Runaway Girl {A Twilight Love Story}

Underdogs With Good Intentions

You're so nice and you're so smart,
you're such a good friend I have to break your heart.
I'll tell you that I love you then I'll tear your world apart.
Just pretend I didn't tear your world apart.

Pulling into the Black's driveway, I was shocked, the little red house looked the same it always did; small porch off the side, the Rabbit parked sideways in the grass. The yellow curtains Jacob's mom had hung in the windows years ago were still there. It was both comforting and frightening to see. I didn't know what I had expected. A new paint job? Maybe some new flowers in the front. The same line of boots sat to the left of the door. The police cruiser was already in the driveway. I took a deep breath and held on tight to Ryland's hand as we walked up to the door.

I bent down to Ryland's level. "Sweetie, this is Uncle Jacob's house. You're going to see him and some other people who are very important to Mommy."

"I get to see Uncle Jake?" he chimed.

I nodded at him as I knocked and heard loud shouting behind the door. Little Seth Clearwater opened the door. Only he wasn't so little. He was a hulking man now.

"Bella?" he narrowed his eyes.

"Hi Seth," I answered shyly.

"Holy Shit! Hey Jake, come here!" he shouted.

Jacob came to the door, a big smile on his face. "Hey Bells, you guys come on in. You didn't even need to knock."

"I know, I just...it's been a while." I opened the door and pulled Ryland in behind me. Jacob picked Ryland up and hugged him tightly. Ryland giggled. Seth looked over in confusion. Obviously Jacob was good at keeping secrets, even from the pack. That was a surprise.

"It's always home for you Bells."

"I'm starting to feel that way."

Jacob was tickling Ryland, who was writhing in the air, fits of giggles escaping from his mouth. "Uncle Jake stop!"

Jacob set him down on the ground and grinned at me. "How about we take Rye to the beach. He's never seen the ocean, huh?"

"I don't know Jake, its January. It's freezing cold outside."

"Come on Bells, don't be a wuss."

"Yeah, you can say that. You're always feverishly hot. I don't have that luxury."

"It'll be fine, live a little!"

We made our way down the half mile hike to the sandy beach. The trees opened up to the smooth pebbled shore. Ryland let go of my hand and took off running towards the waves.

"Don't get in the water. I don't want you to get hypothermia," I called after him.

"He'll be fine Bells. I'm an excellent swimmer," Jacob teased.

I picked up a pebble and tried to skip it against the unruly waves. "Yeah, I suppose you are. Remember when I got drunk and jumped off that cliff?"

"Remember? Shit, if I wasn't there you would have died," he reminded me.

"It was recreational! You did it all the time!"

"Yeah, but I'm slightly less fragile than you."

"Tomato, potato, Jacob," I teased.

He picked up a large rock and tossed it into the water, a large fountain sprouting from the contact. "So you're back," he asked quietly.

"Yeah, I think I am."