A/N: Okay, so here's the next installment. I hope you guys didn't have to wait too long for it. I have nothing else to say, except have fun reading. =D

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Not Twilight, and especially not the celebrities mentioned.

Two Worlds: Exposed - Chapter 25

I'd be lying to myself if I said that everyone else at school treated me the same, because they didn't. Some students were either staring at me or whispering behind my back, while the braver ones approached me, gushing on about how amazing Yasmin was and how they were my biggest fans. The braver ones out the braves asked for my autograph, some even went as far as asking for a free ticket for my upcoming concert. Of course, they didn't know what that concert entailed, the details were being kept quiet between me, Mr. Banks and Agnes, but that didn't seem to stop them from asking. And those were just the students that I weren't close with. My friends, on the other hand…

Jessica was following me everywhere like some kind of talkative stalker, Lauren was still ignoring me and Angela alternated between smiling sympathetically or just laughing her head off at my predicament. When lunchtime rolled over, I found myself being swamped with requests to sit somewhere, but thankfully, dare I say it, Mike rescued me. He had glared another guy down, saying that I was already sitting at his table.

As I sat down beside Angela, Mike fluidly placing my tray of food in front of me, I groaned and muttered a bunch of expletives under my breath. The day was just getting worse by the minute.

"Bella," Angela chuckled, "watch your mouth to I'll have to wash it with soap."

"Angela," I looked at the girl with pleading eyes, "if you were in my shoes, then you'd be swearing the manhood out of these boys who, all of a sudden, found interest in me. It's even worse than my first day all those months ago! At least then, they weren't tripping over themselves to ask me out or to carry my books."

"Feel lucky, Bella," Jessica giggled from my other side. "At least you're getting some attention from the guys." She wasn't looking at me, but at a blonde haired guy with dirty green eyes who was seated at another table.

"Don't listen to her," Angela interjected. "I don't think it's a lucky thing if you find your privacy being invaded by strangers, and not just any strangers," she grimaced, "but hormone-charged boys."

I nodded by head, agreeing wholeheartedly to what she said. I picked up my fork and pierced a pasta with it. I played it for a while, before plopping it into my mouth.

"Though, there is an up side to his," Angela spoke around her own mouthful of food.

"Please," I begged, "enlighten me. I'm finding it hard to believe that this whole fiasco has an up side." I pierced a bunch of pasta with so much force, that I was half afraid I broke my tray in the process. Thankfully, I didn't.

"Well…" After taking a sip from her water bottle, Angela spoke again. "In fifty year's time, you can look back at this moment and laugh your white-haired head off while you're in some kind of retirement home, because you'll remember that Mike has a cardboard cut out of Yasmin, while Tyler and Eric have posters of you in their bedroom."

I shuddered at her words. How can I laugh at that situation? It's utterly horrifying. Deciding to not comment on it, I just retorted, "Fifty years? Come on, Angie, I don't think I'd be white-haired in a retirement home when I'm sixty-eight. First of all, there is such a thing as hair dye and second of all, I'm sure I'd still be working hard with my music even then."

Angela looked at me with disbelief. One of her eyebrows were raised up in question.

"What?" I asked, self-conscious all of a sudden.

"Bella," she laughed, "do you really see yourself singing, oh… I don't know… 'Start All Over' in fifty years' time? With an electric guitar, dancing across the stage for the benefit of tweens?"

"Well, maybe not like that," I acquiesced. Still, I felt the need to defend myself to Angela. I mean, this was my life I'm talking about. "My songs would change, and I'm sure it'd be directed to a more appropriate audience as I age… and have you seen Madonna on stage during performances? And I think she's over fifty…

"Or, maybe I won't be in the music business anymore. I could be one of those model-turned-actresses, except in this case, it'd be a musician-turned-actress situation."

"Which reminds me," Angela perked up, her eyes alight with excitement. "I've heard that you're going to do a movie with the Jonas Brothers. Is that true? Camp something-something, I think the movie's called."

"Oh," I blushed. "That? Yeah, I am. It's just going to be a small part though, the main character being Joe and Demi. Even Nick and Kevin won't get that much screen time."

Ever since that day where I met Selena and Demi, I've steadily become one of their closest friends and before I knew it, I was tailed into shooting a movie with Demi and the Jonas Brothers. Fortunately, it was just a small role, so it wouldn't disrupt any of my original plans. My latest album will be out this weekend, meaning that I'd have to do my duties and be wherever Agnes wanted me to be.

"You're a busy gal," Angela commented. "I've also heard that you're gonna start shooting for a movie coming out this Valentine's…" She looked down at her food, hesitated, and then asked, "Are you sure about that? It's a rom-com, after all."

"I'm sure," I said. I really was certain of my decision. "And besides, any normal girl would kill to work with the likes of Julia Roberts, Anne Hathaway and Jessica Biel. Also, I've heard that Emma Robert's part of the works as well, which is cool if you ask me."

"Yeah," Angela nodded, a smile on her face. "I hear Patrick Dempsey and Ashton Kutcher's going to be part of it as well," she sighed dreamily. I sighed along with her, because Patrick Dempsey's hot and I absolutely adored him in Enchanted.

"Yeah…" I said in a faraway voice.

"Oh, and plus," Angels straightened up, banished that dreamy look on her face, winked at me and said, "I hear Joe Jonas' going to be there."

I looked at her in befuddlement. So what if Joe's part of the movie?

"Don't look at me like that, Bella," Angela giggled, swatting my shoulder.

"Looking at you like what?"

Angela rolled her eyes. "All lost and confused, of course. Don't think I didn't notice you and the second eldest Jonas brother getting all cozy, especially after those photos of you canoodling in some arcade showed up on OMG!.com."

"Oh, shush," I blushed. "We weren't canoodling - who uses that word anymore? - and anyway, I tripped and fell, and Joe was considerate enough to catch me, unlike Nick who was far too engrossed in slaying the aliens in that cruddy videogame." I felt myself smile at the memory. Sigh, those were the times… I focused back on reality and saw the expression on Angela's face. She didn't believe me.

"We're just friends," I insisted.

"Sure," was all she said before packing her things away for the next period.

After lunch was Biology, a lesson that I was, surprisingly, numb for. I wasn't afraid to approach my seat, yet I wasn't excited either. By some gracious turn of events, Mrs. Gardner treated me the same as always, not like the other teachers from my previous classes. She did, though, after class, approached me and asked for an autograph for her daughter. There was something warm that grew inside me as she explained how her daughter's birthday was coming up, so I couldn't have refused her even if I wanted to.

By the time classes were over, I was running over to the parking lot, eager to get out of the place and just be safe, holed up in my bedroom. I unlocked my car with a bleep-bleep! and was just preparing to slide in when I saw a familiar head of long black hair. I felt delight course through me.

"Jacob!" I squealed. I abandoned my things on the ground and just sprinted over to him, sidestepping around milling students. "What are you doing here?!" I crashed him into a fierce hug. It's been weeks since I've last seen him, what with me being in Florida just two days ago. I felt his strong arms circle my waist and lift me off the ground. I leaned back to see his face. He was smiling widely, his eyes twinkling away with exuberance.

"Just came down to check up on you," he grinned. "You don't know how guys get when they find out that the new kid a couple of months ago turned out to be a celebrity in not-really-a-disguise.

Jacob set me down back on me feet with an embarrassed flush of his cheeks. I ignored it and quipped, "What?" I smirked, smacking his chest playfully. "'Coz I'm all rich and famous?"

"And pretty to boot," was his comeback. I blushed at his complement. "Ah," his smile softened, "at least you had the decency to blush. It's a healthy reminder for me that you're not the conceited kind of celeb."

I decided to ignore his comment. I looked over his shoulder and saw Quil was a little ways off, earning a stares from my fellow schoolmates. I stared too, because I saw that Quil had grown from the last time I've seen him. Despite him being a couple of feet away, I saw that he had grown considerably taller and more muscular. Was there something in the water of at the La Push, or were the kids experience this kind of growth spurt?

Quil, feeling my gaze, turned his head to meet my eyes. He smiled and waved energetically. I waved back, but with less enthusiasm. I was happy to see the kid and all, but I didn't feel like jumping up and down, waving my arms about like a moron.

"So," I looked back at Jacob. "What are you doing here? Besides," I hastily added, "coming to check up on me, though I am warmed at the deed, I think you should know that I can take care of myself."

"I don't doubt that." Jacob squared his shoulders and beckoned for Quil to come over. "Really, though. I came by because I missed you. The last time I saw you was a couple of days before New Years', and it's been weeks. What did you do in Florida that took so long?"

"I wasn't just in Florida," I answered, slightly exasperated that though I know Jacob was trying, he still doesn't get the fact that my being famous had a serious side to it. It's a tough job, being a famous singer. "And what I do when I'm away is none of your business."

Jacob raised his eyebrow in question. Quil finally reached us, and seeing Jacob looking at me questioningly, opened his mouth to ask a question. I beat him to the punch as I said, "The work I do is confidential, you do know that, right?"

"Confidential?" asked Jacob and Quil at the same time. Jacob's tone was lined with incredulity, while Quil was just confused. "What are you guys talking about?" he asked.

"Yes," I rolled my eyes. "Even Charlie doesn't know some of the things I do, now that I'm 18 and have to manage my affairs myself. Anyway, I prefer it this way, since now he can have a life of his own and not just as Yasmin's bodyguard, but I digress."

I chanced a look around me and saw students milling around, either surreptitiously watching me as I converse with two abnormally tall guys, or openly staring at my car. Pride surged in my veins at the thought of my car being the best in the parking lot - though not really a sports car or anything of the sort, it was shiny and new, not like the rusty ones that surrounded it.

"Hey, do you guys wanna come home?" I asked, gesturing to my car. "I have some schoolwork to do, but I guess you can pass time by watching TV or something of the sort."

Jacob and Quil glanced at each other before grinning widely. Jacob snorted, before speaking for the both of them. "Anything's fine with us," he said. "As long as it's with you and away from these cretins," he glared at a passing afro-haired boy.

"Anywhere's fine with me," added Quil, "as long as it's far from Sam and his cult."

I couldn't help but snort at his words. "Sam has a cult?" I asked, unlocking my car door and sliding in. "Last time I checked, he was planning on getting married to Emily, and now he's starting his own cult?"

"Nah," Jacob drawled lightly, but I noticed the gravity underlining his tone. "He began this months ago. It's not our fault that you failed to notice it every time you go to La Push."

I frowned. "Really?"

"Don't believe us," Quil said, dragging Jacob by his shirt before he took the shotgun seat. He closed the door behind him, forcing the disgruntled Black to take one of the backseats. "We're not trying to convince you into anything you're not sure about, but we're just telling you what we know."

"And you know, as in for a fact, that Sam Uley has cult?"

"He's got people following him, Bella," said Jacob, his voice so quiet it was nearly drowned out by the soft hum of the car's engine. I backed up and, checking all the mirrors, drove away into the main road. "You and your dad weren't in town yet when it started happening."

My frown deepened. Jacob has spoken with so much hostility that I felt fear strike my heart. "You sound like you hate him," I commented, forcing m eyes to not flicker to the rearview mirror to just check how Jacob will react.

I did anyway, and saw the thin firm line that was his lips. He wasn't looking at me, thankfully, but out the window.

"We don't really hate him," explained Quil in a whisper. "We just hate what he did. He took Embry away from us. Before he went and joined Sam's cult, we were as thick as thieves, the best of friends…" he trailed off. "But now…"

Quil shook his head, allowing his long black hair to cascade off his haphazard ponytail. "It all started about a year and a half ago, give or take a few months. First, it was just Sam acting weird… you know, all jumpy and that kind of stuff. He was always so angry, but the look in his eyes made you pity him. It's like he was lost and looking for his way, I don't really know how to describe it."

"Then Jared started acting weird after a couple of weeks," said Jacob in the same hushed tone as Quil. "We, meaning me, Quil and Embry, thought that it was some kind of aftereffect of his illness - he was sick from this flu - but then he started hanging around with Sam and began patrolling the streets of the rez. The two were inseparable and they walked like they own the place."

"Yeah," agreed Quil. "I remember the time where Sam had forbidden Leah to come into the town - by town I mean Forks tows. I think it was because he didn't want her to go to this date or whatever, saying it was dangerous and such."

"I don't get it… Why did Sam forbid Leah to go?"

"Probably because they used to date," said Jacob. "Mind you, this was before Sam had met Emily. Anyway, Sam and Leah were like, high school sweethearts back in the day."

"But then Sam fell I love with Emily, Leah's second cousin, which caused a lot of drama. By this time, more people had 'fallen ill' and after recovering, started following Sam around. I told my dad about this, of course, afraid that Sam was poisoning the men of the tribe, but he just blew me off."

"Jake," I grunted as I locked the handbrake, parking the car in the garage. "Maybe you're just imagining things. I'm sure Sam isn't poisoning anyone."

"Then how do explain that all the members of Sam's cult first became 'sick' before following him?" demanded Quil.

"I don't know," I shrugged helplessly. "Perhaps they're just drawn in by his charm and good looks? I don't know. Or maybe it's because they just like being in Sam's presence, like a friend or something."

"But that's the thing, Bella!" exclaimed Jacob, banging his fist on the granite slab of the kitchen island. We were inside now, and I was fixing the three of us some sandwiches. Goodness knows I was hungry from too much thinking at school.

"What's the thing, Jake?" I asked, brandishing the peanut butter covered knife at his face. "Because I think you're just jealous that you're not part of Sam's club like Embry is."

Jacob recoiled and glared at me. I immediately berated myself for my lack of tact. I should've eased my opinion in, not just shout it abruptly like I did. 'Really, Bella,' my brain chastised, 'way to go.'

"I'm sorry." I dropped the knife and clutched the edge of the island worry. "I didn't mean for it to come out like that."

"I'm not jealous of Embry," Jacob hissed. His hands were fisted by his sides, pale from the force he was placing on it. He was shaking, vibrating like a massage chair, only that thought did not bring me comfort. I was thrown off a massage chair once, and I sprained my pinky finger.

"He left Quil and me to join Sam behind our backs," Jacob continued. "He betrayed us," he spat, "and became the part of a cult that he forcibly hated until two months ago, and now he's kissing Sam's ass like some kind of minion. I won't sink that low and follow every little thing Sam tells me to do like some lost puppy.

"I hate Sam. He broke Leah's heart, and though I don't hate him because of that, I hate him for breaking her heart and quickly moving on with her second cousin - second cousin, Bella! They were practically sisters! It's such a selfish thing, what Sam did."

"But it's clear that Sam and Emily are in love," I said weakly. "You can't really control things like that. It's unfortunate of Leah, but Sam and Emily love each other. Sam prefers Emily and doesn't want her anymore, so sad to say, she has to deal with it."

I know I did when Edward told me he didn't want me anymore.

"It's not just about Leah," Jacob argued. His shaking was more visibly now. I know I should be afraid, and angered male was one of the things Charlie always told me to avoid, but I couldn't just order Jacob to leave. He was my friend.

"Then what is it about then?" I asked heatedly, crossing my arms. I was tired of arguing about something I didn't ever know the full stories of. I may not know all of the information, but I know for a fact that Sam wasn't poisoning people to be a part of his club - I refuse to believe he has a cult. He's to kind and gentle of a man to do so. In my opinion, he was just like Emmett. Strong and scary looking on the outside, but kind and gentle on the inside.

"It's about me!" shouted Jacob. From somewhere, I heard Quil yelp in surprise.

"You?!" I shrieked. "What's this got to do with you!?"

"Because now Billy's been looking at me like it's my turn next! He's been yammering about how I shouldn't really hate Sam - 'Jacob, Sam's a good man'…" Jacob growled in a good imitation of his father. "'Jacob, you should follow Sam's example'… 'Jacob, don't hate Embry for what he has no control over'… it's always Jacob this and Jacob that… it's infuriating!"

Jacob took a deep breathe and noticeably calmed down. At least, he wasn't shaking anymore.

"Jake…" I sighed his name and engulfed him in a comforting hug. He must be stressed out, if his accusations against his father was true, which I don't doubt at all. "You don't have to be what your father expects you to be. If you don't want to be a part of Sam's group, then don't be a part of it. You're sixteen, Jake. I think you're old enough to do the things that you want, and not what is expected of you, especially if you're afraid."

Jacob looked at me with blazing eyes. Then, he nodded.

A/N: Okay. Good? Bad? Was my Jacob outburst good? I'm trying to move the story along, as you can see. I want Jacob to become a wolf! Hopefully, that part of the story won't be too far away. Fingers crossed.

=]

PS. Oh yeah, I know that in the upcoming movie 'Valentine's Day' stars Taylor Swift and Taylor Lautner, but since Bella in this story's singing Swift's songs, then it's safe to assume that she doesn't exist in this universe, sad to say. Also, since Jacob is played by Lautner in real life, I guess it'd be too weird for Bella to meet a Jacob look-alike while shooting a movie. So basically, Lautner doesn't exist either. I should also say that neither does Kristen Stewart and other actors and actresses, I guess. Sorry all. I know, I'm sad too. But, I guess, since I've mentioned an Edward look-alike when Edward, Bella and Angela watched the 4th Harry Potter movie in Florida (it was mentioned in the prequel) then I guess Robert Pattinson exists. That's a good thing, right?