Chapter 7

Fine, let Leah be a stubborn jack-ass. What do I care? Besides, I might just patch things up with her- but after the wedding. After we both have some time to cool down. After I see Bella again…

C'mon, Jacob. This is not a big deal. You are just gonna go in, say congrats, and get the hell out.

For I-don't-know-how-many hours, I run. (I guess we hadn't realized how far we'd gone) As each paw hits the ground, I am a step closer to Bella and the wedding. I begin to ponder how this decision makes any sense. In fact, it makes less than none. I guess, for the first time in my life, I am going to try and be noble. You know, if there weren't vampires and werewolves…

Edward is the Prince Charming. He's got it all: the castle, the royal family, the charm, the good looks. But more than that, he's got the heart of the sweetest, loveliest, most special girl in the entire kingdom. She is of middle class, but this means nothing to her. She is unique in every way, which is why he fell for her. And, with his undeniable charm, she soon gave him her heart as well. In the background, while Prince Edward and Lady Bella express their deep love for each other, a stable boy labors in the barn and pastures. He watches as their romance goes deeper and deeper. The stable boy loves this girl too, more than he should. But he is not enough for her. Never enough for her. Prince Edward and Lady Bella are engaged, much to the stable boy's dismay…

Okay, I am totally getting carried away, I think as I slow to drink from a stream. This is definately not a fairy-tale, and I am definately not the one who gets the happy ending. Based on how the forest has been slightly changing, I know I am not far away from Forks and La Push. It's funny, actually. As I raced out my front door, I had definitely not expected to be back- not so soon anyway. I wonder if any others in the pack are going to the wedding. They will probably be surprised to see me there since none of them are in my head right now, not even Leah, unless her mind is blank right now.

My house is empty when I stop there to get some clothes; my father must be gone for the wedding. After a much-needed shower, I pull on a dress shirt along with some slacks. Good enough.

I can hear the piano music as my Rabbit rolls over the driveway to the Cullens. (A.N. I do not know the details of where the wedding is so I am just putting it at the Cullens') I am really starting to wonder what I was thinking when I decided this is a good idea. When I finally pull up to the house, many other cars are there. Surely Bella would never have a wedding too large- Multiple flower scents hit me as I climb out. Okay, Bella definitely did not plan this. Almost all of the chairs are full as I walk silently through the door and lean against the wall in the back corner, the shadows concealing me. I search the crowd in front of me and see Billy, Sue, and Seth in the second row of cloth-covered chairs. I'm not angry that they chose to attend; Bella was their friend too. Do they know I'm here? Edward, already at his place in front of the alter, looks at me as a small smile comes to his lips.

"I knew you'd come," he whispers that no human ear could pick up, even if they were standing right next to him. I lift an eyebrow. Well here I am. Does she know I'm here then? He shook his head slightly, and then the wedding march begins to play. The little pixie leech- Alice- gracefully strides down the aisle, a mini bouquet clutched in her hands. Then, the bride enters. With her arm locked in Charlie's and her hair a beautiful pile on top of her head, Bella is the perfect bride. I can see from here the intricate details in her dress and the complex braiding of her hair. A smile lights up her face as her eyes rest on her husband-to-be. She walks straight past me without suspecting my presence. Good.

As the preacher speaks, I feel my resolve start to slip away from me. What the hell was I thinking coming here? I'm just setting myself up for more pain. Bella wants me here though, at least I hope she does… But my hands are trembling and I can see claws starting to poke out before I force them back in.

"-speak now," the preacher is saying. God, I want to shout that she's making a mistake- that I am the one she belongs with. It would be easy as breathing… But she doesn't love me enough… I'm not enough… never enough…

"-or forever hold your peace," he finishes, and I almost run from the scene. After the "I do's", everyone dispatches for the reception. I am out the door before anyone can get up, trying to keep my breaths even, but they come out ragged and short. My vision is slightly blurry, which is why I don't see the figure waiting for me at the bottom of the porch steps. I collaspe into Leah's arms, and we sink to our knees, still in our embrace. The setting sun shines barely above the trees, warming our bodies.

"I knew you couldn't do this alone," Leah whispers in my ear. As I pull away, I see her looking brightly at me.

"Why did you come back?"

Leah shrugs. "You needed me so here I am." With a smile, I get up and pull her to her feet. She says, "I'm gonna be inside trying out some of that champagne. Come get me if you want to leave. You gonna be okay?"

I nod, and she goes in the door, her white sundress drifting slightly in the small breeze. I cut around the porch to the back of the house and wait in the shadows. I think to the blood-Edward, Can I see her out here? Tell her it's a last gift.

On the inside, above the sound of all the various voices, I hear steps coming towards the back door. This is it. The door opens, and light shines, but Bella still can't see me.

"Thank you for coming," Edward says before stepping back inside.

I force on a smile and say, "I knew I was forgetting something. I never got you a wedding gift. I suppose you will have to make due with just me.

"Jacob? Jacob!" She runs into my arms.

"Hey, Bella." I say into her ear. I pull back. "You look beautiful."

She smiles as she wipes away a tear. "You don't look half bad yourself." Her expression goes solemn. "I'm sorry if you thought that you had to come."

"You want me here, right?" I ask just to push her. Okay, I admit, it's a bit mean, but I need to know I didn't run all those miles to know that she wouldn't think of me at all. That she wouldn't care if I came either way. I need to know that some part of her still needs me.

"Of course!" She cries. "I just didn't want you to feel obligated."

The song changes, and I ask for a single dance. She takes my hand as our feet move side to side in tiny circles, and I whisper, "I've been thinking. What is your plan after this?"

"After they change me," she says as I flinch, "we're going somewhere far away. Where Charlie and Renee can't visit me. Like Alaska or New Jersey. Somewhere cold and rainy all the time- like here. What are your plans, Jacob?"

"I don't know really. I'm leaving after this, Bella. Going back with Leah."

"Leah? Where are you going with Leah?" I can hear the edge in her voice.

With my senses, I can hear Leah inside, talking with her mother and brother. Good for her. I answer Bella, "I don't know where we're going. Leah's still really hurt. I don't A suppose you heard about Emily being pregnant?"

Bella gasped. "Poor Leah."

"I know. Anyways, we're just out there doing… what we do. You know. And I'm staying like this, Bella. A werewolf. There are too few out there for the number of leeches- you know, bad leeches. At least until I find… somebody, but I'm…"

She looks up. "You're what, Jacob?"

"I'm still in love with you. I know that it was Edward, and it's always going to be Edward, but… I love you. And I want to make sure you know that."

She nods as a tear runs down her cheek. I whisper, "Don't cry, Bells. I'm sorry, but I don't know what to do anymore."

She sniffs. "I know you love me. I'm sorry I keep hurting you. I want to make it stop, but I don't know how."

I look away at the window, seeing Edward glancing at us. I narrow my eyes and he moves away. I'm sorry I keep hurting you. Her words echo in my mind. I want to make it stop, but I don't know how. Well, I know how. By cutting it off right now before either of us can get hurt anymore. A part of me knows it's too late, though. I will always hurt over Bella. I will never forget the pure agony I felt outside that tent, or the blistering fire that went through my body when she left me to go to Italy, or the searing pain that cut through my back when I received the invitation.

"The song's over. I guess this my cue to leave." I pause before saying, "Goodbye." This time I actually mean it; it's over. Completely over. I can feel the pain coming back as terrible as ever as I turn away, but I feel her hand catch on mine.

"Jake, wait. I-"

I hadn't bothered to turn around, and I say, "Stop messing with my head, Bella. I can't play this game anymore. This is goodbye, for good. I'm sorry- you know I wish it didn't have to be like this."

I slip my hand out of hers and walk away. I think to myself, Bye, Bells. Take care of yourself. If she comes to me as a vampire, or if I run into her, what will I do? I'm obligated to kill any vampire besides a Cullen, but the treaty is sent to hell now. The moment he bites her, it's broken, and I will have to hate her. Forever.

The darkness encloses me, and I lean against the tree, trying to decide if I should go see my father. Go on, Jake. You owe it to the old man.


Is anyone tearing up yet? Well, not me since I'm not a cryer, but anyone else. Don't be ashamed; it will be our secret, lol. Please review and tell me what you think.