Chapter 22 – Admission

I watched as Alice's car disappeared out of view.

I sighed, and looked down at the gravel. She'd only just left my side, and I was already missing her.

But tonight…

I'd be seeing her tonight.

Alice Cullen.

Vampire.

Friend.

And possibly so much more after that kiss…

I heard a movement at my side.

"Err… Bella?"

I turned immediately.

Jake.

I'd been that wrapped up in the thought of seeing Alice again, I had completely forgotten he was behind me.

"Jake"

Jake pushed his hands even deeper into the pockets of his jeans.

"Look, Bella. I really don't want to… what I mean is… before… look, I'm just sorry – I should never have…"

I watched as he frowned, and sighed. Jake was obviously trying to find the right words to say, and was obviously struggling… I took pity on him.

"We're still friends, Jake" and I held out my hand.

Jake looked into my eyes, smiled, and walked towards me, taking my hand in his, he shook it firmly.

"Friends, Bella. And... Well, sorry…."

I smiled, "Apology accepted Jake – just don't go all possessive on me again, okay?"

Jake removed his hand, "You mean like she just did?"

I shook my head, "Now, now Jake…"

Jake held up both hands.

"Okay – point taken. I'm just concerned for you, you don't know about her, them…"

His voice trailed off as he stepped back and lent against his truck.

"I understand completely, Jake".

Jake laughed. "Yeah – right Bella. Look – I don't want to get into this conversation again, because it didn't end too nicely the last time… just be careful".

I walked towards him, and held out my hand again, this time to show him scar that was left on my hand.

"Alice took me to see her father, Dr Cullen. He removed the stitches… there was a little bit of blood…"

Jake immediately interrupted, "I'm so sorry about that, Bella – when you fell on your hand… I swear to god I didn't mean for that to happen…"

I hushed him gently. "Jake, please. Let me finish".

Jake looked at me intently, and then nodded. "Okay Bella…"

I pointed to the scar, "Dr Cullen removed the stitches, Jake, and he didn't even flinch when he saw the blood…."

Jake lent in, "what exactly are you getting at Bella?" His voice was firm, yet his facial expression was pure puzzlement.

"What I am getting at, Jake, is the fact that I know… I know what they are… and I know you know what they are…. Vampires, Jake. I know, do you understand?"

Jake stepped back again and hit the side of his truck with his back. Complete shock etched across his face.

"You know? They… told you?"

I shrugged. "I guessed".

Jake shook his head again. "And… and your okay with it?"

The look of shock was now replaced with bewilderment.

"Why wouldn't I be?"

Jake opened his mouth to answer, but clamped it shut again almost immediately.

I waited for his to speak.

"Bella…"

Again, I waited, but Jake seemed unable to speak.

"I know what they are, Jake. And I accept what they are – completely. They don't drink human blood".

Jake rubbed his hand across face. I waited for him to answer.

"Bella… this isn't… I mean, you shouldn't be so… accommodating… you can't trust vampires…"

I'd had enough of Jake's warnings. "Look, Jake. I think we're going to have to agree to disagree on this one".

Jake frowned again.

I continued, "How did you know they were vampires, anyhow?"

For the first time that afternoon Jake averted his gaze away from me.

"Jake?"

He clearly didn't want to answer me.

Then I recalled the conversation we had before. Jake's ancestors… if Carlisle was as old as he said he was... and I had no reason to doubt him…

"Jake – is this about your ancestors?"

Jake sighed and looked back at me.

"Lets just say my ancestors knew them… the Cullen's I mean, Knew what they were…"

Curiosity got the better of me "And they had a problem with them?" I asked.

Jake sighed again, "Honestly Bella, I don't know the specifics. All I know is they came to some agreement about sharing the land, this land… providing the Cullen's didn't harm humans…"

I smiled, almost triumphantly. "See Jake – I told you they didn't consume human blood".

Jake snorted, "Yeah – well lets just say I still have a problem trusting them. And you really shouldn't hang around with them Bella, Charlie wouldn't…"

I cut in, "Charlie wouldn't believe you if you told him what they were Jake, and I would never forgive you if you did".

Jake opened the door to his truck.

"Okay Bella – have it your way. I won't say a word – I never have, remember?"

I smiled, "Touché, Jake"

Jake climbed into his truck.

"And… well, we're okay aren't we Bella?"

I shut the door to his truck and lent in through the open window.

"Jake, we are more than okay – you are, and always will be, my friend. You just have to trust and respect my decision, okay?"

Jake nodded, "Okay – but I will be watching them, Bella"

I nodded. I didn't expect anything else from him.

Before he started the engine, he looked at me, the same puzzled look on his face as before had appeared again.

"Can I just ask you one more thing?"

I nodded.

"She… Alice… what did she mean when she said she 'leaves the biting to you these days'?"

I felt my cheeks burn.

"Just a joke, Jake".

Jake's eyes narrowed. "Has she tried anything with you Bella?"

Tried anything? Did kissing constitute as trying anything? My face flamed again.

Jake, not deterred, continued.

"If she tries to turn you Bella, I won't be held responsible for my actions"

I stepped back, so the cold air could stroke my red cheeks.

"Jake – nobody has tried anything, so please drop the big brother act – Alice likes me…"

Jake raised an eyebrow, "and that, Bella, is what worries me".

I shrugged my shoulders, "maybe I like her too…."

My voice trailed off. Had I really just said that?

I watched as Jake placed both his hands on the steering wheel.

"Just be careful Bella – like can turn into more – and I'm not sure it's that healthy to have feelings for…"

I interrupted immediately, "for another girl, Jake?"

Jake shook his head. "No Bella, for a vampire" and with that he pulled out of the drive.

I walked slowly up the drive towards the front door.

Alice Cullen was a vampire. Jake knew, had always known, and was worried about me.

Worried that Alice may try and, how did he put it… 'Change' me.

As I entered the house and walked up the stairs towards my bedroom, I began to wonder why I wasn't worried that she may try…

She would be coming to see me, tonight. A vampire would soon be popping in through my open window to see me…

And I wasn't worried at all.

I was excited.