Chapter 2
(I don't own anything just wish I did)
Bella helps Nancy set the table as Charlie help himself to a beer.
"I'll be right back." Bella says heading to the bathroom.
"Ok dear."
Bella heads towards the bathroom but her head turns towards Riley's bedroom. She swallows and veers her way over. Gently, she opens the door. Looking around she sees it's just the way it was when her and Riley were last in here. In fact the Mel Brooks movie they last watched together was still sitting out by the blu ray player. Bella closes her eyes trying not to lose it. She glances over at the picture of the two of them on his nightstand. Bella sits on the edge of Riley's bed and takes the picture into her hands and looks upon it then cradles it amongst her chest.
The hole in her heart aches and she begins to feel like she can't breathe again. Shaking her head she places the picture back on the nightstand.
"I think he'd want you to have it."
Bella's startled as Nancy peeks her head through the bedroom.
"I'm sorry." She leaps up from Riley's bed feeling incredibly rude.
"Whatever for Bella? I knew you were going to come in here."
Bella sighs looking around.
"Kinda of wish he'd just appear huh?" His mother says wiping a stray tear.
Bella nods feeling as though she could die right there. But then again this feeling isn't anything new.
"Come here…" Nancy says with open arms.
"You're welcome here anytime and in his room for as long as you need or want. Believe me I've shared many hours in here just hoping and praying."
Bella breaks down in Nancy's arms.
"You've no idea what it means to know how much you care for my son."
"Everything ok?" Charlie peeks in.
Nancy winks his way nodding.
"Well um." He clears his throat.
"Ok then."
"We'll be down in a minute." Nancy takes the picture from Riley's nightstand.
"Take it." Bella nods caressing the picture.
Nancy squeezes her hand and leaves the room.
"Come down when you're ready dear take your time."
Bella glances around once more then leans into Riley's pillow catching his scent one more time. She gives his room one more glance before leaving.
Once they get home she heads directly upstairs as usual.
"Bella, we're not done. You and I've got to talk about what you did at school today."
Bella sighs and stomps down the stairs.
"I won't do it again ok."
Charlie shakes his head and pinches the bridge of his nose.
"Come on Bella. I'm trying can't you see that?"
Bella looks to the floor.
"Yes dad."
"Bella you need to find something you like to do. Or someone you enjoy hanging out with. You spend every day alone and the principal has said that you hardly even talk to your friends and keep to yourself 90 percent of the time. Everyone's concerned about you."
"I'm not the one that is missing!"
"I know Bella but the way you're acting you might as well be the one missing."
Bella's jaw drops and she runs off to her room.
"OH come on Bella you know I didn't mean that."
He hears her lock her door and know that there's no possible way she's talking not tonight.
Bella kicks back on her bed and places the picture of her and Riley on her nightstand. She kisses it and waits for the nightmares begin as she closes her eyes.
"Come on Bella just come." Angela begs.
"Yeah I'd be fun and we've not like hung out since…" Jessica starts to say and Angela elbows her.
Bella thinks about her and her father's argument about sending her to Jacksonville. Even if it pains her she can't bear the thought of being that far away from his memory. She's also not quite given up hope that just maybe he'll appear again.
"Um sure. Why not."
"Awesome."
"Right on Bella's going!" Eric says to Mike.
"Cool."
Eric puts his arm around her shoulder.
"Welcome back Bella baby."
"I'll pick you up at 7 tonight?"
Bella nods and Angela smiles.
"It hasn't been as fun without you Bella." She says rising from the table and pushing up her glasses.
Bella crosses her legs and stuffs her hands into her hoodie. She glances at the window seeing its boarded up and the principal that's sitting at the teachers lunch table is cutting her a filthy look. She shakes her head and picks up her tray emptying it and decides to kick back on one of the benches before the bell rings.
Math class comes and Bella practically covers her face so not to see the empty seat beside her. She forces herself to make it through the day without incident for once she succeeds. Bella races out the building when the bell rings.
"Hold on…" Charlie catches her as she tries to run upstairs.
"How did today go?"
"OK."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes dad I didn't get in trouble, break anything or send anyone to the hospital."
Charlie sighs in relief.
"And do you have any plans this weekend?"
"Yes hanging out with Angela, Jessica, Mike and Eric."
"Bout time."
"Yeah…" Bella says looking to Charlie.
They both nod and walk away.
Six o' clock rolls around and Bella forces herself to get dressed. She really doesn't want to go. The last time she went to a party was with him. Digging through her closet she throws a pair of blue jeans and a tank top out on the bed. She eyes her phone wanting to cancel. But knows she'll never hear the end of it from anyone if she does. Bella dresses and runs a brush through her hair then brushes her teeth. Not really caring how she looks she barely even glances in the mirror as she leaves the bathroom.
"Have a good time hun."
"Ok dad."
She walks out and see's Angela already waiting in her white Nissan.
"So you ready to have some fun?"
"Um sure." Bella shrugs.
Angela smiles and turns up the radio that's playing what Bella thinks is Lady GaGa but not sure. Angela turns into Mike's house eventually. This was their usual for the party hangouts as Mike was a spoiled brat with money. Bella honestly never liked Mike but respected him for Riley's sake since they were good friends.
Angela grabs Bella's arm and they enter the already loud house. Music blaring the place smelling of beer and tequila. Bella often wondered how Mike got away with so much.
"OH hey Bella so you really did make it!" Jessica says and hugs her.
"Sup Bella?" Mike says and hands her a beer.
"I'm good she hands it back."
"Oh come up Bella loosen up!" Jessica says and yanks the beer from Mike's hand.
"Just drink it."
"If I do will you all get out of my face?"
They laugh and nod. But Angela makes a sour face and turns to Mike irritated. He winks and shrugs. Bella downs the beer and Mike hands her another.
"OK…" Angela says and starts dragging her away.
Bella grabs it and downs it.
"Guys leave her alone please. I want her to have fun!"
"She will. A little booze will loosen her up."
"Yeah come on we all know Bella seriously needs to let go." Jessica says and Bella whips around.
"Let go of what exactly?!"
Jessica swallows and makes a nervous laugh. Angela shakes her head and drags her away from the group.
"There's actually someone I'd like you to meet."
Bella shrugs and grabs a vodka shot off one of the tables downing it. She turns to see a group of guys all black hair and rather dark skinned she guessed they were Indian.
"This is Paul, Quil, Embry and Jacob."
"Guys this is Bella."
They all nod her way and shake her hand. The one Angela introduced last known as Jacob held her hand a bit longer and caught her gaze.
"Nice to meet you Bella."
Bella nodded. She noted he was the most attractive one at the party. The guy was seriously deezed and had long hair about as long as hers. They live on the reservation they are Quileute.
"And hot." Angela whispered in her ear.
Bella sort of laughed. The one named Paul took Angela's hand leaving Bella feeling a bit awkward being left alone with the others.
"Hey Bella." She heard the voice behind her and rolled her eyes. She'd been mad at Mike for another reason a reason she didn't want to admit but knew it was true. He'd been hitting on her left and right since Riley came up missing. Thus, another reason amongst others she found distaste in him.
Jacob tilts his head taking note of her reaction to this boy.
Mike hands her a shot glass of more vodka and another cup of beer. He stares down the fool sensing he's taking advantage of the situation or planning to. Bella downs the vodka but Jacob grabs the beer from Mike's hand. "Thanks dude!" Jacob says pretending to down it.
Mike cuts him a look and takes Bella by the hand. Jacob nudges Quil shakes his head as they see Mike leading her upstairs.
"What a douchebag." Jacob says slamming down the beer and watching the two of them.
"Think she's a slut?" Embry says.
"Dude come on."
"Just saying…"
Jacob smacks him on the back of the head.
"Isn't it clear he's taking advantage of her? She doesn't even want to be here. That's why she's downing that crap like it's going out of style."
Jacob watches Mike lead her into a room and he closes the door.
"Son of a bitch." Jacob says and makes his way up the stairs.
"Are those two dating by chance?" Jacob catches Angela on the way first.
"Who?"
"That Mike Newton guy and Bella?"
"EW, no gross and Bella really can't stand him."
"I figured that much."
"Why you ask?"
"He just took her into a room and she looks sort of out of it."
"OH no!" Angela says and starts up the stairs.
"What's her deal anyway?"
Angela reads his face gathering his meaning.
"Her boyfriend was that Riley guy that came up missing nearly a year ago."
"Oh man."
Angela nods and reaches for the door handle.
"Allow me, might need some reinforcement."
Just as he says that they hear Mike Newton groan out.
"You sick son of a bitch! He was your best friend! How could you! Don't you ever touch me again MIKE NEWTON YOU BASTARD!"
"Or maybe not." Jacob says opening the door to see Mike Newton lay out on the floor holding his balls.
Paul runs up alongside of Angela as they look down upon him. Bella glances up on them with tears in her eyes but a look of complete anger and humiliation. It takes Jake a moment to realize her shirt is slightly ripped revealing a slight hint of side breast. Jake hurriedly takes off his shirt and places it on her. Bella kicks Mike in the ribs as he's down. Jacob wraps his arms around her waist and picks her up. Bella continues to kick her legs about trying to kick Mike some more.
"Easy killer." Jacob says.
"Leave now!" Mike manages to sputter out looking to Bella.
"If you're making her leave then we're all leaving!" Angela spouts off.
"The bitch kicked me in the nuts!"
"From the looks of it you deserved it dude." Paul said taking Angela's hand and exiting the room.
"Would you like a ride home? Looks like we're all leaving anyway."
"You're Jacob Black aren't you?"
Jacob smiles.
"So you do remember me?"
Bella smiles but grows a bit dizzy.
"Whoa." Let's get you some fresh air maybe some coffee.
"Just don't take me home yet Charlie will kill me if I come home drunk."
"So where we going?" Paul says as they greet them outside Mike's house.
"Ihop anyone?"
"Hell yeah!" Paul says and tosses Jake.
"What about you Bella?" Angela asks looking concerned about her friend.
"I happen to love me some pancakes."
"Awesome." Jacob says and helps her into the car.
"Designated driver!" Paul says and takes the Angela's and Jake's keys.
"Glad we got one." Angela says leaning into Paul.
"Yeah baby I got your backs."
Jacob looks to Bella and sees her looking out the window. He's didn't ever remember her being so sad but then again he's not seen Bella since she was like 8 or 9. He knew Billy was still best friends with Charlie her father but with Jacob growing up on the reservation he'd hardly seen Bella. In fact the last time he remembered them hanging out was at the water hole swimming while Billy and Charlie were camping.
"Wait here guys." Paul says parking outside of a gas station.
"What's he doing?" Angela asks.
"Who knows."
Paul comes running out with a shit ass grin holding up a My Little Pony shirt and tosses it at Jacob.
"No shoes, no shirt, no service." Paul winks.
"You ass." Jake says shaking his head but puts on the pink and yellow pony shirt.
Bella laughs.
"I don't know I think your friend just did you a favor. That shirt is awfully tight."
"Bella!" Angela laughs.
"Just saying." Bella shrugs and Jake blushes.
"Wow Bella that's the most I've seen you eat in forever!" Angela says with a smile.
Bella's face reddens.
"What can I say, drinking really makes you hungry."
"Bella's not really one to drink." Angela hints.
Jacob isn't sure what to say to that not wanting to offend her. He also can't seem to take his eyes off her. He can't seem to get over how gorgeous she is even as a drunken mess. She catches Jake off guard as she grabs his arm leaning into him. Angela looks to him wide eyed and he shrugs.
"You alright there?" Jacob as it looks like she's nodding off.
"Don't let her go to sleep I've heard that's actually the worst thing you could do!" Angela says worriedly.
Jacob nods and raises her up.
"Hey Bella wake up babe." She doesn't really budge.
"Let me take her outside maybe the cold air will do the trick."
Jacob carries Bella out the front doors of the IHOP while all the other customers stare.
"Take a picture would ya!" Jacob snaps.
He places her down on the hood of Angela's car.
"Jake!" She shoves him away and leans over to puke.
Jake was what she used to call him when they were little.
"Damn Bella." He says holding her hair back.
"I'm so sorry." She says covering her face not even looking at him.
"Hey you pushed me out of the way and saved this wonderful new shirt Paul got me."
Bella laughs but leans over again.
"Man are you sure you're going to be ok."
"Guess I'm not one to hold alcohol very well."
"Indeed you're not."
"Jake I think I need to get home. I'll just tell Charlie I came down with the flu or something."
Jacob knew that wouldn't fly he could smell it all over her and with Charlie being a cop he'd know automatically.
"Hmmmm, let me go talk to Angela and Mike you stay right here."
He reenters the restaurant and walks back over to the table where Paul and Angela are already making out. That didn't take long he thinks. He clears his throat and Paul looks over.
"Dude…"
Jake laughs.
"I need to take Bella home guys."
"But you've been drinking."
"Nah I only pretended to down the beer to get Mike off her back bro."
"Oh ok um sure." Paul hands Jake the keys.
"We'll be here waiting."
"I'll do my best to hurry first thing's first is I got to get the smell of drinking off her."
"Go get her a toothbrush, toothpaste and mouthwash. Then get her some good smelling mousse or perfume like scented hairspray and have her brush it through her hair. Trust me it works."
"Ok. I'll see you guys in a bit." Jake looks out the window to see her falling asleep against the hood.
"Ah crap." He runs outside.
"Not so fast, wakey wakey."
Bella tiredly rises.
"Am I home yet?"
Jacob laughs.
"No babe fraid not, we got to get you freshened up a bit first."
Jacob drives back to the convenient store where Paul got his crappy shirt. He grabs the items Angela mentioned purchases them and rushes back to the car.
"Here he hands her the items use them all as directed and we'll have you ready to face your dad."
"Oh wow thanks." Bella says looking truly appreciative.
"No problem."
He starts the car as Bella tiredly uses the items. Jake could already smell and see the difference.
They arrived at the house and he helped check Bella over.
"I'll handle this just don't talk or really look at Charlie. Let me do all the talking."
Bella nods as Jacob gets out of the car and opens her side of the door. He helps her out and leads her to the door. He knocks on it and Charlie answers looking rather suspicious.
"Jake?"
Jake smiles.
"That'd be me."
Charlie shakes his head confused.
"Why are you bringing Bella home I thought Angela was."
"That was the plan but Bella got very sick. We think she's getting the flu or something. I offered to take Bella home considering I hadn't seen her in years. We were all watching a movie when poor Bella here yacked all over her shirt so I gave her one of mine, decided it'd be best if I brought her home."
Charlie nods looking his daughter and Jake over.
"Well I got it from here thank you Jake."
"NO problem sir. Nice seeing you again Bella don't be a stranger."
Bella half smiles and nods mouthing the words thank you.