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CHAPTER TEN
Mean
[Jacob Black's point of view.]
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"Jacob?"
My name never sounded so good. I felt myself stir on the Cullen's couch. My legs were falling off the couch and my arm was slung around the armrest. I sighed, knowing that finding the perfect position to sleep wasn't thought out. As soon as I touched the couch everything went black. I cocked my head to look over the couch to find Analisse behind it. She smiled at me, her hair messy and her eyes looked as if she just woke up too.
"I come bearing food," she held up a coffee mug and pancakes.
I smiled at her and nodded for her to come over. She walked around and took a seat next to me, pushing my legs off the couch in the process. Her laugh rang in the silent air as she placed the food on my lap. I couldn't help but feel a jump as I looked at the most innocent smile gracing her lips.
"You better not have poisoned it," I gave off a crooked smile before digging into the pancakes. Sweet, soft and fluffy. Just like her mother used to make it. "You know, you cook just like your mother."
"The Cullen's don't eat so," she shrugged, "I thought I could've made some food while they got theirs."
"Emmett hunting?" I asked.
"So is the others," she said.
"Good," I said, more to myself than to her.
"Say what?" Her eyes widened innocently.
"The food," I said quickly, my mouth full, "the food is good."
"Thanks."
Silence washed over us as she sipped the coffee in her hands, her body curled up against the couch. She shivered and took another sip. I felt my body stiffen at the sight of her so close to me. I wasn't sure what to say. For all my life I had oppurtunies to speak to her; this had been one of them.
"Are you cold Ana?" I asked, swallowing the last pancake bite.
"Just a bit," she said, "Emmett had to wrap me around so many blankets last night when we were talking. He's so…cold."
I refrained an eye roll from taking course at the thought of him taking my spot during the night. Just like a vampire to come out and play during the night. I took a breath and shook my head, trying not to sound bitter.
"Come close," I opened up my arms and looked down at my chest, then back at her, "I'll show you some of the perks of being a werewolf."
She hesitated at first, but allowed herself to fall into my arms. Her body compared to mine was so petite, so little. I held her gently in the silence, doing my best not to grip to hard or grip to loose.
"What else can you do?" She asked, looking up at me.
"Run fast, heal fast. Everything about my nature is pretty fast," I smiled, "When I'm in wolf form, I can hear everyone else's thoughts."
"Everyone else?" She looked at me with questionable eyes.
"The others," I said, "There's more than one werewolf in Washington."
"I'm not surprised."
It was silent again, but the silence was so comfortable. Her body pressed against mine for warmth calmed my body down. I took in her sweet rosy scent and smiled wrapping my arms around her slightly tighter. She looked up at me again, her chin resting on my chest.
"Do you think I can ever go back to school?" She asked.
"Ever?" I asked.
"Ever."
"Yes, I guess," I shrugged, "I don't see why. I wouldn't."
"You're such a bad influence," she laughed, "You never went to school."
"It wasn't on my list of top tens," I said.
"What was?" She asked, pushing her hands to my chest to push herself off, she struggled a bit with my strength but her eyes flashed and easily she slipped out of my grip. "Sorry, I was getting hot."
I smiled, feeling a warm heat cross across my cheeks, "Sorry."
"Don't forget the question," she grinned.
"Well, wolf responsibilities and what not," I shrugged, tapping my knee, "Taking care of my dad. Friends. You."
I watched her freeze as she reached for her coffee. I tensed, feeling my own body stiffen as well. Had I just said that?
"I've noticed."
I sighed as she finally grabbed her coffe and sipped it. I leaned back into the couch and rubbed my hands over my knees to stop them from shaking repeatedly. I looked at her as she turned to me, her face soft and her eyes warm.
"You were my big brother when Evan left for war," she looked down at her cup, "Thanks for that. Protecting me and all."
"I'm here forever, I might as well help someone out in the process right?" I tried to lighten the mood.
"Forever?" She shook her head, "Doesn't anyone around me die?"
"Bella," I said, "But she's aiming for forever too."
"Life is so different," she sighed and put down her cup, "How can I ever go back to school?"
"Just go."
She looked at me, her eyes widened and a small smile gracing her lips. I could feel the gears in her head begin to turn.
"Don't think you're bringing me with you," I muttered.
Analisse's hands folded and her golden blue eyes began to plead the words her pouting lips didn't. I cringed and looked away, shaking my head. Although I was in a house full of vampires; this was my vacation from school. I could feel her crawling closer to me, her scent now stronger in my nose. I noticed my fingers shook but I held them on my knees, doing my best not to lose control and give in. School wasn't an option.
"Ana," I groaned, "Do you really want to go back to school?"
"I just want to face somethings—Peter for one."
"You're thinking of Peter?" My voice seethed with verbal venom. I saw her cringe at my tone.
"He loves me, you know."
Love. If she couldn't see Peter didn't love her—how can she see that I loved her? She was blind. And I needed to show her. That thought alone scared me.
"There are other people who really love you," I said trying to soften my tone, "Peter left you alone in the forest. That's not love."
"What is?" She was getting defensive, "Tell me, have you ever been in love."
"Have you?"
I expected a yes. But she stood quiet. She shook her head and sighed, "But he loves me. That has got to be the nicest thing for someone to give me."
I wanted to tell her. I wanted to grab her hand, look into her eyes, and tell her. I wanted to speak of the love I wanted to show her so bad. I wanted to kiss her lips and whisper the three words. But I sat there. Silent. Unable to do a single thing.