*DISCLAIMER: I do not own the rights to the Twilight Saga and it's characters. This is purely artistic fiction drawn in inspiration from Stephanie Meyers words.
*This chapter features a pov change.
BELLA POV
My ears were ringing; no thoughts were swirling around my head, but rather an absence of consciousness together. This reality—where I would become immortal—was finite, inescapable. I felt strangely okay with that. The events of today had smashed together, overwhelmed my senses, and thus my mind. I watched in slow motion as everyone crowded around me. My eyes fluttered shut and gravity viciously pulled me back down to Earth. Sound filtered through my ears at a delayed pace.
"Bella!" It was Alice, she was on my right side, "are you alright?" Her voice echoed, hollow as if I were underwater.
What felt like a scalding hot poker touched my frigid skin, drawing me from my stupor. I winced, uncertain of the sensation. What was it? I opened my heavy eyelids to see Jake. Steam was rising from his shoulders, and his whole body uncontrollably vibrated. Was he going to transform? His skin was torturously hot on mine. I blinked lackadaisically, where was I?
"Bells—stay with me." His hand tapped my cheek firmly but not enough to hurt me. Now I understood and craned my neck to look at him. "You're okay, I'm right here," his eyes were full of worry, his jaw locked in place.
"Wha—what happened?" I stammered, my throat felt dry and tight. A high-pitched ringing was prominent in my ears now.
"You fainted, it's a common occurrence in stressful situations." Carlisle was opposite Alice, checking my pulse and vitals. "Can you see my index finger?" I followed it carefully as he waved it in front of me. "Good, reflexes are back to normal. You'll be fine."
"How embarrassing." I recalibrated, sitting up groggily. I leaned further into Jake's arms for support, both physical and emotional.
Several sets of golden eyes were on me. The last half hour was incredibly perplexing. Nothing made sense— the most confusing aspect was Edward's gaze. He looked down his nose at me with mild repulsion. I couldn't fathom what our futures held, nor accept that he had magically woven his way back into my life. A parasite that wouldn't be eradicated, forever the problematic thorn in my side.
"What matters is you're okay," Jake said calmly. All of the signs of his potential phase had subsided. He was returning to his state of normalcy.
"Yeah, I think so." I rubbed my eyes. I suddenly remembered the last thing before I blacked out. The Volturi—Jane's request. "What are... what are we going to do?"
"About what?" Jake asked, brushing a lock of my hair out of my face and caressing my cheek. I studied the expressions of all of the Cullen's. Every single one of them was terrified, and I knew it wasn't because of me fainting. There was something else there. They were frightened of that encounter. Rightfully so. Jane had done something to Emmett, the behemoth of the group, arguably the strongest and most difficult to take down. I'd never seen him that way before. He folded like bread when she looked at him. What else was she capable of?
"You heard her. Jane—was it? She said E-Edward..." my voice trailed off and my mouth formed into a hard line. "She ordered him to change me—"
"No!" Edward ardently objected, his tenor voice cutting through the space between us. All of us turned and stared at his unpredicted outburst.
"It's not like you didn't try already," Rosalie snapped at him.
"Don't act like you're perfect, Rosalie," Edward replied icily.
"You seem to forget, dear brother," she said the last word mockingly, "I'm the only one of us who hasn't tasted human blood." She flipped her luscious blonde hair back over her shoulder, "so yes, that does make me perfect."
"Rose," Esme interrupted their bickering, her heart-shaped face awash with strong concern. She grasped my hand tenderly, "all this fighting isn't conducive to the situation."
"Sorry Esme, you know Rosie's always been a firecracker. She tells it like it is." Emmett affectionately pulled her into his arms. Even he held a scared expression, though. He was never afraid...
"Can we refocus, please?" Alice hissed. She placed her head in her hands, massaging her temples with an exasperated sigh. Jasper rubbed her back tentatively.
"You're not seriously gonna listen to that little girl's weird decree, are you?" Jake hugged me tighter, his arms forming a protective cage around me.
"No one can defy the Volturi. Not unless you openly wish for death." Rosalie stiffened.
The weight of her words stuck with me. I mulled over them repeatedly, envisioning my future as a vampire. The mini daydream led me to a large, floor-length mirror. My eyes lingered on the enthralling visage before me. I was beautiful for the first time in my life. My skin glittered with the presence of natural light, and my features were sharp, and angelic. I was pale, devoid of humanity, but I'd never felt more alive in my imaginative creation. My eyes were the same shade of topaz the Cullen's shared. The feeling of seeing my changed form was enlightening—I craved it. This was a way to get what I'd always wanted. Not to grow old, or be frail and laughably easy to break. I'd made up my mind. Immortality beckoned, and I would accept willingly this time. Jacob's voice startled me from my fantasy.
"But she has a choice! They can't take her life away from her—" He growled, fury muddying his baritone voice.
"Jacob." I whispered, touching his warm cheek, "calm down, it's okay." He harrumphed gruffly and relaxed his tense muscles.
"Rose's right, there has been no record of any coven going up against the Volturi and remaining intact." Carlisle grimaced, "I lived with them for decades. They are ruthless. Once Aro makes his mind up, it's finished. There is nothing that coven can do to resist."
"Carlisle? You know them?" I questioned. Despite being seated on the ground, my head felt like it was spinning on a top. I laid it against Jake's chest to steady myself.
"Unfortunately, yes, quite well in fact." His saffron eyes locked with mine. "However, there are ways to keep them deterred. This is low on their priority chain."
"We can't just run away." Emmett tossed his hands into the air, adamantly shaking his head from side to side. "They'd find us. They have eyes everywhere."
"I wasn't implying that, but the advantage we hold is right here." Carlisle placed a hand on Alice's shoulder.
"You know it doesn't work like that. My visions are subjective—they're not fully reliable." Alice withered, "besides, I can't see Bella's future around Jacob."
"I'm sure as hell not staying away from her." Jake retorted.
"I never said that," Alice looked down at me, "maybe we can figure something else out. Make it seem like you're dead, but not in actuality."
"How can you fool several centuries-old vampires, Alice?" Rosalie scoffed. "They're not stupid."
"There has to be a way around it," Alice muttered.
"Or you could just change me," I said, bracing for the disapproval I expected. "I've almost died a handful of times. Maybe it's meant to be." The only one that fought back was Jake, he peered at me with fiery contempt.
"You can't mean that." He whispered, drowning in disbelief.
"Bella," Edward began, his voice cracking, "you don't understand what you're asking."
"You don't get to talk," Jacob denounced, "you tried to murder her a few weeks ago. I'd sooner eat glass than let you or anyone else turn her into a bloodsucker."
"It was a mistake!" Edward roared, "I had a psychotic break. I can't erase it or turn back the hands of time. I'm condemned to a living hell knowing I willingly hurt the woman I love. For the rest of my miserable existence, I'll relive that agonizing night over and over. Unable to resist, unable to move on past it. It hurts almost as badly, if not monumentally worse, to actualize just what kind of damaged, evil—thing—I truly am."
He cringed, facing away from Jacob and me, "I deserve the pain, disgust, to be shunned, and to be universally hated. But I'm still human underneath this cold skin, inside this motionless heart—still, a flawed, desperate man who gave in to his depraved cravings. Believe what you must, regardless, the judge, jury, and executioner reside in the prison of my mind."
Silence enveloped the clearing. I processed his words, my heart raced around my ribs. Does he genuinely regret his actions? I hesitantly rejected viewing him under a vulnerable light but I couldn't help it. It was what I would be capable of as a vampire. Could I justify hurting others or even killing them because I wanted their blood? Maybe I wouldn't be like that. There was a chance I would be like Rosalie.
"I don't care. You're not human anymore, not even remotely close. For all I know, you haven't been one for a century. That means you don't get an opinion on the matter. Plus, no 'human' would try to take a bite out of the person they supposedly love. They wouldn't force themselves on her—or into a life that she didn't choose!" Jake smoldered with angry resentment.
"What if I choose it?" I said, swallowing uneasily. Everyone's eyes fell on me instantaneously.
"Why?" Edward remonstrated, his expression contorted with confusion.
"I've always felt out of step as a human, insignificant, and lost. I never thought I fit in with regular society. When I'm with all of you, I feel less like a black sheep. You've become my true family. I think..." I paused, my words were free-flowing, "I think I was born to be a vampire."
"I can't believe what you're saying," Jacob's eyes narrowed, "you want to be a leech?"
I grasped the gravity of the tense situation and without hesitation, knew what I would say in response.
"Yes, I do. This isn't a last-minute decision, I've thought about it for the past two years. If Alice says she's seen me as one, then it solidifies what I already wished for myself." He stared incredulously, his jaw hung open.
"Why would you ever want that? It's wrong, an abomination of nature—" His indignation was especially volatile, he released me and backed away slowly.
"Jacob, are you telling me you wouldn't love me the same as you do now... if I were a vampire?" I needed to know.
"Don't you see you're making the wrong decision? They're dead!"
"Answer my question," I voiced, unwavering, "please." He recoiled, threading his fingers through his long black hair. His eyes shut tightly and I watched a lone tear escape the corner of his right eye. He rubbed it away with the back of his hand, reopened his eyes, and scowled at me.
"No, if you become one of them—you'll be dead to me."
He spun on the balls of his feet and immediately phased. The blur of russet fur galloped into the forest at full speed and was no longer visible within seconds. My heart shattered as I helplessly watched him disappear. I focused on where he had once stood, only shreds of his clothes were left in his stead. The silence between the Cullen's was palpable.
"He'll come back. I know he will." I whispered, trying to lie to myself. My body shuddered when I attempted to stand on my good leg. Alice helped me stabilize, and her brow furrowed.
"Bella, we can find another way—" She began, and something interrupted her. Her words trailed off and she froze in place. I hadn't witnessed her have a vision firsthand before, but I quickly surmised that was the reason for her statuesque position. Her golden eyes glazed over and her expression went completely blank. Emmett ambled forward and kept me on my shaky feet while Jasper held Alice during her psychic disorientation. Minutes passed and she regained her full consciousness.
"What did you see?" Jasper pressed a delicate kiss to her forehead, running his fingers through her spiky, wild, chestnut-colored hair.
"I saw... all of us in Volterra, Italy. Bella was being presented to Aro. He wants her to join them." She covered her mouth, fighting back emotion, "Bella accepted his invitation."
"Alice, are you sure?" Esme reached for her.
"Y-yes. But... that's not all." Alice's eyes darted to Edward, "you do too. Both of you join the Volturi guard. Why?" Edward scoffed and slowly smiled.
"I planned on seeking their counsel once—as a last ditch effort—when I thought Bella was dead. I wanted them to kill me. That possible future would only come to fruition if she'd ask it of me." His voice was strained. "A vow to protect her, I'd follow her for all eternity."
"I don't see any reason why I would want to join them." I looked to Alice, "all I want is here, minus Jake right now."
"I don't think you'd ally with them unless you didn't have a choice. Also, I can't figure out why Aro would want you so badly."
"I don't know, either." I shook my head. I didn't foresee wanting to join the equivalent of an immortal cult.
"She could be gifted as a vampire, Aro is always searching for those of us with special abilities. He has coveted both of you for years. Specifically, because Edward can read minds and you can predict the future to an extent." Carlisle proposed, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Both of your abilities cater to his power-trip agenda."
"Bella is immune to Edward's ability, there's a chance she's resistant to other powers." Alice's eyes lit up with alarm. She grabbed my shoulders urgently, "you don't have to do this."
"Alice, I want to." I protested, "not the Volturi part. But I want to be like you. Can't we put it to a vote?" Everyone was silent for a moment. Emmett chimed in, a wide grin drawn on his face.
"I vote hell yeah! I think you'd be an awesome addition to the fam'. I already see you as a little sister." He ruffled my messy hair and I bashfully smiled.
"I say yes," Jasper wholeheartedly agreed, "it would be nice not to want to eat you all the time."
"No," Rosalie said, blatantly crossing her arms. "No one was there to vote for me before I was turned." A mild pang of sympathy and embarrassment stabbed my heart. I was throwing away my possibilities in her eyes.
"I have considered you as another daughter for quite some time now." Esme hugged me to her, and I breathed her fresh linen and honeysuckle scent in. "I vote yes." Her gentle voice was soothing.
"You'll always be my sister," Alice said, hugging me tightly. "I wouldn't mind it if you didn't smell like an appetizer."
"Thanks, Alice." I chuckled.
Carlisle struggled, "I believe you should have a say in your future." He was seemingly lost in thought, his cold hand grasping mine, "most of us didn't have that chance."
Edward was the only one who hadn't said anything. I looked at him. Unsure of his response, I didn't care what he would say anyway.
"No, I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy." He swallowed dryly. I faced away from him and back to Alice.
"So it's settled. Six yeses out number two no's." My hands inadvertently trembled, "when do we start?" The only thing I remembered was the agonizing fire spreading through my veins. I'd have to go all the way this time. No relief until my heart stopped.
"Not now, we'll discuss preparations later," Alice paused, "Jane said they'd return in a month." She pointed toward the direction Jacob disappeared in. "You might want to talk to him."
"He'll understand, he just needs time." I looked to Alice, "can you drop me off at my truck? I don't know when or if Jake will come back."
"I can take you to him." She added, hooking her arm around my shoulders.
"You can?" I grimaced, "what if he doesn't want to see me?"
"I think he was upset. Just talk to him. Let's go."
She easily lifted me into her small arms and I hugged myself to her. I forgot the extent of the strength vampires had, even tiny ones like Alice. The strength I would soon possess. Would I accidentally hurt Jake with a hug? Would he even want to hug? I shook the thought from my mind. We rushed through the forest, creating minimal sound. Alice stopped running once she reached a stream that converged with the foothills of the mountain. There were two people lying side by side on a grassy spot further out from the water. They looked very similar in appearance from a distance. The closer we got, I realized it was Leah talking to Jake. Both of them tensed and sat up immediately with our approach.
"Hey..." I called, and Alice set me onto my wobbly feet.
"Hey, yourself," Leah responded, eyeing Alice suspiciously.
"Can I talk to you?" I faced Jake, my heart beating unevenly.
"There's nothing to talk about." He crossed his arms, purposefully looking away from me. He was only wearing a pair of loose basketball shorts. I guessed that Leah had brought them to him.
"Yes, there is." I swallowed my feelings for the moment, steeling myself against the negative emotions I expected.
"What do you want to discuss?" He finally looked at me, his words held an icy edge. They stabbed through my iron-clad resolve for a moment.
"I'll leave you alone." Alice nodded and then she was gone within a blink. I missed her already.
"Yeah, I'll dip too." Leah rubbed the back of her head nervously. "This is personal stuff I don't want to get involved with. See ya." She turned and ran toward the forest, phasing as she dived into the thick foliage.
"Jake," I murmured. My racing heart skipped a beat.
"What?" He snapped, flinching at the sound of his own voice. He relaxed and sighed, "I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry, too." My fingers picked at the material of my shirt.
"Are you? Because it sounds like you've made up your mind." He paced, shoving his hands into his onyx-colored hair.
"Yes... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you upset."
"Bella, I'm only upset because you're throwing your life away." He yelled, tossing his hands up. I winced from the volume of his reply.
"Don't see it that way." I blurted, irritation bubbling up inside my core.
"That's the only way I see it." He paused, "if and when you become a vampire—it changes everything."
"Why?"
"Because that's what we hunt! That's what we fight... you'll be the enemy."
"You don't do that with the Cullen's."
"It's not because I didn't want to. I tolerate them for you, the treaty, and the war." He barked a cynical laugh, "now that Victoria is dead, I'm not setting foot near them."
"You're being childish. They never did anything to you." I retorted.
"They don't have to." He glared at me. "Vampires and werewolves don't mix."
"Says who?" I huffed.
"That's just how it is," he locked eyes with me, "if you become a vampire, Bella... I won't love you anymore."
"That changes things," I fought back tears, "what happened to unconditional l-love, Jacob?" My throat burned.
"I guess there are some conditions even I can't get past." He was cold.
"That's ridiculous," my voice wavered, "I don't want to live as a feeble, weak human who eventually grows old and can't function right. I don't want to be hunted the rest of my life by any straggler that wonders through town..."
"You have me to protect you." He hissed, crossing his arms.
"I don't want to be protected! I want to be capable. To hold my life in my hands for once. I've never had the option to choose—everyone always makes choices for me!" I shouted. Jake went silent and stared back at me.
"I understand, Bella," he walked forward until he was directly in front of me. "But you're making the wrong decision."
"According to whom?" I gnashed my teeth, "as I said, everyone's always making choices for me. I thought you were different."
"And I thought you were smarter than that." He replied flippantly.
I disregarded his comment. "Why is it any different if I become a vampire?" I pleaded.
"Because you won't have a heartbeat. You'll want to eat Charlie. That's why." I hadn't thought about that. He was right, I'd have to fake my death to save his life and leave Forks. What if I wanted to eat Jake? I didn't know if I was ready yet.
He continued, "what? Did I say something? Did you not think about the multitude of consequences that come with that?"
"Jacob..." I shut my eyes tightly, the tears spilling down my cheeks.
"Did you?" He repeated, harsher than before.
"No, I didn't," I murmured, I felt nauseous, "but that's not important."
"What is? Tell me. You wanted to talk—so now we're talking."
"I care more about why you say you won't love me if I become a vampire." I reopened my eyes, multicolored spots blinked into my line of vision. A product of keeping them closed so tightly. He was being ignorant, biased, and cruel.
"Bella, you could do anything else in the world. Shave your head, get tattoos, piercings, move to Iowa, even get a cat—I don't care." He squared my shoulders, fiercely gazing into my eyes. "This is the one thing I won't accept. The one choice you shouldn't make."
"Why though!?" I cried. I was frustrated, "it'll still be me."
"It won't. You'll be a soulless monster, Bella. A predator I'd have to protect our friends and family from. You wouldn't act the same, smellthe same..."
"I could control it. If Rosalie can—then I can, too." I rebuked his argument.
"Listen to yourself, you're trying to make excuses." He cupped my face.
"Why do you hate them so much? They never hurt you."
"Have you ever thought about the pain it causes me to be a werewolf? I didn't choose that. It was forced upon me because of them."
"But you can stop—"
"Just drop it!" He muttered, "I don't want to argue with you. I love you but you're not doing this. End of discussion. " He pulled me into his arms and a violent sob tore through my midsection. I cried for a long while in his embrace.
"Can I go home now?" I murmured, my voice slightly muffled.
"Yes. Let's go home."
"No—I'm going home. I need time to think."
"About what?" He pulled away and looked into my eyes. They were raw from crying and the elements.
"Stuff." I rubbed my wet face with my sleeve, removing all lingering moisture.
"If that's what you want." He lifted me into his arms and we didn't talk the entire way back to the truck or on the ride back to the house. Charlie wasn't home, probably out fishing since the weather was nice. When we pulled into the driveway, I hobbled out of the passenger seat and tried to rush up the stoop. I didn't care about the burning pain of putting weight on my leg or the crustiness of my cut. Jake didn't stop me either. He followed and I paused directly in front of the door.
"Go home," I said, emotionless.
"W-what?" He sputtered.
"Go home. I'm tired and need a shower."
"Bella..." he started, "I don't want to leave you alone."
"Well, if you're not going to leave, I'll just ignore you."
"Fine by me." He huffed.
I shoved the front door open and scrambled up the stairs, purposefully shunning his help. I didn't need anyone else's support—or their opinions. My leg throbbed wildly, the pain shooting up my thigh and into my hip. I grabbed a handful of my most comfortable clothes and decidedly slammed the door to the bathroom. The time I spent in the shower was quiet and contemplative albeit short. When I returned to my room, Jake was lying on his back on my bed, staring up at the ceiling. It was getting close to early evening. I didn't want to touch him right now. I was still mad at him.
"Did you have a nice shower?"
"Mhm," I was curt with my response and hobbled to the edge of my bed, sitting down on the opposite side of him.
"How long are we gonna act like this?" He sat up quickly.
"I don't know," I replied, looking away. "As long as we're mad at each other."
"Bells, I hate it when we fight," his voice was soft, the softest it had been since he thought Edward killed me today.
"I hate it, too."
"Then why do we do it?" He sighed, scooting until he was next to me. Jake drew me into his arms and tucked my head under his chin.
"Because we're both extremely stubborn?" I said, shrugging in his hold. He laughed and the sound comforted me.
"Yeah, we can be." He agreed.
"Now what? I graduated, and we survived the newborn onslaught. What is left?"
"I remember you saying something about applying for colleges. Which ones have you received acceptance letters from?"
"A lot. I can't remember off the top of my head. Closest is WSU, though."
"That's good to know. Would you want to visit their campus sometime this week coming up?" Our nonchalant conversation was nice, it helped distract me.
"It's supposed to be in the sixties next Tuesday. It would be beautiful to drive along the coast. I miss the beach." I wanted to sunbathe. Today was beautiful, other than the snow on the mountain.
"Next Tuesday it is, I'll mark it on my calendar." He chuckled, lacing his fingers through my damp hair.
"Are you... gonna stay the night again?" I questioned, the prospect of no nightmares when he stayed with me was inviting.
"Do you want me to, Bells?" He pulled away a tiny amount and urged my chin up so he could look into my eyes.
"Yes, I would like that," I admitted, staring back into his sable-hued eyes. I forgot all about how upset he made me earlier. Sleep was calling my name, I was unbelievably tired. Exhausted couldn't describe it.
"Are you sleepy?" He asked, rubbing my jawline. I stifled a yawn.
"I can't help it. It's been a long day and we woke up around six in the morning."
"You can sleep. I'll probably fall asleep eventually too." He laid back down on my bed and I snuggled into his side.
My dreams were listless and empty, but thankfully there were no nightmares. I awoke in the middle of the night once because I was worried he left, but Jake remained by my side the whole time. The next morning came and I was thrilled to be able to sleep in. Signing up for morning classes in university was not on the docket, but then again, the university probably wouldn't be a thing at all now. When I opened my eyes to the sunlight entering between the curtains, Jake wasn't next to me. I panicked and shot up, he peeked his head around the corner to my door. His toothbrush was sticking out of his open mouth, a film of foamy, spearmint toothpaste on his lips.
"Bells?" He grumbled, looking at me. He held in a hearty laugh. I quickly went to fix my seagull's nest of messy curls. The mistake of falling asleep with my hair wet would haunt me for a long while.
"Sorry, I thought you left." I sat up carefully and stretched. The cut on my arm was in the itchy stage, and I absentmindedly scratched at the thin line of scabbed-over skin.
"No, I hid when Charlie checked on you this morning. But other than that, I stayed the whole night." He turned back around and went to go finish brushing his teeth. He returned after a few minutes and plopped down on my bed beside me.
"Is it Monday already?" I yawned, "it feels weird not to be getting ready for school."
"Is there anything you want to do today?" Jake was back to his usual, bright self. Like yesterday had never even happened.
"Nothing in particular that I can think of." A strange thought pinged into my mind. We had never been free like this. There was always the threat of Victoria, and before that, Jake was tethered to an invisible leash that Sam controlled. No pun intended. For whatever reason, I wasn't scared of the future. Perhaps, it was largely in part due to my missing fear of becoming a vampire.
"I know, it's weird. We could run away if we wanted." He chuckled.
"No, we couldn't. Charlie would have half the state looking for me by dinnertime." I joked, moving to the outside of the bed.
"I wasn't being serious, Bells," he arched a brow, "I wouldn't leave my dad on his own. Rach and Bec' are too far away. He needs me."
"Then why'd you say it?" I scrubbed a hand down my weary face.
"I'm good at being sarcastic," Jake waggled his eyebrows, "you're just terrible at picking up on it sometimes."
"Oh, really?" I punched his side gently, not placing any weight on it.
"Yeah, stuff goes right over that pretty little head of yours." He kissed my cheek and wrapped his arms around me.
It was like nothing had changed. I sighed softly and reveled in his touch. We decided to wander around First Beach, enjoying the beautiful summer weather. It was June now. Days dematerialized, evaporating off the metaphysical calendar. Jake became more restless each day, trying his best to keep me preoccupied. We visited local colleges in the meantime, enjoying our freedom between responsibilities. It was a Thursday morning when I received a phone call from Alice. We were in the garage at Billy's house. I answered enthusiastically.
"Hi Alice," I said, my nerves building up. A loud clatter sounded and I flinched. My eyes searched for the reason and I saw a frustrated Jake, grease and grime all over his front. He had accidentally dropped a socket into the engine bay of the rabbit. Our eyes met briefly and his eyes were glassy.
"Hi Bella, how are you?" Her high-pitched voice was hesitant.
"I'm great. You?" I replied casually.
"It's time." She muttered in a hushed tone. "Can you meet me at the house?" I swallowed uneasily, coughing dryly into my hand.
"Yeah. It'll be a minute, but I can." My heart thudded heavily in my chest, sinking into my stomach.
"Great. See you then. Drive safe." The dial tone sounded in my ear and I shoved my cell phone back into my pocket.
"Who was that?" Jake asked, he wiped some of the grease from his hands with a spare towel.
"It was... Alice." I couldn't lie to him but I wasn't looking forward to this fight. The past three weeks had been Heaven.
"Bella." He said sternly, slamming the hood down to the car.
"Yeah?" I fidgeted, wringing my hands together. I had my cast removed earlier this week because it had healed well. It was still sore, but I kept the wound clean and it had almost entirely closed. I'd have a nasty scar there. My thigh was still wrapped, I had to keep it that way. The surgery was too extensive and I didn't want to have another cast.
"What did she want?" He stepped over a pile of tools and other mechanical equipment.
"She said she wanted to see me." Again, I wasn't lying.
"What about?" He asked, sitting down on a stool opposite my rolling chair.
"She didn't s-say," I murmured, barely inaudible. Jake eyed me knowingly.
"Bella," he leaned forward, his brows knitted together, "tell me the truth." I averted my gaze, fearing his response.
"She said, 'it's time.' Alice was very vague."
"Has it been three weeks?" He wiped the sweat from his brow with his forearm.
"Yes." I looked down toward the ground, "it has."
"Hopefully they came up with another plan by now." He emphasized the word plan, and I winced. He had no idea that I still wanted to be a vampire.
"Well, better get going." I stood and nervously played with my hair.
"Yep," Jake finished rubbing some of the dirt and grease off with another rag.
"I'll see you later," I mumbled, trying to avoid disaster.
"What? We're both going," he grabbed a helmet for the new Harley outside the garage and handed it to me. In between college visits, Jake had worked up a storm at a local shop. He wasn't fully certified yet but he had enough to apprentice. With his savings, he ended up purchasing a new motorcycle.
"I thought you didn't want to 'step foot around them again'." I glared back at him.
"This is about you, I'm invested in this visit."
"Okay..." I took the helmet and we exited through the back door. Jake said goodbye to his dad and I waved from the motorcycle. The drive took longer this time, and I wondered why. Butterflies were devouring my insides, I was nervous about how this would pan out. Maybe everything would end up okay in the end. I severely doubted that.
I didn't realize just how right I was.