Characters belong to Stephenie Meyer. "Whole Wide World" belongs to Wreckless Eric.
Mike Newton
When I was a young boy
My mama said to me
There's only one girl in the world for you
And she probably lives in Tahiti
Jessica and I have never been happier.
Every day, we would meet at the front of the school and greet each other with a wet, breathtaking kiss. It was almost too easy to ignore Bella and Edward. I could even say his name without spite—Edward was just another guy with a girlfriend.
"Newton! Keep your eye on the ball!" A whistle brought me back from my thoughts. Coach Clapp, dressed in funny-looking track pants and a sweatshirt, was looking at me angrily, holding her whistle away from her mouth.
"Sorry, coach." I dodged a spiked volleyball going my way. Nobody can beat Mike Newton when he's in the zone.
I'd go the whole wide world
I'd go the whole wide world
Just to find her
When Gym was over, I walked over to Jessica, who was standing by her locker chatting with Lauren. They were such good friends, and, especially now that they both have boyfriends, they've been giggling more than ever.
"Hi Jessica," I kissed her cheek, but she turned her head so our lips could do the talking.
Lauren made a disgusted sound. "I'll see you later." She left, waving for some other girl to walk with her.
After a small laugh, we pulled away.
"Mike," she started playing with the button on my shirt, "Valentine's Day is coming up. Are we doing anything?" She looked up at me, her brown eyes widened with innocence.
I just stared at her, wondering if I had planned something. "Um," I stuttered, and she became suspicious, "I haven't really thought about it yet. How long do we have?"
"You have," she thought for a moment, "a week and a half to come up with something." And she abruptly turned away.
Slightly dejected, I walked to my locker. Just then, I heard the song "Float On" by Modest Mouse. My cell phone was ringing.
"Newton!" Mr. Banner's voice scolded down the hallway. "Put that phone away!"
"What?" I yelled at him. "School's done! And you came out of nowhere!" I made a turn for my backpack, trying to find my phone in one of the pockets.
"I don't care," Mr. Banner was walking toward me. "You put that phone away or you'll be getting detention." He pointed his finger disapprovingly.
"Bu—"
"Don't you dare open that pocket!"
I zipped my bag closed. "Fine," I muttered. "Now it stopped ringing! What if it was my mom?" I paled at the thought of it.
The teacher just dismissed me with his hand. "Go take it somewhere else, kid."
Walking across the parking lot, my phone rang again. This time, I knew it was Jessica. Her customized ringtone made other people stare my direction, but I just sped up my gait. I ignored all their amused looks.
Some students started snickering, and I felt a blush creep up my cheeks. My car was all the way at the back, so I decided to answer my phone.
But then the ringing stopped. Groaning, I just headed for my car.
After a few steps, Jessica called again. This time, more students started laughing.
"Oh shut up!" I yelled at them. "It's not like you've never heard Backstreet Boys before!" This only made them laugh harder. I reddened, but tried to stand tall. "It's just "Show me the Meaning of Being Lonely"! Jeez, be mature, my girlfriend picked it out!"
When I was safely in my car, I answered. "Hello?"
"Mike? Do you have work today? I'm at my house right now."
I started the engine, and nodded. Then it hit me that she hadn't heard an answer. "Oh, yeah, I'll be at the store till seven."
"Oh," I imagined her making her sad face. "Well, I'll see you tomorrow then. Bye."
"Bye." I sighed once, then threw my phone in the backseat.
Or maybe she's in the Bahamas
Where the Caribbean Sea is blue
Weeping in a tropical moonlit night
Because nobody's told her 'bout you
When I entered the store, I saw something that made my jaw drop—Bella was sitting on the counter, next to the stack of energy drinks, wearing her Newton's Outfitters uniform. Her long, reddish-brown hair was styled as if she had just gotten up from bed. Her face was so red, I thought her face would explode with heat. One word: sexy.
But I didn't see the rose tint of her lips, for Cullen's mouth covered hers completely—he only rarely visits his girlfriend at work, and he chose today as one of those rarities. One hand was inappropriately at the back of her neck, holding her so carefully, yet their embrace could only be described as rough. Zealous and passionate. Raw and dirty. Bella was leaning back, and with Cullen towering over her, it looked like they would go farther than kissing if I hadn't made a rather girly squeal.
I mentally kicked myself for being disappointed when Bella sat up and hopped off the counter. Cullen was staring at me, a fierce look in his eyes, though he smiled smugly.
"Edward, you better go," I heard Bella mutter. Her voice sounded breathless.
With a curt nod, Cullen left.
I exhaled, finding the tension gone. He always intimidated me.
"Hi Bella," I could tell she was a bit embarrassed being caught, but I was even more embarrassed because I had been watching her.
"Hi Mike." She straightened her shirt, then worked on some stacks of baseball bats.
Finding no customer around, I went to the back to put on my uniform. I also tried to calm myself down—the image of her making out with Cullen would stay in my mind for a while.
I got back out and took my place by the register. Bella was standing beside me, and I found myself unable to break the awkward silence.
But there was something I wanted to know. "Bella, what are you doing for Valentine's Day?"
She looked at me strangely, and shrugged. "I don't really know. We've never thought about it."
"By 'we', do you mean you and Cu—Edward?"
"Yeah," she smiled. I smiled back. She has a beautiful smile.
I wondered what Cullen had planned for Bella—probably something that would knock her socks off (or, if I was to be real imaginative, he would do something that would knock all her clothing off).
What was Edward Cullen's secret? Money? Insanely good looks? I decided that his most luring weapon was his mystery—suave and smooth.
"Bella," I gave her my most intense stare, trying to communicate with my eyes how much I wanted her. Words were not used when one was mysterious—it was all about the body language.
She gave me a petrified look, and I tried to soften my gaze. Before I could say anything else, she went to the fishing aisle.
I'd go the whole wide world
I'd go the whole wide world
Just to find her
The next morning started like any other. Jessica was by my side, and I felt secure again. By lunch, my mood was markedly brightened.
"So, Mike, what're we doing for Valentine's?" Jessica asked casually.
I looked down at my pizza. "Um, do you have anything in mind?"
She rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Aren't you even going to surprise me?" Eric, who was sitting to my right, looked at us curiously. He always loved it when Jessica and I argued.
"Well, I don't really know," I said nervously. She was going to get angry, I just knew it. "I mean, we could go to dinner if you want."
She huffed. "Alright. We'll go to dinner." But she wasn't satisfied.
"And a movie?" I added. She only looked at me dangerously, clearly unhappy.
I bit into my pizza. "Why don't you just tell me what you want?" I asked.
She slammed down her bottle of water. "Oh for Christ's sake! I want you to surprise me!" She looked at me the way she did whenever I did something wrong—incredulous and displeased.
"If you want me to surprise you," I put my pizza down, "then why do you keep asking?"
She blinked at my tone of voice. "Well, Mike," she said in an icy tone. "Because you have Valentine's Day all set, then I guess I'll just have to wait for my big, romantic surprise, huh?"
I hated her for treating me like I would follow her every order. But I didn't want to break up with her, and be another gossip of Forks. I needed Jessica. Without her, I'd be a single guy, with no one to kiss in the morning, and no one to call at night (my mom did not count).
But I still wanted to defy her, if only to rile her up. "You know what? Yeah, you'll just have to wait for your surprise. And it's going to totally blow your mind!" I laughed in triumph, anticipating the look on Jessica's face when I would outdo her expectations. "So don't bother me until then!"
I marched to my next class, and stopped. "Oh, crap."
I'd go the whole wide world
I'd go the whole wide world
Find out where they hide her
On Saturday I went to work. Jessica had called earlier, asking about my goings-on.
"So, how's your big surprise going?" She asked sarcastically. It was as if she knew I had nothing.
"It's going fine," I wouldn't have been able to tell a deliberate untruth.
At work, I saw Bella, holding a dozen flowers. They weren't roses, but they still looked pretty.
"Hi Bella," I greeted, putting my hat on. "What are those?"
She smelled them. "Freesias," she said. "Edward got 'em for me."
Of course! Flowers would make a girl happy, even the difficult-to-please Jessica. I took out a piece of paper and a pen from the table and wrote down the word flowers in bold.
Bella noticed what I was doing, and smiled. "I heard you were planning something big for Jessica." When I nodded, she asked, "Care to tell me what it is?"
I could tell she wasn't really interested, but I told her the truth. "I don't really have anything at this point. D'you have any suggestions?" If it was good enough for Bella, it would be stupendous for my girlfriend.
She blushed. "Shouldn't you ask a guy for that? I don't really know how to be a proper romantic." She arranged the box of lip balm in front of her, in wanting to avoid the question.
Was she kidding? If there was one thing I knew about Bella, it was that she liked reading—not just reading, but reading those classical novels that had nothing but sappy love moments full of adorations and romantic affectations.
"Don't you have any idea of how I can make Jessica drop weak to her knees?" My goal: Jessica becomes surprised to hell, and never doubts my romancing powers ever again.
"Well," Bella said, looking up at me. "You could always take her to her favorite place."
That actually seemed like a good idea. "But I don't know where that is."
She looked thoughtful as well. "Maybe at the mall... " She shuddered. What was wrong with the mall? It was a fun place to be, with so many people (unlike Forks) and clothes to buy.
Just then an elderly man walked in. He didn't seem like the type to go outdoors—though he had dark skin, and plenty of wrinkles around his eyes. He was wearing a brown overcoat and a brim hat, with a walking cane. His brown shoes clicked-clacked against the tiled floor.
Walking up to him, I greeted with the usual "Hi! How may I help you?"
The man grumbled something undistinguishable and walked to the cash register, where Bella was standing.
"Miss?" He called. Bella was startled, but straightened up and said, "Did you want something?" She looked at me, probably wondering why I didn't assist him.
The man laughed a throaty and congested laugh. "Actually," he said. "I'm here to deliver a message." He took something from his pocket, before saying, "It's for you."
"Excuse me?" She was shocked. I was too, but I wanted to know what he had for her. The strange man gave her the piece of crumpled paper.
I looked at their exchange with awe. The man's brown skin made a startling contrast with Bella's pale flesh. I wondered, how did I compare to the fair Bella?
She read the note, and the man stood there, watching her reaction.
Then a thought occurred to me. What if it was a trap? What if, the man gave her a note to distract her, then kidnap her far away!
I gasped. The man leaned forward on the counter, and Bella seemed to have a smile on her face.
Before I could protest to her saying anything, she gave him back the note.
"Tell him I'll try to meet him," she said. Bella looked troubled, and the elderly man smiled in sympathy.
The man nodded. "I'll tell him. But don't feel bad; the boy just wants to see you." He waved off and left the store.
As he passed me, I gave him a curious glance. I was still suspicious, but it seemed Bella trusted him.
He noticed my stare, and his mood darkened. "Boy, if you know what's good for you, then you'd stop staring at me like that. I'll send the dogs to you. See if I don't."
I was shocked at his response, and I looked to check if Bella heard it. Her face was pale, but she seemed to find my situation funny.
"Who was that?" I asked, partly angrily, but mostly sheepish.
She shook her head. "Just a friend."
Did she have to be so vague? "You're friends with that guy?"
"No," she seemed somewhat annoyed, proceeding to restack some mints. "But he knows my friend."
I would've asked for more, but the song "Show me the Meaning of Being Lonely" blared through my pocket.
"Um," I headed for the staff room. "That's Jessica. I'll be right back, okay?"
She seemed to understand why I was blushing, so I silently left the store.
Why am I hanging around in the rain out here
Trying to pick up a girl?
Why are my eyes filling up with these lonely tears
When there're girls all over the world?
"Hello?"
"Mike, it's Jessica. Are you at work?"
"Yes, I am. I always work on Saturdays." Thinking my tone a little harsh, I tried, "Do you want to do something tonight?"
"Oh," she definitely was not expecting that. "Sure. Maybe a movie?"
For a second, I hesitated. I remembered the time Bella asked me to a movie. I don't remember the actual movie, because I'd been unfortunately sick that night. Out of all the nights to get the flu, I had it when the girl of my dreams was with me. Never mind that Jacob Black was with us; but Bella just had to see me throw up.
"She just had to." When I heard my thought aloud, I snapped the phone shut.
Is she lying on a tropical beach somewhere
Underneath the tropical sun
Pining away in a heat wave there
Hoping that I won't be long
When I had gotten home, my dad was watching baseball.
"Hey son," he said, not taking his eyes off the screen. "Your mom's makin' dinner. Why don't you do your homework first? Mrs. Lafferty called me and told me to remind you that your essay is due on Monday."
I sat beside him and groaned. I really did not want to do my report on Shakespeare just yet. "Dad," I told him. "I just got back from a movie with Jessica. We ate a little, and right now I'm just tired." I lay my head down the armrest.
He nodded, and I knew he wasn't listening. Sports always captured his principal attention.
After a moment, he seemed to absorb what I had said. "Oh, how is Jessica?" He asked casually, when a commercial came on.
Ding! Either dinner was ready, or an idea had popped in my head.
"Hey, dad," I said. "I'm actually thinking of doing something... special for her this Valentine's Day." His graying brows furrowed, not liking where this was going. "Got any ideas?"
He looked toward the kitchen. "Well, there's plenty ways to get to a woman's heart." He spoke proudly, his chin moving upward an inch. "It all depends on the girl. What kind of girl is Jessica?"
I thought about it. "She's just like any other girl."
My dad nodded his head and motioned for me to continue.
"Um," I thought of the positive things about Jessica. Why was it that when I needed something, it refused to show? "She likes to talk, and watch movies. She also likes the beach and watching T.V."
"Okay..." My dad was unsure how to continue. "Why don't you just ask her what she wants for Valentine's?"
"That wouldn't be romantic at all. She wants it to be a surprise."
He looked at me strangely, but kept quiet.
"John! Mike!" I heard my mom call from the kitchen. "Dinner's ready!"
Dad stood up and I followed.
I should be lying on that sun-soaked beach with her
Caressing her warm brown skin
And then in a year or maybe not quite
We'll be sharing the same next of kin
"So, honey, Mike here has something to ask you," my dad said in between chews of lasagna. My mom immediately looked at me, concern written on her face.
"Well, what is it sweetie?"
I swallowed. "Um, I just wanted to do something for Jessica on Valentine's."
My mom smiled. "Oh, you two are so adorable together! You know, when you were just three years old, Jessica's mom and I would watch you two play with each other, and we would make bets on how long till you would date each other! You never did like that Lauren girl, but I remember Jessica always had a special place in your hea—"
"Karen," my dad interrupted. "Mike just needs advice, not a speech on his childhood history."
She gave him a dirty look, but faced me with excitement in her eyes.
"You should send her flowers, starting a few days before Valentine's Day! Then you could write her love letters," here she looked at me mischievously, "and on the special day, you'd go someplace special."
I was nodding during her explanation, and I was still bobbing my head when she stopped speaking.
"Well?" I asked. She just took a bite from her fork, as if there never was a conversation. "Mom!"
"Yes, honey?"
"What kind of special place do I take her to?"
She laughed. "Sweetie! That's for you to decide. Don't you two have a secret place for yourselves?" Her manicured nails clasped around my wrist, though it was far from comforting. I edged my seat away.
I thought of the broom closet at school. "Nothing special."
She looked at me disapprovingly. "Well, Mike, you better think of a special happy place."
I groaned. Surprises were so hard to design!
My dad spoke. "Why don't you sleep on it? Something's bound to come to you. I know my son's good with the ladies."
"Yeah," I agreed halfheartedly. "I'll go now."
I'd go the whole wide world
I'd go the whole wide world
Just to find her
I'd go the whole wide world
I'd go the whole wide world
Find out where they hide her