Chapter 37

Disclaimer: Twilight was not my idea...

Bella's POV

I shivered as we neared the water. It was so cold outside! Why did Jake have to pick today to do this? Then again, he was never cold. Still he should have thought of me, the human, before picking the activity, especially when it involved a swimsuit and freezing waters. Jacob was slowly gaining speed. He was way more excited about this than I was. Jacob turned to glance back at me. I nodded, signaling that I was okay if he went ahead. Jacob looked forward again and began to run. Not only was he running faster than I could imagine, he was running werewolf fast. I blinked and he was already submerged in the indigo waters.

I had reached the shore line. I cautiously dipped my toe in the water. The water was icy cold. I shivered and took several steps back. "Come on in Bells! The water's fine!" Jacob yelled from the middle of the designated swim area. The water was up to his waist.

"The water may be fine for you! But not me!" I yelled back. I sat down where I was and looked at the sand around me. It was covered in seaweed and some shells. Then I saw some black fabric peeking out of the sand. I glanced toward Jacob. He was underwater so I pulled at the fabric. I looked back just as Jacob resurfaced. I quickly stopped pulling and made a motion to get up. When Jake saw that I was "coming in" he dove back under the water and swam deeper out. I gave the fabric a final tug. To my surprise, it actually came out.

It was a t-shirt. I lifted it up to my face. The smell wafting off the shirt was super sweet. It made me feel lightheaded and I immediately knew who it belonged to. "Edward." I said, with the shirt still up to my nose. I slipped it on over the bikini top and bravely walked to the edge of the water. Feeling happier and more confident, I waded knee-deep into the frigid waters. I took a deep breath, and submerged myself completely.

Jacob's POV

When I rose out of the water to see if Bella had joined me, she was nowhere to be seen. My eyes frantically searched the shoreline for any sight of Bella in her striped bikini. I began to worry, and my heart quickened. Oh no! I lost her! This replayed through my mind as I looked for her. This is not good, what is Charlie going to think? Or the leeches? I thought desperately. "Who are you looking for?" Someone asked from beside me. The voice sounded vaguely familiar. Out of the corner of my eye I could see it was a girl in a black T-shirt.

"No one you know." I mumbled. Talking to girls was not important at a time like this.

"Try me." The girl challenged. I wasn't used to being tested so I whirled, in the water, to face this girl and give her a piece of my mind. I was about to start my rant when I recognized the girl.

"Bella!" I exclaimed with relief. Bella looked at me with a puzzled expression on her face.

"Yeah, it's me." She said with mock enthusiasm. Without thinking I embraced her in a tight hug. Bella lost her footing and slipped back into the water. Before I fell on top of her, I steadied myself. I waited patiently for Bella to surface. After what seemed like ages, Bella's beautiful face emerged from the navy waters. She gasped for breath as I brought her up to a standing position. Then I noticed something. She reeked! I studied her, trying to find the source of that awful smell when something in my mind clicked. The t-shirt. Where did she get it from? It reeked of bloodsucker. I turned my nose up in disgust.

"You cheated." I said, pointing at the horrid article of clothing. Bella half-smiled. I beamed back.

"No, I didn't. As far as I know there was no set rule that I couldn't wear Edward's t-shirt." Bella said stubbornly, but with a smile. I couldn't argue, it got her in the water anyway. "So, now what?" She asked.

"We race." I answered. Bella swallowed.

Bella's POV

Race? Is he insane? I can't even run as fast as he can walk! What makes him think I can swim as fast as he can? If I can't walk on a stable surface, who knows what could happen in a surface that wasn't a surface at all. Jacob had already started wading deeper into the swim zone. I followed clumsily. Several times I had to stop. Who knew walking on the sea floor could hurt so much. Soon the water was up to my neck. "Ummm, Jake? Some people aren't freakishly tall you know?" I stated, swallowing some water. Jake laughed and, much to my relief, stopped walking/swimming out.

"Okay, first one to get back to shore wins round one. Got it?" Jake said lowering himself completely in the water. I rolled my eyes, still thinking he was insane. "I'll take that as a yes." He said brightly.

"Whatever." I said.

"On the count of 3. 1...2...3!" He said and then he took off for shore. Not wanting to be left alone, I followed. I was gaining speed. Maybe I could win! Then Jacob bobbed out of sight. That can't be good.

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