Chapter Two 'Paul
Bella had tried to straighten herself up that next morning for her dad's sake. She would be going out with Jacob and his friends in just a few hours. She made herself look presentable and tried to put on a brave face. She heard a knock at the door and checked herself on more time. She went to the door and opened it to see a smile Jacob with a girl on his arms. "Hi Bella," Jacob said softly.
"Hi," Bella said. "And you must be the girlfriend Jake has been telling him so much about," she said extending her hand and she took it.
"My name is Annie," Annie said with a smile. "And I hope it was all good things," she said looking back at her boyfriend and he nodded his head.
"Are you ready?" Jacob asked looking over at her.
"Do I not look ready?" Bella asked causing Annie to laugh because he had ask her the same thing. Her response was the same as Bella.
"I just give up," Jacob said raising his hands up and Bella closed the door behind her. They headed for his car and all piled inside. Once they got back to Jake's house everyone was happy to see Bella.
"Bella," Embry said rushing over to her and picking her up in his arms.
"Put me down," Bella said laughing out loud.
"Sorry," Embry said. "We missed you around her," he said softly. "And I am so glad he told you I felt so weird not letting you know," he said causing her to nod.
"Come on time to party," Jacob said leading his girlfriend to his house. They all went inside that night sitting around eating some food.
"Man you all can eat," Bella said looking around at them.
"Yep," Paul said looking over at her and taking a drink of his coke.
"So," Bella said. "Can I ask you guys something?" She asked.
"Go on," Annie said with a smile.
"What are your abilities?" Bella asked. "I mean with the Cullen's," she began. "They can read minds and see the future," she said causing them to snicker.
"Well we can't read mines," Jacob said. "Which sucks," he said softly.
"What can you do?" Bella asked causing Sam to sit up.
"We can hear far, run fast, we can see from great distances," Sam said causing her to nod. "And non of us can see the future," he said causing her to nod.
"I can get away with more now," Bella said causing them to laugh with her.
"I doubt it," Paul said causing her to look over in his direction.
Bella was sitting on the porch that night and just looked out at the sky. "Beautiful isn't it?" A voice asked causing her to turn to see Paul.
"Yeah," Bella said. "How have you been?" She asked causing him to sit down next to her.
"I got to admit at first I wasn't so happy that he told you," Paul began. "But you don't seem to judge us and I think that is cool," he said causing her to laugh.
"I have no right to judge," Bella said taking a drink of her coke. A slow song came on causing and he looked over at her. "What?" She asked arching her eyebrow.
"Dance with me," Paul said causing her to laugh.
"I can't dance," Bella said causing him to stand up.
"Well neither can I," Paul said. "Come on humor me," he said causing her to sigh.
"Fine," Bella said setting down her coke and taking his hand.
Paul placed his hands on her waist and she draped her arms around his neck. She felt very comfortable with him and it felt odd to her at first. They began to sway to the music and he just stared into her eyes.
"You are so beautiful," Paul said running his hand along her face.
"Thank you," Bella said feeling embarrassed.
"Can I ask you something?" Paul asked causing her to nod. "And maybe I am over stepping," he said.
"Go on," Bella said causing him to nod his head.
"What is a girl like you?" Paul asked. "Taking up with the likes of a vampire," he said causing her to pull away from him.
"You're right," Bella said. "You are over stepping," she said about to walk away from him.
"Wait," Paul said reaching for her hand. "I am sorry," he said. "Please don't go," he said. "No more talking about the vampire," he said. "Unless you want too," he said causing her to nod.
"Just because I don't want to seem rude," Bella said placing her hands on his shoulder. Paul placed his hands back on her hips and they went back to dancing.
That night they went for a walk along the outlines of the property that belong to Billy. They sat down on a stack of hay and remained silent. "So," Paul said. "When did you come to forks?" He asked.
"A little over a year ago," Bella said softly. "I came for some peace but then I met Edward," she said slightly laughing.
"I heard about that whole thing with James," Paul said causing her to nod. "I am glad you are okay at least the bloodsuckers did something right for a change," he said causing her to look over.
"Why do you all hate each other so much?" Bella asked looking over at him.
"It's complicated," Paul said looking down at the ground.
"I got time," Bella said causing him to smile and he began to explain. That was a lot of Bella to take in one night but she was glad she learned.
"Who do you like more?" Paul asked. "Werewolf or vampire?" He asked causing her to laugh.
"It's not a competition," Bella said softly. "I like you guys as people," she said causing him to look at her with a smile. "I am getting a tired," she said yawning.
"Let me take you home," Paul said looking over at her.
"I don't want to put you out,' Bella said standing up.
"Its no problem," Paul said taking her hand and she looked down for a minute. Edward use to hold her hand like that but she just shook the thought off.
"Okay," Bella said nodding her head. "Lets just go tell the others first," she said moving away from him and he released her hand.
Paul pulled up in front of her house and she looked over at him. "Here we go," he said softly.
"Thanks," Bella said. "And for the dance," she said causing him to smile.
"Thanks for not judging me or my friends," Paul said causing her to head out the car. "Hey," he said causing her to turn back. "Will I see you again?" He asked.
"If you're lucky," Bella said with a smile before heading out of the car. Did she just flirt with him? Can she do that so soon? But wait Edward left not her. She has every right to move on. Right?
Bella went into the house that night thinking about Edward and then about Paul. He was so nice to her tonight all of them were. But especially Paul. Sure he had an attitude but he was sweet.