A huge thank you to vegenosferatu - my first ever reviewer. 33
I hope this chapter is good because I kinda left you guys on a cliffy last time, I'm not 1OO% happy with this, but I'll see what you guys think. :]
I edged closer to the forest, fighting my usual urge to turn and run. Embry was struggling into his sweatpants as he appeared from behind a tree. My heart instantly calmed when I saw him. Thank God!
"What's up, Bella?" he flashed me his signature sideway smirk.
"Embry Call!" I slapped him lightly on his shoulder, well as close to it as I could reach, "You almost gave me a heart attack!" he laughed as I shot him a death glare.
"Hey, you're the one creeping around here in the dark, calling out for Jake" he raised his eyebrows, made a kissy-face then laughed. I slapped him again, hurting myself more than him.
"Is he in there?" I asked, I motioned with my head as my gaze flicked to the forest. Embry smiled at me as I rubbed my palm to ease the stinging.
"Nah, he's at home tonight," he said "He's supposed to be catching up on some sleep"
"Oh.." I sighed and looked down at the ground studying my bare feet.
"Go see him Bella," I looked up at him "I'm sure he'll be awake anyways"
I grinned at Embry and pulled him into a hug. He laid one of his hands on top of my head and ruffled my hair a little. Over that past few months that had become 'our thing' Embry became like the big brother I never had. Except Emmett and Jasper, huh Bella? I mentally punished myself for forgetting them.
"I better get back, Sam's out there on his own" Embry interrupted me from my own thought. He pointed his thumb towards the forest as I nodded against his chest and pulled back to look at him.
"Oh of course, I'll see you tomorrow, at the barbeque?" I asked. I already knew the answer.
"Dude, if there's food, I'm there!" he laughed. He ruffled my hair again then turned and disappeared back into the dark forest. I smiled and ran around my truck, hauling my door open and climbing onto my seat. I tossed my flip-flops on the passenger seat and pulled my door closed. It banged loudly and I flinched, my gaze automatically shot up to Charlie's bedroom window. Not lights, no movement, I was safe. I let out a breath I didn't realise I'd been holding and I began to fumble around in the dark as I tried to pull my keys out of my back pocket.
I finally pushed my key into the ignition and my loveable old truck sputtered into life. I threw it into reverse and backed out of the driveway. I sneaked one last peak at my house, something moving where I'd just been standing caught my eye. Embry. I grinned at his wolf and waved. Of course he'd be waiting there, I thought, checking that I was safe. He lifted his right paw off the ground, his tail wagging. His way of saying bye. I pushed my truck into drive and started to speed down the road. It was 2:3Oam now and I hoped that Jake was still awake.
The drive to La Push seemed much shorter tonight. I rolled down my window, hoping to catch some of the cooling breeze that was rolling in off the ocean tonight. My cellphone buzzed in my pocket, just as I was about to reach the invisible boundary line. I sighed and pulled over. I slid my phone out of my pocket and flipped it open. I had a text. Edward.
Bella, where do you think you are going? It's almost 3 o'clock in the morning. Surely whatever reason you have to see Jacob can wait until morning, a reasonable hour in the morning, preferably. Edward x I rolled my eyes.
I looked straight ahead, into the streets of La Push, with a sigh. I smiled to myself and pushed 'reply' then began to type furiously.
Look Edward, this is really important. I've already told you that I will see Jake wherever and whenever I see fit. This is one of those times. I'll see you soon, Bella. That was it; no kiss at the end, simple and to the point. I pushed 'send' before I had a chance to change any of it and slid my phone back into my pocket.
As I approached the turn for Billy's house, I killed the engine. I didn't wanna park right in front in case Billy was still awake; he was a pretty tolerant guy but I didn't wanna push my luck, just in case. I opened my door and hopped out. I hated the way my legs felt when I pulled them away from the seats; it was like the feeling you get when you rip a bandaid off. Ew! Shorts, bare legs, hot weather and leather seats do not make a good combination, I noted. I closed my door and surveyed the house. It was in complete darkness. I crouched down a little and ran across the front lawn, around to the side of the house. I ran my hand along the wall to steady myself as I carefully picked my way towards Jake's window. Dammit, I shoulda put those damn flip-flops on! I mentally scolded myself as I stood on a sharp rock. My hand hit something solid, which meant I'd reached Jake's window ledge. I smiled.
"Jake!" I hissed, hoping I wouldn't wake Billy. I tapped my fingers lightly on his window pane; tap, tap, tap. Nothing, I glared up at the darkened window and hissed a little louder this time "Jacob! Jake, wake up!" Tap, tap, tap, tap.
I was about to begin searching for a rock when he appeared at the other side, looking dazed and confused. His eyes brightened when he saw me and he immediately launched himself at the window, pushing it right open.
"Bells?" he asked, rubbing his left eye as if his eyes were playing tricks on him.
"Yeah it's me" I grinned up at him.
"What's wrong? Are you okay?" his voice suddenly hoarse with concern.
"What? Oh, nothing, I'm fine. I jus' came to see you, I know it's late but-" he cut me of,
"You know you don't need a reason, right Bells?" he grinned at me.
I felt my heart swell, suddenly something clicked inside of my brain. I held my hand up to shush him and pulled my phone out of my pocket. 2:48am.
It was right there; outside Jake's window at the side of the Black family home, at 2:48am that I felt my heart melt for Jacob Black. I love him. I genuinely grinned at him and the confusion on his face was replaced by my smile.