Jacob and Bella Story

Chapter Six

Bella’s P.O.V.

On Saturday, I tied on my new hiking boots, grabbed my new topographical map of the Olympic Peninsula, and drove to La Push.

We had a sweet time before diving in. Jacob claimed the living room floor, sprawled out like a king on his throne. He spent twenty minutes meticulously weaving a complex web across a crucial map section. Meanwhile, I nestled into a kitchen chair, enjoying a spirited conversation with Billy.

To my surprise, Billy showed no signs of worry amid our arduous hike. Jacob’s mention of our route and recent bear sightings left me scratching. I subtly signaled to Billy to keep this news away from Charlie. Still, I feared that asking outright would stir the pot.

“Maybe we will see the super bear,” Jacob joked.

I glanced at Billy, fearing a Charlie-style reaction.

Billy just laughed at his son. “Bring along a jar of honey,” he said.

Jacob chuckled, a playful glint in his eye. “I hope your new boots can keep up, Bella! Just a single jar won’t hold a hungry bear’s attention for long.”

“I only have to be faster than you,” I said.

Jacob rolled his eyes. “Good luck with that,” he said as he refolded the map. “Let’s go.”

“Have fun,” Billy said. He was wheeling himself to the refrigerator.

Charlie was easy to live with, but Jacob seemed to have it even easier than I did.

I drove to the end of the long, curving dirt road and stopped at the trailhead sign. I was nervous because I hadn’t been there in a long time. This could be problematic, but the opportunity to listen to him justified the risk.

I got out and looked at the dense wall of green. “I went this way,” I said, pointing straight ahead.

“Hmm,” Jacob muttered.

I looked at Jacob with a curious expression. “What?” I asked.

Jacob’s eyes darted between my direction, the marked path, and back again.

“I would have figured you for a trail kind of girl,” Jacob responded.

I flashed a grin, my spirit defiant. “Not me,” I declared. “I’m a rebel.”

Jacob chuckled, amused, and then pulled out our map. “Give me a second,” he said as he held the compass skillfully, twisting the map around until it angled the way he wanted. “Okay, first line on the grid. Let’s do it.”

As I hiked, Jacob surged ahead, blissfully ignoring my faltering steps. I tried to dismiss the haunting echoes of previous adventures in these woods, where shadows felt alive. Those memories gripped me like quicksand, ready to drag me into darkness. Lowering my guard would leave me vulnerable, trembling in search of comfort. If that happened, what words would come to me when I faced Jacob?

Focusing on the present was easier than expected. Jacob’s refreshing presence contrasted with the peninsula’s forested scenery.

A cheerful melody floated through the air, Jacob’s joyful whistle dancing along. He glided through thorny thickets with effortless grace, arms swaying like branches in a gentle breeze. The once-ominous shadows faded, swiftly retreating into the glow. My radiant sun must have brightened our path.

Jacob kept us on course by regularly glancing at the compass. He felt like our chief navigator, expertly steering us through uncharted territory. I almost offered a compliment, but caught myself.

While I meander, my thoughts drift like clouds on a breezy day. I recall our conversation near the majestic sea cliffs. I waited patiently for him to mention it again, but the opportunity faded.

“Hey... Jake?” I asked hesitantly.

“Yeah?”

“How are things... with Embry? Is he back to normal yet?”

For a minute, Jacob strode ahead in silence.

When Jacob was about ten feet ahead, he responded and stopped to wait for me. “No. He’s not back to normal.”

I glanced at Jacob, but his smile had vanished. He stood still, a statue of uncertainty, and my heart twisted with regret. I shouldn’t have brought it up after all.

“Still with Sam?” I asked.

“Yup,” Jacob responded.

Out of nowhere, Jacob’s muscular arm enveloped my shoulder, and warmth spread through my body again. I turned to face him. His worried expression made me pause, and uncertainty crept in.

“Are they still looking at you funny?” I asked.

Jacob stared through the trees and responded, “Sometimes.”

“And Billy?” I asked.

“As helpful as ever,” Jacob responded in a sour, angry voice.

“Our couch is always open.”

Jacob chuckled, shattering the heavy cloud that loomed above him. “Imagine the pickle Charlie would be in if Billy called the cops about my a*******n!”

I laughed, too glad to see Jacob’s mood back to normal.

Following Jacob’s meticulous directions, we paused after six long miles. A quick pivot to the west had us retracing our steps along a fresh section of his grid. Yet everything looked eerily familiar, drowning my spirit in doubt. As darkness draped over us and stars vanished from the sky, a sinking feeling set in—this seemingly silly quest felt doomed. Jacob remained steadfast, his confidence like a lighthouse throughout the night.

Jacob met my gaze. “As long as we’re sure we’re starting in the right place...” he said, his voice trailing off, inviting further thought.

“Yes, I’m sure,” I said.

“Then we’ll find it, eventually. “

We retraced our steps toward the truck beneath a canopy of lush green. That strange spark ignited inside me again, and it was getting stronger as Jacob’s warm hand found mine. I don’t know what it was, but I felt this uncontrollable pull toward Jacob for the second time. The feeling felt almost magical, as if my hand belonged to his. I looked up at Jacob, puzzled—he must feel this too? The urge to ask him if our genuine connection hung heavy in the air. Not gonna lie, Jacob’s hand in mine was a warm embrace, and it felt too comforting. I fought to push away the emotional tempest swirling around us. Still, a deep-seated sense of safety anchored me in his presence. He possessed calmly magic that could wrap calm around my racing heart. Our long-awaited truck emerged, breaking through the vibrant ferns like a long-lost friend. Jacob pointed with pride, his grin illuminating the day. “You see, you can trust me,” he proclaimed soothingly.

“Oh, you’re simply spectacular,” I quipped, dripping with sarcasm. “Next time, let’s pack flashlights.”

Jacob nodded with a cheeky glint in his eye. “We’ll save our hiking adventures for Sundays. I did not know you moved like a sloth on a Sunday stroll,” he teased.

I glared at him, pulled my hand from his, and stomped to the driver’s side while he chuckled at my reaction.

Jacob eased into the passenger seat, a grin tugging at his lips. “So, you ready to give it another go tomorrow?” he asked playfully.

“Sure. Unless you want to go without me, I won’t tie you down to my gimpy pace,” I responded.

“I’ll survive. If we’re hiking again, though, pick up moleskin. I bet you can feel those new boots right now.”

“A little.”

It felt like I had more blisters than space to fit them.

“I hope we see the bear tomorrow. I’m sort of disappointed about that,” Jacob said.

“Yes, me too,” I said, a smile on my lips. “Maybe we’ll get lucky tomorrow and get eaten.”

Jacob grinned. “Bears don’t want to eat people. We don’t taste that good,” he said. “Of course, you might be an exception. I bet you’d taste good.”

I fixed him with another pointed glare. “Thanks a lot,” I said, laced with sarcasm.

Jacob’s not the first person to tell me that.

Time has zipped by, a comet racing through the night. My daily dance involves three steady partners: school, work, and Jacob. Misery became a fading shadow, thanks to Charlie’s last wish. Yet in quiet moments—rare gems in my routine—truths surfaced like whispers. I found myself adrift, a moon orbiting a world wrecked by chaos. Trapped in a confined space, I defied gravity, bending the rules of logic. Also, I wasn’t hearing him anymore since I couldn’t ride the bike. This caused me to panic. I searched for the meadow with almost manic intensity. I searched my mind for other activities that would get my adrenaline pumping.

I was cherishing each moment, blissfully unaware of time slipping by. Jacob’s casual mention of a date took me entirely by surprise. I pulled up to his house, all set for our study session. There he was, waiting patiently for me to arrive.

Jacob approached with a warm smile, wrapping me in a heartfelt hug. “Happy Valentine’s Day,” he beamed, spreading joy like confetti.

Jacob pulled away and held out a small pink box for me.

“Well, I’m a real fool,” I murmured, glancing away. “Is today Valentine’s Day?”

Jacob shook his head, amused. “You can be so out of it sometimes. Yes, it is the fourteenth of February. Will you be my Valentine? You didn’t even get me a fifty-cent box of candy! At the very least, you could’ve sweetened the deal.”

Jacob’s teasing words danced like fireflies, sparking delightful butterflies in my stomach. Each syllable stirred feelings wrapped in a mystery, leaving me breathless. Curiosity tangled with unease, creating a delicious inner conflict.

“What does that involve, exactly?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.

“The usual. Slave for life, that kind of thing,” Jacob responded.

“Oh, well. If that’s all...” I said.

I snatched the candy from him, yet my mind danced with dilemmas. How could I draw the line when boundaries seemed to blur like fog? With Jacob, an intense, undeniable connection sparked to life, reminiscent of my bond with Edward—but oh, so different. There’s this indescribable force between us that leaves me pondering. The more time I spend with him, the more I heal, piece by piece, and the more that feeling grows. It was like he was my soul’s missing puzzle, stitching joy back into my life. When we’re apart, the void Edward left gapes wide like a chasm. Jacob is my key, capable of sealing that aching gap in my heart. Even my skin seems to rejoice, clearing up with his presence.

I won’t lie; it scares me a little—Jacob has a hold on me. I can talk freely, joke around, and be myself with him. That’s why I can’t let this whatever-it-is between us take flight. My heart isn’t prepared to leap back into the fray. I’m not there yet, and that gives me pause.

“So, what are we doing tomorrow? Hiking, or the ER?” Jacob asked.

“Hiking,” I responded. “You’re not the only one who can be obsessive.”

“We’ll find it,” Jacob assured. “We can do bikes on Friday.”

I want nothing to happen between us. Still, at that moment, I asked Jacob if he wanted to go to the movies with my friends and me. I took the chance mindlessly and threw it away.

“I’m going to a movie on Friday. I’ve been promising my cafeteria crowd I would go out forever,” I said.

Mike would beam, but Jacob’s smile flickers and fades. Before he looks down, I catch a glimmer of disappointment in his dark eyes.

I frowned, puzzled by his response. “You’ll join us, won’t you?” I asked. “Or is it too much of a drag with a crowd of dull seniors?”

Goodbye to my hopes of creating space between us. Hurting Jacob is something I would never want to do; the thought alone is agonizing. His pain cuts me deeply; the connection we share is so profound that his suffering feels like a physical blow to my chest.

Jacob regarded me with a glint of curiosity in his eyes. “You’d like me to join your crew for a movie night?” he queried.

“Yes,” I admitted, realizing I might sabotage myself with my words. “It’ll be way more fun with you there. Bring Quil, and we’ll turn it into a celebration!”

“Quil’s going to freak. Senior girls,” Jacob said, rolling his eyes.

I laughed. “I’ll try to get him a good selection,” I said.

At school, after English, I broached the subject with Mike.

“Hey, Mike,” I said. “Are you free Friday night?”

Mike looked up, his eyes instantly hopeful. “Yeah, I am. Do you want to go out?” he asked.

I worded my response carefully: “I was thinking about getting together to see Crosshairs.”

I’d done my homework this time. I even read the movie spoilers to be sure I would not be surprised. I expected this movie to be extremely gory from beginning to end. I was too unwell to watch a romantic movie.

“Does that sound like fun?” I asked.

“Sure,” Mike responded, sounding less eager.

“Cool.”

Mike brightened with a spark, reigniting, nearly returning to his old self. “What if we invite Angela and Ben? Or Eric and Katie?” he suggested eagerly.

Mike determined to make this a double date.

“How about both?” I suggested. “And Jessica too. And Tyler and Conner and Lauren.”

I promised Quil a variety.

“Okay,” Mike said.

“And,” I said. I have a couple of friends who live in La Push. They’re invited. If everyone comes, we’ll need your Suburban.”

Mike’s eyes narrowed, suspicion sharpening like a knife’s edge. “These are the friends you’ve dedicated all your study time to?” he questioned, skepticism dripping from each word.

“Those are the ones,” I confirmed. “You could view it as receiving personalized academic guidance. They’re only sophomores.”

“Oh,” Mike said, surprised.

After a moment of thought, Mike smiled.

Jessica and Lauren found themselves “busy as the dust settled.” They vanished like shadows when Mike revealed I was helping with the planning. Eric and Katie had their agenda—celebrating three weeks of love or nonsense. Lauren beat Mike to the punch, claiming Tyler and Conner, leaving them occupied, too. Even Quil got swept into the chaos, grounded for throwing punches at school. Only Angela, Ben, and our ever-reliable Jacob could join us when the dust cleared.

Despite the dwindling crowd, Mike’s excitement soared higher than ever. He couldn’t stop buzzing about it all Friday long.

“Are you absolutely certain you wouldn’t prefer Tomorrow and Forever?” Mike asked at lunch about the popular romantic comedy at the box office. “Rotten Tomatoes deemed it a worthy watch!”

“I want to see Crosshairs,” I said. “I’m in the mood for action. Bring on the blood and guts.”

“Okay,” Mike said, turning away before I saw his - she’s - crazy - after expression.

Pulling into my driveway, I noticed a familiar car. Jacob leaned casually against the car, a bright smile on his face.

“No way!” I shouted as I got out of my truck. “You’re done. I can’t believe it. You finished your rabbit.”

Jacob’s face lit up. “Yeah, last night,” he said with excitement.

“Incredible,” I said.

I raised my hand for a high five, and Jacob’s hand met mine with a smack. But instead of pulling away, he laced his fingers through mine, catching me off guard, and again, I felt those sensations take place.

Jacob asked, “So, do I get to drive tonight?”

“Definitely,” I said, and then I sighed.

Jacob studied my face, concern written all over his features. “What’s the matter?” he asked.

“I’m giving up. I can’t top this one. You win. You’re the oldest,” I responded.

Jacob shrugged, his expression unbothered by my surrender. “Of course I am,” he responded, a knowing glint in his eye.

I unleashed a fiery glare as Jacob spoke. Suddenly, Mike’s Suburban roared around the corner, chugging like a stubborn beast. Swiftly, I yanked my hand away from Jacob. His face twisted into an expression I never wanted to see.

“I remember him,” Jacob said quietly as Mike parked across the street. “The guy who thought you were his girlfriend. Is he still lost?”

I shot a skeptical eyebrow upward. “Some folks are tough to dissuade,” I remarked.

“Then again,” Jacob said. “Sometimes persistence pays off.”

“It’s usually quite annoying.”

Mike got out of his car and crossed the road.

“Hey, Bella,” Mike greeted cautiously, glancing at Jacob. A flicker of apprehension crossed his eyes when he met Jacob’s gaze.

I stole a glance at Jacob, feeling his warmth beside me. He seemed more sage than a sophomore, radiating maturity and confidence beyond his years. Mike’s head rested on Jacob’s shoulder—an arresting sight. With his towering height, he made me feel ever so slight. His face, marked with deeper lines than a month ago, carried the world’s weight.

“Hey, Mike! Do you remember Jacob Black?” I asked.

“Not really,” Mike said, and held out his hand.

“I’m an old family friend,” Jacob said, shaking hands.

They clasped hands with a fervor that spoke volumes. Once freed, Mike flexed his fingers, savoring the release. I then heard the phone ringing in the kitchen.

I should answer that. It might be Charlie,” I said before walking inside.

It was Ben. Angela was sick with the stomach flu, and he didn’t feel like coming without her. He apologized for bailing on us.

I made my way back to the restless boys, shaking my head. Despair clouded my thoughts as I wished for Angela’s return to normalcy. Yet, my frustration gnawed at me like an unwelcome guest. Under the gentle glow of the evening, Mike, Jacob, and I departed together. What a splendid conclusion! Ah, can you taste the sarcasm? It’s almost savory.

During my absence, Jacob and Mike’s friendship hit a rocky shore. A chasm of silence lay between them like ships adrift in the night. Mike’s face wore a cloak of gloom, starkly contrasting with Jacob’s usual sunny disposition. I felt an unmistakable divide, a void that only my return could bridge.

“Angela’s feeling poorly,” I shared. “She and Ben won’t be joining us.”

“Looks like the flu is making its annual return. Today, Austin and Conner are both under the weather. How about we reschedule this for another time?” Mike suggested.

Before I could agree, Jacob spoke. “I’m still up for it. But if you’d rather stay behind, Mike...”

“No, I’m coming,” Mike interrupted. “I was thinking of Angela and Ben. Let’s go.”

Mike was making his way to the suburban when I asked, “Would you mind if Jacob drove?”

“Fine,” Mike said.

“All right then,” Jacob said.

Mike climbed into the back of the rabbit, his face showing disgust.

Jacob’s usual cheerful chatter made me forget that Mike was silently sulking in the back.

Mike shifted gears, inching closer with intention. His chin rested on my shoulder; our cheeks nearly brushed, igniting an electric discomfort. I instinctively recoiled, pivoting away from the window, yearning for a moment alone.

“Doesn’t the radio work on this thing?” Mike interrupted Jacob mid-sentence.

“Yes,” Jacob responded. “But Bella doesn’t like music.”

I stared at Jacob, surprised. I never told him that. It’s true, but I never told him.

Annoyed, Mike asked, “Bella?”

I murmured agreement, my eyes still on Jacob’s calm features. “He’s right,” I said.

“Who doesn’t like music, seriously?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. It irritates me,” I responded.

“Hmph,” Mike said as he leaned back.

Jacob pulled out of the driveway, and we headed to the theater.