Chapter 3
The next day I woke up early and went on my morning run. When I got back, I showered and dressed in a pair of light pink corduroy type pants that were boot cut. They hugged my figure like all the other jeans I owned. I then found a white tank top that wrapped around my body and tied in the back. It showed a classy amount of cleavage but no more. I then slipped on my white ballet flats and curled my long hair. Once I was finished getting ready, I went into the kitchen and made breakfast which consisted of bacon, eggs, biscuits and gravy, and toast. By the time I made enough for the army, everyone was piling into the kitchen. "Happy Birthday!" they all yelled. I smiled.
"Thanks guys." I replied.
"Oh shit that smells good." Embry said.
"Did you make breakfast?" Quil asked plopping down into a chair.
"Yep I sure did. I figured I would give Emily a break." I replied.
"Whoa, what smells so good?" Paul asked sitting at the table. I told him what I made and I swear all of their faces lit up like Christmas morning.
"If cooking is all it takes to get on your good sides, maybe Bella should fix something." I smirked. They all glared at me. "Okay, never mind then." I said. Emily and Sam came down the hallway just as Leah, Seth, and Jared came barging in the door.
"Happy Birthday." Sam and Emily chorused. Leah, Seth and Jared were the next to barge in with a "happy birthday"
"Oh Yum, something smells delicious." Leah said looking at the stove and counter. "It looks good too."
"Why thank you. After Leah and Emily get their plates, then the rest of you can." I answered. The girls made their plates and I made mine with them.
"Thanks for breakfast." Emily said smiling.
"Not a problem. Remember, today is shopping day. I only have two more days until school starts and I would love to spend tomorrow relaxing."
"Relaxing? From what?" Paul asked as the guys stood up to get their food.
"From you butt wipes" I replied snickering.
"Ah, that's not nice" Seth pouted.
"Oh honey bunches not from you, from all the other animals you run around with." The guys all rolled their eyes. "My point exactly."
"So what are you getting to wear? I mean you will be teaching gym after all." Leah said ignoring the boys.
"True, I think I will get me a few sweat outfits as well as some yoga pants and stuff like that." I answered getting a drink of orange juice.
"Yeah, then you would be comfortable." Emily agreed.
"So would we." Paul said wiggling his eyebrows.
"That nice booty will be very nice to see every day." Quil added chuckling.
"Detention it is." I sighed looking down at my half empty plate. There was a round of groans and then I gave in and laughed. "I'm playing." I said standing up and washing my plate. "You do know that you can't call me Ava or act all buddy buddy with me while you are at school right?" I asked leaning against the counter.
"Ava's right. You could mess up her job." Sam said. The guys all nodded. I could tell they didn't like it, but they would have to control themselves. In just a short amount of time, the guys have become my boys. They are another big part of my life.
"Alright boys, I don't have time for the dishes today so wash your own plates." Emily said standing up and washing her own. "I'm going to get ready." I nodded and decided to help with the plates.
"Hey Jared, can you call Kim and ask her if she is going with us or not?" I asked kindly. He nodded and went into the other room to use the phone after giving me his plate.
By the time Emily was finished the kitchen was completely cleaned up. As she walked down the hall, Kim came in the door. She smiled and hugged me before greeting Emily the same way. Once we said goodbye to the boys we left in my car. As I was driving out of La Push, I noticed Jacob, Bella, and some other guy standing a few feet away from each other. Like there was an invisible line between them that neither could cross. "Should I slow down and see what is going on?" I asked Emily who was in the passenger's seat.
"No it's ok. Jacob is always meeting Bella and her boyfriend." She said. I could have sworn I heard a hint of nervousness. As we passed, Jacob looked over at me and then away. It was like he was ignoring me. I rolled my eyes and we headed to Port Angeles. I refused to get into his drama.
The rest of the drive, the girls and I talked about different things. It was interesting to hear about Kim and her relationship with Jared. It was like Sam and Emily's connection, but at the same time it was different, their own. I have to admit I was a little jealous. Kim was lucky to find that kind of love that young. Hell, they were both lucky to have that kind of love. I on the other hand wanted that love. I wanted someone to only see me and to really see me. Someone who understands me automatically without going through twenty questions.
We ended up going through several shops until I found multiple outfits for gym and even good, presentable ones for meetings and other events at the school. I wanted to look nice. It was around eight p.m. before we got back. Sam and Jared were the first ones out of the house to meet Emily and Kim. I smiled and began grabbing all of the bags and carrying them in. They weren't all mine so the boys could not tease me.
"I see you bought the whole store." Quil snickered.
"Holy crap, Ava." Jared said his eyes widening at all of the bags.
"Laugh it up, they aren't all of mine. Some are Emily and Kim's as well." I said smirking. I walked in and found Jacob leaning against the door frame of the living room. "Hey Jacob, how was your day?" I asked sorting through the bags and sitting Kim's on the table while Emily's and mine were along the hallway wall.
"It wasn't too bad. How was yours? By the way, Happy Birthday."
"It was ok. Just did some shopping for clothes that are decent to wear to school day after tomorrow." I replied standing up and placing my hands on my hips. And thanks for the happy birthday."
"You're welcome. Are you tired?" he asked looking at me.
"Nah, I feel pretty good actually." He nodded. I turned and walked outside grabbing more bags. Once they were all in the house, I threw myself down on the couch.
"Looks to me like you are tired." Jacob smirked from the doorway.
"Yeah I think I am now." I laughed. "Can I ask you something?" he nodded.
"Why did you glare at me and then ignore me earlier?" I asked sitting up. He ran his hand through his hair.
"I don't know. I think it was a bunch of things from today." He sighed and came over to sit beside of me. "Bella's boyfriend is a douche and not any good for her. He kind of pissed me off. Then I just have so many things to think about and decide. Ya know. It is all weighing on me really." He looked at me and I could see the pain, helplessness, and confusion in his eyes. I placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I know this isn't what you want to hear, but Jacob you can't help everyone. It isn't possible, because then you are neglecting yourself and your happiness. It isn't fair to you. You may not think he is good for her and you may be right, but the thing is he is what she wants. She may care for you too, but there is something about him that has that special hold on her that she can't ever let go of. Kind of like finding the person you are meant to be with and having no control anymore. He is her gravity." He looked at me shocked. I guess I hit the nail on the head. "Besides, think about how you would feel if the roles were reversed. You loved someone so much and had to be with them no matter what, and then your best friend was trying to stop that."
"How did you…" he began.
"Jake, I am observant. I see things some people do not. It is obvious in the way you stick to her. I think you are just trying to save her from him specifically. Like there is something about him personally that you do not like. If she was with anyone else, you would have moved on. You need to come to terms with whatever is going on only then will you be happy. Can't force anyone to do something they don't want to." I stood up and he followed. "I hope I didn't make you mad, I was only saying."
"I'm not mad at you, you just said what you thought I needed to hear, even if you don't know anything." He said looking down at me. "I will see you later, Ava." He gave me one last look before going through the kitchen and out the front door. I smiled before going to soak in a hot bath and going to bed.
The next morning I was up at six a.m. I changed into a pair of yoga pants and a tank top before slipping my shoes on and going for a run. I had just came out at the beach and sat down when I heard voices. I walked around the huge rock that was blocking my view and I saw Bella and Jacob. It looked like they were arguing. I sighed and put in my ear buds before turning and running back the way I came. Savage Garden was blasting Truly Madly Deeply as I neared Sam's house. I came around the corner at a jog to see all the boys jogging out of the trees. I smirked. "Is that your only form of travel, the trees?" I asked taking out my ear buds.
"Is it yours?" Paul smirked.
"Yep it is." I laughed as he hugged me to him. I wrapped my arm around his waist and we walked in Emily's house together. She was making muffins when we walked in smiling and laughing. "Hey Em." I said looking away from Paul.
"Hey how was your run?" She asked smiling.
"Can't you smell her?" Paul chuckled pinching his nose shut and grinning.
"If I smelled so bad then why is your arm still around me?" I asked arching my eyebrow.
"Because you are a hot, stinky mess." He grinned kissing my head. I giggled.
"Paul quit hogging Ava." Embry said pushing him away and taking his spot. "Hey Ava."
"Hey Embry. Did you have fun running around the forest half naked?" I asked taking in his torso. He chuckled.
"You bet I did, I couldn't wait for you to see this hot mess." He said rubbing his chest. Quil quickly stepped in between us and picked me up bridal style.
"Sorry Em, but Ava here is the hot mess." He said kissing my cheek. I laughed.
"You know it, Quil." He smirked and passed me on to Seth who hugged me and sat me down. "Thanks Seth."
"No problem, Ava." He said smiling that innocent smile. I patted his chest and went to walk away when Sam walked in.
"Hey guys, we have to meet the Cullen's…." he began then spotted me now leaning against the door frame. Everyone turned around and looked at me. I rolled my eyes when Jake burst through the doors.
"Did you let them know about the bloo.." he was cut off by everyone looking at me.
"If I haven't said it before, take a picture." Paul and Leah snickered. "Oh fine, I am leaving due to your secret agent information." I walked down the hallway and showered. Afterwards, I dried my hair and wrapped a towel around my body before opening the door to go get dressed. I had just stepped out of the bathroom when I ran into a hard hot surface. I about hit the floor but two arms saved me. I looked up and found Jacob looking down at me. His eyes were close to black with lust. "Um, sorry." I whispered. His eyes raked over my body once before he had me up against the wall. He was staring into my eyes and pushing himself into my stomach. I gasped feeling how hard he was. He leaned down toward my lips judging my reaction. When I didn't move, he took it as an ok. The distance was almost closed when we heard someone coming down the hall. I quickly went to my bedroom and shut the door, leaning my back against it. What the hell just happened and why the hell did I… Oh forget it. I walked over to my dresser and pulled out a pair of panties and a bra. I quickly put them on and then slipped on my denim shorty shorts with a fitted black t-shirt. I went through my closet and found a pair of black flip flops and put them on, before pinning the top of my hair black in a clip and straightening my bangs over my right eye. I smiled at my reflection and walked into the kitchen. Emily had the windows and doors open since it was such a nice day. I could hear voices outside so I walked out and sat down on the steps beside of Leah. "What are you guys doing?" I asked once I was seated. "And how did you get to your ninja meeting and back so fast?" I raised my eyebrow.
"Embry and Quil bet Jared that Paul couldn't take Jacob so now it's on." She smirked. "Who do you think will win?" All eyes flickered over to me. I could tell that she purposefully brushed off the second question but whatever. I would know eventually.
"Um, I don't really know." I said looking between Paul and Jacob. "Paul looks like he could take on anyone and beat em to death. But Jacob, he may not look as mean, but I am sure that he has just as much anger built up as Paul does. He just doesn't show it." Everyone looked at me like I had grown a huge horn on my forehead.
"Let's get this show on the road." Jared said. That is when the fight started. They began playing at first and then talking shit and then Jacob had Paul pinned to the ground in less than a second.
"Oh shit." Jared said digging two fives out of his pocket.
"Maybe I should have bet on Jacob. I know better the next time." I said picking my fingernails. "Anyone else have another bet involving Mr. Tall, dark, and dangerous?" Jacob smirked and everyone shook their heads. I stood up and dusted off my pants. "I guess I will leave you to your doggie business. I am going to the beach. See you later." I gave a smile and a wave before walking toward the path.
"Wait Ava, we will go too." Embry said.
"Really?" I asked crossing my arms.
"I guess so." Sam smirked. I rolled my eyes.
"Who all wants to go with me?" I asked. They all raised their hands.
"Let's go." Paul and Jacob got up off the ground
"Yay now I can watch some half naked boys get all wet." I said to Leah. I gave her a wicked smile. She just shook her head. "Ava, you are such a pervert." She said laughing. I shrugged. I linked my arm with hers and we began walking toward the beach. We could hear the guys laughing in front of us and Jacob and Paul behind us nagging each other. "So Ava, what is going on with you and Jake?" she asked after a few minutes. I looked at her.
"What do you mean?" I asked. "We are just friends, like I am with Paul and the rest of the guys."
"Really?" she said. I nodded.
"Yeah, I will tell you the shortened version of what I told Emily and Sam. Evidentally they seem to have the same thought you do. He has too much on his plate for one. All this high school drama with Bella isn't a big turn on ya know. I feel sorry for him loving someone who doesn't love him the same way. Besides, it's not like he has a thing for me anyways, I am way too old. He can find a nice girl his own age. And his bipolar disorder and Emo phase is hard to keep up with." Leah looked at me.
"You sure you don't have age issues?" she asked.
"No I don't. I even told them that. It's not about age, it's about the balance between immaturity and maturity, and ya know... how hot they make me." I said winking.
"Does Jake make you hot?" she asked wiggling her eyebrows. I rolled my eyes.
"Ya know all the guys make me hot minus Jared and Sam and well Seth, but Jacob he just sets my body on fire. I have never been so turned on just by standing next to someone. No one has ever affected me so much in my life." I admitted. She looked at me with her mouth half way hang open.
"You sure don't act like he affects you at all." she said. I just shrugged.
"I guess I am the master at hiding stuff like that. No word though Leah. That's the last thing I need to worry about right now. Besides I barely know the guy."
"But you still want to jump his bones." She laughed.
"Yeah too bad for my own good." I sighed. "Change the subject please. I don't want to think about that right now. The things I could do to him." Uh. "Stupid Leah." She looked at me and smirked and we continued on to the beach.
A few minutes later we were stepping out of the trees. Jake and Paul ran up behind us as soon as we hit the sand. "Wanna play football?" Jacob asked coming up beside me. Oh the dirty thoughts that were entering my mind. I avoided checking out his shirtless figure.
"Um, sure. Who is playing against who?" I asked dropping Leah's arm.
"Me, you, Leah, and Seth, Jacob, Embry, and Quil." Paul said wiggling his eyebrows. I smirked.
"How about me, Leah, Jared, and you and everyone else on a team." I replied. they all agreed. Sam sat with Emily on the beach and watched with Kim.
"Be careful with Ava." Sam began smirking.
"We wont hurt her." Paul said.
"That's not what I mean." Sam said laughing. I smiled innocently.
The game began. I intercepted the ball from Quil and ran toward Leah. "Pick me up, Sistah." She did and ran with me, giving us a touchdown. I dropped the ball and started twerking like Miley making Leah laugh and the others stare. I had some mad skills. Sam and Emily were snickering at the sidelines. This time Jake grabbed the ball and was running towards me. I blocked his way and when he was close enough, I jumped on the front of him and hung on. He couldn't pull his eyes away from mine so I knocked the ball out of his hand into Jared's waiting hands. I smiled and kissed his cheek before jumping down and going to my teammates.
We played for a while so by the time we stopped, everyone had lost count. "Man you are sneaky." Quil said shaking his head.
"I warned you." Sam smirked. We all laughed and talked all the way back to Sam's. We were halfway home when Jacob split to go home.
"Hey guys, I'll see you later tonight." He said to the guys. "See ya later, Ava." He whispered as he bent and kissed me on the cheek, catching me off guard. I smiled.
"Later, Jake." He smiled and ran off another way.
"I bet you are suffering from internal combustion right now." Leah said laughing.
"You can bet I am." I moaned. Jake chose to look back at me then with a mischievous smile on his face that took my breath away. "One day Leah, I will have my way with him and make him forget that bitch Bella."
"Why wait?" Quil asked.
"Yeah, he wants you bad." Embry smirked.
"Cause I have self-respect…for now." I smiled. "And I am a one man woman. I don't share. Besides, I have to be careful I could get in trouble for robbing or rocking the cradle." They laughed.
"Holy cow. I am so glad you are back." Leah laughed throwing an arm over my shoulders.
"Me too Lee Lee." I said putting my head on her shoulder.
"Jump on my back and we will haul ass home." She said in my ear. I jumped on her back and she took off up the path, the boys right behind.
"Hey don't leave us alone in the dark." Quil whined. Embry chuckled.
"Yeah Quil will pee himself if the boogie man jumped out." I heard a loud smack and then Embry curse. I giggled.
"Hey at least Dracula isn't hanging around. I would piss myself then." I smirked. I swear I heard Leah and the others growl. "I just need to shut up." I said holding on to Leah. We broke through the trees and onto the porch when Sam came out the door.
"Leah, Embry, Quil. We have to go to the clearing let's go." He said urgency filling his voice. I rolled my eyes.
"I love being friends with secret agents and all, but the thing is, I am a ninja and want in on the fun." I said crossing my arms. They smirked.
"As awesome as your ninja skills are, you can't go. Now go get your teacher ass ready for bed and your first day in the morning." Leah said pushing me through the door after slapping my ass. I groaned and went in, flipping everyone off in the process.