A/N:
Thank you for all your reviews and most importantly, thank you to my beta Lady Gywndenn.
Chapter 6
All my life I've been wastin', wastin'
Wastin' all my money, all my time
All the time that I'm waitin', waitin'
Waitin for the moment you are mine
I need love
Cause only love is true
I need every wakin' hour with you
And my friends cause they're so beautiful
Yeah my friends they are so beautiful
Friends – Band of Skulls
While Alice slept, Bella spent some time with her dad after breakfast by taking Leah and Seth to the park.
"So, what did Edward want this morning?" he asked casually as he pushed Seth on the swing.
Bella knew that her dad was prying, but since nothing was going on between Edward and her she wasn't offended.
"He's picking up a few art supplies for me in Portland."
"That's nice of him. So are you two friends?"
Leah urged Bella to push her higher. Bella complied and she earned a scream from her little sister when Bella pushed her hard enough to run underneath the swing.
"Dad," she finally replied with a grumble, "I barely know him."
"But you'll eventually become friends?"
"Dad!" she said incredulously.
"Sorry, I don't mean to be noisy."
"Sure you don't," Bella said sarcastically.
Her dad sighed, "You're right, but I'm your father. I have a right to know these things."
"I'm sure we wouldn't be having this conversation if you found out I was dating Jacob."
"That's because I know Jacob. He's a good kid, a little wild, but a good kid nonetheless."
Bella shook her head at her Dad's response.
"What?"
"What?" she replied in disbelief. "Don't tell me that you don't know Edward, he only watches your kids!"
Leah asked to get down and Seth followed her soon after to the slide.
"That's different," he said, "The things heard about him…"
Bella lifted an eyebrow, "What did you hear?"
"Well, ahh… well, if you haven't heard it yourself yet than you'll eventually.
Bella was bewildered by her dad's prejudices towards Edward. "Dad, you were the first one to teach me not lo listen to what this town has to say. Why are you being like this?"
"Why are you defending him?" Bella's dad retorted.
"Because maybe I like him," she admitted. "What did he do that made you dislike him so much?"
Her dad's expression fell for a moment. Fear and guilt flooded his eyes before they soften. "You're right, Bella, and I'm sorry. I just don't like the fact that you don't really need me anymore."
Bella let out a small chuckle, "I still need you, but I don't need you as much and that's a good thing. It's a reflection on you. Besides you have Leah and Seth."
Charlie nodded, "Just remember Bella, Boys will tell you things they think—"
"I want to hear," Bella finished the mantra her dad taught her about boys that she heard since she was twelve years old.
"I'm hungy," Seth said running up to them.
Bella was relieved by the distraction when her dad decided to take them for ice cream before they went home.
"Hurry up! Emmett is waiting for us," Alice yelled.
Bella got back much later than expected and had very little warning when everyone decided to go to Jacob's house earlier then planned. Bella ran around her room collecting things that she needed for that night.
"Don't forget your swimsuit," Alice reminded her.
Bella stormed into her closet and went on a hunt. The only thing she was able to find was a white bikini that she bought on a whim last year in Portland and never wore. She found it too revealing, but she had no other choice and she wasn't going to give up a chance to swim in Jacob's pool or enjoy the hot tub.
"Just give me a minute to change."
She heard the honk from Emmett's car.
"Shut up!" she yelled, even though Emmett couldn't hear her, "What's the difference if we're there fifteen minutes late," she muttered to herself.
"So you can get the giant lounge bed, before Jessica and Lauren lay claim to it.
"Right."
Bella ran into the bathroom and changed into her bikini before throwing on a white sundress. She ran a brush through her hair and packed it along with her toothbrush in her over night bag.
Alice was already packed and stood by the stairs tapping her foot while Bella grabbed the last few things.
After she made sure she had her cell and I her iPod, she decided to bring her sketchbook and pastels as well.
"Do you really need to bring that today?" Alice asked when she saw Bella packing up her art supplies.
"Unless you plan to ditch Jasper this afternoon I'm bringing it with me."
"By all means then," Alice laughed.
Bella zipped up her bag and huffed.
"Ready?"
"Yes."
Emmett's horn sounded again.
Sue called down the stairs, "Bella, Emmett's waiting for you."
"We know!" Bella yelled and charged up the stairs with Alice right behind her.
"What's the rush?" Sue asked when they got upstairs.
"Party," Alice sang.
Sue laughed, "Have fun girls."
"Oh, we plan on it," Alice grinned.
Bella ran past the kitchen as her dad read a paper while he ate lunch.
"Bye Dad, I'll see you tomorrow."
"Stop!"
Bella slid to a stop at the kitchen entrance. Alice slammed into her back pushing her forward. Emmett's horn went off again. This was not the time for her dad to throw around his authority.
"Where are you going?"
"Jacob's," Bella replied, a little confused. She mentioned her plans to her dad this morning.
"Oh, right. Are you staying the night?"
"I always do?" Bella wondered if more things have changed and now she had to seek permission to go out with her friends.
Alice discretely poked her in the back wanting to know what was going on since her dad never really treated her like that.
His face soured for a fraction of a second, "Will Edward be there?"
"He's in Portland today," Sue chimed in for Bella.
"Dad, I told you that."
"Well in that case, have fun!" he smiled widely and went back to eating his lunch.
Bella's jaw dropped. This inquisition was all about Edward? What did he even have against him? She shook her head and walked away when Emmett's horn sounded one last time in a long drone.
"Bye, Dad," she muttered.
When Bella got to the front door to put her shoes on, she heard Sue scolding him for his behavior towards Bella, "That was uncalled for, Charlie!"
"I'm her father and I worry," he answered back.
"Her social life never seemed to trouble you until she met Edward," Sue quickly retorted. Bella was glad that Sue saw things for what they were and that she was on her side.
"That's what that was about? Edward? Alice asked in complete shock. "I don't get it. Your dad likes every one."
Bella shrugged as they walked out the front door to Emmett's car.
"That was super weird," Alice continued, "I've never seen him like that. He reminded me of my dad.
"Please, can we forget about it?"
"It's about time," Emmett yelled as they approached the car.
"Sorry about that, my dad…" Bella shook her head not wanting to talk about what transpired a few moments ago.
Alice opened the passenger door and motioned for Bella to get in the back.
"Get in the back Alice," Emmett said.
"It's fine, Alice can have shot gun." Bella didn't want to cause any trouble, what she stirred up yesterday was enough.
"You're the guest of honor," Emmett reasoned, "Besides you're a better passenger DJ. No offense," he told Alice.
"None taken," she grumbled.
When they were settled in Emmett leaned over and whispered loud enough for Alice to hear, "I had enough of that pop crap that she listens. It pisses me off."
"Heard that!"
"Heard what?" Emmett chuckled.
Bella laughed. "Well what are you in the mood for?" Bella asked plugging in her iPod.
"Something from this decade, something rock n' roll with a good beat. Oh, and representative of me?"
She looked over to Emmett and smiled knowing exactly what he wanted, "Kings of Leon it is."
When McFearless blasted, Emmett hollered and peeled away from the driveway.
The way that Emmett drove, they managed to listen to only three songs before they got to Jacob's. Alice immediately hopped out of the jeep and ran around back. Emmett stopped Bella when she was about do the same.
"Don't drink tonight." he said.
"Why the hell not?"
"Everyone has a bet going that you'd be the first to get sick and pass out, I bet for you so I'll split the profits."
"How much?"
"Fifty each."
"No brokering fees?" There was always a catch with Emmett.
"Nope."
"Deal."
"That's my girl," he grinned widely, "I'm counting on you, I don't want a repeat of last year when you passed out on the kitchen counter."
"First off, it wasn't my fault," she retorted indignantly. "Jacob spiked my drinks and secondly I purposely went to sleep there, it was comfortable.
"Yeah, cold, hard marble comfortable."
Bella ignored him and stormed away.
"Don't make me lose my faith in you, B," Emmett called out after her.
Jacob, Jasper, and Rose were already in the pool, enjoying the water.
"Finally!" Jasper shouted, "Get your asses in here."
Alice was already in her swimsuit and stood on the diving board. She showed off her perfect form from her days on the high school diving when she dove into the pool. Emmett, already clad in his swim trunks, pulled off his shirt and took off running towards the pool. He jumped in without any hesitation.
Bella was a little more cautious around water from a mishap by the river when she still lived here full time. She took off her sundress which earned her a couple of cat calls from the boys.
"What are you waiting for, B?" Jacob asked her as she tested the water with her toe.
She carefully used the steps to go into the pool and waded slowly in before she felt she was in far enough to dunk into the water and enjoy the cool temperature.
When she resurfaced, Jacob swam towards her. "Always the tease," he whispered to her and dove into the water. He swam under her and hoisted her up, throwing Bella her into the deep end. She screamed before she went under again and resurfaced laughing, splashing Rose as she floated by.
"Sorry about yesterday, Rose. Alice told me about you dealing with the Jessica and Lauren aftermath."
"Nothing I couldn't handle," she shrugged with a smirk.
"Where are they anyway?" Bella asked when she noticed that Jessica and Lauren weren't there.
"Canvassing for Jacob's party up north, they should get here in a few."
Bella was happy that she would be able to spend some unguarded time with her friends.
Everyone stayed in the pool for another hour before they got out to raid Jacob's kitchen for a late lunch.
Like always, Jacob had everything fully stocked. The kitchen counter held an assortment of liquor, the fridge filled with cold drinks, and the pantry was full of snacks.
Fed and tired from swimming everyone headed back outside to make use of the lounge chairs for a nap before everyone else arrived. With her ear buds in and not quite tired, Bella pulled out her sketch book and started to draw the first thing that came to her mind; Edward's piercing green eyes. The way he looked at her this morning couldn't be washed from her memory. Bella created the perfect shade of green and before long she had Edward's stormy eyes staring at her like they did a few hours ago.
She shifted in the lounge bed and saw Jacob approach her lazily holding a beer. He motioned to his bottle, asking if she wanted one.
"No thanks," she replied moving over to make some room for Jacob.
He laid down beside her and picked up her iPod. Whenever he had a chance he always created a play list for her.
"You should have a nap if you're planning on staying awake the rest of the night, Jacob suggested.
"I know. In a minute."
"Jacob smiled and continued creating her play list.
"So where are you going this fall?" she asked breaking their silence a few minutes later.
Jacob looked up and smirked, "Yale."
Bella remembered to keep her voice down, "How the hell did you get in?"
"What? You can't believe that I'm smarter than you? Parents," he sighed with some resentment, "Alumni, with money, plus a few decent grades… they couldn't refuse me."
"I'll miss you," Bella pouted.
"Hey, we're used to being apart and I'll be back here next summer. Between now and then we can wreak havoc on this town."
"What did you have in mind?" Bella asked slyly.
"Wanna get back at Jessica and Lauren?"
"For what?"
"Dissin' your boy," he warbled.
Bella scrunched her face, "Edward?"
"Aha, I knew it!" Jacob pointed his finger at her and tisked.
"I never—"
Jacob cut her off before she could deny that she and Edward were an item. "So, will he be the one?" he asked suggestively.
"What's it to you? I'm not talking to you about it." This was not a conversation she wanted to have with Jacob. Alice, yes. But Jacob? She would never hear the end of it.
"Well, he is the first guy I've ever seen you interested in?"
"Why would you think that?" Bella asked in disbelief that Jacob had managed to observe this.
He pointed to her sketchbook answering her own question, "Whose eyes are those?" he asked already knowing what Bella's reply would be.
"That's none of your business."
"Sketching his eyes, like some love sick teen?" he mused, "I figured you have a crush on him."
"I do not," Bella quickly denied.
"It okay, you have my blessing."
"Why?" she asked suspiciously.
Jacob grinned, "It will piss Emmett off."
"What will piss me off?" Emmett woke when he heard his name.
"Nothing!" they both said in unison.
"You better not renege on our deal," Emmett grumbled and fell back asleep.
"All set," Jacob said and pressed play on her iPod.
Jacob was relentless. He even mocked Bella with his music choice. Her face soured when she heard Billy Idol's, Eyes Without a Face through her ear buds.
"God your annoying Jacob Black," she whined and turned away from him.
"I know, but you love me anyway."
"Wake me in an hour," she muttered.
"Sweet dreams," he teasingly cooed in her ear before she swatted him away.
Bella felt like she had closed her eyes for only five minutes when she was nudged awake by Jacob.
"Five more minutes," she mumbled.
"Bitch alert," he whispered.
Bella turned onto her back and shielded her eyes from the low-lying sun. Lauren and Jessica stood at the foot of the lounge bed.
"Where's Edward?" Lauren asked snidely.
Bella was still getting her bearings from being woken abruptly. "He's in Portland for the day," she replied passively with a yawn.
Jacob chuckled at Jessica and Lauren's reaction. They stormed off quickly to the other side of the pool, not happy that Bella knew more than they did about Edward.
"I'm going to get ready," she said getting up to stretch.
"Use my room. Twiddle-dumb and twiddle-dumber took over the guest rooms."
Bella clasped her hand over her mouth to refrain from laughing out loud.
By the time she came back downstairs, some of Jacob's high school friends were already there. By eight, the cottagers showed up, and by ten the party was in full swing.
As promised Bella didn't drink anything yet and found herself amused by the random acts of idiocy that begun to emerge because of the alcohol.
Emmett was getting a beer bong going with some high school friends, and Jasper and Alice disappeared from sight for a solid hour before settling themselves back on the couch completely disheveled.
Jacob was in the corner smoking pot with a select few. He showed no signs of being drunk and stoned, apart from his shiny eyes, and like always he played the perfect host by making sure everyone was good and drunk.
A while later Jacob approached Bella and Rose who were on the couch chatting with a few girls that were vacationing up north.
"Jello shots for the beautiful ladies," Jacob crooned, earning giggles from the girls. Rose rolled her eyes at him and grabbed a few shots for herself.
"B?" Jacob asked holding the tray out.
"No thanks," she replied remembering her deal with Emmett.
"You're no fun!"
"Sure, I am."
"One?" he pressured her some more.
"I'll have a vodka soda later."
Jacob's eyebrows lifted in realization, "Emmett got to you!"
"My lips are sealed," Bella bit her lip to stop a grin from spreading.
He shook his head and walked of laughing, "Next time you're in cahoots with me."
The Jello shots got to Rose quickly and she stumbled up stairs to use the bathroom. Bella offered to take her, but she just waved her off.
Bella was thinking about make her self something to drink. Being the only sober person at the party wasn't fun anymore. When she got to the kitchen Jacob was out of vodka. She was about to go look for him when she realized Rose still hadn't come back from the bathroom. Bella was about to use the stairs from the kitchen when Rose came charging down. She looked out of sorts with her eyes wide in panic and her hand clamped to her mouth.
Bella was about to ask her if she was okay, but Rose completely disregarded her and shoved Bella out of the way to run out the back door.
Bella followed her out and saw Rose wretch into to a potted plant nearby.
"Rose, are you okay."
"I want to go home," she cried.
"Okay," Bella replied softly, "I'll get Emmett's car keys. I'll be right back."
"No!" Rose yelled, "Don't leave me".
"Bella began to worry. She had never seen Rose distraught or even sick like this, Even when she was drunk, her demeanor was much like her brother's, cool, calm and collected.
"Rose did anything happen?"
"Nothing h-'' she heaved again, "Happened. I just want to go home."
Okay, I'll get you home. Um..." Bella pulled out her phone and sent out a text to Alice. Within moments she showed up with Jasper, which allowed Bella to go search for Emmett.
Bella bumped into Jacob at the landing in the hallway, "Have you seen Emmett? I need his car keys."
"No," he said shaking his head. "Why? What's going on?" Jacob asked.
"Rose is sick and wants to go home."
"Oh, um," he frowned, "Did you check the basement?"
"No. Thanks."
Bella ran down to the basement and found Emmett hustling some sophomore at pool.
"Hey B," he yelled when he spotted her, "How would you like it if I doubled our winnings tonight?
"Screw the winnings. Give me your car keys."
"Sure," he said tentatively, and retrieved his keys from his back pocket. "What's going on?"
"Rose is sick."
"Is she alright?" he asked in a concerned tone.
Bella shrugged unsure as to how to reply. She had never seen Rose so panicked before.
Bella lack of reply was enough to make Emmett look worried. "I'm coming with you," he said dropping his cue and running ahead of Bella.
"Hey, what about our game?" cried the sophomore.
Emmett turned around and gave him a ferocious glare.
"Never mind."
When Bella and Emmett emerged from the basement, they bumped into Jacob again.
"You guys are leaving?"
"Yeah, sorry. But I had fun while it lasted," Emmett said in a rush and ran into the kitchen.
Bella gave Jacob an apologetic look, "I'm the only one that can drive her home."
"Well next time I expect you to stay until dawn. Oh, and I hope that Rose will feel better. I would tell her myself, but you know how I am about…"
Bella smiled, "Don't worry about it," she gave Jacob a quick peck on the cheek, "I'll see you tomorrow."
She didn't notice Jessica and Lauren standing next to Jacob and their eyes bulged at Bella and Jacob's interaction. They stormed off into the living room without a goodbye.
A/N: I know, there was no Edward this chapter, but he's will back in the next.
The mantra, "Boys will tell you things they think you want to hear," was taken from my sister-in-law. She's been teaching that to her daughter ever since she was twelve.
Until next time,
Iv