Megan39 I am publishing this chapter early in thanks for your reviews. Yes the friend is Billy. You will find out what is going on with Rosalie the Saturday after Bella's birthday. You will also find out what happened on the night Charlie left Bella in the care of the Webbers. I would like to know what you all think of Jacob. Even if you don't want to leave a review can you give me a hi, hello, or thumbs up to tell me if this story still interests you.

Chapter 20

A few days before school started Charlie approached Bella. "I need to talk to you."

They sat down at the kitchen table where they had all their talks including a very uncomfortable sex talk a few months pryer. If Charlie only knew how adamant Edward was about waiting for marriage, He might like him better.

Charlie began. "I feel I have been very reasonable lately with letting you spend time at the Cullens." He had taken the twice a week restriction off at the beginning of the summer. "And I know that boy" Edward had become that boy since he started dating Bella. "has his license now, but I need you to do me a favor. Tell him he won't be driving you to school."

"What? Dad no! That's not fair!" Bella shrieked.

Edward was looking forward to driving her to school.

Charlie took a deep breath trying to keep his temper.

"Bella," He said calmly. "I have a friend whose son will be transferring to your school. He doesn't really know anyone there, and he could really use a friend. I would appreciate it if you would let him drive you to, and from school. You could show him around. Help him get the lay of the land so to speak."

"He doesn't need to drive me for me to show him around." Bella argued.

"Bella, I am asking you nicely." Charlie's patients were running thin. "His name is Jacob. He has had a tough time as of late. Please, be there for him. Make him feel useful and let him drive you. Please." Charlie pleaded.

Bella could hear the strain in her fathers voice. Why was this so important to him? Why didn't her feelings matter? If she said no, would he restrict the time she got to spend with the Cullens again? She didn't want that to happen.

Maybe if she agreed with letting this boy, Jacob drive her to school on the first day Charlie would drop it.

Not wanting to argue she simply said. "Fine. Can I go now?"

Charlie's posture relaxed and he nodded his head.

Going upstairs Bella prepared herself for the conversation she would have to have with Edward. She used to write things out to help her sort through what to say, but since Edward let his opinion be known about her writing she could no longer bring herself to do so. She even went so far as to pack the notebooks away in a storage box and put it in the basement.

Bella procrastinated, avoiding the topic until she couldn't any longer. On the day before school started she broke the news.

It was seven pm. The time Charlie insisted she be home on the night before their first day of school. Edward had just driven her home and was walking her to the door. He seemed to be in a fairly good mood. He bent down kissing her lips softly.

"I'll see you in the morning." He said as he started to pull away.

"Um, Yeah, at school." Bella said looking down.

"No, here. I'm picking you up, remember."

"Um, no. I have a ride. Charlie asked me to go with his friend's kid." She told him, tucking her chin into her chest.

"What?" His sharp tone made Bella shrink back.

She still wouldn't look at him. "Yeah, you see he's a new student. I'm supposed to show him around."

"Don't be absurd. I'm sure this new kid will be fine finding his way around on his own." He said dismissively.

"Charlie asked me to do it, as a favor." Her voice was weak.

"I will see you in the morning Bella." He said with finality. All traces of his good mood gone.

The next morning Charlie woke Bella up early. He wanted her ready to leave when Jacob got there so they had enough time to explore the school before class started. Bella could swear her father was more nervous for Jacob's first day of school then he was for hers last year.

After she was showered and dressed she started down the stairs. She froze when she heard Charlie's voice.

"Are you looking forward to your first day at the new school?" No response. "Are you used to being back home again yet." no response.

Bella crept further down the stairs. She could see a very tall boy; no, man. He looked like he was in his early twenties. He had tan skin and cropped black hair. He was huge, he looked like a bodybuilder. He was leaning against the wall, arms and ankles crossed. His head hung down low, eyes focused on the floor.

"Have you talked to your friends since you've been back?" The man shook his head. Charlie sighed. "Jake."

The man's eyes met hers. They were dull, empty, his expression flat. His eyes drifted back to the floor. Her father came out of the kitchen.

"Oh, good. Bells, I would like you to meet Jacob. Jake, this is my daughter Bella." Jacob nodded in her direction.

He was in highschool?

Bella gave a shaky smile. "Hi."

"I made eggs and bacon." Charlie announced. "Bell why don't you go make yourself a plate."

She felt like she was being dismissed. Making herself look busy, Bella started loading her plate while keeping her attention on the two men. Charlie put his hand on Jacobs shoulder and looked up into his face.

Speaking low he said. "Listen son, If you feel you can't make it through the day, you call me. I will come sign you and Bella out. Okay?"

Jacob nodded.

There was an old, rusty, red truck sitting in the driveway. Bella assumed it was Jacobs. She was proven right when he climbed in the driver's seat. Without a word she walked around and climbed into the passenger's seat.

She studied his profile as he drove.

"How old are you?" The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them.

Corking an eyebrow he glanced over at her. For a moment she didn't think he was going to answer, then she heard a deep husky voice say, "Sixteen."

"Oh, you look older." He didn't even acknowledge her statement.

"So, you're a Junior then?" Why did she all of a sudden feel the need to talk?

He stiffened, then corrected. "Sophomore." The word came out almost in a whisper.

"I'm going to be sixteen next week." Darnit Bella, shut up. She inwardly chastised herself.

He nodded his head. Bella bit her bottom lip to stop herself from talking.

When they arrived at the school it looked like they were the first students to get there. A few cars that belonged to faculty members were parked near the entrance.

Bella noticed Jacob was looking apprehensive. He took a deep breath and his eyes went back to being flat, empty.

She took a deep breath and announced. "Here we go."

Bella dug her schedule out that she received in the mail.

"Do you have yours?" She held it up while asking.

He reached in the front of his bag and pulled out a similar looking paper, but instead of a schedule it read: Come to office at arrival.

Bella showed him to the office. The secretary Ms. Cope almost fell out of her chair as soon as she saw them. The hefty looking woman stumbled her way to the office like a wolf just walked in. Bella considered how strange that was. Jake didn't seem phased.

The principal Mr. Green called Jacob into the office and Bella followed. "Miss Swan, please wait outside." Something didn't feel right.

"Sure, I'm just going to call my dad." It wasn't meant to be a threat and Bella was unsure why she felt the need to say it outloud, but she did.

The reaction from Mr. Green was just as baffling. "NO! No, that won't be necessary. Let me just print out his schedule." his hands shook as he handed over the paper. "Look, We don't want any trouble here. The only reason we can't stop you from attending this school is because you are Chief Swans ward. Just give us one reason and you are out of here. Understood?"

Jacob gave a sarcastic salute, then turned and walked out of the office.

Bella asked, "What was that about?" once they were in the hall.

"Don't worry about it." Jacob answered dismissively.

He handed her his schedule. They had two classes together not including lunch.

"We have the same first and last class together." She told him.

"Convenient." He mumbled.

She showed him around making sure he knew how to get to all his classes. They found their prospective lockers and readied themselves for the day.

Thank you for reading.