BELLA'S POV
"Bella… Bella…" Mmmmm, mom? Mommy? Mommy, where are you? I was trapped, in a dark place, a tunnel? I don't know… But one thing I was quite sure off, there was no where else to go, no exit, and no escape. I didn't know what to do so I continued moving forward to where my mom's voice was coming from. It seemed like an endless tunnel; the more I walk, the darker it got. I couldn't find the light; I just kept on walking…
Just when I was going to lose my last glimmer of hope, I saw a very faint light up front. I was overjoyed; I could finally get out of this place. I ran and ran and ran even when my lungs told me to stop I didn't; I was afraid it would disappear, it seemed so unreal. I just kept on running. The light seemed so close yet it was so far. It seemed to be disappearing from sight so I pushed myself to go to it even faster.
The light soon became brighter; the tunnel was finally going to end. My body started to slow down as a response. I was panting like crazy. I soon came to the end of the tunnel…
There were two openings to the tunnel and at each opening, stood Edward and Jacob. Jacob was to the right and Edward to the left. At the same moment, both of their hands reached out to take mine.
"Bella…" Mom? My mom suddenly appeared in front of me. She took my hand and whispered into my ear, "This is your choice Bella. You have to choose between either the right or left door. You have only one choice. The other one which you did not choose will disappear forever but you'll get to stay with the one that you chose forever."
Choose between Edward and Jacob? Isn't the answer like really obvious? I'd definitely choose to be with Jacob. Isn't that what I wanted for so long? But why is it that I can't make my legs move to the right? Part of me wanted to go to the left. I'm torn between two doors. "Mom, I don't want to choose. I want to be with them both." Tears started forming in my eyes and I cried into my mother's embrace.
"You can't dear. You can only choose one. Life's full of choices and sometimes, you need to choose even if it means sacrificing the other. You have to choose." Mom patted my shoulder and she suddenly disappeared.
Mom? Mom?! Mom! Mommy where are you? I need you. Don't go.
"Bella, you have to choose." Both Edward and Jacob said at the same time and raised their hands out again to take mine.
Who do I choose? Jacob? He's the one who helped me heal when I first moved here, after my mother died. He was my pillar of support. He never complained or anything. He was the first person who was really nice to me, to really accept me for who I am. During the process of healing, I fell for him. Even though there was a part of me that told me that he could never love me, I kept on hoping, hoping that one day he would see me and love me for who I am. It's the right choice to choose him, isn't this what I've been waiting for all this time?
Or do I choose Edward? I haven't known him for long but there's a strong connection between the two of us. I feel safe around him, I feel loved. He makes me feel that I am not invincible but a person. It's like I've known him forever. He said he loved me today and that he would love and protect me. That's something I've wanted, to feel loved, to be protected. And there's a part of me, a very small part that wants him too? I don't know why my heart aches when I'm not with him. I miss him when I don't see him on sunny days and I keep getting these little flashes about someone. I can't tell who that someone is but it looked a lot like him…
I'm so confused. What do I do? I held onto my head and my knees just collapsed. I was kneeling on the floor and crying like a lunatic. I pulled my hair so tightly that the roots were practically screaming for me to stop. I want Jacob but yet I want Edward too. What's happening? I'm confused. They started to disappear.
"Whe… Where are you going? Don't go. Wait for me .Please!" I screamed; my voice choky from all the crying.
"You have to choose Bella. You have to choose quickly or we'll both be gone…" No, no! I don't want to choose. Not now. I'm still so confused. STOP, STOP! DON'T LEAVE ME.
Choose… choose… choose…
"Bella, Bella! Wake up. It's alright, it's alright." My eyes shot opened and right before me, I saw Edward. Was I still dreaming? Relief coursed through my veins, it was just a dream. I sat up in a daze, still shivering from the nightmare and my eyes still filled with tears.
Edward wrapped his arms around me and I felt better immediately. "Are you okay? You were screaming and tossing and crying uncontrollably."
"I'm fine. Edward, why are you here?" Him being here would scare any normal girl to death; having a visitor at the middle of the night alone at your bedroom holding you tightly. However, I wasn't frightened, I felt comforted, and I felt safe.
"Well you see, I sometimes like to come see you. I like watching you sleep. But if you feel uncomfortable about it, I promise to leave and I won't ever do this again. I'm truly sorry if I frightened or angered you."
He started to unwrap his arms around me and was about to leave when I held onto him tighter. "Please, don't go. I want you here. I… I feel safe when you're here."
He wrapped his arms around me again and even though his body temperature was extremely chilly, I felt warm, safe. "I'll be where you want me to be. Now go to sleep. It's late and you've got school tomorrow." He started humming the lullaby he played for me just now and I fell asleep into a wonderful and colorful dream…
The sunlight was streaking through my bedroom window. It's morning already? My hand patted around my pillow hoping to find something. Oh, there's a piece of paper here. I was too tired to even sit up; I just took the paper and read it.
Bella,
You were sleeping quite soundly so I decided not to wake you when I left. The sun's coming up and your dad came to check up on you. He got worried when he heard you screaming. I won't be in school today as the sunlight's strong today. If anyone asks, just say I went down to Phoenix to meet with my family.
Edward
Edward's been with me all night? I thought it was only a dream. The realization of that made me blush a deep red. My mom used to say I talk when I sleep, what did he hear? Oh I do hope I didn't make a fool of myself. He said in his note that he wasn't coming to school today and I suddenly felt very sad and didn't want to go to school. I miss him? Edward's more important to me than I thought, but not as important as Jacob right?
Wake up Bella, I slapped my face lightly, you have school today. I went to the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth before taking a quick shower. So the sun's strong today huh? It's been awhile since Edward skipped school. Sigh…
I went to take a quick breakfast and washed up before taking my bag and going to my truck. It roared to life and I slowly drove to the school. The sunlight was quite strong today, something rare here in Forks but some sunlight would do me good.
The school's parking lot was quite filled when I arrived. I slept in a little today plus I was moving quite slowly just now in the shower.
"Bella! Morning!" Jacob called out. He had let go of Leah and was running to me.
"Morning Jake," I tried smiling but I think it wasn't really believable.
"So where's Cullen? He's skipping today?"
"Yeah. He said since it wasn't raining like hell today that he'd go down to Phoenix to meet with his family." I tried to sound as convincing as possible but the minute I thought of Edward, I fell into a pit of despair again… What's wrong with me? It's only one day…
"Hey, you okay? Hello? Earth to Bella…" Jacob was waving his hand in front of my face. I quickly snapped out of my daze and smiled back at him.
"Yeah, I'm okay. We have lit today right? Let's go." Jacob looked worried about me but he seemed to brush it away and chuckled before walking with me to literature.
JACOB'S POV
Woke up real early in the morning; early like 4 am? And just can't get back to sleep. Mind would not stop thinking about Bella and I'm like getting really confused. She has always been that really cool girl whom I call my best friend but I seem to feel more. Than what about Leah? She's been my sweetheart since we started going to Forks High. She's changed so much since she got here. She used to be kind and caring and just the perfect girl but she's no longer that person. I can't see the sweet Leah with pigtails and just smiling and laughing like there isn't a single care in the world anymore.
Time has changed Leah but has time changed me? I don't think so. I remember me having a huge crush on her and always being happy when dad brought me over to the Clearwater's and Leah and I would head down to the beach and play and make those silly looking sandcastles. I remember the day that she said she liked me too and I just jumped for joy and carried her up and turning her around in circles.
Aw c'mon Jacob, buck up! If you can't sleep there's only one other thing to do, distract yourself. And what better way to do that? Housework… Ever since mom died, both my sisters moved out leaving only me and Billy behind. Billy was in a wheelchair so it was up to me to keep this place tidy. Bella would sometimes come over to help but she stopped ever since Cullen came.
I swept the floor, cleaned the windows and every other little thing. Before I knew it, it was about time for me to get up and prepare breakfast. Prepared quick breakfast for dad and me.
"Morning son."
"Morning Dad." I smiled.
"So you woke up pretty early today huh? Heard you cleaning and stuff, what seems to be the problem?"
"Nah just couldn't sleep… I'm off to school."
I put a piece of toast in my mouth before going to my car and driving to school. Billy was cool and all but I didn't feel comfortable talking to him about my problems. Clouds seem to have cleared today so the sunlight was quite strong.
Was one of the first few to arrive at school. Leah came shortly with Sam in her car. She took awhile before coming out. Couldn't see what was going on inside as her windows were tinted. All I could see was my reflection. Leah came out and smiled at me, her hair a little messy but who could really tell… She came and hugged me and gave me a quick kiss. Sam soon came out and looked a little smug.
Bella's truck came into the school's parking lot about fifteen minutes later. Cullen didn't drive her today huh? Come to think of it, Cullen's ride isn't in the parking lot. Cullen skipping today? He did skip a couple of times but not these past few weeks. I let go of Leah and called out to Bella. She looked kinda upset. She tried to smile when I asked her if everything was alright but she seemed so out of place today. Must be missing Cullen…
She seemed to be out of sorts the entire time, even during lit. She was extremely quiet during lit, more than usual. She kept on looking out the window like she was looking for something. Maybe it's because there's some sun today. I remember Bella saying that she didn't like the rain very much. She grew up in the sun and suddenly being pulled away from it was a big change for her. She used to be really 'hyper' when there was sun but not today. She looked like she was in a daze or something…
She was even quieter during lunch. She didn't even say a word. "Oh hey Bella. Why the long face? Miss your buddy Edward?" I'm telling you, Lauren can be such a bitch at times. I didn't like her talking to Bella like that but yet I couldn't do anything. Man, I felt so useless. She's my best friend and I can't help her when she needs it. Bella was so upset that she moved to another table at the corner.
Everyone at the table stared at Lauren. "What? I'm just asking an innocent little question. She's the one that overreacted…" Lauren pouted and blinked her eyes non-stop looking so 'innocent'.
The lunch bell rang and Bella just walked over to the trash can and threw away all her food. She didn't eat anything and her eyes were a little puffy. She'd been crying…
BELLA'S POV
I seriously need to get a life. I mean it's as if my whole world has been turned upside down when he isn't with me? Why is that so? I think I need to seek medical attention. There's something very wrong with me.
Anyways, school's over and there's so much sunlight today. That's a plus point. The homework load as usual was quite light so I decided to go dig out one of those old fairy tale books I read when I was young. I needed something light and happy to lift my spirits and fairy tales can do just that. The stories are always simple. They meet, they fall in love and get their happily ever after. Wish life was that simple…
Since there was some sun today, I decided to make the best of the opportunity by enjoying some sun on my skin. That would do me some good especially with all the wet weather I have been experiencing lately. I grabbed a long towel from my cupboard and placed it outside on the grassy patch next to the house.
I didn't want to sit without any back support. I was sure to slouch and that was bad for my backbone so I decided to lie down and have the sun on my face. Ah, sun on my face feels so nice. I took the book out and started reading. Well, not really reading but looking at the colorful illustrations on each page. Soon, my eyelids became heavy and I closed my eyes and fell into a slumber under the afternoon sun.
I was in a meadow filled with flowers. It was like on one of those shows where the guy and girl meet and they would run into each other's arms in slow motion. I found those kind of things really lame and weird. I mean, if you'd found your true love, why not just run to him at lightning speed and not in slow motion…
Anyway, weirdness aside, I sat down and started playing with the flowers. It was a beautiful place with flowers of every shape and size. When I looked up, I saw a little girl and a man. They were playing and I wanted to go join them but the further I walked, the further they seemed to go.
"Wait for me… Please." They never stopped drifting away like they were going to get lost forever.
"Bella…" Mom? My mom suddenly appeared in front of me and smiled at me.
"Mom? Mom! MOM!" I was overjoyed. I saw her again and I jumped into her arms. "Mom, I missed you so much." Tears started to flow down my cheeks at the pure joy that I was able to hold my mother again.
She pushed me away a little and stared at me before chuckling and wiping off the tears off my face. "Bella, you know why you dreamed me here."
"Yes." I knew exactly why I wanted her here. I needed her help. I was so confused with my feelings. Why is it that I miss Edward so much even if it is only a day of separation? Aren't Jacob's affections the thing I want the most but I seem to want him less and less each day?
Before I could open my mouth to ask her, she put her index finger over my mouth. "Shhh, you need not tell me. I already know. Bella, I can't help you with that. The answer is just right in front of your eyes." With those words, my mother disappeared together with the meadow.
It was all dark again and I was in the tunnel ending and having to choose again… I was so cold, so lost.
"Bella, Bella, wake up! It's pouring. You're going to get sick!" my eyes abruptly flung open and I was drenched to the bone. It was raining? But it was sunny just now. It was quite predictable in Forks. The sun could only fight off the clouds for awhile before being overpowered again.
Charlie quickly pulled me up and dragged me to the house; I was still in a daze. Oh my gosh! My book! It's soaking wet. Plus, I haven't cooked dinner. I was napping longer than I thought!
I quickly went to open my book wide and place it at the living room table before placing last night's leftovers in the microwave. "Bells ignore that. You need to go take a shower or you're going to get sick."
"It's nothing Dad. I'll shower after I prepared dinner and dry my book."
Damn this hair dryer, can't you dry any faster? My book, my poor little book. It was the book mom bought for me for my seventh birthday; it was something very precious to me. Please dry…
I took about forty five minutes to dry the book before I went to take my shower. I was sneezing when I got out of the shower and downstairs to eat my dinner. Charlie had already finished his. "Told you to go shower. Look at you, you're getting sick!"
"It's nothing Dad. I'll just cook some chicken soup later and all will be fine. Don't worry." I felt fine really but I was coughing and sneezing so I popped in a couple of flu pills before I went to bed. This is bad…
No Bella Edward moments in this chapter, please don't be angry. =x Just to let you guys know, Bella IS in love with Edward, it's just that she hasn't realized it yet. Again with me trying to pull my own experiences in, I am something like that. I didn't know I liked a guy but the signs were pretty obvious but I just thought it was nothing till I realized it. Between that time, it's extremely frustrating…
Anyway, I've already started the next chapter quite awhile ago so I might be able to post tomorrow. I'm half way done. (:
Last but not least, thank you for all the kind reviews. I really appreciate them. ^^