'ello my lovelies! [: i had this chapter all written on but, after all your reviews, i've changed my mind about what i want for our lovely couple so.. this is a little taster of what's to come.. i really hope you like it because it's been the hardest [short] chapter to write so far.
Jacob's POV.
"We're gunna go run off some of this, uh, steam," I smiled, pressing my lips to her forehead "I'll be back soon, B."
"Love you." she smiled, slipping her feet out of her flipflops. Tell her you love her too. I took off running as she bent down to scoop them up. Tell her you love her too! I paused, just inside the forest, watching her stare after me. Jackass.
--
"What?" Sam scoffed, raising his eyebrows.
"Jus'.. tell me again." I hissed, watching Bella and Leah from the safety of the trees. I glanced back at him, waiting for his answer.
"I.. well, everything goes fuzzy and sorta zoned-out," he shrugged, glancing around "It makes it hard to focus on anything but that one person.."
"Is that what you think happened?" Brady asked. I sighed, nodding quickly.
"Oooh shit." Gee thanks, Quil.
--
"And you haven't told her because.. why exactly?" Embry asked, staring up at me as I paced back and forth.
"Cause what if I'm wrong?" I asked, glanced at him "I mean, what if I tell her and it's not true or what if she changes her mind about McCreepy back there.. it'll destroy everything, dude."
"But.. you're still pretty sure, right?" Jared chimed in, glancing at me then at Sam.
I hesitated for a second, before nodding.
"Then you gotta tell her, bro, she has to know." Quil sighed.
Everyone was looking at me, expecting answers. Everyone.. except Paul. I watched him stare at the ground, leaning against a tree furthest away from the rest of the pack. What's the deal with-
"C'mon," Sam said, breaking my chain of thought "I don't know about you but I'm starving. Let's go get some food."
He pushed himself up from the tree stump he was sitting on as Quil whizzed by him.
"Last one there gets dawn patrol!"
Typical. I rolled my eyes, smiling.
Bella's POV.
"Bella?" Leah whispered as the boys got closer "Please don't tell anyone."
"I won't." I grinned up at her, holding out my hand "Pinkie promise."
She looked at me for a moment then laughed, linking our pinkie-fingers together.
--
"Time to go Bella." Charlie called. I nodded quickly without looking at him.
"I'm gunna miss you tonight." I whispered, wrapping my arms around Jake's neck as I stared up at him. He wrapped his arms around my waist.
"What time does Charlie go to bed?" he whispered back, grinning down at me.
"Let's go Bella." Charlie called. My final warning.
I glanced over my shoulder, at Charlie and Billy waiting by the cruiser, then back at Jake.
"Midnight, maybe eleven thirty." I whispered quickly, hugging him again.
"I'll be over after patrol." He winked, flashing me a devilish grin.
I grinned, turning on my heel, and headed for the car. Charlie was already inside, tapping his fingers impatiently on the steering wheel. I rolled my eyes, smiling at him as I pulled the door open.
"About time too." he grumbled, trying to hide his smile.
--
I curled up in bed, trying to focus on the book in front of me. I heard Charlie shut off the tv in the living room and head upstairs, muttering to himself when he hit the squeaky steps. I glanced at my clock; 11:48pm. Three, two, one.. I smiled to myself as he knocked quietly on my bedroom door.
"Bells?" he pushed the door open, peeking his head inside.
"Yeah, Dad?"
"I think I'm gunna hit the hay now." he yawned, stretching his arms above his head "Don't stay up too late, huh?"
"I won't, Dad, I just wanna finish this, uh, chapter." I smiled, holding up the book. I couldn't tell him the plot or the characters if my life depended on it.. Hell, I don't know if this book even has chapters!
"Alright," He nodded, smiling at me "G'night sweetheart."
"Night Dad." I smiled back as he pulled the door closed. I tossed the book to the bottom of my bed, grinning as I lay back.
--
I turned, pulling my comforter tighter around my shoulders. I froze when I collided with something hard. Panic filled me for a second. Oh shit. I held my breath, listening intently. What the hell am I even listening for?!
"Breathe, Bella." Jake murmured sleepily, slinging his arm around my waist.
"Jake!" I hissed, swatting at his arm "You scared the crap outta me!"
"Well, who else did you think would be laying in bed beside you?" he chuckled.
"Oh, I don't know, a mass-murderer or.. something."
"Mmm yeah," He chuckled, burying his face into my pillow "I hear murderers jus' love to snuggle before they kill people, B."
"Shut up." I huffed, pouting slightly "Wait.. did you just say 'snuggle'?"
"I meant it in the manliest way possible." he stated, peeking one eye open. I giggled, turning over to lay flat on my back. Jake's arm slid under my head, until his bicep was supporting my neck.
"How was patrol?" I whispered, squinting at him through the darkness.
"Uh, quiet, y'know." he shrugged, staring up at the ceiling. I copied him, feeling slightly uncomfortable.
"I'm scared Jake." I whispered, not daring to look at him, I felt his gaze on me but I still couldn't look at him "I've never been scared of someone before. Sometimes a little intimidated - but never scared - but you." I turned to him with my best attempt at 'everything's-alright' smile, staring into those big brown eyes "You scare me with your beautiful eyes and your amazing smile." I reached up, stroking his cheek, then turned back to gaze at the ceiling "I'm so scared that I'll want to love you forever and you'll only want me for a few months in your life.."
"Bella, I-" he tried, sliding his free hand down my arm to grip my hand.
"No, Jake, jus'.. I jus' wanna let you know when you imprint-"
"If-" he hissed, as I turned to glare at him in the darkness.
"When you imprint, I want you to tell me as soon as you know.. I know we won't be able to be friends anymore but.. I don't want us to be like Leah and Sam." I sniffed, trying to choke back the tears but failing. Badly.
"I love you, Bella." he whispered, pulling me tight to his chest. I inhaled his scent through my sobs, determined to remember that particular smell for the rest of my life. Just in case..
Jake's POV.
"I'm scared Jake." she whispered, staring up at the ceiling. I turned my head, staring at the side of her face. Of what? "I've never been scared of someone before. Sometimes a little intimidated - but never scared - but you." she turned to me with a sad smile, staring into my eyes "You scare me with your beautiful eyes and your amazing smile." she reached up, stroking my cheek, before tearing her gaze away "I'm so scared that I'll want to love you forever and you'll only want me for a few months in your life.."
"Bella, I-" I whispered back, gripping her hand. Time to bite the bullet.
"No, Jake, jus'.. I jus' wanna let you know that when you imprint-"
"If-" I hissed - chickening out - as she turned her head, glaring at me.
"When you imprint, I want you to tell me as soon as you know for sure.. I know we won't be able to be friends anymore but.. I don't want us to be like Leah and Sam." she sniffed, tears beginning to spill. Oh Bella, if only you knew..
"I love you, Bella." I whispered, pulling her against my chest. You really are a pussy, Jacob Black.
--
Bella drifted in and out of sleep for hours. I lay on my side, watching her. You chickenshit, you shoulda told her the truth! I listened as she murmured in her sleep, grabbing a handful of the comforter in a deathgrip. I wonder what she's dreaming? I watched the wrinkle form between her brow - that one she gets when she's worried.. or when she's pissed at me. - I rolled over slightly, kissing the wrinkle away. Time to go. I sighed, glancing at the clock.
I lifted her head carefully, pulling my arm away slowly. She fussed and muttered a little and, when I was sure I hadn't woken her, I pushed myself up, creeping over to her window.
I glanced back at her with a smile. My Bella. Forever.
Ooooooooh Jakey's got a secret.. can anyone guess what it is? [; xxxx