Telling the Truth
Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.
A/N-Sorry about the delay in updating this story, I hope you enjoy! *runs and hides*
Part Twelve
Bella was alone in her house, her dad was at work and Paul was out patrolling. She sighed as she tried to sort through the heavy pile of homework that she had been neglecting lately. School had become a nightmare as she tried to avoid the Cullen family. She surrounded herself with her friends like Mike, Jessica and Angela just so that they could not approach her in public. Alice had tried calling her and Edward had passed her several handwritten notes begging for a chance to speak to her alone, but she had ignored them all.
Her thoughts travelled to Jacob and she frowned, trying to hold back her tears. She missed her best friend and felt devastated that he was still unable to forgive her. She had tried to call and apologise but Billy had told her to keep her distance for now, his son was hurting and needed space. Bella had reluctantly complied and she now found herself spending more time with Paul, Sam and Leah. Since the imprint had broken between Sam and Emily, he had wasted no time in making up for lost time with Leah. Their renewed relationship had brought out a change in both of them and it heartened Bella to see their happiness. She had never in her wildest dreams thought that she would ever have become friends with Leah Clearwater, but the changes in all their circumstances had brought them together.
Bella picked up her calculus book and opened it; she pushed all thoughts out of her head and became immersed in the subject, her quick mind making easy work of the complicated equations. A slight breeze made her pause in her contemplation and she glanced up and let out a scream as she saw Edward Cullen standing near her.
"Hush," Edward said gently as he pulled out the chair opposite her and gave her one of his crooked smiles. "I didn't mean to startle you love."
Bella shoved her own chair back and stood up. "What are you doing here?" she demanded her voice quavering.
Edward gave a fake sigh and ran a hand through his thick hair. A sad expression crossed his face as he looked up at her. "I simply missed you Bella. You would not allow me to see you. I wrote you letters but you have not replied. Please, whatever I have done to push you away, I apologise. I have been thinking deeply over the past week and I have come to the conclusion that you are finding it difficult to overcome my perceived abandonment of you. I know that at the time you said that you had forgiven me, I understand that you must still struggle with the fact that I might do so again. I can assure you though; it will never happen again, Bella. I know I cannot continue in this existence without you. "
Bella simply stared at him as if he was crazy. He was talking as if she was just punishing him in some way for his past misdemeanours. It was like he had dismissed from his mind everything she had said to him. She swallowed nervously. "Edward, I made myself clear the last time I spoke to you. I no longer have any feelings for you. I want you to leave me alone."
"That is not possible my love. Your life is in extreme danger. I am the only one who can protect you from yourself. You are so fragile, let me..." Edward stopped speaking as he suddenly rose from his chair and whirled around.
The front door to the house was suddenly kicked open and Jacob ran in. He sprinted over to Bella and stood in front of her protectively. "Get out, NOW Bloodsucker." he roared at Edward.
Edward appeared stunned by Jacob's unexpected arrival. The boy had managed to conceal both his thoughts and his scent from detection; he tried to probe into his mind to see how he had done it but drew a blank. Jacob seemed to sense what he was doing because he crossed his arms and gave out a bitter laugh.
"I wouldn't bother. I am now Alpha of the pack and that gives me certain privileges leech, one of them is having the ability to keep you out of my head. Now I suggest you leave before I rip your head from your shoulders." He said nonchalantly.
A snarl escaped Edward's lips as he drew them back over his teeth. "This is not over, Black."
"Get out," Jacob shot back fiercely.
Edward knew he did not stand a chance; he gave one last despairing look at Bella before he disappeared out of the door.
XXXXXX
Jacob held Bella in his arms as she sobbed into his chest; once again he had appeared just in time to save her. Guilt and remorse weighed heavy on her as she let him hold her together like he always did. After a while, Jacob released her and led her into the living room. She sat on the couch and he knelt in front of her, holding her hands in his own.
"Are you okay now, Bells?" He asked softly.
"Yes, thanks. Jake I'm so...grateful to you. How come you knew that Edward was here?"
"I didn't. I came to see you; I hate not being friends Bells. I miss you. I know that we are never going to be more than friends and I am not going to lie when I say you can do so much better then Paul, but...I want you in my life. I need you; please I know that I reacted badly. I want to make our friendship work..." He begged her.
Bella reached out and cupped his beloved face in the palm of her hands. "It should be me apologising to you. Yes, I want to be friends. I have really missed you too, Jake. As long as you can accept the fact that I am with Paul, then I want to try and make this work too."
A sunny grin crossed Jacob's face, reminding Bella of how young he still was. She let him engulf her in one of his bear hugs and she laughed along with him as he whirled her around in delight. He eventually put her down and she took a moment to appraise him.
"So, what is this about you suddenly becoming Alpha?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at him.
"Long story...I'm hungry, could you rustle up a snack for me Bells?" he asked hopefully.
Bella giggled and led her best friend into the kitchen to do as he asked.
XXXXXX
Paul saw Bella walking slowly down the beach toward him, her hair was blowing wildly in the wind and she had a thoughtful look on her face. He stood up and waited for her to reach him, a sinking feeling began to swirl around in his gut. She looked like she was gearing up to tell him something, was she going to reject him after all?
After what seemed an age she finally reached him and gave him a small smile. "Hey."
Paul stared at her his face stoic and showing no emotion. His sensitive nose could already smell Jacob's scent all over her."You look preoccupied." he muttered.
Bella seemed bewildered by his tone. She reached out and caught hold of his hand. "Are you okay? Did something happen when you were out on patrol?"
Paul ripped his hand out of hers and stepped back. "No, what were you thinking about so hard? I saw your face as you came down the beach."
"What is your problem, Paul? Why are you talking to me like that?" she demanded.
"I can smell him; you have been with Jake behind my back." He yelled at her, his anger beginning to consume him.
Bella clenched her fists, after all she had been through today, to hear him accusing of her of something she had not done made her blood boil. She stalked toward him and poked him in the chest. "Yes, I saw Jake today. He once again saved me. Edward paid me a little visit and if it wasn't for Jake arriving when he did, I don't what would have happened. Do you know what? Jacob came to me to apologise and ask if we could still be friends. After all that I have put him through, he has forgiven me. Then I come here and you stand there and accuse me of what I don't know. GO TO HELL PAUL LAHOTE."
Paul stared at her, the wind completely taken out of his sails. He had let his jealously control him and in doing so had upset her and misunderstood his pack mate's intentions. He tried to reach out for Bella but she shrank away from him.
"I am sick of this, Paul. You just don't seem to trust me. As soon as I think we are getting somewhere...we end up here, arguing over nothing, I'm tired of it." She began to turn away but he caught hold of her arm and yanked her back to face him.
"Don't you dare. "He hissed at her. "Stop walking away from me."
"Then stop pushing me away." She yelled in his face.
Paul gazed at her flushed face and wild eyes. Her hair was a curly mess framing her small face. She had never looked so beautiful, he tugged her closer and pressed his mouth to hers, stopping all of her protests with a passionate kiss. She tried to resist him at first but soon gave in as his tongue parted her lips as he intensified the kiss. Her arms slipped around his neck and he hoisted her up against him, enjoying the feel of her body pressed close to his.
He carried her into the cave, never once breaking their kiss. Bella's legs wound around his waist to keep herself steady and Paul groaned as he wrapped his arms more tightly around her. She was the one who had to pull away first as she needed to take in air, her breath came in short pants as she tried to dampen down the desire that Paul had awakened in her. The kissing was great but she was still pissed at him.
"Put me down, Paul..." She asked as she finally regained control of her emotions.
Paul reluctantly complied and let her slide down slowly so that he could feel her body against his all the way. "I suppose you want me to apologise. Well darlin' that was it."
"Kissing does not make up for the fact that you acted like an asshole." Bella huffed as she tried to shove him away again.
"You enjoyed it..." Paul teased giving her salacious grin.
"Can you just stop avoiding it Paul? You acted like a jealous ass, now admit it?" Bella stamped her foot and Paul burst out laughing.
"Alright, alright...yes, I was an idiot. Just come here sweetheart. I need to feel you in my arms again." Paul held out his arms and gave her an endearing grin.
Bella grudgingly nestled back into his embrace and rested her head on his chest. "You're just lucky that I love you." she mumbled.
A serious note crept into Paul's voice as he answered her. "I know. I'm sorry Bella...it's just the thought that I could lose you now makes me a bit crazy." He admitted.
"Well you're not getting rid of me now," Bella smiled and put her arms around his waist, she lifted her head and gazed up at him.
"I love you too..." Paul said huskily. He cupped her face in his hands and inclined his head toward hers as he placed a loving kiss on her lips.
A/N-Thanks for reading! I hope this came across okay! Nikki