Chapter Six
A/N to be added at the end so please read!
Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable
And life's like an hourglass glued to the table,
No one can find the rewind button, girl
So cradle your head in your hands
And breathe, just breathe
Anna Nalick - Breathe (2am)
-0-
"In Phoenix. Call soon."
The text was short and straight to the point but it was something at least. I'd been in school when I'd received it and immediately I'd called Dad. He'd shared in my relief, glad to hear that his daughter was okay. We'd tried calling and she hadn't answered and as it turned out, none of the Cullen's showed up to school which I found curious. Though to be honest I didn't really care, all I cared about was Bella and knowing she was okay took an incredible weight off my shoulders, though it did nothing to quell the bad feeling in the pit of my stomach.
That bad feeling only seemed to grow as we rolled on into Tuesday and then Wednesday. There was something not right, I could feel it but I couldn't pinpoint what. I couldn't even go into describing what I was feeling, the only feeling I could focus on was being anxious. I was on edge, waiting for something to happen, what I didn't know. I didn't even know why it was I woke up suddenly just before mid-night Wednesday, screaming and in the throes of a full blown panic attack.
There was an indescribable, overwhelming and crushing feeling of fear that all but consumed me. My head was pounding, my whole body was tingling and shaking, I felt like I needed to throw up and worst of all I couldn't breathe. Clutching at my chest I began crying, my panic increasing each time I struggled to take in a breath. Dad was in front of me, his hands on my arms then the side of my face, trying to get me to focus but I couldn't. There was something wrong, something very wrong and I didn't know what, at least not until I managed to splutter out one word, one name. "B…Bella."
There was something wrong with Bella. That's what this was, I could feel it. I don't know why or what was wrong with her but there was something wrong, something very wrong with her. Looking at Dad I gasped, holding onto his shoulders as I tried to breath. "Dad…Bella…" I tried to tell him again and by some miracle he heard me, registering that this wasn't some nightmare I was having. Bella and I always knew if something was wrong or bothering the other. It wasn't something where, you prick her with a needle and I cry out, it was more primal than that, I guess. A primal instinct that was screaming at me that something was wrong with my twin, my sister and boy was I listening to it.
Closing my eyes I attempted to take a calming breath, holding onto my Dad's arms to act as leverage, trying to ground myself which was easier said than done. My entire body was beginning to ache from how tense I was, but I fought through. I tried to focus on my breathing, focus on Dad's voice and sure enough after what felt like an hour but was no doubt less than that, my heart rate slowed down and my breathing began to even out. I still felt panicked though, felt a heavy almost crushing weight against my chest that just wouldn't lessen.
"Grace, you okay baby?" Dad asked, a comforting hand on the side of my head, his other hand gently wiping away the tears on my cheeks. My tongue flicked out, my mouth incredibly dry as I tried to speak again.
"It's Bella…I…I…c…can't explain it but…there's something wrong, something really wrong Dad." I choked out. Blowing out another breath trying to keep control of what I was feeling. Dad stared at me for a moment and I almost feared he was going to think I'd simply had a nightmare, but to his credit he nodded his head, suddenly looking scared as well. Leaning forward he pressed a kiss to my forehead before heading out the room and as much as I wanted him to stay, knowing he was taking what I had said seriously calmed me.
Sitting upright and swinging my legs off the side of the bed, I combed a trembling hand through my hair trying to ignore the pounding in my head. Dad was back within seconds, the landline held to his ear a frown etched deeply into his face. He came and stood close by to me, one hand on his hip as he listened carefully to whatever was on the other end of the line. After a few quiet moments he cursed silently and hit cancel on the call.
"Nothing?" I asked, my voice sounding hoarse. Dad glanced at me and shook his head before lifting the phone to his ear again. Flicking my tongue out again I attempted to wet my lips but my mouth was incredibly dry and with nothing else to do I stood from the bed, albeit shakily and slowly began to head out my room and towards the bathroom.
Filling up a glass with water I quickly swallowed it all down, finding immediate relief for a moment. Filling it for a second time I caught sight of myself in the mirror and winced before heading back into the hallway just in time to see Dad coming out of my room, talking on the phone and looking panicked. Almost instantly I felt like I was drowning again and had to grip the banister to stop from falling over. I'd been right.
"Dad?" I asked, feeling the tears already building as my body once again began to tremble. Sensing the approaching panic attack Dad was by my side in an instant, his arm around my shoulder pulling me into his side. With my head on his chest I focused on the vibrations when he spoke and tried to keep myself grounded hating that I was slipping in and out of these anxiety attacks.
"Okay…yeah…I'm getting the first flight out…thank you Dr Cullen. Okay. Bye." Dad hung up the phone and then wrapped his other arm around me, giving me a comforting squeeze. "That was Dr Cullen. Both he and Edward followed Bella out there, to try and talk…Bella took a tumble down some stairs, and went through a glass door she's on her way to the hospital now." He explained, sounding sick with worry.
"What? Is she okay?" I asked, pulling back to look up at him. Dad nodded, looking suddenly older.
"Dr Cullen's confident she'll be alright, but she is hurt so I need to go but…" he trailed off, but I could sense the disbelief. He wouldn't believe she was alive or okay until he saw her, himself.
"No. Go. Bella needs you there." I told him, trying my best to pull it together. I didn't want to be alone but I needed him to be with Bella. I wanted to go but I was in no state to leave, with the coming and going of these attacks there was no way they'd let me on the plane. "I'll be okay. Just go to her, please…bring her home." I said and Dad nodded, bringing me close again and pressing a kiss to the top of my head.
"I promise baby."
-0-
Bella was in a stable condition and now we were just waiting for her to wake up. Dad was keeping me informed, making sure to call me every few hours. Despite his wishes, I'd gone into school on the Thursday, wanting to do something normal. I will admit to being incredibly worn down however, not only from the events that had befallen Bella but the panic attack too. I'd never suffered anything like that before and the severity of it was making recovery slow, my body felt completely zapped of energy.
Whilst I was relieved Bella had someone there to help her when everything had happened, I was somewhat confused as to why Edward was there. Dad seemed just as confused but Mom was taking it to be a really good thing, I suppose she didn't fully understand what had happened the other night. I hated that Edward was there but I was thankful Dr Cullen had helped save her when she had needed it.
Determined to find a distraction, I got on my bike and took the journey into La Push, Friday after school. Since I had no idea where the truck was at this moment in time, the bike was my only mode of transportation, which wasn't good in a place like Forks. Luckily for me though the weather stayed on my side this afternoon, making the ride a pleasant one.
"Grace…!"
Leaning my bike up against the side of the little red house, I turned in time to see Jacob running towards me from his garage and I immediately felt warmed. Heading to meet him I smiled and opened my arms in time for him to wrap his arms around my waist, lift me up off the ground and spin me around. My arms locked around his shoulders and I laughed softly, hugging him back. "Hey Jake."
"Where you bin? You know any more about Bella?" he asked, once my feet were back firmly on the ground and I shook my head.
"Only what I've already told you, Dad says she's doing well they're just waiting for her to wake up." I explained, rubbing my eyes tiredly. Jacob sighed and wrapped his arm around my shoulder, pressing a kiss to the top of my head as we headed for the garage. Leaning against him I walked by his side, feeling better than I had in days now I was here. Jacob had that effect on a lot of people I figured. "Edward's still there though, something Dad isn't too impressed with." I added as we walked.
"I can't understand why she's with him." Jacob scoffed and I silently agreed. Part of me hoped this would knock some sense into Bella but something told me she'd no doubt go back to Edward. Shaking my head I pulled away from Jacob and reached into the inside pocket of my coat.
"I'm done trying to figure out what the hell is going on with her. Trying to decipher my sister's questionable taste in guys isn't why I'm here." I said, pulling out an envelope I smiled and held it out to Jacob, "This is for you." Jacob frowned and simply stared between both me and the envelope, before a small smile crept onto his face, his larger hand reaching to take it off me.
"Another tea party invite?" he teased, laughing as I narrowed my eyes dangerously. He was of course talking about the tea parties I used to throw back when we were kids, before Bella and I had stopped coming to Forks of course. I personally couldn't really remember them, I only knew of them after finding some pictures in Dad's photo albums.
"Just open the damn envelope." I said, lightly punching his arm. After making a show of me hurting him, Jacob pulled open the envelope and removed the homemade invitation from inside. It was a movie night invitation, made to look like a ticket stub. "I'm not really feeling prom this year and I figured we'd have way more fun, eating pizza and popcorn, watching some cheesy eighties movies." I explained.
Of course I'd wanted to go to Prom, but at the same time with everything going on it had kind of ruined the overall mood of the event for me. Plus I had no doubt that a movie night with Jacob may be miles better than spending hours upon hours of getting dressed up for an hour or two of dancing, when I could be having an even better, chilled night with my best friend. There really was no contest on which one I'd prefer to be doing now anyway.
"Is this you asking me on a date?" Jacob asked and although he was simply teasing me I felt my face flush a bright red and I didn't respond. I hadn't thought of it in that way but I suppose it did come across like that and would that be so bad? Jacob laughed and threw his arm back around my shoulder, giving me a hug, "I'm only teasing you." He laughed, mistaking my blush for something else I'm sure.
"Play your cards right you never know." I only half joked back, getting a small kick out of the way he seemed to stop laughing straight away, the look of shock on his face was a picture. Laughing I poked his side and took his hand, pulling him towards the garage, "Come on, you promised you'd let me drive the rabbit." This snapped him out of his stunned stupor and he pulled me back towards him, refusing to budge an inch.
"You think I'd trust you behind the wheel of my baby?" he asked and I feigned mock outrage.
"Why wouldn't you I'm an excellent driver!" I exclaimed, throwing my arm in the direction of the garage. "Plus that thing only goes like three miles an hour so how much damage can I….Jacob Black!" I suddenly found myself thrown over Jacob's shoulder so easily after mocking his car.
"Trust me if there's damage that can be done, you'll do it." He said, holding my legs firmly as he continued to walk towards the garage. There he went using my past driving history against me, I swear you make one mistake whilst driving and suddenly you're never trusted again.
Huffing under my breath, I crossed my arms as best I could as I was carried, lifting my head in time to see Billy in the window of the house, chuckling at Jacob and I. Smiling I waved from my upside down position before grumbling, "I made one mistake!"
"That totalled your Mom's car." Jacob pointed out and I could hear the smile in his voice. "I'll put you down on two conditions." He offered and I rolled my eyes.
"Just two, how generous of you." I scoffed hearing Jacob chuckle and feeling the vibrations through his back as we came to a stop outside of the garage. How he wasn't out of breath or throwing me down already for being too heavy was beyond me, he was strong.
"One, you never make fun of my girl again." Jacob continued ignoring my sarcasm. Smiling, I muttered in agreement, eager to get down from the humiliating position I now found myself in. "Two…don't even think about getting behind the wheel of my baby again. Do we have an agreement?"
"We have an agreement now can you put me down." I asked, already finding myself with two feet firmly set on the ground. Releasing a breath I looked up at his smug face and narrowed my eyes. "You'll pay for that Black, just you wait."
"Oh I'm shaking." He teased and I couldn't fight the smile on my face as I turned on one heel and headed the rest of the way inside. Jacob followed, his warm laughter washing over me and erasing every bad feeling I'd had over the last few days. Glancing at him I smiled.
"Oh and when did you get so strong?"
-0—
So Bella arrived back home a few days ago and we still hadn't really spoken. Whilst I was happy she was okay, thrilled to have her home I was having a hard time forgiving her for what she'd done. Running away after a fight with her boy-friend, getting herself injured then coming back home with same boy-friend and carrying on acting like nothing happened. It was frustrating and worst of all; Dad was allowing her to do so. It didn't help matters that the Cullen's were practically here all the time.
If they weren't fawning over her at school, we had Alice or Edward here every night, like Dad and I were incapable of looking after her injuries. Bella was my sister, my twin, we'd grown up together, I was more than capable of helping her but no Alice had taken over the role of dutiful sister. Again, Bella was allowing her to do so which frustrated me all the more. Was I jealous? Hell yes I was jealous, she was my sister, not Alice's, why wasn't I good enough anymore. It's as though Bella has this whole other life now and Dad and I aren't worthy enough to be included.
I was now relying on Dad to take me to school, on days were it wasn't raining I was biking it. I'd had an offer from Edward to go with him and Bella but obviously I'd turned that down. Heaven forbid I get in the way of Bella's alone time with her boy-friend; she'd look positively horrified when he'd asked. It was times like these I wish they'd all simply trust me behind the wheel of a car but knowing that was never going to happen any time soon I chose to enjoy the morning drives with Dad.
It always stumped me, how unbelievably awkward his and Bella's relationship was. The love was there no doubt, but everything about them always seemed like an effort and after some quiet observing of this I'd come to the realisation that it wasn't entirely Dad's fault. I mean sure, he wasn't overly forward in his affections but Bella made no effort in that department at all and to make matters worse, since coming here and since finding the Cullen's, her selfishness had reached new levels. She was almost like a lodger in the house, she made no effort to spend time with Dad or even me anymore and it was draining.
The school year was reaching its end and Junior Prom was quickly coming around. Then there was the summer holidays and finally Senior Year which always brought me out in a nervous rash. I had certain things planned out already and already had plans to speak to the school counsellor upon returning to school. Bella and I had always looked forward to going to college together and part of me was hoping that it'd bring us back together once we hit senior year and started applying.
I'd already started scoping out my volunteer and community work for the summer holidays. For the last two summers in Phoenix, I'd done various different types of volunteer work not only because I knew how good it could look on a college application form but also because it gave me something productive to do over the holidays. Dad seemed pleased and he'd even taken it upon himself to suggest a few possible opportunities for me, some that wouldn't take up my entire summer, creating the perfect balance between work and enjoying myself before the stressful Senior year.
"I was thinking about a blood drive." I told my Dad as we drove to school. I was now at the age I could donate and figured something like this, if I could pull it off would not only look good on a college application but go a long way towards helping a lot of people.
"That's a big project to try and take on." Dad reminded me, glancing once in my direction before focusing back on the road. Shifting around in my seat I nodded, understanding this but ever since having the idea back in Phoenix I'd been incredibly excited to tackle such a project.
"I think I could do it. I spoke to Angela and Jess and they're into it, figured we could take the idea to the principal and if he's into it, we'll have to get in touch with the Red Cross." I told him, smiling when I thought back onto my friend's reaction when I put the idea to them. Jess was thinking about her college applications and Angela was already confident that we'd have the entire backing of her Father's church.
"Your sister?" Dad asked and I sighed, turning back in my seat and looking out the window. I sensed Dad's eyes on me again as the question lingered on between us. "Look Grace I know you're upset…"
"Yeah I'm upset Dad. What she did, the way she acted…I don't feel like I even know her anymore." I admitted to him, sighing I shook my head. "Even if I did ask her to help, chances are she wouldn't want to unless Edward was involved…in case you haven't noticed she doesn't really do much without him anymore."
"Maybe that's all the more reason to include her." He reasoned after a few moments of silence. Biting down on my lip I frowned, wondering if perhaps he was right. Maybe all I had to do was ask; maybe I could get my sister to show an interest in something other than Edward again.
The silence lingered on between us until we pulled into the car pack of the high school. Almost immediately my eyes landed on my sister and the Cullen's by the Volvo, before turning to look out for my friends who were all hanging out by Tyler's van. As they noticed me and waved, I waved back and turned to my Dad.
"I'll ask her." I told him with a small smile, leaning over to press a kiss to his cheek before grabbing my bag and climbing out of the cruiser. Bidding one last good bye I hurried over to meet Angela, sharing a brief hug with her before we made our way over to Jess and the others.
"What about you Grace? What are your plans for Prom?" Mike asked, his arm slung over Jess's shoulder, as it turned out they were very much on since him asking her to Prom. Jess looked to be on cloud nine, which made me smile in amusement.
"I'm sitting this one out, kind of lost the mood for it you know." I said, casting a brief look towards my sister as her and Edward conversed. Dad had suggested her staying off another week but she'd been insistent upon coming back to school despite her injuries.
"Not like it's a total loss though is it?" Jess asked with a teasing glint in her eyes. Snapping my focus back onto her I smirked slightly and shrugged, knowing that she was hinting to my movie night with Jacob. No matter what I said she was sure that Jacob and I were having a date night. It was pointless trying to argue with her so I just let her think what she wanted.
Before Mike and Eric could question what she meant the first bell went. Linking her arm through mine, Angela laughed and led me away, the pair of us in the lead as we all headed towards the school. "So is this a date? You can tell me." Angela whispered and I couldn't help but laugh this time.
"Jake and I are just friends." I told her, ignoring the flutter in my stomach whenever I thought of my 'best friend'. Looking at Angela, I watched as she smiled knowingly. "What?" I asked, keeping my voice low so the others didn't overhear.
"I saw you two together that day at the beach. The way you guys are, I wouldn't be surprised if it was something more. You guys are good." She told me and I stared at her, slightly surprised. It was no secret how close Jacob and I were; sometimes it felt like we'd been friends forever. Everything was so natural with him; maybe that's what everyone was picking up on.
There was an obvious age difference between us though that knew a few people picked up on. That age difference didn't matter when we were hanging out, but we were at the age were people would no doubt comment on it. Did it matter to me? Well I'd never really thought about it till now.
"You know you're starting to sound like Jess." I teased, watching as Angela pretended to look affronted at the accusation.
"Well that is a huge compliment." Jess announced, swinging her arms around our shoulders as we entered the school, making both Angela and I laugh in surprise at her sudden appearance. "I knew I'd rub off on one of your sooner or later.".
-0-
So here we have Chapter Six guys, I'm so sorry for the epically long update wait. There's no excuse, only I fell out of this for a while and I've been working hard at University the last year. I'm training to become a Learning Disabilities Nurse and it's incredibly hard work! However I found my love for Grace and Jacobs story so I'm currently sat here editing all the other chapters I have ready. We're currently at chapter 16 in what I have ready so posting should be pretty quick and easy over the next couple weeks if you guys are still interested.
If we're being honest I found my love again after listening to their playlist. 'Stay' by the Hurts is a song that really inspired Chapter Twelve which I was in tears writing! But their future is going to be amazing and you'll soon see how Bella's actions are going to massively effect her friends and families lives and there is going to be a lot of angst and pain so please stick with it!
I'll be posting again tomorrow! Review replies will follow in that Chapter!
Love you all! Natalie