Disclaimer: Don't own Twilight,

Judging by your reviews, none of you saw that last surprise coming.

"Jacob imprinted."

I dropped to my knees, feeling the wetness of the grass seeping into my jeans. I thought I might vomit there and then, my stomach seemed to be flipping violently around my body, going from the deepest chambers of my intestines up to my throat, and everywhere in between. My head seemed to spin and I couldn't see Seth anymore, just vivid images of Jacob with some faceless girl. A girl who would be beautiful and kind and everything he wanted. A girl who would treat him like he deserved, a girl who would never leave his side or break his heart. I felt tears pouring down my cheeks, not able to control my shaking hands enough to wipe them away. A different pair of hands did.

"Bella..." Seth said, wiping his tear-drenched hands on the leg of his jeans. He picked me up easily, as if I was as light as a feather, and carried me back inside. It felt to familiar, for both the boys I loved had had to do this to me.

"No!" I cried unexpectedly. "Put me down Seth!"
Seth set me on the bench top, standing in front of me and holding my wrists to my side.
"Bella you need to calm down." He said steadily. I glared at him through watery eyes, he was staring but at me, with guilt in his eyes.
"Get out." I said sternly. Seth's face changed.
"What?" He asked, dumbstruck.
"I said get out!" I yelled into his face. Seth blinked, staring at me with a face full of shock. He carefully let go of my wrists and retreated from his position in front of me.
"You need to let me explain, you need to know the full story." He said softly.
"Explain what!? Why Jacob imprinted? Why Jacob didn't have the guts to tell me? Why Jacob held me so tightly I thought he would never let go, when he was really thinking about his fucking imprint!? You can't explain that Seth. I was stupid to come back, stupid to think anything could ever be normal again. Please Seth, leave."

I pushed myself off the bench top and paced hurriedly up the stairs, where I promptly threw myself into my covers.

I wondered if Seth would follow me up, but then I heard the rumble of an engine as he drove back to La Push. I tried to stop the constant flow of tears flooding down my red cheeks, but it was impossible, they wouldn't let up. I sank further into my mattress, burying myself in the covers. I never wanted to emerge again. My worst fears had become a reality, and yet, no-one had even told me. Jacob just continued to go on, sparing me a few obligated moments. Billy and Sam had encouraged me, telling me I was wanted and needed. Seth went on pretending everything was dandy, keeping my hopes up; when it was the complete opposite. Everyone I loved and trusted had lied. Did they think I was going to stay for a few weeks, then take off again, and they could go back to their everyday lives. Charlie. Why had Charlie not told me. My own father, was he in on it too? The very worst part of the whole thing was, I knew I deserved it. I knew I was a brat to treat Seth like that, when he had been nothing but kind. I knew that things would be different when I returned. I broke Jacob's heart, and I left him behind. Jacob deserved much better than me, and now that he had it, I could only think of myself.

No matter how much I told myself that Jacob deserved better, I couldn't fight the heartbreak of my own. Jacob, my once best friend, didn't tell me he had imprinted. Instead, he kept me hanging on with long hugs and intimate dances. It only just dawned on me, that Jacob had barely said a word to me. We hadn't sat down and engaged in conversation, we hadn't laughed together or reminisced, like I had with so many other people. I hadn't told him of my travels and he had not told me of his. We hadn't made each other smile or teased each other playfully. Jacob was different, I was different; too different. She would always be there. We could never be each others number one ever again. The thought plunged a stake through my heart, and I fell into yet another fit of uncontrollable tears.

***

Someone was shaking me. It was irritating, I was trying to sleep.

"Bells, are you okay?"

I rolled over, moaning at the interruption. "Yes." I lied through my teeth, not bothering to open my eyes, after all, Charlie hadn't bothered to tell me about Jacob.

"You didn't come down for dinner last night?" He asked.
"Wasn't hungry." I mumbled into my pillow. I thought Charlie might leave, but I sensed he was still there. For once in his life, Charlie was hovering.
"What?" I grumbled when he hadn't left.
"Oh, nothing. I won't be home tonight, I've got to stake out the old Jackson place, sorry Bells. I'll have my cell, call me if you need me." He said, I heard him walk to the door and hesitate for a few moments, before continuing on.

Brat. You're a brat, Isabella Swan.

I tried to roll over and fall back to sleep, but I couldn't. I had only managed to sleep last night when my head had become so heavy and my eyes so puffy that it was impossible to stay awake, and I fell into an uncomfortable sleep.

Now, wide awake, I checked my phone on my bedside table. One Message. It displayed brightly.

Bella, I'm sorry about yesterday.
You need to know the full story.
But I won't visit unless you want me to,
Love, Seth.

Silly Seth. I felt overwhelming guilt for the way I had treated him. Despite not wanting to have contact with anyone close to Jacob whatsoever, I gave him a quick text back.

Thanks, Seth. I'm fine.
Need some time.
Bells.

Not knowing what to do with myself, I did what I used to do when I was feeling troubled. I ran. I had neglected my fitness regime since arriving in Australia, and some exercise would do me good. I tied my hair on top of my head in a messy bun, pulled on a singlet and sweats and tied my runners before setting out into the cool air. It was only eight in the morning, the perfect time to run. I had no idea where I was going, but it felt good. It seemed to release all the thoughts from my head into the morning air, my mind swimming with freedom. I gradually got faster, regaining my strength. My legs powered along with my arms pumping at my sides, it made me feel in control.

After half an hour, I had nearly reached the outskirts of town.

"Bella Swan?"
I spun around, trying to regain my breath.
"Mike!?" I exclaimed. Yes, none other than Mike Newton was standing before me in runners, shorts and a bare chest.
"What are you doing here?" He asked.
"I... got back about a week ago? They told me you were at college?"
"I was." He said, grinning. "I've come home for a few days. Hell, look at you, you look great."
"Thanks, you do too." I said, appraising him. He actually did look good, his chest was pretty sculptured and his blond hair was gaining a bit of length, past his ears.
He gestured to a park bench a few yards away, and I followed him with a nod, both of us panting.

"You run now?" He asked skeptically. I laughed.
"Surprisingly, yes. I've been living in Australia the past six years, motivating place, really." I told him. He looked shocked.
"Australia? No way! What's it like?"

So we sat on the bench talking about what each other had done for the past few years. Mike had worked at his parents' store after graduating before deciding he wanted to bigger things. He was studying Law, that was impressive.

"So, any special girl in your life, Mike?" I asked him.
He scoffed. "No, I barely have time between study and my job at the gym. It would be nice though. What about you Bella? Surely you have a man?" He asked. We had already confirmed earlier on that I was not with Edward.
For some reason, all my earlier woes about Jacob seemed to flood back to me. I didn't want them to, I wanted them to leave and never return. I looked up at Mike and he seemed realise he had struck a nerve. I was scared of the cloud that seemed to be settling over me.
"Bella, are you okay?" Mike said, using his hand to lift my chin. His beautiful blue eyes pierced through me. Blue. Not golden or topaz, chocolate or onyx. Blue. Normal. His creamy skin matched mine, not pale, not tanned, creamy.

I pulled him towards me and crushed my lips down on his. He seemed momentarily surprised before he responded. He may not be in a relationship, but he must have got some experience somewhere, 'cos he was an amazing kisser. He grasped his hands around my waist and pulled me onto his lap. I was slightly higher than him, so I teased him my dipping my tongue in and out of his mouth. Tingles shot through me as I relived the feeling of being wanted again.
"Jake..." I murmured. Woops. My mouth stopped at the same time as Mike's did. I pushed myself back, so I could look at him. His eyebrows were raised in a humorous way, a smirk across his face. Embarrassment flooded through me, and no doubt took it's place on my cheeks.
"This wouldn't be the same Jake that was you're best friend" -He used his fingers to imitate quotation marks- "a few years ago, would it?" He asked, lips twitching. I sighed and climbed off him.
"Maybe." I said with a sigh. "I can't believe we just made out in the middle of a park."
"Let's hope Jess wasn't watching." He said, and we both laughed together.
"Actually, I better go, I'm meeting Mom for breakfast." He said, as we stood up.
"Okay, well, it was nice seeing you." I told him.
"You too Bella, it was really nice." He said with a wink. I chuckled and gave him a quick kiss before we retreated in different directions.

I walked most of the way home, thinking of what had just happened. It felt good to be close to someone again, I had been neglected for so long; even if that someone wasn't the one I most desired. Mike was okay. I momentarily considered him, picturing a life with him, but it wasn't there. Kissing him had been nice, but that was all.

I spent the rest of my day doing mindless jobs around the house, washing clothes, cooking an labor-intensive dinner that would take a long time, washing the floors, vacuuming; anything that could occupy my mind. Every so often, I had to stop and sit down because I'd start crying again. I felt pathetic. I was a little upset that Charlie wouldn't be home tonight, he could have distracted me for the night, taken my mind of things. After eating my homemade paella and then profiteroles for desert, I retired to my bedroom, because there was nothing else to do.

Immersing myself in a book I had found lying around, I read for at least an hour; which was quite surprising for me. It was about a girl with a terminal illness, and how her best friend saves her. It was way too familiar. Everything was too familiar. Jacob had saved me from the terminal illness that was heartbreak, and instead, he caught it off me. It was contagious. Years ago, I had cried uncontrollably in this very room because Edward had left. Now, years later, I was crying over a different boy, who hadn't left me, but gotten what he deserved. What he deserved, which wasn't me.

I was unaware of the time, but it had to be nearly midnight. I lied on my side, my back to the open window that was allowing balmy night air into my stuffy room. I faced the blank wall, wet tears continuing their repetitive flow down my cheeks. I had stop trying to stop them, it was near impossible. It was a quiet night, apart from the odd stir from the trees outside, scurry of an animal. I thought of my father, staking out a dangerous house and found myself wishing I was in his position right now.

My eyes eventually grew heavy, but never allowed me to fall into a dreamless slumber. All I could think of was Jacob, imagining him curled up with some beautiful native girl in a bed that would require no blankets, because Jacob was a walking radiator himself. Thinking of the times when we used to lay together brought a new onslaught of memories, which then induced great coughing, spluttering hysterics.

"Bella?"

A high, blood-curdling scream erupted from my chest. I groped around my bedside table, looking for some sort of weapon.
"Who's there?" I cried. "My father's a cop!"
I couldn't hear anymore movement, but my eyes focused, making out a huge, tall silhouette. I dropped the lamp I had grabbed, was that...?
"Bells." Jacob said, stepping a little closer, his somber face making itself seen. He was still beautiful, even though it looked like he hadn't slept in days. I almost jumped off my bed and tackle-hugged him, but then I remembered why my cheeks were wet. I grabbed the lamp again, it an attempt to look menacing.
"What do you want, Jacob?" I hissed at him, my eyes narrowed. Jacob just looked at me from under heavy eyelids.
"What do you want!?" I repeated, my voice raising a little more. I glanced at the window behind him, perhaps I should have chopped the great oak tree down.

Jacob moved towards me slowly, sitting gently on the edge of my mattress. I edged backwards to I was leaning on the wall behind my bed, carefully placing the lamp back on the table. I was almost unaware that tears were still slowly rolling down my face.
"What?" I said, my voice crackling. I was getting frustrated. Jacob turned his gaze from his hands back up to me, and moved across the bed until he was just inches away from me, I could reach out and touch him if I wanted to.

He raised his great, calloused hand slowly, as if to caution me, before resting it on the side of my cheek. His thumb gently brushing away rogue tears. My eyes seemed to close at his touch, like everything had just become okay. But nothing was okay, this was wrong. I felt his weight shift and his other hand on my other cheek, so he was gently bracing my face. My chest fluttered, and I opened my eyes to see him looking straight at me.

He moved forwards even slower, closer and closer, until our foreheads touched. I could hear his heavy breathing, and his skin was burning hot on mine. I wondered if he was going to kiss me. God, that would be amazing. I looked at his lips, they were so perfect, and looked so warm. He lent forward, and that was when I came to my senses. It was hard, both emotionally physically, to shove him away.

"No." I said, looking away. Jacob blinked at me. "No Jacob. This isn't fair! You don't get to come in here, jump through my window and play mind games with me. You didn't have the guts to tell me what Seth did, and for that, you can get the hell out!" I shouted at him. His winced, as if he had suffered a fatal blow.
"Bella..." He said, trying to grab my hand. I flicked it out of the way.
"No Jacob! It's not your fault you imprinted, but you didn't have to string me along like this. You could have at least told me."
"Bella you don't understand..." He started.
"How can I not, Jacob!? You can't have both of us! Go home to her now Jacob, go home." I shouted.
Jacob's eyes dropped down to the sheets, he was picking at a piece of stray fluff.
"I can't." He said. I scoffed, majorly frustrated with him.
"Oh really!?" I spat. "Why not?"
Jacobs chocolate eyes met mine, desperate for me to understand. The look scared me.

"She's dead."

Hmm, what do you all think? I like this chapter.

Did you see that one coming?

Review it alllll, they keep me going.