AN: I'm so glad so many people voiced their opinions. I'd love to hear more. Thanks to all who love my story, I write this for you.

I don't own anything, but I am doing a bit of borrowing.

Chapter 7 – Almost Caught

After school, I pulled into a parking spot by Jacob's house and checked my makeup in the rear view mirror before exiting my car to reach the front door. I hoped the heat I felt today wouldn't hinder our studying. We had a lot to cover. I was still yearning for Jacob's lips since lunch. I rang the door bell and looked around at the neighboring homes all holiday decorated while his was still bare. I heard him run down the steps to open the door.

"Hey Bella," he greeted in an angelic tone. "So what did I miss in chemistry?"

"It was fun today. There were lots of explosions."

"Shoot," he stated sorrowfully.

"You could always attend."

"I'd rather miss it," he concluded. He closed the door behind me.

As we climbed the stairs to his room he mentioned another upcoming Savage Gord concert and asked if I wanted to go.

"Sure, what color should I be this time?"

"You don't really need to. I actually don't mind your natural color. It's very pretty."

I smiled. "Thanks, but I kind of enjoy having the excuse. What about red?"

"My mom would hate it."

"Red it is," I laughed.

We were now at his bedroom door. When he opened it, I saw his walls were all plastered with Savage Gord pictures, posters, and emblems. The bed was unmade and clothing littered the floor. He sat on his bed and gestured for me to take the desk.

"Volcano what's up with your decorations?" I asked as I pulled out my chemistry book from my bag, along with my old assignments for him to copy.

"What decorations?" he responded. He bent over to the floor to fish out his chemistry book from under the bed.

"Exactly. There aren't any. Doesn't your family decorate for the fall?"

"I'll get to it when I have the chance." He sounded irritated.

"I didn't mean . . ." my voice trailed off. "Why doesn't your dad do it?"

"He's out of town on business. I'm expected to fill in for him."

"Oh," I just worded.

"So what's the homework for tomorrow?"

I indicated which page and began reading my notes to summarize the lesson that was taught today. Most of the information was too advanced, so I went back to the beginning of the school year's notes. We went through each topic carefully and he managed to catch on fairly quickly. After forty-five minutes we were beginning to make a dent in the homework questions. The whole time I was noticing cute little things that made me want to attack him, the way his lips curled over a bleach-white smile, the creases on his face as he made an expression of confusion or when he lost his place while reading. But he was all business. A different Jacob than I knew.

"Volcano, do you want me to come over again tomorrow, because there's a test coming up?" I asked after I finished my last question.

"No. I don't know if my mom and sister will be out again. Rebecca had a rehearsal today and my mom stayed to watch. How about at school? There's always club meetings and football practice keeping the school opened. We just need to find a classroom," he suggested.

"Why is Rebecca in school with your mom, but you aren't?" I asked curiously.

"I was in ninth grade, but I got–"

"Expelled," we said together. He chortled a little.

"Sorry. I should have realized," I mumbled.

"It's fine."

"Are you done?" I asked referring to his homework.

"I got three more questions."

"Well give me your first page and I'll check your answers."

I went through them quickly. They were all right. I waited about five extra minutes.

"Um, Volcano?" I couldn't hold it in any longer. Why wasn't he trying anything with me? We were alone in his room. It didn't make sense.

"Just about finished," he answered.

"Why didn't you kiss me?"

"Huh?" He looked up confused.

"When we were at school or when I just walked in," I clarified. "You could casually kiss me. It doesn't need to be planned like for goodbye or all intense like when we heat things up. It could be perfectly random. Like right now." I felt my face warm up as I spoke. I waited in silence as he took in what I requested.

He looked at me curiously. "Didn't you come over to teach me chemistry?"

"Yes," I uttered sheepishly.

He sighed. "So you really think after I kiss you I could focus on homework?"

I gave a half smile. "I guess not." He was right. Once I taste his lips I wouldn't want to do anything else.

He put his pencil down and got up from his bed. He took my hand and pulled me toward him. He softly rubbed his clean shaven cheek against mine. My eyes closed to his gentle touch. He released my hand and I felt his fingers in my hair. Softly he pressed his lips to mine and I overreacted from my anticipation. My arms went around his neck, pulling him closer to me. My chest could feel the thump of his heart while other parts of him also responded.

"What is it about me?" he whispered as he separated softly.

"Honestly?" I pressed my lips to just below his ear. "You're an amazing kisser." His face snapped away. His eyes penetrated my deep browns searching for truth. Then they lowered to their new focus. I licked my lips in expectation. His face came close and we connected. His hands wandered my body pulling me even closer if it were possible. I pulled out his ponytail and let my fingers glide through his silk hair.

He kissed the hollow where my neck met my shoulder. Something within me melted making my knees give out and my mouth moan. He pulled me onto his bed. His kisses became fierce as his hands went up my shirt. I felt my flesh burn with his touch.

"Oh Volcano," I moaned again.

He panted for breaths. "You could call me Jacob."

I grinned. "Jacob." Then I was immersed in the passion.

There was a door slam. We broke apart.

"Jacob we're home!" a woman called out.

"Shit, they're back," he whispered. "Get your stuff."

I adjusted my shirt and bra. "Should I sneak out?" I asked worried. I took a peek at the wall mirror. My makeup was all smudged.

"No," he said in all seriousness. "Just walk out the front door. Don't forget to take my homework with you and hand it in." I placed his homework in my folder with mine and put the folder in my book bag. I put my chemistry book in too and tried to quickly fix my hair and makeup. He fixed his pony and hid his book back under his bed.

I carefully tip-toed down the steps quietly. I didn't care if he said I could just go out the door, I didn't need a confrontation with his mom. The front door creaked as I opened it.

"Hello," someone said from behind me.

I turned around to see his sister staring at me.

"Hi," I replied in a mumble.

"Rebecca, who are you talking to?" His mom came in from the kitchen.

"I was just leaving." I quickly left closing the door behind me.

As I sprinted to my car, I distinctly heard her scream, "Jacob!"

When I got home, my mother was waiting for me.

"Where were you?" she asked sternly.

"I was helping a student with chemistry."

"You need to call if you plan on not coming home right after school."

"Since when? I always hung out with Rose, Angela, and Asia and you never said anything," I claimed.

"Since you were seen kissing a boy on a motorcycle."

Oh crap, I knew that was going to come back to haunt me.

"Is this the same friend you were holding a knife for and the reason you dyed your hair green?" she cleverly deduced.

"Mom I was just tutoring. Please don't start the talk. You scarred me enough when I was eleven," I begged.

Both my parents worked in fields of science. My mom, Renee, was a nurse and my dad, Charlie, was the head chemist in a pharmaceutical company before his promotion. Dad came up with a new formula for a medication with fewer side effects and was cheaper to make. It made the company billions and Dad got put on the executive board in charge of medications. My parents knew the detailed description and explanation of the human body, especially the human reproductive system. They figured knowledge was power – the power to completely gross me out into not having sex – EVER! Too bad it didn't last.

"Honey, I think you need a refresher course. Give me a second and I'll get the diagrams."

"No Mom! I still remember. I could recite the whole thing to you if you want. I took biology last year, remember?"

"Oh yes. Please, all embarrassing things aside, you know you could talk to me if you need to," she offered.

"Yes, I know. And thanks."

"So when do I get to meet this boy?" she mused.

"You don't. I'm just tutoring him. Oh and he's really behind so I'm probably going to be helping him every day at school. Just so you know."

"Okay honey," she said giving up.

Wednesday morning I felt nauseated. I had a dream that I couldn't stop my parents from explaining how babies were made. Then the dream took a turn for the worse, my parents tried to show me. It was the worst nightmare I ever had. Worse than the nightmare where I was a complete klutz and couldn't walk without tripping over myself — resulting in bumps and bruises to not only myself, but to the unfortunate few that were in my path of destruction.

My bad dream made me wish for my early childhood where my mother would kiss my boo-boos and gave me cotton candy so I would feel better. In the spirit of my memory, I sprayed my hair lightly with sunshine yellow. It wasn't a good look for me, but I had no time to remove it. I just rolled my hair into a twist exposing the under layers of brown. The mixing of the two strand shades reminded me of a dirty, dusty zebra. Hey, at least the twist came out perfectly. I wore a white shirt with pink cardigan and a pink pencil skirt. I smoothed on light foundation, rosied my cheeks, and put pink flavored lipstick. I perfumed myself with a cotton candy scent. Something I usually wouldn't have done, but I couldn't help myself. I showed up to my homeroom class acting cool and confident, earning me various amounts of compliments.

I got a surprise for second period chemistry, Jacob showed up waiting outside the classroom.

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" I stated.

"Whoa, you're outfit kinda makes me hungry."

"For . . .?"

"Um, bubble gum. No wait." He came near brushing his nose close to my jaw line. "Cotton candy." A big smile crossed his face. "I hadn't had cotton candy in a while. You certainly look delicious." I couldn't help it; my eyes glanced down to his biting lip.

"So Mr. Black, are you going to attend class today?" Mr. Banner interrupted.

"No sir. I was just dropping off my homework," Jacob replied.

"Homework? I think I need to get my ears checked." He walked into class without another word. Jacob and I just stood there.

He turned to me. "Be sure to hand in my homework, so he sees I was serious."

"Will do," I said with a smile.

Jacob leaned into me and took a long pull of breath at my neck. "Absolutely delicious."

I felt my face heat and I'm sure my facial coloring matched my cardigan.

When lunchtime arrived, I met my friends reluctantly at the usual table. The glares and whispers behind my back were no longer complimentary. They sounded more like ridicule and mockery. I didn't care much about those comments, but I was worried about what comments my friends would say.

"What happened?" Angela questioned. "I heard you looked funny, but I thought those girls were just jealous."

"Too much?" I inquired.

"It feels like a candy store exploded on you," Asia commented.

Rosalie held out her hand in front of her blocking her view. "Hold on."

She pulled open her bag and put on her sunglasses. "Much better. I couldn't see from the brightness of your hair."

"Ha ha! Very funny," I said sarcastically. "I was running late. I had to make do with what I had. And, I think I did okay."

I paused. I had to do something about my hair. "Does anyone have a brush? I forgot mine and I could comb the spray color out sometimes."

"Here take mine," Rose offered. "Go fix it, please. We'll save your lunch."

I got up and went to the lavatory, unpinned my hair and began slowly brushing. The color flaked off into the sink. After a few minutes, my hair was barely yellow. I spiraled my hair into a flowering twist. I unzipped my bag and took out some eye shadow. I went with a brown liner and tan over my lids. I looked the classic beauty I knew I was. "Perfect." I packed up my things and headed out the door.

As I stepped out, someone abducted me from behind, covering my mouth so I couldn't call out as I was pulled then pushed into a dark corner.

"You're driving me crazy," Jacob mumbled just before kissing me. I was so relieved it was him and not some psychopath.

"Don't do that!" I yelled pushing him away. "I thought I was getting kidnapped."

"Shh." He held his finger to his lips. "You even taste like cotton candy," he seductively worded, his face coming close to the hollow by my ear. His lips brushed down the line of my jaw until he met my mouth, tasting me deeply. He pressed himself against me allowing his hands to wander along my body without fear of my escape. They finally settled on my breasts, caressing me gently.

"So I'll see you by the field stadium bleachers for a chemistry lesson after school?" he asked during a comfortable moment.

"If you could avoid getting detention," I teased.

"I've managed so far," he answered back. He gave me one last kiss before we parted to get our respective lunches.

I came back into the cafeteria and sat down.

"Is this better?" I ask.

"So much!" they answered in unison.

"Look there's Jane," Asia pointed out. The girl carried a tray jammed with a copious amount of food. "Wow! I've never seen her eat, let alone have that much food. I wonder where she's going."

"Probably outside," Angela deduced. "She's been hanging out with the three stooges, well four if you count Volcano."

"Which I don't," I claimed. "She's trying to snag him, but Volcano expressed no interest."

"Are you sure?" Rose questioned. "She can be alluring and Volcano may be swayed."

I just sat there staring at my possibly inedible lunch meal. My appetite lost.

"Bella?"

"Don't worry about me," I mumbled. "Don't you guys have your own guys to worry about?"

"Well I do. My neighbor's cousin is coming to town in a few weeks. He set me up for a dinner date," Rose explained. "I'm doing it as a favor. But if he is half as cute as my neighbor, I just might fall in love."

The bell rang signaling the end of lunch.

My next class was PE. I quickly changed to the school issued gym uniform. Coach Clapp was covering the basics of basketball while my eyes glazed over. We go through this at the start of every class. My thoughts floated away as I revisited my lunch period being groped by Jacob. After the quick review, the students took to the indoor court. I wasn't very good at sports, so I usually sat out and talked with some of my classmates. This particular time, the coach insisted I take a turn. I was given the orange sphere and bounced it around with both hands so I could keep it from bounding away.

The coach hollered, "Run or pass! Don't just stand there."

I took off in a sprint towards the basket, dribbling the ball awkwardly as I went. I was blocked off by two other girls playing for the opposing team. I had no idea what to do so I threw the ball towards the basket. I was too far and all it did was go over the girls' heads. Then there was a flame of red that went by. She took hold of the large orb and bounced it lithely. She practically flew across the length of the court, aimed and sent the ball into its targeted basket.

"Wow!" I called and clapped my hands. "Does this mean we win?"

"The game just started," my short team mate corrected. She had jet black abrupt cut hair, in a flattened style of a boy.

"Who is she?" I asked about the incredible redhead.

"I'm not sure. She keeps to herself mostly. Coach calls her 'The Red Runner' (like 'the Road Runner'), because she's fast. I just refer to her as Red. I'm Alice. This is the first time I've seen you on the court."

"Coach Clapp made me," I replied.

"Don't worry about it. Just follow me. Try to bounce the ball away from the other players and whatever you do, get the ball to Red," Alice instructed.

We continued the game. The redhead was extremely fast. I never got a good look at her. She was always in my periphery. She was so good at the game that all I had to do was toss in her general direction and she took care of the rest. Afterward in the locker room, I wanted to compliment her on her athletic aptitude, but she was gone before I changed.

My last class, Cultural Histories with Mr. Jefferson, flew by. He kept droning on about how the indigenous peoples of the Americas view of history was so different than our books portrayed it. I was too enthusiastic about my afterschool tutoring with Jacob to pay really close attention.

I headed out toward the open field bleachers via the parking lot and came across Jacob and the stooges cluttered around their bikes. Suddenly, Jane appeared and jumped onto Jacob's back. Her arms were around his neck and her tight denim covered legs wrapped around his waist. With his pony swept to the front, she kissed the side of his neck.

It felt like I had just been punched in the stomach, all the breath forced out of me and I couldn't breathe through the pain.

Push her off Jacob! kept repeating in my head as I stared willing it to happen. He didn't. Instead he held her on, preventing her from falling off his back in the mist of amusement.

I closed my eyes to prevent the tears from falling. I wasn't his girlfriend so I couldn't tell him to not flirt with her, but he knew it bothered me. He told me he didn't want her. Could he have changed his mind so quickly or was he just a liar?

AN: Well? What do you think? Send me your thoughts by clicking below.