Chapter 12:
I didn't tell Alice all of the details and she didn't push which I was beyond greatful for. If you asked a million times I would be so annoyed that I would spill my guts out. I honestly think that I don't want anyone to know the extent of our date because it was too special to be shared.
I got out of Alice's shower and threw on jeans and an old sweatshirt that I got in Pheonix. I just left my hair wet and grabbed all of my things.
"What are you doing today?" Alice asked.
"Charlie is over at the Black's house. I think I might stop by for a couple hours," I said. Jake and I were on better terms now and I wanted to keep it that way. If I didn't hang out with him that would not be the case.
"Alright. Does Edward know?" she asked.
"Not yet. I was planning on calling him," I told her. Edward trusted me. I knew he wouldn't mind if I went over there for a little bit.
"Okay. Well I guess I will see you later then," she said.
"Alice, what's up? You seem weird today," I told her honestly. Something was bothering her.
"Nothing really. Jasper just hasn't talked to me all weekend," she said.
"I'm sure there is a reason," I tried to make her feel better.
"Yeah, I guess," she told me and I knew she wasn't entirely convinced.
"Alice, everybody gets busy. He will call you sometime today or you will see him at school Monday," I said.
"I know. Bye," she said and I hugged her and got in my car and drove off. I called Edward first thing.
"Hello?" he answered tiredly.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to keep you out too late," I said while giggling.
"I'm sure you are. What's up?" he asked.
"Well I just left Alice's and she is internally freaking out. If you see Jasper tell him to call her or I will beat him with a stick," I told him sternly. He laughed.
"That would actually be fun to watch," he said.
"I'm serious. She is totally worried that he is off with some other girl," I said.
"Alright. That isn't the only reason you called I am guessing," I sighed at his words.
"No. I am going over to Jake's for a bit. My dad is already over there and I haven't spent time with either of them in a while," I told him honestly.
"Okay, just be careful and call if you need anything," he said.
"I will. I can come over after if that makes you feel better," I told him.
"That doesn't sound like a bad idea," he said and I rolled my eyes.
"See you then. Bye," I said and he hung up the phone. I pulled up to Jake's house at the same time. I looked through the window to see an old friend of ours. Leah. Jake saw my car and came running out.
"Bella! Where the hell have you been?" he asked while pulling me into a tight hug. I laughed.
"More importantly...what is Leah doing here?" I looked at him and wiggled my eyebrows. She never liked me but she had always had a thing for Jake.
"I kinda like her," he said and I smiled.
"Good for you," I told him and hugged him again.
I went inside and kissed my dad on the cheek and smiled at Billy. They were watching sports so they didn't linger talking to me too long. I followed Jake into the kitchen.
"Hi Bella," I heard Leah say.
"Leah, it has been too long. How are you?" I asked, trying to be polite. She smiled at me and then to Jake.
"Great," she said and then turned back to me. "And yourself?"
"I have been doing very well," I said. I knew that she had an act on. She still doesn't like me. I don't know how to change that because I don't even know what I did for her hate me in the first place. Jake was totally oblivious to this fact because he turned around and gave me a thumbs up with a grin on his face. I plastered on my best fake smile.
Leah left when her mother called. She gave me a look as to say 'don't-mess-with-my-man'. I looked at her in confusion as she walked out the door.
"You guys seem to be liking each other again," Jake said and I turned around with my fake smile again.
"Sure," I said and he grinned.
"So how is Edward?" he asked and I smiled.
"Great," I said and his grin faded a little but never left his face. My eyes seemed to have given myself away.
"You love him," he stated and it wasn't a question. I grimanced.
"It really isn't any of your business," I said while looking down at my hands.
"Ouch," he said and I looked up. His expression looked like I had just slapped him in the face.
"Look, I am sorry Jake. I just..." I trailed trying to find the right words.
"Haven't told him yet?" Jake guess.
"Not exactly," I sighed.
"Well, as much as it kills me to say this, he is pretty crazy about you too," Jake said and I gave him a smile.
"You really think so?" I asked.
"I know so," he winked.
"So...you and Leah?" I asked him, trying to change the subject.
"She makes me happy. We have been hanging out a lot over the past week," he said.
"So that is why I didn't recieve any calls," I told him jokingly.
"Hey, your not so innocent yourself," he countered and I smiled.
"How are you?" I asked. I didn't mean it as what people ask everyday. The question was deeper than that. I know that I hurt him and I needed to hear something other than 'fine' from him. He sighed because he knew what I meant.
"I'm doing okay. Leah has helped me a lot," he said honestly.
"I'm glad," I told him and took his hand in mine and squeezed it and let go.
"Me too," he smiled and Charlie walked in.
"I'm headed home Bells. Want to follow me?" he asked and I looked at the clock.
"Dad, it is lunch time. Do you mind if I cook here?" I asked already knowing the answer as I stood up.
"Be my guest," he said and I smiled and set my dad down in the chair I was just in.
"Stay," I said and he smiled and nodded.
I just whipped together some sandwhiches. They really didn't have anything else.
"You need to restock your fridge Mr. Black," I told Billy while setting down the plates in front of him.
"Maybe you could do that for me," he said jokingly and I smiled. Billy has always been great to me.
We sat at the table for at least an hour talking and laughing about past stories that never get old to share. Charlie made plans with Billy to fish tomorrow and then I decided to leave. I didn't know that it was already 2.
"Alright, I'm headed out," I said while standing up.
"Off so soon?" Billy asked.
"She got herself a boyfriend," Charlie said proudly. He really likes Edward.
"Oh," Billy said and winked at me. "I see."
"I'm out," I said and everyone laughed.
"Be home at 10," Charlie said and I nodded.
"Maybe I will bring him home for dinner," I said and he smiled as I let myself out. I got in my car and called Edward.
"Hello beautiful," he answered and I rolled my eyes.
"Just left their house. Need anything?" I asked.
"Nope. You only have to bring yourself," Edward said and I smiled.
"I might be able to accomplish that," I said.
"Very funny. I will see you soon," he told me and I said 'Bye' and hung up.
I got to their house and rang the doorbell. Jasper answered and I frowned at him.
"I told him," Edward said walking up. He kissed me.
"I forgot!" Jasper said and he stared at the floor ashamed.
"Then what are you doing? Go get your damn phone and call her before I kick your ass!" I said and he grimanced and went searching for it.
"Your fiesty today," Edward said and put his arm around my waist.
"I just don't want to deal with Alice if I don't have to," I said and turned around and put my arms around his neck. He held me closer.
"You do know I trust you, right?" I asked out of nowhere.
"What?" he asked.
"I just feel bad about last night. I do trust you, Edward," I said and he smiled.
"I know," he whispered and then kissed me. I felt someone smack me on the butt and I knew it wasn't Edward. I turned around and saw Emmett.
"Dude, not cool," Edward said and I held back a laugh.
"Oh sorry. I missed the sign that said 'Property of Edward'," he said and I smacked his arm.
"Stop bein' a monkey," I said and they both looked at me like I had a third eye and started cracking up.
"What?" I frowned.
"Now I know you weren't lyin' 'bout bein' from the South," Emmett put on his Southern accent.
"Oh, shut up!" I said.
"Sorry darlin'. Couldn't help myself," Emmett continued to play it up. Rose came from behind him and slapped him upside the head. Emmett stoped and gave us both an apologetic smile. Rose escorted him out of the room.
"Do I really sound that bad?" I asked.
"No. I just thought it was funny," he said.
"Ugh! Gosh dangit! He has got me all aware of it now," I said. "Arizona people really don't talk with that heavy of an accent. I actually have never seen it in Arizona. But we do have a little bit of a slang I guess."
"Stop bein' a monkey?" he said and I slappd his chest. He responded by kissing me which I had no problem with.
"How was Jake's?" Edward asked and I sighed.
"He found someone," I grumbled and then walked upstairs to his room and sat on his bed.
"Are you jealous?" Edward asked shocked. I almost laughed.
"Hell no!" I said and I couldn't hold it in any longer so I let a small giggle escape me.
"Then what was the grumbling about?" he asked.
"Her name is Leah. She never liked me because Jake was always in love with me. I guess it is his way of paying me back though," I sighed.
"You lost me again," Edward said and sat by me.
"He doesn't like you, so he got a girl who doesn't like me," I said.
"It may not have happened on purpose," he said.
"I know...but for some reason I feel like it was. Whatever, it doesn't matter," I spoke in a rush. I didn't want to talk about it and he sensed that. My phone rang. Alice.
"Are you done freaking out?" I answered and Edward laughed and laid down.
"Shut up, Bella!" she said and I rolled my eyes waiting for her to talk again because I didn't want her to know I told Jasper.
"Wait...how did you know that he called?" she asked and I froze.
"What do you mean?" I asked worried.
"Well I just got off the phone with him and haven't told anyone else," she said. I knew she knew and wanted me to admit to it.
"Fine, I talked sense into him. But it is only because I love you," I told her.
"Yeah, yeah. How was Jake's?" she asked.
"Is that the million dollar question today?" I asked to buy time.
"Just tell me," she said and I sighed.
"It was...good I guess. He's with Leah," I said looking at the ceiling.
"You know that for sure?" she asked. Alice knew all about Leah.
"Umm..yeah Alice. I was there. He is so head over heels," I said and Edward's curiousity got the best of him as he came to hear our comversation. I didn't mind though. He got up close to my phone.
"Are you sure he wasn't just pretending? I mean he might still be upset," she thought it through. I contemplated.
"But he wouldn't have let her treat me the way she did," I said sure of it. Leah wasn't as awful as usual...but she gave me some glares that Jake would have picked up.
"But...if he was upset with you he may have let her," she said.
"Alice...Leah likes him. Alot. Jake and the whole fricken world for that matter know it. He doesn't use girls like that," I said. I knew I might have been defending him too much, but he was my best friend. Edward didn't seem interested anymore and laid back down.
"Are you sure about that?" she asked and I knew she was trying not to make me upset.
"Yes...No...I don't know! She was there though...maybe you should go talk to him about it!" I said getting frustrated.
"Calm down, Bella. I will see what I can find out," she said and I took a deep breath in and let it out.
"Thanks. I will see you later," I said.
"Bye," she said and hung up. I huffed and laid back with Edward. I could figure out the Leah and Jacob mess later. Right now all I wanted to do was focus on Edward and me.
