DISCLAIMER: I DONT OWN ANYTHING TO DO WITH THIS STORY; CHARACTERS OR OTHERWISE -THIS IS A RE-IMAGINATION OF AN EXISTING WORLD - EVERYTHING BELONGS TO A MRS STEPHENIE MEYER
***This is my very first fan fiction story and also my very first attempt at creative writing. I am in every sense an amateur and all comments, guidance, and constructive criticism are welcome***
"I… I don't get it, what do you mean you can't see my future," I asked, completely bewildered
"Well it had always been so clear so set in stone, You and Edward were to be together, the means had always changed a bit but eventually it always boiled down to the same outcome."
"I don't know what to say"
"Well I can see Edward's future, it's completely different. Yours, on the other hand, I can't see at all. So I thought maybe it had something to do with…you know? Jacob? Have you seen him, Bella? Did something happen? Please please be honest with me." She begged.
My mind was racing...I hadn't made any decisions yet had I? There were still so many questions to ask, I wasn't ready for this. Edward will know anything I say to Alice. I didn't want it to happen like this. I needed to talk to Jacob first.
"Bella …something.. please!"
" I..I don't know Alice yeah I've been thinking about Jacob lately but I haven't made any decisions yet"
" Well your future speaks differently" she stated
"I don't know what to tell you. Does he know already?" I responded, Edward's absence weighing on me.
"No, I've been avoiding him since last night. Bella this is what's going to happen. Jasper and I convinced Emmet to take Edward on a hunting trip neither of them know what's going on, I told Emmet to tell Edward that I would study with you tonight and tell you he's left. They are going to be gone a couple of days and Edward asked Esme to tell me to watch you for the next couple days."
"I don't need to be wa…"
"Not now Bella" Alice interrupted. "Listen to me" she started explaining, placing a stern hand on my shoulder and gazing deep into my eyes. "Jasper and I are going to go away for a week to buy you some time. We're leaving as soon as I am finished here. That way we won't cross paths with Edward. Jasper and I are the only ones who know about the situation. This is a big decision and I want you to take the time to think about it, no jumping to conclusions okay? You know what lies in store for you either way. Now I suggest you use these next couple of days wisely…Edward is away and I'm not going to be here to watch you. Go to La Push and sort this out."
"Alice, I can't ask this of you or Jasper" I hurried to say in Alice's momentary pause.
"Bella, we know our brother and the consequences of his gift. This isn't the first time we've had to take off to keep a secret." Alice retorted
"Just remember Bella" Alice continued without skipping a beat "Edward wants you to be happy no matter what path you choose. We're going to work everything out okay? You need to follow your heart, choosing Edward is an enormous decision and you know why. I don't want you to regret it…ever because once you choose you can't turn back. We aren't the kind of people anyone chooses to be and that's why I want you to be so careful. It's forever and I don't want you to resent Edward or our family if you make the wrong choice. Having doubts so soon, and even before the transformation should be taken seriously. I know you, you're going to do the right thing whatever it is. And no matter what I'm still your friend." She stopped and looked deep into my eyes I am sure if they could they would be filling with tears."
"Alice, won't Edward be mad at you and Jasper? I feel guilty about his" I said tears streaming down my cheeks " I should be held accountable for this, not you and Jasper."
"Well it's a little too late, yes he'll likely be mad, but we're family we'll get through it. There is no other way and I know he wants to you make the best decision and he'll get that, I know he will" She said reassuringly
She put her hands on my shoulders and wrapped me in a tight embrace.
"Thank you Alice" she released me and left her hands on my shoulders
"Okay as of right now Emmet and Edward plan on coming home Wednesday morning before school. So that gives you two full days to deal with Jacob related matters and then another week on top of that until I'm home. Use this time carefully Bella it's the best I can do. Promise me?
"Yes of course"
"Promise me you'll follow your heart do what's best for you"
"I promise"
"Okay, that's everything I'm gone then." She kissed my cheek and dashed out the door
I stood there silently for a moment, my head was blank I couldn't quite comprehend what had just transpired. I had to get out of work today; I had to go see Jacob as soon as possible. I was pretty sure my head couldn't manage all this at once so I thought I would focus on one thing at a time. Mike Newton was my priority. 3 minutes till lunch was over…he would be at his locker by now.
I was speed walking through the hallways I caught sight of Mike talking to Stacy a girl a grade below us. "Mike" I called over to him "can I talk to you for a second"
"Sure!" he responded turning away from Stacey while she was mid-sentence and walking towards me. "Sorry about lunch today Bells that must have been awkward..."
"Yeah, whatever we're cool" I interrupted. "It's about work. I am just so stressed out about tomorrow's math test I just was wondering if you would be able to cover my shift just this once, I would be eternally grateful, I think even If I started studying right now I would still fail!"
"Oh um, I had plans with" he pointed back at Stacy but I think he caught the frantic panic in my eye and dropped his hand "No actually, you know what? It shouldn't be a problem I'm sure my Mom will let me off early if I ask nice, Good luck with studying! I'm sure you'll do just f...INE!" I hugged him tight
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" I cried
"Yeah, no problem" He replied, dazed and still comprehending the hug that had just transpired.
"Eternally grateful remember that! I shouted at him over the other voices in the hallway and pointed to him as I ran away."
I would probably pay later for that embrace but I couldn't help it I was so happy I had succeeded at my first task.
My last two classes felt like the longest 100 minutes of my life. I couldn't focus on anything the teachers were saying. My heart was pounding in my ears and my mind was racing through every possible scenario, so quickly it all blurred together and no thought was complete or clear enough to grab a hold of. I knew my time was wasted in class, and I should just head out to La Push but Jake was still in class and a call home to Charlie from the school secretary would be followed by an inquisition from Charlie that I didn't have the time for. Finally, the dismissal bell rang and my heart jumped into my throat. I know realized that playing the next few days in my head was far easier than going out and carrying out such actions.
I ran to my locker and packed everything up for the day. Before grabbing my bag and slamming my locker I closed my eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. I shut out all the noise, gossip and flirting around me and focused on Alice's words of caution, then on Jacob's words from the previous night.
"Hey, Bella" I cringed, only one voice could have pulled me out of my meditative state so rapidly. " It was nice to see you at lunch for once today until of course, a Cullen came a calling" Jessica cackled
"Yeah, nice change of scenery" I responded with no hint of the niceties I had forced at lunch.
" Well I've been texting Jacob all week and I just suggested another trip out to La Push this weekend, You should see if you can sneak away from the old ball and chain for a night. I'm sure Jacob would love to see you."
"As much as I appreciate the invite, I don't think that's going to happen. Why would you want me there anyway? I thought you were into Jacob?"
" Hahaha, well who isn't! Anyways I'm not worried, you've made your choice and I've made mine…if you know what I mean." She winked and as her mouth curved into a devilish grin. " Just think about it, might be nice to get away for an evening"
"Somehow, I doubt that" I spat out as I shut my locker and headed to my truck. I was so furious, I don't know what made me more angry Jessica's agenda to make me jealous or the fact that her malicious remarks hit so close to the heart. Even though she was manipulative and petty, her insults had a thread of truth to them. I wanted to denounce Edward and stake my claim on Jacob. But what claim did I have? We held hands a few times? We kissed once? I could just imagine Jessica laughing in my face. But there was more to our relationship than that, more than could be described in words alone. Also, how the hell did Jessica have Jacob's number? And texting? When did Jacob get a cell phone? Was she lying? Was Jacob trying to move on already? There was no sense letting Jessica derail anything, only Jacob had the answers I needed.