Chapter 6: The Phone Call

A/N: JACOB'S POV.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Twilight. All rights belong to Stephenie Meyer.

I yawned and stretched as I woke up. I got ready for school; it had been spring break for awhile. I pulled on some jeans and a navy blue shirt, then slipped on my shoes. I also slid the shark tooth necklace over my head. I got into Embry's car when he pulled up, and together, we headed to the high school on the Res. At lunch, I sat with the pack - the ones who were in high school, anyway. There was Paul, Jared, Embry, and Quil, who had finally joined and was stoked.

"So, Jake…Any word from Bella?" Jared asked.

"Seriously? You know Sam told me to stay away from her," I answered.

"Yeah, but I figured you'd disobey. If you really loved her, you would," Paul said.

"You two have no idea what's going on. I can't just break the rules because I love her. That would be wrong."

"Maybe, but you'd feel a hell of a lot better," Quil replied.

"What is this? Is this the day where everyone gangs up on me and talks about Bella? Well, news flash! I don't want to!" I yelled, standing up.

Paul stood up, too. "Woah, man. Calm down. Not here."

"What? You can't tell me what to do, and I can control my fucking temper."

"No, you can't." He stared me down.

"Well, yes, I'm pretty sure I can beat you to a pulp without changing."

"I'll take that bet," he grinned cockily.

We both walked around to the edge of the table, and I punched him in the nose, effectively breaking it. He fell backwards onto the ground, and I got on top of him, hitting him in the face repeatedly. He pushed me off of him, and I hit the corner of a bench as I fell. It dug into my back, causing me to bleed all over my brand new shirt. We both ran out of the cafeteria before any authority figure came to take us a way.

"You're a real asshole, Black," Paul snarled.

"I could say the same about you."

He fixed his nose back into place, and it healed up after about ten minutes. The gash in my back healed up a lot quicker than that, and we both decided to go home after forgiving each other and laughing. I took my clothes off and phased, running home and changing back.

I walked inside, and Billy looked surprised. "What are you doing here, Jake?"

"I got into a fight with Paul. No worries. We didn't get caught, and we're both fine, now."

"Oh, okay. Um…you got a phone call about fifteen minutes ago. It was Bella. She sounded sad, so I think you should call her back as soon as possible."

I nodded. "I will. Thanks, Dad." I grabbed the cordless phone and went to my room, laying down on the twin-sized bed.

I dialed Bella's number, and she picked up on the first ring. "Jacob?"

"Yeah, it's me. What's wrong, Bella?" I asked.

"C-can you come to m-my house?" she questioned, not answering my own.

"Yeah, sure. I'll be in my dad's truck." I hung up and ran into the kitchen to get the keys. "Bella needs me. I don't know when I'll be back. Can I take your truck?"

"Of course, Jacob. See you later." He was too busy focusing on ESPN.

I hopped into the driver's seat and sped all the way to Bella's. Charlie wasn't home, so I climbed the tree and knocked on her window, just like when we were little. I pushed open the glass and walked over slowly, sitting down on the edge of the mattress.

"I'm so glad you came, Jacob, but you could've used the front door." She smiled sadly and looked down. "I found my box a few days ago."

"I did, too." I grinned, taking her hand in mine. "Hey, you're wearing the bracelet I made you."

"Yeah, and you're wearing my necklace." She began to smile, too, and wiped away her tears. "I really miss you, Jacob."

"I miss you, too, but it's better if I don't come around. I…I'm dangerous."

"What are you saying? We can't be friends ever again?" she asked frantically.

"No, we can't. Not if I want to keep you safe."

"What are you talking about?"

"I can't tell you. It's a secret." I felt so childish for saying that.

"We used to tell each other every secret we had. Please, Jake. If it's keeping you away from me, I need to know." She gazed at our intertwined hands as she spoke.

"It's not my secret to tell. It's my tribe's." She gave me a pleading look, and I sighed. "Bella, do you remember the story I told you on the beach when you came back this time?"

"The vampire one?" she questioned.

"No, the other one."

"I don't remember." She scrunched her eyebrows, trying to recollect anything.

"Yes, you do. But if all you wanted to do was talk, then I have to go. It's too hazardous." I stood up, and she threw her arms around her torso, as if holding herself together. I couldn't bare to see her like that, so I unwrapped her arms and threw mine around her.

"Please, don't leave, Jacob. I need you," she mumbled into my chest as she sobbed.

"I have to. It's for your own good."

"I've heard that before…" she whispered to herself.

"Bella, please. Once you figure out what I am, then I'll explain everything else, okay?" I began to run my fingers through her hair.

She nodded. "I'm sorry, Jacob."

"Don't be."

We sat like that for about ten minutes, until my shirt was completely soaked. I removed her arms from around my waist and walked over to the window.

"Jacob, don't go. Stay with me. Please, Jake," she begged.

I knew I should leave, that I needed to get as far away from her as possible, but I couldn't bring myself to climb out onto the tree limb. I sauntered back over to her, gazed into her chocolate brown eyes, and kissed her with all of the love I had in me. She tangled her hand in my hair, as she sat up on her knees, while I leaned down, still standing up. I placed my arms on either side of her, balancing on the bed, and she leaned backwards to accommodate my actions.

"Stay," she breathed against my lips.

"I can't, Isabella." I kissed her one last time and jumped out the window and onto the branch, making my way to the ground. "I'm sorry!" I yelled up to her. I got into my dad's truck and drove home, thinking about Bella and the kiss. I could only hope that she figured out the secret soon.