Chapter Seventeen

Bella

I was feeling Jasper's absence more each day. Charlie was happy he was gone and tried everything to get me involved with Mike, Jake, in fact in desperation he even suggested I speak to Edward! I think my face told him what I thought of that idea. I went to school, came home, did my homework and chores then spent the evening on the phone with Jasper. Charlie couldn't complain, he wasn't paying for the calls. Jasper told me he was helping two of his friends build a new house on a plot of land they'd just purchased. I must have sounded depressed because Jasper suddenly announced he was coming back to Forks.

"Really?"

"Yes. This is going to sound very strange to you but I don't think I can bear to be away from you any longer."

"Me too" I whispered.

There was a long silence and I thought for a moment that the connection had been lost,

"Jasper?"

"Yes Bella. What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I was just surprised by your words. I miss you too. I can't think straight and my chest hurts. I have no idea what's happening to me but I know I'll feel better when you get back"

"I'll be back by the weekend Bella"

"OK. I miss you."

"Bye Bella"

As he cut the connection I swore I heard I love you, but it could have been me.

At school the next day I made a point of grabbing Alice at the first opportunity.

"He's coming back"

She smiled, "When?"

"By the weekend Alice".

"You look happy about that. Does Charlie know yet?"

I groaned, "No, and he won't be happy but I can't cope without him. Alice what's happening to me?"

She pulled me out to the car park and unlocked her car.

"Quick Bella get in"

I jumped in and she took off.

"What are you doing Alice? It's the middle of the day. I've got classes."

She scowled at me, "Just wait a few minutes Bella and I'll explain everything"

She pulled up in a clearing deep in the woods near her house then turned and took my hand.

"Tell me what you mean, what you are feeling"

I reddened but she sighed,

"Bella get over it and tell me."

I leaned back and closed my eyes.

"Since I first met him I can't get Jasper out of my mind. Awake or asleep he's there. I feel happy, contented, safe when he's with me or even near. Since he's been away I don't seem to be able to concentrate on anything, nothing matters any more. It's a struggle just to get through every day, The only time it stops hurting is when I'm on the phone with him. Then the pain in my chest eases, I can breathe and think. Then he's gone and the pain comes back, only its worse every time. I lay awake all night, I can't sleep, or read, or anything. I have no idea what's happening to me. I've never felt like this, not even when I first met Edward. Alice I think I'm going mad."

Alice

I heard what Bella said and I knew what I'd seen was right.

"Bella this is really difficult to explain so bear with me. I saw all this many years ago,long before you were even born. I saw what was coming and I tried to help, to help him"

She looked at me puzzled, "Saw what Alice? Has this got something to do with what you told me? How you nearly met Jasper once?"

I nodded, "Yes. I saw his future, my future and how they could be linked."

I watched and sure enough Bella looked annoyed, just more proof that I was right.

"I saw you and Jasper together and I saw two alternatives for his journey to find you. In one he met me and I helped him over the years of waiting. The other was a long, hard and pain filled wait. I tried to meet him but it was his decision and he chose the other path."

"But it always led to me?"

"Yes Bella it always led to you. I watched his future and every choice he made, everywhere he went still led him to you. You were his ultimate destination."

"Alice, I know I'm not thick but you aren't making a lot of sense."

"I know Bella but I will. When we came to Forks I knew the time was close. I recognized you when you arrived and I knew he wouldn't be far behind. When you fell for my brother I thought I'd missed something and I looked at him again but he was still coming here. You would still meet, eventually. I looked at your future but it too hadn't altered. Edward was just a side-show. That's why I tried to be your friend because you were going to need me. Bella, I want you to listen really closely to what I'm going to tell you. This is your last chance to change the future. You're next decision sets your future in stone. You have to decide what you want from life. What you want to do, where you want to go. You are making the most important decision of your life right now."

"Alice for gods sake stop talking in riddles".

Bella

Some of what Alice said made sense, but most left me with more questions.

"Alice what decision?"

She looked at me and for the first time I saw she was in deadly earnest.

"Bella, you have two possible paths left open in your life. One of which leads to our life, the other to a human life. You have told me how you feel and I'm sure you're telling me the truth but I want you to do something for me. Something you are not going to like but I need you to do it before I can tell you the rest"

"OK Alice what do you want me to do?"

She hesitated, "Alice" I was getting angry now.

"Bella I want you to go out with Jacob Black"

"WHAT?" I was totally amazed.

"I told you that you wouldn't like it."

"You're right about that. Why would I want to go out with Jake?"

"Bella calm down. I want you to go out on a date with Jake, or one of the boys at school before the weekend."

"Why?"

"I just want you to do it then we'll speak again."

I was livid, "If this is a joke I'm not laughing Alice."

She shook her head and started the car.

"You go on a date and I'll tell you the rest. You have to, or you'll never know Bella"

"Know what Alice?"

She never spoke again all the way back to school. I thought about what she said during the afternoon, earning several reprimands from the teachers. When I got home I steeled myself and called Jake.

"Bella? What's up? Why are you ringing me?"

"Jake there's a good film on at the cinema and I wondered if you wanted to go?"

He was silent and I didn't blame him. I hadn't spoken to him for ages.

"OK Bella. I'll pick you up from school tomorrow and we'll eat out before the film"

I agreed and put the phone down feeling it was a mistake.

I did my homework and made Charlie dinner then I told him I was going out with Jake and he beamed. "Great Bella, don't worry about me I'll eat out".

My phone rang and I answered it eagerly.

"Hi Bella. How was your day?"

"Lonely, how was yours?"

"Nearly finished. I'll be back in Forks by Friday."

We chatted until long after midnight and when I said goodnight I thought I heard those words again.

"I love you" but I still didn't know who had said them.