Thanks for your responses guys….I was so worried that you'd hate what I had done to Jake…Not to much to say just that things are only get worse before they can get better and hopefully I will post 2 chapters tonight as I have just realized this will be 6,050 words…bit too long!! Anyway enjoy and let me know what you think? Love Tink xx
It was early on Wednesday morning when Rosalie cornered me to ask Jake and I to a party at the Cullen's on Friday evening. My first instinct was to refuse. I wasn't ready to deal with Edward in a social situation. I didn't think my heart could take it.
Jake looked at me with a smile "What do you think, sounds cool right"
I nodded thinking it would be fun, give me a chance to catch up with all my friends, I'd missed seeing them lately. But there was still the problem of Edward.
"I'm not sure will Edward be there?" I hedged, chewing my lip.
Rosalie grinned "Of course"
"We'll be there and I'll protect you from Edward, I'll show him you're all mine" he said and took my hand, pulling me in to his side, holding me close. I think I was supposed to feel protected, I just felt stifled.
"I hope you'll dance with me Jake, I have some moves I can't wait to show you" Rosalie said with a wink. I stared in disbelief and disgust, had she just flirted with him? What the hell was happening? Emmett would tear them both apart of he caught them.
"When the hostess is as hot as you, it would be rude to refuse" he said checking her out with an exaggerated leer, the same one he had used on me the other evening. I didn't like it any better when it was used on someone else.
"Looking forward to it" she beamed and without evening saying goodbye, turned around, walked away, adding a sway of her hips.
I was furious with Rosalie, she had just flirted with Jake right in front of me and worse yet, he'd responded.
"Why did you do that?" I asked him, hurt, bewildered. Wasn't I good enough?
"Do what?"
"Flirt with Rose"
"I wasn't flirting, I was being friendly" he sighed," you want them to like me don't you? Are you jealous Bella? You know I won't be with a jealous girl, it's a waste of emotion…you are mine, you don't have to worry about anyone else"
"I wasn't jealous, just surprised that's all" I hurried to assure him.
"If you don't want to go to the party . . . I mean Rosie was the one flirting with me, maybe we should give it a miss if you can't handle other girls being nice to me"
"No, I want us to go," I protested, I wanted to see my friends.
"If you don't trust me, this can't work . . . That hurts me that you don't trust me"
I immediately felt guilty for hurting his feelings, he was right Rosie had been flirting, he was just being friendly. Of course I wanted him to get on with my friends, that was the whole point of this party wasn't it? I was glad they had asked us both; it meant they were willing to give him a chance. Lately I had gotten the feeling that they didn't like him and I didn't want that, I wanted them to be happy for me, happy that I had found someone.
"I'm sorry Jake, you're right… I didn't mean to hurt your feelings"
He kissed me, passionately, his hands reaching down to cup my ass "You know how much I like you right? I don't need anybody else but you, just like you don't need anyone else but me"
"I am sorry you know" I said softly, feeling bad that I had hurt him, all he ever did was tell me how much he liked me, how could I think he would flirt with another girl?
It made me feel guilty, guilty that I couldn't return the depth of his feelings. To make it up to him I vowed to be the best girlfriend I could be and if that meant spending lots of time with him then so be it. My friends had boyfriends of their own and like Jake had said to me the evening after the movies; if they really were my friends, then they would understand.
EPOV
Rosalie came marching along the hallway towards Alice and I with a twisted look on her face.
"Uh I feel sick….do you know he checked me out right in front of her? He fucking flirted with me and she was right there watching…not only is he controlling and possessive but I wouldn't be surprised if he was a cheat too…God Bella grow some fucking balls"
I listened to what she had said; my Bella was disappearing before our very eyes. She was being controlled and manipulated and she didn't seem to care. What was wrong with her? Was she that in love with him she couldn't see him for what he really was?
"We have to do something Edward, we need to make her see sense" Alice said gently, softly and I could see the sparkle of tears in her eyes. I realized then that I was not the only one missing my Bella, Alice was too.
BPOV
Some days after Rosalie's invitation, as I dressed for the party I was mindful of what to wear. Jake had already made some suggestions and I so wanted to please him. I had begun to feel as though I were always letting him down, because there always seemed to be a problem with what I wore. Either it was too tight, too low or too revealing. If I really didn't want to attract other guys' attention then why did I dress in those clothes? That's what he asked me all the time and I could see his point. After all I had been happy for years with what I wore until I let Alice and Rosalie talk me into a make over. He was right; I had a boyfriend now there was no need to dress up, for other people.
Biting my lip nervously, I looked at myself in the mirror, wondering what it was, that Jake liked about me. Sure I had lost a little weight, thanks to Jake's interventions but I still had some to lose, he'd reminded me. My hair was perfect, down and curly just the way he liked it, I didn't look girly enough with it tied back, he thought. I wore a loose white shirt with a wide fitted black belt and a pair of skinny jeans, which made my legs look impossibly long. I looked nice but I didn't feel as though I were going to a party and briefly wondered if I should change. But I remembered how disappointed Jake would be if I wore something else and decided to stay as was.
Another major reason for my indecisiveness was the fact that Edward would be there and I would hate for anyone- Jake especially- to think I was dressing to attract his attention. I was nervous about being in such close proximity to him, despite the fact I had seen him around at school, we hadn't really spoken.
I would never admit it to Jake but I missed Edward so much, missed his friendship, his laughter, missed knowing he was there for me, and missed his presence in my life. It would hurt Jake so much if he knew and so I hid my feelings, buried them deep inside. Tonight I was scared that Jake would see through my charade and be upset. He had done so much for me, made me a better person, it just wouldn't be right to hurt him like that.
A beeping horn pulled me from my thoughts and I took a deep breath before heading out of the room and down the stairs.
"Hey sexy " Jake said and kissed my cheek as I climbed in the car.
"Jake, you look nice" I commented and waited for him to return the compliment, he didn't he simply drove away as though I hadn't spoken. I bit my lip, didn't he like what I had on? Maybe I hadn't made enough of an effort for him? What if he wasn't pleased with me?
The journey to the Cullen's was quite short and I worried the entire way before I knew it we were parking and getting out of the car. My heart sped up with nerves as we pulled in behind Edward's shiny silver Volvo.
"Ready?" he pulled me to his side and wrapped an arm around my hips, his hand caressing my bottom, approvingly. He gave it a little smack. I was over come with the urge to smack him back, but stifled it and smiled instead. Tonight I had to put on a good show for all our sakes. I had to make them believe that I had not made a mistake in choosing Jake over my best friend. If there was one shred of doubt on my face Edward would see it and know how I felt. And if Jake realized how much I still cared for Edward it would hurt him terribly and after all he had done for me, I couldn't hurt him that way.
"Ready?"
I just hoped I was.
Inside everybody was dancing and having a good time, the large house was full to bursting with Forks High students. I spotted Emmett and Jasper and waved but I couldn't see any sign of Alice and Rosie as we wove our way through the crowds. Looking about nervously I wondered where Edward was, probably with some girl, knowing him, I thought, the old jealousy returning and I hadn't even seen him yet.
EPOV
Alice, Rosalie and I stood at the top of the staircase, watching the party below us. My heart thumped when I saw her come in, wrapped tightly in Black's arms. She was smiling, radiantly, moving a little in time with the music. Another first, Bella hated to dance, she thought of it as a health hazard.
"Oh God, what is she wearing?" Alice cried asked in disbelief "Are you ready to do this Rosie?"
I stared at them wondering what was going on between them, they had obviously concocted another plan.
Rosalie nodded, a malicious smirk on her face, I wondered again what she was about to do "You take Jake and I'll take Bella. I'll need at least ten minutes" Alice said to her
She fluffed her long blonde hair and pouted "Not a problem, although he does give me the creeps…it's a good job I warned Emmett, I would hate to see his pretty face marked"
"Let's do this" Alice said and the pair made their way down the stairs. I followed behind them marveling at the lengths these two would go to.
Rosalie added an extra wiggle of her hips as she made her way towards the couple and I hid a smile as she adjusted her skirt a little. She may practically be my sister in law but there was no denying that she was hot. I almost, almost felt sorry for Black.
BPOV
I groaned as she spotted Rosalie wiggling her way towards us, knowing she meant business.
"Jake, you promised me a dance," she purred in his ear, letting her body brush against his 'accidentally'.
Jake looked at me "I won't, if you don't trust me"
I forced a smile but inside I was seething at them both "No it's okay, you go dance with Rosalie, you said to me yourself you know how bad I am at dancing"
I noticed Alice appear beside us and she rolled her eyes at Jacob. "You're sure, I know how you worry, when I'm not with you" Jake said, he looked at Alice "she gets anxious and jealous when I'm not about…it's sweet really"
I gritted my teeth, this was getting annoying. But again I smiled.
"Positive, you go and dance; I'll get us some drinks"
"Okay then" he beamed and kissed my cheek briefly, then took Rosalie's hand to lead her through the crowd "Don't go too far" he warned and I nodded.
"I can't believe Rose, what's she playing at flirting with Jake? He's my boyfriend, she could have any guy she wants, where as me, I've only got him" I said to Alice when they had disappeared into the crowd.
"I know, but she probably just thinks she'd being friendly…Anyway, you could have any guy you want too" Alice said to me, a concerned looked on her face and I shook my head.
"No I can't, that's why I'm lucky I found Jake, he's great for me"
" Christ, you sound so rehearsed….wake up….Bella you could have any one you want, you don't need anyone. . .Anyway what's been happening with you, I've hardly seen you these last few weeks, you look different, have you lost weight?"
I nodded proudly "Yeah and Jake says I only have a few more pounds to lose"
"Bella, you don't need to lose any weight," Alice sounded exasperated.
I smiled at my friend "Alice, you don't need to be kind, I know I'm a bit too big but it's okay Jake says he likes me anyway"
"Bella, do you really think you should listen to everything Jake says, he's just a guy . . . don't let him tell you what to do"
I looked at Alice in surprise, is that really what she thought "I don't let him tell me what to do, he gives me advice, I take it"
"Says who?"
"Jake" I replied
"See my point. . . Bella we're worried about you… you're not yourself, we hardly see you anymore, you're always with him"
I folded my arms across my chest defensively "Jake warned me you would do this, you're just jealous of out relationship Alice, he really likes me, he's good for me"
Alice snorted and rolled her eyes at me "Jealous, Bells we're worried about you, you're changing, you're not yourself, you're not happy"
"Yes I am, Jake really likes me, he makes me happy"
"Christ Bella, will you listen to yourself, you sound like a robot, he makes me happy, you sure as hell don't seem it . . .Do you really like him so much, that you'd change the way you eat and dress for him?"
"You wanted me to do it for Edward, but because it's for Jake I can't do it" I countered my eyes spitting fire. This was so unfair, they didn't understand, how much Jake liked me, how much he needed me, it wasn't about them, it was about me and Jake. I was trying to please everyone and failing.
Alice shook her head "That was different, we care about you… you love Edward, we know you do"
This time I shook my head, furious with her "Jake cares about me too, and I don't love Edward, I'm with Jake now, can't you all accept that and be happy for me?" I cried tears coming to my eyes.
"He's no good for you Bella, he's turning you into someone else and you don't love him, I know you don't"
"He told me you would be like this Alice he said it's because you're Edwards sister. He said you would say things to try and split us up but we're stronger than that…. if you can't accept that then I don't want to be your friend or Rosalie's…. Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to find my boyfriend," I snapped and dashed away my tears, turning blindly to look for Jake and Rosie.