He was busy. Jacob was always busy, you told yourself, because why else would he cancel on you for the third time this week? It had become a routine over the past year, Wednesdays and Thursdays in his garage, fixing his rabbit or whatever motorcycle he’d scavenged. Usually, he never canceled. If he did, he’d be upset with himself.

It all changed when she came back. Bella Swan. She returned after years. The three of you had been inseparable as kids, splashing in mud in Billy’s backyard, faces streaked with dirt, laughing until your sides hurt. You remembered the day she moved away, snot running down your face as you waved goodbye, Jacob holding your hand.

Naturally, you and Jacob grew closer over the years. Long rides on bikes, quiet walks through the forest, sitting by the campfire while Billy told stories of their ancestors. Laughter became routine, glances became small, unspoken conversations. Jacob had introduced you to his family, Quil and Embry, your peers and soon friends, and being part of their world felt like home. Campfires, soccer games on the beach, endless summer nights.

Hands had inched closer over time, almost touching, but never quite. Maybe you were too shy, too young. But none of that mattered anymore. Bella was back, and Jacob had completely shifted. He watched her like she was the brightest star in the sky. At first, you thought he couldn’t believe she had returned, but it was more than that.

The look he used to give you, the one that made your stomach twist and your heart beat faster, was now for her. Soon, you saw him less and less. When you did hang out, Bella was there, or he was thinking of her, especially when her boyfriend wasn’t around.

Now, the garage door creaked open. Embry and Quil were standing there, Bella laughing at something Quil had said. Jacob laughed too, but his eyes were fixed on Bella, drinking in every detail, memorizing the sound of her laughter, as if he could somehow echo it later.

Then your eyes met his. For a brief second, you thought maybe he’d notice. Maybe he’d remember. But the others turned to see you, and the moment passed. You couldn’t be mad at Bella. It wasn’t her fault that Jacob had stopped looking at you that way.

“Yo!” Embry was the first to speak, raising a hand in greeting, smiling as if nothing had changed. Bella’s smile didn’t falter either, bright and welcoming, as if she had always belonged here.