Speak || A Twilight Fanfic

Chapter 19

There's a beauty to finding the right moment. The right moment to speak up, the right moment to leave, the right moment to choose yourself. Finding that moment is essential and almost impossible. And with the luck the Swans seemed to lack, Gabriella had no chance to acquire that perfect opening to allow the chips to fall where they may.

That night, as she ruminated over breaking up with Jacob, the sudden arrival of Sam and Emily stopped her in her tracks as she saw her window of opportunity close right before her eyes. Although they helped alleviate the tension Gabi had felt bubble up inside her, they prolonged the inevitable. She couldn't break his heart with an audience. No. She had to find the most opportune time.

So, she allowed Jacob to kiss her good night and left with her sister and a promise that the girls would see him the day after.

But the next day, Gabriella spent her hours with Emily's and Bella's companionship. No Jacob in sight and no moment to end things with Jacob. It wasn't until the sisters had spent hours freezing at the beach that the boy had appeared, and by that time, they had to go back home.

So, she allowed him another kiss and another promise. This time that he would take the Swan sisters cliff diving. He told Gabi he wanted to spend time with her to make up for the things that had seemed to go awry between them.

"Hey, kiddo," Charlie said as he walked into the house later that night. "You're up late. Everything alright?"

The young Swan sighed deeply as her father sat next to her on the couch, her eyes trained on whatever was playing on the TV. "I'm fine," she responded, hugging her knees closer to her body. "Just a little tired."

"Gabs, I know I haven't been the best dad I can be, but I'm trying. And I can tell something's been wrong this past week. I just wanna help, kid."

"It's nothing, dad."

"Gabi," he pressed. "Please."

"It's just... I don't know. It's complicated."

"Why don't you try me, kiddo?"

Gabi let out a shaky breath as her gaze fell on her hands. "It's, uh, it's Jake," she muttered. "Things are just... different."

"What'd you mean, Gabs? I thought you guys were working things out."

"We were... I mean, we are," Gabi sighed, rubbing her hands across her face as frustration took hold of her. Telling her father about the complexities of her life was new to her, and she didn't know how to navigate the situation. The words simply didn't come to her as easily as they did when she talked to Billy. "I used to think that if Jake and I ever got together that everything would be perfect. I thought he and I were just meant to be. But being with him has been too hard, and I... I don't feel the same about him. Not anymore. Not for a very long time."

"What're you saying, kid? Do you wanna end things with Jacob?"

"I think so, yeah," she breathed, feeling tension leaving her shoulders. "I've been trying to these past couple of days. I just never seem to find the right time. I don't wanna hurt him, but I don't think I can keep pretending to act like I'm in love with him, dad."

"Honey, as hard as it might be, it's better to just end things sooner rather than later," Charlie said as he took his daughter's hands in his, stopping her absentminded skin-picking. "If you don't love Jake anymore, the best thing you can do for both of you is to break up with him. He'll understand if you just talk to him."

"What if he doesn't, dad? What if he hates me after all is said and done?" Gabi sniffled, feeling the tears prickling at the corners of her eyes. "He was my friend first, and I don't know if we can have that relationship again."