Chapter two

Bella P.O.V

My mind awoke before I could bring myself to open my eyes. I wasn't ready to face the day yet. To face the day would mean facing the world alone; no Jake, no Cullens, no him. To open my eyes would mean living in a reality with nothing to live for.

"Jacob, can you come here please" a voice whispered in attempt not to wake me. Even in my dazed state I knew it was Sam. Across the room I heard someone get up...Jacob...his footsteps came towards me. As he moved closer I lay perfectly still, pretending to be asleep. I was experienced at this after fooling Charlie those times when he stayed over.

Why had Jake even stayed?

"What is it Sam?" Jake's deep voice asked.

I couldn't pick out the emotion in his voice. This was where Jasper's gift would have come in handy.

"How is Bella? Still restless?" Emily asked. Her voice was full of concern. Emily was so kind, I would miss her when couldn't come to La Push anymore.

"Not great Emily. She stopped screaming at 3am but still hasn't woken yet."

What was the time now? I squinted to look towards the window. The sun shone through the glass, so I guessed about noon? The day was one of the rare sunny days; let's just say vampires couldn't walk freely in this weather.

"Aww Jake, I'm sure she'll be ok. Bella's tough you know that." Emily tried to reassure Jacob. At the sound of my name I had squeezed my eyes shut again and inhaled deeply. I thought about adding in some fake snoring but realised that if Quil and Embry found out; which they would, I'd never live it down. They were another two I'd miss! My two wolf brothers.

"I know Bells is but I don't know if she can bounce back from this. She wasn't even back to herself yet and now I've gone and upset her even more! I promised Charlie I would look after Bella not build her back up just to knock her down again." Jake said sounding so pained, so sorry, so guilty!

He was blaming himself for something he couldn't help! Imprinting is part of him, he can't help that it wasn't on me. Up until a few days ago I hadn't wanted it to be.

"Don't blame yourself Jake" Sam said.

"Too late." Jake's voice was final-stubborn. There was no chance of Sam or Emily changing his mind when he got like this! I had to do something.



"Listen to them Jake, they're right." I said, heading towards them. Jake jumped at the unexpected sound of my voice. Ha that's funny big bad werewolf afraid of me.

"Bella I'm sorry." Jake began his apology, as I knew he would.

"Jake, shut up" his mouth dropped and even Sam looked taken back.

"But..."

"Jacob Black" I warned.

Emily tapped her fiancée's shoulder and motioned towards the door. I gave her a small grateful smile before shaking my head 'no',

"Don't worry Emily, we'll continue this outside." I grabbed hole of Jake's large black shirt dragging him with me.

We sat down on a wooden picnic table in the Utley's front yard. Jacob took up a whole side of the table while I took a third of my side. I didn't know where to look; any sense of a plan I had thought up in the house was gone. My eyes looked over myself, I was still in yesterdays clothes; a pair of jeans and a off the shoulder red t-shirt. My eyes then wandered to Jake's face. His face was covered in worry while large bags appeared under his eyes.

"Jake did you get any sleep last night?" I asked him. I couldn't stand the thought of him staying up because of me.

"Umm uh..." Jake plastered his cheesy grin nervously on his face.

"Jake?" I growled.

He signed "no Bells I didn't. I wanted to be there when you woke up."

"Jake that was seriously dumb of you." I tried putting on a mad face but I couldn't pull it off not when Jake smiled at me like that.

"Yeah, yeah. Sure, sure" he whined. Jake's lit up eyes turned dull. He put his head down and twiddled his thumbs on the table.

"Bella?" all playfulness was gone. I didn't like where the conversation was headed; I wasn't sure if I was ready for this or not.

"Yeah Jake?"

"I'm so sorry!"

"Jacob Black, how many times do I have to tell you it's not your fault. We both knew there was a chance of you imprinting. In fact I welcomed it remember?" I paused, not brave enough to continue.

"That was before." Jake put his head into his hands so I couldn't see his reaction but I could imagine the hurt in my best friend's eyes. "Before you fell for me"

Those 5words brought it home for me! I had fallen for another guy. Another guy who wasn't destined to be with me.



"You're right I did but you've imprinted now. We weren't...Aren't meant to be. But I'm happy for you Jake. I truly am and don't worry about me I'll be ok."

"Are you kidding Bella? You won't be I mean look at you! You're barely holding yourself together...literally. And it's my fault! I'm just like that filthy blood sucker."

" No you're not. He left me, Edward left me Jake. He had a choice. I wanted to be with him forever and he chose to leave. He left, taking my family, my heart, and my life with him." my eyes fogged up with tears. That was the first time I'd said his name since he left. His name was like a password that ripped the tear in my heart further. The tears were free-flowing now. I tried to slow them but a plug had been released inside of me.

Warm arms wrapped around me from behind holding me close. Jake leant down and kissed my forehead.

" Shh Bella it's ok. Im sorry." Jake soothed me.

"Promise me something Jake?" I sobbed. "promise me you'll be happy. Please."

"Anything for you Bella. I promise."

"Thank you" relief mixed in with my pain and lost. I reached up a hand and wiped my tears away enabling my sight. I felt Jake straighten up behind me. Jake's expression was a mixture of horror and joy. He was focused down the driveway. I followed his glaze until I found what he was starring at, or more importantly who. She was beautiful, with wavy burgundy hair flowing down to her waist. Her flawless skin was tanned from the sun. Her light blue eyes were fixated on Jake's arms holding my trembling body. The girl's features matched the horrified expression on Jacob's face.

"Cassie" I heard Jake whisper amazed. Then I hit me she must be his imprint.

"Uh hi Jake um maybe this isn't a good time or you've forgotten our plans or something." Cassie said trying to find the right words. It was hard to see the slightly heartbroken look in her eyes, it reminded me of what I must look like to her.

"No stay." I said smiling at cassie. I didn't want Jake losing out on this opportunity. "Jake was just helping me out but we're finished here now. He's all yours." I tried to say lightly but it sounded abit too serious. Jake was standing there dumbstruck but awed.

"Hey Cas, I'm glad you came" his eyes lit up as he said her name. It was the first time all day I had seen Jake's usual animated smile. Jake had let go of me and was headed over towards Cassie. He reached his arms out wide daring her to hug him. Cassie bounced up to him and fell into his arms. I hadn't realised Jake had even talked to her, let alone that they were at the 'hugging' stage. But even I had to admit they looked perfect together. Jake whispered something to his imprint I couldn't make out and gestured her inside. Cassie nodded her hair bouncing up, shaking clear of her face. She looked over to me smiling and headed up the driveway towards the Utley's front door.

"Uh bye Bella" she said unsure but seemed genuinely nice. I smiled in response to her.

Jake came back to the table sitting back on his side. He cupped his large hands over my own on the table top.

"Well that's her Bells." He said. He couldn't help but have the stupid lover boy grin on his face as he thought of her.

"She's beautiful Jake and seems to like you too." I told him in the cheeriest voice I could muster. He seemed to by it. Outside I might have seemed calm but on the inside I was still screaming out in pain.

"I forgot I had invited her over this afternoon Bells, I'm sorry." He had gone back to feeling guilty...Great...

"No worries. I better get out of here anyway Charlie will be wondering where I am. I'll catch you later Jake. Be good." I said awkwardly geting up off the seat.

"Bella you don't have to go."

"Yes Jake I do. Thank Emily for me okay?"

"I will Bells. Be careful."

I smiled at his unchanged protectiveness. I'm glad not everything had changed.

" Bella?" Jake called to me when I was half way to my truck. I turned around to see him standing behind me. He pulled me to him and rested his cheek on my hair.

"I love you Bella remember that." He softly spoke. His voice was gruff like he was struggling to hold back tears.

"I know you do. I love you too." I whispered back. "Now go be with your soul mate. One of us deserves to be happy." I took one more deep breath in before pulling out of the wolf hug. "Goodbye Jake" I walked the rest of the way to my beloved truck and jumped in.

On the way out of La Push i took in the beautiful scenery one last time, i wouldn't be back here for awhile. My life had fallen apart I had lost my family, my soul mate and now my friend best. But I would not cry another tear for him. My days crying over Edward Cullen were over.