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I had a serious headache that next day. Bella was oddly quiet, she avoided eye contact and acted like a felon. She refused to answer my questions like who was that crazy guy, who the heck is Victoria and most importantly, how the holy hell did she manage to carry me all the way home, cause I know she's not strong enough to lift a ten pound weight, much less 175 pounds of muscle, fast food and teen drama.

All I got were "I don't knows" and "that sounds like a REALLY weird dream Abbs."

So, I decided after school, seeing as practice ran short that day, that jogging on first beach would take my mind off of things.

Namely equine sized hounds and men stronger, faster and apparently hungrier than anything I've ever seen.

I plugged my earphones into my ears and I was off after a good stretch. I concentrated on how my muscles stretched and moved, I focused on the burn that ran through my legs as the run progressed and I tried to keep my mind on my breathing.

Through the nose, out the mouth. Keep it steady, don't over excert-"

BAM! A warm solid brick wall flew into my path and I ran smack into it. I cried out, but before I could hit the floor a pair of warm and strong, sturdy arms wrapped around my torso, preventing my fall into the cold, wet sand.

I tore an earbud out and was about to give this person a piece of my mind before I got a good look at the guy.

It was Jacob.

And DAMN did he change, I almost didn't recognize the guy.

He was at least a foot and a half taller than the last time I had seen him, which had been, like, two weeks now towered over my 5'9 form, my blond curls barely coming to his chin. His arms were huge, muscle bulging from bicep to forearm. His hair was cut short too, no more was the long glossy hair I secretly envied.

And dear Mother Mary and Joseph this guy shirtless left me breathless.

He had been pretty attractive to begin with but shit what miracle beauty pill did this guy take and can I partake?

Focus Abigale.

"Uh...are you okay?"

I shook myself out of my less than pure thoughts and shut my mouth before none too gracefully trying to shove myself out of this guy's arms.

"Fine, just not used to running into half naked men in the middle of January." I retorted, my face still hot from the close proximity we had been in. Jacob smiled and cocked an eyebrow.

"What, does my being shirtless get your panties in a wad?"

I huffed, and when I tried to make a comeback, nothing but an unattractive squeak burst from my lips. I paused, looking at him with an irritated look and a flushed face.

"You wish" I finally managed to gasp out before turning on my heel to leave. I had bigger problems to think about other than this Adonis come back to life.

Did I really just think that?

"Hey, wait!" Jacob called out, and I pause in my storming off to turn around. He ran toward me, and I couldn't help but let my eyes wandered to the guy's basketball shorts and how they didn't leave much to the imagination as the nether-regions-

"Mind if I join you?"

"What?" I ask, again my face going flush. Focus Abigale, the guy doesn't need to catch you undressing him with your eyes.

"Mind if I join you? Two is better than one right?"

"Uh...I don't know, I was kinda out here to be alone."

"Oh…" Jacob said, crestfallen. Suddenly, I felt bad.

"But, maybe I could use the company. Just try to keep up?" and with that, I run ahead. It takes a moment for him to register what I said before he easily catches up to me. We ran with an easy silence, the usual awkward that came with two unfamiliar people spending time with one another oddly not present. After a few more moments of running in silence, I decide to break it.

"So, why are you out running?" I asked, trying to make conversation

"Just trying to get my mind straight I guess. Running makes it easy for me. Always has."

"Ha, I'm the same way." I say "Though, typically I have basketball practice to keep my mind off things."

"You're in basketball?"

"Yup, voted first captain of the varsity team this year. Youngest to ever get the honor." I smile, a prideful beam lighting up my face.

"Wow, congrats!" He looked genuinely impressed, which was nice. "So, how did you get the athletic gene and your sister…"

"Couldn't throw a tennis ball at the broad side of a barn?" I say, my breathing starting to get heavy while Jacob seemed like he could do this for hours.

Jacob laughed, a radiant smile lighting up his features. He was so handsome to begin with, but his smile just seemed like the cherry on top.

"I couldn't tell you. I get most of my looks and talents from my mom. Blond hair, green eyes and the million mile an hour thought process, but I get my sports ability from my dad." I had to stop a second, my breathing coming in gasps. I had forgotten to breathe properly, and now I had a stitch in my side.

"Who needs to keep up with who?" I heard the jerk laugh. I looked up and gave him a look that said "shut up or I'll stab you".

"And speaking of my sister, why are you avoiding her?" I asked, the question one I had been more than anxious to know. This kid had been the one to make Bella cry again. Now I'm not especially close with her, but she's still my sister. Smoking hot guy or not, I am the only one allowed to make her cry.

Even if that was only once, and we were really little and she took my favorite ball. She deserved the right hook.

Focus Abigale.

His smile fell off of his face and was replaced with a grimace.

"It's...complicated."

"You made her better."

"What?"

"After Edmund-"

"Edward?"

"Yeah, him. After he left, she was in pieces. She didn't talk to anyone or even come out of her room for the longest time. Dad almost sent her back to Renee's she was so bad. But, then she starts hanging out with you and she started to smile more, and she finally had someone to help her pick her pieces up. So...what happened?"

Jacob looked at me for a moment, a mix of feelings were written across his face.

Guilt, uncertainty, and hurt were a few. and then one that confused me.

Admiration?

Eh?

"It's...complicated."

"So? Look, I don't give a shit if you explain a damn thing to me, but you at least owe Bella something."

"But-"

"AH! No, I don't wanna hear it. You wanna run with me again, well you can talk to me after you talk to my sister."

And with that, I turned on my heel and ran off.

The next day, I came home from practice with Bella all smiles.

"What's with the rare good mood?" I laugh as she pushes a bowl of vanilla ice cream and froot-loops at me. She knows me so well.

"I don't know...I guess I'm just glad Jacob is talking to me again."

"Oh...you guys are talking again?"

"Yeah."

"Oh, well good for you Bells, glad you have your one friend back!"

I get a weak punch in the arm for the jab.

I went running after dinner, as I usually do, and again bumped into Jacob.

And he asked to run with me again. I couldn't say no now that he had talked to Bella. So, that was how I got a running partner.