Chapter 9 - Flirting

(Bella's Point of View)

I could not believe Edward asked me out. Even though it had already been a week since his request, I was still flabbergasted that he thought I was romantically interested in him. What had I done to give that impression? I thought he knew I loved him only like a brother.

I stomped and huffed up to History class, infuriated that guys just didn't get it. Several people stared as I snarled at somebody who wasn't there.

The entire morning was spent fuming over how nothing good lasted, ever. It was like I had my own personal poltergeist, making me think my life was actually good for once before snatching it away. My pessimism seemed to project a cloud of doom around me, because nobody sat next to me in either of my morning classes.

As I walked through the stairwell doorway to go to lunch, I rolled my eyes with ever increasing anger. It was raining heavily, but I didn't have an umbrella because it had been stolen earlier in the week. I put my hood up, trying in vain to dodge the raindrops pelting down onto my body. My clothes were getting soaked and I was starting to shiver with cold.

The pummeling of rain on my hoodie stopped unexpectedly. I hadn't walked under a ledge, and I still saw rain pouring down around me, so I looked behind me to see what could be obstructing the slushy downfall.

Walking along beside me, whose approach I had not seen because my hood had obstructed my peripheral vision, was somebody who I had not seen in months. Our first meeting had been embarrassing to say the least, and seeing him hold an umbrella over my head, grinning, brought back similar butterflies. Edward had called him dangerous, had warned me that I should avoid him.

I decided to ignore Edward. He had probably only told me to avoid this boy because he was jealous. After all, who wouldn't be jealous of Jacob Black?

(Jacob's Point of View)

I had been talking absentmindedly with Quil and Embry, two annoying freshmen who wouldn't leave me alone, when I saw Bella walk by. She looked ready to kill somebody, and I noticed she didn't have an umbrella. Feeling confident, I decided I would make my move.

Easily catching up to Bella, I held my wide umbrella aloft over her damp form. I laughed silently to myself as she continued to walk along, oblivious to my presence. I was still basking in amusement when she suddenly stopped and slowly turned around.

The look on her face went from one of annoyance to shock as she saw that it was I shielding her from nature's onslaught. She opened and closed her mouth twice before stuttering, "Hi, J-Jacob."

I grinned even wider, pleased that Bella remembered my name. "Hey, Bells!" I half-sang.

Looking at her feet, Bella muttered something that sounded like a pleasantry. "Whadidja say?" I inquired, confused.

She looked up shyly and said, "How have you been, Jake?"

I grinned again and said, "Pretty good. Football's been over for awhile now, so I've had some free time. You?"

"I'm okay," she dismissed.

After a brief pause I continued, "Aren't you walking to Main Street?"

"Yeah."

"Alright! I'll walk you there," I smiled.

"You don't have to. I have my hoodie," Bella squeaked, nervous. I found this very flattering. The discovery that I made Bella nervous elated me, since I've had a crush on her since the night I met her.

"I want to, Bella! Besides the fact that it's a polite thing to do, I also think you're pretty cool. I like spending time with you," I complimented.

Her face flushed crimson from my praises. My breathing accelerated as I noticed, again, just how beautiful Isabella Swan was.

"Alright," she said tersely.

We barely spoke as I walked along the sidewalk with Bella. I felt like today was my lucky day – how often do you just run into the very person you've been hoping to see?

I held the door open for Bella, then stepped inside after her. We walked toward Subway to get our food, Bella shyly stepping through the jubilant students.

I realized that Edward was seated at the table nearest the entrance we'd just passed through. With a jolt, I saw that he was glaring at me, visibly hating me with everything he had. The phrase "if looks could kill" seemed to apply in this instance, and I was glad it was figurative. If looks could kill, I would likely be a pile of ashes on the ground right now.

Once Bella had her food, she went to go sit with Angela Weber and Jessica Stanley. Since I wanted to take this flirting slowly, I went off to eat with my other friend, Sam Uley. Bella looked over at me and gave a small smile. I grinned in return and she ducked beneath her hair, bashful as ever.

I smiled and turned back to my food, eagerly anticipating the courtship to come.