2.
I sat in my room waiting for Jake to pick me up for the party. I can't believe I actually agreed to this. Worst of all, the outfit Alice picked for me was humiliating. I was in a short black strapless dress that showed off more than I'd like and was wearing a pair of red heels. "Statement shoes" she had referred to them as. My long locks were straightened and parted to the side with one clip. The makeup I liked, it was smokey but not over done.
"Nessie! I'm here!" I heard Jake call. I took one last look at my reflection before grabbing my purse and heading downstairs. I saw Jake talking with my dad and Emmett about football.
"I'm ready." I said, alerting him of my presence. All three of them starred at me in disbelief before my dad and Jake both shouted, "What are you wearing?"
I rolled my eyes and looked at Alice who was beaming with pride.
"That's exactly the response I was hoping for!" She said clapping. My dad threw his hands in the air.
"Are you crazy Alice? I'm not letting her go out like that!" I could tell that he was having a hard time looking at me. Jake walked over to me and removed his leather jacket to put it over my shoulders.
"God Ness, cover up! Go change into something less revealing." He said uncomfortably. Their reaction to my clothes made me suddenly feel confidant. If this outfit made them uncomfortable, maybe it did look good.
"Ya know what? I kinda like it." I smiled. Alice nodded her head.
"That's right, it looks fabulous and it does not show off too much. You two are just overprotective and have no sense of fashion. She's seventeen and is a woman now. Jake will be there with her if anything were to happen." My dad seemed silenced as my mother walked in and gasped.
"Renesemee! You look beautiful! Good job Alice!" Dad and Jake's mouths dropped again at her excitement.
"Bella," Jake plead. "You can't seriously be okay with her going like that? Guys are going to drool!" She smiled at him.
"As they should! She looks incredible." She gave me a wink and whirled me around to get a full look.
"Love, are you sure?" My dad asked nervously. She nodded her head.
"Oh yes, she will be fine. Jake will watch over her." Jacob held his hands up.
"Okay, but I will not be held responsible if I end up beating someone's ass by the end of the night." He took my arm and guided me towards the door. I blew my dad a kiss and said goodbye to everyone.
"Are you sure about this Ness?" Jake asked me as we pulled up to the party. I rolled my eyes at him.
"I'll be fine, Jake! Jeez calm down." He groaned and got out of the truck to open the door for me.
"Stay where I can see you okay? This house is huge." I looked at the grand house in awe. My family had money but never made much show of it. I guessed that Lauren's parents were just as snobby as she was.
We entered the house to find at least fifty people we went to school with. I noticed that there was a keg and tons of empty bottles and cans everywhere. I hadn't thought about drinking tonight, but the thought was intriguing. I knew that Jake would never allow it, but I could try to sneak a beer, just to see what it tasted like.
"Jake! You came!" I turned my attention back to Jake and a drunk Lauren in his face. She was wearing a skimpy pink dress that left little to the imagination. He smiled at her and wrapped his arm around my shoulder.
"Hey Lauren. You have an awesome place!" She grinned at him and gave me the once over.
"Wow, Rachel you look different! I didn't expect that you'd show up." Her small frame wobbled from side to side as I tried to think of a response to her slurred words.
"Renesmee and I are kind of a packaged deal Lauren. Is that going to be a problem?" He asked her sternly. She looked at me for a moment before throwing her hands in the air.
"Nah! The more the merrier I always say! Go get a drink and come find me later!" With that, she turned away from us and ran into the bathroom.
"Ten bucks she just threw up!'' Jake laughed.
"Twenty it won't be the last time this evening!" I challenged him. He threw his head back cracking up.
After our encounter with a drunken Lauren, I opted not to drink. The last thing I needed was to be labeled at my first party.
"Do you want something to drink?" Jacob asked. I nodded and followed him into the kitchen. He grabbed two bottled waters and handed one to me.
"Thanks." I mumbled. We drank in silence for a few minutes before I heard Jessica's loud squealing.
"Jacob and Renesmee! I'm so glad you came!" She ran over to us and gave me a half heart ed hug.
"You look so pretty Renesmee! Did you do your hair and makeup yourself?" Her fake interest was enough to make me vomit but I played nice.
"My aunt wanted to fix me up. You look amazing." She glanced down at her mini skirt and blew it off.
"Oh this is nothing, I just threw it on! You know how it is!" I nodded, pretending to understand what she was talking about. Her eyes lit up as she grabbed a guy from behind her.
"Oh! You just have to meet my cousin Mike! He's a senior and he's hilarious! Get over here Mike!" She pulled Mike in front of me and introduced us.
"Mike this Renesmee and Jacob. They are both new to our school." He held his hand out and shook our hands.
"Nice to meet you both, especially you Renesmee." He gave me little smile and I felt my face turn bright red.
"You too Mike." I said. He was cute, tall and strong with dirty blond hair and blue eyes. Something about the way he was looking at me, made me think that he thought I was more than cute. Jake cleared his throat and stepped in.
"So you're a senior then? We're only sophomores." He said. I threw him a look that clearly said "knock it off". He ignored me and continued with the implications.
"You eighteen yet?" He questioned. Mike took a swig of his beer.
"I just turned eighteen a month ago." Jake nodded deep in thought.
"Yeah, she just turned seventeen, not legal just yet." He said sadly. I elbowed him in the ribs just as Jessica pulled his arm.
"Jacob there's some people I want you to meet!" She cooed. He reluctantly went with her, but kept me in his sight. I groaned and flashed Mike an apologetic look.
"Sorry about that, he's my best friend and is a little too protective of me sometimes." I explained. He shrugged his shoulders.
"It's cool, I can see why he'd have to be, you are gorgeous." He winked at me before finishing his beer.
"How are you liking high school so far?" He asked.
"It's nothing exciting, but nothing unbearable." He laughed at my response.
"Yeah, I can't wait for college. I'm going to get as far away from this town as I can. I'm thinking New York or LA. How bout you? What are your plans?"
"I'm sure an ivy league school. My grandpa and father are both graduates of Harvard. That's sort of the direction I've been pushed my whole life." He raised an eyebrow at me.
"So you're a bookworm huh? I like hot nerds." He smirked at me. I giggled at his bluntness.
"You don't hold back do you?" I asked. He leaned in closer to me.
"I usually get what I want, yes." He returned. I wasn't sure if I was flattered or creeped out by him. He was forward but also friendly.
"Do you want to dance?" He asked politely. I glanced over in Jake's direction and noticed that he was deep in conversation with a few guys. I nodded excitedly and took his hand before Jacob had time to interfere.
He led me to the living room where tons of people were already dancing. I laughed as he twirled me into the crowd and started dancing. I tried my best to imitate what the others girls were doing. The song was an uptempo r&b song and I did my best to look like I knew what I was doing. He placed his hands on my waist and slowly got closer to me. I placed my hands loosely on his shoulders and followed his rhythm. At least one of us knows what they're doing.
As the song went on, Mike kept getting closer and closer to me. I tried to flirtatiously move away from him, but he just turned me around and began to gyrate his hips into my back side. I grabbed his hands off my hips and pushed him away. He grinned slyly at me before wrapping his arm around me and pulling me back into him with more force.
"Get off her now!" I heard Jacob sneer. Jacob stood next to us with a murderous expression. Mike looked over at him and laughed.
"Calm down friend, we're just dancing and getting to know each other." He moved his other arm down my thigh and rubbed me. Jake's huge hand planted firmly on his shoulder, forcing him to a stand still.
"First of all, I am not your friend. Second of all, if you don't let her go this instant, the only thing you you'll be getting to know is my fist and the floor." He growled. Mike got the message and immediately held his hands up in surrender. Jake grabbed my arm and pulled me towards the door.
"We leaving now." I nodded as he placed his coat over my shoulders.
Once outside, he took me in his arms and kissed my forehead.
"Are you okay? Did he do anything to you?" He asked frantically. I shook my head.
"No, he was just a little too comfortable with touching me." I said quietly. He growled and began to shake.
"Careful Jake," I warned. "I'm fine and I don't think you should phase with so many people around." He took a deep breath and nodded.
"Okay, I'm fine, but the next time I tell you to stay in my sight, please listen. It's to protect you." He said sternly. I smiled at him and nodded.
"As long as you promise to not over react to guy noticing me." I added. He exhaled loudly and shook m hand.
"Deal."
As we drove away, I pointed at a girl throwing up in the bushes.
"Look." Jake stretched his head to see Lauren and busted into laughter.
"Looks like you won the bet!" We both cracked up, leaving the party behind us.
I decided to devote my entire weekend to Jake since we'd both been so busy with school. I knew that I had to make it a point to spend time with him, especially since things had gotten a little tense between us. I woke up early Saturday morning, hoping to surprise Jake at his house.
I took a quick shower and threw my hair back into a pony tail. After throwing on a pair of jeans and one of Jake's old hoodies, I ran out the door towards the Black residence.
When I reached his house, I was pleased to see that his truck was in the driveway. I snuck into the house quietly, hoping to catch him by surprise. I peaked into his room to hear the shower running. I sighed, a little disappointed that I didn't catch him still asleep.
I looked around his room and smiled at the familiar space. Everything was normal, his laundry basket was overflowing with clothes, and his car magazines littered the floor. I took a deep breath and enjoyed the scent of him. He had the most distinct scent. To me it smelled like earth and home.
I noticed the framed picture of us on his desk. It was taken the day of Sam and Emily's wedding two years ago. We were smiling and hugging each other. I smiled as I remembered how uncomfortable he had been in that tux. For such a big guy, he sure was a baby.
As I put the picture down, I caught site of a stake of envelopes piled up in an open drawer. I squinted as I thought I saw the return address was from NYU. Without delay, I grabbed the stack of large envelopes. I shifted through them, beyond shocked. Harvard, Yale, Brown, WSU, all acceptance letters. How could Jake not have told me? When had he even applied? Confusion and anger swept through me as I tried to make excuses for him.
"Nessie! When did you get here..." I turned to face a worried Jake. He stood in the bathroom doorway arms crossed, starring at the envelopes. He waited for me to speak. I held them up.
"How," I sputtered, trying to find the right words. "Why didn't you tell me? All year you've never mentioned anything about applying anywhere. In fact, I recall "Forks Community College" escaping your lips on several occasions!" I threw the stack onto his desk, knocking over our picture. Jake rushed over to set it neatly in it's place.
"Careful Ness! I love that picture." I shook my head in annoyance.
"I just found out you've been lying to me Jake. I want an explanation, now." He took a step towards me, his towering figure almost seemed to cower in front of me. His black eyes starred at me apologetic.
"I'm not going to any of them Nessie. I applied to prove to myself that I could be accepted." I frowned.
"What do you mean you're not going?" He shrugged.
"Just what I said. There's nothing more to it. I didn't tell you because I never actually planned on going." I stepped back unable to make sense of any of it.
"Jake, how can you not go? All of these schools are, well, look at them! Yale? Brown? Harvard?" I pointed at the messy stalk in amazement. " Do you have any idea about the kinds of opportunities you have here?" I had no idea just how brilliant Jake was, he never mentioned his grades. Not to say I ever doubted his intelligence, but I never expected this.
He placed his arm around my shoulder and led me towards the door.
"Let's go do something, I'll even let you pick." I spun out of his grasp, making him groan.
"Renesme, just drop it okay? I was curious that's all!"
"Then why did you bother applying?" I demanded. "How can you go to a community college when ivy league schools want you? This doesn't make any sense Jacob Black!" We scowled at each other for a few moments before some sort of realization came to his face.
"You actually want me to go." He stated quietly. I starred back at my friend, unable to comprehend his expression. He looked upset that I wanted him to go to school.
"Of course I do! This is amazing Jake, you should be proud of yourself. Have you even told your dad?" He nodded. "And? What did he say?" I pushed.
"He thought it was pretty cool." That was it? Just pretty cool?
"What does he think you should do?" He smiled.
"He thinks I should do whatever is best for me. I could always go in a couple years Ness."
"Why not now? What's stopping you? Is it the money? You know my parents would gladly," He held up an enormous hand.
"No Nessie! Not at all necessary. I can get plenty of scholarships."
"Then why wait?" He exhaled loudly before giving me a mischievous grin.
"I can't leave my Nessie here! Who would I annoy? I doubt those ivy league kids have as much fun as we do." He lightly pulled my ponytail. Suddenly I figured it all out.
"You're not going because of me." The playfulness on Jake's face suddenly disappeared, leaving a look of anguish.
"Yes." He said quietly. His tone was so decided I knew I wouldn't be able to change his mind. I walked past him to the door, defeated. I turned my head to him.
"You owe it to yourself to live up to your potential Jake. You deserve better than being my guard dog."
"Renesmee!" I heard him start to protest as I took off towards my house.
I climbed into my bed that night feeling depressed. If it wasn't for me being half human, half vampire, I wouldn't be such a burden on everyone. Jake would be able to go wherever he wanted with no ties. He wouldn't have to devote his life to my safety.
"Nessie?" I heard someone whisper outside my window. I didn't even have to wonder who it was.
"Jake I don't want to talk right now." I could hear him climbing my drain pipe. I sat up just as he appeared behind the glass. I sighed and went to open the window.
He was flushed and sweaty from running.
"I need to talk to you kid, let me explain something to you." I glared at him, contemplating whether to let him in or not. His eyes pleaded with me as I crossed my arms, standing my ground.
"Please, it will only take a few minutes." I finally nodded and stepped aside so he could climb in. His huge body slowly squeezed through and fell onto the floor. "Shit!" He cried. I tried not to laugh as he awkwardly stood up. No, I thought. He's not getting off that easily.
"Spit it out Jake." I commanded. He faced me and smiled.
"Thanks Ness." He put his hands on his hips and cocked his head to the side.
"You know why I can't go. I have to know you're safe, I need to be near you. There's no way I'm going anywhere unless you are there too." I frowned.
"So what, you're just going to follow me my entire life" He nodded.
"I promised Edward and Bella that I would always look after you. Even when you are old, even when when you're with a man who devotes his life to the same cause. I will always be around, just in case." I walked to my bed and sat down.
"As sweet as that is Jake, it isn't realistic or right for you to waste your life protecting me." He kneeled down in front of me.
"I would only be wasting my life by staying away from you. The choices I have made are the right ones."
"I can't believe they asked this of you. How could they?" He took my small hands into his large ones.
"The promise I made Nessie, was not only to your parents, but to my heart. A promise that is not an obligation, but a privilege. I am happy when I am with you, I can't leave you."
"You can't not go to school Jake." I said. "I won't let you not live up to your potential. It would make me unhappy to watch you throw your life away." He squeezed my hands.
"That is why you are my best friend Ness, because you care so much for my happiness. I didn't want you to find out about the acceptances, because I was going to surprise you."
"When?" He grinned from ear to ear.
"I knew you'd get into one of those schools, so I applied early to ensure that I would be accepted into the same schools. If I failed to be accepted into any one of them, I would have an entire year to reapply. Then when you decided which one you wanted to attend, I would go with you." My mouth dropped in shock.
"You mean, you are going to go?"
"We are going together. That way I will make you proud of me, and I will keep my promise." I threw my arms around him.
"Thank you Jake!" He rubbed my back and kissed the top of my head.
"Thank you for making me challenge myself."
I woke up Monday morning feeling a sense of security knowing that Jake and I were doing better. Like every other morning, he picked me up in his truck and drove me to school.
"I can't wait for this quarter to be over," Jake groaned next to me. I shoved my math book in my locker and grabbed my biology book. "I am so tired of Mr. Johnson's boring lectures." I turned to him and offered a smile.
"Only a few more months to go buddy. You can make it." He returned my smile and patted my head.
"Thanks kid." I groaned at this.
"Don't call me kid, I hate that!" He laughed for a moment before his eyes darkened. I frowned and turned around to see Eli grinning behind me.
"Hi Ness!" He said happily before acknowledging Jacob. "What's up Black?" Jacob nodded at him before taking a step back from us. Eli ignored his rudeness and smiled at me.
"So I was wondering if you might want to see a movie with me Friday night and maybe grab something to eat?" I opened my mouth to answer him when I heard Jacob grumble, "That's original," under his breath. I shot daggers at him before returning my attention to Eli.
"I would love to, thanks. Where should I meet you?" Eli shrugged his shoulders.
"I can pick you up if you'd like?" I nodded shyly.
"I'll text you my address on Friday then."
"Sounds good, looking forward to it." He smiled at me one last time before walking away. I turned on my heel to see Jacob practically gagging.
"What now?" I groaned. He crossed his arms.
"Dinner and a movie for a first date? Talk about boring. You can't even talk during a movie! How are you supposed to get to know each other? What a pansy." He commented. I rolled my eyes.
"You need to chill out. He's really nice and a dinner and a movie sounds wonderful." Jake took a step towards me.
"All I'm saying is that I wouldn't plan such an ordinary date for such an extraordinary girl. I would have put more thought into it than that." I felt my blush appear at his words. He was looking at me strangely and I pulled away in response. I didn't like it when he made me feel so edgy.
"Well, you didn't ask me out so you don't have to worry about it." I threw back at him. His eyes narrowed causing my heart rate to accelerate.
"What if I did?" He asked me quietly, holding my gaze. He put his hand against my locker, forcing me into it. My breathing was getting deeper as I felt a strange jolt hit me.
"But you wouldn't." I whispered. He stared into my eyes for a few more moments, debating whether to challenge me or not. He eventually left my comfort zone and took a deep breath.
"Later Nessie." I watched him walk away, not sure what to make of what had just happened. What they hell was going on?