I try not to allow my chapters to be less than 1,500 words minimum but sometimes it's hard. I cut up chapters in certain parts to keep the flow going and believe me, the next chapter will have its very own A/B flow. A much awaited moment.

If you find yourself getting confused here and there, no worries. I'll be doing my best to tie everything together the more I continue. Also, for those who are Edward fans, I apologize in advance. He may come off as a jerk but hopefully he'll snap out of it. It's just the way he needs to be to keep this fic balanced. I can't have 'em all good all at once... can I? Meh, maybe so but you'll just have to trust me.

Thank you for the awesome reviews, I'm glad you're enjoying this! I'll have more in the next day or two.

Enjoy!

Chapter 5 – I See You

Bella laughed at something Seth had said around the bonfire. She couldn't deny that she was having a good time and she knew that the gang from La Push was a big part of her life in Forks. She had known the bunch for years.

"Hey Bells, we should start heading back." Jacob interrupted the laughter between his good friends. He towered over everyone but Sam Uley. "You're welcome to come back tomorrow if you want."

"Yeah Bella, please?" Seth pouted and she almost fell for his boyish pout.

"I'd love to but I already have plans." Bella smiled and got up from her lawn chair, stretching a bit. Her plans consisted of a very unwanted trip to the mall in Seattle with Alice first thing the following morning.

"Couldn't you cancel?" Jacob snickered as they waved bye to the gang and headed towards his dad's pickup truck.

"I'm going to have a hard time spreading my time between my new friends and you guys aren't I?" She teased a little but knew it was the truth.

"You can't deny us Bells. You love us." Jacob laughed and pulled out onto the dirt road of his driveway.

They didn't talk much heading out of La Push but once they hit the highway, Jacob was a little more curious as to who Bella's new friends were. "So you have a date tomorrow with a cute guy, am I right?"

"No Jake." Bella rolled her eyes but smiled at the same time. "Her name is Alice and she wants to take me shopping. She says that my clothes are hazardous or something. Cute yet not 'Bella potential'."

"Please tell me she's not a pink kind of person because if I see you wearing pink..."

"Jacob Black, are you threatening to know I don't exist if I wear pink?" Bella gasped and they both fell into a fit of giggles.

"I'm just sayin' it won't be pretty." He shrugged, his chuckles getting louder.

"Alice isn't a pink girl, okay?"

"Good." He settled down and finally pulled in behind her parked truck. "So thank you for spending the day with us. It felt a lot better knowing you're not about to take off for another year. The guys missed your corny jokes and lame attempts at creating new pick up lines."

"Yea well I missed all of your ugly mugs as well." Bella teased and got out of the truck when Jacob did. He met her on the pathway to her steps and held out his hand. She looked at it curiously before grabbing a hold of it only to find herself wrapped up in his bulky arms, his chin resting on the top of her head.

"I mean it Bella, I really missed you." He whispered, her large hands rubbing her lower back gently.

Bella pictured Jacob like a brother. She could see him protecting her and always loving her in the brotherly way; being an only child she yearned for it. She sighed and snuggled further into his chest but felt him push her back slightly, his eyes filled with a sense of sadness.

"Is that what you see me as?" His voice was rough yet soft, on the verge of almost breaking.

"See you as what?" She asked a little confused.

"Like a brother." The tall boy hung his head slightly, his grip loosening on the girl he was holding.

"I didn't say that out loud... did I?" Bella whispered more or less to herself. "Jake..."

"Gotta say I'm not at all surprised, I just kind of hoped, you know?" He smiled a little and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I was hoping you had at least a little crush on me."

"I love you Jacob Black but not like that." Bella explained softly. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be." He shrugged and stepped back, letting her go all together. "Maybe one day I can show you differently."

For some reason Bella knew not to argue with the boy so she just waved a little before heading up the stairs towards the front door. "Hey Jake?" She called and he turned around slowly, looking at her with a little bit of hope. "Save me a spot next weekend by the fire, okay?"

Jacob couldn't help but smile wide and nod, knowing that he didn't freak her out with his subtle confession. "You got it Bells!"

Bella stepped inside and closed the door gently behind her. She noticed Charlie was sitting in his chair and a game blaring in the background while he snored away. She rolled her eyes and gently shook him, "Dad, let's get you to bed."

"Bells, what time is it?" Charlie yawned and looked up at his daughter with worn out eyes.

"It's just before midnight and Jake just dropped me off. See? I made curfew even though I should have it extended on weekends." Bella joked quietly and helped him out of his seat while turning off the TV.

"You're with more than just a few guys out there Bella, I don't want you staying longer than you need too." Charlie said in a stern quiet voice, pushing himself up the stairs.

"Dad, sometimes you can overreact just a little, you know that? We were out in the back of Billy's yard with him inside, what did you think would happen?" She snorted and leaned against the doorframe of his bedroom while he stumbled onto his bed.

"You're teenagers, you'll find ways around it." He mumbled and shooed her away with his hands. Charlie couldn't possibly think his daughter had it bad for anyone in La Push, to take things that far.

"Night dad." Bella whispered and closed his door before making her way towards her bedroom. The breeze was quite cool so she decided to keep her window open; knowing that it reminded her of the way Alice made her feel – cool yet warm all at the same time.

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