Hunger

CHAPTER 1

"Jacob!" I squealed as he walked through Grandma and Grandpa Cullen's front door.

Dad turned to look but didn't stop playing with Mom's hair. She smiled at my enthusiasm and turned back to her book.

"Hello again Jacob." Dad nodded.

I rushed at him and threw my arms around him, missing his touch from the few hours he had been gone. "I'm glad you're back."

"Me too." He grinned brilliantly. It mesmerized me, making me grin.

I touched his face with my palm and showed him my wallowing to make sure he knew how miserable I was without him.

"If I had your power it would be the same image Emmy." He sighed deeply and wrapped me in his arms.

His new name for me seemed more suitable. I knew how much my mom didn't like "Nessie" even though she called me it out of habit from everyone else. I didn't like my mom upset, so I simply suggested to Jacob that he call me something different. Almost everyone called me it now.

"So what did Leah want?" I asked, pulling away from him.

"To annoy me further." He sighed, rolling his eyes and smiling again. "What would you like to do tonight?"

I threw a look at Mom who eyed me for a brief second. "Mom wants us to stay close to home."

"I'm still not used to you calling Bella that." Jacob laughed. Mom growled softly under her breath, hoping for me not to hear I had guessed.

"We'd just appreciate it if you wouldn't take her anywhere outside of the U.S. again. You had us worried." Dad said evenly to Jacob.

He laughed. "We've been over this a thousand times. She wasn't in any danger. We were hunting and got carried away."

"She's still a child Jacob."

I frowned as they fought. Yes I was only 15, but I was as grown as big as my body would let me. Even though I looked 23, I was way more mature. Didn't that count for anything? I knew Dad meant well, but it still stung a bit.

"You and I both know she's more than just a child." Jacob said through his teeth. I smiled up at him.

"Careful Jake. You still want your head, don't you?" Mom said, staring at him with her new golden eyes.

"Like you could take me Bella." He laughed.

"Would you like to test that theory?" she asked with a wry smile.

"I don't want to hurt you." He smirked. "Emmy would never forgive me."

I nodded. "That's right."

"Cut it out you two. You bicker more than Rosalie and Leah." Grandma's sweet voice rang from upstairs.

Dad chuckled lightly under his breath and went back to playing with Mom's hair. Mom threw Jacob a playful glare and turned back to her book.

I could tell though that Jacob wasn't done messing with them. "What do you say we sneak out? I heard that Ireland is a beautiful country." He asked softly, knowing they would hear.

Mom sprang from the couch and a growl ripped from her chest.

"He didn't mean it Mom." I laughed, hoping to calm her.

"Do not put ideas into my daughter's head." Mom growled.

Dad wrapped his arms around Mom's waist, pulling her back into him. "Don't do something you'll regret Bella."