Bella's POV

All Human

Chapter 9: Standing Still

Jacob and Edward exchanged cold stares to one another; I prayed that they weren't going to do anything stupid. Jacob then took my hand and tried to walk in the other direction but I pulled him back. If we were to leave then that would just cause a heap load of unwanted tensions – not to mention arguments – for everyone.

"Doesn't look like she wants to go. Let Bella go now Jacob!" Edward said loud enough to all most be a shout. Jasper looked anxious whiles he and Emmett staid on their toes ready to move in if anything were to break out. I knew that Rosalie would jump at the chance to hurt Jacob.

If I knew Jacob well enough he would be dumb enough to tell Edward about his love for me and that would only provoke Edward into killing Jacob. So I stopped Edward from walking when I raised my hand out. I stopped him from walking far enough so that Jacob and I could talk without anyone having to hear us.

"No Edward." I said looking at Jacob, Edward had stopped once I lifted my hand and waited for me to let him know what I was thinking. But first I actually had to think of something to say to the both of them, "Jacob and I were talking but Jacob…it just isn't a good time for me to answer you." I confessed turning to Edward, "You need to leave Jacob." I added.

I heard Jacob give a small chuckle, "Bella. I said I wasn't leaving without my answer. Do I need to ask you again?" Jacob said looking right at Edward. Jacob Black was actually playing with my mind like this, and here I thought he couldn't get any meaner.

I looked away from Edward, he was getting inpatient, "Jacob I promise you, I will answer your question, I promise; but you picked the wrong time and the wrong day. Be at my house for brunch if you want an answer okay?" I whispered so that only Jacob could hear me.

Jacob looked at me; my face was pleading him to let me go. At first he looked as if I was asking too much of him, at that point I could only hope that he would just leave and wait for my answer tomorrow,. Jacob looked away from my face and then stepped aside, "See you later Bell's," Jacob said walking away. I watched as he walked down the street. I then felt Edward's hands take mine. I turned around and smiled.

"Sorry Edward, Jake came out of nowhere honest; I didn't know he was going to be such a pain," I confessed looking at everyone. We all gathered back together.

"Leave it to Jacob to make everyone pissed off," Emmett said in a harsh voice, "What were you two talking about that was so important any way's Bella?" Emmett added.

I snapped my head towards him, "Nothing," I lied, "Jacob wanted to ask me something, he made it sound important but it wasn't. I'm sorry Jacob gives you guys a hard time." I confessed.

Rosalie sighed looking away, "That mongrel should stay in La Push where he belongs. But on the bright side I made Bella look seemingly hot." Rosalie commented. For the most part, I think she was trying to be nice…I think.

Alice giggled, "Yeah! Let's focus on the good things guys, now let's go because I'm hungry. Jasper let's go get some ice-cream!" Alice said pulling Jasper into a restaurant. We all followed them inside and took our seats. I probably looked very average compared to everyone.

"Bella are you sure that you and Jacob are all right? The expressions you two had when I came was like you were confessing a deep dark secret." Edward whispered to me.

He was close enough, "Edward didn't I say that Jacob was just being a drama queen?" I asked. I hated lying to him, but I needed to get rid of Jacob first. I needed to answer Jacob…or maybe I needed to get Edward and Jacob to become friends again, "Edward. Jacob won't stop till I admit I love him in return, you're going to have to be patient with him," I asked Edward.

"Patient?" Edward complained, "My ex-best friend now claims to love my girlfriend! How can I be the slightest bit tolerant with that?" Edward asked me.

"Jacob has feelings for you Bella?" Jasper asked. I blushed, this was supposed to be just the two of us in the conversation and suddenly we got the whole family involved this. How wonderful. I sat there and pushed my ice cream around, "Holy crap he does?" Jasper shouted.

Edward sighed, "It's best if you don't shout it out to the whole bloody world Jazz." Edward said.

Rosalie looked disturbed; no it was more than disturbed she looked as if she was going to break out on a killing spree. Emmett took her hand and rubbed it as if he was soothing her bad nerves. Jasper on the other hand looked amused. I was glad that my triangle with Jacob and Edward amused one person.

"Does this bother you?" Alice asked. Who was this questioned directed to.

"Of course." Edward and I said simultaneously. This made us both turn our heads to face one another and our noses hit each other. This made both Edward and I laugh as well as provide some comfort for him, as for me…it gave me an idea of what I wanted to do. Correction what I needed to do.

When we were done with our day out we headed back to the school where we picked up Alice, and Edward's car. Edward offered to drive me home and wait for me until he had to drive me to dinner later that night. How I was looking forward to both events…but my mind was wrapped around the brunch talk that I was going to have with Jacob the next day.

When we got home Charlie was in the kitchen, "Dad, did you eat?" I asked looking around to see if had actually eaten anything. But it looked to me like he didn't get in very long. Edward came from behind me when Charlie's shot a look at me. I made looked at Charlie trying to tell him that I didn't want him to say anything to Edward that would embarrass me.

"Cullen, good to see you back here – uh no Bell's I didn't eat anything; I just got in," Charlie said.

I nodded, "Want me to make you something? Are you going back to work after this?" I asked.

Charlie shook his head no, "I'm going to head down to La Push and check in on Billy and Mrs. Clearwater. Ah Bella I was wondering; you don't want to stop by with me do you?" Charlie asked.

I looked at Edward, his expression remained calm, "Dad I'm going to the Cullen's house to eat dinner remember? I thought Dr. Cullen and you spoke about this," I questioned him as I was getting some food out for him to eat.

"We did. I was just asking, I know Jacob is your good buddy that's all. I am going upstairs to take a shower Bell's, thanks for the food," Charlie confessed to me whiles walking up the stairs. I walked over to the stove as Edward took my hand.

"Has Jacob been over here recently?" Edward questioned me whiles at the same time he took the vegetables that I had in my hand and began to chop them. He was fast and neat, it was impressive; more so than I was.

I laughed nervously, "Yes." I confessed as Edward gave me a weird stare, "What? Billy and my father are best friends and Jacob comes here often so he just so happened to drop in one morning. Edward come on you can't be so cold," I asked but Edward went back to chopping – apparently he can be, "Ok I get it but you do owe Jacob you know?" I asked.

"Owe him! For what?" Edward questioned.

"If it wasn't for Jacob I'd still be walking around clueless. I wouldn't have remembered anything if it wasn't for him. And you and Charlie would have just played along wouldn't you? You owe each other; more than you think you do," I confessed coldly.

***

That night the house had a festive felling, everyone was excited and happy. Carlisle and Esme were in the kitchen cooking as they were dancing to Bobby Darin. Alice and Jasper were sitting on the counter top swaying their body to the rhythm as Rosalie and Emmett were setting the table without looking away from each other's eyes.

That's when Edward and I walked inside and Alice ran over to me excitedly, "Took you two long enough to get here, come on Bella, mom and dad are in the kitchen making something yummy!" Alice shouted pulling me up the stairs when at the same time Edward cunningly grabbed my jacket off of me and hung it up whiles I was being pulled by his sister. Alice was small, she was only five feet tall but she seemed to be the most outburst out of all of us.

"I've only just noticed Alice but…Rosalie and Jasper are here very often." I questioned curiously.

"Yup. Rosalie hardly ever goes home. It's been like this since high school started. Emmett and Rose started to spend so much time together that the Hale's encouraged it to a point where she is here a large majority of the time. Jasper basically lives here also, but his it's because his family are very busy working people in the city, Jazz doesn't like to leave with them so he stays here. Mom and dad don't mind though, as long as we're happy they're happy," Alice explained to me.

"Your parents are very understanding, I'd give anything to be a part of your family," I said.

Alice smiled, "Bella, who said you weren't going to be a part of our family?" Alice asked.

The words of encouragement made me really happy. We walked into the kitchen where all the excitement was. I smiled whiles I watched Carlisle giving Esme a spin; at the same time Alice and Jasper were rating them out of ten with their fingers. My eye wandered over to Rosalie and Emmett who were smiling watching their parents dancing and cooking. Emmett's hands were patting the rhythms of the song on Rosalie's stomach as she laughed whenever he tickled her.

Edward laughed under his breath, "This is my family." Edward said whiles his hands began to wrap around my waists as he pulled me closer to him until my back hit his chest.

I smiled helpless, "I love your family Edward. There isn't any other place in this world I would rather be."I confessed. It was true, being here was the happiest place I could think of. There is nowhere else I would rather be than in Edward's arms, with his family.

We all sat down at the dinner table when Esme and Carlisle brought the food and everyone began to dig in. Rosalie sat across me and beside Emmett whiles Alice sat beside Emmet and across from Jasper with was sitting on one side of me. Edward sat beside me but also near to Carlisle who was sitting at the end of the table. Esme sat on the other end of the table beside Jasper facing across from Carlisle.

"Enjoy the meal, it's Italian." Esme said looking over to Carlisle; the two looked at each other and smiled, it was like they were falling in love. Was that how I looked at Edward? If so then I must truly look like I was lost all the time. I smiled and dug into the delicious meal.

***

It was early the next morning when I was just finished getting ready – though I had yet to comb my hair – and the door bell rang. I knew it could only be one person so I walked to the door and to my sarcastic surprise there was Jacob standing in the door way. He grinned at me and walked inside. I didn't need to know where he was going; the first place Jake would go in anyone's house was the kitchen.

"Good morning Bella, did you have a good time yesterday?" Jacob questioned. He was of course being sarcastic. He picked the perfect way to start a conversation.

I followed him into the kitchen, "That was childish of you Jacob! To act that way in front of Edward and everyone else. You asked the question at the wrong time and as for you answer Jake…I'm with Edward. I can't be more clear than that." I confessed. Truthfully I think.

Jacob on the other hand didn't seem amused, "Bella, you don't think I am going to believe that do you? I know that you and Cullen aren't happy," Jacob admitted.

"We're not happy Jake because somehow you and Edward are always thinking about one another in the worst possible way. The hate that you two share for one another is just irritating everyone. And since Edward found out that you like me he hasn't been able to let me rest in peace! Not to mention that your appearance yesterday did no help things between us Jake. I want to be happy Jacob; why can't you just leave me to be with Edward?" I asked.

"Because you are not happy with him Bella. The only way that you can ever be happy is if you are with me. That is the only way I think you will ever be happy. Cullen will never make you happy, like I can," Jacob said. His voice was ice cold that it made me shiver.

I sat down on a chair in the kitchen, "I'm in love with Edward, Jacob."

"Bella be honest; do you think that you would be in love with Edward if I didn't make you think about it? Do you think that you would have thought about him so much if I didn't bring it up? It was a stupid mistake on my part." Jacob told me.

And he was right, if Jacob never mentioned it I don't think I would have thought that Edward and I could ever be in love. Up until Jake – and his infuriating ways – I thought there was little chance of me ever being with Edward. But that was before I knew, and before I thought about it. There was a feeling that I had for Edward that was there even when I didn't remember. That feeling was my love for Edward, the missing part of me. And since then things have changed.

Now that I remember, now that I have made my choice, I am going to stick with what I have chosen. Jacob is just going to have accept it. It's the only way I can put some peace in my own mind…even if it hurts the both of us.

I made my hand into a fist, "Jacob…I'm in love with Edward Cullen." I confessed again. And if he were to ask again, that would be my answer every time.

Jacob then threw a plate at the wall, I watched the plate fly across the room and shatter when it hit the wall. Seconds later Jacob picked up a cup and threw it on the floor. I watched as the anger in his body began to show in his eyes like burning fire. Jacob didn't look like he was going to stop because he began to throw the chair until it hit the living room.

"Jacob!" I shouted. My thought at that moment was what was Charlie going to do when he saw the mess when he came home later tonight. But my focus returned to Jacob, "Jake what the hell are you doing? Stop trashing my house." I complained.

Jacob then walked over to me and grabbed each of my arms and held them tightly, "Ouch Jacob your kind of hurting me let go of me," I complained to him but it didn't look like he was going to listen to me. I watched as the anger took over his self control, Jacob wasn't himself in that moment. I knew because his eyes weren't his anymore, it was the eyes of an angry seventeen year old boy who just got rejected. Sounds cold but true.

"Bella how can you be so blinded by the truth! Cullen is worthless!" Jacob shouted. His grip didn't ease off of me. I didn't know what do, Jacob was so angry that I don't think he was going to listen to me. As I felt his hands growing tighter around me arms I began to get worried. Not for me but for Jacob…all I could do was stand there when he was obviously hurting.

Jake's anger was blinding him…I didn't know who to call out too…where was Edward when I needed him!

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