Disclaimer: Insert witty comment about not owning the characters.
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Just minutes after my alarm went off the next morning, my cell phone buzzed from beneath my pillow.
"Hello?" I answered, just a bit groggy still.
"Good morning, Princess."
"Good morning, Jacob. Not that I mind, but why are you calling so early?"
"Wanted to let you know Quil is going to pick you up for school. I'm staying home sick today."
He was that sick? He seemed perfectly fine last night, besides the heat.
"Do you need me to stay home with you?"
Even through the phone, I could tell he smiled at my question. "No thanks, Bells. Billy is staying home with me."
Another interesting bit of news. Jacob's dad hated to miss a day of work. He would only stay home if his son desperately needed him.
"Can I come see you after school, then?" I asked tentatively.
"Best if you stay away from me for awhile. I'll call you later." He hung up without a goodbye, leaving me staring at the phone, speechless.
Jacob never said no to a chance at spending time with me. I can't remember him ever telling me he didn't want to see me. He must have been really ill, but he didn't sound that bad. His voice did sound different - not hoarse, like he had a sore throat - just different. I didn't have time to dwell on it, though, so I pulled myself out of bed and hurried off to the bathroom.
I got ready for school quicker than normal and was waiting by the door when Quil pulled up his 1967 Camaro. It would have been a classic if it didn't show the signs of wear and tear a car gets when it's about forty years old, but the restored engine purred softly. As I climbed into the passenger seat, I realized Jacob wasn't the only one missing today.
"Where's Embry?" I asked.
"Home sick," Quil answered. "He called me right after Jacob did. I hope we're not next."
Strangely enough, I felt better knowing that Embry was sick, too. I never thought Jacob was lying to me, but the whole story seemed strange. I felt like I was being left out on some secret, but Quil seemed fine.
The school day passed slowly knowing that Jacob wasn't going to be in math class or at lunch with me, but the second day was much better than the first - in terms of classes and classmates, at least. I began to remember faces and names, and I felt a lot less out-of-place. People seemed a lot less weary of us, also. At lunch, a quiet girl named Angela even asked if she could sit with us.
"Of course," I said, shocked at her request.
"I'm Angela Weber." She said shyly as she sat down.
"Bella Swan. And this is Quil."
Quil shot her a wide smile, and I immediately recognized that look in his eyes, though never had I seen it so intensely.
"Down boy," I whispered for only him to hear. He winked in response and settled back in his chair, but the grin never left his face.
The more I chatted with Angela, the more I really began to like her. She was sweet and funny, but seemed just as shy as me. Regretfully, I wasn't the only one to notice what an amazing personality she has. Quil began to lean in toward her more, and he couldn't take his eyes off her. Good thing I liked her. When Quil set his eyes on something, he generally got it. And today, he had eyes for only her.
After lunch, I walked off to American History with Angela. I hadn't noticed that she was in my class before, but it worked out perfectly since I usually shared this class with Embry. As we walked along, chatting amiably like old friends, she finally brought up the topic I had been expecting.
"So, um, is Quil always that, uh, friendly?"
I tried to suppress my grin, but failed miserably. "Well, sure. He's a nice guy."
"Yeah, yeah. He seemed like a great guy. You're lucky to have him as a friend. " She paused briefly before adding, "His girlfriend must be a lucky girl."
I smiled again before adding casually, "Oh, he doesn't have a girlfriend."
We walked the rest of the way in a comfortable silence, but that same cheesy grin Quil wore earlier now adorned Angela's face.
We spent the class hour discussing the 1920s, one of my favorite decades in history, and it went by much too quickly. Before I knew it, I had to head to biology. I dreaded it for more than one reason, but mainly because I knew I would have to endure another class period of his angry stare.
I walked in, having no problem finding the class this time, and noticed immediately that my lab table was empty. Perhaps he was late. Or was he not here? I racked my brain, trying to remember if I had seen him at lunch or not. I had been too busy talking to Angela to really notice what else was going on in the cafeteria. The bell rang, but he never showed. Odd. The class period went by with a lot less tension, but I felt a little lonely without my lab partner next to me.
I met Quil outside by his car after class, and he still had the same goofy grin on his face. I couldn't help but be in a good mood after just a minute of being with him. He was in an adorably great mood.
Jacob called me when I got home, but, before I could even ask, he told me I was better off staying home today. I told him about the school day, not leaving out one detail on the lunch period conversation. He became less talkative as the chat wore on, and he hung up shortly afterwards.
The next day, he stayed home again. He didn't even call me this time to let me know he wasn't coming. Quil just showed up in his Camaro again, and I went with the flow. Embry was still out, too.
The day went by with nothing new to report. Angela sat with us again at lunch, but I noticed this time that Edward Cullen was gone, too.
And so the week passed without me seeing either of them.
It's not like I missed my lab partner's constant stare. I wasn't worried about him. In fact, I was fairly glad he was gone. Wasn't I? Of course I was. He was nothing but rude to me.
Jacob and I talked on the phone for hours each night, but I wasn't allowed to come see him until Friday night.
"Bella, honey, we have a lot to talk about. Meet me at our spot. Please." Jacob's simple request sent a million different emotions through my body, few of which were good.
"Our spot" was really a worn old log by the beach. It was where Jacob first told me he loved me, where we shared our first kiss. I was afraid it was where we would break up, too. But I hoped not.
When I got there, he hadn't arrived yet. I sat on the log and pulled my knees to my chest, trying to stay warm and calm. He wouldn't break up with. Jacob loves me. Surely this "talk" will not be our last.
Suddenly, big arms wrapped around me, holding me much too tight. I yelled out for Jacob, hoping he was near enough to hear.
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