My eyes fluttered open. My rest was limited, because I could not drift away when I wanted to sleep. I was in between sleep and consciousness; I was in my own twilight. My body felt warm and heavy at the time. I scooted my body upward the teensiest bit to crane my neck around the room. My lips upturned in a silent smile as my eyes fell on Jacob, arms draped over my body as he snored lightly. His face was serene as he slept, lips slightly parted as little bursts of noise escaped his chest.
I wiggled my legs a little bit and realized he had wrapped his legs around mine. I stifled a giggle, he was so protective. I inhaled deeply, letting the air run coolly through my nostrils. Jacob's scent burned me little now; he smelled more like forest than anything else. I could smell popcorn wafting in from the other parts of the house and I could hear the pack hooting and yelling while watching TV.
I closed my eyes and reflected on what had happened. Edward – my heart stung as I thought his name – was gone. My angel, my Greek God and savior – had left me once again. I played with the ideas in my head, as to why he left me. Perhaps he couldn't live with himself? Maybe my blood was too much for them, and after it was spilled they had to leave so they didn't kill me before my change was over. Or possibly, my screaming drove them all mad. I closed my eyes tighter than before, creasing my forehead. It hurts so badly, to think about them. I wouldn't let myself become a wreck, not this time. I could not waste months of my life mourning over someone who seemed not to care anymore. I refused to let myself crumble again, I simply refused.
Jacob stirred behind me, pulling me closer to his warm, bare skin. Something inside me fluttered as his breath slid across the back of my neck. "Jake, Jacob?" I whispered loudly, moving my body a little against his, trying to nudge him awake. He grunted. "Jake!" I hissed, twisting my body around in his grip. "Jacob Black, you wake up this instant or I'm cutting your tail off!" I screeched in his ear.
He shot straight up, eyes wide and panicked. He had one arm wrapped around my waist still and he was glancing around the room quickly. Just then four – also wide eyed – boys barged into the room through the little door. Quil and Embry's mouth hung open in a silent 'o,' then before anyone could even react they were doubled over in laughter.
"Oh. My. God." Embry gasped for breath as he spoke, on his knees from the laughter. "Way to go Jake!" He howled. I cocked my head sideways, confused. I felt Jacob slowly untangle his arm from my body. I turned to look at him and his cheeks were a deep shade of pink. Then I understood.
"Shut up you guys," he mumbled, intently studying the patterns on the bed spread.
I threw myself out of the bed and was in front of the boys in an instant. I grabbed Quil by his ear and pulled him off the ground. "You are a disgusting little pervert, and you should be hit in the face with a newspaper you little flea bag," I hissed in his ear as I pushed my way through the other three men. I pulled him – by his ear – through the house and to the front door. He shrieked in pain as I threw him off the front porch and onto the wet gravel.
I turned around as he started brushing himself off. "Which one of you are next?" I growled. Paul and Embry squeaked passed me silently, taking their place beside Quil. Sam put his hands up in mock defeat.
"Nice job there, I couldn't have said it better myself," he chuckled, excusing himself from the house. I closed the door behind him, smiling a little. I turned around and Jacob stood there, awkwardly, his cheeks still warm and red. He looked…exceedingly appetizing just then.
"Sorry," he muttered.
"It's no problem," I chirped, already in a better mood. I heard a low growling noise coming from his waist. "Jacob are you growling at me --," I stopped, realizing something suddenly. "Oh! You're hungry, you're stomach is growling!" I giggled uncontrollably as he covered his stomach self consciously, muttering about 'stupid leech hearing.'
Instinctively I wandered towards the kitchen, rummaging through the cupboards, searching for food. I found some noodles and sauce, and decided on spaghetti with some garlic bread for Jacob and Billy's dinner. Billy would have to come home sometime, and he'd have to eat as well.
They didn't have any garlic bread, so I had to get creative and throw some butter and garlic powder on toasted pieces of Italian bread. Jacob never took his eyes off me, even as I stirred the noodles. Sometimes he'd pipe up and we'd make some small talk for a few moments.
I poked around in his freezer until I found some ground beef. I tossed it in the microwave on high for about 15 minutes, waiting for it to thaw. I flopped into the folding chair next to Jacob. He froze and began staring at the table, inspecting every inch in front of him.
"Jake," I startled him as he looked up, "what is wrong with you? Why are you acting so skittish?" I paused, "I'm not going to hurt you," my voice was full of hurt as I spoke.
His eyes widened in shock and he started speaking immediately. "Bella, no it's not that, don't ever think that," he stumbled over his words and he was talking much too quickly. He threw his hand onto mine, and started talking again, "Bella, I'm in love with you." He blurted out.
I stared, shocked. His cheeks flushed soundlessly as he watched me. I opened my mouth to speak, but closed it again, not knowing what to say. His eyes pleaded with mine. "Jake," I started, quietly. "I l-love you too, but just, not in that way. Not right now," I let my eyes fall to the linoleium floor.
He squeezed my hand tightly, "it's better than nothing," he smiled reassuringly.