Chapter 19

Okay, so I'll admit it. I thought things would be great, once I patched everything up with Embry. I thought they would go back to normal, and we could be happy again. But they didn't.

Don't get me wrong. It's not Embry's fault. He's been treating me the way he always has- like a good friend. The problem's with me. I can't help but feel incomplete. And every time he's not around I get this sudden longing to go and find him. Even if I'd seen him barely 10 minutes ago.

I was sitting alone at home when the weirdest thing happened. Mom and Dad had gone down to the Clearwater's, for Mr. Clearwater's funeral. He'd died of a heart attack I think, and their family was really freaking out. I'd opted to stay behind. I'm not a coward, but funerals just creep me out. That's when the doorbell rang.

"Jake?" I asked in surprise, as I saw him standing at the door. "What are you doing here? Didn't you go down to the funeral?"

Jake shook his head, without saying anything.

"Are… are you okay?" I asked. "Did something happen?"

"She's gone." He croaked.

I stared at him.

"W-who's gone, Jake?" I asked. But I already knew the answer. I'd known this was going to happen. Everybody but Jake had.

"Bella." He croaked out again. His voice was cracking badly now, and he looked on the verge of tears. "She left. For that bloodsucker."

"Jake, come in." I said, opening the door wider. He walked in, and sat down on the couch, shaking a little. I wondered if he was stable.

"I begged her not to." He continued. "I begged her to stay, but she wouldn't listen."

"Jake, she was never the right person for you." I said softly. I felt a sudden urge to say 'I told you so' but I stopped myself. It wouldn't help the situation. "She doesn't deserve you."

"Right. She deserves Mr. Perfect, the stinking LEECH!" Jacob yelled. "What does he have over me, huh? The bastard hurt her, and I fixed her up! She was in depression before she met me, and I helped her get out of it!"

"She was using you, Jake. She never deserved your feelings." I said.

'But she got them! I loved her!"

He'd stood up now, and was shaking badly. He looked like he was going to phase any minute, and I wondered whether I should even stay there, or run for it.

"Jake, relax." I said, putting my hands on his shoulders. "Just take a deep breath and calm down for a moment."

He breathed in and out, and the shaking lessened. But it was still there.

"Jake, you've always got us." I said. "You're not alone." I gave him a quick hug, hoping it would reduce the shaking. And it worked. He calmed down considerably, looking a bit more relaxed. Until I heard a cough behind me and turned around.

And I saw Embry, standing there with a weird expression on his face.

And he'd just seen me hugging Jake.

I knew where this was going.

"Embry!" I said, letting go of Jake and turning around. "What are you doing here?"

"I met your parents at the funeral." He said. "They told me you were here, so I figured I'd give you company. I didn't realize you already had some."

Oh damn. This was not going to be good. I figured honesty was the best policy.

"Jake came over because Bella's gone." I told Embry. "She left for Cullen."

"I see. So Jake came here." Embry said, sounding disbelieving. "He came over here in a highly emotional state."

"Embry-"

"What the hell were you thinking?" Embry growled at Jake. "Coming over here! What if you'd phased? What if you'd hurt Cherry?"

"Man, I was under control." Jake growled. He was shaking again, looking furious.

"No, you're clearly not under control! Look at you, shaking!" Embry yelled.

Jake started shaking even more badly, and Embry stepped forward, pushing me out of the way.

"Cherry, go upstairs." He said angrily, as Jacob started to shake furthermore, gritting his teeth. "Go, now!"

And I fled. I ran upstairs into my room. I heard a few growls from below, and then the slamming of a door. Then Embry appeared in my doorway.

"What the hell was that?" I demanded.

"He was unstable, Cherry. I can't believe he even had the guts to come over here when he was like that! He could have hurt you!" Embry cried.

"He was upset!" I yelled. "The girl he loved just ditched him, and you kicked him out? He needs help, Embry; he needs someone to comfort him!"

"Damn right he does, but he can't come over to you!" Embry yelled. "You don't understand how dangerous he is right now! A few more minutes and he could have hurt you really badly if he lost control! He was shaking!"

I sighed, flopping down on my bed.

"Whatever, Embry."

He walked over slowly and sat on the bed next to me, taking my hand in his.

"I'm sorry, Cherry. I guess I over-reacted." He admitted. "I just couldn't bear the thought of something happening to you. I couldn't live with myself if I let you get hurt."

And that's when I felt the butterflies again. He'd kicked Jacob out because he cared about me. Because he was afraid that I would get hurt.

"That's so sweet." I said. And then instantly turned red. Because I hadn't meant to say it out loud.

Embry just smiled at me.

"You're adorable when you blush."

Damn. I think I looked like a tomato.

Sorry guys! Really quick chapter, but the next ones will be longer and more interesting, I promise! Thanks for all the reviews and suggestions! I swear, I reread every one like, thrice because they make me feel so good!