Chapter 2 – He Found Out
The next few days were both good and bad. They were good because Alice was there, because Jake and I were closer than ever, and Charlie's mood had brightened a little having Alice around. But bad because Alice and Jacob couldn't stand each other so I would have to pick which one I wanted to spend time with. Although Jake was busy tracking Victoria with the rest of the pack, he always found time to come and visit me.
I woke up one morning and I heard angry, yet quiet voices coming from the kitchen. I got up and snuck down the stairs.
"Why couldn't you have just stayed away?" I heard a deep, husky voice ask which definitely belonged to Jacob. I felt my stomach flip as I realized he was here.
"Well I was going to come and check up on her sooner or later, but as I couldn't see her future anymore, I panicked and came here as fast as I could." replied a tinkling, wind-chime like voice which had to be Alice. They were having the same fight they always had.
"She was finally starting to get better, and you turn up!" he growled and something banged. He had probably banged his fist on the table, and I hoped he hadn't dented it. By now I had crept all the way to the door to the kitchen and I had my ear pressed up against it trying to listen.
"Hang on a minute." Alice said and I heard something move. All of a sudden Alice pulled the door open and I almost fell onto the kitchen floor, but managed to catch myself on the bench.
"Good morning Bella!" she exclaimed in a bright voice. I scowled at her and walked further into the kitchen.
"Good morning Alice" I grumbled and then turned to Jacob, "Hey Jake." I said brightly, and I was surprised to find myself smiling.
"Morning Bella." He said returning my smile. The dark bags under his eyes told me he hadn't slept last night. I put my hand on my hips and asked disapprovingly,
"Jacob Ephraim Black, did you get any sleep last night?"
"Nope.", he replied, yawning, "I had double shift last night on patrol."
"Jake!" I moaned, sighing heavily, "If you don't get any sleep because you're trying to protect me, well, how will you protect me if you're dead on your feet?"
He just rolled his eyes and then turned on Alice.
"Oh, yeah we need to know how long you're staying and if anyone else is coming back." He grumbled to Alice, his nose wrinkled. I wondered why he stayed here even though it caused him physical pain to actually smell her, let alone talk to her.
"What do you mean by we?" she asked, throwing him a questioning look.
"I mean the pack and I." he said through gritted teeth
Well I think I might be leaving soon." She answered politely. I felt my face screw up in disappointment. She turned to me and said, "I need to go out and run a few errands, I'll be back soon." She pecked me on the cheek and flitted out of the room. I heard the front door shut and the purr of the Mercedes not long after.
I went over and grabbed Jake's hand and dragged him up to my room. "Stay here while I have a quick shower." I told him and ran into the bathroom. After a quick shower, I went back into my room dressed in my favourite clothes; jeans and a purple, long-sleeved cotton top. Jake was still sitting on my bed, exactly where I had left him.
"Do you know where Charlie is?" I asked as I sat down next to him.
"He left to go visit Sue just before you woke up." He answered, "He said he would probably be there all day, and that he is sorry he keeps going there and leaving you but Sue needs all the support she can get."
"Oh. Are you busy today?" I wondered.
"Yeah, I have to help Sam with our plan for next time that redhead comes back." He answered and wrapped one arm around me. I shuffled closer to him and breathed in deeply. He smelt just like he normally did; a musky forest smell.
"When was she last here?" I asked, not sure if I wanted the answer.
"Well she was actually here the day Harry had a heart attack, so we're not sure why she came back because she didn't go anywhere near you." He answered thoughtfully. There was a crease between his eyebrows and I wondered what was bothering him. "We don't even know where she has gone, because she ran into the sea before we could get to her."
"Oh well, I guess you'll get her next time." I said sadly. I hated it that the pack risked their lives to, not only protect their families, but also to keep Victoria away from me. I grabbed Jake's hand and led him outside. It was surprisingly sunny, and the warmth felt good on my skin.
I led him to a bench Charlie had bought to put in the back garden. We sat down together under the scarcely seen sun.
"Mmmmm, this is nice." Jake murmured, "But I had better get going." He got up sighing. I quickly got up and walked with him towards the forest right near my house. "I'll see you soon." He promised as he bent down and kissed me gently on the lips. I shivered in delight and locked my arms tightly around his neck. He chuckled. "Bella, I gotta get going." He said, pulling my arms from around his neck and pinning them to my sides.
"Okay, okay," I said, "See you later then." I stretched up to kiss him again and then he stepped back and ran into the forest. I sighed and walked back to the house. I noticed that Alice was back as I walked in the back door. She was waiting for me in the lounge room.
"Hey Bella," she said brightly, "I was thinking… I had better get going." I felt the smile disappear from my face.
"Why?" I asked in an alarmed voice.
"Well, Jasper is missing me and I need to get back to my family." She said evasively. I knew there was something she wasn't telling me.
"Oh no!" I gasped as I realized what she wasn't telling me, "Edward found out, didn't he? Oh no! How will he react?"
"Hopefully better than you." Alice mumbled. "I guess I'll see you later." She stepped forward and hugged me.
"Okay. Say hello to everyone for me." I said kissing her on the cheek. She stepped out of the hug and walked out the front door. I followed her onto the veranda and wave as she got into her car. The Mercedes pulled out of the driveway and went speeding down the street. "Bye Alice." I whispered and went back inside.