Chapter 2
Jacob" So Jacob, which college do you go to?" Vera took a sip from her lemon water. Jacob was sitting across from her in a red leather booth in the crowded student bar, an unopened root beer in hand.
He replied sheepishly, " I go to high school."
Vera gazed at him wide eye, knocking her glass over. She unconsciously wipe the puddle with a crisp napkin. " High school?! You look…older."
" More adult-like I know. I'm a senior though."
"Wait. How old are you?"
" 21 years old."
Vera started chuckling brushing her mousy brown hair from her eyes. " I thought you were like 16 or something. So did you fail a-lot or what?"
" No. I skipped school for a few years to…take care of someone. When they were…ok and could take care of themselves, I went back to finish high school."
" Why were you taking care of someone?"
Jacob was now uneasy. He hadn't told this girl exactly who – or what he was, but he was sure telling her a-lot of very general information. He ran his hand through his dark hair nervously.
He had ran from Forks, Washington to Hanover, New Hampshire in his wolf form just to spy on his girlfriend Renesmee Cullen. She was 17 years old and able to take care of herself but he couldn't help it. He couldn't see her for 1 whole year and he had a limited way of knowing if she was safe or not. He just had to make sure she was okay and then…what? Go back to Forks and continue living without her?
" Jacob?"
Jacob shifted back to reality. " I'm sorry. Oh for the question…um…"
Vera saw how he went back in the zone obviously thinking about something. She changed the subject abruptly. " So what do you think of Dartmouth?"
Jacob was happy for the subject turn. He had just arrived yesterday but he had thought much of the place. It was impressive, a maze of ancient buildings and geniuses. But he felt even more for the place, noting how friendly the first person he bumped into was like. She was friendly and had gone to help him.
" Great!" he answered, flashing his white teeth.
A auburn 20 year old swished suddenly to the side of the table. Vera almost knocked over her glass again. Jacob watched as she said, " Hey Barn!" She wrinkled her nose a little at the sweaty wrestling uniform he had forgotten to take off.
Barn was quite muscular and handsome with shaggy auburn hair and dashing gray eyes. He was obviously wrestler material.
Barn grinned at Vera, ignoring Jacob. " So Vallie, you say everyone's heard about the Cullens?"
Jacob froze. So the Cullens were maybe the center of attention in Dartmouth. He still hadn't seen them yet but he was 100 percent sure they definitely were. Jacob watched Vera and Barn talking. Barn had that googly eye look to him as he stared at Vera in a …lovingly manner. Jacob snickered under his breath. It was obvious he like Vera. How his hand lay on top of hers. Couldn't he be more obvious?
Jacob was contemplating this when Vera brought him out of these thoughts, introducing Jacob to Barn. He looked at Barn and immediately looked away. Barn had just now noticed Jacob was there.
Barn growled softly, " Who is…this?" His jealous eyes raked Jacob.
" If you would just let me finish Barn, this is Jacob Black. He's here to see someone."
Barn said smartly, " You know strangers aren't just allowed to come onto the campus any time they please. They could kick you out." Barn enjoyed the anxious look on Jacob's face. Vera meanwhile stood up, bringing her purse to her shoulder. " I should go. I have way too much work to do. Why don't you hang with Barn? He can introduce you to some people."
Jacob stood up fast, almost breaking the table with his leg. He'd better be careful, his wolf powers of strength were still there in human form.
" It's ok. I better go find my person."
Barn grunted a bye to Vera and joined the other jocks by the TV. Jacob ran outside. Well that was nice of Vera but he really needed to find Nessie. He couldn't go on much longer without her.