A.N: Okay, so there weren't as many reviews as I would have liked. In fact, when I woke up this morning there were no reviews? What happened, guys? Was the chapter not up to scratch or something?
Thanks to the reviewers who reviewed this time round though! I am taking all of your wants into account whilst I'm writing the next few chapters, so hopefully everybody will be satisfied at some point in the future! I already have the next chapter written, so as soon as I get enough reviews, I'll upload! Sound good, eh?
Please review!
Chapter 29 – Impossible
Emmett threw himself into tracing the number eagerly. For the next few days, he was never off of his MacBook, typing rapidly and gazing at the screen, unblinking. He was so focused on his task that he was even neglecting his wife a little bit. Of course, Rosalie understood the situation and didn't blame me for it in the slightest – though I could tell she was very aggravated with her husband.
"Damn!" Emmett cussed, for what seemed to be the fourth time that day. He angrily picked up his MacBook and threw it at a wall with all his vampire strength. The particularly fragile piece of technology shattered on impact, pieces of metal and plastic flying across the room, making a loud 'BANG' on impact.
"Emmett McCarthy Cullen!" Esme shouted from the kitchen. She played the 'Mom' role very well, especially when her 'kids' were 'naughty.' She stormed into the room after a second, her form blurring as she came to a halt. It seemed my werewolf senses were a little slower than usual.
"Sorry Mom," Emmett said, sounding angrier than I'd ever seen him. "I'll clean it up and buy a new one."
"Yes, you will. And you will apologise for making Leah jump," she added, obviously annoyed. "And," she added, staring at the wall. The paint was cracked, as was the plaster itself. "You will pay to have the wall fixed. Do you understand?"
"Yes Mom," Emmett replied bitterly.
He began to clean up the shards of plastic, metal and glass from the ground, muttering angrily under his breath. I waited until Esme had disappeared from the room before I spoke to him in a low voice, very aware of his temper. Although Emmett was the most fun loving, relaxed guy I'd ever know, he was also a Vampire with a bad temper at that moment.
"What's wrong?" I asked calmly.
"Your stupid texter," Emmett replied angrily, sweeping up the debris forcefully. "I can't trace his number to anywhere. Not even a country – hell, not even a continent! It's impossible," he said angrily, disposing of the rubbish quickly.
"So, you can't find him," I summarised.
Emmett growled. "No, I can't. But don't worry, Leah. Because even if it takes another hundred years, I will trace him and I will make him pay for messing with your head."
I smiled at his protectiveness.
"Is there something wrong down here?" Edward asked from the doorway, smooth as ever. He glided into the room, sat down on the couch and draped his legs over the arm, relaxed and calm. He quirked an eyebrow, a habit that he'd picked up from me, and examined the remains of the MacBook.
"Emmett got frustrated," I replied. It covered almost all of the fields, really.
"I gathered, from the way that he was screaming," Edward chuckled. Emmett shot him a look. He moved to leave the room, grabbing Edward's foot as he left and forcibly pulling him from the couch. Edward landed on the ground with a very loud 'BANG.' I winced, rolled my eyes.
"He can't find this guy," I said, once Emmett had gone.
"I know."
"I thought you'd be upset," I said.
"I am."
"I thought you'd be visibly upset," I elaborated.
"I'm good at hiding my emotions," he looked at me intently, almost as if trying to communicate something through only his eyes. After a second of staring at each other, Edward looked away, sighing heavily as he sat up straight on the couch, gestured for me to sit in the armchair opposite. I did as he said, leaning back into the pale cream leather.
"What are we doing today?" I asked curiously, crossing my legs as I tried to get comfy.
"I'm not sure," Edward replied. "What do you want to do?"
"I don't know," I said. I considered, thinking back on La Push. I hadn't been back there for a very long time, but I found it difficult to imagine La Push as home now. Mom was never there, Dad wasn't there anymore, and Seth visited the Cullen's house such a lot that I didn't really have a chance to miss him.
But I did miss Jacob.
I hadn't seen him for several weeks, actually. I hadn't phased before Christmas, and even when I was phasing, I hadn't actually seen Jake in the flesh. I missed his teasing personality, his continual probing about my and Edward's relationship. I didn't miss his girlfriend though.
I wanted to see Jacob. But I didn't want to mention his name in Edward's presence. I didn't want to upset him.
"I don't care anymore," Edward said. Apparently he'd listened to all of my thoughts. "I don't care about Jacob Black and Isabella Swan. Or rather, I don't care for them. I'm not bothered about you visiting them. So long as you come back in one piece."
I laughed. "Of course I will. I'm not as breakable as her."
"She was a special case," Edward agreed lightly. "I don't know anyone who could trip when walking on a flat surface."
"Nor do I," I agreed. "I don't know anyone who could be such a bitch, either."
"Leah," he sounded pained.
"Seriously though," I ranted. "She went out with you, then she obsessed over Jacob, then she went back to you and broke his heart, and then dropped you and went back to him again! If that isn't bitchy, I don't know what the heck is."
"You said you wouldn't curse anymore," he sounded disappointed. I was surprised that he hadn't taken offence on Bitch-ella's behalf.
"I'm sorry," I replied. "She's a special case."
We both laughed, really laughed.
XxXxXxXxX
"Are you sure you'll be alright on your own down here?" I asked, looking round the room. It was a large house with lots of technology, board games and other methods of entertainment, but Edward always complained of being bored when I wasn't around. Although, he always said that he had fun hunting with his 'siblings.' I considered hunting with him – well, going with him but not hunting, just watching.
"Of course, Leah. I'm a grown man," he laughed.
"Of course you are," I mimicked, laughing.
"Call me when you're over the boarder?"
"Always," I replied, smiling as we left the house.
It was raining outside, so Edward – being the gentleman that he was – offered to give me a lift to the boarder. I agreed, of course, and we cruised down the highway at top speed, both of us laughing loudly at the thrill. Though I was sure that the car wasn't as fast as vampire speed, Edward was obviously still enjoying himself.
We pulled to a halt by the trees. I threw open the passenger door and inhaled a big breath through my nose. The scent that I caught caused me to wrinkle my nose in distaste. It was incredibly woodsy, almost murky and damp. Like a wet dog, or something. I shuddered at the scent, wrinkled my nose to try and stop the odour.
"That's what we have to deal with," Edward laughed in amusement.
"What?" I asked, turning back to him.
"That is the scent of the werewolf. Although, I can admit that you have never smelt that way. Your scent is a mixture of sweet and savoury, or something. The perfect balance. I can't place it, even now," he said. "But the rest of your kind smells like that."
"How have I not noticed that scent?" I asked in wonder.
"God knows," Edward replied with a smirk. "I'll see you later."
"Three hours," I told him with a mocking wave. He grinned, imitated my wave and then drove off, tyres squealing.
I trudged through the forest – well, sprinted. My feet fell into a regular pattern, my breathing just the same as I ran through the forest. I didn't need to use my eyes; I could just sense when to avoid trees and whatnot. After a couple of minutes running, I broke through the trees at the other end of the forest.
I was at First Beach.
I pulled my phone from my jacket pocket – it was the jacket Alice had given me. She'd also taught me how to do my hair both straight and curly. I liked it both ways, but it was curly at that moment.
I had a text.
Sender: Unknown (0011223344)
Message: I suppose you don't want to see me. That's a shame. I'm missing you, babe.
I rolled my eyes, composed a new message.
Sender: Leah
Message: I'm on First Beach. I don't suppose you'd be up for meeting me now, would you? I don't seem to get down here as often as I'd like. Sorry for the short notice, Jakey. L.
Barely ten seconds later, my phone beeped.
Sender: Jacob
Message: On my way.
I strolled down the surf, alone. There were a few people on the beach, but it wasn't that busy. It was still winter, and the sea air was cold enough to make humans shiver. I briefly considered taking off my shoes, but changed my mind. It wouldn't look normal, walking down the beach in the freezing cold with no shoes on.
"Leah!" I heard Jacob call. I looked up from the sand, a smile forming on my face as I saw him running towards me. He'd put on a shirt – it was too cold to be classed as 'normal' whilst you weren't wearing a shirt. His expression was a beaming smile as he finally stopped beside me.
"Hiya Jake," I said, smiling.
"Hey Lee," he replied, also smiling. "So, what brings you here?"
"I missed my friend," I said honestly, still smiling.
"Oh really?" Jacob arched an eyebrow.
"Is that so difficult to believe?" I replied, mimicking his expression.
Jacob laughed. "It is when you're besties with Edward Cullen."
I rolled my eyes. Jacob laughed again.
"Have you told him yet?" he asked, as we began to walk. He slowed for me, taking smaller strides. I wondered if he was used to slowing down for Bitch-ella.
"Told him what?" I replied.
"You know what," Jacob said seriously, gazing at me intently. I sighed, realising what he was talking about.
"No," I admitted. "Rosalie knows. I'm afraid of his reaction. And it's difficult to say, even now."
"His birthday's coming up, isn't it?" Jacob asked quietly. He was always gentle when we discussed my little Harry.
"Yeah. Friday," I said. My throat was dry.
"Why don't you take him with you?" Jacob asked seriously. "To see him, I mean. It might do you good, Lee."
"It's normally something I prefer to do on my own," I replied, wanting to change the subject.
"You used to prefer to do everything alone," Jacob said. "That's changed since you met him. Besides, you two obviously have some deep connection or something. He'll know that there's something wrong. What are you going to tell him, are you going to lie to him?"
"No!" I replied defensively. "I'll tell him. You're right," I sighed in defeat. "I need to tell him."
Jacob could obviously tell that I didn't want to speak about Harry anymore. He changed the subject to life at La Push.
"Bella's got a job," he said, sounding proud.
"What as, a journalist?" I asked critically.
"A journalist?" Jacob replied quizzically.
"Well, they tend to be bitchy, don't they? It kind of fits her personality," I grinned. Jacob glared at me.
"She's not that bad," Jacob said.
"Like hell she's not," I scoffed.
He sighed. "Let's talk about something else."
There was a pause.
"See the Mariners Vs the Gators game?" he asked eagerly.
XxXxXxXxX
Jacob decided to take me back to his house. He phoned Bella in advance, asked her if she'd nip out to the shop whilst a friend of his visited. He didn't mention my name – part of me was glad. Bitch-ella didn't take kindly to other females being near her men. That much was obvious from the way that she'd acted before the Newborn Battle.
Bella was out of the house when we arrived, but the house absolutely stank of her. Edward labelled it as freesias, but I labelled it as rotting oranges. Personally, I couldn't smell a hint of freesia anywhere. I wondered vaguely if Edward's sense of smell was failing in his old age. I'd have to taunt him about that later.
"Right," Jacob said, sitting down on the couch. I went and sat on the armchair by the TV; it smelt of Billy rather than Bitch-ella.
"Well?" I asked. Normally, when Jake and I met up, we walked on First Beach for a bit, sometimes went to see Embry or Quil. I hadn't seen either of them since… well… I couldn't remember. I knew that Quil was still very much enjoying his time with Claire, playing hide and seek among other games.
"We need to talk," Jake said firmly, leaning forwards towards me. I mimicked him, arching an eyebrow.
"About?" I asked.
"Edward," Jacob replied seriously. I chuckled – the sound was low and hard.
"If you're going to lecture me on the whole 'I know you have feelings for him' then you're wasting your time. Everybody seems to assume that I'm in love with him or something. And I'm not. We've said one thousand times, we're just friends!"
"Are you sure about that, Lee?" Jacob asked seriously, rather than raising his eyebrows and smirking as everybody else had.
"Y-yes."
"You don't sound sure," he said, sounding slightly pleased. He managed to cover it well, though. Acting all smug and 'know-it-all' in front of me wasn't a wise idea. It just got me riled up and ready to disagree with anything, even if I did actually agree.
"There isn't anyone out there for me," I said calmly.
"That doesn't answer my question," Jacob said.
"Can we drop this?" I asked tiredly. I didn't want to talk about Edward at that moment.
"No, I don't think we can," Jacob said. "I'm happy. It's kind of annoying that you aren't, Lee. And besides, I think the bloodsucker deserves his happiness too. I mean, he could've not let Bella go. He could've forced her to stay with him. Granted, we would have killed him. But he was still perfectly reasonable about the entire thing. He just let her go."
"Can you not call him that?" I replied.
"Call him what?"
"Bloodsucker. He's called Edward Anthony Masen Cullen. Not a leech, or a bloodsucker, or a vamp or anything else! He's just Edward," I said firmly.
"You're so defensive of him," Jacob said, sounding awed.
"No I'm not!" I said angrily. "He doesn't deserve to be called such a degrading name! He is a nice guy, he is friendly and he is mature about everything! He's lost in his own little world ninety five percent of the time, but he still makes time for his family even though he lost his first mate," I all but snarled at Jake. "He is kind, eloquent, ridiculously stupid but he's still one of the nicest guys I've ever had the pleasure of meeting."
Jacob just stared at me blankly.
"Is that really so hard to believe?" I spat.
"How can you be so oblivious to your own feelings, Lee?" Jacob asked.
"I DON'T LOVE HIM! FOR GOD'S SAKE!" I yelled, standing up and pulling my hoodie on.
"Leah, calm down," Jacob said, also standing but holding up his hands in defence.
"Don't tell me what to do!" I yelled in return, my shaking increasing by the second. A second later, my phone vibrated in my pocket.
I sucked in a deep breath, attempted to stop my shaking and pulled out my phone. I pressed it to my ear forcefully.
"What?" I snapped.
"I'm not trying to tell you what to do,"Edward's voice said from the other end of the line."But I don't think you'd enjoy ripping one of your close friends apart with your claws."
"No," I sighed, calming almost instantly. "I guess you're right. How did you know?"
"Your future went blank, and then Alice had a vision of you returning to Forks with bloodstained hands, crying your heart out. I didn't think you'd want that to become reality,"Edward replied seriously.
I barked a laugh. "I guess you're right. Sorry Ed."
"I'll see you later,"Edward replied, but I could hear the smile in his voice.
"Bye," I called as the line disconnected. I put my phone into my pocket again, sat down in the armchair and leaned back, exhaling heavily.
Jacob was just gazing at me in shock.
"Don't do that," I said, closing my eyes.
"Don't do what?" he asked, blinking in shock.
"Look at me as if I've just spontaneously combusted or something," I said, opening my eyes and smirking at Jacob. His shocked expression hadn't left his face.
"How did you do that?" Jake demanded.
"Do what?" I asked.
"Calm down so fast," he said.
"Edward has some really freaky influencing skills. If I'm angry and he hugs me or something, I just calm down like that."
"Don't get angry," Jake said after a pause. "But I honestly think that you aren't just friends."
Silence followed his words. I closed my eyes, swallowed hard.
"Neither do I," I admitted in a whisper.
"Why are you so defensive? Is it so hard to believe that you love him?" Jacob asked, sounding curious rather than smug.
"I don't know. I didn't think there would be anyone else for me. Sam left… Harry… I just assumed romance and family life wasn't for me," I admitted.
"You shouldn't let Sam ruin your life," Jacob said.
"I know. And he doesn't, anymore. I have Edward," I said.
"But you don't have Edward in the way that you want him," Jacob grinned devilishly at this point.
"Shut up," I replied, rolling my eyes. "Besides, I don't even know what I want from him."
"Have you ever dreamt about kissing him?" Jacob asked me.
"Are you really asking me this?" I scoffed. "What are you, a teenaged girl?" I looked him up and down. "Actually, you probably are."
"Ha-ha," Jacob said mockingly. "Just answer. I'm not exactly comfortable quizzing you on this."
"Maybe a couple of times," I said quietly.
"A couple of times?"
"Okay, a few times."
"A few times?"
"OKAY, YES, I HAVE!" I yelled, glaring at him. Jacob laughed; I rolled my eyes at him.
"Why don't you talk to him?" Jacob asked me.
"Because he's a one hundred year old vampire who clearly doesn't like me?" I replied sarcastically.
"You don't see him clearly," Jacob said, rolling his eyes.
There was a long silence. I enjoyed the quiet, the gentle humming of the heating. It was somehow soothing. I looked at my watch – I only had about ten minutes until Edward was going to pick me up.
"I need to go," I said, standing and pulling on my hoodie.
"Call me when you've worked things out," Jacob said, also standing. He gave me a quick hug, before patting me on the back and shouting: "Don't be a stranger!" as I walked out of the door.
XxXxXxXxX
I came to a halt at the place where Edward had dropped me off. It was early afternoon by this point; the sun was just breaking through the clouds. A black car with tinted windows pulled up in front of me. I could tell that it was expensive, but my memory had no recollection of a car like this. It was incredibly beautiful, though. Part of me wanted to stroke the glossy paintwork – but the other part of me was thinking 'Why on earth do you want to stroke a car?'
"Because you're weird?" Edward joked as he rolled the window down.
"I like your car," I said.
"Aston Martin DB9 Coupe," he said, smiling. "I think it's pretty too," he stroked the dashboard mockingly.
"So," I said, climbing in. "How fast can this baby go?"
"Why don't we find out?" Edward asked, beaming.
Though the actual specification for the car's top speed was 186 mph, Rosalie could do much more under the bonnet. As the car hit 251 mph, I wondered why she hadn't got a job in motorsports. The speedometer continued to climb up, finally stopping at 281mph. I could feel my skull vibrating as we flew down the path leading to the Cullens, the car bounced up and down. We skidded to a halt as we reached the drive, Edward suddenly jerked the steering wheel and the car performed a spectacular U-turn, halting just beside Alice's Boxster Spyder.
"Your car is amazing," I gasped breathlessly, beaming.
"Thank you," he smirked. I undid my seatbelt, continued to lie limply against the leather.
Edward left the car, coming around to the passenger door and opening it. He lifted me from the car, setting me down on the ground, smirking.
Rosalie was under the hood of Alice's Porsche, tinkering with the engine. Her hair had oil matting it, another couple of stains on her face and clothes. She didn't seem to care about the fact that her designer clothes were ruined, though. She smiled at Edward and I as we passed. Emmett, who was sat in the front seat occasionally testing the engine, jumped out of the car and ran towards us.
"I found a link to your creepy texter! I can't get a fix on whose phone it is, but I can get a fix on where the messages are being sent from!" he said enthusiastically.
"Where are they being sent from?" Edward and I asked eagerly. Well, I was eager, Edward was monotonous.
"They're coming from that pub that you like," Emmett replied. "Or rather, that general area. Within five miles of the pub. I checked," he sounded proud.
"We'll have to check it out," Edward mused aloud. I wasn't stupid; I knew exactly what that meant.
We were going clubbing.
A.N: Please review ?
