Chapter 4

I woke up with a start the next morning, my alarm having awakened me from my first dream about Jasper. I pushed that all aside. Not dwelling about it. I've known the guy for a day, I'm being ridiculous. I am being completely and utterly ridiculous. I got into the shower, going about my morning routine as I do every other morning. It was Friday, which was Charlie's late day, so he would be sitting at the kitchen table drinking his coffee and reading the newspaper. Friday. That also meant that tonight was Lauren and Jasper's date. Great.

"Morning, Bells." Charlie greeted me. "Hey, dad." I smiled. I grabbed a pop tart, my back pack and headed out to my truck. I turn the key. Nothing. I sigh, I turn the key again and I all I hear is an annoying ticking sound. Oh, great. As if my day couldn't get any better. "Dad?" I call out as I walk back into the house. "Yeah, kiddo?" Charlie appears from the kitchen. "Truck won't start. Can you drive me?" I ask. "Sure. You know, I thought that truck wasn't sounding to good lately. I'll call someone and have it looked at today." Charlie explained as we head to the police cruiser. The ride is silent, not that I expected anything more. Charlie and I were alike in that sense, neither of us minded the silence. In fact, I'm sure we both enjoyed it all the same.

As Charlie pulls into the school parking lot, I see everyone turn their heads and stare at me. Okay, so they weren't actually staring at me, they were really staring at Charlie, and, I don't know, the cop car. Maybe I should stop kidding myself, they are most definitely staring at me. I mean, it's not everyday that someone gets dropped off in the Chief of Police vehicle. Charlie stops the car right in front of Emmett, Alice and Edward. I can see the wheels turning in Emmett's head at all the possible jokes he can spin on this. Fan-flipping-tastic. "I'll pick you up after school, okay?" Charlie asked, before I got out. "Yeah, dad, great. Thanks." I flashed him a smile as I headed towards them.

Emmett opened his mouth to say something. "Stop. I don't even want to hear it. My truck wouldn't start this morning." I told him. "What's wrong with it?" Edward asked. "Beats me. It made this awful ticking sound when I tried to start it." I shrugged. "Hmm, well, on a truck that old, it could be a number of different things. It's hard to pinpoint one specific thing. Well, your dad has a few connections. I'm sure he'll get it fixed." Edward explained, smiling at me. I nod. Man, I hope so. "What's with the cruiser?" Jasper appears out of no where, chin cocking to where my dad is parked in a traffic jam. Stupid freshman not knowing anything. I rolled my eyes. "Nothing, just Bella's noble steed." Emmett jokes, chuckling. Jasper raises his eyebrows at me. "In trouble with the law, Miss. Swan?" He asked, amused. "Please. That would be my dad, more commonly known as Chief Swan." I filled him in. Jasper swallows hard. "Betcha didn't see that coming." Emmett exclaims, slapping him on the back as the bell rings.

The morning passes slowly, all I could hear was Lauren talk about how excited she is for her date tonight. "Is this day over yet?" I groan at lunch time. "T.G.I.F. Bella." Emmett cheered. "Oh, a whole two days off. What am I possibly going to do with all of that time?" I scoff. "Hang out with me." Alice said, as if it was the most clear option ever. "AKA what she does every weekend." Edward smiled. "Pretty much." I agree. Not that I'm complaining. If I hadn't befriended Alice, who knows how immensely boring my life would be at Forks High. I can only imagine what college will be like. I frown slightly, realizing how everything will change once high school ends and a new chapter of our lives begin. Maybe I'm being melodramatic over hear, but change is coming. I can feel it. "Why the long face?" Jasper approaches the table. "Alright, where do you come from? I mean, seriously, one minute you're not here, and then poof, here you are." Emmett speaks his thoughts a loud, the whole table sort of gives him a bemused look. Can't say I don't agree with him though.

"You're just oblivious to the world around you." Jasper smirked. "So, why are you frowning?" He redirected his attention at me, blue eyes burning with curiosity. "Just thinking about college is all." I shrugged. "College? Bells, that's quite a few months away." Edward said. "Yeah, I know. But still, it's weird to think about." I explained. They all look at me, waiting to divulge anything more. I don't, instead I just look out the window, minding my own business. I feel Jasper's eyes on me for the rest of lunch. Conversations flow easily through the table, I put my in put where I can or when I'm asked. Other than that I stay content in my own little word. The bell finally rings, releasing me from my trance, biology here I come. As I walk into Biology I notice that something is different. I can't quite put my finger on it until, oh, well that's new.

Lauren at the moment is glaring daggers at the back of Jasper's head. I clear my throat, Jasper looks at me. "Trouble in paradise?" I asked, trying to hide my mocking smile. Jasper glances at Lauren then back at me. "I cancelled our date. That didn't sit well with her. I believe that exact words she used were 'selfish prick, heartbreaking moron' there were others, but not really appropriate at this time." Jasper shrugs, as his lips curl into an uneven smile. "What happened exactly?" I inquired. "Well, she lied to me. Bad way to start a relationship." He explained. I nod, not wanting to pry, I didn't ask him what she lied about. Even though it was nearly eating me alive. Jasper also didn't offer anymore information, so I dropped it all. Maybe it was something, maybe it was nothing. Or maybe, my inner self began, you're just reading to much into it. Yeah, probably.

As the final bell rang, Emmett, Edward, Alice, Jasper and I made our way to the parking lot. I wasn't necessarily looking forward to seeing the cruiser there, but I was getting over it. To my pleasant, slightly confused surprise there was no cruiser to be seen. "Does someone need a ride again?" Jasper looked smug. "No-" I trailed off as I saw a familiar car in the parking lot. Before I could get another word out I was lifted off the ground and spun around in the air. Oh jeez. "I think I'm gonna be sick." I managed to squeak out. A deep, hearty laughter filled the air. "Silly, Bells. You and your problems." The familiar voice chuckled and my feet carefully made contact with solid ground. "Jacob." I stared at my massive best friend. "Isabella." He mocked, a huge smile dancing at the corners of his lips. "It's been too long." I scolded. "Well, you know me Bells, I gotta keep all those ladies at bay to make time for my number one." Jake playfully brushes my cheek with his fingertips. Someone rudely clears their throat. "You are so weird sometimes." I said, sticking my tongue out at him. I turn around to stare at everyone. Alice and Edward have immersed themselves in their own private conversation. Emmett, for all I know, is off in la-la land, and Jasper, well Jasper is staring at us with an unwavering gaze. "Jasper, this is Jacob." I began the introductions. "Her friend." Alice quipped in randomly. I shot her a look. "Jake, this is Jasper." I finished. They shook hands, staring each other down.

Is it just me, or did things just get weird?