Jacob's Return
"Hey." Jacob's deep voice vibrated throughout the silent house. It was about 8 at night, but Bella took a nap. Bella's sleepy look was wiped out of her face the second she recognized the being in front of her. A soft blush appeared on her heart shaped face, and her eyes pierced through his. She was still alive, she was still beautiful. He gave her the toothy grin she loved so much, and she gave him a soft appreciating smile.
"Hi." She said softly. She looked at her hand nervously. She didn't know why her best friend was here. If he thought that things were over with Edward, he was completely wrong. She was here by herself because she wanted her last moments with her dad, to be just the two of them. If Edward was here, he would just distract her. She was completely aware of Jacob's more-than-friendly attraction towards her, and she hoped that she wouldn't have to let him down again.
"I'm not here to beg for you to love me." Jacob said bluntly, aware of what she was thinking. A slow spread of red conquered her face. She grimaced a little, embarrassed at how transparent she was. Jacob laughed gaily at her awkwardness, and reached out to hug her.
"I missed you!" He boomed, and she couldn't help but laugh with him. He was still so Jacob. She pulled away from him, and took a good look at him. He was still humongous, warm, and half naked. She took a step back so she didn't have to tilt her head so much.
"I missed you too. So, what's up?" She began to feel more comfortable around him. There was a flash of fear in his eyes, before it was replaced with confidence. He smirked evilly, and took a step closer to her.
"What do you think?" He whispered in her ear. He was leaning down, and he was in her personal bubble. His warmth had nothing to do with the warmth she was feeling. Her heart started to race, and her breaths turned shallow. She was beet red, and her hands were starting to feel clammy. She stuttered through her words.
"I, I don't know. Why, uh, why are you? Why are you, uh here?" She took a giant step back, and tried to subtly clam her body. Jacob had the biggest grin in his face. So, he still had that kind of effect on her. Interesting. He stood up straight, and tried to look serious.
"Do I need a reason to see my soon-to-be-dead best friend?" He said sarcastically. Just like that, her body calmed down. She rolled her eyes at him, but smiled.
"I guess not, but it's you. So, there's definitely a reason." She said jokingly. He turned serious, and she tried to find the error of her words.
"I didn't mean that. I was just joking! Of course you can see me with no reason. We are best friends after all, right?" She tried to placate the situation. Jacob nodded his head and sighed.
"I guess I have to be your best friend, since nobody else wants the job." He said lightheartedly. Bella let out a breath of relief. Way to dodge the bullet! She laughed, and nodded in agreement.
"Thanks! You're the best!" She gleefully said. She let him in the house, and they settled in the couch. She gave him a family sized pack of chips, and a 2 litre pop. He took it appreciatively, and began eating. They watched a movie in silence, and when the movie was done, Jacob turned to Bella.
"Actually, I need to talk to you." He said seriously. Bella made no move to look at him. She was very still, obviously tense.
"Oh? What about?" She tried to as nonchalantly, but her voice were traced with nerves. He sighed. She was getting anxious, he should start soon. How was he supposed to say what he was thinking? He, himself, didn't know what he was thinking. She was starting to bite her bottom lip, and he took this as the cue.
"I have an imprint." This shocked her to the core. Her Jake, wasn't her Jacob anymore. He didn't love her anymore. This hurt her a lot.
"Oh." She said softly. It was the only thing she could say without bawling her eyes out. When did he imprint? Who was his imprint? Where was his imprint? How old was his imprint? Did he love her more than he loved Bella? She will never be the center of his heart again. What was she to him now?
The pain was apparent in her face, and he looked away from the hurt he caused. She looked like she was heart broken. Why did she look so heart broken? She didn't love him the way he loved her. She had no right to look like a kicked puppy, when she broke his heart first! He wasn't even supposed to be able to affect her in this way. She cleared her throat, stood up and excused herself for a minute. She didn't wait for him to respond.
She ran to the washroom and slammed it shut. She turned on the shower, and started to cry. It felt like she was losing someone forever. In a way, she was going to lose him forever. She would never be his Bella again, and he was never going to be her Jake again. She felt like she lost a chunk of her heart, and she was so confused. She loved Edward, much more than she could ever love her best friend. But losing him, hurt almost as much as losing Edward. She mourned for her lost friendship.
After a few minutes, she got up. She was being selfish! Jacob was finally happy, and she shouldn't mourn, she should rejoice with him. She should congratulate him, and be happy that he didn't have to be so broken without her. But no matter what she told herself or anyone, deep inside her, she loved the way Jacob was always there as her second option. He was her back up plan. It was cruel, but it was very much true. She slapped herself, and did her best to look extremely happy for him. She got out, when she was ready, and made her way downstairs.
"I'm so happy for you!" She yelled enthusiastically, and ran towards him, ready for a hug. She jumped up to him and crushed him in a hug.
"I'm so happy for you." She said softly on his neck. He was stiff, but his hands found themselves around her.
"Thanks." He said sadly, and pulled her away. He saw her fake smile, and he looked away. Bella cleared her throat, and looked everywhere but him.
"So, where is she?" She asked lightly. He grimaced and turned away from her.
"I, she's gone." He said stiffly. She gasped in surprise. She felt sorry for him, she knew the pain of being left by someone she loved.
"What?" She asked in sincere concern.
"I wasn't ready, and neither was she. I wasn't over you, and that's why I'm here." He whirled around to face Bella, and she gasped. His eyes were red, and tears were flowing down his face. He looked so torn, and desperate. She took a step towards him.
"Jacob. My Jacob." She whispered softly, her hand reached out for him. He took a step forward, and her hand caught his face. She caressed him softly, and tried to soothe him.
"I'm so sorry." She cried with him. Then, she saw her mistake. She has been leading him on, letting him hope that there could be something. The reason why Jacob could not move on, was because she wouldn't let him go. Her hand froze, and she stepped away from him. Jacob looked at her confused, and took a step forward, but she just took a step back. Jacob got the message and stood silently.
"Why are you here Jacob?" She hissed at him. He looked at her, hurt and confusion on his face. She took another step back from him and yelled.
"Why are you here Jacob?" He tried to comprehend what she was saying, and finally remembered.
"Adalie." He said out loud by mistake. Bella's face softened. That was her name. The lucky girl that was meant to have Jacob's heart and soul. She nodded her head.
"Why are you here Jacob?" She encouraged him. He looked at her with wide eyes.
"I came here to find closure. I came here so I can be ready. I came here, so I can be fixed. I came here to find out if I was worthy. I came here to get over you. I came here for Adalie." He realized. She gave him a sad smile. There was a moment of silence, before Bella broke it.
"Did you get what you came for?" She asked softly, tears in her eyes, but still with a smile. He looked her in the eyes.
"I think I just did." He whispered. She nodded her head, her tears flowing down, but her smile remained.
"Congratulations Jacob. I'm proud of you." She said sincerely. His eyes watered, and gave her a hug.
"Thank you." He said with so much feeling, and she could only nod her head in acceptance.
"You'll never lose me as a friend Bella. You'll always have part of my heart. You have to know that." He told her sincerely. She hugged him tighter, and the tears kept rolling.
"And you'll always have a part of mine." She told him honestly. They both just lost something precious, but gained something better. After a while, they broke apart. They looked at each other for a long time, trying to memorize each others faces. Jacob was the first one to break the silence.
"I guess, I better go." He said awkwardly. She nodded her head in agreement. Just as he was about to leave, she stopped him.
"Wait!" She called out, and he stopped and turned to her. She took off her bracelet and handed it to him.
"Here. We both have to move on." She explained. He shook his head and gave it back to her. He took out his wallet, and reached for an old photo. It was when they were both just five and seven. She looked at him in confusion.
"I'll always have this to remember you by. It's to remind me of our friendship. That bracelet can be your momento." He told her. She nodded her head in agreement.
"Okay." She said softly. He turned around and left the house.
"Goodbye Bella!" He yelled, not turning to face her. She wore a small smile, and leaned on the door.
"Goodbye Jacob." She said into the night air, but somehow she knew he heard. She looked up into the night sky, and it was a very rare sight. The stars were shining furiously, because the moon wasn't present. How right it was that a new chapter in her life began on the night of the new moon. Jacob was her star. He shown brightly when the moon wasn't there, but he could never replace the moon. He wasn't her Jake anymore. He was finally moving on.