Sorry it's been a while, but I hope you enjoy this chapter! I don't own Twilight.

Chapter 4

The music from the top 40s radio station filled the car, while Bella was giving directions to Thomas. All she could think about was how Jake was going to respond her new friend. Thomas focused on the windy roads with cliffs.

"Just pull up here," Bella directed him to park next to the rabbit.

"That's a cool looking car," Thomas said as he got out of the car.

"Thanks!" said a deep voice. Bella jumped at the sound and turned around to see a shirtless Jake coming up the path. Man, does he ever wear a shirt? she wondered.

OH mama, Thomas thought, when he saw the abs glistening with sweat. "Is this yours?"

"Yeah, I actually fixed her up!" Jake told Thomas. "Hello Bella, how are you?"

"Good."

"Who's your friend?"

"Ohh," Bella replied, "This is my friend Thomas. He's giving me a lift to come see how you're doing."

Jake holds out his hand and approaches Thomas, "Nice to meet you, I'm Jake!"

Thomas smiles, holding out his hand in reply, "The pleasure is all mine."

The handshake lingers, and Jake quickly pulls away and addresses Bella, "So what are you doing out here?"

"Well, I just came to see you. We haven't talked in a while."

"Yeah, we definitely haven't. You haven't returned any of my calls, I was getting worried," Jake says, trying to stare deeply in her soul, but she's looking at the ground.

"At the house yesterday Chief mentioned that she hasn't been out to see you since Edward left and I volunteered to bring her," Thomas interrupted, he knew Bella wasn't a fountain of information.

Jake looked at Thomas in a new light, he was an angel that brought Bella back to him. "Thanks pal," Jake says while giving him a pat on the back and smiles, "This girl never seems to want to get out of the house but you finally did it. Now that my friend is an accomplishment."

Bella on the other hand was no surprise in her own world. After Thomas said "Edward", she was looking off into the woods, thinking of their "spot". Oh, how can Thomas just say his name so nonchalantly, Bella wondered, slightly irritated at the lack of sympathy he had towards her.

Both guys turn and look at Bella. Jake whispers, "So how much do you want to bet she's thinking of him right now?"

Thomas replies, "That has to be a rhetorical question, look at her face right now, what else has she actually thought about in the last couple months."

"True that my friend, true that," Jake responds with another pat.

"Can you help me with something this week?" Thomas began, "I know we don't really know each other but I can tell you care deeply for her and we both want to get her out of the "Edward" funk."

"Sure, I'd do anything to help Bella!"

"Okay well you see, this week I'm showing her how much fun she can have without him and how being a senior is totally and completely AWESOME!"

"I'm down with that," Jake replies, "So what does that entail?"

"Well… I'm trying to boost her confidence, do you have any ideas?"

"Maybe do something about her reacting to using his name?"

"Yeah, like Edward desensitization?"

"Perfect!" Jake exclaims, giving Thomas a high-five. "Dude, she doesn't even have a clue what we're talking about."

Thomas laughs and calls her, "Bella!"

Nothing.

Jake tries, "BELLA! EARTH TO BELLA!"

Bella vaguely hears voices, but chooses to ignore them. Looking up at the sky, she notices the clouds creeping over the sun ever so slowly. That's interesting, she thought, I didn't see the sun earlier. I wonder if they knew it was coming out today? Bella turns around and notices Thomas and Jake shouting and waving at her. What the heck?

"Guys what's the matter?" She asked, completely bewildered.

They glance at each other, both thinking, she really has no idea, does she?

Jake answers, "Oh nothing, we were just trying to get your attention. We uh," looks at Thomas, "We we're going to walk on the beach. Wanna come?"

"Oh, okay," Bella looks between the two of them, a little confused about the grins on their faces. What did I miss? Bella waves it off and walks over to them slowly.

The trio begins their trek to the beach. There's something going on between them, Bella notices. Since neither of the guys were breaking the silence, she decided to ask them a question that has been weighing on her mind. "Did you guys notice the clouds?"

Both turn around and stare at Bella. Thomas asked "What?"

"Well, have you looked at the sky today?"

"No," Jake replied firmly. "It doesn't change."

Bella looked at the boy in disbelief, "Wait…. What are you talking about? You can totally tell it's less cloudy than yesterday."

That's the last straw for Thomas, "GIRL, are you serious right now? Are you thinking about becoming a meteorologist?"

"No…."

"Well then I don't want to hear ONE more word about the WEATHER!" He shouts turning towards the beach and begins walking at a quick pace.

Bella looks at Jake and they shrug. Then they catch up to Thomas, who has no idea where he's going. Eventually they reach the beach, there was no more conversation en route.

While taking a nice stroll, Jake starts to question Bella about her well-being, "So Bella what have you been up to lately?"

Bella looks at the sand. Man, my footprints are so small compared to theirs, she thought. Wow, how can I really answer his question truthfully without letting him know I've being doing pretty crappy alone. He really won't appreciate the motorcycle incident. He'll think I'm crazy.

Thomas notices her deep contemplation and lack of response, so decides to fill in Jake. "Well she really hasn't been up to too much lately, except reading Wuthering Heights for the tenth time."

Bella looks up to see the deep emotion in Jake's face. Jake tells her, "You know you could have come over here any time you wanted."

She looks down ashamed. "Well, I was drowning in my misery because I couldn't function without him," Bella says slowly and dramatically.

"Edward…"Jake begins.

"Don't say his name!" Bella snaps.

Jake grabs Bella by the shoulders and shouts "get over him!"

Thomas just watches this interaction with fascination like a kitten with a ball of yarn.

"But I can't! You don't understand!" Bella whines.

"What is there to understand? You and Edward just weren't meant to be."

"We were going to be together FOR-EVER!" she exclaims.

Thomas looks at Bella, "Really? I think you're being a little dramatic hun."

Appalled at the accusation she scoffs, "Uh, no I'm not!"

"Yes you are. You know there are more important things in the world than Edward and your failed relationship with him. So as of now you are not going to freak out over his name anymore, deal," Thomas tells her.

Bella's thoughts were all over the place. Maybe if I just say yes the topic will be dropped and the sooner his invasion into my life will be over. Or I can say no and continue being stubborn about thinking of him. But Jake looks so ….

Jake's anger was reaching a boiling point. This punk had ripped Bella apart and left her completely deluded that he'll come back. She wasn't listening to anyone or even trying to live an enjoyable life. Bella needs to get over his name because that is the first step to moving on. Then I can be here to comfort her and she'll see WE are meant to be.

Thomas was frustrated with the ridiculously stubborn girl in front of him. Denial was all she knew. She was not going to get out of this acting like a little child.

Finally, Bella spoke, "I guess I'll try not to freak out about his name anymore."

Thomas quickly asks, "What's HIS name?"

"Edward," she replied softly.

Jake chose to jump in, "Sorry I don't believe I heard you Miss Swan."

"Edward!" Bella shouts rolling her eyes at the grins on the others' faces.

"Now that's what I like to hear," Thomas said, "Well I think that's all, it's getting kind of chilly. Do you want to head back Bella?"

"Yeah, okay I do have school work to do," Bella replies.

"Well that's settled, let's go this way," Jake directs them back to the cars from the beach.

While walking back conversation topics ran dry. So eventually it was Bella that spoke up.

"I wonder if it's going to rain," Bella wondered out loud.

Thomas does a forehead slap, "Bella, really?"

"What?" she says looking at Thomas incredulously.

"Weather, I thought we've already discussed that you should not talk about it at all. Didn't we?"

"Yeah, I guess so," she replies like a sullen child.

"Okay. So that means we won't have to go over this again."

"NO we won't. Sorry I shall think before I speak next time."

"Good."

Jake meanwhile is just laughing to himself. Thomas reminded him of a parent reprimanding their child. This week was definitely going to be one for the books, he thought.

Awkward hugs before departing were over and the pair was driving back into Forks. Thomas for once wasn't saying too much and Bella was relieved. Ripped from enjoying the wonderful landscape by her phone buzzing, Bella quickly picks it from her bag. It was a message from Angela.

'Hey Bella! It was gr8t hanging out with you at lunch 2day. I've missed your company lately! We should hangout this week before the party!'

Ever inquisitive Thomas asked Bella to read the text. It was unusual for her to be getting any. He was kind of curious if it could be from Jake.

"So, are you going to reply?" he asked.

"Hold your horses! I'm trying to come up with a response!"

"Jeeesh! I was just making sure you were saying yes and inviting her over tomorrow afternoon."

Bella eyed Thomas. He looked deadly serious. There was no way she was going to get out of it, EVER.
"Yeah, that sounds good."

'I had fun too! Want to hang out tomorrow at my place?' she texted.

'Okay, after school alright?' Angela quickly replied.

'Yeah that'll work!'

'Okay cool! Talk to you at school tomorrow!'

'K, bye.' Bella finished the conversation.

"Whoo!" Thomas exclaims, "You made a playdate!"

Bella glares at him. "Yep," she responds and continues to watch the scenery pass by.

A/N: Please review!