Chapter 6

I Guess I'm Mars or Something

Bella's POV

Last Friday when Angela asked me if I wanted to go the beach at La Push I agreed with little reluctance. I was beginning to think of Angela as a really good friend. I haven't spent a lot of time with her but she comes off as being very sincere.

The next day a few of the 'lunch table group' met at Newton's Outfitters at 10AM. The beach was empty even though the weather was decent for Forks. I assumed it would be a long day when Lauren eyed me scornfully. Of course Mike was happy to see me. Sigh. It was a fifteen mile drive to La Push. I was glad to have the window seat. The scenery was gorgeous so the ride wasn't so bad even though the Suburban was claustrophobic with nine people squeezed in.

I was surprised to recognize the beach so clearly when we got there. I had been there with my father countless times but hadn't been to the beach since I was eleven. The mile-long crescent of First Beach and the dark gray water was breathtaking. The smell of brine tickled my nose and the cool moist breeze lightly kissed my skin.

Mike led us to a ring of driftwood. The guys walked around the beach for wood for the fire. Mike created a blue fire which was evidently caused by the salt. I spent most of the morning trying to get Mike to give his attention to Jessica, instead of me. It wasn't hard to get Jessica in on the act, without her knowledge of course.

The guys decided to go for a hike – when Lauren stayed behind – I decided to join them. The beauty of the forestry gave me the sense of serenity. When the boys got hungry we began the trek back. When we got back I saw there was a spot next to Angela so I joined her. We had simple conversations throughout the day.

I heard Lauren mumble something indistinct about "hotties" to Jessica who was sitting next to her. I glanced at them briefly and they were sitting across from me. I looked down at my feet not really wanting to hear anything else they said when I had a sense I was being watched. I took a gander and locked eyes with Billy's son. He lightly smiled at me and I smiled back. After a few moments Eric introduced us and the older guy from the three of the Quileute's, Sam introduced the boys with him: Jacob and something that sounded like Emily.

Angela whispered something that sounded like "Looks like someone is into you." I rolled my eyes at her but smiled at her, amused by her assumption. I quickly dismissed her when she mentioned I "should go for a walk and maybe he'll follow…" but after a moment I decided "what the hell" and looked at her narrow-eyed and heard a quiet laugh as I stood up.

I breathed in the ocean breeze as I walked and looked out at the ocean to seem inconspicuous and relaxed. I walked around the bend when I spotted a driftwood tree with roots sticking out and went over to sit down. I began feeling ridiculous for trying Angela's suggestion when I was startled by a person – him – standing in front of me. He must have sense my momentary fear since he stopped in place and lightly smiled.

He was a tall, his hair was long glossy, and black; tied back at the nape of his neck, his skin was a beautiful, silky, russet color; his eyes were dark, set deep above the high planes of his check bones. The childish roundness around his chin made me think he's about fifteen but could probably pass as older if you didn't pay attention. We chatted for a while about his sisters, the truck and his hobby for building cars. Mike annoyed me by being a little possessive. It seemed to alarm Jacob. I did not want him or anyone to think there was anything going on between Mike and me. We went on about visiting each other and I really did want to see him again. His smile was bright and beautiful.

I think I really like seeing him smile…

I was brought out of my reverie when bell rang. Jessica walked with me in the hall and said "I think that Quileute boy at the beach was totally into you." I laughed but didn't say anything. I didn't want to talk about it with her – she was a little too friendly with Lauren that it made me nervous.

We made it to the cafeteria and got our lunches. Angela was smiling at me as I sat down. I was afraid she would say something about it like Jessica but she started up a conversation with Katie.

When lunch was over Angela walked with me.

"Could you help me get ready for a date tonight?"

"A date? Who may I ask is the lucky guy?" I asked.

"Ben." She looked down.

"Aww no way! Of course I will but I'm not the best at the whole make-up thing..."

"Don't worry! I just need have you tell me how I look – honestly."

"Okay, honesty - no problem." I smiled.

When school was over I followed Angela to her house. I called Charlie as soon as we arrived to tell him where I was. He was fine with it of course but wanted me home by five since the Black's were coming over for dinner. Totally didn't see that one coming…

I followed Angela up to her room and sat down on her bed while she went into the bathroom to get ready. She came out in a light yellow vintage button up shirt with ruffled sleeves and fitted dark jeans. The color of the shirt was perfect on her. I gave her two thumbs up. She smiled. Angela walked back into the bathroom and I went in behind her so we could chat.

"Is it okay if I sit on the counter?"

"Go ahead." I jumped up.

"What time is Ben picking you up?"

"5:30."

"Oh, I have to be home by 5 is that okay? I have to cook dinner for four tonight."

"That's fine Bella. Who's coming over?"

I laughed. "The Black's."

"Really?"

"Yeah. They're friends of the family."

"The boy from Saturday is a Black right?"

"Yes." I looked down at my feet hanging above the ground embarrassed.

"Oh you need to let me do your hair then Bella." She laughed. "A little make-up...."

"Oh no, I don't need all that."

"Of course you don't need it. And from the way he was looking at you he doesn't think so either. Trust me I won't do too much. Please?" She stopped doing her hair to look at me.

"This is your night Angela. I can't-", I shook my head and looked her in the eyes.

"Bella, I don't mind. I want to!"

I sighed. "Alright, but not too much and nothing fancy." Girly things like this are not my thing…

"I promise." She smiled.

When she finished her hair it was up in a pony tail and the tail was all curly. Her bangs were curved over her forehead.

"You look amazing, Angela."

"Thanks Bella. Now I think I should put a few more waves in your hair – make the natural ones a little more distinct. How about a little mascara and a light gloss, nothing else?"

"That sounds fine."

"Okay. Stand here." She pointed in front of her. I jumped down and turned toward the mirror and she went to work. She was done in about 30 minutes.

I looked in the mirror and I looked nice. I smiled. "Thanks."

"You look great Bella." She said as she went to work on her make-up.

When she was finished we walked out into her bedroom. I saw that it was about time for me to leave. We said our goodbyes, the see you tomorrows, and good lucks. As I drove home I found myself getting more and more nervous. I've never been nervous about a boy before, not that there's ever been any boys per say. Of course there were great looking guys in Phoenix but none of them ever really interested me.

I parked the truck in its usual spot and noticed a little black car parked behind the cruiser that I'd never seen before. I stepped out of the truck and made my way to the door. As I made my way in I could hear Charlie yelling at the TV obviously annoyed by whichever game he was watching.

He had calmed down enough when I made my way to the doorway of the living room to say "Hey Bells, have fun at Angela's?" I noticed Billy was sitting on the couch next to Charlie and Jacob was sitting in the chair parallel to where I was standing - smiling. Billy turned in his spot to look at me and smiled. It was different from his son's smile and almost as bright.

"Yeah, Char-Dad." I said.

"Well hello Bella. It's been a long time." I hadn't seen Billy in about five years but his voice was as recognizable as if I had heard it yesterday. It made me feel like a child again.

"It most certainly has. Are you hungry?" I asked.

There was a chorus of "Yeahs". I laughed as I turn toward the kitchen.

I started pulling things out of the refrigerator and set them out on the counter.

"Need help?"I was startled by the familiar husky, voice. "Sorry I didn't mean to alarm you."

"No it's fine." I waved a dismissive hand at him."But sure, you can if you want."

"What are we having?" he asked as he came to stand next to me.

"Salad, steaks, and baked potatoes." I answered.

He looked thoughtful for a moment. "Besides the salad that sounds great." He smiled.

"Hey salads are healthy." I countered.

"Sure, sure." He said.

"Okay so you wrap the potatoes in foil and I'll fix up the steaks." We both went to work. Coincidently we glanced at each other and smiled. I looked down at the foil covered potatoes and said "If you don't mind, set them on that tray" I pointed to the tray sitting in the dish drainer that I washed this morning, "and turn the oven onto 450° and put the potatoes on the top shelf."

He did just that and I carried the tray of steaks and when he moved out of the way I placed them on the oven shelf underneath the potatoes.

I looked up at him and noticed he just radiated a warmth and happiness. He was smiling like he did a job well done.

He nudged my arm with his elbow "We seem to make a good team don't we?"

I laughed. "Yeah, guess we do." I realized then that I felt drawn to him. Like us being around each other was something natural, easy. Jacob reminded me of an earthbound sun and I speculated that could make me some type of planet – I guess Mars or something. It was a strange feeling but I welcomed it.

I walked over to the refrigerator and got out a soda, "Want one?", "Sure" he replied. I handed him the one in my hand and reach for my own. I perched myself on the counter and he leaned against it by me.

"So how are things?" Jacob asked.

"Pretty good." I smiled. "How about you? Did you finish your car?"

"No." He frowned. "I still need parts. We borrowed that one." He pointed his thumb in the direction of the front yard. "How's the truck?"

"Great. No problems. You must have done an excellent job taking care of it."

He laughed "Well there's not a lot to do in La Push. Fixing, maintaining cars gives me something to do and hey I enjoy it." He shrugged.

Jacob watched as I took a sip of the soda. I thought he would look away but he didn't so I looked over at him. "What?" I asked feeling a little self-conscious. He moved his head and his gaze to the soda in his hands. "Nothing." "Tell me." I said nudging his arm with my elbow.

He looked back at me contemplating something and said "You're hair looks…nice."I laughed. "I can tell that's not what you meant to say, Jake." He sighed. "You're hair really does look good but you're right…that's not what I was going to say…" He put his hand on the back of his head and shifted his feet. "I was wondering if you were busy Friday night…?" He barely moved his head toward me but his eyes met mine.

I was pretty sure we heard laughing from the other room and I realized there was no sound coming from the TV. Jacob and I both laughed when the sound turned back on.

Jake continued, "I mean if you want to, I'd understand if you don't."

I rolled my eyes. "Where will you be taking me?"

"I was thinking just a movie, maybe dinner."

"I'd like to Jake but on one condition."

"What?"

"If we do dinner, let's just get take out." I simpered.

He chuckled. "Deal."

Dinner went smoothly. It was hard to ignore the sly smiles from Billy and Charlie but it didn't bother me too much. My blush made an occasional appearance when they just happen to make comments about movies that were coming out; apparently they knew this one coming and did some research.

After dinner Jacob and I washed the dishes. I giggled when he told me a story about Charlie getting in a 'fight' with a Christmas tree a few years back. I felt bad that I never gave much thought to how he spent holidays but it was nice to know he spent them with his best friend.

Just before we finished the dishes Jacob asked me if it would be alright to pick me up at six on Friday.

"That would be fine." I smiled and his answering smile made my heart skip a beat.


This chapter was oddly difficult for me. I don't really like it but I got the end result I wanted.

Should I write the 'date' in Jacob or Bella's POV? Both? Let me know what you think!

I also posted the first chapter's of my two other stories. I hope you check them out if you haven't.