We walked up the steps to the Cullen's house, hand in hand. They were used to this by now, as I they knew that Jake and I were only friends. Plus, my mother had been exactly the same with him.
I stepped into the house first, just to get dragged violently through the rest of the way by my extremely angry mother.
"You're late!" she shouted. I nodded, trying to keep my cool, and trying not to think about Jake and I down at the clearing.
"Sorry," I mumbled. Mum tutted and walked away from me, her head in her hands. "I can explain Mum…" I began.
"You don't need to!" she said, turning to face me. There was anger in her eyes. "I already know everything…"
"Bella…" Edward pleaded from the sofa. Mum, shot a glance at him. Dad stopped in his tracks.
"Dad?" I asked, turning to him, confused. "Dad, what's going on?" He didn't answer.
"Alice?" She glanced up at me briefly but didn't answer.
"Jasper?"
"Emmett?"
"Rosalie?"
"Carlisle?"
"Esme?" I turned to face each one in turn but no one listened. I had no choice but to face Mum again.
"We know what happened Renesmee," she said. She looked at Jake, who was standing silently by the door. "You should keep your thoughts under control too." Jake flinched and looked at Dad. Then I understood everything.
Dad had obviously been reading Jake's mind when we were kissing.
"Your dad was reading your boyfriend's mind when it happened." Mum carried on, in a cold tone.
"Mum, Jake's not my boyfriend. We're just…"
"Don't tell me that you're 'just friends'!" She shouted, I took a step back, surprised at how she was taking this. "'Friends' don't kiss each other like that!" She spat at the word kiss. I flinched, and stumbled into Jake's arms. He set me right but didn't wrap his arms around me for comfort.
"Mum…" I tried again, "I thought you'd be cool about this. You knew all along, I thought…" Mum interrupted me again.
"Well you thought wrong didn't you?" she snarled. I wanted to cry. Out of all the people, I thought she would've been the one who would've understood. I ran from the room up to my bedroom. Throwing open my door, I lay face down on the bed. Then I heard someone coming up the stairs.
"Nessie?" They said.
"Go away," I cried from under the pillow.
"Nessie listen," It was Dad, "I'm really sorry I landed you in it kiddo." He sat down next to me and made soothing rubbing patterns on my back.
"It's OK Dad," I managed to say, removing my face from under the pillow. Dad smiled at me.
"I know Jake can't help it," he said.
"Help what?" I asked. Dad looked down at me.
"You didn't know?" he asked.
"Knew what?!" I was getting more and more confused by the second.
"Darling," Dad began, "I think there's something you should understand."
--
I was silent after Dad had finished talking. I was too shocked to say anything. Downstairs I could hear everyone talking but I couldn't hear Jake's heart. He had gone... I had become so attuned to him, and only him that, when he was gone, it was like part of me was gone too. And now I knew why.
"That's why he's always been here," Dad had explained, "That's why he always looked after you and cared for you. There wasn't any other way." I still didn't say anything. Dad nudged me, just to check I was awake.
"You OK Nessie?" He asked, sounding worried.
"Yeah..." I managed to whisper, "Just shocked, that's all." Dad nodded and stood up.
"I'm going downstairs now. You can come with me if you want." He held out his hand for me to take. Standing up and brushing myself off I took his hand and we made our way downstairs.
Everyone was downstairs. Esme, Carlisle and Jasper were watching the news on TV. Emmett and Rosalie were sitting in an armchair, Rosalie on Emmett's lap, deep in conversation. Alice and Mum were sitting at opposite ends of the sofa. Dad and I filled the gap between them, me by Alice, Dad by Mum.
"Where's Jake?" I asked to anyone.
"He went home." Mum said bluntly.
"Oh..." I said, "W-why'd he go?" Mum sighed and turned to face me.
"Renesmee..." She began, "You can't be near him. He's dangerous. He's a werewolf. Don't you understand that I want the best for my daughter?" I was so angry I had to stop myself from throwing a three year old tantrum. I took a few deep breaths.
"Mum..." I said, through gritted teeth, "I can handle it. Besides, Jake would never hurt me."
"Nessie... You're seven..."
"Technically in 16." I intervened.
"What ever..." My mum said, scowling, "The thing is. I don't want you near him. Ever again. Do you understand?" I didn't answer at first. My mum was asking me the hardest question in the world, and I had to answer it. I had to choose between my mother's feelings and... Jake. Jake, the man I was supposed to be with, my lover and my best friend.
"Yes Mum." I finally said.
--
Five miles away I heard a wolf let out a long howl of pain.