Fresh Start (a Twilight fan-fiction)

CHAPTER 12:

I open my eyes slowly.
"Eve!" I hear a voice whisper hopefully. I look up tiredly at Jacob, my eyes squinting to get accustomed to the bright room I'm in. It's Carlisle's hospital room thing. I then suddenly notice the little bit of stubble growing on Jacob's face. I like it. A lot. I sigh and then whisper,
"What happened?"
"A stupid bloodsucker snuck into the house and attacked you." Jacob mumbles, and I can see him clench his fists in his lap with anger. I try to remember, but my brain feels stingy when I think about what happened after he grabbed my throat. I realize it's not important. I could've died. I feel tears drip down my face and Jacob wipes one away with his rough thumb. He looks down at me, the concerned expression on his face making my heart melt a little. Carlisle knocks softly before walking in. I smile and mumble,
"Jacob could you please give me and Carlisle some time? I'll call you when I feel better." He nods quite curtly before leaving, glaring at Carlisle almost accusingly, which irritates me but my head hurts too much to yell after him. Carlisle leans over the bed, feeling my forehead lightly. I smile at him and he smiles back slightly. I wipe away the stray tears slowly, embarrassed.
"How are you feeling?" He asks quietly, and I smile at his doctorly tone.
"Good," I sigh, and then shift to the side, feeling rather heavy. I can't feel my ribs, or anything for that matter, which probably means painkillers are in my system. Lots of them. "Did you catch the attacker?" I look up at Carlisle. He shakes his head slowly, looking disappointed.
"He was gone before I got in the room. Edward and Emmett are still out, trying to find his trail." I nod, wishing I had gotten a better look at his face. Strong jaw, and strong grip as all I can remember. I feel the sides of my neck lightly, instantly locating where there are bruises from his fingers. I must look like a train wreck, I think quite suddenly.
"Carlisle?" I ask, tentative. "Do you possibly have a mirror in here that I could look at?" Carlisle hesitates, then hands me a handheld one off of the counter. I look into it and flinch at the sight. Blue and purple bruises decorate the skin on my neck, and the right side of my face is swollen, with a bandage running from near my blackened eye to my cheek. I look at Carlisle with slight confusion.
"You needed a couple stitches." He explains and I nod.
"Will it scar..?"
"Most likely." He mumbles. I nod, feeling frustrated and angry. I look up at the only man that kept me from taking my last breath.
"I've never wanted anyone killed so bad." I say, feeling sick as the words roll off my tongue. Carlisle smiles.
"It's understandable." I nod before looking in the mirror once more, touching my black eye lightly.

"Alice, I'm fine." I sigh as Alice pesters me yet again about finally showering. I feel so greasy and gross. It's been three days. I need to shower or I will turn into a grease ball. I hadn't called Jacob yet, I think randomly, only feeling guilt for a second. He'll live. I however won't, unless I shower. Now.
"Here are your clean towels, I put them in the dryer for a couple minutes so they will be warm when you get out." She says, handing me a stack of fuzzy greyish blue towels, giving me another glaring look. "And don't forget your special body wash we bought."
"Alice," I whine, laughing. "It's in the bathroom already. C'mon, I'm taking a shower, not traveling to Europe." She gives me a look and I sigh, ready for anther rant.
"You were harmed while I was out of the house. You were-" she swallows before continuing. "Almost killed. I am not going to let any harm come to your ever again." I laugh before turning around and closing the door behind me. "Don't lock it! In case you fall!" Alice calls through the wooden door and I sigh, stripping down and stepping in. The cold water washes away the grease and grossness. I close my eyes, lulled by the refreshing water. As I let my mind wander, I feel the tight, unescapable grip of hands. Hands clenching around my throat, sharp breathing as the strong-jawed man throws me as if I weigh nothing. I gasp and open my eyes. Looking around, I shake my head and grab the shampoo bottle.
"Are you okay?" Alice calls worriedly and starts to open the door.
"Alice, I'm fine." I say irritably and squeeze some shampoo into my hand, scrubbing it into my hair. I hear the door close again and instantly my mind unwillingly wanders. Crushing grip. Pale, cold, stone-like hands. I refocus my eyes by blinking rapidly and step under the water again, rinsing out the shampoo and grabbing the conditioner, pouring some into my hands and then running my fingers through my hair with it to detangle my currently knotted mop of so called hair. As I let the rest wash out of my hair under the shower head, I lean my face lightly against the wall. Get it together or you'll lose it, I think, remembering the words my coach always said.

I wrap a towel around me and step out into the hall, surprised to not see Alice hovering there, and continue padding down the hall to my room. I shut the door behind me, then turn to face my bed, almost letting out a scream as I see Jacob laying there casually. In a brown and red flannel shirt with dark jeans. Damn, my mind thinks as my teenage hormones strike again.I clutch the towel tighter, instantly relieved I didn't drop it as soon as I got in the room.
"Jacob, what the hell? Don't scare me like that." I say angrily, walking past him and opening my wardrobe with a jerk.
"You seem okay." He states and I look at him in confusion.
"You seem random but continue. What am I okay about?" I ask, rolling my eyes as I yank my poofy housecoat Alice got me off the hanger. Turning my back to Jacob, I drape it over my shoulders, toss the towel off, and quickly do up the waist rope thing before turning to face him. He raises an eyebrow at me before replying,
"You seem fine and yet you didn't call me." I instantly sigh.
"What is this, ninth grade? Get over it. I was busy." I mumble, feeling the weary stress hit me from the last three days of hard medication and sleeping.
"Get over it." Jacob repeats and chuckles and I see the bitter smile on his face, recognizing it and feeling a rock in my stomach as I remember how harsh he can get. He looks up at me before standing up, walking over so he's staring down at me. I feel like I had just shrunk six inches.
"Jacob.." I say worriedly.
"I can't just get over it." He practically spits at me, his lip curling with anger. "You were almost killed. Almost nonexistent. Almost gone. And I was at home, not doing anything about it. Because I wasn't there." I suddenly feel fear dig at me, realizing how tall and muscular he was. A strong jaw like his comes into my mind and I flinch.
"What is your point, Wolfboy?" I say shakily, trying to clear my head.
"My point is that I wasn't there. I'm never there when this happens."
"One thing happens. You weren't there. Wow. You're not winning a Nobel Peace Price now." I say sarcastically, shaking my head in mock disappointment.
"It could've turned out worse." Jacob continues. "Or something else could've happened. I'm not letting that happen. I won't let that chance ever appear." The fear continues to gnaw at me as his tone gets more upset. I clench my hands into fists.
"What are you saying?" He looks at me, suddenly determined. I look at him expectantly.
"Get dressed. I know a place where there's stronger people, people more willing to protect you and not leave you home alone." He waits for only a beat before stating, "I want you to come live with me for a while."