A/N Uh oH! Here it comes! okay, I guess I'm pretty happy with this chapter. I think I'm done setting things in motions and now all we have to do is watch the pieces fall where they may. I'm so excited. I was thinking of how I was going to end it and I had a lot of ideas. Even I started to tear up at some of the things my mind came up with. And it's my story. Jeez. Anyways, I sort of promise you that whether you are Team Jake, or Team Edward, you will like the resolution.
Jacob Black was uncharacteristically loving at his party last night. He hovered over me and repeatedly told me how much he loved me. I had no reason to complain because, well it wasn't exactly a bad thing, but the guys were all watching us carefully too. I felt uncomfortable being so intimate with Jake while everyone was around us.
"Bella, I love you," he said.
"I know Jake. I love you too."
"No Bella. I want you to know. I love you more than anything," he looked in my eyes and I could see that he meant everything he was saying. "You...I can't even put into words how you make me feel. I mean...God! Bells it's like I need you, but it's still way more than that. I'd do anything for you."
I grabbed his hand and couldn't contain a chuckle. His words made me so happy that everything around us became insignificant. I placed my hand over his and kissed him.
"Ditto," was all I said. He looked at me disappointedly, but I just tilted my head and smirked. "What? Like I could possibly top what you just said." He rubbed his fingers in mine. "I know exactly how you feel, I love you," I emphasized the word "love". "That says it all."
He smiled at me and I felt the atmosphere start to become intense. We couldn't rip each others' eyes away. Even our innocent touching made it feel like he was still miles apart. My breathing stopped and I gathered myself for a moment. "Hey Jake, not that I mind, but why the need to tell me what I should already know?"
"No reason," he brushed it off. He grabbed me in a tight embrace and we spent the remainder of the night sitting together closely, watching the moon go higher and higher into the starry sky.
I was now getting ready for school reminiscing about Jake. It felt like there was a cannonball resting in the pit of my stomach. I would miss him terribly. Even worse, I knew what was waiting for me at school and I wasn't sure how I would survive without Jake.
I didn't complain much to Jake. I was going to be brave for him, but he still reminded me that I could call him whenever I felt I needed him.
I drove slowly to school and timed it so that when I had arrived, it was already time to go to class.
I had gotten to my seat pretty early and as everyone started pouring in I noticed a familiar someone walking in and it shocked me. I was half expecting this to happen, but I was never able to maintain my calm when he was around.
Beautiful Edward spotted me from across the room and smiled. He waved and started walking to sit next to me. I scooted farther away as he took his seat. He looked at me pleasantly.
"Good morning Bella," he greeted me friendly.
"H-Hi..." I looked straight ahead, pretending to be preparing myself for class to start.
I was relieved when the final bell rang, and did the best I could to ignore Edward. It was difficult because he wouldn't stop staring.
When class was finally over, I darted out and headed straight for my next class. Unfortunately, Edward was already sitting in the seat next to where I sat. He looked up and smiled warmly at me. I faked a smile in response and slouched myself next to him, putting my head down until class could start.
The rest of the day continued out in pretty much the same manner. It turns out, Edward had been coincidently placed in all of my classes. I didn't go any further than exchanging casual greetings with him, but by fourth period, before lunch, I couldn't take it.
I had put my head down in my arms waiting for the teacher like I did the previous periods. I was clenching my eyes shut trying to think of anything but Edward.
Our seat was located next to the window and a slight breeze blew by. His scent wafted towards me, enveloping my every sense. He smelled so sweet. I kept my head down even after the teacher began class. I didn't want Edward to see the moisture that had accumulated around my eyes.
At lunch I sat with Angela and Jess as usual. Alice and Edward were back at their old table, isolated from the rest of the school. They looked so lonely, just the two of them. It was like looking at painting. A modern day masterpiece.
I was doing my best to lose myself in one of Jessica's ongoing stories when I felt a cold hand on my shoulder.
I looked up and saw Alice staring at me gravely, though a smile was on her lips. I glanced at her table and saw that Edward was gone.
"Bella...will you come with me?," I couldn't refuse the emotion that belied her expression.
I got up and Alice led me outside to the courtyard. No one was around, so we sat on a bench together.
"I don't know what to do," Alice suddenly buried her face in her hands.
"Alice, what's wrong?" It was so hard to see the constantly gleeful vampire so sad.
"I thought it would go away, but he's not coming back to me. Jasper...He was trying so hard. We were alone and I was trying to help him, but something snapped. He just...broke."
"What do you mean?" I was scared and confused by what she was saying. I didn't know why she was telling me all this.
"He's so cold. Distant. He looks at me and I can't feel him. I miss him so much, but no matter what I do he won't return to me. He just stopped feeling anything," her eyes were so bright and I felt like I knew exactly how she felt...once.
"What can I do?" I tried to sound sincere. I had a gut feeling like this was somehow my fault.
"Bella, it happened that night Edward went to your room. Something happened between you two, but I'm not sure what. I know your happy now, but I just thought..." She stopped and closed her eyes.
"What is it Alice?"
"No...never mind," she got up. "I'm sorry Bella. I can't believe I was going to even ask you this." She turned around and ran from me, in a slightly faster than human pace. I could do nothing to follow her.
I tried looking for her in the cafeteria, but she was gone. I tried thinking about what she was going to ask me, but gave up when the thought of Jake popped into my mind.
I borrowed Jessica's cell and called him.
"Hello? Bella, are you alright?" He answered the phone urgently.
"I'm fine Jake. I just called to tell you. They're here. They're back in school and I was just with Alice. Nothing bad happened, but I just wanted to keep my promise."
"Promise?" he sounded unsure.
"Yeah, I told you that I would call you whenever I was with one of them." I thought it odd that he would forget the promise so fast.
"I know Bella, I didn't forget. It's just that..." there was a pause. "Oh Bells, thanks for calling. I appreciate it. I'll see you soon?"
"Yeah," I replied. "I love you."
"I love you," he responded with what I thought sounded like sadness and hung up.
Edward wasn't in my last two classes like I expected him to be. I hadn't seen any sign of Alice the rest of the day either.
By the time school was over, I walked to my truck and found Edward leaning against it with his head leaning back and his hands in his pockets. His eyes were closed, but I knew he knew I was there. He was just waiting for me to come.
I walked slowly towards him, bracing myself.
He opened his eyes and turned his head towards me. I stopped in my tracks, caught in his gaze.
"Bella..." he greeted, all pretenses of him being happy were dropped. "I don't know how many times I have already said this to you, and I don't know how many reasons I have to say it, but I say it once again. I'm sorry," I wasn't going to forgive him. For whatever it was he was apologizing for this time. I tried to force my way into the driver's seat but he didn't budge. I walked right into him and he held me by my sides. My body hardened and I tried my best to keep from falling apart in his arms.
"Bella...I can't do this to you. All I wanted was to be a part of your life. I couldn't lose you. I was only thinking of myself, I didn't realize..." he looked at me pleadingly.
"W-wha?" I found myself entranced.
Edward smiled softly. He raised one hand and placed it on my cheek, his thumb wiping away invisible tears. "I smelled your tears," he was talking about fourth period. "I thought we could at least be friends. I didn't take into account how much it would hurt you. I didn't think that I would affect you so much," he smiled again, a little less sad. "I love you and all I want is for you to be happy. I won't let you shed anymore tears because of me. It will probably kill me to do it, but I think...I have to let you go."
I was lost in his touch. He leaned in closer to me...slowly. I didn't move, but just closed my eyes trying to be strong. He placed a soft kiss between my eyebrows and said goodbye before disappearing.
I felt my knees weaken and I managed to make it into my truck before breaking down. I clutched the steering wheel, knowing I wouldn't be able to drive myself home. He was leaving again? I rested my head on the dashboard and let the sobs come out.
"Jacob! I need you." I cried to myself inside my truck. I knew he wouldn't hear me.
I started the engine. I was going to try to drive to La Push. I knew it wasn't safe in my condition, but I needed Jake. I could barely see the road ahead of me, but I changed gears into reverse. My truck rattled and my hands shook on the wheel. I backed out uncontrollably, but then I suddenly stopped. The keys were no longer in the ignition.
Before I knew it, I was in Jake's arms. I was sitting on his lap and I rested my head in his chest. I was crying into him and he just held me close.
"I'm here Bells. I'm here," he whispered.
A/N Okay, here it comes. The next chapter will have The final outcome. I am almost done with this story. This story will be resolved in a couple of chapters. Be ready for some major waterworks. The next one will be the Jake chapter again. it will be his climax in the story. Then some Edward/Jake scenes, then some Jasper/Edward/Bella scenes then some Bella/Edward scenes. Of course, I could rearrange the order of how things happen depending on how I want the outcome to be.