Everything Has Changed

Prolog

Jake walked half-way home when he first saw Sam, standing a small distance away within the trees. The older man looked to be expecting Jake, like he had heard him coming. His eyes narrowed thoughtfully as he silently measured the teenager from afar.

Yes, I keep growing, get over it, Jake thought to himself.

Sam took a couple of steps forward and opened his mouth like he was going to say something, however the glare that was plastered to Jake's face seemed to make him change his mind.

Jake picked up the pace, deciding that maybe a run home would do him some good. When he entered his house, Billy sat in his wheelchair inside the living room. Jake must've had the irritation clearly written on his face.

"Hey Son, bad day today?" Billy asked.

"Not the whole day, just the return home. There is something about Sam that just irritates."

"Why is that?"

"Well, on some days he just seems like he thinks he is better than everyone else. Then on other days it seems like he watches me like he knows my next move even before I do. It's creepy as hell and I don't like it!" Jake marched to his room to place his backpack down and to be able to breathe normally again. He heard his father's chair following him down the hall.

"It's nothing you need to worry about now, Jacob. In a few years if you don't . . . well, I'll explain later." Billy grimaced like he wanted to say more, but it wasn't the right time.

"Well, whatever Dad." It wasn't really his father he was angry at, needing some time to himself. "I've got homework that will keep me in here the rest of the evening. Let me know if you need me for anything."

It was third period before Jake realized that he had not really looked at anyone in the eyes, not even Quil who sat right next to him. Suddenly he felt the sharp corner of a piece of paper poking into his rib.

"Ouch," Jake whispered, giving Quil an irritated look.

"Just take it."

"What is this third grade?"

"Yes, now check yes, or no."

Jake had to stifle the chuckle as he opened the note.

Did you see Embry is here?

What? How did I miss that Embry was back?

No. Jake scrawled back.

Quil nodded his head to the back right corner and Jake felt like his eyes were going to pop out of his head.

Embry barely looked like the same guy, wearing a t-shirt that stretched to the max over his massive chest. He wore a pair of cut off jean shorts and tennis shoes, but no socks, and he made the desk look like doll furniture. Jake had to admit that the desks were annoying and wondered if he got much bigger if he was going to fit.

As soon as the bell rang Jake jumped to his feet and walked right up to Embry.

"Hey, man."

"Hey," Embry said and picked up his book and quickly walked out.

"What's the hurry?"

"I can't talk to you," Embry replied.

"Embry, I'm your best friend. What is going on?"

"Just drop it, Jake." He scowled.

"What, are you afraid Sam might see you talking to me?" Jake taunted.

"It's none of your business. Just leave me alone, Jacob." He turned his back to Jake and walked out the emergency-exit door.

Jacob, I had not been "Jacob" to him in years. All his friends called him Jake.

Embry's reaction made him angry so Jake almost followed him out.

Instead, he felt a hand grab his shoulder. "That is not a good idea. I'll handle it," Paul said with a mean scowl on his face.

"Why? As of a week ago you barely knew each other," Jacob challenged as confusion, hurt and anger mixed together to form a dangerous combination.

"Well, things change," Paul said. "I'm sure you will figure that out for yourself." He mumbled in such a low voice, Jake didn't think he was supposed to hear.

"What does that mean?" Jake asked, feeling furious.

"It's nothing for you to worry about now." With that Paul went out the same exit door running to the woods nearby. Those were the same words that Jake's father had said to him last time he had tried to talk to him and it fueled the burning inside of his chest.

The storm outside continued to rage throughout the day and Jake's irritation continued to fester. He returned home in the exact same condition he arrived at school, soaking wet and crabby. He walked in the door, slamming it behind him.

"Hey Son, we've only got the one door, lets keep it that way."

"Bite me!"

"Now come on, what's going on?"

"My life sucks," Jake said as he went to his room, throwing his backpack on the floor.

Billy rolled down the hall following him. "Don't you think that you are being a little dramatic."

"No."

"You know you can tell me anything right," Billy paused. "Is it something with Bella?"

"No, Bella is the only good thing in my life right now." Jake took a deep breath, he never liked to fight with his dad. "It's Embry. He returned to school, but whatever the hell Sam did to him it seemed to have fried his brain."

"It's not Sam," Billy countered.

"Don't you dare defend Sam to me!" Jake yelled. "Not only does he have to creep the living daylights out of me, but he has to warp the mind of my friend." Jake walked to the other side of his room, needing some distance. "You can't tell me Sam has nothing to do with this, Embry has not left his side in days." Jake knew that he shouldn't be taking his frustration out on his dad, but Billy wasn't exactly helping himself either.

Billy looked down with hurt in his eyes. Jake could tell that there was more to it, but he didn't know why his father couldn't tell him. "Look Dad, you let me know when you can tell me what's really going on, until then I'm going for a walk."

It seemed in record time Bella arrived at Jake's house and he quickly loaded the bikes into her truck. They were on the road heading to a secluded portion of the beach where he knew it would be safe and in no danger of Charlie finding out. Jake was in his own little world, telling Bella about the finishing touches to her bike, when suddenly Bella slammed on the break and screamed "No!"

Jake seriously thought he was going to have a heart attack. "What's wrong?"

"That guy—he just jumped off the cliff! Why didn't they stop him? We've got to call an ambulance!" She threw open her door and bolted out of the truck.

Jake felt so relieved that a nervous laugh spilled out of his mouth, which clearly she did not appreciate. "They're just cliff diving, Bella. Recreation. La Push doesn't have a mall, you know." He looked over at the cliff and immediately could tell who the people were.

It bothered Jake that Sam could irritate him without even trying nowadays and told her about Sam's gang as they got back in the truck and started towards the beach. Even with Bella, Jake could feel the anger rising in his chest, it was a small burning sensation almost like heartburn. Today was not a good day to be sick and Jake clenched his fists trying to control his emotions.

Jake made himself pay attention until they came to a stop. Jake went around to the back to unload the bikes. He wanted to move past Sam and the issues he had with him. He lifted her red bike out and leaned it towards her.

"Happy late birthday. Are you ready for this?"

"I think so," she said with fear in her eyes.

"We'll take it slow," Jake promised. He walked back to the truck and lowered his own large black one out and leaned it against the fender.

"Jake . . ."

"Yeah?"

"What's really bothering you? About the Sam thing, I mean? Is there something else?"

Jake grimaced, he wasn't angry, but it felt awkward to talk about. So he took a deep breath, sighed and then Jake just couldn't figure out how to shut up. He told her all about how Sam was treating him, and even how he missed Embry and was hurt that his friend seemed to be ignoring him. Despite Jake's rambling he could tell that she took his concerns seriously. It was amazing, like she really understood the struggles he had with Sam, Embry and 'the gang'. It was so meaningful to him that Jake could feel himself start to cry.

He desperately did not want to cry in front of Bella. And suddenly her arms were wrapped around his waist. "Oh, Jake, it'll be okay!" She promised. "If it gets worse, you can come live with me and Charlie. Don't be scared, we'll think of something!"

Holy cow! Did Bella just suggest that I move in with her? Jake felt so shocked he couldn't move to save his life. Then slowly his brain remembered how to move his arms and he wrapped his arms around her. "Thanks, Bella."

Soon Bella arrived, and to his surprise had a new map with her, and what looked like brand new hiking boots. Jake grabbed the map and immediately started drawing the grid pattern, the last thing he needed was for them to get lost in the woods. It was supposed to be their safer activity, and he planned to make sure it stayed that way. It didn't take long and soon they were ready to go.

They walked to the truck and Jake felt excited to be doing something new with Bella. It seemed like no time at all and she stopped her truck. There was a clearly marked trail not far and Jake naturally assumed that would be where they would start from and found the location on his map.

"I went this way," she murmured, pointing directly in front of where they had parked.

"Hmm," well that was certainly surprising.

"What?"

Jake looked over at the trail and back. "I would have figured you for a trail kind of girl."

"Not me." She smiled, "I'm a rebel."

Jake laughed and readjusted my map and made sure the compass needle lined up perfectly. Embry and Jake each received compasses for their 12th birthdays and spent the next several months exploring. Once Jake even made a map for him, that was supposed to lead them to hidden treasure, but really just ended up at an old pond.

It was really pleasant walking with Bella. The ground crunched loudly under their feet from leaves and rocks, and the greenery of the Fir and Pine trees added to the woodsy look and smell. It was beautiful around here, and Jake appreciated the wildlife that surrounded them as well.

"Hey . . . Jake? She asked hesitantly.

"Yeah?" He questioned not really sure where she was going with this.

"How are things . . . with Embry? Is he back to normal yet?"

Embry was a rough spot for him and Jake didn't know what to say. So he paused and let her catch up.

"No. He's not back to normal," Jake couldn't keep the frown off his face.

"Still with Sam."

"Yep." He remembered the last time she had asked him about this and how she had suddenly wrapped her arms around his waist. It wasn't the same, but felt like he needed some physical contact so Jake wrapped one arm around her shoulder.

"Are they still looking at you funny?" she half-whispered.

"Sometimes," Jake answered, while avoiding eye contact with her. She was hitting all the areas that he currently struggled with and tried not to think about.

"And Billy?"

"As helpful as ever." Jake just couldn't figure out why Billy was being so evasive with him.

"Our couch is always open," she offered.

This was the second time she had offered for Jake to come stay with her. It made him wonder if maybe she was thinking about the amazing hug they had shared. The thought seemed to break him out of the gloom he had been in and he laughed. "But think of the position that would put Charlie in when Billy calls the police to report my kidnapping."

She laughed as well and his legs remembered how to move so they started walking. At six miles they headed west and started down another of his grid lines. The terrain was not the easiest to walk in, they had to go around trees and rocks, and Jake would offer his hand to help Bella over large fallen trees. She would smile in appreciation and Jake felt a little disappointment each time her tiny hand left his.

Author's Note: Jacob and Emily, an odd pairing right? LOL, I was inspired by the pair when I wrote Jacob's NM and Bella's Sun, I felt like Jacob and Emily have a beautiful friendship. I have always secretly wondered if there could be more there. So this is my challenge to myself to see if I can make it happen. :)

Obviously this is a complicated story and when I wrote it, I wasn't sure where it would go, but it is now finished and I'm very pleased with how it turned out. I hope you enjoy it as well. I am also a published author with my first original work launching August 2nd. It is called Poisoned, and can be found on Amazon or my website JJLiniger dot com.

Thanks,

JJ