BPOV

I woke up to rain pattering softly on the rooftop and a horrible ache in my chest. I wanted nothing more than to stay in bed, bury my head under the pillow, and endure the pain silently. I didn't want to face the world today. Or even tomorrow. But that was just prolonging the inevitable. I was going to have to deal with it soon or later. I chose sooner. The longer I waited, the more painful it was going to be in the long run.

I did my normal morning activities with the occasional heavy sigh in hopes of ridding the emptiness in my heart. It didn't work.

I drove to school in my monster of a truck, the stereo on all the while, playing all of my favorite songs in some vain effort to forget the problems awaiting me. It didn't work.

It especially didn't work when I arrived at Forks High, now my own personal enemy. I wasn't exactly sure how I was supposed to handle avoiding Edward. One glance at him and I would probably go into a full blown break down.

I was just getting out of the truck, the thing was so old I had to be cautious with not breaking the door of its hinges. Charlie would kill me... if this truck didn't kill me first.

I saw my friend, Angela, walking towards me with a big frown on her face.

I met Angela in English the same week that Edward started ignoring me, I was confused at first because I hadn't seen her around before... or maybe I had, and just wasn't paying any attention. She explained to me that her grandmother in Georgia was sick, so she went and stayed with her, causing her to miss the first two weeks of the school year. But since that first class, we had been nearly inseparable.

My eyebrows pulled together, "What is it, Ang?" I questioned, concern laced with fear in my voice.

"You won't believe this," she gossiped, slightly out of breath from the walking, "History has a substitute."

"What happened to Ed... Mr. Cullen?" I panicked. Did he leave because of me?

"Everyone keeps saying he's out sick."

Well, that was ironic. I spent all night and all day worrying about seeing him and he wasn't even going to be there. I was both relieved and upset. I knew it was going to hurt to see him again, but I still felt a strong sense of happiness whenever I was around him. His presence seemed to bring me joy and pain. It was bittersweet.

"Who gets sick in September?" Honestly, please pick a better excuse.

"Maybe he has the swine flu." she teased jokingly, her eyes widening in mock realization.

"Right, Ang. Well, we'll just save that for someone like Lauren." I laughed, "So, who's the substitute?"

"I think his name is Mr. Black, he's like 20 or something. Real young. He graduated college early I'm guessing." she shrugged her shoulders.

"How do you know?"

"News travels fast." she smiled.

****

The rest of the day was uneventful. I was a little bit anxious and a little bit terrified to get to history. Anxious because I wanted to see what our substitute looked like. I still couldn't get over his age: 20. So close to my own age. How do you let someone who is young enough to be your older brother teach you? And terrified because I was afraid that being in that class would bring back the little memories that made my heart ache, and I didn't want anyone replacing Edward. In or outside the classroom.

I was putting away unneeded books into my locker when someone tapped my shoulder. I whipped around, startled.

"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you," Angela giggled, "I was just wondering, though. Tomorrow is Saturday, right?" I nodded, "Me, Lauren, and Jessica were all planning on going to Port Angeles to shop and stuff. Just a girl's day out. It would mean so much to me if you came. Please." she pouted.

"I don't think Jess and Lauren would want me there." I convinced.

"If you make me go alone with them I will hurt you." she threatened, and I giggled. Absolutely nothing about Angela screamed 'intimidating.'

I really did need to get out and forget this unhealthy obsession with my teacher, it would really be healthy just to have some female bonding time, but I also wasn't in the mood to deal with Jessica and Lauren, AKA bitch and bitchier.

"Please. Please. Please." Angela begged, she sounded like a child pleading with their mother to have just one candy bar.

"Fine." I sighed, rolling my eyes. What did I have to lose? I knew I'd have a great time with Angela, if Jess and Lauren were going into their 'bitch mode' I could be just as crabby.

"Yay!" she screamed, hugging me tightly, "Thank you." she grinned.

I was about to open my mouth to speak when the bell rang, signaling that it was time for the dreaded class.

I picked my backpack, slung it over my shoulder, and closed my locker, "Later, Ang." I called before heading off to 'the class of doom.'

When I got there, there was a class filled with students, but no teacher. It was strange to see the room full, students were never on time; they probably only came to throw spitballs at that poor, unsuspecting, teacher's head. Apparently, fresh meat was always enjoyed at this school. I sat down at my normal seat next to Mike Newton.

"Hey, Bella." Mike said happily.

"Hi, Mike." I stated through gritted teeth.

"Have you changed your mind about the dance?" he smiled. Wow, he took subtle to a whole new level.

"Actually, no. And I don't plan to. Dancing just isn't my thing."

"You know, I'll be there to catch you if you fall." he winked, his grin widening.

"Why don't you ask Jessica?" I said as politely as my annoyance would allow, "I hear she's being dying to go to the dance with you." And it was the truth. Jessica always babbled on at lunch about how much she liked Mike, I guess I could see the attraction. They were both annoying. It was as simple as that.

"Really?" he gasped, his eyes widening.

"Sure. You should definitely go for it." I encouraged.

He didn't have the chance to respond before a man walked in who I assumed to be our substitute. What I saw glorious. His skin was a russet color and his short, cropped hair was pitch black, he seemed to be of Native American descent. He was tall, around 6' 5" or so, more like huge. He wore a white short sleeved dress shirt and a black pair of dress pants, exposing me to his large arms and long legs. He wasn't too buff, for example, like Emmett Cullen, but you could tell he worked out very often. He was no Edward, no one could measure up to him. But this Mr. Black wasn't so bad himself.

"Sorry I'm late," he sighed apologetically, "Damn traffic." he mumbled under his breath, careful not to let anyone else hear, but I did.

"I'm Jacob Black," he introduced, "And I'll be your substitute for the next three weeks. Any questions?" he smiled.

Three weeks? What the hell was wrong with Edward?

I couldn't help it, I had to ask, "Mr. Black?"

"Yes..." he trailed off.

"Bella."

"Bella," he repeated, smiling, "is there something you'd like to ask?"

"Is there a reason as to why Mr. Cullen is going to be out for the next 21 days?" I challenged, raising an eyebrow at him.

He chuckled, "Mr. Cullen is taking vacation during this time, on a cruise, I think. He'll be back in October." Oh great, so he's on a cruise while I'm here suffering? Just great... I wish Angela's reason had been right in the first place. Swine flu.

Just then Lauren raised her hand, "Mr. Black?"

"Yes?"

"How old are you?" she questioned innocently.

I rolled my eyes, of course that would be the first question she'd ask.

"Twenty." he chuckled.

I saw her nod her head in approval, and Mr. Black give her a disgusted expression, one she didn't notice. It was all I could do to hold back my laughter. Geez, no one seemed to find Lauren as attractive she thought she was. Well, except maybe for Eric... all the Forks male population... maybe even half of Washington, but that's not the point. The point was it seemed like teachers always tried to find an escape when she was around. I didn't blame them, I would too.

Class started then after a few more questions like Jessica Stanley's, 'Are you single?' and Lauren Mallory's 'Do you date younger chicks?'. I swear, if being a slut was a sport these girls would take the gold and then some. But I learned that Mr. Black was actually pretty hilarious. He took the questions to heart, and answered them truthfully, but his answers also held sarcasm. Like, do you date younger chicks? His answer was, "Yes, but blond isn't my type. Sorry about that." That shut Lauren up for a while, but she started talking again all too soon for my liking. Maybe duct tape would do the trick...

I would find myself smiling and giggling every once and a while, but then feeling guilty for it seconds later. I couldn't explain it, it was like every moment of happiness I had only added to the sadness of the day. I actually felt guilty for being happy. I just really missed Edward. I wonder what he's doing right now.

After class ended I had my heart set on just getting home, but Mr. Black stopped me.

"Bella, do you mind staying for a little bit longer?"

"Um, sure Mr. Black. What for?"

"Please, call me Jacob, you used to any way." he said, a smile creeping its way onto his lips.

My eyebrows knitted together in confusion, "Excuse me?"

"Bella, it's Jake. Don't you remember me? Billy Black's son?"

"I'm sorry... no." I admitted.

He laughed, "My dad and your dad were best friends, still are. We used to play together when they went fishing, when you came to Forks every summer for a visit. Remember now?"

"Oh," realization dawned on me, "that would probably explain why I didn't remember it. I do a pretty good job of blocking painful, unnecessary things out of my memory." I chuckled.

His face fell and I realized how he must have mistaken my words, "No! Not like that, it wasn't you. It was the fishing. It always bored me to death."

"Right," he said, not completely convinced, "So, what brings you to Forks High?"

"I'm living here now," I shrugged, "Where have you been all this time?"

"I've been going to college at Washington State in Pullman so I've been pretty busy. I just graduated and I'm moving back here. I'm a substitute right now but I'm hoping to become a permanent teacher."

My head shot up, "You're not... planning on teaching history, are you?" I had to ask. What would happen to Edward?

"Well, it's not my number one priority, but it is pretty nice. Why?" I mentally breathed a sigh of relief.

"No reason," I lied, "Hey, Jacob. I have to go, okay? Charlie will be getting home soon and I need to cook dinner."

"Right, okay. Hey, Bells, you know, it's been forever since we've really hung out with each other. Do you wanna go out and do something on Saturday?"

"Like... like a date?" I questioned, narrowing my eyes at him.

"No, no, not if you don't want it to be. Just two old friends reconnecting." he covered, but I could tell there was more to it than just that.

"You know, I'd really like to Jake but I already made plans with a few of my friends tomorrow."

"Oh... yeah, that's cool. But if you just wanna hang out, you know where to find me. At Billy's." he winked playfully, and I smiled.

I thought it was sweet that he would flirt with me, but I didn't think I would ever look at him as anything more than a friend. I couldn't just forget Edward. And I especially wouldn't drop him for the substitute. That was like a poorly written Lifetime movie just waiting to happen.

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A/N: Don't kill me! Put. The. Gun. Down. That's better. Personally, I think writing this story is bittersweet for me. There are some parts that I don't necessarily want to happen but it's essential to the story. If there was no Jacob, how would there be any drama? And you guys need drama like a vampire needs animal blood, don't deny it!

Love? Like? Hate? Please let me know.