A/N: Okay. The first new chapter is up. It jump starts the story. Things will start slow because I need to build this story up. Hope you like. Oh, and I bumped the rating down to T because I figured I can just change it/post a warning when some of the more "mature" themes show up.

Anyway, please review. All thanks go out to those who did (*winks*).


Chapter One: My World is Spinning on it's Axis

(BPOV)

"Bella! Get up, I want you packed and ready to go in an hour!"

Okay, I know I recognize the voice but my mind still feels fuzzy as I border on the edges of sleep. However, even with that being the case, I can still make out two very distinct things about this voice. The first: the tone is firm. Second: the command leaves absolutely no room for any argument whatsoever. Third: I'm too tired to care. However, in spite of all that, it is the incessant tugging and shaking assaulting my lower legs above my blankets that is becoming increasingly annoying to me. It's a Saturday morning, no school - praise god, and all I want to do is to be able to sleep in for most of the day. Is that too much to ask?

"Bella!"

Ouch! Now that sounded alot closer. Way too close.

"Huh?" my early morning greeting comes out muffled as my hands fly to my ears to preserve what's left of my hearing. "What?" I also manage to slip out in a raspy voice while I struggle to open my eyes, resulting from another long and sleepless night. "Dad?" I question while lying flat on my stomach, my arms returning to hug the pillow weighted underneath me, squeezing it tighter to my chest.

"Yes. Get up!"

Right, definitely Charlie. I throw myself face-first back into the warmth emanating from my pillowcase.

"Bella! I'm serious. No more moping around. I need you packed in less than an hour so we can be on the road. I need to get back; I'm expecting Billy by noon to go on that cancelled fishing trip we made plans for last weekend. It's almost ten right now," he glances down at his wrist watch before turning his attention back on me. "And it's going to take us at least a good forty minutes to make it into Port Angeles."

Port Angeles?

That ultimately catches my attention and breaks through the last remaining barriers of sleepiness that are threatening to grab a hold of me once again. Why in the world is Charlie taking a trip into Port Angeles? More importantly, why does he feel the need for me to tag along?

"Dad, no offense, but I kind of had plans for today," I try wheasling my way out of it. "Can I just give you a rain check for another time?"

I slowly sit up in my bed watching Charlie, hands on his sides, as he eyes me with a heavy amount of skepticism. Yeah, I'm not getting out of it that easily, I quickly conclude. The next words coming out of Charlie's mouth prove that my mad skills at being analytically perceptive are right on cue.

"Uh," he stutters out with an unamused laugh, "Right. If those plans consist of another weekend spent lounging around in bed all day - rain check denied!" he rebukes quite strongly without even an ounce of regret.

However, it is at this point that my mind reverts into rewind mode as I quickly recall something else he has mentioned about our little, unplanned, father-daughter getaway.

"Wait. Pack?" my eyes narrow a bit as I question him about that almost forgotten detail. "Um, are you like planning on driving me into the city and dropping me off near the closest homeless shelter?" I try joking in a light manner, hoping that will earn me some leeway.

I just need to convince him that I'm getting better. Which means - my mood needs to reflect it too.

"Yeah, funny," he smirks but it doesn't reach his ears. Unfortunately, I could tell he still wasn't buying my little act. "Listen, Bells, we've been over this tons of times over the last few months," his voice turns somber.

Uh-oh! Here we go again.

I brace myself for what is coming next. Whatever it is - I know I'm not going to like it. Is he driving me back into Port Angeles and forcing me to fly back to Renee in Jacksonville? I can pull the age card on him if I want to, after all, I did turn eighteen this year. Technically, I am of legal age. Then again, this is Charlie's home. He pays the mortgage, not me. By all rights, he has every right to ask me to leave if he wants to. But where else will I go? My little part time job at Newton's is hardly enough for me to invest in managing my own living expenses. Wouldn't that knock out college? My mind races, trying to find the right solution to halt this unexpected development.

"And your mother and I feel that it would be best ..."

"Dad! I'm not going to Florida!" I blurt out, shutting my eyes tightly and shaking my head simultaneously. Charlie has barely gotten the words out but I can't stop myself from balking at what is to come. "I'm sorry but I can't. If I have to move out, get a better job, whatever, fine - but I'm not leaving. I'm staying right here in Forks. We already went over this."

A weary sigh leaves Charlie's lips. "I know we've been over it, Bells, but you also promised there would be changes," he is quick to remind me in a somewhat agitated manner. "And so far," he hesitates before finishing his thought, "I just don't like the changes I've seen."

Yeah and that's probably because there haven't really been any changes, I can't help but think snidely to myself. I guess it was worse than I thought - I knew Charlie was worried and that he wasn't completely buying my act but I didn't suspect that he was seeing straight through me, lies and all. I don't want to change but there's no way to make Charlie understand that. I need this pain; it's the only thing that makes me feel alive - reminds me of what you used to be.

"But dad ... " I begin to protest before he cuts me off this time.

"And you didn't let me finish," he reprimands me. "What I was going to say is that your mother and I feel that it might be beneficial to send you to live with your Aunt Vivian for a little while. That way - you don't have to completely uproot yourself all over again. We've discussed it over the phone a few weeks back as an option and it's the best we could come up with for now."

Okay, I think I felt the shock waves hit me slowly at first. Then, the reality of what he was actually admitting to sunk in.

"What?" I reiterate in utter disbelief. "Aunt Vivian? Dad, are you serious? I barely even know the woman. And, can I remind you that what memories I do have are severely limited to a few scattered visits here and there that we made together to La Push and to the Blacks. Oh, that, and her annoyingly bratty son who demonstrated some serious control issues at the mere age of eight when he grabbed my head and slam-dunked it into a pile of mud pies like he was playing on his very own basketball court."

"Oh, c'mon, Bells - Darren wasn't that bad!" the first hint of a real smile crosses my father's face.

"He was always showing off," I counter.

"He was eight!" my father counters right back with a laugh, trying to remind me of the exact point that I already tried to make.

"And I was only six. He should have been more mature."

"Bells, it was harmless."

"Dad! He would make Jacob cry!" a very small but genuine smile forms on my lips but I can't help it. The memory of a four-year old Jacob Black running to my rescue and to salvage what was left of our handiwork, his wailing protests and all, brings a brief fluttering feeling into my stomach.

"Okay, so I'm not going to win you over with the Darren argument," my father still sounds quite amused by the whole subject. "But the fact remains that your mother's already talked it over with her and Vivan's agreed to let you come and stay with her for the rest of the school year."

I narrow my eyes. "Okay. Since when have Renee and her sister ever been close?"

It's true - from what little I can remember, they had parted their separate ways quite some time ago. Over what exactly, I was never really sure. Different lifestyle choices? I think that's the vague excuse my recollection provides me with. When Renee left Charlie and took me along, I couldn't recall a single time throughout my childhood that my mother ever picked up a phone, bought a plane ticket for a visit, or even bothered mentioning her sister Vivian's name. Like I said, what little memory I have of her is accredited to my summer visits with Charlie. I recall she had been just as acquainted with the Blacks as we had been and we still are, along with another Quileute family from the La Push reservation. The Uleys, maybe? That part of my memory is a little rusty. Anyway, for some reason and despite the estrangement, dad still remains fond of Vivian. He never has a bad word to say against her.

Charlie just shrugs. "I guess things change."

"Forget it!" I protest, finally lifting myself off the bed and heading to my closet to keep myself distracted with making a selection on what to wear today. "There's no way I'm spending all my time in Port Angeles with nothing to do."

"Nothing to do?" my father mocks. "You'll be closer to the city again?!" he attempts to compare it to my childhood spent growing up in Phoenix. "Don't knock it until you've tried it," my father pushes. "Besides," he pauses. "It's not like I'm really giving you a choice."

I spin around to glare at him.

"You need a fresh start," he lifts his hands in defense. "It's senior year - you should be out there living it up a little. Going out with friends, looking forward to those first baby steps of independence when going away to college," he just starts listing these things off the top of his head. "Meeting new guys?!" he treads that last suggestion very lightly. When he realizes he's not getting anywhere with me on that one, he continues. "Alright, well, senior prom then."

I give him a dead serious look. "Dad?! I hate dances."

He knows that.

"Yeah, well, considering how the last one turned out, I can't say that I blame 'ya," he counters, making my memory recall a moment in time that makes my heart squeeze for what I can no longer have in the present.

Eh.

Why did he have to go and bring that up for?

Of course, I realize he's referring to the broken leg and cast incident; however, the injury did offer me a huge reprieve in the dancing department. Besides, the best part of the night had only been Edward's company. If only he had been willing to change me that night then I wouldn't be in this mess right now. And then, without intending to reflect on it, my brief dance with Jacob also flashes into my mind. However, I don't have much time to think on it for too long because Charlie is primed and ready to jump right back in and defend his decision.

"Bells, I'm not kicking you out. Just finish out the school year there - see how things go for a little while."

"Dad, I don't want to switch schools! It's like, almost the middle of the school year now and besides, I already did that last year," I continue to protest, which I pretty much suspect, fell on deaf ears.

"Nobody said anything about having to switch schools, Bells," Charlie retorts. "This is still listed as your main residence just think of it like a little vacation. A chance to take some time and sort things out. Get some of your priorities in order. A change of scenery. Come back and visit me on the weekends. You don't have to take everything with you. Besides," he stammers this next part, almost sounding embarrassed by his next admission, "maybe another woman around the house would be better cut out for all that ... guy drama you've been dealing with lately."

Guy drama?

Okay, I'm really trying to force myself not to think about how Charlie perceives my single status. How simplistic and unrefined of a way to sum up my loss over Edward? No, this had nothing to do with typical guy drama, I mentally argue. Typical guy drama is that egg-head, Mike Newton, without a date on a Friday night. His and Jessica's on-again off-again status is enough to drive anyone mental. Someone please fix him up and please do it fast because I don't know how much longer I can politely brush off his unwanted advances without going completely postal on him. It's not the first time I've seriously considered quitting my after school job over him. Man, if only Charlie had a single clue about anything in that department.

"But who's gonna' cook the meals around here?"

"Bells, I made out fine long before you were here - I'll be fine again."

"Dad?"

"Bella, you're stalling. I still know how to use a microwave" he cracks. "Besides, you can save those exceptional cooking skills of yours for those meals on the weekends," he winks at me.

I groan. "But dad, that's like a forty minute drive to and from school every single day. Do you have any idea how early I'm going to have to get up just to be on time every morning? Seriously, do you?"

"Then I'd set my alarm clock," he nods back at me in a mocking gesture. He makes a move to leave my room but then stops and turns back around. "Let me put it to you this way," he concludes. "Either we're driving into Port Angeles and we're moving you in with your Aunt? Or, we're driving in there to board you on a plane!" he stresses. "And yes," he nods at me, "the ticket's already been bought and paid for. Courtesy of Phil and Renee. Either way, we're making a trip into Port Angeles no later than twenty more minutes. So I'd get to packing."

That was Charlie's final word on the matter.

"I thought I had an hour?"

Charlie stares me down with one of his looks.

"Right," I give in with a fake smile. "Twenty minutes. Packed and ready to go to Aunt Vivian's."

"Right," he nods back, a smug smile in place.

He won this one.

So going to live in Port Angeles might suck but it was definitely a step up from going back to live in Jacksonville. I shifted everything around inside my closet for my bags and begrudgingly got to work with my packing.

(-v-)

I hear voices coming from outside while haling my three heavy bags down the staircase. Charlie is waiting for me out there and I'm pretty sure the other voice is Billy Black. But what was he doing here now - I thought dad said he wasn't expecting him until around noon? After leaving my bags stranded on the floor inside the hallway located just a few feet away from the front door, I wander over to the bay window that is located in our living room and take a quick peek outside.

Yup.

Billy Black. But he wasn't alone. Someone was with him.

Jacob.

My eyes do a double take because he almost looks unrecognizable to me. Because either my distant friend has just undergone a serious growth spurt or he's the newest poster boy for "on steroids." He is now built - and when I say that, it's no exaggeration, I mean he's drastically built with alot more muscle. No one would take him for a boy of sixteen especially when basing his new "look" off of the last time we hung out together. Which, sadly, is quite some time ago. Three or four months maybe? Dad has been going back and forth to Billy's alot, instead of the other way around, which usually is when I get to see Jacob on visits. Much like now, it was still part of the time during those first few months after Edward disappeared and when I was left alone to myself, trying to mend a broken heart that just wouldn't mend.

He is over by the truck - inspecting it.

A fresh wave of cool air hits my face as I step out of the door and under the cloudy sky.

"Hey, hands off, Jake!" I tease from my place on the stairs. "I promise I've been taking real good care of her!" and I struggle with my three bags. One is slung over my right shoulder, the second bag held in my hand, while the third one I'm attempting to drag along behind me. Yes, I'll admit it. I think I went a little overboard. After all, Charlie did tell me that I could still come home for the weekends.

At the sound of my voice - Jacob immediately halts what he's doing and glances over my way.

"Bella!" a huge grin breaks across his face.

Wow, so I take notice that his voice now sounds deeper too. What, did Quileute boys get like a second chance at puberty or something? Granted, a much better chance, I have to conclude. It's weird to think about but Jake is already looking and sounding like a man. And at the pathetic sight of me attempting to manage all of my bags at once, Jacob reacts and rushes over to assist me.

"Here, I got those for you," he immediately reaches out for them.

"Uh, yeah, thanks," I blush, feeling slightly embarrassed as Jacob brushes against my side when reaching behind me to pick up the bag I've been dragging out the front door. With ease, he also grabs a hold of the one I have slung over my shoulder, lifts it off, and then reaches for the last bag I'm still holding in my hand.

My eyes travel down to meet Billy's. "Hey there, Bella," he greets me with a nod of his head.

"Hey," I return with a quick wave.

Jacob walks the bags to the truck - swiftly depositing them inside of the rear of the old red pick-up.

"So, I hear from Charlie here, that you're taking a little break for awhile," Billy inquires.

"Yeah, I guess so," I nervously brush a loose strand of hair back behind my ear.

Billy nods. "Probably for the best."

It's no secret to me that Jake's dad is not fond of the Cullen's. I've known about this fact long before the time Edward even left. The constant hints he has dropped during visitations here, leading all the way up to the time when he paid Jacob to attend my school dance and warn me off. Not to mention, the one time I was found in the woods that fateful night. Afterwards, I came to learn that some of the Quileutes had thrown bonfires in celebration regarding the news of the Cullen departure.

I move to walk down the steps, shoving my hands into my back pockets as I make my way down. I glance back over at Jake as I do. Of course, stupid me, not paying attention to what I should have been paying attention to (okay, so I admit it - I think I was modestly leering at Jake a little longer than necessary) - I miss the crack that's embedded deeply within the cement of the walkway. As I continue on my journey down, I go toppling over face-first when the front end of my shoe catches inside it. My immediate thought: Somebody please just shoot me now. Both Charlie and Jacob immediately rush over to assist me, and before I can protest and insist that I'm fine, they each hoist me back up before I even have the chance to register how exactly it happened. I do feel the new burning sensation running over my palms and after glancing down at them, I decide that I don't know which looks more red: the blood-tinted scrapes covering them or the beet-colored expression I'm sure is covering my face.

I try to forget that I see the blood.

"Whoa there. Sorry about that, Bells," Charlie is quick to apologize on my behalf. "I didn't even see that there when I came out. I'll have to get someone out here to take care of it."

"I'm fine, dad. Really, no problem." I brush down over my clothes to straighten them back out.

A light smirk forms around the corners of Jake's mouth. "Are you sure you're okay?" he asks me.

I glance over at him. He still has a firm hold on my left arm. He loosens it though when he notices the red marks now covering my palms. Then he reaches out and gently takes a hold of one hand.

"Ouch," he remarks.

A warm finger glides over the center of my palm but instead of pain - I feel a jolt of something else; something unfamiliar and unexpected. It makes me feel nervous and unsure so I quickly pull my hand out from his. Goosebumps form on my arms. I try hard not to look down; however, it's a feeble effort because a very clear image of red dances across my vision. A slight queasiness takes over my senses; however, I forcefully will it away. It's just a little bit of blood, I try and reason with myself. I went through worse with James and Victoria last year. I still hate the sight and smell of it so I have to force myself not to reach out and grab a hold of Jake's arm when the dizzy spell hits. Quickly, I jam my eyes closed, take a deep breath, and attempt to distract myself by engaging in some more casual conversation. I open my eyes back up and look directly over at Jacob.

"Yeah, well, I guess it could have been worse," I shrug. "Ya' know?"

It works.

"Hm," he makes a pretense at thinking it over in front of me. "Probably," he finally decides to agree with me.

I use my shoulder to playfully knock against him but I find it's almost an impossible feat to accomplish. He barely budges at all. "Okay, you weren't actually supposed to agree with me there, you know that, right? And, hey, you want the real truth, Jake, I'm mortified, okay?! There!" I laugh it off.

Jacob grins wider, shoving his hands into his pockets. I return his grin with a small smile of my own and the uneasy feeling from seconds ago completely fades into the background. However, my attention is quickly brought back over to Jake's dad who cuts in and offers the repair service to Charlie.

"Some of the boys back on the res are good with that sort of thing. I'll get a group of them together to come out here and get it done for you."

"Thanks, Billy, that would be great," Charlie accepts. He scratches his head, obviously returning to the discussion they were engaging in prior to me walking out here and humiliating myself. "And, hey, I'm really sorry we got our times crossed," he reiterates, probably what he already expressed before I came out here and made a fool of myself once again in my short and boring life as Bella Swan.

Well - boring before Forks. After that, I became even more of a danger magnet than I already was.

"Hey, it's not that big of a deal, old man," Billy teases my father, rolling his chair backwards in the direction of his own car that Jake drove him here in. "Those fish will be running when they see us coming no matter what day it is."

Charlie's cell rings interrupting the playful banter. "Chief Swan?"

Jacob and I wander over toward my truck until we're both leaning back against it. We're standing side-by-side.

"So?" Jake attempts to break into some more conversation. "Long time no see?" He pauses. "What have you been up to anyway?"

"Um, yeah, I know," I nod my head quickly, swallowing over the lump forming in my throat. Why do I suddenly feel this nervous talking to him alone? It's only Jake. "Just been dealing with uh, stuff, you know?" a flash him a quick smile.

"Sure, sure."

He shifts his gaze down towards the ground. Is he feeling nervous too? Okay, this eerie tension-filled moment is just beyond ridiculous; it's got to go. Get a grip, Bella - I try berating myself. After all, the way I'm standing here and acting you'd think I've never talked with a boy before or that Jake and I were on some awkward first date or something along that line. It's just Jake! And I'm Bella. We've spent tons of time alone together in Charlie's house ever since my move back here and more importantly - we're old childhood friends.

"But, hey, look at you!" I announce happily, waving towards his chest. I try to keep my tone light. "Getting yourself all hot and buff just to come out here and see boring ole' me, huh?" I tease him. "I'm flattered." A little innocent banter between old friends should do the trick.

Or not.

Because the moment those words leave my mouth, I swear I see something else flicker behind Jake's eyes. But it's so brief and gone before I have enough time to even reflect on what that something was, that I quickly place it into the overactive imagination category. He gazes down at his chest, which is hidden under a tight fitting, sea-green, colored tee.

"Well, you know," he stresses, deliberately mocking the phrase I happened to have overused excessively in the short span of about five minutes. "All that hard work and lifting at the res gym had to pay off sometime," he flexes his upperarms to demonstrate.

"Gym? La Push has it's own private gym now?" I can't help it; I throw him a look full of skepticism.

He keeps a serious face for a moment. Then he breaks into a laugh, clearly amused.

"Exclusive membership only," he cracks. "No pale-faces allowed," he winks at me, nudges me gently with his arm, and of course, now, it's completely obvious to me that he's just messing around.

This wouldn't be the first time that my extremely white, pasty complexion became the bud of his jokes. But I know he means no real offense by it. So - if it is just a joke and there have been no real work-out sessions, how did he get so - abbed up?! I laugh in response to his joke, though, depsite myself.

"Okay, Jake. Great - I can see you're turning into a real ladies man," I roll my eyes at him.

"Ah, I don't need them all," he brushes it off with a light laugh this time, thrusting his hands back into the pockets of his jeans. "Just one." I can tell he makes sure to place his eyes directly on me to drive the point home.

I break eye contact and avert my gaze to the ground. Clearly, even though he has been passing everything off as a joke so far, I can still detect that he was reading me for my reaction into that last hidden implication. However, this isn't the first time he insinuates something of that nature - the memory of my school dance last spring quickly jumps into my mind for the second or third time this morning. I tighten up because I realize I can't get around it as easily as the last time. Last year at the dance, what Jake had expressed to me was true. He wanted what was already 'taken.' And I was 'taken' in the sense that only Edward mattered - he held my heart and no one else could. Now? Well, I don't know how I should consider myself. Used, broken, and sent in for repairs, maybe? Jake will totally get the car analogy if I ever have to explain it to him. However, I'm saved from worrying about having to go down that road any further because my attention falls back on the end of Charlie's very intense conversation. Jacob's focus also shifts to the same direction and he, too, catches the last few words out of my father's mouth.

"I'll be there. Ten minutes. Bye." Charlie is now looking extremely pale and worried.

"Dad, what's wrong?"

"Bells, I'm real sorry to do this, but do you think you can make that drive out to Port Angeles by yourself?" he asks me. "This one's pretty bad."

Ah - work. Of course.

"What happened?" Jake inquires beside me.

Charlie looks between Billy, Jake, and then over to me. He sighs. "Well, you know all those random hikers that have been found dead?"

We all nod. "Yeah," I confirm.

He sighs wearily. "They found an entire family this morning. Campers - a couple and their three children."

I involuntarily flinch when he reveals that information.

"Another animal attack?" Jake's brows crease together. "Aren't they getting closer and closer to Forks?"

"It looks that way, son," Charlie sighs.

It doesn't go completely unnoticed by me that Billy remains completely stoic regarding the news. His eyes meet with mine and lock briefly but I quickly look back towards my father.

"And I got to get going," Charlie sighs again and I can just feel the tension in the air. "Where they found the bodies, it falls right on the borderline of Forks. My jurisdiction - so you know the drill. They need me to get down there."

I go completely rigid when I recall the real cause of the last so-called animal attacks in the Forks area - vampires. Could there be more? Has Victoria finally returned to seek revenge against Edward over the death of James? A slight feeling of nausea creeps into my stomach as I contemplate the likelihood and the extent of my culpability in the deaths of these poor innocent people. After all, had it not been for James tracking me, which in turn lead to his demise - Victoria would never even have had a reason to return.

I close my eyes briefly and release a deep breath.

"Bells?!"

My eyes fly back open and then I quickly realize my father is awaiting my reassurance. "Yeah, dad, it's fine - I can make it there on my own."

Charlie originally planned to follow me to Port Angeles in his Cruiser. "I can write you up a set of directions. Just to be safe - so you don't get lost out there."

It's probably the wrong time to feel relief but it washes over me regardless. I wasn't looking forward to finding myself standing smack dab in the middle of an awkward reunion while being reacquainted with a distant Aunt, and quite possibly, having to endure my father rehash everything about Edward and my entire time in Forks while they're standing right there with me. Granted, I'm sure she was already made aware of the situation but I would still like to ward off any possible embarrassing confrontations for as long as humanly possible. Plus, I could really use the car ride to be alone and to think in peace without Charlie hovering close by - even if it was from the distance in a different car.

"Actually, Chief Swan, I don't mind taking a ride with her," Jake volunteers from out of nowhere. "I'll make sure she gets there safe."

Or maybe not.

Jacob takes me completely off guard.

"I mean," Jake quickly jumps back in, "if it's alright with Bella."

He looks to me.

Damn. I wasn't getting out of this one as easily as I thought. He just waits patiently for my response.

"Jake, you can't. There's no way for you to get back," I refute, applying simple logic. I don't want to be rude by rebuking Jacob's offer but I know I'm really not in the best mood for extended amounts of time with company right now.

"Not a problem," Jake counters with more than enough confidence for the both of us. "Whenever we get to where ever you're going, I can just call one of the guys. One of them will come and get me, they don't care."

However, before I could respectfully decline any further, Charlie jumps in and beats me to the punch. "Actually, Jake, if you could do that - that would be great," he offers in place of me. He catches the look I throw at him.

Thanks, dad.

"Don't look at me like that, Bells," he defends his position. "I just feel better right now knowing that you're not driving those back roads alone without someone else with you. Especially, in light of this death toll picking up."

Well, maybe he had a point but still. I wasn't happy about the arrangement and I wanted to make sure he knew it.

"I don't need a babysitter."

"What is that death toll up to now, Charlie?" Billy suddenly pipes in from out of the blue. However, from out of my periphial vision, I catch him watching me closely before turning away.

"Eleven."

I realize that total is quite staggering. When I take a glance at Jacob, he appears a little dejected-looking compared to moments before and I can't help but notice how he is trying to avoid my stare. A heavy pang of guilt slices through me like a knife because my intention was never to hurt his feelings. However, it appeared as if that was exactly what I had accomplished doing. My wanting to be alone wasn't personal, I just wasn't up to the task of having to act like 'Miss Susie Sunshine.' Or being saddled with any job that involved entertaining friends in a way where I had to act like everything was great and normal with my life. But another look towards Jake and I'm right back to feeling guilty. After all, he is only offering to do what any decent friend would do.

Good job, Bella.

"Fine," I decide to relent for Jake's benefit, as well as Charlie's. "If it makes you happy, Jacob can ride with me there."

"Yes, absolutely, it would make me feel better," Charlie nods.

Then I remember something else. Jacob drove his father here. "But what about Billy?" I suddenly pop out with.

"Oh, don't you worry a thing about this old-timer, Bella," Billy Black cracks. "You just go on and get going to wherever it is you need to be getting off to. I'll find another way back. Jake, here, can just pick up my truck later on after he gets back," he nods to Jacob. "Right, son?"

"I'll take care of it," Jacob agrees.

"Good," Billy accepts.

"I can drop Billy back off at home before I meet up with the rangers," Charlie volunteers. "La Push isn't too far out of my way."

"Alrighty, then. It's settled." Billy wheels himself over towards the Cruiser. "You two kids better get going," he calls over his shoulder. "Bella, don't be a stranger, now," he addresses me one final time.

"Bye," I throw back, an uneasy smile in place.

As Charlie assists Billy in getting ready to leave, I turn and make my way over to the other side of the truck as Jacob enters on the passenger's side. After securing myself inside and buckling my seat belt, I start the ignition and double pump the clutch just like Jake taught me. I look over at Jacob who is in the middle of securing his own seat belt. He doesn't look at me. A few seconds later, Charlie knocks against the window and I roll it down.

"Here, just in case," he hands me a small piece of paper with writing on it. I notice it's the directions he promised me. "Bye, now. Drive safely."

"Bye, dad."

He waves as I roll my window back up. I can tell by the dark clouds hovering above us in the sky that another rainstorm is definitely brewing on the horizon. After backing out of the driveway, I turn and head down the road that will take me to my new destination. I take another glance over in Jake's direction, who refuses to look back. Neither of us utter a single word to the other as I continue down the long highway. A few seconds later, my windshield is splattering with water rivulets.

Yep.

I think it's safe to assume that more rain is definitely in the forecast. Not that that is unusual or anything - at least not for Forks.

I flip the switch and the windshield wipers squeak to life.


A/N: Don't worry, peeps. Jake and Bells will eventually move past the awkward tension, lol. Anyway, drop those reviews if you can. I love to hear what you think about everything so far.

This is my first Twilight fic, hehe.