Chapter Seventeen

The Date

January 2005 Phoenix, Arizona.

Authors note: Thanks to all for reading. This chapter doesn't really have anything to do with the story. I just wanted to develop Bella's character a little more, to emphasise the kind of person she is...

If I had been concerned that I would be pestered too much by Will after giving him a little too much encouragement ay Renee's party I needn't have been. Maybe he shared my reluctance to get involved in something that wouldn't last, or maybe he just didn't think about me at all. Maybe he already had a girlfriend? Either way, I didn't hear from him at all for a couple of weeks, and after that, I stopped thinking that I might.

I returned to school, knowing I wouldn't see the full semester, which was just as well. My over-reaction at the party had obviously not gone unnoticed and I received quite a few snipes about it. I had apparently also managed to upset quite a few people by not inviting them. I ignored them mostly and reminded myself that I wouldn't have to suffer it for much longer. I had begun to look forward to the move.

Charlie had phoned a few times to firm up arrangements. I would go in early March, mid-way through the Semester. It wasn't ideal, but I didn't want to wait any longer. Renee had fallen into depression again and if I was perfectly honest, I just wanted to get away. I was suddenly tired of my old school and my so-called friends. Maybe Forks would be different; perhaps the girls in Forks were not so shallow?

One Friday afternoon towards the end of January I returned home from school to find Will had turned up. I was pleasantly surprised to see him, as I hadn't given him much thought for a week or two. Renee was over-acting the hostess part and seemed very excited for me. It wasn't everyday a young gentleman came calling for her only daughter I guess.

"Hey, Bella. How's things?" Will asked as I entered the kitchen. Will was sat at the table with my mother, a cup of coffee in his hands.

"I'm fine thanks, and you?" I replied. "So, what brings you here?"

"Well, I was just passing," an obvious lie I thought. People always say that. "I wondered if you fancied going to the cinema later."

"Um, yeah, ok. What's on?"

"I don't know, I haven't looked," he replied. Hmmm so he obviously hasn't given it much thought then.

"Oh well, I guess we can find out when we get there." I shrugged. Apparently I had agreed to it then.

"Would you rather go bowling instead?" he asked.

So, he wanted to go out with me, and it didn't really matter what we did. This put a slightly more alarming slant on it so I was a little more hesitant. However, bowling was out of the question. I would end up embarrassing myself, or in hospital.

"No,the pictures will be fine."

Renee was looking through the local paper now to see if she could find the film listings. "Ok, they are showing Blade, or Bridget Jones tonight," she told us.

"Blade? Isn't that about vampires?" I asked.

Will nodded.

I pulled a face. "I don't fancy that. Have you seen Bridget Jones, the Edge of Reason?" I asked him.

"No, that will do fine. I'm always happy for a Rom-com," He replied.

"Ok, good. I wanted to see it when it came out but I didn't have anyone to go with."

"Excellent. What time is it showing?"

"Eight o'clock," Renee told him.

"Ok, excellent. I'll call round for you about seven-thirty then?"

"Ok, cool. See you later."

Will left and I knew I was going to face a barrage of comments and taunts from Renee, but at least she seemed in a better mood.

She said nothing initially, she just sat at the table with a huge smirk on her face.

"Mu-um!" I exclaimed. "Don't, just don't!"

"What? I'm happy for you."

"Well, it's not going anywhere. I'm leaving in six weeks time, less than that."

"Still, it's a start."

"A start of what?"

"You know...a start in your dating calendar."

"Mum, it's not a date!"

"Well, what would you call it then?"

"I don't know. Will is just a friend, that's all."

Renee suddenly gasped "What are you going to wear?"

"I don't know. My new jeans and a top I expect. Does it matter? It's only the cinema." I saw the look of horror on her face and so I explained. "No-one gets dressed up for the cinema these days."

"I guess times have changed. But you must make an effort Bella. This is your first date. It's important."

"Ok, well I'll put a bit of make-up on if it makes you happy," I conceded.

"Yes, it does..."

"What do you want for tea?" I interrupted, wishing to change the conversation quickly."

"What honey? Oh tea, Oh, I don't mind, anything. I'll get myself something. You go and get ready."

"I have got three hours. I don't need that long. Besides, I've got to eat anyway too." I knew she wouldn't bother if I didn't place a plate of food right in front of her nose.

I began cluttering pots and pans in an effort to distract myself, and to make so much noise it would be impossible to hold a conversation. Fortunately, Phil phoned and so my mother disappeared into the living room with the phone.

This gave me the space I needed to think. Had I just agreed to a date? It certainly wasn't something I had done before. Yes, I think going to the pictures with a boy, and with no other companions probably would be classed as a date. Oh crap! It hadn't seemed like that when Will was here just now. Yes it did Bella, admit it.

After tea I showered and then began agonising over what to wear; not something I normally bothered about too much. More proof that my subconscious was placing too much significance on this evenings outing. I told myself to stop being silly. It was ridiculous; Will knew I was moving soon. Besides, if he had been really keen on me he wouldn't have left it three weeks since the party to make contact.

I eventually settled on a pair of black canvas skinny-jeans and a stripy top, that was slightly more figure-hugging than most of the tops I possessed. I took one final look in the mirror before heading downstairs. I was satisfied that I looked like I had made a bit of an effort, and yet hadn't overdone it.

I reached for the door handle to go downstairs but a quick glance at my watch told me it would be twenty minutes yet before Will arrived. I groaned, not really wanting to go downstairs just yet. I hoped to avoid my mother's questions and comments until the very last minute. She would be either pleased I had made an effort, or upset that I had not made enough of an effort, either way, I didn't want to discuss it, and I certainly wasn't prepared to change my clothes again.

I dragged some books out of my school bag, intending to make a start on my English Essay but after five minutes or so I abandoned that idea. I found I couldn't really concentrate. I had a strange sensation in my stomach. It wasn't hunger; I had eaten well. Butterflies? Yes, I actually had butterflies. Oh for goodness sake Bella, get a grip!

I brushed my hair again, wondering if I should attempt to straighten it. My mother had bought me straighteners for Christmas and I hadn't used them yet. No, now wasn't a good time. If I got it wrong I didn't have time to correct it. I played around with it, tying it up, pulling it back from my face and then eventually settled on leaving it as it was. The anxious feeling in my stomach was getting worse. Was this normal? Did all girls feel like this before a date? There you go again Bella; making assumptions. This is not a date!

After what seemed like an hour, I finally heard the doorbell chime. Seven twenty-seven, according to my bedroom clock. I grabbed my purse and headed for the door. I was hoping to get downstairs and out of the house before my mum got a chance to see me. Sadly, I wasn't quick enough. OK, brace yourself!

"Oh hi Will, Bella's almost ready…oh here she is now….." One disapproving look from my mother told me I hadn't made quite enough effort in her eyes, but thankfully, she didn't say anything. It would have been difficult really as Will was also dressed casually in jeans and a polo shirt, with a leather jacket over the top.

I gave her a look that I hoped she would interpret as I told you so, and escaped out of the door as quickly as possible.

Will held the passenger door of his car open for me. Nice touch, I thought to myself. He certainly has manners. I climbed in awkwardly as his car was seemed quite low to the ground compared to my mother's SUV, and we set off into the city centre.

"So, when are you off to Forks?" he askde after a couple of minutes, breaking the silence.

"Beginning of March, not long now…." I replied, reminding him of the proximity of the move.

"You're definitely going through with it then?"

"Yep. No backing out now, it's all arranged." Well, that wasn't strictly true, I could back out if I wanted to, but the truth was, I didn't want to.

"Will you return to Phoenix? For visits, I mean?"

"Unlikely. Not for a while anyway. My mum won't be here. She's already made plans to go to Florida to meet up with Phil the day after I leave."

"Oh." Will seemed a little disappointed then he added, "That's too bad. I really like you Bella, you're um...you're different."

Great! I didn't need reminding I didn't fit in. One of the reasons I wasn't dreading the move so much now.

"Thanks," I replied a little sarcastically.

"Oh, I meant that in a nice way. You see, I'm different too. I don't normally speak to girls, I mean...I can't. I don't know what to say."

I had imagined as much. Will was different somehow. He wasn't like the rest of the boys in town with their phony chat-up lines and their abundance of testosterone fuelled comments. I wasn't sure how to reply to that. I needed to put him straight. It wasn't going to be pleasant, but it needed to be said. There was no point in either of us getting carried away.

"Well, there is no point in getting involved because I am definitely going, in less than six weeks time. To be honest, I was surprised you asked me out on this date really, you knew the score."

"Yeah, I know that..." His knuckles whitened as he gripped the steering wheel tighter and moved awkwardly in his seat. "You see Bella, this wasn't really a date...I just needed a friend. I thought that was all you wanted?"

I nodded, "Yeah, it was...I mean, it is." I was a little relieved, although I felt foolish for making the assumption now that this was anything more than friendship.

"The truth is Bella..."

"Yes?"

"Well, I think I am gay, that is, I don't find girls attractive, not normally, not in the way the other lads seem to. I don't know...hey, don't say anything to your mum will you. She will tell my mum and then there will be a whole enquiry. I'm not ready for that yet. My mum, she...well she is desperate to find me a girlfriend. I thought it would get her off my back if I asked you out."

"Oh, what? So I am a token date now?"

"No, it's not like that. Well, yes, I guess in a way it is, but I didn't just ask anyone out. I knew I could trust you, and besides, as I already said, I like you a lot. I was curious to get to know you better. You won't say anything, will you?"

"Of course not," I replied, automatically. Well, that was a turn up for the books. The only boy to ask me out on a date, ever, and he turns out to be gay. What does that say about me? "What makes you think that?"

"I don't know...I just know I am different."

"So, you don't find me attractive?" That's a bit of a leading comment Bella! You may not like the answer!

"Yes...and no. You are attractive, to me...but not I imagine in the way that most boys would find a girl attractive. You are the kind of girl I would want as a friend. I did. That's why I asked you out. I could really use a friend right now. It's so difficult for me..."

I really didn't know how to respond. Sure, I found him easy company and I could use a friend too, I didn't have any other friends. The girls at school were all so shallow and immature.

"Do you want me to drive you back home Bella? I didn't mean to ruin the evening."

"No...you haven't. It's fine. I just didn't see that one coming. Sure we can be friends. I am not sure it will help you though. Wouldn't you be better off going out with some boys? Sorry, I don't know how this works." Truth was, I didn't. I didn't have any experience of this at all.

"Neither do I Bella. I am still coming to terms with it myself. I don't have anyone else to talk to...I just need...someone to talk to."

I guess it was about right for me. I wasn't normal and I didn't attract normal people. I was like a magnet for people with problems, secrets, troubles, people who for whatever reason were different to what society expected of them. It had always been that way. One thing was for sure, I only had six weeks left to help Will come to terms with his particular dilemma and I didn't have a clue how I was going to be able to help.

"Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to blurt all this out tonight. I just wanted to go out and have a good time with someone who wouldn't expect any more of me. Forgive me..."

"Of course...I'll help you if I can. I owe you one after all..."

"Thank you Bella. The fact that you haven't run a mile helps me enormously."

"Why would I do that?"

"Well, I think most girls would have by now."

"Yes, well, I think we have already established that I am not most girls." I let out a little light-hearted laugh which was supposed to lighten the mood. However, I didn't feel very light-hearted. I wanted to help Will, I wanted to be a friend for him in his current dilemma, however, I knew I didn't have long and I also felt ever so slightly hurt, although I wasn't sure why. I hadn't wanted a date, I hadn't wanted a relationship, I hadn't even been seeking male attention, however, it didn't exactly boost my confidence, which was already severely lacking, to have it confirmed that I was indeed different and the only boy I could attract was one that would never be interested in me as a girl.

Maybe Forks would be different. Maybe there was a whole different breed of boy waiting for me there. Oh well, I guess it doesn't really matter. Who needs a boyfriend anyway?