12) Link

I stood in shock, the phone gripped tightly in my hand. I stared ahead as a faint roar grew in my ears, along with my breath becoming hitched in my throat. My mind struggled to unscramble itself after the deep bass came into my head.

"Amber?" Jacob asked on the other end of the phone. I was instantly snapped out of my stupor as the sound of his voice resonated in my ears. I held the phone tighter in both of my hands, which were trembling slightly. I took in a deep breath before I answered him.

"Yeah…I'm here." I spoke quietly into the phone, my voice shaking a little bit. I closed my eyes and forced myself to focus as his voice came into my ears again.

"Oh…" Silence came between us and my heart started to hammer wildly in my ribcage.

Why was Jacob calling me like this? After all this time, when he was gone-away from school and away from me-how did he bring himself to make the effort to actually talk to me?

"How are you?" Jacob asked softly. My breath caught in my throat as I recognized the familiar tone of voice he used when he was around me. My chest seared in pain as I briefly looked back on the memories I had locked away.

"I'm fine." I spoke around the sudden lump in my throat. Another wave of silence came, and I turned towards the kitchen window to see the clouds in the afternoon sky highlighted in yellow.

"That's good…" Jacob's voice trailed off before he continued. "I just…wanted to call you and see how you were doing." I nodded my head, my eyes glued to the outside world beyond the window. My eyebrows furrowed together as I took in his reply.

"Thanks." My voice came out monotone. "That was really…nice of you. I have to go." I turned my head to the wall as I shifted the phone in my hand. The voice on the other end made me stop in surprise.

"No, Amber, don't hang up!" Jacob spoke quickly. His voice was held with a trace of desperation. I held the phone tighter in my hand as he spoke again. "Ummm….look, alright. I just…I wanted to hear your voice." He admitted, his voice huskier than before.

A wave of shock came through me, but I immediately squashed it down. "R-really?" I asked in a small voice. I continued to stare at the wispy patterns that were painted in the white wall.

Jacob's voice came out in a gentle tone. "Yeah." He spoke quietly.

I suddenly struggled to remember how to breathe properly.

"Listen, Amber." His voice came out with doubt this time. "Are you…are you free this afternoon?" I could hear the heavy breathing on the other end as he waited for my answer.

An uneasy feeling settled in my stomach, while my heart thudded unsteadily. My eyes lost focus of the wall ahead of me as I struggled for the right words to say.

Did he asked me this question because he wanted to see me, or to tell me that he didn't want to…Immediately, my chest burned with the familiar pain I felt when the stinging fire was inflicted upon my skin.

I stared into nothing while my vision became blurred, but then I raised my head when resolve came to me.

"Jacob?" I spoke into the phone, my voice softer than I wanted it to be. I took in a deep breath before I continued. "I've nothing going on. Did you want to, what, see me or something?" I bit my lower lip as I waited for his answer.

"Yeah, I do." His voice came out in relief, although it sounded shaky. I heard him take in a deep breath before he spoke again. "It's just…there's something I really want to tell you."

I nodded against the phone, my heart thudding painfully fast.

"So…meet me at First Beach, OK?" He asked in his gentle voice, all the nervousness gone.

I paused before I took in a shaking breath. "OK then," I spoke calmly into the phone. "I'll drive there right now." A flutter of butterflies tickled my stomach as I uttered the words.

"See you then." Jacob's voice dropped an octave and I vaguely wondered if he was suddenly as nervous as I was.

"Bye," I almost whispered before pressing the phone off and placing back in the cradle.

Silence spread throughout the kitchen as I stood by the wall. My head was threatening to spin in circles, and my hands started to become clammy.

Jacob wanted to see me. My heart almost took flight at the thought, but the doubt inside of me kept it grounded. He might have something important to tell me. I immediately played back his husky voice, which was almost tainted with doubt.

The flaming pain came back on in my chest, and I took in a deep breath to put it out before it spread.

I wouldn't think like that. I wanted to see him, and this was my chance. I wanted to take it, although it would be my last.

I turned my head towards the window again, and saw that the late afternoon sky had turned into a dark, yet vibrant orange. A wave of determination rose within me as I gazed at the warm color.

I went towards the counter and opened the small kitchen drawer, my fingers fumbling blindly for the writing pad and a pen. I ripped out a page and scribbled a note onto it, finishing it in an instant and placing it onto the stove.

Grabbing my keys I almost ran out the house and locked the door before I headed towards my car.

Once I was on the road, I internally kept on reminding myself to follow the speed limit. My fingers almost shook as they gripped the steering wheel, and I took in deep breaths as I headed towards my destination.

At long last, my car finally pulled into the parking lot of First Beach, and I quickly stopped the engine, ending its noise into a rumble.

I grasped the steering wheel as I stared out into the ocean view, almost blinded by the bright ball of sun that was slowly sinking into the horizon. I took in a last deep breath before my hand found the door and slowly opened it.

I climbed out, and could instantly hear the call of seagulls carrying out in the distance. I closed the door behind me, and with my head bend to the soft wind I slowly walked down towards the beach, my hand in my pockets.

I stopped myself when my feet almost touched the shore, and my eyes took in the many rainbow colored rocks that were scattered along the sand. A strong breeze blew over me, and I slowly raised my head, my face being softly brushed by the wind that came over me. I looked around at my surroundings, starting to realize that I was the only person on the beach.

My eyes wandered over to my left, and they froze on a moving figure that was coming toward me.

I stared at it for a moment before my mind registered who it was, and the butterflies started beating inside my stomach again. My eyes stayed focused on Jacob as he came closer, one had in his jeans pocket, the muscles in his torso almost moving with him as he continued to walk. His shaggy black hair blew softly in the wind.

Watching him in his huge form suddenly rekindled the last memory I had with him, when he seemed to grow bigger as he became angry…

A chill went down my back as a tinge of fear spread in my chest.

Jacob stopped about two feet from me, and we stared at each other across the short distance. I almost craned my neck up to look into his black eyes.

"Hey Amber." Jacob murmured softly, his eyes fixed on my face. They were masked slightly by his bangs, but the recognizable flicker was seen in the black color. I stared into it before I answered back.

"Hi." My voice came out in a small voice, and I was almost afraid that it was lost in the gentle wind. My heart thudded uneasily in my ribcage, and it left me in both fear and confusion.

Jacob's eyebrows furrowed together as he took in the closed in expression on my face, and the flicker in his eyes suddenly burned brighter. In one long stride, he took a step towards me and almost closed the space between us. His huge hand almost reached out towards mine.

Unthinkingly, I stepped back away from him, and I almost stumbled into the powdery sand.

His hand froze in the air, and then slowly came back to his side limply. The flicker almost dimmed out from his eyes as he gazed at me in sadness. "What's wrong Amber?" He murmured softly, concern coming into his expression.

I stared up into his face before I came up with an answer. "I think you know exactly what's wrong." I murmured softly through my lips. The fear ebbed away inside of me, becoming replaced with growing frustration.

I was so tired of playing this game that I didn't understand.

"Amber…" Jacob's eyebrows came more together as he took a small step towards me. "I don't know. OK? I don't know." His voice sounded completely aged. "Please, tell me what's wrong. OK?" His hand slowly reached up towards my face.

I jerked my head away from his hand as my frustration reached its boiling point.

"You don't know what's wrong with me?" I demanded, every word dripping with sarcasm. In one swift movement I unzipped my jacket and pulled my sleeveless shirt down enough to reveal the four long, dark scars that came across the left side of my chest. I took in a deep shuddering breath as my eyes became clouded with tears.

"This is what's wrong." I spoke out in an almost broken voice. I saw Jacob's face darken in sadness through my tears. "This is from the pain I went through-when you told me to stay away from you and then when you attacked me!" I took in a deep breath to compose myself, although the tears in my eyes were threatening to fall.

Silence came between us after my outburst, and another gust of wind blew across the beach.

I looked down at my feet as I spoke again. "Do you want to know something though?" I asked the question before I considered stopping myself.

I got no answer from him, and I looked up to see his face. His eyes were guarded and confused. "After what happened…" My voice trailed off as I braced myself for what I was about to say.

The wind stopped blowing over me as I finished my answer.

"…I still love you." I murmured softly through the now still air.

My eyes gazed into his, trying to hold onto the flicker inside of them, and with a jolt of fear saw that they were almost going out. A wave of disbelief crashed over me as his face became closed as he looked back at me.

Another wave came crashing over me, only this time it was a wave of hurt. I took in a deep breath. "I know…you don't…feel the same way I do." I whispered, wincing inwardly at the words that slashed in my chest. My vision became more blurred but I blinked back the tears. "I know…that after all that's happened…you want me to stay away. That's fine…I understand how you feel." Jacob's form began to blur and blend into the vibrant sunset.

I gave him one last look before I turned away, not able to hold the tears in my eyes any longer.

Suddenly a large hand grabbed my arm and slightly yanked me back. I sharply turned my head up to look into Jacob's face, which held an almost angry expression. The flicker in his eyes burned harder now.

A wave of panic settled in me in an instant. This was too much…I didn't want to hurt him like last time…

A sob came out of me as I pulled myself feebly in his strong grasp, my head bent towards the ground. I suddenly felt his hand pull me back and I gave out a gasp of alarm as he held me to his chest.

I punched and shoved against his chest in an attempt to get free, and a hand came under my chin, pulling my face up so that he would look at me in the eyes. The expression on his face was intense, and he leaned his face towards mine so that our eyes were staring right into each other.

"I love you more." His breath was hot and sweet on my face as he spoke the words in a low voice.

My breath hitched around the lump in my throat. As my eyes gazed into his, the flicker slowly started to turn into something else. It started to grow into a fire.

Jacob's breathing started to accelerate as he started talking. "From the first time I actually saw you…you were all I saw. No matter where I was, you were always there. You were always in my mind, and I want to get close to you…but I don't want to hurt you anymore. I'm so sorry for that." His eyes smoldered into mine. "From the first day I saw you I have always, always loved you." He leaned his head down more so that our foreheads almost touched.

"I love you much more than I loved Bella." He finished softly in a whisper.

I stared up into his eyes, and the tears started to finally spill over. I ducked my head so that he wouldn't see them and another sob tore through me.

A giant hand came up to my face and gently pulled my head up. I saw his eyes again and found that they were filled with the same overwhelming sadness. His thumb gently started to brush away the tears that trailed down my face.

"No, Amber. Don't be sad." He murmured softly, his eyebrows pulling together as they took in my tear stained face. His other hand came up to my face, and I was instantly surrounded by the smoldering warmth.

He bent his face closer to mine, so close that his lips were just inches from my own. I took in a quaking breath as uneasiness settled inside me. My heart started beating frantically in my chest.

"It's your choice Amber." Jacob murmured. His voice sounded encouraging and understanding and his breath once again swam across my skin.

I froze for a moment in his hands before I moved slightly upward, almost standing on my toes. I heard him take in his breath sharply before my lips hesitantly touched his.

At that moment, my mind suddenly exploded.

It seemed to stretch itself, reaching out towards places that I have never seen before. The flighty sensation from it almost frightened me. Across my mental vision, images flashed by me one by one, appearing in a split second and then gone in another; a red truck…a small garage…the beach…the pale tree… a bonfire…a silver bracelet…

Then, the vision of the pale, brown haired girl drifted into black, but was soon replaced with another girl…one that looked familiar.

I gasped quietly against his lips as I recognized the girl as…me.

My heart soared, released of all gravity.

My hands instinctively grasped at Jacob's shirt, while my lips pressed themselves more into his. They molded against each other, pushing and pulling against each other, spreading warmth throughout my head.

My mind was spinning in circles, while sudden chains began to lock me down, keeping me grounded in newfound gravity. But, it wasn't the earth that kept me- it was as if the stronghold of Jacob's arms was binding us together in a permanent hold, like the steel chains that seemed to wound us together in our minds' view. It was as if we were tied down to the center of the universe.

It felt so unfamiliar, but it also felt completely natural to me.

I felt Jacob's hands leave my face and his arms winding around my waist, lifting me off the ground. My own arms went around his neck, and I tightened my hold of him, our lips never leaving each other.

An overwhelming sense of joy spread inside of me, throughout my whole being. I vaguely realized that, in his mind, Jacob was feeling the same joy too. It was like they matched, like pieces put perfectly together in a puzzle. The perfect link.

We slowly broke the kiss off, and Jacob gently set me back down, keeping his arms secure around me. A gentle breeze blew over us, his black hair blowing forward as it tickled my forehead slightly. He looked down at my face, and looking back at him I saw it filled with adoration. I returned his gaze with a feeling of wonderment. We stared for a few moments before Jacob bend his head down again to place a very soft kiss to my lips.

"I love you." He murmured softly against my mouth. He kissed me again before his arms tightened around me, holding me close to his warm body. I turned my head so that I was resting against his chest.

The sun was setting lower now, making the sky a bloody red. It looked as if it had caught on fire. I felt my breath catch in my throat as I stared at it in wonder. For the first time in about a long week, I felt nothing but absolute joy.

I felt Jacob rest his cheek against the top of my head. "Yeah…the sunset is beautiful." He murmured against my hair, echoing my thoughts.

I briefly pondered over this fact, suddenly realizing that he could actually read my thoughts, but then brushed it off. As far as I was concerned, this felt absolutely natural to me, like the invisible chains.

I let out a small laugh. "Actually, considering the situation we're in…I think it's also cliché." I noted, a smirk growing on my lips.

I felt a chuckle come out of him as his arms wound tighter around me. "You're right about that one too." He agreed. "Very cliché indeed." I felt his lips brush against my head, and my heart fluttered.

We stared at the sun as it slowly sank into the ocean's line. I felt absolutely content, just being with Jacob, finally in his arms, just the two of us. All the doubt and uncertainty felt as if it was cleansed from me, and instead of depression, I was happy and joyful.

I gave out a small sigh as the thought of my mother and aunt drifted into my thoughts, and I felt a smile grow on Jacob's face. "You have to go." He murmured. He didn't state it as a question; he simply voiced my thoughts again.

I nodded against his warm chest, and I felt him shift so that an arm was around me as we walked slowly up the small hill towards my car. My arms locked themselves around his waist as we walked. We were definitely not able to let go of each other.

I felt his hand go into my jacket pocket, pulling out my keys as we stopped by the car. He looked down at me with a smile. "I think I'll drive." He stated softly, twirling the keys in his big hand.

I looked up at the familiar impish grin on his face before I smiled back and nodded. He opened the passenger's door for me and went around to the other side. He shifted on the seat so that his long legs would fit under the dashboard, his eyebrows furrowed together. Watching him, I couldn't help but snicker.

Jacob shot a huge hand out and roughly ruffled the top of my head. "Hey!" I protested, my hands reaching up to stop him. His fingers went still in my hair, and they traveled down to the side of my face, where they softly caressed my cheek. My face suddenly became warm.

"You're so cute." He murmured, a smile growing on his face. He stroked my cheek once more, his thumb tracing over my lips before he started the car and drove us out of First Beach.

The green trees, darkened by the setting sky, flashed by the windows as we drove down the suddenly quiet street. It looked cold outside, but here in the small car with Jake sitting right by me made me feel very warm. Sitting here also gave me a feeling of security.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw a small serene smile on Jacob's broad lips.

A smile grew on my face as our fingers secretly intertwined together between us. I turned my head and nuzzled my face against his shoulder. I felt his arm place itself around my shoulders, making my head rest against his chest.

"You do realize that there's nothing you can do to keep me away from you now." Jacob suddenly warned. I looked up to see his eyes focused on the road, despite the glimmer that was set in its color.

"Actually, after all that's happened…" I looked down at the stick shift and paused before I continued. "…I really don't mind." I looked back up at him, this time meeting his eyes as they were taken away from the sight of the road.

"I'm really happy. This is what I wanted-being with you." I admitted in a quiet voice, a tingle of butterflies in my chest coming after my words.

Jacob looked down at me before an expression of adoration crossed his features.

"We're here." He suddenly murmured.

He turned off the ignition, and the lights ahead of us were immediately cut off. I blinked in surprise at the darkness that surrounded us, and then looked around to realize that we were at the driveway of my aunt's house.

"Wha…?" I looked up at Jacob again. "How did you know where I live?" I asked in surprise.

For the first time, Jacob looked slightly uncomfortable. He shifted on his eat again as his eyes looked sheepish. "I just guessed." He admitted.

I raised an eyebrow in confusion, but then heard a click as he opened the door. He came out in a flash, leaving me still sitting in the passenger seat.

"Are you going?" I asked softly. Jacob turned to look into my face, and then gave me a gentle look. He kneeled on the driver's seat and leaned his head down to press a gentle kiss to my forehead.

"I'll see you later." He murmured as he leaned back. He gazed down at me before an impish smile came on his face. "Listen," He suddenly asked. "Do me a favor, will you?"

I nodded, the butterflies growing in my chest.

"I heard that tonight's gonna be hot, so…leave your window open." His smile grew wider as he stepped out of the car.

My eyebrows furrowed together as confusion settled over me. "But…it's cold." I replied.

His eyes softened as they took in my expression. "Trust me." He murmured, his hair blowing forward from the wind.

He turned towards the dark forest to the right, and in a flash he was gone.

I stared after the empty space, my heart suddenly thudding while heat pooled into my face. I raised a shaking hand to tuck a lock of my hair behind my ear.

The memory of this afternoon suddenly flashed in my mind, and I felt a small smile grow on my lips along with the warmth that spread in my chest.

I sat for a moment before I opened my car and stepped out into the cold and settling night.