Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns all things twilight…

woot…finished English…so in celebration…here's another chapter…

CHAPTER EIGHT

BELLA'S POV

I sat on my bed, watching the seconds hand tick. My fingers were fidgeting in my lap and I sat. I could feel the tiredness but the entire night my eyes seemed to be glued open, like someone had put superglue of my eyelids forcing them to stay open.

But I knew better than to think that it was because of superglue that I couldn't sleep last night.

The alarm went off and I jumped up and slammed my hand down on the clock, silencing it. I sighed, it was really time to get up. There was no putting off work, not when we had so much to do.

So, however much I truly dreaded this day, I forced myself to get up and get ready. I finally emerged from my room, taking extra time to pick out my outfit and get ready. I went into the kitchen, getting myself a bowl of cereal as the coffee machine made me my coffee. I set myself down on the stools, reading the newspaper and enjoying my breakfast.

I barely registered that Edward was sleeping on the couch until I was on my way out. He was in an awkward position, phone still in his hand. I smiled. I shifted him so he was lying more comfortably on the couch and grabbed a few blankets and pillows to make him more comfortable. I gave him a kiss on the top of his head before hurrying out of the apartment. Now, I was definitely late.

I arrived at the Smith Tower ten minutes later and hurried into the elevator and onto Jacob's floor. I was about to go straight to his office when the receptionist stopped me.

"Um, I'm here to see Jacob. Jacob Black?" I told her, rather confused.

"Oh, um. Mr Black already left for your office. He thought you were meeting there." she said apologetically.

"Seriously?" I said as I grabbed my phone and started dialling Jacob's number.

He picked up on the first ring.

"Bella? Where are you?"

"I could ask you the same thing!"

"Waiting in your office? Come on, we've got a lot to do!"

"Ok, did I miss the bit when you said that we were in my office today? I'm already at the Smith Tower!"

"Aw, shit. I'm sorry. Just, ok. I'll start without you but get here quickly. Your boss is on the patrol."

I hurried back to the elevator, apologising to the receptionist as I left.

I got to my office in record-breaking time. I was panting as I went into the corner office, finding Jacob already comfortably nestled under masses of paperwork on the floor.

"Hey." I said breathlessly.

"Hey, I'm so sorry. I must've forgotten to tell you."

"Don't worry about it. Let's get started."

I joined him on the floor and he handed me a few of the papers that he'd highlighted bits out of. And the day went on like that.

We worked, argued, worked, argued and worked and argued a little more. It was like nothing had happened last night which I was really glad. I guess Jacob felt a little guilty and I was just weirded out. But if that subject was closed, well I wasn't about to open it anytime soon.

Night had come and our paperwork and the Chinese takeaway covered the floor of my office. Ha, my office. Ok, sorry, back to the story.

My brain was actually burning from how much I'd used it today. My mouth was dry from all the talking and my body stiff from the lack of movement. Actually, that's kind of weird. Because there was plenty of movement, around the floor, pacing around the office and the excitable gestures we made when someone was coming up with new ideas.

Overall, I was exhausted from the work we'd done but a lot of work we did do. The whiteboard we'd transported into the office was full of scrawlings, incomprehensible to anyone but us. Actually, that's a lie. I don't know what half of it really meant and what bits went where but it was a correct representation of our thought processes. Messy and disorganized. But at the very least, we had a lot of thoughts.

Through our preoccupation with work, I hardly registered the faint air of unease that surrounded us. It wasn't until we were packing up, ready to go home that the silences turned awkward and when I looked towards Jacob, I'd see him looking at me and turning away guiltily.

It was seven when we finished but we were still the last ones. I turned off all the lights to the floor as we made our way to the elevators. We went down to the lobby in an uncomfortable silence and Jacob's fidgeting hands mirrored my own. As we came out on to the street, Jacob quickly called a cab.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Bella. My office, same time," he tried to crack a smile and I half-heartedly laughed.

"Yeh, I'll see you. Good work today."

"Yeh, you too," he said as he hopped into the cab.

Our interaction was too formal, too proper. Not natural. I could tell that last night's events were still hanging over our heads and I hoped it would pass as I enjoyed spending time with Jacob because he made me laugh and things just seemed so easy and juvenile with him. I wanted to go back to that.

I got out my phone and dialled for Edward. He picked up after a few rings but I could barely hear his voice over the loud music behind him. I rolled my eyes. Of course, Wednesday night. Mid-week party was what he called it. I hung up, having no chance of talking to him over that music and quickly typed a message to him.

Which club?

I started walking towards my car as I waited for a reply. I could use a drink at this hour.

My phone beeped as I reached my car. I hopped in and read the message.

The Trinity. See you soon.


The party was at full swing by the time I got there. I wasn't exactly appropriately dressed with my work attire but it'd have to do. I pushed my way through the people towards the bar. It's sad, really, how many people are coming here to party in the middle of the week. I mean, have they no jobs, and if they had, any dedication or commitment to them to not want to turn up on a Thursday morning, exhausted and hung-over?

But I guess I could not say much as here I was in the club with them on a Wednesday night. And I'd gone out for a drink last night as well. I winced at the memory of last night's disaster.

"What can I get you?" the bartender said as I finally reached the bar.

"Single malt whiskey please. Straight up." He turned to get me my drink and I tapped the table, impatiently. A slim little body pushed up against me.

"Can I get another round, Brian?" she said in an excruciating high-pitched voice. The bartender signalled that he was serving me and I gave her a mocking smile.

"Ohmigosh! Look who it'd be. Little Bella bo! Where's your little Edward today?" Stacey was the classic bimbo cheerleader type girl. I don't know what she was doing in a place like Seattle. My only guess was because of the close proximity to Edward but from what I last heard she was basically unemployed. I wondered how she managed to pay for all those breast enhancements then…

"Well if it isn't Stacey!" I said mockingly. I never liked her, in fact, I kinda loathed her and all those type of girls so I really didn't care if she thought I was a bitch. Right back at her, I say!

"Why you asking me where Edward is? I don't keep tabs. Unlike…somebody." She held her delicate little hand to her chest in horror.

"You are so rude, Bella. No wonder you're never going to get laid." At this point our drinks had been placed before us and with a dramatic exit, Stacey grabbed the drinks and made her way back through the crowd of people, giving me the biggest greasy that she could manage.

I had to laugh as I took a sip of my drink.

"Bella, Bella, Bella. Would it kill you to be nice?" I spun around and saw Edward standing there, untouched by the throngs of people on the dance floor, as if they would part around him in awe. His hands were in his pockets as he slouched a bit, his weight on one leg and he was shaking his head. He came to the bar and signalled to the bartender for another drink. Edward was such a regular that the bartender already knew what he would order and immediately made him his drink.

"To those girls? Yes, I do believe there is a very high possibility that I would drop dead. My brain cells would become so diminished that I would just cease to exist!" I said dramatically. Edward chuckled as his drink came. He took a sip before continuing.

"So how was work today?"

How was it, I do wonder? "Um, good. We got quite a lot done. We're making great progress and that's great since the court date is set for a little over a week!"

"So soon?"

"Yeh, it's a really high…" I stopped myself before I could say anymore. How close I was to nearly slipping the importance of this case?! The reason the court date was so soon was to minimise the possibility of the media becoming aware of this which would kinda make the whole secrecy thing just die in a hole. But I couldn't actually say that to Edward and I was afraid I'd already said too much.

"It's just, I guess we were kinda unorganised and all." I tried to avoid the subject any further and took a quick drink.

"What about you? How was your day?"

"Good, good, good." he merely said, before returning to his drink. Something….something I couldn't quite understand flashed through his eyes as he said this.

"What's going on?" I said cautiously.

He immediately looked at me. "What? What? What's going on? I didn't say there was anything going on?"

I laughed. "Look at you! There is definitely something going on. I've known you for so long Edward I know when something's got your knickers in a twist. Come on, spill!"

A cold look crossed Edward's face.

"If you can keep your secrets, so can I." and he stalked off with his drink. I stared after him, completely stunned.

After all the time I had known Edward, yeh, we'd had our fights and all but he had always been nice. He'd disagree with me but never would he ever be so cold as he just was. What had gotten into him?

School week starting…ARGH! might not be updating for long…hope that is enough to keep you in suspense…STAY TUNED and REVIEW! thanks guys! xoxo