Chapter Seven
I was made for loving you
Even though we may be hopeless hearts just passing through
Every bone screaming, I don't know what we should do
All I know is, darling, I was made for loving you
I was made for loving you - Tori Kelly & Ed Sheeran
-0-
A couple weeks later I found myself taking Dad's advice and decided I was going to speak to Bella about helping out with this blood drive I was organizing. Jess, Angela and I had spoken to the Principal and after getting his seal of approval, and working out a date in December when there'd be nothing to conflict with it, we'd set about sending in our application the Red Cross. Due to the time between now and December we were comfortable enough not to set about planning just yet, instead we knew we had the summer to go over some ideas.
With that in mind, maybe that was enough time for Bella and I to reconnect, maybe we could spend some time over the summer just hanging out. Spurred on by the idea of maybe getting some long overdue one on one time with my sister, I knocked on her bedroom door the morning of Prom and pushed it open.
"Hey sis, can we talk?" I asked, eyeing the way she shifted her focus away from the window. Her face looked slightly flushed making me frown slightly before I shook it off and stepped further into the room. "You okay?"
"Fine. What's up?" she asked and it was clear to see how distracted she was. Again I ignored it and smiled, leaning back against her desk.
"Well we're organising this blood drive at the school for December 13th. Thought it'd be fun if you wanted to help us?" I asked, shooting her a warm smile. "It's a great cause and if we can pull it off, it'll look great on the college application."
I watched the smile on Bella's face falter slightly, her eyes flickering away from me. Undeterred I stepped forward, moving to kneel on the edge of her bed, my hands in my lap. "Plus I figured it'd be a good chance for us to hang out, you know we used to talk about how fun senior year was going to be…"
"I'd love to help out." Bella said, cutting me off. Smiling widely I leaned over and wrapped my arms around her, careful to avoid any tender spots. "So is it just us, Jess and Angela?" she asked as I pulled away and nodded my head. "Big project…"
"We know we're thinking of asking Eric too, I think with him being on the paper that could go a long way in helping us too." I told her. My eyes landed on the dress handing from her door and I smiled, already knowing that the blue would look incredible on her. "You looking forward to tonight?" I asked her, already knowing her answer as she pulled a face.
"It's Prom…there's dresses and dancing and more dancing…" she whined, making me laugh. Shaking my head at her I stood up and approached her dress, feeling the soft material between my fingers, "It's not really me you know?"
"Look I know you don't like these things but just give it a try, what's the worst that could happen…you don't like it so you come home. At least you've tried and I'm sure you'll have fun. No doubt you'll look beautiful." I replied, turning around and indicating to the dress. This made her smile.
"So why aren't you going? Isn't this kind of stuff usually your thing?" she asked, pushing one end of a ruler down the cast on her leg. Watching her for a moment and smiling in amusement I just shrugged my shoulders.
"I'm not really feeling it this year, but I will be going next year definitely." I said, pausing when a flash of Jacob in a tuxedo popped into my head. Smiling at the image and the possibility I let my mind drift a little bit and found I liked the idea of Jake being my date. "Besides I get to spend the night watching some old cheesy movies, eating pizza…what's not to love." I said jokingly, shooting her a warm smile. Bella laughed, a look of envy crossing over her face. Her brown eyes flickered back to her dress, yet as she opened her mouth to say something there was a knock on the bedroom door. Before Bella could answer, the door swung open to reveal Alice Cullen.
The pixie like girl came swanning into the room with movements many would envy. It was almost like she was gliding, not walking. She was almost inhuman and everything about her and the rest of them set me a little on edge. I longed for the days before the Cullen's. I also didn't miss the way Bella's features lit up upon Alice's appearance and I had to push down the flicker of jealously I felt at my sister's reaction to the other girl.
"Bella! We only have 4 hours what are you doing just sitting there…?" Alice asked, shooting Bella an exasperated look. I frowned and pointed to my sister's leg.
"Well you know, hard for her to get around. Broken leg and all." I replied, not surprised when Alice just continued to smile at both Bella and me, unfazed by my snarky comment. Shaking my head I looked at Bella and smiled, nodding to the door. "I'm gonna head out, take the truck to the store to get a few things for tonight," I said, not waiting for her reply before I stood and left.
I doubted Bella even tried to call me back but I refused to be negative right now. Bella and I were on semi-okay speaking terms again so I was choosing to focus on that. I had a life and other friendships outside of my relationship with Bella, and I had accepted that she had the same away from me. Granted I didn't approve or even like those she chose to be around but I knew I had to try and take a step back, I couldn't let it affect my relationship with her anymore. Though to be fair, I knew the issues we'd had were mostly her fault and how she'd begun to act since meeting Edward.
It was my job though to be a good sister and try and be there even after she learned that maybe Edward wasn't as amazing as she'd built him up to be.
Grabbing my jacket from my room, I shrugged it over my shoulders and headed down the stairs, slipping my feet into my boots before heading into the kitchen. "Hey Dad I'm gonna just head to the store." I told him, making a move to grab the truck keys from the hook on the wall. Dad though chuckled and dropped his paper onto the table.
"Not a chance. I'll take you." He said, plucking the truck keys from my hand and hanging them back up, grabbing his own. Rolling my eyes, I turned around, chuckling as he jokingly nudged me towards the front door.
"Oh my…you do know you're going to have to let me drive at some point!" I exclaimed, stepping out onto the front porch. Dad chuckled and shook his head, descending the steps with me trailing behind slowly.
"I'm just keeping the people of this town safe honey." He replied and I stopped, my mouth falling open as I stared after him. After a moment, I laughed and shook my head.
"That was mean! I am a good driver old man!"
"That's not what the mechanic said when he saw your Mom's car." He threw back at me quickly, smiling at me as we climbed into the car. Rolling me eyes again I shook my head and buckled myself in. Looking over at him I laughed again before settling back into my seat. "Now, let's talk about tonight." He said, shooting me a serious look, still trying to hide his smirk. I groaned, closing my eyes as I shrunk down into my seat a little more.
"Oh no…"
-0-
There'd been no denying that Bella had left the house for Prom looking stunning. As much as I had hated to admit it, Alice had certainly done an excellent job. The highlight of the night though, before Bella had left had been watching Dad and Edward in the kitchen.
Like me, Dad wasn't a huge fan of Edwards but knew there was little he could do to sway Bella from her choice in boy-friends. Watching them sat across from each other at the kitchen table had been entertaining, Edward had kept smiling at what I don't know but Dad didn't let up on how he was staring Edward down. I could only begin to guess what Dad was thinking about the him, probably something along the same lines as me and it made me thankful Edward couldn't read minds.
Finally, after what had felt like a life time I'd managed to usher them all out the door, thankful that Dad had also decided to head back to the office to finish up some paperwork. So after making the popcorn and setting up the cushions in front of the sofa, I'd settled down for my movie night with Jacob.
"So you're telling me they never recognised him?" Jacob asked for the third time. Rolling my eyes I looked over to where he was sat beside me. "I mean Lorraine had a crush on him and he brought them together. Doesn't make sense they'd just forget…"
"Jacob can you not just watch a film without questioning every problem you find with it?" I asked, flicking a piece of popcorn at him, willing him to stop poking holes in one of my favourite films. Jacob smiled and flicked the popcorn right at me.
"You know I'm right." He teased, poking my side.
"I know you're looking for me to pour this bowl of popcorn over your head!" I sang, holding the bowl towards him. Jacob chuckled and held his hands up in mock surrender. Laughing at him I lowered the bowl back down onto my lap and resumed watching the movie, or at least I tried to.
I was finding it increasingly difficult to concentrate on it though as I became more acutely aware that this was starting to feel more like a date than anything else. There were those nervous butterflies of course, the same ones I always felt around Jacob but he was my best friend and the simple idea that this may turn into something a little more was more exciting than anything. Part of me wondered if perhaps remaining friends would be better, after all we were incredibly young, what if things ended badly?
Shaking my head, I pushed those thoughts away, I didn't even know what 'this' was yet and I refused to think about what could happen in the future. All I wanted to focus on was being here now with my best friend, whatever happened, happened.
The next hour or so passed by just like that with us teasing one another, talking about absolutely nothing of importance. It was just chilled and easy, it was just us. It was hard to believe I'd only been back in Forks a couple months with how at ease we were with one another. I felt closer to Jake than I ever had any of my other friends back in Phoenix, closer to him than even Bella right now. Even though I was scrambling to recapture that closeness with my sister, something held me back. With Jake though, being with him was as easy as breathing.
"You mean you've never danced?" I asked him dubiously, finding it difficult to believe he'd never danced at least once. Jacob shrugged his shoulders as he polished off another slice of pizza.
"Never had a reason to." He replied, his eyes returning to the television briefly. I narrowed my own eyes and leaned forward.
"So no girls ever managed to get you on the dance floor at a school dance?" I asked him, Jacob just chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck.
"Nope." He replied, "Did a rain dance with Embry and Quil once around the bonfire…hasn't stopped raining since." He only half joked. For a moment I stared at him, conjuring up the image of the three of them doing the rain dance, before I burst out laughing. Clutching my stomach, I fell back into my seat, wishing I'd seen it and wondering if there'd be a chance I could get them all to do it again.
Jacob's laughter quickly followed my own, "Embry had us paint our faces too…should have seen Old Quil's face when he saw us. He went crazy…accusing us of mocking tradition…chased after us waving his belt in the air…let me tell you I don't think any of us have ever run as fast as we did that day…." He added.
Placing my hand over my mouth I continued to laugh, leaning against his shoulder as I brushed away the tears that had fallen. Still chuckling as I sat up, I shook my head and stood from the sofa. Turning around to Jacob I held out my hand to him, indicating that he should stand. Looking slightly confused, Jacob did as I wanted and stood facing me. Without saying a word at first, I grabbed his hands and placed them on waist.
"Okay so we know you can rain dance but let's give this a try." I said, moving my hands so they came to rest on his shoulders.
"Give what a try…?" he asked and I noticed his voice sounded a little strange but I paid it no mind. I ignored it just like I was trying to ignore how quickly the atmosphere had changed now we were stood so close.
"Dancing." I told him, blowing out a small breath before focusing on his face. "Now we just…sway…" I said a little awkwardly, noting that even though this had been a clever idea in my head, it probably wasn't the best to be acting it out.
Too late now though.
So there we were, in the middle of the living room with the music from the end credits of the film, playing in the background, swaying slowly back and forth together. Our bodies seemed to instinctively move closer together, so now we really were dancing in the way I would have expected had we gone to prom.
"How am I doing? He asked, almost teasingly and I smiled feeling a little more relaxed as I looked up to him, our eyes locking.
"Well, just don't step on my toes." I joked and he smiled, causing my own smile to widen. Our eyes locked again but as they did this time, I watched his eyes flicker down to my lips, then back up and once again the atmosphere became charged.
We both lent in closer together like it was the most natural thing in the world, our noses brushing together and as they did I tried to control my racing heart as it began beating erratically against my chest all of a sudden. As Jacob's head slowly tilted slightly to the side, he leaned forward, capturing my lips with his own in a kiss that instantly took my breath away. His hands gently pulled me closer to him as our lips brushed together.
I'd been kissed before, but this was something else. This felt like my first kiss all over again only a thousand times better. I half expected to open my eyes and see fireworks exploding above our heads, hear some upbeat, romantic music playing like it does in the films. One kiss and I felt as though I was flying and as the kiss ended, I was left breathless and walking on air.
"Wow…" I breathed, looking up at Jake who's face must have been mirroring my own. The seconds ticked by as we continued to gaze at each other, a slow smile creeping onto his face.
"Big wow…" he said, his thumb affectionately brushing against the apple of my cheek. I smiled, biting down on my lip as he started to lean in again. Only as we became closer, the sound of the front door opening made us both jump apart as though burned. We both dropped onto our respective sides of the sofa as both Dad and Bella came through. So doing my best to look natural I looked up and smiled, using the remote to turn off the t.v.
"Hey guys…Bella you're back early." I commented, choosing to focus on my sisters arrival. Bella shrugged her shoulders and removed the cardigan she'd been wearing.
"My leg was getting a little sore plus you know me and those things…2 hours was more than enough." She replied and I chuckled, nodding my head as I looked to my Dad then Jacob who was standing from the chair. "Edward just dropped me off…" she said, shooting a look towards the stairs so naturally I was left assuming the dance really had took it out of her.
"Well you should probably go rest up, I'll follow in a little bit I want details on the dance." I said with a smile, standing from my own seat and pushing my hands into the back pockets of my jeans. Dad looked between both Jacob and me as Bella moved quietly towards the stairs.
"Everything okay?" he asked, obviously sensing something had happened. I looked back at Jacob who nodded his head, looking at me to say something.
"Aside from Jake poking holes in my favourite film, everything's great." I said, shrugging my shoulders and shooting a look at Jacob. Dad chuckled and seemingly bought that explanation with a nod of his head.
"Don't even get me started on everything wrong with that film." Dad said, hanging up his jacket ignoring my offended look. Moving towards the kitchen he smiled at me, "Still a classic though." He added before disappearing to get something to ear.
"I think I should go." Jacob said quietly, it was quite clear now our night together was over. He was stood closer to me now, his hand on my back as he brushed by me. Sighing softly I nodded my head and followed after him towards the door.
"Well let me see you out at least." I said, stepping out on to the front porch with him and closing the door quietly behind me. "You'll let me know when you get home right?" I asked, glancing at his truck, before slowly turning to face him again feeling shy all of a sudden.
"I promise." He said with that smile that always made it hard not to reciprocate. As the silence lapsed between us our eyes met once more and I felt that familiar charge. Smiling softly I tilted my head up as he leaned in closer and our lips met once more.
This kiss was soft and fleeting. Both of us aware that just on the other side of the door was my Dad, who'd be no doubt counting the seconds till I came back inside. So reluctantly we parted, lingering in each other's space for just a little longer before he took a step back. Taking my hand he raised it to his lips and gently pressed a kiss to my knuckles before smiling. "Night Swan."
"Night Jake." I said softly, biting down on my lip as he smiled brightly at me. My eyes remained trained on him the entire time it took him to climb into his Dad's truck, pull out the drive and disappear down the road. I stayed on the porch for a little longer, struggling to remove the smile from my face.
The night couldn't have gone any better. Hands down it beat going to Prom. As my fingers gently brushed my lips I sighed happily finally pulling my eyes from the road. Only as I did something caught my eye in the treeline of the woods. That familiar dread curled in the pit of my stomach, replacing that happy feeling I'd been experiencing and I took a step back towards my front door. Quickly moving inside I locked the door behind me, that feeling gradually lessoning.
"Everything's great huh?" Dad asked, leaning against the door frame to the kitchen. His eyebrows raised playfully as he teased for more information.
Narrowing my eyes at my Dad's teasing look I pushed away from the door. "Everything is great thank you. I'm going to bed." I said, leaning up to press a kiss to his cheek, poking his side playfully as I passed him. Dad laughed at my retreating figure, obviously not buying any of my innocent act.
Laughing quietly at Dad I reached the top of the stairs and knocked on Bella's door. Frowning slightly at the pause before she called for me to come in. Pushing open the door I stepped inside. "Hey, need any help?" I asked as she laid her pyjama's out on the bed, her window wide open again.
"No I'm good. How was movie night?" she asked, stopping what she was doing long enough to turn around and look at me, a knowing look on her face. Rolling my eyes I laughed softly.
"It was…amazing. How was the dance?" I asked, eager to change the subject. As much as I wanted to talk about the kiss I'd shared with Jacob I also wanted to keep it to myself a little longer. Bella shrugged her shoulders as she sat down onto the edge of her bed.
"It was good. Everyone looked great, I had fun." She admitted, blushing a little. My smile widened, surprised to hear her admit she'd had fun, at a dance as well.
"Told you." I teased, reaching out to help her with the hair clip she was currently struggling to remove from her hair. With careful fingers I untangled her hair, "You did look beautiful and trust me, you'll always be glad you went. Nothing better than getting dressed up and dancing with your friends."
If I'd been looking I would have seen the look that passed over Bella's face, the look of regret. Instead, as my hands moved away from untangling her hair I felt her arms wrap around my waist as her head came to rest against my stomach. The action made me pause for just a moment before I gently wrapped my arms around her shoulders, one hand gently cradling her head.
"I love you, you know?" she said softly and I smiled softly, confused why she was acting like this but at the same time happy she seemed to be reaching out to me.
"I know, and I love you," I reminded her softly, feeling her arms tighten around me for a moment before we separated. Bella looked up at me as my fingers tucked her hair behind her ear. "Are you okay?" I asked and she nodded her head.
"I just, with everything that happened over the last week. I know I hurt you and Dad and I didn't say I'm sorry but I am." She said, gently squeezing my hand. For a moment the look in her eyes worried me. There something deeper going on inside of her, I knew that with just a look but I knew her well enough to know not to push anything. So I smiled warmly and leaned down to press a kiss to the top of her head.
"I know you are. We're just so happy you're okay." I told her, lifting our intertwined hands and pressing a kiss to her knuckles as we parted again. "Now, get some sleep. Rest that leg." I said.
"They're showing Sabrina on cable tomorrow. A marathon, we could make a day of it?" she called out to me as I reached her door. Pausing, I found that smile on my face widening as I turned to look at her, nodding my head unable to believe she wanted to spend the entire day at home with me.
"Sabrina, Salem and a pyjama day? Sounds like heaven to me." I replied, her smile mirroring mine as we quietly bid goodnight and I shut the door behind me. Ignoring that nagging feeling in my stomach that there was something more behind her wanting to spend the day, just us, I chose to focus on what I did know for sure. That tomorrow Bella and I would be spending the day together, binge watching our favourite childhood show, no Cullen's in sight and I couldn't wait.
Tonight had gone better than I ever imagined and not just with Bella. Jacob. That kiss, it was filled with so much promise. Promises of what, I didn't know but kissing Jacob had felt like the most natural thing in the world. Like something I was meant to do, like our paths had always been headed this way. Where they were going I didn't know but I couldn't wait to see. So as I crawled into bed I reached out for my phone, happy to see he'd followed through on his promise and txt me.
Jacob Black (10:17pm) – I'm home and I can't stop thinking of that kiss…
Biting down on my lip I let it replay in my own mind before typing out my reply.
Grace Swan (10:19pm) – Me neither, unexpected but not really…I'm happy it happened x
Jacob Black (10:19pm) – Same. Hoping it will happen again…
Grace Swan (10:21pm) – I'd say the odds are looking pretty good
Grace Swan (10:21pm) – Call me tomorrow?
Jacob Black (10:23pm) – Count on it. Goodnight Swan x
Grace Swan (10:23pm) – Night Jake xx
Sighing softly I placed my phone on my bedside cabinet and rolled onto my back. The unshakable smile on my face faltered only slightly as the hairs on my arms began to stand on end and that bubble of dread in my stomach bounced to life. Frowning I looked towards my locked window and then the wall that separated mine and Bella's room, sure I'd heard something that wasn't supposed to be there. Shaking my head and believing I'd imagined it I pulled my covers up to my chin and rolled over, forcing my eyes to close as I slipped into a restless slumber all the while trying to ignore that unknown bad feeling growing inside of me.
-0-
So here's Chapter Seven as promised! Hope you guys enjoyed it! I have to admit I'm so, so excited for you to experience everything from New Moon onwards! There will be some creative licence with timelines but I wont' mess with things too much!
As you can see though, Bella's interaction with Grace near the end was unexpected but I guess for Bella, as sure as she is she wants Edward forever...she can't be completely ignorant of what she's giving up.
Also, for anyone whose interested on how I envisioned Grace, you can see her picture at the top of the page. I always use Danielle Campbell as a basis for how she looks!
Anyway onto review replies and for those who did reply thank you! For those who followed thank you! Please let me know what you guys think, I hope you're as excited as me!
Jmah0ca - I am so happy you're still interested! Thank you for such a wonderful review! As for Grace and Jacob, I wanted to explore their relationship before the imprint, explore the idea that even if there was no imprint these two are still on a path together. I didn't want the only reason they're together to be because of an imprint. They're meant to be, imprint or not, I think we'll see they were always destined. The imprint does end up making things interesting though so I can't wait for you to see that! As for Bella...well...we know what she's like, you'll have to wait and see just see what she does and how or if she'll get in the way of her sister and Jacob! Hope you liked this chapter!
XOXMaximumcullenX0X - Glad you're keen to read more and I hope this chapter was enjoyable as well! Thanks so much for the review love I really appreciate you taking time out!