DISCLAIMER: STEPHENIE MEYER OWNS ALL THINGS TWILIGHT!

Chapter 5:Trying to Mend What is Broken

"Good morning." I said as I entered work. The bell above my head jingled as the door closed.
"Hey." Angela greeted back politely as she arranged some books in the back.

After putting m stuff away, I went toward a cart piled almost sky high with books atop it. I groaned and gave a loud sigh.

"Tired?" Ang asked with a giggle, walking to the front to get another stack of books.

I nodded with a slight pout and she laughed lightly. "Well what time did you head to bed?"

I sighed again and grabbed my own stack of books to put away. "I got home around ten from my dad's and then had a hard time falling asleep, so I really don't know."

The constant nightmares didn't really help either, I thought to myself.

"Oh. Did the dinner with your dad at least go well?"

That question was enough to make me smile. "It went really well."

Flashback.

"Bella!" Jake yelled as he came out from the kitchen.

My eyes widened slightly when I saw how much bigger and taller he had gotten. He'd already been taller than I was the last time I'd seen him, but now he just looked monstrous. He was intimidating.

His jet-black hair was tied into a ponytail, like I'd always remember it being, it was just shorter than before. I recognized the cut-off jeans and plain white t-shirt he loved wearing. Even in this weather it didn't really bother him.

My first reaction was to shy away and not even look in his direction, but then I thought about the reason of why I was here, so instead I waved awkwardly.

He ignored my sorry excuse of a greeting, surprising me when he actually lifted me up and gave me a bone-crushing hug.

I laughed lightly and closed my eyes, bringing my arms around him and squeezing just as hard. "I've missed you." He whispered in my ear.

Tears sprung to my eyes and I buried my face in his neck, breathing in the familiar musky scent that was Jacob.

My throat felt tight and uncomfortable when I suddenly realized how badly I had missed him. He was my best friend, and I had pushed him away at a time that I probably needed him the most. And now that I discovered how stupid I had been, I had a new goal in mind: to never push him out of my life again.

I let out a small sob and let a few tears escape. They were of both joy and sadness, but I couldn't exactly decide between the two just yet.

Jake rubbed my back soothingly and let me take a couple deep breaths until I pulled myself together. This was supposed to be a happy greeting, not a repeat of all those months he had seen me crying when he came over. He had enough memories of that. It was time to make some new ones.

I loosened my hold on him and laughed. "Losing my air supply Jacob." I mumbled in between his neck and shoulder blade. He laughed lightly, remembering our own little inside joke, which I would say whenever he hugged me too tightly. Some memories were good enough to bring back.

He put me down and I smiled sadly. "I've missed you too."

I wiped away the tears on my face and he sighed. "Just promise not to do that to me again."

I nodded quickly. "I promise."

In return he gave me a radiant smile. "In that case, we have a lot to catch up on."

I laughed. "Yes we do." I agreed, before looking over his shoulder and seeing my dad and Billy. They were both smiling happily at us as I walked over to greet him.

"Hey Billy." I said softly as I went over to give him a hug.

"How have you been?" he asked softly in my ear.

I pulled back and smiled lightly. "Better than before."

"I'm very glad to here that."

I nodded.

"Okay, enough of the sad greetings," My dad said loudly. I laughed, knowing he was just as bad as me when it came to emotional moments. He just became uncomfortable. "You hungry Bells?"

No. "Uh, sure dad. You order pizza?" I asked him as I followed him into the kitchen. I knew he'd be angry if I had said I wasn't hungry. It was dinner time so he knew I hadn't eaten since lunch.

Jacob rubbed his belly and grinned. "He sure did." He replied, answering my question.

Charlie and Billy grabbed a plate with their food on it and headed back into the living room to watch the game.

Jacob grabbed a plate and piled about three on there, sitting at the table in the kitchen. I followed his lead but instead grabbed two smalls ones and sat at the dinner table.

I laughed lightly as I watched him scarf the first one down.

"Come on Bells, aren't you hungry?

I scrunched my nose. "A little."

He chuckled. "Ya, you look like you're starving." He replied sarcastically. I laughed again and hit his shoulder.

It was funny how easily we were able to fall back to how things were before. Not everything was the same, I was still holding back from saying too much, but it was way better than I had expected.

After a couple of minutes of silent eating, Jacob stretched and rubbed his stomach in content.

I had slowly eaten one of the two pizzas on my plate, and I didn't think I was up for eating the other one.

"YES! YES!" I heard both Charlie and Billy scream out. I had jumped pretty hard, so I glared at Jacob when he started to laugh at me.

"Well we're never gonna get a conversation going if they interrupt us like that. What do you say we go out to the porch and talk?" he asked.

He was already getting up from his seat so the only choice I had was to say yes. "Ok."

I grabbed my purse and walked outside, pulling my jacket tighter around me when I felt the cold breeze blow at us as we opened the door.

The porch light was already on, but a few rays of sun were still out. The sun was setting beautifully, and I admired it as we sat down.

"That's really pretty." Jake said slowly when he saw me looking up at the sky.

I nodded. "It is." The nerves in my stomach seemed to get stronger the longer I stayed quiet, so I was dying for him to start a conversation already.

"So Charlie told us you've been going to therapy." Just not with that question…

I stiffened and looked at him. I recognized the sad glint in his eyes that I'd learned to see on everyone. That was enough for me to put up the wall I had slowly put down over the last hour. "Ya, I started a couple weeks ago." I said simply.

"And is that helping?'

I shrugged. "Mhmm."

I looked away and grabbed my bag, pretending to look for something instead of completely answering his question. I knew I wasn't being very convincing when I heard him give a loud sigh.

Then again, what in the hell could I possibly need right now for me to rummage through my purse? He wasn't stupid to fall for what I was trying to pull.

"Bells, you promised you weren't going to do that again?"

I didn't look up, but instead kept rummaging through my purse. Might as well keep going through with it. It gave me a reason to not look at him. "Do what?"

He grabbed my hand to keep me from moving it any longer, and kept hold of it as he lifted my chin up. "Push me away. Just like you're doing now."

I moved my head away from his hand and pulled my arm back. "Well then why are you looking at me like that?" I asked angrily.

"Looking at you like what?" He said confused.

"Like you feel sorry for me Jacob," I said a little louder. "I don't need the pity looks anymore! I don't need you to think about me as the depressed girl who lives her life in a damn hole all the time! I'm trying! Yes, I'm going to therapy so I can live my life like I used to! But it's hard! You don't know what its like to feel this…this void everywhere you go! But I'm trying. And getting those looks from everyone around me isn't going to motivate me to try harder!" I finished.

By the end, I was breathing a little hard and most of what I had built up on my way here was gone. I didn't really know where the anger came from but it certainly had felt good.

I gave a dry laugh and shook my head. "But what's the good in trying to tell someone how you feel if they're just going to ignore it." I said when I noticed the same emotion planted on his face. I stood up to leave when he grabbed my hand and pulled me back down.

"Bella, what you see on my face right now, the emotion I'm giving you right this moment, is sadness, but not in the way you think."

I gave a tired sigh. "What are you talking about?"

There was suddenly anger placed in his eyes too. "You don't think it was hard for me too? To see the way you had become after it happened? I couldn't even look at you without receiving a death glare. It was like you were pushing me away because you thought I was going to make it worse by trying to talk to you about it."

That's exactly what I thought…

His eyes softened and the sadness returned. "But that's the exact opposite of what I wanted to do. I just wanted to help. But the closer I got in trying, the further you pushed yourself away, so I just stopped. I stopped trying to help you in any way I could because I saw how much you didn't want me around. That pain was much more worse than seeing you everyday."
A sudden lump rose in my throat and my chest felt tight. I felt so guilty…

"It was so hard to come over and see you in the same exact state you were in the day before." He breathed in a shaky breath and closed his eyes.

I had never seen Jacob near tears before. Ever. I'd known him since we were kids and it was always hard to get him to cry. That just proved how much I had hurt him too. Just like I had done to my dad.

"So, the look you hate so much isn't because I feel sorry for you Bella. It's because I regret not trying harder to be there. It's been more than a year and we've missed so much of each other's lives and I always think that if I would have been stubborn enough to be here everyday and get you to open up then that wouldn't have happened."

I wiped away a tear and sat closer to him. I grabbed one of his hands and squeezed it, just like Edward had done earlier today for comfort. "Even if you would have been stubborn enough to stay I wouldn't have said a word. I was too hurt to think about anyone else, and the anger and sadness is what took over the most. I'm glad you didn't have to stay and see all of that Jake."

He shook his head. "It still doesn't take away the fact that we haven't talked each other in over a year. I should have at least been stubborn about that. Call you at least every other day. Leave you voice messages if I had too," He chuckled lightly. I laughed along with him and wiped away more of the tears I couldn't hold in anymore. "Do something so you would know that I still cared."

"Hearing all this now let's me know that you care. That's all I need Jacob." I stated with confidence.

He looked at me for a couple seconds and then put his arm around me for a hug. I leaned into his side and gave a loud sigh.

"Ok. I just don't want it to happen again."
I shook my head. "It won't." We were quiet for a couple minutes. Just letting all that had been said really make us realize the way things were before were not right. It was time to start behaving like we used too.

"Ugh!" I said, sitting up straight again and wiping the tears off my face for good. "No more of these sad conversations! You've already made me cry twice today and seeing you on the verge of tears is a sign we need to stop!" I laughed. It felt good to make a joke.

His mouth dropped open and his eyes became wide. "I was not on the verge of tears Isabella!" He teased, putting emphasis on my name.

I glared playfully. He knew I didn't like my full name just as well as I did. "Were too Jacob!" I mimicked. I began to laugh. "A couple more minutes and you would have been on the floor."

He rolled his eyes. "Please Bella. With all this muscle and testosterone goin' on, crying isn't even a possibility."

He smirked playfully and it was my turn to roll my eyes. "One day I will get you to cry and then all that testosterone will turn into estrogen. Won't be that hard."

He laughed loudly. "I'm up for the challenge Bells."

We both laughed together a bit more before we stopped and I gave him a smile. "So, we talked about me. How's everything going for you?" I bit my lip, curious as to what his answer would be. This kid could be up to anything.

He gave me a light laugh. "Don't think we're done talking about you, but it's been really good. Much more than good actually," His smile grew much bigger, big enough for me to raise my eyebrows, along with a far away look in his eyes.

"Well tell me!" I said impatiently. I laughed as I shook his arm and made him snap back to the present.

I bit my lip as I waited and he blushed. "I umm…I've been dating someone for quite some time now, and I think I'm actually...I'm actually in love."'

I stared at him in shock for a couple seconds, until a wide smile spread onto my face. "In love?" I repeated slowly, still in the 'hard to believe' state.

He nodded. "I really love her Bella. She's just so great and beautiful and smart and…"

"Whoa whoa whoa buddy!" I laughed. "Why don't you tell me her name before you begin with the details."

He chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck. "Her name is Shauna."

"Shauna…" I repeated, still trying to get it through my brain that Jacob had just said the "L" word. "Has Billy met her?"

He nodded, but then grimaced a bit. "Yes. You're dad's even met her. We've been together for five months now. It'll be our six-month anniversary a week from tomorrow."

I realized what the grimace was for, but decided that I wasn't going to be sad about it. I was going to take the consequences for my actions. Even though I was a bit jealous at the fact that even my dad had met her.

Instead, I wanted him to know how happy I was for him. My eyes lit up at the thought of what he'd just told me. "And you love her?"

"I do," He admitted confidently. I could clearly see it in his eyes, in his smile, his voice. He was definitely head over heels about this girl. "And you know me. I've had girlfriends but never long enough to feel this strongly about them."

"I know. I still can't believe you're even telling me this right-" I stopped when I realized the most important part of this whole conversation. "Wait, when are you planning on telling her?"

He shrugged and suddenly his facial expression became one of nervousness. "I don't even know. I'm having trouble coming up with that part."

He grinned up at me again and I narrowed my eyes. I knew that face. He wanted something. "What?"

"Maybe you should help me Bells! I'm sure you can come up with something special."

I was already shaking my head before he'd even finished. "Nope. Not a chance Jake. This has to come completely from you."

"Oh come on Bella! Imagine just how appreciative I'll be if you help me."

"Nice try kid." I laughed. "Your on your own for this one. On the bright side, imagine how great it'll be when I tell her you came up with it all by yourself."

He sighed but nodded. "Ya you're right. I'm just gonna have to put thought into it. "

"Which brings me into my next question…when do I get to meet her?" I asked lightly with a smile.

He blinked in surprise. "You'd want to meet her?"

I frowned. "Why wouldn't I want to meet her?"

He sighed. "I just didn't think you'd…want to." His voice became lower toward the end and I looked down at my lap.

"I told you I was trying Jacob. The idea does make me really nervous but its just part of the process. I can't keep putting myself in this shell of a life I've created. And I promised, no more pushing you away."

I looked up and saw the toothy grin on his face. It was enough to make me smile again. "Whenever you want Bells."
"Good." I agreed with a final nod.

"So what about you?" He asked, nudging my arm.

"Umm, what about me?" I was confused with the tone of his voice.

"Is there anyone I should know about?"

I blushed and glared at him, smacking his arm.

"Ouch!" he laughed. "What was that for?"

"No, there isn't someone you should know about!" I clarified. "I'm not exactly ready for something like that. We're not all in the lovey dovey stage of our lives." I mumbled out quickly.

I started to mess around with my purse again, looking through everything I had in it. I frowned when I saw what looked like a napkin at the very bottom.

"Well there must be someone you at least like. Seattle's pretty small Bells, I'm sure there's at least one guy you've seen that's attracted your attention."

I grabbed the napkin and pulled it out, my frown becoming deeper when I opened it to reveal some money. I looked at the napkin and realized there was something written on it.

Bella,

Wouldn't have been much of a gentleman if I'd accepted this. I wouldn't want you to think that I don't actually possess that quality when I know you like it and I was more than happy to treat you.

I smiled when I realized who this was from and let out a laugh.

I'm actually enjoying this a lot and hope we get to do it again very soon. Until then, I'll be happy to see you this coming Monday. Can't wait to have another therapy session with you! Well I'm sure you'll be coming out of the bathroom soon so I think I should wrap it up or I'll just keep writing! Hope you have a great day!

Edward

I smiled widely once I finished reading it and then looked at Jacob. "Ya, maybe I do." I just didn't know if that's a good thing…

End Flashback

"I'm glad you had fun." Angela responded.

I nodded again and continued to put books back where they belonged.

"Oh, Bella!"

"Ya?" I asked, turning around to look at Angela as she walked to me.

"Before I forget to tell you, I can't go to dinner with you this Saturday." She said apologetically.

I frowned lightly. "Oh." I was actually very disappointed that she couldn't go. It was hard enough to ask her, and now that she was telling me this I felt like she was just backing out because she thought it would be awkward. That was my exact fear…so in a way it was…good?

I didn't want her to feel bad about it either though. She didn't have to feel obligated. "That's ok Angela. We'll just do it some other time." I answered.

She shook her head, her forehead pulled together in apology. Or maybe not. Maybe she did want to go to dinner with me. "No, I was really looking forward to going but I had completely forgotten that I had something planned for Saturday already. It's kind of an all day thing."

"Really. It's ok. I'm sure we'll find some other day we can both go."

"Well that's what I was thinking. If you don't have anything planned for tonight, would you like to go to this new restaurant that just opened up? It's supposed to be really nice and it's not too far from here." She suggested.

I actually had nothing to do tonight but sit home alone and watch TV tonight. Going would be a much better choice then that. "That sounds great. Tonight it is then."
She smiled happily. "Great."

I just hoped tonight would go better than how I was feeling at the moment…

After closing up the store, Angela and I walked outside together to talk about the directions and stuff. She had just finished telling me how nice of a restaurant it was, so the jeans and a t-shirt I was wearing weren't really going to cut it. I was worried about what I was going to change into though. I hadn't worn a dress in so long. It was going to be impossible for me to find something.

Angela had been nice enough to give a ride to and from work this morning. My car still wasn't working, and I was too embarrassed to call Edward just yet. If I didn't want to pay a lot of money though, I was going to have to sum up the courage and ask him eventually. Just not now… So for the mean time, I'd been taking the bus to work, until Angela found out I was car-less and offered to give me a ride. Another reason I needed to ask him. I didn't want her having to drive all the way to my house and back to hers.

"I'll see you in a bit then." I replied, getting off her car and walking to my apartment building.

Once I arrived home, I decided to take a quick shower and shave my legs. After I was finished, I put some mousse in my hair and let it air dry so it would be wavy by the time I had to leave.

I hadn't worn make-up in such a long time, so I decided to settle for a bit of mascara and eyeliner. The eye shadow would have to come after I decided something to wear.

"Ugghhhhhh!" I cried out in frustration. I had absolutely nothing to wear! The only dress I had was from a couple years ago that I knew wouldn't fit me.

I bit my lip in worry and then decided to do the only thing I could.

"Angela?" I asked into my cell phone a couple minutes later.

"Bella? What's wrong?" She really sounded like she was worried so I blushed for making it seem like something important, the exact tone of my voice when I had answered the phone.

"Nothing, nothing," I said quickly. "I was just wondering if…if I could borrow a dress for tonight. I just realized that I don't have one that's appropriate for the restaurant." More like, I don't have one at all!

I heard her laugh lightly. "Of course Bells. I'll bring one over that I'm sure will fit you. It's exactly right for tonight."

I gave a sigh of relief. "Thank you so much Angela. I really owe you one."

"Happy to help Bella. See you in half an hour."

"Bye." I hung up.

It didn't take much longer for Angela to arrive after that and the nerves in my stomach had seemed to die down a bit. It was the dress she had been holding when she walked in that stirred them up again, and made me feel like I didn't want to do this anymore. She had to convince me to even go into the bathroom and try it on.

"Are you sure it doesn't look strange?" I asked self-consciously, looking at my reflection in the mirror as I studied the dress clinging onto my body.

"I promise you it doesn't! You look really pretty." Angela assured me. I couldn't help but believe her. She was the most truthful person I had ever met. The thought made me feel a bit better.

The dress she had brought wasn't exactly what I'd had in mind. It was your classic "little black dress" but in a more modest way. It did hug my body, but at least it wasn't very short, it was almost down to my knees, and instead if it being completely strapless it had two thin straps holding it up.

She'd brought me heels along with the dress, and to my disappointment, they fit. It's not that I didn't want to borrow her heels; I just thought simple black flats would be better. I was a walking nightmare when I wore heels and wearing them for the first time in a very long time, made me very nervous.

I only felt better when I noticed Angela wearing a nice red dress similar to mine, but a little shorter. It wasn't too revealing, but unlike mine, it was strapless. She was also wearing heels along with her dress, so it didn't make me feel too out of place.

"Want me to do a light, smoky eye?" She asked nicely.

I bit my lip, thinking. "No, that's okay. I think I'll just put some lipstick on and then we can go."

I felt bad saying no, but I didn't want to go over the top. This was something I hadn't done in a while, and though I felt very strange, I couldn't help but think I was glad I was going through it with someone I had known very well.

Why are you nervous anyway Bella? I thought to myself as I put on my denim jacket and walked out of my apartment door. The sun was no longer out, and the clouds seemed to be peacefully floating in the sky.

I smiled, that should be the way I felt. Peaceful. I was making it out to be something much bigger than what it was. Yes, I was going to dinner with someone who used to be my best friend, but that was what made me so proud of myself.

I was trying. Just like with Jake. And even if this didn't go well, I was glad that trying would be what was most important.

"This will be fun. It's supposed to be a really good restaurant." She said as we both got into my car.

I nodded, not exactly sure if she was reassuring herself or me. Then again, I did have to stop thinking that she was only going out with me because she felt bad. Angela wasn't that type of person, so I needed to stop thinking of her like she was.

After about twenty minutes, we arrived to a nice building, big enough to hold what seemed like a very nice restaurant. Just like Angela had described.

Lights were strewn around it beautifully, and at the top it read Midnight Sun in elegant writing.

"This really is a nice place." I argued.

"Really packed place too. I don't even think we'll find a parking space close." Angela mumbled, looking around her for any place we could park. Now that I noticed, there were a lot of people heading toward the restaurant. Anything new in Seattle always attracted attention.

I groaned lightly. Parking far meant walking. Walking meant, I was either going to break something tonight, or make a complete ass out of myself. All because I was wearing heels.

After driving about a block down, we finally found a suitable parking spot for her car. It wasn't as far as I thought we'd have to park, but it wasn't as close as I'd like it to be. I pulled my jacket tighter around me, and wrapped my arms around myself. I kept my eyes on the floor as I walked, but still made sure Angela's now familiar heels stayed in front of me.

When we finally arrived to the restaurant, we were quickly seated, much more quickly than I thought, but then again we were only two people. It was already filled with people, chatting away and eating.

"Here are your menus ladies. I will be back in a couple minutes so you can order your drinks." Our waitress said nicely. We both nodded and I opened mine up to see what looked appetizing.

"I can't believe we were seated this quickly." Angela said.

"I know. There's still a really long line outside. I thought we would have to wait for a while."

"I'm glad we didn't." She laughed. "Most people are waiting outside and it's starting to get cold. Dresses aren't very suitable for that type of weather."

"They aren't," I agreed. "Heels aren't either."

She laughed a little more loudly this time. "Especially for you. I remember you tripping during our senior year when we went…"
Her voice drifted off when she saw my face. I wasn't able to stand the shock of pain that went through my body as she mentioned that dreadful year. I couldn't hide the grimace on my face, and she had obviously noticed it.

"I'm sorry Bella, I didn't mean to-" She tried apologizing.

Only I didn't let her. "It's ok," I shook my head. "It's not your fault. I didn't mean to react that way, I just haven't exactly..." I trailed off too, not exactly sure what to say.

She sighed and I could see in her face that she truly felt sorry. I bit my lip. Ten minutes of being here and I could already see this heading the wrong way. If I wanted this to go well, I was going to have to be honest.

"Angela," I began. She looked up and I swallowed hard. "I…I don't want you to watch your words around me." I looked down and clasped my hands together, squeezing for comfort. "I'm trying to live my life the way I used too, and I know that it's not possible to be the exact same way as before but it's better than feeling like I can't speak to you." I didn't exactly know what else to say, so I looked up.

She was smiling at me. When she saw me look at her she nodded. "Of course Bella. That's why I was so happy that you had invited me out in the first place. I want it to be the way it was before too."

I smiled back at her and laughed lightly. "Good. So no more awkwardness, ok?"

She laughed too and nodded again.

That was easier than I thought.

"Are you ready to order something to drink?"

I looked up and noticed the waitress had returned. I hadn't even heard her walk up.

"I'll have a strawberry lemonade." Angela answered.

She turned to me. "A coke, please?"

She nodded as she wrote it down. "Would you like me to take your order for you now, or do you need a couple more minutes?"

I blushed slightly when I realized we hadn't even looked at the menu. "Just a couple more minutes."

She smiled and nodded, walking away to get the drinks we had just ordered.

"What are you going to order?" Angela asked about two minutes later.

Nothing on here really called my attention. The meals seemed too big for someone who wasn't very hungry anyways. I shrugged. "I think I'll just have the chicken tenders and a salad."

She laughed.

"What?" I asked, a little giggle of my own slipping out. I put the menu down to look over at her.

"Chicken tenders?" She asked, putting her own menu down.

I nodded. "They sound good."

We both laughed lightly again. "What are you ordering?" I asked.

"Steak, with a side of mash potatoes and vegetables."

"Sounds good." I lied. That didn't sound appetizing to me at all.

"Ready to order?" Beatrice, the name I had just read off her nametag, asked.

We both nodded, me looking down at the menu to decide what kind of sauce I wanted with my chicken as Angela told her what she wanted.

"And for you ma'am?"

"I'll have the chicken tenders with some honey mustard sauce," I looked up. "And a Caesar salad on the-"

I stopped mid-sentence when I saw a familiar pair of green eyes sit at the table across from us. I followed the arm that was looped around his own and frowned slightly when I saw the beautiful strawberry blonde that was sitting next to him. Along with them were six other people, three woman and three men. Must be his family…

"Bella?" Angela asked. I jumped lightly at the sound of my name and blushed.

"I'm sorry. I'll uh, I'll have the Caesar salad on the side."

"Ok. You'll food will be here shortly."

"Are you ok?" Angela asked worriedly when Beatrice left.

I nodded, the blush returning again. "Ya, I just got distracted. I know someone who just walked in." I allowed my eyes to glance toward his direction again, smiling when I saw him laugh at something.

I didn't notice Angela follow my train of sight until she giggled. I blushed. "Is it him?"

I nodded.

"Well he's very handsome."

My eyes slid over toward his direction. I nodded again, this time slower.

"Do you want to go say hello?"

I looked at Angela again and shook my head quickly. "No. I'd rather not." If I did walk over to greet him, which I was too much of a chicken to do in the first place, then I would have to meet whomever he was with and that wasn't something I was up for. But most importantly, I didn't want this to distract me from the person I was supposed to be paying attention too.

"Are you sure?"

I nodded again, much more confidently. "Ya."

"Here we are. Chicken tenders with a salad, and a steak. Can I get you ladies anything else?"

We both shook our heads. "No thank you." Angela replied.

We made conversation for a while as we ate, learning the new things about that I hadn't known changed since we went to high school.

Like now I just learned she'd been dating Ben for two years now. Ben had actually been another of my good friends during school. I hadn't seen him in a very long time.

"That's why I can't go out with you on Saturday." She explained. "I said yes so quickly without thinking because I was excited, but I didn't realize that would be our three year anniversary."

I laughed. "I'm glad you remembered. I'm sure Ben has something very special planned out for you."
She blushed. "He won't tell me what we're doing, but he always goes over the top. Not that I mind it though."

We both giggled lightly. "That's great Angela. I really am happy for you."

"Thank you," She replied sincerely. "What about you? I'm sure there's someone who has a crush on you, or vice versa." She smiled.

What was it with this question? I'd been asked this twice in two days. I shook my head. "No. There's no one." I sighed.

Angela bit her lip. "I'm sure there is Bella, you just haven't noticed." She laughed then. "I remember Mike used to have this big crush on you."

"Mike?" I asked. He'd always been really nice to me, but I only thought it was because he was a good friend.

She nodded. "Jessica was so jealous. She liked him so much but he would never pay attention to her."

That really explains a lot. "That's why Jessica glared at me every chance she got. She still does now." I mumbled.

Angela giggled again. "Ya, she wasn't very happy about that."

I shook my head again, not believing what I was hearing.

"What about the guy who just walked in?"

I took a bite of my chicken and shrugged, making it seem like nothing. "He's a good guy but we're just friends." I said once I had swallowed my food. I wasn't ready to tell her he was my therapist either.

"Oh." She said. Her phone rang then and she smiled apologetically.

"Ben?" I asked, laughing.

She nodded. "He's probably calling to say goodnight. I'll be back in a few minutes."

I nodded as she slid out from the booth and walked toward the ladies room, which happened to be in the same direction as Edward's table.

I let my eyes wander in his direction, Angela momentarily blocking him as she walked by their table. When she finally had moved, I let out a small gasp.

I tensed and my eyes widened slightly when I realized he was looking back. His eyes clearly trained on me as his family chatted away. My heart skipped a beat when he smiled crookedly. I felt my body relax and face soften as he did so, my own smile forming itself on my face.

"Hi." He mouthed and I let out a giggle. Giving him a small wave.

He looked away when one of the men at his table called his name. He turned to look at him and responded something to what they'd just asked. He glared then and I frowned, only understanding when everyone at his table turned to look at me.

I felt my face get very hot and I looked away, wishing that Angela would come back already so I would at least have someone to talk to.

I had a feeling I would have to greet them now…

A/N: Yes! It worked for this story too! I've been dying to update this story for a long time now but my computer was acting stupid! But now that it has worked, hope you guys enjoy this one! i actually made this one longer than it was supposed to be as a thank you for you all being so patient! No lie, I actually got kind of teary eyed while I wrote the part with Jacob and I was the one writing it! Haha, maybe I was just feeling emotional that day! Anyways, please please please review! It would mean a lot! Love you guys!
-Edward Is My Lullaby