Jessica's Phone Call
Chapter 2 – The Morning After
Disclaimer: I don't own Edward. Dammit. I don't even own Jessica. Not that I would want to...
Author's Note: I am so pleasantly surprised at how many people have read and reviewed this story. I thought for sure this little story in Jessica's POV would be of little interest to anyone but me. Thank you for all the kind reviews! You guys are great!
KlutzLikeBella has been wonderful, yet again, in reading and improving this story. She's really an awesome lady! Thanks sooo much, KLB. You're amazing! If you haven't seen her work, you really need to check it out! She's an amazing writer!
Also, BlondieakaRobin, thank you too for beta-ing this. Your ongoing encouragement has been so motivating! Thanks!
Jessica's POV
I arrived at school extra early the morning after our shopping trip to Port Angeles. I had spent more time than usual in getting ready, knowing I would be the center of attention and wanting to be sure to look my best.
The school parking lot was nearly empty when I arrived; the only other car in sight belonged to Mr. Christie, the janitor. Before getting out, I took another moment to look at myself in the mirror. I pulled a few curls back into place and . . . Perfect! I grabbed my schoolbag and Bella's coat and got out of the car.
I looked around trying to decide where the best spot would be for me to hold court. I wanted to be sure I was highly visible this morning, and I wanted to see everyone as they arrived. There were certain people I wanted to talk to before first period. At the top of that list was Bella. She was so going to dish on what happened last night. Keeping her jacket had been a stroke of genius. .
I also wanted to see Lauren and Mike. I couldn't wait to tell them about Bella, for completely different reasons. Lauren really didn't like Bella and she'd die to know she missed catching Bella and Edward together. I snorted. I hoped her grandma's birthday party had been worth her missing our shopping trip. It was going to kill her when she found out what she missed. I giggled at the thought.
I wanted to tell Mike so he would keep his attention where it belonged – on me – and stop swooning after Bella Swan. He was dating me after all. Once he found out she'd met with Edward Cullen, he'd want nothing to do with her - which was perfect!
Of course, I was dying to see Edward this morning as well. I couldn't wait to see his face and analyze his actions and words. Would I be able to read in him what happened last night and what could cause their date to end so soon? Maybe he regretted his decision to meet with Bella. Would I be able to read that in his eyes? I'd be watching him very closely today. Reading people was definitely one of my strengths.
Unfortunately for my desire to see and be seen, a heavy thick fog had rolled in sometime in the night. It would be impossible to see all the sidewalks from the parking lot to the school buildings. I decided the best place for me to wait would be by the school cafeteria. I knew it was on Bella's way to her first period English class and I knew that I could catch Mike there too, since he had English with Bella. Lauren would probably come this way on her way to Spanish. It was just Edward that didn't need to come by the cafeteria. I'd just have to see him later. I didn't mind spending the extra time tracking him down and it wasn't like I hadn't done it before. I had his school schedule memorized. I smiled to myself.
Making the best of the fog situation, I moved to my chosen spot outside the cafeteria to wait.
I stood watching the student body arrive. When I saw someone influential, I waved and smiled warmly. When they passed closely enough, I signaled them over and whispered suggestions to them to pay attention to Edward and Bella today. I hinted that there was a secret I knew that no one else was aware of yet.
I was very careful not to overplay my hand. After all, I didn't really know what had gone on, but I was certain that something had happened last night between those two. I was determined to find out exactly what that was before first period today. I'd be damned if Lauren or any one else would scoop my insider story.
So I played with the information I had and worked it to my best advantage. I made sure I was the center of attention, which is exactly as it should be.
Spotting Amy Gardiner, one of the senior cheerleaders, I called to her, "Hey Amy."
She smirked and shot me a look that said I was overstepping my position by actually speaking to her. Stuck up bitch. I'd show her who had real power at this school.
"Have you heard about Edward Cullen and Bella Swan?" I asked her in a loud whisper when she and her friends got close enough for them all to hear me.
She frowned. "No. What about them?"
Her friends stopped talking to listen to me.
I arched my eyebrows at her. "Oh well, I really shouldn't say too much. I mean they want to keep it all hush hush. But . . . uh... I suggest you keep your eyes open today. It'll be interesting." I shot her a superior smile.
"No way! Edward Cullen and Bella Swan?" she gasped.
Hunh, I smirked, you're not too good to talk to me now, are you, Amy?
Her circle of friends hung on my every word too.
I played coy. "Oh I'm not saying anything more. Just keep your eyes open and you'll see."
"But Edward Cullen doesn't go out with anyone," she objected. I knew she was thinking of the times she'd thrown herself at him and he'd turned her down. Just like he'd turned down every girl in this school… Rejection is harsh, isn't it, Amy? There were no secrets at this school.
"Well, that Bella's pretty cute." Evan Parker, one of Amy's friends, spoke up.
His comment earned him glares from every female in the group.
He backtracked quickly. "What? I'm just saying . . . you know . . . there's something about her . . . she's not my type of course . . . not like you are, baby," he blundered on, trying to make up for his verbal mistake by putting his arm around his girlfriend's shoulders. She shook him off angrily.
I hid my smirk. It was so good to be at the center of it all. It was fascinating how one bit of information led to so many other revelations.
As Amy's group wandered away still discussing my news, I turned back to scan the parking lot.
Right then, a cherry red convertible pulled in and parked. I could hear music blaring inside the car – the sound carried eerily in the foggy air. Although I'd never seen that car before, it wasn't hard to guess that it was the Cullens. What other teenager in Forks could afford a car like that?
I waited eagerly for my first look at Edward since last night. The music cut off and the car doors opened. Rosalie was driving. Figures, she'd pick a car like that. Show off.
Emmett, Jasper and Alice stepped out too. They shut the doors and coupled up to walk towards the school buildings.
What the . . . ? Where was Edward? Was he skipping today? Why? Why why why? It was all so confusing. What was going on? I struggled to make sense of this newest piece of information. Bella came home early from their date last night. Edward wasn't in today. What did it all mean?
Alice and Jasper were walking up the sidewalk in front of Emmett and Rosalie. Alice held Jasper's arm and leaned in against him as they walked. I could see her whispering to him quietly, but couldn't make out the words at all.
I couldn't help staring at them as they came closer. Jasper was so beautiful, with his blond hair and hot body. Wow. What I wouldn't like to do to that man. I let my imagination run for a moment to one of my favorite fantasies involving Jasper, me and a deserted beach. Actually, more often than not, it was Edward who starred in my fantasies, but, hey, who could blame me with the incredible Jasper right before my eager eyes? I took a moment to mentally help him out of that sweater he was wearing.
Just then, his eyes met mine. His teeth clicked together and he clenched his jaw. He looked kind of repulsed. His hand reached to cover Alice's hand on his arm and he held her hand tightly.
Alice's eyes flicked over to me in irritation. She pressed her lips into a thin line and narrowed her eyes at me. Leaning into Jasper, she steered them off the sidewalk that lead to the cafeteria where I waited and across the grass in another direction.
Just then, Emmett laughed loudly. Rosalie leaned in to whisper to him. He chortled again, and then put his arm around her shoulders, pulling her tightly to him. They quickly followed Alice and Jasper across the grass, avoiding my position under the eaves.
What did I do? No, wait. There was no way this was about me. I didn't say anything. I must have missed something earlier. Maybe Alice and Jasper were already arguing before they got to school. One could only hope.
I made a mental note to keep my eye on that couple as well. A little trouble in paradise would work out nicely on so many levels. Once again, I'd be the first to know and that would definitely enhance my reputation for knowing everything. And let's be honest, a single Jasper? My God, think of the possibilities. I'd be first in line to help him get over Alice.
Smirking I returned to scanning the students coming into school, searching mainly for any sign of Edward or Bella, but also the others on my priority list.
When I spotted Mike, I waved to him shyly, in a flirty way. I really did like Mike. He was good looking and popular. He was a good guy and he'd certainly do until I got someone better.
He came up to me and I looked at him from under my eye lashes. "Hey Mike."
"Morning, Jess. How was Port Angeles?"
"We had a great time. It's so nice of you to ask," I cooed at him.
I flirted with him for a bit. I didn't spend all this time getting dressed this morning for it to go to waste without the guy I like noticing me. I played with my finger against my lips as much as possible. It was, after all, Flirting Rule Number One – 'Any attention you can draw to your mouth is a good thing'. It worked, of course. I completely wowed him; he couldn't take his eyes off me.
Finally he excused himself saying, "Sorry, I've got to go, Jess. I have a paper due today for Mr. Mason and I have to finish it up before first period."
I smiled sweetly at him. "Sure, Mike. I'll see you later."
Then as if an afterthought occurred to me, I turned back to him and said "By the way, make sure to watch Edward Cullen and Bella Swan today."
"What? Why?"
"Just watch. You'll see." I stated as if I already knew what to expect. It was vital to my image to seem to know everything.
"Seriously, Jess, why?" He looked concerned. That wasn't good. He was supposed to be interested in me, not worried about Bella.
Feeling a bit vindictive towards Bella, I flashed him a knowing smirk and insinuated more than I had with other people. "Because I know where Edward and Bella were last night."
He looked shocked. Then disbelief replaced his shock on his face.
That really annoyed me. Just then I saw Lauren across the school grounds. Perfect timing. I wanted to leave Mike wanting more, so I batted my eyelashes at him again and shot him a seductive look, before turning to wave to Lauren.
"Lauren" I called enthusiastically. She was walking away from me, towards Building 4. I jumped in place and waved to her to catch her attention.
Lauren looked over at me and waved before turning back to continue her way to class. I pouted a bit with disappointment.
Then I snorted. Well, it was her loss. If she didn't want to walk over to me, then she could just go through the morning with no clue as to what she'd missed. I sure wouldn't be hunting her down to find out what kind of cake Grandma had. I snorted again. Maybe if she were lucky, I'd tell her the real news at lunch. Maybe I'd also tell her that Tyler was not taking Bella to prom. Then again, I'd have to see how I felt by that time. I just might hold onto that fact for a while longer.
I was very surprised to see Edward's Volvo pull into the parking spot beside Rosalie's beamer. Well, what was this then? The family was traveling separately now. What brought this on? They never drove to school separately.
Imagine my astonishment when the passenger door opened as well and Bella stepped out. Bella was in Edward's car?!
They walked together towards me, staying very close to each other, but not touching. Their posture showed more than friendship. Then I noticed that she was wearing his jacket. I was positive that it was his because I'd ogled him in it many times before.
Bella Swan was wearing Edward Freaking Cullen's jacket! I'd sell my soul to wear his jacket - or any of his other clothes, for that matter. My god! So what did that mean? Where they officially dating now? Still secretly dating? If they were dating, why had Bella gone home so quickly last night?
I couldn't hide my shock at seeing them together, even when they were practically in front of me. My mind scrambled to put all the pieces of this confusing puzzle together. But one thing was clear – Edward Cullen and Bella Swan were definitely an item!
"Hey, Jessica," Bella called. "Thanks for remembering."
Remembering? Remembering what? Oh her jacket. I handed it to her automatically.
"Good morning, Jessica," Edward greeted me in his silky voice.
I'm not sure if it was his voice or his beautiful bedroom eyes or the way his sweater clung to his perfect body, but my brain went into overdrive and fried.
I tried to answer him. Sadly my fried brain was no help at all. "Er . . . hi" was the best I came up with.
To collect my thoughts, I looked over at Bella. She was staring at Edward with a dreamy look in her own eyes. Not that I could blame her. He was the most beautiful creature I'd ever seen.
And seeing her look at him like that, I wondered again about their relationship. Obviously she was attracted to him. Duh. Even a dead woman would be attracted to the magnificent Edward.
Was she in love with him? Because that would be just too rich. He was so far above her. Is that why he was dating her in secret?
God, I hope we didn't have a quiz in Trig - Bella owed me answers. Inquiring minds had to know!
I gave her a look to let her know she'd have some questions to answer later and told her exactly when she'd be 'fessing up. "I guess I'll see you in Trig."
Bella looked uncertain. "Yeah, I'll see you then," she replied quietly.
As I walked away, I looked back over my shoulder a couple of times, hoping to catch them doing something revealing, like kissing or hugging. I really wanted to see Edward's goodbye to her. That would tell me a lot about their relationship.
And for the first time in my entire life, Trig class couldn't come fast enough.
End Note: Thanks for reading! Please let me know what you think.