Disclaimer: I own nothing except for a very wet bathroom after giving my 90lb Lab a bath today. *sigh*

Chapter 5:


Jake's POV

BANG. BANG. BANG.

I jolted up in bed my groggy eyes scanning my room, where the fuck am I? Oh that's right, I'm back at home in La Push.

BANG. BANG. BANG.

"Jake! Wake up you lazy ass!"

My eyes shot to my bedroom door, as if I could see through it to the source of the voice. I knew who it was though, "Seth. Come on in buddy."

The bedroom door flung open to reveal Seth, I was in awe when I laid eyes on him. He had grown almost a foot and filled out. "Holy shit Seth." I snickered.

Seth smiled broadly at me, "Thanks Jake. I told you I'd catch up to you."

I could only shake my head at Seth's comment, "So I take it that nobody hates me since you're here?"

Seth's expression suddenly became somber, "The word just got out that you are back Jake. Nobody hates you; they are disappointed about the Vanessa thing, especially Emily. But you know how it is here on the reservation family comes first, even before good friends. I'll warn you though, Vanessa called Emily."

I had expected that.

Running my hands though my hair a million thoughts bounced around my brain. I was still sticking by my decision. I had to; it wasn't fair to me or her any other way.

"Jake. Listen. Mom and Emily are putting together a bonfire party tonight, and they really want you to come."

Seth's invitation shocked me. "Emily wants me to come?" He nodded. "Yeah, everyone has missed you. You were here long before Nessie."

I grimaced at the nickname I used to call her. Before things got bad.

Maybe if I had just never followed her to New York. I should have stayed in La Push where I belonged. Should have ended things before they progressed.

Did I ever really love her?

I looked up at Seth, needed a release from my own torturous memories. "Yeah, I'll be there." Seth's face lit up, "Great, I'll see you there! I got to go help them setup." Waving at me he left my room shutting the door behind him, I laid back on my bed trying to remember a time when things were good but the bullshit with Vanessa played again in my head.

I didn't know how long I had stared up at my ceiling, the last three years of my life replaying over in my head. Every thought came back to one, fingers entwined in beautiful long brunette locks.

I would never see this girl again and it was my entire stupid fault. I pulled myself up off my bed looking at the clock realizing that I was going to be a bit late to the bonfire. I decided to hop in the shower feeling pretty grungy from my trip back from New York. Nothing like a 6 hour plane trip, then almost 4 hours in a cab to make you feel nice and fresh.

A little while later I was climbing into my dad's truck to head over to the bonfire, the air was a little chilly out to be riding my bike. Besides, it needed a little work before I could ride once again.

The drive was short but I drug it out by driving pretty slow, which isn't the normal for me. My stomach was churning and I was glad I hadn't eaten anything today. I really didn't understand why I was so nervous to see everyone, it's not like Vanessa was one of them. She was here visiting Emily when we met all those years ago.

I thought it was love at first sight. I followed her around like a lost little puppy dog for days until she agreed to go to dinner with me. The click I felt with her was completely amazing and it consumed my entire soul. I thought that us doing the long distance thing would make or break us, a whole year passed where I visited her three times and she visited La Push twice. It got to be unbearable for me, so I gave in and left to go to New York.

Once in New York things went downhill fast, but we hung in there trying to rebuild what we had before. I just knew that it wasn't going to work anymore, I left. It was against her wishes, she wanted to keep trying.

I just couldn't do it anymore.

As I pulled up to the parking space I the headlights on my truck flashed everyone and I quickly scanned the crowd. Everyone was here, and I knew they would be.

Taking a deep breath I opened the door of the truck which responded with a loud creek, I could hear the conversations suddenly die down. Keep your eyes focused on the ground.

Cautiously I made my way up the hill towards the blazing heat of the fire; I could feel everyone's eyes boring holes in my body. I stopped at the cooler to grab a beer and then turned my attention to the crowd.

Looking straight ahead, I couldn't be sure because she was only illuminated by the fire.

The girl from the plane.

Our eyes met. Now I was certain it was her, scenes from earlier today played through my mind.

I watched the beer can slip from her fingers and land on the ground, the contents forming a foamy mess at her feet.

Play it cool. She's standing next to Seth? Oh great. This is going to get good.

Speaking of Seth, he motioned for me to come join him and Leah. I walked over, running a hand through my still damp hair. I swallowed the anxiousness that was beginning to well up inside of me; I had no other choice now. I simply prayed she was not Seth's girlfriend or something.

"I'm glad you made it Jake." Leah shot a smile at me after her brother's comment. "Yeah, Jake. Everyone has missed you."

I couldn't help but keep stealing glances at the girl from the plane. She looked nervous and her eyes were focused on the ground on the foamy mess from her beer can.

"Jake. This is Bella Swan." Seth finally introduced us, which caused my now named plane partner to look up at me.

"Nice to meet you." I surprised myself just how cool I was playing it, I had to keep the smirk from forming on my lips.

"N..n..n..ice to meet you too."

Seth and Leah both looked to Bella after that, she refused to meet their questioning glances.

At least finally I had a name to go with the face that haunted me in my dreams.

A/N – Oooo!!

I'd like to thank everyone who has reviewed; it's like getting hugs in my email. Everyone loves a hug right?