CLANN - The Faerie Court (Under Sun)/(Under Moon)

Jacob took me to see the tide pools and would tell me random facts about the sea life he recognized as we gazed into them. We treaded the area carefully because of the moss but of course not even his grip could save me from myself. We sat and talked about Arizona and life on the reservation, his future projects, for hours. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I could breathe and relax. The others, except Angela, were always judging me and seeing me as something else. Though I guess it wasn't much different from before.

Jacob didn't. He was innocent and genuine. I wondered what it would've been like to grow up with him. Less lonely. I was always the one that didn't belong wherever I went.

It quickly got late and I had to go home. He offered that I stay for dinner, and I would have to stay longer, but I couldn't because of Billy, and he understood. He invited me to come visit tomorrow, to which I was relieved.

I saw Jacob often after that. Every weekend and a weekday or two. We'd explore the surrounding areas-never hiking- played games, watched movies in his living room and just drove with music playing into the night. I found myself wishing these nights never ended.

Charlie had back off a little. I seemed in a better mood, the nightmares happened less often and even became a little more 'faded'. I didn't wake up screaming as often. He attributed my improvement to Jacob, said he was good for me. Whatever made him worry less and give me space, but I think he was right. Either it's his age or it's just 'Jacob', but his good mood was infectious. He was bright, like the sun. Made my world seem different. When he wasn't around, it was again the world Edward had left. Only around him did I feel ok again.

I called Renee a little more often so she didn't worry- I don't think Charlie's updates were helpful- but a lot of times there was nothing to say. She easily dove into talking about her and Phil, what they did, we're doing and we're going next. She could talk for hours and I let her fill the space. But I figured I should reinsert myself into society that way I could say more...

"Hey, have you guys seen One Punch Man yet?" I asked, feigning as much pep as possible. Mike lit up.

"No, not yet. The girls don't want to go see it but the guys and I are still going."

"Oh, and you were hoping it'd be a group outing," I said. Jessica and Lauren looked at me as if I had just smeared feces on the table. Surprise and hate. I had to remind myself that being with others was good for me and I didn't want to start from scratch so I should just stick with these people.

"Oh, that's too bad," I said. He moved his backpack to floor, obviously telling me it was ok to sit, sparing me from having to ask.

"Do you still wanna come?" Not really, but it's my fault for bringing it up. It was all I had.

"Yeah, just tell me when."

"Cool!"

"Hey, Bella," Angela said.

"Hey, how's the newspaper?" After she told me, and not wanting to chime into Jessica and Lauren's conversation, I watched them act their age. The boys wrestled close to the table without a care. They talked a bit about prom, if they should start looking for dresses now while they shopped for the spring formal.

"Are you gonna go?" Mike asked. Lauren answered before I could.

"If she can crawl out of the hole she came from again for it." Everyone was quiet for a beat.

"Not that it'd be any different if you're there. I'll probably crash my La Push friend's formal." I said.

"Oh shit!" Tyler said loudly. "You deserved that,"

"Sick burn," Austin said with a grin. That's new, I don't know if I met him before. I smiled, hoping to appear happier than when he first saw me. It must have been during- I dropped my celery stick as the queasiness creeped in...

Lauren was a little more careful after that, but she still tried. I'd brush it off as best I could and smooth it over so it wasn't awkward for everyone else. Angela tried to make it easier on me, include me in conversations alongside Eric. They were seeing each other now, genuinely great news. I wasn't surprised. But I had to look away whenever they were lovey dovey.

Mike called to ask if I was still up to go to the movies. And let me know that Tyler, Austin and Eric all suddenly couldn't come out anymore.

"Tyler's failing so his mom isn't letting him out. Angela got the flu so Eric's at her place, and Austin-"

"I got it. Something came up."

"Since I don't have to pick them up, I could come get you?"

"Uhh..." I racked my brain for a solution, but there wasn't enough time to come up with a good excuse-

"Jacob's coming," I blurted out. "I didn't think you'd mind so I invited him. He's wanted to see the movie too."

"Oh."

"Yeah, so he's coming to get me."

"That's good, good. I'll meet you there."

"Yeah, bye." I hung up and immediately called Jacob.

"Are you doing anything tonight?"

"No...?"

"I need you to go to the movies with me. Everyone pulled out and I don't want to be alone with Newton."

"Is that guy the one that was all over you last year?"

"Yup."

"But One Punch Man sucks!"

"Aren't we friends? Are you gonna let me suffer alone? I'll pay for your ticket, just hurry over here,"

"Alright, fine. But you owe me."

"I'll buy the popcorn." I said.

I waited on my stoop for him to roll up. Charlie made him promise to bring me back before it was too late.

"It's not a date, Dad." I said, climbing into the rabbit. "Newton's gonna be there."

"No worries Charlie,"

"Have fun. Not too much fun."

"Bye Dad!" I shouted. Jacob and I shook our heads at each other. Being awkward really made us say too much. I wouldn't have ended up having to go to the movies!

"Have you been working out, or working in the garage more?" I asked. He was much bigger than before.

"Just going through some changes."

"Puberty finally hit, huh?" I joked.

We walked up to the theater entrance. Mike was already there, leaning against the brick wall, looking at either direction to catch us. He glanced at Jacob's arm around my shoulders once he noticed us. Jacob said it was so Mike didn't mess with me. He was younger but his size certainly gave him a "big brother" air.

"Mike, this is Jacob. Remember him from the bonfire last year?"

"He was there?" They shook hands. Mike flexed his as he took his hand back.

"I don't remember seeing you,"

"No worries, I don't either." Jacob responded. We stood there for a quiet second.

"Alright, let's get our tickets," I rushed.

We paid separately and moved to the concession stand where I got Jacob's popcorn. Thankfully the movie was starting really soon. The small talk was painful.

Jacob was right. The movie really did suck. It seemed like a lot of people enjoyed the gore and senseless violence, but I was getting bored. I looked around me and noticed Mike's hand laid open on the arm's rest. On my right, so was Jacob's. Did boys think girls scared easy?

"I think I'm gonna be sick!" Mike said suddenly, and ran out of the room. I went to check on him and Jacob followed.

"What a marshmallow," Jacob said. I snorted.

"I think he got that flu that's been going around. It's kinda bad." His hand brushed against mine and we looped our arms together like we usually did.

"That's a relief. That movie was starting to feel like torture." He said.

"You sure you're not getting sick too? You're hot,"

"Why thank you."

"Shut up," I said, emphasizing the syllables. "Feels like a fever-" Mike came out looking worse than death.

"Jesus." I said.

"Yeah, I gotta get home. Sorry, Bella,"

"Don't worry about it. Sure you can drive?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine. You guys staying?" Jacob and I exchanged looks.

"No, we'll just go home too. It's school night anyway,"

"That's great, I'll see you tomorrow,"

We walked him to his car before heading home.

"Night's still young," He said.

"Yeah, but it's a school night. I'm seeing you Saturday anyway," He was silent for a moment.

"About Saturday,"

"What about it?"

"You can't come. There's an elder's meeting I have to go to. No outsiders allowed." He said strangely.

"Oh. Ok."

"Believe me. I don't wanna go." He said.

"It's ok. How about Sunday?"

"I'm not sure. Maybe. I'll call you," He said.

"Okay."

Charlie was surprised to see us back early. I explained what happened. I told Jacob to get his temperature checked out before he left.

Something didn't seem quite right, normal enough but not right. My sun seemed forlorn.

I threw up later that night. I wanted to check on Jacob but he didn't pick up, so I left him a message.

I'll have to end 6 here. Let me know if I should just skip events we've already seen happen. I tried to give them a spin of my own, and it's hard for me to skip them since I'd really prefer it if fics I wrote had its own flow, rather than be choppy.