Twisted Moon
"Hey Jacob," I said. Jacob Black, my best friend, had just pulled up to my house in his newly finished Rabbit Volkswagen that he built from scratch. "Jake, I'd like you to meet my cousin, Noelle Lynn Keller."
"Nice to meet you, Jake," she said. Noelle had actually been adopted by my dad's sister and her husband when she was a baby. My aunt and uncle, Noelle's parents, had just died in a fire at their house. Noelle was shopping at the time and so is now living with me and my dad, Charlie.
"Nice to meet you , too." Jake looked like he was in a daze. On closer inspection, Noelle also couldn't look away from Jake. I knew that look; he used to give me that look all the time.
"So, we should probably get going if we want to make that movie." As happy as I was that Jake set eyes on someone who wasn't broken like me, I needed to end this moment before I thought of him too much.
"yeah," Jake agreed, "we probably should get going. Bella, care if I drive?"
"Of course not, Jake," I replied, "Could I deny you the chance to drive the car you've had since it was nothing but a few parts?"
"Wait! You built this car from scratch?" Noelle was more impressed than even I was. "That's awesome."
After that we piled into Jake's Rabbit and were off to the theater. I climbed in the back and let Noelle and Jake get the front. I was hoping that they would get closer and I wouldn't have to hurt Jacob anymore.
From the back seat, I could see Jake's hand hesitantly take Noelle's, as though he were afraid of rejection.
We pulled up to the theater and parked. The movie we were going to was a blood-and-guts horror film. Jake knew that I still had trouble with too much romance. In fact, watching my cousin and best friend was bad enough.
Jake and Noelle were still holding hands and I was starting to feel like a third wheel.
In the darkness of the theater I felt very alone and wrapped one arm around my torso to hold myself together. Jake noticed and took my other hand to comfort me, saying that he was sorry with his eyes. I gave him a smile back to tell him it was okay.
It was just then that I noticed how hot he was. Jacob was burning up! I wouldn't say anything during the movie, but I definitely would when it was over.
The movie finally ended and the three of us went outside. I had let go of Jake's hand to put mine on his forehead. "Jake, you're burning up."
"I feel fine. Fit as a fiddle," He certainly sounded fine. Then Noelle spike up.
"Bella is right, Jake, you could fry an egg on your skin." We were ganging up on him now.
"Jacob, there is some sort of flu going around," I reminded him. "Are you sure you're fine?"
Yeah, Belle, I feel great," he replied.
"Alright," I conceded, but there was still a funny feeling in the pit of my stomach telling me that something was going to happen. I didn't know whether it was good or bad.
The drive from Port Angeles was full of chatting and laughing about how fake the blood and guts in the movie was. I'd never felt so light and happy since he left, and I was so glad the Noelle and Jacob seemed to et closer and closer.
As we pulled into the driveway on mine, and now Noelle's, house, however, Jake said, "I'd invite myself in, since there's still quite a bit of daylight left, but I think you two were right about the flu. I don't feel quite right."
"Do you want us to drive you home," Noelle questioned.
"Don't ask him," I told her, "He'll just refuse. We're taking you home, Jake."
He laughed. "Sure, sure. How could I ever argue with you?"
"Bella," Noelle told me, "How about you take Jake in his car and I'll drive behind in your truck. You know where you're going, I don't"
"Alright. Jacob, are you alright with me driving?"
"I suppose," He seemed reluctant to being babied like this. Not that I could blame him.
After that, we were on our way to La Push. I wanted to ask him what he thought of Noelle, but Jacob was looking worse by the minute as we drove down the winding forest road.
At the edge of La Push, Jacob started groaning, doubled over in his seat.
"Jake, what's wrong?" I was growing more worried. Thankfully, we weren't too far from Billy's house.
"Everything hurts," He told me. One block from Billy's.
By the time we pulled into the driveway, Jake was doubled over as much as his large frame would allow, his breathing was hard and fast, and he had broken out in a heavy sweat. He was also shaking uncontrollably, as though as earthquake were going on.
Noelle was getting out of my truck and coming over.
"Jake, are you going to be okay? Should I take you to the doctor?" I had to ask. I was starting to get scared.
When he looked up at me, Jacob's eyes were angry, furious. "I'M FINE!"
