All characters from Vampire Diaries belong to L.J. Smith as well as all characters from Twilight belong to Stephanie Meyer. I own nothing except my version of events.

A/N: Hey readers! I've got a couple of things to say. First off, there is a TIME JUMP from the last chapter to this one. I don't want to have you guys confused. Secondly, if you've made it this far, I will be rewarding you in this chapter as we find Bella's first love interest! Yay!

As a reader I know I always get anxious waiting for him to arrive so I wanted to bring him in ASAP. As a writer though, I needed to establish Bella and where she's at in life first before pushing her into a relationship.

No lemons yet but do hang on tight, it's coming :)

Chapter 4: End of Summer

It was the end of summer now and senior year was starting tomorrow. The gang and I were all at La Push sitting on logs, eating our weight in junk food around a bonfire celebrating but also grieving the end of summer. It was one of the best summers I've ever had. I spent the beginning of break mostly at home but the gang would hang out with me most of the time at my house, until I eventually got better. After that, even when I couldn't walk I didn't have to. Everyone would just carry me around everywhere; it was a good thing I had a lot of strong male friends lying around.

We spent a lot of time at the beach, hanging out and having fun. That's where I reconnected with my childhood friend Jacob. We got to talking and we became instant friends, becoming my best friend in a matter of days. After some time though he admitted to me that he'd had a crush on me since we were kids. Jacob was attractive, funny, witty and incredibly kind. He was like my sun, always bringing light into my life and I couldn't say no when he asked me to be his girlfriend. He's pretty amazing and has the most infectious smile I have ever seen. I think I was in love with him… or at least getting there. The best part was he never made me choose between him and my friends, not that I ever would have allowed that. Instead he started hanging out with us and ended up including some of his own friends into our group. They were actually a lot of fun and my own friends enjoyed their company as well. At first it was kind of weird because apparently kids from La Push didn't like to hang out with outsiders or as they called us, "Pale faces." All they really needed though was a reason to commingle and apparently I was that reason. Because of my relationship with Jacob, some of the teenagers from La Push would always meet up with us at the beach most weekends and sometimes weekdays as well. We basically partied all summer long, it was insane.

Recovery wise my arm was healed, I still needed to be careful with it but for the most part it was almost back to normal. All bruises and scrapes were long gone, thankfully. The only lingering injury was my leg, today I had a doctor's appointment and he let me know that my recovery was going well and I didn't need the cast anymore. He still made me wear a boot though for a few more weeks because he said he didn't want me to reinjure it while I was still healing and going to physical therapy. I was annoyed but I definitely preferred that over the cast. It gave me more mobility and I could basically do everything for myself, well except run. Luckily I had Jacob to do that for me, he had grown so much over the summer that carrying me around was zero effort for him. He said I weighed lighter than a feather, freak, I swear that boy needed to stop eating so much or he'd gain fat instead of muscle if he kept it up. Speaking of the devil there he comes running towards me with a football in his hand and cheering with the rest of the guys.

"So I'm assuming you won?"

"You bet your sweet ass we did babe! I am The Best!" he said, as bent down giving me a kiss on the lips. Then he proceeded to plop down on the sand in the space between my legs. He grabbed my foot with the boot on and placed it over his shoulder.

"Yeah we totally annihilated those fuckers!" Embry yelled. I rolled my eyes, how could they not win. These guys in La Push are fucking huge, I don't know what they put in the water but it must me superman's piss because they were all tall and well built. Talk about good genes.

Mike plopped down around the campfire, "I'm just glad I'm in your guys' team. What do they feed you guys and can I have some because I'd like to gain some muscle too."

"Tribal secret bro." Quil said laughing and patting him on the shoulder. "Just kidding, we were just blessed by the gods with good genes." This time we all rolled our eyes. They were so full of themselves sometimes it was ridiculous.

I abruptly let out a yawn, trying to stifle it as much as I could. I didn't want to leave but I was exhausted. Jake looked up at me from his position on the floor, "You ready to go home babe? You look really tired."

I nodded my head, "Yeah I think so. I woke up early this morning for my doctor's appointment. I don't really wanna go but we do start school tomorrow."

"Bella's right we should all go. We all start school tomorrow and we really should start picking everything up and heading home before our parents call, yelling at us for staying out so late." Angie said.

Mike sighed at her response, "Ugh, leave it to you Angie to make us responsible and shit. I really don't want to go back to school and bore myself to death in class. I hate homework." He complained as he dug the tip of his shoe into the sand. I secretly agreed with him too.

"Well, if you want to leave town like you've always dreamed about then you better go to school and get good grades. Or you won't get in anywhere." Jessica piped in.

Shit, Jessica is right. I haven't even thought about where I would apply to. I've never really discussed it with my dad either. The most I've ever gotten to making plans is with Caroline, one of the options was Mystic Falls. I've never liked Forks enough to willingly stay here forever but I also don't want to leave Charlie alone either.

Over the summer I had gotten really close to my dad. We both put in equal effort to build a relationship. I confessed to him everything that I had been through with my mother and he felt guilty that he had never noticed. I didn't want him to feel guilty though, he did the best he could fighting for me legally. That's the only reason I was able to spend my summers with him and some holidays. I told him I loved him and I was happy that I had him completely now.

I taught him how to cook and he taught me how to fish. That's right, I'm proud to say I know how to fish now. We've gone fishing quite a lot over the summer and sometimes I even join him, Billy and Harry. Even Jake and Seth, who is Harry's youngest kid, go along with them to add some fun into their old people lives. We all call our dad's 'Old Man' when we go fishing with them. It's so funny to see them get so annoyed when we do. My dad is the absolute best. Growing up my mom tried her best to be my best friend instead of a mother, but now that I've matured a bit more I've come to realize that parents aren't supposed to be our best friends. The relationship I now have with my dad is exactly where I wished we had always been. He's firm when he needs to be but he's also a jokester with me. He trusts me enough to have the freedom that I want but also sets reasonable limits to keep me from wildin' out. We have a pretty open relationship and share almost everything with each other. Whenever I have a problem I go straight to him, he gives the best advice. Actually, he's kind of like the honorary dad of my friends too. Whenever they need advice or feel like they can't talk to their own parents about certain things they come to Charlie to get some advice. He also helps them open up to their own parents as well. I told you he's great.

"Ugh, College… growing up…. can we all just enjoy the beginning of our senior year right now and think about adulthood later on. College applications don't start until November."

"I'm gonna have to agree with Tyler here," I said. "I haven't really thought about it and I don't want to start now." I pouted.

"Fine, but you guys can't stay in denial for too long. Like you just pointed out Tyler, applications start in November so you will have to start thinking about where you want to go soon."

I puffed out a breath, leave it to Ang to bring me back to reality. Without replying or continuing with the conversation everyone began to pick up their stuff and put out the fire so we could head out and go home. Jake carried me back to Angie's car before leaving.

"You know you don't have to carry me anymore, right?"

"Yup!" He said, popping the 'p' at the end. "… but where's the fun in that? I love carrying you around everywhere. If I could I'd carry you around like a keychain and take you everywhere with me. You're small enough anyways." I laughed and slapped his shoulder shaking my head. "Let me know when you get home, ok? I want to make sure you get there safely."

I smiled, "You know I always do." I replied as he leaned forward and captured my lips with his own. His tongue slipping into my mouth easily. It was starting to get tougher to keep our encounters PG-13. We hadn't really gone further than some heavy make-out sessions. I don't really know what we were waiting for, it's not like either of us were opposed to premarital sex. He was hot, seriously hot, he was my best friend and my boyfriend all rolled into one but for some reason neither of us went any further.

Suddenly there was a whistle right next to our ears. We both flinched, turning to glare at Quil. "Can you guys keep it clean out here? There's still a lot of virginal eyes out here for you to corrupt with your sloppy kissing."

"You mean your virgin eyes Quil? Stop being so jealous and get a girlfriend already." I said while pushing his face away from us. "I swear Jake if he weren't your friend I would be dismembering his body right now."

"Whatever Bella! You know you love me!" Quil yelled over his shoulder as he jogged towards Jake's car.

I shook my head. Oh right, now I remember why we haven't gone any further. There's always someone there to interrupt us, it's almost like the universe didn't want us to be together.

Jake laughed, "Yeah, if he weren't my friend since we were in diapers I think I would help you get rid of his body too." He pressed his body further against me and kissed me, his lips trailed down the side of my neck, then back up and left a final kiss on the tip of my nose. "Don't forget to text me when you get home." He whispered. Running after Quil when he realized Quil was already reversing out of the parking lot and about to take off in his car.

I laughed shaking my head, Stupid boys. I shut the door in time to see Angie sliding into the driver's seat.

"That boy is stupidly in love with you."

I laughed but then frowned when her words registered in my brain, "You know we haven't said we love each other yet, right?"

She looked at me surprised, "You haven't?"

I shook my head as she reversed out of the parking lot and headed towards my home to drop me off. "No… is that bad?"

"No not really. I mean love is a big deal and you shouldn't say it unless you actually mean it. Does that mean you're not there yet?"

"I don't know, I mean I love him as my friend and I care about him a lot but it doesn't feel like I'm in love with him yet. Then again I was with Edward for a few months and I was completely in love with him almost from the start… but I loved him too much in the end."

"Do you think he's the reason you're not then? Are you scared of falling in love with Jacob and getting hurt again?"

Fuck, is it really Edwards fault? Am I really that scared to fall in love with Jacob? I mean… it would make sense right. I've always been more of a logical person than an emotional one. Maybe subconsciously I'm still trying to protect myself from getting my heart broken again. But Jacob wouldn't do that to me, at least not intentionally. I know shit happens and sometimes things don't work out but am I intentionally trying not to fall in love with him?

"I guess… maybe... I haven't really thought about that." I finally replied.

"Don't worry about it yet, Bella. You've only been dating for like a month, I think it's too soon to tell. Just take your time and don't rush anything. As long as you're both happy that's all that matters."

"Yeah you're right."

"Of course I'm right, I always am! Now ma' lady, we have arrived. Need help getting down?" She asked and I looked around realizing Angie was already parked in my driveway.

"Nah, I got it. With this boot on I can finally move around more easily. Thanks for the ride!"

"No problem, I'll pick you up before school so be ready. See you tomorrow bestie!" She said as she waved her bracelet at me. A matching bracelet to mine, might I add, Angie really did get us friendship bracelets. To my surprise it was the gaudy gold bracelet that appeared in Friends. Where Joey buys it for Chandler and it has the words 'To My Best Bud' engraved into it. I don't know where she found them but they were awesome. We wear them every day.

I laughed, picking up my bag and walking towards the front door. Once I unlocked it and stepped in, I saw my dad sitting on the couch watching the news.

"It's a good thing you're responsible. I was about to call you and berate you for not being home yet."

I laughed, "Yeah, yeah, like you ever yell at me. I'm the perfect daughter."

He chuckled in response. "I definitely lucked out on the kid department. So did you guys have fun on your last free day?"

"Yeah, we did. It's depressing thinking about going back to school tomorrow. At least now I can get around on my own without as much help."

"True, though I can still help you with the stairs if you'd like. It keeps me fit."

"Thanks dad but let me try first." I said as I walked towards the couch to stand behind him. "Well, I'm gonna get ready for bed. Love you." I said as I leaned down to give him a kiss on the cheek. Told you our relationship has gotten better.

"Love you too kiddo, sleep tight."

Thank the heavens above I was able to make it up the stairs on my own. Though it was a lot more tiring than it used to be. Ugh, I'm gonna have to start working out as soon as my leg is completely healed. I hate working out but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. As soon as I put my stuff down I grabbed my phone and texted Jake.

I'm home.

Jacob: Good, sleep tight and dream of me.

Always, Goodnight

I got up and began my nightly routine. Once I was done I set my alarm for the week to wake up for school tomorrow. I snuggled up into my covers and sighed. Here goes to another school year.