Speak || A Twilight Fanfic

Chapter 26

"Thanks for the ride," Gabi smiled as Paul killed the engine of his truck. "I'm sorry for everything that happened today."

"You have nothing to be sorry about, Ella," he said. "Nothing that happened today is your fault."

Gabi sighed as she heard the words once more, but they didn't stop the nagging feeling in her chest. Her parents had taught her from a very young age that all actions had consequences—good and bad. Since moving to Forks, she had found herself taking some of the worst ones in her short life. Dating Jacob was at the top of her list, but putting him over everyone, including herself, was her number one regret.

She knew she had been blinded by the fantasy of a childhood crush turning into a storybook romance. She also knew a part of her was still blinded by the love and care she'd held for Jake for most of her life. As horrible the things he had done had been, she couldn't help but feel sorry for him. Feel sorry for whatever had broken inside him and had festered into such an evil persona. It was that sympathy that kept her from allowing the reckoning he was owed, even if she knew it would one day catch up to him.

"I'm at least sorry I got in the way," she said, her eyes firmly trained on her hands. "I know I should have just let you deal with Jacob, but..."

"You care what happens to him," Paul finished. "You don't have to be sorry for caring, Ella. It's part of who you are, and it's what makes you a good person."

"Well, being a good person keeps getting people hurt, so I don't know how good I can actually be."

"Hey, don't do that." His hand slipped to her chin, forcing her gaze to fall on his. He caressed her cheek with his thumb, wiping away the stray tear that had fallen down her face. "The only thing you're guilty of is caring too much, and that will never be a bad thing. What happens to other people because of their actions and their choices has got nothing to do with you. Jacob should be grateful that he had someone that cared for him like you did."

"Yeah, I cared about him, and you got hurt," she sniffled as she ran her fingers softly over the bandages on his arm. "You keep getting hurt because of me, and somehow, you're always the one making me feel better. It's not fair to you."

"Technically, only my pride has been hurt," he chuckled. "And you're the one that has been getting the brunt of this whole thing. I mean, I don't think that even your sister went through so many things in so little time."

"I guess her luck just rubbed off on me," Gabi joked. "I just hope nothing else happens for a while. I'd like to get at least a week off."

"Let's start with getting you some rest today," Paul smiled. "At least that we can do."

"Yeah," she smiled. "That sounds like a good plan."

Paul was the first one out of the car, rounding it to open the passenger door for her. He was careful with his every move, afraid that one wrong touch could hurt her more than she already was. The placement of his hands was calculated. One was outstretched to help her jump out of the tall truck, and the other landed on the small of her back as they walked to her front door, a bag of her clothes hanging on his shoulder.

The boy's heart was hammering against his chest as they reached the entrance. It was the first time they had been there with most things resolved. There weren't any more secrets lingering in the background, holding their thoughts hostage. There were possibilities now between them. So. Much. Possibility.

"There's a bloodsucker here," Paul announced as the door swung open. "Wait here."

"No," Gabi exhaled before pushing past Paul into the house. "BELLA! Bells, are you here?"