Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or any of its characters. All rights go to the wonderful Stephenie Meyer.

Bella Swan's POV

Alice left not long after that. I still can't believe she made me promise to try trusting Edward again. I know I shouldn't but something deep inside of me tells me that I should. I'm really confused right now. What was wrong with me? Why am I so conflicted lately? I trusted Alice but could I trust Edward? Also, why did Alice decide to suddenly appear on my doorstep? She seemed like she really cared for me and I was really touched by her 'sister' revelation...but did she really have to push the idea that Edward and I could rebuild our relationship again? Was that the purpose of her visit all along? To get me and her brother together again?

"Ugh" I said to myself. This was too much for one day. All of this is just making me feel stressed. I need fresh air. No, I need the sun. My sun.

I quickly grabbed my keys and sped for La Push. I needed to see Jacob. I needed his advice. I needed his support. I just need to be away for a while.

"Hey Bella," Jake greeted the second I came in his garage.

"Hey," I responded, beaming at him. "What are you up to?" I said, gesturing at the pile of tools scattered on the floor.

Jacob touched the hood of his masterpiece. "Oh nothing, just fixin the ol' car."

I still don't understand Jake's fascination with cars. Old cars, in particular. He had a hobby of fixing old vehicles that could pass off as scrap metal. "You just love fixing stuff, don't you?" I teased him a bit.

He gave me a look. "Yes, but I just don't fix stuff. I like to believe that I fix people too."

Fix people? Was that supposed to be directed at me? "Oh," I said lamely.

Jake decided to change the subject. "So what's up? How's your "amnesia" going?" He made quotation marks in the air with his fingers.

"Honestly, I didn't expect it to be this stressful." I sighed. I just felt tired.

Jacob grabbed a wrench and proceeded with working on his car. "How come?" He said curiously.

Should I tell him my inner dilemma? "Well, for starters it was hard to live a double life in school." Well, not really actually. That part was bearable, but I don't think it would be best if I told Jake what the real problem was.

"Double life? Who are you...Hannah Montana?" He said, trying to lighten up the mood. This was what I really liked about Jake. He always tried to make me feel better.

I laughed. "Oh how I wish it was that simple."

"Try me."

"Well, I didn't know pretending to not know someone is quite difficult. It was challenging actually. I've had a couple of slipups or two today but luckily, no one noticed." I explained. The last part was only partly true, since I still think Alice noticed my slip earlier. I just hope she doesn't jump to conclusions.

"I'm sure you'll survive tomorrow." He encouraged. "Just be careful."

Will I? I'm really grateful that Jake is now supporting me with this plan but I'm starting to doubt my capability in pulling off this stunt.

"So how's our dear old friend Edward?" he said after awhile. Somehow, the word 'old' sounded like an insult to Edward.

I just shrugged. "Same old, same old."

"Then what's bothering you? Is it him?" Jacob looked up from his work and glanced at me.

That made me think. What was bothering me? The more appropriate question was, who was bothering me. "Actually...yes." I said slowly.

Jacob looked confused. "Why?"

It was hard to explain. I didn't even know the reason why myself. So I just told him the truth, "I just don't know if I could trust him or not."

"He's a vampire, Bella." He said, rolling his eyes. "He can't be trusted."

I knew that.

"He left you in the forest alone, remember?" he added. "And he doesn't love you, so why should you give him a chance? Don't let him hurt you again, Bella."

That seemed to snap some sense into me. "I know, I know. You're right. He can't be trusted." Somehow, my head seemed clearer as my thoughts of hatred towards Edward resurfaced.

"Just keep your head in the game." He reminded me of my motivation in doing this.

That's right. This was a game. Edward might think that he was the one playing a game on me, but in truth, it was actually me playing the tricks on him. He'll just have to wait and see.

"I can do this." I said with rekindled spirits.

I was content when I got home. The visit with Jake really helped me get back on track. I just need to disregard all the supposed "feelings" that come up whenever I talk to Edward. They were all just a reminder of the past. It was more likely a remainder of my dark and bitter past. I was now focused on my goal. Whatever it takes, I needed to hurt Edward. I needed him to hurt emotionally. I wanted him to feel as I felt, to suffer as I did, and to feel alone and worthless as I did six months ago when he left me.

A sudden knock on the front door interrupted me from my thoughts.

Who could this be? I thought as I made my way to the door. It was kinda late and I just arrived home. Can't I have some peace?

A familiar god-like face appeared in the doorway. Oh, great. What was he doing here?

"Bella," Edward looked like he was hyperventilating, even though I knew he couldn't do that. "I was so worried about you."

Worried? Well, that confused me. "W-why would you be worried?" You of all people. Last time I checked, you didn't give a damn about me a few months ago.

"Your future...it just...disappeared." Edward managed to blurt out. "Alice suddenly couldn't see you. It happened for the second time this week."

What? Now why would my future disappear? From what I recall, someone's future only disappears when they die. I wasn't dead. I'm very much alive right now.

"I-I thought you were−dead." He said, calming down a bit.

I still don't get it. "Why would you be worried?" I repeated my question. It's not like my death will have an effect on him or something. That is, if I did indeed die. I'm pretty sure he could care less.

Edward looked confused. "I'm worried because I care about you Bella. Always have. I'm always here to protect you."

"Well there's no need for you feeling responsible for me." I snorted. "I don't need a protector. I can very much take care of myself thank you very much." So now he cares for me?

He was deep in thought and ignored my statement. "Alice told me you visited someone today."

Woah there, hotshot. Did I just detect jealousy? "Edward, we're just friends. Where I go and who I visit is none of your business. Besides, you have no right to be jealous since we're not —"

"Who's your friend?" he cut me off. "Last time your future disappeared, you visited that friend as well."

Ugh, he was starting to get on my nerves. "I'm not telling you who he is! Some things are meant to be private, you know. You don't need to know everything about my life." I said as a-matter-of-factly.

"Who is he?" Edward demanded but remained patient. I can't believe this! He was so pushy.

"You want a name? Fine. I visited Jacob Black today and he happens to be my best friend." I exclaimed. "There. Happy?" I was really stunned that Edward didn't lose his temper yet. I seemed to recall that he had a very short one.

He wrinkled his nose. "Did you just say Jacob Black? As in, the grandson of Ephraim Black?" The puzzle pieces in his mind seem to be putting themselves together.

"Yes, why?" Did he remember him from their encounter at Prom?

He looked at me intently then sighed. "Bella, he's a werewolf. He's not good company to keep."

"Well you're one to talk." I grimaced. How dare he insult Jacob! At least Jacob was there for me when I needed him. Unlike him...

"Trust me," he said, still staring at me. "You don't want to be anywhere near around him when he's angry."

I knew that. Jacob told me about Sam and Emily's story. But Jacob wouldn't hurt me. He wouldn't.

"I'm just looking out for you, Bella." Edward continued when I didn't speak.

"I appreciate the effort, but I already have other people looking out for me." I said, remembering what Mike and Jacob said before. "I don't need another person feeling responsible for me or whatsoever."

Edward's reaction surprised me. "Why can't you see it, Bella?" He laughed, frustrated.

Why can't I see what?

"Why can't you see that I really really and truly care about you?" He continued bitterly. Great, we're back to that again?

"I do." I said honestly. "I appreciate your effort and concern but...I still don't get it."

"What don't you get?"

"I don't see the reason why you should care about me." I explained to him. I was nothing to him. He left me!

"I don't know." Edward paused, thinking. "I guess it's because of the fact that I feel very protective of you, that's why I care so much."

"But why?"

He took a deep breath and said, "Because I love you."

A/N: So here's chapter 10! What do you think? Tell me your thoughts by reviewing. :)