Chapter Five: Invitations

It was almost six weeks since the accident now and about seven since I'd come to Forks. Charlie was very easy to live with. It was almost like having a place of my own that I didn't have to pay for. I cooked and cleaned while Charlie took care of the bills. He didn't hover and I had plenty of alone time, which was how I preferred it. We were well suited to live with each other.

It was then, at the beginning my seventh week in Forks, that Jessica made me aware of an event coming up soon. She called on Tuesday night to ask if it was ok with me if she asked Mike to the girls' choice spring dance.

"Why would I mind? Go ahead and ask him. You guys will have a great time. Make sure you tell me all about it. It should be fun for you guys." I had already decided not to go to the dance. I thought she would appreciate my interest in her evening even if I weren't going to take part in it. I just wasn't the dance attending type.

"You aren't going? Why not?" Jess questioned me like I was insane.

"No, Jess. I'm not. It would be too embarrassing. I can't dance." I answered. It was the truthful answer. I didn't feel like saying that crowds made me uncomfortable.

"Are you sure you won't come? It'll be fun." Jess coaxed almost halfheartedly, like she wished I would stick to my no.

"No, I don't want to. I'll see you tomorrow. Bye, Jess." I yawned into the phone to let her know I was done talking.

The next day, Jessica was unusually silent as we walked between classes. I wondered if Mike had turned he down for the dance. Had someone already asked him or was he holding out for someone else; holding out for me. If he was waiting for me to ask him, he was going to be disappointed. I liked Mike, just not like that. I knew I was definitely going to have to do something about him now. My suspicions only grew stronger when Jessica sat as far away from Mike as the table would allow at lunch.

When we got to class, Mike lingered by my desk with his back to Emmett, who was reading a joke book. It was clear that Mike did not like the fact that Emmett and I were friends. That was a little too bad for him considering I could be friends with whoever I wanted and he couldn't do a thing about it. Mike sat on the edge of my desk and ignored Emmett's presence, probably wishing that he wasn't there.

"So, Jessica asked me to the dance." Mike said nervously as he stared at his feet.

"That's great Mike. You two will have a great time." I said enthusiastically. He needed to realize that I wasn't interested but Jessica was.

"Well I told her that I had to think about it." Mike murmured, clearly perturbed by my reaction.

"Why would you do that? What's there to think about?" I asked him, letting my irritation be heard. Behind it, I was relieved he hadn't flat out rejected Jessica's invitation.

"I was sort of hoping that you were planning to ask me out." Mike still hadn't looked at me. He was clearly embarrassed to have to ask like this. I didn't want to have this conversation either but not the same reason as Mike.

"No, Mike. I'm not going to the dance at all. I won't even be in town. I'll be in Seattle that day." I made up a quick excuse. I wanted to go to Seattle anyway to find a decent bookstore so why not kill two birds with one stone.

"Why? Can't you go some other time?" It was almost rude the way he said that.

"Nope. I'm going to Seattle instead of the dance. And you shouldn't keep Jessica waiting. It's really rude." I didn't feel the need to be polite if he wasn't going to be. I turned away from him but watched out of the corner of my eyes as he glared at Emmett then went to his seat. As I took a deep breath to calm myself, I let my head fall into my hands so I could rub my temples. Clearly, Mike thought I rejected him because of Emmett and that was not true. Even though I wish it was.

Mr. Banner started his lecture and I lifted my head to listen. Emmett was staring at me in wonder. It looked like he was wondering why I turned Mike down. I mouthed, 'what?' at him and he just shook his head.

Mike met me at the door after class so I figured I wasn't totally unforgiven. He didn't talk to me on the way to gym though. I was hoping he would take my suggestion and say yes to Jessica.

After class, I walked to my truck quickly. It was left with minimal damage after the accident. I wasn't in the mood to talk to Mike again and the truck was my safe haven. My breath caught when I saw a dark figure leaning against my door. I looked closer and realized that this figure was too tall and thin to be Mike or Emmett. It was Eric and my breathing continued as I waved at him.

"Hey, Eric."

"Hi, Bella. I was hoping to catch you before you left." There was something weird in his voice; nervous creeping to anxiety.

"Sure, what's up?" I asked, waiting.

"Umm, I was wondering, would you ask me to the spring dance?" he stared at his feet and his voice cracked as he spoke.

I was mildly shocked and I scrambled to compose myself. I didn't expect that one, not from Eric. "Actually, Eric, I'm going to Seattle that weekend. I'm not going to the dance, sorry."

His face fell in disappointment. "Ok, then. See you around, Bella." He turned and walked back toward the school. I got in my truck and started it, more than ready to be home.

A silver Volvo blocked my way. Emmett was in the front passenger's seat and Edward was in the driver's seat. I could see that they were waiting for the other three but they were still by the cafeteria. They were moving at a slow pace that irritated me. I briefly contemplated bumping them forward slightly. It wouldn't hurt them, only the Volvo. But I didn't want Emmett mad at me and I couldn't afford to buy Edward a new car. That and I just wasn't the type of person who would intentionally harm a person.

A tapping on my window startled me. Tyler Crowley was at my passenger side window and when I looked back, I saw that his used Sentra was behind me, engine running, and door wide open. I wrenched my window as far down as it would go to talk to him his face was stretched into a grin.

"Hey, Tyler. Sorry, I'm stuck behind the Cullens." I jerked my thumb toward the Volvo. My voice leaked irritation. I worked to calm myself down. It wasn't Tyler's fault that Mike and Eric had diminished my reserve of patience.

"That's ok. Since we're stuck here, I was hoping to ask you something. Do you want to go with me to the spring dance?" he gave me a hopeful grin as he asked.

Ok so it was totally his fault. Tyler was now the focus of my irritation. What was with these guys? You would think that they would take a hint eventually. And what was with going after me? I wasn't even that pretty.

"I thought it was a girl's choice?" I managed through my shocked irritation. I couldn't think of anything else to say.

"Yeah, I guess it is. Do you want to ask me to the dance?" he rephrased.

"Actually, I'm going to Seattle instead, Tyler." I hoped he would take a hint.

"Yeah, that's what Mike said." His grin wasn't there anymore.

"Then why did you ask?" I didn't understand why they all wanted to go with me to the dance. Like it was some contest and whoever took me to the dance was the winner. I don't think so; I refuse to be a prize to be won.

"Just hoping you were letting him down easy. Oh well, we still have prom." He said. Before I could respond, he was already headed back to his car.

I looked forward and realized that the other Cullens were in the Volvo now. Before they drove off, I swear I could see Emmett and Edward laughing. When they were out of the way, I stomped on the accelerator and went home.

The phone was ringing when I got in. I didn't feel like talking to anyone but it might be my mom or dad so I answered it anyway. It was Jessica. And she was bubbling over with joy. Mike had caught up with her after school to accept her invitation. I congratulated her very sincerely. This time when Jess wished I would go, she meant it- now that she was sure of Mike. I gave her my Seattle excuse. Then I suggested that Angela ask Eric and Lauren ask Tyler to the dance. Jess thought that was a great idea and let me go so she could call the other girls. That took care of that particular problem. Maybe those boys would stop going after me if they went out with the other girls.

I was thinking about my not so secret and totally unwanted admirers when I got to school the next day. My key fell through my fingers as I got out of my truck. I slammed the door but before I could even move to pick it up, a big, white hand had already retrieved it from the puddle it fell in. Emmett was standing in front of me in all his handsome, muscular glory, holding my key out for me.

"How do you do that?" I muttered as I took the key from him.

"Do what?" he sounded confused.

"Appear out of nowhere like that. You just instantly appear at my side."

"It's not my fault you didn't notice me next to you." Emmett chuckled.

"Whatever, Emmett." I wasn't in the mood for games. I turned and stalked off toward class.

"Wait, Bella. Sorry about that. I'm so used to lying about that, it's a knee-jerk reaction. I'm not going to lie to you anymore, Bella." Emmett had no trouble keeping up with me as he talked.

"Did you come over just to tell me that or is there more?" I wondered why he was breaking our normal thing and talking to me outside of class.

"Yeah, I was going to ask you something but you distracted me. Next Saturday, you know, the day of the dance." He began but I stopped him.

"Is that supposed to be a joke? It isn't your best." Even though I sort of wanted him to, it irritated me that he was going to ask to take me to the dance. He probably watched me shut down the three other guys. Why was he doing this? Was I a prize to him too? God, I hoped not.

He sounded slightly exasperated when he answered. " Will you let me finish? I wasn't going to ask you to the dance." He reassured me. I nodded for him to continue. "I overheard you say that you were going to Seattle that day and I was wondering if you wanted a ride." We were still in the rain so I couldn't see his face clearly but it looked like he was grinning hopefully at me.

"With who? Why?" I asked, slightly confused. Was he using the trip as a way to tell me about him? I guess it shouldn't matter why; I would be perfectly happy just spending the day with him.

"With me, of course. I was going to Seattle anyway. The others are going camping so I'll have Edward's car. I figured it would be a good time to talk and I don't think your truck can make it." he chuckled.

"My truck runs just fine." I continued toward the cafeteria where I stopped to look at him. Inside, I was singing with joy that he wanted to talk with me, wanted to spend an entire day with me.

"But can it make it on one tank of gas?" he grinned because he knew logic was working in his favor. That and I would die to go with him. "So will you go with me to Seattle?" he grinned that perfect, dimpled smile and all I could do was nod. It was the face that made me want to do anything for him. It was the face that kept me sloshing through the rain just to see.

"Great. I'll see you later, then. Time for class, Bella." He turned away to leave but waved as he went.

I walked to my first class in a daze. Mr. Mason was already reading when I got there. He refused to break meter as I took my seat. I still couldn't believe it. Emmett and I were going to Seattle together. I would get me answers then. We would be alone together. I wished that time would move quicker. I was anxious for the answers but especially for the time alone.