*** I do not own any of the characters. I write this as a creative outlet only.
Chapter 1
(BPOV)
The water was freezing. It was something I hadn't taken into consideration before stepping off the cliffs edge. The wild current was another thing I had not thought of. I was being thrown around as if I weighed absolutely nothing. I thought about trying to swim to surface, but I had no idea which way was up.
Thinking back to why I did this I really had to question my sanity. I was swirling in a vortex of doom, possibly living the last few moments of my pitiful life, all because I wanted to hear the voice of my ex-love who abandoned me all those months ago. I couldn't even tell if it was worth it or not, I was too lost and to scared. The current knocked me against a rock and I lost all the air I had been holding in my lungs. The last thing my eyes registered before I blacked out was an odd red swirl that had joined the water.
I was in complete blackness, and I was completely numb. I couldn't breathe and I couldn't see. I tried to reach out for help, but then I found I couldn't move either. I wanted to scream out for him to help me but I couldn't find my voice. I also didn't actually know who he was. Who did I want to find me? Did I want the one with the perfect voice whose name I cannot bear to think, or the one who I knew wouldn't leave me alone? Did I even want to be found?
I began to feel warmth around me, and I was regaining feeling. I found myself fighting against whatever was taking away that numb feeling, because it was being replaced with pain. But then I heard him.
"Come on Bells breathe!" I had never heard him so panicked before. I knew what the warmth was now, but it made me feel ashamed. How could I do this to him?
I could feel pressure on my chest, followed by light pressure on my mouth. He was working to save my life, but I couldn't help but think that maybe he, and everyone else, would just be better off without me. Maybe I should just die here and make it easier on everyone else. But the voice in my ear kept begging me to breathe, to open my eyes, to live, for him. It was those last two words that got me. For him. How could I deny him that, after all he had done for me these past months?
I fought against the darkness that was weighing down on me, and against the pain that was dragging me down further. I felt myself being pulled to the surface and finally I felt myself cough and the water was dislodged from my lungs. After a couple more wet coughs, I opened my eyes.
"Oh Bella, thanks GOD!" Jacob said and buried his face in my neck. "I thought I was going to lose you! What were you thinking jumping alone? Especially in this weather!"
Looking out at the water I could see he was right. The waves were massive, how had I not noticed that? "I'm sorry." I managed to whisper, wincing at my raspy voice. He raised his head and looked deep into my eyes, as if staring at my soul. He nodded his head the stood up, lifted me up and carried me bridal style down the beach.
"We almost caught the redheaded leech." Jacob said conversationally as he jogged down the beach as if my weight didn't hinder him at all. "But then she ran into the water. Maybe it was a good thing, because I rushed right here since you spend so much time on the beach… if I hadn't got here when I did…. I don't know if I would have been able to pull you out in time. Or even find you for that matter…" He looked down at me and then away quickly, trying to hide the emotion in his eyes.
When arrived at his house and he set me down on the coach disappearing into his room and coming back with a pair of sweatpants and a cotton t-shirt. "These are from before I started my growth spurt. They'll be a bit big on you but they're dry. I'll um, turn around while you change."
While Jacob dutifully faced the wall I fumbled my way into his clothes. They were a bit baggy, but so much more comfortable then my wet jeans. I sat on the couch and told he could turn around, my voice still rasping slightly from the effects of the sea water. I couldn't help but shiver slightly, still feeling the frigid waves around me. It wasn't a comfortable feeling.
Noticing my shivers Jacob sat down beside me and pulled me into his arms. I was instantly warmed and I couldn't help but feel safe. It was impossible to feel otherwise around Jacob.
I lay my head on his shoulder and thought about how amazing my best friend was. What had I done to deserve someone as amazing as he was? Despite my crazy levels and how broken I was, he still spent most of his free time with me, trying to fix what someone else had broken. I was beginning to believe that if anyone had the least bit of chance of bringing me out of my dark emotional prison, it was Jacob Black. But how fair was I being? I was broken, and I had severe doubts that I would even be fully healed. Jacob was too good for that. Even if I could bring myself to try a relationship with him, to take that risk, I would never be the girlfriend he deserves. Too much of my heart was lost, off pining after a creature that would never think twice about me again.
After a while Jacob suggested he bring me home. I had left my truck in his driveway, so he hopped in the driver's seat and set off down the familiar road to Forks.
I lay my head on his shoulder as he drove, and thought about what an amazing person he was. How he took care of his father, how he took care of me, and how he now took care of his tribe, never expecting anything back in return. He was good through and through. I knew he would eventually tire of me and move on. I couldn't help but wonder what lucky girl would catch his eye. But as I thought about it, an odd pain formed at my chest. The whole that had been left by… by him throbbed. Why was it hurting now? It never hurt when Jacob was around…
We arrived at my house and instead of immediately getting out Jacob threw his arms around me and pulled me into a tight hug. "I'm so happy you're alive. I don't think I could have gone on without you." He whispered into my hair.
In that moment I couldn't help but be sad. "You would have been fine, probably better without me." Jacob froze and then pulled away slightly and there was shock in his eyes.
He started to say something but I pulled away and opened the door before he could. I was about to get out of the truck when he reached out and slammed in close. Looking back at him there was panic in his eyes. With one word he told me why. "Vampire."