Chapter Eight
Bella
Again a message flickered on the screen.
"Alice Cullen is a very clever girl. Will she cover for you?"
I loomed over at her,
"Well?"
"I'm not a mind reader Bella, what does he say?"
He wants to know if you'll cover for me".
She wrinkled her nose as she thought about this.
"Alice?"
"OK, if I can".
I clicked on new message and pasted his address on, finally registering what it was,
"Who's J W?"
She just looked at the ceiling and smiled so I tapped out my message.
"Possibly". Then hit send.
I waited but nothing came back.
"Patience Bella he's a very cautious individual".
We sat chatting till late but I got no reply and eventually I fell asleep listening to Alice's tales of her adventures before she found the Cullens. In the morning she woke me, shaking my shoulder,
"Bella, time to get up we've a busy day ahead of us". I groaned and opened my eyes to see her looking as glamorous as usual. I headed for the shower before remembering we had no plans for today. When I got back in the bedroom she'd picked out some clothes for me and surprisingly there was nothing glamorous or skimpy or short.
"You feeling OK Alice? Were are the bows? Where's the lace?"
She laughed sweetly, "I don't think your date would be impressed".
"Date? What date?"
She pointed to the computer and I rushed over, on the screen was yet another message,
"11am trees behind your house if Alice Cullen is willing". Still no signature
I looked over my shoulder, "You willing?"
She smiled and nodded, "I've seen, you'll be safe. Just get back before Charlie and that means 6pm because I'm not cooking his dinner".
She picked up a book and pretended to be reading but she was actually watching me,
"Alice?"
"Yes Bella"
"Its easier to read if you turn it the right way up" I said with a grin.
She turned it over, "'I'm learning to read backwards actually" she said very nonchalantly.
"Yeah sure".
At five to eleven I opened the door, Alice standing very close behind me.
"Have fun Bella but don't get too close".
"What?" I said as she pushed me out and slammed the door.
I was walking across the road when I heard a car horn. I turned to see Jake in his truck just parking up outside the house.
"Bella we haven't seen you for ages so I thought I'd check up. You OK? There's a barbecue at the Res tonight, you coming?"
I cursed under my breath. "Sorry Jake I'm busy all weekend".
"Oh yeah? With what?"
"Not that it's any of your business but I've got a friend staying".
"Pretty poor excuse not to come. Bring your friend with you".
I smiled, "I don't think that would be a good idea Jake".
"Why not? Your friends are always welcome Bella".
"Not this one" I pointed out.
""Why not?
He turned as he heard the front door open and saw Alice standing there.
"You might want to rethink that invitation dog" she said with a smile.
He glared at her before turning back to me.
"So you've chosen the leeches".
"Jake I haven't chosen anyone. You are a friend, Alice is a friend. Invitation still open?"
He sneered, "Yeah, we could barbecue her for the meal".
"You could try to" she retorted.
"Enough" I interjected. "Jake sorry, I'm busy, maybe another time".
I sneaked a look at my watch but Jake noticed. "Am I keeping you from something?"
He looked over to the trees. "Another leech Bella? You're playing with fire and I can't protect you here, not while they are around" he flicked his head towards Alice.
"OK Jake warning noted. I'm perfectly safe thanks. Now I have to go".
I walked on to the trees praying that Jake wouldn't follow me, a vain hope as it turned out. I heard his footsteps behind me, "Jake go away".
"Who are you meeting?"
"Mind your own business Jake".
"It is my business when you are playing with fire. Who ever is in there" he nodded towards the trees, "Is not like the Cullens".
"And what exactly do you mean by that?"
"He's one of the leeches we kill".
"Really? Well he's survived you so far. Anyway Jake its my choice who I see".
"No it's not. I'm sure Charlie would be interested to know you are planning on meeting a stranger in the woods".
"And what exactly would you say without putting your great hairy paw in it? Charlie, Bella is meeting a strange vampire in the woods and I know this because I'm a werewolf, but don't worry cos that's OK".
He was getting angry now and started to shake,
"Bella" it was Alice and Jake turned to look at her.
"So you've got Alice Cullen living with you now have you?"
He growled and his hands were shaking faster.
"Bella come back to the house now. It's too dangerous out there".
Then I heard it, the voice I should know but didn't, the voice from the cinema.
"Stop now Jacob before you hurt someone".
Jake's head whipped towards the trees and with a roar he leaped forward, phasing as he did so and ran full speed towards the voice. I screamed but Alice pulled me into the house.
"Someone's going to get hurt" I said but she shook her head.
"Jake isn't fast enough or skilful enough to catch your friend".
I looked at her, "Will he come back?"
"Oh yes. He wont be able to help himself."
I looked at her waiting for more but she bit her lip and shook her head.
"I shouldn't be doing this Bella, not really, but if I don't something might go wrong. You are playing with fire and I'm just trying to stop you from getting your fingers burned".
We went back upstairs and I sat on the bed heavily.
"He will contact me again?"
She smiled pointing at the computer, "He already has".
I rushed over to see another message.
"Meet me tonight at Millers Bar? Bring Alice if you want".
I looked at her, "You on for tonight?"
She nodded "Why not, it should be fun".
Charlie was happy I was with Alice not Edward so he didn't argue about us going out. I was undecided what to wear until Alice pulled out a new pair of jeans and a red blouse,
"Bella I don't think he's going to worry about what you're wearing".
"Oh then what is he going to be worried about Alice?"
She pursed her lips "Oh all right. He's going to be worried about why he's there and why you're there?"
"I don't understand Alice".
She sighed "I know you don't and I promise to tell you more after you meet him, if you are still interested".