A/N: Thanks so much for the reviews! Enjoy!

I couldn't remember the last time I had slept so well. For once, my rest hadn't been plagued with nightmares. I pulled the comforter closer to my face as I glanced at the alarm clock. It was 7:00 am. I couldn't remember what time I had gone to sleep, but I felt that I had at least gotten in a solid 8 hours.

Sliding my feet out of the bed and onto the floor, I stretched. My entire body felt different. I wondered if this was what being a normal human being felt like. I turned to glance out of my bedroom window which had become more of a habit than anything. Charlie's police cruiser was gone. Strangely, I didn't feel anxiety bubbling up in my chest like I would have any other day once I realized I was alone.

I carried myself into the bathroom and turned on the shower. Catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror, I did a double take. The dark circles underneath my eyes that I had gotten so used to had completely vanished. My face was free of bruises and my expression wasn't full of misery.

I wasn't at the point where I could say that I was happy. When that day finally came, if it ever did, I knew I wouldn't even be able to recognize it. But I didn't feel hopeless anymore.

I took my time getting ready for the day. Edward hadn't specified a time as to when he would be returning with my truck, but I was sure it would be a while. Not many people our age would be up this early.

Once I finished brushing my teeth and yanked a comb through my unruly hair, I wrapped a towel around myself and made my way to my closet. Allyn had always been very particular about the clothes I wore and his tastes weren't anywhere close to mine. In my hurry to leave him, I had left most of my outfits behind, limiting my choices even further.

I glared at the very few options hanging in front of me. I didn't want to seem like I was trying to look good, but I didn't want to seem like I didn't care about my appearance either. After all, he was simply dropping by to bring me my truck. It wasn't anything to get too excited over.

I settled for jeans and one of my favorite blue sweaters. I stood in front of the mirror adjusting it so it hung just right over the denim for much longer than I'd care to admit to anyone. In the corner of my eye, the scraps of paper that made up Jacob's letter were screaming at me to be read.

Frankly, I knew the letter wouldn't change anything. But my curiosity was finally getting the best of me. From what little I had already read of it, I knew there was nothing on there that would give me enough information to satisfy me.

I sighed as I turned away from the mirror, gathering up the pieces of paper.

Bella,

Words can't describe how sorry I am. Please just give me a chance to explain. I can't tell you any details. But I will try my best to help you understand why things are this way. People in this town aren't the way they seem. I wish I could tell you everything, but I can't. It has absolutely nothing to do with you. If you give me a chance, I'll tell you as much as I'm allowed.

I'm sorry I got angry. Please don't feel like it's anything you did.

Jacob

I stared at the letter for what seemed like a very long time. Sinking down on the edge of my bed, the word "allowed" repeated over and over in my mind. I had no idea what that meant. Why couldn't he just tell me? What could be so important that he wouldn't be "allowed" to give me details?

A flash of red through my bedroom window caught my attention. My heart racing, I jumped up and shoved the letter underneath my pillow. I would deal with that later.

I flew down the stairs, surprising myself when I didn't trip. I paced around in the hallway as I waited for a knock on the door. Feeling silly, I moved into the kitchen. If I answered the door too quickly, he'd probably know I had been waiting. Seeming too eager is the last thing I needed after my continuously awful first impressions.

It felt like ages had passed before that knock I had been waiting for finally echoed down the hall. I took a deep breath and smoothed my sweater down over my jeans one more time before proceeding to the front door.

Before turning the knob, I took another deep breath. My hands were clammy and shaking as I pulled the door open. My heart rate jumped the tiniest bit at the sight of the ever so perfect Edward Cullen. He was wearing jeans, a white T-shirt, and a beige leather jacket. For some reason, the simplicity made him even more attractive.

"Hi," I breathed. I internally kicked myself for sounding so pathetic. Get yourself together, Bella, I thought. There's no way he'd be interested in someone like you.

Edward cracked a smile which immediately caused me to go weak at the knees. He gestured behind him. "Your truck, as promised."

I peered past him, a little nervous to see the damage in daylight. The side of the truck bed had looked so horrible even through the rain and darkness. But to my extreme surprise, there was nothing there.

"What?" I said in complete awe. "But . . . there was a dent . . . I know there was."

He laughed. "We got it out for you."

"Who's we?"

"My brother and I," he said slowly as if he were making sure I could understand him. "It wasn't as bad as it looked. It took him maybe five minutes to straighten it out." There was a hint of humor in his voice like there was a detail that I was missing out on.

I let out a long sigh of relief. Now I didn't have to worry about explaining any of this to Charlie. The less he knew about last night, the better. He was already upset with me for running off the way I did. I couldn't have been happier to learn that I wouldn't have to explain myself. "Thank you. I can pay you both for fixing it."

Edward almost seemed offended. He waved his hand dismissively. "That won't be necessary."

My face grew hot. "Well, thank you. For everything."

"Anytime, Bella." His smile that followed was warm. It was so strange to me, having hated him so much in the beginning. Almost every move he made drew me in. I couldn't even explain it. I couldn't imagine ever hating him now.

Edward's facial expression changed abruptly. His head cocked the slightest bit to the side as he rocked back on his heels. If I didn't know any better, I'd say he was uncomfortable. I suddenly felt extremely self-conscious.

"Bella?" a voice called from somewhere behind Edward. My stomach immediately flipped as I realized who it was.

Lifting myself slightly onto my toes so I could look over Edward's shoulders, I saw Jacob Black standing in my driveway. He was practically frozen in shock, his hands balled into fists.

Edward's jaw clenched, but he never turned around. He knew exactly who was just feet away from him. His nostrils flared and his eyes seemed to glisten in what I assumed was fury.

Still, Jacob kept his distance. His eyes had narrowed into slits as he stared at us both on my front porch. The silence was deafening and awkward. I rubbed the back of my neck, unsure of what to do or say.

I knew for sure that something had happened between their families. And now that I was witnessing the two of them in the same vicinity, I was realizing that maybe I hadn't taken it as seriously as I should have in the beginning. Whatever it was, it was big.

"Hi, Jake," I said sheepishly. As soon as the pathetic greeting left my mouth, Edward looked down at me as if he were disappointed in me somehow.

Edward composed his face, his lips pressing into a hard, straight line. "I'll be leaving now. Your keys are in the ignition. Take care of yourself." The formality and tone of his voice made me incredibly nervous. It sounded as if something as simple as "take care of yourself" had more than one meaning.

"Wait, how are you going to get home?" I asked before he could turn away. He had driven my truck here, leaving him without transportation. I hadn't even thought about it when he mentioned bringing it back to me last night.

"I'll walk."

The shortness of his statement stung as he walked down the steps. My throat burned. It seemed like no matter what, something always happened to make me look bad or crazy in front of Edward. Whether it was seeing people that weren't there, driving and crying like an absolute maniac, or his worst enemy showing up at my home, it was always something. Even more so, I hated to admit that I cared about how he thought of me. I didn't stand a chance either way. In the state I was in, I had no business feeling that way.

Once he passed by Jacob, he slowed his pace. Jacob said something to him under his breath and Edward immediately tensed. It may have been the wind, but I could swear that one of them was snarling. Edward snapped back with an unintelligible response. The only word I thought I could hear was "mongrel".

Edward looked over his shoulder at me. I had expected him to look furious, but instead, his expression was worried. His topaz eyes seemed to see right through me, even from quite a few feet away. I felt frozen in his gaze.

With a stiff nod in my direction, he began to walk away. Edward was normally very graceful in every move he made. But this time was different. He seemed to regret every step he took as he left, making him appear stiff and robotic. Jacob glared after him, making sure he was completely off of the property before heading in my direction.

If I didn't know any better, I'd say that neither one of them trusted the other to be alone with me. Despite their behavior, I wouldn't consider Edward or Jacob dangerous. The fact that I had nothing to help me understand was infuriating.

"What was he doing here?" Jacob asked. He was no longer angry. Instead, he was surprisingly calm even though there was something a little off about his dark eyes. I could tell he was fighting to sound conversational.

"Long story," I responded. Just like Charlie, the less Jacob knew, the better.

He crossed his arms over his chest. "I really hoped you would take my advice and stay away from them."

"Give me a reason to," I challenged. "You can't just tell someone you hardly know what to do and expect them to listen to you. And then turn around and get angry about it. We aren't even friends. I'm practically a stranger to you."

I could tell that had hurt him. He dropped his gaze to his feet. "I'm trying, Bella," he said, his voice strained. "I meant it when I said I'm not allowed to talk about this."

"What does that even mean, Jacob? 'Not allowed'?" I tried to control my tone, but I had grown exhausted of constantly beating around the bush. I just wanted to know the truth instead of arguing with him. "You're your own person. I don't understand why you can't just tell me. It's not like I'd repeat it to anyone."

Suddenly, his eyes were very serious and his face was full of pain. "You have no idea how tight I'm bound," Jacob whispered. "Have you ever wanted to talk about something, but it's like your body won't allow you to?"

He already knew the answer to that. As manipulative of a move that was, he had a point. There were so many times where I would sit down with Charlie and be prepared to really talk about everything instead of just scratch the surface. Even with Esme, I had every intention to talk. But every time I tried, I would subconsciously shut down. There were even things that my mind had blocked out because I wasn't ready to face them. Truly, it was an awful feeling.

"Yes," I said, surrendering. "I do know what that's like."

Jacob nodded. "I thought you might. I want to tell you. But think of it as I'm physically unable to talk about it. So I'm going to figure out a way around this. I hate that you're mad at me, Bella. I want to fix it."

I shrugged my shoulders. "Why? You don't even know me. Why does it matter?"

Jacob smiled. "When I first came over here to bring you your truck, we sat down and talked like we'd been friends for years. That doesn't happen often. Then when you got sick . . ." he trailed off. "I care about you, Bella. I don't know what you've been through and I know I've acted like a complete ass. I want to be here for you. Maybe we can help each other."

I couldn't deny that he was right. I hadn't been able to sit down and really connect with a person in a really long time. Jacob had originally seemed like the type of person I really needed as a friend. Like Edward, maybe he and I had gotten off on the wrong foot.

I sighed. "You have to understand that I came here for a reason. And no, you don't know what I've been through and we are a long ways off about ever talking about it. I can't surround myself with this kind of a thing or get stuck in the middle of this feud you have with the Cullens. I want no part of it."

"I know that," Jacob urged. "It wasn't fair of me to do that to you. So I am going to do my best. Just bear with me while I figure out a way around this, 'kay?"

"Alright." I backed up and held the front door open to allow him enough room to come in. He joined me in the living room. I sat down on the couch as he took a seat in the recliner across from me.

He began rubbing his eyes, mumbling to himself. "I'm trying to think of a way that I can tell you without coming right out and saying it . . . a way for me to talk as little as possible."

"Maybe if I start asking 'yes' or 'no' questions?" I suggested.

"Sure, let's give that a try." Jacob sat up straight and placed his hands on his lap, waiting.

"Have the Cullens done something illegal?"

To my surprise, Jacob laughed. "No."

"What's so funny?" I asked.

He shook his head, trying to compose his face. "I guess I just wasn't expecting that to be a question. I'm sorry, go on."

I placed a finger over my lips as I pondered. Now I was feeling self-conscious about the questions I came up with. "Have they done something to hurt you or Billy?"

Jacob's face grew pained. "Not exactly."

I stared at him for a while, waiting for a better explanation. "So is that a yes and a no?"

"No, they haven't done anything directly."

Frustrated, I placed my head in my hands. I couldn't even think of any other questions to ask. If it wasn't anything illegal and they hadn't done anything to directly hurt Jacob or Billy, then what could it possibly be?

"Okay, this isn't working." Jacob got up and began to pace. He had one hand on his forehead as he got lost in thought.

"Jacob, this is ridiculous-,"

"Wait." He held his hand up, cutting me off. He was eyeing my copy of Wuthering Heights. "You said you like to read?"

Taken aback, I cocked my head to the side in confusion. What would reading have to do with this? "Yes," I answered hesitantly.

"You know, Forks and the Quileute reservation have a very interesting history."

"So . . . you want me to buy a history book or something?"

Jacob opened his mouth to say something, but no words came out. He sighed and resumed his pacing. "Read about it," was all he replied with.

"Can you tell me which book I'm supposed to buy? I'd have no idea where to start, Jacob. That's not much to go on."

The same thing happened again. He opened his mouth to speak, but it was almost as if he were being strangled. He groaned. "I can't tell you."

"Well . . . can you tell me a bookstore?"

Jacob simply shook his head. "I can't."

I groaned. "Jacob, seriously?" My tone was harsher than I had intended it to be.

"I know, Bella, I know," he said. "I told you, you have no idea how tight I'm bound."

"This is insane. Do you have a curse on you or something?" I mumbled sarcastically.

Jacob immediately jumped backward, staring at me in complete shock. His face grew a shade or two lighter as he paled. "What did you just say?"

"I was kidding, Jacob," I whispered. "I didn't mean to offend you. I'm sorry."

"I'm not offended," he said quickly. He stared at me, waiting.

I snorted and rolled my eyes as I realized what he was implying. "You're joking. There's no such thing as curses."

His expression didn't falter. "I think you'd have much better luck figuring this out if you stay open-minded. And I mean very open-minded."

"Are you trying to tell me the Cullens cursed you?" I said, laughing bitterly. Now I was done playing along. For some reason, I found myself growing angry. I struggled to control my recently unpredictable temper. "This was a waste of my time. I hope you realize how crazy this all sounds."

"I know," Jacob said. "When I was in your shoes, I felt the same way."

We remained silent and still for a few minutes, just staring at one another. I wasn't sure what to do or what to make of the whole situation. I felt nervous, wondering about Jacob's mental stability. After all, I hardly knew him.

I had never come across someone who believed in this sort of thing. Maybe it was just a superstition that the reservation had filled his head with. I guess that wouldn't be something I could fault him for if he had been raised this way.

That could explain why the Cullens were angry with the Blacks if they were going around basing certain things on silly legends. I couldn't imagine why the feud would have ended up so severe, especially since no one else in town knew anything.

At first, I thought he could just be messing with me. But Jacob's face was so serious and pleading. He was either a very good actor or genuinely terrified. Attempting to humor him for just one more minute, I finally asked, "So I just need to find a book that has history on the Quileute tribe?"

He nodded once, keeping his mouth closed.

I sighed. "I've been meaning to do some shopping in Port Angeles since everything I own was suitable for the weather in Phoenix. I don't know why I'm even bothering, but I guess I'll check out some bookstores while I'm there."

Jacob let out a breath that he must have been holding. "You don't have to do anything. You know that. I'd be perfectly happy if you just agreed to stay away from the Cullens. But I know that's not enough. Please remember to keep an open mind. It would be so much easier if you knew."

Before I could contribute any more to the conversation, Jacob had turned and walked away, shutting the front door behind him as he left. I stood there for a very long time, completely clueless as to what to do next.

I sat down at the kitchen table and placed my head down on top of my forearms, covering my face. This was all so ridiculous. Surely their feud couldn't be based on some mythical superstition.

I remembered the stance that Jacob and Edward were both in during their brief altercation in my driveway. Animalistic was how it had appeared. Jacob was bent forward while Edward was slightly crouched. Their faces were full of something far worse than anger. One could have even considered their expressions murderous.

Allyn entered my mind. Having spent a lot of time in bars, he got into a lot of arguments and fights. I had to witness quite a few of them when I would come to pick him up to make sure he got home safely. I had never seen another person take positions quite like that if there was any degree of hostility.

Their behavior towards each other was definitely not what anyone would expect. Something about the way their bodies had immediately tensed into those positions . . . it almost wasn't even human.

I finally sat up and sighed. I grabbed a pen and scribbled a note for Charlie in case he got back before I did. I felt incredibly silly as I slipped my coat on and headed out to my truck. I couldn't believe I was actually about to do this.

If it hadn't been for Jacob's pained and desperate expression, I probably would have kicked him out of the house without a second thought. I would have deemed him as an unstable person and that would have been the end of it. I would know for sure once I had done my research.

And something in my gut was telling me that the bookstore would have more answers than I was expecting.