Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Summary: what if Charlie had confronted Bella two months early? What if Bella had gone the movies with Jacob instead of Jessica? What if she never saw heard Edwards voice or jumped off that cliff alone? Would she still end up with Edward or would she finally be able to move on with Jacob?

Chapter 14: The Truth Comes Out

"With a secret like that, at some point the secret itself becomes irrelevant. The fact that you kept it does not."

― Sara Gruen, Water for Elephants

I woke up relaxed and rejuvenated at 7:15. I sighed and stretched like a lazy cat. The warm, happy, tingles from my dream still lingering as I rolled out of bed and walked over to my dresser, picking out clothes. I couldn't believe how easily I'd slept through the night. No nightmares, no blank space, no Edward, and no hospital rooms. I shook my head. I wouldn't think about that. He was even more forbidden than thinking about Edward. I struggled trying to decide what Jacob would like me in, before I realized what I was doing.

"Just pick something," I told myself.

I grabbed a random outfit and headed to the bathroom to shower. Afterwards I changed into the red and black sweater dress with a pair of dark blue jeans. I coiled my hair into a knot at the back of my head then headed downstairs for breakfast. Charlie was already seated at the table drinking coffee and reading the paper.

"Morning, Bella," Charlie said before downing the rest of his cup.

I smiled. "Morning, Dad," I said, getting started on cooking.

I made sunny-side-up eggs, turkey sausages, and toast. Setting the food on the table I peeked at the paper seeing the news.

The headline read: "Animal Attacks Continue - Police Have No New Leads."

There were 3 more killings. This time they happened in town. Guess the animals had finally left the woods.

"Long morning?" I asked.

Charlie nodded. "I'm worried. These animals are smart enough not to get caught and strong enough to take down three grown men with guns,"

Concerned for his safety, I looked away from the paper.

"Are you going to work today?" I asked, quietly.

Charlie nodded, "People are in a panic. I'm chief of police. I have to be there." He stated.

I sighed. "Bella, don't worry. I'll be fine." He reassured me.

I said nothing.

"So, about this Sunday," Charlie started, changing the subject.

Charlie and I ate while making plans for Sunday.

"So, Bella, what are your plans for the day?" Charlie asked.

I blushed. "Jacob's got a surprise." I said.

Charlie chuckled, standing up. "Well, have fun." He said.

I nodded, handing him his lunch. "I will," I replied,

Charlie looked at the box in his hands.

"What's today's lunch?" he asked.

"There is chicken salad, a bag of almonds, a can of coke, two turkey sandwiches and a pudding cup," I stated.

Charlie raised an eyebrow.

"Chocolate?" he asked.

I nodded. Like I would forget which one he liked.

He patted my shoulder. "Thanks, Bells," he said, leaving for work.

I cleaned up the kitchen, and then headed to school.

I drove, whistling to 'Here come the Sun' which was on the yellow CD that Jacob made. When I got to school I noticed Angela standing in the parking lot alone. I got out of my truck and made my way to her.

"Hey, Angela," I said.

Angela looked at me sadly. I had never seen her looking so down.

"Good morning Bella," she said dejectedly.

"What's wrong?" I asked

Angela forced a smile.

"Nothing is wrong! Why would anything be wrong? I'm fine." She lied. "Just a little tired."

I gave her a look.

"Really! I'm fine!" she said quickly.

She turned to walk away but I put my hand on her shoulder.

"Serously, Angela, you can tell me." I said.

Angela looked down.

"Ben's cheating on me." She stated.

I froze.

"W-what?" I said, wondering if Jessica had told her.

"He hasn't been spending anytime with me lately, he's secretive, jumpy, and he leaves the room to talk on the phone. I know he's hiding something." She said.

I didn't know what to say. I had promised Jessica but Angela was my friend.

"Angela, I think you should know that Ben is-" I started but the bell rang interrupting me.

"Oh, we're late for class!" Angela exclaimed.

She turned and ran. She paused when she was far enough away that I couldn't stop her.

"That thing you wanted to tell me about Ben," she said turning to look at me over her shoulder.

I saw the tears glistening on her cheeks.

"You can tell me later, okay?" she said, before leaving me standing in the hallway alone.

I felt so guilty. Why couldn't things ever be simple?

Jessica stood in front of me with red rimmed eyes and a messy appearance, crumbling before my eyes.

"Promise me you won't tell anyone!" she begged.

I shook my head and headed to class, the weight of the world on my shoulders. The rest of the day passed so slowly. It was agonizing. I kept trying to find Angela so we could talk but Ben was always with her. I thought about telling her during class but that didn't seem like a good idea. I tried talking to Jessica but she seemed so fragile and I noticed she seemed to be losing weight. There were bags under her eyes and she looked pale.

She fell asleep in class and I had to wake her up after it was over. She didn't eat her lunch and I when she left class to go to the bathroom I followed her. I peeked around the corner and saw her talking to Ben in the empty hallway.

I didn't mean to ease drop but I couldn't help it.

"How do I know it's even mine?" he asked angrily.

Jessica flinched. "You're the only person I've ever been with." She said.

Ben looked surprised before he masked it. "You know I'm with Angela. I love her. We're going to get married someday. There's no room in my life for a child." He said cruelly.

Jessica looked crushed. "I know – I just-" she stuttered but Ben interrupted her.

"And you said you wouldn't expect anything!" he said.

Jessica's eyes watered. "I know I said that but-"

"But nothing! We had an agreement! You knew what this was! So what do you expect me to do?" he shouted.

Jessica trembled. "I want-"

"What? What do you want from me? Money? Because if you need money to take care of this-" he started but Jessica shook her head.

"No I don't want money! I just wanted to tell you because I want to keep her and I thought you would want to be involved." She said.

Ben looked away. "Well you thought wrong." He said coldly.

I couldn't watch anymore.

"Hey asshole! Don't talk to her like that!" I shouted coming to stand in front of Jessica.

Ben looked surprised. "Stay out of this Bella it has nothing to do with you." He said.

I glared at him. "Yes it does. Jessica is my friend. You shouldn't treat the mother of your child like crap!" I said.

"Mother of his child?" asked someone from behind us.

We all turned and found Angela standing there holding a pass to the restroom.

"Angela it's not true." Ben said.

Angela turned to Jessica.

"Bella is it true?" she asked me.

I looked at Jessica who looked at Ben who was looking at Angela.

What could I say? Jessica turned and looked at me begging me to do something. Angela looked at begging me to tell her the truth. Ben glared at me, silently threatening me.

"Don't," Jessica whispered, she looked like she was about to lose it.

I couldn't hold it in anymore. The guilt was killing me.

"It's true," I blurted out.

I wish I knew what I was going to say before I opened my mouth.

"No," Jessica sobbed. "You promised," she said.

"What?" Ben said, confused.

I gave Jess a small sad smile and I realized at that moment what I should have known from the start. Jessica needed help. She needed to own up and face this. I had been helping her run from this when I should have been trying to prepare her for the fall out.

"I'm sorry, Jess" I said.

"She's lying." Ben told Angela.

Jessica flinched, wrapping her arms around her stomach.

Angela looked at him with an unreadable expression.

"She's lying. I have never been with her. Bella lying and Jessica said we slept together and tried to get money out of me but I know that we didn't. I love you Angela. I wouldn't do that to you." he said.

"Jessica is a slut. She doesn't know who the father is so she's trying to pin this on me. She's a liar and a whore." He accused.

Jessica burst into tears. She was shaking so badly that I worried she was going to fall. She was shattered. I put my arm around her.

"He's lying," I said.

I waited with baited breath for Angela's response.

"Thank you, Ben." Angela said, "But I've had enough of your lies," She said.

Ben's eyes widened and Angela slapped him.

"That's for cheating on me." She said, and then she slapped him again.

"That's for getting another girl pregnant while you were still together with me and not having the decency to man up about it," she said.

"And this is for just being an ass!" she shouted and kneed him in the groin.

Ben fell to the floor in pain and Angela ran off. I started to go after her but at that moment a teacher came out.

"Get to class!" the teacher said.

"Why did you have to tell? I thought you were my friend!" Jessica said, as she pushed me away from her and ran in the opposite direction.

I didn't know who to go after and the teacher decided to personally make sure I made it back to class.

I didn't see Angela or Jessica for the rest of the day. I kept calling their phones but they had both turned them off. I left five voice messages. Mike also seemed to get extra clingy, popping up everywhere I went. I heard from Mike that Jessica went home early. I was happy when the bell rang singling school was over. I looked around for Angela again before heading outside when I couldn't find her. When I got outside a familiar car was in the parking lot. Jacob was leaning against the hood with huge grin lighting up his face.

"No way!" I shouted as I ran over to him. "You're done! I can't believe it! You finished the Rabbit!"

He beamed. "Just last night. This is the maiden voyage." He joked.

I laughed, feeling light and free, temporarily putting my issues on the back burner to deal with later.

"Incredible." I held my hand up for a high five.

He smacked his hand against mine, but left it there, twisting his fingers through mine.

"You look beautiful by the way" he said.

"Thanks," I said, blushing and then I looked Jacob over.

He was wearing dark jeans and a red dress shirt, and a sports coat. His eyes were proud, gentle, and happy. His hair was pulled back in its usual bundle, but it looked more shiny than usual. Jacob was good looking; he had an easy going manner, and warm brown eyes that put a person at ease. He had a great body and a killer smile. I couldn't believe he was still single. He probably had girl's fighting for his attention all the time. Pretty girls without issues or Vampire Ex-boyfriends-

"What's wrong?" Jacob asked interrupting my thoughts.

"You look nice." I said.

Jacob smirked "Of course I am. When have I ever looked anything but nice?" he asked smugly, striking a pose, and making me giggle.

"So, you ready to go?" he asked.

I nodded and just before I could take a step toward the car I heard someone calling my name. I turned and saw Mike running toward me.

"Hey, Bella!" he called out.

Jacob squeezed my hand and I squeezed back reassuringly.

"I remember this guy," he said in a low voice as Mike came closer. "The one who thought you were his girlfriend. Is he still confused?"

I raised one eyebrow. "Some people are hard to discourage." I grumbled.

"Then again," Jacob said thoughtfully, "sometimes persistence pays off."

"Well, in his case, it's just annoying." I said with a sigh.

"Hey, Bella," he greeted me, and then his eyes turned wary as he looked up at Jacob.

I glanced at Jacob, too. He really didn't look like a sophomore at all. He was just so big—Mike's head barely cleared Jacob's shoulder; I didn't mean to laugh but it was kind of funny. Jacob's face was older-looking than it used to be, even a month ago.

"Hey, Mike! Do you remember Jacob Black?"

"Not really." Mike held out his hand.

"Old family friend and Bella's best friend," Jacob introduced himself, shaking hands.

They locked hands with more force than necessary. When their grip broke, Mike flexed his fingers. I shook my head, selfishly upset that Mike was ruining my date with Jacob. I blushed. I mean, my friendly outing with Jacob. I got lost in thought for a moment but when I snapped out of it didn't seem like Jake and Mike had made any progress towards friendship. They were several yards apart, facing away from each other as they waited for me to say something; Mike's expression was sullen, though Jacob's was cheerful as always.

"Look, Jacob and I were about to go somewhere. I'll talk to you tomorrow." I said.

Mike frowned. "Where are you two going?" he asked.

Before I could answer Jacob spoke up.

"It's a surprise," he said.

"We just going for a drive." I said, elbowing Jacob. "He just finished his car. He built it from scratch, all by himself," I bragged, proud as a wife whose husband got drafted for the NFL.

"Great," Mike snapped.

"All right, then," Jacob said, as if that settled everything. He seemed more comfortable than anyone else. He put his hand on the small of my back and guided me to his car.

"Your chariot waits," he said.

I smiled. "Thanks, Jake," I said as he closed my door.

"Bye, Mike," I called as Jacob started the car.

Mike watched us leave with a disgusted expression. Once we were away from the school Jacob was his normal sunny self, chattering away until I'd forgotten all about Mike's unwelcome interruption. I pulled out my phone and tried texting Angela but she wouldn't respond. I felt so guilty. I should have told her sooner. I glanced down at my phone hoping she had responded.

"There you go again. What's up?" Jacob asked.

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

Jacob sighed. "That's like the tenth time you glanced at your phone," he said.

I looked away. "I did something bad." I admitted.

Jacob glanced at me.

"What?" he asked.

I explained to him what happened with Jessica, Ben, and Angela.

"And now I can't get a hold of her. You think Angela's mad at me?" I asked.

Jacob nodded. "Yeah, she's probably upset." He said. "And Jessica probably feels like you betrayed her,"

I knew Jacob was just being honest but I really wanted him to lie to me.

"So, what should I do?" I asked.

Jacob frowned. "What can you do? Tell Angela the truth, everything, apologize for keeping it from her. Explain why you hid it from her. Accept responsibility. It's up to her what she does with it." He said.

"As for Jessica, you need to talk to her to. I can't imagine what she must be going through," he said.

I stayed silent. I glanced at my phone one more time. I was a terrible friend but I'd make it up to her. Angela was so nice and Jessica wasn't a bad person. They didn't deserve this. I would talk to them tomorrow. I just hoped they'd forgive me.

Author's note: it took me a long time to get this out. I don't know if it turned out exactly like I wanted it but I think its ok. Sorry it took me so long to update. The next chapter will be Jacob and Bella's date.

Please review and let me know your thoughts.