Disclaimer: I OWN NOTHING
Chapter 16: A Song for The Soul.
A women under stress is not immediately concerned with finding solutions to her problems but rather seeks relief by expressing herself and being understood.
John Gray
I was at a lost. What had just happened? Jacob still looked the same but something had changed. What was going on with him? Was he possessed? If vampires were real then ghost probably were too, right?
"Bells?" he asked.
Pretending to be calm I wasn't feeling I forced a smile.
"I'm fine," I lied.
I huddled deeper into Jacob's jacket. Jacob pulled me into his side.
"You sure?" he asked.
I nodded. I wasn't scared of him. I'd never be scared of him. But I was worried. Did the last few minutes really happen? Had Jacob been the one growling?
"You sure," he asked.
I nodded.
As Jacob led me back the table I decided I would keep an eye on Jacob. Maybe he was coming down with something?
"Are you okay, Jake?" I asked.
He nodded.
"I feel great," he said.
"Do you feel a little weird?" I asked.
He raised an eyebrow. "Weird how?" he asked.
He didn't seem any different.
"You don't remember?" I asked.
Jacob raised an eyebrow.
"You mean about the creep," he asked.
I nodded again.
"Yeah, I remember," he said, with a shrug.
"You remember all of it?" I asked.
He nodded.
"Even the growling?" I questioned.
He looked confused.
"Growling?" he asked.
I frowned. "You were growling and trembling and acting like a…" I trailed off.
Acting like a what?
He was confused.
"What are you talking about?" he asked.
I wanted to explain but I didn't want to scare him and honestly I wasn't sure what I was trying to say. If he didn't know, he didn't know. Maybe it was for the best. If he didn't remember then I didn't want to remind him. Maybe it had been an illusion or something. Temporary insanity brought on by the threat of my death.
"Never mind," I said.
I ask him about it later. Somewhere less public, once I'd gathered my thoughts enough to form a complete sentence
"Do you still want to sing?' he asked.
I sighed. "I don't feel up to it," I said.
Jacob nodded. "Do you want to leave?' he asked.
I shook my head. Laurent was probably waiting for me outside. The thought of it made me feel sick.
"You can sing if you want," I said. "I'll just watch."
As we sat down Jacob reached over and clasped our hands.
"Are you sure you're okay?" he asked.
I looked down at the table and pulled my hand back.
"I'm okay," I said.
I allowed my thoughts to wonder back to when Edward was here and James was after me.
A mate for a mate
With the threat of Victoria hanging over my head it was hard for me to relax. Laurent's words repeated in my head:
If you knew what she had planned for you …
In my imagination, Victoria's eyes were black with thirst, bright with anticipation, and her lips curled back from her gleaming teeth in pleasure. Her red hair was brilliant as fire; it blew chaotically around her wild face.
I couldn't stop shivering.
"Bella, what's wrong?' Jacob asked.
"Jake I-" I began, struggling to find the words.
I shivered harder. What if I blurted it all out and he didn't believe me? All the dark secrets about the supernatural. What would Jacob do? Save me from a vampire?
I ignored the voice in my head saying that he had just saved me from one a few minutes ago. That was a fluke. He was only a high school student. I looked at him. He seemed so string but he was still so young. He had his whole life ahead of him. I couldn't put this on him.
"Bella?" Jacob called.
"Oh, it's nothing," I said.
Jacob frowned.
"It's not 'nothing', Bells," he said. "Just tell me" he begged.
I shook my head. "I can't, there are things about me and my life that you wouldn't understand." I said.
"Why don't you tell me?" he said.
"Just let it go," I begged.
Jacob placed his hand on my shoulder.
"No," he said firmly.
"Jacob I-" I kissed him then, hungry and desperate for comfort.
I was going to die. My fingers dug into Jacob's back, pulling him closer. I wanted to be free- free of danger, free of my past. I wanted to be free with Jacob. Jacob pulled away and I tried to kiss him again but he held me back. He waited until I stopped struggling then he pulled me in for a hug.
"I'll make everything alright, Bella," he promised. "Just let me hold you," he said.
I nodded. I didn't know what would happen with Laurent and Victoria but with Jacob's arms around me I felt safe from the world. I loved Jacob and I trusted him. But I couldn't bring him in on this. I smiled sadly as he combed his fingers through my shorter hair. It was becoming hard for me to picture the girl I was before.
The girl with longer hair and a dangerous vampire boyfriend
It felt like we were to different people. I had grown since then I was stronger. But I was still going to die because of something that had happened I the past; something that wasn't even my fault. And I couldn't even defend myself because I was weak, useless, and human.
"You're so beautiful, Bella," Jacob whispered in my ear.
And I realized I had spoken that last sentence aloud. I tried to pull away but he held me tighter.
"You are amazing and strong. There is nothing weak or useless about you." He said.
I felt tears come to my eyes.
"I'm still human," I muttered.
Jacob chuckled.
"So," he said with a shrug. "I'm only human too," he said.
"I love you," I breathed against the side of his neck.
"What did you say?" he asked.
I blushed. I didn't mean to say it aloud.
"You make me feel safe," I said, quietly.
Jacob laughed. "That's what I'm here for, honey." He said.
He pulled away and sat in the booth and patted the spot next to him.
"Now it's time for the singing competition. First prize wins 200$!" the announcer said.
We sat there for the next hour listening to people sing. Some were good, some were bad, but only one person really touched me.
Her name was Bree. She was '5-1' and had long dark brown hair pulled into a pony-tail. She had a loose black T-shirt, and a pair of stained baggy shorts with old, dirty sneakers. I wasn't expecting her t go through with it because she was shaking like a leaf. But when she sang I was blown away.
It reminded me so much of the way I felt about Jacob. I grabbed his hand and looked at him.
Ooooo
I wasn't lookin' for love
It didn't really fit inside of my world but
One look in your eyes, and I completely changed my mind
Oooo
I wasn't lookin' for you
But you found me just like you were made to
And its crazy know to think about how we almost live without... each other
I, I,
Love spendin' all my time
Lying right here by my side
A place where I can always stay, cause you
You make me feel safe
You make me feel safe
I didn't want to jump the gun
And be the one to say I love you so soon
But when I look at you, the truth is,
Baby now I do I do
I, I,
Love spendin' all my time
Lying right here by your side
A place that I can always stay, cause you
You make me feel safe
You make me feel safe
A place that, a place that I belong
Wrapped here inside your arms
No fear no harm to my heart
Oooo
I, I,
Love spendin' all my time
Lying right here by your side
A place that I can always stay
Oh baby, say you'll always stay
Cause you, you make me feel safe
You make me feel safe
Ooooo
Ooooo
After her performance, a few more people went but I paid them no attention and when the announcer said it was time to tell who winner was I already knew the answer.
"And the winner is," the man paused to read the card. "Bree Tanner!"
The girl smiled, shyly, and took the check. I clapped excitedly. She deserved it. Jacob grinned.
"You want to go congratulate her?" he asked.
I nodded. "She was really good."
I made my way over to where she was standing.
"You were amazing," I said.
She looked up nervously.
"Thank you," she said.
I held out my hand.
"I'm Bella," I said.
She shook my hand. "I'm Bree," she said.
Jacob smiled. "We know. You really know how to sing." He said.
Bree blushed. "Thank you...Um," she trailed off.
"The name Jacob," he said, shaking her hand.
She giggled. "Okay…Jacob," she said.
She turned to me. "It was nice meeting you," she said.
"Likewise," Jacob said.
Bree stood up. "Well, I've got to go," she said. "I'm heading to Seattle tomorrow." She said.
We said our goodbyes and afterwards, Jacob and I left.
"I had fun tonight," I said, looking around nervously.
Jacob smiled.
"The nights not over yet, honey" he said.
I sent him a puzzled look.
"What?" I said.
Jacob smirked. "We never got to eat. So I'm going to cook you dinner," he said.
I shook my head.
"You don't have to do that," I said, thinking of Victoria.
Jacob gave me his usual sunny smile.
"I know I don't have too," he said. "But I want to,"
Jacob drove to the grocery store. We walked down the aisles while he loaded up the cart.
"That's too much stuff," I said.
He put his finger on my lips, and then moved his hand to my shoulder.
"Relax, Bells," he said.
I frowned.
"But how are you going to pay for all this," I objected.
Jacob smirked.
"I do have a job, Bella," he said, leaving me standing there with my mouth open.
"What?' I said, catching up to him in the checkout line.
Jacob shrugged.
"I fix cars for people on the Rez, I coach a little league team, and I do odd jobs." He said causally.
I was surprised.
"Why didn't you tell me before?" I asked a little hurt he kept it from me.
"You never asked." He said.
"But, we hang out almost every day," I said.
"I make my own hours," he said.
When we got back to my House, Jacob and I unloaded the groceries, from the car, and put them in the refrigerator.
"Most of this stuff I'll take home," he said.
That reminded me. I had completely forgotten about Billy.
"What about your dad?' I asked.
Jacob raised an eyebrow.
"Sue's giving him a check up and he's staying with Harry tonight," he explained.
"Now, go relax," he said. "I got this," he gestured to the stove.
I didn't want to let Jacob do all the cooking, but eventually I gave up. Jacob didn't make anything fancy. He made a simple, homemade, beef pot pie but I have to say it was one of the best meals I've had since the day he made breakfast.
"This is great," I said.
Jacob smiled, please with himself. He sat the food on the table and lit a candle, which he placed in the middle of the table.
"Voila," he said in a false French accent. "Dinner is server"
I giggled, as I took a seat. Jacob laughed as he took the seat across from me.
"Now, let's talk." He said.
I paled, thinking he was going to bring up Laurent but he didn't.
"So, you want to hear about my jobs?" he asked.
I nodded. I really was curious.
"I've been doing odd jobs since my sisters left and Dad's disability check wasn't covering everything. I started coaching the Little League team a few months ago and I've been fixing cars for a year…"
He told me some off the interesting things that had happened while on the job. How his team had won 3 out of 5 games. How he was once asked to babysit a set of twins that he swore walked on the ceiling.
He'd cleaned houses, washed cars, even mowed laws.
"I'm saving up for college," he said.
I was surprised. I thought that he'd been saving for the rabbit.
"The Rabbit is finished but I was only using my allowance to save for that. I want to pay for college myself." He said.
I felt a new respect for Jacob. He was a hard worker and he deserved more than he got.
Jacob noticed my expression and tried to lighten the mood.
"I can't just wait for Prince Charming to come rescue me from school debt and take me on his white steed into the sunset," he finished with a flourish.
I snorted.
"Okay, Jake," I said, as the phone rang.
"Hello," I said.
"Bells," Charlie said, sounding relieved.
"What's wrong, Dad?" I asked, thinking the worst.
Was he hurt? Did something happen?
"Hey, honey," he said. "Listen, I won't be coming home tonight." He said.
"Why?" I asked.
"Some more hikers were killed a little closer to town." He said.
"Oh," I said.
I didn't feel comfortable with my dad out there so late at night.
"Anyway, are you alone?" he asked.
I glanced at Jacob, who was looking back at me curiously.
"No, Jacob's here," I sad.
Charlie sighed relieved.
"Good, ask him if he could stay over tonight. It would make me feel better knowing someone's there with you." He said.
I thought about Victoria. What if she came for me tonight? I didn't want Jacob here but…
"I'll do it," Jacob said.
I was shocked.
"You heard that?" I mouthed to him.
Jacob raised an eyebrow.
"Of course," he mouthed back.
"He'll stay," I told Charlie.
Charlie chuckled.
"I knew I could count on Jake," Charlie said.
"Be safe Dad," I said.
"I will," he promised.
We talked for a while and Charlie made me promise I would stay in the House tonight. Then we hung up.
"How did you hear what Charlie was saying?" I asked as I sat back at the table.
Jacob shrugged.
"I don't know but it's kind of cool." He said.
I smiled but I was a little worried. I mentally listed symptoms in my head; fever, anger, growling, extremely good hearing.
That didn't sound like any illness I had ever heard of. After dinner, Jacob and I did the dishes in comfortable silence. He washed and I dried.
"So, since I'm staying," he blurted suddenly. "Maybe I should get ready for bed." He suggested.
I nodded.
"Okay, you go first," I said. "I'll shower later." I said.
Once Jacob was gone, I let myself sigh. What was I going to do? Victoria could come for me at any moment but with Jacob here who knows what she would do. Hopefully, she would kill me quickly and let Jacob go. He was innocent. I'd beg her if I had too.
I closed my eyes and slumped against the counter. She probably wouldn't come for me today. She'd probably come tomorrow, when I was alone. So she could take her time torturing me, until my heart stopped. I shivered in fear. I didn't want to die. It was kind of funny.
I chuckled darkly. All those months of wishing Edward would change me and now that I was going to die for real I was scared. I had so much to live for now. Charlie and I were just starting to get closer. I was making new friends; Leah. I had old friends; Angela, Jessica.
I had Jacob.
A single tear fell from my eye. I wanted to go to college and grow old with my friends and family. I wanted to live.
I shook my head fiercely. Now was not the time to think about that. Jacob was upstairs and I didn't want him to catch me crying. I poured myself a glass of milk and was about to go upstairs when I heard a knock at the door. Thinking it was Charlie coming home early, I opened the door without looking.
I looked up and froze.
"Hello, Bella,"
The glass fell from my hands and shattered on the floor.
A/N: Cliff hanger. Who's at the door? I hope you liked this chapter. I know I introduced Bree into the story earlier than in cannon but I have my reasons. Bella suspicious of the changes in Jacob. Let me know your thoughts. REVIEW OR PM. NO FLAMES PLEASE!