So here we are for another installment! I'd just like to thank you to all of those who are following me as an author or this story as a whole- you keep me going. Also, to those of you who have been reviewing, I take all of your comments very seriously and keep them in mind always. And in response to one such review, I would never sacrifice the integrity of the imprint bond. Jake walking out in the last chapter was him putting Nessie first like he always has, doing what he thinks is best for her emotionally.
Also, as a preface for this chapter, I really want to illustrate the fact that Ness went to school to find herself. This is her first opportunity to step outside of the careful box her family crafted around her all of these years. We'll really get to see this with the introduction of a new character.
Anyways, enough of that stuff! Here is the next chapter, please leave me your feedback. All credit goes to Stephenie Meyer. Enjoy!
"You look a little tired, kiddo. Maybe I should go easy on you next time?" Jake ruffled my hair as he stepped out from behind a tree, still buttoning his jean shorts. We had raced into the woods like we often did, and I had let him beat me by just a hair (for his pride, of course).
"Whatever, Jacob, you know I can beat you any day of the week." I crossed my arms over my chest, barely able to tuck my hands into my elbows. Puberty was hitting me quick and it was hitting me hard.
He sat down on the ground and patted the spot next to him on the forest floor. "You keep telling yourself that, princess." I followed suit and sat down, leaning back on my elbows to look at the stars.
"You're a real gem sometimes, Jake Black…. A real gem. I think I'm gonna be in the market for a new best friend here pretty soon." I laughed. There was a break in the treetop canopy right above where we sat, offering a window into the magnificent night sky. Jake sighed heavily beside me, laid back and put his interlaced fingers behind his head.
"You couldn't get rid of me if you tried, little one." He knew how to push my buttons. Referring to me by childish pet names never failed to irk me, especially at that age. In human years I would have equated to about 13 or 14, which is apparently a pretty moody time for most girls. "Not that you'd ever want to, of course."
"Wipe that smug smile off your face, Jacob Black. I could and I would if you ever pushed me." I turned away from him, hastily. I heard him shuffling behind me, not quite responding, but not ignoring me either. It was just some strange in-between that we rarely experienced. Despite my recent mood swings, I still couldn't stand to lie to him. "Alright fine, we're friends forever." I rolled my eyes and smiled. "But boy do you know how to get me riled up!"
Jake allowed his hearty laugh to escape and wrapped his arms around me, causing me to just melt against him in return. He kissed the top of my head and whispered into my hair, "We're in this forever, right Ness?"
"Forever and always, Jake."
Winter break passed by in a flash. I spent the majority of the time with my family, catching up on some reading and the rest of the time hanging out with Seth and his new imprint. The girl was perfect for him, and it was great to see the two of the so happy. Although sometimes, I couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy if I'd see a silent understanding pass between the two of them, or sweet romantic exchange. Jake hadn't reached out to me again after the incident at dinner, and I wasn't in the place to reach out to him, either. I mean, what more could I say? I'd forgiven him for walking away once and he did it again immediately afterwards. While the bond of our pull was unbreakable, my heart was having a hard time bearing any more pain. I went back to school and attempted to resume life as scheduled, but unlike in the fall, pretending to be okay was nearly unbearable.
"Carlie, are you feeling alright? You just haven't been yourself this week." I looked up at the sound of my middle name. I decided to adopt using it as my preferred named upon coming to school- a part of my new image. My roommate and best friend at Wash U, Ariana Armstrong shut the screen on her laptop and shot a pointed look in my direction.
"Yeah, I'm just kind of stressed about this exam in Fisher's class tomorrow. I heard it's gonna be a real killer." My lying skills had never been up to par. Ariana caught onto that pretty quickly.
"You're the worst liar, Car. Listen, how about we go do something fun tonight? Get your mind off of Jake for an hour or so." By all intents and standards, Ariana was absolutely gorgeous. Between her slim 5'9" frame, long brown hair, naturally olive-toned skin and Alice Cullen-worthy wardrobe, she was the object of plenty of guys' on campus' affection. However, instead of turning that attention into being a heartbreaker, she devoted her time to academics (and being fiercely protective of her friends in her spare time). So going out –while not a complete rarity- wasn't something she did very often.
"I don't know. You know, I don't think I'd be much fun at a party right now."
She smiled and conspiratorially threw open my closet door. "Trust me, girl, you will."
I didn't go back to say anything to Ness before she left. It had to be what was best for her, right? I had to give her the space she needed in college to explore life on her own. It was a natural progression, the place she was supposed to be. At least that had been my motto for the past week. In my heart, mind and soul I knew that where she was supposed to be was with me- where I could love and protect her. But for now, I was going to be what she needed even more, someone who could step back and let her live.
Tonight, the guys had decided that we needed to have a guys' night. Embry suggested cliff diving and camping out, so we had all agreed to meet up on the rez after I was done at work. I'd been making a decent sum of money managing a garage in town, making plans to start my own whenever I got some free time. In order for me to be the best man for Ness (whenever and if ever she came back), I was going to need to be able to support myself. So I was saving money in hopes of eventually getting my shop up and running. It gave me something to look forward to. Not to mention something to keep me busy.
"Jake, bro! So glad you could make it!" Embry came up to the track and slapped me on the back. It was good to see my brothers again. I hadn't realized how long I'd stayed away, aside from the necessity of running patrols and sleeping. "Emily has cooked up a delicious spread for us this evening. Said she didn't think we could possibly catch enough to keep us all full. Ha!"
I laughed with him and rushed inside to see the rest of the guys. They all rushed me as soon as I came in, everyone having something new to say. I missed the excitement of my pack. Missed the way everybody just understood each other. We rushed through our first dinner like usual, and went outside to phase. The guys had preemptively set the camping gear out on first beach so that we could race there.
"Nothing has changed, huh? None of you scrubs can beat me yet?" I thought to the other guys. I was ripping through the trees, probably quicker than ever. Competition had always made more enthused.
Quil was the first to rip back. "Whatever old man. We're just padding your ego." We all howled with laughter, and reached our destination (I still won, regardless of ego). Phasing quickly, everyone was ready to go cliff-diving. Since joining the pack all those years ago, it had become one of my favorite activities. But lately, I hadn't made much time for anything fun.
"Can we just go already? I'm ready to dive!" Seth yelled. Everyone just ran in response, heading to the edge. I took very few steps before I had to stop, a crippling pain ripping through my body. All of the guys stopped and turned to see what was holding me up. "Jake man, what's up?"
A deep moan escaped me as I grabbed my chest.
"Bro, do you want to turn back?" Quil stood next to me and put a hand on my back. Before I could verbally respond, I knew what was happening. Something was going on with Ness- something bad. And I could feel it. I unconsciously phased back, the guys following suit. "What is it, Jake?"
"It's Renesmee. Something's going on with her. I have to go to WU." We were running now. "You guys stay behind. I'll let you know if I need you later." I shredded through the trees with one mission in mind.
Save my woman.