Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight. I do own all of the movies and the books. Those are mine free and clear. I support my own habit.
AN: I wrote Twilight instead of twelve three times before I got it right when I was trying to save this. I just wanted to point that out.
Bella hadn't talked to Embry or Jacob in almost a week. They kept missing each other. She had finally called Quil the other night. The three of them were talking as a group again. Things were awkward, but they got better every time that they were together.
She was going to have to thank Rachel for finally telling Billy what was going on. Billy had laid down the law after Bella and Charlie left the night of the party. A determined Billy was not someone that you wanted to mess with.
She was looking through her nightstand for a pen so that she could do her homework when her fingers grazed over a piece of paper. She picked it up then sighed when she realized what is was. Embry's name was written across the front in Alice's neat handwriting.
She reached into the drawer again and retrieved the envelope that had Jacob's name on it. She pushed her chemistry book and notebook aside as she leaned back against the pillows. She slowly slipped her finger under the envelope flap and pulled. She pulled out the letter and braced herself for what it said.
Bella,
I hope that you are reading this because you have made a decision. If not; then you are a liar and a cheat. That being said, this is the wrong choice. I hope that you realize that. But if Jacob is the one you choose can I date Embry? I won't tell Jasper if you won't.
Alice
Bella shook her head with a smile as she slipped the paper back into the envelope and pulled out the list. Alice had written friend in big bold letters across the top. Jacob had some very sweet, very endearing qualities. But she knew that he wasn't right for her.
She stared down at the other envelope. It lay on the bed next to her, and it took all the will power she had not to pick it up. She stood from the bed and walked out of the room.
She was in front of Jacobs half an hour later. She heard voices from the back yard; so she made her way around the side of the house. Jacob, Seth, and Sam were leaning over a truck in the garage. Seth was the one to look over his shoulder first.
"Hey Bells." he said with a smile.
"Hey Seth." she said returning his smile.
Jacob wiped his hands on a rag while Seth turned his attention back to the truck.
"I'll be back in a little bit." he said over his shoulder.
He followed her into the house and into the living room.
"We haven't talked in a while. How have you been?"
"Good. I found a job."
"Where?"
"Newton's."
"That's a sporting goods store, right?" he asked in confusion.
"Yeah." she said slowly.
"How did you get a job there?" he asked with a laugh.
"I go to school with the owner's son." she said with a shrug.
"New boyfriend?" he teased.
"He wishes." she said rolling her eyes.
"What else has been going on?"
"Not much. I've had a lot on my mind." she said with a sigh.
"Do you wanna talk about it?"
"That's the main reason I came over." she said with a nod.
"It's about Embry, isn't it?" he asked looking at his hands.
"I'm sorry." she said sympathetically.
"You don't have to apologize Bells. It's cool." he said nonchalantly.
"Are you sure?" she asked surprised by his reaction.
"I realized something last weekend." he said giving her an even look.
"What's that?"
"I don't like you as much as I thought I did." he said matter of factly.
"Excuse me?" she asked giving him a questioning look.
"My feelings for you weren't as strong as I thought. It was the excitement of seeing you again." he explained quickly.
"Thanks Jake." she said rolling her eyes.
"That doesn't mean that I don't want to be your friend." he said with a light laugh.
"So what now?"
"You should talk to Embry." he said with concern.
"You're okay with everything?" she asked, wanting to make sure that he was okay with the decision.
"Yeah. Just remember, if he hurts you; I'll be here. You're gonna need somebody to lean on." he said giving her a small smile.
"I'm hoping that all the crap he's been doing is in the past. Lets' that hope that I won't need you. Not like that anyway." she said as she wrapped her arms around his waist.
"I hope so too." he said into her hair.
Embry stood on the porch watching them. He had come over to help Jacob and Sam work on Sam's truck. He felt his heart lurch as his throat clenched shut. He couldn't breathe. He didn't realize that it would hurt this much. If Jacob made her happy then he would have to learn to live with it. He turned and made his way back down the stairs. He was gone before either of them noticed that he was there.
XXXX
Bella sighed as Embry's voice mail came on.
"Hey Embry, I came by your house earlier. I don't know if your mom told you. I really need to talk to you. It's important. Could you please call me back?"
She shut the phone with a frustrated groan. She had called him three times in the past two hours. She was starting to get agitated. She still hadn't opened the envelope with his name on it. She needed to finish her homework before she read it. It was hard to keep focus. She'd been on the same Math problem for ten minutes. She'd ask Alice for help during study hall tomorrow. It wasn't due until Monday anyway.
She opened the envelope and pulled out the list first. She looked over it, wondering if she were crazy, or just a glutton for punishment. What sane person would want to be with someone with the baggage that Embry had? She pulled the letter out next.
You don't take the easy way out; do you? All I can say is that you made the right decision. I knew that you would choose Embry. It's not going to be easy, but he will give you what you need. He will make you happy, and hopefully, you can be the one to make him see that he doesn't have to pretend to be someone he isn't. I've only met him once, but even I could see that. Let yourself be happy, don't hold anything back.
Alice
Bella folded the letter as her phone rang. She didn't look at the Caller ID to see who it was before she picked up.
"Hello?"
"Hey." Quil said.
"Hey." she said with a sigh.
"What's wrong?"
"I've been trying to get in touch with Embry. No luck."
"Try his house. His Jeep is outside."
"I tried his house twenty minutes ago. Then I tried his cell. So he is avoiding me."
"What did you do?"
"I made up my mind. It figures that he would do this." she said in frustration.
"You're choosing him?"
"Technically he should know first, but since Jake already knows, yes I am."
"I won't tell him. Keep trying, alright?"
"I will."
"He's worth fighting for. Don't forget that."
"That's what I needed to hear. I was starting to think that I had made the wrong decision. Thank you."
"You're welcome. I should go. I'm supposed to be doing my homework."
"Bye."
She hung up a few seconds later, only to have it ring again as soon as she set it down. She picked it up quickly.
"Shouldn't you be concentrating on your homework?" she asked as answered it.
"I finished my homework at school Bella." Edward said with a laugh.
""Sorry, I thought you were Quil. I just got off the phone with him."
"It's okay. I wanted to ask you something." he said sounding serious.
"What is it?"
"Would you let me draw you?" he asked.
"I don't know." she said, not sure of the idea.
"Do you think that Embry wouldn't like it?"
"He doesn't have any claim over me Edward." she said with a sigh.
"I thought that the two of you were together." he said apologetically.
"Well we're not." she said in a clipped tone.
"Why do I feel like the decision to not date isn't your decision?" he asked quizzically.
"Because he doesn't know yet." she said darkly.
"Think about it, please?" he pleaded.
"This isn't going to ruin our friendship is it?" she asked in concern.
"Absolutely not." he assured her.
"Do you promise?"
"Yes."
"Okay, then. I'll come by Saturday." she said, hoping that she wouldn't regret the decision.
They talked for a few more minutes before Bella hung up. She hoped that Edward wouldn't make things weird between them. She'd have to hold him to his word.
She got ready for bed half an hour later. She came back into the room after talking to her dad and decided to check her phone. She hadn't missed any calls or texts. She got into bed with a huff.
"Damn you, Embry." she muttered under her breath.
She angrily wiped at her eyes as she felt tears prick her eyes. She turned over to lie on her back with a sigh. She wished that things weren't so strained between them. How was she supposed to sleep when she was mad at him? If she couldn't get in touch with him tomorrow then she would take it as a sign that they weren't meant to be together.
