A Jacob Black Love Story

[ chapter 6 ]

"Would the defendant please rise."

Obviously, that's not a question–it's a demand. And the please is just for show.

My cousin Alex stands up. I tense, sucking in a breath. The kind of breath you breath when you feel like you're going to have a heart attack. Beside me, Bella's staring straight forward, biting her nails like a squirrel chewing on a nut while Charlie just has on a poker face.

When the judge starts talking again, I tune her out. I put all of my focus on the cops standing in the back of the room. One is fat, one is skinny, and when they catch me staring, they smile and wave.

It's only when Bella gasps that I realize they announced the sentence. I look up at Alex. He's never been one to give into fear, but right now he looks more scared than I was when I thought there were monsters under my bed.

The judge bangs down her hammer thing, and we're dismissed. Bella starts to cry, and Charlie is comforting her.

"I'm going outside," I tell them. Charlie doesn't say anything. He just nods.

___________

The winter air bites at me; it feels like I jumped into a pool after spending thirty minutes in a hot tub. I walk slowly, taking such deep breaths that I almost feel dizzy.

"Tessa?" It's my sister's voice. "You okay?"

"I don't know, Bells." I turn to face her. "You tell me."

__________

Ever since freshman year, my cousin Alex has been a drinker. My aunt forced him to go to rehab three months ago, and he seemed fine when he came back. But then one day, the day when he was forced to spend a week at Charlie's house, I got into an argument with him because he wouldn't stay out of my room. I guess that might've set him off again because he stormed out of the house and didn't come back until one in the morning.

Charlie and Bella were asleep, and I was in the living room watching Catfish: The TV Show. Nev and Max were about to solve the case when I heard the front door open, and I knew Alex would be drunk. So I quickly turned the TV off and was on my way upstairs when he said my name.

"Tessa."

"Leave me alone," I remember saying. "You're drunk."

"Tessa, it's past midnight." He was talking really loud. "Shouldn't you be in bed?"

"Leave me alone," I repeated. Instead, he moved closer until I was leaning against the wall. Before I could even push him away, he grabbed my wrists.

"Alex," I said, and my voice was wavering. "You're drunk."

Hearing this, he smiled, tightening his grip on my wrists. Then he leaned in, and that was when I got scared. I tried turning my head, but he grabbed my face, jerking me back to face him. "I want you to stay still," he told me.

I just closed my eyes. "No."

"Tessa." His grip got even tighter. "Open your eyes."

"No." At this point, I finally got my strength back and was able to free my hands. I shoved him away, making a run for the stairs. I only had one foot on the first step when I felt his hands on my waist. I screamed, trying to pull away, but I couldn't. Then, all of a sudden, I was free and landed on the floor with a thump. I looked up fearfully, expecting him to come for me again.

But instead I saw Bella.

She was yelling, punching Alex's chest repeatedly.

"What were you going to do?" she screamed. "For Christ sake, she's your cousin!"

"Hey," Alex said, backing up. "Bella, I–"

"Tessa, are you okay?" It was Edward, and he helped me up.

I shivered at the coldness of his hands, wondering why he was here at this time of morning.

"I'm fine," I lied, and he just nodded. Now Alex is shouting right back at my sister. And, one hour later, he was in the back of the cop car.

______________

School ends at three thirty-five. Ten minutes after the final bell rings, I find myself walking the streets of Forks, wondering what to do with myself. There's still a good two hours before dinner and ever since I saw Alex in that court house, I dread being in the same place he attacked me in.

I can still feel his fingers pressing hard on my wrists, but as shaken as I'm feeling right now, I know I should do something to distract myself.

So I decide to go to Starbucks for a cookie dough cake pop.

All the employees here know me pretty well because I come here almost every day. Today, Shy Ben is behind the cashier register. As soon as I walk in, he smiles and waves. Such a sweet guy.

I'm second in line and the person in front of me is nearly done, so I quickly take out my wallet. One minute the person in front of me leaves and then I'm face to face with Ben.

"One cake pop please," I say, shooting him a smile as I hand him my money.

Ben smiles back. "You're a cake pop addict," he teases.

I giggle. "Well, at least I–"

"Hey, Tessa," a familiar voice says. "You're looking hot today." And then I feel something smack my ass.

I whirl around to see Alex's best friend. "Go to hell, Devin," I snap.

He smirks. "Only if you go with me." Then he grabs my wrists. "If you give me a kiss, I'll leave you alone."

"I want you to stay still," he told me.

I squeeze my eyes shut. "Stop, Devin."

I hear him laugh. "Come on, babe, just one kiss."

I felt his hands on my waist...

Now I'm crying. "Please, Devin, st–"

Suddenly, I don't feel his hands on me anymore and when I open my eyes I see Jacob. He has one arm hooked around Devin's neck, his fist clenched as he pulls Devin away from me. He looks furious.

"Don't touch my girl, asshole," he growls. "Next time I see your hands on her, I'm going to kill you."

"Dude," Devin squeaks, teaching up to try to free himself. "What the–"

"Are you okay?" Jacob asks me, ignoring him.

"Yeah," I manage to whisper, completely forgetting about my cake pop.

Then a door slams and the manager comes running out. "Guys, don't do this in here."

I look back at Jacob. Devin's face is now bright red, and Jacob's pushing him into an empty booth, the manager trailing behind them.

I take a deep breath. "Bye," I call, and Jacob looks up and smiles.

"Bye," he says. "Be safe."

"Thanks, I'll try," I reply. Then I turn to Ben, who looks shocked at everything that's just happened. "Eat my cake pop for me," I tell him before slipping out the door.