"Sorry we're late," Jacob grinned, his teeth glowing against his face. I blushed a deep red; it felt like all the blood on my upper body flowed to my face. The balloons were already drooping, and the presents were opened; paper and ribbon sat in a pile next to the couch. "We brought you this." I said, shyly gesturing towards a small paper gift bag. "Oh thank you!" She wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled the gift out quickly. In her hand was a thin, shiny chain with a multi-colored crystal at the end of it. It glinted rainbows across the room so brightly that everyone's attention in the room turned towards it with curiosity. "It's so…I'm so…I don't know what to say." She gushed, "Oh, Bella put it on me, please! I fastened it around her neck, the charm settled comfortably into the hollow of her reddish-tinted throat. "I love it so much! It must have cost a fortune!" I shook my head, "It was just something I had lying around the house, actually." Or something someone gave me that I wanted to forget about, I added mentally.
"Oh thank you, thank you!" She grasped me in a tight bear hug and when she pulled away she was grinning ear to ear. Jacob wound his arms around my waist and set his lips against my ear; I trembled. "Where did that come from?" he asked me, eyeing it as if he recognized it. I just shook my head and unwound from his hold. "Just a little, insignificant bauble I was going to throw out." He glared at it as if 'insignificant' wouldn't have been a word he'd use to describe it. "So let's get this party started!" exclaimed Jacob, throwing a hand in the air and waving it to imaginary music. He dropped it when he saw everyone staring at him as if he were slow. "Actually Jake, Bella, the party is over. Everyone had just been talking about leaving." It was Sam that spoke. "I would like to give my fiancée a private birthday gift if everyone doesn't mind." He grinned down at Emily and her cheeks turned darker.
Jacob scowled and turned his torso to face the door. "That's alright, I understand," he glanced at me, "happy birthday, Em." She smiled at us and turned her gaze to Sam's. "Yeah, Emily, happy 21st," I mumbled. "See you." When we were on the car ride home, he kept his arm around my shoulders, "Do you have any other plans you wish to fulfill?" He glanced at me, insinuating something else entirely, but I said, "I want to visit Charlie." Instead of arguing like I expected, he smiled. "Yeah! I haven't seen your old man in a while. We should go see him." I smiled and leaned my head against his chest. Jacob was perfect for me. He was sweet, passionate, protective, but there was also the slightest hint of dangerous; he always had me on edge for some reason I couldn't put my finger on. I loved it, I loved him.
When we pulled into Charlie's driveway, there was Charlie's cruiser and a bright red Jeep. "That's Sue's" Jacob informed me, apparently seeing my puzzled expression, "It's new." I nodded. Obviously, I thought. I knocked on the wooden door; it felt odd to knock now. It had only been half a year since I've lived here. "Bella!" Charlie threw open the door and held his arms wide open. Sue was over his right shoulder, grinning. I ran into his chest; I had forgotten how much I really missed him. He patted my hair, "What brings you here, kiddo?" I shrugged, "I miss you, Dad." He grunted off-handedly but only I could understand the emotion behind it. He was touched, and had missed me more than I had missed him, I was sure. We sat at Charlie's and talked for what only seemed an hour or so, but when I looked out the window, it was getting dark. "Oh, Dad, I didn't mean to keep you from your plans or anything." As I said this I glanced at Sue, she just shook her head and smiled softly. "You are always welcome, Bella." She said, and from the way she said it, I truly believed it.
Suddenly Jacob's head jerked back and he growled. I kicked his foot. "What is the matter with you?" I whispered harshly, "that was very un-human." He shook his head jerkily; it looked like he was trying to get a bad memory out of his head. His features contorted with rage, then depression, then with more anger, and then finally he deflated. "I've got to go!" he announced a little too loudly. "I stood up and murmured goodbyes to Charlie and Sue. "When we were outside I grabbed his arm and made him stop. "What is with you" I asked. His expression was something between wretched heartache and pure hatred. "Bella," He murmured. I pressed my finger against his lips and traced them softly. "Shh, now, Jacob, tell me what is wrong? Why are you acting like this? Whatever has hurt you I promise to make it better." The heartache expression seemed to dominate the angry one now. "No, Bella, I know what your choice will be, and I understand it isn't your fault but it still hurts and I would appreciate it if you would leave me alone for a little while until I recover." I stared at him, stupidly, then I pressed myself to his chest.
"Jacob Andrew Black; I am in love with you! I will love you forever! Nothing, absolutely nothing, will ever change that fact!" I had planned to say more but his expression cut me off. He sighed darkly. He pushed me out of his arms. I could feel the expression of rejection and hurt on my face. He stroked my cheek and I leaned my face into his palm. "I can think of one." He muttered. He hesitantly pulled my chin to make me look up at him. "Oh, Isabella…." He sighed and pulled my lips to his in an urgent, passionate kiss. I couldn't help thinking it would be our last one. He pulled away, wincing. "I'll see you, Bella." He turned and headed right into the forest, leaving me the Rabbit to drive. I sat down on the pavement and began to sob. The hole in my chest opened up again so suddenly, but this wasn't just the same hole, it was that hole plus a new, smaller one just below the old one. it stung.
"Bella?" I gasped and looked up. The voice was barely a whisper in the wind, but I heard it. It was the voice from my dreams and my memories…oh my favorite memories. The ones I locked away to remain out of sight. The drawer exploded, leaving me vulnerable…and whole. I stared at the beautiful, pale, smooth, perfect, angelic figure across the street.
My breath caught in my throat, I was too stunned to keep crying.
Edward Cullen was back in Forks.
