A/n: This is where Jake asks for a chance. The conversation may not follow the books or movies exactly, but hey its fanfiction, I made it into the conversation I envisioned

Disclaimer: I do not own the Twilight series or the characters. I can only wish.

Awkward. That's how I view my current situation right now. The movie theater tonight was supposed to be a group thing. But Jessica canceled for whatever stupid reason, Angela got sick, and Eric didn't want to go without her. So it was Mike, Jake, and I watching the bloodiest and goriest movie I could find. Thank God it wasn't a romance movie. That would make it even worse.

I somehow ended up sitting between Mike and Jake, and I can safely say that this is the most awkward situation I've ever been in, and that is saying something. After all, I am Bella Swan. I am the queen of getting stuck in awkward situations. It comes with the territory of being coordinationally challenged.

As it is, both…boys, I refuse to call them men right now, are sitting on either side of me, their hands facing up on the armrests next to me. As if they are challenging each other. As if I'm going to choose one or the other by taking their hand. Would they never give up?

I find myself keeping my hands firmly in my lap, refusing to lean towards either side. Do they not see how childish this is? I wasn't ready for another relationship. I wasn't at that point yet. Would I ever be? I don't know.

The movie ended and Mike became sick, running towards the restroom, leaving Jake and I by the stairs to wait for him. It wasn't long before we headed home. It was just after we dropped Mike off that he made his move.

Oh no.

I listen as he pleads his case,

"I know he broke you. I know you are waiting for him to come back. But Edward isn't coming back, Bells."

I listen in silence. Did he think I didn't know that? I sit in my seat, leaning away from him against the car door, curling an arm against my middle, trying to keep the pain at bay. I knew he wasn't coming back. I wasn't good enough.

"Bells, please you know that I would never hurt you. I love you. I promise that I will never hurt you, not like he did. I can make you happy if you gave me the chance."

Jake is my personal sun. He is my light that saved me from drowning in the deep, dark pits of despair. When I was around him, it was easier to breathe. Like he was the balm to soothe my soul. He picked up my pieces and patched them back together. I wasn't complete, yet I was better than I was.

Ever since he fixed up the bikes and taught me to ride, I have grown closer to him. I wanted to give him a chance, I wanted to believe him, but I couldn't. Edward ruined that for me. He took away my ability to let others love me, my ability to trust in love. I wasn't ready for a relationship yet. I knew that. It wasn't fair to Jake if I agreed when I wasn't ready. I wouldn't be able to give him all of me.

"I can't Jake. I'm not ready for a relationship yet. I need time. And besides, I don't like you the way you like me. I don't see you like that right now."

It was a lie, and we both knew it. But he played along anyway, "That's okay. That could change. You like me best, and you think I'm sort of beautiful. Just so you know, I won't give up. I'll keep pursuing you until I have you."

"Then you might be pursuing me for a long time Jake."

He changed the subject and then dropped me off before leaving with barely saying goodbye.

I hoped he meant what he said.