Sam, Bella, Jared, Kim and Paul all sat down and talked about life.
"So, how did you become a teacher Bella?" Kim asked.
Bella smiled softly. "I've always wanted to be one. Ever since I was a little girl."
Kim smiled at her, "That's great! I'm actually currently going to school to become one myself. Only for the littles."
"That's amazing." Bella sobered, "Does anyone know why Jake is such a dick?"
Paul snorted, "Could be because you didn't return his feelings for you. Or the fact that he's being a child and hurting you brings him some kind of joy." Jared elbowed Paul in the side. "I'm leaning toward the first one though."
Bella sighed, "I don't love him like that. He was, I still hope he is, my best friend."
"He knows that. It's just hard for him to handle it and deal." Sam stated. "It isn't you. It's him. He's making it harder than it really has to be." He sighed, "he will come around. He always does."
"I know. I just want him back." Bella explained softly. "I have my life together and he's my best friend."
Kim stood and gave Bella a hug, squeezing the other woman tightly before letting go.
"I'm here, if you need to talk." Kim told her. Bella nodded, with a smile. "Jared and I are going to head out though. You know how to get in touch with us."
Jared smacked Paul upside his head to get his attention. "Let's go, doofus."
Paul snickered as he glanced at Bella and Sam, "Don't do anything I wouldn't do."
Bella blushed, but snarked, "Doesn't leave much then, does it?"
Paul whooped, before dashing out the door.
Jared shook his head, Kim laughed as they walked out of the door, slowing it behind them. Sam just stared, shell shocked.
"What?" Bella asked calmly, blushing slightly.
Sam smirked, "You are something else." Bella laughed and nodded. "Now, about that date?"
Bella nodded, watching him carefully. "I really would like to go out on a date with you, Sam."
Sam laughed and nodded at that, "I figured that when I heard your heartbeat beat faster when I asked you the first time." He shook his head slightly, "Where should we go?"
Bella thought for a second, "How about the diner in Forks?"
Sam seemed shocked, "You want people to see us?"
Frowning, she looked at him, his eyebrows were drawn close in puzzlement, "Why wouldn't I?" She asked him.
Sam looked confused before a bright smile took over his face. "I just thought with Emily leaving, you wouldn't want to be seen with me almost right away."
"I've liked you for a while now, Sam. I just never could do anything about it. You were with her, and at the time, I was broken. Now, I'm not broken, I'm just me." Bella explained. "And, you're not with her."
Sam nodded, "The diner works perfectly."
Bella smiled brightly before getting up, "Pick me up at seven?"
Sam stood, "Definitely will." He stepped close to her, Bella's breath hitched softly, he gave her his hand and walked her to her car. When they got to her car, she looked at him and smiled. He bent down and pressed a kiss to her cheek, when he pulled away, he saw her cheeks were a bright pink, which made him chuckle. "I'll see you at seven." He then stepped away from her and watched her get into her car and pull away to head home to get ready for their date.
When Bella got home, Sue was in the kitchen making dinner for everyone. "Hey Sue." Bella called.
"Bella, how are you? How was work?" Sue asked her stepdaughter.
Bella stepped into the kitchen and sat down at the table. "Not even a week in and I have a date!" Bella smiled at Sue's gasp.
"With who?" Sue asked, even though she had an idea, but needed confirmation of such.
Bella smiled brightly, before eating some of the food that was on the table, not waiting for anyone else, as she was super hungry. "Sam."
Sue laughed softly, "He's such a good boy. I know you guys will be good together. Regardless of what others might think?"
Bella smiled lightly, "Is Leah included in that?" Even though Sam and Leah weren't together anymore, they were at one point, which caused Bella to be a bit nervous.
Sue sat down and grabbed Bella's hand, "Bella, do not worry about Leah. She knows what's happening. It's not a secret to her or to anyone. She's okay with it." Sue pulled Bella into her arms for a quick hug, "You can ask her if you would feel more comfortable talking to her about it, rather than her own mother." Laughing Bella, nodded her head and tightened her arms around her stepmom.
"Sue, you are amazing. Thank you."
A throat clearing interrupted the womens' embrace. "Hey dad!" Bella smiled brightly at her father, Charlie, who was coming to sit down for lunch.
"Hey Bells. How was your day?" He asked her, as he piled food on his plate and made himself comfortable at the table.
Bella sat back in her chair, answering truthfully, "Pretty good actually. I went to see some friends on the Rez after school let out. Caught up with them. Ended up with a date."
Charlie choked on his food and coughed slightly to dislodge the small chunk of food in his throat. "With who?" He croaked out.
Sue laughed at her husband, before answering for Bella, who was too busy eating her own food to do so. "Sam."
Charlie nodded as he took a drink of his beer, "Good kid. I like him. Has a good head on his shoulders."
Sue nodded in agreement before looking around. "Where are the other kids?"
Bella thought about it, before answering, "I think Sam said something about needing them on the reservation. Something about patrol or something like that, if I remember correctly."
"Thank you, Bella. They always forget to let me know when they're busy." Sue told her.
Bella nodded, "Unfortunately, it comes with the territory. I'll talk to Leah about everything when I see her next and if we aren't busy."
Charlie and Sue nodded before all three continued their food.
What a day.