Change of Plans

JacobxBella; Edward

Rated M

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or the franchise, as it belongs to Steph Meyers

Change of Plans

Chapter II

It had been three weeks since Bella had returned from Italy, Edward and the Cullens returning with her and moving back to Forks. It had been joyous for her, as she had the love of her life and his family back. Not only that, but she was also going to become a vampire like she wanted after graduation. Her life was complete now, and she couldn't be happier. At least, that was what she had thought at first. However, her happiness quickly disappeared when she suddenly found it hard to get in touch with Jacob. She had wanted to talk with him for a bit after she returned, explain why she had to go save Edward, but he wasn't giving her the time of day, not even an excuse. He was just refusing to see her.

Jacob had gotten her grounded with Charlie, though. Of course, she was probably already grounded for leaving without warning before seeing Jacob had revealed to her father the motorcycles she had gotten him to fix up and drive, but still. Her "reckless actions" as Charlie called it, prompted her being grounded until he said she was no longer grounded, and she couldn't go anywhere except work, school, and home. She wasn't even allowed to go to La Push, though that was added due to the motorcycles.

"Apparently, you want to get yourself killed on that thing, and you got Jacob involved too," Charlie had said. "Well, you're not allowed to go to La Push either unless I say so, because otherwise you'll do something foolish with Billy's boy."

But that didn't stop her from trying to get in contact with her best friend. She had called him, texted him, had even called the house phone, but Jacob was continuously ignoring her. She figured it had to do with what happened the night she left with Alice. They had had a big, intimate moment together, and then she rushed off with Alice to Italy to save Edward. He obviously hadn't wanted her to go, but she had to. She couldn't have let Edward get killed. That, and she still loved him, and Jacob knew that. But she supposed that didn't matter to Jacob.

Friday after school, Bella walked with Edward out of the building and to his silver Volvo. Edward had picked her up that morning, thus he was her ride back home. Charlie wasn't happy that she had so easily taken Edward back into her life, and thus he was around once again, but he wouldn't understand. No one could ever understand how she felt and why she had to have Edward back, why she couldn't let him go.

But you surely let him go that night, didn't you? Bella's brain thought unwillingly.

Bella shook her head as she got into Edward's car, the action catching the vampire's attention. Frowning, he asked, "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Bella answered.

Edward started his car and drove away from Forks High, driving through Forks to the Swan residence. Along the way, he noticed Bella checking her phone, most likely for texts or missed calls. Hearing her let out a dejected sigh before putting the device away, he frowned. It bothered him that she kept thinking about Jacob Black, kept trying to get in contact with him when it was obvious he didn't want to speak with her. He was his supernatural enemy after all, and he held the same affections he did for the brunette, making him his rival. However, Bella had chosen and loved him, so there was no need for competition, especially with Jacob seeming to have cut Bella off. And yet he couldn't help but be bothered by the fact his girlfriend kept thinking about the younger boy. But despite his ill feelings towards the wolf Shifter, he was grateful to him for looking out for and protecting Bella in his absence. He'd always have his gratitude and be in his debt for that.

It wasn't long before he pulled into the driveway of the Swan residence, getting out of the car with Bella and entering behind her into her home. Bella hung up her keys and dropped her bookbag, turning to head to the kitchen only to sway on her feet, a wave of dizziness coming over her. She felt Edward catch her as she pitched forward, his voice saying alarmed, "Bella!"

Holding a hand to her head to stop the dizziness, Bella took a couple of deep breaths with her eyes closed before opening them to see concerned amber eyes looking at her. Giving Edward a reassuring smile she told him, "I'm okay."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, really. Anyway, you said you had some things you wanted to talk about once we got home."

Edward looked at her with a worried expression once more before nodding, deciding to accept her word. Reaching into his coat pocket, he pulled out a few brochures and handed them to her. "Well, I was thinking we could discuss your college aspects. I know you already have a few colleges picked out, but considering recent events, I took the liberty of looking up a few that offered night courses."

Bella took the brochures saying, "Oh, right! Yeah, it would probably be a good idea to start doing that. But I'm sure I've missed the application dates."

"Not necessarily. There is another chance to apply in two weeks, so you've got time to look these over, do research, and make a decision. Anyway, that was the first thing I wanted to discuss."

"Oh? And what's the second thing?" She was sure she already knew.

Golden eyes looked into chocolate brown and said, "My proposal."

Yes, that was what she was afraid he was going to say. Bella still couldn't believe that Edward had asked her to marry him. It wasn't that she didn't love him—because she did, more than anything—but she just couldn't even think about marriage or accepting the proposal. Marriage was something that just didn't appeal to her. And with how her parents' had fallen apart when she was just a baby and her mother left with her because she felt trapped, she didn't want that. Of course, Carlisle and Esme were the epitome of a perfect married couple, but she just wasn't interested in marriage. She had told Edward this, but he didn't understand how she could be. He believed that if they loved each other, they should be able to stand at an alter before their friends and family and make their love official. He also said that was his condition in turning her into a vampire. If she married him, he'd turn her himself, just like she wanted him to. But she just didn't want to agree to something she didn't believe in just to get what she wanted.

Suddenly, Bella felt nauseous, extremely nauseous. She had felt like this when she had woken up that morning and the mornings before. Her mouth began to water, and she could feel bile, along with her lunch from earlier rising from her stomach and into her esophagus. About to retch, Bella quickly ran and stumbled up the stairs to the bathroom, barely making it before dropping to her knees and throwing up into the toilet. She continued to retch and throw up violently, Edward holding her hair and rubbing her back soothingly. When there was nothing left and her body was shaking from the expulsion of waste, she took some toilet paper and wiped her mouth before flushing the toilet and pressing her sweaty face against the cool bowl. Panting, Bella sat there for a moment before standing up shakily to wash her mouth out, ignoring the worried look her boyfriend was giving her. She was in the middle of brushing her teeth when Edward asked, "Bella, are you sure you're alright? You threw up this morning as well and have been like this nearly all week. Are you sure you don't need to be seen by Carlisle?"

She finished brushing her teeth and rinsing her mouth out before answering, "Edward, I'm fine. It's probably just some stomach bug I've caught; I'll be over it soon enough."

Bella left the bathroom for her bedroom, Edward following her into her room as well. He somehow felt skeptical about her stomach bug theory, but he couldn't think of any other reason she'd be sick like this. And though he was worried about her, he decided to take her word for it. That is, until he felt he had no choice but to have her looked at.

Later that evening, Edward having gone back home for the night, Bella and Charlie were in the middle of eating a dinner of Shephard's pie. They ate mostly in silence, as their relationship had been a been tense ever since the Cullens' return and how easily she drifted back to them. He had thought she was getting better over their leaving (mainly Edward's), but now believed Edward had just roped her back in all over again. It wasn't like that at all, and Bella wished her dad would just understand that Edward was her forever love and that wouldn't change, and that no matter what she would be with him. She had already resolved herself to leave with Edward should he and his family ever leave again, but she didn't think Charlie would want to hear that.

Regardless of how she felt concerning her father and Edward, there was one thing she did want to talk to her dad about. Clearing her throat, she said, "Dad?"

"Hm?" Charlie said looking up at her, having taken a bite of his Shephard's pie.

"Have you heard from Billy about Jake? Did you give him the note I sent him?"

Since Jacob was ignoring her calls and texts, she figured she'd try getting in touch with him the old-fashioned way: notes and letters. Of course, this meant using her father as a messenger, but she refused to be embarrassed about it. Her best friend was ignoring her, and she wanted to talk to him. And damn it, she was going to one way or another.

Charlie swallowed his mouthful before speaking saying, "I did, and Billy said that Jacob is busy. Though, I'm sure it's just the boy being stubborn and telling Billy he doesn't want to be bothered right now. I don't know what you did kiddo, but he's taking it hard. I've never seen Jacob so angry with you, and I don't even know what for, but I'm not going to pry."

Bella nodded sadly. "And my note?"

Her father looked uncomfortable for a moment before reaching into his pocket and pulling out the folded piece of paper. He handed it back to her saying, "He didn't even read it, Bells. He just unfolded it once and wrote on it before handing it back."

Taking her note, Bella unfolded it and saw written in giant letters 'RETURN TO SENDER'. Bella was shocked by the words Jacob had written, as well as hurt and angry. She was feeling so much in that moment, but what came to the surface was that she was upset. Jacob really wasn't trying to hear her out. Tears welled up in her eyes before she quickly wiped them away. She had really hurt him, but he had to understand she had a good reason to. That, and Edward would always come first to her, but she didn't want to lose her best friend in the process. There had to be something she could do to get Jacob to talk to her for at least five minutes.

Feeling exhausted, Bella stood up and said, "I'm going to bed."

Charlie looked at his daughter in confusion, as well as concern from seeing how sad she looked at whatever Jacob had written on her note. "But it's only eight-thirty. You don't usually go to bed this early."

"I know, but I just feel really tired. Goodnight, dad."

Bella didn't wait for her father to respond as she got up from the table and left the kitchen, heading upstairs while Charlie looked after her. She was going straight to her room, only to detour to the bathroom because she suddenly had the urge to throw up, the nauseous feeling returning again. Turning on the water at the sink so Charlie wouldn't hear her, she bent over the toilet and threw up what she had just eaten before flushing the toilet and brushing her teeth to get rid of the horrid taste in her mouth. Once that was done, she went to leave the bathroom, only to sit on the toilet to relieve her bladder. However, as soon as she thought she was finished, she had to pee once again two more times. When she was sure she didn't have to go anymore, she left the bathroom and went to her bedroom.

Changing into a pair of shorts and t-shirt to sleep in, Bella settled into bed and turned off her lamp, cloaking her room in darkness. As she laid in bed staring at the ceiling, she couldn't help but wonder how she was going to get Jacob to talk to her. Three weeks was long enough for her, and she knew it had to be for Jacob as well; he was just being stubborn. Remembering that it was Friday, meaning tomorrow was Saturday, Bella made a decision. Turning over onto her side to go to sleep, she decided that tomorrow, she would go to La Push to confront Jacob about his ignoring her. She knew Charlie grounded her from going to the Reservation, but this was important. Therefore, she was willing to rebel against her punishment for this. One way or another, Jacob was going to talk to her.