10

A/NUmmm.. hi guys.Been a minute.Oops?—————————————————————————*＊✿❀❀✿＊*Chapter Ten: Reunion *＊✿❀❀✿＊*

"I went to see Jake today."

Jules immediately put down her homework and turned to face her sister, making note of her downtrodden facial expression. Despite knowing, she still had to ask, "what happened?"

Bella moved to sit on the edge of Jules' bed, the girl making more room for her sister, and sighed. "I was just tired, you know? Tired of him not picking up. And, by God, am I glad I went because.. he's evidently not sick, Ju."

"What?" Jules feigned confusion. "But Billy said.."

"Billy lied," Bella said determinedly, as if she knew the truth but Jules knew she didn't as there was no way that Sam wouldn't have told her if Bella found out about the Shifters. "Or maybe he was sick at first, I don't know.." she immediately backed tracked, and Jules sighed inwardly with relief. Bella had no idea. Yet. "But he's definitely not sick anymore."

"H-how is he?" Jules didn't even have to feign the concern in her voice — Sam hadn't let her see him yet.

"Different," was Bella's answer. "He looks like them. Cut all his hair off, got that stupid tattoo that apparently every one of those boys have." Without warning, Bella grabbed onto her sister's hands and forced her to look her in the eyes. "I know you don't wanna hear it, but"

"Don't you dare," Jules scoffed and ripped her hands away, rolling her eyes. "Sam is not a bad person."

"Open your eyes, Juliana!" Bella exclaimed frustratedly. "Only last week, Jake despised Sam and all of a sudden, it's like he looks up to him. That's not normal, Jules."

"What did Jake say to you?" Jules asked. "Specifically?"

"He told me to 'go away'. Said that Sam's trying to help him, whatever that means," Bella grumbled. "He knows, Jules."

"Knows what?" Jules asked.

"About the Cullens," Bella answered and Jules' heart rate spiked. "I don't know how, but.. it must be something to do with"

"Must it?" Jules sighed exasperatedly. "Everyone in town knew there was something up with the Cullens. Is it so far-fetched for people to have theories?"

"Why are you so defensive?" Bella suddenly asked. "Only last year, you literally told him to 'get fucked' because he told you what he is."

"Because I didn't like what that meant for me!" Jules exclaimed. "You were willing to leave me behind for a guy you'd known for, what, seven months? Of course I didn't want to believe it!"

"I bet you've loved these last few months, haven't you?" Bella snapped. "Him not here?"

"How can you even say that?!" Jules exclaimed again, frustrated with her sister. "These last few months have been fucking horrendous, Bell. You fell into a pit when he left. I thought you were never gonna crawl out. I thought you were never gonna open up again. Especially not to me." Jules took a deep breath to calm down as she grabbed her twin's hands. "I really missed you, Belly. I hated every minute of it."

"At least you had Sam," Bella rolled her eyes.

"Bells, I was miserable without you!" Jules tried. "You can even ask Sam. I was awful to him, to everyone, for months."

"And you're making that my fault?" Bella scoffed. "In case you need a reminder, Jules, he left me. He packed up and left me."

"Do not put words in my mouth, Bella," Jules rolled her eyes. "I'm sorry that he left you. I know how much you loved him."

"I still love him," Bella admitted after a brief silence. "Is that crazy?"

"No," Jules answered immediately. "You two went so fast, so quick. He was your first boyfriend, Bell. Granted, he isn't actually alive but, you know. It's not crazy to feel something for the guy. You might not get it now, maybe you won't even for a long time but, it will get easier. There will come a point when you can look back and maybe even be able to say his name." Despite the tears in her eyes, Bella chuckled. "Come here," Jules opened her arms and Bella pretty much crashed into her sister's chest. "You're gonna be okay. I love you, Belly."

"I love you too, JuJu."

—————————————————————————

"I really wanna see him, Sam."

Sam sighed, "I can't let what happened last time happen again. I can't let anything happen to you, Jules."

"I know," Jules nodded, "but you can't wrap me in bubble wrap." Sam let out a breath. "He's my best-friend, Sam."

"And that's why I know how much worse it's going to be if something does happen." Sam took a step forward. "You know I trust you, right? And I love you." Jules nodded wordlessly. Sam sighed again. "I can't stop you seeing your best-friend. So, my only condition is that I'm around when you see him. Only until I know he won't wolf-out on you, I promise."

And, true to his word, the very next day, Sam called the boys to his place for a 'pack dinner'. Of course, Jules playfully rolled her eyes at the idea that she'd have to cook for five gluttonous Shifters, but relished in the fact that she'd finally get to see Jacob again.

"I assume he doesn't know about us."

Sam chuckled, finding it cute how stressed his girlfriend was. "I figured I'd leave that honor up to you, babe."

"Coward," Jules narrowed her eyes. "You do realise that he wouldn't've been able to say anything if he knew you'd Imprinted?" Sam just shrugged causing Jules to scoff. "What time did you say they were coming?"

"4," Sam answered. Jules checked the clock: 3:35. She had time. "What are you so worried about anyway? I thought you were excited to see him?"

"I was.. I am!" Jules quickly amended when Sam quirked a brow. "I am. I just.. what if him, Shifting, changed something in him? Like, obviously he knows about the Cullens and Bella. What if he hates me too, you know, just by association?"

"Jacob doesn't hate you, Jules." Sam states matter-of-factly. "You remember when I said that we can read each other's minds?" Jules nodded wordlessly. "Trust me, the majority of his thoughts are about you. He hates that isn't able to tell you about all of this."

"Really?" Sam nodded this time. Jules breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank-you, Sam."

"Always." Sam stood from the barstool and manoeuvred to stand in front of his girlfriend, before pulling her into his arms and pressing a loving kiss to her forehead.

The Shifters started to arrive, as per Sam's invitation, at four. Jacob walked in beside Embry. The two were laughing and joking as if nothing had even happened. Then, Jacob looked up, and saw her.

"Jules?" He walked up to her, unable to comprehend her presence in Sam's kitchen. The rest of the boys (including Sam) went silent. "Why are you.. what are you doing here? It's not safe here, JJ."

"Bella told me you cut your hair," Jules said, ignoring his curiosity. "I think I prefer it long."

Embry let out a quiet "ouch" causing Paul to elbow him.

"You're not listening to me, Jules," Jacob pressed. "You shouldn't be here. How did you even know to come here?"

"Jacob, believe me, I wish I could've told you sooner." Jacob still appeared confused. "I know, Jake. About you. About everyone, really."

"Wait.. you know?" Jules nodded. Jacob instantly turned to Sam. "I thought you said humans weren't allowed to know." Which is when Sam stepped forward and explained Imprinting. "So, one of you Imprinted on Jules?"

"Not one of us," Sam shook his head. "Me."

"You?" Sam nodded. "You Imprinted on Jules?"

"What is there not to get?"

"Shut up, man!" Paul whisper-shouted as he elbowed Embry again. "Does anybody have any popcorn?"

"Zip it, Paul," Sam commanded.

"I know it's a lot, Jake," Jules brought the attention back to her. "All that matters is that I know what you are. It doesn't change a single thing about how I see you. I just miss my friend."

"I'm gonna cry."

"Paul, seriously," Sam glared.

"I miss you too, Jules." For a second, Jacob looked like he was moving to hug her before he quickly turned to Sam, "am I allowed to hug her?"

"Shut up, Jacob Black," Jules raced over before Sam could even process Jacob's question and flung her arms around her best-friend.

"Can we eat now?"

"Paul!"