" Hey Bells! It's your best friend calling!" he sang out cheerfully. It was so good to hear his voice. I saw him this morning but I already missed him terribly.
" Jake , hey, I miss you already! What's up?" I sang out just as cheerfully as I made my way upstairs.
" Did you forget? I 'm calling to tell you what's going down at La Push this Saturday night!"
" Saturday oh yeah I hope it's nothing big cause I promised my friends from Forks that I would join them at a bonfire at first beach." I waited for a response but there was only silence so I continued. " Well anyways, you and the rest of the pack are all invited of course."
" You promised them that you would go?" he sounded disappointed. " It's just the elders and the whole pack are having a bonfire up on the cliffs. I'm even carrying Billy up there in his wheelchair. I would really like for you to be there Bella. I have a feeling it's going to be special, " he almost sounded nervous towards the end.
Damn I wasn't the biggest fan of those tribal bonfires. The elders always looked at me strangely and seemed to gossip about me behind their backs. Of course when I asked Jacob about it he vehemently denied it. Another bonfire on the cliffs was the big secret happening this Saturday? Excuse me if I'm a little disappointed.
" Aww, Jake you know I like going with you to all your bonfires even if I feel like all the elders are watching me strangely. You know I don't feel one hundred percent comfortable there ,but I go because its important to you and it gives me a chance to spend time with you and the rest of your friends." I started to drum my fingers nervously on my desk. " So, umm, well would you be very mad if I told you I don't want to go this time and to instead meet me afterwards at the Forks bonfire on first beach? " More silence. " I'm pretty sure my friends from Forks are planning to drink a little and stay up until dawn." Why was he being so quiet? " So just come join us after the tribal bonfire is over."
" You really don't want to come even though I really want you to be there?" his voice sounded detached. Uh oh he was upset but would never admit it.
" C'mon Jacob please don't be mad at me, its just that you know that I haven't hung out with any of my friends from Forks in months. I already promised them I would come and I really don't want to back out now. Please understand this Jake. " I started pacing around my room and pulled at my hair nervously. Why was he so upset over this?
He exhaled a long breath and answered , " fine Bells, fine whatever you want. I'll see you at your friends bonfire on Saturday. I have to go honey , I have patrol tonight. Sweet dreams."
Before I even had a chance to say goodbye he had already hung up the phone. How strange .Jacob was really disappointed that I wouldn't join him at his bonfire. I've been to every single one that he's asked me to go to. I don't understand what the big deal is if I skip out this one time. Maybe he was just jealous that I would be hanging out with some other friends this one Saturday. Silly Jacob, didn't he know he was the most important person in my life? The thought of him being jealous over any of my friends from Forks was completely ridiculous. I turned off the light and climbed under my covers. I made sure to focus on Jacob's face before I fell asleep in order to keep nightmares of him away.
Friday passed by in an uneventful blur. I daydreamed though all my classes and ignored Lauren's cold looks during lunch. I only spoke to Mike and Angela briefly, when we had agreed that they would all pick me up last, around seven pm. I spent Friday evening doing homework. Jacob didn't even call to say hi. I pretended not to notice.
I decided to sleep in late Saturday in order not to mope around the house all day. By the time I crawled out of bed it was already past 1 in the afternoon. I spent another thirty minutes under the shower getting clean and relaxing my muscles under the hot water. Once the water turned cool I turned off the shower , wrapped myself up in a fluffy towel, and proceeded to study my face in the mirror. Yes, I would definitely need to do something with my hair and shape my eyebrows before tonight. I didn't want to feel like the ugly duckling or just one of the guys tonight. I've overheard Mike mention to Ben that some of his brother's friends might stop by the bonfire for a while and well, maybe it would be nice to be noticed by some boy tonight and show Lauren that I'm not sociably handicapped.
First I started with blow drying and then straightening my hair, making sure all the fine frizzes were gone. Since I was wearing an off the shoulder blouse tonight, I decided to sweep my hair into a low loose ponytail which I draped over my left shoulder. Next was some minimal brow shaping which had me wincing and tearing up every time I pulled a hair out. After I moisturized and applied a face mask on, I skipped my way down into the kitchen for a late breakfast. I looked at the clock, it was already past four pm. Charlie would be home any second.
I really hope Charlie won't mind an egg and cheese omelet for dinner.
As soon as the omelet was ready and I was about to set the plates I heard Charlie's cruiser pull into the driveway.
" Hi Dad how was work today? Catch any criminals?" I snickered sarcastically. Nothing ever happened in Forks.
" No, no but if you happen to see any make sure to send them my way alright?" he was in a great mood- good.
Charlie didn't even seem to notice that he was eating breakfast for dinner. Maybe he was just too exhausted to voice his observation.
" So what's up with the mask on your face Bells, I take it your going out tonight? Jacob's again?"
"Actually I'm going out with Angela and Mike from school to a bonfire at first beach. Jacob will also be there" don't ask about booze please don't ask about booze. I didn't feel like lying to him about that.
" Alright, well I'm glad your hanging out with your friends again Bells. Don't stay out too late" he mumbled in between bites.
After cleaning up in the kitchen I went upstairs to get dressed for tonight. I decided since I was dressing up, I might as well put on some nicer underwear to make me feel more feminine and boost my confidence. So I pulled on a pair of lacy black boy shorts and a black satin push up bra. Strapless unfortunately because of the blouse, but my disappointment quickly faded once I realized how comfortable it actually was. I pulled on the new black skinny jeans and blue blouse I bought. The blouse hung dangerously low off my shoulders exposing my entire shoulders and a lot of skin under my collarbones. In the back most of my shoulder blades were also exposed. I actually felt pretty sexy. I finished up my look with some mascara and clear lip gloss. I looked at the clock, it was almost seven.
I only had to wait a few minutes before Mike pulled up in his van. I yelled goodbye to Charlie and ran out the door.
As I descended the front stairs and looked up I couldn't help but stifle a smile at Mike's expression. His mouth hung open and his eyes were darting up and down my frame quickly. Guess I clean up nicely.
" Bella you look great! C'mon you can sit up front with me. Ben doesn't mind moving to the back" again I tried not to laugh.
I climbed into the front seat and turned around to say hi to everyone. Angela looked adorable in a yellow cotton dress and jean jacket. Lauren had on the shortest pair of khaki shorts and a spaghetti tank top which clung to her body tightly. Her face was caked with makeup and she had on the tackiest hot pink lip gloss ever made. Jessica's face was not much better. Her outfit was a little less trashy though- tight jeans and an even tighter tube top. I lied and proceeded to tell them they all looked great. Angela was the only one to gush over how I look while Lauren and Jessica just glared at me.
We made a quick stop at the liquor store, where Mike proceeded to buy some vodka on a very bad fake I.D., and then drove down to first beach. We ended up finding a nice private place on the beach that was hidden from view by some large rocks. Angela and I spread some blankets around while Mike and Ben started the fire.
" Mike, your other friends are coming down right?" Jessica inquired.
"Yeah, they should be here shortly and guess what ladies? Their bringing even more liquor and a tent in case someone gets too trashed!" he waved a piece of driftwood excitedly as he said this.
Ben and Angela were cuddled together on one of the blankets. Jessica was fidgeting with her tube top on a blanket across from them while Lauren sat down next to me of all places and started to reapply more of her stupid pink lip gloss. Mike was busy opening the liquor and pouring everyone a drink.
" So, " Lauren drawled, " it's nice to see you looking halfway decent Bella. It's about time you put some effort into your appearance."
I took a long sip of my drink in order to buy me some response time.
" Not tonight Lauren seriously. Could we all just try and have some fun? " interjected Angela.
" Oh it's alright Ang really. I know that once all those boys show up Lauren's focus will be on them. Everyone knows that" I giggled and winked at Angela in order to downplay the subtle insult directed at Lauren. She must have caught it because from the corner of my eye I caught her stiffen up and then roll her eyes. One thing I didn't want tonight is for her to be angry at me because then I would have to deal with her bitchiness all night.
Mike stretched out flat on a blanket next to me. " Look at all the stars tonight guys. There's not a single cloud in the sky. It's unusually warm too. Perfect weather for skinny dipping if you ask me. Anyone up for it later?" he lifted his head of the blanket and looked at all the girls expectantly.
" Not a chance" I muttered quickly.
"Over my dead body" Jessica laughed.
" You want me naked so badly Mike?" Lauren swept her hair behind her shoulder and batted her eyelashes at Mike. She must be the most egotistical person I have ever met.
" Not tonight Mike" Angela answered sarcastically.
" Yeah not tonight babe, tonight it's my turn to be naked in the ocean with Mike!" Ben yelled out and everyone broke out into laughter.
Our laughter died down when we heard male voices coming from the other side of the rocks.
" Ohh Mikey!" someone yelled out. " Were here the party can start now!"
Three guys stepped out of the shadows and casually strolled towards us. All three looked to be around 20 years old and all were pretty good looking. The tallest one was carrying a bottle of liquor, another boy had a folded tent in his hands, and the third one was balancing a small radio on his shoulder.
"Everyone , these are my friends Tom, Steve, and Jack. Guys , these are my friends Ben and Angela, " Ben nodded and Angela waved at the boys, " Jessica and Lauren" Jessica tried to smile seductively while Lauren winked. " And last but not least this is Bella" I smiled and said hello.
Throughout the whole introduction Tom never took his eyes off of me. Fabulous. I would just have to make sure not to engage in one on one conversation with him. I wonder how much longer till Jake and the rest of the pack show up?
The boys quickly put the tent together and poured themselves drinks. I pretended not to notice that their drinks consisted of mainly vodka with a splash of cola for color. The rest of us were on our second drinks of the night.
Somewhere, deep in the forest behind us, we all could hear a wolf's beautiful howl. Jessica scooted closer to one of the new guys, Steve? He smirked and casually put his arm around her shoulder.
" No worries ladies" Tom spoke up and winked at me. Ugh. " I'll protect you. Wolves don't scare me. "
It took everything I had not to bust out laughing. Oh Tom I thought , you've never seen wolves like these.
Tons more to come before the pack shows up! Is Jacob mad at Bella? Tons of surprises in store!
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