Disclaimer:
Characters based on Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Saga.
(Nessie POV)
The days quickly passed. When the second week of October came, Coach Noble added practices on Saturdays. I had been busy with school work and volleyball practices that I sometimes didn't have enough time to train with Grandpa, even on Sundays. Dad was not happy since we agreed that I would train in exchange of my playing privileges but with my tight schedule in school, my weekends were packed.
Whenever possible, Grandpa snuck in some practice sessions, even for just an hour or two. We've worked on distance; I could project my thoughts almost as far as dad's mind reading. It took a lot of practice and headache before I could extend my projection that far. Grandpa wanted for me to try to project longer thoughts, more than three sentences at a time, but it was getting harder for me. One time I actually passed out, not one of my better moments, so dad said that we would take it slow from then on.
I was extremely happy with my busy schedule. I barely had time for myself, much more to think of other things. I was usually in my room or in the library; I would only go to the kitchen to eat. There were times that the pack came to visit but I was too buried with my schoolwork that I didn't have enough time to spare. It also gave me less time to dwell on Jacob. I was glad that I was slowly easing up my mind from thinking of him during the day. All I needed was to ease up my mind at night in my sleep since my dreams were still full of him.
--
We didn't have a problem about the weather since it was fall and we were indoors. The first problem occurred when I had a Saturday volleyball practice and it was a sunny weekend. There was a rare heat wave so my family couldn't hide under jackets and pants all day. None of them could go out without catching anyone's attention because of their sparkling skin under direct sunlight.
"You should have taught me how to drive so we wouldn't have this problem," I pouted.
"Pouting won't help, Ness," Alice said.
"How am I supposed to go to the practice?" I asked.
Just then, dad appeared with phone in hand. "He'll be here in a minute. He'll keep you company since we can't."
"Who?" I asked.
The front door opened, "Good morning, Cullens!" Jacob announced.
I groaned. I had been successful in avoiding him for the past weeks or never had to deal with him by myself. Now, we would be trapped in the same car for at least fifteen minutes on the way to school.
"Jacob will go with you," dad said.
"And how am I supposed to go home?"
"I'll wait for you," Jacob answered as if it was so obvious. My mouth hung open. They have to be kidding. I was to deal with him for at least half a day? "I had my books for school so I could study while you're playing. No time wasted," he said with a wink.
I looked around my family and it didn't look like any one would come to my rescue. "Fine, let's go," I stomped my feet and walked outside.
Jacob stayed inside for a minute or two while I was waiting for him in the jeep. "Took you long enough," I grunted when he finally got in the jeep.
"They had last minute instructions," Jacob said with a smile.
"And what would that be?"
"Take care of you and feed you lunch."
"Where's Seth?"
"At home. He's finishing some computer stuff. It's just me and you today," he winked before backing up. This was going to be a long day.
--
When we got to school, he helped me out with my bag. "I had been carrying this bag every practice, Jake, no need to help me."
He yanked the bag from my hand, "I insist. Where to?"
I rolled my eyes at him and walked towards the gymnasium. Kitty glared at me when I entered, more glaring than usual since I had a tall, dark and handsome guy right behind me carrying my bag. Sabrina saw me and raised her eyebrow. I could care less about Kitty, but with Sabrina, I had to say something. Sabrina walked towards the door to greet me, practically gawking at Jacob.
"Great, now I would have to answer her inquiries about you," I hissed at Jacob.
"Just tell her I'm your boyfriend," Jacob said and laughed.
"And what would Leah think about that?" I snapped at him.
"Oh, I think she'll find it rather funny." I growled at him and he stopped laughing.
"Good morning, Nessie," Sabrina greeted and turned to Jacob, "I've never seen you before."
"Hey, Sabrina, this is Jacob, family friend. Jacob, this is Sabrina, my friend, classmate and one of the team setters," I introduced.
"Nice to meet you," Jacob extended his hand and Sabrina shook it.
I grabbed my bag from Jacob, "Sit up there. Coach wants the spectators as far away from the court as possible."
"Yes, ma'am," Jacob bowed his head and went up the bleachers.
Sabrina giggled, "His hand's warm, I like it. He's a hottie and he doesn't look like he's just a 'family friend.' Too bad Ken's not here to size up the competition. Really size up; he's at least a foot taller than you and you're pretty tall yourself."
"Very funny, Sabrina. He's not competition; he's already taken," I sighed.
"You looked bummed about it," she teased. I just looked at her, hoping she would drop it.
She shrugged, "I can't wait to tell Marianne." She skipped towards the lockers and I groaned before I followed her.
--
The team headed out all together after we changed from our sweaty clothes. I walked at the back with Jacob on my tail. The girls kept glancing at us and giggling. They were whispering how good we looked together, not knowing that I could actually hear them with my vampire hearing.
When we got to the parking lot, all of them waved at us, "Bye, Nessie. Jacob, make sure you bring her straight home," they all teased and I groaned. This was exactly the reason why I didn't want him to go with me. I would surely hear something about it next practice and from Sabrina on Monday. Jacob, on the other hand, was all smiles and waved at them that made them giggle some more.
"It's almost lunch time," he said when we exited the parking lot, "where do you want to eat?"
"No preference," I simply answered.
"You like Mexican?"
"It's okay."
"Mexican it is." He drove us to an authentic Mexican Restaurant.
We sat across each other and I noticed that he kept peeking through his menu.
Jacob, stop that.
"What?" he asked.
"Stop using your menu for peek-a-boo."
"Party pooper," he teased and I rolled my eyes at him.
The waiter came to our table and took our orders. While waiting, we munched on the chips. "After we eat, we're going to drive around," he said in between crunches.
"Dad will have your head in a plate if you don't bring me straight home after lunch," I said.
"No, he won't. He told me to teach you how to drive."
My eyes opened wide. "No way!" I exclaimed.
"Yes way and you might want to be careful with your eyes; you don't want them to pop out," he teased.
I stuck my tongue out.
"With that attitude, I might change my mind," he scowled.
"Sorry. I'll be nice. So, you're really going to teach me?"
"We have the rest of the day to practice driving. Your dad hates asking favors," he chuckled and I laughed in agreement.
--
After lunch, we drove to a small neighborhood with few houses.
"What are we doing out of nowhere?" I asked.
"Driving lessons. I am not going to risk you learning how to drive in a place with a lot of cars and a lot of people. Safety first," Jacob answered.
He taught me the hand signals and showed me the parts of the car. He demonstrated how to drive around, back up, parallel park and do a three-point turn. After thirty minutes of demonstration and lecture, it was my turn to take the wheel.
He looked hesitant when he handed me the keys. "Now, Nessie, I want you to take it easy. I know that these all feel exciting and all but I want you to take your time."
"Jake, I got it, don't worry!" I took the keys from him and started the engine. It was so exciting to finally be on the driver's side of the car. I put the gear to Drive and let go of the break. "We're moving, we're moving," I squealed.
"Yeah, I see that. Hands on the wheel, Nessie. Easy on the gas pedal," he instructed.
I lightly stepped on the gas and we moved forward, "This is so easy."
He chuckled, "Just make sure you watch the road."
I kept on driving around and he instructed me where to turn. It was not as smooth as his driving since from time to time, I would step on the break hard and the seat belts tightened.
"Easy on the breaks. You have to put your foot lightly or we would have seat belt marks by the end of the day," Jacob said and we both laughed.
"How much practice do you think it'll take before I get this right?" I asked him.
"Well, you're driving slower than the speed limit right now, but you're getting the hang of it. I would say a few more hours of driving sessions and you'll be zooming. How about I teach you after school for a couple of hours when you don't have volleyball practice?"
"That sounds great, Jake. Thanks!"
"No problem, Ness. Just keep your eyes on the road and hands on 10-2."
We drove around for an hour and when I was getting the hang of it, Jacob said that I could probably speed up a little more. "Add a little more pressure on the gas to speed up a little bit," he instructed. I got excited with the thought of speeding up a bit that I pressed down the gas pedal and we zoomed fast. I lost control of the wheel and let go.
"Break, Ness, BREAK!" Jacob exclaimed as he grabbed the wheel to steer us away from any object on the road. I panicked; I slammed on the break and we almost flew off the windshield.
"I said easy on the gas pedal, Ness! Not because we're indestructible, it means that we won't get hurt in the process," Jacob yelled as he changed the gear to Park. He took a minute to ease up his breathing.
My body froze on the wheel. I bowed my head when I felt tears falling from my eyes. I tried to ease up my tears, but my eyes wouldn't let me. I tried to hide my sniff, but Jacob heard me.
"My goodness, I'm so sorry, Ness. I didn't mean to yell at you. I was just worried that you'll get hurt," Jacob turned off the engine and hugged me. "I'm sorry. Do you want to go home now?"
I didn't speak; I just kept my head down. He got off the car and went to my side. He carried me off the driver's seat and put me on the passenger's side. We were silent on the way home.
--
I went straight to my room without a word to anyone when we got home. I plopped on my bed, stomach down. I heard my dad scowled at Jacob.
"What happened? Why is she crying?"
"Sorry, Edward, I kind of raised my voice at her," Jacob said, his voice defeated.
"You did what?" Rosalie shrieked.
"The nerve you have mutt!" Uncle Jasper growled.
Rosalie, it was my fault. He told me to take it easy on the gas; I floored it. I panicked when he told me to break so I slammed on the break and lucky for us, we were wearing seatbelts.
Uncle Jasper, it's not his fault.
"Look, I didn't mean to yell at her. I panicked when she sped up. She was losing control," Jacob said.
"I know; I heard," dad said. He must have been listening in. "I think it's better that we continue the driving lessons with her, instead of you." Nobody spoke after that. I heard the front door opened and closed. He must have left.
After a few minutes, I heard a light knock on the door. It must be mom to console me.
"Come in," I mumbled on the bed.
I felt the side of the bed shifted; it felt heavier than mom.
"I'm sorry for raising my voice, Ness. It was totally uncalled for," Jacob spoke. My body stiffened
"I thought you left."
"I couldn't leave until I know that you're not mad at me anymore," he said.
"I'm not mad at you, Jake," I said without lifting my face from the bed.
"You sure?"
"Yeah, I'm sure. It's my fault, too. You better leave before I change my mind," I chuckled.
I felt the bed shift some more and I felt him move hair from my face. "I'll see you around, then," he said with a smile.
I smiled back at him and he got up to leave. I sighed when he closed my bedroom door. Weeks of thinking about anything but him would end up wasted as the concern in his eyes bore to my soul. Back to square one.
--
A/N: For those who wanted more Jacob, here you go. I've already thought about giving him more exposure since the later part of this story is about him and Nessie. It seemed like you readers could read my mind.
For those who are concern with Leah, I have something in store for her. The summary of this story was possible spin-off/s and I already had Embry's Imprint as my first. If things go well, another spin off should be on its way in the making.
As always, please don't forget to review.
