Chapter 7: Sticks and Stones

“Renesmee Carlie Cullen, do your parents know that you are out and about going for joyrides without even a permit!?! I knew that giving a teenager such a ridiculous car on top of giving it early was a horrible mistake!” I had never seen my Grandpa Charlie so furious. “I’m sorry grandpa- “Charlie, what’s the matter?” Jake had popped out of nowhere. “Well she is driving without her permit.” My grandfather yelled so loudly a vein popped out of his forehead. “Charlie, I brought her to the school parking lot so that she can practice, I just had to run in and use the bathroom that is why she is parked at the moment. She was so excited to drive her car I didn’t see the harm as long as I was with her. Don’t yell at her it’s my fault. It was completely my idea.” My grandfather and I both looked at Jacob with surprised expressions; I quickly recovered mine so that I wouldn’t blow our cover.”Yea grandpa, I’m sorry.” My grandfather’s face turned from purple to red and then back to normal. “I’m sorry Nessie, I just assumed...” He smiled at me slightly embarrassed. He gave me a gruff kiss on the cheek and then looked at Jacob very seriously. “You will be driving home, correct?” “Yes sir” he replied. “Ok then, tell your mother to call me Nessie.” With that he turned away and headed back to his cruiser. After he disappeared I took a deep breath and realized I was shaking. Jake noticed as well. “Are you ok?” He asked. “Why did you do that?” I asked him. “Do what” he asked innocently. “Why did you lie to a police officer for me?” He smiled warmly, “Nah, I didn’t lie to a police officer it’s only Charlie. If he would have known the truth he would have had a heart attack, I couldn’t let that happen.” I looked down suddenly ashamed and yet I didn’t know why. “So you should probably let me drive you home just in case he follows us.” I smiled wanly at him and stepped out of the car and over to the passenger side for the second time in under an hour. Once we had started driving I felt a little better. “Jake, why were you so rude to Nahuel and why did you storm off like that, what’s wrong?” His face hardened slightly and he didn’t answer. “I wasn’t trying to be rude I just had to get home I had forgotten that I promised to help my dad with something.”
“With what.” I challenged. “Look, let’s just drop it ok?” He snapped. His hands were trembling slightly and I let up I had been warned on numerous occasions by my father and mother to back off of him if he was angry. Terrible accidents can happen if you anger a werewolf and I didn’t want to enrage him. “Ok, fine. I’m sorry, I whispered. His voice softened a little,” It’s fine I’m sorry too it’s been kind of a weird a day for me, that’s all. “He said, “Yea, I know how that goes” I replied. He snorted. “Out with it Jacob,” I said suddenly brave due to my aggravation with him. He stopped the car and leaned over to face me,” Do you really want to know?” he asked me furiously. I again noticed how angry he was but I didn’t care this time. “Yes I want to know what is making you act like a total ass.” I yelled right back. He looked at me sadly, “Not like this he said, shaking his head. “I can’t tell you like this Nessie.” Now I was thoroughly confused. He started the car back up and drove me home staying silent the rest of the way. When we reached the driveway he got out of the car still silent. “Jake please talk to me, I have always told you everything.” He looked at me earnestly. “Ok, but you go first he said. “What is going on with you and that Nahuel guy?” I blushed “What kind of a question is that?” I demanded. “Do you like him Nessie?” I was shocked I had never discussed boys with Jacob before. “Um I guess, I don’t know Jake I barely know him.” His face fell a little. “Just be careful Nessie. You don’t know him. I don’t trust him one bit with you.” Now I saw what the problem was. Jacob has always been very protective of me, like an older brother. He was concerned about a strange guy being around me and was just looking out for me that was all. “Jake, I can take care of myself you know, I’m a big girl now.” He looked at me seriously. “Oh right you mean like how you almost hit that guy head on driving to the school or how your grandfather almost caught you in a huge lie that would have led him to some of the truths of your family? Yea you can handle this wonderfully” he muttered. “Were you following us?!” I hissed at him. “Yes I was Nessie. That’s what I do, I follow you and make sure that not a single hair on your head is harmed ever, I have done it from the time you were a baby.” He yelled back. “Well maybe you should stop! I snapped at him. I never asked you to take care of me Jacob, I don’t need you!” He stepped back as though I had slapped him. Wordlessly he turned away and brushed past my father who had come out to see what the problem was (like he didn’t already know word for word what was going through both of our minds). Jacob disappeared into the woods. I stood there in shock. We had never gotten into a fight about anything. “Are you alright?” My father asked. I was so sick of hearing that question. I just started to slump down as the tears forced their way out past the lump that was forming in my throat. My father caught me before I fell and held me as he stroked my hair “He will get over it Nessie” my father comforted. “That’s what I’m afraid of.” I choked out. He had never left me like that before; I had never seen such a hurt look on his face even worse I inflicted it. Would I ever see him again, or would he get over the loss of our friendship, would I lose my Jacob?