Chapter Five: Friendship, a wonderful thing

-Bella's Perspective

Today has been interesting to say the least. I thought that having wolves as bodyguards would be bad but so far it's gone smoothly with the exception of the parking lot incident. Right now its lunch time and everyone within Fork's high school is looking in awe at Leah and my protection detail. The girls are ogling Seth, Leon, Mark, Toby and Terrance while Mike and every other man was drooling over Leah, Tara, Maria, and Lizbeth. Well at least he won't drool over me anymore.

As everyone around me talked my mind wandered off to Jacob, my Jacob and the friendship that's changed my life; the friendship that saved my life.

I can feel the change he's made. We've grown so close; together we have an amazing understanding of each other. It was inevitable that I'd fall for Jacob, he's my natural path, I know that if I'd never meet Edward it would have been Jacob my heart went to. It scares me to come to such a wonderful conclusion, but it also scares me to realize that I could have wasted my life if I stayed with Edward. My friendship with Jake is different, it's like the sun, and it is nice to bask in its warm glory. The more time I spent together with Jacob, the closer I come to being able to tell him, 'I love you'. One day soon when all this vampire nonsense and I'm good and ready I'll tell him.

The hole in my chest is almost gone, almost completely healed, but the last bit is still there slowly stitching itself back together. Jacob put me back together; he's too good to me and I desperately want to show him my love. I remember when I had nightmares and how Jake made them fade, I remember the bonfires I went to over the summer, and I also remember the warm loving embrace Jacob gives me. When he holds me I feel as though nothing can go wrong; Jake is a gift, some power greater than I made him just for me. I know I'm selfish to think in such a manner but some part of me wants to keep Jake all to herself and not share.

I have a feeling that if given the opportunity, I'd steal Jake away and disappear into some hidden part of the world. I felt myself smile. I don't need to worry about something like that; Jake promised me he would never leave me, and I believe him. I trusted Jacob with my life and heart.

"Yo Swan" said Leah snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Oh sorry guys anything you need?" I asked.

"Ah Miss B. like your friend Angela just ran out crying" said Lizbeth in her thick Spanish accent.

"Seem like Mister Chang just dumped her" said Tara darkly as she glared at Ben.

"Oh no" I said standing up, "come on girls. I better go help her, lord knows I owe Angela, and Jessica and Lauren aren't going to be any help".

I got up and looked at the boys, "Will you guys be okay here?" I asked trying to see there reactions and glancing at the Cullen's.

"It's alright ma'am" said Leon: he is the most polite werewolf I've ever meet, "Seth here and me got some cards to keep us busy".

"Take as long as you need to B" said Terrace.

Mark and Toby just nodded there approval and so we were off. I led the way to the nearest girls' bathroom as I exited through the swinging cafeteria doors.

"Ah, the girl's bathroom a safe heaven for every heart broken girl" said Maria as Leah entered first while I entered second.

As I entered the bathroom I heard delicate sobs coming from the corner of the room. Angela stood in front of a mirror with her head in her hands as tears flowed freely. It hurts to see someone as kind and gentle as Angela in such a state. She looks like a distressed angle crying over the loss of some holy treasure.

"Bendito, poor thing" whispered Lizbeth.

"Ang?" I asked as I approached her.

"Oh Bella!" said Angela as she looked up at me, "I'm so sorry you shouldn't see me like this" she sobbed, hiccupping a little.

"What happened Ang?" Angela was one of the most level headed people I know, but she is also the most sensitive, her soul to kind for this harsh world.

"Ben….he broke up with me" said Angela as she began crying harder than before.

They were perfect together and seemed so in love. Ahh, but I know how easy it is to be deceived, wasn't I deceived by Edward and his family?

"Did he give a reason?" I asked while pushing my thoughts back.

"He said that … he doesn't want me …holding him back …when he goes off to college. I thought he was going to the local college like I am, but he's not." she was sobbing uncontrollably now.

Before I even knew it I was hugging Angela to me, her arms snaked around me and her head found its place and the base of my collarbone. Angela was now leaning on me for support, the harshness of Ben's words too much for her spirit to handle and I'm pretty sure she feel like crap.

"Ang, your coming with me" I said.

"Alright" she said sadly as she let go of me and whipped her tears away.

"Will take her to Emily's" said Leah from behind me, "I'm sure watching the guys be idiots will cheer her up".

"It always makes me feel better" said Maria shyly.

"Oh how rude of me" said Angela in a whisper, "I'm Angela Webber, sorry for not introducing myself".

"Huh, polite and smart" said Leah with a smirk, "I like you already".

-Break

School ended without incident, the only thing that upset me was the Edward looking at me; his eyes sad and angry. I felt bad for him but he chose this path and I chose mine but right now I need to help my friend. Leah and the others drove my truck to Emily's while I drove behind them in Angela's car. Thank fully we'd just gotten here and Leah and the others were undoubtedly going to stuff their faces with Emily's food.

I parked Angela's car close to my truck and got out with Angela following me quietly.

"Thank you so much for all this, Bella" said Angela quietly, "I don't want to bother you probably have enough on your plate with Edward back".

"It's ok, Ang, I don't mind helping you" I smiled at her trying to put her at ease.

"Yeah its just that you went through so much because of him". I saw Angela look down, she probably thinks that I'll freak out over Edward like I used to.

"Ang, look at me" I said seriously, "I didn't handle Edward leaving me. I built my world around him and that wasn't healthy, so don't you think that my mistakes are a hindrance to our friendship. Lord knows you've been a better friend than I deserve".

I looked up at her tear stained face and saw her smile at me; somewhere deep inside, it felt good to say that.

"Come on, lets introduce you to Emily" I said.

"Ok" she said, "her voice timid and shy.

-Break (Emily's perspective)

I looked at Seth and Leah walk in with smiles on their faces. Leon, Terrance, Toby and Mark walked in arguing with Tara, Lizbeth, and Maria about this and that. It's hard for me to believe that just days ago the pack was only a group of ten but now they are a group of seventeen. I love the boys but I always felt alone, I'm a girl and their all boys who have nothing in common with me but that all changed thanks to one person.

Speak of the devil. Bella Swan, official wolf girl, walked through my door.

I never thought I'd make a friend with Bella but I'm glad I did. When Jacob brought her here I didn't feel so alone anymore. It wasn't easy to get to know Bella, her past with the cold ones had damaged her heart but Jacob had begun to heal her. It's nice to have Bella to talk to, help me cook for the boys, have her help me better connect with Jared's imprint Kim, and even help me reconnect with Leah. Bella doesn't know and may not think it but she's been an amazing friend to me.

"Hey Emily" said Bella as I noticed a girl I didn't recognize.

"Hello Bella" I said smiling at her, "I see you've brought company to our happy home".

"Yeah" said Bella with a blush, "Ang is going through a rough patch. I though I'd bring her here, coming to the rez always helps me".

I put my hand forward to shake the girl's hand, "I'm Emily".

"Hello ma'am" said the girl, "I'm Angela, Angela Webber". I saw her look at me and surprisingly she didn't flinch because of my scars.

I sized her up. Angela is a few inches taller than Bella, with dark hair and eyes. She is slender and has a delicate grace about her. I have no doubt her personality matches her physical appearance. Through her eyes I see a kind and gentle soul in pain. I can see why Bella brought her here; she's undoubtedly hoping the pack can help her. I don't know why but I find myself wanting to make her feel better.

Leah and the other girls came to the small kitchen counter and each plopped down onto a stool. I pulled out my own stool, made by Sam, and sat across from Bella and the girls. I noticed as the boys exited through the front door without a sound.

"So, what happened?" I asked, watching Angela.

"I don't know. Everything was great! We had talked about going to college next fall together, because we didn't want to be apart from each other. We had talked about getting married after college and everything. Then he just started acting weird one day. I thought he was just anxious about it being senior year, but about a week went by like this, and today he sat me down and told me that he didn't want to be a couple anymore. He said that he was going away to college rather than staying here" said Angela as tears began falling down her face.

Bella looked at me with a panicked eyes, she is undoubtedly at a loss for how to console her friend.

-Break (Bella's Perspective)

I turned to Emily hoping she can help me console poor Angela.

"Wow, that sounds familiar" said Leah with anger in my voice.

Oh god, how could I forget get about Emily and Leah. What was I thinking brining her here with this type of problem. Oh right I was thinking that if Jacob and the pack helped fix me maybe they could help Angela.

"Has this happened to you?" asked Angela looking at me then Leah.

"It was similar," said Leah, "things were great, then poof! He left" said Leah sadness coloring her voice.

"Guys suck" said Lizbeth.

Not all of them do and instantly my mind wandered to Jacob Thinking about Jacob I felt myself blush, remembering everything he's done for me.

"What do you think B" said Tara with a questioning look.

"Not all guys are bad, I know Jacob isn't" I said, gauging their reaction.

Emily failed to hold bad her giggles, Maria winked at me, Leah chuckled, Lizbeth made kissing noises, and Tara was just full on laughing.

"Of course you wouldn't think like that about Jay" said Tara.

"Jacob…..he's the one we met last year when we all went to First Beach, right?" asked Angela.

"Yep, that's him. He and guys are a lot of fun," said Maria, "and if anyone can cheer you up, its them".

"Ohhh, he's cute! I totally remember him now. He showed up at Prom, right" said Angela.

"Sure did" I laughed, remembering his awkwardness that night.

"Anything going on between you two?" asked Angela looking at me with a shy smile.

"Oh there's a lot going on between Bella and Jacob" said Leah.

"It's …not like that" I replied, "Jake is a good friend, he understands me better than I do myself and his friendship is one of the most important things I have".

"Seems like you've been thinking this over a lot" said Angela with a smile.

"I have" I said blushing, "I know I feel something for Jake. Part of me is so happy that someone like Jake is in my life, however, part of me is afraid something bad will happen to me and Jake"

"Have you gone on a date?" asked Angela smiling at me. I felt my face grow hot as I began blushing, again.

"No" I whispered, looking down at my hands, "I want to but I need to deal with some things first".

"What things are in the way" said Leah while giving me her no nonsense glare.

"Edward" I sighed at the mention of his name.

I looked at Emily and saw face get serious, I've seen that look, looks like I'm getting a serious talking to.

"Isabella Swan look at me this instant" said Emily making us all look at her, "Are you holding yourself back because of the Cullen's?"

"What Em-" I began but was cut off.

"Don't you dare try to lie to me Bella Swan" said Emily firmly causing me to blush in shame, "Now you tell me the truth this instant. You are my friend and I won't have you basing your choices on someone else's feelings. Now the truth Bella".

"Yes Emily" I said, "I don't want to hurt them". Voicing out those thoughts I realize how foolish it sounds to try to sooth the Cullen's pain by holding myself back.

"Bella" said Emily gently, "don't do this to yourself. Don't try to be the kind soul for them, you are only hurting them, maybe us, and most of all you hurt yourself".

I looked at Emily and smiled, how lucky am to have such an amazing friend. Friendship, what a wonderful thing to share with such an amazing person as Emily, Leah, Angela, Tara, Lizbeth, and Maria. I guess Jake isn't my only true friend but he is my best friend.