So sorry that I haven't updated in a long time. I've been failing my Algebra class and desperately trying to get it up.

Ch. 13

The silence in the room was deafening. No one said a word for what seemed like forever. I looked at Jake only to see his face a mask, emotions unreadable. My fingers fiddled with the rim of the glass I held as I waited for someone to break the silence. I wasn't disappointed.

"Oh come on!" Leah huffed. "You've gotta be kidding me? Is this some kind of sick joke Bella, or are you in some kind of psychological illusion?"

My brows furrowed. "I'm not lying to you."

She turned her head in obvious disbelief. Sam stood with a slightly irritated look on his face and all the rest just looked shocked and confused. I sat trying to find a way to explain in the easiest way possible. Before I could speak, though, I was stopped. "Is that all?" Sam asked, frustration clear in his tone.

"You don't believe me," Bella stated knowingly.

Jake sighed, "Well, Bella, it's not something easily believable ya know?"

For some reason, I just knew this was going to happen again. I needed a way to show them I was serious. But what could I do? What could I do to make them see that I was being completely honest about all of this? "Why would I make this up Jake?"

"I don't know," Sam cut in, "But Bella, you're being absurd. You called us out here to tell us something so ridiculous..."

I bowed my head in thought, trying desperately to come up with something. Anything. When I looked up again, something in my peripheral vision caught my eye. I turned my head and the sparkling metal immediately brought an idea to mind. The chair scooted back easily, creating a screech as I stood up. "Bella, what…?" Embry started.

"I'm going to prove to you what I mean," I said, a determined edge to my voice. I approached the counter with a purpose.

Jake and everyone in the roomed suddenly looked very apprehensive. With my back to the counter, facing all that stood in the room, the hand behind my back grasped the item tightly. "Bella what are you doing?" Leah gasped.

"This." I whipped the knife from behind my back, holding it poised in the air.

Sam's face took on a look of horror and everyone else seemed to panic. "Bella wait! Are you stupid?" Jake started towards me.

Ignoring him, I placed the knife at the crease of my elbow and quickly sliced down, leaving a gaping, oozing cut along my arm. The wolves' noses scrunched at the smell of blood. "Are you crazy?!" Billy screamed. "You trying to kill yourself or something Bella? What the hell has gotten in to you?"

"Just. Watch," I implored him calmly but sternly.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Instantly, I felt the power flowing through my veins. To those watching, a small smile spread on my face. Tapping into my healing power, I brought it to the hand that had no injury. My hand became shrouded in light. I opened my eyes again and smiled wider at my success. Slowly, I brought my lit hand to the injury on my arm and let it hover for about ten seconds. Almost immediately, the wound began to close. Gasps filled the room as the cut completely vanished with not so much as a scar left in its place. My pale skin was just as it was before.

"My God," Sam breathed, everyone staring at my arm in awe.

"What…How?" Quil stuttered.

I inhaled slowly. "I told you. I'm not human, at least, I won't be once I turn eighteen."

Bill rolled up beside me, "Care to elaborate on that Bella?"

"Of course."

So for the next two hours I reiterated my story, answering any questions that were asked to the best of my ability. Once the story was complete, an understanding seemed to fill the room. Jake, being the jokester he was, broke the tension that choked the kitchen. "Well damn Bells. I used to think there was no hope to ya, but just look at you now!"

Everyone laughed at his comment and I felt myself relax at their acceptance. It was relieving to know those who I considered family wasn't too judgmental about this sudden occurrence that would not only alter my life, but theirs as well just for being associated with me.

This didn't sit well. Thoughts began to fill my head in that moment. Thoughts about what would happen once I gained my true self. Would people…creatures come from all over to fight me…attempt to kill me…and possibly my family? The knowledge from the night before swam through my head. Different worlds and the beings residing there filled my mind; creatures that could easily eliminate those who were dear to my heart.

Looking up at all the faces in the room, each one holding a place in my heart, I made a vow to myself that no matter what force decided to threaten me or my family, I would protect them with everything I had. Alice, Rosalie, Emmett, Jasper, Carlisle, Esme, Jake, the pack, and most importantly Edward; they would all be under my protection from the moment the clock dubbed me eighteen. Nothing, absolutely nothing, would have enough power to take them away from me; not if I had anything to say about it.

A few hours passed and the pack and I went down to the beach for a while. The gentle lapping of the waves against my feet felt wonderful; a delightful cool sensation to help me relax after that stressful revealing. Jake managed to get me to play a round of Frisbee, which, to their surprise, I didn't injure myself in. It turns out after just one night (one month) of training, my senses helped improve my reaction time and grace; I no longer fell flat on my face when I chased down the Frisbee.

After about half an hour of chasing the Frisbee, Jake and I broke away from the rest and began to walk along the beach, my shoes held daintily between my fingers and Jake barefoot and bare-chested.

"So…a chaotic angel huh?" he interrupted the silence.

I breathed in the sea air, letting it fill my senses. "Yeah. Crazy I know."

"No kiddin' Bells. This is just…wow."

"It wasn't something I took easily either. Shana is an amazing instructor though. I've learned a lot from her in just one night's training. I'm not looking forward to tonight's though…"

Jake turned to look at me slightly, "Why's that?"

"I start my fitness training tonight."

Jake began to laugh heartily knowingly at my expense. A frown settled upon my lips, but it was a futile attempt; his laughter was too contagious. I burst into a fit of giggles which only made Jake laugh harder. We both stood, our feet buried in the sand, laughing like maniacs at the thought of me doing physical training. Only after I got to the point of painful, tear-inducing laughter was I finally able to calm down enough to breathe. A few giggles still erupting ever few seconds.

"Man, I haven't laughed like that in a long time," Jake said with a deep breath.

I shook my head. "Me either."

A big, warm hand came to rest on my shoulder and Jake grinned boyishly. Unable to resist, I swept forward and hugged him. His arms came up and wrapped around me, his nose buried in my hair. "I've missed you Jake," I whispered. He and I both knew I was referring to the old Jake.

"I've missed you too Bells."

The day continued to draw on and Jake and I spent the afternoon walking the beach, catching up on things missed. I felt care free and relaxed for the first time in a while. As the sun finally began to sink beneath the colorful horizon, I told Jake it was time to head back to his house so I could call Edward to come and get me. He didn't want me too of course, but thankfully he didn't argue.

Jake, with a surprisingly gentlemanly gesture, opened the door for me to enter the house. With a smile, I walk in and make my way to the kitchen, the pack long since returning to their own lives. I pulled out my crappy cell phone I had gotten a little while back and dialed the all-too-familiar number. I waited for two rings before I was graced by the sound of his sexy voice.

"Hello? Bella?"

"Yeah, Edward, it's me. Um, you can come and pick me up now since it's getting late."

"Anything happen?" his voice letting me know he was on edge.

I smiled knowingly, "No Edward, nothing bad happened. It's just getting late and it's almost time."

He knew what I meant by 'almost time'. "I'll be there in ten minutes, Love."

"M'k."

"I love you Bella."

I giggled, "I love you too."

Well that's the end of this chapter. I'm once again so so so so so sorry about the wait. I'm trying to do better, but until i get my grades up, i dont' have a lot of time to work on chapters. REVIEW PLZ!!