Chapter 16

"Shirts?"

"Check."

"Pants?"

"Check."

"Pajamas?"

"Check."

"Bras?"

"Check."

"And finally...underwear?" Anabelle nodded and placed her underwear in her suitcase. It was early Friday afternoon and she had recruited Leah to help her pack. One, because she was available. And two, because she was a girl and Anabelle did not want any of the boys looking at her underwear and bras. Emily had nominated herself to make dinner for everyone as Anabelle's last meal before her procedure. Leah made her way through the list in her hand and checked off everything.

"Ok, that is it. You are good to go for tomorrow." Anabelle let out a deep breath and closed her suitcase with the zipper. He plopped on her bed next to Leah and rubbed her face.

"Finally, we're done. I didn't know you needed that much time to pack one suitcase." Leah laughed and made sure there were toiletries in the smaller pocket before zipping it up. She double-checked the list and placed it on top of the dresser. Leah then laid next to Anabelle. The girls both let out a breath then proceeded to laugh.

"What time do we need to be at the beach?" Leah checked her phone.

"In about an hour. We should probably be getting ready." Anabelle nodded and sat back up and looked around her room. There was a stack of cards that she received that day at school from friends and teachers, either saying 'Good luck, ' or 'Be strong.' Right next to it was a stack of assignments, all related to her five core classes along with her two electives. She would have to make up her tests when she can back but it was better than nothing.

She slowly looked around the room, taking in her walls and how decorated it was. There were a lot of Eiffel Tower posters as well as posters of wolves. Her room was painted a pale blue with the ceiling a bright silver with glitter all throughout. She looked towards her dresser that was sporting photos all around the top. She had one of her for every year she had been alive. The most recent one was of the pack and her at the beach.

She then looked at her bookshelf. There were tons of books on the shelves, ranging from romance to thriller. She had to decide which two she would want to bring with her. Considering she loved all her books, it was a very difficult choice for her to make. But she wouldn't worry about that now. Not yet. Emily had advised her to not worry about anything and everything would be ok. But that was difficult when everyone looked at her with pitying faces and sad eyes. She had lived with that her whole life and that's how it was. It was hard enough making friends and she was grateful that she had found Mason. It felt like just yesterday, they had met.

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"No no no no no no no!" 11-year-old Anabelle muttered to herself. "I cannot be late on my first day." She cursed Paul for turning off her alarm as a prank when she teased him about being rejected by a girl who he hit on at a party. She rushed through the hallway trying to look for her class, looking down every hall. She turned a corner suddenly and rammed into someone, their head hitting right at her chest.

She flew backward and landed on her butt, her copy of Chamber of Secrets sliding into a locker.Anabelle groaned and rubbed her head. Shit, that hurt. She heard someone else groan from in front of her so she looked up. A boy, about her age, was also rubbing his head and gathering up his stuff. Anabelle grabbed her backpack and book from the floor and advanced towards the boy.

"I am so sorry. I was not looking where I was going." She apologized. The boy shook out his wild dirty brown hair and looked up at Anabelle. His eyes were a light brown, and she could see all the intricate details of his irises.The unknown boy chuckled and waved her off, getting up in the process.

"It's no problem. I've been rushing all morning." The boy chuckled. "I guess I should be apologizing too." They stood there for a moment, not really knowing what to do until the boy spoke up. "I'm Mason, by the way." He held out his hand, Anabelle doing the same."I'm Anabelle. Nice to meet you."

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Anabelle smiled at the memory while looking through her closet for an outfit to wear to the bonfire. It was early April, but that didn't necessarily mean it would be warm. She ended up picking a pair of black leggings with a blue t-shirt. She was tying her shoes when Leah walked through her door in her usual cut off shorts and an off white shirt. "Ready?"

Anabelle nodded and jumped up from her bed. "Ready."

It was rather chilly at the beach and Anabelle shivered as a gust of wind flew towards her. Leah chuckled at the young girl making Anabelle glare at her. "Shut up 108-degree werewolf." Leah barked out a laugh and nudged her a little bit.

"It's not like you don't have that advantage. What with you and Jacob getting close." Anabelle blushed and covered her face hoping to cover it. It didn't.

"We're just friends," Anabelle said. Leah rolled her eyes and gave her a look. "What? We are."

"In my honest opinion, " Leah started. "I think that's complete and utter bullshit." She crossed her arms, emphasizing her point. "You two like each other. That's blatantly obvious. Just admit it. You like Jacob."

Anabelle glared at Leah but was also blushing. It had reached her whole face as well as her neck. "Ok. I do like Jacob but I don't think he likes me back. He only thinks of me as a friend. I'm the little one, remember? He might just think it's weird." She waved it off like it was nothing even though she was trying not to let it get to her head.

She realized she liked Jacob the day Harry died and Emily told her she noticed Anabelle looking at him differently. She then thought nothing of it but also remembered when she saw him appear out of the woods, his chest exposed and his muscles rippling. He was very handsome, no doubt. But there was something more. When Jacob was in her presence, she felt warm and light. Whenever he smiled at her, it brightened her day even if it was starting to feel like the worst.

"What you got running through your head?" Leah asked. Anabelle shook her head, her blush slightly increasing.

"Just thinking." She dismissed him. She was thankful that they made it to the area where the pack was sitting. "Hey, guys!" At the sound of her voice, the pack jumped up and embraced Anabelle in a giant hug causing her to laugh and trying her very best to breathe. "I need some oxygen guys! I can't live without it." They immediately gave her room and space, mumbling 'sorry.'

Anabelle then moved on to Emily who gave her a big hug and led her to the table of food set up a ways away from the fire. "We have chicken and rice along with some corn and mashed potatoes." The food was displayed all in trays in mass amounts to feed a small army.

"This looks amazing Em!"

"And that's not even the best part." Emily gushed. She dragged Anabelle to the end of the table and uncovered a tray. It opened to reveal a two-layer chocolate cake covered in frosting with sprinkles adorning the top. Anabelle was amazed by what Emily made, her jaw dropped.

"Oh my God, Emily!" Anabelle squealed. "This is amazing! Is that buttercream!? And oh my God! The piping! This is incredible!" She quickly embraced the older and thanked her over and over again.

"It was no problem, pretty girl." She then looked at Anabelle with a stern expression. "But I do want at least 10% of the cake empire you are going to build one day." After agreeing to it, Anabelle gathered a plate of food for herself and for Paul.

She walked over to the pack with plates in hand and sat down in between Jacob and Paul. Jacob gave her a grin, making her blush under his gaze. Now that Leah had forced a confession out of her, she couldn't hide it. He was attractive in the manliest way. His whole persona screamed 'male.' Anabelle, not having any experience with boys, tried to not make anything obvious. But judging by Jacobs smirk, she wasn't doing a very good job.

Jacob, on the other hand, was feeling ecstatic. She was so beautiful and seeing her reaction towards him made him feel complete. He knew since the moment he imprinted on her, he was not going to be able to ignore or reject her in any way, shape or form. She looked beautiful tonight. Her leggings hugging her body with her shirt flowing in the night breeze.

Jacob had been wracking his brain on trying to figure out the right time to tell her he had feelings for her. How could he not? She was smart, funny, courteous, lively, silly, and most of all, brave. But he didn't want to just say it out in the open. Anabelle's big thing is that actions speak louder than words and he was taking that to heart. He just didn't know what to do.

"Ok, everyone. First, I want to thank everybody for coming together for my little sister here." Paul said, ruffling Anabelle's hair making her glare at him. "And since she's gonna be locked up for a while, we might as well hear her bust out the pipes before she leaves." Anabelle rolled her eyes and blushed while the pack laughed. "So, Belle? What do you say?"

Anabelle shook her head before her eyes landed on Jacob and his smile he was aiming towards her. It took her a second before looking at the pack and biting her lip when she nodded very lightly.

The pack erupted in cheers as Anabelle made her way towards the edge of the fire, making sure everyone could see her. She looked at the pack's eager eyes and blushed before taking a deep breath.

Like a small boat

On the ocean

Sending big waves

Into motion

Like how a single word

Can make a heart open

I might only have one match

But I can make an explosion

And all those things I didn't say

Wrecking balls inside my brain

I will scream them loud tonight

Can you hear my voice this time?This is my fight song

Take back my life song

Prove I'm alright song

My power's turned on

Starting right now I'll be strong

I'll play my fight songs

And I don't really care if nobody else believes

Cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me

Losing friends and I'm chasing sleeps

Everybody's worried about me

In too deep

Say I'm in too deep (in too deep)

And it's been two years I miss my home

But there's a fire burning in my bones

Still believe

Yeah, I still believe

And all those things I didn't say

Wrecking balls inside my brain

I will scream them loud tonight

Can you hear my voice this time?

This is my fight song

Take back my life song

Prove I'm alright song

My power's turned on

Starting right now I'll be strong

I'll play my fight song

And I don't really care if nobody else believes

'Cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me

A lot of fight left in me

Like a small boat

On the ocean

Sending big waves

Into motion

Like how a single word

Can make a heart open

I might only have one match

But I can make an explosion

This is my fight song

Take back my life songs

Prove I'm alright song

My power's turned on

Starting right now I'll be strong (I'll be strong)

I'll play my fight song

And I don't really care if nobody else believes

Cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me

Know I've still got a lot of fight left in me

Anabelle ended the song a little out of breath but she smiled nonetheless. She had heard the song on Music on Demand and thought it fit her life perfectly. The pack erupted in cheers one again. Some of them even standing and pumping their fists in the air, while making whooping sounds. She smiled and blushed, the longer she thought about it, the more she realized she hadn't sung in front of the pack before.

"Thank you, thank you." She bowed and waved her hands in a swishing manner. She walked back over to her brother and Jacob with a light blush across her face. Jacob's voice caught when she sat next to him on the log. His face was still, never looking anywhere but her. She was, in every way, perfect.

Suddenly, a shrill sound came from his shorts. He looked down to see his phone lit up with Bella's name on it. He groaned. She had been calling every day, on his phone and the landline. She broke whatever was left of their friendship when she ran off to Italy to save her leech. Even Billy was over it. He made the mistake of answering the phone, thinking it was Sue and was only welcomed with Bella's voice asking where Jake was. And every time, Billy would say Jake was out. But Bella wouldn't believe him.

"Hey J. You gonna get that?" He looked to see Anabelle pointing to his phone in his pocket. He grabbed it and declined.

"Nah. It's not important." He gave her a smile making her blush. "So uh… Are you all packed?" He asked, trying to make conversation.

"Pretty much," Anabelle replied. "But I am having a hard time choosing which book to take. I have a lot." They both chuckled a little. "But other than that, I'm good. I have all my school work so that's gonna be fun to do." Jacob laughed at her sarcastic tone and scooted closer making it look like he was getting comfortable. But it didn't go unnoticed by Paul who gave Jacob a look to keep his distance.

"It's getting late," Paul announced suddenly jumping up from his seat. "We have an early morning. Let's go, Belle." Anabelle listened and stood up, walking to everyone to say bye.

Anabelle started with Jacob, giving him a hug and saying bye. Jacob hugged her back, squeezing a little longer than usual. He also discreetly kissed her forehead making Anabelle smile up at him with a light blush on her cheeks. As she was going around Paul glared towards Jacob. "I saw that just now. Don't think I forgot about what I told you. She needs time." He whispered.

"How much time?" Jacob whispered back. "I can tell she likes me. Or somewhat. And I like her too. I don't understand why you think I shouldn't tell her."

Paul ignored him. "What about the leech lover? Don't think I don't know that she calls you nonstop." Jacob rolled her eyes.

"Then you would know that I don't talk to her anymore. She made her choice, ok? Doesn't matter if I like it or not. Plus, I got more important things to care about." Paul followed Jacob's gaze and landed on his sister hugging Leah bye and talking with the she-wolf. Paul's gaze instantly softened.

"Just make sure you're completely over the leech lover. My sister deserves the world. And you can't be with her if you can't give her that much." Paul walked away towards his sister and led her to the car, wrapping a protective arm around her shoulders. Jacob watched them leave, sadness already encompassing him with every step Anabelle took.

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Anabelle lay wide awake in her bed. She couldn't sleep. There were too many thoughts swirling her head. She could hear her father and Paul's snores from the hall, the sound echoing through the house. She looked towards her alarm clock. 2:03. She couldn't stay in this bed for two and a half more hours. She just couldn't.

So she picked up her phone and dialed a number. She put it up to her ear and after 2 rings, a low, groggy voice answered. "Belle. Is everything alright? What's wrong?"

"Nothings wrong. But could you come pick me up? I need your help J."