Here's the next chapter, I hope you like it. Thanks to everyone who has added IBW to their favorites and for reviewing, I appreciate it :-D.

Enjoy!

Chapter 8- Leave Me Alone

It's Friday, the day of the bonfire. Through the rest of the week Paul came over everyday. I didn't mind his company, it actually felt nice to have someone to talk to, it was just that he could read me like a book. When ever I would space out thinking about Jacob he would know. And when there was a romantic show on TV and I changed the channel, he would know that I was thinking about Edward. In a matter of a few days Paul got to know me a lot faster than anyone that I have met. The good side of this was that I didn't have to hide my feelings from him.

Charlie was also getting used to Paul coming over and staying for dinner. I can tell that he liked me to be in Paul's company. I guess the only one he didn't like was Edward.

I was currently sitting in the living room with Charlie when I heard a knock at the door. That was probably Paul, he volunteered to take me to First beach where the bonfire is going to take place. I was extremely nervous my hands were sweating. The thought of Jacob glowering at me made me shiver not because I feared him, but because of the way he would treat me.

"Hey Bella, are you ready?" He smiled.

"Um yeah."

"Bye Charlie." Paul said.

"See you later Dad."

"Have fun kids." He was too busy with his game to even come out and greet Paul.

I walked with him to his car and he opened the door for me. Paul got in and put the key into the ignition. As he drove we were both quiet until he spoke.

"Don't be nervous."

"I'm not nervous." I lied.

"Yes you are and you're making me nervous too."

"How do you do it?" I asked.

"Do what?" A confused expression crossed his face.

"How do you know when I'm nervous or when I'm thinking about them?"

"It's easy. I've seen you in Jacob's mind a lot of times. He is the one that knows all of those things I just got used to seeing you through his eyes."

"Oh…" Did that mean that he still thought about me. "Why was I making you nervous?"

"You keep shuffling your hands like if something bad is going to happen."

"That didn't answer my question." I smiled.

"Well…when Jacob sees us arriving together to the bonfire he is going to be so jealous." He laughed.

"Why would he be jealous." I wondered out loud. Paul and I were just friends we practically have a week that we talk to each other. Plus, I am not those kind of girls that hook up with a guy when they barely meet them. Jacob should know me better than that.

"He thinks that I am trying to replace him, you see."

"That's impossible, no offense, but no one could replace him." I said thoughtfully. "Have you told him that we have been hanging out.?"

"Why does that matter." He said.

"It doesn't, he might be taking our new 'friendship' the wrong way." I explained.

"I haven't told him anything, he's seen us."

"Huh, he's been following us?" That would be creepy if he was.

"No." He laughed. "Every time we phase, he checks to see if I've seen you."

"Oh." That's nice of him. I thought. Wait, no it isn't he's being a coward if he doesn't want to confront me face to face. Why does he have to use Paul like a damn video recorder?

"Were here." He said, bringing me out of my thoughts.

As we made our way to the sandy beach I could see the fire that was already lit up. There wasn't a lot of people, but it was probably half the town that came. We got closer and I could see Quill and Embry throwing more wood into the fire. Sam was walking towards them with Emily by his side. Jared and Kim were snuggled together, talking. Jacob was talking to Billy and Sue, he hadn't noticed my presence yet. There were more people there, but I did not recognize them.

"Hey everyone." Paul greeted.

Every one there turned around and welcomed us then went back to what they were doing, except for Jacob. He stood there staring at us. Paul was right he's probably thinking the wrong thing, I would have to talk to him to explain that we are just friends. It's going to take a lot of guts to talk to him though, it was already hard enough to see him glaring at me.

"Come." Paul said and I followed.

We sat in a log that was big enough for five people. When Jacob wasn't staring at us I felt comfortable being there. None of the guys held a grudge against me for breaking Jacob's heart. I guess they knew that I wasn't good for him, too.

"Hey Paul guess who came." Quill said, raising his eyebrows.

"Who?"

"Leslie." Quill smiled. "I see you're too busy,so I'll go keep her company." He smiled mischievously and walked towards Leslie.

"Um Bella… is it ok if I go…" He mumbled.

"Sure, Paul." I smiled.

He left and on his way he pushed Quill to the side. He ended up falling on top of a muscular guy who immediately started to chase him.

Everyone there seemed to be enjoying themselves. They all seemed like a big family there's a warm energy radiating around them. I looked around and I was the only one that was alone, but it didn't bother me.

"Just leave me alone." I heard a voice ten feet away from me.

Sam was walking behind Jacob, they were arguing again.

"Just listen to me." Sam grabbed Jacob's arm.

"No, it's all your fault this is happening." Jacob pulled his arm out of Sam's grasp.

As he did this he turned around and his eyes fell on me. Then he proceeded towards my direction. Without thinking about it twice I got up from the log and walked the opposite way. I didn't want to face him yet, I wasn't ready. Where was Paul when I needed him the most? Suddenly there was a warm hand that grasped my arm. I ignored it and tried to walk away, but it didn't let go.

"Bella." Came the husky voice that I longing for.

My heart reacted to him, it had been dormant this entire week without Jacob, but now the sound of his voice awakened it. It beat louder than ever, I don't doubt that Jacob could hear it. I shivered, it wasn't because I was afraid of him, but because his touch sent a thousand sparks of warmth through my body.

"Jacob." I said, trying not give away my anxiety.

"We need to talk." He looked serious.

We did need to talk, I can't keep the way that I feel for him a secret anymore.

"Ok." I answered a bit shaky.

He pulled me away from the bonfire. When we stopped we were far enough that I could barely hear the people talking. He let go of my arm and stood facing the beach, in silence.

I didn't want to rush him, but I was extremely nervous to confess my feelings to him. What if he changed his mind and doesn't want me anymore? I guess I'll find out when I ask him.

"What's wrong with me?" He asked, catching me off guard.

"What?" I was confused.

"What wrong with me!" He yelled. Suddenly he turned around, his hands were in fists and trembling.

"Jacob…what are you talking about?"

His eyes looked distant and cold. It wasn't my Jacob anymore, it was Sam's Jacob. He took a step closer to me and I took one back. As I stepped back I tripped over a twig. Thinking that I was going to hit ground I closed my eyes. I waited but instead of being on the floor I was two inches away from Jacob's face. He had his arm around my waist holding me to him. I opened my eyes and stared at his, they still looked the same, cold. Then I realized how close we were and my breath became more rapid.

"Are you scared?" He asked with a smirk on his face.

Yes. I was scared that he would reject me. No. I wasn't because I know that Jacob would never hurt me. I trust him with my life.

"No." I whispered.

He looked at me with confused eyes. I guess that he expected me to say yes. Then went back to glaring at me. Every time he did that it hurt.

"Why would I be scared of you Jacob?" I asked, tears gathering.

He let go off me and took two steps back.

"You didn't answer my question." He tried changing the subject.

"Nothing." I simply said.

"Then why are they allowed to get close to you?"

"What?"

Who was I allowing to get close to me?

"Paul, Bella!" He hollered. "And that blood sucker!"

I felt wounded. How can he say that I let Edward close to me if he left me.

"Don't call him like that." I sneered.

"You still defend him after he left you." He laughed ruefully.

I could feel the tears running down my cheeks.

"Leave me alone!" I yelled.

I was tired of the way he was treating me so I turned around and walked away from him. Or at least I tried to because he once again stopped me.

"Let go off me!" I was starting to sob and couldn't stop.

From that point on everything was like a blur. First Jacob was holding my arm and the next thing I know I was being pulled away from him, I could hear growling.

"Let go off her!"

"Stay out of this!" Jacob shouted.

I was away from Jacob's grasps and in the arms of someone else. It was warm and they weren't wearing a shirt. It felt weird, being against their chest and my hands touching it. I looked up and saw that he was mad and was holding me in a protective stance. He looked down at me and gave a small smile.

"I knew there was something between you and Paul." Jacob looked like if was going to attack.

Both our heads shot up to look at Jacob, both in disbelief. How can he think that we're together, Paul is only trying to be a better person.

"What…No Jacob you're wrong!" I got out of Paul's hold and walked towards Jacob. "We're just friends."

"Right." He looked at Paul and then at me. "Don't come near me."

I stopped in my tracks. I knew it he didn't want me anymore. How could I have been so stupid to think that he still wanted me.

"Come on Bella." Paul said.

"No!" I screamed. "You said that you wanted to talk. So now we're going to talk."

He didn't say nothing just stared at me.

"Paul is only a friend and…Edward is gone." A tear ran down my cheek. It hurt a lot more to say it out loud than in my head.

"That wasn't what I meant." He unclenched his fists.

"Then what Jacob."

"You let them get near you except me!" He took a deep breath. "I get it. You're still in love with that blood sucker…"

"What did I tell you don't call him like that!" I interrupted.

I was tired. Tired of him for not letting me talk and tell him what I feel. Tired of him insulting Edward and tired of fighting.

"Why do you still defend him!"

"You already know the answer. I. Love. Him." He cringed at my words. "You know what Jacob? I'm tired of this. I came here to tell you that I have feelings for you, but you had to ruin everything!"

His face expression went from cold and distant to confused and surprised.

"Lets go Paul." I turned around face Paul. He stretched his hand out to me and I took a hold of it.

"You sure?" He asked looking back to where Jacob was still standing like a statue.

I nodded and we walked towards the bonfire. When we got there I said goodbye to everyone and left.

We were in the car for about five minutes when Paul broke the silence.

"Are you okay."

I wasn't sure if I was. I felt sort of relieved that I told Jacob that I had feelings for him, but then I felt frustrated that we couldn't fix this problem.

"I'll be fine." I answered.

"You know he still loves you."

"Right." I doubted.

"Really he does. Every time we phase your face comes up, his always thinking about you, Bella." Paul explained.

That left me speechless. He still loved me after the way I spoke to him. Maybe there is still a chance to tell him the way I feel about him.

The rest of the drive was silent and it was a good thing because it left me time to go through everything that happened today. The way that Jacob didn't let me fall because he still cares about me and how he froze when I told him that I had feelings for him. I wonder if he's thinking about my confession.