Chapter 7 The College Experience

Thanks for reading this far. I hope you are enjoying my story so far. I'm headed back to work tomorrow after a too short vacation, so I'm not sure how updates are going to come after this. I'm not going to beg for reviews, but if you like it, leave me some feedback. If you hate it, you're welcome to just hit the back button. LOL. On with the story…

After that night, Bella immersed herself in the college experience. As much as a girl could when she still lived at home with her father. She and Charlie had gotten into a routine of eating out on Sunday nights. They enjoyed the time together talking about nothing or just watching TV at Charlie's favorite sports pub. Bella was proud of Charlie for staying away from alcohol. It couldn't be easy after all that had happened. But he did it for her and she loved him for it even more.

Bella was asked out on a date to go to Spring Splash. It was a big to-do on campus and everybody got tickets to go. Bella wasn't sure how she felt about an outdoor musical festival but he was cute, and nice, so she felt like she should give it a shot. His name was Colton and he was in her Political Ideologies class. One of the last subjects Bella cared about, but a requirement for her degree program. One of her writing professors encouraged her saying it would give her perspective on the world. That was a huge laugh she had to hold back as she was pretty sure she had a perspective on the world no one around this campus did.

Bella was standing in front of the mirror getting dressed. She was thinking about her date. She had a strict 3 date rule limit because there was no way any guy was going to see that scar and ask questions about it. This was date 4 with Colton and he seemed really excited to go to the festival. She looked down at her shirt and jeans. She made sure to have a tank top on underneath her t-shirt that was extra-long and tucked down into her jeans. Glancing over her makeup, the little that was there-mascara, eye liner, lip gloss, she flipped her waves over her shoulder and headed downstairs.

Colton was already there on the couch with Charlie debating which teams they were going to watch in the upcoming basketball games. Bella rolled her eyes chuckling wondering if Colton liked her or her dad better. When he heard her come down the last step, he stood looking her over and smiling.

Bella blushed after his appraisal and walked over to give him a hug and peck on the lips. "Hey, Colton," she said. "Enjoying the TV?"

"You bet," he answered. "I love hanging here talking basketball with Charlie. Ready to go?"

"Let me just say goodbye to my dad and I'll meet you outside, okay?" she said already turning toward the living room to give Charlie a hug. Colton walked out the front door and Bella turned to Charlie, saying she'd be home late and not to wait up for her.

"Bella, you've broken your 3 date rule with the guy. Is there something I should know?" Charlie asked with a smirk as his eyes danced over her face. He was goading her and they both knew it.

"Dad, I'm graduating in May. I'm going to have to get a job and act like a real grown up soon. I just figured I'd enjoy the last couple months of college and do fun things, including Spring Splash. He is a nice guy," she answered not willing to take the bait.

"Well, don't get too serious. I don't want to be a grandpa anytime soon," he answered having no idea he'd just stabbed his daughter in the heart with his words. "What?" he looked at her. "You aren't pregnant already, are you?"

"No…" she barely breathed the answer out. She gave him a hug and walked out the door knowing this was going to have to be the last date she had with Colton. She didn't want either of them thinking this was serious. Her dad had no idea; he would've been a grandfather almost 4 years ago.

She walked out shutting the door and smiling up at Colton. There was no reason she couldn't have a great time tonight anyhow. She reminded herself she was still a young woman. It wasn't necessary for her to settle down even though she thought so when she was in high school.

They walked into the festival, music pumping, beers in each hand. The line to the beer tent was so long they figured they'd better get their next one now. They made their way to the stage enjoying the music already.

"Thanks for coming out with me, Bella," Colton thanked her looking right at her. He leaned down giving her a lingering kiss but he got smashed into spilling his beer all over. "Thanks a lot, shit head," he snarked turning around, looking at the huge guys behind him. His eyes widened at the sight of them. He stepped back inadvertently and pushed into Bella.

Bella looked around him and froze. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw them standing there, backs to her, laughing and joking around. She knew it was them; there was no doubt in her mind they were Quileute. That arrogant posture, dark hair, bronze skin, they were pack. She just wasn't sure which wolves they were or if she wanted them to see her. They were goofing around laughing and she wasn't sure if they had seen her as she was behind Colton when they showed up. She stuttered, not knowing how to react. She looked over to Colton telling him she needed to head to "Potty Lane." Bella rushed off away from the pack, not looking back over her shoulder.

She found the sinks outside the disgusting port-o-lets. She was not going to take a breather in there, but there was a hose hooked up to some sinks that involved minimal touching. Turning the water on, Bella reached down and cupped her hands to splash a little on her face. She stood, sucking in a breath when she felt heat behind her. Damn. It was him, she knew it.

"Bells," he whispered down on to her head. "What are you doing here?"

Slowly she turned, lifting her eyes up his body one inch at a time. Seeming to take longer than ever, she finally looked at his face. A face she had missed, a face she had loved, a face that reminded her of everything she had lost.

Sucking in a deep breath, "I go to school here, Jacob. What excuse do you have for being here?" She hated to be mean to him, but what was he doing here? She'd told him she was leaving. He knew she and Charlie were gone. Billy and her father had been friends their entire lives. She stepped around him and started to walk away. He reached out, wrapping his hand around her elbow, stopping her from walking away from him. She hated the way her skin reacted to his touch. No one could touch, no one else that is.

"Wait, Bells," he said, pleading with her not to go. She paused but didn't turn around and look at him. She knew making eye contact would render her legs useless. "Look at me, please," he said, reaching around trying to touch her face. She jerked back, pulling her arm from his hand.

"Don't touch her!" Colton yelled as he came running in their direction. He looked up at Jacob, sizing up his ability to protect Bella from the guy grabbing her. "Bella, you ok? Is this guy bothering you?"

"No, I'm not bothering her. She's my best friend, so take off," Jacob said, leaning closer to intimidate the puny guy.

"Jacob, not okay!" Bella scolded, grabbing Colton's hand. "Let's go. I don't think I'm in the mood for a festival anymore." She pulled Colton away, heading directly for the car. Just as she looked up, she groaned. There in front of the car was a line of Quileutes shoulder to shoulder, blocking their way.

"Move it, you shits!" she scolded, attempting to plow through them, but Colton pulled back on her, not willing to go through the large men. They chuckled allowing her through, but growled lowly at Colton as he wisely walked around them.

"Where you going, Bella?" they taunted her as she got in the passenger seat, slamming the door.

"Let's go, Colton, just drive," she urged trying to get them the hell out of this situation before she died of humiliation.

"I..I..cccan't," he stuttered, not moving his eyes from the rear view mirror. She turned around to see what he was looking at. There standing at the back of the car was Jacob, arms crossed over his chest looking like the arrogant asshole he was right now. Bella flung the door open, tripping, of course, as she stepped out of the car.

"God damn it, Jacob Black! Move your ass! Right now!" she screamed at him as she headed his way. She lifted her hand as if she was going to slap him, when he grabbed her wrist.

He smiled. "I wouldn't do that if I were you," as he yanked her wrist and pulled her toward him. "Hey, guys, tell him to take off. We'll take her home," Jacob barked to the guys as they crowded the driver side door.

Jacob pulled Bella along by the upper arm and leaned down to her, "stop making a scene Bella unless you want your friend to find out about all of your sparkly and furry friends."

Bella went slack and stumbled along next to Jacob following him through the parking lot. "What's going on, Jake?" she asked looking around frantically trying to figure out what was happening at a music festival in California of all places.

"I'll tell you later. For now, get in the car," Jacob commanded as he opened the door to a black car with dark tinted windows. Bella paused for a minute, looking up at him, debating whether or not she should listen to him. "Bells, please get in the car," he said looking right at her and giving her a gentle nudge toward the seat. Finally, she relented, sitting down in the car. She'd almost made it through all of college without a supernatural being showing up and effing with her life. She leaned back and closed her eyes.