BellaPOV

Halfway through Beetlejuice, I got up and made some popcorn. I just wanted something to do other than watching that horrible movie. When I got into the kitchen, I open the cupboards until I saw the familiar box that had popcorn on it. After opening it and putting one of the packets in the microwave, I get out two glasses, planning to fill them up with soda.

The popcorn was made way too quickly, and I trudged back into the living room, juggling the drinks and the bowl. Jake was sprawled out on the couch, looking completely relaxed while watching the movie. I walked right in front of him to set down the bowl of popcorn and the drinks.

"Hey!" Jake yelled. "I can't see!" I heard him shuffling around behind me, probably trying to look around me. I step in front of him again, just for the fun of it.

I glance over my shoulder to make sure I was in his way. He looks at my face and glares. "Stop!" I laugh and stay in my place, pretending to move the glasses to a different spot.

I guess Jake didn't like that. He grabs my waist, pulling me down on top of him. His actions make me shriek in surprise. I was glad that I let go of the glasses, or that could have ended really badly.

He twisted me so that I was to the left of him. Then, he decided to dig his fingers into my sides, making me screech loudly. "Stop!" I yell and laugh at the same time. I look at Jake, and he's laughing his ass off, apparently finding my pain and ticklishness funny.

When it got to the point where I swear I was going to pee my pants from laughing so much, Jake finally stopped. Jake was still in his sitting position, while I was laying down with my legs on him. I was trying to steady my breathing. My shirt had ridden up, so I quickly pulled it down, even though I didn't care that much.

I glance at Jake and he was absorbed in the movie again, so the fun was over. He was massaging my calves in a comforting way, though. I was completely relaxed, and even watched the movie.

...

To say Beetlejuice was weird would be an understatement. Yeah, some parts were funny, but most were just weird and creepy. Plus, the screening looked really fake. When I told Jake all of this, he flipped out.

"I don't like it," I tell him. Jake looks at my like I grew wings and a beak.

"Are you crazy!?" Jake stands up, throwing my legs off of him.

I shake my head. "Nope. I am not crazy. Maybe you are for actually liking that movie."

He walks out of the room, muttering to himself about how I wouldn't know a good movie if it hit me in the face. I thought he was just messing with me, until I heard the door open and close, followed by a car engine.

"Seriously?" I say to myself. I hoist myself up and off the couch, cringing at the tightness in my muscles. Jesus, the meds didn't help at all. I head to the door as quickly as my sore body would allow, and opened it with a little too much force. Dumb Jacob, I thought to myself. Making me have to go after him and apologize for insulting his favorite movie. I know I'd hate it if someone bashed the Disney movies I loved.

Lost in though, I walked out the door, only to run into something. I look up in confusion, only to find Jake staring down at me.

We were really close, and it made me uncomfortable. A bad feeling settled in my stomach, so I start to take a step back. Jake had other plans. He grabs my waist and pulls me to his chest. No, no, no. And then he starts leaning down, towards my lips. Before I could fully process what was going on, Jake had his lips on mine, in a soft, chaste kiss.

It was my turn to flip out. I try to pull back, but Jake wouldn't budge. He should know by now that I didn't want the kiss, because I wasn't responding. Why am I not responding? I realized now, that there's zero sparks between us. As he kept kissing me, a guy with green eyes popped into my head. His kiss better be better than this one.

With Edward in mind, I finally get Jake to pull away by pushing on his chest hard. When I saw his eyes, I couldn't tell if they were happy. I certainly wasn't. I did something I probably shouldn't have, but I was angry.

I pulled my arm back and punched him. Well, I tried. Anger and confusion flashed between Jacob's eyes as he caught my fist with his hand.

"What's wrong?" he asks. I ignore him and turn around, slamming the door in his face. I made sure I locked the door before running up to my room. I was so mad I could barely think. I threw on some sweats and a sports bra. Afterwards, I stomp down the stairs with attacking in my mind.

I headed for the backyard, remembering Charlie telling me about the equipment out there.

"I bought some workout machines a couple years back. You're welcome to take your energy out on them instead of on people." He smirked at me as he said this, taking a quick sip of his beer while we lounged on the couch. My dad definitely got punched.

Jake was pounding on the door as I passed the doorway. His voice coming through made my blood boil. I heard the lock click unlocked. Damn it, he knew where the keys were hidden. I quickly ran for the back door before he could see me.

When I got into the backyard, I was surprised that there was something newly added. A punching bag. My favorite. For that, I planned on making a nice dinner for my dad in thanks. It was a little cold outside, and I got goose bumps on my arms. I rubbed my hands on them quickly, trying to get some warmth.

I forgot to get my iPod for music, but at that point, I didn't care. I headed straight for the punching bag, passing by the pieces of equipment that were covered with tarp. It was actually very organized. He had spikes sticking out from the ground to help keep the tarp on, and he kept everything in perfect shape.

The only thing that wasn't covered up was the punching bag. That obviously irritated me. Of course he's going to make me take care of it. Dumb Dad. When I walked over to it, barefoot, there were no signs of it being used. It was a punching bag that hangs, and it was connected to a hangman shaped, upside down L, pole. How the fuck he got the pole there…

"Yes!" I say victoriously. I get to break it in myself. I crack my fingers in preparation, also hopping around a few times.

Soreness be damned, I needed to take my stress and frustration out. I didn't have any gloves, but I didn't mind. My first punch was a little weak, and so was my second. I needed to get a feel for the bag.

"Bella?" I hear Jake say from the doorway.

That gave me the strength for my third punch. I was fully going at it, even using my legs. I jabbed and kicked nonstop.

Why did Jacob have to make a move? I kicked as hard as I could, enjoying the sound my leg made as it collided with the bag.

"Bella, I'm sorry." His voice was closer.

Why couldn't I like him as much as he likes me? I kicked and punched again.

Why does Edward have to be a vampire? I did two punches, making the bag swing to the side.

Why won't Edward get out of my head? I held the bag still so I could get better aim.

"I…I thought you wanted it too."

Why do I have to know about vampires? Why do they even exist? I hit the bag again with my fist. My wrist started to throb, and I knew I needed to stop, or I'd mess up my wrist. I kept going anyways.

My strikes and kicks became frantic, and I felt the sweat dripping off my face.

"Bella! Stop!"

Why can't I be normal? I attacked the bag until I almost threw up. My exhaustion took over, and I saw black spots in front of my eyes.

"Shit! Are you okay?" I felt warm arms circle around me.

"The fu-" was all I got out before everything went black.

...

"Bells, are you awake?" I heard someone say beside me.

I groaned and opened my eyes. The first thing I saw was my bare feet peaking out of a blanket. I take a glance around. The scenery was not what I was expecting. I'm pretty sure I'm in a hospital.

"What the fuck?" I say, sitting up and looking around some more. Why am I in this hellhole?

"That's five bucks."

I turn and see Charlie sitting in a chair next to me, looking worn out, but trying to look happy for me.

I scowl at him and say, "No way."

He shrugs and says, "I guess I can give you that one." Wow. No argument? Something big must have happened, or he's just annoyed with me right now.

"Um," I start awkwardly. "What happened?"

Dad looks at me like I grew two heads. "You don't remember?"

I blush and look down at my hands in my lap. "I know I passed out. I mean, what happened when you…found me?"

Charlie looks at me for a good minute before he shakes his head. "I didn't find you, Bells. Jake did."

Anger and embarrassment flood through my body. I might have overreacted on him. I never set any boundaries or anything. I shouldn't have attacked the punching bag like I did either. I'm madder at myself than anyone else.

"What happened when he found me?" I look over at Dad, and he's staring elsewhere. "Where is he?"

"He took you straight to this clinic. Then he called me." He looks me in the eyes as he says, "You scared the living hell out of me. All he said was to meet him here. That he'd explain later." Charlie shook his head, as if he could erase the memories.

"I-I'm sorry, Dad." It was all my fault. Why the fuck did I have to be so dumb? I seem to act dumb a lot lately.

"Yeah, it's fine. The doc says we can leave once he gives you the once over." I nod at him, realizing that I didn't hurt. What kind of medicine did they give me? "Jake's around here somewhere. Probably looking for some food, by the way."

"Well, when is the doctor going to get here?" I do not want to lie around and wait for Jacob to come in here. Plus, doctors tell me things I already know. There's no point in staying in this place.

Charlie shrugs.

I roll my eyes and get out of the bed, wobbling slightly. Charlie's hand grips onto my arm tightly.

"What do you think you're doing?" Concern and annoyance flashed across his face.

"I'm getting out of here. I know I'm fine. I just have to eat, drink, and sleep some more. This has happened to me plenty times before, Dad."

Dad lets go of my arm and rubs his face. "Why are you so difficult?"

Without him looking, I take that as my chance and I run out of the room. The door was open, so I escaped quietly. I speed walked the way to the door that said EXIT. Everyone was staring at me, and I realized why. I was still in my sports bra and sweats. Not something you'd normally go out in public with, but I didn't give a shit. All I cared about was leaving this place.

I made it out without any problem, but there wasn't anywhere I could go after that. I didn't know the directions to my house. Charlie's probably five steps away from me, so I hightail it down the road, hoping to find some place I could hide.

It was pretty dark outside. The sun was no longer showing, and the moon was high in the sky, shining brightly.

After jogging for about thirty seconds, I gave up. I ran inside of the first store I saw. It was called Newton's Olympic Outfitters. I didn't give it much thought, until I saw none other than Mike Newton behind the cash register.

He looks up when the bell rings. I watched as his eyes pretty much popped out of their sockets. "Bella?" I could tell he was admiring my almost abs.

"Screw me," I muttered under my breath. There wasn't much I could do in this situation, so I plaster a fake smile on my face and say, "Hi, Mike." He quickly walks around the check stand and stands in front of me.

"Um, what's up?" he asks, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. I could tell he's trying not to look at my chest.

I sigh. "Too much." I look at the ground as I say, "So I don't know where my house is from here, and I was wondering if maybe you could, like, point me in the right direction?" I look up at him when I finish the question. I know he likes me. Might as well charm him, right?

Wrong.

Mike smiles widely at me and says, "Give me two minutes, and I can just drive you." He runs off before I could respond.

"Great," I say sarcastically. I shuffle from foot to foot while I wait for him to get back. How big of a deal would it be if I just left? Before I could think too much on it, Mike's back with keys in his hand.

"Let's go," he says. Mike walks towards the door, while I follow him. When he stops at a car, I wasn't surprised that it was fairly nice. I mean, his parents own a store, and he's an only child.

Mike gets in on his side, and I get in on mine. The inside of the car was somewhat clean. I saw some fast food wrappers in the back, but then again, who doesn't do that?

It way beyond awkward. Neither of us was talking, and I refused to be the one to break the silence. Besides, I needed to memorize the route back to my house.

But the awkwardness got worse. I could hear him coughing and shuffling around, probably trying to figure out what to say. I couldn't take it anymore.

"This is a pretty nice car," I say. Guys like to talk about cars, right?

"Um, it's not mine. I took it from my mom." I glance over at him and see a blush take over his cheeks. Why is he embarrassed?

"Oh," I reply to him. The awkwardness won't go away, no matter how hard I try. I opted to just turn on the radio.

"No!" Mike yells as I press the power button. Too late. As soon as my index finger presses into the power button, it shocks the shit out of me.

Mike grabs my hand and pulls it back. "I tried to warn you," he says. I was livid. I have had enough shit going on to last a century. I just want to go to my bed and die for the rest of my life.

"Can you just speed up and get me home?" I ask, slumping in defeat.

We get to my house a few minutes later. Once he pulls up in my driveway, I get out of the car quickly. "Thanks," I mutter before running for the door. Whatever the doctor gave me, it was wearing off.

Once I entered the house, I ignore the people sitting around in the living room. I headed straight for the stairs, up to my bedroom. As soon as I go through, I smile at the sight of my bed. I collapse on it and groan, exhausted. I was asleep before anyone could come in and bug me.

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~ilovethetwilightcast