Chapter 4:
Sunday passed rather quietly, none of the boys came to visit me and James and I were ignoring each other. I don't know if he was still pissed at me, realised what I said yesterday was the truth or was just afraid I'd yell at him again but he hadn't spoken a word.
I hadn't either, but that's cause I knew I'd end up yelling at him, either for letting Victoria get away or for chaining me up. I was never going to let that go. Ever.
I was very bored towards the end of the day, so, knowing Bella was going to come home sometime I called Alice.
"Hey what's up Alex?" she answered
"Nothing much, I'm just really bored."
"And you called me?" Alice asked
"I thought 'who better to entertain me then Alice,'." I said
"I don't know whether to be flattered…"
"Of course you should be," I answered
"Yeah, yeah." she answered "So, did you stay home yesterday night?" she asked
"Of course." I lied
"I don't believe you." she answered
"What? Why?" I asked
"Cause you don't seem like the type who'd sit on the side lines." she answered. I didn't have anything to answer to that so there was silence for a minute.
"In my defence," I began "I was all willing to stay home." I admitted
"But…" she sensed
"But then my brother decided he couldn't trust me and handcuffed me to my bed!" I said annoyed, I heard a small snarl
"After that I couldn't give him the satisfaction of listening so I escaped and went out." I confessed
"Glad to hear you're okay." she said
"I didn't worry you did I?" I wondered
"I was a bit to preoccupied." she confessed
"Good."
"So, what did those mongrels tell you?" she wondered
"That Emmett stepped over the line and they decided that was more important then Victoria." I said angrily "I shouted at them all for being to stupid and allowing her to get away."
"You did?" she asked
"Come on, of all the vampires to care about they decided the non-dangerous ones were the ones they wanted to turn their attention too." I said "I told them that if they didn't put their anger towards you aside she'd get away and look what happened. The fact that I warned them annoys me even more." I confessed "I was all but impressed and I haven't spoken to them since."
"Any of them?"
"None of them." I nodded
"Which would explain why I'm the one you called."
"I had to talk to someone sensible." I admitted
"And you picked me?" Alice asked in disbelief. I couldn't help but laugh.
"Good point. I would have called Bells but I don't know where she is currently."
"She'll land in a minute, be home in about an hour or so." Alice informed
"Huh, awesome. She coming to school tomorrow?"
"Yes." Alice answered
"Good, I'll ask her about her trip then then." I decided
"Should let her get in the door." Alice agreed, I smiled
"I'm not that bad." I said
"I know…" but she hesitated
"Thanks." I muttered
"Sorry." I could basically hear her smirking. "Anyway, I'll hang up because you still need some sleep." I turned to the clock, it wasn't actually late but I guessed she was busy
"Alright, thanks." I answered.
"See you tomorrow."
"See you later." I nodded before the line went dead.
The annoying beep of my alarm woke me up the next morning. Though I got up later now because I didn't need to drop James off, it was still to early to be awake.
It took me longer then usual to get out of bed before I did my morning routine to get ready for school.
I didn't see James so our two sided silent treatment was still intact as I walked out of the house and to my car.
I drove to school, sat in the cue of people getting to their parking spots before parking my own car and cutting off the engine.
After grabbing my bag and opening my door, I stopped. It was a little difficult to miss the tall, russet skinned, Quileute leaning against his black motorcycle that was illegally parked on the sidewalk.
Jacob's face was calmly masked, the expression made him look a lot like Sam. It was the expression he'd worn when he'd first changed. It wasn't an expression I enjoyed seeing.
I got out of the car, shut and locked the door before walking towards Jacob.
I could see everyone else as they looked at the huge boy. They all looked at Jacob with wide eyes, taking in his height, his muscles and the fact that he didn't look seventeen at all. They didn't linger on his face, as soon as they saw his expression they all looked away, almost as though they were intimidated by him. Though that wasn't it. They were scared of him.
His expression wavered again when he saw me coming and he looked away for a second.
"What are you doing here?" I asked my arms crossed
"I needed to talk." he answered simply
"Not to me," I said "I have a house for that. Plus you're all angry at me so…" I realised then, there could only be one other reason Jacob would be here.
"Bella." I nodded
"I'm not here to talk to her either." Jacob said, a little two quickly
"Oh, so Edward then?" I said, why else would he come here of all places "Why?" I asked, he was silent for a minute. In that minute Edward's Volvo drove into parking lot, carrying both Edward and Bella. I turned and watched them as Edward parked the flash car in it's usual spot before talking to Bella.
It wasn't difficult to notice her spot Jacob, I smiled and waved, trying to make the atmosphere seem impossibly better.
Edward and Bella got out of the car and walked towards us, Jacob's face hardened as they did, his eyes flickering to their linked hands.
Edward finally came to a stop a few yards from Jacob, and Edward drew his hand back behind his back, pulling Bella behind him in a protective manner.
"Morning," I said politely
"Morning Lex," Bella said but the confused look returned when she looked at Jacob.
"You could have called us," Edward said, his voice was steel-hard and not at all friendly
"Sorry." Jacob said plainly, though he sneered before continuing "I don't have any leeches on my speed dial." he added
"You could have reached me at Bella's house of course." Edward reminded him. "You could have even asked Alex to call, or visit." I looked up at Jacob, that I agreed with.
Jacob's jaw flexed and his eyebrows pulled together as he didn't answer.
"This is hardly the place Jacob. Could we discuss this later?" Edward asked. I was still confused as to what this confrontation was about but tried to keep up with it. I guessed Bella was no different.
"Sure, sure. I'll drop by your crypt after school." Jacob snorted "What's wrong with now?" he questioned.
"What isn't wrong with now?" I hissed as Edward's eyes scanned the witnesses that had gathered around us. They were all just out of hearing range. A few students were hesitating on the sidewalk, their eyes full of expectation. It was like they expected a fight to break out between the two. Though they were more careful because they were surrounded by people I wasn't surprised.
"I already know what you came to say," Edward finally spoke his voice was so low that no one else's ears would have been able to pick it up except for Jacob and I, even Bella didn't look like she'd heard him clearly. "Message delivered. Consider us warned." Edward said
"Warned?" Bella questioned
"Warned about wh —" I remembered how Paul and Emmett had a spit, about how the wolves thought the Cullens crossed their line. Great. So this was just a spit about another spit. How bloody childish.
"What are you talking about?" Bella continued. I looked at her, Bella didn't know? He still hadn't told her?
"You didn't tell her?" Jacob's eyes widened a little with disbelief. "What, were you afraid she'd take our side?"
"Jake," I said sternly, Edward would have had his reasons.
"Please drop it, Jacob." Edward's voice was even but he sounded desperate to keep it
"Why?" Jacob challenged,
"Because he asked you nicely." I stepped in, Jacob glanced down at me
"So you're with him?" he asked
"What's wrong with you?" I asked "Why is it their side, our side? There is no sides Jake, stop being so childish." I scolded, he looked away from me as Bella frowned
"What don't I know? Edward?" she questioned, Edward ignored her and glared at Jacob "Jake?" Bella asked him instead. Jacob raised his eyebrows
"He didn't tell you that his big… brother crossed the line on Saturday night?" Jacob asked, his voice dripping in sarcasm, his eyes flickered to Edward "Paul's totally justified in—"
"It was no mans land." Edward cut him off
"Was not!" Jacob fumed though he managed to keep his voice down, his hands were trembling in anger. I placed a hand on his arm
"Calm down, stop overreacting."
"I'm not —"
"You are." I cut him off with a glare.
"Emmett and Paul?" Bella whispered "What happened? Were they fighting?" Bella's voice got higher as she began to panic "Why? Did Paul get hurt?" I scoffed
"No one fought," Edward said quietly to her "No one got hurt. Don't be anxious." Jacob was staring at them with incredulous eyes
"You didn't tell her anything at all did you?" he questioned, I lowered my gaze then, my hand still on his arm. "Is that why you took her away? So that she wouldn't know that —?" Jacob was cut off again
"Leave now." Edward ordered. His face was frightening, for just a split second he actually looked like a vampire. He glared at Jacob with vicious, unveiled loathing. Jacob just raised his eyebrows
"Why haven't you told her?" he asked, he then looked at me "I'm surprised you didn't tell her." he said
"Everyone has their reasons." I said simply. They stood staring at each other in silence for a moment as more students gathered around. Bella suddenly hit a realisation and she began to hyperventilate. I quickly walked over to her and rubbed her arm
"She came back for me," Bella choked. Edward held her tight to his side as she continued to freak, though Edward made sure he was still standing between her and Jacob.
"It's fine. It's fine. I'll never let her get close to you." he whispered stroking her face
"Hey, Bells, it's alright." I soothed "She's already gone again, no need to panic."
"Does that answer your question, mongrel?" he insulted as he turned to Jacob and glared at him
"You don't think Bella has a right to know?" Jacob asked "It's her life." Edward didn't say anything for a few seconds
"Why should she be frightened when she was never in danger?" he finally said
"Better frightened then lied to." Jacob admitted. Bella's eyes were tearing up as she tried to contain her breathing and calm down, though to no avail. Edward wiped the tears from her cheek with his cold fingers
"Do you really think hurting her is better then protecting her?" Edward answered Jacob's comment
"Why didn't you tell her?" Jacob asked me, I didn't look at him "She has a right to know —"
"Because I asked her not to." Edward admitted cutting him off
"Oh so you listened to him," Jacob spat. I full on glared at him
"Though I did believe she deserved to know I did not want her freaking out like this. They told me something in confidence and you think I'd break that? They have more trust in me than you do!" I said harshly, managing to keep my voice low still. His lips turned down a little in the corners at my words.
"She's tougher then you think," Jacob answered both Edward and I "And she'd been through worse." he reminded Edward.
I watched as Jacob's expression shifted and he stared at Edward in an odd way, his head tipped to the side a little as he went through his thoughts, his eyes narrow. Edwards cringed with Bella in his arms, causing her to look up at him, after a few seconds of silence Bella seemed to snap out of her panicking moment
"That's funny," Jacob laughed after seeing Edward's face.
"Jake!" I said seriously he looked at me for a second, his small evil like smirk fading at my tone. Edward winced, but he tried to smooth out his expression, though the agony was still showing in his eyes. Bella looked from Edward's grimace to Jacob's sneer
"What are you doing to him?" she demanded
"It's nothing Bella," Edward said silently "Jacob just had a good memory. That's all." he confessed. Jacob grinned and Edward winced again.
I realised only one point in time could have this effect on Edward and knew that Jacob was remembering the unspoken of eight months that Edward had left for.
"Stop it! Whatever you're doing." Bella ordered
"Sure, if you want." Jacob surged "It's his own fault is he doesn't like the things I remember though." Bella glared at him but Jacob just smiled back impishly.
I walked back over to Jake and took his hand, but not carefully. He looked down at me before I tightened my hold, threatening to break his fingers
"What the hell is wrong with you?" I asked slowly as he winced at my hold
"The principle's on his way to discourage loitering on school property." Edward murmured to Bella "Let's get to english, Bella, so you're not involved." I released Jacob and took a step back.
"Overprotective isn't he?" Jacob said talking to Bella
"Right cause you're no different." I spat. Jacob's eyes flickered to me
"A little trouble makes life fun. Let me guess, you're not allowed to have fun are you?" Jacob said. I just stared at him, where the hell was this attitude a few days ago?
"Shut up Jake." Bella spat
"I'll take that as a no." Jacob laughed "Hey is you feel like having a life again, you could come see me. I've still got your motorcycle in my garage." Bella looked at him
"You were suppose to sell that. You promised Charlie you would." she said annoyed
"Yeah right. Like I would do that. It belongs to you, not me. Anyway, I'll hold onto it until you want it back." Jacob told her. There was a friendly smile lingering around the corners of his lips.
"Jake…" Bella began, he leaned forwards towards her, his face earnest now, the bitter sarcasm was fading.
"I think I might have been wrong before, you know, about not being able to be friends. Maybe we could manage it, on my side of the line. Come see me." he decided
I just stared at him, where the hell were these decisions coming from?
Bella glanced at Edward who's face was calm and patient
"I, er, don't know about that, Jake," Bella said
Jacob dropped the antagonistic façade completely. It was like he'd forgotten Edward was there, or at least he was determined to act that way.
"I miss you every day, Bella. It's not the same without you." This was the Jake I was used to, and even though it meant he was hurting, I liked him like this much better compared to how he was acting not ten seconds ago.
"I know and I'm sorry, Jake, I just…" He shook his head, and sighed.
"I know. Doesn't matter, right? I guess I'll survive or something. Who needs friends?" He grimaced, trying to cover the pain with a thin attempt at bravado.
"Who needs friend, glad to know I'm not counted as a friend," I muttered, I guess at the moment I wasn't one.
"Okay, get to class." a stern voice sounded "Move along, Mr. Crowley."
"Get to school Jake." Bella whispered, knowing the principle's voice. I took another step back from Jacob as Edward released Bella, taking her hand and pulling her behind his body for the second time. Mr Greene, the school principle, pushed through the circle of spectators
"I mean it." he threatened "Detention for anyone who's still standing here when I turn around again." the audience of students immediately began to melt away before he had even finished saying his sentence.
"Ah, Mr Cullen. Do we have a problem here?" the principle asked Edward
"Not at all, Mr Greene. We were just on our way to class." Edward answered
"Excellent. I don't seem to recognise your friend," Mr Greene said turning to Jacob "Are you a new student here?"
"Nope." Jacob answered simply, a half smirk on his broad lips.
"Then I suggest you remove yourself from school young man. Before I call the police." the principle threatened. Jacob's half smirk became a full-blown grin. Though it wasn't his usual grin, it was bitter and too full of mocking. I just glared at him. He was in so much trouble.
"Yes sir." Jacob obeyed, he saluted the principle before climbing onto his bike and kicking it to life. The engine snarled and the tires squealed as he spun it around. In a matter of seconds, Jacob raced out of sight.
"Mr Cullen, I expect you to ask your friend to refrain from trespassing again." Mr Greene said, his teeth gnashed together after the performance.
"He's no friend of mine, Mr Greene, but I'll pass along the warning." Edward assured him, he glanced down at me as Mr Greene pursed his lips
"Trust me, consider him warned." I said softly as I glared after Jacob.
"I see. If you're worried about any trouble, I'd be happy to —" he began
"There's nothing to worry about Mr Greene. There won't be any trouble." Edward cut him off
"I hope that's correct. Well then. On to class. You too Miss Swan, Miss Westlake." he ordered. Edward nodded and pulled Bella quickly towards the English building. I followed suit walking on Bella's other side.
"Do you feel well enough to go to class?" Edward whispered to Bella when we were past the principal.
"Yes," Bella whispered back
"I'm really sorry." I muttered, earning a confused look from them both "I didn't know he was gonna turn up."
"It's not you're fault." Edward said before Bella could argue with me too
"I still feel responsible."
We got to class a little late and took our seats quickly, Bella took my hand and dragged me to sit beside her. Mr. Berty was reciting a Frost poem. He ignored our entrance, refusing to let us break his rhythm.
Bella yanked a blank page out of her notebook and started writing, her handwriting more illegible than normal thanks to her agitation.
What happened? Tell me everything. And screw the protecting me crap, please.
She shoved the note at Edward. He sighed, and then began writing. It took him less time than Bella, though he wrote an entire paragraph in his own personal calligraphy before he slipped the paper back.
Alice saw that Victoria was coming back. I took you out of town merely as a precaution — there was never a chance that she would have gotten anywhere close to you. Emmett and Jasper very nearly had her, but Victoria seems to have some instinct of evasion. She escaped right down the Quileute boundary line as if she were reading it from a map. It didn't help that Alice abilities were nullified by the Quileutes' involvement. To be fair, the Quileutes might have had her too, if we hadn't gotten in the way. The big grey one thought Emmett was over the line, and he got defensive. Of course Rosalie reacted to that, and everyone left the chase to protect their companions. Carlisle and Jasper got everything calmed down before it got out of hand. But by then Victoria had slipped away. That's everything.
Bella read the note and I saw her glance at me before she rubbed out Edward's writing and wrote something else
You knew?
This time she shoved the note towards me.
Alice told me the day of her vision. I didn't tell you cause she asked me not to. Edward's message passed along.
I gave her the note back before she glanced at Edward. Bella thought for a minute, staring down at the paper before she suddenly shuddered. She carefully scrubbed out my writing with her eraser and then wrote over the top:
What about Charlie? She could have been after him.
Edward had started shaking his head before Bella even finished her sentence. He held out his hand for the paper but Bella ignored it and started writing again
You can't know that she wasn't thinking that, because you weren't there. Florida was a bad idea.
Edward took the paper from Bella and started writing again
I wasn't about to send you off alone. With your luck not even the black box would survive.
He was joking now, distracting Bella from the topic as she thought over her bad luck.
So let's say my bad luck did crash the plane. What exactly were you going to do about it?
Why is the plane crashing?
Edward was trying to hide a smile now.
The pilots are passed out drunk.
Easy. I'd fly the plane.
Of course. Bella pursed her lips and tried again. I was only half listening to our english teacher out front as I spied in on their little conversation.
Both engines have exploded and we're falling in a death spiral toward the earth.
I'd wait till we were close enough to the ground, get a good grip on you, kick out the wall, and jump. Then I'd run you back to the scene of the accident, and we'd stumble around like the two luckiest survivors in history.
Bella stared at him wordlessly. I raised an eyebrow at that and gave him a look too.
"What?" he whispered. Bella shook her head in awe.
"Nothing," she mouthed. She scrubbed out the disconcerting conversation and wrote one more line.
You will tell me next time.
I guess she knew too there would be a next time. Victoria was always repeating her pattern and it would continue until someone lost.
Edward stared into Bella's eyes for a long moment. He sighed and then nodded once. Bella then turned to me, I raised an eyebrow and her expression hardened to a second. I smirked
"Of course." I mouthed
Thanks.
Mr Berty began to walk towards us as he walked down the isle, Edward's hand flashed to Bella as he grabbed the paper, hiding it. Bella looked at her hands confused for a second before seeing Mr Berty. I turned to my notes as our english teacher reached us.
"Is that something you'd like to share there, Mr Cullen?" he asked
"My notes?" Edward answered confused, holding up the papers on his desk. Mr. Berty scanned the notes — no doubt a perfect transcription of his lecture — and then walked away frowning.
"You're such a teachers pet." I muttered, I heard a slight chuckle from him in response.
The conversation that every single person was talking about for the day, was the 'almost fight' between Jacob and Edward. A few people were even putting bets on who would win if the two got into a fight.
Thanks to my all so good hearing it was all I was hearing all day, betts on Jake, betts on Edward. I wonder how Edward felt, being able to hear their thoughts too… it sounded like one hell of a headache.
Driving home after school I was debating on whether I should go home, or go to Emily's house. I knew that if Jake was at Emily's I'd probably shout at him for his appalling behaviour this morning. I swear I could never go two days without getting angry at them. I was getting sick of it.
Maybe my anger was a problem, like the wolves' was. Sure nothing happened to me but I lost my temper way to often. It couldn't really be because dogs and cats don't get along, sometimes they do. Something was obviously wrong with me. Well, other then the obvious.
I decided Emily's house was where I wanted to be. I had to figure out how to not loose my temper as often somehow. I guess the boys were the best test subjects for that.
I drove down the small dirt road until Emily's house came into view, hidden behind the trees that surrounded it.
Turning the car off I knew there were several people here already, I could make out their voices, Leah, Jared, Embry, Quil, little Claire, Kim, Emily, Sam and Jacob. I closed my car door and walked into the house, knocking as usual as I walked through the door. The boys just walked in, but I found that rude.
"Lexi," Emily greeted as she walked towards me, giving me a hug.
"Wexi!" Emily pulled away as Claire came running towards us
"Hey Claire," I smiled, picking the little child up "Wow, I swear you've grown," I smiled at her, she looked very proud of herself as I walked towards the living room, currently filled
"Hey Lex," Embry grinned
"Hey, what's up?" I wondered
"Nothing interesting." he shrugged
"So nothing new then." I smirked, he rolled his eyes. I put Claire down and she ran towards Quil who happily greeted the child.
"How was school?" Leah bragged
"No different from when you went." I said "You realise that makes you sound old," she poked her tongue out at me. I could see the urge she felt to jump me like usual. Sam had basically commanded her not to in the house anymore, incase we broke something. Naturally I used this to my advantage.
"What's new pussy cat?" Jared asked. I rolled my eyes, I knew something would come up with him here
"You need to find your own words Jared, not music lyrics." I said as I sat down next to Embry, Jacob on his other side, who hadn't looked at me yet. Guess he was expecting me to shout at him for this morning.
"Narr, these one's are gold." he smirked
"But it doesn't have the same effect." I shrugged, Jared thought that over for a second as he looked at Kim, making the girl blush.
I leaned forwards to look around Embry's huge form, he still didn't look at me, or even acknowledge me. I leaned over Embry and flicked his ear, he slapped his hand over it and looked at me confused.
"Don't ignore me, it's rude." I said simply, he looked lost for words as I sat back in the couch.
"Wait…" Quil began "You're not going to yell at him?" Everyone was looking at me surprised
"I hope not." I answered
"Why?" Leah asked
"Because I get angry much to often." I said
"It's funny though," Jared admitted
"Until you're on the receiving end." Jacob snapped, finally speaking
"He speaks!" I cheered, Jacob couldn't help but smile
"Look," he began but I held a hand up
"If you talk about it, I probably will start shouting. So let me just say this; You were being a right foul dick. Your behaviour was appalling and I never want to see you act that stupidly again." I said "I was embarrassed to know you."
"Oh so this is about you?" Embry asked raising an eyebrow, alight grin on his face
"What? No. The fact that I felt embarrassed to know him describes how his behaviour looked from the outside." I shrugged "That's all I have to say on the matter, change the topic." I ordered
"Well this is no fun." Jared grumbled
"I agree." Leah sighed, leaning her hand into her palm. I just rolled my eyes
"I'm glad to know you guys find joy out of my anger."
"We have to do something with it." Quil smirked
"I have cupcakes." Emily called from the kitchen were Sam was accompanying her. Everyone was up and out of their seats within the second, Kim and I being the exception as Quil carried Claire.
I stayed in my seat before realising Jacob was next to me still.
"What's up?" I asked looking at him
"I'm really sorry."
"It's not me you should be apologising too. I know you hate him, I just didn't think you'd go that far." I muttered
"Might have been worse if you weren't there." Jacob sighed
"Good thing I'm always around then huh," I smirked, Jacob rolled his eyes. I stood up and walked towards the kitchen then, leaving Jacob to think for a second before he followed me.
"More aside ladies, this kitty wants a cupcake." I said before I pushed my way through the wolves to the table, taking two.
"Who you calling a lady?" Embry asked
"You, who else would I be talking to?" I questioned
"Ladies?" Emily asked looking at their manners
"Yeah well their eating habits are the only masculine thing about them." I said
"Oi!" Quil defended
"It's true." Kim said with a nod
"Not you too," Jared sighed, Kim sent me a wink as I bit into a cupcake.
Operation stop getting into arguments, commence. But bone breaking was still allowed when I was made fun of. I didn't want anyone believing I was a coward, not that that was possible.
I spent the afternoon and James eventually turned up with Paul and Seth, switching with Sam, Embry and Jacob. Not long after the patrol change I decided I should be going home, mainly because I had homework to do as well as cook dinner. Emily offered to make me dinner but I still had homework so I declined. It wasn't a big deal.
James decided to come with me as I climbed into my car and we drove back home in silence.
I made us a huge dinner, mainly because James would each two thirds of it to himself. I didn't have time for homework before that so I stayed up later to finish it. It was always bad when I did for I usually zoned out in one of my classes the next day, but seeing as I was graduating in a few weeks I guess I had an obligation to finish the homework.
What was I going to do with my time when I finished school? There's going to be far to much time on my hands.