Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or New Moon. Stephenie Meyer does.

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Chapter Three: Conflicted Friendship

The next morning, after spending the night looking around the Cullens' extensive library with Edward, the door opened and Carlisle poked his head inside. "Bella, there's someone here to see you."

I gave him and Edward a puzzled look and cautiously approached the open library door. "Who is it?" I asked.

Carlisle didn't answer. I took that as a bad sign. I walked past him, Edward, being the overprotective person he is, came hurrying beside me.

I swiftly walked down the large staircase to see who awaited at the bottom.

"What are you doing here?" I hissed at him, not noticing how you could see my fangs when I spoke with such venom as then.

"I see you've broken the treaty," Jacob spoke past me at Edward.

"Hardly," Edward said, narrowing his eyes and glaring at Jacob.

"Either you've broken it or you haven't. It looks to me like you have."

I was suddenly overcome with such loathing of the boy in front of me, all I could do to keep from lanching myself at him was to clutch my hands, which were now curled into fists, at my side.

"It was my choice," I spat at him with as much furiousity as I could. "If you have to blame someone, blame me."

"Who was it that turned you?" He ignored my request.

"That would be me." Edward said, stepping off the bottom stair to stand beside me. He protectively wrapped a granite-hard arm around my waist.

Jacob sneered at him, "I suspected as much. Bella, how you could want this for yourself? You seemed perfectly happy with being human. Why did you want to turn into monsters like everyone in this room?" His voice held sorrow and what sounded like desperation.

I took my time answering, my head bowed towards the floor in thought.

"Well?" He prompted, taking a dangerous step towards me.

I lifted my head, I knew my eyes must have been black with fury. "I wanted this, Jake. I was bored with my old life. I wanted out. I wanted to be with Edward without people getting in the way, especially people like you."

Jake took another pleading step toward me, "Bells-"

"Don't call me that," I interjected.

He continued as if he didn't hear me. "This life is not a good life for you."

"Oh, and how would you know what's good for me and what's not?" I asked, glaring coldly at him.

I could see his body beginning to shake violently as he tried to control himself. "Because, did it ever occur to you that I love you?"

I could hear Edward growl at him, though only someone with enhanced, sensitive hearing like vampires could hear it.

I heard a popping sound and looked towards the living room to see Emmett on his feet; he had been cracking his knuckles menacingly.

"Yes, well, I don't love you." I told Jake harshly, hatred dripping from my voice. "You wanted me to abandon Edward when he was going to get himself killed. That was selfish and coldhearted of you."

Jake looked like I'd hauled off an slapped him across the face. "Bella, I know what was running through your head before she turned up at your house." He jerked his head over towards where Alice was watching with Jasper, Emmett, Rosalie, Esme and Carlisle.

"Dammit Jake! You don't know what I was thinking! You only think you do. And you're wrong. I don't love you; I never have and I never will. Just get that through your thick skull and accept it!" I very nearly shouted at him. "My loyalty is to Edward. It has been all along."

I felt Edward tighten his hold around my waist, probably afriad I'd loose control and rip Jacob apart then and there. And I'll admit, I was close to doing just that.

Jacob gave me a look of pure resentment. I knew then that he apparently hated me more than I could have thought possible. But mixed with that hatred, he look sad and - dare I even say it - heartbroken.

I felt a tug at my heart, but willed myself to keep my expression cold and forbidding.

Jacob looked up to meet my eyes and Edward was silent at my side.

"Well..." Jake said, sounding hesitent as his voice came out broken. "I-I think I should be going now,"

"Yes, you should." Edward and Emmett both said, taking a step foreward.

Jacob turned and walked towards the door, his head bowed low. He opened the door to the cloudy morning and took one last fleeting look at me, his eyes seeming to be filled with tears. "Good-bye, Bella."

I found that my expression was no longer hard and cold, my expression and my eyes softened somewhat.

I looked up at Edward, his eyes were still locked on the closed front door. And I'll admit: his expression scared me slightly.

Looking over at the others, who quickly looked away from me to make like they weren't staring at me, I walked up the stairs towards Edward's room, my eyes glued to the floor. I could feel tears blurring my vision. Why did I have to be like that to Jacob? He was my only best friend besides Edward and Alice.

Seeing how I'd made him feel, I could only hate myself. He was, after all, only trying to look out for my well-being. Even if I was perfectly happy the way I am. He had his opinions, and I had mine.

The only thing that worried me was if he would tell Billy or Sam. Though, I was sure they probably already knew. This could get ugly.

I paced Edward's room in front of his couch, my hands clutched so tightly my nails were digging into the palms of my hands.

Then, I was pulled against something hard, and arms wrapped around me. "It's okay, Bella." Edward whispered in my ear.

I found that I wasn't able to cry about this, so I just let him hold me to him, my eyes staring blankly at the plush, carpeted floor.

"I can't believe this..." I whispered brokenly at last. "Why did I have to be like that to him?"

"Because you should have. He had no right to say those things to you." Edward said firmly.

I raised my head, my eyes locking on his tawny ones. "But...he was only looking out for me...I guess I can't completely hate him for that."

"You mean what you said though? You don't love him, do you?" Edward asked me, there was something in his eyes, something unidentifiable, but I made positive to assure him.

"Edward, no. I love you. Not him. That's how it will be for all of eternity." I stood on tip-toe and softly pressed my lips to his. "Don't worry, okay?"

He nodded, pulling my hair away from my face. "I won't worry. I know how you feel about things."

"Good. Now we can just...move on from this, right?" I said, hoping to just forget this whole situation with Jake.

"Everything okay in here?" Esme's soft voice called from the doorway. I looked up from where I was in Edward's arms to her and nodded, giving her a small, reassuring smile. "Yes, everything's fine now."

She nodded, her eyes knowingly boring into mine. "Well, good. I know that must have been hard for you..."

I gave a half-shrug half-nod, not really knowing how to respond to that.

"Well, just wanted to check if you were all right." She said as she backed out of the room and headed back downstairs.

I sat down on Edward's couch, leaning my head back, and closing my eyes. Edward sat beside me and put a hand on my knee. "Are you okay?" He mumured as he planted a small kiss on my jaw.

I opened my eyes to look at him and said truthfully, "No."

"Bella, don't worry about him," he spoke with venom which quickly disappeared for my benefit.

"What if I can't?" I questioned, my eyes pleading for him to understand.

"Well, then, I can try to help you. Bella, he's your enemy now, as are you to him. Nothing is going to change that easily." Edward said to me softly.

"I know," I said wearily, "But why can't things be different? Why can't everyone just forget about the damn treaty?"

Edward sighed, "I don't know." He told me truthfully. "I wish I did, but that isn't possible right now. The treaty has been in effect for a long time. It would take a lot to change something so important to the werewolves and vampires."

I nodded, absorbing this. "I guess you're right."

"I know I'm right," He said cockily, grinning at me.

I pushed him in the arm playfully, "Oh get over yourself already." I teased him.

He got a glint in his eye and said, "You know me better than that." He pulled me against him and kissed me, holding my face in his hands, stroking my cold, pale cheek with his thumb.

Suddenly, all my troubles and worries went away, even if it was only for the time being.

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Sorry it's kind of short. I'll try to make the next one a bit longer. Review Please!!