WHEN THE STARS FORGET US - EMBRY CALL

29. we can't be friends

( when the stars forget us! )
↳ chapter twenty-nine ↲

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❝ THEN WHY DOES IT FEEL LIKE
I JUST LOST HIM? ❞
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AS BELLA'S TRUCK ROLLED to a stop in front of the Black residence, the rain pounded against the windshield in relentless sheets. The sky was dark, the storm matching the heaviness in Talia's chest.

Then, she saw him.

Jacob stood in the driveway, his broad frame tense, his expression unreadable. His hair was gone—no more long hair, just a close crop that made him look unfamiliar. A stranger in the place of the boy they knew.

Beside her, Bella went still.

"Talia," she whispered, her voice uncertain. "Is that—is that Jacob?"

Talia swallowed hard, her stomach twisting. "I think it is."

     She barely got the words out before Bella lunged for the door handle.

"Bella, wait—" Talia's fingers brushed her wrist, but it was too late. Bella had already shoved the door open and was sprinting into the rain.

Talia groaned, scrambling after her. "Of course," she muttered, bracing herself against the downpour. "My freaking hair." The girl muttered.

Bella caught up to him first. "Jacob!" Her voice was frantic, desperate. "You cut your hair off? And you got a tattoo?"

Jacob turned, his jaw tightening. "Bella—"

"I thought you were too sick to come outside! Or pick up the phone when I call!"

Jacob's shoulders tensed. His voice was quiet, barely audible over the rain. "Go away."

Bella froze. "What?"

Jacob's expression hardened. "Go away."

Talia finally reached them, drenched, heart pounding. "Jacob, come on. Don't be like that."

Jacob tried to walk away ignoring both girls, but Bella grabbed his arm, refusing to let him go. "Hey! What happened? Did Sam get to you? Is that what's happening?"

Jacob yanked his arm back. His eyes flashed with something dark. "Sam's trying to help me," he corrected. "Don't blame him. But if you want someone to blame, how about those filthy bloodsuckers you love? The Cullens."

Bella's breath hitched. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Jacob laughed bitterly. "You know exactly what I'm talking about. You've been lying to everyone. Charlie, Talia, Quil—but you can't lie to me. Not anymore."