm. I think he held me for at least half an hour before I could muster my speech again. "It's ok Bella. I'm here with you. You are safe. I'll take you home now."