*
A few days later, Sophie was laying in her bed, trying to catch her breath after a round of exercise. Her right hand was circled around her upper left arm, measuring the distance between her fingers once again. Her eyes fluttered every so often - she was tired from the activities over the past few days.
It had been two days since their adventure with the bikes. Despite the injury to Bella's head, she turned out completely fine and continued to hang out with Jacob and Sophie. He had been over for dinner both nights now, which encouraged Sophie to finish her meals.
It was overwhelming at times and caused Sophie to fit in a few minutes to work out.
The previous night, Bella had brought up the idea of Jacob joining her and her friends for a movie that Friday. Sophie encouraged the idea, knowing that Jacob's crush was only growing and that it'd be a good time to hang out together.
Which is why he insisted that she came as well. Sophie was ready to punch him, hoping that Bella would disagree.
Unfortunately for Sophie, she did not.
So now, Sophie was being forced to go to the movies with the two and some of Bella's friends from school. She knew that it would be awkward for her - Jessica Stanley wouldn't allow her to enjoy herself and Mike was a little weird in her opinion. Bella's other two friends - Eric and Angela - seemed the most decent out of the four but Sophie would've rather not dealt with any of them.
Her phone rang on her bedside table and she reached to grab it, putting it up to her ear when she did. "Hello?"
"Sophie?" Renee's voice echoed through the phone and a smile tugged on Sophie's lips.
"Hi mom." She sat up in bed, crossing her legs underneath her. It had been a couple of weeks since she'd last spoken to her mom.
"How are you, Soph? I haven't heard from you in a while." Renee was thrilled to hear from Sophie a few days after she returned from inpatient. They talked on the phone for hours that night, catching up on things that had happened over the past month.
"I'm okay." She told her. She was doing okay - while she did still worry about losing control and gaining weight, she wasn't struggling with finishing meals now. She felt that Jacob was helping her now as much as he was helping Bella. "How are things in Florida?"
"Fantastic as always." Sophie could almost hear the smile in her mom's voice. "You'll have to come down one day and visit, Sophie. I haven't seen you in forever."
"I know." She looked down at her blanket, pulling on a thread as she did. "I'll visit soon."
"You should!" Sophie heard a bit of commotion in the background and Renee sighed. "Phil just got home with dinner. I'll call you later, okay? I love you."
"Love you, Mom." Sophie told her. "Enjoy dinner."
The two finished their goodbyes and Sophie placed her phone back on the table as she crawled under the sheets, and closed her eyes.
*
Every one of Bella's friends except for Mike and Jacob cancelled on Bella the night of the movie. So, unfortunately for Sophie, she was still stuck standing in between the two boys, feeling very out of place.
"Are you even old enough to see this movie?" Mike asked Jacob, who narrowed his eyes at the older boy. "Without adult supervision?"
"She's buying my ticket." Jacob answered, clearly annoyed with the older boy. Sophie felt the same way.
"Oh right, yeah. Buying your ticket." His tone was mocking towards Jacob and Sophie could tell that this night was not going to end well.
Sophie rolled her eyes at the two boys, turning to Jacob as she did. She was huddled into his side, the cool February air making her shiver more than usual. Jacob was always so warm and Sophie felt much better next to him. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder, allowing his warmth to wash over her.
The movie was insanely boring. Sophie felt herself dozing off countless times, her head leaning onto Jacob's shoulder. He sighed heavily, just as bored of the movie as everyone else was. Sophie opened her eyes when she heard Mike leave, sharing a look with Jacob as they followed him out.
"What a marshmallow." Sophie laughed with Jacob as the three walked out.
"No joke." He chuckled, nudging Bella. "You know, you should really hold out for someone with a stronger stomach. Someone who laughs at the gore that makes weaker men vomit."
Sophie could tell exactly what Jake was doing and slowed her pace so him and Bella could walk together. She leaned against the wall away from them, giving them their own space. She saw Jacob reach for Bella's hand and sighed when she pulled it away.
She thought that after all these months and, with the progress her sister had been making, that the girl would be ready to pursue a relationship with her friend. She hated to see that she was wrong.
Mike came out of the bathroom soon enough, leaning against the same wall as Sophie as he looked at the three of them. "I think I'm going to head home. I'm... I was feeling sick before the movie, and now-"
Jacob was glaring at him harshly, causing Mike to pause. "What is your problem, man?"
"Right now?" Jake questioned, voice tight. "You're my problem. Feeling sick? Maybe you should go to the hospital."
Sophie's eyes widened at Jake's tone. It was silent for a moment, the air tense at the two stared at each other. Jacob pushed himself off the stairs, getting close to Mike. "Want me to put you in the hospital?"
"Jacob!" Sophie grabbed his arm, trying to pull him back to no avail. "Calm down, Jake."
"The movies over. What're you doing?" Bella added, looking at him with concern. Her eyes travelled to his arm and Bella sighed. "You're really hot, Jake. Are you okay?"
He was hotter than normal and Sophie could see that his breathing was increasing. "I don't know what's happening. I need to go home."
Sophie followed him out to his car, making sure he was okay to drive. "Call me when you get home, okay?"
He didn't.
Jacob didn't call her that night or the day after. Usually, the two made a point to contact each other once a day and Sophie was beginning to grow worried. Billy had told Bella and her that Jacob was sick with mono.
It didn't feel right. Jacob had been sick before and Sophie had been with him to help take care of him. He didn't ignore her when he was sick, ever.
Bella's nightmares were getting bad again. She called Jake at least once a day, trying to get ahold of him. It seemed like he was ignoring both of the Swan sisters.
Sophie sat on the couch a few days later, eating a bowl of popcorn as she watched her father and his friend, Harry Clearwater. There had been rumors of bears attacking hikers, so the two would be going out to investigate.
"We should be back around three." Charlie told her and Bella, who was sitting next to her.
"Be careful, Dad." Sophie warned him, eyeing the gun that was on his shoulder.
He nodded, glancing at the bowl that sat in her lap. "Always am."
"Those bears won't get the drop on me." Harry stuck his hands out in front of him. "My kung fu is strong."
The sisters laughed at him. Harry had been around for as long as Sophie could remember. She didn't see him often but she loved the man deeply.
After the two left, Bella leaned into Sophie. "I'm going to see Jacob today."
"He talked to you?" Sophie questioned, her brows furrowing as she did. A flash of hurt shot through her when she thought that Jake had contacted Bella first.
"No." Bella looked down. "But I don't believe he's sick. I want to see him."
"Bella." Sophie began to shake her head. "Maybe that's not the best idea."
"You want to, too. Just come with me."
Sophie stared into her sister's pleading eyes for a moment before eventually giving in. "Fine. Let's go."
Bella drove to La Push, both of the silent for the car ride. Sophie wasn't sure what Bella was hoping to accomplish with this - if Jacob hadn't contacted either of them, it was for a reason.
Sophie knew something was definitely wrong the moment they pulled up to the house. She noticed Jacob immediately, even through the pouring rain.
The rain made it hard to see him through the window but Sophie knew it was her friend. His once beautiful long hair was now chopped to his ears. He was shirtless, headed to the forest when they pulled up.
The two were out of the car quickly.
"Jacob!" Bella yelled. "Jake!"
Sophie nearly gasped when he turned. He looked so... different. It was clear he wasn't sick - he looked almost better than he had a few days ago. Sophie noticed a very familiar tattoo on his arm and her heart dropped when she realized. "Jacob."
"You cut your hair!" Bella yelled at him. "And-and got a tattoo? I thought you were too sick to come outside or even answer the phone when we call!."
"Go away." His voice was quiet as he spoke.
"What?"
"Go away." His voice was harder. "I don't want either of you here."
"What happened? What's wrong - Hey!" Bella grabbed his arm when he turned away. "Answer me!"
"It's all Sam's fault." Sophie's voice cracked when she spoke, feeling betrayed by her best friend.
"Sam's trying to help me." Jacob told her, his once warm eyes now cold. "Don't blame him. If you want someone to blame, blame those filthy bloodsuckers she loves so much."
"Blood-" Sophie frowned for a moment, before realizing that Jacob was referring to the Cullen family now. What did they have to do with anything? How did he even know about them?
"I don't know what you're talking about." Bella shook her head.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about. You've been lying to everyone... but you can't lie to me." He scoffed. "We can't be friends anymore."
Sophie held her breath, selfishly hoping he only meant Bella. But he looked between the both of them as he spoke and her heart broke again.
"Jake, I know I've been hurting you." Bella began to say. "It kills me. If you, I don't know, just give me time?"
Sophie hated that she was doing this to Jacob. Bella would never feel the same way for him and it wasn't right to lie to him. Jacob shook his head again. "It's not you."
"Really?" Bella exclaimed with a humorless laugh. "'It's not you, it's me,' right?"
"It is me." Jacob nodded. "I'm not good. I used to be but not anymore. Look, it doesn't even matter now."
"You can't break up with me." Bella shook her head when Sophie winced. "I mean, you're my best friend. You promised."
"I promised I wouldn't hurt you." Jacob told her. "This is me keeping my promise. Go home and don't come back. Or you're going to get hurt."
Bella stared at him for one more moment before scoffing and turning back to the truck. Sophie didn't follow her - she stayed in the rain, staring at her best friend with wet eyes.
"How could you?" She asked, her voice quiet. "You promised me that you would stay away from him."
"Sophie." Jacob shook his head, looking conflicted as he stared at her. "You don't understand."
"Then help me to! You're my best friend, Jake." She meant it, too. He was her best friend. They had done everything together since they were children and now he was pushing her away. She leaned on him during her hardest moments, so why wasn't he doing the same?
Tears streamed down her cheeks now, hot on her skin compared to the icy rain. "I need you. You need me and I can help you through this, just like you helped me. You're still helping me and God knows I need all the help I can get. Please Jacob."
Jacob stared at her, glancing at the wet clothes that now hugged her bony body. She was gaining weight again and he knew how hard that was on her. He knew she needed more help now than ever, but he knew he couldn't be the one to give it to her. Not now.
"Go home, Sophie."
With that, he turned, jogging off into the forest as he did. Sophie's heart cracked completely and she nearly collapsed. Bella was out of the car in a second, catching Sophie into her arms and holding her closely as she cried.
***
This chapter was kind of emotional for me to write lol
We're getting closer and closer to the end of New Moon though :)
Pleuvoirx
edited 6.21.2021