Chapter 6 Ain't No Sunshine

School. I didn't miss it at all. I had to hear what an amazing time everyone had on spring break. Jessica went shopping with evil, I mean Lauren. Angela did everything with Ben. I was so happy seeing them together.

"What did you do, Bella?" Angela asked me kindly.

I was hunted by a vampire. "I went to that beach a lot. In La Push."

"With Jacob?" Mike asked, with a little resentment in his voice. Jessica glared at him from the opposite end of the table.

It's official. I guess I have to tell them. "Um… yeah. We're sort of going out."

"That's great!" Angela gushed in her quiet voice. I could tell she was very happy that I've finally moved on. "Are you going to take him to prom? You have to come!"

"When is it?" What could I be doing that weekend? I could go out of town, but I used that excuse last year. I'll just use the classic excuse of sudden illness, maybe a little food poisoning.

"Only in two weeks! We have to go dress shopping!"

Can I get sick twice in one month? No, too suspicious. She's waiting for an answer. What else could I say? "Great!" I said, trying to sound excited.

"How about Thursday? We'll go to Port Angeles again. I loved the dress I got there."

"Ok." I smiled. I think she was too excited to see that I didn't really mean it.

What have I gotten myself into?

…

I drove straight to Port Angeles after school. Unfortunately, now I was at the beach. Alone.

This only time I hated being in La Push was when Jacob couldn't be with me. It was so nerve racking just waiting for him to come back to me, the calming waves not helping at all. Billy told me Sam found a vampire scent, I think, that was too close to town. They were so sure that Victoria was near they had no time to rest. They were determined to get her. Now.

And that's how it was today and most likely the rest of this week. Nothing but waiting and watching the waves roll in.

Except there was something out in the water. It almost looked like the reflection of the sun on the black water, but as I looked up in the sky I realized that was impossible. There was nothing but clouds, not a bit of sunlight.

I walked as close to the water as I could without getting wet. I squinted and tried to get a better look, now it looked like fire. On water? That's impossible…

It started coming closer and I saw a flash of white.

Victoria. She knows where I am. And she's going to kill me.

I leapt up and ran into the forest, knowing that Jacob would be somewhere in it. I hoped he was close by.

"Jacob!" I screamed to the trees. It felt a little pointless screaming at the trees, but I knew Jake or one of the pack would hear me.

This was only the second time I saw her, but she still filled me with such fear I could barely think straight. All that I knew is that I need to run as far as possible, only tripping once or twice along the way.

Less than a minute later I saw at least two giant wolves run past me. Jacob. I would have breathed a sigh of relief, but I didn't want to stop running. I was too afraid to. If I stopped she might catch up with me, wolves or no wolves.

I'm so klutzy that in the three seconds it took me to look to the left, I somehow ran into a tree. I tried to start running again, but two arms wrapped around me. I started screaming and punching, not caring who it was. All I knew is that I needed to run.

The figure grabbed my shoulders and held me at arms length. I looked up and saw Jacob's face. "It's Jacob! Bella, it's me!" He yelled over my screams.

My only answer was a huge sob that shook my shoulders. I was so relieved. My whole body was trembling. I felt my knees give out from under me, but Jacob immediately scooped me up in his arms and held me to his bare chest.

I buried my face in the crook of his neck and held on as if my life depended on it. In a way, it did. Victoria would have killed me long ago if it wasn't for him.

I breathed in his scent, telling myself he would never let anything happen to me. I didn't even recognize he was running until he stopped and I looked up. We were behind his house, next to his shed.

"Are you alright?" He asked me looking in my eyes.

I sniffled. "I am now." He set me on my feet, but didn't let me go of my waist. "Thank you."

"The last thing you should do is thank me." He said rather sharply. "I'm sorry."

Why was he apologizing? "What? Jake, you saved my life, again!"

"I put your life in danger." He said angrily and walked away from me. "We chased her to the water. I should've known. Should've seen this coming. Damn it!" He yelled, taking out his frustration.

Even though I was still far from calm, I needed to try to be for him. I walked in front of him and put my hands on his chest. "Nothing happened, Jacob."

"This was too freaking close." He put his hands on my cheeks and looked me straight in my eyes. "I'm so sorry. We'll always watch over you now. She won't get this close again." He kissed my forehead. "I will make sure of that."

"I know." I knew he was telling the truth. He would do anything to protect me. But still no matter how hard they tried, I couldn't help but think that she will somehow win in the end. Whether I died or one of the pack, she would succeed. I hoped not, but my stomach twisted in worry for them.

EPOV

"What happened, Alice?"

"I don't know. It's as if her future has… vanished."

"HOW?"

"I don't know Edward. I'm trying."

"Try harder!"

If you're constantly concerned, why did we leave?

"Keep your thoughts to yourself."

"It needs to be said, Edward!" It was your choice to leave. Now you need to stop obsessing!

"If you would do what you're supposed to, there would be no need!"

I heard Jasper hiss behind me, but I ignored it, all my thoughts on Bella. Who knows what trouble she could have gotten into without me there? Why would her future disappear? I need to make sure she hasn't gotten herself killed.

I started running. I wouldn't stop until I see her.