Chapter 14 – Bella

I skipped the rest of my classes and headed straight for La Push. As usual it was pouring rain outside. I mulled over in my head what Emmett had said before but he was pushed out of my head when I seen Jacob pacing around near the La Push/Forks border. His head snapped up to look at me as soon as he heard my truck rumbling down the street. A smile split across his face. It wasn't his usual smile, it was more of a relieved smile. I pulled the truck over and waited for him to climb in the passenger side.

"Hey, Bella! You finish up early today?" he asked inquisitive.

"Yeah, sort of. Why are you out here in the rain Jacob?"

"I was just out walking, Bells."

"You should stay away from the woods, Jake. Charlie told me that some hikers have gone missing. He suspects bears." I warned him. I didn't want Jacob near any forests while there were people going missing.

"Bears…yeah, sure" he muttered in a voice so low I had to strain my ears to make out what he was saying. "So how was college?" he continued.

"Uh, it was okay." I left out what happened with Emmett. I didn't want to think about it.

"So why'd you bunk off?" What was with all the questions? Jacob wasn't normally like this

"I just wanted to see you, Jake" I glanced at him and smiled then returned my eyes to the road.

"Really?" he sounded genuinely shocked when he asked me.

"Of course, Jacob!" I turned into Jacob's narrow drive way and parked the truck. He got out of the car and came to the drivers' side, opened the door and grabbed me by the waist and carried me to the front door of his house. Was he even warmer than yesterday? He kicked the front door open and strode into his small kitchen and sat me at the breakfast table. He bent over me and kissed me lightly on my head before turning to open the small fridge that he towered above.

"Hungry, Bells?" he asked looking over his huge shoulder.

"I'm fine"

"Not even toast?"

"Nothing" I smiled. I watched Jacob prepare a huge sandwich that could easily feed two. When he sat at the table I told him about my plans tonight.

"So…my friends from college are coming to La Push tonight to go surfing. You want to come?"

"You? Surfing? What's gotten into you, Bella?"

"Me? No way, I'm not surfing. I'm just watching. Are you coming or not?" I reminded him

"Sure, sure" he nodded. I wondered whether I should tell him about Emmett today, and that I'd told him to tell Alice to come too. I wondered if she would arrive anyway, even though he said she wouldn't. Jacob must have seen me deep in thought and decided to intrude.

"What you thinking about, Bella?" he nudged my arm which was supporting my head just under my chin.

"Hey! … It's nothing"

"C'mon, Bella. Tell me!" he was almost begging. I really didn't want to tell him. I'd noticed he had finished his food, so I stood up from the table grabbing both his hands as I did, and pulled him close to me to kiss him firmly on the lips. Before I knew it, we were in Jacob's cramped bedroom, sprawled over his tiny bed. How did he even fit on this himself?

Jacob hovered over me, his warm breath tickling my face. I knew I still wasn't ready, and I could be almost certain for Jacob, he was still nervous. I pulled him down from his hovering position to lie on top of me. His warmth raced through me, making me shiver. He rolled over and looked deep into my eyes. It was as if he were reading my mind. Maybe he was just reading my face – my mom used to call her little open book.

"What up, Bella?" he said seriously. I sighed and gave in.

"At college today, Emmett came over to talk to me…"

"He what? Stay away from him Bella!" he yelled, jolting upright on the bed and grabbing my wrist. I stared at him in shock.

"I'm sorry, Bella," he continued "go on."

"I…No" I couldn't tell him anymore, not since that reaction.

"I said I'm sorry, Bella. Jeez. Just tell the rest of the damn story" he snapped. I glared at him, confused. Fine. If he wanted to know, I'd tell him.

"Emmett invited me round to his house. But I have plans tonight, so I invited him and Alice along instead." I was almost smug, hiding the tension building inside of me.

"To La Push?! You invited them here. Un-invite them, NOW!"

"They aren't coming, Jacob. Calm down! He said Alice would feel out of place around all my friends." I sat on the side of the bed, pulling my boots back on.

"Yeah, too right they ain't coming here, Bella. And you're not going there either. You stay away from them. All of them." He snarled the last few words. Who did he think he was? Ordering me around.

"What is wrong with you, Jacob? Next will you be telling me to stay away from Mike too?" I stood up and stormed out of his tiny house. I caught a glimpse of Billy in the living room. When did he get back? I was no more than two steps out the front door when Jacob spun me back around and grabbed both of my wrists.

"Don't…get me upset." His eyes were deeper than ever before. His arms were shaking, quivering. It seemed to move right though his body.

"Leave me alone, Jake" I shook my wrists and he let go obediently. I turned to walk away and heard him take a few steps after me, then I heard Billy's low voice;

"Let her go, kid."