Bella PoV

Another week had passed. Another week of going to school and sitting around in my room afterwards. I functioned like a robot, smiling, laughing, and talking with the other kids at school and doing my homework in the afternoon. I cooked for Charlie, talked with him about this and that but my mind was always elsewhere.

One night after we've finished dinner and I started to collect the plates to clean them up, Charlie grabbed my hand. "Bells, we need to talk."

I frowned but sat down again. "What do you wanna talk about?"

"Your... condition." He waved up and down, showing me what he meant. "What you are doing, what you've become. It's not healthy. It's like when this Cullen kid left. All you do is sit in your room all day and stare out of the window. You never go out anymore, never see your friends."

"I see them at school", I protested weakly.

"Bells, that's not what I mean, and you know that. What about Jacob? You used to spend so much time together and now you never see him anymore", Charlie answered. I could see how uncomfortable he felt and honestly, I did too. He must be really worried because he had never really spoken to me like that before.

"That's not because of me," I muttered, avoiding his gaze.

"What happened between you two? I talked to Billy yesterday and he told me that Jake is feeling as miserable as you do. But he wouldn't talk either." My father looked me straight into the eyes. "And don't tell me it's nothing because that would be a lie."

I really didn't want to talk to my dad, the most unemotional man in the world, about my confused feelings or about our kiss but he wouldn't back off, not this time. He wouldn't go away until I had at least told him something.

"We fought. Back at the hospital. I said some bad things I didn't really mean and now I've destroyed everything."

"And did you tell him that you didn't mean them? Did you apologise?" he asked solemnly.

"I tried but he wouldn't listen."

"Did you try to drive over and speak to him in person?"

"Once but he wasn't home, and neither was his father. I asked his friends, but they wouldn't tell me either. I tried to phone him so many times but the only time I got to speak to him was by accident. All the other times his father says he isn't home or busy or something. I get the hint; he doesn't want to speak with me." I let out a desperate sigh and played around with my water glass.

Charlie made a face. Obviously, he wasn't the best person to help someone with heartbreak, but he knew that as a father it was his duty to at least try.

"Bells, I know I haven't told you this as much as I should have so you have to listen to me very carefully now: You are a Swan, my daughter and a Swan never gives up easily. He doesn't want to speak to you? Fine, then keep trying. Call him, drive over there, find him, and make him listen. You have to make him see how sorry you are. You are a very strong and very brave young woman and I know you will succeed if you only try hard enough." He intensified his words by placing his hands over mine. "I know what this Cullen kid did was not pretty. First love and first heartbreak are never pretty. But you can't let this one thing pull you down forever. You have to fight; I know you have it in you. If you want this friendship to continue, you'll have to fight for it, simple as that."

For a whole minute I could do nothing but stare at my father. He, who never talked about feelings or anything more serious than the latest sports game, who never said more than one sentence at a time had just given a full two-minute speech about fights and what it meant to be a Swan.

"I'm sorry but who are you and what did you do with my father?" I asked in full earnest.

Charlie laughed and patted my hand. "I know, that's not very much like me but it's nonetheless true. Fight for it, Bella. And you best start now." He stood up and gathered the dirty dishes to bring them into the kitchen, another thing he rarely did. "Phone's in your room I guess?"

I was sitting on my bed, my phone in front of me. I had stared at it for a full twenty minutes, thoughts running through my head. If I called, Billy would find some excuse to not let me talk to him. But if I told Billy it was really urgent? Would Jake then at least consider calling me back?

No, I wouldn't take that risk. I needed to speak to him, and I needed to do it now or I would lose my courage. I grabbed my phone and put on a sweater. Charlie was still in the kitchen cleaning up although he was nearly finished. He looked up when he saw me, phone and keys in hand, sweater on. "Going somewhere?" he asked and raised an eyebrow.

"I know it's late and you don't want me to stay out after dark, but I really need to do this. Please, only this time. I have my phone, you can call me anytime and I won't be out for long, I promise!" I begged, hoping his earlier speech would be enough to convince him to let me go.

"Alright, alright. But don't make this a habit!" He scolded me with one finger. I went up to him and did something I rarely did myself. I hugged him with all my might. "Thanks Dad. For everything."

He seemed surprised and unsure what to say so he patted me lightly on the back. "It's alright kid. Now go before I change my mind."

I was in my truck before I had even noticed it, going at full speed towards the reservation. My plan was simple. Go to his house and if he wasn't there I would find one of the wolves. Their minds were somehow connected I knew and so they would be able to contact Jacob. And this time I wouldn't go away.

When I arrived at Jacob's house, it was dark apart from the flickering of the screen inside. My brakes were screeching as I stopped. I jumped out of the car and slammed the door. Before I had the chance to knock the door was opened and Billy appeared in his wheelchair. He seemed surprised to see me: "Bella? What are you doing here? Does your father know you're here? "

I didn't answer his question. „Is he here?"

The man shook his head. „Went out about half an hour ago. "

So he's on patrol again

„Alright, thank you Mr. Black! "I called as I ran back to my truck. I hadn't even bothered to turn off the motor so I could drive away instantly. I heard Billy calling my name, but I went on. I had to find him, no matter what. I had to bring him back to me.