AN: Well, this is my first fan fiction ever, so please review and tell me what you think. I came up with this idea in the car this morning and thought it was unique. I hadn't yet read a fanfic with this plotline so I thought, why not?
This begins after the very end of New Moon. There are a few weeks left of school and things are relatively normal again.
I hope you all enjoy. This first chapter is going to be short because it's only a prologue so don't freak out.
Bella's PoV
Prologue
It was difficult not to sit on the ground and pout like a child. The soft snickers from witnesses seemed louder only because they were directed at me. I kept my spot on the damp asphalt for a moment longer, trying to collect myself. I closed my eyes and breathed in deeply through my nose, only the exhale that was supposed to follow came out as a violent sneeze. Upon opening my eyes, I realized they were tearing up, stinging with the wind that blew into them.
Sighing, I reached up and grabbed the side mirror of my truck and slowly, very slowly, pulled myself up off the ground. I stood by my truck, still holding onto the mirror and finally laughed at myself. The first day back from my escapade in Italy and already sustaining injuries. Well, almost. I looked at the scraped surfaces of my palms and shrugged. What's new?
"Bella, honestly, what do I have to do to fix this?"
I whirled around and gazed into the face of an angel. My angel. My Edward. Already, I'd almost forgotten how horrible my day started.
"Fix what?" I inquired.
Edward chuckled and my breath caught. "Your inability to handle the simple task of climbing out of a car without nearly decapitating yourself," he stated.
I blushed. "Oh. . . You saw that?"
"Of course."
Right. He never missed a thing. He laughed his musical laugh once more and lightly caressed my flushed cheek. I instantly forgot my embarrassment. The first bell sounded throughout the campus and I flinched. Its mechanical shrillness sounded so fake, so ugly. For the past year and a half, the only sound I ever wanted to hear was Edward's voice.
"Shall we?" Edward gestured in the general direction of our first class.
I bent down and picked my bag up off the ground. It was only a little damp, so I swung it over my shoulder and turned back to Edward.
"Yes," I said. He allowed me to pass him and while I still had my back slightly turned, Edward slipped his cool hand into mine. My heart fluttered momentarily, and then settled again. I saw the effort it took Edward not to smile.
As we crossed the first few buildings, we both stopped in our tracks. There, leaning against the building was Jacob Black. Still as huge as ever, his expression was bitter and contemptuous as his head whipped around to look at us. My confusion was clearly written across my face. I felt Edward's hand tighten around mine and the low growl vibrate from his body. It took a few seconds to collect an intelligent thought and put it into a sentence. All that came out was my low whisper, "Jacob. . . what—"
He raised his hand to stop me, straightening himself and taking three long strides toward us. Edward grew even more tense. I rubbed circles into his hand with my thumb, trying to soothe him. Jacob didn't miss that gesture.
"I needed to talk to you." His voice was tight and I could see his hands trembling. Was it really that difficult to be around us? Maybe if Edward left us alone for a minute. . . Of course he wouldn't.
"About what?" I asked, trying to smile but unable to make it believable. He sensed my unease and glanced at Edward momentarily. I hadn't realized that Edward was almost crouching until he abruptly straightened, his eyes on Jacob curious, instead of hateful. It was then that I knew that he wasn't here to talk to me. Obviously something Jacob thought caused this reaction. "What is it?" I prodded gently. "Edward?"
He just shook his head. His expression wasn't angry, but understanding . . . and troubled. I really wished they'd let me in on this. I was truly surprised then, when Edward released my hand and turned to me, saying, "I have to leave."
My shock caused my mouth to drop open. "What—why? Edward—" He placed a cold finger over my lips, his golden eyes intense.
"I don't know when I'll be back," he said in a low voice. "Jacob will take care of you. I trust him to keep you safe. I love you, Bella." He lowered his face to mine and planted a gentle kiss on my forehead. "Be safe," he whispered, and was gone.
The sound that came out of my mouth must have been one of terror because I was suddenly drawn into Jacob's warm embrace. I hugged him back fiercely.
"What is going on?" I asked into his shoulder, my voice breaking. He stroked my hair for a moment, obviously contemplating his answer. I grew impatient and looked up at him, my head falling back to see that high.
He met my eager gaze and the expression of his eyes was torn. A few more seconds of silence followed and then finally, "Bella, there's something going on." I waited, expectant, for him to elaborate, and when he said nothing, I scowled. There was something going on and it obviously wasn't a surprise birthday party. Something bad was going to happen and I didn't know if someone I loved was in danger or if I was in danger. I needed to know what was going on and I needed to know now.
"Jacob," I said a little tersely. "What's happening?" He looked down at me, the look on his face tortured. It hurt me to see such a thing. I needed him to enlighten me so I could help if possible, or laugh in my face and reveal the joke to me. "Please tell me what is happening," I was practically begging now.
Jacob tightened his hold on me and took a deep breath. "You're not going to like this." I raised my eyebrows in a very Just tell me what the hell is going on. Who gives a damn if I like it or not? sort of way. He sighed. "Bella," he began, "There are more vampires coming," he said in a hushed tone.
My mouth opened and closed. Immediately, I thought the Volturi, but from what Edward had said all those weeks ago about their view of time and ours being very different, it seemed very unlikely. I shuddered to think of who else it could be and then it hit me. "Victoria?" I asked in a mouse-like voice. Jacob sensed my fear and hugged me even tighter. He hadn't said no yet, so I assumed I was right. I felt myself begin to tremble.
In my heart, I knew she would have to come back sooner or later, but for some reason I thought it would be much later than this. I suddenly became very, very frightened. Not for myself, but for everyone in the town, especially Charlie. He still had a group out hunting the "wolves." Little did they know their prey was actually protecting them.
Recently, Charlie had become more used to having Edward in the house, though he was always cautious and still very strict about the visiting hours, he behaved civilly towards Edward. Now, I assumed Jacob would be with me 24/7. Frankly, I didn't have a problem with that. I always felt very safe with Jacob. I was also looking forward to spending time with him again. In the last few weeks, we'd had absolutely no contact and it killed me that I couldn't even see him; not even to talk to him, but just to see his face. Along with the initial fear, a wave of relief also rolled over me.
"Edward, the Cullens, are going to hunt her? And Sam, too?" I asked, my voice shaky. My blood ran cold and I shivered at the prospect of the situation. I laid my head against Jacob's chest again, absorbing its warmth.
"Yes." I heard Jacob say softly.
