Chapter 4. Problems

I didn't fall asleep; I wasn't tired and, again, I was in pain. Edward and I talked almost the entire night, trying to get my mind off of the sharp stinging in my hand and the rest of me. I lay on his chest as he rested on his sofa. We talked about how Charlie and Renee would feel if I left them. I told him I could still visit…but I knew it wouldn't be too often.

By morning, the pain was gone and we got on the subject about my friends. That is when I remembered Jacob.

"Oh my God! Jake!" I knew the news would hurt him…this wasn't something I had thought much about. I knew what he was and what I was becoming. I couldn't bear losing him as a good friend. "I need see him!" I said.

"You know he'll find out." Edward said.

"I know…but he needs to."

"Bella, you're a vampire…half vampire…You now fall into the Treaty. You can't go there!" He said, staring at me with conserned eyes. "It'll be dangerous!"

"Edward, I know…but he's my friend! One of my best. I need to see him…just this once. Probably for the last time…" I trailed off, thinking about how bad this would hurt me. Edward was and is always there for me…and Jacob was too.

He finally nodded. "Do you want me to go with you?"

"No. It'll probably be bad enough that I'm going. That's gonna be enough trouble."

He agreed. "Be safe. Call if you need anything." He said.

"Of course." I kissed him as I walked out of the front door. "Thank you."

He then waved.

I snuck into the house, got my phone, and climbed into my car. I paused for a moment, wondering if this wasn't such good idea. As I drove I realized how easy it was driving as fast as Edward did. And, it was fun.

I got close to Jacob's house, realizing that I should've called first. I entered La Push, pulling the car over to the side. It would've been best to call ahead of time. I dialed his number and waited.

"Hello?" I heard Jacob's voice answer.

"Hey, its me."

"Bella?" He seemed surprised, but happy.

"Yeah, I'm in the car. Actually, I'm here at La Push. I wanted to talk to you. Mind if I visit for a bit?"

"Not at all!" He paused for a second, "Is someone with you." He seemed hesitant.

Crap! I thought, I knew he could smell my scent already. "No, It's just me."

"Oh okay…Anyway, see ya in a bit!" he said and hung up.

"Shit." I muttered. This wasn't going to turn out good.

I pulled into the Black's driveway; I saw Jake peering out his window. He waved and headed down to see me. I took a deep breath. "Jacob…" I breathed.

He walked out the front door, scowling. "You said you were alone." He growled.

"I am! Can I at least get a decent hello?" I asked. If this was going to be my last welcome from him, I wanted it to be nice at least. "Sorry…" He sighed and smiled. "I thought I smelled-"

"I know…" I said. He hugged me. His body heat to mine was extremely warm. He sniffed me and pulled away.

"Damn. You smell like…them." He said. I knew they…or we…didn't smell too good to werewolves. He looked at me, putting a hand to my forehead. "Are you feeling alright?" He asked. "You look pale…and you're cold…" He trailed off. I knew what he was getting at. "You're…"

"I am them." I said. Jake looked furious now, even sad. "Jacob, please." I sounded weak, scared.

"I knew I smelled vampire! It's you! Bella, why the hell are you here!?" He roared. He towered over me, staring at me with piercing eyes. I knew I was stronger, but I was sure he could snap my neck just as easily as before.

"Wait, Jake, please stop." I didn't want his temper to rise…not now.

"They changed you! You know the Treaty! Damn it, Bella, leave!" He had already started shaking.

"It wasn't them! You remember James…" I cried. He simply nodded, his anger still growing. "This isn't why I came, though!" I yelled.

"Then why? To torture me? To taunt me? What?!"

"No…Jake, I don't want things to be like this between us. I want to stay your friend. But will you accept me as one…or just another enemy by fate?!" I could feel myself crying now.

"Bella," He said his voice calm, "You have no idea about how much I care about you…I want to keep in touch too…but you're a vampire! I don't do well with them!" He shook uncontrollably with anger.

"You're doing fine now…" I whispered, staring at his face, wishing he could understand.

"You need to go. Now." He said looking past me. Sam and a few of the others were heading this way. I felt him force me into the car, though, it was more difficult for him to do so. "Go. We'll talk later…" Jake said softly. "Go!"

I sped away, still crying. Through the side mirrors, I could see him kneeling on the ground, pounding it. Sam and the others came, trying to help. I saw all of them look after me, causing me to drive faster. I was sure Jake didn't tell them…but I knew that they too could smell my scent as well as Jake had. I didn't want him in trouble and now I was scared for the both of us.

I pulled back up to the Cullen's; Edward was waiting. I crawled out of my truck, wiping my eyes. I didn't want him to see me crying again. Eh, what was the use…he'd know anyway.

"Didn't go well?" He asked quietly.

"No…we barely talked. He was furious."

"It could've been worse…trust me."

"Yeah…"

"He's been a good friend to you…if he wants to keep that friendship he wouldn't do anything to break it. He'll calm down. He cares about you too much for that…and I owe him for taking care of you."

"He said we would talk later…" I sighed.

"At least he still wants to talk. Everything's going to turn out fine, Bella." He said, rubbing my back.

"Okay." I replied.

Later, I decided I would return to my dad; try to explain something to him. I drove back home, parked the car, and walked inside. My dad was sitting on the sofa, obviously waiting for me.

"Bella-"
"Dad-"

We stared at each other for a moment. He stood up, ready to speak. I didn't let him. I embraced him in a hug, sobbing yet again.

"I'm sorry." I whispered.

"Are you okay now?" he asked. "I called Carlisle, he said you were over their and explained everything to me. You don't have to be sorry."

I didn't know what Carlisle told Charlie, but whatever it was I'd have to go along with it. Thank you Carlisle!

Things seemed to be back to normal…well, as normal as they could get. Alice was right. My dad was fine.

Charlie and I sat on the sofa for the rest of the day, watching TV. Personally, I wanted to go up and read or listen to something…but I owed my dad. Especially, if I was going to have to move out. I couldn't live with him much longer.

"You getting hungry Bells?" He asked as a commercial came on.

I wasn't, but remembering the last time we argued about that I just said 'yea'.

"I'll make dinner…" I said.

"No, I was just asking. I'll make it."

"Dad, its okay. I know you're not the best chef."

"Can I at least help you?" He asked, already heading towards the kitchen.

"Fine." I sighed, but I smiled; happy to know that things were still good between us.

He could chop food. And that was all I made him do. I wanted to get this over with as soon as possible. It made me sad to think that many of the things I was preparing were my favorite foods…now, they didn't look or smell too appetizing.

"Oh." I heard him say. I didn't need to ask. I turned around and saw him holding a finger; it was bleeding. (This was just a perfect example of my luck!) The smell of blood didn't make me dizzy or sick; it ran up through my sensitive nose, a sweet and delicious fragrance. Now that smelled appetizing. I quickly put my hand to my nose, backing out of the room. Edward was right; humans could be that tempting. "I'll get you a bandage, Dad." I said, rushing out of the room.

"Damn it..." I said. My hands shook I grabbed the box of bandages from the bathroom. They spilled over the floor; my hands were unsteady. I sat on the floor for a while, inhaling deeply, trying to shake off the image I had of me lunging at my father. I didn't want to go back out there, not until the mess was cleaned. I had seen the cut though; very small, barely any blood. I looked up around the bathroom noticing the mirror. Would I have those deep black eyes that Edward had when he was thirsty? I was afraid to look.

"Bella! I found some Band-Aids under the sink." He called. "Thank God." I sighed. "Oh, okay Dad!"

I came back in cautiously, I didn't smell anything. "Dad, I'm tired. I'm gonna go to bed."

"Okay. Night Bells."

I was glad he didn't mention me not eating before bed. He ate though; I could hear the scraping of his fork against his plate.

"Bella." I heard my name in a soft, gentle whisper. Still, it startled me.

"Edward!" I said, hearing his quiet laughter.

"You're jumpy today." He said.

"Well, I didn't have the best time downstairs. Anyway, keep it down while Charlie's awake."

"He said he would go out with his buds after you were asleep."

I stared at him, puzzled. "When did he say that?" I asked.

Edward smirked and tapped his head.

"Mind reader…" I scoffed, sliding into bed. Edward lay down next to me.

"Okay. Anyway, I need to talk to you."

"You saw didn't you…?"

"Well, I heard…and smelled…what happened down stairs. I did see you hiding in the bathroom. You handled it well…but still, you couldn't help wanting."

"It was so hard…" I said. "All I could picture was me lashing out at Charlie. It was so hard to resist. Edward, I don't want anyone getting hurt." I said.

"Bella, I know. Like I said, you handled that very well. You might end up better than Jasper."

"Won't I still have to…hunt?" I asked. He sighed. Again, he hated this subject.

"Yes…and probably soon. Like tomorrow." He said.

"Tomorrow?!" I cried.

"Yes…" He said in a low voice. "You seem tired." He said, changing the topic. "I think you should sleep or try at least.

I didn't want to, but I felt exhausted. And, of course, neither of us wanted tomorrow to come.

It turns out I did sleep. But I ended up waking the next day. And today…I would hunt. I got up and looked around my room. The place on my bed where Edward usually laid was cold. He couldn't have left to long ago or gotten far.

I stepped outside, closing my eyes and inhaling the damp air. As I opened my eyes, I saw sunlight. It then hit me and I knew exactly where Edward was.

I reached the meadow within minutes. It was great! And, I only stumbled once…or twice. As I stepped out of the forest, there he was, glowing in the sunlight. He stood like a statue in across the field. I walked to him, grabbing his hand. "Bella…" He grinned, staring up into the sky. He grasped my hand, pulling me up onto his shoulders. "Hi." I said, still holding his hand.

Edward put me back on the ground, making my sit next to him on the grass. "Bella," he started, "You ready today?"

I shook my head but responded with a 'yes'. He was serious now, but he seemed calm. "Okay." I gulped.

"You know bears and wild animals are usually fast. But, not as fast as us. You can outrun them easily. Also, they may be strong, but you have more strength. It's hard to believe but it's true. You're not fully changed yet, but from what I've seen you're fast and strong enough for this."

"I'm gonna hunt a bear!" I exclaimed. There was just no way…

"Just hold up a bit...I wanna see something first. Race me."

"You?" I knew how fast he was…

"Go." He chuckled, his voice lingered as he was already out of sight. I raced after him. I caught up to him, but knowing he was pretty much the fastest out of the Cullens, I knew that there was no way that I'd ever win. And then, (what a surprise) I tripped. He turned back around, helping me up.

"Still klutzy I see…" he laughed. I shoved him playfully and ran…though he caught up in no time.

Finally we made it. And, what do ya know, he won.

"Wrestle me…" He said, "Don't worry, I wont hurt you."

He charged at me fast, and to my surprise, I dodged and leapt at him. Instead of running into a 'wall', he actually fell over. I grabbed his arms, forcing him all the way to the ground. Then, he threw me over and I ended up landing on the grass next to him. I found it fun. We lay on the ground laughing together. "So…was that to test me, or to keep my mind preoccupied?" I asked.

"Both…when Carlisle too me out for the first time…you wouldn't believe how hard it was." He sighed. I had the feeling that both of us didn't want to do this…Hunting would definitely not go on the 'best date' list.

He had gotten stern once again, but I could tell Edward was trying to make the best of it. I knew that he dreaded this. And now, I did too. I prayed that nothing would go wrong.

He pulled me behind a bush, spotting a fox. I gulped as he explained to me what to do. Before the animal knew I was there, I grabbed it. I grasped it leg. It wasn't much of a fight, it wasn't even the least bit hard. Until I heard a horrible snap. Its painful yelp tore me up, and I then broke down.

"Edward," I cried, "I can't…I can't do it."

"Bella..."

"I can't kill it!" I screeched.

"Bella, its dead." He said, lifting my hand off its crushed ribs. I could hear the beating of its heart die down. "No…" I whimpered.

"Oh my god…" I sobbed. I couldn't believe what I had done.

"Shhh…its okay. You have to drink…you won't be able to go much longer without losing control." He said. I knew I had to and I understood.

I looked at the animal. I closed my eyes, breathing in deeply. Then, I opened my mouth, sinking my sharp teeth into its neck. I could feel the warm, red liquid run down m throat. I slowly began to lose focus on everything. I couldn't concentrate or think. I felt Edward grasp me, pulling me back for some reason. I then heard the ripping, ferocious snarl echo through the trees. It felt like my body was going into shock and everything became a black blur. Before I lost myself, the last thing I heard was Edward's voice.

"Bella…NO!"

A/N: Hey, please let me know if this chapter seems rushed. I've been working on it for a while and just been waiting to post it. PLEASE review and tell me what you think!!

-Annie