CHAPTER 18: A Day with Jacob
"I see you still don't have the balancing act thing together," Jacob teases.
"Shut up," I roll my eyes. Even with flats on, I'm still prone to tripping on cracks in the street. How is that even possible?
The sun is beaming high for once so it's a great opportunity to venture around the small city with my best friend. We never got too far on our other day adventures because of the rain and it's been windy the last few days. It's a softer breeze this afternoon so I brought just thin jacket tied around my waist in case I get cold. Jacob is in his usual graphic tee and dark jeans with nothing else on but the socks and shoes on his feet. He rarely wears a jacket because he's practically never cold, even during the winter months in Forks. I tell him he's like his own sun because his body temperature always feels so warm whenever I'd be walking closely beside him.
Jacob has been in Volterra for about five days now and staying in the same wing of the villa as me. Most of the other empty rooms where the actors are situated are still in the process of renovation and because there are plenty of rooms left on my side, it only makes sense to put him there seeing as he is practically like family to me. It's a refreshing feeling being with Jacob again and catching up on stories on how everyone back home is doing and sharing with him what I've been doing with my time here in Italy.
"So you're in a movie huh? Don't tell me you're gonna start wearing sunglasses at night like those celebrities on tv?" he scoffs playfully.
Was he joking? "I have a hard enough time seeing in the dark and you expect me to make my night vision worse? That's just asking for a major disaster to happen plastered all over those tabloid magazines. No, thanks! And besides, it's just a small part. I'll barely be recognized."
"If you say so," he nonchalantly sighs. "You know those media people are gonna find out you're Aro's niece, don't you?" he gives me a side glance to see my reaction. "I wouldn't be surprised if they become interested in this so-called small part you have in his movie with that pale looking guy…what's-his-face?"
"His name is Edward. And what's that supposed to mean?" I wasn't sure why, but I'm starting to feel a little defensive.
My reaction catches him off guard. "Wow, relax, Bells," he chuckles, putting his hands up to calm me down. "Nothing! I didn't mean anything by it. I only meant knowing you're related to the director, they might think you have some sort of talent and will want to cast you in other…stuff."
"Oh," I reply quietly, letting my muscles relax for a second before standing straight again and furrowing my eyebrows at him. "But why did you mention Edward?" The small part I played and Edward seems unrelated to me so I'm curious why he brought him up.
"I don't know?" he shrugs, confused by my question. "What is this? Are we back to 20 questions again? I just got here!" Now, Jacob's feeling defensive.
"You've been here for almost a week, Jacob," I remind him.
"Yeah, but I've barely had a chance to see anything!" he whines. My Native American friend is used the outdoors—cliff diving, hiking, and camping out in the woods—even climbing the tall trees in Forks with his friends. The lack of roaming space he's had the last few days is like a dog trapped in a small crate. He practically climbs the gate once I open the front door. I wouldn't be surprised if he chose to sleep in the backyard tonight underneath the stars either.
"You've also been here before so don't act like this is all new to you," I make a face at him.
Jacob sheepishly grins. "Yeah, but it's nice to see things that haven't changed that much. Like that seaport place where we jumped off the dock into that freezing water!" he laughs.
"I remember that!" I laugh with him. That was a great night. It was one of our last nights as a group when we came here for my graduation trip. Regardless that it was raining like crazy, we all still wanted to do something memorable that we could reminisce about when talked about Volterra. We went to the docks and everyone held hands, dripping wet in the middle of the night, and jumped into the water with our clothes on. Everyone had such a good time that we tried to stand the cold water for as long as we could before we had to run back inside to dry off before we died of hypothermia. Most of us got sick by time we left for home, but it was worth it.
"Are you happy here, Bells?" he suddenly asks.
"Huh?" the question barely registers in my ears. Why is he asking me that? The lump forming in my throat from the question makes it difficult to swallow.
"I don't know…" he shrugs. "You seem a little different, like not your usual self. Clumsy and all still, yeah, but…"
"I don't know what you're talking about?" I roll my eyes. I have to look away because I know he's right. Since meeting Edward and realizing how I felt about him has made me different. Over thinking, feeling jealous, giddy, miserable and lonely are all new to me. Things I have never really experienced before. I always bounce quickly from each breakup, burying my nose in my books and other things to occupy my time and it keeps me content, constantly moving on with my life. However, this is different. It was like Edward permanently made a home in my heart and wasn't planning on leaving anytime soon.
Feeling defensive earlier might have to do with the fact that Jacob decided to mention him and I didn't like him calling Edward 'what's-his-face.' You cannot refer to Edward Cullen as a 'what's-his-face.' It is absolutely absurd to label such an Adonis god with a lowly nickname! I have to catch my thoughts for a second and wonder why I was now defending him. I'm supposed to pretend that I didn't care about him now that he and Tanya Denali are a couple again.
"What's going on inside that brain of yours, huh? I can tell your mind is wandering somewhere," Jacob playfully wraps his long arm around my shoulders, bringing me closer to him.
I wrap my arm around his waist. "Nothing. I just missed you."
"Sure, sure," he nods, knowing that wasn't what was really on my mind. He knows me best when I'm lying.
"Don't worry, Bells. Whatever it is, it'll all work out in the end," he gently kisses me on my head.
Gestures like that are what I miss most about Jacob. He always knows how to comfort me even when I don't realize I need to be comforted. "Thanks…"
With us walking with our arms around each other, we could have almost been mistaken for a couple if you didn't know how close we are as friends. The older people we pass by just smile at us and I don't care if that's what they think because we know where our friendship stands. We walk around the narrow streets, peering into the tiny shops, most of which Alice and I have already been to. Jacob is a simple guy so shopping for new clothes and trinkets aren't really his thing. It's a nice break from carry bags all day with Alice whenever we'd be out on the town together.
"What do you think of this?" he holds out a silver necklace with a small wolf dangling from it.
"It's pretty," I examine the details on the animal.
"The necklace is pure silver," the shopkeeper smiles at us.
"Are you planning on buying it?" I give him a curious look.
Jacob slightly blushes. "Umm…yeah. For Renesmee."
"Oh, really?" I grin even wider. "She must be something if you're already buying her gifts."
"Well I told her the legend of our tribe and the whole descendant from wolves thing, and she found it really fascinating. So I figured…she'd like this." Never in my life have I ever seen Jacob Black seem so embarrassed about buying a gift for someone. I've gone shopping with him plenty of times before for gifts for his family and friends, which usually consisted of, "Yeah…this looks good enough," without him really giving much thought to it.
"You really like her…don't you?"
"I was gonna tell you earlier, Bells…but, we're actually dating now."
"What?" my mouth drops open. The shopkeeper looked at us as if we're having a couple's quarrel that he shouldn't be involved in so he quietly walks to the back of the store. "Since when?" I ask surprised by the news.
"It's not that big of a deal, Bella," he rolls his eyes. "Just recently."
"Why didn't you tell me?" I was a little hurt that he didn't tell me and I know he sees it in my face. I had no idea things had progressed so much between them. As his best friend I was sure I'd be the first to know about something like this. To me, it is a big deal because it's a part of Jacob's life and I feel like I'm the last person on earth to know, which didn't make me feel so good. After all, he is still my Jacob.
"I'm sorry!" he lets his shoulders fall. "It's just that I really wanted to get to know her first and when I finally decided to call you about it, I forgot I left my phone in my cargo pants after I went cliff diving in them. It took forever to get a new one and by then I heard about your near death experience so I came here instead to tell you personally."
"Wait…" I have to understand his words. "You said you came here to tell me personally?"
He gives me a strange look. "Well, yeah. I mean, of course I also came to make sure you were okay. You're important to me, Bells. I had to find out for myself that you weren't really lying in a coma at the hospital." I punch him in the arm. "Okay, sorry," he chuckles, "bad joke."
"So who else knows? I'm sure everyone, right?" I nod to myself as if he's already confirmed it.
"Only Emily. They've gotten pretty close since she moved to town. She's kind of her confidant…or whatever. Emily promised not to tell anyone, not even Sam, until I got the chance to tell you."
"Really?" Now I'm really surprised.
Jacob rolls his eyes at me again. "C'mon, Bella. Did you really think I wouldn't tell you first? …You're my best friend." That makes me smile and almost teary-eyed. "Renesmee understands how important you are to me so she was cool with me coming here. She even started packing sunscreen in my bag," he shakes his head with a smile.
"She seems like a great girl," I say quietly, hugging him.
"You'll really like her, Bells," he replies into my hair. "I can't wait for you to meet her in person."
"Me, too…" I smile against his chest.
After Jacob buys the necklace for his girlfriend, we stop at a nearby restaurant for a late lunch. The thought of him having a girlfriend is still sinking in as we sit down at our table. He takes out the gift and examines the details of it, smiling like a goofball. I have never seen Jacob so seemingly happy before. Jacob happy makes me happy. He deserves it. Now if only I can be that happy. I inwardly sigh, thinking of Edward again. I keep reminding myself on how delusional I had been to think we could ever be together. If this was a fairytale, Edward would be the handsome young Prince and I would be the poor little servant girl doing his laundry. Then, after he meets Cinderella, which would be Tanya—I'm the one who ends up washing and scrubbing her Victoria Secret's undergarments. I cringe at the idea.
"You alright, Bells?" Jacob gives me a worried look. "Spacing out again?" he changes his expression to a smirk.
"I'm fine," I shrug it off and take a sip of my water. He puts away the gift and leans back into his chair with his arms crossed in front of his chest. He still has the same little smirk on his face, examining me. "What?"
"So, Bells…anything else exciting happen to you while you've been here? This is the City of Love after all, right? Any Italian men after you yet?"
"Don't be ridiculous," I scoff. "Who in their right mind would like a clumsy oaf like me in a beautiful city like this?"
Before Jacob has a chance to reply, the restaurant begins to buzz with loud whispers and what I think are the sun's rays flashing in my eyes are actually camera lights. What is going on? Jacob turns around in his seat toward the front to see what all the fuss is about. Even I'm beginning to get curious. "Who the heck is that?" he asks.
Jacob is in my way so I have to lean to the side to see around him. There is a crowd of photographers and bodyguards shielding someone. A man who looks like the manager of the restaurant is saying something in Italian to the paparazzi and from what I gather he wasn't too happy about the disruption, shooing them away. My heart is pounding so hard in my chest I think it's going to leap out onto the table. My hands begin to get clammy, too—the usual reaction that happens when I'm nervous about something. I keep praying it wasn't who I thought it was. Not here. Not now!
After much pushing and shoving, a figure finally emerges out of the crowd. It's someone in a white button-downed shirt, dark jeans and sun glasses. He looks just as irritated as his bodyguards, fixing his shirt and sleeking his hands in his short cropped hair. My heart finally slows down a notch. "Oh…it's only Emmett."
"Who?" Jacob turns toward me for a second. "He's Alice and…Edward's older brother. He's also Edward's agent." I sit back in my normal position since I can tell the hype is finally starting to die down and take another sip of water. I'll say 'hi' to Emmett later once we're done eating. No need to draw more attention to him or us either.
"Edward?" Jacob says. "You mean that guy?" I choke on a piece of ice that get lodged in my throat and starting coughing up a storm. "Bells! You okay?" he leans over and pats my back. The ice finally melts, allowing me to wash it down with more water.
"Yeah…" I croak out. I dare to look up, red in the face and teary-eyed from the little incident, back toward the front entrance. Sure enough he's right. It was Edward. He manages to push himself past the paparazzi after Emmett, also straightening out his attire and is led with his brother to a more private booth. He doesn't notice me, probably because of Jacob's massive form, but from where I'm sitting I can still see them, trying to hide myself behind my best friend as much as I can.
Jacob seems oblivious to how uncomfortable I feel by them being here so I let him continue to talk about Renesmee and the different things he has shown her that she enjoys. Casually, once in a while, I'd glance in Edward and Emmett's direction to see what they might be talking about. Of course I can't hear them so I have to pick up on their facial expressions, body language and gestures. I have a side-view of the two brothers and they seem relaxed, laughing and even joking, while their bodyguards stay straight-faced with their hands clasped in front of them. Suddenly, the expression of the two brothers' change. Both men are now in a serious conversation with Edward wearing a frustrated expression about something and Emmett trying to comfort him.
"Anything interesting?" I unexpectedly hear Jacob say.
"Huh?" My focus darts back to him.
"The conversation your friends are having?" he motions with his head in their direction.
Busted! I turn red for getting caught. "How would I know?" I try to play it off. "Anyway, what were you saying?"
"I don't know, Bella? What was I saying?" he retorts suspiciously.
"Well…I didn't catch that last part, that's why I was asking…" I look down at my plate since I can't look him in the eyes and slowly cut another piece of my vegetarian ravioli.
"If you wanna say 'hi' to your friends, Bella, just go do it," he rolls his eyes again.
"What?" I quickly look up at him again. "What makes you think I want to go say 'hi' to them?" That's the least thing I wanted to do! "They're busy, mostly likely in some sort of business meeting."
"You don't know that," he scoffs at the idea. "So what if they're 'famous,'" he did the quotation marks with his fingers, "it doesn't mean they can't be normal people like us out for a bit. Just go say 'hi' already! I know you want to," he smirks.
My face turns another shade of pink. "Will you stop it," I shake my head, irritated at his suggestion. I hate when he tries to put me on the spot for something I didn't want to do. "I'm full. Wanna go?" He's finished his meal about ten minutes after the waiter placed it in front of him, practically ravishing it down like a wild dog, while I barely ate half of mine. But I was always a slow eater.
"Fine…" he signals the waiter for our check. Jacob wouldn't let me pay when I insisted, telling him to save his money for other souvenirs to bring back home that gets me a crazy look from him. "I'll just buy stuff at the airport. No one's gonna know the difference. It's still from Italy, right?" So typical of this guy. After he pays, I try to remain hidden close behind him with my head toward the window to the left of me since their booth is to the right. Hopefully, the place is crowded enough with people and waiters walking around for us to go quietly unnoticed. We are so close to the front door that I can feel the soft breeze coming through. We're almost home safe! There are no windows in the booth for them to look outside so we won't be spotted once we exit. "Hey! Edward…right?" I hear him yell across the crowd.
I bump unexpectedly into Jacob after he stops a few feet from the entrance. What is he doing? We were almost in the clear! My heart picks up its fast melody in my chest. We get a few looks from the other customers because he isn't exactly discrete about it, waving to them and all. Edward's surprised eyes find me then Emmett's after he turns around to see what the commotion is about. I guess they're getting ready to leave as well because I see Emmett give the waiter his credit card who bows before proceeding to run it. Both men stand up to greet us. Jacob casually walks over to them, motioning me with his head to follow him. "C'mon, Bells," he smiles. I remind myself to kill him later.
"Bella…" Edward greets me with a nod of his head. He has such an intense look in his eyes that he almost didn't seem like the Edward I know.
"Hey, Bella," Emmett gives me a hug, always smiling and friendly as usual. "Long time no see!"
"This is Jacob," I introduce my companion. He and Emmett greet each other with a handshake. "And you remember…Edward," I say to Jacob, glancing briefly at the other brother. He towers over the both of them.
"Yeah, we met that one night when I got here," he nods at the actor.
"Yes, I remember," Edward politely smiles back, placing his hands in his pockets.
There is a weird vibe in the air I can't place. Emmett finally breaks the silence that's creeping between the four of us in the noisy restaurant. "Edward and I were just talking about his next few media appearances to promote the movie."
"I thought that was Rosalie's job?" Speaking of Rosalie, she was nowhere to be seen. She and Emmett normally came as a pair when it has to do with Edward's career.
"Rose is back at the villa resting. She got food poisoning from some clams we had last night so I'm kind of filling in for her," he replies somewhat embarrassed.
"Well, I'm sure she appreciates it," I half-smile back.
Emmett chuckles. "I'm starting to feel like she's my boss asking if I've done this or did that, or followed up with so-and-so. I really don't know how she does it," the dimpled-faced agent sighs. He looks exhausted from all the extra work he's been doing.
"We should get going, Emmett." Edward looks as if he's itching to leave as soon as possible. His expression and mannerism are stiff and tense, agitated almost, and I have no idea why? This is the coldest I've seen him and it didn't makes me feel worse about our situation. Or I suppose the situation I've created between us. I frown a little inside.
"Sorry for holding you up. We should get going too…" I turn to Jacob, looking as anxious to leave as Edward.
"Yeah, alright…cool. Well, it was nice meeting you guys," Jacob semi-waves. "See ya around."
"Likewise," Emmett nods. Edward gives a quick smile without saying a word to either of us.
"Bye guys…" I quietly say, briefly glancing at him. His face is unreadable as he stares after me while I leave with Jacob. My heart sinks even more after that encounter. Maybe it's because of his cold demeanor toward me or the way I'm not able to express to him how I feel, and how this is killing me inside. Nothing can change the fact that have grown apart, like we're back to acting like strangers again. What makes me even sadder is we barely got the chance to be real friends.
Jacob glances back at the restaurant before putting his arm around my shoulders again once we're in the street. I elbow him with a sour face. "I can't believe you did that!"
"Did what? All I did was say hi! I'm surprised how pale those two are. They live in LA, right? Don't people spray tan there or something? They kinda look like a pair of blood suckers," he chuckles.
"What?"
"Blood suckers, ya know—vampires?"
I roll my eyes. "Stop letting your imagination get the best of you, Jake," I reply. "They only exist in books and movies."
"Stop being such a Debbie Downer, will ya?" he shakes my shoulders a little.
"What are you talking about?" I give him a strange look. "And don't shake me too hard unless you want to see all that food I ate on your shirt." I have to laugh at the face he makes.
"You really have changed, Bella," he smiles to himself. "I'm still thinking if it's a good thing or bad thing."
I stopped walking and face him. "You have been talking nonsense all day," I place my hands on my hips. Jacob's behavior is really starting to confuse me. "Can you speak normal Jacob-English for once?" All he does is laugh and poke me on the side, causing me to jump. I hit him in the arm because he knows how ticklish I am.
"C'mon," he puts his arm back around me. "There's still a bunch of stuff I wanna see today."
I roll my eyes again and give up on making sense of Jacob's strange behavior. He likes acting cryptic about things and leaves it up to me to figure it out. He always said I understood him best but he didn't always make it so easy. I guess I'll find out soon enough on what he means.
Author's Note: Sorry there not a whole not going on in this chapter. It'll get better in the next few chapters.
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