CPOV
"Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah-ah! Roma-roma-mamaa! Ga-ga-ooh-la-la! Want your bad romance," the alarm clock on my phone sang, waking me out of my deep sleep. Finally it was Monday morning.
Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I sat up in bed and thought about everything that happened over the weekend. Seeing the wolves and feeling a connection with one. Running through the woods and slicing my arm open, bringing me to the hospital meeting Alice's dad Dr. Cullen. Being pulled over by Charlie and then interrogated about what happened to me. And finally my phone call to Bella begging for her help.
Not wanting to be late for school, I begrudgingly got out of bed and carefully made my way to the bathroom to take a shower, trying not to disturb any of my many bruises or cuts. Easier said than done.
By the time I got back to my room, I was feeling sore all over. I didn't really feel like trying to impress people today, so I threw on a pair of light wash ripped jeans, a white v-neck t-shirt, my navy Hollister hoodie with the cute pudgy surfer guy on it, and my very comfy pair of eight inch tan Uggs. Today was definitely a day for comfort, and I was wrapping myself up in it.
Throwing a quick glance at my clock, I found that I only had a half hour to get to school. Walking gingerly down the stairs, I grabbed an apple and made my way outside. I may be sore all over, but today felt like it was going to be a good day.
That is until my car wouldn't start.
"Come on!" I yelled smacking the steering wheel.
Taking a minute to gather myself, I inhaled deeply and turned my key in the ignition one more time.
Click, click, click psssh.
Dropping my head back, I closed my eyes, "Why me?"
Knowing I had to get to school, I grabbed my backpack and pulled out my cell phone. This wasn't the how I wished to start my week out. I wanted to actually get to school and see my friends, have a few distractions in my mind so I could stop thinking about the russet wolf and his ebony eyes.
Quickly dialing Angela's number I prayed she wasn't at school already.
One ring…four rings…six rings…voicemail. Great.
Looking rapidly at the clock I saw that I only had twenty minutes before I'd be late for class. Dialing Bella's number, I crossed my fingers.
Please pick up, please pick up.
"Hello?"
"Bella!"
"Caid!" she said laughing. "What's up?"
"My car died, do you think you could swing by and get me?"
"Sure, sure. I'll be over in five."
"Thanks."
Doing a little happy dance in my seat I grabbed my stuff and walked over to the porch, pulling out my very battered copy of Alice in Wonderland, and waited for my knight in shining pickup truck on the porch.
Honk. Honk.
I grinned as Bella pulled up in her red truck. Folding down the corner of the page I was on and tucking my book in my bag, I gently made my way over.
"Thanks," I said as Bella opened the door for me.
"So what happened to your car?"
"I have no clue. It was perfectly fine Saturday when I went for the drive, but this morning nothing," I threw my hands up in the air for dramatic flair, wincing when I felt a pinch on my arm reminding me I couldn't and shouldn't move like that.
"Hmm, yeah you probably shouldn't move to much. Well if you want, my friend Jake is great at fixing cars. He built his own actually," she said with a slight impish smile on her face.
"Do you think he would look at my car?"
"Oh I have a very good feeling that he'd love to."
Raising an eyebrow at her, I shook my head grinning to myself, and turned to stare out the window.
"Aww Caid," Angela said putting her arm around me and helping me get out of Bella's truck, "I know this is a really stupid question, but are you okay?"
"Mentally, yes. Physically, no, but I will be in a week or so," I laughed.
"I just can't believe what happened. A pack a wolves hmm." Angela had that same impish grin that Bella had on her face earlier, and I suddenly got the impression that they knew something I didn't.
Nodding my head, we began making our way into the school. I couldn't help but notice all the stares I was getting. Personally I didn't think my face looked that bad. Sure I had a scratch under my left eye, and a bruise on my forehead, but it's not like they could see any of the really bad stuff. Stupid superficial jerks.
"Ladies," Edward crooned in his velvety voice, "Do you mind if I steal Bella away?"
"Do you even have to ask Edward," Alice said coming up behind him. "It's not like they're going to say no, and even if they did, I doubt you'd listen to them anyways." Looking at me up and down, a frown appeared on Alice's perfect face. "Oh how I'm going to skin those wolves alive."
Alarmed, I couldn't help the outburst that escaped from my lips, "You can't do that!" If I thought people were staring before, it was nothing compared to yelling in the middle of a crowded hallway. Ducking my head in my locker I continued, "Those wolves didn't do anything to me Alice, and I would really appreciate if people didn't hurt them."
Slamming my locker shut, I brushed off the hand Edward tried placing on my shoulder, and stalked as quickly as my body would allow to my first class.
Going to the hospital and getting stitches over the weekend has its perks; I got to sit out during Gym.
Sitting at the top of the of the red rickety bleachers, I watched as everyone played volleyball for the third week in a row. After Bella sent a spectacular spike at Lauren Mallory's head, she opted out of the game and walked up the bleachers to join me.
Here's the thing about Bella, when she really wants to talk about something she's quiet, and I've quickly learned you never ask why she's quiet. If you do, you'll end up in a discussion with her about things you never wanted to talk about in the first place, and then feel guilty about not talking about said things in the first place. Which brings me back to where I am now, sitting next to a quiet Bella who was waiting for me to start a conversation I probably didn't want to have.
"You're not going to ask, are you?" Bella said after some time.
"Nope," I replied popping the 'p'.
"You learn quickly," she laughed, "but that doesn't mean I'm still going to say what's on my mind."
"I kind of figured."
"Alice didn't mean what she said today. Well, she did mean what she said, but she would never act upon it, unless you specifically asked her too. Which I know you never would! So you don't have to worry about anything happening to the wolves, because nothing wi…"
"Bella, you're rambling," I said smiling, "and I've already apologized to Alice for my outburst."
"Good."
"So…"
"Hmm," she said looking curious.
"Your friend Jacob fixes cars?"
"Oh yeah! I forgot about that. Let me call him now."
Pulling her cell phone out of her pocket, Bella quickly dialed her friend's number.
"Hey Jake." Unlike everyone else in the world, Bella's friend seemed to pick up on the first ring.
"I've been better since our talk, and yes I'm working on that thing for you, but I haven't made any progress yet."
"Blah, blah, blah. Anyways my friend Caiden's car died this morning, and I was wondering if you could stop by her house and take a look at it."
"Yes."
"Great! When?" Bella said squeezing my leg, causing me to look at her questioningly. Listening to one sided conversations were always weird.
"Okay see you then."
Turning to me Bella had a strange look in her eye, "So how opposed are you to leaving Gym early?
Bella and I were waiting outside my house for Jacob to arrive, swapping stories of things that happened in school today. Bella was currently sitting on the porch steps, whereas I was lying on my back on the hood of my car. Sitting wasn't really comfortable for me, but lying down was.
"So did you hear what Jessica Stanley did this weekend," Bella said, getting an evil tone in her voice.
"What?" My interest was piqued now.
"Apparently she went over to Newton's to surprise him, but his dad answered the door instead."
"So?" That was very scandalous.
"She was butt naked!" she laughed.
"No friggen way!"
Curling into fits of laughter, I didn't hear the car pull up behind me. I wasn't even aware that Jacob was here until a voice besides me said, "What's so funny?"
Startled, I jumped off my car and immediately winced at all the stabbing pain I felt, "Ouch. Dammit."
"Caid," Bella said rushing over.
"I'm fine, I'm fine. No sudden movements."
My entire body felt on fire. Every muscle in my body tensed and pressed upon my cuts and bruises, sending shockwaves of pain through me.
"You okay?" a voice said kindly in my ear.
"Yeah," I said looking into a pair of the deepest ebony eyes I've seen.
Standing up into his full height, Jacob held out his enormous hand for me to shake, "I'm Jacob."
Grasping his hand in mine, my eyes trailed up his arm and then over his body, taking in all of his definition and muscle. Lots and lots of muscle. Jacob had to be at least 6'1'', with deep russet skin, short shiny black hair that was kind of spiky in the front, and addicting smile.
Smiling back at him, "Caid. And thanks for taking a look at my car."
"No sweat." Gesturing toward my car he smiled, "Shall I?"
Nodding once, I watched intently as Jacob walked over and pulled up the hood. Bending over my car, I could see all the muscles in his body flexing. I couldn't help the shiver that ran down my body.
"Caid?"
"Huh? What?"
"You weren't listening were you?"
"Sorry," I said blushing.
Giggling, "I said I have to get to Newton's Store now. Talk later?"
"Yeah. Go have fun avoiding Newton," I said laughing. I never envied that she had to work with Newton. Worst possible coworker.
"Har, har. Bye Jake."
The "Bye Bella" that I assumed he said, wasn't even heard. His body was now under my car, and the little bit of his hands that I could see were busy prodding at something. Not wanting to get in the way, I occupied Bella's spot on the porch steps and watched Jacob check out my car.
"You don't have to wait out here you know," he said twenty minutes later when he emerged from underneath my car.
"I know, but I would feel rude leaving you outside by yourself."
"Oh." Rubbing the back of his head, he started listing all the things that was wrong with my car. Some of the things I didn't even know existed. "We can bring it down to the shop and fix it for you, but it will cost a bit."
"That's fine. As long as he gets fixed, I don't care how much it costs."
"He?"
"Bob."
"You named your car Bob," he said with a chuckle.
"Why wouldn't I name my car Bob," I countered.
"Touché." Nervously pulling a card out of his pocket, he handed it to me and said, "Here. This is the number for the garage, and my home phone number is on the back. For you, if you know, have questions about your car, and stuff."
He looks cute when he's nervous.
Reaching my hand out to take his number, my fingers grazed his and I felt a flood of warmth course through my body. Gasping, I looked up at Jacob to see if he felt it too and I was met with a pair of smoldering eyes.