Chapter 3

Nessie POV

I tried to act calm. Inside, however, my mind was racing. Edella loves Jacob? Oh my God. It feels weird. Not that I hadn't expected Jake to have other admirers, secret or not, because he is utterly irresistible. So sweet. But my own, biological sister…it felt bad, too. Knowing I couldn't bring myself to share Jake with her; he wouldn't be shared.

I leapt up off the log and walked at a normal human pace back to Emily's cottage. "Are you angry with me, Nessie?" Edella asked. The anxiety in her voice was unmistakable. She skipped along at my side, and from the back she looked carefree. But I knew better.

"No." I shook my head fiercely as I spoke. "I don't blame you. Still, I'm not too sure whether Jake will like hearing that news. I don't think I should tell, or should I?"

Edella gasped. "No! Of course not."

I kept my face smooth and even. "Why not? If it is so then I assume that you are going to tell him, then?"

Edella was silent.

"You can't possibly be thinking of keeping him in the dark forever," I added softly. Gently with my sister, so it went. She was shy, and I was usually the braver, bolder one. She was okay with the public and audience and strangers-but she hated to talk about love and romance with people other than me. Not even Mom. We were sisters. We confided in each other. We were the best of friends. Were we going to fall apart fighting over Jake now? I really hope not. I wanted to keep Jake with me and maintain good relations with Edella. Was that even possible, I thought?

"You know it's impossible between Jake and me," Edella spoke quietly at my side. I could tell that she always thought she was much, much worse than me. And always, I would respond with a NOT TRUE, but only mentally. Dad knew what I thought. "Why do I have to tell him if it helps in nothing? Remember what Mom once told us? 'Every action of yours, every word that you utter, must be meaningful in your life, significant in the process of your growth.'"

By then we had already reached Emily's cottage. Jake seemed relieved to see me. Immediately he came over and hugged me. Before either Edella or I could react, he leant down and kissed me.

The kiss was slow and passionate, sweeter than any he'd given me. Though I loved him and very much wanted to hold his cheeks and rub his neck and deepen the kiss, I couldn't let his actions hurt my sister more.

I noticed Edella standing there, her face composed. But in her dark eyes was nothing but pain, pain and more pain. The moment got awkward when Edella remained silent, and Jake was kissing me harder than ever, but I was still and did not return the kiss, much as I'd have liked to.

I fought against his warm arms with my half-vampire strength, and though he was probably strong enough to keep me from escaping, he eventually let me go. He was reluctant, though, of that I was sure.

"Edella, I-" I took a step forward, towards my younger sister, wanting her forgiveness. I know this would have happened, the kiss and all, but not in front of Edella! Jacob needed to know.

At the same time that I took that step, Edella took a step backward. Away from me. I'm sure that's what she wanted, some alone time. I would grant her that.

"You don't have to explain," Edella said, in a pleading voice. "I completely…understand." She turned and ran out the already open door.

"What's wrong with her?" Jake asked, his voice concerned.

This was a tricky one. Edella would probably hate me for this, but I had no choice. I must tell him now.

"Edella…she…" I stammered over those words. Only words. Just get it over and done with, Renesmee Carlie Cullen. You can do it. I know you can.

"Edella loves you!" I cried before running out the door after Edella. Jacob did not move. Out of the corner of my eye I saw him standing paralyzed by the place I'd left him. I had to find Edella.

I followed Edella's scent. Her scent was easy to follow because it was unique; the fragrant smell of cherries and peppermint. I found her seated on the topmost branch of an evergreen tree, sobbing silently. Unlike all vampires, my sister and I could both cry like a human, with real, wet tears.

"Edella, I didn't mean to…" I hopped straight up to the second branch of the tree and called up to my aghast sister. She was on the fifth branch.

Edella took a deep breath and steadied herself. She wasn't angry, only heartbroken. But I had no way of comforting her without hurting her further…

Edella POV

Nessie swung herself quickly up to the fifth branch, where I sat. She slung one arm around my shoulder but I didn't react.

"Edella, sis…" Nessie's musical-bell-tinkling-voice seemed more scratchy, more ragged than usual. "I hope you won't be mad at me, but…I told Jacob about your feelings for him."

I froze in shock. How could she?

As much as I'd like to have stayed calm, and not get angry at my sister, I found that impossible. "It wasn't your secret to tell!" I screamed at Nessie, forgetting everything in my rage. I would have had a go for her throat if: 1, she was my sister, and 2, that would literally kill Jake and I didn't want him upset. "It has never been, and never will be! Now see what you've done!"

Nessie gulped as I snapped at her. "I'm sorry, Edella…there was really no other way to explain, that was a tricky situation! Jake asked why you ran out just like that, what was I supposed to say?"

"Then don't, don't, don't answer him!" I screeched. I winced as pain slashed across my throat, and then decided that it didn't matter. "Why do you always have to explain everything to people? Why must you…urgh!"

I wrapped my arms tightly around the thick bark of the tree and slid down to the forest floor. I ran.

I think Nessie knew better than to follow me.

Did she?