Graduation
Almost four weeks had gone without any sign of Victoria, and there was exactly 11 days left until the wedding. It was coming together great, we'd picked out a venue, a cake, the dress, everything was falling into place. Emily had decided on an outdoor wedding by the beach in La Push. It was going to be so romantic and I even caught myself looking forward it.
"So are you excited?" Jacob asked me when we were driving home from a dinner at Emily's place.
"I have to say that I am. At first I wasn't too keen on the whole maid of honor thing, but I'm coming around. I'm so happy for them and I actually think the wedding is going to be fun." I answered, and the added jokingly. "Even though there's dancing involved."
"Well I think it's great that you're happy for Sam and Emily, but that's not what I was talking about."
"Then what?" I asked puzzled.
"Hello Bella, you're graduating the day after tomorrow. Or did you forget about that?"
"Right, graduation. To tell you the truth I haven't even thought about it, I've been so busy with the wedding. This semester has just flown by. And now it's all ending, I never thought I'd say this but I'm going to miss that place."
Only two days until graduation. In the midst of planning the wedding I had forgotten completely. Luckily I hadn't forgotten about college, I didn't really have money to go somewhere fancy so I thought I´d just stay where my dad and Jacob were, and go to the University of Washington. I had sent in my application a few months ago.
"Yes I can see why you might. Forks high school is just so wonderful." Jacob laughed.
I gave him a skeptical look and said. "No not the school, but you know the memories" Then I added a bit down, "At least the happy ones."
I was thinking of Edward leaving of course, and Jacob knew it. The zombie period wasn't exactly a happy time.
So Jacob quickly changed the subject, "Well I think we should throw a party, you know to celebrate."
"Oh no Jake, you know how I feel about parties."
"Yes and if it was up to you, you'd be spending graduation night in front of the TV with take-out. I'm not letting that happened. You should get to have some fun." He gave me a long puppy eyed look. "Please."
"Fine but I decide when, where, and who." I finally said, caving.
"Of course, you're not going to regret this, we are going to have so much fun." He said as I turned into my driveway.
I turned off the engine and said, "Do you want to come in. I'm sure Charlie wouldn't mind."
"Sure, got nothing to do anyways. Alpha duty is kind of easy now that Victoria is gone."
I gave him a hard look, he knew what I meant and said. "I know you don't believe it, but we haven't picked up on her sent in almost four weeks. I think it's safe to say, that she isn't coming back."
"Or she's just planning something. It just doesn't make sense that she would give up like that."
"Let's just be happy she isn't around anymore. Okay?"
"Okay." I smiled at him and we went inside. The hallway was dark, and you could hear Charlie's snores form upstairs, it must be later then I'd thought. Jacob and I went up to my room, quietly, and closed the door.
"Let's talk about the party." Jacob said as he went to lie down on my bed. "Who should we invite?"
I turned to the door and locked it with a click. Then I turned to Jacob with a smile. "I don't really care." I walked over to him and lay down next to him.
He smiled my favorite smile and I leaned over and kissed him.
"I thought you were all strict on the who, when and where." He said when I released his lips and moved down to his neck.
"I guess I changed my mind." I said a little out of breath. "Just as long as you're there, I don't really care who comes." I pulled myself closer to him.
"So then I could invite… I don't know… Lauren." Jacob snickered.
I pulled away and looked at him skeptically. "This may come as a surprise, but right now I don't want to talk about the party."
"I could live with that." He said as him pulled me on top of him so I could kiss him more easily. After that there wasn't a lot of talking.
There was never any doubt or hesitation between me and Jacob, like everything else, this part was easy too. Our lips moved together and there was never a need to break the kiss, to be careful. Eventually we fell asleep in each other's arms, and I slept dreamlessly and heavy in his warm embrace.
The next morning I woke up from Charlie's knocks on the door. "Bella, your door's locked again." Knock, knock. "Let me in."
"Just a second, dad." I turned to wake Jacob but he wasn't in my bed. I shuffled out of bed a little dazed, unlocked the door, and opened it.
"What is it dad?" I said in an annoyed and dazed voice.
"I'm going to the station, and I just wanted to make sure you were okay, and that you got home safe last night." He scanned my room with his eyes.
"Okay, but as you can see I'm fine. Bye bye." I closed the door on Charlie and went back to bed. I was really tired. My head hit the pillow and right then I remembered that I was graduating tomorrow. The thought woke me up and I got up to got eat breakfast.
I was actually really excited, mom and Phil were flying in from Florida and I had (reluctantly) gone shopping with Emily and had found a good dress to wear.
Everything was in order for the party that Jacob had decided to throw me, as well. We were going down to La Push. The wolves, Emily, and the guys from school; Jessica, Mike, Angela, and Ben were all going to come. These were my demands and I'd told Jacob that he could take care of the rest.
The wedding was coming along great and everything was set for graduation and the party.
So there was nothing much to do today, I decided to occupy myself with reading Wuthering Heights again. While reading of Heathcliff and Catherine, I heard the doorbell ring. I flew down the stairs and opened the door. Outside in the rain stood Jacob, he was drenched, and only in his cutoff jeans. He had a stern look on his face.
"What's wrong?" I asked upset by his appearance.
"Can I come in?" he asked, avoiding my question.
I stepped out of the way and he walked past me and in to the kitchen where he sat in a chair and put his head in his hands.
"What's wrong?" I repeated, as I followed him in.
"She back."
Those two words were all it took, I knew exactly what he meant, and a strange mixture of; hate, despair, fear, and anxiety went through me. "She's back." I said with a monotone voice. "She's never going to stop. Not until she kills me." I leaned against the kitchen counter as my head spun.
Jacob flew out of his chair and almost screamed "I won't let that happen, even if I have to hunt all night I will find her and kill her myself."
And just like that he was out the door running towards the woods.
"Wait" I cried as I followed him out into the rain, but it was useless, he was already out of sight. I stood there in the rain for a while not able to move.
Soon the cold grew too uncomfortable and I went inside. "So much for a slow day" I thought to myself as I tried to collect my thoughts.
Victoria was back again, Jacob was out hunting her again, and I was left at home to worry again… great.
The whole day passed, painfully slowly, I tried to read some more but it was impossible. I was too distracted but my own thoughts that I didn't notice the meaning behind the words and after a few pages I had no idea what I'd just read, therefore I gave up. Instead I just waited and by bedtime he still wasn't back. I didn't want to sleep but eventually I couldn't fight my weariness anymore and reluctantly I went to bed. I slept uneasy and woke up multiple times.
There was a faint noise by the window and suddenly I was very much awake and sat up in the bed with my eyes on the window. Jacob climbed in and he had a remorseful expression. "Sorry." Was all he said as he went to lay down next to me.
I was immensely grateful that he was alive and in one piece. I hugged him and held him close as if I was afraid he would disappear again.
He hugged me back and said, "I'm sorry, I can't even imagine how worried you must have been. It was stupid of me to run of like that, I just wanted to find her and kill her, to have it over with." He had his eyes on the ceiling, and a serious expression.
"Did you? Find her I mean?" I asked.
"No. I ran halfway to Canada trying." His voice was somber.
I exhaled a bit in relief. "I was really worried, you know."
"I know, and again, I'm so sorry. We'll just have to go back to normal guarding duties and hope we can catch her soon. In fact Jared and Quil are watching your house as we speak."
"Okay, then let's sleep. I'm graduating tomorrow." I said, with a smile, in spite of everything going on.
"Good night." He said with a muted voice.
"Good night." I whispered.
Secure in Jacob's arms I fell asleep quickly.
I woke with a start out of a nightmare that was already slipping away, Victoria had made an appearance but more than that I couldn't remember.
Jacob was still here and I rolled over and put my head on his warm chest to listen to his heartbeat, this helped me calm down a bit and think about the situation. Okay, I thought. Victoria was back. She hadn't given up, as I had foolishly and unwillingly let myself believe. I thought about the past weeks and how happy I had been, how I had thought yesterday that everything was working out. I'd been so excited about the wedding, and about graduation. Graduation's today, I thought suddenly. But now the word was clouded with fear and uncertainty, would Jacob even be there or would he have to run around the woods as a wolf to protect me from Victoria.
No, I decided, he would be there. I wasn't going to let Victoria keep me from enjoying my own graduation. I had let her have too much power over my life and it was going to stop now, I would not let her scare me out of being happy today. With that I looked at the clock to see whether it was time to get up yet.
"Eight!" I screamed as I pushed Jacob out of my bed.
He fell loudly to the floor and asked in a dazed voice "What's wrong?"
"Jacob, look at the clock! I'm going to be late to my own graduation!" I shouted as I ran to the window to see if Charlie's cruiser was there, it wasn't. He must have left already, but why didn't he wake me? I thought as I gathered my things and went to the bathroom.
I had planned on showering and washing my hair this morning but there was no time. I brushed my hair and teeth, and got dressed quickly.
As I got back to the room Jacob had went down to get me a granola bar and he gave it to me as he said "Here, eat this. I'll drive."
I took my ugly yellow graduation gown and threw it over my arm, before following Jacob down the stairs and into my truck.
We were soon on the road but my truck was slow and I was afraid I'd miss the whole ceremony altogether. "Please step on it Jake. I need to be there like five minutes ago." I said urgently.
"I am stepping on it Bella. And you won't miss anything these things never start in time." There was confidence in his voice but he still tried to push the old engine even more.
When we got to the school all the seniors were already lined up to get their diplomas, they had only gotten to the B's though and I was immeasurably grateful that my last name started with an S. I ran across the lot and quickly joined the others in line. Jessica gave me a bewildered look from her place in the line.
They soon got to the S´s and I watched as Jessica walked over to get her diploma, she almost tripped at the end of the stairs up to the stage. I reminded myself to be careful with my step as they called my name. When I (carefully) walked up on the stage the entire wolf pack cheered loudly next to my mother, Phil and Charlie. Thankfully I made it across the stage without any accidents, and went to stand by the others.
Angela was the valedictorian, of course, and it was time for her speech.
"Until now the decisions we've made and the paths we've chosen have been easy choices…" She began, "When we were five, it was deciding what to wish for at Christmas. When we became ten, it was choosing who to invite to you birthday party. The paths we walked were the paths that are parents made for us. But now, as we graduate we're suddenly faced with much harder choices, we have to decide which path to walk in life. So where do we from here? A wise man once said; do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
"So now I ask you to listen to your hearts and not your parents and make your own trail. But as we head of to start our lives and to make new paths, we shouldn't forget the path that lead us here. The last four years we've all walked a single path together and as we turn to head off into our different directions we will remember the people we got to now here at forks high and all the great times we've had together.
It's been a privileged to walk beside you these past four years, and I hope we cross paths again, class of 2006. And with that I finish by saying; walk tall, and make your own path through life."
Everyone was on their feet clapping and cheering. Leave it to Angela to make a graduation speech that would get a standing ovation.
"Congratulations Bella!" Jacob said, as he caught up with me after the ceremony, and he gave me one of his bear hugs, "For not falling off the stage I mean" he laughed.
"Well, thank you." I said, my response laced with false offence.
"Congrats Bella. I'm so proud." Charlie had made his way through the crowd and as he hugged me I thought I saw him wipe away a tear.
"Are you crying dad?" I said a little surprised.
"No." He said a little embarrassed, but I saw him wipe away another tear. "Well, I can't help it I'm just so damn proud of you."
Sharing emotion wasn't one of Charlie's strengths, and I had unfortunately inherited this from him.
"Thanks dad." I said and we gave each other another awkward hug.
At that moment Phil and mom found us, and Renée threw her arms around me and the tears were streaming down her face. "Oh Bella, I'm so proud of you." She took my face in her hands. "I can´t believe my little girl is growing up."
"Thanks mom." I said and squirmed out of her hold.
"So this calls for a celebratory lunch." She continued. "I'm taking you guys out." She said to me and Charlie.
He started to protest but she just said, "How often does our daughter graduate from High school Charlie? We need to celebrate, let´s go."
She started to lead the way through the crowd, and Phil and Charlie followed. "Mom." I called, and she turned. "I'll meet you there I'm just going to say goodbye to my friends."
"Okay sweetie." She called back over the crowd.
I saw Jessica standing there with Mike, Ben and Angela, Jacob and I went over to them. "Congratulations." Jacob said as we got closer.
"Thanks." Mike said. "And thanks for the help with my car man, you saved my life."
"You're welcome" Jacob said and shook his hand.
Jessica hugged me with tears in her eyes. "Bella can you believe it's all ending, you have to promise we'll stay in touch"
"I promise." I said and hugged her back. She released me then and wiped the tears from her eyes. "By the way, what was that this morning? You almost missed the ceremony!" She said shocked.
"Yeah." Angela agreed concerned. "What happened there, did you oversleep?"
"I did, woke up at eight." I said, and Jacob chuckled beside me. I couldn't help but smile back at him. This morning I had been in a crazed, panicked state, but now everything was slowing down, and I was so grateful, I had been in time.
"Wow, you're lucky you didn't miss it. Imagine missing you own graduation." Mike mused.
"Well, fortunately I didn't." I smiled. "Look, I have to go have lunch with my parents, but we'll meet up at Emily's place at seven for the party. Okay?"
"Sounds good." Mike agreed.
"We'll be there." Ben said.
"Me too." Jessica said, and then they were all attacked by relatives who wanted to congratulate them. Jacob and I made are way through the crowd and out to the parking lot.
"So I'll see you at seven?" Jacob asked as he opened the car door for me.
"Yes." I smiled. "I'm actually excited about the party." I admitted.
"Really?" he said incredulous. "Isabella Swan, excited about a party, stop the presses." He snickered.
I laughed with him, and then I remembered about Victoria. "All of you will be there tonight, right? I mean, no one will be on guard duty." I asked.
He became serious. "Well, we figure that with all of us there, in human form, you will be safe enough for one night." Then his mood lightened. "But it is you we're talking about, with your luck who knows what will happen."
"Very funny Jake." I snapped. But I was grateful that they were all going to be there, in human forms. Like I said before, I wasn't about to let Victoria ruin graduation for me.
"See you at seven." I kissed him and got into the truck. I saw him wave as I drove away.
I knew exactly were my three parents had went, as there was only one restaurant in town that was appropriate for these sort of occasions.
I left my cap and gown in the truck and as I walked into the restaurant I saw the three of them sitting at a table. Renée was laughing loudly, Phil had his arm around her and she had her hand on Charlie's hand. I stood there for a moment watching them talk and laugh, before walking up and joining them.
