A.N. Welcome to a new chapter! Can't wait to see what you think!
BPOV
"So what homework do you have so far today?" I asked as an ice breaker.
"Umm, well my chemistry teacher seems to hate me so she gave me a project to do that is due next week and then I have maths as well. Otherwise my teachers have been pretty kind. What about you?" Jared asked. I could already feel us falling into easy conversation that didn't take any effort.
"All my teachers have been super nice to me; I haven't been given homework yet but it is my first day and I came in, in the middle of units so I haven't fully caught up yet. I am hoping to have a week of calm before all the homework and assignments start piling up, at least for maths anyway, definitely not a strong subject for me." I said wincing at the thought of how badly I do in that subject.
"Lucky! I wish I was entering school in the middle of units! No homework! Woo! If you need any help with maths by the way, I am happy to help. It is a subject that I have grasped pretty well." he replied. He sounded so shy as he offered his assistance.
"Thanks for the offer. I will let you know if I need anything. Now I think you may want to start on your homework if you want to have anything started before next class." Jared is so sweet. No one has ever offered to help me with maths. I have always just been left to barely pass on my own. I mean, I am already in the support class but I can barely pass that.
"It is so nice out here at the moment. Who knew La Push actually had good weather!" I said as Jared got to work. We sat in each other's presence quietly for the next 30 minutes before the bell rang. Jared started packing up all the work he had laid out on the table.
"Get anything done?" I asked.
"Quite a bit actually, all the planning for my chemistry project is done and I started the maths homework." Jared said sounding happy with his progress.
"That's great. Well I better go. It says I have PE now. Could you tell me which direction to head at least before your next class?" I asked him.
"Actually I can walk you there if you don't mind. I have PE now as well." he replied. When everything from our table was picked up, Jared led the way over to the gym. It turned out the building was on the other side of the school. I so wouldn't have been able to find it myself.
When we reached the gym, I said goodbye to Jared so he could go get changed while I headed over to the teacher. Mrs Hunter handed me a uniform after welcoming me to the school. She showed me where the girls changing rooms were and left me alone so she could deal with the people who hadn't brought their uniforms.
Walking in a saw a lot of girls spread out across the benches stripping. I tried not to look but I needed to find the toilet stalls. I couldn't get changed in front of everyone. Too many questions would be asked. When I entered the change room, most girls stopped to stare at me. Most people's stares lasted till I was out of sight. Once they thought I was out of hearing range inside the toilet stall, I heard them whispering to each other.
"Why won't she get changed with the rest of us?" "Is she scared of us seeing her in her underwear?" The teasing comments continued. I ignored them the best I could. I had my reasons for not getting changed in front of others. When I was changed, I quickly gave myself a look over to see if there was anything showing that shouldn't be. I couldn't see anything so I opened my stall door and pointedly ignored everyone as I walked past them and out of the change room. Though I was one of the last to enter the change room, I was one of the first out.
Emily and Angela were also in my PE class apparently and they were changed already. We chatted for a while before we saw Mrs Hunter stalk over to the girls change room and shout at everyone still in there, saying that they were taking too long to get changed. If they weren't out in one minute they would be getting detentions. The girls were surprisingly quick after that. All the guys, Emily and Angela and I just laughed.
"Okay, now that we are all ready," Mrs Hunter stared down the area where most girls were standing, "today we will be playing a game of belly ball. Just a bit of fun to end the school day but everyone must follow the rules or I cancel the game and we go back to line dancing." Everyone groaned. I liked Mrs Hunter, she was strict but she knew how to keep people in line in a way that made them willing to do what she said. I may not be good at PE but I was willing to change my opinion with this teacher.
Belly ball was hilarious. It was so much fun. All the guys were trying to show off. Angela, Emily and I had a lot of fun hanging around them and making a fool of ourselves than standing around with the other girls who were doing as little as possible and then squealing when a ball came towards them. People were becoming more inventive in the way they got onto the mats. One guys even decided to do a front flip onto it. He landed on his feet and everyone paying attention cheered for him. It was so cool! Jared stayed close but I tried not to pay special attention to him. After our chat during our free period, I was expecting him to be more open with me but now that we were back in the company of others he had become shy around my again. I don't understand!
By the time Mrs Hunter called the game over everyone who actively took part was hot and sweaty. I was looking forward to the shower when I got home. We all went to get changed and back into my stall I went. This time I didn't hear anyone say anything but I am not sure if they were just being quieter... When I left the change room, Mrs Hunter said that anyone that was done could have an early mark. That did nothing for me since I had come to school with my brothers and I had to wait for them to be ready to go before I could leave.
I was waiting over at the car when Jared came over to me.
"If you don't want to wait, I could always drive you home and you can meet your brothers there." Jared offered.
"If you are sure it won't be too much trouble... I have no idea how long they will be and I am pretty tired after that game. I so need a shower!" I replied.
"It's fine, let's go." Jared said, leading me over to his car.
As Jared reversed out of the parking lot, I sent a quick text to Embry letting him know I was going home with Jared. A few minutes later a reply came through. All he said was he would see us at home and they shouldn't be too much longer.
The drive to my house was done in comfortable silence. During the drive, the rain started up. I knew the good weather wouldn't last.
When Jared had parked his car in the driveway, neither of us made to open the doors. We just sat there. I was the first to talk.
"Thanks for driving me home. I really didn't want to wait for my brothers." I said grateful. "Did you want to come inside or do you have things to do?"
"I can't stay sorry; I have to go do a few things for my mom. I will see you tomorrow morning at school though. Anytime you need a lift just ask by the way, I don't mind." Jared said. We were back to being at ease around each other. I think his shyness had something to do with his friends being around. I don't know why that would make a difference though.
With that I said good bye and quickly hopped out of his car and ran for the porch. I waved to him as he backed out the driveway.
I had been inside for a few minutes when the front door opened and in walked my brothers. I jumped when I heard the door slam open but because I was in the kitchen, they couldn't see me. They would just ask more questions if they had seen.
"Bella?" I heard Paul call out.
"In the kitchen." I yelled back. I heard four sets of heavy footsteps coming towards the kitchen. I continued to pull out the things needed to make a perfect fruit salad.
"Couldn't be bothered to wait for us Bellsy?" Jake asked.
"Well we got an early mark out of PE so Jared offered to take me home. I didn't know how long you would be and I didn't want to wait around." I said, probably over explaining myself.
"Whoa, okay Bella, don't worry about it. I was just joking with you." Jake replied.
"Right, sorry. Umm, does anyone want some fruit salad?" I asked changing topics. Four hands rose quickly. I laughed; it was always about food with them. How are they never full? I will never know.
I told the boys to shoo while I made the salad. It felt too crowded in the kitchen for me to be able to work. I saw the boys walk into the living room and I could make out the sounds of the TV being turned on.
Embry POV
When Bella kicked us out of the kitchen, my brothers and I went into the living room. Bella was still acting strange and I wanted to see if any of them had noticed anything else as well.
Quickly I turned on the TV, I didn't want there to be a chance that Bella could over hear us.
"I know I keep bringing it up but Bella is still acting kinda strange. Has anyone noticed anything today?" I asked my brothers.
"Today on the way to the cafeteria Jake snuck up behind her and gave her a hug. As soon as he touched her, she went completely still. Bella shrugged it off jokingly but looking at her face I could tell she had been scared. I don't think she likes it too much when people touch her, at least without some warning or on her own terms." Paul said.
"I felt so bad when she went still. I just wanted to give her a surprise hug." Jake said. He was still upset that Bella had been so scared by his hug.
"Last night, Bella came into me and Embry's room. She was crying. She asked me if she could sleep in my bed for the rest of the night. She said she hadn't had a nightmare and that she didn't know why her dream had caused her to become so upset. Once she was curled up in my bed she seemed to be alright though. I asked her if she wanted to talk about what happened but she said she just wanted to sleep for now. I think later tonight I might get her alone and ask what happened." Quil said.
"This is getting out of hand. What happened to her in Phoenix to make her so jumpy and just overall scared? I really want to know but I don't know how to find out. I really don't like seeing her like this." I add to the conversation.
"Okay, well what can we do? Make it quick because I am sure she is almost finished in the kitchen." Paul says.
"I think Quil should ask about last night and see if he can find out anything else. Otherwise we should do nothing and continue on like normal." I say quickly. My brothers nod in agreement and the conversation is dropped. Paul picks up the remote and starts flipping through the channels when Bella walks into the room. She is carrying a tray which has five bowls on it. I get up and take it from her, passing it around the room.
"Thanks Bella this is good." I say, who knew fruit tasted this good?
Quil POV
Later that night when Bella decided she would go to bed early again, I got up after her and followed her to her room. I thought now was as good a time as any to ask what happened last night.
"Bella? Can I talk to you for a few minutes?" I asked, nervous.
"Sure Quil, what's up?" she replied.
"Well, umm, I just wanted to ask what happened last night to make you so upset. You said you didn't want to speak about it then, but I would like to know what made you so upset so if there is something I can do to fix it, I can." I was rambling now and it wasn't helping.
"Oh, uhh, don't worry about it Quil. I just had a dream about mom and her boyfriend and I think I just miss them or something. I don't know why I was crying though. It was stupid. Thanks for being there though. Sorry for waking you up, you looked so peaceful." Bella said, blushing.
I walked over to where Bella was laying on the bed and sat down next to her, putting my arms around her and giving her a hug.
"It's okay, if you miss mom, Bella, you were so close with her. It makes us wonder why you suddenly wanted to come live with us but we are also so glad that you came back. If you ever have a bad dream or you can't sleep, you are always welcome to come to me or any of the others. We just want to see you happy, Bells." I reassured her.
While I was talking, I saw tears starting to roll down Bella's cheeks. What did I say?
"Bella? What's wrong? Why are you crying? Please talk to me bub. I want to help you, we all do but we need to know what is wrong in the first place to be able to do that." I say, being completely honest with her. I start to slowly rock us back and forth, hoping it will help in calming her down.
"I want to tell you so much, but I don't think I can. I am not ready yet. I'm sorry." Bella said through her tears. I barely heard her, she was so quiet.
"Don't feel pressured to tell us until you are completely ready. Whenever you feel ready, whatever the time is, it could be 3am for all I care, when you are ready to talk, come find one of us and we will be happy to listen." I said. I hope I reassured her enough. I think I did because I can see that her tears are stopping. I stay with her until the tears are gone and she starts to feel really tired. I help her get under the covers before I say a final goodnight and then leave her be, turning the light off as I go.
"Guys! Get your butts up here now!" I yell as quietly as possible for them to still hear me from the stairs. I don't want to wake Bella up but I can't be bothered to go downstairs fully. What can I say... I'm lazy. Dad is working a double shift tonight so he isn't home. I don't have to worry about making him suspicious for calling my brothers up here.
I hear them getting up and heading towards the stairs. When they can see me I start walking over to my room. When we are all inside and I have closed the door, I tell them what Bella told me.
Though we all respect Bella, we are so desperate to know what happened back in Phoenix. We want to help her but we have to wait till she is ready. What she told me is a big step though. She may not have said what happened but she at least admitted that there is something wrong.
A.N. So how did you like it? Worth the wait?
As you can tell, we are getting close to Bella's secret being revealed! Anyone still want to take a guess as to what could be going on?
What do you think Bella didn't want showing during PE? Any guesses?
Thanks for your continuing support of this story! Very grateful for all the love you give me in supporting my stories.