Nothing like My Sky: Jacob Black one-shot

Sky stretched her arms and yawned contentedly as she gazed down at the sketchpad beside her. She had spent the last two hours drawing out rough outlines of the swans that inhabitated the pond that lay in front of her. It had taken a while, but Sky had finally managed to capture the essence of the birds. One of the traits that made her such a great artist was her patience. She could sketch the same subject for hours on end, just for the sake of doing it justice. Peering down at her final picture with a semi-satisfied smile, she saw she had managed to capture the arrogance of the beautiful birds and the way their wings bristled with vanity.

She laughed (for no particular reason) to herself as she stood up, pencil behind her ear and sketchbook in hand. The sun was quickly setting, and Sky was already missing the beauty of what had been a sunny Saturday. Such sunshine was rare in the dreary town of Forks, Washington, where she lived. It was usually raining or snowing

there, and being a native Californian, she preferred the hot sun beating down on her face.

Sky started to head home, but realizing that her Uncle Sam and Aunt Emily were on a romantic outing, and that she craved company, she decided she'd rather eat dinner and spend some time with Billy Black and his son, Jacob, who happened to be her....boyfriend. A warm flutter came over Sky's heart when she thought of her Jake's easygoing smile and hearty laugh, and how he made her weak at the knees whenever he whispered in her ear as they lay stargazing down by La Push Beach, "No matter where I am, whenever I look into the sky, I'll always think of you." They'd been together for two years, and Sky was entirely convinced that they would be together forever. Where else could she find such a perfect guy? She loved him with her whole heart, and she knew he loved her as well. She was, after all, his imprint.

Jacob's house wasn't far from here...she could almost smell the fried fish Billy had probably prepared. She took her Samsung Memoir from her pocket and shot Jake a text saying she'd be over at his house for dinner, if that was okay. Grinning from ear to ear, Sky was about to break out into a sprint when she suddenly heard two faint voices growing louder and louder. The shy side of her took over, and she hid in the brush that bordered the beach, peeking out through the gaps of the rough vegetation.

A girl and a boy, holding hands, were taking a slow walk along the beach. Because the sun had just set, she couldn't quite make out their faces. They seemed familiar though, as they should be, since Forks was a miniscule place after all.

"Thanks for everything today," cooed the girl softly as she lay her head upon the boy's shoulder. "After he left...my heart just keeps breaking over and over again. You make me feel alive again."

"No problem, Bells," the boy replied in a husky, soothing voice. Sky froze up, her insides suddenly feeling cold. That voice sounded like it belonged to Jacob.

The girl, whom Sky presumed to be Bella, a girl she knew from school, gazed up at the boy and licked her lips as she asked shyly, "Want to come over tonight? Charlie won't mind..."

Sky rolled her eyes. Of course she'd ask that, no surprise there. Though she didn't know Bella very well, she knew enough to know that Bella was no independent woman. If she didn't have some sturdy guy to hold her up, she turned into a pile of spineless mushy Jell-O. In truth, Sky had no idea why so many guys had crushes on her when Bella was typical girl who did nothing but pine over boys.

A jingling tune emited from the boy's pocket, and he reluctantly pulled out his phone. "Shoot," he said. "Sky's gonna be over at my place for dinner. Sorry, but I have to go."

Bella gave a long, sad sigh and turned away from him. "Well...I guess you'd better go then...I'll stay here. Have fun with your girlfriend."

Sky was in shock...that boy...was, in fact, Jacob! And what was he doing with Bella? No wonder she hadn't been seeing him much for the past week. Still, she wouldn't let her heart race ahead of her brain. They haven't kissed, she conceded, he's just helping her with her heartbreak because...he's a friendly guy. He'd help out anyone. She tried to comfort herself with that thought.

"Bella," Jacob crooned, opening his arms out to her.

"Hmm?"

He enveloped his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder, and a watching Sky felt her breathing constrict. How could he...?

"You know I adore you..." he breathed into her ear.

"Then why do you keep talking about that Sky girl?" Bella replied stubbornly. "I mean, she's nice and everything, don't get me wrong, and I know she's your girlfriend...but she's such a dork, always drawing and never talking to anyone--"

"Don't you say that about her!" Jacob snarled all of a sudden, backing away from her as if repulsed. A startled Bella stared at him, whimpered for a few moments, and started to cry softly. Jake sighed as he came over to her again, and they gazed into each other's eyes for a second before locking their lips together in a passionate kiss.

Sky couldn't stand to watch any longer. She stumbled backwards and tripped on a loose pebble, causing her to trip and fall to the ground with a thud. She was dimly aware of the blood seeping from the gash in her foot now, but the pain in her heart transcended any physical pain she felt right then. Before she knew it, she was running, running...It was only when she tasted salty water on her upper lip that she realized she was crying.

The last time she'd cried was three years ago, when her parents had died in that car crash, causing her to move to La Push with her relatives. And now, her heart was being broken all over again.

Finally! was Jacob's thought as he crashed his lips down on Bella's. His mouth moved against hers almost ferociously, as if to make up for all his effort in taking care of her and waiting for her to get over Edward. Bella responded eagerly, sliding her arms up around his neck as she moaned his name into his mouth between kisses.

But this victory wasn't as sweet as Jacob had thought it would have been. Huge fireworks and sparks didn't go off as he'd intended. He didn't feel warmth radiate down his spine. All he felt was Bella's mouth gnawing at his so vigorously it almost hurt. Kisses with his Sky were so much sweeter...and more loving and warm and tingly and DEAR GOD, WHAT WAS HE DOING? Jacob's eyes widened as how wrong this betrayal to his current girlfriend was. His imprint, for crying out loud. He pulled away from Bella and took in deep ragged breaths. "I'd better get going," he said quietly. "This was wrong of me...I shouldn't have done that."

Bella shook her head firmly as she tried to pull his face down to hers once more, but Jacob took a further step back. "No, I can't," he whispered, his voice cracking at the end of the sentence. "I can't."

He turned away from her and made a mad dash for his house. His heart was yearning for Sky, the love of his life, his imprint. He now realized he loved her more than anything, and it had taken kissing Bella to realize that. Sky would never find out, he vowed. Jacob knew she wouldn't take it lightly.

Slowing down to a jog as he neared his house, he saw Sky sitting on his front steps, her head resting on her knees. Jake called out her name, and she looked up into his face, but her eyes seemed distant and somewhat frosty.

Jake frowned, automatically knowing that something was wrong. "Hey love. What's wrong?"

Sky gave him a hard, indifferent stare before she began slowly, "I scraped my foot by accident and I need a Band-Aid. But your door's locked."

"I'm sorry, Sky," Jacob said apologetically. "I forgot to tell you that Dad's over at Charlie's watching the game on TV." He reached out with one hand to touch her foot, his heart burning with pain at the sight of his imprint's being hurt. Before his fingers could brush over her skin, however, Sky stood up abruptly and edged away. A pang of hurt cut into Jacob, and he wondered why she wasn't being her usual lively self around him.

"So where've you been all day?" Sky asked in what she hoped was a nonchalant manner, but her words came out stiffly. "Where have you been all week?"

"I've just...been busy...with training with the pack," Jake fibbed on the spot. He cleared his throat nervously as Sky raised an eyebrow at him. "Sam's been real tough on us lately."

"Really," Sky said coolly. "Then explain why Quil just texted me that he hasn't seen you all week. He thought that you've been with me."

It was difficult for Sky to act so coldly towards Jacob. Even though she tried to convince herself she hated him for cheating on her, deep down in her heart she knew she still loved him. But the image of him and Bella passionately kissing numbed out all her emotions.

"Sky, I've just been busy...you know I love you," Jacob said pleadingly, a hint of desperation in his voice. "You're my imprint."

Sky looked away. "You were basically forced into loving me. So I understand why you don't...adore me." She chanced a glance at Jake, and saw that he had frozen on the spot, now realizing that she had seen him with Bella. Taking a deep breath to control herself, she continued quietly, "I saw you with her today. Down by the beach."

Jacob grabbed her arm. "Listen, that kiss meant nothing to me, I swear it was a mista--"

"Don't tell me it was a mistake!" Sky shouted, pulling her arm out of his grasp and losing her cool composure at last. "Don't tell me that you kissed that leech without realizing what that would've done to our relationship! And don't you tell me that I should put it in the past and pretend that never happened!"

Jacob watched the tears slide down her face as he stood there helplessly, feeling his heart shattering into a million pieces. He watched her as she started to weep silently and slide to the ground, burying her head in her arms as she trembled from a broken heart. Unable to endure her sadness and overwhelmed in shame, Jake knelt in front of her and cupped her face in his large hands and leaned his forehead against hers, all the while murmuring, "Sorry, sorry, sorry, I'm so sorry" over and over again.

Sky could hear the sincerity in his voice, but she couldn't find it in her heart to forgive him. When she could finally force herself to stop crying, she looked up into Jake's face apprehensively.

"Please forgive me, Sky," Jake whispered.

She shook her head. "I can't."

"You're just gonna throw our love away like that?"

"I didn't choose to do that, Jacob. You did."

"No, I swear I love only you, Sky. Let me...let me prove it to you!" And before Sky knew what was happening, Jake's mouth was over hers, and his arms were drawing her into him. He was trying to put as much remorse and love into into the kiss, and when she wouldn't respond, he grew increasingly desperate, and started to kiss her face and nuzzle her neck.

"Jake, stop it," Sky demanded hoarsely, though a large part of her wanted to give into his caresses. When he refused to relent, she summoned the strength to push him off of her. "I said stop!" She started to cry again as she stood up and made to leave. "Just stay away from me, Jacob."

Jacob watched her run away from him, and though he wished that he could yell for her to come back and pull her into his arms, he knew it wouldn't be enough. Sky would never forgive him. He had just lost his imprint...his soul mate...

Tears trickled down his tanned face as he started to tremble uncontrollably. As he sprinted in the direction of the woods, he felt his body explode into his werewolf form. Reaching the jagged cliffs, his paws skidded to a halt, and he howled his grief at the crescent moon in harmony with the harsh sound of the waves crashing against the rocks. He longed to leap into the ocean and kill himself, for he'd rather be dead than be without his Sky...

Cut the drama, sneered a female voice in his mind. Leah...

What do you want? I'm suffering here, he snarled in response.

Oh puh-lease, give me a break. You brought this down on yourself. Idiot, why'd you go off and kiss Bella and betray your imprint?

It was a mistake, okay?!

Shut up, Jake. One wolf's business is the whole pack's business. Jake, you're in a really messed up situation...but since she's your imprint, you have to win her over again.

Leah's sarcastic comments interrupted his train of thought. Oh, so now we poor females are just toys now, huh? To be won over...what are we, loyal subjects? Murder me, somebody.

Sam was silent. He had never quite gotten over his guilt of dropping Leah for Emily, his imprint. His next thought came out rather awkwardly. Well then...ahem, we'd better gather for training, since it starts soon...

"Man, I'm starving," Paul groaned in exaggeration as the half-naked group of werewolves, now in human form, trooped through the front door of the Uleys' house.

"Isn't that a surprise," Emily laughed as Sam came forward to kiss her cheek. "When are you boys ever not hungry? Well, sit down, guys, Sky and I prepared hot dogs and hamburgers for you."

Jacob tensed up when he saw Sky appear from the kitchen, wearing an apron. Her red mane of hair was tied back, and his hand itched to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. She avoided his gaze as she busied herself with handing out plates and chiding Seth about washing his hands before eating.

"Hey, Sky, I saw your painting in the art gallery yesterday," said Embry through a mouthful of mashed potatoes. Sky's face lit up with a smile, and she sat down across from him.

"The one where day and night are clashing?"

"Yeah. It was totally awesome. But what else would you expect from Sky the great artist?" Embry grinned. This earned an embarressed blush from Sky, and Jacob felt jealousy building up within his chest. Sky was only supposed to smile and blush for him, not for Embry. He'd have to remind himself to pummel that guy later on.

He had to get her attention. Clearing his throat, he said to Sky, "Yeah, you're a really great artist. Probably the best in the world."

Sky didn't turn around or smile at him; in fact, she didn't acknowledge his presence at all. The atmosphere suddenly turned very awkward, since by now everyone had known about Jacob's stupid mistake. There was silence, save for the clinking of silverware and the occasional burp (courtesy of Seth).

Sky stood up and said softly to Emily, "I'm done eating. I'm going for a walk."

Emily nodded understandingly. "Alright, sweetie, but don't wander too far, okay?" Taking off her apron, Sky waved good-bye to everyone and started out the door.

Jake knew he had to talk to her, so without a word to anyone around him, he too stood up and followed Sky out onto the porch.

Sky sighed to herself as she leaned against the porch door. She had nearly broken down in tears when she saw her Jake walk through the door...she had almost forgotten how handsome he was, since she hadn't seen him for the past three weeks. Wait, what was she saying? He wasn't her Jake any longer...now he was Bella's, she thought scathingly. Well, she could have him, that cheating scumbag...

"Sky!" came a booming voice from behind her. She rolled her eyes. She should've directly run down to the beach...now she was going to have to talk to him.

"Get away from me, Mr. Black," she said menacingly as she started down the porch steps towards the beach.

Jacob winced at her coldness, but knew he deserved it. "Look, I know saying sorry won't cover this mistake, but you have to know I love you more than anyone else in the world. Bella's only a friend--"

"Friend with benefits, you mean," Sky interrupted, her eyes flashing with anger as she started walking even faster. Jake's hand reached out to grab her arm, to stop her.

"Let go of me, you idiot."

"No. That kiss with Bella was a mistake...I thought I loved her, but I don't anymore. I love you, Sky, only you."

His voice sounded so sincere, but Sky's heart refused to thaw out its ice. "So basically, you're saying you were going about on some kind of experiment? You kissed Bella, found out she was no good, ditched her, then come back crying to me for forgiveness? Bravo, you may just be the world's greatestt scientist." Her voice came out in a bored, flat tone.

Jacob tilted her chin so he could look into her beautiful, though admittedly hostile, eyes. "Sky, this isn't how you usually act. What's gotten into you?"

Sky glanced away. "Hm. You tell me."

Jake groaned in frustration. "What can I do to make you forgive me?"

Her eyes flashed with rage as she finally wrenched herself from him. "You could drown yourself and I still wouldn't forgive you." Sweeping back her long red hair, she darted off onto the white sand, leaving a very broken-hearted Jake behind.

Sky sat on the front porch swing, watching the stars come out as she creaked forwards and backwards...She wished ardently that she was as light as a feather, floating up into the embrace of the dark sky.

"Sky?" came the gentle voice of Emily. Sky turned to look at her as she came through the front door onto the porch, wiping her hands on her apron. "Are you coming in soon?"

Sky shrugged noncommittedly.

"Sweetie, you can't keep sleeping out here. You've been doing that for the past two weeks; you can't make it a habit."

"I know, Em. But...it just alleviates the pain."

Emily gave a sad smile as she sat down next to her. "I'm so sorry Jacob was so stupid and kissed Bella. But you know how much he regrets it. He would kill himself if it'd make you happy."

"Then he can go kill himself," Sky said bitterly, looking down at her feet.

"You'd be miserable."

"Nuh-uh."

"Would too."

"No!"

"YES!" Emily said stubbornly as she started tickling Sky, who couldn't help but break out in laughter.

"Stop, Em! Stop!!!! You're killing me!"

She finally relented and smirked at her niece. "That's the first I've seen you laugh in weeks."

"Yeah, well you know why," remarked Sky as her smile faded.

Emily looked at her directly in the eyes. "Look, you're Jacob's imprint. You guys are made for one another. I know the boy's stupid sometimes, but believe me, he's learned from his mistakes. Give him a second chance.

Consider yourself lucky...Leah, once one of my best friends, is suffering from heartbreak because of me. I feel so guilty every time I see her. As much as I love Sam, despite the whole imprinting thing, the wounds in all our hearts will never mind.

But you, your heart can mend. You won't forget, but you have a chance to make things right again."

With that, she kissed Sky on the forehead and went back inside.

Sky pulled her knees up to her chest. "I hate when she does that to me," she grumbled.

It was almost dawn. Jacob thundered up the front steps of Sam and Emily's house. He knocked on the door, praying that this would be the day he would see his Sky. For the past couple weeks, he had tried talking to her, but she refused to see him. And it was killing him. He couldn't eat, couldn't sleep, couldn't concentrate. Bella had tried flinging herself at him as usual, and he had to yell himself hoarse in order for her to understand that they were over. As friends and as friends...with certain benefits.

An irritable Sam opened the door. "I really hope Sky sees you this time so you don't have to keep coming at this untimely hour."

"You know how important this is, Sam."

Sam gave a Hmph in response and called for Emily, who said that Sky wasn't up yet.

"Same answer. Now get your sorry butt back into-"

"I'm up, Uncle Sam. I'll talk to him." Sky's soft voice filled Jacob's ears like the sweetest music.

She was shivering for lack of a jacket as she stepped outside onto the porch, and Jake hastily wrapped his coat around her. He felt clumsy and nervous; what was she going to do? End it for good? His heart thudded against his ribcage.

Sky took a deep breath and started talking, determinedly looking at his chest instead of his face.

"You kissed Bella, and that cut my heart like the sharpest knife."

"I know, and I'm so sorry-"

"I got mad and ignored you, and that was wrong of me," she continued as if he had not interrupted.

"No it wasn't, I totally deserved it, and I wouldn't have blamed you if you had slapped-"

"I was furious with you for cheating. But yesterday, Emily came to talk to me. She said that I was lucky. We still have a chance to work things out."

He couldn't believe his lucky stars. Was she saying...

Sky finally looked into his eyes for the first time in weeks, and they were as beautiful as he remembered, a calm sea-green. She leaned into him, and his breath caught; his lips began to part to welcome her touch...Sky...

SMACK! Jake felt his head swing to his right, and involuntarily, his left hand reached up to rub his left cheek, which was stinging with pain. He then realized Sky had slapped him. Hard.

Sky gave him a satisfied sort of smirk, her eyes dancing with mischief. "And THAT'S what you get when you cheat on Skylark Hansen."

He was still recovering from shock. "Damn, Sky...I didn't see that coming."

She rolled her eyes. "Well, obviously. You should've seen your face!" She puckered up her lips mockingly and mimed getting slapped in the face, finally breaking down in giggles as she finished her demonstration with a shocked expression.

"Oh, is that so?" Jake taunted as he scooped her up easily with one arm over his shoulder, ignoring her shrieks for him to put her down. He threw her gently down onto the soft morning sand and started tickling her sides. She doubled over in laughter, begging for him to stop. He finally did, breathing heavily from the exertion, and he realized how close he was to her, as he was now leaning over her, his arms on each side of her head. He could count the light freckles on her cute little nose.

"I hate it when you guys keep taking advantage of me being ticklish," she grumbled softly.

"Get used to it," Jacob laughed, but he sobered up quickly. "Sky, I'm as sorry as any guy can be. D'you think you could forgi-"

"Jake?"

"Yeah?"

With a soft smile, Sky reached out with her hands and pulled his head down to hers. Their lips met, and something warm exploded in the pit of Jake's stomach, shooting up and blanketing his entire body with sparks. This was love.

He kissed her hungrily as he snaked his arms around her waist, while Sky cupped his face and kissed him back as they rolled in the sand. His mouth smiled under hers. He had missed her kisses. Unlike Bella, who found it romantic to moan every five seconds and stick her tongue in his mouth, Sky kissed him as if she was memorizing every detail of his lips. There was a quiet concentration about her that he loved so much.

They reluctantly pulled their faces apart after some time, but they didn't let go of one another. They gazed at each other in silence.

"Hey, you're crying," Sky said quietly as she brushed a finger over his cheeks, which he realized, were indeed wet. She leaned up and kissed his tears away.

"Sky?" His voice was hoarse.

"Hm?"

"I love you so much."

She smiled at him but offered no reply. Instead, she got to her feet and held out her hand for him to take.

"What are we doing?" asked Jake, who was feeling slightly disappointed by her lack of response.

"Taking a walk by the beach, of course."

Hand in hand, they walked barefoot down by the curling waves which whooshed out from the ocean and licked their feet.

Sky halted and turned around to him suddenly.

"What is it?" Jake immediately wrapped his arms around her as she gazed at him shyly.

"I love you too, Jacob."

His eyes threatening to water once again, Jake kissed her deeply, and then the couple turned their eyes to the horizon and watched the sunrise.