Fine denial

Chapter 28

Bella's POV

"Bella?" I heard Emmett call me. I switched off the stove and brought the last plate of pancakes out.

"Hey." I greeted him as I set the plate on the table. "Hungry?" I asked Emmett.

"Hell yeah." He grinned and sat down. Emmett stacked three pancakes on his plate and flooded them with maple syrup. "This is so good." He muttered with his mouth full.

"Thanks." I smiled. "Eat slowly man, you're early to school for once."

Emmett looked up at me before taking more pancakes and putting them on his plate. "I'm guessing you're not coming to school?" He raised his eyebrows.

"I'm sorry." I whispered.

"It's okay, no worries." Emmett took a huge scoop of scrambled eggs and poured it on his plate. "I can stay home too if you want."

"No, you should go to school. I'll be fine." I assured him. "How's everyone?" I asked as I took a bite off my toast.

"They're fine but mostly worried about you." Emmett replied. "Do you need me to kick Jacob's ass or something?" He asked suddenly.

"No!" I laughed. "I'm fine, Emmett. I just want to be alone, you know?"

"But you've been alone for two days now! What did Jacob do to you?" Emmett questioned.

"He didn't do anything, I just need some space. There's nothing to worry about, I promise." I forced a smile and continued eating.

"Are you sure you don't want me to stay home?" Emmett asked as he took his last bite.

"I'm fine." I assured him. "You're leaving now?"

"Yeah, going to pick up Rose." Emmett smiled as he got up. I stood up too and walked around the table to Emmett's side.

"I'll see you for dinner?" I asked.

"Definitely." Emmett promised. He hugged me and pecked my forehead before pulling away. "Call me if you need me."

"Uh-huh." I nodded as I watched Emmett take his coat and leave the house. I locked the door after him and walked back to the table to collect both our plates.

Just as I finished washing all the utensils, thoughts of Jacob returned to my mind and I shivered. I pulled up my sleeves and looked down at the bruises on my arm, recalling how I got them.....from Jacob.

Mike was right, Jacob was crazy. When Jacob pulled me away from Edward the other night, he didn't bring me back home. Instead, he brought me back to his place and forced me to stay in with him for the whole weekend. He eventually only let me out after I continuously begged him to.

I pulled down my sleeves again and wrapped my arms around my waist, trying hard to push those dark thoughts out of my mind. Just then, I heard someone at the door. I walked over and opened it without checking the peephole.

"Shit." I muttered when I saw who was outside. "What do you want?" I asked harshly.

"I came to talk to you." Jacob replied. He had dark circles under his eyes and I guessed that he didn't sleep the whole night.

"I'm not with Edward, if that's what you're here to check for."

"No, it's not that. Could you come with me to my place?" Jacob asked.

"Do you really think I'll say yes to that?" I scowled. "Jacob, look what you did to me!" I pulled up my sleeves again. "I don't think this is love." I sarcastically stated. "You hit me and pushed me up against the wall whenever I talked back to you, I'm actually surprised that I'm not dead yet."