Chapter theme song: Bounce

Artist: The Cab

BPOV

"Bella! It's so great that you came! The party is ready to be started!"
Kristy ran up to me and gave me a big bear hug.

"Thanks for inviting me girl!" I replied. I looked around the room for 'her'. "Where's Lauren?"

Kristy gave me a shocked look. "Psht! She's un-invited!! Nobody can just say some kind of crude, sick joke and still come to my party. She's on the NOT list, so if she tried to crash this party, she'll be escorted out."

I laughed, it felt good to be able to laugh after yesterday and this morning.

We walked into the lobby where more girls and a few guys were.

I noticed a few I didn't know.

"Bella, this is Jeff, Cami, Gabby, Mike G, Natalia, Andy and Ericka L." Kristy introduced me to everyone.

"Hey." I said shyly.

"Are we just going to sit here and wait, or are we going to get crunk?!" Cami shouted. I loved this girl.

"Okay, okay c'mon." Kristy led us through the fancy hallways with Greek elegant scripts.

The paintings look expensive and huge.

We finally stopped in front of a door that had a sign : Pool Closed for Private Party. Sorry for any Inconvenient Delays

"KRISTY! You shut down the entire pool area?! SWEET!" Mike shouted.

"Yep! I can't have uninvited kids here!"

I set my bag down on a table and Kristy, Cami, Kelly and I started talking.

"So, Bella Kristy tells me that you and Jake have been dating for 4 years!" Cami told me.

"Um, yeah! We met when I moved here the summer after. I was 14, he was 15. Our dads knew each other pretty well." I smiled.

"That's great! You don't see long relationships anymore." I nodded.

I was about to reply when a wave of water splashed us all.

"C'mon girls! I didn't come just to watch you guys sit and gossip! I say we play chicken!" Mike was grining.

I was furious, but eased up. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad, I rocked at that game!

"Last one in sits out and has to referee!" I screamed and jumped in head first.

Cami dove in right after me which left Kristy out.

"Fine! But after the best 3 games, I'm in!" She sat by the water.

"Cami, Kelly, pick a partner! You two Bella!" Jeff called us out.

Gabby got on Cami's shoulders, I got on Mike's and Kelly hopped on Jeff's.

"One… Two… GO!" I heard Kristy shout and next thing I knew Cami and Gabby were coming towards me.

I flung my arms at Cami and gripped her shoulders. She shoved hard, but I had the arms of a dancer's.

"Give up yet Bella?"

"Nope!"

"Jeff, Kelly! You're out!" I looked over and saw that Kelly had fallen off Jeff's shoulders and plunked into the water.

I felt a jolt at my waist and saw Cami behind me.

I made mike turn around and totally pushed her off her throne.

I heard a 'ka-plunk!' and Cami went down.

"Bella and Mike win!" I cheered.

We played 10 games and were finally hungry.

Jeff and Gabby ordered pizza and sodas and Kelly got chips.

We all sat down and ate.

"Mike, big game tonight!" Jeff said with a mouth-ful of food.

"Yeah man! Me and Newton are going to crush La Push!" I suddenly remembered that Jake had his game tonight and I had to do the dance for it.

"Oh, that's right! The soccer game is tonight! I totally forgot Jake had it!" I said.

"Jake…as in Jacob Black?" Gabby asked.

"Yeah, why?" I wondered what she was going to say.

"Didn't he used to date that girl? What's her face, man I know I know her name! Ashley? Addison? Amy… Amanda! Amanda Burt! He dated Amanda Burt in 9th grade!" My jaw dropped.

"I think you have the wrong Jake." I said cooly. "And, he's never mentioned an Amanda Burt to me."

"No, he was in my math class. Jacob Black. He dated Amanda for 6 months. Until…" She didn't finish. I had tears coming down my face.

"What happened?" I said sternly.

"Bella, please let her finish, it really is NOT what you think" Kristy rubbed my arm and I sat back down. My teeth were still clenched together.

"One day when Jake and Amanda went back to her house and she went to the bathroom. Jake thought nothing of it. She came out in nothing but underwear and a bra. She pushed him on the bed and told him that she wanted them to have sex. Jake didn't understand at first. But when she went to undo his pants he totally freaked out. And wasn't ready. This was like 3 months before you guys went out and met. He told her to stop and that they were only 14. She didn't stop, the started to undo the zipper and Jake slapped her arm away. Her parents weren't home obviously. She told Jake that if he didn't sleep with her she would ruin him. He told her that they were over and walked home."

I looked into space trying to put this information together.

That was why he wouldn't kiss me till after a year of dating, why he would drop the subject of going further, why no one understood how quickly we went out, how in awe people were to see us just holding hands.

Gabby continued, "That's why no one could get why he picked you. After 3 months he suddenly fell for you. He changed. He smiled. He laughed and talked! He was dead before he met you."

"What happened to the Amanda girl?" I asked.

"Oh! She moved after that. Her dad got transferred to California."

I was happy she wasn't around so I could rip her head off!!!

"Bella, do you know how many people tried to get through to him? He was afraid for his life! He never had anyone try to get him in bed with him. At first, we thought you like brainwashed him, but then he would always talk about how special you were to him. We understood; he loved you. Really, really loved you to death." I wanted to cry happy tears.

He never spoke of this to me.

He was so caring and always worried about me.

Trying to make me happy.

I giggled. "I guess I do love him" I laughed more.

I saw it was 4. The game started at 6.

"I gotta go guys! It was GREAT meeting you! Thanks for the convo Gabby." I hugged everyone goodbye.

When I reached the lobby I dialed Jake's phone.

"Hey sexy." I purred.

"Hey to yourself! Ready for me to pick you up?" He sounded tired.

"Yeah, I totally forgot about the game tonight! I have to go home and change for the game, and you need to also get ready!" I was in the parking lot.

"Ok, babe. I'll be there in like 3 minutes."

"Jake."

"Yeah?"

"I love you. I missed you. Tonight, after the game, can we go to my house tonight?"

"I love you too Bella. And I don't see why not. Don't I always make sure you fall asleep in my arms?" I smiled. He loved me.

"Yes you do. And I appreciate that Jacob Black!"

"Ok, but if you want me to pick you up, we need to hang up. You know I don't like driving and talking on my phone."

"Ok. Bye! I love you!"

Click.

A few moments later I spotted my car and Jake driving it.

I smiled and waved at him.

Jake parked the car and got out.

"How many guys did you have to fight off while you wore that?" He asked and pulled me into a big bear hug.

"A few." I leaned into his chest.

"I missed you." He told me. Butterflies rose into my tummy.

"I bet I missed you more!"

"I wouldn't bet against you!" He took my bag and held out his hand.

I took it as he threw the bag into the back and helped me into the car.

"Thank you." He shut the door and walked over to the drivers side.

"So, are we going to your house, or mine?" I thought about it.

"Yours, then we can go to mine. I will take a while to get ready."

"Ok."

We drove off to my house. I closed my eyes thinking about today.

I remembered about Charlie and called him.

"Who are you calling?"

"Charlie. He doesn't know about the game."

"Hello. Chief Swan here." I knew the husky tone.

"Dad! It's me, Bella."

"Oh, hey Bells. Everything ok? Jake taking good care of you?"

"You know Jake always takes good care of me Dad, I just wanted to let you know Jake has the soccer game tonight and I have my performance at it."

"Ah, yes Billy mentioned something about that last night. I'll be there. Don't worry."

"Thanks dad, love ya!"

I hung up and laughed.

"I should have figured Billy told him."

We were already at Jake's house when I looked up.

The cars were all shining and sparkly in the suns rays.

"You washed the cars?"

"Yeah, while you were at the party."

"They look great Jake!"

I hugged him and gave him a peck on the cheek.

"Ok, what did I do now?"

"Do what?"

"You never just give me a kiss for no reason, what's up?"

"Can't I just kiss you with no reason?"

"No." I looked at him.

I walked closer to him until I closed the gap between us.

"Can I kiss you like this?" My breathe in his face. My lips were centimeters away from his. His mouth twitched.

He leaned forward and kissed me hard. His tongue licked my top lip and I gave him entrance. Our tongues collided with each other.

"You can kiss me like that any day." Jake said as we broke apart.

"C'mon, let's get inside."

I followed him into his house holding his hand.

I felt special and loved. Jake deserved it.