Altered Affection/j.b. (COMPLETE)

Chapter Four

       We arrived at Charlie's house thirty minutes later. Billy and Jake were in the orange truck. We got out and I stood close to my mom. Charlie came outside, followed by Bella a few moments later...

      "Bella, you remember Billy and Jacob. And Monica and Aiyana Clearwater." When Bella's eyes landed on me, they lit up and she stepped forward.

      "Here, let me take this. Come inside while I put the food up." She took the food that I was holding and I followed her inside awkwardly. She set the food on the counter, smiling at me.

      "I haven't seen you in a long time. How have you been? You really grew up, that's for sure. Hey, I can give you a ride to school and stuff, if you want." She raked her eyes over me and I smiled.

      "I've been good. Jake and I started dating last year. I'm still boney little Ana. Jake and I go to school on the reservation." We laughed and she slung her arm over my shoulders as we walked outside.

       Billy and Charlie were horsing around in the driveway. Mom and Jake were laughing about something.

      "Oh, Bella, I got you a present," Charlie said excitedly, resting his arm on the bed of the truck. Bella looked between Charlie and me.

      "Seriously? Oh, wow, thanks, dad!" She smiled genuinely and opened the door. Before I could say anything, Jacob was showing her the clutch. I leaned against the driver side door.

      "Jake and I fixed it up ourselves. It runs great." Bella smiled and I looked at Jake, at how happy he seemed in that moment. I glared at him, but he didn't even notice me. I turned to my mom.

      "Can we go? I'm not feeling well, mom." I clutched my stomach and it wasn't necessarily a lie.

     "Sure, sweetheart. Charlie, I'm going to drive Ana home and get her settled. I'll be back to eat and watch the game." She looked at her watch.

     "Frank should be home by the time we get there. I'll bring him back with me." Charlie nodded at us and we got into the car. Bella was frowning at me with her head tilted to the side. Jacob didn't even give me a second look.

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      "Leah, it's started," I sniffled and told her the events that had taken place.

     "That's bullshit. Why didn't you say anything?" she asked as I lay on my bed, my phone pressed against my ear.

     "I didn't want to make a scene! It's late. My parents are home so why hasn't he called me?" I said more to myself than to Leah as I chewed on my thumbnail.

     "He's not going to dump you. Trust me, Aiyana. She's not worth it. She's going to meet new boys in Forks and she won't pay any attention to Jacob Black."

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       Leah was wrong. Jacob tried to go to Charlie's as much as possible, but Bella was focused on some guy in her grade and Billy didn't like his family. I could see him getting upset about it and it hurt like hell. I hate to skip those months of my life, but it's too heartbreaking.

       Sure I voiced my thoughts to him on more than one occasion, but he denied it all. Until the day he broke up with me. It was sunny that day, which was rare. I woke up early and called Embry Call. We made plans to go to the beach. It was just us sitting on the sand.

     "Jake is going to break up with me. I can feel it..." I said quietly as I pushed my hands into the sand and the little grains pooled around my fingers.

     "Aiyana, are you crazy?! He wouldn't do that," Embry tried to reassure me, but I wasn't having it. Then I saw Jake walking toward us with Quil.

      "Then let's see right now." I got up and jogged to the pair. Quil hugged me and I looked up at Jake.