Chapter three-

Of Vans and Vampires

A/N- This chapter's rather short for my tastes, which is why there's such a quick update. The next will be longer. Enjoy!

...

The school had stopped buzzing about Bella's faint a couple of days later. There were other things to buzz about, like Mike's new fling with some blond. However, Bella Swan would soon be the subject of gossip for weeks to come in this little town, when she was almost ran over by Tyler's van.

Edward Cullen, dazzling knight in shining armor, had saved her, and Carlisle was currently by her side, making sure she hadn't broken an ankle or crushed her face. It didn't look like either had happened.

Jacob had heard and promptly drove to the hospital. He first felt relieved that Bella hadn't broken anything. After that, he was relieved to know that Bella recognized him.

When he had walked in the room, Edward had glared and Bella's eyes had lit up. "Jake?" she asked, and he felt better than ever, because Bella hadn't just remembered him; she'd liked him and remembered his name as well- actually, her nickname for him. He smiled and shrugged, said something about hearing about her situation, and Bella had smiled. "Yeah, well," she said. "Tyler's been apologizing forever. It's kind of annoying, actually," she whispered. She then laughed.

Edward cocked an eyebrow at Jacob. Jacob felt like smacking him across the face, but realized that for a vampire, Edward was actually being considerably friendly. Jacob also took note of his golden eyes; he didn't drink human blood, then. For now, he would leave Edward alone.

Jacob shrugged in a way that was neither comforting nor angering to Edward. Edward sighed in relief and left the room. Jacob thought that Edward looked relieved to be rid of Bella- but, he resolved, most people didn't appreciate her non-stop conversing. She liked talking to people.

Jacob was still talking to her when Carlisle Cullen walked in and informed Bella that she could be discharged since she wasn't injured. Bella had smiled and told him 'thank you'. Once the doctor had exited the room, Jacob asked if she needed him to drive her home. She looked a little embarrassed and said something about how she had took the bus that day- not driven her truck, to save gas- and finally admitted that, yes, she did need a ride, and could he please?

He'd smiled with his wolfish grin and helped her inside his own truck, just like a gentleman. He asked if she wanted to be taken to Charlie's house. She gave him a 'yeah, duh' look and he just smiled and drove her to her house. He knew where Charlie Swan's house was- who didn't? He was pretty highly regarded in the community, and almost everyone knew him.

He opened his door, walked around to the side of his truck, and let Bella out. She smiled at him appreciatively. "Chivalry isn't dead, huh?" she laughed. He just smiled. "Yeah, well, that's my trademark. Politeness." She laughed even harder and he walked with her to her porch; he opened the door and watched as Bella retreated up the stairs. He couldn't help but note that she ignored Charlie, who was standing by the door concerned, a phone clutched in one hand.

"Mister Swan," he said.

A chuckle escaped Charlie's lips and he put down the phone. "Jacob," he laughed, "are you saying that you can't call me Charlie anymore?" Jacob smiled and gave Charlie a hug. "Still fishing, Charlie?" he asked jokingly. Charlie smiled wryly, the wrinkles around his eyes becoming more prominent as he did so. "Not as much, but yes," he answered. Jacob grinned in return. "That's great, Charlie."

"Do you talk to Bella much?" Charlie asked. Jacob noted that Charlie didn't seem like he was just trying to start a conversation- he was genuinely interested. "Well, no," he admitted. "This is actually the first time since school's started. We don't have any classes together- at least, I don't think so." He gave a small smile.

"Do you know, uh, an Edward?" Charlie asked, looking somewhat confused. Jacob sighed. Bloodsucking leech, you mean, he corrected. After a short pause, he spoke. "Yes, I do," he replied.

His expression must of shown his displeasure at the mention of Edward's name, because Charlie asked another question- "Do you not like him?" Jacob just smiled. "Oh, not that, Charlie," he said, a small smile on his face. "I just don't know him that well. I've just seen him around the past few years. He keeps to his own clique, or group, or whatever." He gave Charlie a reassuring smile. Charlie seemed put at ease. "Oh."

"Why do you ask?" Jacob inquired.

"She won't talk to me about school or homework," he said, seeming irritated. "She doesn't hardly talk to me at all. But I'll be sitting down here and she'll be upstairs talking to her friends about this Edward fellow." Charlie suddenly reddened, realizing his slip-up. "Not that I'm eaves-dropping or anything," he stammered. "She's just-"

"-really loud?" asked Jacob, laughing. Charlie smiled, looking tired. "I guess. Well, it's nice to see you, Jacob," Charlie said, smiling. "I hope I get to see you a lot more often."

Jacob's nose twitched and he peered around Charlie. "Uh, Charlie?" he said, looking concerned. "I think I smell something...uh, burning..."

Charlie's eyes snapped open and he swiveled around. "Oh my God," he said, sounding irritated. "I- the spaghetti sauce! I thought I could cook it-" he sighed.

Jacob just smiled. "Bye, Charlie," he said, chuckling. Charlie gave a warm 'good-bye' and muttered something about a fire extinguisher.

Jacob left the Swan residence feeling confused.