Disclaimer: I don't own twilight or its characters


October 24, 1941…

Bella

I ruffled my hair, tossing it over my shoulders to shield as much of myself as I could. Even though the swimsuit was modest enough, the blue bottom was waist high and the matching top was long enough that only a fine line of skin was showing. It was the cleavage area that had me a little on edge. I was showing far more than I ever thought I could and with the shoulder straps tied off around my neck, it surely gave them a boost as well. I wasn't used to showing this much skin, ever. If my father saw me right now, he'd have a heart attack.

"Izzy, we have to go!" Alice called from the hallway.

I sighed, taking my coverup and towel from the sink and opened the bathroom door. At least the beach wasn't that far from the house. It was a beautiful day today and with temperatures ranging in the high eighties, we couldn't pass up an opportunity to go to the beach on our day off.

Jasper and Emmett were waiting for us with food and drinks by the time we made it to the beach, having gotten there earlier to get the perfect spot.

"Hello, girls!" Jasper greeted us as we approached them on the beach. "I hope you all don't mind, but I invited someone else."

I didn't have to wonder who they invited, it seemed quite obvious. I quickly scanned the area and found Mr. Cullen knee deep in the water, hands in the pockets of his khaki shorts that reached just above his knees. At least he wasn't in the short swim trunks like his friends.

"Oh, not at all," Rosalie said as she draped her towel on the sand. "Bella will have someone to keep her entertained. Or maybe she will keep him entertained." She wiggled her eyebrows at me.

I rolled my eyes and draped my own towel on the sand, taking a seat on it and pulled my book out. Everyone else started getting ready to hop in the water. Angela took a seat next to me and Ben, who was beginning to join us on our excursions, sat next to her, more preoccupied with her to pay anyone else any attention. They were so cute together, both quiet and reserved, but obviously so taken with each other.

"Izzy, are you getting in?" Alice asked as she kicked off her sandals and then took off her coverup.

"No, I'm good. I'll just enjoy my book and the sun," I said, waving my book in the air.

"Do you not know how to swim?" Mr. Cullen asked, slowly approaching us. I hadn't realized he'd even moved. The man is so quiet.

His hair looked more copper in the sunlight and his eyes…

I forced my gaze away, instead looking down at my book in my lap.

"There isn't much opportunity when you live in Forks," I said without looking at him.

"I'll be right back then," Alice said, taking Jasper's hand before running off toward the water with him.

Her squeal echoed in the air once they reached the water and Emmett started a water fight, splashing water on the girls as they tried running away and splashing him back. I focused on my book, picking up from where I left off.

It didn't take long before Ben and Mr. Cullen engaged in a conversation, which was very surprising to both Angela and I. Especially with the ease that Mr. Cullen spoke with him as they talked about their stations and their training. Then when Angela and Ben decided to join the rest of the group in the water, it was Mr. Cullen and I on our own.

He finally took a seat on the sand a couple of feet away from me and leaned forward, draping his arms over his knees.

"Your sister seems to be doing fine," he said, breaking the usual silence that fell between us.

I glanced up and followed his gaze toward Alice, who was being taught by Jasper how to float. She was on her back, head tilted back as Jasper stood next to her, his hands holding her up underwater.

"My sister is a fast learner," I said. I turned to him, finding him already looking at me. "Do you swim?"

He nodded slightly and looked out at the beach. "I did. It's only a matter of practice. But I enjoy looking at the ocean more than being in it. It's the only thing that separates us from the war that's going on on the other side."

"Yes, but that doesn't really involve us," I said. "We're helping as much as we can by giving them military supplies and whatever else they need."

"I'm afraid it's only a matter of time before that changes, Isabella. Once that happens, there will be no turning back."

He wasn't wrong, as much as I hated to admit it. Even my father believed that we would be involved in the war at some point. It wasn't a matter of if, but of when. I only hoped that day would never come.

"I would like to believe this war will be over soon," I said, my eyes caught where the light blue of the sky met the dark blue of the ocean, and I could almost see what was on the other side. "I would like to believe that and once it is we all get to go home."

I was expecting a sarcastic comment from him, perhaps he would tell me how naive I was for having such foolish beliefs, but he didn't. The look he had wasn't hopeful and I could tell he didn't believe the same way I did. When he looked at me again, his expression was resigned, like he didn't think the outcome was meant to be that way.

"I truly hope you are right, Isabella."

Another short silence fell between us, only caught off by the occasional laughter from our friends and the splashing of water.

I turned back to my book.

"H-how's the weather in Forks?"

His question caught me off guard and I couldn't help the little laugh that escaped me. Mr. Cullen looked as if he was serious and when I laughed again, he curled an eyebrow at me.

"I'm sorry." I covered my mouth, trying to stifle my laughter. "You're asking me about the weather?"

His cheeks gained a little flush and he looked down, but I could see the curl of his lips. He was embarrassed, but he was smiling. Mr. Cullen was actually smiling. And it wasn't that teasing grin he had that time in my exam room, no. This seemed genuine and I couldn't help but notice how much it suited him.

"Yes… I believe I am," he said, still with that sheepish grin.

I swallowed back the knot that had suddenly formed in my throat.

"Well… Forks is really cold, and wet… and muddy."

"Sounds charming."

"It does, doesn't it?"

Mr. Cullen nodded and once again, there was that silence. He opened his mouth to say something, but apparently decided against it and shut it once again.

"Not much for small talk, are you?" I asked.

He shook his head and gave a slight shrug of his shoulders. "I do not have the talent of conversing easily with people."

I smiled and leaned toward him. "I had that same problem when we first arrived here, but I found that the more I did it, the easier it became. Perhaps you should take your own advice and practice."

He swallowed, his piercing emerald eyes giving me a once over and nodded slightly before looking back at the beach.

By that time, everyone else rejoined us at our spot, ready for some food. Jessica was next to Mr. Cullen within a second, ready to showcase to everyone her flirting skills. Mr. Cullen did not give her the time of day, ignoring her advances and pretending he didn't hear her as he talked with Ben and Emmett. That didn't seem to stop Jessica from continuing to try and gain his attention.

Sometimes I wondered if it was delusion or love that fueled her.

"Izzy! A letter just arrived from your mother!" We all turned to find Lauren, our other roommate who barely hung out with us, walking toward us with an opened envelope in hand. "Such an interesting woman, I'd say."

"Why would you have my letter?" I ask, standing up and reaching for the letter.

She stepped back with an amused look on her face. Why the hell would she open my mail? I tried to take it from her, but she stepped back again.

"I didn't know it was yours. It was addressed to our address, but I didn't realize it was for you until I started reading it," she said, opening the letter. "Shall we read it?"

"Lauren!" I snap.

She read it anyway. "My dear Alice and Izzy, I can't express how much I miss the both of you. Your father does as well, but as you know, he's not a fan of expressing his emotions. I have news!" She added with a jump. "Margaret Thomson is engaged! Of course, her mother had the decency to come over and brag all about it. I cannot express how much it annoys me since, of course, I would have liked to see one of you with a family of your own. I did tell her where you girls were and she gave me the most fantastic news. I've heard that most of the soldiers there are men that come from rich families. Really high society class! Now, I know your father has his prejudices against the privileged society, but if you are able to snatch one up before he can stop you, there will be nothing he can do about it. Oh, I so want you two to have a better life than the one he had in mind for you. You both deserve so much better. So, keep your head up, girls, because I'll love for you to come home with a rich husband."

Oh, my God!

I rushed to her, grabbing her arm before she had the chance to run off with the letter. Snatching the letter from her hand, I pushed her back.

"This is the last time you touch something of mine," I snapped. "It's an invasion of privacy and I swear, Lauren, that if you touch something of mine again you will regret it!"

"Izzy, it's fine. It's not worth it," Alice said.

"No, it's not fine. I'm not putting up with that," I said. Grabbing my towels and the rest of my things, I left, ignoring them as they called my name.

I could not believe she read the letter out loud and that even my own mother would write such a thing! Seriously, what has gotten into everyone these days? I'm sure she wrote it while my father was away for work, or else she'll never have sent it. What was that about getting rich husbands? Seriously?

Once I was back home, I took a shower and changed into one of my dresses. I didn't want to stay home and wait to give Lauren the chance to continue making fun of what my mother said. And the fact that everyone else heard it too? Jasper! Oh, what is he going to think about that? I truly hoped he wouldn't pay any attention to it.

I locked our room before heading out for a walk. I needed to cool off and I could really use a cup of coffee, maybe something sweet. As I made my way to the nearest coffee shop, I ran into Jacob Black. My mood was immediately restored. I hadn't seen him in so long!

"Jacob," I said, running toward him. "I'm so happy to see you."

"Hey!" He pulled me into a hug and pulled away. "I have to say the exact same thing. How are you?"

"I've been better," I answered. "Where are you heading?"

"Nowhere in particular, do you mind if I join you?"

"Not at all." I wrapped my arm with his and we started for the coffee shop. "How's the Navy?" I asked.

"It's good. We are mostly on the ships, you know, working our asses off. The Air Corp has most of the fun, I must say."

Yes, it seemed like they did. When I was at the hospital I could hear the planes going around all over the place. I cannot imagine what it must feel like to see the world at that angle.

We walked into the coffee shop and made our orders, and Jacob was kind enough to offer to pay for mine.

"How's your family?" I asked him as we took a seat at one of the tables. "I hope they're all in good health."

The smile he had faltered and he gave a slight shrug of his shoulders.

"They're not doing quite good, I must say."

"Why not?"

"Money," he answered, quietly, looking down at the cup of coffee in his hands. "My mother is very sick and unfortunately the money I send her is not enough for her medicine."

"Oh, no. I'm very sorry, Jacob." I reached across the table and took his hand in mine, giving him a reassuring squeeze. I could not imagine what that must feel like and how helpless he must feel being so far away from her.

He gave me a small smile.

"Don't be, I know she'll be okay. The only thing that angers me is that we wouldn't be going through this with her expenses if only he would have given me what's rightfully mine," he spat out, his jaw clenching.

I frowned, leaning over the table. "Who?"

Jacob sighed and looked out the window, shaking his head slightly. When he looked back at me, he reached for my hand again.

"I'm going to tell you this, Isabella, because I know your sister is dating Jasper Withlock, and unfortunately with that also comes Edward Cullen. I want you to be cautious around him and I trust you won't share what I'm about to tell you," he said. I nodded, giving him the go-ahead, eager to know what happened. "When my father died, he didn't leave us a lot of money. From what my mother said, he gambled it all away and left us with only debts. Debts that Mr. Cullen very kindly paid off and on top of that, took care of us. Frankly, Edward Sr. was like a father to me and I knew he loved me like a son. He once told me I was also a named beneficiary in his will, that there was going to be a house for my mother and I, and an allowance for her because she couldn't work. I won't lie, I got comfortable and instead of working, I went to school because I was so sure he would help us. And if Edward Sr. were to be alive today, I believe he would.

"Unfortunately, he died. And like I told you, Edward was left in charge of everything his father owned. The rightful thing to do for him was to give me what was promised, what his father had promised, but he didn't. He only gave me ten percent which was not enough to sustain a living, and when I asked him to give me the rest, he refused. He left my mother, sister and I in ruins."

"Oh, God…" I covered my mouth, unable to digest what Jacob had just shared with me.

It was monstrous. Unforgiving. Cruel. So, so cruel.

"He likes to brag about it," he continued. "With his friends especially. My family and I were forced to live in this small apartment while his family is one of the richest in the county. I tried to ask him to help me when my mother fell sick from cancer, but he still refused. He slammed the door on my face." He shook his head and sighed. "I want you to be careful around him, Izzy, he's not a good man."

My God, I couldn't believe it. How could Mr. Cullen be so heartless, so uncaring? I felt so sorry for Jacob. What was rightfully his was taken away and now his family was paying for it. The poor woman didn't deserve such cruelty from him and I couldn't imagine how confusing it must be for her, if his father was so generous.

How could Jasper be friends with someone like him? Or even Emmett? They never striked me as the kind of people who would enjoy hurting others or even listening about someone else being so cruel. Did they even know the pain their friend caused an innocent family? They probably didn't, perhaps it wasn't them who Mr. Cullen told about his actions.

Perhaps my father was right in hating the people from the upper class. Mr. Cullen and his family were, except for his father, were the worst of the worst.

"You have to promise me not to tell anyone," Jacob said, taking me out of my thoughts. "Let this be just between you and me."

I nodded, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze. "As much as I'd like to give him a piece of my mind, I will keep it a secret. God, he's such a monster!"

"I know he is. But regardless, it's getting late. Do you want me to walk you home?"

He was right, it was getting late and I really wanted to be in bed. Especially after learning what Mr. Cullen was truly like.

"I'd like that."

Jacob walked me home just as the sun began to set. The sunset in Pearl Harbor was one of the most beautiful I'd ever seen. Once we got close to my house, we saw my sister with our roommates and everyone else were also getting back from the beach. Mr. Cullen was among them.

Jacob stopped when he caught sight of Mr. Cullen, and he did as well. His expression turned hard, even murderous while Jacob looked ashamed. How could he make Jacob feel like that? The only man that should be ashamed should be Mr. Cullen, not Jacob.

"Izzy," Alice called my name when she saw me and pointed to the house, where everyone else was walking in except for Mr. Cullen.

"I'll leave now," Jacob said, taking a step back. "I'll see you later, Isabella."

"I'll see you later." Trying to contain my anger, I gave Jacob a smile and a kiss on the cheek. "Have a good night, Jacob."

"Goodnight, Bella."

He walked away without saying anything else. Everyone else had already gone inside. Everyone, except for Mr. Cullen, who stood outside, watching me. I ignored him and walked up the porch steps.

"Are you friends with Black?" He asked.

I stopped and clenched my hands into fists as his voice only served to fuel my anger. I turned around, crossed my arms over my chest and looked at him. I towered over him being at the top step and he had to look up at me.

"Yes, I am. I find him to be a respectable and charming young man."

Mr. Cullen huffed, his gaze turning hard as he said, "Yes, Jacob was blessed with a charm that makes it so easy for him to form friendships. It's maintaining those friendships where he seems to be lacking and less likely to change."

"He was unfortunate enough to lose your friendship," I said. "Is that likely to change?"

"Never. Why would you even ask that?" He snapped.

"To make up your character."

"And what have you discovered?"

"Very little," I say. "Such different accounts of you puzzle me and I find it hard to believe which one is the true version of you."

"Then perhaps instead of taking accounts from other people and basing your belief on them, you should go to the source. Perhaps you will find that not all people are what they seem and that not everything someone says is the truth."

I had to hold back the urge to tell him everything Jacob told me, but I didn't. I made a promise. I stepped down one step and that gave me the chance to look at him in the eyes without having him look down at me.

"It seems awfully convenient for you to say that, Mr. Cullen. Especially since you are the perfect example of people who are not what they seem to be."


Author's Note:

Hmmmm is it true what Jacob shared about Mr. Cullen? Or should Izzy learn that not everything someome tells her is the truth?

Chapter Seven Preview -

"He's leaving, Izzy. Jasper is leaving Pearl Harbor!"