Chapter 8

I wish I could say that everything worked out differently than I thought it would. I wish I could tell you that Jacob and I were happily alright and continued to flirt. But that would be a fantasy, and reality never seems to work like that. Around Christmas time, the messages stopped. We didn't speak at practice, we didn't look at each other, we did not interact with each other whatsoever.

Sam and Edward did not even know about the messages, and why would I tell them if it would only make them carry the same burden as I was. Instead, I talked and gossiped, and interacted with them exactly the same. Only Jessie could pinpoint the hollow ache in my laugh.

Edward was growing on me. I considered many ways to get over Jacob. One of the easiest ways was to move on to Edward. It sounded like a perfectly great idea at the time. If only I knew the trouble it would cause me.

Edward and I were really hitting it off. We had some of the same late night conversations Keith and I had shared so well. We talked and questioned and flirted. He told me who he liked, and vice versa, etc. We had plenty of fun times. The hollow ache in my laugh slowly died away, until it became real with Edward sounding in every chord of the twinkling melody.

One weekend in mid-January, a swim meet arrived upon my icy doorstep. I decided to test whether or not Edward would be a better match than Jacob by observing how he reacted to certain things.

Edward would not swim the 500 but the 400 IM that night, and had plenty of time to waste. He sat with me as I prepared to warm up for the 500. This included applying Icy Hot just for extra procastination time. When I finally pulled my cap on and jumped into the pool I swam a full 150 before stopping to sip from my Gatorade. Edward was still there where I had left him. I kept swimming and stopping every few minutes to marvel at his loyalty. While Jacob was off somewhere with Leah, Edward was watching me, Bella Swam, warm up for the cursed 500.

The 500 did not go very well, of course I did have a very cute and perfect distraction. Edward waved me over as I climbed out of the pool.

"Best time." he announced, grinning.

"What was it? I forgot to ask the timers." I asked him bluntly.

"5:35.95." he reported.

"Thanks," I smiled at him.

"No problem," he changed the subject. "Which hotel are you staying at?"

"Holiday Inn." I answered, smiling.

"Me too," he grinned. "See ya there!"

"See ya," I grinned. "Good luck on your 400 IM, man."

"Yeah, thanks!" he nodded and punched my fist. "It'll be great dude. You gonna stay and cheer?"

"Always!" I exclaimed, before running to the locker room.

What a great day! I hadn't seen Jacob all day, and Edward I'd seen every minute. It was the kind of satisfaction only I could get. My mom says when I am satisfied, I smile just like my dad. I pulled out a big Charlie Swan grin just for her. I got dressed quickly, not wanting to miss Edward's race. Sam would be racing right next to him, and I was definitely not going to miss this showdown.

I begged and pleaded with my Dad to let me stay. Finally, he agreed and said he'd be waiting in the car. I ran through the doors, and over to the blocks. The heat before them was just finishing up; I had made it just in time. I ran over and wished both boys good luck.

"Take your mark........ BEEP!" came the referee's voice.

"Go Sam, Go Edward!" I screamed.

I screamed and yelled and gestured and cheered, at the end sweating as if I had swam the whole thing with them. Edward out touched Sam and was smiling as he got out of the pool. I patted his back and told him well done. Then I turned to Sam. He was having trouble getting out of the pool, so I helped him stand up. His face was twisted in pain and he kept a hand on his stomach. I figured this was probably the source of his mis-content.

A/N: Ok guys I need reviews! Tell me how I'm doing! Do you like the story? Come on, REVIEW! If I get at least three reviews today, I promise to have Chappy 9 up by tonight. Don't worry, Jacob will come back. I promise that you have not read the end of Jacob Black. But right now, Bella has a chapter in her life I like to call, Edward. I think we all have an Edward somewhere. The person we can't live without. Well have a good day and please please please please REVIEW!!!! By the way, check out the prologue. I made it better.

~CHloRiNE JUnKiE~