Chapter 1 - Teasing the Wolf

RPOV

"What on earth are you trying to do?"

I was sitting in the door of my tent, watching him try in vain to get a fire lit. He was just asking for me to tease him really!

"What does it look like I am doing, Nes? I am trying to light a fire so you don't get cold." He growled back to me, frustrated.

"I thought you were supposed to be some outdoors guru. I mean, what would the others all think if they were to find out their illustrious leader can't even light a fire? Oh, the shame of it!" I just can't help it. He was like a sitting duck. He ignored me though. I hate when people ignore me!

"You know if this is all part of some ploy to get me to fall in love with you, it's really not working." He'd have to take the bait on that one. Just wait... It's coming... 5, 4, 3, 2...

"What the hell do you mean by that comment? I'm 'trying to get you to fall in love' with me? Why would you say that? I'm just trying to be nice! To do the right thing!" Oooh, I have really struck a nerve. How fun! "Why are you being a brat? I thought this was supposed to be fun. Two best friends just hanging out. We can go home if you want you know. Or you can just sleep in your tent and be cold because I certainly won't be there to keep you warm. And you'll have no fire because I am so crappy at being out doorsy..."

Wow! I haven't ever heard Jacob rant like this. It's hard to keep a straight face really. But why this over-reaction? I was just teasing him like I always do. Jacob has been my best friend since forever and I have no idea what is going on in his head right now. Maybe I'll just tone down the teasing a little. Nah!

"Hey! Calm down. All I was saying was that this isn't really the traditional way to woo a girl. Make her sit in a tent and watch you try to flail around with sticks and flint for half an hour when all you really had to do was look in the supplies bag and get out the lighter I packed."

Nothing. No rant, no response at all. He won't even look at me. A twitch in his shoulder. I really expected him to say something at least. But he just gets up and goes to the supply bag and gets the fire going. It's ok... I can wait. He'll talk to me again eventually.

15 minutes later

"Enough Jake! Just talk to me already! What's the big deal? I was only teasing you!" Damn it! I hate when I cave in first. I just can't stand uncomfortable silences. Especially with him. But still no answer, he just keeps staring off into the trees.

Maybe I'm approaching this all wrong. Maybe I should just go on as if nothing has happened at all. Worth a shot I guess. "Well, I think it's time we got some marsh mellows out. This fire is really roaring now." Surely he won't be able to resist some roasted marsh mellows.

10 minutes later

"Here you go. You can have the first one," I offer. I really thought that once I got everything ready he would break out of his trance, but he still just sat there staring off into the trees. I was starting to get nervous now. Oh wait, he's moving...

"I think I'll call it a night Renesmee. It's been a long day. Will you be ok putting out the fire on your own?" Ouch, I think I may get frost bite from the cold shoulder I just got shown.

"Jake! Please tell me what I've done wrong. Was it something I said? Is something going on with the pack that I'm not aware of? Or something with Billy? Please just talk to me; I'm your best friend!" I can't believe it's come to this. I am actually begging him. Jacob and I have never had a fight before. Not like this. If we have ever disagreed on anything, he has always been the one to quickly apologise and put things back on track between us.

I can see different emotions dancing across his face. At least he's looking at me now I guess.

"Why would you say something like that? You shouldn't be such a smart mouth about things all the time. What if your dad heard you say something like that? He would kill me Ness if he ever thought I was doing something like that!" He was really shouting at me now. No one has ever shouted at me like this before. Why would my dad kill him? What did I say? Oh, that he was trying to make me fall in love with him?

"Jake don't be so silly? You know daddy would never try to kill you! He knows you're my best friend in the world and that's all. That's all we've ever been and all we'll ever be Jake, Daddy knows that." I cannot believe he is being so dramatic about this. It's almost laughable to think of us being anything more than best friends. Why isn't he looking relieved though?

Suddenly he just lets out a huge sigh and runs his hand through his messy black hair. "I guess that clears everything up then. Thanks. I'll see you in the morning." And with that he disappeared into the tent and zipped it up. The only word I can think of to describe how I'm feeling right now is... I don't think there is even a word for it. All I know is that I don't like it.