Golden - P.L.

3. Cliff Jumping and long Hikes

"Now he'll be her shelter when it rains, little does he know his whole worlds about to change." - Taylor Swift, When Emma Falls in Love

—————

The trees blurred together as Bella drove up the cliff. The roar of her truck was hard to ignore and kept waking me from my almost sleeping state. I was squashed in the middle, between her and Jacob. My head lay tiredly on Jacob's shoulder. Bella's nightmares still haven't gone away. I fight sleep the best I can incase I need to go chase Bella's monsters away. Most mornings we wake up in the same bed, just like when she was five and I was three.

"Isn't that Sam Uley?", Bella said. I turned my head and looked to the top of the cliff. Four men stood at the top of the cliff. They all wore cut off shorts and their shirts were nonexistent. I felt my cheeks brighten slightly at the thought of seeing a shirtless guy in person. I have seen Mathew's Mcconaughey shirtless many times but that was way different. They seemed to be having an argument as they all were pushing each other towards the edge.

"And his cult," Jake said bitterly. Suddenly, two of the four grabbed one of the guys and threw him off the cliff. Bella slammed on the brakes as Jacob quickly put his arm in front of me, trying to keep me from flying through the windshield. Bella quickly threw the door open and ran out onto the road.

"Oh my God! Stop them!", Bella yelled turning back towards Jacob as he jogged up to her, chuckling slightly. I followed after him standing between the two of them as we watched.

"They're not fighting Bells, they're cliff jumping," Jake clarified as he continued to chuckle. I was slightly shaken up watching them jump from that height into the cold water. Looking up towards the cliff I felt eyes on me. For a split second my eyes locked with one of the cliff jumping crazy guys. Just as our eyes met, he turned on his heel and ran towards the end of the cliff. He twisted himself in the air before he hit the water.

"Most of us jump from lower down," Jake clarified, shaking his head slightly.

"Think I could?", Bella asked, shocking us both.

"First motorcycles, now cliff diving?", Jake asked.

"Bells, both of those activities aren't safe and could end in major consequences," I said timidly. I was never one to voice my opinion but I was worried about Bella.

"I can't just live in my own perfect bubble like you Delilah. Not everything can always be perfect. I want to feel a rush." She spat out. I couldn't help but slightly stumble back at her mean words. Tears stung my eyes as I looked at the ground pleading with them not to fall.

"Maybe on a warmer day. And not from so high up. We'll leave the showing off to Sam and his disciples." Jake looked like he took a drink of really sour lemonade.

"You don't like them?" Bella asked ignoring the look of hurt on my face she caused moments ago.

"They act like they run this place. Acting all badass and calling themselves the 'protecters'." Jacob said shaking his head.

"What are they protecting?" Bella questioned.

"The tribe, the land, their right to be jerks. Embry used to call them hall monitors on steroids; now look at him." Jake gestured to the guys on the cliff. My feet tugged me forward to get a better look. It was Embry. His hair was cut short and his thin frame was now replaced with muscle. What happened to him? I had only met him a few weeks ago and now he was a different person.

"That's Embry? I didn't recognize him." Bella said.

"What happened to him?" I questioned softly. Jacob turned his attention to me. He immediately noticed my sad expression and wrapped his arm around my shoulder.