Bella couldn't help but feel uncomfortable. Riley was in the drivers' seat, hands clutching the wheel tightly. She was in the passenger, trying to keep herself occupied by watching the trees and buildings fly by as she directed him to their destination quietly. Huey was in the back seat behind her, cramped so tightly against the door, his scowl deeper than what she had ever seen on his face. And there was their last occupant in the seat behind Riley. Though she did not want to be mean, she did not really want Jacob with them. She knew her dad and Billy meant well but this was too much. On his normally cheerful face, he was scowling as well. He seemed angry all the time now, compared to how he was when she met him. She wanted to know what his problem was with the twins though she also knew he needed to get over it. She needed them but most of all she needed Riley. She glanced over at Riley with worried eyes. His brow was twitching every so often. His eyes narrowed and his lips were pinched. He had told her, he did not like Jacob at all. For not only the way his first impressions were, but also the way he kept aggitating not only him but also Huey. It was like he was instigating a fight between the three of them. They had been sitting around in the living room as her dad watched the game, doing homework and studying their notes. Thirty minutes had passed and it was close to the time to when the movie would start and they would have to go meet Mike and the rest. A couple of knocks later and she had got up to answer the door, not surprised to see Billy and Jacob on the porch. As she ushered them in, Jacob had enveloped her in one of his famous bear hugs. It was not that she didn't like his warm hugs, she just did not like how he clung unto her longer than he usually did. She awkwardly patted his back and blinked in confusion. She went towed back into the living room to see Riley gone. Huey was packing their homework together and setting them in their bags.

"Hey dad, Billy and Jacob are here." She spoke as she moved toward the stairs. "I'm just going to grab some things and then we're headed out."

She cracked a smile when he grunted and waved a hand towards her, not taking his eyes off the screen as he and Billy exchanged a few words before shouting at the screen. She kept her eyes on the stairs as she walked up before turning left to where her room was. She pushed the door opened and almost bumped into Riley, who was rifling through her books. For some reason, he loved messing with her bookcase. Unorganizing them or placing them the wrong way. He loved pushing her buttons when it came to her books. Raising her hand to hit him, she laughed when he ducked and ran to her bed, belly flopping on top of it.

"What did I tell you about messing with my books Riley?"

He mumbled inchoherently as he rolled around into her comforter, making a sushi out himself.

"I didn't do nothing wrong, I was just looking through them cause they were out of order." He laughed.

"'I didn't do anything wrong', Riley and they weren't out of order!" She snapped at him.

"Baby girl, how many times I'm gon' tell you that you can't take the black outta me." Riley sighed as if he was tired of the conversation being brought up again.

Bella grabbed her pillow and smacked his comforter covered body with it. "Riley, how many times do I have to tell you that it has nothing to do with your race or your color. The grammar and slang just need to be worked on! Gods, are you trying to make me out to be a racist."

"Ha, like you can be racist against somethin' as good looking as me. Chocolate is a good flavor Ma." Riley hooted as he felt the slaps of her pillow hitting his head and his unprotected body.

"I swear Riley, you're so infuriating sometimes!"

"But sweetheart! That's what friends are for!" He chuckled. "It's my right to piss you off."

"Says who!" She shrieked back him, tossing her pillow back in its place before rummaging through her bag. Her smile was small as she felt invigorated. Slowly but surely, she felt something. Like she was beginning to regain the pieces of her soul back. It was a crawling pace. She wanted to take her time. The cracks in her heart were still jagged and fresh. She did not cry much whenever the family was mentioned. She had to be strong. She needed to be able to overcome this complicated obstacle.

"Uh, Ma, I ain't trying to be needy and all but I can't get out of this." Riley voiced carried over at her. She looked over and started giggling when he seemed to struggle to unearth himself from his self sushi roll. Still giggling, she ducked down and tried to find the edge of her purple comforter. Unsuccesful from finding it, she got up and moved towards the door.

"Ma? Where you goin'? Don't leave me here!" Her giggles erupted into laughter as she heard his struggles become more panicked. Trying to gain her breath, she leaned out of her room. "Huey! I need you!" She choked, trying to keep her laughter at bay.

"Why you gotta go an' call him, shortie? Now he's gonna wanna blackmail me and shit!"

Her laughter spilled through as tears began to form in her eyes when she heard Huey's reply. She had no idea he was already in her bedroom. Huey was quick for a big boy.

"Riley, what's the point of blackmailing you? You make a fool of yourself plently of times. There's no point." Huey deadpanned as he moved towards the bed.

"What's that suppose to mean!"

Bella wiped at her eyes as her laughter began to die but it picked back up at Riley's shriek. "Can you help me out Huey? I have no idea how he managed to do this."

"Cause he's a moron." Huey grunted.

"Yo, don't make me smack you." Riley growled.

Bella giggled before getting on her bed as Huey grabbed Riley and lifted him up. The edges of the comforter came into view and with teamwork, they both managed to get Riley free. Riley plopped back on the bed with a huff. Bella smiled at them as Riley suddenly sat up and smacked Huey. Huey retaliated just as quickly and Riley's head landed in her lap. His green eyes sparkled mischieviously at her as he grinned.

"Bells, I can see boogers."

A slap cracked through the room and Huey chuckled as she tried to keep hitting him. Riley's hands covering his face from further assault.

"What the hell?" A sharp voice snapped. All three heads turned towards the door of her bedroom. Bella's brow furrowed as Jacob's angry figure stomped into the room. Normally in this position, she was in she would've tried to crawl from under Riley but he was her warmth. Shyness from all the burning touches he gave her had flown out the window. She relished into being protect but also being on equal footing with him. He didn't treat her like she was made of china.

Huey stood straighter and kept his hands in his pockets, his eyes glaring at Jacob and Riley sat up and crossed his arms. Herself, she fought the need to pout when Riley moved. She stood up and quickly went to get one of the hoodies Riley usually left at her house. How the boy can own so much hoodies, she'd never know. Not that she was complaining. His warm scent always soothed her. As she slipped into the oversided jacket, she kept her ear out in case she had to jump in before a fight broke out.

"If you got a problem, you can say it now cause you starting something you ain't gonna finish with me, best believe it." Riley snarled. Her head poked out and she threw the hood back to see Riley standing to his full height and not his usual slouched one. Since he was just wearing a black T-shirt she could the muscles in his back coil. Both Huey and Riley stood side by side. And Jacob was shaking slightly, glaring right back. They were almost equal height. Though that revelation confused Bella somewhat because the last time she saw Jacob, he was about a foot or more shorter than the two. She needed to jump in before one of them started swinging.

"Riley," She called softly. His head snapped towards her and she lifted one of his other hoodie towards him, her eyes pleading him as Huey continued to glare at Jacob who was now glaring between her and Riley. She kept herself from sighing in relief when Riley turned and walked towards her, paying Jacob no mind. Really she loved Jacob like a brother but lately for some reason he's changed. He seemed more angry and serious. It was as if he was a ticking time bomb.

"Lets' go already." She frowned a little at his harsh tone. Knowing it wasn't directed at her, she fished her hands out of the hoodie and grabbed his hand, tugging slightly. Giving him an awkward smile, she pulled him towards Huey who never moved an inch.

"We're going to be late." She croaked out, keeping her eyes on Huey. He didn't say anything but he pushed forward and knocked against Jacob shoulder, making the boy stumble back. She bit her lip when Huey's narrowed eyes continued to follow Jacob until he was out the door and headed down the stairs. Wordlessly, she passed Jacob's shaking form wanting to get this night over with. She wasn't sure who make the first hit. Huey or Riley. The chances were that it was Riley but Huey...seemed to be climbing up that list and fast. She just wanted to know what Jacobs' problem was with her friends.

She made her way down the steps as quickly as she could without falling before calling out to her dad that they were leaving. Huey was leaning against the car, deep scowl still in place. Though he managed a smile with her as he pulled the door open for her. She climbed in and immediately put her seatbelt on. The boys around her got in stiffly. Huey sat behind her, scooting as close as he could to the door when he put his seatbelt on. Riley dropped into the seat beside like he was made of lead and started the car, turning the heat on low and fiddled with the radio. She loved listening to music again, not so much as classics but more modern music. She could do without the cursing in some songs but she found meanings in the lyrics that helped her see that she wasn't alone in her pain or her joy. She jumped though when Jacob slammed the car door in the back with unnecessary force causing the twins to turn and give him sharp dirty looks.

"Watch who's door you fucking slamming. This is my Granddad's car, you ignorant little bitch." Huey snapped. Bella's eyes widened at his hissed words. Even she could see Riley look mildly surprised at him and Jacob looked taken aback though as he tried to remain blank faced. Riley gave her look that spoke millions before backing up out of the driveway. She had to talk to Billy about Jacob. Whatever his problem was he had no right to take it out on the twins or their things. With how things were going, she felt as if Huey would be the one to snap first. He looked like he was trying to keep himself from throttling the boy across the seat.

Bella fidgeted as the theater came into view. Soon they pulled into park and she climbed out. Stretching her above her head, she worked the kinks out of her locked limbs from the stressful car ride. She spotted Mike loitering around in front of the theater and shook her head. She knew he would've tried something like this. Trying to get her alone. He needed to give up. She wasn't into dating right now or probably ever. No matter what he always tried. She had to give him that but enough was enough. A beep made her turn and her smile widened when Angela waved towards her. She lightly jogged to her friend and pulled her into a hug.

"Hey Angie! Thank god you made it." Bella smiled, pulling back from the tall brunette.

"Huey invited me." Angela revealed, smiling shyly. Bella wanted to tease her but she cocked her head to the side.

"What? Mike told me he already asked everybody and said it was a group outing." Angela raised an eyebrow at her when she finished.

"I didn't know and I bet the rest did not either. Because when Huey told me he was going, he asked me about when I would be there." Angela said as they walked back towards the boys. "He confused me because I never heard it from Mike or anyone else."

Bella shook her head. She was glad she asked for Riley and Huey to come otherwise it would've been a very awkward situation indeed. Both girls could feel the tension in the air as they stopped by the boys. Huey was the first to break it as he silently walked towards Angela, his head lowered. Bella watched her friend blush heavily when he greeted her with a smile. A boyish grin widened on Huey's face and Bella wanted to giggle. The Freeman's charm was amazingly suave. She moved towards Riley as she waved to Mike in greeting. He looked glum as he waved back, looking around the group. Riley was leaning against the wall, foot propped up and arms crossed. A glare on his face as he browsed through his phone. She shuffled closer and looked over at his screen to see him playing a game. He uncrossed his arms and pulled her to him. The chilly air becoming less chilled as she accepted his embrace, ignoring the eyes that were burning holes into them.

"Uh, its' time. The movies' going to start soon." Mike muttered before speedwalking inside. As they got their tickets, they got in line to buy some snacks and popcorn. She, Huey, Angela, and Riley were in one line but Jacob and Mike were in different ones. Riley had given her his phone and she tried to figure out how to play as they moved up in line. His arm hadn't left its' perch on her shoulders as he tried to give instructions and directions, laughing when she ended up dying in the process. Bella tried to keep the constant sighs that seemed to want to escape her being today at the seating arrangement. Mike guided them towards the very back before picking the seat at the end. She knew he was looking at her with hopeful eyes. Keeping her gaze down, to make sure she did not fall over or topple with the food in her hands, she noticed Jacob had sped walked passed them and sat one seat over, leaving a spot in the middle of them. She wanted to groan. Riley pulled in next, keeping a hand on her elbow as they shuffled in. They moved four seats down before getting settled in as Huey and Angela moved in afterwards. Next to her, Riley chuckled as Huey went to sit before suddenly standing up and pulling Angela next to her and sat down next to Jacob. She shook her head and snagged a few gummy worms from Riley; the lights dimmed and the movie started.

All she had to say was that the movie sucked. Angela and Huey were talking in hushed voices. From the corner of her eye, she watched Huey move closer to her ear before his mouth moved. She watched her friends' face flush. She felt a pair of lips reach her ear. She shivered as Riley's warm breath caressed her neck.

"He likes her." Her head snapped to her giant friend with wide eyes. Riley was grinning at her maniacally. "And I bet she likes him too." His eyes flashed. She leaned towards him to whisper back.

"You better not ruin this for Angie and Huey, Riley Freeman!" She hissed quietly, shuffing when he gave her an innocent look.

"Why Bells, I want the best from my brother." He tittered, making her cover her mouth as she tried to keep her giggles as quiet as possible. As bad as the movie was, people were still watching. A groan made the group look towards the left. Jacob was tense in his seat, glaring at the screen as his fingers dug through the fabric. Mike, on the other hand, looked green. A little too green.

"I'm not feeling too good." He shot out of his seat, making some look towards the blonde boy in curiosity or annoyance. Soon they all stood and walked out of the theater, throwing away their garbage. Turning the corner, they heard the unmentionable noises that came from the men's bathroom to their left.

"What a marshmallow." They watched Jacob as he scoffed, his hair swished as he looked towards them. He did not look tense anymore, a little annoyed but seemingly overall mellow. "You need to hang out with a guy that has a stronger stomach. One who laughs at the gore that makes weaker men vomit."

"Though there has been a stomach bug going around." Angela piped up. Bella cocked her head as she nodded. She knew that flu season was over though people have been getting sick lately. "I guess he was one of the unforturnate ones who got it."

"If he was sick he should've stayed home." Huey monotoned as they continued to walk forward. They passed a pair of stairs before Jacob moved towards her.

"Bells, can I talk to you?"