Hi guys! Back again! So, Bella and Jacob finally have a much-needed talk...
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The story is complete. So, it will have daily updates. This story is not betad. So any mistakes are my own. Hope you like it. Please review and let me know.
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Chapter 15
Present
I wake up with a gasp, the images from that Valentine's day still flashing in my mind. Was that note from Jacob? I remember he was missing for most of the classes on that day. So, it couldn't be him. Right? I drop my head in my hands. How long have I been oblivious to him?
Just like Edward, I've known Jacob for a long time. His dad and mine were friends back in college but had lost contact for a while. They met again when Jake and I got acquainted in high school. Jake was the troublemaker back then and I was his willful disciple.
But along it all, I've never ever considered that there could be more between us. Not even after Edward left me.
My thoughts are interrupted when the bell rings. I get up and walk to the door. I check through the peephole to see Jake standing there, his hands wringing nervously. I quickly open the door.
"Jake?" I say, still a bit groggy from my sleep. I move aside to let him in.
He enters and starts walking towards the couch. I follow behind, his nervousness making me nervous.
"I'm making some coffee. Do you want some?"
He nods and I flee to the kitchen quickly. I busy myself with the machine, his "I love you" echoing in my mind. God, what do I say to him?
I walk off towards the hall with two mugs of coffee and offer him one. We're still silent as we're sipping.
Finally, he says. "God, this is awkward."
I give out a short laugh. Because, yes, it is.
"Bella, I don't want us to be weird simply because I said "I love you" to you."
I sigh in relief. "Jake, deep down, I've always been aware of your feelings. I just… I can't return them. I'm sorry."
He sighs too, but in defeat. "Deep down, I've always known that too. Maybe that's why I've never said it to you before."
My heart breaks a little. God, I feel shitty right now. "Jake, I'm…"
"I know." He says before I can finish my apology. "It's…" He stops. And I understand. Because it's not. It's not fine. I, of all the people, know how it feels to be rejected by the one you love.
I did this. I broke my best friend's heart.
"You should hate me. Why are you still being kind to me?"
Jake smiles, sadly. "Do you hate him?"
I drop my eyes and stare at my wringing hands. "No. I can't hate him. No matter how much I try. And I've tried a lot over these three years."
"And I can't hate you, Bells. It's not possible."
For a moment, we simply stare at each other. It seems we are both in the same boat. I close my eyes as tears trail down my face. I open them to see that his eyes glisten too. I immediately sit beside him and wrap my arms around him.
"Jacob, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." I say, almost pleading.
"I'm sorry too, Bella."
He pulls back and we're both sitting on the ends of the couch now. "Bella, I wanted to tell you that no matter what, you're still my friend, as I'm yours. You won't lose me ever."
I squeeze my eyes shut, my relief selfishly overpowering my guilt. "You too, Jake. I'll be here whenever you need me."
We're silent again but this time it's comfortable. We're both content that at least we'll have each other in our lives.
"For what it's worth, Jake, I think you're more handsome than Edward," I say, and then wink at him.
He bursts out laughing. Then lightly pushes me. "At least you're not blind."
He wraps his arm around my shoulder. "Someday, Bella, it won't hurt as much."
I rest my head on his shoulder and sigh. "Someday."
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~SunAndMoon42