Chapter 15: Say Goodbye I'll Be Okay
Sonny and I cranked through our English review notes in the flooded light of a lamp in the library. Since our teacher had warned that she wasn't planning on making it easy, we decided to not take any chances.
Sonny pushed her reading glasses up on her nose as she peered at the correct answer key for the grammar exercise in the book. She grimaced as she set the book down and pushed it away. She removed her glasses and rubbed her eyes.
"This is getting to be a pain," groaned Sonny as she set her glasses back on her nose, "I've done 10 of these freaking grammar exercises and my head is killing me." I agreed as I set aside my notes on the last book we had read.
"We can call it a day," I replied calmly, "I'd really like to get home before June decides that I've been abducted by aliens." Sonny tried to suppress her giggle and she looked around to make sure no one was looking at us. We were in a pretty quiet part of the library since all the computers were up in the front. There was some small groups quizzing each other and a single girl was flipping through her flashcards.
"Do you need my mom to give you a ride home?" Sonny whispered as she stuffed her book into her bag. I was about to answer when I felt a huge hand clap me on the shoulder. I looked up to see Jacob towering over us and looking straight at Sonny.
"I'm gonna take her home," he replied quietly as he helped me out of my chair, "Besides, we need to talk." His tone became heavy and monotone as soon as he uttered the last sentence. This was going to be real fun. Not.
"You drive?" I skeptically asked as he held the door open for me, "But you're 16!" Jacob's grim face broke slightly as an arrogant, proud expression spread across his face.
"I started when I was 15 1/2," he boasted, "What? You haven't started yet?" I shook my head no. June would rather commit herself to an asylum than sit in the passenger's seat while I drove. She wasn't pressing for it and I honestly could have cared less. He turned the keys in ignition and started the awkward drive home.
"So, uh," I lamely began, "What brings you here?" Jacob clenched the wheel tightly in his hands and his eyes became sharp.
"I felt like seeing you again," he dryly replied, "What were you doing in the Art Room with one of them?" He stressed emphasis on the word 'them' with such great disdain.
"I was working on a charcoal sketch of you and Jasper came in to see me," I began slowly, "He tried to ask me out but I told him that it wouldn't work out." Jacob's tense muscles relaxed at my words. The harsh edge to his eyes softened and he breathed a sign of relief.
"So its not him you want?" Jacob persisted. I shook my head no.
"I can't return his feelings and I certainly can't screw up events in the book," I softly added. My last words had failed to click with Jacob for he perked up.
"Is it me?" he questioned lightly, "Come on! You made a sketch of me, that's a sign." I smiled brokenly and hung my head. This was hurt him more than it hurt me. Maybe even more than when Bella told Jacob she'd never go with him.
"No Jacob," I grimly replied, "I can't have you either. I can't screw up the events in the book or everything that does exist will be thrown into chaos." Jacob bit his lip to hold back the pain that I just gave him.
"Jacob, I would happily date you if I wasn't a real-live girl from another reality," I sighed unhappily, "I need things to go the way they were written. Can you promise to follow through with what I'm going to tell you?" Jacob wheeled expertly into my driveway, unbuckled his seat belt, and turned to face me.
"I want you more than I could have ever wanted anyone else," Jacob mournfully told me, "But for you, I'll do whatever it is you tell me to do. I'm listening." I collected the facts that Cass had fed me about Breaking Dawn in my mind and took a deep breath.
"Forgive Bella," I began, "She needs your support more than anything else at this time. You will fall for Bella's daughter Renesmee and imprint on her. Protect her for her life will be threatened in the early stages of her life." Jacob stared at me flabbergasted.
"There's no way I could fall for a blood-sucking creep's off-" Jacob began to say but he abruptly cut his words short as I shot him a look. He sighed heavily and leaned back into his seat. "All right then Lara," he answered after a long pause, "I promise I'll follow through. But Renesmee better be pretty!" I chuckled and shook my head.
"Trust me," I reassured him, "She's going to be a knockout. She'll put me to shame, that's for sure." Jacob shook his head no and leaned in closer.
"Lara," he breathed, "You're a quirky beauty. I doubt that anyone can rival you in that category." I smiled and thanked him. Out of sudden impulse, I closed the gap between us and kissed him lightly on the lips.
"Good bye Jacob," I told him as I exited his car.