Rather than trying to add to the dream chapter, I just edited this a bit and uploaded it seperately. There are a number of readers who are on alert for updates (TY by the way) and I wasn't sure how that would work. This seemed like more of a sure thing.
Thank you to everyone who has sent a review. It is helpful to know that you either approve or my creative direction or like the plot so far. Keep them coming!
Bella Swan's Point of View
The only thing worse than my sprained shoulder, was asking Charlie for help getting dressed. I'm certain his top ten list of "things he never wanted to help his teenage daughter with", included dressing her.
I wore the same camisole that I had put on after changing out of Jessica's borrowed swimsuit on Saturday. For convenience, I'd also worn it on Sunday and then to bed Sunday night. Now, in an effort to spare Charlie from having a peep show, I was about to wear it to school. I wished that Alice was around. I I couldn't spend the rest of my recovery wearing a white camisole with no bra. After all I'd need to break down and wash it sometime.
Charlie awkwardly helped me to slide a cardigan sweater over my sore arm (and my camisole) and then reposition it within the sling. It throbbed intensely. The ache buzzed across my back and into my neck with each movement. I couldn't imagine the pain being worse had I broken it. Charlie then helped me zip up my denim skirt and button it securely. Even more awkward. I wasn't a fan of skirts, but I knew it was my only hope to use the bathroom at school.
Brushing my hair was a chore, which was second only to sliding on my fury boots. Once I had myself pulled together, Charlie insisted on giving me a ride to school. Few high school spectacles compare to the eye full of having your father, the Chief of police, drive you to school in a cruiser- wearing a bright blue sling no less. But Charlie insisted. He said it wasn't safe for me to try to drive, and he was probably right.
"I'll see at 2:30 Bells." he said smiling as the cruiser pulled up directly in front of the walkway. I'd suggested that be let me out in the parking lot, but no such luck. Instead I was front and center, and certain to make a very visible entrance. Being the daughter of a police Chief is hard to live down. When I graduate I expect to be loud speaker to declare "Bella Marie Swan, Chief Swan's daughter". Then the crowd would turn and give my father a standing ovation.
"Okay. Thanks Dad." I nodded, swinging my backpack over my good shoulder, and then closing the car door with my hip. As Charlie drove away, I took a moment to confirm that everyone was indeed starring at me.
Check. Everyone was staring at me.
I reached to pull open the school door and heard familiar footsteps behind me.
"Bella! Bella, I'll get it." It was Mike Newton, prepared to be my door man. Today I wouldn't object.
"Your arm," Mike continued "It's in a cast!" Leave it to Mike Newton to state the obvious and not even be right.
"A sling." I corrected. "Thanks for getting the door."
"What happened?" he asked
"Oh…well, I fell." I replied, after all it was the truth.
"Fell? From what? A ladder?" He questioned. I didn't even know where Charlie kept his ladder. Why did he need specifics?
"Not from anything. I kinda tripped…I guess, and fell. Right on my shoulder."
Mike looked confused. It wasn't that difficult. He wrinkled his face like he had just eaten something rotten.
"This has to do with that kid doesn't it? That big Indian kid from the beach?" He declared pointing to my sling.
I shook my head no. Technically it did have to do with Jacob, but I wasn't going to go there.
"He was a real smart ass on Saturday and basically forced you to go with him. If he hurt you…well, you know you could tell me right?"
I smiled nodding yes. Mike had a good heart, I couldn't fault him for that.
"This isn't from Jacob," I said. "Jacob would never hurt me. I was trying to get my water sample for class and I slipped on some snow that was left in the woods."
"So you broke your arm falling on the ground after slipping on some snow?" He asked, raising his eye brows. Mike wasn't buying it.
"Sprained my arm, and yes…when I slip I mean business." I replied shrugging my shoulders.
We'd arrived at my locker, and I impressed myself with my ability to open it left handed. If Mike asked me any more questions about my arm, I may just crawl inside of it.
He was quiet for a moment then said "You don't wear skirts very much Bella, but you should. You look really nice today."
"Thanks." I said refusing to make eye contact. I knew better than to urge him on.
"I wanted to ask you, well Eric, Angela, and I were going to get some ice cream after school. How about you join us?" he asked, his face lighting up. With Edward out of the picture Mike had hit the accelerator to Bella Town.
There wasn't much going on in Forks after school. A few miles from the high school was Creamy Cone, a favorite hangout that served ice cream year round. I wasn't into ice cream in cold weather, but apparently I was the exception. Creamy Cone was as busy on Christmas eve as they were in July 4th. Even in the middle of winter there was often a line at the take-out window.
"Jessica's ankle must still be sore because I haven't seen her yet today. It would just be the four of us," Mike continued. I had forgotten about Jessica's self tanning disaster. It must be pretty bad if she couldn't come to school two days later. I imagined her sitting at home, her skin striped orange.
"Can't," I replied as the first period bell rang. "My dad is picking me up right after school. Next time though." I set my backpack inside my locker, took out my English notebook, and then closed the locker. I gave Mike a quick smile and turned to go to class.
"Eric could give you a lift home." He called out after me. He was as presistant as the day is long.
"Next time," I repeated, turning to face him as I spoke, then back around.
I don't know what Mike had during first period, but it wasn't English. Thankfully.
I casually walked into class, coming face to face with another pair of curious eyes. Angela. She was the kind of friend that I needed; logical, outgoing and always happy. Unfortunately I was feeling anything but happy today.
"Hi Angela," I volunteered, painting on best happy face. "Sorry about ditching you guys on Saturday."
Mrs. Carlson was beginning class. She passed a handout to me to give to the row behind, not even noticing my arm.
"Bella! Forget about that, what happened to your arm?" Angela whispered.
"It's nothing" I assured her. "Just a sprain. I'll tell you at lunch."
Angels shook her head. She was persistent too, and immediately began to scribble a note to me on the back of her handout.
Tell me now! Are you okay?
I turned to her and forced a smile, nodding my head yes. I could see my plan of not making a big deal out of the sling was failing miserably.
So? She wrote back to me.
"So there isn't much to tell. I'm just really klutzy. It's kind of dumb," I whispered back once Mrs. Carlson turned to write on the board.
Angela rolled her eyes, but asked no more questions. I knew I'd need to down play it at lunch, like I had with Mike. If worse came to worse, I knew I could always change the subject and ask about Jessica's "sprained ankle".
The day went by slowly. Mike met me outside of my English class and valiantly offered to carry my books to calculus and then science, two classes we had in common. At first I refused, but it was a bit difficult to juggle everything in one arm all the time. Our science teacher wasn't the least bit upset that I didn't have my water sample when I showed him my sling. Mike pulled out my chair and even offered to copy a second set of notes for me.
"Mike, I'm right handed. It's my left arm that I sprained," I reminded hm.
"I know Bella. I just want to be…you know…a good friend."
Mike was a good friend, who sometimes was a bit overly friendly. It reminded me a Jacob. Jacob's friendship was on the fast track to becoming something more, and in only a few days time. My heart was broken, but somehow I didn't dwell on my past with Edward when I was around Jacob. I thought about the dream I had where the power went out, and how much I had wanted it to be Jacob in my dream. I blamed seeing Paul in my dream on the painkillers from the hospital.
Lunch went better than I expected. I recounted to Angela the same story that I told Mike. Eric laughed and thought it was hilarious.
"Bella!" he choked between chuckles "I'm not laughing that your hurt, I'm laughing at how you got hurt! You literally slipped on the snow and sprained your shoulder? Remind me never to get fallin' down drunk with you!"
Everyone laughed. I didn't drink but I laughed too. Charlie would have my hide if I was drinking alcohol with my friends. He trusted me, and lately I could get myself into enough trouble without booze.
At 2:30 Mike appeared at my locker, eager to carry my backpack. I refused, but he slid it from my shoulder and onto his own.
"Mike, you really don't have to do this," I began, feeling somewhat uncomfortable he had been doting on me all day.
"I know Bella, but I want to. If I ever sprain anything you can return the favor, okay?" Mike replied. He wasn't taking no for an answer.
"Okay." I said finally.
Mike and I began walking toward the front doors. I flipped open my cell phone when I realized it was flashing. There was a voice mail from Charlie. He had called at 2pm to let me know that he was going to be 20 minutes late. There had been a fender bender downtown and he needed to wait for the tow truck. While my Dad was a pretty punctual person, in instances like this, 20 minutes meant 35.
I sighed. "My Dad's running late." I said to Mike. I'll just sit on the benches out front. I reached for my backpack, pausing at the bench nearest the parking area. But Mike shook his head.
"Don't be silly Bella. We're all meeting at Eric's van and I'm sure he can hang around a bit while you wait for your Dad." Mike suggested.
"No, that's okay Mike. I know that you guys had plans and all." I said feeling guilty that I'd be holding them up.
"Eric!" Mike called out. Eric was already in his van with the driver's side window rolled down.
"Yeah?" He answered waving to Mike and me.
Mike walked to the van.
"Bella's Dad running late. I thought we could wait with her before we took off," Mike said.
"Sure thing!" Eric answered back with no hesitation. Mike walked around to the passenger side and slid open the door to the back seat. A moment later, Angela opened the door front door and perched herself next to Eric. She greeted him with an open mouthed kiss. Mike lifted his eye brows at me in acknowledgement of their new found relationship. It was nice to see Angela with Eric. She'd liked him for so long.
Why don't you just come with us Bella?" Angela blurted out as soon as she disconnected herself from Eric's lips. Mike climbed inside the van to sit down, taking my backpack with us.
"Seriously. Just come with us Bella." Mike said tapping the empty seat next to him. I felt put on the spot.
"Next time, really. I'll go next…" Eric cut me off.
"Wow, sweet ride!" he exclaimed pointing to the classic black car that had just pulled into the lot. It parked in the closest available space, which was still at least half a dozen cars away from us. The vehicle looked familiar, but I didn't think it belonged to another senior.
"Is that an old Cadillac?" Angela asked,
"Naw, not even close," Mike replied "That's an Impala, and one that someone has put a lot of love into. I can see that and I'm not even a car guy."
I turned my head to look toward the car again and caught a glimpse of the driver. He was tall with dark hair and even darker sunglasses. His face stood up well past the roof of the car, he was at least 6'3" when standing, maybe taller. His body came into view revealing that he wore dark blue jean, dark boots and a black leather jacket. He was well muscled, his jacket open, displaying a white t-shirt which clung to a deeply chiseled chest. He was handsome, and possibly Quilette. I didn't recognize him, and he looked too old to be student. His eyes scanned the lot behind his sunglasses before he removed them.
His face came into view and my heart jumped into my throat. It was Paul Bennett. Immediately I looked away. Why was he here? He couldn't possibly be here to see me. Unless he planned to run my underwear up the flagpole…
As the seconds passed, Mike's memory banks kicked in.
"Hey…isn't that one of the guys from the beach?" Mike questioned raising his hand to point his finger. Before he could point completely toward Paul, I reached out to grab Mike's hand. I could see Paul in my peripheral vision; he was striding straight toward the van. He walked like a missile that had just locked onto a target. He definitely wasn't here for any reason other than to find me. Paul may have shielded me from an uncertain fate just 72 hours earlier, but I knew this couldn't be good. I could tolerate him giving me crap at the reservation, but I had to draw the line at him coming to my school.
"Help me up!" I said to Mike, squeezing his hand tightly.
"Sure." He said, confused, but happy to help me into the van.
"Go Eric, just go, " I said as I reached out my good arm to grasp the door of the van. It took all of my might to reach across my body and pull it closed. I didn't look at Paul directly, but I saw him pick up his pace as the door began to shut. I strained my body, wrenching my arm around, until I heard the dull "thud" of it closing.
"Bella?" Eric turned to me, looking uncertain. I winced and discomfort caused by my physical exertion from closing the van door.
"I changed my mind. I want to go…now! Just go, okay!" I said, trying to sound calm. I was anything but calm.
Once Eric saw that the door had slammed shut he hit the gas. That is what I liked best about Eric. He was street smart and you didn't have to tell him twice. I glanced at Paul out of Eric's tinted window, he simply mouthed "Bella" as we drove past. I hoped that no one had noticed.
"Um, Bella. Are you avoiding that guy?" Mike asked, again stating the obvious. I didn't know what to say. I was avoiding him.
"I just decided that I wanted ice cream, that's all." I said lying through my teeth to Mike. Before he could say anything else I flipped open my phone to call police dispatch. I knew that the operator could radio Charlie to tell him that plans had changed.
Eric politely left the radio volume low until I had finished my call. Then he cranked it up and began to tap the steering wheel to the beat. I sat silently next to Mike, my mind whizzing at the uncertainties as to why Paul had even come to my school. Could something be wrong at LaPush? Jacob would have called me himself if that were the case. I glanced behind me, peering out the window. I didn't know what I expected to see, but I was relieved that a black Impala wasn't following behind us.
I felt Mike's arm snake around my waist pulling me closer to him.
"I'm glad that you could come, Bella," He said having to shout over the music. I smiled. I was poster girl for "grin and bear it" and the last place I wanted to go on a cold Monday afternoon was going for for ice cream with Mike Newton.
"You know I'd rather spend time with you than Jessica any day. She's nice and everything, but I'm just not that into her," Mike continued. "I know that I said this once before, but with your shoulder on the mend and all…well …it wouldn't be any trouble for me to pick you up in the mornings. You know, before school. That would save Chief Swan and trip and I'd like the company." Mike bellowed over the now blaring base.
Only Mike Newton would attempt to hold a conversation by hollering over Eric's radio. I could barely hear him and found myself leaning closer to him to make out what he was saying. I wondered if that was the point? Maybe I hadn't given Mike enough credit, after all I had voluntarily just positioned my face inches from his. He reached up to tuck some of my hair behind my ear. His touch was clammy and uncertain. Edward had always told me that Mike had a crush on me, and I did everything I could not to encourage him.
"Thanks Mike, but I hope to be driving soon enough. I'll give you a call if I need anything though." I hollered back, over the roaring bass.
"I've given you my phone number right?" He asked.
Only a thousand times. Was he for real? He'd given me his home phone, his cell phone, his parent's cell (just in case) his email, and I WORKED FOR HIS FAMILY!
"Yes, Mike. I have it." I assured him.
"What?" He said pulling me closer still. I knew he had heard me just fine.
"I have it!" I confirmed, yelling at the top of my lungs, and pulling away a bit for some breathing room.
Creamy Cone wasn't far from school, but this felt like the longest ride of my life. My mind was on an inquisition as to what Paul had wanted with me. Maybe I should have stuck around. No, Jacob didn't trust him. I made the right choice. It was bad enough that he had called my father; I didn't want to drag my school friends into whatever twisted trick Paul might be planning for me. Paul had been nice enough to me at the hospital on Saturday; he must have known Charlie was on the way. Otherwise I half thought he would have left me in the woods.
"Bella, Are you daydreaming again?" Mike asked playfully as Eric pulled the van into the Creamy Cone. Angela had turned the radio down and hearing Mike's voice in my ear reminded me just how close he was to me.
"No," I lied. I seemed to be making a habit of this. "I was just thinking about what kind of ice cream I wanted. Do they have soft serve?"
"Yeah," Angela answered. "They have every flavor in the universe of hard ice cream, but if you like soft serve…it's just chocolate and vanilla."
Two choices. The story of my life.
I van came to a stop and Mike carefully maneuvered around me to open the door. Normally I would found the gesture annoying, but today I didn't mind. The door was hard to muster one armed. Mike extended both of his arms out to me and grinned widely once his feet hit the pavement.
"Let me help you down," he said sweetly.
I inched toward him. Mike could be very sweet. He wrapped his hands around waist, slipping one under the left side of my shirt, just below my breast.
Sweet? My foot. Mike was trying to cop a cheap feel. I shot him my best "look of death". It was one that I had developed specifically for door to door salesmen and overzealous teenage boys. I had never really gotten to try it out until I moved to Forks. I had never gotten this much attention on Arizona. Apparently to Mike Newton, I was the equivlent of a shiny new penny.
I twisted away from Mike as soon as my feet were safely planted on the ground.
"Um…thanks Mike, I said politely, although his roaming grasp had been rather impolite.
"What kind of ice cream do you want?" Mike began as we walked toward the window. He draped his arm over my shoulders, I cringed. "There is raspberry, run raisin, coffee, chocolate chip, strawberry…"
Having a cone of hard ice cream when it was barely above freezing wasn't my idea of a good time. I was going to order soft serve. Vanilla. Or did I want chocolate?
"Toffee, mocha chip, mint cookie, blueberry, peppermint, peach…" Mike continued. I tried to ignore him reciting the menu. News flash, Bella Swan may be a klutz but she can read.
"French vanilla, lemon, dutch chocolate, oreo, strawberries and cream, cake batter, pistachio…" Mike wasn't giving it a rest, he carried on as if I's never been to an ice cream shop before.
Some people may think vanilla soft serve is boring, but I think it is heavenly. It's creamy and rich with a flavor that is consistent, but not predictable. Vanilla is reliable, comforting, and very versatile. I always serve vanilla ice cream with homemade pie. It just seems right. The only thing that could compete with the buttery goodness of a vanilla soft serve cone is a chocolate soft serve cone. I loved the color, the texture, and the decadence of it. Chocolate is lavish and sexy. It makes me think of fresh strawberries and royalty. Chocolate ice cream goes down easy, like it has experience, and a long resume to prove it. Maybe I did feel like chocolate.
"Almond crunch, heath bar, caramel crème, heavenly hash, walnut latte…and key lime." Mike's voice trailed off. He had finally finished burping back all of the flavor selections.
"Bella I'm going to go inside to the bathroom. I'll be right back, and I'll buy you an ice cream." he said.
I nodded, feeling relieved when he removed his arm from across my sholders.
Surprisingly the Creamy Cone wasn't very busy, except for twenty or so students who, like us, had come by after school. I recognized some juniors and a few people from my third period class. Eric and Angela had already ordered and were making their way to a nearby picnic table. Apparently they didn't need Mike to recite the menu to them. I had no intention of allowing Mike to buy me an ice cream. That definitely went under the definition of "encouraging" him.
I stepped up to the window.
"A small soft serve cone please. Chocolate."
"Small chocolate soft serve," the woman repeated back. As soon as the words left her mouth, I questioned my choice.
"Wait, I'm sorry I want vanilla instead," I said. Go with your gut, Bella. Vanilla.
"Vanilla it is. No chocolate." The woman said smiling.
Suddenly I didn't like that idea either. "No chocolate"? After all I liked chocolate! I was never this ridiculous.
"I think I better go with my first choice. I'm sorry. Chocolate. I want chocolate." I said, feeling stupid. I guess that I love them equally. It was really hard to decide.
"You want chocolate now?" she asked, clearly becoming impatient. My neck felt hot and I could feel my cheeks becoming pink. This was crazy. There was hardly anyone around and yet I felt like there were eyes staring at me, burning into me from behind. I was being foolish.
"Yes," I said "I think...," growing uncertain again. This wasn't like me. The person behind me must have thought I was a real airhead. Then they spoke,
"You know Bella, you could just order a twist. It's chocolate and vanilla. She'll have a small twist and I'll have the same. Make mine a large."
I turned around to face a broad chest, covered by a white cotton t-shirt and leather jacket.
"Paul?" I choked. I felt my face turn a deep crimson. The woman at the window seemed pleased that Paul had taken charge and placed my order for me. I was so taken aback I could hardly speak. Did he know that I had seen him, and ultimately tried to ditch him at the school?
"Hi Bella." He said softly, a crooked smile washing over his face.
"W-what are you doing here?" I managed to force out. Paul's smile grew.
"I was in the neighborhood, and I tried to catch up with you at your school but I guess that I "missed" you." He said coolly.
Dear God. He did know. He knew that I had seen him and purposely took off. It didn't feel like such a good choice anymore. I felt awkward and ungrateful. After all he was the reason I was still breathing.
"Two twists," A voice announced from the window. "That will be $3.50"
I reached in my pocket, but Paul placed a $5 bill on the counter.
"Keep the change." He smiled at the woman in the window as he handed me my cone and took his.
I took it in my good hand, still red as a cherry.
"Thanks Paul." I said. I swallowed hard, "I feel like I've said that a lot in the last couple of days."
"Sure, sure." He said, his expression reminded me of Jacob. I would be feeling so much more comfortable right now if he were Jacob Black. "How are you holding up?"
Did he mean because of the vampire? Was that what this was all about? He knew about me and the Cullen's, the whole pack did. None of them approved, but Paul especially didn't approve. He had no tolerance for the Cullen's and blamed them for creating the werewolf phenomenon. I guess he had a point. I said nothing. I thought back to Rene once telling me "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all".
"Your arm Bella?" Paul pointed to the sling "How is your arm?"
"It's okay. Just a sprain." I said licking my ice cream as an excuse to stop talking. Paul watched me intently as I licked around the base of my cone to keep it from dripping. Even in the cold weather, it melted fast. I was feeling more and more uncomfortable by the second.
"Mind if I sit with you and your friends?" He asked, his eyes still glued to me. I wanted to disappear.
"Yes, sure. I mean no. No I don't mind." I said with my mouth full. We walked over to Angela and Eric who were watching the interaction from the picnic table.
This is Paul. He's a friend of Jacob's." I said to Angela and Eric. Paul and I sat down across from them.
Angela smiled and looked to Eric. Before Eric could reply Mike answered, approaching the table.
"Yeah, I remember you from Saturday. There weren't any introductions though." Mike said. He held a dish of ice cream in one hand and a plastic spoon in the other. He must have been close enough to hear me introduce Paul.
Mike's eyes narrowed, but Paul didn't notice, or he pretended not to. If that was the case Paul was a superb pretender. He ignored Mike completely still starring at me. Mike sat across from us at the table, directly in front of me. Mike ate his ice cream, keeping his eyes fixed on my breasts and my tongue. Men have no shame. Especially Mike Newton.
"You guys come here a lot?" Paul said finally, breaking the silence. He turned slightly to face Angela and Eric, all the while continuing to ignore Mike and his eagerness to stare at my chest.
"Sometimes, " Angela replied, trying to be friendly. It was evident that my unexpected guest made her nervous. Heck, he made me nervous me! Paul was at least two years older than me, and looked out of place amoung the rest of us.
"Bella wasn't going to come with us, but then…" Angela stopped and shot me an apologetic look. She had accidently dug me a hole and she knew it. I found myself wishing I could jump in. Everything in my life seemed to "come out wrong". I had dated a vampire and was now sitting at a picnic table with a guy who could transform into a mythical beast. The life and times of Bella Swan was becoming less like an average high school drama, and more like a side show at a carnival.
"I decided to come with you guys because my Dad was running late." I continued trying my best to cover Angela's snafu. "Eric said he'd bring me home. I thought that was better than waiting around by myself." The last thing I wanted Paul to think was that I had run from him, because he gave me the willies. He'd have a field day with that and I knew it.
Mike and Paul were now completely immersed in a silent starring contest. I felt terrible. Mike, who likely had never even been in a fight, was surprisingly brazen in his body language. He was oblivious to the inevitable supernatural wrath that would ensue if he pushed Paul too far. What was supposed to be a fun jaunt was quickly becoming a disaster.
"There's no need." Paul said flatly, breaking his laser beam look from Mike's glaring eyes. "I'll give you a lift, Bella."
What? Where did that come from? Did he plan to drive me into the mountains and leave me? My ice cream twist might very well be my last meal.
"You don't need to bring me h-…" before I could finish I caught his gaze. Paul's brown eyes had softened and he was starring straight at me. The hostility in them, which he projected in his stare toward Mike, had melted away. His face looked tortured and torn as if it held the burden of the world. Paul looked at me as though he wanted me to go with him, like he needed me to go with him. Paul had never looked so vulnerable before. He was loud, tough, and very arrogant. But now he seemed as though he were about to come undone, entirely. Refusing him would be the equivalent to stepping on someone's sand castle after they lead you to the beach to show it to you.
"But, if you're going that way anyway. It will save Eric the trip." I said, changing my tune. I didn't want to cause any larger rift between Paula and Mike, or make them think I was going with Paul because he was being forceful. Though, the look in his eyes hinted that it would come to that if I didn't agree. Paul beamed and the corners of his mouth turned upward into a wide grin. Crisis averted.
Mike looked exasperated and shook his head.
"Just be careful so you don't slip on any snow and sprain your other arm, Bella." Mike said seriously. He was again convinced that there was something fishy about my sprain. Now more than ever he thought it had something to do with Jacob or Paul. He was right, in a way, but he was still way off.
I smiled, trying to make light of the situation and ease the tension.
"I doubt there's any snow in Paul's car. I should be safe." I said.
Eric and Angela both grinned nervously. They had resorted to concentrating on their ice creams. Mike didn't look amused. Neither did Paul.
"Bella I would give my life to keep you safe. You know that don't you?" Paul said in a very matter of fact way, as if there was no one with us. Angela jerked her head up from her icy distraction. I felt the hair on my arms stand up. His words wouldn't have surprised me had they come from Jacob, but from Paul, in this setting…even I was taken aback. Did he mean that? Maybe he was just trying to get a rise out of Mike. Whether intentional or not, it worked.
"What are you? Are you Bella's knight in shining armor now too? Do you guys from the reservation take turns? That's just messed up. From what I saw she wasn't in a hurry to hop in your white horse or, ahem, your black Impala at the school." Mike boomed, standing up from the table and glaring down at Paul. Mike looked like a rooster who could crow with the best of them, but would run to the hen house the moment a bigger rooster came onto the scene. It didn't take a rocket scientist to know he was on thin ice with Paul.
"Bella we're going to take off" Eric said sharply standing up from the table like a jack in the box.
We had all seen the lightning strike that went through Paul's body and his dark eyes flash with a fire of fury. Paul never stood, but glared at the Mike with the red hot intensity of one thousand suns. A low growl rumbled from his chest. It started with his hands, which he shoved under the table, followed by his legs. They began to tremble with the familiar tremor that I knew meant nothing but trouble. Paul was a supernatural grenade and he was about to blow. He huffed and growled, his face growing darker. This must be how an island villager feels when they look to the mountain and see a previously inactive volcano about to erupt.
I did the only think I knew how to do. I did what I would do to Jacob. It would either buy me some time, or a one way ticket back to the ER. I tossed my ice cream on the ground and placed my hand on his thigh. I needed to distract him, and fast. I rubbed my palm back and forth leaning closer to him.
"Paul," I whispered in his ear. "Don't do this. Just relax."
I made sure that my breath blew across his skin, a perk that always calmed Jacob…and Edward too. I didn't know Paul very well, but my advances seemed successful. Had I shifted enough of his attention from Mike?
Paul took his eyes off of Mike and turned his head to look at me. He nodded his head in conformation locking his eyes with mine. His persona reminded me of Jacob. It was like they were cast from the same mold. My heart pounded, unexpectedly. Maybe it was the stress, or the adrenaline rushing through my veins, but Paul seemed more familiar now than ever before. I looked into his eyes and swallowed, hard. Behind his tough guy front, he was more like Jacob than either of them knew.
Mike slammed his fist down onto the table, before walking away toward the van. Eric and Angela had already climbed inside, and seemed relieved to away from Paul.
"See you around, Bella" Mike called back to me, never turning his head. Apparently pounding his fists on the table had been enough of a show of masculinity for him.
"Bye guys." I blurted out, my heart racing in my chest.
I watched the van pull out of Creamy Cone and onto the road. Eric beeped the horn, one time. It was a peace offering. I smiled; relieved Paul hadn't pummeled Mike and beaten him senseless with a picnic table. I scanned the yard, and it appeared we had been spared from being the center of attention. I was grateful Angela ad Eric had chosen the table farthest away from the line for ice cream. A few new cars had pulled up, each filled with eager students headed to the take out window. The line for the bathroom had grown and what was left of my ice cream cone has disappeared almost entirely into the dirt.
I brought my eyes back to Paul's face. He had continued to stare at me, even when I had broken our gaze.
"Why did you come here?" I asked, growing uncertain again about Paul's motive.
"I told you," he said grinning "I tried to catch up with you at your school."
"Okay, well then why did you come to my school? You know my arm is fine and that there aren't any vampires in the student body." I replied, having no intention of letting him off the hook.
"How old are you Bella?" he asked, changing the subject.
"Eighteen," I shot back. I was annoyed he had avoided my inquiry, "What was so important you had to track me down at my school? You wouldn't have known I didn't drive my truck today, so don't say it was to offer me a ride."
"I wanted to see you." He said simply, standing from the table and motioning for me to do the same. "I have a surprise for you. It's in the car."
I hated suprises.
Paul took a few steps away from the table, and then stopped.
"Are you coming?" he asked turning to face me.
Paul Bennett's Point of VIew
Bella looked uneasy. I guess that is to be expected. The old Paul would have sold her to the gypsies if given the opportunity.
Bella would speak up for herself, I knew that, but sometimes she seemed very unsure of herself. She stood perfectly still, her sprained arm held tight against her body. Her other hand raked through her bangs and then down her pony tail before falling to her side. Her eyes looked everywhere but at me.
"Bella?" I asked again, extending my hand out to her. I had seen this once in a movie. I was trying to be friendly but it didn't come easily. I considered tossing her over my shoulder like a caveman. But I knew that hurting her arm would be unavoidable. I didn't want to cause her any discomfort.
Scratch that. She was looking exquisitely uncomfortable. I knew that I needed to pull some gentlemanly charm out of my ass, or die a bachelor. I sucked at this.
"Bella, I didn't come here to pick a fight your friend…though he is real putz…" this wasn't starting out very well, "I didn't mean to embarrass you, but I probably did." I continued.
Bella's eyes shifted from the ground to look into my face.
"I came to your school because I felt bad about how we left things. I was kinda a jerk the other day and I just wanted you to know that I'm not always a dick." I said softly with as much authenticity as I could muster.
Bella didn't move a muscle. Who was I kidding? I was always a dick…until now. Bella had the power to soften me, and I needed her to see that. My "I have a surprise in the car" thing, had made me sound like a pervert. Bella must have thought her picture would end up on a milk carton. Real smooth Paul. I was batting zero, and I wasn't used to that.
"Just let me give you a ride home?" I said again, walking back toward her. I stood to her left and casually wrapped my arm across her back. She nodded slightly as I used my arm to guide her ahead. I wasn't pushing her, just friendly persuasion. He feet moved forward and I smiled in success. The memory of her hand on my thigh was fresh in my mind. I ached for her touch.
When we got to my car I opened the passenger side door for her, and closed it after she'd sat down. For a moment I basked in my own personal triumph. Bella Swan was in my car! She made me feel something I had never felt for a woman before. Her lips called to me, and I found myself constantly lost in the promise of pressing them against my own. The faint warmth of her breath on my skin sent shivers through my very being. My body had hardened beneath my jeans when she'd whispered to me, and the fantasy of her grew stronger.
If I wasn't careful, those same fantasies consumed me. Bella didn't intend to be particularly proactive, but at the same time she just was. Bella had no idea what she did to me. No matter what I did in an attempt to pervert proof myself, the images always came. There was sex everywhere. Sex in my car. Sex in my bed. Sex on the beach. Sex on my kitchen counters (after I'd moved my mother's potting soil). Sex against doors. Sex in the shower. Sex in the morning. Sex at night.
Sex with green eggs and ham. I really needed to get a grip.
I reached into the back seat after I'd closed the driver side door. I handed Bella a bouquet of wild flowers tied with an ivory colored ribbon. I expected her to gush, hoped that she would gush. Instead a puzzled look flew across her face.
"You bought me flowers?" she asked, her expression vivid and uncertain.
"Let's just say that I have an "in" with a good gardener." I replied. I decided to leave it at that for now. Telling Bella that my mother had turned our house into a botanical palace seemed strange in itself.
"W-Why?" she asked innocently, turning the cluster of blossoms over as though she inspecting them for poison ivy.
"Why not?" I answered in best "mysterious" voice. I read once that girls like men of mystery. It was worth a shot. I turned on the car, and the engine roared to life. There are few things that make a man happier than a souped up classic car, and beautiful woman at his side. I was in Paul Bennett heaven.
"Thank you Paul. They're…they're beautiful." Bella stammered out. She was so freakin' adorable, I could hardly stand it. Did I just refer to her as adorable? Shit. I was a goner.
I wanted to tell her that it was she who was beautiful. I wanted to say that the flowers paled in comparison to her beauty…but even I couldn't be that cheesy. I put on my directional and pulled out of Creamy Cone. Bella lived just a few miles from here. I wished she lived in Zimbabwe, and then we could spend some real time together. However, I think that there are a lot of mosquitoes in Zimbabwe…maybe not Zimbabwe then, but somewhere far.
"I wanted to stay at the hospital on Saturday, but Sam and Jared came to bring me back to LaPush." I began. Talking about my feelings was a like a fungus. Maybe it started off okay but it always grew into a rotten mess in no time.
"I was fine Paul. Charlie was there, and then Jacob came too." Bella replied, her voice even more intoxicating than the sound of a well tuned carburetor.
Jacob Black. Bring on the rotten mess. I had no idea where to go from here. Maybe I could tell her that he had gonorrhea? He didn't, but it sure sounded gross. No. That was a dumb idea. Jacob being the sensitive fucker he is probably already told her he's never had any tail.
"Jacob's just a kid, Bella" I finally responded. It was all I could think of. "I certainly didn't have my head screwed on straight when I was his age."
Bella looked defensive. She cradled her bad shoulder with her opposite hand as she twisted her body around to face me.
"Paul, he just turned seventeen. He's technically only a year and a half younger than I am. Are you suggesting that my head wasn't screwed on straight last year?" Bella asked.
I'd really stepped in it.
"So that's what this is about. This is still about the Cullens? You think that I was just some dumb girl who thought it would be "cool" to hang around with Edward the vampire. You don't know shit." She concluded, turning her head to stare out the window. Hearing Bella curse, made me realize I'd really struck a nerve. I seemed to be doing that a lot.
"Explain it to me. I've got time. You've explained it to Jacob right?" I said trying to save what was left of my newly found desire to be charming.
Bella just shook her head before muttering "Jacob's got more class at 17 then you'll ever have, Paul."
I was mortified. I was the underdog. Bella's trust wouldn't go up for auction; it had already been earned by Jacob. Going once, going twice, SOLD to the inexperienced werewolf Jacob Black. Next up is the ass of Paul Bennett. However bidders should be aware that his head is stuck inside of it.
My head was up my ass.
"Your right, Bella. I'm not good at this." I finally admitted. There was so much more that I wanted to say, but my lips were slammed closed. If I hadn't been able to breathe through my nose I would have met my maker. We drove in silence. Bella was starring mostly out the passenger window. Her heartbeat had evened out and the scarlet cast that had come across her face had faded. I tried to convince myself that she was growing more comfortable with me, but I couldn't be sure. She still looked pretty mad.
The gravel of her dirt driveway crunched under my tires as I pulled in.
"I'll get the door." I said slamming the car into park and bounding around to open her door. It was then that I noticed she hadn't worn her seat belt. I should have fastened it for her. I bet she couldn't pull it across her bad arm. I needed to pay closer attention.
"Crap." Bella said quietly as she stood up "My backpack. I left it in Eric's van."
When Bella stepped away from the door I reached behind her seat. This was cance at redemption!
"I have it. It's here." I said holding it out to her. In my eyes it may as well have been the holy grail. But Bella looked puzzled.
"Where did you get this?"
"I walked past your friend's ride when I got to Creamy Cone. The door was open and it was inside…so I figured I'd take care of it in case you forgot." I said proudly.
She had forgotten. I was a hero. I'd even let her thank me.
"You stole my backpack out of Eric's van?" Bella was dumbfounded. Why did she have to put it that way?
"How did you know that I'd even go with you?" she continued adding more ammunition to her campaign to never speak to me again. I wished a big lightning bolt would crash through the sky and put me out of my misery.
Charlie stepped out onto the porch. Bella turned without another word and marched toward the house. I wanted so much to follow her, but I I knew I had to let her go. I'd done enough damage for one day.
"Hello Charlie," I waved from the driveway. Charlie smiled and raised his hand to wave at me.
"See you Thursday, "Charlie called out. At least I still had her Dad in my corner.
I nodded, and then climbed back into the Impala once Charlie had closed the door behind Bella. I sat alone in the car for a moment before turning the engine over. Bella had left her flowers on the passenger seat. I put the car in park but left it ideling as I jogged up to her door, grasping the flowers in my hand. I wasn't going to knock. Instead I placed them on the porch near the welcome mat. She'd see them in the morning.
There were three things Bella didn't know. The first was that Charlie and I had spoken on the phone today. He had accepted my invitation for he and Bella to join me for dinner on Thursday night. If Charlie still planned to have his daughter shack up with me when he and Billy were away, I needed to boost his confidence. I also needed to introduce him to my mother before anyone had the chance to tell him how crazy she was. My mother was the kind of lady you really had to meet in person. I'd make sure she was on her best behavior.
The second thing Bella didn't know was that I kindly explained to Charlie during our phone call that I got off of work at 2pm every day. It would be my pleasure to give Bella a ride home until she was feeling up to driving herself. I'd even offered to get her from school today, but Charlie said he'd be picking her up. I'd initially expected to run into him at the school, before my luck changed.
The third trick up my sleeve, which Bella knew nothing about, is the notion that I always get the girl. Normally I didn't even have to work at it, but Bella...well, she's worth the chase.
I'll update as soon as I can. Proofreading takes me forever, and I still miss a lot (or so it seems!). I may look into finding a Beta reader to speed things us a bit...