Chapter 4

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, New Moon, or any accompanying books. That is the honor of Stephenie Meyer. I am simply a fan writing fanfiction. I do however own this plot.

A/n: Okay so this is Chapter three and it's actually been ready since like November but I didn't have the courage to post it. I just felt that nothing really happened in it but after rereading the chapter tonight I think it's not too bad. Read and review, please and thank you. :))

The rest of the day went by expectantly, as if nothing had happened. I was thankful I'd kept my mouth closed to Mike so I wouldn't have a lot of damage control to do at lunch. I drove home in my truck and Edward told me he wouldn't be able to come over tonight. He'd mentioned going on a special hunting trip with just the guys this weekend.

I went to the kitchen and opened all the cabinets and the refrigerator, trying to decide what to cook. I was in a good mood so I decided to make juicy cheeseburgers and fries, it was far from my normal cooking. While that was cooking I worked on my english homework and Physics. I had Mr. Banner this year also, and he gave us heaps of homework every night explaining it with enthusiasm.

I sighed, took a quick shower and changed into shorts, a t shirt, and flip flops. Jacob had told me to call him when I'd made up my mind which I definitely had and there was no competition anyway. Edward had washed away any trace of doubt that he didn't love me, he did. But apart of me still felt like calling Jake would be a betrayal. But the longer I waited to call him the longer I was prolonging he move on.

I picked up the phone while the thought was still fresh in my mind and I had some courage.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Billy! It's Bella, is Jake around?"

He paused. "Hold on, Bella."

Jacob came to the phone sounding out of breath. "Hey, what's up?"

"What were you doing?" I asked.

"Wolf stuff." He whispered it as if it was forbidden to talk about, although maybe Billy still didn't like that I knew.

"Right well I've made up my mind."

I heard him chewing now. "And you chose Cullen, okay. I still have Maggie."

"And she's okay with it?"

"She was surprisingly understanding, I'm surprised Cullen isn't butt hurt about it."

"He realizes we make mistakes."

"Uh-huh. Well, look Bells, I gotta go but call me sometime."

"So this means we can be friends?" I asked hopefully.

"Well after I found out that I got you grounded for no reason I felt pretty bad and I guess we can be friends since those bloodsuckers can't bite you."

I didn't say anything I only corrected him on calling them "bloodsuckers."

"What do the Cullens call me, exactly?" He asked.

"Jacob Black, Jacob, Jake. Edward calls you "that sixteen year old" a lot."

Jake laughed, "well all of us can't be a million and one."

"Haha, very funny I better go finish dinner now before I burn something and my dad is reminded of my mother and never let's me cook again."

"Ah, I don't think he'd be that harsh. Your dad knows you're a pretty great cook."

"Yeah...well, call me. I'm tired of always being the concerned friend."

Silence. "Okay, see ya." And he clicked off.

Hanging up I immediately wanted to go see him and make sure he was okay but I quickly shook the thought. When Edward was away, if it weren't for Jacob I would have certainly gone insane. It would have just been me, my reckless voices, and no one to even keep me a little bit grounded in reality. I would always be thankful for him and want him in my life, but I couldn't get those feelings confused with being in love with him. I fixed my dad's food and made myself a salad. My stomach suddenly felt terrible, what was wrong with me? Why did I feel like in choosing the love of my life over my best friend was so wrong?

Just then Charlie walked in, smiling warily at me. "Smells good." He hung up his coat, kicking off his shoes and putting his gun away. "How was your day?"

I nodded. "Okay. I decided to make you a completely unhealthy and fattening dinner."

Charlie smiled, "that means it'll be delicious. Just let me go wash my hands we'll eat together."

In all of my boy problems I was also still getting used to my dad being a dad. When I'd first moved to Forks I thought he'd be laid-back and more like a barely there guardian. I was wrong, I'd realized that was just him being nervous and not knowing me. After a year he'd fell into the pattern of dad and more and more rules began to slowly show themselves and routine. Like eating dinner together. I sat his plate on the table and my salad across from him.

He came downstairs and we ate the first few minutes in silence. "Pretty busy day today, a lot of paperwork. I am truly tired."

I nodded picking at my salad. "Yeah...I had a lot of homework, but it's all done. It wasn't that hard once I read over it and everything. I didn't even have to call anyone."

Charlie was silent for awhile, "I think maybe you shouldn't see Edward as much."

I stopped pretending to care about the stupid salad or his boring day of being police Chief in a town like Forks. "Dad are you serious? I'm eighteen years old I can do whatever I want—"

My father slammed down his glass of milk. "No, you can't Bella and I'm tired of this! Of you thinking you're the adult. You can't spend every second of every day with that boy and I'm not going to let you. As long as you are living under my roof you are my child no matter how old you are and you'll do what I say."

I narrowed my eyes. "So what, you're banning me from seeing my boyfriend? What happened to loving the Cullens?"

"I do like the Cullens but that kid is still bad news. And you can see him in school and twice a week. End of discussion." He continued eating now, dismissing me with a bite of his cheeseburger.

I stood up and ran up the stairs as fast as I could, not caring if I tripped over myself. How could my father be so cruel? Not care about my happiness. I mean yes, this was all a result of how unhappy Edward had made me but still! I was so furious I plopped down on my bed. I thought about running away at that very moment but couldn't, I had to wait until Charlie was sleep. I took a bath and put on my pajamas, I lay in my bed for hours waiting on him to really be sleep. Only when I heard his signature snoring indicating a deep sleep did I dare get out of bed. I put stuffed pillows in it, because although Charlie often checked on me he never came closer than the doorway. Something that proved his parenting skills were still a little fuzzy, as any parent would make sure their kid was okay after a huge blowout. But, no time to waste thinking about my father figuring me out. I packed a few basic necessities and clothes before going to my window. I raised it and realized that it was a lot higher than Edward made it look. It was not at all as effortless to get in and out. I shut it as quietly as possible tiptoeing down the stairs. Once downstairs I went to use the phone. I couldn't risk turning on my truck and getting caught from the deafening rumble and I couldn't very well walk through the woods, either.

Just as I was about to call Edward I remembered he was on a three day hunting trip. He'd had this planned for weeks with just the guys, I knew that he would come if I called but I couldn't ruin his trip. Edward spent too much time with me as it is, I couldn't ruin his guy time. So instead I called Jacob, I didn't know who else to turn to. Jessica was a no, I didn't feel comfortable calling her. I couldn't call Mike as he would take my needing a shoulder to lean on for something much more, and there was only...Jake.

Edward had told me more than once that he had no problem with our friendship so why not call a friend? If I avoided Jake that was in some way admitting there was something between us to avoid, which there isn't. I punched in his number.

"Hello?" The voice was small and sing songy, nothing like Billy's who I expected to answer. It could only be Maggie who's voice now came back to mind.

"Hi...is Jake around?" I asked nervously.

There was a long silence. "No, bye."

She kept her voice happy and high but I could hear bitchiness. I had known Angela for over a year—I knew when a girl had hidden loathing for me. I headed upstairs just as the phone rang, I darted to pick it up. Maybe Edward had decided to call me after all which would kind of mean I didn't ruin his trip.

"Hello." I answered happily.

"Bella?"

Jacob.

"Jake! Did Maggie tell you I called?" So she didn't hate me, I was just paranoid as usual.

"No...actually I checked the caller id and saw your number. What's wrong, it's pretty late to be calling?"

I sighed. Why had I called, I couldn't very well tell him I was angry because I couldn't see Edward. "Um, just wanted to say goodnight." I lied. I was not a good liar and especially not good at telling terrible, unrealistic, ones.

"Really? I think you're lying. Look, I'll come over there tomorrow okay we can hangout or something."

My heart beat quickened. "Great! Charlie will be happy to hear that at least."

"Okay whatever that means I'm not even going to ask. I have to go."

He clicked off and I felt a tinge of jealousy. Why was Maggie at Jake's house this late, what could they possibly be doing at almost two in the morning?

I was being ridiculous, they could just be kissing or cuddling but probably not. It made me feel queasy to think that they could be...well, having sex. It wasn't my place but I only wanted to remember Jake for the innocence he had left after the transformation. He was still a kid after all. Suddenly my eyes felt like the imaginary adhesive holding them up was fading. I went to my bed and fell asleep I had something to look forward to in the morning. Before I was dragged into my sleeping state I thought that maybe I was too excited for my own good but traded that thought for none.