Imprinted

Chapter 9

Jacob

I took this time to call Bella.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

I hoped she wasn't in a bad mood or had a grudge against me for leaving.

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Destiny

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Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" rang out of my purse. I remembered having changed Jacob's ringtone to that after leaving. I didn't want anybody feeling suspicious.

"Hey, Jake!" I said, sounding really cheery. Leah looked at me, her eyebrows raised up high. I held up one finger and walked into a store. Leah rolled her eyes and headed for Hot Topic. I walked into Old Navy and shifted the phone so I could check out some faded jean shorts hanging on the rack.

"Bella? I heard you were in the Lone State. How are you?"

"Aw, Jake, everything's perfect! I'm shopping with some new girlfriends and living it large!"

"You? Shopping? Prove it and I'll pinch myself."

I grinned to myself as I held my phone out to the rack and moved the hangers so they'd make the metallic sound. Then I held it towards the casheir and a blond girl who were giggling like mad over something.

"Ya hear that?" I asked.

"Ow!" Jake yelped.

"You didn't really pinch yourself, did you?" It took all my strength trying not to laugh.

"No, Quil's here. I mouthed our whole conversation to him."

"Oh. Tell Quil I said thanks."

"You're welcome!" Quil boomed into the phone. I held the phone away from my ear.

"So, listen, Jake, how's the new girl?" I had to get that off my chest.

"She's... okay."

Okay? Okay? That stung.

"She's not good enough for you?"

"Well, we kind of had an argument, and she's mad at me right now. So..."

"Oh. What was the argument about?"

"Bells, I really don't want to talk to you about this-"

"Jacob Ephriam Black, tell me! We're best friends! Besides, I'm in Texas right now, so I can't exactly beat you up if I hear something I don't like."

"Good point. Um, well, I kind of lost myself and kissed her. She was pretty pissed."

"Oh."

"Yeah."

"How's Charlie?" I asked, a pang in my heart.

There was silence on the other end.

"Jake?"

"Um, Bella, I'm so sorry..."

"Jake, what the hell happened?!"

"Bella, he's dead. We had a funeral, but we couldn't tell you. I know you're the easy sufferer. Renee was forced not to tell."

Yes. I remembered it well. Jacob wanted to call me and tell me, but I- Destiny- didn't want it. I told Jacob that Bella was weak hearted. When Renee came, we forced her not to tell me. It was the hardest thing for me to do.

The memory made me start to cry.

"Bella? No, Bells, don't cry. I'll take the next flight to Houston. I want to be there for you-"

"NO!" I almost yelled. "No, it's fine. Destiny needs you, Jake, and, I... I've moved on."

"Oh... That's... That's fine, I guess."

"I'm sorry Jake. I've gotta go. Bye."

"Bye."

I closed the phone and turned to leave.

"GAH!!!" I screamed.

"What. The. Hell, Destiny?!" Leah hissed.

"Leah, I-"

"Bella?! You're... you're a Quileute!"

"Well, no, I-"

"And Jacob doesn't know? You've been posing as some new girl and I-"

"LEAH! Leah, just shut up for a second, okay? How much of the conversation did you hear?"

"I heard everything past 'How's Charlie'!"

I sighed and ran my hand through my hair.

"Okay, Leah, I can't do this right now. Victoria killed my dad, and I want revenge. If Jake gets an inkling of the truth-"

"He won't know, Bella. Although I think your plan is stupid, I'll go along with you. I understand, really, I do."

"Thanks, Lee."

"No problem. But if Jacob finds out..."

"I'll tell him you were only suspicious."

"Good."

And somehow, I could trust Leah.

AN: Finally, a leak in the truth! I want to thank my wonderful reviewers and my friends who support me outside Fanfiction. I'd also like to thank the wonderful Stephanie Meyer for creating the wonderful Twilight Saga! You're the backbone of our fanfics, Steph!

mrsnessieblack