AN: I own nothing but my OC's. And I can't remember if the diner thing is from the movie only. I'm a terrible Twilight fan, I know. But to be honest I haven't really had time to read it lately. Anyway, enjoy :)
"Dancing." Charlie repeated. His mouth twitched into a smirk, but he was trying to hide it from me. His eyes were twinkling with amusement.
"Yes. Dancing." I muttered, not looking up from my burger.
We were sat in the same diner we used to eat at years ago, when I was a little kid. Charlie had decided to take us out for dinner, since I was "looking better these days". I don't know who he was looking at, because when I looked in the mirror I still saw the same ghost I always did. I didn't feel any different at all. The dull pain was still there. And the memories, fresh, raw, distant...
"Whatever you say, kid. Lets hope it turns out to be good for you." Charlie shrugged.
We finished our dinner and drove home in the drizzle that had been falling since lunchtime. Charlie unlocked the door, and literally a second later the phone began to ring. I removed my damp coat and boots whilst Charlie rushed to answer it. "Bella, its your mom!" He called to me.
"I'm coming." I yelled back. I slipped a little in my socks as I dashed to the kitchen, so hopelessly coordinated. Who was Reuben kidding? "Mom." I said as I pressed the phone to my ear.
"Bella. Are you okay baby?" Renee shot straight away.
"I'm fine, mom. Really." I lied, pushing my hair away from my face.
Renee paused, "Are you sure? Because I could always come down for a few days... or you could come down here! Oh the sunshine would do you such good. What do you say?" She asked.
"I'll give it a miss for the moment, mom. And don't waste your time coming down here." I said firmly, "I'm better nowadays." I insisted.
"I hate you living so far away, sweetie. I worry too much about you." Renee said.
"Mom." I sighed.
"I'll call soon, okay? And you can call me anytime you want, Bella. Any time. For anything." She told me in a serious tone.
We said our goodbyes, and I hung up feeling horrible for lying to my mother. But I didn't want to trouble her. It would be useless, a pointless heartache for her. I filled a glass with water and trailed up the stairs to my room. I was exhausted from my day, and just wanted to finish my Trig homework and go to bed. But then Charlie called me downstairs.
"Jacob for you." He explained, holding the phone out to me.
"Hey Jake. How are you?" I said, trying to sound bright. I was sick of people pestering me about how I felt. Maybe if I sounded cheery enough, they'd leave me alone.
"I'm good." Jacob replied, "I saw that Reuben guy today. He wanted me to give him your number, but I said I'd make sure it was alright with you first. Is it?" He enquired. Why did he sound so hostile? Did Reuben bother him? I decided to ask him when we were alone together, face to face.
"Sure." I sighed. I had kind of been hoping that I could avoid Reuben and Two Steps all together.
"I'll get him to call you now. Don't move." Jacob said. I heard the line go dead, and put the phone back onto the receiver. Then I waited. Shortly after, the phone began to ring again.
"You sure are popular tonight, Bells." Charlie remarked, passing through with an empty plate.
"Hello?" I said warily into the mouth piece.
"Bella? This is Reuben." His Irish twang rumbled down the phone.
"Oh yes, Jacob said you were calling. Whats up?" I said.
"I just wanted to remind you about your dance lessons. I'd like you to come down tomorrow, at five p.m, if that's alright with you?" Reuben said.
"Fine. I look forward to it." I grumbled.
I knew right then that I wasn't getting away that easily.