Disclaimer: Twilight and characters belong to Stephenie Meyer.

The Swan household was a little awkward and uncomfortable that Christmas. Bella hadn't really heard much from her parents since she left for college, but that wasn't really the reason for the unpleasantness. They were never really a very touchy-feely kind of family. With her extended absence it was hard to fall back into their old routine. Charlie Swan was twitchy and Renee Swan overcompensated with constant jabber.

Bella escaped back to her dorm as soon as she could. She had the place to herself for the rest of the week. Alice had taken Jasper home to meet her parents. Their relationship had progressed drastically and Bella knew that Alice would be moving in with him any day now. Alice may have brought it up jokingly once or twice in conversation and it seemed Jasper was the only oblivious one.

Most people would have grown restless having to spend the rest of their holiday vacation alone, but Bella was quite content. She had her books, her computer, and she could lounge around in pajamas all day. Everything would have been perfect if she just wasn't lacking the presence of a certain auburn haired boy.

Edward and Bella had kept in touch with daily texts since he left. Neither one of them was very fond of talking on the phone. They preferred to just send bits and pieces of their day back and forth. After laughing at the recent text she received, Bella responded, then flipped her phone shut. She was hungry and felt like getting out of the house.

Bella made her way to a cafeteria type restaurant close by. She clutched her phone in her hand the whole walk there just in case she received another text. After picking out her items, she paid and went to find a table nearby. What she failed to notice was the newly appointed sign warning her that the floor was slippery.

Like a cartoon, her foot slipped out from under her, the tray of food was tossed in the air, and her balance was thrown off, making her fall to the ground with the tray landing on her a second later. Bella cursed her choice of pastel clothing she had worn that day. It really brought out the pasta stains that were now painted down her front. Pulling a glop of noodles from her hair, she gathered her things and stood. She was immediately approached by a swarm of employees, all of them apologizing and offering to reimburse her for her meal.

Bella died a little inside from embarrassment. This wasn't the first time she had fallen in public, but it was the first time in a very public place with food. She quickly shook them off, mumbling how she was fine and to not worry. She did let out a small curse when she found her fractured phone covered in goo.

"Bella?" a familiar voice called.

Brushing off the nearest energetic employee, Bella looked around for whomever called her name. Standing to her right was a very pleased Jacob.

"Bella, what happened to you?" he laughed.

"Oh, you missed it? I totally just fell in front of everyone. It was one of my finest moments. Shame you missed it," she responded sarcastically. Bella wiped at her shirt again. It didn't do any good. The stain was just as noticeable. She groaned and set off to leave.

"Bella, wait up…" Jacob continued to laugh as he jogged to catch up to her.

"Jacob, I really need to get home and shower. I actually have sauce… in… my… hair."

He was still laughing slightly when he caught up to her. He matched his steps with hers.

"Alright, I'll walk you home and then I'll take you out to lunch."

Bella paused in her tracks. "Um, Jacob, that is sweet and all, but I'm good. I really just want to go home and pretend this day never happened."

"No, you need something to eat. I'm pretty sure that was your lunch all over the floor." He pointed behind him with his thumb.

Bella glanced down at the remains of her cell phone. She had a feeling Edward wouldn't be happy with her hanging out with Jacob. She knew it was silly and irrational, but she really didn't want to cause any problems.

"Jacob, that is sweet, but I have a boyfriend."

"So?"

"Well, um…it just wouldn't be right going to lunch with you."

Jacob busted out laughing again. "Bella, it's just lunch. Oh man, if it's really an issue for you then I'll leave. It's no skin off my back."

There was no way Bella was going to explain the phone number incident to him, but it made talking to him seem more significant. If he was just any other male, if he just wasn't the Jacob, it wouldn't be so weird.

Bella sighed and smiled warily. "My place is just around the corner."

"Cool."

Jacob escorted Bella home. He waited downstairs while Bella took the fastest shower she had ever taken and also while she changed out of her stained clothes.

While Bella and Jacob got to know each other over burgers and fries, Edward was in Chicago wondering why Bella hadn't returned his texts.

You know what sucks. Walking away from the cash register with a tray of ravioli, chocolate cake, and a Coke only to slip and have it land on top of you. In Universal Studios. At prime time lunch hour. On a weekend. If it wasn't for the humiliation, I would have tried to sue. I could be a millionaire right now. :)

Chapter 20 is basically done. So, it should be up soon.

Digital high five Jess!