Jacob did not come to the bookstore at all the next week, or the week after that. Bella started to worry. She knew that she shouldn't, that he probably found something else better to do and had just forgotten about her, but something kept telling her that wasn't the case. She thought that he would have at least said goodbye to her or even to Rose before leaving if that was the case. Bella decided with persuasion from Rose to send him a text message using her specialized Braille cellphone. Bella had his number, she just never thought she would use it. She sent a very simple message, not wanting to seem needy.
Hey, it's Bella. Long time no see. Just wanted to say hi. I had Rose order that book you were talking about a few weeks ago. Come by sometime if you can. Bella.
Bella waited, but there was never a reply.
The store wasn't doing any business at that time and Rose and Bella had ordered in their lunch from a little Italian place. They sat beind the counter downstairs, both in their respectable overstuffed chairs, laughing at something Rose was reading aloud from a fashon magazine and chowing down.
The bell on the door rang, signaling a customer. Rose put down the magazine for a moment to see if the customer needed help. Bella stayed curled up in her chair sipping tea from a mug.
"Uh, Bella there's someone here to see you." Bella moved her head toward the sound of Rose's voice and stood up, feeling Rose's hand grab at hers. Bella heard the shuffeling of clothes.
"Yes?"
"Uh, Are you Bella Swan?" The voice sounded shockingly similar to the voice she had come to know even in her dreams.
"Yes, I am. May I help you?"
"I'm a friend of Jacob's. He sent me. He said to tell you that he's sorry he hasn't been to see you, but he has good reason for it. He's out of the town right now but he should be back soon."
Bella gripped Rose's hand tightly. "Is he alright?"
"Oh, yes he's perfectly fine. He had some business to take care of and didn't have a chance to say goodbye. He's really sorry Miss."
"Tell him thanks for me then. But he didn't have any obligation to me, he really shouldn't feel sorry."
Bella heard a muffled laugh. "I think he's obligated to you Miss, you just don't know it yet. Anyway, he says he'll be back soon."
Bella didn't know what the boy meant by that comment, but let it drop. "Is that all?"
"One more thing. He said that he still wants the book Rose ordered. And that he misses you. That's all ma'am."
Bella felt her cheeks heat up. "Uh, thanks."
Bella could sense the boys smirk. "Anything Miss. See you around Bella."
And he was gone, just as quickly as he had came.
"Well, that was…sweet. I think." Rose said.
"He got my text. He got my text but he couldn't text me back. Why is that Rose? He sends one of his friends to tell me he's sorry he hasn't been by, but he can't return a text."
"I don't know Bella. Men are strange. Come on, our foods getting cold."
Rosalie dragged Bella back to their chairs and continued reading from the magazine. Bella picked up her mug of tea and picked at her food, but she could only half listen to Rose. Her mind was on Jacob, and the boy's comment about Jacob being obligated to her, she just didn't know it. What could he have meant?