The week went by excruciatingly slow. But at least today was Friday, the day I'd been waiting what almost seemed like forever for. I started humming as I got dressed for school and made breakfast. I woke up earlier than usual, so I thought as long as I'm up, I'll make something for Charlie too.

He seemed pleased with himself, and pleased with me as well. It had been about a week since the nightmares stopped, and so had the pain.

"So you've got that thing at the movies tonight with your friends, right?" Charlie asked.

"Yes, Dad. Don't worry, I made you some dinner for tonight. All you have to do is stick it in the oven for 5 minutes at 350, okay?"

He made an appreciative noise while chewed on his last bite of pancake. I was too excited to sit around before I had to go to school, so I went upstairs to plan what I'd wear that night.

I settled on an outfit and laid it on my bed. It was a pair of jeans, a pair of blue wedge heels, and my favorite burgundy singlet with a denim vest. I usually don't dress up, but it was too good an opportunity to resist.

I didn't see Angela at school, so I figured she was sick and wasn't going to make it to the movies with us. That also meant that Ben wouldn't be there either – those two are joint at the hip. At least Mike was there, and I was hoping that Quill and Embry were able to make it too.

I drove home and fiddled with my hair, wondering how it should be for a date. I took a piece from either side of my head, above my ears; and loosely tied them together with a braid at the back. I got dressed warily, wondering if the vest was too much. I threw it onto my bed and proceeded downstairs to find Mike and Jacob waiting for me.

They were standing with their bodies facing away from each other and their arms crossed. I didn't realize what time it was. I must have been standing in front of the mirror, fiddling with my hair for an hour.

"Hey" I called downstairs "...Where are Quill, Embry, Angela, and Ben?"

Both of them tried to talk at the same time, then Jacob cleared his throat and spoke again. "Quill got grounded for fighting at school, and Embry...well, he's with Sam"

"Well that sucks" I sighed "And I'm guessing Angela is sick" I looked at Mike. He nodded. It was just us three. That might be a little awkward.

"Maybe we should do this some other time" Mike suggested.

"May– " was all I could squeeze in, before Jacob retorted

"I'm still up for it".

Mike looked dissatisfied and defeated, but he was persistent. "Me too". I walked outside to find Jacob's Rabbit parked in the driveway.

"No way!" I exclaimed, "You're finished?"

"Yep, tonight's the maiden voyage!"

"Sweet!" I hopped in the car, and Mike did too, reluctantly. We pulled out and headed to the cinema.

The movie wasn't as good as I expected, but at least there wasn't anything to make our trio feel uncomfortable. Half way through the movie, Mike started groaning. He ran off and out the theater, so I told Jake I'd be back in a few. I went to check on Mike but he went into the men's bathroom, so I was glad to see that Jake had followed me.

"I'll go check on him" Jake said. He came out seconds later "Oh, he's in there alright!". Jacob and I sat down on one of the benches outside the bathroom.

"I hope he's okay..."

He sighed "Yeah". Jacob put his arm around me and scooted a few inches closer.

"You like me, right, Bella?"

"You know I do, Jacob" My answer was obvious.

"Better than that guy in there puking his guts out right now?"

"Yes".

"Better than any of the other guys you know?"

"Better than the girls too" I pointed out.

"Do you think that you might like me as more than a friend?" His look was hopeful. His eyes were pleading, like a puppy begging.

I took a moment, "Maybe?" I asked myself. "All I know is that I need you Jacob. As long as your with me, I'll have everything I'll ever need. I never want you to leave me." Jacob held my hand and stared into my eyes. The silence was broken by Mike, stumbling out of the bathroom. He looked green.

Jacob Scoffed "Movie too much for you, huh?"

"I was feeling sick before the movie, dude" he mumbled, defending himself.

"What? Why didn't you tell us? You didn't have to come if you didn't feel good" I tried to soothe him.

Jacob asked the lady at the concession stand for a bucket. She threw one at him and demanded we get Mike outside. We hopped into Jake's car and took off. Mike was heaving in the back seat. Poor Mike, I hope he gets better real soon.

"Please" Jacob said as he rolled his eyes. He put his arm around me. "Jeez, you're cold Bella."

"And you're not?" It was pretty freezing right now.

"Nope"

"You must have a fever." I put my hand on his forehead and it almost burned me. "Your forehead is blazing, are you feeling okay?

"You're fingers are like ice, Bells!"

"Okay, maybe it's just me.."

I dropped Mike off at his house and then headed home. We arrived earlier than expected, so I invited Jake in.

"I would, but I'm starting to feel a little strange, maybe I do have a fever" he allowed.

"Oh no! Not you too, I'll drive you home."

"No, no, it's alright. I'll manage"

"You sure?" He nodded, "Call me when you get home then, okay?"

"Sure, Sure."

I waited until he was out of my sight before I went inside. I really hoped he would be alright. I called Billy right away, to let him know about my concern for Jacob. He said he'd let me know if it turned out that he was sick.

About fifteen minutes later the phone rang. I ran and picked up, panting. "Hello?"

"Hi, Bella."

"Oh, Jake. Are you okay?"

"Not really, something strange happened."

"What?"

"Well, I can't really explain it to you. I'll try to come see you. If my Dad will let me out of the house. I think I'm sick."

"Oh no, Jake! I hope you didn't get the flu."

"It's not that I'm sure."

"Okay, well, I'll see you."

"Bye, Bells."

"Bye." Beep "...I love you." I knew he didn't hear it, but I'm glad I said it. He had an edginess to his voice. It made me feel as though it would be a while before I saw him again.