CHAPTER 2 - Just a fraction
Charlie thought this phase in Bella would be over. Thought that the talk with her would change things, maybe he was just being too hopeful. Things only got worse.
Bella's attitude lessened just a fraction. Still, the phone calls from school would come. Complaints from certain folks in town almost doubled. Only damage that Charlie was obligated to repairing, so far, was the broken driver's window on her Chevy truck. Even Bella's taste in music had changed as he heard it blaring from upstairs. Only alternative music with a lot of screaming seemed to play from her stereo. At least her destruction of her room has disappeared.
Bella's heavy footsteps reached the stairs as she clomped down toward the living room. It was the weekend, Charlie would have to put up with Bella's unpleasant attitude. Concentrating on not upsetting her. He had plans for Billy to head over and watch the game with him. Now that he saw Bella come down from her room, he second thought about his company coming over to visit. But it was too late, he could hear the engine of the red VW Rabbit pull up onto his driveway, blocking Bella's truck in. Charlie took a deep breath to calm his coming anxiety, and embarrassment, and got up from his lounge chair to open the door for Jacob & Billy.
"Hey Billy. Hey Jacob. C'mon in!" he greeted his old friend and his son.
Billy and Jacob had a comforting smile as they crossed the threshold of Charlie's home.
"Hi Charlie. Thanks." Jacob said as he pushed his father's wheelchair through.
"Charlie! You ready to lose some money? My team is going to win today for sure." Billy snickered as he reached out to shake Charlie's hand.
Jacob laughed at their play.
"Sure sure, Billy. But remember this is my house. I can kick you out at anytime, old friend. You can drive yourself home in your wheelchair & Jacob can stay." Charlie joked as he slapped Billy's shoulder.
They all laughed. Charlie felt good being able to laugh and joke again. Bella sat at the couch ignoring them as she flipped through the channels of the television.
"Bella?" Charlie turned to look at her. He raised his eyebrows in gesture to follow his direction of saying hello to their guests.
"What?"
"Don't be rude, Bella."
"Don't worry about it, Bella." Billy said to relieve some of the tension building in the living room. "Your father was just threatening to kick me out of his house!"
"Hey Bella." Jacob walked over to the couch to greet her.
"Hi." she said shortly.
Jacob sat down on the recliner. "What'cha watching?"
"I don't know. That's why I'm flipping through the channels, obviously." Bella rolled her eyes.
"Wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?" Jacob asked with one eyebrow raised.
"Ugh. I can't deal with this today." she got up from the couch and tossed the remote on the couch. Grabbing her truck keys, she headed toward the front door.
"I'm leaving. Hi Billy. Bye Billy. Happy?" she eyed her dad.
"Where you going?" Charlie asked.
"None of your business, Dad."
At least she was still calling him Dad. That's all she could do after putting him through so much difficulties and him fixing the aftermath she left behind.
"Bella." he tried to sound fierce at her attitude.
Bella closed the front door behind her, ignoring Charlie, only to come back after a few seconds.
"Jacob. Your car is blocking my way." Bella stood with her arms crossed. A look of frustration made her jaw slightly jut out.
"Woops. Just a second." Jacob headed out the front door nonchalantly, without closing it. Bella followed him heading toward her truck.
Luckily, the morning weather seemed to be nice. The breeze was not so strong and it pleased Bella. She decided it would be a good day. Maybe she would relax and be calm for once. As long as she would be alone. Maybe she would drive to Portland, just to drive. Pick up a few cd's that were just released Bella's been planning to purchase. Jacob was pulling out behind her, parking alongside the street. Bella didn't really pay attention as her agenda of the day was being put together in her head. She also didn't notice that Jacob walked up to her open driver side window, trying to talk to her.
"Bella. Bella?" he waved his hand catching her attention finally.
"Hmm? What?"
"Where you going?" he asked.
"Why? You going to run off to tell Charlie where I'm going?" she slowly closed and opened her eyes dramatically.
"Nah. I was just wondering 'cause I'm not really into watching the game. I just came along to give my dad a ride."
Oh great.
Bella thought in her head.
What is he up to?
Suspicion made Bella narrow her eyes at him.
"Is it cool if I came along. I mean, if it's cool with you." Jacob asked, raising his eyebrows in question.
"I don't think so." Bella said slowly.
"Why not? We could go do something in La Push, if you want. Go off-roading in your truck. You can even do donuts in the dirt." he smiled teasingly at Bella.
Obviously, Jacob knew of Bella's happenings. Of course, it was a small town. Gossip spread like wild fire, especially about her. Most likely it had been Charlie who told.
"My dad tell you that? Figures."
"Actually, he told my dad. My dad mentioned it to me." Jacob nodded, correcting her.
"Whatever." she rolled her eyes and shook her head simultaneously.
"Okay! Great!" Jacob exclaimed. "Hey Charlie, Dad. I'm going with Bella. Be back later!" he yelled toward the open front door. Charlie appeared then.
"Alright, Jacob. See you later." Charlie then closed the door.
Jacob circled the front of the truck and headed to the passenger side. Billy was looking out the window behind the curtain.
"What? I didn't say you could....Ugh!" Jacob entered the truck, plopping himself with an 'Aahh' as he closed the door.
"GET out, Jacob. I didn't say it was alright."
"Yeah you did, Bella. You said 'whatever'." he smiled at her. Jacob didn't care that he was getting on Bella's nerves.
"That didn't mean..." she practically growled as she didn't finish her sentence. Her face was flushed with anger.
The front door opened suddenly, Charlie's head leaning out. Worry plus concern laced his statement.
"Bella? Be careful. Please!" Charlie shouted out the door.
Jacob rolled down the window of the truck, waving his hand in assurance to Charlie.
"Don't worry, Charlie. I'll take care of her." Jacob smiled comfortably toward Charlie. "Let's go! We don't got all day." turning his head to speak to Bella, getting comfortable in the seat.
"I'm not moving till you get out. So get out." she growled.
"C'mon! I'll drive, if you want."
Jacob was so persistent! She was irritated beyond comprehension. Bella didn't know what to do as she sat fuming in her seat. Her hands gripping the steering wheel hard, the knuckles on her hand paling white.
"By the way, I like your hair."
Bella abruptly turned to look at him with confusion in her face. Was he joking? There was a boyish, warm smile on his face. No, he was serious. Jacob Black was the first one to compliment her about her hair. For some odd reason, her irritation disintegrated. Her focus seemed to veer from her anger just a moment ago. Bella looked at the windshield of the truck for a moment, then put the car into reverse, backing out of the driveway. She drove down the road as silence filled the cabin of the car.
"Okay, Jacob. Which way?"
Jacob warm smile widened in excitement.
* * *
"Turn here. Left. Then just follow the path till it ends." Jacob instructed Bella.
The silence in the cab since that moment was awkward. Bella hasn't seen Jacob since the time at First Beach. He hasn't changed a bit. Still the young boyish face she found adorable. Hair still long and lustrous. For a second, she was envious of his hair. Her hair blew furiously around her face as the wind from the open window pushed it in every direction. It was too short, now, to hold it out of the way with a rubber band. Jacob's hair stayed perfect in his band. He smiled while surveying the forest, enjoying the nice breeze.
Bella turned into the dirt road that Jacob pointed out and slowed the ancient truck to a slower speed. Waiting for the end of the path. Trees were thick on both sides but started to lessen in number as she went deeper down the path. As the path ended, so did the thick forest of trees. Instead there was an opening into what seem like a mix of meadow and dirt. It looked like a small track with small jumps for off road vehicles or other sorts. Trees lining the open field, just like her and Edward's meadow. The misery she was able to dash away for quite some time was spreading quickly throughout her body. She bit her lip to hold it together.
She would need this. Something to kick the adrenaline into action and thrust the pain inside of her out. Studying the dirt in the open field of space, she kicked the engine into high gear as she accelerated toward it.
"Whoa! Okay..okay." Jacob's attention jumped into alert.
In the center of the dirt field, Bella turned the wheel abruptly, like the way she did in the wet parking lot of Forks High. Jacob held onto the door as the turn pushed him into wayward directions. It was a good thing he had his seatbelt on. Bella felt that adrenaline rush throughout her veins and pushed the car harder. The rush, though, did not feel as strong as it was when she first did it in the parking lot. Disappointment slowly crept up on her as the realization dwindled.
"Can I drive, Bella?" Jacob asked, interrupting her thoughts.
Bella slowed to a stop and got out of the truck. Jacob scooted over to the driver's side, then waited for Bella to get in.
"Aren't you coming?"
"No." Bella shook her head. "Go ahead. I'll just watch."
She walked to the grassy part of the field, toward the edge, closer to the trees. She sat on the ground, pulling her knees up and tucking them under her chin. Jacob wooted as he made donuts in the dirt, dirt sputtering everywhere as he did so.
Watching Jacob enjoy himself in his off-roading fun, Bella could hear a faint sputtering engine coming from a distance. She turned her head in the direction of the high pitched, whiny engine sound. At first, she could not see anything as the thickness of the trees blocked her view. Then, a boy around her age, rode his dirt bike into view. Riding swiftly into the open dirt field. Bella watched in admiration as the boy started to take jumps off the dirt ramps that was there for that purpose. Even Jacob slowed to watch the boy ride adventurously through the road.
Jacob drove in Bella's resting location. Bella stood up, never taking her eyes off the rider.
"I wanna do that." Bella admitted.
"I can make it happen, if you want."
Bella looked at Jacob, confused. Did Jacob have a dirt bike too?
"Yeah right. Whatever, Jacob."
"I can! I know who that is. Let's go say hi." Jacob told Bella. "Just get in the truck. We'll drive over there."
Jacob made his way after Bella got in.
"That's Quil, one of my best friends. I didn't know he was coming today."
As Jacob made that perception, a car came into view from the other end of the field. Another truck, an old blue Dodge Ram pulled up next to Jacob as Jacob stilled the truck.
"Embry! There you are. I didn't know you were planning to come today." Jacob excitedly spoke.
"Yeah, I was able to borrow the truck and follow Quil in." Embry responded. "You got your truck back? What happend to the Alice in Wonderland piece of crap?"
Alice in Wonderland was the nickname Quil & Embry used for Jacob's VW Rabbit. It was a corny, stupid joke between the trio, but they thought it was funny. Of course, except Jacob.
"Hey now. It runs, right? It's not a piece of crap. At least I got a car." Jacob defended his vehicle.
All Embry do was laugh as Jacob spoke. He then noticed Bella sitting in the passenger seat. Embry nodded his head upwards, pointing towards Bella.
"Who's that?" Embry asked.
"Oh. Sorry. This is Bella. Charlie's daughter. That's why I got the truck, it's hers."
"Oh, cool. Hi Bella." Embry waved in Bella's direction. He flashed a teethy smile at Bella.
Bella just smiled as politely as she could, lifting her hand to respond with some gesture of a greeting.
"That's Embry." Jacob turned his head to tell her. He returned his attention back to Embry. "Hey Em, let's get Bella to have a ride on it, yeah?" Jacob said.
"She wants a try?"
"Actually, maybe we'll start off with her riding in the back." Jacob was a little hesitant, assuming she didn't know how to ride a dirt bike properly. He assumed right. Bella rolled her eyes at Jacob, but didn't say a word.
"Can we just do this already?" Bella was getting impatient. She plopped herself against the back rest of the seat.
"Okay, okay, Bella. Just a second. We're getting to that. But we have to go over some rules before doing anything." Jacob sounded serious.
"Fine."
Embry honked the horn as Jacob & Bella had the small talk. Quil was alerted and made his way to the two parked trucks.
"Hey Jacob. What's up?" Quil greeted.
"Quil, hey, nice air!"
"It's good it's not raining today." Quil looked upward, into the sunny sky. Glad that there were no clouds in sight.
"Quil, this is Bella. Bella, Quil."
"Hi Bella, nice to meet you." Quil held a hand out with a big smile to shake hands with Bella.
Bella was hesitant and shook his hand shortly. "Hi." That same polite smile crossed her lips.
"C'mon Bella. It's our turn." Jacob said, excited for their turn.
They all got out of their trucks, Quil getting off the bike, kicking the kickstand. Jacob explained what she had to do to keep it safe while on the bike. Don't squeeze to hard when holding on, turn
with the rider as the bike turns, don't put too much weight while leaning onto the rider. Bella nodded her head in agreement and felt that nervousness, or was it adrenaline, creep up on her again. It was probably both. It didn't matter, she was just beyond excited to get on the bike.
Jacob mounted the yellow dirt bike, holding out his hand to help Bella mount in behind him. She firmly held him around the waist after he kick started the engine. The engine coming alive as Jacob revved.
"Hold on!" Jacob warned Bella.
"Okay!" Bella
.
The bike started to move slowly at first, then Jacob accelerated until Bella's hair was flying in the wind again. She didn't mind it was stinging as it whipped crazily around her face. The wind was very cool against her face, almost stinging her eyes. The monster under vibrated every part of her body as Jacob accelerated even more. Her smile grew wide and excited as she saw the first jump not too far ahead. Jacob tried to speak to her through the loud rumble of the dirt bike.
"I'm gonna go slow at first to see how we do."
Bella just nodded her head in agreement.
Jacob knew it would be dangerous to do a jump with a passenger behind him. So he took the dirt mound fast but gentle, not getting any air. Bella was immediately disappointed. There was a straight road till the next jump came. Jacob took that path at full speed, their clothes whipping against the wind, then slowed a little before riding the jump. Bella might have been disappointed by the first jump, but the speed getting to the second jump was fantastic. She wanted more.
"Jacob, let's go fast again."
"What? Oh, okay."
Jacob turned the bike to a head back, this time no jumps, just speed. He twisted the accelerator handle and they jerked into full speed. Jacob bent his head down in habit to fight against the wind as he rode rapidly through the field. They could hear Quil and Embry wooting them on with excitement. Bella was exhilarated. This was more incredible than the donuts on a rainy day.
"Again!" Bella demanded like a child, as they arrived to the end of the field.
Jacob did a repeat performance. Bella's grip on Jacob's waist tightened from excitement.
"I'm heading back. Embry probably wants a turn." Jacob admitted to Bella.
"Okay."
Quil and Embry's expressions were excited as they were approached. Embry seemed to be fired up for his turn. Bella jumped off first, hair completely disarrayed from the ride. Jacob followed, the bike still running.
"That was incredible!" Bella exclaimed.
"My turn." Embry interrupted impatiently.
He jumped onto the bike and took off full speed toward the jumps.
"I want to do that, though." Bella said pointing as Embry jumped with the bike.
"You'll have to learn how to ride the bike first, Bella." Jacob said.
"Ok, then you'll just have to teach me."
Jacob looked at her incredulously. Was that a demand? I guess so, because the look in Bella's face was serious.
* * *
Bella hasn't felt this good in such a long time. The day turned out better than she expected, thanks to Jacob. She would have to thank him later. Or would she? He did invite himself to the ride. But all in all, Jacob didn't seem so bad at all.
"So...why did you cut your hair?"
Ok, maybe that last statement was just wishful thinking?
"Because I felt like it." Bella scoffed.
"Sor-ry, was just making small talk."
Bella was silent. She didn't want to talk about the reason or the reasons behind the reason.
"Ya know what? It's none of your business, Jacob. I have my reasons."
"Is it because of that guy?"
Bella's lips pursed. Her face flushed with heat as she got very agitated.
"I know the story, Bella. It's just me and my dad at the house, so I'm the only one he tells things to, sometimes."
"My dad has a big mouth." Bella tone was angry. She knew that Billy only knew these things because Charlie would tell him.
"Don't get mad at your dad, he's just worried about you." Jacob said.
That guilt that Bella always felt when it came to Charlie, came back, but it was worse when it was mixed with anger. She didn't want to talk about it anymore. Jacob just needed to shut up. Right now.
As an impulse, she sped the truck up to it's maximum speed. 55 mph. That idea didn't work as it started to sputter weird engine noises. Bella slammed on the break, causing Jacob's head to jerk forward.
"Hey! What are you doing?!"
"Ok, get out." she said calmly.
"What? We're almost there, let's just go." Jacob said incredulously.
"Then you can walk the rest back. Get out!"
"You are insane!" he looked at her with shocked eyes. Then they mellowed out to normal. "You'll just have to push me out then." Jacob said, resting his elbow on the door frame, then resting his head on his hand.
"Fine."
Bella unbuckled her seatbelt, then unbuckled Jacob's. She opened the door from the inside and sat back on her side. Using all the anger she had inside of her, she pushed Jacob's shoulder with as much force as she could. Jacob was a big and tall guy, but this attempt caught him by surprise. His eyes widened in surprise. When the pushing force wasn't strong enough, she started to kick him by his rear to push him out the truck. Jacob almost stumbled, catching himself before he completely fell out of the truck. She closed the door and took off down the road.
"Bella! You're CRAZY!" Jacob yelled as she drove away.
Bella looked in the rearview mirror, laughing as she watched Jacob kick at the gravel on the side of the road.
Where was she going? Bella didn't want to go home yet. Not yet, not when Charlie and Billy would be upset with her about abandoning Jacob on the side of the street. She really needed time to herself. She was angry as Jacob put horrible thoughts of the past back into her head. Feeling angry, guilty, sad, weak, tired, all at the same time. But where would she go? Bella needed to let go of this pent up fury. Exhaling a sigh of frustration, tears stung her eyes. Her lips pursed and her nostrils flared. Bella knew where to go. She pushed her old truck down the road toward the Cullen home.