AN: Hey. Thank you to the lovers of this story. I want to hear from you.

I don't own Twilight or Bad Reputation so don't ask.

Ch 7—Study Partners

I came up with a plan. I needed to buckle down with a study partner and cut off my distractions. Every day I scheduled to study with another friend. Asia agreed to take Mondays and Thursdays, Rose took Tuesdays and Angela took Wednesdays. Friday I was on my own. It was date night and no one could guarantee the opportunity. Weekends we all studied together during the daytime hours. It cut into our shopping, but my grades needed more help than my wardrobe.

"Hey Bella are we still on for this Sunday for the test?" Demetri asked during lunch.

"Oh um, sorry, but I can't. I promised to hang with my girls."

"What about earlier this week?"

"Actually my mom's getting really paranoid about being alone since my dad's away. I need to be home and stay with her. I'd ask you over, but we do more than study and she'd have a conniption."

"Come on, you've got to have one night off this week. What about Friday?" he begged.

I couldn't allow him to distract me before this test. I needed better grades so I lied. "I'm busy. Sorry."

"Don't feel bad. If you are busy, then you are busy." See what I mean by sweet?

He leaned over and his lips touched mine. "I'll miss you." He flashed a charming smile. I knew I will probably fold on Friday. I needed to get busy, quick.

I needed another partner. I texted Alice, but she had a date with Jasper from my English class. There was another choice—Jacob.

I drove over to his house. I had a little time before Asia showed up at my house. I parked a bit off from the front of the house and drew in a deep breath. It's now or never.

I swallowed my pride and stepped up to the door. I quietly knocked, hoping he wouldn't hear and I could get out of this.

"Who is it?" a female voice called.

"It's Bella Swan. Is Volca— I mean is Jacob home?"

The door opened. "Bella! Come in, come in." It was Jacob's mom. Her attitude toward me did a 180 in January. As soon as she knew of my scholastic aptitude, I was completely acceptable as a girlfriend for Jacob. Her mannerisms still felt kind of weird almost a year later.

"Hi Mrs. Black. I came to see your son. I wanted to speak to him."

"Oh, he is still out on his Harley with his friends. But he is due to be here soon. Are you two getting back together? He really misses you.

I felt my cheeks warm. "No, but I think we are going to try and be friends."

"Do you want something to drink while you wait?" she offered.

I heard the roar of his bike pull into the driveway and cut off.

"Um, no thanks. I'm not planning to be here very long."

A few seconds later Jacob walked through the front door.

"Hey Mom. I'm thirsty. Could you give a glass of water while I—" He saw me sitting on the couch besides his mom. "What are you doing here?" He looked very hesitant.

"When you agreed to be friends, did you mean it?"

"Yeah."

"Well I was wondering if as my friend, you could study with me this Friday for the next test in English," I requested.

"For real?" He sounded surprised. I nodded. He stared at me for a few breaths worth and I knew he was going to ask about Demetri, but then he didn't. "My house or yours?"

"Mine. My dad is away on business and it soothes my mom when I'm nearby in case she has cravings."

*0*

Friday came along quickly. I couldn't understand my anticipation. I already felt better during class as of Tuesday, having already started studying for the exam. Jacob and I sat in my living room. We ran through his notes and read the important parts of the novel to get the feel for the text. It was weird and awkward at first. I was worried he wouldn't take this seriously and use the opportunity to attack me. But as the studying continued, I remembered Jacob was a great study partner. Even when he was able to touch me before he knew it would distract from the task at hand. He always saved the displays of affection for the end—a prize for a job well done. I became comfortable and relaxed.

At some point he was on the couch and I on the floor using the coffee table as a desk. I was handwriting all of Jacob's notes into my notebook.

"Ah Volcano, what did you write over here? I can't read this word."

He leaned over and glanced at his page. "Establishment."

"Oh, thanks." I turned to him with a smile. I didn't realize how close his face was to me and I quickly faced front. I could feel him still there an extra moment, but he leaned back onto the couch. I gave my heart a minute to stop thumping so loudly before I continued to write.

"Can I ask you a question?" he muttered with seriousness.

"You just did," I nervously giggled.

He didn't laugh.

I took a breath. "Go ahead."

"Why did you want to study with me?"

"You're my friend and friends study together."

"Y-yeah." He moved from the couch to the floor beside me. "But you have plenty of friends to study with. Why me?"

I bit on my top lip then on the bottom. I was extremely uncomfortable with his closeness. "I've been studying with all of them, but none of them could spare today."

"Oh." He sounded disappointed.

"To tell the truth Volcano," I confessed, "I haven't been doing very well this year. Last year I practically coasted through each course. Now it seems so hard. I figured the reason things were so easy before was because I was tutoring. We would cover everything which meant I really didn't need to study. I guess I was trying to recapture that ease." I chewed on my lip again.

I saw a slight smirk begin to form at the corners of his mouth. "So you need me to tutor you."

My lips pulled into a grin as I followed his logic. "Yes Volcano, I need you to tutor me."

"Okay, but first you stop calling me Volcano. I like it when you call me Jacob."

"What if I just called you Jake?" I countered. "You could save 'Jacob' for a girlfriend."

"Deal." He stuck out his hand to shake and I took it.

*0*

Once Monday arrived I was full of confidence. I participated during English class as well as my others. My new camaraderie with Jacob allowed me more focus and my notes took a turn for the better. With no feelings that Demetri will distract me further, I was in the mood to spend some time with him. We made a date for Saturday night.

AN: I know what you're thinking—What the Hell? Will Demetri go unpunished?
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