Chapter 10

I stared at my phone in complete disbelief. I must have read over it five times before I finally realized the message hadn't changed. There it was. Jake was planning on being at my house...waiting for me..to talk.

Avoid.

Avoid.

Avoid.

That's all that went through my mind and it angered me knowing that eventually I would have to go home and avoiding him would be impossible. It wasn't that I was afraid of Jake. He's the last person to be afraid of if I had to name someone. I simply didn't want to deal with him and hear him tell me how I should stay away from Edward. I wasn't stupid. I knew exactly what was going through Jake's mind after what happened at the party. Just like every other situation, he finds ways and reasons for me not to be involved with a person. Edward not listening to me when I asked him to leave me alone basically gave Jake the ammo he would need to make him seem like a terrible person; a person who would without a doubt hurt me if need be. This is what Alice didn't understand when she invited Jake to the party. I wasn't exaggerating when I told her he was more or less crazy/overpossesive years ago. I had a strong feeling-after seeing what I saw from him at the party and learning he stopped Edward from running after me at the party-that Jake had not changed. Not one bit.

"Bella, what are you alright over there?" Alice asked. Her voice seemed distant to me with all these thoughts running through my head but I heard her nonetheless.

"Yea, you've been staring your phone down like it's done something to you or something," Emmett laughed.

"Um, not really," I told them truthfully as I showed Alice my phone. She was the only one who knew what Jake was really like considering she and I kept in touch all these years.

"You don't think he's going all psycho ex on you, do you?" Alice asked, somewhat taken back by the boldness in his message. The look she had in her eye told me that she knew Jake's intentions. In fact, she had no doubt.

"Taking into consideration the fact that he kept Edward from running after me, I'm thinking that's exactly what he's doing." I told her.

"What's the text say?" Jasper asked, interest in what was going on.

"Jacob is planning on talking to Bella whether she wants to or not after school at her house," Alice told him.

"Like hell he is!" Emmett exclaimed a little too loudly.

"Emmett keep it down," Rosalie reminded him after she noticed some of the lunch aids look his way, waiting for an excuse to get a student into trouble.

"Right, sorry," Emmett said. "But seriously, what's this kids deal?"

"If I know him as well as I did, he's taking claim all over again," I told them.

"He's gone all psycho before?" Jasper asked.

"Yes, that's the reason I had to keep changing my phone number. He doesn't get that I want nothing to do with him and that he has no say over who I talk to," I answered. Just thinking about how crazy times have gotten made me angry.

"Then why the hell did you invite him to that party in the first place!" Emmett asked. I could see the veins popping out in his neck and his knuckles turning white by how tightly he was clenching his fists. Emmett was angry. Emmett was protective of the ones he loved and he was angry.

"I didn't,"I told him and looked over at Alice, hating that his anger would be directed at her.

"I did." Alice admitted, putting her head in her hands out of frustration. Knowing Alice, she was beating herself up over the fact that she had given someone the benefit of the doubt; someone who was undeserving of it.

"What the hell Alice!"Emmett said through clenched teeth; he had to make sure he didn't raise his voice...ultimately getting himself into trouble.

"What? It's been four years for him to get his act together!" she said in her defense. "Most people take advantage of a second chance! Not resume creepy activity all over again! Idiot clearly never learns!"

"Alice, most people do," I assured her. "Jacob however, is special. And knowing him, he'll be at my house after school before I even get there. He won't let me in the house unless he goes in with me to talk."

"So don't go home after school," Emmett said. "Just come over our place and head back after dinner. Idiot should figure out by then that you don't want to talk to him."

"He's been to your house and knows I'm closer friends with Alice," I told him. "Your place is the first place he'd look."

"So? Let him come to our place. Jasper and I will make sure he knows his place Bells," Emmett smiled. He was plotting. I thought about that possiblity. Either way Jake would make his way over to Alice's place if I didn't go home. He was creepy that way. I needed to just get away from both places long enough, warn Charlie about Jacob and then when I really needed to get home, go and deal with it.

"Alice, who drove you all to school today?" I asked,hoping if there were more than two cars my plan would work.

"Edward came on his own and the rest of us took Emmett's jeep, why?"she told me, clearly confused.

"Can I see your phone please?" I avoided her question for now. I just needed to send one message and then I'd fill everyone in. If I told them behore hand, I'd probably chicken out at the last minute.

"Uh, sure," she said, handing it over. I scrolled through the contacts until I reached the name I was looking for and opened a new message window.

Feel like ditching the rest of the day?Not feeling well and need a get away-Alice

"So Bella, care to share?" Alice spoke up.

"Well, I texted Edward letting him think I was you wanting to get out of school early. If he agrees, then I'm hoping you'll take my truck home with the guys following you, drop it off..avoid Jacob..and head home. Eventually I'll head back home...I just hope he stays away. I'll also give Charlie a heads up so he knows not to let Jacob in or to let him stick around. He's a cop...he'll get rid of Jacob one way or another. " I told them as Alice's phone went off in my hand.

Why not. I could use a break from this day-Edward

Meet you at the Volvo as soon as lunch lets out-Alice

See you then-Edward

"So he go for it?" Alice asked.

"Yea, I'll meet him by his car after this period ends," I told her. I reached into my pocket to get my keys to the truck and handed them over to her. "You're ok with this, right?"

"Of course!" Alice exclaimed. "I just can't promise we'll avoid Jacob."

"Yea we won't make any promises Bells," Jasper laughed.

"I'm just surprised he waited until Monday," I admitted. "He had all of Sunday to show up at my place if he really wanted to talk."

"Maybe he was watching your house being the creeper he is," Alice joked though none of us laughed. A part of me...and it seemed a part of everyone considered what Alice said to be true. I didn't know if he would go as far as to spy on me but I had nothing to believe it or not to believe it. I just hoped that wasn't the case.

"I sure as hell hope that's not what he's up to," I told them. Not too long later, the bell sounded signaling the next period. I took the opportunity of switching classes to duck out to the parking lot to meet Edward. Of course, Alice wished me luck since he was under the impression that the messages were from her.

Edward was already in his car with the motor running, waiting for Alice. I really hoped he wouldn't hate me too much for tricking him. Part of me wanted to turn around and go back to my next class period. But the bigger part of me told me to stop being such a baby and suck it up. It was Edward and despite how much I loved him and how much he hated me, I needed the escape with the only person I could think of. Sure, Alice could've easily ditched with me. But something compelled me to go to Edward. I was always running back to him.

I opened the passenger door quickly and hoped in, taking Edward by surprise when he saw it was me. We both sat looking at the other with surprised looks on our faces; him because I was supposed to be Alice and me because his lip was busted and he had some swelling underneath his eye. I didn't realize how bad the situation had turned out.

"Bella?" he managed to say through the shock. "What are you doing here?"

"Same as you, we're ditching school," I told him, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"But Alice...did she set this up?"he asked. I could see his hands tightening on the steering wheel. I guess he really didn't want to be around me...

"No, she didn't," I admitted. "It was me texting you from her phone. I'm sorry Edward. I"ll go." I went to open the door but his hand stopped me.

"Don't leave..."he pleaded. "I'm sorry. I just thought it was Alice meddling again. Not that I would really mind; I just thought you didn't want to talk to me or be near me."

"You're honestly the first person I thought of in terms of needing an escape," I admitted. "What do you say? Do you still want to ditch and get out of here?"

"Hell yea," he smiled, though his nervous demeanor had not changed. "So where to?"

"Anywhere quiet and away from everyone," I smiled at him.

The drive itself was quiet and someone awkward. There was so much tension you could cut through it with a butter knife. All the while I kept wondering what was going through his mind. He was quick to jump at the chance to actually spend time with me while originally I thought he wanted me to leave. He seemed almost angry that it was me instead of Alice but explained he simply thought she was meddling again. That alone made me wonder if he had spoken to Alice about her meddling problems just like I had.

"Ok we're here," Edward suddenly spoke, catching me off guard. I was so used to the quiet that the smallest amount of noise startled me. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you."

"You're fine," I assured him. "Where is here anyway?"

"There's a place I want to show you. I just hope you don't mind a hike,"he said.

"It's fine, let's go!" I got out of the car and followed Edward into the woods. There wasn't exactly a clear path to follow which surprised me. How would he know where to go without at least a path to follow? The further we got on the trail the more thankful I became to the fact that I had practically outgrown my tendency to trip over just about everything.

"Edward, how much longer?" I asked, curious now as to where exactly we were going.

"It's just up ahead Bella," he assured me. "You see that clearing, there?" He pointed.

"Yea."

"Well that's where we're going," he chuckled. I simply picked up the pace wanting to reach that clearing sooner. The anticipation of what this place really was was getting to me. I never in a million years would've imagined a place like this. It was like it was taken from a fairy tale. I found myself standing in the middle of an open field surrounded by millions of flowers, sunlight just faintly shining through giving it the glow which made this place look surreal. I couldn't believe a place as beautiful as this existed.

"It's so beautiful here, how'd you find it?" I asked him.

"I was wondering around a few years back and found it. I've been coming here ever since," he told me. I sat down in the center of the field and he did the same. I noticed he was purposely keeping a distance from me and it made me sad. I didn't want to be seperated by him more than necessary. "I like to come here to think."

"Thank you for sharing it with me Edward," I smiled at him as I sat down in the center of the field. Edward did the same but I noticed him keep space between us. It made me sad; I didn't want to be seperated from him more than what was necessary. "I love it."

"Did you...well, um..do you want to talk about what's bothering you?" he asked, clearly nervous.

"I don't think you'll want to hear it," I chuckled, trying to play it off as something that wasn't that big of a deal. How would Edward handle hearing about my issues with Jacob considering what happened between the two?

"Bella, I don't mind, really," he assured me. "I always want to know what you're thinking."

"Well, it has to do with Jacob," I told him, bracing myself for his reaction. At the mention of the name I noticed Edward's body tense and his fists clench.

"Bells, can I be honest?" he asked.

"Of course, that's all I ever ask for Edward," I told him.

"I really don't like that guy," he said, watching me for my reaction. "There's just something about him that raises some flags. I don't know what's going on between the two of you but whatever claim he's trying to make isn't healthy. I just hope you don't hate me for telling you that."

"Edward, I don't hate you. Not at all," I assured him. "Your intuition about Jacob is pretty much spot on."

"How do you mean?" He asked, moving himself closer.

"Well, there are reasons I ended my relationship with him years ago. Aside from the fact that I simply didn't feel for him what he felt for me, he was just so intense all the time. He was too clingy, too controling and possesive. It wasn't healthy and I wanted out," I explained. "He didn't handle the break up too well. He was sure that I would change my mind about him, and he wouldn't leave me alone. I had to change my number several times."

"Did Alice know any of this?" he asked through clenched teeth.

"Yea, she was there when all the crazy was going on," I told him.

"Then why the hell would she invite him to that party?"He exclaimed.

"That's what I said," I laughed. "I'm not mad at her for that though. Alice has good intentions no matter how crazy those intentions are. She simply thought that with all the time that's gone by he changed."

"And what's your opinion on the matter?" he asked.

"I think he's the same psycho Jacob with a few new tricks up his sleeve," I admitted. "Whatever happened between you two is reason enough."

"Yea, I hope you're not mad that I hit him," he told me, looking down to the ground.

"My concern was more for you than it was for him," I said. "How's your lip?"

"It's better," he smiled. "I'm sorry I've avoided you all day Bella. I just thought you wouldn't have handled finding out what happened between me and him very well. Actually I thought it would've given you more reason to not want to talk to me."

"If we're being honest then I must admit I was sort of avoiding you too," I admitted. "I'm sorry if you're mad at me for punching your girlfriend in the nose. I'm sure how much damage I've done but I hope you don't hate me even more for it."

"Bella, first off, just as I've told you that night in the cellar...Tanya and I are not together anymore. That kiss you saw was not mutual on my end. She showed up and launched herself at me. Secondly, I don't hate you at all. I could never hate you. What you did was amazing! I would've done it myself if I could have," he laughed.

"It did feel good to get a hit in," I chuckled.

"Then I'm glad we can agree on that,"he paused. "But Bella, you need to know...I never meant to hurt you. That night of the dare, my attitude when you first came to town, not listening to you when I should have...I was an idiot. Hands down decisions I wish I had never made. I hope you can forgive me." In honesty, as I sat here listening to Edward's apology I found myself surprised at what he was saying. A part of me had already forgiven him for everything. I just wanted him to not hate me. I couldn't stand it. So hearing all of this actually did make me happy. Yes, he had jumped to conclusions about something he thought he heard correctly four years ago and then ended up with his witch ex girlfriend. But I'm a firm believer in learning from our mistakes. This was Edward...not some stranger who I could go on hating.

"I do wish you just talked to me years ago Edward," I admitted. "None of this would have ever happened."

"You're right," he said in defeat. "I'm an idiot."

"No, you're not Edward," I laughed. "You acted before you thought and it didn't end up in your favor. That happens and we learn from that. I have to ask though, why four years with her?"

"I was trying to forget," he sighed.

"Forget?" I asked, confused.

"Are you sure you want to hear this?" he asked and I nodded. I needed to hear everything. If this wasn't the perfect opportunity to finally hear him out I didn't know what was. "I was trying to forget the feelings I had for you. After I thought you were with someone, I couldn't stand it. Wanting you as much as I did and not having a chance to act on those feelings made me want them to go .." he stopped. I could feel my heart beating quickly in my chest. He couldn't possibly feel the same way as me, could he?

"But...?" I pressed. I needed to hear him say all of it.

"But I've never stopped loving you Bella," he confessed. "You've always been it for me. I don't expect you to feel the same or say it back but it was time for you to know everything. I'm in love with you" Damn that smile. Damn that smile that was now residing on my face, giving away every little thing I was feeling.

"Edward..." he cut me off before I could finish.

"Please don't say it back if you don't feel it too. That'd hurt more than not hearing it at all," he nearly begged.

"Edward, why do you think I ended my relationships and haven't had one in four years?" when he didn't answer, I continued. "There was always something missing. It was you. They weren't you. I'm going to say it back Edward and I mean it with everything in me. I'm so in love with..."his lips cut me off before I could get the last set of words out. There was no hesitation on my end as soon as our lips met. This was where I was supposed to be. Everything else really didn't matter as long as I was with Edward. We only pulled away when we absolutely needed air and even then the seperation was brief. Somewhere in the middle of it all I found myself laughing on the soft ground with Edward above me. We were lost in each other. When my phone wouldn't stop going off, we moved apart but limited the distance between us.

"Do you really need to get that?" he breathed out as he started kissing along my jawline.

"I think I do," I let out in a shaky breath. He was going to be the death of me.

"Alright," he kissed me and pulled away suddenly; leaving me wanting more. "If you must." he moved away with that sexy smirk planted across his face.

"You don't play fair," I mumbled as I checked the message on my phone.

You were right. Jacob's as crazy as ever before. He nearly pinned me against your truck trying to find out where you were. Don't worry, Emmett and Jasper didn't do too much damage getting him to back off..you need to get ahold of your dad though-Alice

As soon as I read the text I shot up from my position. I couldn't believe Jacob actually tried to pin her against my truck to get information out of her. I could handle him hassling me but when he pulled that crap on the people I cared about..that's where I draw a line.

"Crap!" I exclaimed as I started dialing Charlie's number. Charlie knew about my relationship with Jacob and how it ended up. He was the one who encouraged me to change my number. He also-thankfully-had a few words with Billy, Jacob's father and after that I hadn't heard from Jacob again. I figured Charlie handled it.

"Bella? What's wrong?" Edward sat up quickly.

"I need to call Charlie," I told him and dialed the number. I waited until the fourth ring before he finally answered me.

"Bells? You ok?"Charlie asked. It wasn't normal for me to call him before he got back from work. We had a good routine going on.

"Not really dad. Jake's in town," I told him.

"Has any recent past behavior started up again?" he instantly asked.

"Yea dad, he was at Alice's party this weekend and showed up on our doorstep," he cut me off instantly.

"He's there right now? Bells, he didn't hurt you did he?" he asked in a rush.

"No dad, I'm not there," I assured him. "I'm catching up with Edward right now but Alice dropped my truck off for me. He practically pinned her to my truck demanding to know where I was. Dad, it's worse than last time. He can bother me all he wants but he's bringing my friends into this, I won't tolerate that." I noticed Edward's hands clench into fists at the mention of Jacob and Alice.

"Bells, I think you need to consider getting a restraining order." Charlie told me.

"I think you're right dad," I just hoped it would actually be effective.

"We'll talk more about this when I get home. I'll get rid of him and let you know when the coast is clear. Just be safe," he told me.

"You too Dad," and with that we ended our call. "Edward, are you ok?"

"Don't worry about me, is Alice ok?" I nodded my head.

"Emmett and Jasper were there with her, she's fine," I assured him.

"Why didn't you tell me he was at your house waiting?" he asked.

"I was a little caught up in the moment," I admitted. "Everything else seems to disappear when I'm around you Edward."

"I know the feeling," he smiled. "Are you scared?"

"Of Jacob?" I asked.

"Yea."

"No. I can deal with him if I really need to," I told him. "I just don't tolerate him messing with the people I care about."

"Bells, I won't let him hurt you," I could tell how serious he was by that intense look in his eyes. That stare was almost hypnotizing. " I promise you."

"And I promise you that I won't let him hurt you again," I smiled and leaned in to kiss him. At this point whatever Jacob did to me I didn't care about. It was Edward, Alice and the others who became my top priority the moment Alice informed me about what he did. I wondered sometimes why Jacob was the way he was and why he was doing this again. I wouldn't let him hurt my friends. I wouldn't let him hurt Edward.

A/N: I hope this one isn't as short as the other...but what'd you all think?