Disclaimer: All things Twilight belong to Stephanie Meyers. No infringement intended.

Chapter 8

Waking up the next morning just before my alarm sounded I was almost giddy with excitement. I couldn't wait for them to get here and let my dad know who I would now be spending my time with outside of school. Although after spending time with them all yesterday at lunch I was pretty sure we would end up being real friends after today. I looked at my clock and noticed I'd been laying here longer than I thought. I jumped out of the bed and grabbed my toiletry bag along with my clothes for the day and headed to the bathroom to grab a quick shower. Once I was finished and dressed it was already 9:45 so not long now. I figured I should probably be down stairs when they showed up so I grabbed my purse and headed on down. Dad was in the living room watching his normal sports channel and noticed me once I was at the bottom of the stairs. "Hey Bells going somewhere? I didn't know you had plans. I was hoping you'd go down to the rez with me today. Sue Clearwater invited us and the Blacks over for lunch today." Humm yep he's not going to like this, but oh well. He just doesn't seem to want to stop with this whole rez thing. Maybe he'll get the hint now, but I kind of doubt it. "Sorry dad, but no can do. I have plans with some friends from school today. They should be here any minute. We're going to Seattle to shop for clothes for me then going to eat and a movie. I also don't really want to be around the people on the rez. They aren't my friends, sorry." Oh boy he looks like he's mad. I didn't think a person was supposed to turn that shade of red I snickered to myself. I normally would have been more respectful, but after learning what I have I just couldn't bring myself to do it. "What do you mean you're going to Seattle with friends? Who are these friends? When was this decided and why wasn't I told? I don't think you should be going. You need to go with me today."

About the time he stopped talking there was a knock on the door. I turned around and opened it without saying anything back to my father. Well it's showtime it seems. There stood all of them including Rosalie and Emmett. "Hi guys you're right on time. I'm really looking forward to this. I'm in desperate need of clothes that work here. I'm so glad you guys invited me." I then turned around to introduce them to my dad and he definitely wasn't happy. He had to know what they were especially being around the rez so much and definitely didn't want me around any of them. Little did he know I could pick my own friends and like them a lot more than the ones he was trying to pick for me. Just a few days and he couldn't pick anyone anyway. "So dad these are the Cullens. This is Alice and her boyfriend Jasper and Emmett and his girlfriend Rosalie and the last one in the back is Edward. He's in my class at school along with Alice. They're going to help me get caught up in class" I told him. "Bella can I talk to you for a minute?" "Sure dad. You guys can wait for me in the car if you want. I'll be right out." They walked back to the car as I shut the front door to see what my dad was going to say. "What did you need dad? We should be going before it gets too late." "Bella I really think you should come with me to the rez and not be going to Seattle with that bunch. The Blacks and Clearwaters were really expecting you to be there." "Well sorry dad, but I already made plans. I don't want to go to the rez and have no one there I want to see. You keep trying to push Jacob and I together and it's never ever going to happen. He's a child. I'm going to be going to college at the end of this school year and then I'll be moving to Alaska. He's also cocky and annoying. I'm sorry but I'm old enough to decide who I want to spend time with and it's not them." I turned around before he could say anything else and headed out the door to jump in the car with them.

Once I was in and we were on our way Alice asked if everything was alright. "Yep everything is fine. Dad just wants me to hang out with some of the people at the rez and I don't want to have anything to do with them. I don't know them and to be honest they are extremely cocky and annoying and way too young for me to be friends with. We have absolutely nothing in common." I snuck a glance at the others when I was talking and they all looked like they were mad. I don't think they want me to be around the rez people either. Well that's interesting. That darn pesky nagging feeling was gone again and everytime Edward and I touched it felt like I was getting zapped. "Well I don't blame you for not wanting to go to the rez. Those people just aren't friendly at all. When do you turn 18 anyway? You're old enough that you shouldn't have to be friends with someone just because your dad is." "I completely agree and I'll be 18 in just a few days on the 13th. I can't wait either. I think my dad is trying to get me down there before that though. I need to keep myself extra busy with maybe catching up on work till then. There's no way he can have anything bad to say about that."

We spent the ride to Seattle getting to know each other better and by the time we got there I knew we would end up being great friends. They were all down to earth and we had tons in common. Although the shopping constantly wasn't one of them. I figured out that Edward and I both had a love for music and seemed to like the same. Although he did like to drive fast where I didn't. I could see myself confiding in them if we kept getting closer and I hoped they would me too. I was really enjoying myself and their company by the time we got there. Once we pulled up to the mall I got a small taste of Alice in action. She was like a mini tornado and grabbed all kinds of outfits for me to try on and then shooed me off to the dressing room while she went back to get more. There's no way I could afford all these clothes even though mom had sent money with me when I left Arizona. I only needed a few outfits for school and maybe a couple of dresses for going out places. Maybe if I'm lucky it'll be a date. Oh boy am I really considering this. Well yes I guess I am since we seem to have a lot in common and I actually enjoy his company. Now to figure out if he likes me too or if it's all on my side of this.

Once we were done at the mall we went to an Italian restaurant down the street. Once we were inside the waitress couldn't seem to keep her eyes off the guys. I noticed Edward flinch and couldn't figure out why. Alice stepped closer to Jasper and I noticed Rosalie did the same to Emmett. I didn't really have any claim over Edward so I didn't know what to do. I shouldn't have worried because Edward stepped over next to me and whispered low enough for us to be the only ones who could hear. "Do you mind me being so close? She seems to be a little pushy and seems to have set her sights on me even though I'm not interested." "No I don't mind at all. I kind of like having you close." Oh crap I blushed bright red and couldn't believe I said that out loud. " I'm sorry Edward. I didn't mean to say that out loud. I'm so embarrassed." He gave me a big crooked smile and said" It's fine Bella I didn't mind at all. As a matter of fact I'm glad you feel that way." Oh wow I guess he really does like me after all. After saying that he stepped a little closer and pulled me closer to him and put his arm around me. It felt really good to be this close to him and the zings going through my body were wonderful. I relaxed back into him and he smiled even bigger. All the rest were looking at us smiling too. Finally we arrived at our table and sat down with the menu. It looked like the other couples were going to share a meal each. I guess that would be easier for them to hide not eating with less food. I wonder what Edward was going to do to get out of eating. I guess I could help him out with that. "Hey Edward would you like to share a meal?" "Sure I'd be happy to. What were you thinking of getting?" " Maybe the mushroom ravioli? What do you think?" "Sounds good to me."

The waitress came back with our drinks and asked about our orders. She asked the guys if there was anything else she could get them, but ignored all of us girls. I could tell it was really getting to the others too. Finally Rose had had enough and told her to leave and put our order in or we'd be leaving. While waiting on our food we discussed which movie we were going to see and when we would be getting together again to work on my missing school work. Turns out they didn't have anything planned the next day and would love for me to come over and meet their parents Carlisle and Esme. I agreed immediately since I had been wanting to meet their coven leader. When the waitress was bringing our food out she tripped over a chair that was barely sticking out and the food was coming directly at us all. I didn't even think and wrapped a shield around it and diverted it a little off course and it smacked the wall beside us. Crap why did I do that. I didn't even think and just did it. How am I going to get out of this? I looked up and everyone was looking from me to the food on the wall. Okay Bella time to play dumb here. "What just happened? Did anyone see anything?" They were looking at me like I was nuts. Oh boy I may not be getting out of this one. Then the waitress started apologizing profusely. "I am so sorry. My foot got caught." "It's fine it was an accident. I think we're going to go anyway before our movie starts." We all got up and walked toward the door. Once outside they all turned to me and were waiting for me to say something. Then I heard someone yell my name from behind me. "Hey Bells I thought that was you. Your dad sent us to keep an eye on you and bring you back to the rez." I turned around and there was Jacob with a few other guys with him. " Excuse me but I'm not going anywhere with you. I don't know you therefore I'm definitely not leaving my friends to come with you. I don't know what my dad was thinking but it's not going to happen. Why would you think I would leave with you anyway?" "Oh you know we're going to be much more than friends. Our dad's want us together so we will end up being together or in our culture you would be my imprint." I just looked at him like he was out of his mind. Did he really believe I would fall for the crap he was spewing? Before I knew what was happening Edward was beside me with his arm draped around my waste. " Sorry Jacob but you've got to be out of your mind. I've already told you I didn't want to be with you." He went to reach out and grab my arm but the shield wouldn't let him touch me. Humm obviously the shield sensed the same thing I did although Edward was still holding me. It didn't look like Jacob liked any of this, but he could do nothing when he couldn't even touch me. "Jacob, why don't you run home and tell my dad I'll be home when the movie is over and we'll talk then. This is getting ridiculous." Before he could speak I turned and walked toward the movie theater with the others. I knew they would want to know what was going on and I'd have to decide what to say, but for now I had a little time.