Echo58 I tried to portray that instant friendship some people have, with Jacob and Bella. No offence to SM, she gave us these great characters, but she seems to have a thing about obsession. Unfortunately for Lauren she makes it really hard to be her friend, as you will soon find out.

Megan39 Alice and Edward never considered Bella in thee books other even when she said she didn't want something they didn't listen and did what they wanted, I tried to keep that selfishness in their characters. Sadly Bella only stood up for herself to cover up her reaction to Jacob and Lauren. You are correct about why Bella didn't give in to Edward's demands, but I figure at least there are consequences and that's a start.

Thank you for reviewing, they always make me smile. I greatly appreciate you. 3

Chapter 26

"What do you mean?" Bella asked, not wanting to reveal too much.

"Let's start with why two cars showed up to pick you up this morning." Charlie instigated.

"A miscommunication." Bella said.

"What caused this miscommunication?"

"I don't know."

"That boy's family seemed pretty angry with him. Do you want to tell me about that?"

"No."

Charlie huffed a laugh.

"Of course not." He mumbled. More clearly he said. "I want you to break up with your boyfriend."

"Dad, no!"

"Bella, the boy thinks he owns you. You have to break up with him."

"No he doesn't. That's ridiculous."

"Honey, did you not hear how he was talking about you this morning?"

Bella heard every word. She recalled all of it. Nothing he said sounded like he thought he owned her. Charlie had to be overreacting.

"I'm not breaking up with him." She stubbornly told her father.

Charlie knew if he pushed this it might backfire. He didn't like the way that boy acted. It wasn't normal, he was bordering on manic. That scared the hell out of Charlie. He held his tongue for the rest of the ride and prayed his friend would have some advice.

By the time they got to Billy's house Jacob had closed himself in his bedroom. Bella wished she had brought her backpack or at least a book to read. She wandered aimlessly through the small house. Behind the last door in a narrow hall blared music. She knocked but no one answered.

Bella took out her phone and considered who to text. First she tried Edward. There was no response. Then she tried Alice. Her friend was glad to keep her company.

When it was time for dinner Billy rolled himself over to what looked like a closet. He opened the door and reached in. All of a sudden all the lights went off and all electronic sounds stopped. Billy rolled away from the closet.

"What the hell?" Jacob angrily shouted.

"We have company. You will come out of that room and eat with us. Turn the fuse back on before you meet us at the table." His father demanded.

Jacob fell into the chair next to Bella. Both of them ate quietly, Charlie not so much.

"Guess who has a new friend." He said to Billy. "A pretty little blonde I'm told."

"Really?" Billy asked. "Since when are you into blondes?"

He looked over at his son in question. Jacob shrugged.

Billy and Charlie kept conversation going through the meal. It quickly became apparent neither teen felt inclined to join them.

After dinner Jacob Put his jacket on and started to walk out the door.

"Where are you going Jake." Billy asked.

"Out." Jacob responded without slowing down.

"I'm going to go with him." Bella said.

She stopped and looked at Charlie, remembering his ask don't tell rule. He gave her a nod and she hurried out the door.

She practically had to run to keep Jacob in sight. There was no way she was going to catch up to him, eventually he turned into the woods. Bella pushed herself faster; she was grateful she could still see Jacob. She tripped and stumbled after him until he disappeared behind a tree.

"Crap!" Bella muttered.

She hoped she didn't end up getting lost.

When she came to the tree he disappeared behind, she noticed that the tree line stopped there. At the end of the small clearing was a cliff that looked over the ocean. A very high cliff. Sitting there with his legs dangling was Jacob, he was friggin nuts.

Bella didn't dare approach the edge. She could still see the view safely away from it. He looked at her from the corner of his eye.

"It's beautiful." She gestured to the ocean.

"Yeah." He agreed looking back out at it.

They were alone here. Bella took the opportunity to tell him what she had been trying to tell him all day.

"Jacob, I just think you should know."

He leaned back on his elbows and looked up at her. His expression was indifferent.

She continued. "It's about Lauren. She's just, She uses boys."

When he showed no reaction she swallowed, she had to get through to him.

She blurted, "She's promiscuous."

His eyebrows jumped. Good, he was starting to react.

She went on. "She's no good. She jumps from boy to boy and she likes to cause trouble. You should walk away now, she's bad for you."

She saw the corners of his lips jump like he was fighting a smirk.

"You are really judgemental." he told her. A laughing breath coming out with the words.

Her mouth popped open and her eyes went wide. Shame overtook her feachers. He stood up and walked over to her.

"Relax Bella, nobody's perfect. Most people are judgemental. You just don't have to be so harsh about it "

Looking at her feet she whispered. "I just don't want you to get hurt."

He cupped her face in his hand making her look up at him. "I won't get hurt, I know she's using me. You have to remember, I'm only sixteen. I am not looking for my forever."

She frowned at him. She was younger than him and had found her forever. Did he judge her for that, or did he not believe Edward was her intended. Her happily ever after.

The corner of his lip turned up. "I'm sorry to tell you this." He whispered. "For most guys; when a girl like Lauren comes around, they don't care if she uses them. In fact most guys hope she does."

Was that true? Bella didn't know what to say.

A cold breeze came off the ocean and she shivered.

Jacob let go of her face.

"It's getting cold." He said holding his hand out to her. "Let's get you inside."

They walked hand in hand all the way back to the house. He provided her stability, preventing her from falling down.

When they went into the house there was no sign of their fathers. Jacob held up a piece of paper.

"They went to Harrys."

Bella had no idea who Harry was.

"You want to watch a movie?" He asked.

She nodded. She went to peruse their movie collection while Jacob made popcorn and grabbed sodas.

She chose the princess bride.

Holding it out for Jacobs approval he glanced at it and said. "As you wish."

Not too long into the movie Bella started to feel the pain in her ankles from running and stumbling after Jacob. She lifted her leg and tried to discreetly rub her ankle. Jacob's large hand shot out cupping her calf. He brought her legs up into his lap. Slipping off her shoes he began to rub her feet and ankles. He continued to watch the movie while he massaged them.

Bella was shocked. Not even Edward did this for her, and she had complained about her feet hurting to him.

Thank you for reading.