I do not own the Twilight story or any of its characters.
I just like messing with Stephenie Meyer's characters!
Cheer-Ball: September
September 3~
"Bella, What do you think about this one?" Esme asked from across the show room where she and Alice were standing.
I stayed on the plush, comfy couch that I had claimed as my island a half hour ago. "I think I don't need a new bed. My bed works just fine for sleeping."
"You are right that the mattress and box springs are wonderful, but your bed has no head or foot board. You can't do anything fun without those." Alice said looking at me through her long eyelashes. "Esme and Emmett told me there might be a guy at school that you fancy."
"Esme, who are you talking about? More to the point, why did you tell Alice?" I said pinching the bridge of my nose.
Suddenly, Esme was right next to me. "I didn't talk to her about him. She overheard me asking Emmett more information about your friend, Jasper." She explained. "He is a very handsome man. Plus, you can't help, but to fall for that southern drawl of his."
"But I don't fancy, I mean, I don't like him like that. He is just one of my old college friends. He and I met right before our freshman year at USC. He was one of my high school boyfriend's suite-mate."
"You two looked so cut together when Carlisle and I accidently walked in on you in each other's arms that day we came to help you decorate your classroom before school started." Esme said confused.
"We are just very flirtatious with each other. We have always joked with each other like that. I promise our flirting is completely innocent."
"Hey, are you two gossiping without me?" Alice said appearing next to us on my couch island.
"Not really, I am just trying to convince her to get that one of a kind bed over there. I just love the idea of doing her room in refurbished furniture." Esme said lying to her cousin to protect me. "I think it will compliment the rough, wooden nightstands that her father made for her."
"Sure, I completely believe you." Alice said patting Esme's shoulder. As Esme got up, Alice shot me a glance that clearly said 'I will get it out of you!'
I just rolled my eyes and encouraged the ladies to continue to run around shopping for my bedroom in I-10 Design in LA. I thought they were weird for flying down to Los Angeles for furniture, but I was happy to be here because it was a free trip to a warm beach.
Esme had surprised me with the trip as I shivered on our way home from my first football game. I was still inwardly cursing Emmett for dumping a bucket of cold water on my head. I was very glad I was able to jump out of the way when his team captains, Mike Newton and Sam Uley, dumped sticky Gatorade on his head seconds later.
Esme, Alice, and I had flown down late Saturday morning. We spent most of Saturday afternoon finishing warming me up and getting tan at the beach. I had been told by Jasper about a USC alumni party held basically every Saturday night, but I didn't want to chance running into my ex so I didn't go. Esme and Alice did dress me up again to drag me out to dinner and dancing. Those two were going to end up being the death of me. Sunday we had explored a little bit of the city in the morning and lounged at the beach for most of the afternoon. With nowhere really fun open on Sunday nights, we stayed in the hotel room easting room service and watching pay-per-view movies.
This morning they had woke me up right around the crack of dawn. This was to fourth and hopefully last store we had been to this morning. They seemed more excited here than anywhere else.
"Bella," Esme said breaking my out of my own mind. "We are done her it will be delivered Wednesday. I will need you to make sure you room is ready for me to change things out by tomorrow night."
"I can definitely do that. Are we going home now?" I asked hopefully as we walked out of the store.
"Nope!" Alice said way too happily for my taste. "Now, we are going to Mood Fabrics to pick out the material for your sheets, drapes, and comforter. Are you sure you don't want any teal in your room?"
"NO, I certainly don't. I have enough teal in my wardrobe to satisfy the teal quotient in my room."
"If you are sure, we will steer clear of teal. What colors would you like to have in your room?" Esme questioned as we drove through Los Angeles to Mood Fabrics.
"Can't I just say no teal or pink or animal print or big, goofy flowers and let you two loose on the store?" I asked annoyed in the backseat. The second I finished my question I regretted it. Alice began bouncing in her seat clapping her hands.
"Apparently Alice approves." Esme said sarcastically. "I will rein her in, Bella. I promise."
"Thanks, Esme."
Two, hours later, Alice and Esme were on the phone with a seamstress in San Francisco arranging to bring her several yards of deep purple, pale blue, and sage green fabric. She told them she should have my comforter, three sets of sheet, and drapes done by next Wednesday.
"Are we going home now?" I pleaded.
"Bella, our flight isn't for another five hours." Alice said turning around to look at me in the back seat. "Do you realize how much clothes shopping we can get done before we have to be at the airport?"
For the next few hours, I zoned out and imagined being at the beach again as they dragged me from designer shop to designer shop. I almost jumped for joy when Esme said it was time to head to the airport.
%
September 7~
Even though I was having fun spending time with Emmett on the bus going to an away game, I couldn't believe I was riding on his football team's bus. I couldn't believe my cheerleaders had to ride on the same stinky bus as the football team. I was desperately wishing for my high school days when the cheerleaders had a van to ride to away games in.
"It's is not that bad is it, Bella?" Emmett said as he leaned over to talk to me. I guess my displeasure at the situation showed on my face.
"Sorry, I was just thinking about all of the fun times I had riding with my squad in high school." I said rearranging my features into a small smile. "Some of the best times I had in high school were in that van. No guys, just a bunch of girls laughing and blasting music. We were a little crazy, mooning the team's bus every once in a while, but…"
Emmett cut me off. "Please stop there." He said with a heavy breath.
"What's wrong?" I asked. I looked around to make sure my cheerleaders were still in the front few rows of the bus and hadn't snuck past me to sit with the football players when I had been daydreaming.
"Nothing. I… I don't… I just don't want the students over hearing and getting any ideas." He said stuttering and looking anywhere, but at me.
"Oh."
"So, are you really going to make your girls do push-ups during the game again tonight?" He asked stumbling in a way that made me think he was desperate for a subject change.
"You didn't seem to have a problem with it last Friday night." I said teasingly and poked him in the ribs. "Did they distract your guys from playing their best?" Between being kidnapped to Los Angeles and both of us being really busy at school this week, he and I hadn't had a chance to say more than a quick hello.
"No, I don't have a problem with it. Plus, I think my guys got ego boosts from it. I know the assistant coaches and I respect them and how hard they are working this year." Emmett said seriously.
"Really?" I said turning to stare at him.
"Why would I lie about that?" Emmett responded.
I threw my arms around his neck and said, "Thank you. Thank you so much. You have no idea how much that means to me. I have been fighting with people my whole life that cheerleaders are more than just eye candy."
As Emmett chuckled and hugged me back, I heard a couple of his assistant coaches coughing and chuckling at us.
Clapp slid his foot across the aisle and kicked Emmett's shin. "Watch the show in front of the students."
Together, Emmett and I said, "There's no show."
%
September 13~
"I don't know who you are or why you are calling, but I will not hesitate to kick your ass when I find you." I said to whoever had dared to call my cell phone at thirteen to four in the morning.
"Now, young lady is that the way you speak to your dear, old dad?" My dad said with a chuckle in his voice.
"Daddy! What's wrong?"
"Noth…"
"Did you get shot?"
"Bella…"
"Did you or Harry pull a Dick Cheney?" I asked in a rush as I jumped out of bed and began pacing my room.
"Bella…"
"Give me a few hours and I will be there." I said grabbing a bag out of my closet. "I'll book a flight and rent a car."
"BELLA, I'm fine!" He said finally breaking through my rant. "I called to say Happy Birthday."
"What? Why in the hell are you calling me so early?" I asked as I sank onto the floor.
"Don't I always call you at 3:47 in the morning?"
I sighed, "Yes, but somehow every year I hope you would forget about the minute I was born and call me at some normal hour. Dad, why can't you call at a normal hour?"
"Now, Bella, that wouldn't be fun." He said chuckling. "Plus, I don't know when or if I will have a chance later on today."
My anxiety quickly shot back up to panic level. "Dad, what is going on?"
"Nothing much. Today just happens to be bonfire day at Forks High. If what has already happened this is any indication the reservation boys are going to start some trouble. Now, it is just a matter of when it will happen."
"What has happened so far?" I asked seeing as my father was the police chief and would be the one to stop them.
"The cheerleaders were kidnapped during practice last night. They were tied to a stake in the bonfire pit and they were found around midnight."
"Shit! I really hope Frost doesn't have any football rivals like that."
"Bells, I hope so to, but I have to go. Billy Black just texted me saying that he just saw some of the boys from the reservation heading toward Forks." My dad said a little distracted. "Happy Birthday, Bells. Get some more sleep and have a good day."
"Since when did you and Billy learn how to text?" I said crawling back into bed. "Bye, Dad. I love you. Go get those reservation boys. I'll call you on Sunday."
"Bye, Bella. Love you, kiddo." Then, he was gone.
I closed my eyes and instantly fell asleep. My brain tried its best not to dream about when Jake and his friends from the reservation kidnapped me and the rest of my squad in high school, but it was very unsuccessful.
Hours later, I woke up to the smell of bacon, eggs, and fresh biscuits. Before I even opened my eyes, I smiled and said, "Esme, thank you for breakfast and for not letting the two people I live with help."
She chuckled lightly, I wouldn't force you to eat burnt and egg shell-filled food on your birthday."
"So, what does Alice have planned since you wouldn't let her cook with you?" I asked slightly scared of the small pixie who had quickly become one of my best friends.
"I think you are safe from her until after practice tonight." Esme said chuckling. We heard Alice jumping up the stairs toward us and humming the 'Happy Birthday' song complete with Cha, Cha, Cha 's. "Now, remember I said I think."
Alice popped into my room and skipped over to my bed. After landing next to me on my bed and stealing a piece of bacon off of my plate, she said, "I had nothing to do with it."
"Nothing to do with what?" I asked skeptically.
"With what happened to your truck."
From outside my room, I heard Emmett yell. "Traitor!"
"Let me guess, the big goof out there gave my keys to the football team and/or the cheerleader and the decorate it inside and out."
"It was just the football team." Alice said around her piece of stolen bacon. "Your girls have something else planned. Shit! I wasn't supposed to say that."
"I promise to act surprised. It's not like you told me what their plan is." I said before taking a bit of my own piece of bacon.
"Okay, Alice. We need to let Bella get ready for work. It sounds like she has a busy day of surprises ready for her." Esme said leading Alice out of my room. She shot me a wink and a wave before she closed the door.
I dressed quickly hoping to get outside with enough time to clean off my truck before I really had to leave.
I stopped short when I got outside and saw my truck. I took my time walking around my baby to take in everything that the football team had done for me. The windshield was covered in long stem teal roses while Happy Birthday and the team signatures covered the rear window. The two door windows were stick figure drawings of cheerleaders cheering, doing a couple of different pyramids, and push-ups. The bed was filled with black pompoms surrounding teal ones spelling out SWAN.
Inside the cab of my truck, they had stuffed it with tons and tons of teal, black, and silver balloons. I was a little leery of opening the door until I saw that they had tied all of the strings to my gear shift. I opened the door and the balloons started rushing toward me. I could feel Emmett, Alice, and Esme's eyes on me through the front living room window.
Acting quickly, I shoved my bag over to the passenger seat and then, untied the balloons. Leaving my truck door open, I ran with the bundle in my hands up to the front door. Surprising my watchers I locked and dead bolted the door. I made it to Emmett's jeep and I could hear him yelling no through the windows above the door. Remembering all of the knots my dad had taught me while I was going up, I used half of them to tie the balloons to the roll bar of the jeep.
Emmett made it to his jeep as I jumped off of the other side. I ran to my open truck door and fell inside. As I scrambled to sit in my seat correctly, I turned my key in the ignition. After slamming my door shut, I waved innocently to Emmett, who was still standing next to his jeep and shaking his head.
Thankfully, most of the school day was normal with a few students saying happy birthday as they walked into the room. I think the only reason they knew it was my birthday is because Emmett had had to explain millions of times why his jeep was tied with balloons. He had e-mailed to complain about it many, many times.
Right before the last period of the day, Jasper popped his head into my classroom. "Hey, Swan, can you come out here for a minute, please?"
"Hey, Whitlock, no." I said from my chair that I had just sat in for the first time in several hours.
"Swan, do you have to make it difficult for me?" Jasper whined.
"This is the first chance that I have had to sit down today. I really need to sit for a couple of minutes."
Jasper slowly jogged over to me and pulled me out of my chair. He laughed quietly and said, "You don't want to miss this." Gripping my shoulders, he pushed me out of my classroom.
I stepped outside and the entire band began to play What a Girl Wants by Christina Aguilera.
"Jasper, I love it! Thank you so much!" I said as I laughed so hard I had tears streaming down my face.
"I am glad you like it." Jasper said smiling and hugging my shoulders. He leaned over and whispered in my ear, "Just don't expect me to sing."
"Whitlock, you singing would make this the best birthday present ever!"
"No, I will not sing." Jasper said with finality in his tone. Then, standing in front of me, he flourished his hand, "I will, however, ask you to dance."
I stood there until he said, "Beautiful and radiant Miss Swan, would you do me the honor of a dance?"
"All you had to do was ask." I replied with a cheeky smile and gave him my hand.
He spun me around the quad to the cheers of the congregated students. After signaling his band to play the chorus one more time, he picked me up bridal style and carried me back to the chair he had pulled me out of.
He started to leave the room, but he looked back at me and winked. "I told you years ago that I would get you to dance again." Then, he and his band disappeared back to his classroom.
When I made it to practice my girls had the weight room decorated with tons of teal and black streamers and balloons. The squad and the football team jumped out and yelled surprise causing me to jump back into Emmett, who had walked in right behind me.
He chuckled and caught my fall. "You can't leave your own party, Bella." He whispered in my ear.
I laughed with him and righted myself. "Why would I ever want to leave a party of high school kids, veggie trays, and fruit salad?" I said looking around at the room.
"Be nice. They thought you would like that better than cake." He whispered in my ear causing goose bumps to appear on my neck. "Now let's get done with this party and a light workout so Alice, Esme, Carlisle and I can take you to dinner."
"I was being nice. I love that they, or I should say Angela, came up with doing healthy food over junk food. I knew I liked that girl." I said back. Pulling away from him, I said, "You and your family don't have to take me out to dinner for my birthday."
"We know, but we want to. Now, go enjoy your fruit because I really want to get to my steak soon." He said laughing and lightly pushing me toward the students.
Angela quickly grabbed my arm and pulled me into a giant group hug. Once everyone was surrounding me they sang Happy Birthday so loudly that I had to cover my ears. Everyone broke into laughter at the end of the song because Mike Newton and Tyler Crowley had broken off from the rest of the group and finished about five beats behind.
Angela and Lauren continued laughing as they led me over to the snacks table. Tentatively, Angela asked, "Did you like the surprise?"
"Of course," I said as she handed me a plate. "You two and the rest of the squad did a great job decorating. Plus, you had the genius idea of healthy snacks. You two know me way too well already."
"We are not done yet!" Lauren said before signaling one of the guys to press play on the DVD player.
I gasped when my old squad from the Eagles popped up on the screen. They were all dancing and singing along with the birthday song. They ended in lines that spelled my name.
The camera zeroed in on my best friend and former co-captain, Tanya Juno. "Bella, sorry we could be there today, but we will be there in November and we will party then. Plus, we are giving you and your squad tickets to the game! See you soon."
Most still rather new friends insisted on not telling me where we were going until we got there. Alice had picked out a simple, stone colored, convertible dress that I chose to wear in a deep v twisted style with an open back. It looked amazing paired with a cobalt blue, fake crocodile clutch and stone colored peep toe kitten heels.
In Carlisle's 2012 Mercedes-Benz R-Class crossover, the five of us made our way to the local BART station. They were all laughing at me bouncing in my seat. I was excited to go out to dinner, but I was even more excited to ride BART for the first time. After they finally got me to on and off of the train, we ascended the stairs to the street and I realized we were at the Union Square station in San Francisco.
"Emmett and Carlisle, please forgive me." I said quickly before turning to Alice and Esme. "Ladies, I know that there is a Tiffany's somewhere in Union Square. I know you know where it is. Please, take me there."
Alice leaned around me and said, "Emmett, you owe me fifty bucks."
Esme rolled her eyes at her cousins, linked her arm with mine, and pointed to the familiar, pale blue, shop sign. "It is right over there, Bella. I promise one day you, Alice, and I will come and spend hours there. I'll even make an appointment so we can have our own personal assistant."
"Ladies, can we start walking? We do have a reservation to keep." Carlisle said with a smile after he cleared his throat.
Alice collected her winnings from Emmett and joined us as we began walking toward an unknown to me restaurant. "I knew you were one of us."
"What do you mean one of us?" I asked a little scared of the pixie-like woman attached to my arm.
"A Tiffany's gal, silly." She said laughing and waving her free hand around. Esme and I quickly joined in her laughter
After a short early fall walk, Carlisle steered us into Macy's and then, onto the elevator. We could all tell something wasn't sitting right with Esme. Once off of the elevator, Carlisle stopped us in front of The Burger Bar.
Esme gave her husband a questionable look. "Carlisle, dear," She said in a chilling tone. "This isn't the restaurant we talked about."
"I know, but I talked to Alice after I talked to you. She said that when you three were unpacking Bella's stuff she found a picture of Bella with the owner, Hubert Keller. Bella told Alice that he was one of her favorite chefs and she loved his Burger Bar restaurants."
"Really?" She said looking at Alice and I. We both nodded our heads quickly. "If this is what Bella wants, let's go dig in. I love this place, too. But next time you change plans," she said poking her husband in the chest, "tell me before hand, so I don't get my stomach set on something else." Then, she proceeded inside.
The rest of us burst into laughter as soon as the door closed behind her. After she turned around inside to glare at us, we calmed down and followed.
After the server took our orders, Esme thought it would be best to distract me. "Bella, we know you aren't big into receiving gifts, so the four of us got together with some of the Ladies of Frost and your cheer squad parents to set up a small scholarship fund for Frost High cheerleaders."
"Really? That is amazing." I said completely taken aback.
"I have seen those girls working so hard. Plus, I know that many guys at the high school are trying to get stronger because your girls can do more push-ups than them." Carlisle said with an amused tone.
I had to laugh at that.
"You laugh now, but my guys stay after practice for twenty minutes to work on theirs." Emmett added.
After a laughter filled meal of a buffalo burger on a sourdough bun, we left the restaurant and headed back to the BART station. Esme told me as we rode that she had a homemade cake and ice cream waiting at home.
I didn't get to enjoy it until after the game the next night. The last thing I remember about my twenty-fourth birthday is Emmett carrying me to my bed and gently laying me down.
%
September 19
I walked into the weight room and wasn't surprised to hear Jay-z & UGK's Big Pimpin' bouncing off of the walls. I made my way over to the majority of my cheerleaders, who were having a difficult time getting their strength work out in.
"Girls, I know the guys are hilarious when they sing along to the music, but you still have to get you workout done." I said trying to keep a straight face myself.
Angela gasped out through her laughs. "If you had heard Coach McCarty singing right before you came in, you wouldn't be able to keep that straight face you are fighting to keep!"
I couldn't keep it in anymore. I burst out laughing remembering catching Emmett dancing around the kitchen, making the sandwich, and singing along to Lady Marmalade two nights ago. "I understand." I said through my laughter. "We still need to get back to working out."
The squad began to make their way back to the machines and bars while still laughing. I was impressed with how well my girls had taken to the workout and practice schedule I had created.
Well, most of them had taken to it.
Jessica Stanley had again chosen to flirt instead of working out. She was fluttering around the football captains, Mike Newton and Sam Uley. She was so obvious with her flirting that the freshman football team was snickering and making fun of her. To make her case worse, she was beginning to piss Emmett off because she was distracting his captains from their work out.
My laughter stopped and in what I hope was a calm voice, I said, "Jessica, I need your help over here."
Sarcasm dripped from every syllable as she said, "In a minute, Coach."
"Jessica, I need you to come spot me." I said straddling the bench seat of the bench press.
I watched as she hip bumped Sam out of the way and took his position as Mike's spotter. "I can't right now. I am spotting Mike. You wouldn't want him to get hurt if I leave him in the middle of a… a set, would you?" She said smirking, not realizing I could see her.
I saw Emmett start to open to open his mouth, but I shook my head and stopped him. I almost laughed at the open mouthed fish face that he ended up making.
"Jessica, give Sam his position of being Mike's spotter back before Mike gets hurt because you can't lift the wait that he can. Then, get over here. I'll go light on the weight today so you can be my spotter."
She huffed and took her sweet time getting over to me.
As I started pressing the weights, I asked her if she remembered that she is still on probation with the squad.
"I thought you were joking about that. I am the best cheerleader you have. You can't possibly be thinking about kicking me off of the team."
I dropped the weight back onto the stand and sit up. "Jessica, I want you to hear me loud and clear. If it wasn't for Angela and Lauren begging me to let you stay on the team, you would already be gone. I have no more patience for your antics. You need to get with my program now or you can leave and turn in your uniform by the end of the school day tomorrow."
Lauren placed a calming hand on Jessica's arm. "Can I talk to her Coach Swan?"
"If you think you can get her to use her common sense, be my guest." I said waving them away. Emmett came over and sat on the bench beside mine. As he handed me a bottle of water, I said, "Don't you dare say I was too hard on her. I have been a thousand times nicer to her than every cheer coach I have ever had."
"That thought hadn't even crossed my mind." He said holding his hands up defensively. "I was going to congratulate you on not screaming at her. She would have flooded the room with her tears if you hadn't shaken me off."
"Maybe that is what she needs, a nice dose of cruel reality." I said glancing at Lauren talking to Jessica on the other side of the room.
"I think what you did plus her best friend talking to her is the best combination. She'll straighten up." He said standing up again. "I just hope she doesn't go bat crap crazy again when it is homecoming time."
"Shit! I mean, Crap!" I said giggling. "I hadn't even thought about how that could be a major problem."
A few minutes later, Lauren led Jessica back over to me and nudged her into action. "Jessica has something to say to you, Coach Swan."
I looked at Jessica with a calm, but authoritative expression on my face.
"Coach Swan, I would like to stay on the squad. I really don't know what has been wrong with me. I am not normally this much of an annoying, selfish bitch."
"I understand. We all get that way sometimes." I said reassuring her. "Just make sure it doesn't interfere with my squad again. If you ever need to talk, don't hesitate to come and talk to me, alright?"
She nodded her head, and then followed Lauren over to finish the workout with the other girls.
"For that you get a glass of wine and a back rub from me when we get home." Emmett whispered in my ear behind me causing me to shiver.
%
September 24
"Darlin', is this seat taken?" Jasper asked in his southern drawl in my ear. Emmett scoffed on the other side of me.
"Actually, this seat is reserved for the sexiest southern man I have ever met." I said ignoring Emmett and turning to smile sweetly at Jasper over my shoulder.
Jasper kissed me on the cheek before moving to sit next to me. "You flatter me, Bells."
Before he could sit, I put my hand on the chair. "I said the sexist, not second place. This seat is reserved for Harry Connick, Jr."
"Really? You had to say him, didn't you?" Jasper said staring at me flabbergasted. Recovering quickly, he gently picked my hand off of the seat. After kissing the back of hand, he slid into the seat and said, "I guess, I will just have to dote on you even more to become number one."
Emmett interrupted our playful interactions with some over dramatic fake coughing. Jasper and I turned to him. "Sorry," he said unconvincingly. "I think I am going to go sit next to Clapp. You know, so I can talk to him and the other assistant coaches about some football things during the meeting." Then, he got up and walked across the library to where his assistant coaches were sitting.
I looked from where he was now sitting to Jasper, who looked just as confused as I was. "What was that about?"
"Not a clue, Bells. I bet he just thought up a new play to trick the Panthers on Friday. Don't worry about it. Unless, you did something wrong at home?"
"No, I didn't do anything wrong. Actually, I made all of his favorite breakfast foods for brunch on Sunday." I said defensively.
"Bells, is there something I need to know about you and Coach McCarty? Do I need to start reigning in my natural southern charm around you from now on?" Jasper asked playfully.
"No, mine and his relationship is nothing like that." I said hitting him in the chest. "He and I are just friends. I felt bad about filling his jeep with the silver, black, and teal balloons and roses on my birthday. So, I made brunch, you know I always apologize better with food."
"His jeep was the most gorgeous jeep I have ever seen." Jasper said trying and failing at keeping a straight face. A minute later, the rest of the staff were staring at Jasper and I gasping for breath as we laughed loudly.
Mr. Green started the meeting and I immediately wanted to fall asleep. To keep ourselves awake, Jasper and I played tic-tac-toe on our agenda sheets. Occasionally, we would listen or write down a song we wanted to try with the band and cheer squad.
When the meeting was over, I tried to catch Emmett's attention, but he got himself quickly into a conversation with one of the other science teachers.
Jasper placed his hand on the small of my back and led me to my classroom. "You'll see him at home. Guys are moody sometimes."
"Are you sure? He is a really great roommate and friend. I would hate to lose him and his whole family over something stupid and that I don't even understand." I said before leaving him outside my room.
%
September 29
I was taking a long, relaxing bath at one in the afternoon on the last Saturday of September. Occasionally, I would turn the tubs jets on, but for the past ten minutes I had been too lazy to more my hand and push the button.
I jumped in the water when my cell phone buzzed on the tub surround. I chose to ignore it. Thirty seconds later, my phone buzzed again. I rolled my eyes and dried my hand so I could pick up my phone. It was just Jasper, I would read it later.
As I sent my HTC Inspire phone back down, it buzzed again. It was another text message from Jasper. I sighed and decided to read them.
Darlin', are you busy tonight?
I want to go dancing.
We haven't been since USC.
I'll take you on BART again!
I can always call Heidi.
She'd hop a flight for some dancing.
I quickly found his name in my contacts and pressed call. After our phones connected, I rushed to say, "Don't you dare call Heidi up here. You better plan on riding in a cab home because I refuse to ride on the BART Drunk train! So, what time are you picking me up?"
"I promise I will get a taxi for us to come home." He said laughing. "I'll be there about seven. Then, we can grab a bite to eat before we go."
"Perfect." I said with a smile in my voice. "Okay, I have to get out of my bath now or I will still be all wrinkly when you get here."
"Are you seriously calling me from the bath tub, Bella?"
"Uh-huh and it has jets."
"You truly enjoy torturing the male population, don't you?" He asked with a small groan.
"Bye, Jasper." I said innocently.
I was sitting on the couch in the front living room still wondering if what I had chosen to wear was right. It took me a while, but I decided to wear the same dress from my birthday dinner only tied like a strapless dress along with a pair of emerald green, comfortable, ballet flats. I kept glancing at the time on my phone and praying Jasper would miraculously appear any second. Emmett was sitting on the other living room couch facing me. He was pretending to read the newspaper, but I knew he was actually staring at me over the top.
Trying to break the silence, I asked, "Where is Alice tonight?"
"She is out with a few Ladies of Frost. She won't be home until tomorrow."
That didn't help much. "Did she say anything about another meetings or activities anytime soon? I haven't been able to go to one since before school started."
"She didn't tell me." He said shortly. Then, we both heard a rumbling coming up the driveway. "What is that?"
I ran to the window to see what the noise was. Suddenly, Jasper broke through the trees riding a Harley Davidson Fat Boy Softail. I started laughing loudly. I had never imagined Jasper on a motorcycle; I had only ever seen him in a regular, four-door car.
"Well, that is ostentatious." Emmett said from behind me.
"Be nice. He is your friend, even if you haven't talked to him for a week." I said getting aggravated with him. I could see Japer taking his helmet off and swinging his leg off of the bike out of the corner of my eye as I turned to look at Emmett. "What is your problem lately? You have been moody all week. If you were a girl a guy like you would say you were on your period."
"I'm just having a bad week. Give a guy a break." He hissed through his teeth before storming out of the house and to his jeep.
I heard Jasper say hi as they past each other, but Emmett just kept walking. Jasper stopped and stared after Emmett. Once Emmett had driven off in his jeep, Jasper shook his head and finished coming into the house.
"Bells, are you here?" Jasper asked cautiously from the foyer.
"I'm in here, Jasper." I called back standing and straightening my dress.
He stepped into the doorway and automatically leaned against it. "Hells, Bells! What are you trying to do? First, you call me from the tub and now you are dressed to kill!"
"You look pretty good, too." I said smiling as I walked over to him. Linking our arms, I asked "Shall we go?"
"Are we taking your ancient truck or my cool motorcycle?" He asked making a pouty face when he mentioned me truck.
"I haven't been on a bike since I left Forks last, so I say bike all the way to the city. Just let me grab a jacket." I said excited for the night.
When we pulled into the underground parking in Union Square, I was completely excited. After hopping off of the back of the bike, and handing Jasper the helmet, I said, "Feed me please!"
"I thought it was guys that are always supposed to be hungry?" He said taking my hand and leading me up the stairs to the street.
Knowing he could see me out of the corner of his eye, I pointed to myself and said, "Raised by a single dad, who hunted and fished every chance we had."
"Also, you won that hot dog eating contest for Greek Week sophomore year." He said helping my case.
"Exactly, but now I want a hot dog." I whined as we finished crossing the street toward the giant Macy's. We slipped into the Macy's entrance. "What are we doing? I thought we were going to eat not shop."
"Patience, Bells." He said pulling me into the elevator. After we rode to the top of the building, we stepped out to The Cheesecake Factory restaurant.
"How did you know that I loved this place?" I exclaimed.
"Bells, you forget so easily. He that I won't name used to complain about coming here all the time at the house."
"I still can't believe that you were in the same fraternity as him. You are so much better." I said going to my toes to lightly peck his cheek.
We were quickly shown a table. We laughed at each other when we both ordered their chicken picatta and iced tea as soon as the server arrived. As we began eating, I became more and more aware that Jasper was becoming more and more agitated and tense.
"Okay, spill." I said dropping my fork, leaning back in my chair, and crossing my arms over my chest.
"It's nothing, really." He said shrugging his shoulders before popping a bite of chicken, noodles, and capers in his mouth.
"Do you really think that answer is going to cut it?" I asked frustrated.
"I read a text message from Emmett as we walked to our table."
"And?"
"And I don't understand that guy."
"What did the message say?" I asked getting more curious and beginning to eat again.
He held his phone up for me to see Is your DATE fun?
"I don't get it either. One, he seemed so pissed that we were going to the city tonight. Two, this isn't a date." No response.
"This isn't a date, right?" No response. I dropped my fork again. "Well, hell."
"It's not what you think, Bella." Jasper said stopping me from standing.
"Then, explain it to me and explain quickly." I said threw my teeth.
"Emmett kind of said that you liked me, but didn't want to screw things up."
"Asshole!" I said under my breath.
He reached across the table to grab my hand, but I crossed both of them back across my chest quickly. "Bella, I had a crush on you at USC, like most other guys. I wanted to see if we had any romantic thing now before I said anything to you."
"You should have talked to me." I said slightly relaxing, but not uncrossing my arms. "I would have told you Emmett is bat crap crazy. I like you as a friend, a good friend, but that is it. Also, even if I had romantic feelings for you, after the past three years, I can't handle it."
"Really?"
"Really, Jasper. Can we go back to being just flirty friends again?" I asked with a little hope.
"There is nothing I would like better." He said visibly relaxing and we both started eating again. When we were almost finished, he asked, "Do you still want to go dancing?"
"Not really, I just want to go home." I said hoping he would understand.
Jasper did a fake, exaggerated wince. "I hope you don't kill Emmett."
"I won't kill him. I may maim him though." I said with a small smirk.
Fifteen minutes later, Jasper and I parted ways at the underground Union Square BART station. I texted Esme and asked if she could meet me at the station closest to our houses. I tried to relax to the rest of the ride after she agreed.
Esme pulled me into a rib crushing hug as soon as I got to her car. She could tell that I didn't want to talk, so she sang rather loudly along with the radio as she drove me home. When I started to get out of her car, she said, "If you need to talk, I'm right here."
"I know." I said with a small smile before getting out of her car and walking across the expanse to the bigger house.
I walked into a completely dark foyer. As I walked toward the kitchen, I flipped the hallway switch.
"SHIT!"
"Fuck!"
I turned to where the cussing was coming from to see Emmett zipping up his pants while some bottle blonde pulled down her skirt and covered her exposed breasts.
Author's Note~
Sorry I didn't update on Monday. I had to take my daughter to the minor injury clinic. She is okay, she just sprained her wrist. I didn't update on Tuesday night because I had to coach a volleyball match and I was exhausted when I got home.
Anyways, I am trying to write a month per chapter. Some will be longer and some will be shorter. I hope you liked this chapter. Yes, I love the Union Square and Theater District of San Francisco. I would live at the San Francisco Macy's if I could.
I had fun retelling a memory of mine when Jasper had the band play for Bella's birthday. Let me know what you think (I send previews to those that review). See you in a couple of weeks (or every other day if you follow my Bella & Edward drabble, MaskAWho). ~KaliCali77
PanUchiha7105- I hope you aren't pissed about where the preview ended up coming from. If you are, blame my boyfriend he picks the preview.
Pictures of the house are at http:/ www. villa vianci. com/ Just remove the spaces.
Bella's birthday dinner & dancing dress: http:/ shop. nordstrom. com/ S/ twobirds- convertible- jersey- dress/ 3231350? origin= category & resultback= 2776#/ 1
Alice's birthday dinner dress: http:/ shop. nordstrom. com/ s/ trina- turk- fallyn- one- shoulder- silk- minidress/ 3282030? origin= category& resultback= 1457
Esme's birthday dinner dress: http:/ shop. nordstrom. com/ s/ guilia- embellished- mixed- media- v- neck- sheath- dress/ 3278757? origin= category & resultback= 1457
BART= Bay Area Rapid Transit (like the L train in Chicago or the subway system in New York or London or Berlin)