Jacob's POV
Her. It just had to be her. I couldn't get her out of my mind, no matter how hard I tried, no matter how hard I tried to think about Bella…she popped up. I didn't ask for this, I didn't want this. But it happened and I couldn't stop it. I know the packs reading my mind right now, FUCK OFF YOU NOSY FREAKS. I saw a few people snicker in amusement. I heard a thought directed toward me, "Jake, you can't avoid her forever. Just try talking to her."
I looked up Embry was looking at me with sympathetic eyes. I growled under my breath but let myself loose and turned toward the foreign girl. She was currently laughing at something Quil had said. Her white blonde hair reflected the fire, her deep blue eyes lit up with laughter. And her smile, don't get me started…I sighed, I guess this is what imprinting did to you.
I gazed at her, nervousness building in me. Crap, why was I nervous? I guess she noticed my love struck staring because she turned her eyes toward me, "Jake, right?" I nodded. "Cool, so what's the deal?" I looked at her stunned, "Deal?" I repeated confused. She rolled her eyes but offered me a dazzling smile, "You were staring." I snorted, "More like…examining."
She laughed, it sounded like a musical note, "Ok sure, well are you going to ignore me anymore?" Her tone was a bit more serious, her eyes were locked with mine, almost begging me to notice her. "I wasn't ignoring, I just wasn't paying attention." She smirked, "Alright, well do you want to pay attention now?" I shrugged and pretended to think about it, "Eh, nothing better to do." She smiled graciously, "I feel honored. Now, Jacob, tell me something new." I looked at her, a bit confused. She had her head propped on her hands, looking at me intently. "Alright, like what?"
She inched a bit closer, "I don't know. Anything. Tell me something…interesting." "Ok, um, at night when you're close to the ocean, you can hear the dolphins playing." Her eyes lit up and she smiled, "Oh really! That's amazing, can you take me?" Eagerness dripped out of her words. This girl was definitely something else. But I think that's why I love her…well, that and imprinting. I smiled a slow smile, "Sure. I turned toward everyone else. We'll be right back." They nodded, smirking, and Bella looked up at me with her doe eyes. "Jake?"
Her voice no longer sounded as beautiful as before. "I'll be right back." Sharada stood, "Are you okay alone, Bella?" Bella scoffed, "Of course. Just don't get lost." Sharada smirked and turned to me, bouncing like an eager child, "You ready?" I smirked and held my arm out, "After you my lady." She took it and we wandered off into the dark.
Sharada's POV
Every time we turned I gripped Jake's arm harder. "We almost there?" I could practically hear him smirk, "Why you scared?" I snorted, "As if! I'm just excited." It was true, but not for the dolphins. I've never been this close to a boy. Let alone a hot one. We were extremely close, our arms were linked, both my hands were grasped to him and he was stroking my thumb.
I instantly knew that this was more than a friendship forming. And this frightened me. I slowly moved away and charged on ahead. "Hey, slow down. Do you know where you're going?" I flashed a sweet smile, "I'm not lost as long as I know where I'm going. And if I want to get lost then I know exactly where I am." He crinkled his face in confusion and stood there trying to figure it out.
I rolled my eyes and snatched his hand and began walking, "Let's go I hear the ocean." He willingly followed. I shoved aside some twigs and branches until I felt my feet hit soft, cold sand. I released his hand and skipped toward the water. "Wait! It's cold! You'll get sick." I froze and turned to face him, "Alright, mother." I sneered and kicked around in the sand. He laughed and took a place next to me, "No, just can't have a girl get hurt when she's under my care."
I smirked, "How valiant!" He shrugged and dropped to the ground, "No, just lazy." I let out a trill of laughter. We talked for a few more minutes, mainly about our lives. I told him about the lack of mom in my life and I discovered he had that same issue. He suddenly looked up, "Look! Dolphins!" I jumped up and scanned my eyes across the vast waters. There they were jumping around and screeching things to each other. It was an amazing sight.
Jacob's POV
I watched her jump eagerly and laugh at the sight of the dolphins. It was funny how the smallest thing could make this girl extremely happy. Weird…but also…cool. About 20 minutes late the dolphins left and she trotted back toward me. Her eyes were shining with excitement and her lips were formed around a perfect smile. It was tempting to jump up and kiss her, but I tried my best to remain in control. "Sharada, let's go back to the campfire."
She nodded and skipped ahead of me. I reached my hand out and yelled, "Wait! Do you know where you're going?" She sighed and turned toward me in a dramatic way, "I thought we went over this…" I raised my hands in surrender knowing that she would recite the same confusing words as last time. We walked quickly through the brush, our hands bumping against each other every once in awhile. Each time an electric jolt connected us and I shivered.
Finally we came back to the campfire and sat down, everyone's eyes on us. Many people thinking dirty thoughts. I gave a death glare to Embry and Quil whose thoughts were the worst. I sighed and let my eyes drift toward her, she was playing with a strand of hair. When she felt my staring she turned and smiled. Maybe imprinting wasn't so bad.
Bella's POV
Why was he staring at her?
He hadn't said a word to me all night. Not like I was jealous, but last time I knew, he loved me. I frowned slightly but my thoughts quickly jolted back to Edward and I smiled. He loved me. I loved him. It worked out perfectly. But I couldn't help feeling slightly worried about my best friend. I glanced at them and my stomach turned when I saw them flirting. How had he changed his mind so quickly?
Sharada's POV
"Bella, it's getting late…" I whispered to her. She snapped out of her trance and looked at her watch, "12 o clock. Edward will be here soon." She glanced to Jake, as if she were checking his reaction. But he was smiling and mock punching Embry. I grabbed my jacket and stood. Bella followed suit and smiled slightly, "Thanks for having us." Sam and Emily waved and mumbled a goodnight. I smiled, "'Night! Bye thanks for everything! It was really fun!"
The guys stood up and hugged us goodnight. "Hey, almost forgot, we're going cliff diving tomorrow. Sharada, wanna come? I'd ask Bella but…" Bella cut him off, "No thanks." I paused for a second, "Actually, I want to." Jacob jumped up, "Only if you're a good swimmer. And it's really dangerous so I-" I cut him off this time, "It's fine. I've done it before." A few eyes widened in disbelief.
I smirked, "I can drive up here if you want me to." Quil's eyebrow quirked, "How old are you?" I blushed, "16." Paul smirked, "Isn't that a little too young to be driving alone?" I rolled my eyes, and Bella hid her laughter, "Well, what are you going to do, tell on me?" A few guys laughed. "Wait, where do you live? Is it far?" Jacob questioned. "I'm Bella's neighbor. So not too far."
A faint look of hurt passed over his face, but quickly disappeared. "Hey, I'll pick you up. I'm going to go pick up some food for us over there anyway." Jake offered. A giddy feeling rushed across me, "Sure thing! I'm guessing you know where Bella lives," he nodded, "ok well, 8 am ish?" He let a large grin take over his face, "Sure thing. And dress warm, but bring your bathing suit." "Yeah, a bikini!" Quil shouted earning a slap on the head from Jake.
Jake walked with us to the edge of the forest where Edward was standing with his stupid sparkly Volvo. The tension was obvious. I frowned at the scene slowly realizing that something was missing. "My car! Where is it?" Edward smirked, "Alice took it back. You're riding with us." I thought I heard a growl, "I can take her." Jake called out, causing Edward to raise his eyebrows. In his smooth voice he reasoned, "It's fine, she lives close to Bella. It's not out of the way."
I could see the steam practically coming out of Jacob and I felt the urge to calm him. I walked to Jacob and smiled. "I'll be fine." He seemed a bit convinced and gave me a small hug and recomposed himself, "See you tomorrow, Shar." I laughed at my new nickname and waved. Once in the car, Bella and Edward mumbled to each other in low voices that I couldn't make out. I stared out the window and quietly thought about Jake. I liked him. There's no denying it.
But I wasn't sure just how strong this 'like' was.