Prom
Disclaimer; all characters and copyright belong to SM.
A/N-thank you for the kind reviews!
Part Two-Two Atearas for the Price of One
Jacob wanted the ground to open up and swallow him. He wanted to kill Quil. He had never been so embarrassed in his entire life. Bella had her hand over her nose as she tried not to breathe in the foul smell.
"I am so sorry, Bells. I really am." Jacob apologised profusely.
"Um...don't worry about it." Bella coughed as she waved a hand to dispel the gassy air in front of her. "I've got some air freshener somewhere. Excuse me." She fled into the kitchen.
Jacob scowled as he hunted Quil down. He found Ateara collapsed in Charlie's recliner laughing his butt off. Embry was holding his nose while trying not to laugh. Jacob grabbed the recliner and swung it around violently so Quil was facing him. "What the hell was that?" He hissed. "Do you have any idea how mortified I feel right now."
"I couldn't keep it in, man." Quil shrugged, grinning like a loon. "Blame my grandfather."
"What's Old Quil got to do with it?" Jacob demanded angrily.
"Mom had to go to work early so the old man fed me a chickpeas and asparagus sandwich for breakfast."
"That's disgusting." Embry looked nauseated.
"He's having us on." Jacob glared at Quil.
"No, I'm not. He really did." Quil actually sounded sincere.
"And you ate it?" Jacob was disgusted. Another foul stench wafted in his face as Quil let out another parp.
"I ate two." Quil replied, still laughing like an idiot. "It was quite tasty. You should try it, dude."
"You're crazy." Jacob grabbed Quil by the collar of his shirt and was just about to haul Ateara out of his seat when Bella reappeared with a can of air freshener. "This isn't over." He whispered harshly before letting go of his friend and turning to face Bella again. He rearranged his scowl into something more pleasant so as not to scare her. "Hey, honey. Did you find it?"
"Yes." Bella's nose wrinkled in distaste. "I might open some of the windows, too."
"Leave that to me, Bells." Jacob offered. He took the air freshener from her and smiled sweetly. "I'm so sorry about this." He apologised again.
"No worries." Bella returned his smile quickly before hastening out of the room again.
"See Bella wasn't bothered. Chill, dude." Quil said nonchalantly as he spun around in Charlie's recliner.
"I'll give you chill." Jacob threatened as he motioned for Embry to help him. Embry chuckled as he grabbed hold of the recliner to steady it while Jacob shook the can of air freshener.
Quil suddenly looked worried. He shook his head in denial, trying to slide off the recliner at the same time. But he wasn't quick enough. Jacob sprayed Quil's clothes liberally with the floral delight air freshener, even his beloved hair. Quil squealed like a little girl as he tried to escape Jacob's assault, but with Embry helping he had no chance.
Quil was sneezing constantly. Every time he moved he got a strong whiff of floral delight. Bella had served up a delicious lunch but he was struggling to eat anything because he couldn't stop sneezing. Jacob and Embry were smirking, clearly enjoying his discomfiture. His short spiky hair was sticky and the spray had left white specks in the black strands making him look like he had dandruff. "I'll get you back for this." He vowed in an aside to Jacob.
"What was that, Quil?" Bella asked as she gazed at him in concern. She had seen his mouth move but hadn't heard what he'd actually said. "Are you feeling okay?"
"I'm oka-" Quil's nose wrinkled up as another sneeze built up. "Atchoo!" It was a big one. He sneezed all over Bella's food.
"Jeez, Quil." Jacob groaned as he dived across the table and tried to save Bella's plate. "I'm so sorry, Bells. I really am." HIs cheeks blazed with embarrassment. This was turning into a disaster.
"It's fine, Jake. Honestly." Bella stood up and began to clear the table.
"I'll help." Embry offered.
"That is so kind of you." Bella smiled gratefully.
Jacob shot Embry an irritated glare. He had just been about to offer before Call had stepped in. "I was going to do the dishes." He said sourly.
A tiny smirk crossed Embry's face before he hid it behind a bland expression. This was his chance just to wind up Jacob a little. "Jake is such a cool guy, Bella." He said to her. "He's gonna wash up and dry so that means we can all go in the lounge and rest. Aww.. he'll make some lucky lady a good house husband one day."
"He certainly will." Bella gushed as she flashed Jacob a warm smile.
Jacob's jaw tensed as he shot Embry another glare. His friend may be shy but he could be wily. He saw that Quil had caught on with the game. "Come on, Swan. Show us your DVD collection." Quil interjected, giving her a sly wink before sneezing again.
Bella was studying her watch now and chewing on her bottom lip. "Guys, it's been great having you here but I'm kind of expecting company. You see Alice is coming over to-"
"That's right we were taking you out to see a movie." Jacob interrupted her desperately. "I've got thirty dollars."
"Jake, I can't let you pay. That wouldn't be fair or right." Bella said softly. "Save your money."
Jacob gazed at her hopelessly, seeing his plans already crumbling into dust. "But I want to treat you." He pleaded.
Quil and Embry actually felt sorry for him he looked so pitiful. Quil decided to be the bigger man and help his friend out. "I've got an awesome DVD collection at my house. My old grandpa bought a big flat screen the other day. It has a 65 inch screen with surround sound. It's like being in the cinema. You've got to come and check it out, Bella." He boasted.
"That's awesome, Quil." Bella checked her watch again. "But I really don't think I have the time."
"Of course you do." Quil wasn't taking no for an answer. "I mean I owe you for lunch. Don't worry we'll have you back in plenty of time to meet Alice."
"Come on, Bells." Jacob urged her. He gave her his best puppy dog look, one which he knew she would struggle to resist.
"Well...um..." Bella prevaricated. "I suppose there's time for one film."
"Yay." Jacob swept her up into his arms, spinning her around until she was breathless. He shot Quil a grateful look, before placing Bella gently back down on her feet.
Old Quil was dozing in his chair. His thick glasses were sliding off his nose and his mouth was partially open as he snored. He had been enjoying the peace and quiet and had used the opportunity to reread one of his favourite Mills and Boon romances. The elder was a romantic at heart, not that he would ever admit that to anyone, and reading a good romance novel was his guilty secret. Suddenly his peaceful slumber was disturbed as the front door was kicked open followed by a babble of voices. He jerked upright, staring around wildly, panicking when everything around him blurred. His glasses had fallen onto his lap and in his incoherent state he hadn't realised.
Quil appeared then, followed by a gaggle of blurred figures. The elder gasped in shock as he squinted his eyes as he tried to see. "I've gone blind, boy. Blind."
Quil rolled his eyes at the old man as he picked his glasses up and shoved them on his grandfather's beaky nose. "Can you see now?" He bellowed loudly.
"What did you say?" Old Quil fiddled with his old fashioned hearing aids. There was an alarming screech as he turned them up to the max. "Stop mumbling, boy. I keep telling ya." He grouched.
"I SAID CAN YOU SEE NOW!" Quil yelled.
"What are you shouting for? I'm not deaf." The elder said testily as he glared at his grandson.
"For the love of..." Quil counted to ten in his head.
While he was doing this Old Quil was staring with interest at his grandson's companions. Now he could see he recognised Jacob and Embry, and half hidden behind them was a pretty petite brunette. The old man smiled in delight as his eyes landed on Bella. At last! It had happened at last. Old Quil had never thought he would love to see the day. Quil junior had finally pulled. "Delighted to meet you, young lady. Welcome, welcome. And what would your name be?"
Bella was taken aback by this enthusiastic greeting. She glanced at Jacob nervously. He gave her a sheepish smile in return and shrugged. "Um..I'm Bella." She whispered.
"Umbrella?" Old Quil said loudly. "Is it raining again?" He shook his head and smiled at her kindly. "I'm sure we've got one somewhere. What was your name again?"
"Bella." Bella said again a little louder.
Old Quil leaned forward in his chair and put one hand behind his ear. "Like I said, my dear. I am sure we've got an umbrella somewhere. Now WHAT IS YOUR NAME?" He enunciated each word slowly.
Quil sighed heavily. He thought his grandfather had gone out for the day. Nothing normally pierced Quil's thick skin but right now even he was beyond embarrassed. "SHE SAID HER NAME WAS BELLA." He yelled.
"I'm not deaf, boy." Old Quil huffed as he looked at his grandson disapprovingly.
"I'm so sorry about this, Bells." Jacob whispered to Bella. He seemed to be lurching from one disaster to another and it was all Quil's fault. He was supposed to be impressing her but so far he was managing to do the exact opposite.
Bella hated seeing Jacob so downcast. He was too cute to be sad. She reached out for his hand and squeezed his fingers comfortingly. "You don't need to be sorry." She whispered back to him.
Jacob's face broke out into a relieved smile as he held onto her hand tightly. Bella smiled back at him and they shared a lingering look before Old Quil interrupted them, demanding Bella's attention.
A/N-thanks for reading!