Chapter 11

Complications

Mr. Banner came in pulling a long metal shelf behind him, housing a small flat screen and a DVD player. The TV had a thick chain around its base and a padlock.

The whole class burst into noise, wondering what we were going to see.

Mr. Banner turned off the lights. Whatever hopes we had that this was going to be entertaining quickly faded as the screen was filled with the words "DNA Molecular Biology Visualization."

"Take notes," he said. "There will be a quiz."

I heard several people groan, and then everyone pulled out their notebooks and pencils.

We spent the next hour and ten minutes taking notes on how DNA multiplies. My eyes were watering by the time the bell rang.

As soon as the lights were turned on, Mike walked over to my desk, "are you going to Gym today?" he asked eyeing Edward. With a cop for a dad, I didn't have the ability to make cutting class an every day thing.

"Yeah," I said. He leaned his hand on my desk.

"I'll see you later, Bella," Edward said putting his notebook in his book bag and walking slowly to the door. It was such a contrast to how our days usually went.

Mike looked at his back with a dark scowl on his face but said nothing.

When I finished putting my stuff away, I followed Mike out to Gym.

We went a little ways without talking, but I could tell Mike really wanted to say something. His eyes went to me and then away.

"What's wrong?" I asked unable to take anymore.

"You and Edward a couple?" he asked.

"I don't know what we are yet," I told him.

"I just didn't think you were into that sort of thing," he told me.

"What sort of thing?" I asked him.

"The 'I'm-a-jerk-but-you-have-to-put-up-with-it-cause-I-look-good,' thing."

I smiled. "I'm not."

"Doesn't look that way from here," he told me.

"He's not really a bad person if you got to know him," I told him. "He's pretty cool."

Mike scoffed. "Okay, if you say so."

Coach Clapp's new torture was soccer, which had her in a great mood. She bounced a ball in the air and looked at all of us with a smile on her face. "Ladies," she said. "And gentlemen," she added after a second. "Would you be so kind as to break up into two teams?" I cursed under my breath. A freckled faced girl named Megan looked at me with a look that suggested she would rather go skinny dipping in January than be on any team of mine.

To my huge relief Mike walked up to me, an easy smile on his face. But even Mike's presence by my side couldn't convince people to team with us.

Coach Clapp had to resort to threats if they didn't pick a side. In the end we were left with the worst of the worst players.

Mike didn't seem to care. But I had sweat running down the collar of my mustard yellow t-shirt. Some of the girls in the other team were looking at me like they were ready to skip soccer and go straight to dodge ball.

Couch Clapp made Mike our captain, and he took that role very seriously. First thing he did was reassure all of us that we could win this if we worked as a team. Did he know who I was? Then he told us how to take advantage of the other teams weaknesses, and how to guard against our own. His blue eyes lingered on me. I was so tired of being the weakest link.

Mike was a natural born athlete. He easily maneuvered around everyone and sunk the ball in the goal twice. The other teams captain was furious. She saw how badly her team was losing and called one of her players over.

Mike looked at me knowing what they were planning to do. "Work as a team, Bella," he shouted at me from across the gym. I squared my shoulders, readying myself for whatever they were going to throw at me.

Three players ran towards me juggling the ball back and forth. I met them on the middle and we began to wrestle with our feet for control of the soccer ball. I felt a foot kick my calf and I winced in pain, my eyes watering. Gritting my teeth, I kicked the ball as hard as I could. It ricocheted to their side of the gym, where Mike was waiting for it. I ran after him, ignoring the throbbing of my injured leg. Everyone on the opposite team surrounded him, and completely ignored me.

But he saw how close I had gotten to their goal, and kicked the ball in my direction. Everything was slow motion as the ball glided easily across the waxed surface of the gym floor. I closed my eyes and reared my leg back, swinging it forward with everything I had in me. My foot connected with it and sent it in an arch towards their goalie, he jumped up to catch it. For that second that the ball was in the air I held my breath, and the whole gym went silent.

Cheers erupted as the soccer ball went through the goalie's hands and hit the fabric mesh with a soft thud.

Mike ran to me and scooped me up in a hug. "You did it!" He chanted twirling me around. The rest of our team had come in to congratulate me too. It was as if the game was over, and we had won. Couch Clapp had to blow her whistle several times to remind of the game was still going on. But even she looked happy for us. The other teams captain was fuming, she kept yelling at her players, her team kept throwing her dirty looks.

The remaining fifteen minutes of class period was devastating for our opposing team. Not only had I made a goal, but also the rest of my teammates seemed to have been inspired by my small victory and they too had started sinking hit after hit.

By the time the bell rang we were ahead 7 to 3. I felt like I was walking on cloud nine. In all the years of P.E. in California I had never helped win anything.

Mike and I walked out of gym exhilarated. He kept talking about how hard I'd hit the ball, and the look on my face as the ball hit the goal. I laughed as he demonstrated the agonized scream of the other team's captain.

"Where did you park?" he asked me, turning his head from side to side looking for my truck.

"I got a ride today," I told him.

He frowned when he realized who had given me the ride. "Alright then," he said, all the cheeriness of before forgotten. "I'll see you Monday."

"Mike," I said. He had become a really good friend, one of my best. I didn't want him to hurt.

"It's okay," he told me, hugging me hard. "Above everything else you're my friend."

"Thanks," I said. No words were needed between Mike and me. We understood each other.

"Call me tonight," he told me. "I'll give you the homework for English class."

He walked off towards his car, and I headed to where Edward had parked. Edward was seated on the trunk of his Volvo, my jacket on his lap, patiently waiting for me.

"Congratulations," he said when I was in front of him.

"I'm guessing you heard that," I said with a smile.

"I couldn't help it," he said. "It was very loud."

"My jacket?" I asked pointing at it with my index finger. He jumped off the hood.

"Jessica said she forgot to give it to you this morning," he said handing it to me. "Apparently it was crowding her locker."

I rolled my eyes, and took the jacket from his outstretched hand.

I noticed the empty spot next to the Volvo. Rosalie's red convertible was gone.

When we pulled out of the parking lot, I remembered my mental note. I looked over to him, debating whether or not I should bring it up. It hadn't gone too well at lunch. Did I want to push his buttons? I bit my tongue trying to hold back the urge that nagged at me. Then again if we couldn't have an honest relationship what was the point?

Can I ask you a question without you getting mad?" I asked.

He gave me a quick look before answering. "Fine."

"Promise," I said.

"Bella," he warned.

"Alright," I said. "Why did you get so upset when I asked you to take me hunting?"

He frowned. "You said you wouldn't get angry." His shoulders lifted, and then slumped.

"I don't want to talk about that," he told me.

"I'm curious," I said. "It can't be that bad."

"You're not going to drop it, are you?" he said.

"No."

"We aren't ourselves that's all. We literally lose control. It would be like dumping you in the middle of a den of starving tigers."

He pulled into my driveway and parked behind my truck. "I didn't mean to scare you," he said.

"I wouldn't want that," I said, shaking my head.

"I didn't think you would," he said with a smile.

He leaned toward me slowly. "Right, tigers, meal, don't want that," I said unable to put a sentence together. Despite the fact that I wanted to keep my eyes opened they stubbornly fluttered close. I felt his breath on my lips, and waited expectantly for his lips to touch my own.

But the kiss never came. I opened my eyes again to see that he had stopped halfway towards me and was now leaning his head to the side.

"What are you doing?" I asked him.

"There's someone coming," he said. "It's your friend, Jacob Black, and his father."

"That's right," I said remembering. "Tonight that big game, Redskins vs. … something." My dad had invited them over.

"I don't think I should be here," he told me.

"Why? It doesn't matter," I said.

"It's complicated," he told me turning on his engine. That was my cue to get out.

"Hey," he said. I turned, my hand on the door handle. "I'm looking forward to tomorrow. I have a lot of questions for you."

Great, I thought. He smiled at the look on my face.

Just then a tan Chevrolet made it's way around the corner. Edward watched it as it came closer. I quickly took my jacket, hopped out of the car and slammed the door behind me.

As soon as I was far enough away he backed up, and pulled out, speeding down the street.

I looked over at the Chevrolet, so like my own, except it wasn't falling apart at the seams, and a hundred years old. I expected Billy in the drivers seat and was surprised to see Jacob there instead.

It had been so long since I'd seen Mr. Black. I wasn't even sure what he looked like anymore. My dad had been so busy with at work he hadn't been to visit.

I watched as Jacob got out, waved at me, and then headed to the truck bed. Seconds later he came back carrying a wheelchair. It didn't dawn on me what the wheelchair was for until Billy pushed his door open and swung over to it. I stared wide-eyed as he wheeled himself towards me, Jacob by his side.

"Hey, Bella," he said. He sounded friendly but his weathered face was very serious and his deep brown eyes stared at me suspiciously.

"Hello, Mr. Black," I said, trying to compose myself. "How have you been?" I asked, instantly regretting it. Duh, Bella, he's in a wheelchair! How do you think he is? I thought.

"I'm just fine. Just fine," he said. "Who was that I saw leaving?" he asked me.

"A friend," I said. "He gave me a ride home."

"Oh," he said with a weird expression on his face. "Did the truck break down?"

"No," I said. "The trucks just fine." I didn't like the way he looked at me. Like I was doing something I wasn't suppose to.

"What's up, Bella," Jacob said from beside his dad. He had a wide grin that showcased his brilliantly white teeth. "Here, this is from Harry Clearwater. Your dad loves the stuff."

"Oh," I said taking the container from him. I looked down at the chunks of greasy fish. "Thanks."

Billy was still staring at me, but Jacob didn't notice.

"You guys must be cold," I said. "I'll open the door, so you can come inside."

I headed for my house. It made me uncomfortable to be under Billy Blacks scrutiny.

Jacob walked next to me, sniffing the air. He puckered his face in disgust, and clamped his nose with his hand. "What's that smell?" he asked me with a nasally voice.

"I don't know," I said. I sniffed too, but didn't get anything. "You're imaging things," I said unlocking the door and stepping aside so that Billy could wheel himself in.

"Yeah, right," he told me. "It smells like someone melted down a candy corn factory."

Jacob helped his dad onto the couch, and I offered them something to drink.

"Can I have a Coke?" Jacob said.

"I'll take water," Billy told me.

I walked to the kitchen, put the fish fry container in the fridge and then filled a glass with Coke and one with water from the tap.

When I returned to the living room the Television was on and whatever game Billy and my dad were going to see had already started. Jacob took the glasses from me and handed the water to his dad.

Not wanting to be rude, I sat down in my dad's recliner, pretending to watch the game. All the while I felt Billy Blacks dark eyes on me, and it was starting to creep me out.

"My dad should be home soon," I said. "I don't know what's taking him so long."

"It's okay," Billy said. "I'm sure he's pretty busy with these murderers running around."

"I thought it was just an animal," I said to him, not knowing how much my dad confided with Billy, and wondering if he was trying to get something out of me.

He narrowed his eyes at me. "Yeah, of course. It's just an animal."

Thankfully my dad burst through the door at that exact moment, looking tired but happy. He came into the living room, kissing the top of my head, and not taking his eyes off the screen. "Who's winning?" he asked Jacob.

"So far, no one," Jacob said.

"I'm sorry I'm late," he told the room, while he took off his police jacket. "The strangest thing happened at the precinct today."

"What?" I asked. Everyone grew quiet, as if someone had pressed the mute button on us. We were all wondering if what he was talking about had something to do with his cold case.

"A group of men walked in and told us to take them into custody. They actually begged us to put them in prison. They said they attacked a girl in Port Angeles last weekend. We ran their prints and found multiple accounts of sexual abuse, and drug possession. They were the same ones that held up a convenience store in Neilton. Remember, it was all over the news," he said turning to Billy Black. "Never found the guys, until now."

"That's freaking weird," Jacob said.

"That's not the weird part," my dad told him continuing. "They kept babbling about a monster, one of them even claimed that this thing broke his arm. None of them could tell what this monster looked like though… no, it wasn't so much that they couldn't, it was that they were too scared to."

"Anyway, they thank us when we booked them," he laughed.

My body had gone cold. I could actually feel my blood freezing in my veins. My hands had started shaking, and my stomach was turning over.

"Dad, do you want me to get you a beer?" I managed to say, I needed an excuse to leave the living room. My dad turned to me. At the look on my face he jumped off the couch and grabbed my hand. I wondered how bad I looked. "Are you okay?" He checked my pulse.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I told him. "I'm just going to go to the kitchen, get a glass of water."

My dad followed close behind as I wobbled on shaky legs to the kitchen sink. I picked a glass from the dish drainer and filled it with the water.

Had I heard my dad right? I wondered. Did those guys give themselves up? A laugh bubbled up from somewhere deep inside me. I was so happy I couldn't contain myself. My laughter made my dad worry. He pulled me away from the sink, where I had doubled over laughing, and sat me down on a chair.

I looked at his face and that made me laugh harder. I wouldn't have to tell him about Port Angeles, he'd never have to know. Tears leaked down my cheeks, I was actually gasping for air.

"Bella," my dad said shaking my shoulders.

"I'm fine, dad," I told him when I was able to breathe again. I wiped the tears tracks under my eyes with my thumb.

He put the glass of water to my lips and urged me to drink. I took a big gulp, to make him feel better.

"What was that all about?" he asked.

"Nothing," I told him. "I'm just really happy."

He stayed with me for a little bit, making me drink the water every so often, until he was sure I was back to normal.

Jacob walked in to the kitchen, looking nervous. "My dad said we could come back some other time, if you aren't up for company."

My dad looked at me. He had so little time to just enjoy himself, and here I was ruining his fun.

"Dad, I'm fine," I told him. "Go and watched the game, enjoy yourself. GO… whomever you're rooting for!" I cheered.

He looked at Jacob, "do you mind staying with her for a bit," he told him.

"Dad," I said. I didn't need a babysitter, especially one that was younger than me.

"Nah, it's okay," Jacob said. He took the seat my dad had occupied just a second ago.

With one last look to me, my dad walked into the living room, "what's happening Billy," I heard him say.

I looked up at Jacob. "I think you're enjoying this."

"Yeah," he told me with a smile. I kicked his big booted foot with my tiny one.

"So," I said. "What's happening with you?"

"Nothing much," he said. "Carting the old man around, mostly."

"How about your car?" I asked. "Find the watchamacallit?"

"Master Cylinder," he said.

"Yeah, that thing," I laughed.

"No," he said sullen. "Still looking."

"Don't give up," I said. "I'm sure you'll find it, and finish your awesome car."

"Yeah," he said. "But my car is nothing compared to the one I saw pull out of here earlier."

"Yeah, he's a car nut too. I'll introduce you guys next time he's here," I said.

"Who is he," Jacob asked me.

"Edward Cullen, the son of Dr. Cullen," I told him.

"Better not," Jacob told me. "My dad wouldn't be too happy. He's one of those people who think the Cullen's are evil, or something."

"There not," I said, a little more harshly than I intended.

"He's just stuck in the past," he said.

From the living room we could here my dad and Billy screams of delight, and the cheers of thousands of fans. Jacob perked his ear trying to hear the announcer.

"Come on," I told him, pulling him by his shirt and dragging him to the living room, where he sank into the couch.

"How are you feeling, honey?" my dad asked.

"I'm alright," I told him.

I leaned on the back of my dad's recliner, and put my head on my elbows. I was waiting until they were distracted enough that I could sneak away without them noticing.

After a couple minutes, I headed for the stairs. No one stopped me. When I got to my room, I picked up my cell, and dialed Mike's number.

"Hey, Bella," he said. He sounded sleepy and I wondered if I had woken him up.

"Hey," I said. "You have the homework for me?"

"Yep," he said. "It's worksheet 25 and 26. Enjoy, I just finished mine."

"Thanks," I said. "Did I wake you?"

"No," he said. "I just hate English. Bored out of my mind!"

"I don't get it," I said. "It's my best subject."

"For bookworms like you, yeah," he teased. "Hey, are you still going to Seattle tomorrow?"

"That was the plan," I said.

"Damn it," he said. "Now who am I going to trick into writing my paper for me?" he joked.

"Good luck," I said.

"Have fun," he told me before hanging up.

I stayed in my room finishing up my English homework until the game ended.

My dad called me down to say goodbye to Billy and Jacob.

"See you, Mr. Black," I said.

He looked at me with that speculative gaze, and I couldn't help frowning. "Be careful, Bella," he whispered.

Jacob cut his father off by giving me a hug. "You've got to come and visit," he said.

"I will soon," I told him. Likely when Billy wasn't around, I thought.

My dad closed the door behind them and I sagged into the couch. "Had fun?" I asked.

"Yeah," he said. "I needed that." He rubbed his neck with the palm of his hand. "Have you eaten?" he asked.

"No," I said.

"That's probably why you didn't feel good," he said. "Have some of the fish fry in the fridge."

I scrunched up my face, repulsed. "I'm good."

He pulled me off the couch, and pushed me into the kitchen, sat me on a chair and put a plate of Harry's fish in front of me.

I sat at the table picking at the greasy fish in my plate with my fork,

"Eat it, stop playing with it," he told me.

I put it in my mouth and chewed, waiting for the nasty taste of fish to hit my tongue, but it wasn't bad. He sat next to me, his own plate of fish in his hand.

"How was your day?" he asked me.

"My team won a match in gym class today," I told him. "I actually made a goal."

"Did you knock out the goalie?" he asked.

"Ha-ha," I said, my temper rising. "You're so funny."

"I'm just joking," he said. "I'm glad."

"Yeah, it was all thanks to Mike," I said. "He was our captain, and he was great."

My dad looked at me. "Mike Newton?" he asked. "You like the Newton kid?"

"Dad, he's just a friend," I said.

"I'm just wondering if I should have "the talk" with you," he said.

"Oh, please, no," I begged, popping the last hunk of fish in my mouth.

He picked up my plate, and put it in the sink. "You said you were going to Seattle tomorrow," he said.

My hands got sweaty. I didn't like to sneak around.

"I think I'm going to cancel the trip," I told him. "Maybe I'll hang out with one of my friends."

"Good, I was hoping you wouldn't go," he told me. "Anyway, I have to go into work tomorrow. There a lot that needs to be done with these cases I'm working."

"That's okay dad," I said relieved. "I'll be fine."

"I leave you alone too much," he said. "We'll spend sometime together soon, alright?"

"Don't worry," I told him. "I'm tough, just like my dad."

He smiled, and turned back to the dishes.

"Hey, dad, I didn't know Billy Black was in a wheel chair," I said. His back stiffened.

"Yeah," he told me, not turning around. "Happened a little while ago. Remembered I told you that Billy's wife died of cancer a couple of years ago."

"Yeah," I said.

"Billy wasn't doing so good," he told me. "He started to… drink, and had an accident."

"Oh," I said. How horrible for my dad to be going to the scene of that accident, just to find out that it was his best friend, no wonder he didn't want to talk about it.

"It wasn't my place to say anything," he told me.

I nodded even though he couldn't see me.

I took a shower, brush my teeth and went to bed early. But the whole time I tossed and turned and couldn't get to sleep. When I did manage it, I drifted into a dream.

I was underwater, Edward's hand encircled me, and his lips parted mine in a kiss. Our hair floated around us, and I stared into his eyes.

I smiled and cuddled deeper into my pillow, not wanting the dream to end. I couldn't wait for tomorrow.

I really like the way this chapter turned out, considering that I had to restructure the whole thing. I wasn't going to spend a whole chapter talking about how Bella wanted to jump Edward but restrained herself and vice versa. I had to make Bella win something, just once. She was getting so depressing with the whining about hating gym. I love Mike. I'm going to make his ending happy. He deserves more than having Jessica for a girlfriend. I decided to give Billy a back-story. He needed one. There will be more to it later on. As always than you so much for your reviews and keep them coming.