Homeschool

Still friends?

Leaving La Push

Bad dreams and Bedtime make ups

Whatever the this is

Test time

Chapter 49

Bella scoffed, grabbing the plate of toast and eggs waiting for her. "I don't need to study," she muttered before taking a bite.

"Good," Charlie said, sliding a packet of papers across the table. "That means you're ready to take the test."

Bella stared at the practice exam like it had personally offended her. "You have got to be kidding me."

Charlie didn't flinch. "Welcome to homeschool, kid."

Bella narrowed her eyes. He was serious. With an overly dramatic sigh, she grabbed a pencil and started filling in random circles without even looking at the questions.

Charlie leaned back in his chair, sipping his coffee as he watched her, unimpressed. He gave her about five minutes before taking the paper from her and skimming over it. His eyes flicked up to her.

"No, you most definitely need to study." He smirked. "And you're lucky—testing was moved to tomorrow since school was closed yesterday."

Bella groaned, slumping dramatically against the table. "I hate this."

Charlie patted her shoulder, clearly enjoying this a little too much. "Better hit those books, then."

Bella sat on the couch, staring at her phone, debating. Edward would be home soon. She didn't have much time.

Her fingers tightened around the device as she hit the call button. The line rang. Once. Twice. A click.

"Hello?" Billy's voice was as even as ever.

"Hey, Billy," Bella said, trying to sound casual. "Is Jacob home?"

A pause. "No, he's out."

Bella's grip on the phone tightened. "Do you know when he'll be back?"

Another pause. Longer this time. "Not sure."

Her stomach twisted. "Billy," she said carefully. "Is he avoiding me?"

"He isn't here Bella." Another pause. Longer this time. "You've really hurt him," Billy said finally, his voice quieter now. "He needs time."

Bella swallowed hard. That was answer enough.

She ended the call and immediately dialed Leah's number. It rang twice before someone picked up, but it wasn't Leah.

"Seth?"

"Yeah," Seth said, his voice cautious.

"Can I speak to Leah?" Bella asked.

"She's not home."

"Oh, ok I'll call back later." Bella said disappointed. "Do you know when she will be back?"

Seth hesitated. "She doesn't want to talk to you right now."

Bella's chest tightened. "Seth,"

He sighed, and when he spoke again, his voice was softer. "Look Bella, I don't think Leah's ever been this mad. His voice was unusually serious. "I suggest you stay away… Far away."

Well she wasn't about to sit there and do nothing. Edward would be upset. She knew that. But if she didn't do something now, she might lose them forever.

She had to go. She had to try. She drove straight to Sam's house. She slipped out of the truck, her knees shaking. It would be bad enough facing Jacob or Leah one on one, but in front of the pack, She took a deep breath before closing the door and marching up to the house.

She had gotten half way there when the door swung open and Leah came storming out.

Her glare was like a dagger, sharp and unrelenting. "What do you wa—" She didn't finish. A violent tremor rolled through her body, and before Bella could react, Leah burst into her wolf form, clothes shredding, a snarl ripping from her throat. Bella stumbled back, heart hammering.

The screen door creaked open again. Jacob stepped out onto the porch, his expression almost… somber. He walked up to her, slow and deliberate. Bella barely had time to process before he leaned down and pressed a kiss to the side of her head. Soft. Familiar. But he didn't say a word. Then, just as quickly, he pulled away, jogging toward Leah. Bella's breath caught. "Jake…" He didn't turn back.

She stood frozen, watching as he and Leah disappeared into the trees, their massive wolf forms vanishing into the shadows.

A slow clap broke the silence. Paul stepped onto the porch, arms crossed, an amused smirk playing on his lips. "You've got balls showing up here."

Bella turned, her pulse still racing. "You don't seem mad."

Paul let out a short laugh, shaking his head. "I'm used to disappointment." Bella's stomach twisted at his words.

Because he wasn't the only one she letdown. It wasn't just Jacob or Leah. She had let them all down. And now, she wasn't sure if she could fix it.

Paul left, went back inside or wandered off into the forest. She didn't know. The fact that she disappointed him just put another layer of sham on her already overflowing conscience. She had done much more than disappoint Jake and Leah. She hurt them. She had always said Jake's pain was her pain but now so was Leah's. Has it really only been two weeks since they became friends? It felt so much longer than that. She lingered outside the house watching the place they disappeared. Hoping they would show back up.

The house door creaked open then slammed shut. Sam walked up beside her following her line of sight. There was no anger when he spoke but there was no warmth either. "They won't be coming back anytime soon." His words were not meant to be mean, but that didn't stop her from curling in on herself.

She hugged herself as tight as she could just trying to hold all the pieces of her together. Swallowing hard, she said, "Okay." She slightly turned to her truck before saying, "Tell Emily I said hello."

She saw him give her a nod out of the corner of her eye. She nodded back in acknowledgment to both his agreement and the realization that she was losing them. If she hadn't completely lost them already.

She numbly got into her truck and started to drive. When she came upon the little red house where the Blacks resided she stopped.

Sitting there staring. Her knuckles white from forcing herself to not turn that wheel. She wanted to go inside. Demand to see him. But she didn't. And he didn't come running out to her. He wasn't there. That had to be the reason. He had forgiven her. Right? Why else would he have walked up to her and kissed her. It didn't feel like a goodbye. She took a few deep breaths then forced herself to step on the gas and head home.

Pulling into the driveway She could see Edward waiting on the porch. He didn't look up at her, didn't rise to meet her, he just sat there elbows resting on his knees gazing at the ground in front of him.. Bella hesitates before getting out of her truck. Usually, he'd already be at her door, already reaching for her, already hovering too close. But this time, he just let her come to him.

Her breath caught and her arms pulled tighter around herself.

"Are you alright?" His voice was gentle.

She gasped for another breath. "I don't want to talk about it." she forced the words out.

He nodded once remaining right where he was. Bella dropped onto the steps beside him. She didn't cry, didn't speak. Just sat there in the silence allowing his presence to comfort her. He didn't touch her and didn't make her look at him. He just sat there and gave her what she needed. The space and time to let her breathe.

She wasn't sure how long they sat there, but eventually she felt calm enough to go inside. Standing up she brushed off the back of her pants. Edward didn't bother to ask again if she was okay; he knew the answer. As she walked to the door she heard his faint whisper. "I'll see you later, love."

Charlie was sitting at the kitchen table, his nose buried in some work file. He called into the hall. "Did you apologize?"

Bella froze, closing her eyes tight she took another deliberate breath then walked over to the doorway. Charlie didn't look up. Her mouth felt dry when she forced herself to speak. "They didn't let me."

Charlie nodded once. "Maybe tomorrow."

She dragged herself up the stairs, exhaustion sinking into her bones. Edward was already in her room by the time she stepped inside, silent as a shadow. He didn't say anything, didn't press her, just pulled back the blankets and waited for her to climb in.

She hesitated, looking at him. "You don't have to stay."

Edward tilted his head slightly, studying her. "I know." But he didn't move.

Bella sighed, and slipped under the covers, her back to him, staring at the wall. After a few seconds, she felt the mattress dip slightly—his cool presence beside her, close but not touching. It should have been comforting. But when she closed her eyes, sleep pulled her into something else entirely.

She was running.

The forest blurred past her, the sharp scent of pine and wet earth filling her lungs, the ground slick beneath her bare feet. The world was too bright, the colors too sharp, and the howls behind her sent ice through her veins. They were chasing her. The wolves, too many of them, were gaining ground. She pushed harder.

A massive shape was suddenly in front of her. She skidded to a stop taking a step back. The red wolf stood blocking her escape, its head hung low, its body heaving. She shook her head taking another step back.

The wolf's form seemed to melt away. It's fur rippling, falling away. Its body shrinking, reforming itself into a man. "Jacob."

He raised his arms in surrender. "Bella, stop!" His voice was raw. Desperate. "I won't hurt you."

She reached for him. And then she was moving too fast, too strong. A sickening crack shattered the air. Jacob collapsed. His body crumpled at an unnatural angle, his dark eyes wide with shock. No. No, no, no. He wasn't moving, wasn't breathing. One more person she loved. Gone from her life. Dead. Bella's breaths were coming too fast. The choking burning pain in her chest was too hot. The piercings scream rising out of her throat unstoppable as she cried his name. "Jacob!"

Bella bolted upright, her breath coming in panicked gasps. A cool hand smoothed over her forehead. "Shh, love," Edward murmured. "It was only a dream."

Bella sucked in a breath, her chest rising and falling too fast. The weight of the dream pressed down on her, thick and suffocating.

There was a noise at her window. Something soft: A light thump.

Edward sighed. "It's about time."

Bella turned, still disoriented, to see Jacob. His gaze flickered over her, taking in her pale face and the way her hands still trembled.

Edward stood stiffly by her bed. "She's been calling for you all night," he said simply, "I figured if she could see you…" he shrugged, "It might help."

Bella blinked, caught completely off guard. "You asked him to come?"

Edward gave a small nod. "You needed him." His voice was frustratingly calm, but there was no malice in it.

Jacob ignored Edward entirely, moving straight to her. "You okay?" His voice was softer than she expected.

Bella swallowed hard, nodding, curling her fingers tightly into the blanket. "Does this mean you forgive me?"

Jacob hesitated. Then he shrugged. "There's nothing to forgive."

Her stomach twisted. "Jake,"

"You can't help your feelings," he said simply. "Just like I can't help mine."

Bella looked down, guilt pressing in again. "Why do you do this to yourself?"

Jacob didn't answer immediately. Instead, he walked over, settling beside her on the bed. He pulled her in, his warmth seeping into her, steady and grounding.

"I still got a chance," he said, wiggling his eyebrows.

"Jake…" she sighed, sadness weighing on her.

"Oh, come on." His voice turned light, teasing. "You can't help but fall madly in love with me. I am a tragic idiot, after all."

Bella huffed out something close to a laugh. Her lips tuning slightly up at the corners. Jacob grinned. "That's right. There's no hiding that beautiful smile from me."

She rolled her eyes, but the corners of her lips lifted a little higher, the tension in her chest eased. Letting out a slow breath, she leaned against him, listening to the steady rhythm of his heart. It was easy to relax into it, and before she knew it, sleep pulled her under.

The next thing Bella knew, a loud bang startled her awake. Her eyes snapped open. She was still curled up against Jacob's side, his arm draped lazily over her. Edward sat calmly in the rocking chair, looking completely unbothered. Charlie stood in the doorway. His face twisted through several expressions; disbelief, irritation, exhaustion.

"Oh, come on," he groaned, rubbing his temples. "Neither of you should be in here." He gestured vaguely. "What the hell is going on, You know what? No. I don't want to know."

Jacob stretched, entirely unconcerned. "Morning, Chief."

Charlie scowled. "I'm going to forget I walked in on… whatever this is because it's never going to happen again. Right?"

Bella's face burned.

"Okay," Charlie muttered before anyone could answer. "Get ready for school. It's test day." With that, he turned and walked out.

Bella groaned, burying her face in her hands. Jacob just laughed. Edward sighed.

As if her day wasn't already off to a fantastic start, now she had to go take an exam.