I'm Just Here To Be Your Friend.

Everything In My World Was About Him. What A Silly Thing To Expect.

I Could See How Easy It Would Be To Fall Into Loving Bella. It Would Be Exactly Like Falling: Effortless. Not Letting Myself Love Her Was The Opposite Of Falling—it Was Pulling Myself Up A Cliff-face, Hand Over Hand, The Task As Grueling As If I Had No More Than Mortal Strength.

Um, Bella? You've Got A Huge Cut On Your Forehead, And It's Gushing Blood," He Informed Me. I Clapped My Hand Over My Head. Sure Enough, It Was Wet And Sticky. I Could Smell Nothing But The Damp Moss On My Face, And That Held Off The Nausea. Oh, I'm So Sorry, Jacob." I Pushed Hard Against The Gash, As If I Could Force The Blood Back Inside My Head. Why Are You Apologizing For Bleeding?" He Wondered As He Wrapped A Long Arm Around My Waist And And Pulled Me To My Feet.

Repeat One Word Of What I Just Said And I'll Cheerfully Beat You To Death, Mike.

Because There Was Just One Thing That I Had To Believe To Be Able To Live - I Had To Know That He Existed. That Was All. Everything Else I Could Endure. So Long As He Existed.