WARNING: GRAPHIC SEXUAL CONTENT, VIOLENCE, ABUSE, BODY SHAMING, BULLYING, SELF HARM, ATTEMPTED SUICIDE, AND LANGUAGE. IF YOU ARE UNDERAGE OR DO NOT ENJOY IT DO NOT READ.

Chapter Eight.

"Morning, Jessica," Billy exclaimed as I sat down beside him, nodding to the mug of coffee sitting on the table. I gingerly took it and sipped it greedily before grinning at him. "Sleep well?"

"Yeah, did you?"

"Like a baby."

"What's this about babies?" Jacob said as he entered the kitchen, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. My heart felt like it grew ten sizes bigger when he turned to me and smiled like sunshine.

That house with my mother and father seemed worlds away as we shared a look. Then he leaned down and kissed me straight on the mouth. Right in front of his father.

"Jacob Black, you pervert!" I smacked him away before chugging down the rest of my coffee as my skin tinged pink.

"What? I can't kiss my woman?"

"Have some respect for Billy! Obviously, he doesn't want to see his son sucking face first thing in the morning." It hadn't even been a week since I moved in and it seemed he made it his mission to embarrass me.

But of course, Billy just laughed and shook his head at the both of us.

"You kids are crazy." Setting down his mug, he gave each of us a pointed look. "So, what's on the agenda today?"

"No idea. You're off today, right?"

"Mhm."

"You should meet the rest of my friends then." Billy's face suddenly turned serious.

"Are you sure that's a good idea, son?"

"She's my girl and they're just going to have to get used to it."

"You guys better get ready then. I'm sure Emily is serving breakfast at her place this morning."

"Don't I get a say in this?" I asked both of them, but I was just ignored as Jacob pulled me out of my chair and into his bedroom. He ripped his shirt off and then his boxers.

Grabbing my face in his hands, he pulled me into a bruising kiss before pulling at my shirt.

"What are you doing?"

"Morning sex?"

"We have to go, Jake."

"Come on, real quick?"

"No! Get dressed and let's go."

"Ugh, fine. But you're in for it later, girly!" Jacob kissed me again before pulling away and I glared at him before getting dressed. A maroon V-neck with a black tank-top, some dark blue skinny jeans, and a pair of white Nike.

I brushed my curly hair the best I could and decided a natural look was as best as any. Then I brushed my teeth in the bathroom. Jacob slipped in behind me as I finished, wrapping his arms tightly around my middle.

"Why brush them now if you're just going to eat?"

"It's polite. I want to make a good impression, don't I?"

"Why wouldn't you? You're awesome."

"You can't say things like that to me if you don't want me to-" My words cut off as I caught myself.

If you don't want me to fall in love with you.

"What is it?"

"Nothing, I was just going off on a tangent. Don't worry about me." Pulling away from him, I headed towards the door but was pulled back as Jacob grabbed my arm. My heart sank as he looked down at me, brow furrowed, and that sunshine smile gone.

"No, tell me."

"Jacob-"

"Jessica."

"No today. I promise to tell you later but not today," Shrugging him off, I cupped his face and kissed his lips. "Okay?"

Jacob kissed me again before nodding. "Okay, not today."

"Thank you."

"We better head out. You have your phone?"

"In my pocket."

"Okay. We're heading out now, dad!"

"Have fun, kids!" I gave him a wave before Jacob pushed out the door and into the chilly morning.

When we entered the Uley house I was caught off guard by how many people were here. The house was bustling with teenagers eating and yelling and play fighting. There were even a few children running after Quil, who seemed to take it all in stride.

"Hey, Jessie! You guys hear for breakfast?" A little girl hung from his neck and laughed like a hyena.

"If there's any left."

"Hey, Unca Jake!" The little girl squealed and attempted to wave but thought better of it when she started to slip.

"Hey Claire!" They ran off in the other direction and Jacob turned to me with a small smile. "Come on, I'll fix your plate. Just tell me what you want." I grinned back and nodded, letting him tug me to the kitchen.

Emily Young was a cooking goddess. She had to be, there was no way that she could make so much food and not be. French toast, waffles, pancakes, sausage, bacon, eggs, toast! It was like eating at a hotel.

And it was so damn good.

I groaned as I bite into another piece of French toast. Jacob glanced at me and raised an eyebrow.

"What? It's delicious! I can't believe she isn't a famous chef yet."

"Why thank you, Jessica," Emily exclaimed, a warm smile gracing her lips. A large scar covered her face, but it didn't take away from her beauty. If anything, it made her look like a badass warrior.

"You should totally give me cooking lessons. I'd even pay you."

"I'd be happy to teach you, no cost!"

"Really? That would be amazing!"

We talked for a little longer until Claire, who I found out was Emily's niece, yelled for her auntie to come kiss her boo-boo.

"Thank you for not staring at her," Jacob whispered. "It makes Sam mad."

"No problem. She's beautiful and the scar makes her look like a warrior woman, though."

"You're right about that," Jacob stole a piece of bacon from my plate and went to take a bite out of it, but I pinched his side so hard he dropped it. "Ouch! What was that for?"

"If you're hungry, go get more."

"But your plate is right here," He whined before attempting his crime again. This time I stabbed at his hand with my fork. Jacob squawked and glared at me, but I just smiled sweetly.

"Go get more, you lazy bum."

"Humph, fine. I didn't want your food anyway."

"Sure, sure."

The rest of the morning was spent enjoying Emily's food and getting to know Jacob's extended family. It made me almost forget that my own life was in shambles, and for that I was thankful.

I sat in the bathroom, ear against the wall as I eavesdropped on Jacob and Billy's conversation. I had finished going to the bathroom a long time ago and now was being the nosy person I was.

"You know, she's a much better fit for you than Bella."

"What are you going on about now, dad?"

"Jessica fits you a lot better. The way you both act around each other. You have a lot more chemistry than Bella."

"Whatever…" What was up with Jacob and Bella? Why did she still have her claws sunk into him?

"Son, what's wrong?"

"What do you know about what chemistry Bells and I had together? And anyway, this thing with Jessica won't last anyway."

My heart sunk into my stomach at his words, but I wasn't sure why. I knew this would happen sooner or later.

"And what makes you say that?"

"She has to go to college sometime, right? And I can't leave the rez."

"Long distance can work."

"She's not my soulmate."

"She could be."

"Will you just give it up? It isn't going to happen, alright?" The front door opened. "Tell Jess that I have to head to Embry's for a bit."

"Why can't you tell her?"

"Don't wait up."

The door slammed shut and Billy sighed. I covered my face with my hands and sighed too.

Why did I get so attached? This just proves that we would never work. I wasn't soulmate material. I wasn't Bella.

I had never been good enough for anyone and Jacob wasn't any different.

After finishing up and washing my hands, I slipped into Jacob's bedroom and slid under the covers. As the feeling of rejection settled into my chest, I started to cry.

No, he doesn't deserve my tears, I thought as I furiously rubbed them away. No man does.

Especially Jacob Black.

The night Jacob returned, and we had sex and it was all sunshine and rainbows. But at the same time, it wasn't.

I went to work, spent time with Angela.

Said goodbye to her when she went back to Korea, and I knew I had lost the only person that actually cared about me. My best friend.

Lauren continued to blow up my phone. I contemplated blocking her, especially after she continuously texted about my weight, but I couldn't bring myself to do that. Maybe one day she would apologize, and we could go back to how we were. But I wasn't going to subject myself to that toxicity anymore.

Mom was the only one who hasn't tried to contact me. It was if I had disappeared from her brain. She used to be my best friend. And now what? I was just trash on the side of the road?

I guess I was, though. Living with my fuck buddy who I was hopelessly in love with even though he had made it clear that he only saw me as one thing; a pocket pussy. All of my friends were gone, and I was working a shitty waitress job and not going anywhere in life.

I didn't blame my mother for not wanting to be a part of that. I wish I didn't have to be involved with this bullshit. Day by day by fucking day.

And I had no one to talk to about it. Jacob wouldn't understand, Lauren was being crazy, Mike was, well, Mike, and Angela was finally living her best life and going to college and dating all kind of cute boys.

No, I just needed to grin and bear it, you know? Hold my head high, not let the bullshit get to me.

But time passes and day by day by day I can feel emotions turning into a huge balloon. One more thing and I was going to explode.

Jacob came at me right as I stepped into the Black home after getting off work. "Come with me tonight."

"I'm so tired, though," I whined as he tugged at my arm an eager smile on his face.

"It's important, Jess."

"More important than the bubble bath I am going to have?"

"Much more important." "Come on, please?"

"Ugh! Fine. But you owe me a back rub when we get back."

"Of course, of course! Now hurry up and get ready. We don't want to be late."

And that was how I found myself sitting on a log freezing my ass off as Jacob bounced beside me like a kid on Christmas day.

It had been a bad day at work and my feet ached like no tomorrow, but as I looked at Jacob's sunshine smile, I felt all my stress start to melt away.

Damn, I loved him. I really did. And it was going to be so damn hard when he left my ass.

As the air chilled to my bones, I rubbed my arms to warm them up.

"Come here," Jacob said tentatively. I slid closer to him and sighed happily as he wrapped his arms around me.

"How are you so warm?"

"Just genetics, I guess."

"Well, thank god for genetics."

With his arms wrapped so tight around me and my heart pounding in my ears, it made me feel almost sick with happiness and sadness at the same time.

Is that what it was like for him with Bella? Having this connection but never being able to grasp it and keep it grounded?

Just the touch of her hand or a kiss on the cheek… missed opportunities.

This couldn't last, I knew that. I was resigned in the fact that there was nothing I could do. But I could live in this fantasy for a while, you know? Lose myself in this fake life I could have with this boy.

Jacob kissed my temple and then Billy quieted the group and told the great stories of their ancestors.

The night was perfect. I had learned more about the Quileute's, had a moment with Jacob, and felt more relaxed than I had in days.

But it wouldn't last.

Paul, someone I knew previously from when he had dated Lauren, cornered me at the food table, "So, when are you going to break his heart?"

"What?" I gawked in surprise.

"Swan fucked him up real good. You going to do the same?"

"Don't act like she and I are the same. I'm different from her."

He snorted. "Yeah, right."

"I don't know if you notice but he's mine. Bella's fucked off somewhere with that weird family and I got him. I'll be his happiness."

"You girls are all the same."

"How so?"

"Just wait till that marshmallow comes back. You'll drop Jake faster than you can blink." My temper flared as the words left his mouth.

"That isn't true."

"It isn't? I saw you both that night. In the park."

"And?"

"What the fuck. You have no shame, do you?"

"Neither do you, damn stalker. Don't you have anything better to do? Grow the fuck up and stay our of our business and our relationship."

"What relationship? You're just using him! All you bitches do is use us!" Paul's body started to tremble.

Jessica, run! He's going to hurt you!

"Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit," I took off in the other direction and heard an explosion behind me. When I went to look back there was a gigantic gray wolf standing there.

Wait… the LEGENDS.

"Jessica! Jessica!" Jacob screeched as he pulled me into his arms. Hands cupping my face and kissing me all over. Other people were crowding around while growling and snarling sounded a world away. "Are you alright? Baby, talk to me."

My breath had stalled in my chest. "You come from wolves…" Jacob just chuckled and kissed me again. He tasted like the lemon muffins that Emily had made.

Jared cackled while Leah thundered, "Damn it! Of course, Paul would blow the secret."

Yes, this was fine. I was fucking a werewolf. Okay. Wow, this is fine. Nothing weird about this.

"Makes a lot of sense…Phew, okay."

"Phew?" Jacob peered into my eyes worriedly. They looked like melted dark chocolate.

My voice sounded strained as I said, "I'm going to pass out now."

And then I proceeded to pass the fuck out.

Third person POV:

After Jacob carried Jessica home, Leah decided to tag along. Jacob's mystery girl meeting the pack had been a long time coming and the entertainment had been more than Leah had hoped for. Jessica seemed interesting and didn't put up with peoples bullshit. And she seemed to have genuine feelings for Jacob, which made her way better than that leech lover.

"So, she's the one you've been going gaga over?"

"Yeah, I guess…" Jacob's eyes moved to look over Jessica's face and a warm feeling enveloped his chest. Damn, Jessica Stanley had thoroughly stolen his heart. And she didn't even know it.

"I like her."

Jacob snorted, "Of course, you would."

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?"

"You both don't take anyone's bullshit." Leah hummed in response.

"That is true." They walked in silence for a bit before she said, "So, how did you two meet?"

"Her car broke down. I gave her a ride to work."

"That's it?"

"Well, we were total assholes together and one way or another we ended up kissing and then sleeping together… it just kind of happened."

"I get that."

"And along the way, we became best friends. She's the only one I feel completely comfortable with."

"More than Embry and Quil?"

"It's different, I guess."

Leah hummed again, "I understand where you're coming from. Love is a fickle thing."

"That it is."

Jessica's phone buzzed on her nightstand. Leah wasn't going to snoop, just check and make sure it wasn't important, but then she caught the name.

Lauren Mallory.

That fucking bitch, she thought to herself. First Sam, Jared, and Paul. What's next? Is she going to try and go after Jacob? Well, tough shit. Not on my watch.

"Why do you want?"

"Who is this? Where is Jessica?"

"Leave Jessica and Jacob alone or we'll have a problem."

"Excuse me? She is my best friend!"

"Paul knew you were worthless, and Jessica understands that now, too. So please, do us all a favor and leave us alone!"

The line cut off. Uneasiness settled into Leah's bones, but she pushed it away.

She got what she deserved, Leah thought again. Didn't she?

Leah didn't have the answer to that question.

Jessica's POV:

It was my phone ringing that woke me up. Sitting up, I took in that the bed was empty. How the hell did I get home? My hands fumbled to answer my phone.

"Hello?"

"Is this Jessica Stanley?"

I sat up in bed, my body slowly waking up.

"Yes, this is she. May I ask who is calling?"

"You were written down as her first contact."

"Who's?"

The next word out of their mouth chills me to the core.

"Lauren Mallory attempted to kill herself by jumping off the roof of a building-"

"What! Is she okay?"

"Yes, she has a broken arm, but thankfully that was the most of her injuries."

"What hospital is she admitted to? The one in Forks?"

"Yes."

"I'll be right there."

I hung and sat my phone down, my whole body shaking.

Lauren had tried to kill herself? I knew she had been acting unlike herself, but I didn't know she would do this. Fuck, why hadn't I called her back? She had been screaming for help and all I had done was ignore her!

I was a sobbing mess when Jacob entered the bedroom, shorts covered in dirt and hair a bedhead mess.

"Baby, what's wrong? What is it?" He sat down next to me and rubbed my back. But I couldn't be soothed.

"I-I-I-"

"Shh, take a deep breath."

My throat was tight, and I could get words out, "Lauren tried to k-kill herself."

Jacob's eyes widened comically. "What? Are you sure?"

"Why the fuck wouldn't I be sure!"

"I'm sorry, you just woke up and you sounded distressed and it might've been a bad dream?"

"No, I'm sorry. This isn't your fault, but I need you to drive me to the hospital, please? Fuck, Lauren. I'm so sorry!"

Tears flew down my cheeks and I dry heaved.

My best friend could have died and here I am, bawling like I'm the one that went through something traumatic.

Fuck, get your head together.

Jacob pressed a kiss to my temple. "Come on, let's go to the hospital."

"Okay," I nodded. And then I remembered something. "We should pick up Paul on the way."

"Paul? Huh?"

"He and Lauren were together for a long time. And he's the only one who knows what's going on, probably."

"Uh, alright. I'll go phase and let him know what's happening. You get dressed while I'm gone."

"Okay."

He pressed a quick kiss to my lips before leaving.

Pulling on a pair of black leggings and an oversized sweatshirt, I pulled my hair into a bun and splashed my face with some water.

"Keep it together, Stanley. Keep it together."

Once I patted my face dry, I grabbed my car keys and phone before meeting Jacob outside. A stone-like figure stood beside him.

Paul.

"Let's go. We'll take Jessica's car," Jacob whispered before grabbing the keys from my hand. Paul and I followed blindly behind him.

As we drove back to Forks, I lean my head against the chilled window. And fell asleep from exhaustion.