Author's note: Hi folks! Thank you for everyone who reviewed my story! You're awesome! Here is the next installment of 'Another', hope you enjoy it. And do you know what to do when you like it? Review!

And special thanks to my betas at PTB, since English isn't my first language, this story wouldn't have come alive without their support. Thanks, guys.

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It seemed that the rest of my date was a waste of time. Jacob and his wolf friends sat on the opposite side of the fire from me and hadn't looked into our direction the whole night, which bothered me greatly. I told myself that the reason for my irritation was that they were, especially Jacob was, acting out of character, and I couldn't tell what happened to them. But a little voice inside of my head was constantly whispering to me that he was just not as into you as you had thought. Ok, no big deal. This is a good thing, Bella, I tried to persuade myself. So, why was I so frustrated? For a split second it crossed my mind that Jacob was just putting on a cool guy show, but then I turned down the idea. Jacob would never think of that. Sure, he was smart, and he definitely saw the big picture, but he wasn't good at tactical romancing. He was always straightforward about his feelings, plus he had acquired an awful temper since being a werewolf. Self-control and nonchalance just weren't his thing.

I wasn't really paying attention to what Martin was saying to me, just so I wouldn't agree to anything stupid while I nodded and smiled, because that was pretty much all of my contribution to the conversation. Martin was fine with that. But suddenly, one of his sentences caught my attention, because it was mirroring my exact thoughts.

"So, what's up with this Jacob guy?"

"What do you mean?" I asked confused. I bet he wasn't referring to the weirdness around him that I noticed.

"I asked your friend's opinion about asking you out. Jessica said that she thinks you're dating this tall, tough, Quileute boy from the reservation. Well, check, check, check." he counted the hits on his fingers. "Am I right?"

"Yes. No. Sort of," I stammered. "Yes, that's him, but no, we're not dating."

"Oh. That's good. I mean he won't come and punch me when I'll try to kiss you, right?"

That turned my head towards Martin. Either I was very good at pretending I was having the time of my life, or he was overly confident, for thinking that this date was going into that direction. But again, why not? That was part of my plan anyway. A few hours ago I definitely would have answered, "Hell yeah, he will," to his previous question, but given these circumstances, I just said,

"No, he won't."

He seemed relieved. He must be really scared about the possibility that Jake would beat the crap out of him, and I was not surprised. Martin was a well built male, but Jacob had a radiating aura of power. Even without knowing he was a werewolf, people felt the need to keep a good distance, especially at a chance of melee. That, combined with his cheery nature, made for a unique combination.

That was all the encouragement Martin needed. He leaned forward to kiss me on the lips, and it took all of my willpower not to flinch. I had it all figured out. I knew that me kissing another guy would be a milestone in my scheme, and I wanted to do it right. I was convinced that it was certainly a big enough decision for Alice to see it. I also know that she would tell that to Edward no matter what, so I wanted it to look real. But I didn't want to look too eager and happy, because that would probably mean to Edward that he had no chance at all. And that was not my intention. I just wanted to anger him, wanted him to see what could happen if he wouldn't come back. So I had to balance a fine line between enjoyable and dissatisfying. Sometimes I thought that I was a whiz, but most of the time I was convinced that seeing logic in that twisted train of thought was a sure sign of insanity. Like I cared. I prepared myself for the onslaught of emotions. I awaited a rush of the double treat: imagining Edward pissed, like he was there by my side, and envisioning him as Alice told him the details of my date. I also expected a rush of guilt by kissing another boy besides my love, but none of those came.

Right before Martin placed his lips on mine, my almost kiss with Jacob came into my mind. How strange, that none of the previous thoughts crossed my brain before of that, I wondered. So maybe my thinking about him was the cause, but when Martin actually kissed me, I felt that I was cheating on Jacob instead of Edward. Bella, return to reason already. This is your chance, I was telling myself.The kiss was going on way too long as I tried to convince myself to focus on Edward, and not my best friend, as he had nothing to do with that. But when Martin dared to try to open my mouth with his tongue, I broke away in disgust. I tried to control my face, I even managed to force out a little smile, so he would think that was only because that was my limit for the first date. That worked, he smiled back and put his arms around me.

I let him, than turned back to stare at the fire. And that was when I met Jacob's eyes.

I would have spotted him eventually, even if I wasn't purposefully looking for him, because he was the one thing that stood completely still in my sight. The fire danced in front of my eyes, everybody rocked to the rhythm they were chanting or clapping, but he just stood there, frozen mid-movement, like only a predator like he could. He watched me with eyes that broke my heart. I saw betrayal, hurt and disbelief in them. I didn't need werewolf telepathy to know what he was thinking at that moment. How could you do this to me?

I opened my eyes to say something to his unformulated question, but no words came out. I was just gawping there like a fish, when I saw something changing in him. He now eyed Martin, who wasn't aware of that. First I thought that my eyes tricked me, but after I blinked a couple of times a saw clearly, that he was shaking uncontrollably, and I know it has nothing to do with the cold weather. I involuntarily grabbed Martin's arm, which was a bad move, considering he just trembled more as a result. Please don't, I begged him with my eyes. The only thing I could call a success was that he turned and left the camp, but unfortunately, he was headed at the direction where I saw a couple of lovebirds disappear just minutes ago.

Since none of his fellow pack members seemed to notice his vanishing, I jumped up and ran after him myself, without giving any kind of explanation on my behavior to my date. I had no time to waste. If he would let himself go, and would phase right before those people he might hurt them, not to mention he would blow his cover. I couldn't let that happening. I wasn't sure what to do to stop, or calm down a raged beast, but I had to do something.

He disappeared behind a huge rock, and just seconds after that, I saw the two lovers flee from there. I wasn't sure that was a good thing or not. They didn't seem hurt, but they could saw something they shouldn't have.

"Geez, that guy is crazy." I heard the girl complaining as they passed by me. I was relieved a little, that meant they just saw a very angry human.

I slowed down my steps when I reached the boulder. I didn't know what to expect. If I found wolf boy there, I would have to retreat. If I found Jacob there, I had to talk to him. I wasn't sure which option seemed more frightening.

I peeked at the edge of the rock. Jacob was in his human form, panting heavily, with his forehead pressed against the cold wall. He tried to calm himself down, but I saw that his hands were clenched into fists. From the fact that they were covered in blood, and there had been serious amount of splinters in the floor, I assumed he took out his rage on the boulder. I couldn't help myself, I jumped at him instinctively when I saw that a fragment of stone wounded his side.

"Don't come near me!" he growled without turning his head to me.

"But you're hurt," I protested, but stopped.

"I am," he groaned, and I know he wasn't referring to physical injuries. "I might hurt you, so get back."

I hesitated a step away from him. I wanted to look if he was ok, but didn't want to anger him more.

"Move!" he shouted at me, and I jumped back a few steps, partly from fear, but mainly out of shock. I never saw him so outraged.

We stood there like that for a while. After a few minutes later I heard his breathing becoming steady. He took a deep breath, shakily blew it out, then turned, so now he was leaning to the wall with his back. I flinched when he quickly pulled out the splinter from his wound on his left abdomen and threw that into the ocean.

"I can't do this anymore," he said silently, more to himself then me, as he was still looking away from me.

"What?" I asked dumbly.

"I cannot be your friend anymore."

"Please don't say this," I prayed to him, while taking a few steps towards him. This time he didn't stop me.

"I thought I could handle this. They told me the only way to stay near to you is to act as your friend."

So I was right after all. That really was a show. The boys convinced him to behave, and act as he was cool with me dating. Even Paul. Well, I never would have thought they were the masterminds.

"You're my friend," I assured him.

"I guess I'm not a good one then."

When I tried to protest, he turned to face me, and silenced me by putting his index finger on my lips. His sudden touch worked its way. I couldn't speak. I wasn't sure it was because of his silent order, or simply because he touched me. He withdrew his hand, but not without caressing my lips gently with his finger as he did so.

He smiled a sad little smile, as I bit my lips after losing contact with his hand.

"I know I promised I would never leave you. But actually, I thought I wouldn't have to, because you would be mine eventually. I would have fought for you against… him. Because I would never let you become a vampire." He stopped for a second to pull a stray stand of hair out of my face leaving his hand on my cheek afterwards. "But if after all that, you choose to be with someone like him." He motioned towards Martin with his head. "I ought to accept that you don't feel that way towards me and move on. A good friend would do that," he paused a little, looking into my eyes, and I saw the defeat there. "But I can't. I can't watch you near to him, touching him… kissing him."

I saw the anger return to his features as he remembered what he saw back at the bonfire.

"When I saw you there I almost… I couldn't control myself. I can't risk that."

"Jacob," I started. " I never wanted to hurt you, but -"

"I know," he cut me off. "This is my problem, not yours. I won't bother you with this anymore."

"What does that mean?" I noticed a slight hint of panic in my voice.

"I think it's better, if we don't meet for a while," he said folding his arms before him, protectively.

"A while?" I asked, and I could feel the tears rolling down on my cheek.

He nodded, not looking at me.

As in, ever, I translated that to myself.

I couldn't say anything. I just cried and shook my head. I wanted nothing more than to shout "Don't leave me, I need you" at him, but how could I ask him not to break up with me? After knowing how much I had hurt him. After knowing, that I had used him for so long. It would be so selfish to ask him to be by my side. After all, I understood him. I should see that coming.

So I nodded weakly, trying to contain my sobs. I deserved that.

I was kind of surprised when he stepped to me and pulled me into his arms, but I was glad to obey. If that was the last time I could feel him that close to me, I had to seize the opportunity. I held him as tight as I could, with my arms wrapped around his waist. His head rested on my shoulder, and I could feel his hot breath on my collarbone. We stood there for God knows how long when he tilted his head a little and his lips touched my skin on my shoulder. It was just a feather light kiss, but it sent shivers throughout my body. I kind of expected for him to continue, but he just whispered into my skin.

"Goodbye Bella. I love you."

I tried to pull him even closer, but he tore himself out of my arm and disappeared into the night.

I felt onto my knees and cried.

***

Author's note, again: I know, I know, lots of misery. But I promise to bring you other excitements in the next chapter. Stay tuned!