Chapter Twenty One
Bella
The first day back I was late so I missed them in the car park but I was determined to catch them at lunch. I was late again and they were leaving as I rushed in, Emmett managing a raised hand but Rose ignored me altogether. Now what? I thought. I couldn't concentrate on classes or Angela and Jessica telling me all about their Christmases. I just wanted to talk to the Cullens. I almost ran from history so I wouldn't miss them. As it was Emmett was just getting into his truck as I ran up go him. "Hi Bells" he said with a smile. "Have a good Christmas?" I shook my head "No, not really but I need to talk to you please". Rose leaned over, "What do you want Bella?" I crossed my arms, "I need to ask you about something please Rose". She sighed but moved over so I could join them. "I had a letter from Jasper when I got home". She nodded, "I know. I told him to leave it alone but he had to write". "Yes, but what I don't understand is this message I sent him. What message? When?"
She scowled at me, "Bella does it matter. He's unhappy enough as it is. Just leave him alone. He's really depressed and he doesn't need hurting any more. I won't see you do him any more harm. You could have spoken to him at least". Em put his hand on her arm, "Rose please". He looked at me, "Bella Jasper isn't as strong as you think he is. He hurts the same as the rest of us. I don't know why you didn't talk to him but he's having a hard time at the moment". I was getting more and more confused. "Emmett, Rose I don't have the faintest idea what you are on about. What am I supposed to have done or not done?" Rose studied my face, "You don't know what we're talking about?" I shook my head "No". "What about going to Seattle, does that ring any bells with you?" she asked. I nodded "Yes. I waited but you never turned up". Her eyebrow went up, we never turned up?" I looked, there was more to this than met the eye, "No. I rang to accept your invitation and ask what time I should expect you. But Saturday no one turned up". "Did you get a message on Friday afternoon?" Emmett asked. I shook my head "No." Now Emmett was looking confused, "He left a message on your answer phone". I was getting annoyed now, "Who left a message? What message? and what's it got to do with Jasper?"
Emmett spoke then. "Rose and I decided not to go but Jasper didn't want to disappoint you so he rang and left a message offering to take you himself. He waited but you never returned his call. That's when he decided to go with Edward to Denali, to get away. He thought you were sending him a message that you weren't interested in him". I looked at him confused, "I never got a message but I left you one. Why didn't he get that or why didn't you tell him I'd rung?" "We never got your message. Who did you leave it with?" As I said the name I realized what had happened, "Alice". Rose groaned, "Oh no. The one person guaranteed to spoil things if she could for Jazz. But what about the message he left you?" ""Leave it with me I said. "I'll find out".
I stormed off and instead of driving home I went to the station to see Charlie, he was surprised to see me and even more surprised when he heard my question. "Message Bella, from the Cullens? I gave it to you". I shook my head "No another one, later". He started to shake his head when the penny dropped. "Hey I remember, the phone was on the blink and Jake offered to mend it. He said the message memory was full so he cleared it". I knew the answer to the next question before I asked it, "Did he listen to the messages?" "Yeah I think so, the light wasn't flashing, just glowing, and I asked him to see what was wrong with it. You know I'm not good with electronics". I was fuming. "Is something wrong Bells?" "Yes" I snapped "And its down to Jake. Wait till I get my hands on him".
I stormed out and drove straight to the Reservation, screeching to a halt in front of Billy's. Jake came out with Sam in tow. "Bella hi" said Jake beaming. Sam was looking angry, "You aren't welcome here, I thought I told you that", I nodded, "Yeah but I have to speak to Jake so if you throw me off at least let your lap dog off his lead so he can follow". I got back in my truck and took off towards home. I saw Jake and Sam having words through my mirror and smirked. Good to see the dogs fighting among themselves. I pulled up at home and had only just got in when Jake was hammering on the front door. I opened it scowling at him and he pushed past into the kitchen. "What's your problem Bells? Was it necessary to start a row with Sam?
I shook my head, "No, but he started it. As for you I pushed him backwards into the sink unit. You deleted my messages". He looked confused, "I did what? When?" I glared at him, poking him in the chest "You had no right to delete my messages Jake". He glared, "I don't know what you are talking about and stop pushing me". He was shaking now. "I was angry you deleted my message from Jasper Cullen". He smiled nastily, "Oh, so that's what's bothering you. I told you they were bad news and you certainly weren't going out with one of them alone". "That wasn't your decision to make Jacob" I screamed and slapped him round the face. He went red and then he growled. "Bad move Bella". His eyes went dark and his hands shook more violently, "Get out of my way" he snarled. "Not till you tell me what gave you the right to do it Jake. You had no right". His face was twisted with rage now and he pushed me violently against the cooker before running out. I knew I'd done something when I felt the awful pain in my back and heard the crunch as my head hit the stove top on the way down.