87Okay. Deep breaths.
It's time. Time for her to choose. This could be the end.
It's definitely the end for someone. But who?
Bella's POV
What was happening?
I was sure I was awake, because Jake sat next to me, his heat reaching me. I could feel the light breeze from my open window. I felt tired, and you never feel tired in a dream. I was definitely awake.
Then again, Edward was standing there, in my room. Edward Cullen. Not only was he there, he was saying he loved me. Loved me? Edward Cullen did not love me, I knew this. So what was he saying? Clearly I was dreaming.
But how could I be awake and asleep simultaneously?
I turned my head from Edward to Jacob, trying to process.
Then a particularly large gust of wind came through the window, really wakening me.
That's when it hit me.
I looked at Edward's pleading face, then Jacob's hopeless expression. They were waiting for me to choose.
Now? How could I choose now?
It shouldn't even be a choice, right? I had chosen Jacob weeks ago. But…that had been when Edward was gone, only a far-off dream. Now that he was here, in my room, it changed things. Didn't it?
I was so confused. Why now? It was…I looked at my clock. Near five AM! I'm making a life-altering decision before the sun has risen!
"I don't…" My voice was unsteady. "Now?" I asked.
Edward stepped forward quickly. Jacob tensed. "Of course, you don't have to choose now," Edward said. "You can take time, that's fine."
Then, to my surprise, Jacob spoke up. "No," He said, in a very wolf-like growl. "I think she should choose now."
I was speechless. I couldn't believe it, but it looked like I was going to have to do this. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.
Edward…oh, Edward. He was my first love. The person I would always compare to my Romeo. He seemed like the perfect man. My dream boy. Where would I be without him? Safer, perhaps, but that wouldn't be worth it. He would always represent my forever. He had been my chance to get everlasting love. Why would I give that up?
Well…he had given me up. No surprise, really. Why would someone so perfect want me? Even as an immortal, I couldn't measure up to him. Could I live like that? Could I die like that? With someone who always put us out of balance?
And then there was that chance he would change his mind again. He'd love someone else, someone more perfect. Or he'd simply get bored with me. Where would that leave me?
And then, Jacob. My personal sun. He had protected me when no one else would. He had brought me back to life. He was my best friend, and now he was more than that. He loved me, and he always would. I was sure of that.
But he had lied to me. He had kept that information, vital to me, hidden. How could he not tell me Alice was here?
And then, I had a burst of intuition. I don't know where it came from. Suddenly, I saw things Jacob's point of view.
To Jake, the Cullens had left me. And they had left me a zombie. I knew it wasn't their fault, but how could Jacob? And perhaps, to him, Alice meant Edward. If I got in touch with one of them, I would go back to all of them. It was illogical, but I could understand why Jacob might have thought that. He had only lied because he cared about me.
And then I realized that that made the choice clear. Still extremely difficult; but clear.
Edward was unstable, unattainable. He might be there one day, and gone the next.
Jacob was forever…a different forever. A human forever. He would never stop loving me, even after we died. And the small fight we were in now didn't make a difference. He would always look out for me.
"I…" I began. I tried to figure out how to word this. "I love you both. So much. Without you…I don't know. But you're my favorite two people in the world."
They were both staring at me. I gulped and went on.
"But…I can't choose someone who won't stay by me."
They both looked hopeful. I needed to elaborate.
"I need someone…who will never leave me. And who never has."
Then I turned and buried my face in Jacob's shoulder. He hugged me.
But he couldn't protect me from the sound Edward made. I couldn't describe it-but I hope you never have to hear such a sound. It was feral-a sound of pure pain. I couldn't bring myself to look up at his face.
After a moment, Edward spoke.
"That's fair, though it wasn't my desired outcome. Bella, I-I'll leave now. I won't come back. And just know…I won't forget you."
Then I heard the slightest of creaks, and I knew Edward was gone. I began to cry, and Jacob rubbed my back.
"It's over," He said. "Don't worry. It's all over."
And I knew he was right.
Well..is it really any surprise?
I mean, come on. It's a pro-Jacob story.
But, anyway...what'd you think? Review, please!
"Are you a friend of Connor's?"
"Yeah, I'm the one he fake made out with at the Comedy Sportz show."
"Oh! That's how I know you!"
One more chapter. It'll be a good one, I promise.
Love, Jenna