Seth's POV

It had been a couple of weeks since my parents' party, and just as long since I'd seen Bella. I'd called her several times, but she wouldn't pick up. Leah had tried as well. She'd gotten through once or twice, but it was usually a very brief conversation before she hung up. Finally, I decided to take the bull by the horns and go see her.

I got out of my car and approached the Swan residence. I was about to knock when the door opened, and Charlie was about to come out. "Oh, Hey, Seth."

"Hi, Charlie."

"I haven't seen you a lot lately. Not compared to how I was anyway," Charlie said.

"Yeah, well, I'm hoping to remedy that. Bella's here, right? Her truck's in the driveway," I said.

"Yeah, she's here. Come on in. I gotta head out. I'm late," Charlie said before stepping out of the house, leaving the door open for me.

"Okay, see you later, Charlie," I said before stepping inside and closing the door behind me.

Just as I made it inside, Bella came into the room. She looked surprised to see me. "Seth, what are you doing here?"

"I thought we should talk, and this seemed to be the only way for that to happen. You won't answer my calls and you barely even talk to Leah," I said.

"I… Things have been really hectic lately. I haven't been ignoring you on purpose," Bella said.

I gave her a look, telling her I knew she was lying. "Yes, you have. You haven't wanted to talk to me since the party. Why? Is it whatever happened between you and Sam?" I swore if it was, I'd kill him. That bastard had already hurt the people I cared about enough. I wasn't going to let him do anymore damage.

Bella snorted. "Like I'd give that SOB that kind of power."

"Then what is it? Please talk to me, Bella," I begged.

Bella looked at me for a minute and then nodded. "Okay. We should go sit down."

I followed her into the living room and we both sat down on the couch. "Did I do something to upset you. If I did, just tell me and I'll make sure it never happens again."

"No, Seth. You've been the best friend I could ask for since the moment you found me on the beach. I don't know that I would've survived what Jacob did to me if not for you. You've been for me what Jacob started to be when Edward left me. Only you were better. Jacob made me forget while you and Leah helped me actually deal with it," Bella told me.

"Are you afraid that I'll do to you what Black did?" I asked. I hoped not, but the comparison made me think so. I couldn't really blame if she did think that. She'd been hurt so much by guys lately.

"No. I know you're not that kind of person, Seth. But I started to get scared. I've become closer to you than I ever was with Jacob, maybe even closer than I was with Edward," Bella said.

I opened my mouth to speak, but I couldn't. The implications of that left me speechless. I knew Bella loved Edward Cullen, so what she was saying spoke volumes. It shocked me quite a bit.

"I loved Edward, but I wasn't really close to him. I didn't really know him. During our relationship, I felt uncomfortable. I felt like I didn't belong. I was never at ease with him. That's why I always let him take control. I didn't feel worthy of him," Bella said.

I huffed angrily. How dare that bastard make her feel that way. She didn't say he did, but it was clear to me. I'd seen first hand that Bella could stand up for herself, so Cullen must have done something to make her feel unworthy. "He's the one not worthy of you."

Bella smiled. "Seth, I'm telling you this because when I was at your house that night and we were dancing, I found myself comparing him to you. When I did that, I realized that it wasn't simple friendship I felt for you anymore. That's why I started avoiding you. I was scared."

Once again, I found myself unable to speak. I never imagined Bella could feel that way for me. I felt it for her. I started developing feelings for her not long after we became friends. I never told her because I wasn't willing to put that on her. She was dealing with too much for me to put how I felt on her as well. I didn't imagine that she could feel the same way. "What were you afraid of? That I didn't feel the same way or that I would do what Cullen and Black did? Because you don't have to worry about either of those things."

Bella, who had been looking at her lap after telling me how she felt, immediately lifted her gaze up to meet mine. "You feel the same way?"

I nodded. "I've felt that way for a while. I didn't think it was fair for me to tell you. I knew you were still hurting."

"I guess this is what happens when we don't talk to each other. The fact that you might not feel the same did scare me. You becoming like Edward and Jacob never did. Like I said, I know you're better then them. But that doesn't mean that it couldn't end badly. I know how badly relationships can end. We could end up hating each other, and I just don't know that I could live with that," Bella explained.

I wanted to assure her that that could never happen, but I couldn't. I'd be lying, and I wouldn't lie to Bella. "You're right, it could end that way. Maybe that's another reason I chose not to say anything, because I didn't want to risk ruining our friendship. But I'm not really sure our friendship could survive when being just friends isn't what either of us wants. And I also think we'd hate ourselves if we don't try just because we're afraid. We'll always wonder what might have happened."

Bella seemed to consider my words. "Okay, you have a point. I mean, things haven't exactly been going well these last couple of weeks."

"Does that mean you want to try? Or if you're still not sure, you could take more time to think about it," I said. I was rambling a bit, but I wanted Bella to know I'd give her time if she needed it.

"I don't need any more time. I agree with what you said, I'll regret if I don't try," Bella said.

I leaned in slowly and kissed her gently on the lips for a few seconds.

Bella laughed after pulling away. "Well, I definitely can't pull back after that."

I chuckled. "Good. So then you'll go out to dinner with me tomorrow night?"

"I'd love to,"

"Great. I'll see you around six," Seth said.

"Uh, I know this runs the risk of killing the good mood, but there is something else I have to talk to you about. I should've done it by now, but obviously I got distracted."

"What is it?" I asked concerned.

"It's about Sam," she said.

Bella was right, it did ruin the mood. She told me all about what she heard Sam say to my father the night of the party, and what she said to Sam. I was a bit amused that she threatened to murder Sam Uley, but it didn't take away the massive irritation I had that Sam and my father seemed to be planning my future in Sam's cult. "You didn't have to threaten him, you know? It's not gonna happen."

"I know, but the fact that he would even try just made me really angry. I wanted him to know that I wouldn't let him do that to you," Bella said.

I took her hand. "Sam's nothing. He's not gonna get me and he's not gonna separate us."

"I know he's not," Bella said confidently.

"I have to go. I think I need to have a word or two with my father," I said before standing up.

Bella got up as well. "Good luck. I'll see you tomorrow night."

I kissed her again and then headed for the door.

Xxxxxxxxxxx

When I got home, I saw Uley's truck in the driveway. Leah was on the porch looking pissed. I got out of my car and approached her. "How long has he been here?"

"I don't know. I just got home. I wouldn't even go inside after seeing his truck. Damn it, Seth! Why can't he just back the hell off?! What does he want?" Leah asked. Sam's presence still hurt my sister. She tried not to show it, but I saw.

"He wants me," I told her.

"What?" Leah asked surprised.

"I just left Bella's. She told me she overheard Sam and Dad talking about me joining Sam's little gang," I explained.

"Hell no!" Leah snarled before storming inside.

I quickly followed my sister. We found Sam with my parents in the kitchen.

Leah stormed up to Sam and grabbed his arm. "Hey! Find someone else to convert into a mindless robot! Stay the hell away from my brother!"

Sam looked too surprised to even respond.

"Leah, you need to calm down. You don't even know what you're talking about," our father said.

"Screw you! You're going to let him do this to your own son?!" Leah asked angrily.

"Honey, no one's going to hurt Seth. I don't know what you think but…" Mom started.

"Bella overheard them. Sam wants me to join his gang," I said before walking over to the piece of garbage. I got so close to him that we were almost touching. "You are crazy if you think I'll ever join your gang of assholes! I suggest you back the hell off! You won't have to worry about Bella coming after you because I'll do it myself!"

"You don't know what you're talking about and neither does she," Sam said in a hard tone.

"To be honest, Sam, I really don't care. I don't care about you or the losers who follow you. I won't be one of them. And believe me, you don't want it either. I'd make your life hell for what you did to my sister and my girlfriend," I said before turning to my parents. "And you two. If you even try to push me towards him, I'll leave."

"You don't mean that, Seth," my mom tried to say.

"Yes, I do. You don't want to know what I think of you already that you would let this bastard in the house after what he's done to Leah. This will be the last straw and I will go," I swore.

"So will I," Leah said.

No one said anything else, so Leah and I headed out of the room.

"Girlfriend, huh?" Leah asked when we were alone.

I smiled and nodded.

"I can't say I'm really surprised. Don't screw it up. I won't lose my best friend because you did something stupid," Leah said.

"Thanks, Leah, I love you too," I said with a laugh before we both headed upstairs.