Paper Swan

○●○ Paper Swan ○●○

"C'mon Bells, we've had these plans for weeks. We can't bail on them. You promised you'd go." Charlie said crossing his arms. He was referring to our plans to spend Thanksgiving with the Blacks and the Clearwaters.

My promise to Jasper was going well, I hadn't seen Jacob yet. He hadn't made any effort to contact me anyway. That was more than a week ago. My father told me that he had gotten a little better, so I didn't know why he was ignoring me now. He had been calling me at least once a day before he got mono.

"Dad, I just really don't want to go, and I don't think that you should either." I shrugged. I didn't want my dad close to Jacob if he really was dangerous somehow. "Can't we spend Thanksgiving together, just us? I'll make a nice dinner."

"Bells, we already promised them. What's going on? Are you and Jacob fighting?" He questioned, the look on his face growing concerned.

"Well, he hasn't talked to me for weeks dad. Even if you have mono you can still pick up the phone. It's reminding me a lot of the Cullens, leaving without any real explanation." I whispered and tears perked at the corner of my eyes. I started to blink my eyes rapidly so they wouldn't fall.

"Bells.. How about we just go see them? If you are too uncomfortable then we can go home." Charlie offered, taking my hand and giving it a light squeeze.

"I just really don't want to go." I sighed.

"We made a promise, Bella. Please, just come with me." Charlie said, giving me a sad look. It killed me to see him this way. I said a silent apology to Jasper and nodded my head.

"There's my girl. Go get ready." He said with a small smile. Before going upstairs I ran outside quickly to check the mailbox. Jasper said that there was another letter on the way, but it hadn't come as of yet.

Today though, there was a small light blue envelope sitting in the back of our mailbox. I pulled it out, and sure enough my name was written on the front in Jasper's handwriting. It wasn't raining today, so I opened it on the spot.

Dearest Isabella,

I hope you are doing well. I haven't decided when I am coming to Forks, but I believe it should be relatively soon. I believe I should just be a little bit spontaneous, and deal with the consequences as they arise. Hopefully, I won't come to regret this decision.

I'm sure you are wondering about Jacob, and why I warned you to stay away from him, but it is not my secret to tell. Trust me when I say he is not human, and he is very dangerous. As a friend, I would recommend you stay away from him, and if you decide to visit him leave immediately if he becomes provoked. That goes for Charlie too. I don't want either of you hurt.

In your last letter you asked me how I was writing these letters without Alice's knowledge. Well, by keeping my decisions sporadic and quick, she tends to overlook me more easily. It also helps that she is currently trying to monitor everyone's futures, so she misses things. It doesn't bring me joy to deceive her like this, but she is very loyal to Edward and she wouldn't approve of my letters.

Sincerely yours,

Jasper

P.S. The Quileute library has a great selection. Have you ever read their ancient legends? They are rather interesting. I thought you might like some new reading material.

I smiled as I read over his letter. I was ecstatic that he would be coming to visit. I went to put the letter back in the envelope, and something small and white fell out. I picked it up and observed the small piece of paper that had fallen out. It was an origami swan. The paper was folded perfectly, and the design was simple yet beautiful. I couldn't imagine Jasper's large hands creating anything so delicate, given I didn't know him very well.

I carefully flattened the swan and put it snugly in my pocket. I went back inside to get ready. I pulled on a cream sweater and some jeans, slipping the small paper swan in my front pocket. I didn't want to be late, so I decided to write to Jasper after I visited the Blacks.

"Ready to go?" Charlie asked me. I nodded my head. We went outside and got into his cruiser, much to my chagrin.

I stared out the window and watched the forest flash by. I couldn't tell if I was looking forward to this or not. We parked the car, and I got out as quickly as I could. Jacob was in the doorway... shirtless, with a haircut and a tattoo. He started walking towards the woods as soon as I stepped onto the porch.

"Hey Jake! I haven't seen you for a long time. What's up?" I questioned. He continued to walk, not even bothering to turn around.

"Nothing's up." He grumbled. His voice was harsh, and rough. He wasn't the Jake I knew, he was different. Charlie sighed and went inside.

"Jake, it would be nice if you would turn around so we can have a conversation." I said. Why was he being so cold? He usually followed me around with a large happy smile whenever I was in his presence. This was strange.

"It would be nice if we never had to have a conversation." He stated.

"What the hell has gotten into you Jake? Why are you being such a jerk?" I yelled. His shoulders tensed, but he didn't turn around. His fists were clenched tightly. Other shirtless guys sprinted out of the forest, and started to calm Jake down.

"Bella, go away. You shouldn't be around us." Jake whispered, but his voice was still full of fury.

"Why Jake?" I took a step closer and tried to put a hand on his shoulder, but one of his friends blocked my path.

"Listen Jacob, I know you're something dangerous, but I don't understand why we can't still at least be friends." I mumbled. All of the shirtless men's faces became furious.

"Jake you told her!" The tallest one snapped.

"No!" Jake yelled.

"How does she know then?" He shouted. They all started yelling, and arguing. I couldn't understand what was going on.

"Enough!" The most intimidating one yelled. They all shut up immediately. He walked up to me his deep brown eyes staring me down.

"Where did you hear this?" He asked seriously.

"I-I.. I can't remember, m-must have been a dream." I stuttered. His eyes narrowed at me.

"Do not try to lie to me, Bella." He snapped. "Who told you?"

"I don't know!" I yelled in a panic. I wasn't going to get Jasper in trouble with them. I reached into my pocket and pulled out the small folded swan. It somehow calmed me down.

"She smells like them." A shorter one whispered to the large intimidating one.

"Did they tell you?" Jacob snapped.

"No! I don't know what you mean!" I blurted. They all glared at me. Jacob walked up to me, and noticed the small white swan in my hand. He snatched it away, and held it close to his face. He scrunched his nose at it like it was repulsive.

"Give it back!" I yelled. It was the only thing I had left from the Cullens, and I wasn't going to lose it.

"So you've been talking to the bloodsuckers. Even after they abandoned you like that! You forgive them, and now they are sharing secrets with you!" Jacob scoffed. He tore up the small swan still in his fingers into tiny pieces. It all blew away in the wind. I looked at him in shock. How could he be so cruel? How did he know about the Cullens secret? Why was he acting like this?

Tears came to my eyes, as I stared at them. What had happened? Why would he do something like that to me?

"Tell no one." The most intimidating one growled.

They all sprinted into the forest, dragging Jake away from me and leaving me alone on the porch. I rubbed the tears from out of my eyes, and went inside to meet my dad.

"Hey Bells. You okay? We heard yelling." He questioned.

"Yeah dad. It's fine." I mumbled. He looked at me with concern, but didn't ask anymore questions. I ate in silence. I didn't feel like talking. Jacob and his friends didn't return to have dinner. For that, I was grateful. I had met the Clearwaters a few times, Mr. Clearwater and his son, Seth, talked the most. The girl, Leah, kind of got on my nerves with her constant complaints.

Once we had finished our meals, they started watching a football game on T.V. that I took no interest in. I watched as the rain started to fall out the window. Soaking the small white pieces of paper that once used to be a delicate paper swan.

Why would Jake do this? I felt alone again. I thought that Jacob was my friend, but something had changed. Where was my Jake?