Author's Note: Just to give some background about this story; the inspiration from it came from Jacob's fate in Breaking Dawn. Although I do quite like Edward (you're allowed to be Team Edward and Team Jacob, right?) and I had little preference over who Bella ultimately ended up with, I still felt very badly for poor Jacob. I was not satisfied with Renesme or how Jacob imprinted on her; thus, I was not a fan of how his story ended in Breaking Dawn. And while I love Edward and Bella together, I felt that Jacob deserved someone other than his former love's daughter.
Also, I always thought that there were 'two versions' of Bella throughout the books. Happy, joking, carefree Bella, and then somber, introverted Bella. I am choosing to write her character as more of the carefree version, simply because I always found her more like-able when she was in a good mood.
Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyers owns the Twilight Universe and everyone in it. I own Claire, Blake, Angie, and the puppy. Here's chapter three, enjoy!
Chapter 3: Bella's Boys
When Bella had finished her story- and she had been right, it was a long story, with much hand-wringing and hair-twisting and held-back-tears- I sat back and gave a low whistle.
"Wow, Bells. You weren't kidding about the 'drama' part."
She sniffled and hugged a pillow against her chest. "You're telling me."
"So... let me just make sure I understand everything. Edward left you because his dad had to take a job in L.A., and he didn't want to put you through the strain of a long-distance relationship so he decided to end it?" She nodded, but bit down hard on her lower lip again and avoided my eyes. "So while he was gone, you became really good friends with this other guy, Jacob?" Another nod. "And he... kind of developed feelings beyond friendship, and you didn't?"
She gave a heavy sigh. "I... I loved Jacob. I still do, but it's just not... not the way..." she trailed off, tears coming to her eyes again.
"Just not the way he wants you to?" I supplied gently. She nodded again. "Okay, and... and now Edward's back, and he never stopped loving you and he regretted deciding to end your relationship?" Nod. "And now that he's back, he and Jacob hate each other and each wants you to not hang out with the other, right?" Nod. "Well, can't they just... get over it? I mean, I get the whole jealous boyfriend thing, but... if Edward really loves you, shouldn't he trust you enough to hang out with your old friend without there being any funny business?" Now she was really avoiding my eyes, but I pressed on. "And if Jacob cares about your feelings, too, then wouldn't he want you to be happy?"
"It's... a little more complicated then that..." she murmured vaguely, drawing her legs into the chair and resting her chin on her knees.
So maybe there was something I was missing? There did seem to be something more to the story, but I got the feeling that she wasn't comfortable with telling me everything.
"Jacob... he and the the guys down in La Push are kind of... well, they're sort of like a... gang, I guess." My eyes widened. Timid, innocent Bella had been running with gangs? That didn't sound like her at all.
She must have noticed my expression, because she quickly added, "Not like a gang, gang, they're all really nice, but... I guess you could say that Edward doesn't feel like I'm safe with them."
"Oh."
Once again I got the feeling that there was something she wasn't telling me, but I tried to brush it off. "Well... you said you practically spent the summer there, right? So if you were safe then, you'd be safe now!" I snapped my fingers triumphantly, impressed by my own logic.
An annoyed look crossed her face. "Try telling that to Edward," she muttered darkly, her tone implying that she had probably told him that very same thing.
Now it was my turn to chew on my lip. "Well... what if I went with you, since he doesn't want to go near the place? Blake and I could... er, chaperone." I wrinkled my nose at that word. It sounded so adult and responsible- so not me.
Her mood seemed to improve ever so slightly. "Maybe... I don't know. Maybe Edward would feel better about me going if I had other friends along."
"Yeah sure. Totally." I nodded, trying to seem enthusiastic. I couldn't help but feel a stab of dislike for Bella's boyfriend, though; he seemed just a tad bit too controlling for my taste. But he deserved the benefit of the doubt, I supposed. Bella certainly seemed to value his opinion.
"I'll mention the idea to him tonight," she said thoughtfully.
I tried not to feel hurt. Hadn't she said that she had cleared her whole day for me? My expression must have betrayed what I was thinking about, because Bella quickly added, "I'm not going to see him today, he just... we just... ah..." she was turning an alarming shade of red. "Edward kind of... sneaks into... er, my room. At night."
It took me a moment to realize the implications, and then I let out an emphatic, "Awww! Bells, that's so sweet! Does your dad know?"
"He... he sneaks in through the window..." Her entire face and neck was now vivid crimson.
"Awww!" Now that revelation made me like this guy a little more. To have a boyfriend willing to sneak in through the window, who didn't want to spend even one night away from you... it was hard to think badly of a guy like that.
"Don't tell Charlie, though. He'd freak if he knew."
I snorted. "Bella, I think any dad would freak if he knew. But don't worry, your secret's safe with me."
"Thanks." We sat in silence for a short while, and I took several sips of the hot chocolate that Bella had made me several minutes ago. It was good, creamy and rich, and I inhaled the steam rising from it greedily.
"Great hot cocoa, Bells."
"Thanks." She straightened in her seat and became suddenly business-like. "So, enough of me moping. What do you want to do this afternoon?"
"I wouldn't call it moping, exactly. I mean, your love life life is probably the most interesting thing going on in this little town," I said wryly. Bella ducked her head down, and I saw try to hide a wide smile. I continued, "And all i planned to do today was get unpacked and hang out with you."
"Well, why not do both together?" she suggested. "We could head over to Peninsula and check out your dorm."
"We could," I agreed slowly, "Except that Blake has all my stuff. I still don't have a car, y'know, so I packed everything in his truck."
She shrugged. "We could at least go and look at the place. Maybe Blake could meet us there later, and we could help you unpack."
"I guess so." I suddenly shot her a suspicious glance. "Hey, this isn't just a ploy to meet Blake, is it?"
Her mouth twisted into its lopsided smirk. "Maybe."
I rolled my eyes but stood, and she followed suit. "Very sneaky, Bells."
"I try."
At that moment, a gentle knock at the door sounded.
Bella frowned and walked towards it. "Strange... I wasn't expecting anybody but you today..." She reached the door, opened it, and...
Wow. Just... just wow.
I didn't know what to be more floored by; the guy standing at the door, or the way Bella lit up when she say him. It was literally like someone had reached inside of her and flipped on a light bulb. One of those extra wattage, super bright ones that you can't look directly at. Her whole face transformed into the biggest smile I had ever seen. Her eyes sparkled, and her face flushed rosy as she breathed out, "Edward."
I found myself grinning like an idiot, watching her reaction. I mean, I loved Blake and all, but I definitely didn't look anything like that when I saw him. She was beyond smitten.
She wrapped the tall figure in front of her in what looked like a bone-crushingly tight hug- although he certainly didn't seem to mind- and I turned my attention to the mysterious Edward.
Again. Wow.
He was tall. And super, super pale. Like, night of the living dead pale. But this didn't necessarily detract from his appearance; rather, the sheer whiteness of his skin seemed to make the bronze shine of his hair and the liquid gold of his eyes all the more apparent. Yes, that's right- this guy's eyes were gold. They looked like melted pools of amber.
I blushed and turned away, embarrassed that I was checking out my best friend's boyfriend. I had a boyfriend of my own, I reminded myself sternly, and I could check him out all I wanted later.
The faintest chuckle made me glance awkwardly back to the embracing couple. Edward kissed Bella on the forward- I thought awww and blushed again- and turned his eyes towards me as she drew back.
"Claire, this is Edward," she was still glowing, and seemed slightly breathless. Aww, he had literally left her breathless. I had to bite back a smile.
"I gathered," I grinned at the supermodel before me and gave a little wave. "Hi, Edward. I'm Claire, Bella's old friend from Phoenix. Er, but you probably know that already."
He gave me an easy smile and nodded. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Claire. Bella has been looking forward to your visit." Dang, the guy had a voice like velvet. No wonder Bella was so smitten with him.
"Edward, what are you doing here? I thought you were going to be spending the day with your family." Bella still had that adoring look in her eyes. I actually felt uncomfortable, standing there and intruding on what felt like a romantic rendezvous- or at least, it seemed that way due to how they were gazing at each other.
"I was. Our plans were... interrupted." There was a serious note to his voice, and his strange eyes fixed on me. "Claire, I apologize for my rudeness, but would you allow me to speak privately with Bella for a moment?" He actually sounded sorry- pained, even- so I nodded and, after glancing around and trying to come up with some way of making myself scarce, headed for the bathroom.
I took my sweet time so as to give them privacy, staying in the small room for several minutes. When I emerged- clearing my throat to make sure they knew I was coming- I found Bella standing alone in the kitchen. Edward was gone.
"Everything okay?"
She startled, as if she had been deep in thought and had forgotten I was there. "Wh-what? Oh. Yes." She composed herself and suddenly looked apologetic. "I'm sorry about that, Claire, he didn't mean to interrupt us-"
"It's okay," I said before she could keep apologizing. Honestly, it was her house- her boyfriend could drop by to say hi if he wanted to. "Really. Is everything okay, though? You looked upset..."
She still did- she was chewing on a strand of hair, just like she used to do when she was worried about something.
She caught herself, pulling the hair away and clearing her throat. "Yeah. Yes. Edward just..." she hesitated a moment. "He had planned to go hunting with his brothers today, but they were... pulled away." She seemed to be choosing her words carefully. Strange. "He just wanted to tell me that he'd be going on Saturday, instead. Actually, he suggested that maybe you and I could make plans for that day. He liked you." She added the last part with a faint smile.
"Really? He barely even met me." She just shrugged, still smiling. "Well... this Saturday, huh? Wait..." I felt a frown crease my face.
"What?"
"Uh... I've been in a truck for most of the past day, Bells. I thought today was Saturday."
She laughed. "I guess the drive up must have been disorienting. It's Thursday. This is the last weekend before school starts."
"Right, right," I nodded, then brightened. "Okay, then. Saturday it is! I'm sure there's some fun things to do in this little town right? Hey, maybe we could head down to La Pup-"
"Push," she corrected, snickering.
"Same thing. But maybe we could hang out with your friend Jake." I tried to smile invitingly. He sounded like a nice enough guy, and Bella had seemed so sad that she couldn't see him anymore...
"Er... I don't think so," she said quickly. At my questioningly glance she explained, albeit very haltingly, "Edward told me... well, earlier today... there's this border, see..." she gave an exasperated sigh. "It's complicated," she said apologetically. I just shrugged, not really sure what she was apologizing for. "One of Edward's brothers kind of... got in a fight with one of the La Push guys earlier today. I think it was just a misunderstanding, but... maybe it wouldn't be a good idea to go near the border any time soon," she finished lamely, once again biting her lip.
"Okay..." I said slowly, still feeling like there was more to the story. Maybe there was bad blood between the towns, and she didn't want me to feel nervous on my first day in town. After a moment I shrugged and said, "Well, that's fine. I'm sure we can find something else to do on Saturday."
She nodded. "Yeah. Definitely. Maybe a movie or something."
At that moment my cell phone buzzed, and after giving Bella an apologetic glance I answered it.
"Hello?"
"Hey, sweet thing," Blake's voice sounded from the speaker. "I finished unpacking- you and Bella want to head over to The Pen, and we'll check out the campus?"
"Hang on." I pulled the phone away from my ear and looked at Bella. "Do you still feel like seeing my dorm?" She nodded, and I pulled the phone back to my mouth. "Yeah, sounds like a plan."
"Great! Have her give you a ride to campus- I'll meet you in the parking lot in twenty minutes."
"Alright, see you soon." I snapped the phone shut and turned to see Bella holding her car keys in one hand and yanking on her shoes with the other. She fell over, of course, and with a chuckle I knelt down to help her.
Author's Note: And there's the third chapter, I hope you enjoyed it! Please leave a review, and in the next chapter we'll see: Claire's dorm, some more of Blake, and the beginnings of someone's plan to get Bella down to La Push.
