CHAPTER 11

I chew the end of the pen as I inspect the single column of job vacancies in the township of Forks. Three tradesmen, one diesel mechanic apprenticeship and one general hand. The job description for the general hand is pretty vague, so that leaves applicantions open to pretty much anyone. It says to apply in person at fifty-one Northern Road. Rose is about ready to leave for work, so I can't hop a lift with her, so I'll probably have to go tomorrow, it's probably too late now anyway. I throw the paper away and touch up my lipstick in the small mirror I bought for my bedroom. Satisfied I look like I'm ready for work, I head down stairs to chat with dad while Rose finishes getting ready. I plonk myself on the double lounge, sprawling myself out lazily.

"I met our neighbours today," dad says.

"Oh yeah, which ones?"

"All of them, I think. There was the Brady Bunch, bunch of fruitcakes they are, and the other ones, they didn't seem too bad."

"Yeah, they're okay, better than the Brady's anyway," I reply.

"Those boys of theirs sure seemed to ask a lot of questions about you and Rose."

My eye twitches a bit, "oh yeah, what sort of questions?"

His smile crinkles his eyes, "the kind of questions boys that are interested in my girls would ask."

"And did you lie?" I ask with a toothy grin.

He barks out a laugh, "of course, I'm surprised I don't have a nose the size of an elephants."

"Good to see you still have integrity left in you."

"Alright, I'm off, see you tomorrow dad, love you," Rose says, her head bobbed through the doorway.

"I'm coming, love you dad," I call over my shoulder.

I follow Rose outside and wave her off from the driveway. I walk hastily around the side of the house, dad might be up and about downstairs somewhere, so I need to avoid windows at all costs. I crouch down low and crawl to the convenient creeping vine up the lattice work cliché. I've seen girls do this a thousand times in movies, it shouldn't be too hard.

"But you're not in a movie… and you have five-inch heels on."

"Once again, here you are in a strange situation talking to yourself," none other than John-Boy has snuck up behind me and once again caught me.

I hush him with an aggressive looking finger against my lips, then gesture for him to drop down low with me.

"What the hell are you doing?" he at least whispers.

"I need to get up there to my room without dad knowing," I answer as quietly as possible.

"I think you're going to need help," his face as serious as I've ever seen it.

"You're just trying to get into my room you sleazy bastard."

"Well… yes," he admits, "but you are going to need help."

I weigh my options, eyeing the lattice work again, "okay, but you're not getting your dick sucked."

"You break my heart Bella, but I'm sure my dick will survive."

"Just as long as we're clear."

"We are."

"Alright then."

"So, you need to start climbing, and only put your hands and feet where you see screws and brackets, I'll be right behind you to help if you need it."

"And why can't you just go first, then pull me up?" I ask, which in my opinion, is a much better option.

"Because then I won't be able to stare at your ass as you climb, have you seen how short that skirt is?"

I roll my eyes, "obviously, now get up there and help me."

"Fine, but I get to grab your ass afterward."

I roll my eyes once again, "I can live with that."

He jumps and clears five feet before he even clings to the lattice work which he manoeuvres like a monkey. "Wow," I say too loud, slapping my hand over my mouth.

He opens my window, but doesn't go in, he stays beside it, and waves me up. I take the stupid boots off and stuff them under the shrub at the base of the vine. I start by positioning my feet in some holes, then hoist myself up, climbing slowly to close the gap between Saggory and I. He climbs down some distance to be even with myself, and wraps his arm around my waist, then climbs along side me, taking most of my weight with him. We reach the window, and he practically lifts me through, all I have to do is land softly.

"Thanks Jessie-Ray, I couldn't have done that without you, " I whisper as he pulls himself through.

"No problem, now why exactly are we sneaking in? You're not fifteen anymore."

I scoff, "as if I needed to sneak in anywhere at fifteen, we could basically do whatever we like. We're sneaking in because I didn't tell dad I was sacked, and he thinks I left with Angeline to go to work. He stresses far too much so it's just easier keeping it from him, and I don't want to spend my night in Port Angeles waiting for big sis to finish work."

"I asked you down stairs, why didn't you say it there, no one is home at my place, we could've hung there and you could've slept in the spare room. I purse my lips, contemplating. "That's a good idea, I need to go to the bathroom and dad will hear me, just let me grab some clothes and we'll go back down."

"Why don't you just stay in that… I don't mind."

"I'm sure you don't."