Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.
I wonder if I start a petition to get rid of anything to do with homework and had the whole student body sign it, which I'm pretty sure they all would, would anything happen because of it? Would some important educator type person take notice of it and do something? Would they limit the amount of homework that can be given out? Or would everyone just laugh at me for starting the petition in the first place?
I guess it's only wishful thinking to do something to get rid of homework. I may understand why we have homework, but by no means does that mean I like it. I'll do it though without complaining…outside my own head for Charlie's sake. If I complain about my homework and about not wanting to do it, he might get the wrong idea and start to worry, I don't want that.
That's why I opted to do my homework before I call Jake. I don't know how long the call will take and I want to make sure I do my homework. Okay, why lie to myself? I just want to do my homework so I can show Ms. Denali that I did in fact learn what she taught me.
…
I mean, so I don't have to stay after school with her anymore with her re-teaching what she already taught us. Because she's a vampire, I'm trying to avoid their world. Ya, that's it.
Instead of doing all my homework though, I got lazy and decided to only do half of it and finish the rest after dinner and before I go to bed. When I finished my math and the easy homework, I decided to vacuum for my chore like activity. I figured it was the easiest thing to do. When that was all done (somewhat poorly I might add, but Charlie will never know) I made a quick dinner and left it on the stove for me to reheat later.
Once all that was finally all done and I had no more distractions, I headed back to my room to call Jake. I got in a comfy position on my bed and called him. He was quick to answer at barely the second ring.
"Bella, guess what?" Jake immediately yelled into the phone when he answered it.
"Hey Jake; I'm fine, how about you?" I said, amused by his obvious excitement.
Jake's good mood always rubbed off on me and would always lift my spirits almost immediately whenever I'm feeling down. When the Cullen's first left, he was my sun in the darkness I had been left in. When I lost all my human friends because of my own neglect, Jake and the pack took me in and helped cheer me up. They weren't able to fully heal me though, which is why we moved. Because of all he's done for me, to hear from him now and for him to be excited about something makes me happy.
Jake chuckled at me sarcastic remark before he answered me.
"Sorry Bells, I got a little excited there. I didn't mean to come off as rude." Jake said.
I can practically see Jake scratch the back of his neck with sheepish look on his face.
"It's fine Jake, no worries. What has you so excited though?" I asked.
I would ask if he's found his Imprint, but I don't want to be wrong and make him sad. It's common knowledge that Jake has a crush on me, even though I'm clearly not his Imprint since I am … was … mated to a vampire.
"My dad said I can go visit you. I even got the okay from Sam." Jake said.
He paused, I guess to let me say something, but I don't know what to say. So many questions are racing through my head and I can't pick one to vocalize. Why is he visiting, why does he want to? Shouldn't he be with the pack? Why would Billy and Sam agree? How long will he be here? When? Why?
"My dad talked to Charlie and he's gonna let me stay with you guys for a little while." Jake said when I didn't say anything.
"Um, wow; but um, what about school and stuff?"
That's the best question my mind can pick to ask? Clearly I must be in shock if school is the first thing I ask about. At least it is a legit question that any good friend would ask, right?
"Ha-ha, come on Bells, being in the pack keeps me out of school anyways. If Charlie asks, I'll just tell him I'm home schooled by Emily; so I can afford to take time like this off." Jake said, still sounding excited about his unexpected visit.
"Not that I'm not happy you coming here, because it'll be great to see a friend, but why?" I asked trying not to sound rude.
I haven't been gone all that long. I know we were close, best friends even. But I have been gone for only barely a couple weeks, that's really not that long. I would expect him to come to visit maybe before I left for college, like during the summer or even when I started college but not during high school.
As much as I want to see Jake, for the sake of seeing a friendly face that isn't Charlie, I really don't. Not because of anything bad, but because of the coven of vampires that live here, Ms. Denali's family. I know full well Jake would love to attack any of the Cullen's; especially after what they did to me. I don't doubt he would attack Ms. Denali and her family just because of what they are.
"Because I miss you Bella." Jake sounded both sad and a little hurt.
"I miss you too Jake, I honestly just wasn't expecting you to come to Alaska to visit; at least not when I haven't been here that long." I told him.
"Ha-ha, ya, that's what both our dads said." Jake said, no longer sounding sad.
"So um, when are you coming?" I asked, trying to steer the conversation away from making him sad again.
"Friday, I should be there when you get home from school."
The conversation didn't last much longer than that. He told me the pack and Emily said hello. He told me about everything he and the pack have gotten into; which was pretty much just working on his car. There really wasn't much more for them to do except patrol and even then, there aren't any vampires around.
The whole call lasted maybe a half an hour before we hung up. When we did finally hang up, I decided to call Ms. Denali's sister about the job she offered. I have this feeling that if I don't call her today Ms. Denali will bring it up tomorrow. So immediately after I hung up with Jake, I dialed the number Ms. Denali gave me; a very clearly vampire voice picked up in the middle of the first ring.
"Kate's Bookstore, Kate speaking, how can I help you?" Kate said in a borderline too happy tone.
"Um, this is Bella Swan. My teacher, your um sister, told me to call you about a job?" I said nervously.
I wasn't really sure what to say. I'm afraid that Ms. Denali didn't tell her sister and that I'm calling and saying this as some kind of joke. I doubt Ms. Denali would do that, but it is kind of random to have get a job offer from your teacher; it doesn't happen every day.
"Damn, now I'm not sure if I should hire you." Kate said, sounding a little annoyed.
Okay, so that's one thing I don't have to worry about. It sounds like Ms. Denali did talk to her sister about me and the job. Didn't Ms. Denali say this job is guaranteed? I don't think I said anything that should have offended her.
"What?" That's not exactly something formal or polite to say to my possible future employer, but it got my question out.
"I had a bet with my sisters that you wouldn't call today. Tanya and Irina said you would, though I guess Tanya would know." Kate said, although I'm not sure if I should have heard the last part or not, but I'm to ignore it anyways.
"I'm sorry?" I said, not really sure what to say to her about me causing her to lose a bet.
"Oh, its' okay, I'll get them back later. So, I hear you want a job?" Kate said, seemingly back into a good mood and focused on the purpose of the call now.
"Ya, um, yes please." I said.
I need to at least try and sound polite and semi-professional so I can make sure I get the job. Even though Ms. Denali said it was guaranteed I would get it, I don't want to mess up my chances. Though from what I've seen of Kate, she's anything but professional. She seems almost like a female version of Emmett; so I don't think I have anything to worry about.
"This is exciting! I get to give my first interview! I've only ever heard about them before." Kate said, sounding more excited than I thought someone could be for an interview.
"Okay?" I said, still really confused about what exactly is going on with this conversation and if I really will get the job or not.
"So when can you come in for an interview?" Kate asked.
"I can come in any time after school." I answered, the conversation now starting to sound more normal.
"Perfect, tomorrow after school come on in and I'll give you my very first interview. It'll be a fun learning experience." Kate said.
"Okay, where is-" click "your…store?" I asked, even though she hung up on me half way through the question.
I quickly redialed so I can ask her where her store is, but the phone went straight to a voicemail that isn't set up. Why do I feel like they (Ms. Denali and Kate) did that on purpose to make I have to talk to Ms. Denali tomorrow?
I have to talk to her now, unless…the internet should have them listed somewhere. You can find anything on the internet now and days. Especially business, they all have some sort of reference somewhere that will lead to their location. I just have to find something that has Kate's store listed. I quickly got on my computer and waited while it not so quickly loaded. Once it did, I pulled up my search engine of choice and looked for Kate's Bookstore in Denali, Alaska.
Thirty minutes later it became painfully clear why Kate's business is failing. She doesn't have her business listed anywhere! There's not even a review for the store or any article of some sort, or really anything at all, that mentions it. I tried the store number several more times to try and get through, but I didn't have any luck.
I guess I have no choice but to talk to Ms. Denali tomorrow. I bet anything she'll drag out the conversation as much as possible. It's not that I don't like talking to her, I actually do like talking to her a lot, it's just that I shouldn't because she's my teacher and teachers and I never really get that close. I feel that teachers and students just aren't meant to be friends. Especially when the teacher is a vampire and the student is trying to stay away from that world.
…
I'm failing miserably at that whole staying away thing aren't I? I hung my head, a little depressed about how Ms. Denali is so easily pulling me into her world and if I was honest with myself (at the moment I don't want to be right now), I like it.
A car door slamming from just outside the house broke me from my thoughts; Charlie's home. Turning off my computer and then putting my phone away to charge, I decided I would need to talk to Charlie about getting a job to make sure it is okay with him. He is my dad after all, and technically I do need his permission since I live under his roof and all. I then made my way to the kitchen to heat up dinner.
After dinner was eaten and the kitchen was all cleaned up, Charlie went straight into the living room to turn on a random sports game. Much to his surprise, I followed after him and sat on the couch.
Not only should I ask him about the job, but also about Jake coming over. I don't mind, too much at least, that Jake is coming over; but a little advance warning would have been nice. I kind of didn't want to see him again until after I graduated and moved to where ever I was going to go to college. I also need to make sure I get permission for this job, since I have an interview tomorrow…at least I'm pretty sure it's a real interview.
"Hey dad," I waited until his eyes were on me before I continued. "Can we talk real quick?" I asked.
He immediately looked nervous. He probably thinks I'm going to ask for something big, or to do something that's really life altering. I guess I should have asked a different way. He muted the T.V. and gave me his undivided attention.
"Sure, what's up Bells?" Charlie said, trying to sound casual and not nervous, but failing at it.
"Can I have a job?" I blurted out, just to get it out of the way.
I decided to go with this topic first. This way if we get in an argument about Jake coming over, which I doubt we will but just in case, I'll already have my answer; hopefully the answer will be yes.
"Um, ya sure you can. Is there a specific reason you need one?" Charlie asked.
Now instead of looking nervous, he looks confused. Since I had a job in Forks, I shouldn't have assumed he might have said no this time; but you never know. Parents can be weird sometimes or most of the time depending on how you look at it.
"Not really, I just want to start saving. You know for a rainy day or something." I answered, half truthfully. I know why I want a job, to save money to eventually fix my truck for when it does break, but I don't want to tell him that. I don't know why I don't want to tell him, but something's just telling me not to.
"That's very responsible of you Bella." Charlie said, making me blush a little at the compliment.
"Thanks. Just so you know though, I actually already have an interview tomorrow; but I think it's pretty much a guaranteed thing. Is that okay?" I quickly ask for permission before, hopefully, he realizes I didn't ask before-hand.
Instead of answering, Charlie just chuckled at me. I narrowed my eyes a little before talking again.
"Why are you laughing?" I asked.
"Because I think, you think, you tried to pull a fast one on me." Charlie answered, when I could only give him a confused look in response, he continued talking. "You already had an interview set up before you talked to me. If you had really felt you needed my permission you would have asked me before you got an interview." Charlie explained.
I couldn't help but blush at what he was saying. Of course he would catch that. Even though to me he seems like he doesn't catch on to things too quickly, he really is an observant person, expect when it comes to the supernatural. He is the police chief after all he would have to be good at something like that to get that rank.
"Sorry." I muttered, trying to get my face to not be so red.
"Don't worry about it Bella. For future reference, you are eighteen, you don't need permission from me to get a job; just a heads up would be nice so I know." Charlie said.
Charlie has his moments. Sometimes I forget that Charlie, even though he is police chief, isn't really that strict…most the time.
"Thanks dad." I said. I nervously combed through my hair with my fingers before I brought up the next subject. "There's also one other thing I wanted to talk to you about." I said nervously just before he turned the sound back on the T.V.
"Sure, what about?" He asked, looking slightly nervous again.
"Jacob called and told me." I said.
He let out a heavy sigh then scratched the back of his neck. He didn't look nervous anymore, but he did look slightly sheepish.
"Sorry I didn't tell you. It was supposed to be a surprise. When he called and asked and when I finally agreed to let him, I thought it would be a nice surprise for you." Charlie admitted.
Doesn't this man know that next to parties, I don't like surprises? I never have, especially since the last big surprise I got was when my vampire family left me.
"I don't like surprises." I said with somewhat of a harsher tone than intended but not sure of what else to say.
"I know, but I thought it would be good for you. I just didn't want you to fall back into what you were when the Cullen's left; Jake was good for you. So when he asked, it didn't really take that much convincing for me to agree. I just want to make sure you are happy." Charlie said.
Its times like these that make me realize how much Charlie really cares. He may not say it all the time or even really show it too much. But stuff like what he just said and did with Jake, it makes me happy. I can't be made at him for not telling me; not when he had nothing but good intentions for me. Plus, I will be happy to have Jake here; it will be a good distraction from Ms. Denali.
"Its' fine dad, just don't make a habit of surprising me please." I said with a small laugh. "But thanks though, it means a lot to me." I told him.
To give my words more meaning, I got up from the couch and gave him a quick hug, one of which he returned somewhat awkwardly. After the hug, I told him goodnight and that I was going to finish my homework then go to bed.
My homework, the annoying stuff I didn't want to do this afternoon, took a couple hours for me to finish. I had to write something for my language arts class that wasn't due until Friday, but seeing as how tomorrow (Thursday) I have an interview, I wanted to get it done in case I didn't have time afterwards.
Once that was all taken care of, I put my homework in my backpack and made sure my math homework was in there. I even made sure to have yesterday's homework in there also in case Ms. Denali wanted me to turn it in still.
I did everything necessary to get ready for bed, and was able to fall asleep fairly quickly. I think the only reason I was able to, is because I'm kind of excited and nervous to see how the interview goes tomorrow.
A/N: Obviously this is a filler chapter; sorry about that, but it needed to be done. The next chapter will be filled with the interview with Kate and more Bella/Tanya stuff.
I also just want to tell you guys, I know you might be getting a little impatient with how slow everything is going, but I personally like a slow building relationship. I will try not to make it boring or drag it on for too long just for the sake of dragging it on, but I just don't like it when I read stories and within the first couple chapters the couple is already together. I personally like reading the courting of the pair. So basically, I'm going to make Tanya 'work' to get Bella.