Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.
Bella was late for school on Monday morning. She came in half way through second period not paying attention to the person who sat next to her. She was still groggy as she pulled out her notebook and stared bleary eyed at the projector, trying to take notes.
"You can borrow mine during lunch," Mike said leaning across the aisle.
"Thanks," she said with a grateful smile.
Twenty minutes later the bell rang and she bolted from the room. She could feel Edward behind her trying to get her attention.
"Leave her alone Edward. Remember what Carlisle said," Jasper said from somewhere close by.
Bella's panic fled instantly and she had never been more thankful to have Jasper around. She didn't want people questioning her about the way she was acting.
"Hi Bella," Alice said coming to stand next to her.
"Hi Alice," she said reaching into her locker for something.
"How are you doing?"
"Fine," she said with a nod.
"I don't want things to be awkward between us. I still want to be friends with you."
"I'm not being friendly?" she asked with furrowed eyebrows.
"You've just seemed a bit standoffish since we came back," Alice said quietly.
"I'm not, I'm sorry you think that."
"It's okay. I'll see you later."
"Bye," she said with a wave.
"See you later Bella," Jasper said from across the hall.
"Bye," she said with a kind smile.
Edward was already in the classroom when Bella walked in.
"Bella, I've had your seat switched with Mike," Her Chemistry teacher said without looking up.
"Hey partner," Eric said with a smile as she sat down.
"Hey."
"At least I won't have to explain everything to you. Mike's a good guy, but science is not his best subject. I doubt Edward will be as nice as I was."
"I don't think so," she said with a laugh.
Class started and the teacher announced that they were having a pop quiz. The room was silent as the quizzes were passed out and the teacher watched to make sure no one cheated. Eric and Bella finished at the same time and Eric offered to take hers up for her. Edward finished next; he had explained to the teacher that he had gone over this subject already in his last school. Bella worked on the assignment for the day with Eric quietly, feeling Edward watching her again. She was going to need to talk to him.
XXXX
Charlie was home when she got home from work that night. Mike had complained about being partners with Edward for their entire shift. She explained that she was just as surprised as he was that the Cullen's were back.
Her dad was in the kitchen standing over the stove when she came in. She came into the room silently and he didn't notice her. She came to stand next to him after she had taken off her backpack and jacket.
"You're making dinner?" she asked, her interest piqued.
"I remembered to take the lid off the jar. I'm doing everything you told me to do."
He was stirring the noodles when she grabbed a Coke from the refrigerator. She sat at the table reading the newspaper while he finished dinner.
Half an hour later they were eating dinner. Usually they would talk about each other's day during dinner. Tonight Charlie looked uneasy and not like himself at all.
"Is something wrong Dad?"
"I have some news."
"What?"
"I've decided to sell the house."
"Why?" she asked with wide eyes.
"You'll be going to college next year. This house is too big for just me."
"You've lived in this house since you were born. Do you really want to sell it?"
"It's the only way that you'll have money for college," he said logically.
"Dad I don't expect you to pay for college. I was going to pay for some of it."
"With what money?" he asked.
"I can apply for student loans. I can hold off going to college until I have some more money
saved," she rattled off quickly.
"I want to pay for your college. It's the last thing that I'll be able to do for you before you go out into the real world."
"If this is the way you want it and you've already made up your mind I guess that I can't stop you."
"I'll get a two bedroom apartment, that way you can come home whenever you want," he said optimistically.
Bella nodded, touched that her dad was making such a huge sacrifice for her. She hoped that she was as good of a parent as he was when she had kids.
XXXX
Jacob stood outside the Clearwater house waiting for someone to answer the door. It was his and Leah's night to run patrol and he wasn't looking forward to it. Everyone else in the pack had seen her except him. He had heard that she wasn't adjusting well and that she was taking it out on the rest of the pack. He wasn't about to let her do that to him. He didn't know what to expect when the door opened a few seconds later.
"Hey," Seth said happily.
"Hey. Is your sister ready?"
"She'll be down in a minute. You can come in."
"Thanks," Jacob said with a smile.
Seth went back to cleaning the kitchen while Sue was reading in the living room. She called for Jacob and he stepped into the room.
"Sit down," she said with a smile.
He sat across from her as she set her book down.
"I want you to know that I am glad that you are one of the boys who phased. I don't blame you for turning down the role of Alpha either. It's too much to be put on your shoulders right now."
"I know," he said with a nod.
"I feel better knowing that Leah has you to turn to. The two of you used to be such good friends."
"I'll help her any way that I can."
"Thank you," she said with a grateful smile.
Leah could be heard coming down the stairs and he stood to meet her at the door. Their eyes met, and Leah gasped only loud enough for him to hear. The world stopped turning and his heart leaped into his throat. Everything faded away accept for her. His eyes widened in surprise as he realized what had just happened.
"What's going on?" she asked in a scared voice.
"We need to go to Sam and Emily's."
"I'm not going over there!" she said in defiance.
"Right, sorry. I guess we can ask your mom to explain," he offered.
"Explain what?"
"We just imprinted on each other."
"Are you kidding me?!" she asked in a panicked voice.
"I wasn't expecting it either, so don't act put out," he said as he walked back into the living room.
Leah followed him before he pulled out his phone. He called Embry and asked him to fill in for him then he called Paul. Paul had been reluctant until he explained what had happened.
"Are you going to Sam's?"
"She doesn't want to. I'm not going to force her. I'm going to call him next."
Jacob explained what was going on to Sue and she was elated. Jacob on the other hand, was more than a little scared. Leah wasn't ready for this; she didn't even want to be a part of the pack. Sue explained everything as best she could and answered all of their questions.
Sam called Jacob as he was walking home that night.
"How did it go?"
"Not great. I wasn't prepared for how hostel she would be."
"She isn't going to make things easy for you, but I know that you'll be patient with her."
"It would help if I knew the whole situation; I already know your side," he said with a stressed sigh.
"She doesn't open up for just anyone. You have to prove yourself to her."
"You aren't mad?"
"No. If you need any help with her, or have any questions, I'll do what I can," he offered.
"Thanks."
"Things will get better. She'll see that you didn't do this to hurt her, and that something good will come out of it."
He continued his walk home to find his dad waiting up for him. Usually Rachel put him to bed early and he would be asleep by the time Jacob got home. Billy met him at the door when he came in.
"You're home early."
"I didn't run patrol."
"Why? Did Leah refuse to go?" he asked in concern.
"No. We imprinted on each other," Jacob mumbled.
"You've imprinted on Leah Clearwater?" Billy asked with a quirked eyebrow.
"Yeah," Jacob confirmed with a nod.
"Are you okay?"
"I don't know. She's not the type of girl that I usually go for."
"I know that she isn't Bella, but that doesn't make her a bad person."
"I didn't say that she had to be like Bells Dad. I just wish that she wasn't so demanding," he said, running his fingers through his hair in frustration.
"She has a lot of issues. You knew that before you imprinted on her."
"Why did I have to imprint on her? Why not Sam, or Paul?" he wondered out loud.
"Because they already have imprints, I'm sure that if they could trade with you that Sam would do it in a second, but you can't just think about yourself," Billy scolded.
"I don't understand this at all, but I'm not going to fight it."
"Good. I don't want you to worry; everything is going to be fine. The two of you used to be friends."
"I know, but things are different now."
"You need to tell Bella."
"Oh God," he said with a groan.
"What?"
"I told Bella that I loved her last night."
"Why would you do that?" Billy asked with a raised voice.
"She turned me down, don't worry."
"At least she was smart enough not to take you seriously."
"Oh, she took me seriously. She told me that if Paul weren't in the picture and that if I weren't a wolf that she would consider being with me."
"But Paul is in the picture and you are a wolf. Now that you've imprinted you can focus your attention on Leah."
"What are you still doing up?" Jacob finally asked.
"Sue called and said that you would need me when you got home."
"I'll handle it, bedtime young man," Jacob said sternly.
"You're a laugh riot," Billy said as Jacob pushed him down the hall.
Jacob was in his room ten minutes later. Someone knocked on his window as he changed. He pulled back the curtain to see Embry outside his window. He opened it and set his arms on the sill.
"Why aren't you running patrol?"
"Paul took over. He's at Bella's. Are you going to tell me why I had to cover for you?"
"Leah and I imprinted on each other tonight."
"You're imprint is Leah Clearwater? Man that sucks," he said sympathetically.
"It's gonna take some getting used to."
"How did she take it?"
"She's thrilled Em. How do you think she took it?" he asked sarcastically.
"How bad was it?"
"She threw a vase of flowers at me," Jacob said, shaking his head to try to clear the memory.
"She must really like you," Embry said sarcastically.
"I'm gonna go to bed. I have to run patrol before school to make up for tonight."
"See you later," Embry said with a wave.
Jacob shut the window and saw a shadow by his car as he was about to put the curtain back in place. Leah was sitting on the hood of his car with the moon casting its eerie glow on her. He opened the window again and climbed out. He jogged to the car while Leah slid off of it.
"I wanted to apologize for earlier."
"It's not a problem," he said, brushing her off.
"It's not like you asked for this to happen."
"No, I didn't. I was perfectly happy being alone," he said flatly.
"So was I. But we can't take it back now. So I suggest that we make the best of it," she reasoned.
"You mean you want us to get along?"
"It shouldn't be too hard. We used to get along great," she said with a shrug.
"Yes we did, but a lot has changed since then," he reminded her.
"I know that I am not the easiest person to get along with right now. I can change," she said giving him a pointed look.
He nodded as he shoved his hands in his pockets.
"Thank you for not saying anything bad about me to Embry."
"Why would I? You don't deserve that," he asked giving her cautious look.
"Actually I do, I tried to hurt you. Lucky for me you're a nice guy. Get some sleep; I'll be here at five to get you," she said before walking away.
He headed back into the house and was in bed a few minutes later. He wasn't looking forward to tomorrow. He would have to tell Bella sooner rather than later. He hoped that Paul hadn't told her. She would be happy for him, she would be glad that he had someone to make him happy. Things with Leah were going to be awkward for a while. They would just have to work through it and hopefully the outcome would be something that they could both agree on.
XXXX
Bella was watching TV in the living room when someone opened the door that night.
"You're late," she called.
"Who were you expecting?" Paul asked from the foyer.
"Not you, but I'm glad that you're here," she said rising from the couch.
"Jake and Leah couldn't make it," he said as she walked towards him.
"I figured that out when you answered me," she said as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Are you disappointed?"
"No, why would I be disappointed?"
"I was just checking."
He leaned down, brushing her hair away from her face. Their lips met as her fingers threaded into his hair. He moaned against her lips, pleading for entrance. She opened her mouth to him, shutting out everything else. His hands rested on her hips as she moved closer to him.
Her body was flush against him as he walked them backwards into the living room. He pressed her against the back of the couch and he rested his hands on the couch to keep from knocking her over. She pushed at his shoulders, her chest heaving.
"I wish that would happen to you, just once."
"I wish it could too," he said quietly.
"So, why are you here? You were just here last night."
"Jake called me; something happened that he didn't plan on."
"Like what?"
"I can't tell you. He should be the one to tell you."
She nodded as she pushed him away. She walked around the couch while he climbed over the back. She leaned against him as she got lost in an old episode of Friends. His fingers skimmed her arms, not really interested in the show. Her head rested on his shoulder and he finally noticed what she was wearing.
"I didn't realize that you had a pair of shorts that short," he mused.
"I don't wear them unless it's really hot. But thank you for noticing," she said appreciatively.
"You feel comfortable wearing those around Jake?"
"He's practically my brother!" she said with a laugh.
"That's what I thought," he said cockily.
"Do they bother you?"
"Do you like torturing me?" he asked darkly.
"It is fun," she said with a smile.
"They don't bother me."
The show went off and she turned to face him. She watched him with questioning eyes. She knew that he was sexually active, but he hadn't told her how many girls there had been. Things were still new for them but the subject of sex should be brought up.
"Can I ask you something personal?"
"Do I have to answer it if I don't want to?" he asked cautiously.
"No," she promised.
"Then ask me."
"How many girls have there been?"
"Six. I was in a relationship with one of them for two years before I changed," he said honestly.
"I was just curious," she said with a nod.
"It doesn't bother you?"
"Did you use protection?"
"Always," he said without thinking twice.
"Then, no it doesn't."
"It bothered my last girlfriend. We broke up because of it."
"How many girls have you dated?"
"Three."
"Jeeze, you've slept with three girls and you didn't date them?" she asked with a laugh.
"I was only serious about one of them," he said flatly.
"Okay, I have to admit that bothers me just a little," she said with a nervous laugh.
"I'm not going to pressure you," he said.
"I know," she said as she nodded again.
"We won't even fool around until you're ready."
"Thank you," she said with a small smile.
He pulled her to him and rested his chin on her shoulder. Now that the subject was closed she realized that she had bitten off more than she could chew. Yes, he had a past. The fact that he was so open about it made her trust him even more. She realized that there was still so much about him that she didn't know. She wouldn't make any split decisions about going farther with him until she got to know him better.
XXXX
A familiar silver car was outside Bella's house when she woke up the next morning. Charlie had just gotten home from work, so if she went outside to talk to Edward he would more than likely hear her. She grabbed her phone and thought quickly of someone that she could text to come over and help her deal with him. Paul was out of the question, he had left half an hour earlier to go to work. Jacob was more than likely getting ready for school himself. She paused at a number and sighed, hoping that the person would be able to help her.
She stood just out of Edward's vision by the window. She sent a quick text and less than thirty seconds later the person texted her back telling her that they would be there as soon as they could. She would stay inside until they got there.
A few minutes later the person could be seen walking up the street. Edward's posture tensed as he stared up at Bella's window. She quickly slipped on a pair of pajama pants and shoes before meeting the person in the yard.
"Thank you for coming Leah."
"No problem," she said with a nod.
"You're a werewolf?" Edward asked.
"You got a problem with it?" Leah asked giving him a condescending look.
"I've never seen a female before."
"I'm the first of my kind. That doesn't mean that I can't dismantle you if you take one more step closer to her," she warned in an acid tone.
"What do you want Edward?"
"I have some questions."
"Then ask them," Leah said as she crossed her arms over her chest.
"Alice said that you were with one of them."
"What?" Leah asked turning to face Bella.
"We haven't been together long. I'm Paul's imprint."
"You poor, poor girl," Leah said shaking her head solemnly.
"What I do is none of your business Edward. You left me without so much as looking back. You wanted me to remain human, that's what I'm doing."
"There are risks involved, you have to see that," he rationalized.
"She has less chance of getting hurt by one of us than she does by you," Leah countered.
"She's right."
"I've seen Sam's imprint in Carlisle's mind. Don't you think that something like that can happen to you?"
"If it does then it won't be the first time someone has marked me," she reminded him.
"He can read minds?"
"Yes," Bella said with a nod.
"Good, then read mine," she said giving him an icy glare.
Bella looked from Leah to Edward then back again. Edward clenched his fists in anger as Leah gave him a look that dared him to say something. He shook his head before stalking to his car. He pulled away kicking up rocks as his tires spun out in the driveway.
"What did you say to him?"
"Don't worry about it. He won't be giving you anymore trouble."
"What did you do?"
"I called him every name I could think of before threatening him. He also knows what Paul looks like now."
"Bells, what are you doing out here?" Charlie called from the door.
"Great, he woke up my Dad," she said rolling her eyes.
"I'll see you later," Leah said taking off towards the tree line.
Bella walked back towards the house and Charlie was watching her with bleary eyes.
"Was someone here?" he asked sleepily.
"It was someone asking for directions."
"And they pulled into the driveway?"
"I told them they could. I didn't know that they were going to spin out."
"Come inside and get ready for school," he said opening the door wider.
She put what had happened outside behind her as she got in the shower. She would go to see the Cullen's after school and talk to them about keeping Edward away from her until everything blew over. They had to see that he wasn't himself. Hopefully he would see that he was wrong and they could be friends. She wanted to be friends with his entire family; it wasn't going to be easy if he was going to like a ten year old.