Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight
"So, how many tickets are you getting?" Charlie asked.
Graduation was in a couple days and he was just now trying to get everything finalized. I would have done it myself a long time ago, but I keep getting distracted. I spend all my free time, when I'm not at school or at work, with Tanya and even when I'm at those places chances are she's there. I've been trying my hardest to get Tanya to tell me what the gift she's giving me is; but she won't budge. I even tried 'seducing' it out of her. That night only proved that Tanya is a lot more experienced than I am because someone she ended up with me giving in to stop bugging her about the gift for a day. Needless to say, I still don't know what it is.
"I have a total of ten tickets." I answered.
We decided since Renee and Phil are coming in tomorrow, we might as well have all this planned out; not that there's really anything to plan, but whatever. I haven't been here long enough to really have any friends to throw a party, not that I would in the first. The people I had considered friends, Grace and Zach, are still on my ignore list from telling Sarah. I eventually found out that they didn't do it on purpose, Zach just let in slip from some fancy word play from Sarah; Grace talked because apparently what Zach said in all his blundering brilliance, made it seem worse than it was. So I can say I forgive them, but I'm still mad.
So since I'm somewhat 'friendless' again, I'm not going to any graduation party or having one myself. That doesn't mean though that I have to coordinate rides and sleeping locations for the few people that will be coming here.
"We only need five right?" Charlie asked.
This was the part of the night I was dreading. Since I have enough tickets, Tanya was more than willing to invite her family to my graduation. It's not that I don't want them to go, because I really do want them there, but how do I explain that to Charlie without his cop senses going off? How can I explain that I want my boss of less than two months, who is my teachers' sister, and her family to go to my graduation?
"Um, actually I need more than that." I said hesitantly.
He looked at me from his spot in the living room, giving me his full attention.
"There's me, Billy, Jacob, Renee and Phil. Who else are you inviting? I thought you said all your friends from Forks couldn't come?" Charlie asked.
"Right, they can't. I asked my boss, Kate, and her family to come. Since I work their practically every day, I've gotten really close to them. They really want to go." I said; the last part sounding almost like I was pleading with him; which I guess I am because I don't want him to say no. Although, if he does say no, I could always just give the Denali's the tickets anyways, they are mine to give anyways right?
"Well, they are your tickets and your graduation." Charlie said hesitantly while scratching the back of his neck.
I can easily tell that he's not really okay with this. I mean really, who would let their kid invite a family they've known for two seconds to such an important event. Charlie is earning to amazing kudo points right now. I just hope he's this easy going when I tell him about me and Tanya.
"Thanks Dad." I said as I got and went to him to give him a hug. I couldn't help but show him affection; he's allowing my new family to come watch me graduate, that's a huge thing; even if he doesn't know it.
"Sure thing Bells." Charlie said as he awkwardly returned my hug.
"I'm going to go make dinner." I said as I head off into the kitchen.
Deciding to make his favorite tonight, again just to show my appreciation, I started right away to get everything prepared to start cooking. Charlie followed me into the kitchen and continued to ask questions about graduation as I cooked.
"When does your mom get in again?" Charlie asked as he leaned against the wall.
"Tomorrow." I answered.
She wanted to come in earlier, instead of the day before graduation, but with Phil's schedule tomorrow was the soonest she could get and then she has to leave the day after graduation.
"Billy and Jake will get here in the morning, they'll be leaving the airport as I arrive to pick up mom and Phil." I added; those were probably his next questions.
"They're leaving before your mom right?" Charlie asked.
"Right, a couple hours before actually, really early in the morning." I answered.
Billy and Jake have been invited to my graduation since I came back to Forks to live with Charlie; us moving to a different state only changed locations of the ceremony. So as soon as Charlie had an actual date for the graduation, he called Billy up and invited them. They couldn't be gone long since Jake will have to miss school to go and mostly because of the costs of coming here, but at least their coming. I was actually surprised Billy agreed to come; I honestly thought he was still mad at me for dating a vampire. I guess he got over it when I got dumped; though I'm not really sure because I never hung out around him when I was there.
"You're giving those two a ride and your mom and Phil are renting a car right?" Charlie asked to confirm.
"That's the plan." I answered.
"That truck of yours doesn't have that much room for everyone, I'll play chauffer and you can stay here and enjoy your last few days of being a high school student." Charlie said.
This district allows seniors to 'skip' the last two days of our school year to prepare for graduation. We also get out a week earlier than the others. I don't know why they do that, but I'm not complaining. It's a lot better than senior ditch day; we get two days, so it's twice as better.
I was planning on spending the first half of my day with family and friends here, then the latter half going to the Denali's house. Actually, I will be going to Kate's shop and from there someone will drive me to their house since I have yet to not get lost when I drive myself to their house. I was going to wait until Tanya got off, thinking it wouldn't be too much after the students got let out, but then I learned because of the graduation, teachers apparently have a few last minute things they have to get done. So Tanya won't get home until earlier evening, so I'll be spending time with her, no our, family while I wait for her to get home.
"You sure? I wouldn't mind." I said.
I have nothing else to do since Tanya is at work, I guess I could always go to Kate's bookstore and read some books. If Kate is there I'm guaranteed to get entertained while I wait for Tanya and that'll make time go by a lot faster.
"Course not Bells. I'm sure you want to hang out with your friends or something more than driving back and forth. Plus you'll have plenty of time to visit during lunch." Charlie said, referring to a late lunch we all agreed to go to. It takes place at two, as long as the plane is on time, so does that really count as lunch or as linner, a cross between lunch and dinner?
"Thanks, Dad, I really appreciate it." I said while making eye contact with him and with as much meaning in my voice as I could.
In return he blushed slightly and mumbled something about going to watch T.V. and to call him when dinner's ready.
I woke up on my own, without an alarm clock and it felt so much better than hearing an alarm blaring in my ear. I would have woken up earlier, but since I have nothing to do with my day until lunch, I decided I could sleep in for a little at least.
I'll be having a late lunch though, so do I want to eat now, or wait until then? I think I'll eat then, this way I can have more time to do something. Now I just have to figure out what to do.
As I thought over my options, I went about my normal routine of getting ready for the day. By the time I got out of the shower and was dressed and ready to go do something, I had a text on my phone.
Come to the store, I'm bored –K
If it wasn't for the fact she just cured my own boredom I would have been slightly annoyed by her rudeness. Although, I should really just expect this from Kate, she's not really one for texting. She only texts the bare minimum; if I hadn't yelled at her a couple weeks ago she probably wouldn't have even given me a reason to go to the store.
About fifteen minutes later I parked outside the store and made my way inside. Kate and Eleazar were the only ones I could see and both were sitting at the front counter seemingly having a stare off. I walked over to them and leaned against the counter, I'm not sure what they're doing, but I don't want to interrupt. Luckily I didn't have to wait long before Kate explained what they are doing.
"I told Eleazar that it possible for vampires to have staring contests that didn't last forever. It's all about being able to distract the opposing player. Right Bella?" Kate asked as she kept her eyes locked with Bella.
"I guess. I'm a little surprised she got you to agree to this Eleazar." I told him.
"No matter how much patience someone has, no one can ignore Kate for long. It seemed harmless, and we did set a time limit of how long this can go on. So I decided to indulge her this time." Eleazar said.
"Any plans for today, or you just gonna hang with us all day?" Kate asked and she leaned slightly against the counter, just a little closer to me.
"I'm actually going to have a late lunch with some family and friends from Forks. Then I'm coming back here to go to your place." I answered.
"Thanks for helping me Bella." Kate said.
I didn't even have time to get a confused look to form on my face before Kate poked my shoulder and zapped me. It was a little stronger than what she's used in the past, so I yelped a little and jumped up and away from Kate. Eleazar was quick to move to my side to make sure I didn't fall, which I would have if he wasn't there to balance me out.
"That was uncalled for Kate." Eleazar said in a disapproving voice.
"Oh relax Eleazar; Bella knows I do that because I love her. Plus, you're just mad that you lost." Kate joked. "You are okay though right Bella? It wasn't too strong?" Kate asked.
"Ya, I'm fine. You just caught me off guard; though that isn't really different from any other time you've shocked me." I told her.
"What time do you have meet your family?" Kate asked as she not so subtly gave me her chair to sit in and she took my place of leaning against the counter.
"Around one thirty." I answered.
"You still have a couple hours until then. What do you plan to do until then?" Eleazar asked.
"I think I'll ready, since Kate dragged me down here. Is that okay?" I asked since it's technically not my store.
With Kate's approval I picked a book then made my way to her office to sit in her comfy chair and read until I have to leave. I haven't seen Renee in a long time and I haven't been talking to her as much lately, I'm sure she's going to chalk full of gossip when I get there. I'm going to have mentally prepare myself to handle her. Reading for a couple hours in a comfortable setting should do just the trick.
A/N: Next chapter: Bella will find out what her gift is from Tanya; graduation and I'm still deciding if I want Bella to tell Renee and Charlie about her and Tanya or put it off a little longer. Though it does seem kind of good timing since she'll no longer be in school and she'll get to tell them in person, which I think is best given this scenario; but I'm still not sure.