Thank you all for your lovely and kind support. This chapter has had a million false starts as I try and figure out how to say what I want to, but I finally figured out how to get it done.
Bella's POV
I try to rush out on Thursday, but Jessica catches me.
"We are going to La Push tomorrow after school, everyone but the Cullens. You in?"
I haven't been to La Push at all this year, so I would love to. "I have detention," I sigh.
"Oh, bummer." Jessica frowns. "Dang, so that would just leave me, Angela, and Newton."
That sounds like a serious crowd. I wonder what the vibes would be with just those three in a room.
"Do you think Edward said no because of detention? Maybe if we reschedule you two could come. Then it would be a proper group." She muses, I shrug.
"I'm not doing anything this weekend,"
"I don't have your number!" She exclaims. "Quick, put it in my phone."
"I don't have a phone!" I echo her tone, and she gasps, covering her mouth.
"No." She looks appalled.
"You can tell me what you decide tomorrow." She sighs but accepts.
"Okay, well see you tomorrow!"
I look over my shoulder as she runs the opposite direction for the buses, and see Edward right behind us.
"You hear all that?"
He smiles, glancing back as Jess. "Indeed. It's hard enough to say no to that one once."
I laugh. "Will you?"
"I have to. We don't go to La Push."
I frown, and he begins to walk ahead of me but I jog to catch up.
"Don't go to La Push?"
"Never mind," he says, and I open my mouth to protest when he says, "Don't have a phone?"
I frown, annoyed.
"That's not really the same."
He laughs. I roll my eyes.
"Will you go?" He asks.
"I need to get out more," I confess. "I haven't done anything at all in…" When was the last time I got out?
"Well, I used to be fun."
He looks down at me, taking me in.
"There's plenty of 'fun' left to be had." His tone is soft, gentle. I look up at him, truly trying to take him in. Like everyone, he's been paying a lot of attention to me since I arrived this week, but he maintains a sort of curiosity still. I know people still speculate about me, but the way that Edward talks to me doesn't pry just for knowledges sake, he wants to know me.
I look away from him because I didn't come to Forks for the boys.
"Maybe for me, but not you." I sigh. He raises his eyebrows.
"I can go to La Push."
He laughs. "I can play Clash of Clans whenever I want."
"Oof," I cringe, then laugh. "Low blow."
We step outside and Jacob is standing outside of the truck, staring at us.
"Well, hopefully you change your mind about being boring," I say, smirking at him. He rolls his eyes. "Hopefully you change your mind about technology."
"See you tomorrow!" I run over to Jacob, shoving my bag into his hands.
"Feel how heavy it is, I have to carry that around all day."
Three textbooks, four notebooks, and all my other school supplies. It's a wonder I make it through the day.
He doesn't flinch at the weight of the bag, keeping his eyes trained on something behind me. I turn around, looking for it, to find nothing.
"What?" I ask, unnerved.
"Bella," he begins, then sighs, shaking his head.
"What?" I insist, my nerves rising as I look around the parking lot for some sort of threat.
He shakes his head.
"Forget it." He throws the bookbag over his shoulder, and I wonder where all his strength came from. Since I got to Forks, I haven't really taken him in, but he's taller now. He has to be a full foot taller than me, not the lanky kid an inch shorter I left behind. He's strong now and seems much older than sixteen.
I buckle in and try to lighten the mood.
"Everyone is talking about making it to La Push this weekend, go to the beach." I say cheerfully.
Jacob scowls, and I'm taken aback.
"Everyone as in Cullen?" He growls at me, and I flinch away from the accusation in his tone.
"No," I say softly. "Why? Are the Cullens not allowed there?" I ask, defensive.
"He said that?" Jacob raises his voice, obvious anger pouring out which frightens, but mostly confuses me.
"No, he didn't. What's the deal, Jake?"
"The deal is you're associating with people I don't approve of."
I whip back at that.
"Okay, well, it doesn't matter who you approve of—"
"Oh really." He laughs sardonically. "Because you're such a great judge of character?"
Icy realization seeps into me as I process those words.
"That's really mean, Jacob." I murmur.
"Well maybe you need a dose of reality."
"Maybe you—"
"I don't want to talk about this anymore." He snaps. I shrink into my seat but persist.
"That's not fair, Jake."
"Enough, Bella!"
I do stop now. I don't understand the animosity he feels, but I don't want to be the one he takes it out on. I don't say anything, I turn my head and look out the window, carefully wiping my tears before they fall, embarrassed by them.
I can reckon why Jacob doesn't like Edward, but it's painful to acknowledge. Jake and I have never discussed it.
Ever since we were little, we spent every summer attached at the hip, and every other Christmas. From such a young age, our families were completely intertwined in Forks. His dad was my dad's best friend, we both antagonized his older sisters together. I was there the summer his mom died. At her funeral, it was my hand he took, and me he led to the beach. We were only eleven, it was all so over our heads. He didn't say much, but we were there for each other.
The next week, I was on a plane back to Arizona.
That was the last time things were strictly normal between us. He's my Jacob, I love him, but I'm not stupid about the way he looks at me. The way he texts, the way he likes to hold my hand and take care of me.
I wish there was a reason that I don't see him the same way, but I just don't. I wish my dad didn't encourage him to "hang in there" with me, hoping I'll change my mind, but he does. I wish I could force the butterflies, chemistry, or whatever makes a relationship work, but I can't.
I want the innocence of our childhood back, where I was just a kid, not a pretty girl. Where he was just my friend, and I didn't wonder if I had it in myself to see him any differently.
Maybe he does just hate Edward Cullen, but he's just a figurehead for the person Jacob really hates, and that person is me.
Maybe he really just hates James. Maybe his feelings are extremely complicated. I don't know, and I won't get answers from him because he won't talk to me about this.
He was mad at me before I came home, angry I wasn't there this summer and that I evaded answers about why. Probably the only thing that could have softened his anger was the state I showed up in, but I guess all good things must come to an end.
I don't know how to fix things. They were broken before I got here, and now I'm in an even worse position to reconcile with him.
He's so stubborn, and he can be so mean.
Jacob is so hot tempered, maybe I should be grateful that he treated me with grace at all when he saw me again. I probably didn't deserve it— I'd run all over his feelings, never bothering to discuss them.
"Is that all?" I ask softly.
"What?"
"Is that all of your grievances against me, or are there more?"
He doesn't say anything, but we're in front of my house now. He doesn't pull into the driveway, so I open my door to get out.
"Bella?" I turn my head to him. He's not looking at me, his face red with barely restrained anger.
"Maybe you should find another ride home tomorrow."
I don't sleep well, and there's no sign of Charlie until close to eleven. I'm still tossing and turning when he pokes his head in to check on me, but he must think I'm sound asleep because he quietly closes the door and a few minutes later I hear the shower start.
When I do doze off, I suffer from nightmares, and when I'm awake shadows dance around my room and frighten me. By the time the sun starts to rise, I just go ahead and get up.
Jessica finds me and informs me that the trip to La Push tomorrow is "So on!" Before I can think of an excuse, she informs me that they will be at my house at eight am to get me. Apparently, she doesn't need my address, because everyone in this town just knows where everyone else lives.
Overall, Friday is a bust. I'm barely keeping my eyes open in fourth period when Mr. Banner literally slaps a ruler on my desk. I jerk up, incredulous, making eye contact with the scornful man.
Edward's hand is across the desk, a barrier between myself and this lunatic teacher.
"Stay with us, Miss Swan."
"Mr. Banner," Edward growls, and I shrink into the seat.
Mr. Banner just turns around, marching back to the front of the class. My jaw is on the floor, looking first at Mr. Banner, then to Edward. I laugh nervously, but his face is full of fury.
"I didn't know this was Catholic school," I murmur. Edward just eyes me. "What? He gives old school nuns a run for their money."
Edward just shakes his head, his eyes containing deep fury.
He's been on edge since lunch, when Jessica hounded him, even resorting to begging to get him to come to La Push. He didn't budge. I felt more reserved about the concept of it today, but my resolve faded under her debate captain brigade. I resolved that I probably wouldn't even see Jacob, and I shouldn't worry about it.
When the bell rings, I drag my feet walking to the door, where Mr. Banner is standing guard.
"Miss Swan, we really need to work on your presence in the classroom." He scolds me like a child, but I just smile.
"I'm really sorry, I'll try harder next week."
"Be sure and ponder that in detention tonight." Ouch. Way to rub it in Mr. B.
"Have a good weekend," I sigh, walking out the classroom, glad to leave it behind me. I pull out my wrinkled school map and try and find Mrs. Spencer's classroom, where detention will be held.
"Need any help?" Edward asks.
"Oh," I sigh. "Yeah."
He laughs, "Follow me." He says patiently.
I follow along, and wrestle around in my backpack until I find my protein shake.
"You favor those." Edward comments. I laugh, "They have vitamins. Look at me, do you think I'm in the position to turn down an iron supplement?"
He smiles.
"You're patient with Mr. Banner." He says matter of factly.
I roll my eyes. "Yeah, he's like my mom. Vindictive people just want you to engage, the best thing to do is kill it with kindness until they forget about you."
I poke his arm.
"He knows he can wind you up. You have a strong sense of justice."
He meets my gaze with soft eyes.
"I suppose that's true."
"Just don't sweat the small stuff,"
He stops in a now abandoned hall and looks down at me, his gaze intense as he takes me in. I freeze as he reaches out, tucking a loose strand of behind my ear, and stroking his thumb over the feint bruise left on my eye.
"There is no small stuff." And then he's gone, turned on his heel and marching down the hallway, leaving my breathless in front of Mrs. Spencer's door.
Edward's POV
Detention is more favorable because Mrs. Spencer mostly dozes off and ignores us. Bella and I make good use of the time, beginning the biology project.
She has explained to us about her concussion, but on closer inspection of her it seems she's suffering from other external pressures. She nods off frequently, struggles to hold on to a thought, struggles to keep focused…
Still, she's not a terrible partner. She puts a lot of effort into doing her part, even when I insist that I could easily do the work for both of us.
"No," She mumbles. "That wouldn't be fair."
I shake my head.
"Maybe it would serve you better to rest, though."
She just laughs.
"That would be lovely. If only, Edward. If only."
I raise my eyebrows at her for explanation, but she isn't looking at me. She's straining herself to read the text in front of her.
"Things troubling you at home?"
She really doesn't do well with direct questioning, but I'm at a loss of any other way to reach her. The inner workings of her mind are so mysterious to me, any breadcrumbs at all seem to broaden my understanding of the girl.
"No, nothing ever happens at home." She sighs.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Of course." I assure her.
"Why don't you and Jacob get along?"
I shrug.
"I barely know the boy. I have no quarrel with him."
She groans.
"It's me, then."
She rubs her forehead, evidently stressed from the circumstances. I feel bad for holding out on her with the broader details, but I don't believe I should be the one to break the treaty. Especially when it would be to a girl so closely associated with the werewolves.
Perhaps it's the girl's close, if not unknowing, association with the supernatural that cause her to be able to deflect our powers so easily. I wonder what kind of focus it must cause her to be able to keep three vampires out of her mind, future, and feelings, all at the same time. The girl is a mystery.
"Don't say that," I say, in what I hope to be a gentle tone.
She shakes her head, laughing.
"I don't have any other answers."
She's quiet for a long moment before she offers, "We had a bad fight last night on the way home."
I raise my eyebrows in question.
"He said I was on my own for a ride home today, and maybe indefinitely. At least I know the way."
That is troubling. I can't imagine a reason for the wolf-boy to abandon his brain damaged friend to the elements, especially over some disagreement regarding me, or my family. Maybe it is something to do with her.
"Of course, you're not walking," I begin.
"Of course, I am." Her tone is snarky, and I shake my head.
"It's not safe, Bella."
She just shrugs. "I'll be just fine, Edward."
"Of course you will, because I'll be driving you."
She looks up at me, about to object when Mrs. Spencer finally seems to wake up, and then dismisses us.
Bella doesn't really put up a fight about getting in my car, which given her independent nature, probably speaks to the lack of confidence she already felt about getting herself home in one piece. I honestly don't know what possessed her to plan on walking four miles home in the light rain we are experiencing.
Once she's buckled up, I offer that I could drive her home on Monday as well. She just shakes her head.
"I think Jacob will be back at it by then…" There's a certain doubt in her voice that tells me to keep Monday afternoon free.
"And it's not your problem, you shouldn't have to worry about that sort of thing."
I just shake my head. "Nonsense."
Something about her makes it feel like it is my problem. This mysterious girl from across the country, showing up in the middle of the school year with far, far more questions than answers. Who has hurt her? Why did she run? What does she think about?
Everything about the girl keeps everyone in this town intrigued, be it curiosity, gossip, or pity, she is the topic of almost everyone's thoughts almost constantly. There have been new kids at Forks before, but Bella seems to be by far the most popular. In fact, she even seems to enrapture me with her charm.
Perhaps it's the not knowing, but a deeper part of me knows that this goes far beyond that. A small part of me feels as though Bella belongs to me.
I look at the clock and notice the time. Almost six.
"Is your father waiting for you?" I ask, backing out of the parking lot.
She shakes her head.
"He has to work a lot."
She doesn't say much else, so I let it go, and we drive through the usually quiet town of Forks. Today, I'm surprised to see that part of Main Street is blocked off by police cars with flashing lights, right in front of Bailey's drug store. I'm glancing up and down the scene when the door is opened and a body bag is brought out.
"Gracious," Says Bella, her hand over her heart. "What happened?"
I just shake my head as an officer waves us down the detour street. I roll down my window as we pass.
"Trouble?" I ask the officer, who looks irritated.
Nosy kids.
His thoughts don't point to this mystery at all, and he simply waves us on with a polite nod in Bella's direction.
"I think Mr. Bailey was just really old," Bella offers after a while. "Maybe it's just in poor taste for them to talk about it."
I nod. "Of course, Bella."
I'm not convinced, but I want the girl to feel at ease in this town. Surely a factor in her fleet to Forks was that is it one of the safest places in the country. The only real trouble in the town are local teens, and the local vampires. But something about a fatality in such a public area of town doesn't sit well with me. My family does a lot to keep track of other vampires who may be in the area, primarily relying on Alice's visions. Innocuous or sinister, this turn of events somehow evaded even her powers. But who has the power to hide from Alice's visions?
My eyes dart to the girl beside me before I shake my head. She can't have anything to do with this.
"I could ask my dad, though, I bet."
"You needn't bother, I was just curious." Perhaps easier if I could somehow run into Chief Swan and probe his thoughts myself.
We pull into Bella's driveway, which is, as she predicted, empty.
"Are you hungry?" Bella asks, and I'm not. Well, certainly not for whatever she has to offer me, but something about the foreboding feeling I felt in town inclines me to accept her offer.
"Very," I say with a smile, and she grins.
"Great! I hope you like fish."
It turns out that the Swan household is preparing for the Armageddon, and their primary means of survival will be frozen fish. Well, frozen fish and whatever Charlie can catch on the daily. I lean on the kitchen counter while Bella fries us catfish.
I eat it to be polite, despite the fact that it does nothing for me. Human food simply passes through my kind, doing nothing for us energy wise, and tasting generally very bland.
Bella eyes me as I heap salt onto my portion but doesn't say anything. We eat in relative silence, and I take in the room. It is well kept, but lacking a certain quality most lived in spaces have. The furniture is mismatched, décor sparse, the only thing that points away from this being a bachelor pad is the wall full of pictures of Bella.
Every year since she was about one, there is a portrait of Bella and her father. I suspect they are from JC Penney's, as they are rather unremarkable except for the history within. It shows a little girl, one who apparently used to be capable of getting a tan. With wide, mischievous eyes, she looks into the camera each year, a cheerful grin on her face. While Charlie stays in the same chair, the girl moves from his lap, to beside him, to behind him with her arms wrapped around his neck.
I glance to Bella and can't help but realize that her eyes don't twinkle in the way they once did, even seemingly one year ago.
She follows my previous gaze and sighs.
"There used to be one of all of us up there. Me, my mom, and dad. I don't know where it went."
I feel a pang at that for the girl. What must it be like to grow up with the two pillars of your family on opposite ends of the coast?
I'm about to respond when the phone rings. The Swan house perhaps being on of the last with a working landline. Bella answers in the kitchen so I have no problem hearing Chief Swan on the other end.
"Bella?" He asks, his voice gruff and tired.
"Yeah, hey Daddy."
"Listen, I'm going to be home pretty late tonight, don't wait on dinner."
There is an awkward pause from Bella as she glances towards our dirty dishes, but she just says, "Okay."
"Is Jacob with you?"
"No, he's home I think."
It's the Chief's turn to pause before he says,
"Okay, Bells. Just lock the doors and stay in tonight."
"Why?"
"Just trust me, Bells."
"What happened?"
Her father sighs.
"Mr. Bailey died today, it's put everyone on edge."
"How?"
"That we don't know, but foul play is suspected. Just please make me feel better and lock the doors."
"Okay, Daddy, I love you."
"Love you Bells."
Bella returns to the table and fills me in on the conversation. I try to make it look like I'm hearing this for the first time.
"It's weird though, right? In a town like this?"
I just shrug.
"Maybe Mr. Bailey got mixed in with the wrong crowd."
Bella smirks.
"Started selling the wrong kinds of drugs."
We laugh at that.
Bella offers to let me stay later, but I decline. I'm halfway home when the idea of Bella being alone in that house with a murderer on the loose has me turn back around. I park at a church down the street and run to her yard, sinking into the shadows of the forest. I take in the sight of the house, taking over half an hour to survey it before I almost convince myself this is paranoia.
Surely there is no threat in Forks. Surely, if there were, the Chief's daughter would not be a likely target. Unless, of course, it was not a criminal who was harassing the town…. I quickly rid myself of that irrational thought.
I'm about to leave, when I see another dark figure skulking towards the house, coming from the other side of the woods.
Please leave a review to let me know what you think! Just a couple of words go a long way towards motivating me to right more, and I appreciate each one!
Let me know where you want this story to go and what you think Bella should do. I know what I think but I want to see if we're all on the same page! Thank you all again and incase I don't see you before then, Merry Christmas!