*A/N* Well guess what - X-mas is steadily approaching and I haven't gone shopping yet. Oh well, that can wait. Back to J&B and more important things. It's now two or so days after Edward broke the news of Jake's leaving. The timeline in this chapter happens hours before Jake and Leah's heart-to-heart at the airport, Bella's perspective. Music influences me deeply. The song I was listening to, which in effect inspired my last few chapters was "Never Say Never" by The Fray. I always think of this song when I think of Bella and Jacob, especially at the end of this chapter. You'll see why.
Points Of View
(Bella)
Driving myself to work was nice, it gave me time to think. People here would probably never know it, but I was quite the loner in Phoenix. Not really on purpose, it just always seemed to work out that way. A lot's changed. I'm not really good at being alone anymore. These years in Forks has afforded me all the love, comfort and familiarity I could have ever wanted, and didn't know I was missing. So much so I hardly ever even thought of Arizona anymore.
But these last couple of days I've felt so alone, and I'm not sure why. Edward is still here, he still loves me and still wants me. And while I'm happy about that, I still don't feel like myself. Is it any wonder? These last couple of years has been a helluva ride, as is typical for my life now.
It being a nice sunny day I rolled down the window of my truck as I made my way through town to work, opening it just enough to get some fresh air and let the wind glide across my hand. I liked this feeling, the feeling of the wind rushing past me, the sound it makes as its moving through my hair and against my shirt. The roar of the engine loud and strong, so much like when…
"Damn!" I cursed myself for the memory it evoked. I realized I was going head-long into a memory of riding my bike with Jake. Cursing the window of all things, I rolled it up as quick as possible.
He doesn't come up in every thought I have but when it happens it's like getting sucker punched in the stomach. I don't even realize I'm doing it until I'm halfway in it. Feeling regret for how things have turned out, I tried to console myself with the fact that Jake and I are on different courses now. I knew Sue had offered him a trip to Hawaii, he'd be crazy to turn it down but I just didn't expect him to actually consider it. When did he decide this? I didn't even know he could do that, what with pack business and his duties to the tribe, etc. He's only 17, he's got no business just taking off like that! And how can Billy just let him go? Jacob's probably not in the best position to make these kinds of choices. I know its just for a visit but still. I know Jacob; something about this seemed off. I just couldn't put my finger on it.
I'm being stupid, I know this, but I couldn't help feeling hurt by the exclusion. Billy told Edward that Jacob would be gone until he felt better. Well when is that gonna be? A week? A month? A year? If Edward hadn't called over there looking for me a couple of days ago would Billy or Jacob even have called me? Didn't anyone think I might want to know that Jacob was leaving?
He was gone for weeks last time. I know these people, they don't just "get over" things, they tend to hang onto them for-a-really-long-time.
Until he felt better. Great. I mean, I'm all for feeling better but why did this give me a really bad feeling? I didn't react well to the news. As soon as the words came out of Edward's mouth something in me just went crazy. I went completely on instinct and insisted I go to the reservation but Edward refused to take me.
I told him to take me back to my house then so I could drive my truck but he took my keys away. He said I was too emotional to go anywhere. I was furious with him and got out of the car and started walking back. Even though it was miles and miles away I didn't care. I'd hitch if I had to.
He swung the car around and blocked my way and we ended up having our biggest fight ever, right there alongside the highway. This was right after we just made up.
The situation was hard for both of us, I couldn't be sure of his motives anymore than he was sure of mine. Frankly, I don't know what I would have said to Jacob if Edward had let me go. Maybe try to talk some sense into him but who am I to say anything? He's made no attempts to contact me for weeks. It was clear to me that he's putting as much distance between us as possible and maybe he's right.
Edward and I eventually did make up, but not before he pulled out a poor sapling or two. I mean, hey, if that's what he needs to do to vent, so be it. Washington's full of trees.
For the last couple of days everybody's been doing things as if nothing happened. I worked, Edward hunted, Charlie watched his sports, and Alice chatted my ear off as she sat on the counter watching me cook. Yep, everything was perfectly normal and serene.
So why wasn't I happy?
Not that I'm unhappy just a little―off. Well, it IS August 13, the day of our almost wedding, maybe that was it. Edward made a point of going hunting today, he wouldn't be back for at least another day. I guess I don't blame him. I'm just going through the motions myself as if stunned. I wasn't the only one dealing with my new situation. As it turns out Alice was really worried about me. First the wedding, then my change of heart about being turned, and now this business with Jake. I could tell she had a lot of things on her mind. There would be times when I'd wonder why she got so quiet and there she'd be, staring into nothing, not blinking. Alice did this a lot now, probably more than I've ever seen her do. She was looking into my future about every 5 maybe 10 minutes. "It's just a precaution," she would say. But I knew Edward was having her keep an eye on me, again.
After thinking about it, I realized Edward was right about one thing. Jake and I have said our goodbyes, he's doing his own thing and I'm doing mine. It would be cruel to drag it on. We've said all we had to say. I don't know if it was enough, but it would have to be. It's done and over with, time to move on. And maybe just maybe, if I keep telling myself this enough times, I'll actually start believing it.
I walked into the store to find Mike and Lauren getting way too friendly for a family-oriented sporting goods store. She was on the counter with her legs wrapped around him and he was nuzzling into her neck and shirt. Between kisses she was laughing and throwing her head back obviously trying to get the attention of anyone nearby, really putting on a show. I guess it was force of habit because no one was in there, yet. I wondered what in the world Lauren Mallory would do if she didn't have an audience. Shrivel up and die? One can hope.
Truth be told I'd never seen her so happy or Mike either. He was practically purring these days. They were oblivious to my being there, until the sensor chimed causing them to jump.
"Oh, Bella! Um, we didn't hear you walk in," Mike said as he jumped away from Lauren. He was being careful to pull as much of his smock down over the front of him as he could. I suddenly regretted seeing what he was hiding. Ewww.
It was hard, I mean difficult to even think of Mike like a guy. Like a real one with real hormones and stuff.
"I see that," and smiled a meek but knowing smile at them. Lauren was too busy adjusting herself to join in.
I looked around the store and it was dead. "Where is everyone? I thought summers were always busy."
"Well it is usually, during the summer. School starts this week remember," he said.
"Oh yeah. I guess the time just got away from me. So I guess you won't be needing me much today huh?"
"Probably not, it might pick up later but it's nothing me and mom can't handle." Lauren continued to hover and practically groped the poor guy right in front of me, staking her claim no doubt.
"So, Bella," Lauren asked mischievously, "now that you and Edward aren't getting hitched anymore does that mean that you and um―oh what's his name―Jacob are going out?"
What? Damn! She's got a lot of nerve!
"No! Why would you think that?"
She shrugged, "Oh I don't know, maybe because-"
"Sshhhhh!" Mike shushed her before she could get herself, and him in trouble.
"No, Mike it's okay. I want to hear what she has to say." I didn't really want to hear anything she had to say, but I didn't want to let a stain like Lauren think she got to me.
Mike shot her a look but she ignored him. "It's not a big deal, it's just I've noticed that you can't seem to function unless there's some guy holding you up, that's all. I mean first it was Edward, then Jacob, then Edward again. I figured Jacob's turn was coming up just any time."
I was mortified and livid, and shocked, mostly shocked. What gall! I could actually feel every part of my face and body light up like a Christmas tree. I'd burst into tears, or flames, if I thought it would help but I knew she'd really get a kick out of that. How long had she been holding onto this? I should have known Lauren wouldn't change, why should she?
I was just too stunned, I couldn't think of a comeback, I couldn't think of anything. A year seemed to pass yet it had only been a few seconds. Mike looked extremely embarrassed, too, as Lauren looked on triumphantly.
As embarrassed as I was for myself, seeing Mike's embarrassment really ticked me off. She was obviously loving the fact that this was his family's business, my employer, and the fact that she was dating him must have made her feel untouchable. Mike's never been anything but sweet to me. Seeing her take advantage of the situation shook me out of my daze.
"Wow, Lauren," I said. "That was really below the belt, even for you."
Her smile lessened somewhat but she held firm.
I continued, "High school is over or didn't they tell you? Wait, you did graduate, didn't you?"
All traces of her smile were gone now, replaced with confusion and disgust.
"Of course I graduated, you…I was there with everyone else, Bella Swan. I even went to the after-party at the Cullens!" she said defiantly.
"Really? Huh? That's funny, I don't remember seeing you. It's no wonder really. I tend to not notice things of no importance." The look on her face was priceless.
"Are you going to let her talk to me like that?" she squawked at Mike.
"Oh now you want me to talk? Sorry, I don't work that way, babe." The safe harbor she had been counting on let her down.
She looked just as hurt as she was shocked.
Mike sensing this tried to defuse the situation, "Okay ladies let's just stop bef…" But before Mike could even get another syllable in, Lauren huffed off in a snit into the back room. She wasn't used to hearing me take up for myself, but no one was more shocked than me. Where did that come from? I guess nothing changes your perspective better than being chased by ravenous vampires. Next to them, Lauren's attack was totally lame.
Mike and I just stood there, too stunned to say anything at first, although a small smile threatened to spread across my face.
"I would say sorry, but I'm really not. She's been dying for some of that for a looong time," I explained.
"I know. I thought…Well anyway, I'm sorry, Bella. I don't know what got into her."
"No worries. I can handle Lauren," and I actually felt confident that I could. Whispering now, "I do actually remember her at those things by the way, but don't tell her that. She just always wants to be the center of attention. She must have spent hours on her hair, makeup and dress, I knew THAT would be the thing to get her," I said smirking.
Mike laughed, I could tell he was relieved I wasn't going to blame him for Lauren's attitude. I was just glad to see he wasn't mad at me. With everything else happening in my life, I couldn't stand yet another person being mad at me.
Things settled down enough for Mike and I to talk a bit. Lauren stayed in her hole which was fine by me.
"So, what did ya do on your day off yesterday?" he asked.
"Nothing big, just hung around the house mostly, oh and packed. Lots of things to do before we leave for school."
"Yeah tell me about it. Mom's been weepy for days. I don't know how she's going to handle me going off to school."
I giggled, "She'll be fine. Parents are weird. We drive them crazy, but then as soon as we're ready to leave they don't want us to go. They still think of us as little kids, I guess."
"Kids? Hell, mine calls me 'Baby' still."
I giggled.
"I'm serious, don't laugh, it's embarrassing. She only stopped doing it in public this last year! We were in the grocery store, Bella, the grocery store!" Imitating her voice, 'Oh Mike baby, can you get me some broccoli and lettuce please?' Oh the horror!"
I laughed so hard. The mental image Mike gave me was just too precious. "I'm sorry to laugh at your pain but that's just too awesome!"
Still laughing, I accidentally bumped into the counter and heard a little tinkly sound behind me. I turned and saw a new display of jewelry on the display rack near the register. Some of the heavier items swayed slowly to a stop as I looked at them. They were beautiful, very intricate and extremely well-made. Where did this come from?
"What's this?"
He looked surprised. "Uh, we got some new inventory in so we're putting them up for sale today." He looked slightly confused now.
I continued to look at them with much interest. Beautifully made beaded earrings, chokers, bracelets. Some made with deer hide, some with sterling silver and other materials I wasn't familiar with.
"What's this made of?" I said pointing to the beige circular drop earrings. The disks were polished smooth and looked like pieces of wood at first but were too dense to be mere wood. They were adorned with green gems that looked like jade and on top of it nearest the earring hooks were freshwater pearls.
"Oh those, aren't they cool? They're caribou antlers I believe."
"Caribou? I didn't know there were caribou around here?"
"Mmm, not so much around here anymore, they're more common up in Canada. Pretty cool huh?"
"Yeah."
"He really did a good job on them," he said.
"He who?"
"Jacob Black, silly. These are all his, well I don't mean his-his. I mean, he made them. The bracelets are his dad's work, too, I think, but mostly Jacob's. Didn't you know?"
I guess the look on my face told him I didn't. I quickly looked back at the display. Hearing this made me see the pieces with new eyes. I should have recognized it. Even the animal carvings on the bracelets were made in the same style as the wolf charm on mine.
"I had no idea. I mean of course I knew he's made things before but nothing on this scale. This must have taken him weeks, maybe months!"
"At least that, you know, just by how much stuff there is. He's also got a display up in the cafe, and a couple of other shops. Tourists eat this stuff up." He then paused and noticed something, "Huh."
"What?"
"I just noticed your bracelet."
"Oh yeah, he made this, too."
"Yeah, I thought he might have, it looks a lot like the rest... but I was noticing that it's of a wolf."
"Yeah, so."
"Well look here," he said pointing to the display. "Not one wolf. Plenty of bears and moose and dreamcatchers and stuff. Funny thing is I asked him why there weren't any wolves, especially since there's not exactly a shortage around here, some really big ones, too, from what I hear."
I tried not to flinch at that remark. "Yeah and, what did he say?"
"He said he doesn't make wolves anymore, he doesn't like them. Hey, what's wrong?"
I must have looked how I felt. He doesn't make wolves anymore, he doesn't like them. So many thoughts and emotions went through my mind it was hard to focus on just one, I guess I mostly felt sad. Sad for Jacob, and his lot in life and how it's done nothing but hurt him. Jacob's such a good guy, all he's ever wanted in life is to live well, to love someone who's good to him and be there for him and his people. Why is that so hard? Why couldn't he have that?
"Oh it's nothing Mike, I just got some dust in my eye. We really should dust more often around here." Mike never calls me out on my sorry attempts at lying.
"You and Jacob were so buddy-buddy before, I just assumed you knew what he was up to."
"Jacob doesn't tell me anything anymore."
Looking at the display more I was suddenly struck with questions.
"Wait, did you say he came in yesterday?"
"Yeah. He and his dad came in and did business with mom. She took one look at all of this and snatched them all up."
"Have the Blacks done business here before?"
"No, not that I know of. Not from what I overheard them say."
He paused but when he saw my interest he kept going. "Once mom and Mr. Black got all their business taken care of he went back to the car. Mom asked Jacob about any future orders and he said he was going to Hawaii and would need some extra money, as much as he could get."
Huh, well nothing suspicious about that, I guess. It's very practical actually. Hawaii is an expensive place, but Edward overheard Sue say all his expenses were taken care of. What does he need all this extra money for?
"Did he say how long he'd be gone?"
"Not exactly. Mom being all about business wanted to know when she could expect more inventory from him and he said it wouldn't be for a while. She asked if he could give her a call as soon as he got back, then she asked when that was and he said something weird, I couldn't understand what he said."
"What? What did he say?"
Mike paused trying to remember. "He said something like, 'When *something something* comes home, I will, too.' He thanked her and left."
I scrunched my forehead in confusion.
"Yeah, mom didn't seem to know what that meant either. It sounded Indian, like a name or a place maybe. I can't remember."
I tried to name off as many places and names as I could remember to jar Mike's memory and realized I know so very few words in Quileute. I was finally left with one. But it couldn't be that one. It just couldn't be.
"Is it - Taha Aki?"
The look of shock and realization hit Mike's face, "Yeah that's it! How in the world did you know that?"
Oh no...
I raced to the Cullens', really wishing I had gone ahead and let Edward buy me that cell phone he's been trying to get me. I finally reached the Cullens' house. Alice knowing my intentions met me in the driveway.
"You're crazy, Bella! You'll never get there in time."
"I have to try, Alice," I slammed my truck door. "Did you know he was leaving today? Did Edward?"
"Not that it matters but no, we didn't. We only knew what Billy told us and he didn't tell us that. You won't get there in time."
"You don't know that. You can't see him so how do you know I don't make it?"
"I just know okay. I can see you, remember. You get there too late and you come back feeling worse than when you left. That I see."
Damn. "Alice, try to understand. We all know of Jacob's plans for Hawaii, but if it was all paid for like Edward said, Jacob wouldn't need all this other money. These aren't the plans of someone going on a short trip. He's leaving Alice, he's planning to leave forever."
"You don't know that!"
"Yes I do! I know Jacob! I know what's in his heart, what's in his nature to do." Thinking to myself now, I just know Alice, please don't ask me how I know. Tears were clouding my vision now. "He's not coming back. I can feel it. I can't let him do that, Alice. His tribe-"
"His tribe? You're worried about his tribe? That's noble of you."
Ignoring her sarcasm, "Yes, they need him."
"Bella, there's something you should know. We were going to tell you when Edward got back but... we're leaving. It's time. The 'Never-changing-Cullens' are arousing suspicion again and it's time to move on. Once all the Cullen kids 'go off to school', Dr. and Mrs. Cullen will suddenly get these amazing job offers overseas that they just can't pass up.
"So you see, Bella, once we're gone the wolves can rest easy. We've seen what problems our continued presence causes the pack. Since we'll be gone the Volturi won't come snooping around here anymore. That way if Jacob wants to live here, in Hawaii or on the moon or wherever, he can. It's his choice. Bella, there's literally nothing for you to do, it's not your responsibility."
"He's doing this because of me Alice, I can feel it. I knew something was wrong, I just knew it! The Cullens leaving just convinces me more that he's making a big mistake and I'm not going to let him do that! Maybe if he knows we're all leaving then he won't feel like he has to."
"Bella, there's nothing you can do."
"No, Alice you're wrong! I won't accept that!"
I ran inside the house and immediately got on the phone. "Billy?"
"Uh, yes, is this Bella?"
"Yes. I was wanting to talk to Jacob."
"You're too late, Bella, he's gone. He left to visit his sister in Hawaii."
I wanted to scream and throw the phone.
Catching my breath, "He…He left already? When?"
"Leah drove him to Sea-Tac a few hours ago. They're probably there now. His plane will be leaving soon. Is something wrong Bella?"
Is something wrong, are you freakin kidding me?
"Uh, I uh, I don't know. I didn't know he was leaving today, no one told me. Does dad know?"
"Yes. I told him the last time he was up here for the game. Jake will be gone for a couple of weeks, maybe three. Charlie wished him a good trip and left. I'm surprised he didn't tell you."
"I am, too." The mental image of dad popped into my head, I'll deal with you later old man.
"What time's his flight?"
"3:05, I believe. Leah said she'd call me once his plane leaves. You sound funny, Bella. Are you sure you're all right?"
Lying through my teeth, "I'm fine. Tell Jacob to write me or something okay. I'll be leaving for school in a few days but dad can get them to me."
"Okay, I will. Take care."
Alice was standing next to me with her arms folded, "See."
Even more aggravated than before, I said, "Get me to Seattle, Alice. I don't care what you have to do or what laws you break, just get me there."
"This is completely insane, Bella! Futile. Ridiculous. It's no wonder you get along so well with my brother. Neither of you make any sense at all!"
"Nevermind that, when do we land?"
"In about 10 minutes. We're circling the runway now." The pilot then came on the overhead speaker and relayed everything Alice just said. Psychics are a wonderful thing.
Having friends with money is a good thing, too, and having friends with money and connections who can pull in favors anytime they want is an even better thing...
"You owe me for this one, Bella. Do you know how many strings I had to pull to get you on this jet?"
"I do owe you one Alice, and I'm sure you'll never let me forget it."
In Forks, Alice's connections got us through security in record pace. We were in the air probably no longer than 20 minutes or so and landed in Sea-Tac with time to spare, but only just. If we hurry we can still reach Jacob before his plane takes off.
Another call to Billy let us know what Jake's flight number was. Poor Billy, he's probably so confused but I'll fill him in later. Alice and I looked at the flight schedule for Hawaii. You might know we'd have to land on the exact opposite side of the airport that Jake's plane is boarding. We tried our best to hurry without arousing suspicious airport security. The first announcement for Jacob's flight was being called out. They were boarding the plane. If we didn't hurry we were going to be too late.
We rounded the corner into the concourse where his gate was.
"I can't go any further Bella or Jake will smell me. I don't want to provoke him, we can't have any incidents here." She concentrated on something in front of us. "His gate is next to the last on the left." The concourse must have been nearly a football field length in size, but she saw it clearly.
"Thanks, Alice. I promise I won't do anything stupid, I'll be right back. I just can't leave it like this."
"I know you'll be back. That's not the part that worries me."
I hugged her and tried to express my every thought and feeling into it.
I then hurried off making a beeline for Jake. I must have been halfway in when I caught sight of him. At 6'7" he stands out a bit, but he quickly went out of sight again. I picked up my speed. It would have made a difference, too, if I hadn't kept getting slowed down by the crowd. It seemed like several planes unloaded their passengers all at the same time. I'd get swept up into the crowd unable to get by, then manage to go a few feet just to be slowed down again. There was no rhyme or reason to it. The crowd finally let me through enough that I could see. At still about 100 feet away what I saw nearly sent me to the floor.
Jake was sitting next to Leah consoling her. He was bent over her whispering something in her ear making her smile. I just stood there watching this play out before me; I was planted to the floor unable to move. Something escaped my lips; what, I have no idea. Jake had his arm around Leah who was still very visibly upset. Then amazingly, just when I thought it couldn't be more horrible, it was. They were still thoroughly engrossed in their conversation when Leah grabbed both his hands holding them close to her in a way that looked really intimate. I was too far away to read their lips. All I could do was watch as they acted out their scene as if in a play. I felt like I was intruding on a very private moment. My sudden burst of jealousy and anger resolved into more complicated ones. I felt bad for them. Leah was obviously in pain and needing comfort, comfort from the one causing the pain probably. Jake was leaving her, too. There must have been an unspoken love I had never known existed, or maybe a new one. They do have tons more in common and when you look at them they look perfectly right together. Was I a fool to think he could never love another? I wanted to run away, but some part of me needed to see this. The mash up of emotions going through me continued to hold me and forced me to watch.
Jacob then said something to her and as her head turned away falling to the side Jacob moved in and held her face in his hands. I felt a sickness I'd never felt before. It was all I could do to not throw up. He continued to speak softly to her and she smiled. I don't remember ever seeing Leah smile, or laugh before, but now, here in Jacob's arms she did both. She's beautiful, utterly ravishing. I don't know where she's been hiding, but it's like I've never seen this Leah before. Of course Jacob wanted her, what man in his right mind wouldn't? Two people brought together through a shared sadness, it's the oldest story in the book and who am I to stop them or deprive them of this? Isn't this what I wanted for him?
Alice was right, I was too late. Feeling like my presence here is completely unwarranted now I decided maybe Alice and everyone else was right about something else. Maybe I make too big a deal out of things and I should just butt out while I still have some pride left. Jacob moved on. Just saying these words even in the confines of my mind felt wrong but I forced myself anyway. Seeing all I cared to see and really not wanting to see them progress further I turned and almost ran all the way back to Alice. As I reached her I hugged her and she gave me a tight hug back, stroking my hair.
Alice whispering, "It would really save us a lot of time and trouble if you could just trust me next time. I hate seeing you like this."
Too stunned to cry or speak I just nodded my head. He doesn't need me anymore. Maybe he never did. Maybe I was just a crush, he seemed to have gotten over me fast enough. I just hope he's happy, I hope she makes him happy. I never could.
Alice and I walked that long walk back towards the gate to our return flight and back to my life, such as it is.
(Jacob)
"You alright?"
Leah continued to laugh, it was actually sort of eerie. She continued to laugh at absolutely nothing. I started laughing too just because seeing her make a fool of herself really was funny.
"I'm fine, doofus can't you tell? Thank you, Jacob! Thank you so much!" smiling huge with her eyes glassy.
"What does it feel like? You look and sound like someone left the back gate open."
She continued to giggle. "I feel like it actually! Oh my gosh it feels amazing! I can't explain it, it's like I can see again, feel again, it's like I'm looking at the sun and sky for the first time in forever!"
"Wow that really is amazing, especially since we're indoors."
"Oh shut up, you know what I mean. It's gone, that stuffy buzzy feeling I always felt in my head. That feeling of being attached to something holding you back. Like being inside a sleeping bag, all covered up. Even my voice felt muffled. Ever since I first phased I've felt this, whatever it is, holding me, pressing down around me and inside me at all times. Now I can't. It's just me. I don't feel that hold on me anymore, no more all consuming thoughts of the pack or Sam or anything that tied me to my place. I feel...human."
The sense of wonder and awe she had in her eyes was child-like, like someone seeing the ocean for the first time.
Seeing someone smile as a result of something I did felt good. I was glad to help her. She now could go to school at Pacific Northwest without any worries or complications. I just hoped she'd behave herself. It's on me if she doesn't.
"Well I'm glad to be of service. So where do you go from here?"
"Home. I don't know how Sam's going to take it but I've got some explaining to do. You will, too, by the way. You'd better call him as soon as you get to Rebecca's."
"I will, he needs to know I'm not challenging him. In fact I..."
"What?"
I almost spilled my own secret. "Nothing. I'll call him and take the heat, it'll be all right."
"No, oh no, this was my idea, Little One. I've been avoiding talking to Sam about anything real for a long time. It's time I did. I finally feel like I can now. There's still some things we need to get resolved and if he hates me for doing an end-run around him, so be it." She then looked off into the distance.
"My feelings about him haven't changed by the way, it's just that now I feel like I can finally see some light at the end of the tunnel, for the first time."
"Awww, no more mopey, bitchy Leah? Shoot, I'm gonna miss her," I said, ironically.
She gave a disgusted grunt and said, "Come here you!" and gave me a big bear hug. "You have a safe trip okay, email me or something when you get a chance. And call your father, he'll never tell you this but he's worried about you!" She released me.
"I will," I said. They'd been calling my flight number for a while, but we couldn't ignore it anymore so I got in line with the rest. As she rounded the corner and out of sight the lady next to me said, "Your girlfriend's pretty."
For a second I had no clue what she was talking about, but then a sort of hissing, sputtering sound came out at the absurdity. "Oh, she's not my girlfriend, we're just friends." This seemed to satisfy her curiosity and I found myself feeling satisfied calling Leah that.
The very thought that Leah could be confused for my girlfriend was strange and a little gross. We pretty much grew up together and although she was kinda pretty and a fairly cool person when she wanted to be, I've known her too long.
As I was about to walk into the tunnel leading to the plane I got a whiff of something that made me turn completely around.
"Bells?" I said.
I looked all around me and scanned every part of the concourse and every person in it, but there was nothing.
"Sir? This way sir." I was holding up the line. The flight attendant was smiling, urging me to go forward.
Forward... when what I really wanted to do was go back.
"Right."
I apparently boarded the plane and made my way to my seat, although I don't remember any of it. I must be losing it, I thought. But I could have sworn...
But what did it matter. The feeling I got just now when I smelled that smell only reminded me of why I was leaving, and why I can never come back. Inhaling and exhaling deeply, I wondered, when the hell's this damn plane taking off?
*A/N: I wrote a companion piece featuring Leah, it's about what happens after she leaves Jacob at the airport, so it's set right after what happens above. It's called, "Let Me Go." So if you'd prefer to read that before going on to chap. 16 you're more than welcome to although it doesn't really add to the story of Waning Moon, I just wrote it for the Leah Lovers who were wondering what happens to her, just to let you know what path she chose. So if you're curious, by all means - read and review. I love hearing from my readers!
*If I don't get another chapter out before the holidays, Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to you! Stay safe and remember to give charity to those less fortunate than you. The best present you can give someone is to give of yourself. Cheezy? Yes, but it also happens to be true.*
***Disclaimer: The characters setting and familiar situations belong to Stephenie Meyers. References to films or music also do no belong to me. No copyright infringement intended. I'm not making any monetary profit from this.