Chapter Three What's Love Got to Do with It?

(Bella's POV)

For the next couple of weeks Edward and I hung out in school, and even outside of school.

As the days ticked by like minutes on a clock I started to trust Edward. But that didn't stop me from thinking about Jacob.

I hadn't seen him since that night, more than five months ago. I didn't want to think that he didn't love me anymore, but if he did love me, wouldn't he want to be with me? Those are the thoughts that make me cry at night.

At school things hadn't gotten any better. People still look at me funny, and I'm pretty sure it's because of what happened, and not because I'm hanging out with Edward. None of them made fun of me anymore. After some girls tried to jump me and Edward threatened to kill them, everyone backed off. But there was always that one special day where he'd go off hiking with his family, and I'd be left alone at school.

This is when they usually jump me. I get pushed in the halls by Jessica and her crew. I was the butt of all the jokes and all the rumors. I was harassed constantly. And it just so happened that this was one of those days.

The sun was shinning, not a cloud in the whole damned sky.

I was pushed around all day, but nothing major happened until lunch. I was sitting alone, avoiding all contact, when Jess and her crew came strutting up to my table in the corner.

"Hey! Bella! Where's little Eddy now?" Lauren said in a snide voice. Their little crew sat down around me.

"Hiking." I whispered in a terse tone. It's easier if I just play along with them.

"Oh? So, are you two, like… exclusive?" Lauren asked. Jessica and Kate, the other girl in the crew, laughed softly.

"No. I… I don't date."

"Really? But I thought you dated that La Push kid? You two were pretty tight, right?" Jessica took her turn.

"We were." I choked out. My head was hurting slightly. I was torn. What the hell should I do now?

"Oh, right! He broke the fuck up with you!" That time it was Kate who spoke. "And that's why you attempted to kill yourself!" All of them laughed. I felt the tears roll down my cheeks. And then it dawned on me. Why not give them what they will never expect?

"Yeah. You're right." I raised my head and wiped my tears. "I tried to kill myself, and I would have if I cut one centimeter more. I was so freaking close! I was so close to ending my pitiful life! And I crave that feeling again!" I hissed at them. I quickly rolled up my shirt sleeves and stuck my arms out at them. "One hundred and fifteen stitches, and I used a little razor! Who would have thought it could be so fucking easy?!" Now it wasn't just their stupid group listening, it was everyone in the cafeteria.

Jessica was stupid enough to speak.

"Why even bother, Bella? Who tried to kill themselves?" She scoffed loudly at me.

"Someone who has nothing to live for." I said in a harsh whisper before I punched her in the face. It connected perfectly, right on her eye. While she was crying on the ground I turned to her friends.

"If you know what's best for you, you'll leave me and Edward alone." I growled at them. They nodded quickly, with wide eyes. I turned away form them and ran from the room. I went to my truck and skipped out on school.

I went to La Push. I needed to see him, so I went to his house and knocked on the door. His father answered.

"Bella." He said with uncertainty. "What are you doing here?"

"I need to speak with Jake." I said, trying to control the anger in my voice.

"He's not here."

"That's fine. I'll wait forever if need be… or you could call him and tell him I'm waiting here for him."

Billy looked at me for a moment before telling me he'd call him. He then invited me in before wheeling to the kitchen where the phone was located. I went to the living room and sat on the couch. I got comfy, waiting for him.

I only had to wait twenty minutes. He barged into the house with Sam and two other boys… men? The house was instantly boiling and cramped. My heart ached as I looked at Jacob. He had started to grow his hair out again, but his face still held the anger.

"What the hell are you doing here Bella?" He demanded.

"I need to talk to you Jacob." I stood up and crossed my arms. It's then that I realized my shirt sleeves were still rolled up. I wasn't sure if I wanted them, him, to see my scars.

"Bella. I told you to never come looking for me! It's not… safe." He sighed, still angry.

"Yup. You sure did. But you see, when I don't understand something I ask questions… you catching on yet?" Jacob looked at Sam. I sighed in frustration. "Don't ask him Jacob. I'm right here. I won't stop bothering you until you tell me some goddamn answers!" Sam shook his head and Jacob turned back to me.

"I can't tell you." He boomed angrily.

"Then I suggest you hide, because I'll be camping here." I plopped down on the couch again. Jacob looked at Sam again, who was looking at me. He looked disappointed. I smiled menacingly and flipped him the bird.

There was a feral growl. I looked up to see one of the boys… men?…shaking and taking a step toward me. My eyes widened in disbelief, but before anything else could happen Jacob stood between us. He was shaking too.

"That's just perfect, Jake. Don't defend your brother!" The other one yelled.

"I swear Paul! If you lay one hand on Bella I will kill you!" Jake yelled back.

"Stop it!" Sam and I yelled at the same time. Jacob looked to Sam then me. Everyone was looking at me with questioning eyes.

"If he wants to kill me, I'll let him." I said. I got off the couch again and moved around Jacob, trying not to touch him. "Take me out of my misery!" I held up my arms, just like I did at the school, letting them all see my scars. "I obviously couldn't do it myself, so maybe you can." They were all frozen, staring at me like a ghost. Jacob spun me around to him.

"You need to go home Bella. And don't come back, seriously. Don't ever come back."

"Fine. I have to go anyway. I have to meet up with Edward." I narrowed my eyes as I spoke. I knew Jacob hated the Cullens. Everyone shook, but Sam.

"Cullen? You're hanging out a Cullen? Since when?" Jacob asked, well he demanded.

"Since I got out of the crazy hut." I said flatly. "You know, you could have visited me Jacob. It is your fault I landed in that place." I poked my finger into his chest.

"My fault?" He asked incredulously.

"Yes, your fucking fault. Jake, what happened to us getting married? I wanted to have a family with you so much, but now it disgusts me just hinking about you touching me!" I screamed in his face. I took a deep breath, trying to calm down. "You don't have to worry about me anymore Jacob, I'll stop coming around." I turned my back on him and started to walk away.

"Bella."

"What?" I stopped walking mid-step.

"Don't hang out with the Cullens. They're not nice… people." He whispered. All anger was vacant in his voice, but there was a clear warning there.

"Jacob. I trust them. Unlike you. I don't need you. I have Edward." I pushed my way through Sam ad left.

I smiled to myself as I drove home. I think I was finally over him. For good.

Then my smile got even wider, as I remember my plans for tonight. Edward. Date. I had a real date with Edward Cullen.