Disclaimer: Twilight and it's characters belong to Stephenie Meyer. This story is for entertainment only. Done? Okay. On with the story.

We ended up at the beach, walking together silently. Eventually we stopped at our tree. A huge piece of driftwood, bleached white and deep in the sand.

Jake took a seat, waiting for me to join him. When I did, he said, "So knowing you, you have questions."

I nodded.

Jacob sighed. "What do you want to know?"

"Tell me a bit more about imprinting. What it it, exactly?"

"It's so hard to describe," Jacob complained. "It's not exactly love at first sight. It's more like, gravity moves. When you see her, suddenly it's not the earth holding you here anymore. She does. And nothing matters more than her. You would do anything for her, to be with her..."

I listened, trying to absorb the type of emotion Jacob had for me. There was no doubt that I cared for him, but to get so much in return seemed too unbalanced.

"Jake," I said carefully. "You know I love you. But...I'm not in love with you."

He nodded, like he had expected my answer. "I know, Bells, and we can try to be just friends, but you have to know that I'll be fighting for you. Always."

"Is being friends not enough?" I argued weakly.

Jacob's eyes were intense as he gazed at me. A conflicting mix of emotion flickered in their depths. It was the way a werewolf looked at his imprint.

"No."

He was leaning close to me now. Close enough that it was impossible for me to not to notice his muscular form, and unexpectedly, I felt a flutter in my stomach.

Jacob looked...sexy.

I quickly shoved that thought aside, feeling blood rush to my cheeks.

I turned away so he couldn't see. "L-let's talk about something else," I stuttered, desperate for a distraction.

"Quil imprinted," Jacob offered, complying with my request.

"What?" I gasped, thrown off. "On who?"

"It's a bit out of the ordinary. Don't freak okay?" He took a deep breath. "Quil's never been to Emily's place yet and-"

"Quil imprinted on Emily too?" I guessed.

"No! Emily had had her two nieces down for a visit and...Quil met Claire."

"Emily doesn't want her niece with a werewolf? That's a little hypocritical." I frowned.

"It's not like that. It's just, well, a bit early."

"What do you mean early?"

Jacob assessed my expression. "Claire is two."

Rain started to fall as I stared at him, dumbstruck.

"You're making judgements," Jacob accused. "I can see it on your face."

"Sorry," I muttered. "But it sounds a little creepy." I was starting to dislike this whole imprinting situation. Why couldn't it be more like Sam and Emily? Where both people were happy in the arrangement?

"It's not like that. Quil doesn't see it that way. He'll be the best, kindest big brother that kid will ever have. When she's older, and needs a friend, he'll be more understanding and trustworthy than anyone she's ever known. Once she's grown up, they'll be as happy as Sam and Emily."

"What about us?" I asked tentatively.

"It should have gone that way as well. We were meant to be together. This would have been your natural path, but something pulled you aside." Jacob's eyebrows furrowed as he said this. His expression was dark, and I had no doubt who he was referring to as that something.

"He's like a drug for you, Bella," Jake murmured. "I can see what he does to you."

I gave him a sharp look. " I love him, Jake," I stated, watching him flinch.

His bitter mask was in place as he replied, "Just tell me one thing. How much more time do you have before he bites you?"

Now it was my turn to flinch. I was reminded of my dream.

"Edward said that he could do it after graduation but-"

I stopped. Jacob's entire frame was shaking, and I watched him try to contain his fury, taking slow measured breaths until it was only his hands that were trembling.

I realized that he never expected me to be serious about the transformation.

"Graduation," he said flatly.

"I'm not sure."

His eyes flew to my face. "What do you mean."

I hesitated, looking down, before whispering, " I was having some doubts."

"Don't you see, Bella?" Jacob said. "It's a sign. He's not right for you. You would have to change to be with him, but if you chose me, you wouldn't need to. You could grow up, be with your family. Renée, Charlie..."

"Okay. I get it," I said, stopping him. His words were thinning my resolve, and I was scared that if he continued, he could convince me to give up becoming a vampire.

I stood up. "Maybe I should go now," I muttered unwillingly. I was not eager to face Edward.

Jacob seemed surprised by my conclusion. "No, stay," he begged. " I barely get to see you anymore. I'll just be Jacob." He gave me a half-smile that seemed forced. "We can go visit Emily or ride the bikes. Whatever you want," he promised.

I couldn't fight with him. "Okay," I agreed.

It was almost dusk when we left Emily's place. The whole pack had been there, and they had been happy to see me. No hint of resentment or suspicion other than a few lighthearted jokes about the "vampire girl", though they stopped immediately when Jacob gave them a threatening glower.

Emily had greeted us by scolding Jake, saying that it was about time he told me about the imprint, before offering me some freshly baked scones.

I was relaxed as Jake and I rode our bikes to his place and into his garage.

"You know, I never apologized for that stupid move with the bike," Jacob brought up. "I'm really sorry."

He looked at me hopefully, his wind-blown, tangled black hair sticking in all directions around his pleading face.

I rolled my eyes. "Oh fine! You're forgiven." There had been no way for me to refuse him. He looked like an adorable puppy.

I glanced at the clock and sighed. "I should leave," I said, grimacing. "Alice will be worrying about me."

"You could stay here for tonight," Jake offered, playing with a jumble of wires. He looked up before I could hide the beginnings of a blush.

His russet skin started to gain the undertones of red as he realized the reason for my blush. "Geez, Bells. You know what I meant," he complained.

My face felt hot, and I struggled to maintain a neutral tone. "Yeah, sorry. Thanks for the offer, but I do need to go."

I got up, and promptly proceeded to trip over my own feet.

Jake was next to me in an instant, catching me before I fell. Carefully, he pulled my upright, cradling me to his chest, waiting for me to retain my sense of equilibrium.

His body warmth felt good.

Before I knew it, he had stepped away, folding his hands behind his back. "See you, Bella honey."

"Drag me over sometime soon, okay?" I said. Then I grinned. "You can kidnap me anytime."

Jacob smiled back at me, a cheerful, sunny grin before leaning towards me and planted a scorching kiss to my temple. "Count on it."

It was pouring as I drove my motorcycle to the Cullen's. I was thoroughly soaked as I walked the bike into the cavernous garage, a sharp contrast to Jake's homey one.

Alice was waiting for me, perched lightly on the hood of a Porsche. Sighing, she stroked the glossy yellow paint. "He bribed me with this you know? To watch over you." She sighed again. "I haven't even gotten a chance to drive it."

"Sorry," I spit through chattering teeth.

"You look like you could use a warm shower," Alice commented, springing up.

"Yep."

"Do you want to talk about it?" she asked. She knew my answer without me having to say it, and nodded in assent. Her eyes however, were raging with curiosity.

I went to bed early that night, curling up on the sofa.

It was still dark when I woke up, aware of a cold presence.

"Sorry," Edward murmured, so softly that it was part of the darkness.

I tensed, feeling a certain level of discomfort. I hadn't let him explain the secrets he had kept from me, and it left barrier between us.

He sensed my body going rigid. "We can talk in the morning," he said in his honeyed, silky voice.

"'Kay," I breathed, falling once more into unconsciousness.

Edward was sitting at the foot of my bed when I woke.

"Do you want to talk now?" he asked.

I sat up, still groggy from sleep. I was in no mood to interrogate him so early. Then again, Edward wouldn't know that. He didn't need any sleep.

I sighed. "I need some human time."

He nodded, seeming to understand before slipping away. I let out a breath I hadn't even realized I was holding in, and rolled out of the couch to head to the bathroom.

Once I was decent, I padded around the house, looking for Edward.

He appeared beside me before I had to look long, and took my hand in his.

Together, we walked back to his room, and he led me to the bed.

Slowly, he moved towards me so that his nose was touching my forehead, and inhaled deeply. "So," he started, his sweet breath caressing my face. "I know you're upset with me."

I pulled away from him so that he couldn't distract me. "I still don't know why you didn't tell me."

He understood what I was getting at.

"I couldn't lose you," he murmured in his velvety voice.

I felt irritated. "I know that but..." I paused, trying to find the right words. "Do you really not trust me to stay with you?"

"You care about that dog too, and I did leave you once before. I felt that if you knew about his claim to you, you would choose him over me."

"So you don't trust me."

He sighed. "You're human, Bella. Things can still change for you." He tilted his head, before a small smirk pulled at his lips. "But you'll become one of us soon. We'll have eternity together."

I shuddered at the thought. "Edward," I said hesitantly. "I was thinking that maybe we could not do it so soon? One year, or two...it doesn't matter that much. I could go to college..."

I trailed off. Edward was upset. I could tell from the look in his eyes.

"Don't be mad," I whispered. "I just need some more time, to think."

"Are you...trying to back out?" Edward asked, the pain etched clearly on his beautiful face. "Or are you going to choose that mutt?"

I watched his face carefully, watching as it slowly shifted to jealousy.

"I'm not choosing anyone, really," I murmured. "I feel like my feelings are jumbled up, and honestly, I'm still mad at you, Edward." His name burned a spot on my tongue. "I thought you trusted me. I thought you respected me, despite me being a helpless, weak human. I know you know I hate being babysat. I can make my own choices. Stop trying to protect me!"

I stopped myself before my rant could spiral out of control, and unexpectedly, I thought about Charlie's complaint about me pushing away others for Edward.

Ever since I was young, I had always thought of myself as independent, but at that moment, I could see how completely Edward dominated my life. He was the center of my universe, and I didn't like that.

"Maybe we should try to get some distance from each other," I suggested slowly, trying out the words on my tongue. "I need some space to think properly."

His face was completely closed off, but he nodded, and I got up from the bed.

Grabbing my stuff, I walked out the room without a backwards glance.

Seriously. Does anyone even understand what's going on? I do because I'm the writer, but you? Ha! Good luck.

Bonus question: How often do you guys want updates?