Nikki Black: You are now my favorite reviewer. Thank you so much. Not only do you constantly review, like every chapter, but you also don't even have an account, or at least are too lazy to log in to it (I do that all the time). Glad you enjoyed it.

griezz: First, thanks you for leaving the review, it really cheered me up. It's nice to have some comments like that every once in a while. I'm glad you are enjoying it as well, especially the changes. We are indeed at that point, although Jake wasn't necessarily around for Annabelle to see all of the signs. It will be gone over more deeply though in the future.

Chapter 39: Breaking Point

Three weeks. That was how long it took for me to hear anything from Jake. Oh, I knew that Chelsea had heard from him, I could tell that the Wednesday after he never showed up because she came marching into home ec, shoving her bag into her seat before throwing a glare at me. She didn't say a word at all the entire class and it was only the next day that I heard her grumbling about Jake under her breath. "No one … fuck him … won't let him …" So all in all that was a fun class to sit through.

Still, I didn't hear anything from him through the phone and I never saw him either. After he ditched us, again, I was set on kicking his ass, or at least giving him a sound thrashing over the phone if I didn't see him but I never got the chance, simply because he never picked up. I took to calling their number once to twice a day but no one ever picked up.

It was the first Friday of March, the day before our last competition that I gave him another call in the morning. Of course, I just got to listen to it ring before it get sent to the voice mail. I hung up.

Sighing, I grabbed my bag and heading out to my truck, rubbing my forehead as I did. I had woken up with a pounding headache and the Tylenol I had taken hadn't kicked in yet. When I climbed into my truck, I took a huge gulp of my water bottle, hoping that perhaps my headache was from dehydration. Either way, drinking lots of water was always a good idea when I had one.

The ride to school was short and by the time I arrived, I had to hustle to make it to History on time. I might have been running just a tad bit late when I left the house this morning.

I took my seat next to Angela just as the teacher was starting to pass back the tests we had taken last week. "You ready for our last practice?" She asked, glancing over with a hesitant smile.

Angela had gotten over most of her nerves by now, especially after having so many competitions but it looked like they were starting to make a reappearance what with States approaching tomorrow.

I shrugged my shoulders. "It should be fun, I just hope we keep hitting that new stunt coach gave us."

She nodded but didn't have time to say anything before the teacher got to our row and our tests were given to us. Angela glanced at hers, seeing the A- on it before grinning. I gave her a thumbs up and checked mine.

D+

Shiiiiiit.

I know I hated history but I usually managed a B+ in the class. This was bad. A D was basically a F anyways, it wasn't passing, not to mention it would make my overall grade go down. Hopefully it wouldn't effect it so much as to grab my dad attention. He didn't accept anything below a B- so as long as I didn't hav would be good but it also meant that I would have to focus any free time I could come up with on History. This was not going to be fun. I groaned before stuffing the test in my back so I wouldn't have to look at it.

I rolled my shoulders, trying to relax the muscles that were already tightening because of the stress. Thankfully with my worry about my grade, History and AP Lit passed quickly and then Lauren and I were on to Physics. We were sitting in our seats when Jessica walked in, going past us as she made her way to hers. Just as she got even with us, she slowed.

"Break a leg at the competition you two and I really mean that." She said, giving us a sickeningly sweet smile before speeding up.

I scoffed as I rolled my eyes, Lauren doing the same.

Ever since that day that I nearly went off on Jessica, she hadn't bothered us at all, mostly sticking to her friends. Apparently she had worked up the courage to speak to us again, at least, in a room full of witnesses.

"I wouldn't mind breaking hers." I whispered to Lauren, causing her to giggle.
She nodded in agreement. "Add Tyler to the list too."

I laughed at that. There was a small part of Lauren that blamed Tyler for me getting drunk at the party back on new years, he was the one throwing it after all and she definitely hasn't been nice to him since. Although it wasn't like she was nice to him before. She still held a grudge over what happened at prom.

The teacher walked in and class started. I pulled out my pen and notebook before starting to avidly take notes. I didn't want a repeat of history and that meant I would really have to pay all of my attention to the class itself. We were ten minutes in when all of a sudden, a triangle of paper landed by my hand. I blinked, slightly surprised, I hadn't seen one of those since middle school.

Glancing at the teacher to make sure he wasn't looking, I quickly unwrapped it, laying it flat on the table. SLUT was written in big letters across it. I swung around, glaring at the smiling face of Jessica. She gave a little wave and I turned back to my front, glaring at the board before I started up my notes again. It was only two minutes later that another folded paper landed next to me. I ignored it this time, not willing to waist my time on it. Soon another joined it and another. By the end of class, I had a small collection of triangle notes gathering beside me as I did my best to act like they weren't bothering me. I sat with the pen in a death grip, my teeth clenched. This was stupid. What, was she a child? She had to do stupid shit like this?

When the bell finally rang, I stood up, leaving the pile there as Lauren and I headed to lunch. We met up with Angela and Ben as we headed into the cafeteria. They started talking about the bear sightings that had skyrocketed in the past month or so. Apparently there was even a hiker that had gone missing. For the most part, I ignored it, doing my best to relax. My headache was back again and I was considering taking another dose of Tylenol.

We all grabbed the school lunch: pizza, peas and a side of applesauce before making our way towards the table. We were halfway there when someone barreled into me out of no where. I lost my grip on the tray and it fell with a clatter, pizza sauce and cheese flinging everywhere as the applesauce spilled over my shoes. Despite what was going on, part of me had to admit that applesauce was better than regurgitated apple juice.

I turned, automatically glaring when I saw Jessica and to be completely honest, I think I might have even growled for a second.

"Sorry, my bad." She spoke, batting her eyelashes as she tried to look innocent.

I tensed my leg up, planning on kicking my foot out so that the applesauce would go all over her. I could also grab the pizza and smear it all over her face. I think I could last pretty well in a food fight and I had not qualms over starting one. I wasn't going to deal with her anymore but a voice had me freezing.

Don't.

It was so clear, so sharp. This was the first time I had heard it since the party. I thought I had gotten rid of it but apparently not. By the time I focused back on the cafeteria, Jessica was already walking off and I had missed my chance. Shit.

"Come on, let's go get you cleaned up." Lauren said, handing her tray to Angela as she lightly pulled on my arm.

I allowed her to guide me to the nearest bathroom where she started pulling out paper towels from the dispenser. I stepped out of my shoes and just waited as she took care of them for me. I didn't have the energy to deal with all of this today.

"Are you okay?"

I shrugged my shoulders, not sure how to answer that. Was I? Probably not.

"Don't worry. Tomorrow the competition will be over with and then Jessica will go back to ignoring us." Lauren said, handing me my shoes back.

In that moment, I was immensely grateful that she thought all of this was because of the competition. I really didn't want to try and talk about my sleepless nights, absent friend and worry over a deranged vampire.

After a moment we returned to the cafeteria and thankfully the rest of school passed with no more, incidents. Although, Chelsea did seem unusually smug in home ec. As soon as I had sat down, she had glanced over. "Having a good day?" She asked.

For a moment I had eyed her. Could she have …? Nah, I figured she had just seen or heard about what had happened in the cafeteria.

As soon as school was over, everyone met up in the gym. We had out last practice before the competition. We stretched out and warmed up the stunts and I was pleased to see that everything seemed to be hitting, not to mention it was all tight. At this rate, we might have a shot at first place.

"Let's see a full out." Coach called out.

There were a few groans as we moved to the opening. It was dead silent for a few seconds before the music started. I did the first few moves as about half the team, including myself, Lauren and Angela, did standing back-handsprings. We posed for a second after landing before quickly moving to the opening stunt. A tick-tock to a scorpion, followed by an arabesque before twisting down. Jumps was next followed by another stunts. As soon as that was over, we popped the flyer and set her down. I shook out my arm, trying to get feeling back into it. It felt a little weak but then again we had just finished warming all the stunts up.

I pushed the thought away as we moved to tumbling. I had a corner pass, Lauren following right after me. When it was my turn, I stepped forward, waiting for my count before I ran to get power. As soon as I had started my pass, I knew something wasn't right but it was too late to bail.

I pulled my back-handspring and it when I went to pull my tuck that it went wrong. My arm, the one that had felt weak earlier, felt even worse now. It felt like jello, like I had no bone in it at all. Because of this when I went to throw it, I was overpowered on one side and not only did I not get the height I needed but it caused me to twist as well.

I landed in a heap on the ground, my good arm managing to come up and at least slow my fall and protect my head.

Everyone paused before the music was off. Slowly I rolled onto my back as I heard footsteps rushing towards me. Coach was over me, kneeling beside me.

"Are you okay?" She asked, worry clear in her voice, not to mention it was written all over her face.

I nodded, taking another second to gather myself before sitting up. "I'm fine, just a little out of it from the mishap." I explained.

"Well too bad you didn't pull harder, you could have had a full." Lauren said, trying to lighten the mood.

I snorted and beside me Coach threw her a smile.

"Every take a quick break and get a drink." She turned back to me. "Are you sure you okay?"

Again I nodded. "I'm sure. I think I was just a little tired."

Coach gave me a look before standing up and heading back. I took another second before standing as well. I really was okay, my arm even felt better now, probably the adrenaline driving the fatigue away. Mostly I was just annoyed. It had been a long time since I had messed up on my tuck, I had worked so hard to get it. Oh well, at least it was just a fluke.

After the break lasted another few minutes, we returned to the mat, running through it a few times before doing another full out. This time there was no mistakes and we managed to hit everything.

Practice was over soon after that and when it was, I was so tired that I wanted nothing more than to go home and crawl into bed. On second thought, shower was first on the list and then bedtime. Okay, maybe shower, supper, pack for tomorrow and then bedtime. Uh, that seemed so far away.

Slowly, I climbed into my truck before putting the key in the ignition. At first it didn't want to catch and I had to try multiple time for it to finally start up. Warily, I glanced over the dash before putting it in drive and starting the drive home. At least today dad had off so he was able to pick Alisha up from school. It was nice that I didn't have to worry about that.

I was halfway home when the engine started making funny noises.

I groaned but I didn't dare pull over. "Come on." I said, started to pat the dash board. "Just get us home and then it will be all okay. We can both rest then."

The truck made it another mile down the road before the engine started sputtering and then steam arose from the hood.

"Shiiiiiiiiit." I swore under my breath, quickly pulling over to the side of the road and turning the truck off. I grabbed my bag and phone before jumping out of the seat, standing a few feet away. I was unsure if my truck was going to blow up at this point but I knew that I didn't want to be in it if it was going to.

After waiting a minute, and seeing no flames, I slowly approached the truck.

It's not safe.

I didn't just hear his voice, I told myself resolutely as I continued to get closer to it. The steam that was coming out was lessening so I felt comfortable enough to pop the hood open. More steam billowed out and I quickly pulled my hands back at the heat.

When everything had cleared and I was able to see again, I glanced underneath the hood in the dimming light. Even if I had enough light to see by, I know I didn't have enough knowledge to know what the hell to do. Of course now with my experience with the bike, I could recognize a few things but nothing that would help me here.

I sighed, pulling out my phone as I found a rock to sit on that was a few feet away from the truck.

I went into recently called in my phone and hit the first one, wondering if this day could honestly get any worse.

I could hear the dial tone on my phone when I glanced at it and realized that I had hit Jake's number and not my dad. My thumb was hovering over the end button when I heard a voice.

"Hello?"

I quickly put the phone to my ear, my eyes wide and blinking in surprise that someone actually picked up.

"Jake?" I asked.

"Annabelle." There was a stoniness to his voice and upon hearing it, I forgot all about my truck and immediately went on the defensive.

"What the hell Jake?" I nearly shouted into my phone. "Where have you been and why haven't you been answering my calls?"

I heard him forcefully sigh into the phone. "Look, I've just been busy."

I scoffed. "Busy? That's no reason to completely blow me off, blow us off. Do you realize how long it's been since Alisha has seen you? You were her best friend, like a brother to her."

"I know but look, it's better if we don't hang out anymore, better if we not be friends." There was a sincerity to his voice but at hearing his words, it wasn't his voice I was saying it anymore, it was someone else's, a copy of the words I had heard a year ago. I had to shake my head to get my thoughts back on track but even then, I sounded breathless.

"Is that so?" I asked and part of me wanted nothing more than to be vindictive, so I was, I gave into it. "I see. You're just like them aren't you?"

Jake knew who I was referring to and I heard a harsh, almost guttural sound coming from the other end, but still it didn't stop me. I was past the point of caring.

Annabelle, don't. It's not safe.

Again I paid the voice no heed, as if it wasn't even there. Beside, it was Jake, since when was he not safe? Since when could he hurt me?

"They promised they wouldn't leave, he promised that they would always stay. You promised to do the same, Jake and now you're breaking it. You are no different from them."
"That's not fair." It was almost a roar as he said it. "If I'm breaking my promise it is because of them, because of your stupid Cullens. This is their fault."

There was nothing but his heavy panting on the other side. I could imagine him, in his house, leaning against the wall with his sides heaving. His eyes would be narrowed, his face scrunched in an expression of hate that I've never seen him wore before.

"It's their fault. If you want someone to blame, blame your damn leeches."

There was nothing but silence after that, a dead line. He had hung up. Slowly my hand dropped, my phone hanging in my fingers while my eyes remained wide in surprise. He had called the Cullens leeches. Did that mean he knew or had guessed what they were? His legends did say, did tell him what they were but since when did Jake even believe in them? He had scoffed and laughed at them just last year so what was going on? What was the difference? Why was he getting pissed about them now?

I pushed the thought away, I could focus on that later but now I had to figure out something to do. I glanced back at my truck before opening the door and grabbing the keys from the ignition. After that, I locked it up and started on my way home.

I was only a mile away from the house, an easy walk, even with the falling darkness.

Don't. Call someone. The voice in my head pleaded.

"Make me." I muttered, under my breath.

It's dangerous. Victoria is still out there.

"I don't care." I said out loud, knowing it was a lie. Maybe if I talked back it would go away. Ignoring it never seemed to help.

Are you looking for a death wish?

I grit my teeth, my jaw starting to ache with the pressure. "Can't you just leave me alone?"

What about Alisha, what about your dad? Don't you think they'll worry if something happens to you.

"You forgot to mention Kathy but then again you haven't been around to meet her." This was getting bad. I was actually talking back to a voice I was hearing in my head.

You said that you would be careful, that you would keep yourself safe. You promised.

It was that one word that pushed me over the edge. Even though I knew the voice was in my head, I couldn't help swinging around in the direction it seemed to be coming from. "Looks like everyone-" The words caught in my throat as I saw a flash of white. It took me a second to make it out completely but when I did, I was frozen in shock.

Edward was standing there, in front of me. The same pale skin and golden eyes. I blinked, reeling back in surprise. He couldn't be here, he couldn't. Still, there he stood, with the same uncaring look he had worn when he left.

As the shock slowly faded away, I really looked at him. That was when I noticed that even if I was seeing Edward, he wasn't real. The edges around his form were blurry, almost like he was fading and if I looked hard, I could see the forest through him.

"Shit!" I muttered, running hands over my face as I closed my eyes for a second. I really hope this was a trick of the light. "You're not there and when I look again you'll be gone."

He was still there.

"Fuck."

You've been using those words a lot lately. He spoke, his lips curving up into a small smile.

"Yeah, well, it's been that type of day." I answered immediately then realized what I was doing. "I think I've gone completely crazy, I'm talking to what I really hope is a hallucination. But hey, look at the bright side, at least if I'm actually crazy, no one can do anything if I murder Jessica."

With that thought in mind, I swung back around, continuing my walk home. Edward, well fake-Edward appeared next to me, walking slightly in front so that I could see him out of the corner of my eye.

Back to my point, it really isn't safe for you to be out here.

I ignored him, staring straight ahead. It hadn't seemed to work before but maybe this time I'll get lucky.

Victoria could be out here looking for you. Call your dad and he'll come get you.

"Shut up." I hissed the words under my breath, really hoping there was no one around to see me having my psychotic break with reality. "I'm almost home anyways."

I hitched my bag higher on my shoulder, glancing up at the dark clouds over head. At least it hasn't started raining yet. Hopefully I would make it home before that happened.

Lights appeared behind me and a car drove by, the headlights shinning through fake-Edward to illuminate the forest behind him. Well, at least that was more proof that he isn't actually here.

There are other things out here, things that are more … volatile than us vampire.

I didn't know if that was supposed to scare me into calling but again I just ignored it.

He was in front of me in the next instant, walking backwards so his golden eyes could scorch into my own. I glared and resisted the urge to stick my tongue out.

I'm not joking. We aren't the only dangerous things out there.

I couldn't take it anymore. I pulled to stop, glaring at him with all my might.

"Okay, I'm fucking sick of this. You need to either go away because you're not real or you need to actually be here so I can kick your ass." I basically shouted at him, or well, my hallucination of him. "I don't like being crazy."

"Um, miss?"

"What?" I asked, shrieking at I turned to the voice. It took me a second to realize that it wasn't fake-Edward who had said it.

There was a car stopped beside me, a man that looked to be in his mid-twenties sitting in the drivers seat. He was leaning over the console, the passenger window rolled down. He paled considerably when I yelled and he paused before he spoke again.

"I was wondering if you're okay or if you would like a ride home." He said.

Take it, it's safer.

"I don't need input from you." I spat at fake-Edward before looking back at the man. "No, I'm not okay and I'm walking home so leave already!"

He sat there wide eyed for only a second before he slammed on the gas, flying down the road and out of site. Oh god, this was not good.

I groaned as I continued my walk.

You really should have gone with him.

I felt tears prickling at my eyes but I forced them away. I wouldn't cry. Not now.

"You really should shut up." My voice sounded tired now, way more than I had originally been. Fuck the shower and supper, I'll just go to bed. I can always wake up a little earlier tomorrow.

I was turning the corner on to my road and way down at the end, I could see my house. It was still a minute or two walk away, but I was at least in sight of it now.

"There. Happy? I'm home." I asked, glancing towards him.

I gave a start when I realized he wasn't in front of me like he had been. I quickly spun around, but I couldn't see him anymore at all, no flash of white, no golden eyes. He was gone.

I sighed, rubbing at my sore head. It seemed like my headache was back. I blamed it on him.

I trudged the rest of the way to my house, walking through the door. Dad gave a start at seeing me before glancing out to the driveway where only his car sat.

"My truck broke down a little ways away." I said, tossing the keys onto the couch next to him.

He was on his feet immediately. "What? Why didn't you call?" He asked, rushing towards me.

I shrugged my shoulders. "I didn't mind walking."

He paused, his eyes raking over my form before he slowly nodded. "I'll go see if Charlie would be willing to check the truck out with me. I want you to head up to bed and go to sleep, you look like you need it."

I only nodded, not bothering to reply.

"So where exactly is the truck?" He asked.

I quickly explained, the thought of my bed spurring me on. When he had headed out the door, I dropped my bag by the door before going up the stairs. I didn't even bother to change, just stripped out of my pants and bra before climbing beneath the covers.

The cold of the sheets felt nice against my skin, even as it slowly started to warm. I relaxed into the pillow and I was so close to being asleep when the door creaked open a little.

I groaned, forcing my eyes open to see Alisha standing there. She met my eyes before quickly scurrying to the bed and climbing in next to me. I dredged up the energy to pull the blanket back so she could be covered up as well.

"Isn't it a little early for you to go to sleep?" I mumbled into the pillow.

I could feel her hair brushing against my face as she shook her head.

There was a small silence before she spoke again. "Anny?"

"Mn?" I asked, to exhausted to actually say anything.

"I love you."

A managed to twitch my lips up into a small smile. "I love you too." I told her although I'm sure it sounded a little more garbled.

"Remember when I had my nightmare and you kept them away so I could sleep for the rest of the night?"

"Uh-huh."

Alisha's body heat was steadily heating up the area under the blanket and the added heat was quickly lulling me to sleep. Already it was hard to keep my eyes open and I had given up on that battle. At this point I just focused all my energy on staying awake long enough to hear what she had to say.

"If you want, I can keep away any nightmares that you might have tonight."

I didn't say anything for a few seconds.

"Alisha?"

"Yeah?"
"You're the best little sister ever."

Hope you enjoyed and now time for a mini-rant. If you are the three/four people that usually leave reviews you can skip this but if you are not then this is for you. I have to say that I am slightly annoyed that I seriously have 123 people who read the last chapter but only two people who actually commented on it. I like knowing that everyone is enjoying this story, I like hearing your thoughts on it and I like hearing any criticism you have(as long as it is constructive and not trashing). On top of that, do you guys realize if everyone commented on the chapter, it means you would all get an extra chapter basically every week because you would hit he review goal? Just putting it out there, although at this point I would die trying to write that much what with finals coming up. And the more comments/extra chapter, the faster the Cullens come back.

Okay, that was more than a mini-rant. Again, hope you enjoyed the chapter and please leave a review. I'll see you all next week when things get even more interesting.