Disclaimer: Do not own a dern thing with these characters.
BETA: MIST
A/N: Yeah, we make mistakes and we know it, you don't have to tell us. But hey hope you enjoy the story. Xoxo August
Forks 98331 Chapter 7: Part 2
Edward finished picking through his locker, closing it softly behind him. Staring up and down the congested hallway he finally spotted who he was looking for. Bella Swan.
She stood studied something in her notebook while Alice and Rose talked next to her. He smiled. She was so unaware of the popular girls next to her. Glancing a few lockers down he could see that Angela and Lauren were watching Rose and Alice as if they were celebrities.
"Hey." Jake whispered as he open his locker.
"Hey." Edward gulped hard turning to face Jake. He had not seen or heard from him since the party. He hoped that Jake believed him the other night. He honestly like Jake well enough and did not want a uncomfortable rift between them.
"So when are you going to ask her out?" Jake asked out loud as he located his chemistry book underneath the other books.
"Who?" Edward stared at Jake with a frown on his face.
"Bella. I noticed you were watching her when I walked up." Jake replied closing his locker and flashing Edward a knowing smile.
"I don't know. I like her. I just…well..she isn't into me that way." Edward sighed heavily.
Jake wondered for a moment if he had heard Edward wrong. There was no way that Edward Cullen would give up so easily.
"What makes you say that?" Jake stated in the direction of Bella smiling as he thought about their early morning conversation the day before. He had tried so hard to forget the way she made him feel when he was near her. Yet standing here staring at her he was once hit like a tidal wave with the longing to go and talk to her.
"She has made it perfectly clear that she is not into GUYS like me." Edward snorted with a weak smile.
"Well, do you like her?" Jake wasn't sure why exactly he was helping Edward with his love life. This was a first for him. He especially did not know what he was helping Edward with a girl like Bella either.
"Yah." Edward chuckled.
"Then don't be that GUY she spoke about." Jake shrugged his shoulders as the tardy bell rang informing the kids it was time to start class for the day.
"I'm trying, I honestly am." Edward said as he followed Jake down the hall the opposite way of Bella and the girls.
Bella was working on the morning warm up their math teacher and wrote down on the board when a piece of paper landed on her desk. Opening it up she glanced around the room until she saw Miranda nodding her head. She knew the note was from her.
We need to talk after class. We need to set up a time to work on our project.
Bella nodded her head and put the piece of paper in her purse.
After class was over she was not surprise to find Miranda already at her desk before she could stand up.
"I just want to say how sorry I am for acting like a jerk and for making a move on Edward." Miranda apologized to Bella with tears brimming in her eyes.
"Hey, it's okay. Edward isn't MY guy." She chuckled.
"Well, he was your date and I feel awful." Miranda pushed back a golden lock of hair from her face.
"How are you and Jake?" Bella bit on the corner of her lip remembering how upset Jake had been toward Miranda even the following day.
"Not good. He has not return any of my calls." Miranda admitted as she pressed her lips together.
"I'm sorry." Bella really meant it too. She knew how much it suck when you screw up and the other person made you paid for it.
"Come on we will be late." Miranda march out of the room fighting back the tears that threaten to spill if she laid eyes on Jake before she made it to class.
Paul marched straight past Rose as she grabbed a tray to make his lunch. He was not about to be used by her again. It bothered him how Jake had warned him that Rose would only screw with him and not in the way he had hoped. He wondered if Rose thought he was not worthy of having sex with. It hurt his ego and it honestly pissed him off.
"Hey." Miranda smiled up at him as she reached past him to get a drink.
"Hey." He mumbled wondering if Rose had told her about their short evening together.
"Is Jake going to be mad at me forever?" Miranda knew that Jake would have talked to Paul about their situation out of all of their friends.
"For what?" Paul frowned at her.
"You mean, he did not tell you?" Miranda gasped.
"Apparently not." Paul rolled his eyes as he grabbed some fries.
"Well, I screw up at the party the other night. I got drunk." Miranda stated matter of fact.
Paul stopped in his tracks, cock an eye and flashed her a evil smile.
"You know he hates that." Paul stated coldly.
"I know. I just wanted to have fun." Miranda replied weakly.
"Fun? Or did you want an excuse to act like a whore?" Paul suspected that she had been flirting with some other guy. He recalled the last time she got drunk. Jake had warned her back then if she repeated her actions he would not speak to her again.
"Excuse me?" Miranda flinched. She was not accustom to Paul or any other guy speaking to her in such a manner.
"Come on Miranda you know how you get when you drink. So you took the chance. Now pay the price." Paul knew he was being cruel to the wrong sister but he also felt sorry for Jake. He knew how he felt when he saw Rose flirting like a filthy common whore while they were dancing together. It was her fault that Edward's cousin thought she wanted his hands on her too.
"Thanks Paul. Really, thanks." Miranda stomped past him paying for her drink then rushing out of the cafeteria to the library.
Paul shrugged his shoulders as he paid for his food. Walking to the table where they all normally sat he was not one bit surprise to see Rose sitting there filing her nails, sipping on her lunch which was a diet coke.
"Trying to sharpen your claws." Paul muttered as he sat down next to Edward across from Rose.
"I see you two are working things out." Edward sighed with a sarcastic smile.
Alice walked up with Bella by her side as they sat down Edward sat up straighter. He was nervous as hell. He was not sure what to say or do. He wanted Bella to like him. But he also knew if he acted too nice his friends would know real fast just how far his interest went for her.
"Where is Miranda?" Alice ask as she glanced around the crowded room.
"She grabbed her lunch and left." Paul answered between bites of his hamburger.
"What the hell is wrong with her?" Rosalie asked curiously as she glanced at Alice for answers.
"Her and Jake got into a fight at the party. She was drunk." Alice answered as her eyes darted at Edward and then back at her tray nervously.
"What is his problem? Everyone gets drunk from time to time." Rosalie snapped. She hated when Jake caused her sister to be upset. They did not get along all the time but she was very protective of Miranda.
"Yeah, but that doesn't mean that everyone has to like it." Paul answered as he opened his water bottle. His eyes were burning with anger as he openly displayed his anger at Rose in front of their friends.
Edward caught Bella's attention as she shuffled nervously at the table. He could tell she was not very comfortable with the tension at the table.
"Bella did you do that history assignment?" Edward asked as he nudged her foot with his. She blinked before answering.
"Of course." Bella answered.
"Can you help me. We can go to the library." He glanced at the entry way to the cafeteria.
He saw her considering what he ask of her for a few seconds before she agreed.
"Sure." Bella smiled weakly at the others as she followed Edward out of the cafeteria.
"Wow, everyone is in a bad mood today." Edward stated the obvious as they walked side by side.
"I know. I would have thought you guys would have been over the weekend drama by now." Bella answered.
"I had none so I'm fine." Edward said.
"Emmett?" Bella reminded him of how he had to end his night at the party.
"That was not drama that was just stupidity." Edward chuckled.
Bella laughed as well.
When they entered the library they found a empty spot in the corner. Bella began pulling out their work he asked about from her book bag.
"I don't need help. I lied. I do my own homework." Edward watched with a smug look on his face.
"Oh? This why are we here exactly?" Bella asked curiously.
"I knew you were not comfortable back there." Edward replied honestly.
Bella was impressed. He had read her emotions easily enough. It was true. She did not care much being around people who were negative. It brought her down.
"Thanks." Bella found herself saying while his smile grew cockier.
"That is what friends are for." Edward made sure she understood that he was only looking for something simple for now. He knew she was in no rush to be someone's girl. He could respect that, even if it was something he was not used to. All the girls here thought that they had to have a guy of their own in order to feel like they were worthy.
'Friends? Are we friends?" Bella teased him as she leaned back in the chair, letting her legs stretch out in front of her while she studied Edward closely.
"I hope so. I think we could be great friends if you give us a shot." Edward answered as he mimic her position in his own chair.
"I think I can manage a friendship with you." Bella licked her lips chewing on the corner of it considering what she was starting with Edward with excitement. Friends. It had nice sound to it. She just hoped he was not playing her in hopes for much more.
"Good. So tell me what is your favorite song in the whole wide world?" Edward began the game of twenty questions while they finished their lunch getting to know one another better.
Bella was enjoying herself immensely until the bell rang interrupting their "getting to know you better" session.
"See you in an hour, same place." Edward reminded her they did share study period.
"Your on." Bella laughed as she picked up her book bag and walked with a little bounce in her step. She felt much lighter than she had at the beginning of lunch.
Miranda had spied on Edward and Bella unbeknownst to them. She was pleased to see them getting along so smoothly. She suspected that Bella liked Edward far more than she allowing anyone to know. Miranda would normally have been against the relationship but she had to admit that she did see a different side of Edward when he was around Bella.
Maybe it was Rose who brought out the worse in people she speculated. It was possible. After all Rose was a very selfish person in any type of relationship.
Walking to class she scanned the halls for Jake. She knew he was purposely trying to stay clear from her today. It broke her heart that he was giving her the silent treatment for punishment for her immature behavior.
Tears stung her eyes as she nearly tripped over her own two feet, dropping her books into the floor.
Someone knelt down in front of her helping her pick them up before others kicked them further into the hall in their rush to get to class.
"Thank you." Miranda mumbled as she fought the sob that was stuck in her throat.
When she looked up she was surprised to see Jasper Whitlock smiling tenderly at her. She could see tell he was nervous around her. Most guys were. They seem to think that she was more like her sister, Rose who could be downright ugly in public to guys she felt was underneath her status.
"Your welcome." He whispered as he handed her the last book.
"I can't seem to walk today." Miranda sighed heavily as she continued to look into his eyes.
"You better have that checked out. Walking is necessary." He answered with a light southern accent that made her lips curl into a smile. It was a cute accent that had often been the cause for others to tease him.
"True." Miranda laughed softly.
Jasper stood up and then flashing her one more tender smile he walked down the hall. Miranda stood there for a second wondering why she had never noticed Jasper before today? I mean, really saw him. She knew it was due to their constant rule of hanging out with only their elite friends that prevented her from getting to know other students in her class. She was starting to see how Jake viewed her. It was true, she had been following Rose's example far more than she had known.
Walking to class she felt a little better about herself and for once she knew she would survive this day even if she did not see Jake once.
Jake walked out of the locker room feeling lighter. He had pushed himself hard out on the field today. He knew he needed to talk to Miranda and get it over with. He hated acting like an ass and ignoring her the way he had but he was still not sure whether or not this relationship would work out or not between them.
"Hey. What the hell happen with you at lunch?" Paul asked as he wrapped a long white towel around his nude waist.
"I was not hungry." Jake answered lightly.
"You never, ever, skip lunch." Paul rolled his eyes as he took out some deodorant from his locker, spraying it under each of his arms while Jake did the same.
"Miranda and I had a fight at the party. I am not in the mood to talk to her to yet." Jake knew it was stupid to try and it hide it from Paul. They had been best friends far too long to think he could hide anything from his friend.
"Obviously. What did she do?" Paul was curious to lean what the angelic and all so perfect Miranda could have done to upset Jake enough to skip lunch.
"She was all over Edward. I walked up on her trying to kiss him and shit." Jake sat down on the bench staring at the locker in front of him.
"Edward? No shit. I bet he loved that." Paul got along with most of their friends but he and Edward often clash when it came to the ladies.
"Actually he was trying to shove her off of him." Jake answered with a sarcastic grin.
"Oh." Paul was impressed with Edward. He wasn't so sure if he could have done the same Saturday night. He was totally drunk and horny as hell.
"I warned her not to get drunk. I think she did it on purpose to prove a point to me." Jake sighed heavily as he ran his hands through his damp hair.
"Well, it looks to me that your making a point as well." Paul replied as he pulled his shirt and pants.
"I don't know what I am doing to be honest. I just know right now if I talk to her I might actually break up with her. I'm tired of the bullshit. It use to be so easy with her and now it feels like work to me." Jake confessed.
"I can't believe my ears. Jake Black is going to dump the very girl he swore was the most beautiful and perfect girl here at Forks." Paul smack him in the back of the head.
"Ouch." Jake cried out as he gave Paul an annoyed look.
"No one is perfect Jake. If you love her shouldn't you love all of her. Flaws and all." Paul knew he sounded like a pansy giving Jake love advice but he had to stop his friend from making a big mistake he might later regret.
"I guess." Jake stood up and began to get dress.
"What happen with you and Rose? Did you finally score?" Jake asked curiously. It just hit him that Paul had not once bragged about his night with Rose. Paul had a bad habit of revealing everything to Jake when it came to girls.
"Yes and No. I gave her a orgasm and she gave me the boot." Paul snarled still angry at how easily she had thrown him out of her room like he was her sex toy.
"You gave her an orgasm and still did not get laid? Are you sure you gave her one?" Jake teased.
"I know I did, she was shouting and wiggling all over her bed." Paul's chest rose as a cocky grin covered his face.
"So how did you not even score a blow job from her?" Jake frowned at him.
"You were right, she is a selfish bitch." Paul's smile faded and a angry look replaced it.
"Yeah, well trust me she is not the only girl at school worthy of a guy like you." Jake patted Paul on the back.
"True. I need to spread the love." Paul laughed.
Jake rolled his eyes playfully as he followed him out of the building and to the parking lot.
He was listening to Paul tell him about some other girl whose eye he had caught at the party when he saw Bella walk by looking upset.
"Hey catch up with you later." Jake jogged over to where Bella stood staring up at the sky with a displeased look.
"What's wrong." Jake asked.
Bella's head whipped around at the sound of his voice. She felt the instantaneous burst of butterflies in her stomach.
"I missed my ride." Bella answered once she found the ability to speak return to her.
"Why don't you drive?" Jake thought out loud.
"My dad doesn't feel that I am trust worthy for a car yet." Bella blurted out before she realized she might be revealing too much information to him.
"Do you wreck often?" Jake joked.
"Something like that." Bella chuckled not wanting him to know the truth of the matter.
"I can give you a ride home, if your not scared of motorcycles." Jake had rode in this morning on his bike. He had finished the repairs on it while spending the day alone on Sunday.
"Umm…" Bella chewed on the inside of her mouth. She knew how much Charlie hated motorcycles. He use to call them death on two wheels for teens. However she knew he was not at home yet so she could risk having him take her.
"Sure." Bella pressed her lips together, nodding her head.
Jake's eyes widen with pleasure.
"Come on." Jake walked toward his baby. He was so proud of all the hard work he had put in her.
"Nice." Bella was in awe of the beautiful sleek bike.
"I know right." Jake smiled proudly.
"Here." Jake pulled out a helmet handing it to her.
He slipped on and then glanced at the back seat waiting for her to join him. Once she was on and holding tightly to his waist he revved it up. He felt her tense up for a second and could have swore she even made a squealing sound.
"Let me show you what she can do." Jake took off out of the parking lot with out noticing Miranda standing by her car wearing a look that if it had been possible would have killed Jake Black on the spot.
When they arrived at Bella's house she was relieved to see that even Brenda was not home. She feared that Brenda might bring up the subject of the bike in front of her dad.
"Thanks for the ride." Bella slipped off taking the helmet off and feeling her hair starting to stick automatically up.
She pressed her hands on her hair hoping it did not look as horrible as it felt.
"Helmet hair." Jake's laugh was deep and throaty making Bella feel the pit of her stomach dropping like when she went down a roller coaster.
The ride over at gone smoothly. Jake knew how to ride his bike quite well. She had also enjoyed the fact that she had an excuse to hold onto to him. She noticed how relaxed he seem to be with her arms around him. He even touched her hands once right before he went around a corner.
"Yeah one of the not so good perks of a helmet." Bella huff as a loose piece of hair fell across her face.
"I don't know you look kinda good with helmet hair." He was joking with her but the more he stared into her eyes the more he found himself thinking how it reminded him of what he imagined her hair would look if she was rolled around on a bed. His bed.
Shaking the sexy images from his head he gulped hard as he watched her grab her book bag from the back of his bike.
"So when are you going to make up with Miranda?" Bella suddenly found herself asking even though she regretted bringing up the subject of his girlfriend. If she was smart she would stay the hell out of it but she liked Miranda and she had to work on a project with her that would count for a major part of her semester grade.
"ummm…well…don't know." Jake answered as he looked away from her face.
"Oh. None of my business anyways. She is suppose to come over tonight to work on a project with me." Bella thought she would warn him that she was still friends with Miranda.
"I see." Jake looked up and down the road not wanting to run the risk of running into her just yet.
"I had a interesting talk with Edward today." Bella blurted out. She knew she was stalling. She did not want him to leave so quickly.
"Really? How did that go?" Jake looked curiously at her.
"Good. He wants to be friends." Bella answered.
"Friends, uh. That's a good thing, right." Jake knew that Edward wanted so much more than that but he was proud of the fact that Edward had actually listened to him today and was taking things slow.
"Can be." Bella nodded her head.
"Yes, it can be. I hope you consider me a friend too." Jake replied. He watched as she shifted her footing while staring at the ground for a brief moment before her eyes lock with his.
"I would like that." Bella admitted hoping the blush that she felt growing in her cheeks did not lead him to believe she wanted more than friendship with him even if it was true in this case.
"Me too." Jake stepped off the bike, taking her hands in his.
Bella felt her heart beat flutter madly.
"You're a nice girl Bella. I hope that you stay that way while you're here." Jake was referring to the town of Forks.
"You make it sound like there is evil all around us, waiting to pounce on me." Bella laughed nervously.
"Not evil just bad people, with bad influences." Jake replied softly as he rubbed the back of her knuckles with his thumb.
"I will keep a eye out for them." Bella promised as her legs grew weak from the tingling sensation that course up and down her body as he touched her so intimately.
"You do that." Jake gulped hard as he forced his hands to release hers.
Jumping back on his bike he flashed her a sincere smile before he rode away.
Bella stood there watching him ride away. She wondered what was going through his mind? Why was he being so nice suddenly to her? What was up with him touching her hands every time they were alone? She liked it, she liked it too damn much. She knew it was too early to think that she might have a chance with Jake just yet. He was going to have to talk to Miranda eventually and if she knew Miranda she would do everything in her power to make things work between them.