Chapter Four

Bella

The next afternoon Mike and Jessica picked me up in his dads truck. We arranged the food carefully in the back and I got in front with those two. The weather was overcast but for once it wasn't raining. "So who's coming?" I asked just for the conversation. Mike answered as usual, "Oh Angela, Ben, Tyler and a whole host of others". Jessica smiled a little spitefully at me, "Oh yes, Mike you forgot to tell Bella that some of the Cullens will be there". My heart sank, would Alice be there just to scowl at me? Please no. "Oh yeah I forgot Bella. I think Emmett and Rose will be there. Once you get over his size, he's a pretty nice guy". I couldn't argue with that. "What about the others?" Fingers crossed that the miniature witch would be busy re-thatching her broomstick or something. "I'm not sure, Emmett was going to get his brother to come along". I wondered which brother that would be, well the back of Edwards head would be an improvement on Alice, so I'd take that.

We were first there, a nice clearing with plenty of fallen branches to use as seats. We got the trestle tables out for the food and drink and Mike had brought along a portable CD player so we'd have music. The others started to join us and I looked around nervously at every fresh set of footsteps expecting to see Alice's sneering face at any moment. Then I heard Emmett's deep voice and steeled myself. He was arm in arm with the blonde girl Rosalie, but she looked a little less hostile today. Behind them walked not Edward, but Jasper. He was alone and looked slightly uncomfortable but he managed a small smile and nod when he saw me. I thought it was about time we were introduced, a step beyond a nod, so I walked over.

Emmett saw me and roared "Bella. Hey there, you alone?" I looked around at all the bodies, "Hardly Emmett but if you mean am I with someone then No, not today". I saw Jasper look at me a little longer than before. so I stepped forward. "I don't think we've been introduced, I'm Bella Swan". He took my hand very briefly, it was cold and firm. "Hello Bella. I'm Jasper Hale. Pleased to meet you". He had a slight southern drawl that was almost musical. "Are you alone today?" I asked him. He nodded, "Yes my a.. girlfriend didn't want to come". "Oh well, my boyfriend couldn't make it so perhaps we could sit and talk". He looked at me a little oddly, "Won't your boyfriend mind?" I gave him a mischievous smile. "Well I won't tell him if you don't". "What about your friends?" he asked looking over at them. I shook my head, "No, he doesn't mix with my friends". "Oh OK" he smiled.

"I just have to say one thing though" I added. "Yes Bella?" I liked the way he said my name. "Well, I don't think your girlfriend will be very pleased if she finds out you've spent time with me. I don't think she likes me". I was startled by his reply, "No, Alice doesn't like you at all, but that's her problem, not yours or mine. Where do you want to sit?" We found a vacant log and ascertaining it wasn't too wet we sat down. "Where did you come from?" he asked me, looking intently as if the answer were really important. "Well I lived with my mum in Phoenix until recently, but she remarried and wanted to be able to travel with her new husband who's a baseball player. So I decided to come and stay with my dad. "Oh yes, Chief Swan" he smiled. "Yeah, we have the Doctor's son and the Police Chiefs daughter sitting together. Very suspicious".

He smiled at that, then stiffened as a female voice interrupted. "How sweet. Thank you for amusing my boyfriend, Bella isn't it?" Alice Cullen stood there, glaring as usual. "Were you never taught that it's impolite to move in on an attached man?" I smiled sweetly, "No and I guess you missed the be nice to people until you know they are ass holes lesson." I stood, "Nice talking to you Jasper. Perhaps well meet again". "Over my dead body" Alice whispered. "Oh I don't think we need to go to those lengths Alice" I snapped as I walked away. I saw Emmett and Rose watching with serious faces but I ignored them too.

Angela was beside herself ,having heard the exchange, "Wow, that told her Bella. I think you were brave even to try and talk to him. He frightens the life out of me". I looked back to where Jasper sat and saw Alice giving him a lecture by the look of it. Although I wasn't sure he was really listening. He seemed to have a faraway look in his eyes, as if he were seeing a different place to the rest of us.

As expected, when Jake came round the next day he wanted a blow-by-blow account of the picnic although he wasn't prepared to tell me where he'd been or what he'd been doing. I just talked generally hoping to avoid an argument until there was a knock on the door. When I opened it I groaned inwardly. Angela stood there with some of the dishes I'd forgotten yesterday. "Well that went well" she said carrying them in. "I thought Alice Cullen was going to attack you at one point Bella and I still think you were really brave talking to Jasper. Can't stay Bella, Ben's taking me to the movies. Oh by the way, did you want to join us? It's a martial arts film, Ben's favorite".

She stopped as Jake came round the corner from the kitchen. "Oh sorry Bella .Hi Jake. Did you want to go to the film? There's plenty of space, only Ben and myself". When I saw Jake's face the idea of a film really appealed. "Yes that would be great, we haven't been out together for ages. I'll just get my jacket". Jake looked at me thunderously but without being rude he could hardly argue. Never had a car journey been so long, as Jake and I sat together in the back,.Angela chattering to me, seemingly oblivious to the tension rolling off Jake in tidal waves. The movie was pretty bad but at least I had time to think and Jake seemed more relaxed when we came out.

We went for a burger before leaving Port Angeles and who should we bump into as we left the restaurant...Emmett and Rose walking hand in hand down towards the cinema. Of course he saw us, and shouted a greeting which we all returned, all except Jake. He stiffened and his hand in mine started to shake. They disappeared into the cinema and Ben drove us home. When he dropped us off I was relieved to see Charlie's cruiser on the drive. "You coming in Jake?" I asked, hoping against hope he would say no. But of course he nodded and stomped after me. Charlie was watching sport on TV and while I made us a coffee Jake joined him. They were talking in low voices but I thought I heard my name mentioned as I walked in with the three mugs. "What are you whispering about?" I asked them, not letting on I'd heard anything. Charlie looked up and for once he looked grave. "Bella honey come and sit down, Jake was just leaving and I want a word. Jake got up, kissed my cheek and left with a rather smug look and I thought I wasn't going to enjoy this conversation one bit

His parting remark was "See you tomorrow Bella. Just remember it's for your own good." Now I knew I wasn't going to like the chat. Charlie motioned for me to sit beside him and put a hand on my arm. "Now Bella, I'm a bit disappointed in you". I arched an eyebrow, "Why dad?"I asked innocently. "I thought Jake was your boyfriend?" I didn't answer I just wanted to get to the punchline. "He tells me you are showing more than a passing interest in the Cullen boys and while I have nothing to say against them I think its only right that you remember who you are involved with. It's really upsetting Jake and it's not the sort of behavior I expect from you".

So Jake wanted to play dirty! "Dad I went out with Mike Newton and some others to a concert a couple of weeks ago and Emmett Cullen joined us towards the end of the evening. We all danced with each other, end of story. Then at the picnic yesterday Emmett and his girlfriend said Hi in passing and I introduced myself to his brother, that's it. I don't know what Jake told you but he might want to think about his own behaviour before telling tales. He's the one who keeps mysteriously disappearing with no explanations and he dumps me at a moments notice so I think it's time to call it quits with him. In future I'm not in if he calls". Charlie thought about this for a moment. "I guess he might have overstated things Bella but he worries about you"

Now we were getting somewhere, "OK, But why? Is there something wrong with the Cullen family?" Charlie looked shocked, "No Bella of course not. In fact for a group of teenagers they are very well-behaved and polite. Dr and Mrs Cullen have done a really good job with them" I pounced, "So what's Jake's problem.?" Dad shook his head, "I don't know. Billy and Harry just plain don't like them and they wont use the clinic if Dr Cullen is on duty, but it's just a tribal prejudice I think". "Do you have anything against my speaking to them?" I asked him. He shrugged, "I guess not but don't upset Jake, Bells. He cares about you." I snorted, "Yeah, well he has a funny way of showing it. I think we may not be so good for each other" and with that I went up to bed.

I sat at the computer to send Renee an e-mail and read hers which was long and rambling as always. She asked after Jake and wanted to know if there were any other hot boys at Forks high. I had to smile at that and thought of the Cullens. They most certainly qualified as hot, well Edward I couldn't speak of personally although I was getting very familiar with the back of his head. After showering I climbed into bed and picked up Wuthering Heights to read again. Charlie always laughed at my copy because it was so tatty, but to me it was an old friend, familiar and comforting. As I read I heard a rustling in the leaves just outside my window. It stopped by the time I got out of bed to look. Cat no doubt I thought as I turned out my light.