****The characters belong to Stephanie****
BPOV
I woke up around 8 in the morning. Charlie would have already left for work. I was embarrassed. I had the nightmare again. Before college, Charlie gave up consoling me. He just let me scream. Last night though, he comforted me until I fell back asleep. His actions always speak louder than his words.
I got up and stretched, picking my book up off the floor. I looked out the window and noticed it was open. I didn't leave it open last night. Did I? I thought about it, but I am pretty sure that I didn't.
I closed the window and locked it. I went to the bathroom and took a hot shower. I got dressed and went downstairs. I looked through the cupboards, nothing to eat. I saw that Charlie left a note for me on the table.
Bells, sorry there is nothing to eat. Last night you cooked what I had left. Here is some money for groceries, get what you want. See you tonight, love Dad.
I looked out the window and saw that is was raining. Gee, what a surprise. I grabbed my coat and went through the front door, locking it on my way out. I was about two steps from my truck when my ankle gave out and I fell to the floor. I chuckled to myself. Clumsy Bella.
Driving through town felt different. I don't know what I expected, but everything was the same, yet different. It was like returning to your former school. You have so many memories from when you went there, but when you go back you feel like you are intruding on someone else's memories. It still was green and wet. I don't think that would ever change.
I pulled into the grocery store and grabbed some things for dinner tonight. I picked out some things that I could eat while I stayed as well. I still didn't know how long I was going to stay. I ran into some of Charlie's friends and had to answer the same three questions. What brings you to Forks? How is school going? How long you in town for? I answered them to the best of my ability, smiled, and went on my way. I was lucky not to run into anyone from high school.
On my way back to Forks I swear I saw something running along the road in the distance. It was to fast for me to see what it was. I am starting to think I am hallucinating again, but this time instead of voices I am seeing things that aren't there, like the window.
When I pulled into the driveway I noticed the little VW Rabbit. Jacob was waiting on the porch. I got out of the truck and grabbed the groceries. With in seconds Jacob was at my side taking all the bags out of my hands. "I can carry my own groceries."
"I know you can, but I am going to help you. Judging by the water spot on the back of your leg, you have already fallen once." He was trying to hold back a smile.
"That Mr. Black, is none of your business. Now give me my groceries and be on your way." I held my hands out so he could give them to me. He put all the bags into my right hand and let go. I didn't have enough time to react to the weight and I felt my self starting to fall. Jacob starting laughing, but caught me and the groceries. His arm was around my waste and it felt so hot.
"Let me help you into the house. I need to talk to you anyways." He said unsuccessfully hiding his smile.
"You did that on purpose. I would have been fine. Ugh, follow me." I turned around to see if he was following me and I saw a look of disgust replace his smile. It looked like he smelled something vile. "Jake, are you okay? You look like your going to be sick."
"It's nothing Bella, I just smelled something in the wind. It smells horrible and something that smells that bad is never a good thing. Let's go put these groceries away." He pushed me gentle to get moving forwards.
I didn't smell anything in the wind. I tried to smell myself without him knowing to see if the source of the odor was me, but I smelled like soap. We got inside the kitchen and put all the groceries away. When I was finished I looked at him, "So Jacob what do you want to talk about."
"I wanted to first I am sorry for yesterday. I was mean and I am sorry. You caught me off guard. But mostly I want to apologize for our fight. I was going through some stuff and I didn't want you to have to go through it with me. I am sorry that I broke my promise to you. Please forgive me?" Staring at him, I no longer saw that fun loving kid that would sit in the garage with me and laugh over stupid stuff. He was younger than me, but his face look wise and aged. Instead of his old awkward stand, he stood proud.
How was I going to forgive him? He broke his promise to me when I needed him the most. Anger started building inside me. I haven't told anyone about our fight. I have kept it bottled up inside for a year. I couldn't control my temper any more. "That is all you have? An apology that is a year too late? You stopped calling me, you wouldn't answer my calls, and you yelled at me when I came to your house to see what was going on. You were my best friend and you left me high and dry. I would have been there for you. I was already torn into two and you made it worse. How dare you come to my father's house acting like you want to be my friend. Where have you been for the last year?"
"You have no idea how hard it was to stay away from you. I didn't want to stop being your friend ever. I just couldn't be your friend then. I needed to go through some things until it was safe for you. Bella you are my best friend. I would do anything to fix the mistake. I can't explain this good enough. Please Bella trust me, I will never break my promise again." He grunted and turned away and started heading toward the living room. He muttered under his breath, "This is all that leeches fault, stupid Cullens."
"Excuse me?" I followed him into the living room. "How can you leaving me, have any thing to do with the Cullens? You don't even know them. They are the nicest people you will ever meet. Jacob I don't know you anymore. Get out of my house. I don't think we can be friends. You can't even tell me why you couldn't be my friend. You just decided on your own to stop talking to me. Now that you are sure of yourself, you want to welcome me back into your little world. How is this fair for me? You can't chose when we are going to be friends. You can't lie to me and with hold information and ask me to trust you. What happened to you Jake?"
"Your beloved Edward happened to me. I loved you Bella, I wanted us to be more than just friends. But you would not give me a chance. You held on to that leech with your whole heart. He left you; he obviously doesn't care about you or your safety. I am sure he didn't even tell you he and his whole clan is back in Forks. Real classy guy you are holding out for." Slap
"OUCH! Get out of my house! Ouch! Is you face made of bricks, never mind. I don't ever want to see your face again Jacob Black. Get out.
"Are you okay? Is your hand broken?"
"Don't touch me. It is not broken, see I can move it. It just really hurts. Jacob, please leave me alone. I don't want to see you again. I can't believe that you said that. Those were the most hurtful things anyone has every said. I never pretended to be anything more than your friend. It is not fair to hold what ever delusions you had of us over my head. I don't like the person that you have become. Close the door behind you."
I stomped off into the kitchen to get some ice for my hand. How dare him. He is blaming me for his odd behavior. He was the one that ended our friendship. I tried very hard not to lead him on. I am not ready for a relationship. I wasn't then and I'm not know. I finally heard the door close behind me; soon after I heard his car engine start. Why did he keep calling them the leeches? He doesn't know that they are vampires. I never told him. Are they really back into town? I knew I shouldn't but I had to see for myself.
I threw down the ice cubes in the sink. My hand wasn't broken but it hurt a whole lot. I didn't think anyone face could be that hard. I grabbed my jacket from the hook and started to head out the door. Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Who could it be?
I opened in the door. There stood the most beautiful person I have seen in a long time. My heart started to race. I don't know if I was hallucinating again. I didn't care. I didn't know if I would be able to speak at all, but I tried. "Alice, is that really you?"
"Yes Bella it is really me." Her voice sounded like a choir of angels. My memories did not give her justice. She stood there smiling hesitantly at me.
I ran to her and threw myself in her arms. Forgetting that she was a vicious vampire I hugged her as hard as I could. I knew I could not hurt her. I breathed in her sweet smell. She hugged me back. Happiness consumed me. I didn't know how long she was going to be here, but I didn't want to let her go.
"Bella you are not mad at me?" She pushed me back so she could read my face. The happiness was gone. Panic took over. I fell to the ground sobbing, grabbing my hole in my chest. I thought I was going to literally fall apart from the pain. "BELLA, Bella, please calm down."
"You left me. You didn't tell me you were leaving. One day we were like sisters, having fun, and the next day you left me. You didn't even tell me good bye. You didn't want me to be part of your family." I let all my emotions out. I felt so weak lying on the floor in a little ball. I wondered if it would feel worse when she left me again.
"Bella, listen to me. It wasn't like that. Edward…" I flinched at the sound of his name. "…I'm sorry, but he made us promise. I will let him explain this to…"
"He's here? Oh Alice, he doesn't want me. He told me so. Why would he explain anything to one his hobbies?" I got up at out of the ball and I was on knees. I was face to face with Alice.
"Is that what he told you? Stupid jerk. Bella, I came here to tell you we are back. We all and I do mean all of us want to see you. Please come with me to my house."
Is this all really happening? I had imagined this moment so many times. It couldn't really be happening. Charlie was going to find me a sleep on the couch with tear stained cheeks. "This is not really happening. I can't keep allowing myself to fall for these dreams. Wake up Bella. Wake up."
Dream Alice was looking me with a very confused look on her face. "Wake up Bella? You are already awake." She pulled me to my feet and rolled her eyes at me. "I know this is a lot to take in right now. But you need to come to my house. There is a lot that needs to be said."
"Am I really awake? Why now? Why did you pick today to come back into my life? The same day that Jacob wants me to be in his." Dream Alice rolled her eyes again and pinched me on my right arm. "OUCH! I get it I'm awake." That really hurt. She is really here and they are really back. "Alice I can't believe that you are here, but why now?"
"That Bella, is something that needs to be discussed in front of everyone. I know I don't deserve your trust but please, come with me to my house." She offered me her hand. This was really happening.
"Alice, I don't know if I am strong enough to go. This is a lot of information to process. Did you know that I ran into Laurent? He was with the Denali sisters."
She nodded. "Bella I think that you need to hear what we have to say, but I understand if you don't want to go. It wasn't fair what my family put you through. I am very sorry to have ever caused you pain. Please know it hurt me as well. I still care for you and far as I am concerned you are my sister."
I sighed. "I guess it is now or never. Take me to your home. I have to be back before Charlie gets home. I won't know what to say to him if I am not here."
"Okay. Let's go, Carlisle car is out front."
I locked the door and took a deep breath as we got into Carlisle's car. I need to be strong right now. Into the lion's den I go and I have to survive when they are gone. I don't know if I can do this, but it was something that needed to be done.
A/N: I know this is all in Bella's POV, we will see some more from the others in the coming chapters. As well as what is going on in Jacobs head. As always, thanks for the comments!!!