Speak || A Twilight Fanfic

Chapter 21

"Hey, Jake," Gabi said, feeling her heart speed at a million miles in her chest. "Can we talk for a sec?"

"Talk?" he chuckled. "You should get changed and keep resting. I'll take you guys home after."

"No, Jake. I just... we really need to talk. It's important."

"Fine," he responded. "At least get changed first. You'll catch a cold if you stay in those soaked clothes. We can talk out on the porch after."

Being faced with a near-death experience can put everything into perspective. Staying in relationships that no longer serve can be a complete waste of time, holding onto grudges only worked to fester resentment and pain, and life was simply too short to wait for the elusive right time. The best moment to speak up was now.

Gabriella peeled the soaking clothes from her body and changed into the overflowing blue sweatshirt and grey sweatshirt. Her skin felt odd in his clothes, drowning and choking all at once. Jacob's scent permeated through the fabric, making her feel as though she was trapped in his embrace. She wanted to rid her body of him, rid her mind and heart of his name, and finally free herself from the grips of his love. She had gotten comfortable in his presence, but she hadn't noticed how much she had lost herself in him.

She draped a towel around her shoulders to catch her dripping hair. It was time to let her past go, that much she knew. Even after she almost lost her life, and she should have been embracing the people who had seemingly always been there for her, she knew that cutting ties with Jacob was the only way she could truly be happy. At least, halfway there.

With Bella still in the bathroom, Gabi followed Jacob out onto the cold afternoon. As the sun hid on the horizon, the freezing temperatures crept in through the air, and with a storm approaching, the numbers only dropped. Still, it had to be now. It had to be that day.

"So," Jacob started as he draped his jacket over her shoulders. "What's up?"

The second she was affronted with her opportunity, Gabi felt herself freeze up. He stared at her with the kind brown eyes she had grown to love and that same goofy smile that warmed her heart. But everything she felt was for past Jake. The one who hadn't broken her heart, the one who hadn't hurt her, the one she had loved. "Look, Jake, I think this is something we've seen coming for a long time," she sighed as she started. "And I think it's what's best for the both of us."

"If I didn't know any better, it would sound like you were breaking up with me," he chuckled. But his laughter died down when he noticed Gabi's serious expression. "Wait, you're breaking up with me? Gabi, what the hell?"

"Listen, Jake. I just... for a time, I haven't felt as close to you as I used to, and maybe that means it's time for us to put an end to us," the girl continued. "I still love you and care about you as my friend, but I think being together has been awful for our friendship."

"You can't be serious, Gabi. After everything we've been through, you just wanna throw it all away?" Jacob exclaimed. "Where is this coming from, Gabs? I thought we were working through things."

"We are... we were. But it's not the same, Jake. I don't love you the same way anymore," she admitted. She crossed her arms in front of her chest, keeping her distance from the angered Jake. His body was yet to start shaking, but she could see his emotions bubbling up to the surface. "I care about you. I do. And that's why I think it's better if we end things now rather than later. It won't do either of us any good if we keep leading each other on and holding onto something that has no future."

"Did you hit your head when you hit the water? Is that why you suddenly changed your mind?"

"I've actually been feeling this way for a while. I just didn't know how to tell you."