Disclaimer: I do not own Mike. It's just funny to get in his head.

A/N: Okay guys. So this chapter was originally going to be combined with the next chapter, but it was taking longer than I expected, and I wanted to give it to you as soon as possible. What would have been the second half of this chapter, will be made into a chapter on its own. Thanks!

Chapter 8: She's Kind of Special Too.

I arrived at Jessica's house promptly at six o'clock. I opened the door of my car to go up to her house, and I couldn't figure out why I was so nervous. I mean, I didn't really like her. Maybe I was unsettled about how I would treat her. Or maybe I was worried about what my image would be like after I got her to despise me. Maybe I wouldn't be "Popular Mike" anymore.

I tried to swallow those thoughts, because I didn't like how shallow I was. I was more than that.

I finally worked up the courage to walk up the steps to the door. Just by the décor of the front yard, he could tell that Jessica's family was well off for a "Forks" family. Her grass was cleanly cut and very green, but that was how all the lawns looked with all the rain every year. But her house was noticeably different than all of the other lots. Hers was distinguished, and almost more alive than other houses I had ever seen. She had class.

I gulped audibly and knocked on the dark burgundy door. Almost instantly, the door opened, revealing a tasteful walkway, and a smiling Jessica. Her grin was so wide that I could see her freshly brushed teeth. Her eyes sparkled with something more than just the porch light. She was beautiful. Her hair curled about her face in a becoming way and it was so shiny. I couldn't help but to smile back at her.

"You ready?" I asked.

She nodded and started towards the passenger side of the car. I opened the door for her and she politely muttered a "thank you." I noticed she was wearing a low cut red blouse with black jeans. She looked hot. I wondered to myself how Bella would look in this attire, but quickly pushed it from my mind. I thought I was actually going to enjoy the evening ahead.

As I pulled away from her home, I attempted to switch the radio to something that we both would enjoy. She requested a hip hop station, and I obliged, even though to me, it was just annoying sounds ringing in my ears. I grimaced when she adjusted the volume to her liking, which was so loud, I felt it would make my eardrums pop.

Her head swayed back and forth with the music, which I felt would forever be embedded in my brain. "I like this song," she commented. I smiled at her tightly. When the commercials came on, I took the opportunity to turn down the volume. Then I attempted to fill the near silence with conversation.

"Do you like Mexican food?"

She frowned. "We're not going to Taco Bell, are we?"

"No," I chuckled. "I'm not that bad."

She relaxed a little but her eyes narrowed. "Where are we going then?"

"Um, Chevy's, if that's alright with you."

I was nervous about how she would react. Was that a bad date place?

"Yeah, that's fine. Thanks."

It wasn't enthusiastic but it wasn't her slapping me in the face and telling me I'm a loser, either. I loved Chevy's. I used to eat there all the time for my birthday, and I have a collection of the sombreros they used to bring out. I smiled when I remembered the vanilla ice cream that they served for birthdays.

The commercials came to an end, and Jessica wouldn't settle for quiet music. My frustration with the obnoxious lyrics about sex and drugs grew exponentially as we drove on, so I hardly noticed the car accelerating.

By the time we crossed the city limits, I had barely any patience. My annoyance must have been apparent, for Jessica turned off the radio and said something I wasn't expecting.

"Did I do something to piss you off or something? We can go to Taco Bell if that's it."

I suppressed a laugh when I saw the serious look on her face. I looked at my hands and noticed that I was gripping the steering wheel so tight that my knuckles were white. I made myself relax a little.

"No, Jess, I'm sorry. I just had an unpleasant day," I said.

"Oh."

She didn't buy it. "You look hot," I said, changing the subject.

She smiled then. "Thanks," she said while looking me over. "You do too."

I listened to her talk about all the preparations she made for our date, which was almost worse than the music, until we finally arrived at the restaurant.

I opened the door for her and followed her to the front counter. I informed the man working there that we needed a table for two, and we followed him to an available table. He offered us chips and salsa, and menus.

As we sat there, making small talk, we decided what we wanted to eat. Jessica ordered a small salad and diet coke, while I had the Nacho Grande and Dr. Pepper. I found it amusing how little she ate because she was on a date, and her obvious flirting boosted my self esteem.

I flirted back with her easily, which somewhat surprised me, since I expected my thoughts to be only on Bella. However, I found it easy to almost forget about Bella at this time. Jess was distracting enough that I could actually be myself again: fun, popular, flirty Mike. I wondered if I liked the way I was around Bella more and I decided that mopey, jealous, crazy Mike was not very good either. At least the first guy had friends.

I wasn't following through my plan very well. I was supposed to flip the switch and be rude, annoying, sonofabitch Mike, but I was slowly becoming partial to the idea of simply settling for Jessica.

I smiled at her when I thought this, and her cheeks flooded with color. I could get used to this! So long as Bella wasn't in the same room.

Jessica finished her food last, despite the smaller portion. This didn't surprise me because she took tiny "lady" bites while I was shoveling my food.

She sipped her soft drink slowly, and without sound. I realized that she didn't want the date to end. It was a school night, so I didn't offer her dessert. I paid the bill, which was less expensive than I had previously anticipated, because Jess ate such a light meal. I left a tip that wasn't stingy, but wasn't generous either. I made a conscious effort to open the door for my date on the way out, but when we got outside, it was freezing so I ran to the driver's side of my car and started the heat, forgetting to open the car door for her. I nervously glanced at her to see if her mood turned sour.

She was smiling to herself so I let it go. I saw her looking at the radio, and before she could adjust it, I said, "Let's compromise," and changed the station to one that played a steady rock. I allowed her to turn up the volume, because I actually liked this music.

We didn't speak on the way home. We listened to the music silently, occasionally nodding our heads to the beat. This relaxed me, and I enjoyed this odd bonding with Jessica.

It felt like the ride took less time than it had on our way up to Port Angeles. When we arrived at her home, I felt compelled to go inside. I had a wonderful time and the idea of the night ending was not appealing. However, I just walked her to her door and hugged her. I inhaled the scent of her hair, which was tropical. I debated whether I should kiss her or not. Before I let go of her I decided that I should not, because I didn't want to be disrespectful or too forward. It was just too soon.

"I had fun," she said quietly after the hug ended. She left it at that, and hesitated to go inside. Maybe she wanted me to kiss her, I thought, and as I considered that, she said goodbye, and let herself in her house.

"Well, nevermind," I said to myself. "I'm not smooth at all."

I went back to my car, feeling like I was being watched. "How is it already cold again?" I wondered, turning the heat back on. I switched the radio to my favorite jazz station and followed the road that would take me home.

I felt lonely all of a sudden. What scared me was that I longed to be with Bella, not with Jessica, whom I just spent my evening.

This frustrated me. What if I had kissed her? Why was it that I could convince myself that I liked Jessica, and then not even five minutes later, be thinking only of Bella?

I parked my car on the driveway when I finally got home, because the garage was always full. I grumbled to myself, knowing that it would be way too cold in the morning when I had to drive it to school.

Right when I opened the front door to the house, I saw my mom in the front entry way, cornering me with a stern look. I checked my watch. It was only 9:57.

"What?" I said. "It's only ten o'clock."

Her facial features smoothed out into a smirk. "You're not getting away until you tell me about tonight." She winked and I groaned.

"But I'm tired." I faked a yawn and stretched my arms.

"Not buying it. Now spill!"

I told her about the evening. She seemed proud about how I was a gentleman for Jessica. I didn't tell her about the almost kiss or the conflicting drive home. It was just too weird to talk to my mom about that.

Inevitably, she brought up Bella. "So, have you finally gotten over Miss Swan?" She asked.

"Well…" I started, but she cut me off.

"No. That is too unfair to Jessica. If you are going to be dating Jessica, you can't be thinking about another girl!"

"It was only one date, okay?"

"That isn't the point. Make up your mind. I thought you said you had a wonderful time with Jessica."

"I did. But it's weird, Mom. When I'm with Jessica, I hardly ever think of Bella. But any other time, Bella is the only thing I see."

"Honey, you need to figure this out."

"I know. I'm going to be with Jessica, and I'm trying to forget about Bella."

"Good." That was all she said, and I was thankful. She said these things out of love, but it was hard to not look at it as a lecture. I hugged her and got ready for bed, trying to fill my mind with Jessica, but failing. I imagined what Bella had done today, and what it would be like if I had taken her out on a date instead of Jessica.

I would have kissed her, I thought.

A/N: Thanks for reading!

Reviews are better than Mike thinking he would ever have the chance to kiss Bella!