"A simple friend thinks the friendship over when you have an argument. A real friend knows that it's not a friendship until after you've had a fight."

Chapter THREE –Fight-

The friendly duo came back from their extended lunch, just as the warning bell rang for their fifth period. They didn't plan on returning to school so late but Jake was kind enough to stop by his house and pick up the Volkswagon. Thus, since Jacob didn't have baseball today, when he dropped Ness off this afternoon, she wouldn't get in trouble with her father. Jacob did this constantly but today he was thinking he understood why her father got upset and forbade it . He couldn't put Ness in danger anymore, that's why her father disliked the bike, it could kill Ness and Jacob wasn't willing to put her at risk any longer. With those thoughts, he knew his maturity was almost full grown.

Jacob was growing and maturing and understanding things in an adult life. Things were so much clearer, life held so much more meaning outside of school. He knew his love for Ness wasn't a joke, even if he was eighteen and still in high school. There was no doubt in his mind that he was stable with himself. Now, he just had to wait until Renesemee found herself, before he could even think of starting a relationship with her. She was still lost in adolescense, and he'd have to wait for her to catch up with him. Yes, he knew who he was, he knew his future plans. He would go to school on his scholarship and figure out a career, swoon Ness, marry her and start a family. They'd live any where their careers took them, whether that be home in La Push, Seattle or clear across the world. He didn't care, as long as he couls be with her. He felt his plan was set in stone.

"Six-fifty!" Coach Smith shouted giving Jacob and Renesmee their time.

Finishing their mile run, Ness became nauseated from the double bacon cheeseburger she had consumed for lunch. Pulling off to the side of the track, they made room for the other runners to pass by.

Leaning over, with a hand on her waist Ness complained, "Ugh, I feel sick. I shouldn't have ate that burger."

"You hardly ate half of it," Jake's voice squeaked causing a silent chuckle to come from Ness.

"So," she responded standing straight. Jacob took the hem of his tank shirt and brought it up to wipe the sweat from his brow. Ness couldn't help but gaze down at his muscular abdomen, assessing how much he had changed since they first met.

The first time she met him he was tall lanky and had long locks of jet black, now he was more refined, absolutely handsome, muscular and had shorter hair , that complimented his attractiveness. Before he could catch her, she looked away searching for a trash can to vomit in and added with a heavy pant, " I still feel sick."

"You've always had a weak stomach," he stated a matter-of-factly. And it was true, whenever she became nervous or anxious she wouldn't feel better unless she spewed.

Both of them were breathing heavily from their mile run, but Ness was having more trouble than Jake. Her belly was seeking revenge on her. That much grease before a mile run didn't settle well, it was common sense. She couldn't understand why Jacob didn't regret eating his burger, the way she did. And on top of that he finished off half her burger and the remaining fries.

Jacob took a hold of her wrist and put the palm flat on her head, "It's easier to breath if you out your hands over your head."

"Jacob and Renesmee! I know you two finished but keep walking the track!" Coach Jones yelled.

Ness began to walk the track with both hands over her head, hunting for a sense of relief from her shortness of breath. "Hard ass," Jake mumbled, setting off a tiny giggle from Ness.

"We finished our dang mile," she grumbled, " Why can't he let us just sit down?"

"Cuz he's a hard ass," he retorted sarcastically triggering another snigger from Ness. He was good at making her laugh.

"Maybe," she huffed, " If I threw up he'd let me sit on the bleachers."

"And leave me walking the track alone?"

She looked over to him shrugging, finally getting the mouthful of air she required.

On foot, Ness and Jacob continued to walk the track. Jacob observed Renesmee just as he did everyday in their P.E. weights class. Ness was in her usually P.E. clothes, lose black gym shorts that hung at her mid-thigh and Jacob's heather gray P.E. shirt from freshman year. He loved the way she looked in her P.E. uniform, to his surprise it wasn't to revealing like the rest of the girls. With all the word about her being easy he thought she'd be in a skimpy gym outfit. Her hair was pulled up in a messy bun, and she was licking her lips as she removed the arms that were over her head.

As the sea scented La Push wind blew through her chestnut bangs and the stray hairs that fell from the bun, she looked over at Jacob and smiled.

Returning the grin, he heard someone shout, "Head's up!"

With Jacob's fast reflexes he stretched out his arm across Nesss's face blocking a soccer ball that almost hit her in the head. "That was close," she said wide eyed.

When the guy who kicked the soccer ball came to collect it, Jake tossed him the ball and said in a very dominant voice, "Learn how to kick a damn ball!"

Ness held back a laugh because the freshman looked terrified of Jacob. She loved the way he spoke so dominantly to people, because somehow he could control him with his tone, it amazed Ness.

After that they didn't speak. Ness started to walk along the curbing that separated the soil of the track from the grass of the field. Almost losing her footing she took hold of Jake's shoulder so she wouldn't fall of the tiny curb. That slightest touch sent shivers down Jacob's spine. She touched him all the time, but each time felt like the first. He was curious of how one girl could leave his soul satisfied by just a touch.

As they came around the bend, Jacob interrupted the comfortable silence.

"Hey, you going to prom?"

"I think so," she swallowed down the dry lump in her throat that formed from running, " Nahuel, asked me."

Unenthusiastically, he snapped, "Oh."

Taking notice to his surly remark, she frowned at him stepping down from the curb. The head ache was already beginning to spread out from her temples. As much as she loved Jacob, she wasn't up for his lethargic mood or his judgment in her choice of men.

With the same bitterness and disdain she retorted, "Don't get too excited for me or anything."

"I'm not," he stated with an unfriendly banter, it rolled of his tongue so naturally.

Wanting to kick at the dirt track beneath her feet, she held back. She knew how childish that would be. In place of that immature reaction, she stopped dead in her tracks, causing a small dust cloud to kick up. When he continued to walk, she then kicked at the dirt. He wouldn't see. Ness was so irritated by his behavior. Usually, when she halted, he did too, he was like her shadow. Letting a large sigh, she decided to give back the aloofness.

"Excuse me?"

Jacob felt he was liberating himself, by continuing to walk in faster strides. He had these unrealistic hopes that if he sustained his pace the entire conversation would be forgotten. Also, he didn't want to quarrel about another one of Nessie's bad choice in men. But as soon as she spoke, he hesitated to continue marching forward. "Jake?" she said calmer.

Once her soft voice called to him, he caved and turned to her saying, "Nahuel he's?"

He struggled to articulate the truth, because he hated to wound Nessie's already damaged heart. She walked to his side and side by side they began to stroll along the track.

Not wanting to put off this conversation, quickly, he spat,"Well, he's an ass."

Stamping past Jacob, Ness threw words back at him, " I thought he was your friend?"

"Just cuz we're on the baseball team together doesn't mean we're friends."

The tense heated silence, bothered Jacob. On the contrary, he waited until the both cooled off until he spoke. Coming around another curve of the track, he knew he somehow had to get her to see his side.

Being concerned he informed, "He's just not that great a guy."

"Yeah, he is. He's so sweet."

"He's buttering you up Ness." His tone oozed sarcasm and it pissed Ness off.

"No, he's not!"

Grabbing her arm, he made her look him in the eyes as he spoke. "Ness, I know this guy, he's been using the same tricks since he moved here my freshman year."

Snatching her arm back she continued to walk the track in a speed walk. Of course, Jake trailed behind saying," He only calls you late at night right? "

Ness twisted her body around to look at him, throwing her hands up in confusion she responded, "Yeah so?"

"You're not important enough to him, to call as soon as he gets home?" He stated this but it sounded much more like a questioning to Renesmee.

She had to react. "He has baseball," she said as she pointed at him, " with you."

Their walking had sped up as their dispute thickened.

" We get home by six thirty. Why can't he call you then? Why's he wait 'til midnight?"

Ness knew he was right, Nahuel did wait until late to call her but he had a life. He had baseball, homework, chores and activities just like any other teenager. She couldn't be angry with Nahuel for putting off calling her until he found the time. In all honesty she did the same, she had her associated student body activities, running the snack bar at the baseball games on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, music lessons with her father, chores and visitation with Jacob. With all that, she postponed calling or visiting Nahuel until all those activities were complete. She was just as guilty, so him calling her at midnight wasn't a problem.

Jacob had to further his bitterness and his umbrage with Nahuel. "I'll tell you why, he's too busy hanging out with his friends and other girls." He stayed silent until she said something but she wouldn't utter a word. "Come on Ness, you're not allowed on the phone past ten. Did you tell him that?"

They continued walking carrying on in their spat.

"Yeah, I did."

"Obviously, he doesn't care if you get in trouble. If he really cared about you he'd not only respect you, but the rules you have too."

"You're a hypocrite," she replied short and sharp, "you know my dad doesn't like you picking me up on the bike but you do anyways."

"Yeah and today I decided I wouldn't anymore. I don't want you to get hurt, I'd kill myself if anything happened to you and it was my fault. And I don't want you to be in trouble, why do you think I went home to get the Rabbit?"

She just rolled her eyes, watching the other P.E. class play a game of soccer. Half of her anger melted away when he fully explained himself but Jake was still passing judgment on a man that was very close to her.

"At least when I drop you off today he won't freak out and you won't get grounded."

Less ruffled by Jake, she was more relaxed but still livid inside. Coolly, she retorted her speculation, "Jacob for once can't you just be happy for me?"

There was no comeback from Jacob. Should I answer that question? He thought. Why couldn't I be happy for her getting another boyfriend? Oh yeah, because I'm in love with her.

From the other side of the field, their coach hollered, "Alright, go dress out!"

Heading for the locker rooms didn't distract them from the conversation. They continued their argument, strolling across the dry dirt track and green grass of the field.

Softly she stated," You always do that."

"What?"

Ness was wringing her hands together as she muttered, "Every time a guy shows interest in me you pick him apart, tell me his faults and mistakes. You always tell me what's wrong with the guy."

With bitterness he frowned. She was biting her lip hoping this would stop her from shouting at him. Jake retorted, " I've yet to be wrong."

"Just cuz you don't like him doesn't mean I'm not going to give him a chance," she responded with such an acidic tone.

He went to wrap his arm around her shoulder but she bumped him off. Biting her lip harder she was just getting more upset.

"I'm looking out for you." Ness was aware of his euphemized response. She didn't know that caring for her was an embarrassing thing for him to convey in words. For him it was, because there was more protectiveness he had towards her. More than she knew.

He's like my big brother of course he's going to look out for me. She thought and that irritated her, the way he spoke made her feel like an obligation. She didn't want him watching over her because it was a requirement, she wasn't a child anymore.

"I'm not a child, I don't need to be watched over, alright?"

"Too bad, you don't need another ass hole boyfriend using you., I've never been wrong about your ex's."

"No, but you're wrong about Nahuel."

"Am I?" he spat back scratching at his arm.

As they came closer to the locker room doors she said, "He actually respects me and my boundaries. For him it's… not about sex."

Jacob had nothing more to say, because for Nahuel it was about sex, he knew it was.

She left him saying," Look, I'll talk to you in Chemistry."

Without waiting for a response she stepped into the girls locker room, and he went to the boys locker rooms.

Chapter 4 preview:

"If you love someone, let them go. If they return to you, it was meant to be. If they don't, their love was never yours to begin with..."

She headed back to her room and cried, as much as she wanted to hate Jacob, he was her best friend, her other half. Grabbing a tight hold of her pillow, she pressed her face into the down finding some sort of relief. Over the next few hours she lied in bed and fiddled with her cell, half tempted to text Jake and apologize.

SPECIAL THANKS TO: ScorpiusRoseLover, for putting this on story alert and reviewing. Patty(heart)cake, as always thanks for your long reviews I LOVE 'EM! Later on you'll see why the baby pushes them apart and doesn't bring them closer. adia.M and luv2beloved, for reviewing. Lexy-the unstoppable- for favorite-ing. russetfubur for reviewing. emerald red for placing this story on story alert, as well as making me a favorite author.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I know many of you are waiting on Last Sunrise and Gravity, I planned on posting but I'm not happy with the verbiage so, I'm re-writing it and making it flow. I have to iron out the wrinkles, I hope that's fine by you. As for this story I'm so happy with the amount of readers that are enjoying this. Questions, comments and suggestions always welcomed by me. Let me know what you thinks gonna happen. -HAPPY READING! REVIEW, Review, review! Pleeeeaaaasssseee...

Oh does anyone want to co-write with me? Let me know because I would love to help out with any of your stories.