Chapter 4: Wait For Me

Jacob POV

A crush.

Who the hell am I kidding?

Bella is more than a crush.

I'm in love with the girl.

Maybe at first it was just a crush, but as each day passed by, it became more than just that.

We have been working on the motorcycles for about a month now. Honestly, I've thought about purposely taking forever on fixing them just so that Bella won't stop visiting me, but I never pulled through with it. I knew how wrong it was. I didn't want to lie to her. Never. She's been through so much already and I don't want to add on to it by lying.

She has been looking better already. Her face no longer had the dull shade it used to have. She didn't look like the living dead anymore. Her cheeks regained their color and she now looks just as beautiful as she once had the first time I met her.

I'm happy that she's happy. I love the way she smiles, the way her eyebrows furrow when she's frustrated, the way she bites her lips when she's nervous, and the way she blushes. Most especially, I love that I'm the one who was able to bring all those characteristics back into her.

God, when I saw Sam put her into Charlie's arms the day she was found, I wanted to do nothing but hunt down that asshole and tear him limb from limb. She looked lifeless. Hopeless. No one ever deserves to be treated that way, to be thrown away like a piece of trash. I can see how insecure he's made Bella. Whenever I compliment her about anything, she always has to go and defend about how it's not true.

I've never been one to believe in my tribe's legends, but I guess this may just be an exception. Edward is a leech. He sucked the life out of Bella. He's a murderer.

I see the way Bella wraps her hand around her stomach whenever something reminds her of them, of him. I'm sure she doesn't know, but it kills me so much. It kills me to know how much damage was inflicted on her and I'm scared, scared that I may never be able to put her back together.

I want her to someday be able to love me the way I love her. I want her to love me more than she had ever loved the leech. She has to see how good we are together. She and I are as natural as breathing. There's no effort, no trouble, we just are.

I know that it's going to take time. A lot of time, and a lot of patience. But like I said, in the end, it will all be worth it. Bella is so worth it.

I can see how her feelings for me are changing. Every day, she never forgets to tell me how lucky she is to have a best friend like me. Best friend? Yeah, right. I can see everything in her eyes. I know she loves me too, maybe not as much as I love her, but it's enough. She's still hung up over him, I get that but I need her to learn how to let others in, how to let me in.

The way she acts around me proves a lot too. I sense how her breaths come in nothing but quick pants whenever I close the distance between us. I've honestly heard her heart skip a beat one time. No joke. Sometimes, I'd even find her staring at me with such an intense expression. She may not know it, but I know that she's slowly falling in love with me too.

"Hey Jake?" she asked with a coarse tone.

"Yeah Bells?" I replied as I brought my head out from under the hood of the Rabbit.

"I think I'm going crazy," she stated bluntly. I looked at her and realized that she had tears in her eyes. Worried, I wiped the grease off of my hands and sat next to her.

"Are you okay?" I asked softly before crushing her into my chest. She broke out into loud sobs. I felt my heart tear in two for her. How I wish that I can just take it all away.

"Remember when we tried out the bikes?" she asked. How could I forget? I was scared out of my damn mind!

"Yeah, you hit yourself on a rock," I answered, not understanding how it had to do with anything.

"When I was on the bike, I heard him. I don't know how, but I just did. He told me how stupid and reckless I was for even attempting to ride the bike. He told me to stop, but I just couldn't. His voice was just so alluring and I wanted to keep hearing it. I never wanted him to go a-away," she cried into my chest.

"Oh Bella," I whispered softly with a cracked voice. It pained me to see how messed up she's become and how much she still loves the asshole.

"Then yesterday, my dad forced me to go out with Angela. I went shopping with her but then I saw this group of guys that reminded me of a time when I was nearly raped," she continued. I was going to ask about what the hell she was talking about but she held a hand to stop me.

"I realized that if it was reckless things that would help me hear his voice again, then I would do it. I got on a motorcycle with one of the guys there. I heard him again. I was so elated and happy. I didn't see how idiotic it was for me to do that until Angela gave me an hour lesson of how I shouldn't just unexpectedly do things like that," she finished her story.

I stood up from my spot next to her and clenched my fists. I closed my eyes as I tried to control my anger. What the fuck? I wanted to punch a wall. "What the fuck were you thinking Bella? You don't – you never do that! He could have raped you. Oh god, I wouldn't have been able to forgive myself if that ever happened. That was so stupid!" I shouted at her. The moment the words came out from my mouth, I instantly regretted it.

A fresh new batch of tears escaped her eyes. "You're right. I'm so stupid Jake! I don't even understand myself. Why do I keep doing things like those when all they do is hurt me? Please help me Jake! Don't, don't give up on me," she pleaded to me, her eyes puffy and red.

My resolve was breaking down again. Though I regretted the way I shouted at her, I knew that she deserved what I had told her. How dare she endanger her life like that? Does she not understand how much Charlie needs her? How much I need her?

I sighed and brought her into my arms. "I'm so sorry for shouting at you Bells. I'm just so mad that you would ever consider doing such a thing, let alone actually do it. You have to promise me that you'll never do anything like that ever again," I told her.

"I promise," she agreed, nodding against my chest. I let out a sigh of relief and began stroking her hair, while I hummed a lullaby.

"Fixing the motorcycles is not the only reason why I've bothered to be with you every day for the past month. I want you to become whole again too Bella. You have no idea how much it hurts to see you like this. It hurts so much," I whispered sadly against her. Way too fucking much.

She wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me tightly against her. "I'm so sorry Jake. I've been so selfish. I don't deserve you. I've done nothing but take advantage of your friendship and I've never given as to anything back," she sobbed into my shoulder.

"Bella, the way you've changed is more than enough. Look at you, you're smiling, blushing, and laughing. You're no longer that shell of a person that you once were. You still love him, I get it. But please Bells, I need you to move on. Just try," I begged as I cradled her face in between my hands.

Small tears trailed down her face and I used my thumb to brush them away. "I-I'll t-try," she stuttered. I smiled softly and kissed her forehead. Her eyes fluttered at the contact.

"That's more than I could ask for," I whispered.

"I just don't understand why you bother with me," she said softly, "I'm not worth it."

It's now or never.

I sighed and looked directly into her eyes. "I don't know what he may have said to make you think so low of yourself, but never doubt that you are worth it. You are so worth it, Bella Swan. You may not reciprocate the feelings, but I love you. I'm in love with you. I'll be here. I'll wait forever for you to be ready again. I'll never leave," I vowed, pouring my heart and soul to her.

She gasped slightly and gazed back into my eyes, as if searching for any faults. "You can't love me. No one can. He never did," she whispered. God, I'm going to kill that motherfucker.

"But I do. Can't you see it? I'm helplessly in love with you. It may have been a crush at first, but it's proven to be more. I know that you can feel it. Please don't fight it," I begged her, holding onto her hands for dear life. Please don't push me away.

"I don't know if I – " she cut herself off and looked me over. For the first time, I saw something flash through her eyes. Hope? "I'm not worth it but even if you're persistent enough, it's going to take a lot of waiting," she finally sniffled. My eyes widened as I realized what she has just said. Did she just practically ask me to wait for her? I searched her eyes to see if she truly meant it. She did.

"I'm here forever. I'll wait," I promised her before taking her into a huge hug.

She cupped my face and closed her eyes. "It may not be love yet Jake, but I can honestly tell you that I'm falling more and more with every day. I can no longer bear to come here every day and lie to your face about how you're only my best friend. I know that I'm only lying to myself. I have no right to ask you for this, but I'm going to need you to wait for me. I need to know that you'll always be there. Here. I don't want you to just be another him," she said with a soft voice, as she caressed my cheek with her thumb.

"Always," I declared. Her eyes lit up with tears, but this time they were happy tears.

"Thank you," she whispered, burying herself into my chest. I wrapped my arms around her body and pulled her closer to me. I rubbed her back in comfort and just held her there.

"You'll never regret giving me this chance," I promised again. Never.

"I know I won't," I could feel her smile against my skin. I couldn't help but smile myself.

Our moment just had to be ruined by none other than my idiotic friend. Wait. Quil? Where the hell is Embry?

Sensing Quil's presence, Bella pulled away from me. She gave me a small smile before scrambling back onto the worn out couch. "What do you want fucker?" I asked as soon as he stepped into the garage. I heard Bella giggle and my heart soared. I love her freaking giggle. You've officially turned into a sap Jacob Black.

"Well, I see that I'm not wanted here," Quil said sarcastically as he rolled his eyes.

"Obviously," I pointed out, this time with a grin. He flipped me off before focusing his attention on Bella. Asshole.

"Hey Bella," he greeted.

"How are you Quil?" she asked with a small consolation smile.

"Great actually, except the fact that Embry's no longer mine or Jake's friend," he stated bluntly, but I could hear and sense the pain and anger that lingered in his voice.

"Don't tell me…." I trailed off as I clenched my fists.

"Yeah, he's gone off to Sam's little groupie," he managed to get out through gritted teeth.

"Sam? Wasn't he the one who saved me?" Bella asked from her spot.

"Don't remind me," I groaned. "As much as I hate his guts, I do owe him for your life."

"What's so wrong about him?" Bella asked again.

"It's one hell of a long story. You sure you want to hear it?" Quil told her. She nodded her head furiously.

"I've got time," she grinned. Quil sat on the floor while I took a seat next to Bella.

"Well, there was a time when Jared and Paul hated Sam's guts as much as we do," I started

"You sure?" she asked with her eyebrows scrunched. "They seem like they could pass for brothers," she contradicted.

"You've heard of the time when Sam disappeared, right?" Quil asked. She nodded. "Well, after he came back, that's when he started acting like he fucking own the Rez. Same thing happened to Jared and Paul. They both disappeared for weeks and no one knew where the hell they went, but the second they came back, they just started following Sam like it's what they were always meant to do," he continued.

"And it's so weird, because they were starting to hover over Embry, and look where Embry's at now. He's with them. They also look at me, like they're expecting me to join them soon and it's... it's just fucking ridiculous," I added.

"So you hate them because they think they're all that?" Bella asked, biting her lip.

"Pretty much," Quil shrugged.

I looked at her with disbelief when she started laughing, clutching her stomach as if it hurt with laughter.

"Oh my god," she breathed out as she wiped a small laughter tear off of her eye.

"How is that funny?" I sneered.

"Yeah...?" Quil agreed.

"I don't know. It just reminded me of myself a bit," she answered, "there's these two girls, Jessica and Lauren, and just like the gang, they act like they own the school. It's fucking ridiculous," she stated, repeating what I had said.

Both mine and Quil's jaws dropped and we looked at her in shock.

"Bella Swan does not cuss," I mused. But boy, did she sound sexy.

"When the hell did this happen?" Quil asked.

"Guess you haven't heard what I've done yet either?" she asked, a tiny glint formed on her eyes.

"What exactly did you do?" I asked slowly.

"I punched Lauren in the face and broke her nose and then I practically told the principal to 'screw herself' in front of the whole school," she replied, smiling with pride. Fuck, I would pay anything to see that.

"Holy shit! I didn't take you for someone so violent," Quil teased.

"And did I tell you that I threatened nearly every student in the school? Yeah, well, I think it's safe to say that none of them will ever try to bother me again," she beamed.

"You are so hard core"

YAY! :DDDDD

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