Chapter 26: Repercussions

"Bella?"

The way he said it was more of a question but it didn't matter. That name turned my blood cold. I stiffened, suddenly realizing why the change of heart. He thought I was her. My stomach dropped and my heart shattered. I kicked myself mentally for falling into this trap. The passion I mistakenly thought was for me was just how he feels for her. Of course. It makes sense. He always felt like that for her.

I stepped back, recoiling from his touch like it burned me. Staring at him with eyes wide I said, "You-You bastard."

Jake's eyes snapped open. "Kelly I…," He started to say, eyes wide in shock, "That's not what I meant to say…It's not what you think."

I narrowed my eyes and spat, "Oh really? What exactly am I supposed to think?"

Jake stepped towards me but I immediately stepped back.

"I can't believe you…how could you? I told you not to give me any hope if there was none! Then you do this and it was—I thought I knew everything about you," I paused and shook my head, "You're not who I thought you were."

I turned around and walked away but he grabbed my hand from behind, turning me to face him. "Please," he begged, ""I swear it's not that. I wasn't thinking about her!"

I shook my head, pulling my hand back, "Save it Jake. You've always wanted the leech lover, even now and she's married to that thing," I balled my fists then added, "I was just convenient until you could find a way to get her back." I shook my head, "But I'm no stand-in."

"Kelly, please," Jake begged again, gulping. He tried to come closer but I kept backing away.

"Don't!" I said, squeezing my eyes shut for a second before I said, "Just don't. Don't call. Don't text. Nothing. Just…just leave me alone."

I walked away again but he ran around in front of me and stopped. "Let me at least walk you home. Please?" he said, "Drake is still out there looking for you. You shouldn't be alone."

"Then let him," I said, narrowing my eyes on him," I don't need a bodyguard. I hope he comes to kill me. I wish he would. I wish I'd never fallen for you and you never EVER look at me again," balling my fists tighter I said with a few tears rolling down my cheek, "I wish we never met."

This time I turned and broke into a sprint, making my way to the trail. Once on it, I glanced back and saw he wasn't following me. But as soon as I did, I jumped when I heard the blood curdling howl from the beach. Ignoring it, I trudged through the mud and rain, not caring any more if I fell. By the time I got home, I was soaked to the bone and cold. I kicked off my shoes and ran to my room, locking my window tight. I locked my door too, leaning back against it and sliding down.

The tears came in a rush. Everything I'd ever wanted…gone. My mind raced, remembering each second. It was so perfect. More than perfect, it was more than I ever imagined. How could anything that felt so wonderful be destroyed so fast? Wiping my eyes, I stood and went over to my bed. He's not going to give up. He'll be here every day to try and make things right. Everyone else will know soon enough and they'll want to talk about it. Oh god. I wanted to cringe. They'll all say it was just a mistake and that I should forgive him, which I will because I love him. NO. I can't. Not this time.

I stared out across my room, suddenly feeling claustrophobic. My eyes rested on my closet. Run away? I stood and emptied a week's worth of clothes on my bed. I grabbed my suitcase then stared. Can I really do this? Suddenly I heard movement out in the kitchen. I wiped my eyes again and explored just to find Dad in the fridge.

He looked up, eyes wide as he said, "Hey kiddo, thought you were spending the day with Jake?"

My heart sank as I heard his name. I steadied myself on the counter but I could respond.

"Whoa…" Joe said as he came closer, "What happened?"

The moment I looked at him, I broke again. I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him, sobbing into his shoulder. He just held me, gently rubbing my back. "Shh. It'll be okay," he whispered, "I know you don't think it but you're not great at masking how you're feeling. You get that from your mother," he paused again then said, "Just tell me what happened."

"He-he uh- he kissed me," I said, in between sobs.

He pulled back to look at me and pushed some hair out of my face, "Sounds to me like that's a good thing unless you don't love him anymore."

"It was good, for a minute. He sounded like he might actually feel something for me. But then…"I squeezed my eyes shut again, "Then he called me Bella. He was just thinking about her."

Joe's soft eyes looked at me as he said, "Oh kiddo, I'm so sorry. But I don't think he meant that. Jake's a good kid and I've seen how he looks at you. It was probably just a—"

"Freudian slip?" I sighed, "Maybe. Maybe not. But I can't do this right now. He'll call and he'll come here and he won't leave me alone. Neither will anyone else for that matter. I need time and some space, lots of it."

"More than this house?"

"Yeah," I replied, "I just need to get away."

"Where?"

"I think you can guess."

I watched his face drop. I didn't want to hurt him but it was the farthest away I could get.

"How long kiddo?" he asked, not looking at me and leaning against his hand on the counter.

"A week, maybe two," I said.

"What about your job?"

"I'm gonna call," I said, "It should be too big of a deal. We're not hopping with tourists."

"What about that other one that's been following you?"

I sighed, "I'll just have to risk it. But I'll be fine."

He pursed his lips together. "I seem to recall the two of you not doing so well apart. You were both miserable."

"I'll be fine," I said, holding his hands, "Please? I'll come back, I promise. La Push is my home. I'll call you every day to let you know how I am."

"Is this running away from your problems or are you going to deal with them?"

"I'll deal with them, there and here. I swear."

Joe paused another moment then asked, "When do you want to go? In the morning?"

"Tonight," I said after a few moments.

"Kelly…"

"He'll be here tomorrow, bright and early, I know it. He'll be begging me and apologizing. I want to sneak away without having to deal with that."

"And he won't be watching you tonight?"

"No," I said, "He'll give me my space tonight."

Joe was quiet for a few minutes before he sighed, "Well go finish getting the rest of your things. We'll get going."

"Thank you," I said, before heading back to my room.

I shoved the clothes in my suitcase, grabbed a few essentials and we packed up the car. La Push was quiet with the stars overhead as we pulled out of town. I turned off my cell, already seeing 4 missed calls and 5 text messages. Everyone was worried. Clearly they all knew now.

As we drove, Joe and I talked about random things, even sang along to the radio. At a pause, I asked, "Dad?"

"Yeah?"

"Will you keep where I'm going between us? I don't want him to follow me and maybe it'd be easier to protect me from the other one if only you know where I am."

He didn't say anything at first so I added, "I will come back. I meant what I said. La Push is my home and you're my Dad. I can't leave for good."

Joe gave me a half smile as he said, "I can keep a secret just don't stay too long. I'm gonna miss ya."

"I'm going to miss you too."

When we reached the Port Angeles airport, he came with me inside for two seconds. He grabbed my suitcase while I got my ticket from the window. My flight was due to leave in a couple hours. We hugged tight for a few moments before pulling back.

"Try not to live on pizza and T.V. dinners while I'm gone okay?"

"I'll try," he smiled and winked, "Be safe, kiddo. I'll be waiting for your call when you land."

As he stepped to leave I said, "Wait."

Joe turned and looked at me as I said, "Tell Eric I'm sorry. I don't want him, or you, to think I'm abandoning you. I love you both."

"I know hun," he nodded and waved before disappearing out the doors. I got in line for security which took barely any time thanks to the lack of people. Although it sucked having to wait, before I knew it I was sitting on the plane. Staring out the window into the darkness, I sighed. I hope this is the right thing to do. Of course it is. If I stayed I wouldn't get the space I need. He'll just keep coming at me with that face, the face full of hurt that I can't look at. As we ascended, I watched the flickering lights of Port Angeles disappear out the window. Staring out, I sighed and said goodbye for now, trying to forget about the wolf that crushed my heart.