The Voice of Reason
Disclaimer; all characters and copyright belong to SM.
A/N-thank you for the awesome reviews! I really appreciate it.
Chapter Fourteen
The music was pumping hard. Bella's ears rang with the noise. She was at the Cullen's graduation party. She had no intention of coming but events had preceded her determination to stay away. Angela had a spectacular break up with her boyfriend, Ben. She was devastated. Bella had never seen her friend so distraught. She had been mopping up Angela's tears for most of the day and doing her best to comfort her. By the end of graduation Angela's devastation had turned to anger. She was determined to attend Alice's graduation party and show Ben, show the whole damn school, that she was fine. The only problem was she didn't want to go alone. She begged and pleaded with Bella to go with her. Bella tried to get out of it, but she failed. Angela had been a great support to her after her recent break up with Edward. She had been instrumental in keeping her sane during the school hours as she did her best to avoid him and his family.
"It's just one small thing, Bella. Please. We won't stay long. I need to do this." Angela's eyes filled with tears behind her big glasses.
Bella just couldn't resist her. "Jeez, Ange, we stay for like an hour and then get out of there. I hardly want to be in Edward's house right now."
"Thank you, Bella." Angela captured her hands and held them tightly. "Think of it like a show of strength. We can show Ben and Edward that we don't care. We can hold our heads up high."
"Right." Bella agreed dubiously. She was already having regrets. Her attendance would have the opposite effect and give Edward the impression she was looking for reconciliation. Not to mention that Jacob would be pissed. She sighed heavily. She was only going through with it because she owed Angela.
Bella had fired off a quick text to Jacob. He had attended her graduation ceremony bringing Billy and Charlie with him. He had sat with the two men, a proud smile on his face as he watched her climb onto the stage when her name was called. She had been so mesmerised by the look on his face she had tripped over her ceremonial robes and knocked Lauren over, sending the other girl sprawling. The auditorium had erupted with laughter, Jacob's was the loudest. Bella had turned beet red, but couldn't help giggling at her nemesis' discomfiture as Lauren tried to make a graceful exit and failed. During Jessica Stanley's graduation speech Jacob had whooped all the way through it, making Jessica frown and the other guests laugh. He certainly made an impact. Afterward he had to drive Billy home. Bella was supposed to meet up with him again at her house but now she had to change their plans.
I'm sorry, Jake. You know I owe her. Don't be mad at me. Love U. Bells X
The Cullen's mansion was heaving with bodies. The whole of their year had been invited and then some. The air was hot and Bella was feeling sweaty in her long sleeved t-shirt and skinny black jeans. She hadn't bothered to dress up unlike Angela who looked absolutely stunning in her dark blue dress which shimmered with rhinestones every time she moved. In the distance the two girls spotted their other friends. Jessica was clinging to Mike for dear life. Bella cringed at the flouncy pink dress Jessica had chosen as her outfit for the evening. The puffball skirt crinkled every time she moved. Mike seemed both horrified and enthralled by his date's attire, especially when Jessica kept flashing him every time she moved.
"I see you didn't make much of an effort." Jessica sneered as she looked Bella up and down. It was obvious she was still holding a grudge about her dumb graduation speech.
Bella smirked. She could almost hear Rosalie's sarcastic response to that. "Tell her that she looks like a cream puff in that horrible pink ensemble she's wearing." Instead she said. "Oh well it looks like both of us didn't bother making an effort."
Angela snorted with laughter, spilling her drink over Jessica as she lurched forward. "Sorry, Jess." She mumbled guiltily as her lemonade soaked the satiny pink material of Jessica's dress.
Jessica scowled and actually stamped her foot. She grabbed Mike's hand and pulled him away, disappearing amongst the crowd. "I think I've upset her." Angela said mournfully.
"Ignore her." Bella shrugged indifferently. She stiffened when she saw Edward approaching out of the corner of her eye. "Shit."
"What?" Angela pushed her big glasses further up her nose as she followed the direction of Bella's gaze. "Oh."
"Let's dance." Bella pulled Angela onto the temporary dance floor and began to jive clumsily. Edward was weaving his way toward her, dressed in a smart black shirt and casual jeans. His determined gaze was fixated on her. Bella groaned inwardly as she turned her back on him and focused on Angela instead.
"Lauren's intercepted him." Angela leaned forward to whisper in Bella's ear.
Bella glanced over her shoulder and sighed in relief. Lauren had her claws in Edward's shirt and was trying to make him dance with her. The petulant expression on his face was kind of funny. She relaxed again as she let the music swarm over her. Angela was swaying to the beat. Bella envied her movements. She tried to copy her friend but thought she looked like an idiot.
"Really? You walked right into the lion's den." Rosalie's voice suddenly snapped into her head, making Bella reel. "Did you not listen to my warnings, girl?"
"You can see into my mind. You know I had no choice. Angela needed my support." Bella replied hastily in her head. She smiled at Angela distractedly as she continued to dance clumsily. "It's good to hear your voice. I've been worried about you."
"I can take care of myself. Unlike you I might add." Rosalie complained. "And you did have a choice. Why didn't you suggest to Angela that it would be far more fun to stay over at your house or something and have a movie night eating ice cream and bitching about the man in question? Isn't that what girls do after a break up."
"In the movies, maybe." Bella retorted in her head.
"Are you okay?" Angela asked solicitously. "You're frowning."
"Oh, I'm fine." Bella tried to smile but it came out more like a grimace.
"I can't leave you alone for a second." Rosalie was still grouchy. "Honestly, you're like a troublesome toddler. One who sucks at dancing I might add. What are you doing jerking around like that? I wouldn't let your wolf boy see you…."
Suddenly Bella saw Angela's eyes widen and her mouth drop open. Before she could ask what was wrong she felt a hot body pressed up against her back. She gasped, twisting her head around as a pair of strong arms wrapped around her. "Jake." She sighed in relief as she relaxed against him.
"Good, the cavalry's arrived. This is my cue to piss off. BE. ." Rosalie's voice disappeared as swiftly as it had arrived.
"Damn, Rose." Bella griped. She knew there was no chance of a response. All thoughts disappeared out of her frazzled brain as she felt Jacob grind into her, his hot lips were on her neck, sucking the skin gently. Marking her.
Angela's glasses were misting up at this amorous display. She had stopped dancing and was staring at Bella in awe. Jacob hadn't come alone. He had brought Embry and Quil with him as a distraction. While he was occupied seducing Bella in the middle of the dance floor in front of her school friends and a house of infuriated vampires, Embry was giving Angela such a heated stare that it made her knees weak.
"Let's dance." Embry caught Angela's hand, spinning her around and pulling her away from Jacob and Bella.
Quil chuckled to himself but his amusement didn't last long when a girl wearing a pink puff ball dress sidled up to him. She smiled at him flirtatiously before holding out her hand, simpering. "I'm free to dance. My name's Jessica Stanley. What's yours?"
"Quil." Quil gulped. He had a feeling that for him it was going to be a long night indeed.
Bella was hot, burning hot. Jacob's lips were devouring hers. His warm hands were on her skin, setting her nerve endings on fire. Her fingers were tangled in his hair as she drew him impossibly closer. She couldn't get enough of him. They had been making out furiously ever since he had arrived so unexpectedly. Bella had completely forgotten she was in the Cullen's mansion, standing in the middle of the dance floor, surrounded by dozens of others. Jacob overpowered all of her senses.
"Rescue me, dude." Quil's desperate voice broke them apart.
"What?" Jacob snapped, scowling.
Quil was standing beside them, two soft drinks in his hands. Bella felt disorientated. She tried to slow her breathing down to a more dignified level. She suddenly remembered her friend. Where was Angela? It was hard to see amongst all the other heaving bodies. "Where's Angela?" She asked worriedly.
"Wrapped up in Embry." Quil complained. He was still arguing with Jacob. "I came here to support you, man. You didn't tell me I would be risking my life."
"You're a damn wolf, Quil." Jacob retorted, irritated at the interruption. "You can handle one clingy female."
"Quilly." Jessica wound her way through the crowd back to Quil's side. She had just popped to the bathroom. She had ditched Mike Newton and had set her sights on Quil as her next conquest. "Oh, sweetie, you got the drinks. Isn't he the cutest?" She said breathily.
"Take it." Quil replied rudely as he shoved the soft drink into Jessica's hands before she had a chance to paw at him again. She seemed a bit surprised at his sudden move but she smiled bravely through it.
"You've been keeping these boys all to yourself, Bella. No wonder you ditched Edward. I understand now." Jessica took a sip from her plastic cup and gazed up at Quil from under her false eyelashes.
Quil was mumbling under his breath asking the spirits for help. Jacob was laughing at him. Bella tried to look sympathetic but the whole thing was just too funny. Jessica had finished her drink and was urging Quil to dance again.
"Go on, Quilly. Show her some moves." Jacob's dark eyes were glinting with mischief.
"I'll get you for this." Quil mouthed over his shoulder as Jessica began to sway in front of him.
"I feel sorry for him." Bella whispered to Jacob.
"I don't. The tool deserves it." Jacob said carelessly. He caught Bella's hand in his. "Let's go outside. The vamp stench in here is nauseating."
Bella nodded guiltily. So far Jacob hadn't called her out on her idiocy for attending the party. His unexpected arrival had certainly killed any hopes Edward had of reconciliation with Bella. Their blatant show of affection had proved that she had moved on. The cold air hit her fevered skin as they headed outside. She watched Jacob close his eyes for a moment, breathing in the fresh air, his whole body relaxing.
"Feel better?" Bella smiled at him pensively.
There was no hint of amusement on Jacob's handsome face now. His expression was serious. "You shouldn't have risked coming here."
"I had to support Angela." Bella knew her argument was weak. Just like Rosalie had said there were other options. If she had tried harder she could probably have persuaded her friend to have a girl's night in instead. "You're right. I'm sorry, Jake." Rosalie had been right to be exasperated with her.
Jacob's expression softened. He reached out and caressed her face tenderly. "You are so caring. I love that you wanted to support your friend but not like this. Not by coming here."
"I know." Bella felt crestfallen. She had screwed up again. She had been trying so hard to make the right decisions. To stay strong against the Cullen's constant interference, but it was hard. The pressure of her exams, then graduation had chipped at her resolve. "I wasn't thinking straight. I am really sorry, Jake. You're right it was too big of a risk."
"C'mere." Jacob put his arm around her and cuddled her against his hot body. His warmth chased away the chill and Bella happily nestled into him. She felt her stress melt away, at least until she felt Jacob tense again.
"You really are an animal." Edward's biting comment seemed to come out of thin air.
Bella pulled away from Jacob and looked around wildly. She couldn't see him. Jacob was scowling. His dark eyes sparked with fury as stared into the shadows. "I am not interested in trading insults with you, bloodsucker." He spat.
Edward slowly emerged into the light. He matched Jacob's fierce glare, his mouth twisted into a bitter smile. "Neither am I." He continued coldly.
"Then why are you standing in the shadows spying on us." Jacob demanded.
"I am not spying." Edward's gaze flicked to Bella. For a brief second his mask slipped and she saw his devastation beneath the cracks. She had to turn away. "You are going to hurt her." He warned Jacob coldly. "Just like your friend tonight you will one day look into another girl's eyes and imprint. And when you do I will be there to pick up the pieces." His nostrils flared as he looked at Bella again. "You know that will happen, Bella. I love you. I'll be here when you need me." With one last withering glance at Jacob he melted back into the shadows.
A/N-thanks for reading!