Author's Note: This is a pretty short chapter, compared to the ones I've been writing before. But enjoy just the same.

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.


Chapter 55

Bella's Point of View

As soon as I got away from Edward, I began looking for Alice and Rosalie. Where were they?

Someone tapped on my shoulder, startling me. For a moment, I thought it was Edward. Had he followed me?

But when I turned around, a young man I'd never seen before stood smiling at me pleasantly.

"Yes?" I said, wondering if I'd done something wrong.

"I hope I didn't startle you," he said. "I only meant to ask you to dance, but you seemed rather lost in thought."

I was surprised. "Oh." Then, I smiled politely. "I admit, I was a bit distracted, but it's okay. I think I'll live."

"Good," he said. "I'm Jacob Black. You're Isabella Swan, aren't you?"

"Bella," I corrected. "Nice to meet you, Jacob." I paused. "Black. Aren't you Billy Black's son of Black Enterprises?"

"The very same," Jacob agreed. "So you have heard of me?" He looked at me hopefully.

"I have," I confirmed. "I'm afraid I don't know much, but I've definitely heard of you. Your father is working closely with Charlie and Carlisle, isn't he?"

He smiled innocently. "I believe I asked you to dance." He quirked an eyebrow, waiting. He didn't seem interested in answering my question.

I sighed mentally. As much as I wanted to get away from this party, maybe a distraction from Edward would be nice.

"Sure," I consented, and he led me to the dance floor once more.

Fortunately, Edward was long gone, and I was able to follow Jacob's lead without fumbling around in my ridiculous heels. My clumsiness would usually affect my dancing, except for when I was with Edward, Emmett, or Jasper. They were superb dancers, and apparently, Jacob was too. I didn't feel wobbly once.

"I heard you came back from California," Jacob said conversationally as we swayed to the music. "I've always wanted to meet you. So you can imagine how excited I was to hear that you would be at the party tonight."

I felt awkward. But I tried not to show it as I replied, "I'm flattered. Why did you want to meet me?"

"Who wouldn't want to meet a beautiful young woman such as you?" Jacob asked smoothly.

I stifled a laugh. He was good at flirting, but I just didn't feel anything. If anything, I was more amused and felt compelled to giggle at his attempt at seducing me. I'd already had more than enough experience to escape these attempts, but I decided to play along. The more distraction, the better.

"So, Jacob," I said. "You seem to be a little older than I am. How old are you?"

"Twenty-seven," he answered.

I nearly groaned. I was looking for a distraction, not something that would remind me of Edward. He was the same age as my ex. Typical.

"And what do you do?" I inquired, forcing myself to go on.

"I'm a lawyer," Jacob said, grinning proudly. "Impressed?"

No. Another similarity that reminded me of Edward.

"Of course," I said sweetly. "I'm honored to be approached by such a good-looking lawyer."

Listen to me! I was so disgusted with myself that I felt like barfing. I'd rather face Edward ten times with the subject of our past than continue flirting like this, just to please this random guy.

He laughed. "I'm impressed myself. When I approached you, I was just going for your looks, but I think I hit the jackpot tonight. I think you have a wonderful personality. Forgive me for asking, but do you have a boyfriend?"

Please do not go there, I thought internally. Seriously, why did this always happen to me?

"No," I said, now in a slightly flat tone. "I don't date."

"Why?" He seemed surprised. "That's a bit…surprising. I would've thought, with your looks and background, people would go after you."

"And they do," I said. "I just reject them."

He sighed, looking disappointed. "And here I was, planning to ask you out. Is there no chance for me? I'd really like to get to know you better."

I wanted to cry. I should have said no to dancing with him.

I was about to decline when I spotted my siblings over Jacob's shoulder. Alice and Rosalie's eyes were wide, while Emmett glowered at my dancing partner. Jasper was watching Jacob curiously, as though he might approve of him. Edward was there too, watching with a hard expression. I could detect a trace of jealousy in his eyes.

I changed my mind. I wasn't going there. I'd rather come here, where it was safer and out of reach from Edward's clenching grasp.

"Well," I said hesitantly. I just knew I was going to regret it. "I suppose I should give you a chance. People have been urging me to date for years now, and I think I really should."

"Really?" Jacob perked up. "That's great!"

I smiled back as convincingly as I could. "When's a good time for you?"

"I'll call you," he said brightly. "Very soon." He winked.

I laughed. "Alright, I'll be waiting. But are you sure about this? After all, I'm a divorcee."

"Oh, I know," he said, grinning. "But that's all in the past, isn't it? From this point onward, you start fresh. With me."

"I look forward to it."

"Jacob!" Someone called his name from the crowd, and he glanced back, annoyed.

"Sorry, but I have a feeling I know who that is," Jacob said. "I think I might have to leave you. Or else, I'll get nagged later. I'll call you, okay?"

"Sure," I said, relieved. I didn't think I could keep up with this charade any longer. I watched as he disappeared into the crowd.

My fake smile that I'd put on when he was here was now gone, and I made sure he was completely out of sight before I walked away. Countdown or not, fireworks or not, I was going home.

I'd momentarily forgotten about my siblings. I was fighting my way out of the room when I found my way blocked by a small pixie and her husband.

"Come here," Alice hissed, and she pulled me toward an empty corner. Jasper followed, glancing around to see if anyone was paying attention.

"What?" I asked, annoyed. "I'm going home, and nothing you say is going to change that. I showed my face, and-"

"It's not that!" Alice said, frowning. "We saw you with Jacob Black."

I blinked. "What about him? He asked me to dance, so I said yes. Is that a problem?"

"We were passing by Jacob and his father after he left you," Alice said. "We overheard him saying that he asked you out, and that you said yes. Is that true?"

"Yes," I said defensively. "Why?"

"Bella!" Alice seemed genuinely upset. "You can't do this! What about Edward?"

"What about him?"

"You know exactly what," she said. "You were dancing with him earlier, and whatever you said to him, I know it wasn't polite. He was amused by your rude behavior, and you're lucky that Renee or Esme didn't see-"

"He was amused?" I interrupted incredulous. "I didn't say anything funny."

"That's not the point!" she said, exasperated. "If you're giving Jacob Black a chance, then you have to give Edward a chance as well. It's not fair to him."

"He already had his chance," I said flatly. "Eight years ago. He blew it, and he's not getting another one. Are we finished now? Because I have an early shift at the hospital tomorrow."

"Tell me exactly what you told Edward," Alice said, her eyes narrowed dangerously. "Or you aren't going anywhere."

My chin came up. "I merely told him to stop whatever he's planning because I don't like it. I told him that we were going back to friends and siblings, and try to forget the past."

Jasper scoffed. "We? You might be going back, but he won't be. Did you really think that he would listen to you if you warned him? He's determined, Bella." And he didn't look happy about it. He was looking at me meaningfully, telling me silently that Edward was doing this against his wishes.

I paused, staring at my brother. Of course he was right. What had I been thinking?

"That won't stop me," I said slowly, refusing to admit that they were right. "I won't go back to that land of misery again. I won't let him drag me down."

"Oh, and you think agreeing to go out with Jacob Black is going to drag you up?" Alice asked sarcastically. "Fat chance. Look. Black has a history with women. He's a player, and it's obvious he's toying with you."

"Leave me alone," I said, staring ahead blankly. "Step back and watch me live my own life."

I left them there, looking frustrated, and I hurried away.

They wanted me to forget? They wanted me to give Edward another chance? Never in a million years.

How can they expect me to forget my poor little daughter who died without even being able to take a breath of the outside world? How can they expect me to forget Tanya Denali, who caused my baby to die and wreck my marriage?

How can they expect me to forgive Edward, who was the main source of all my misery the last eight years? I probably would be able to forgive him if he wasn't planning to shamelessly pursue me. Gladly.

But since he was planning to, it changed things. Things were different.

I could never forgive them.


AN: So…Jacob Black comes into play. I know many of you are frustrated with Bella right now, thinking that she'll give into Edward easily. Not a chance. She'll make her decision to get revenge very soon. And Jacob Black will become her tool. Wondering how? Then review!