Being There
Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.
A/N-thanks for the wonderful reviews everyone. I really appreciate every single one.
Onto the next chapter...
Part Twenty Two
Quil glared at Jacob, his arms still shaking badly. "Well is anyone gonna answer me?" He snapped glaring around at them all.
Jacob turned to Seth who was standing nearby. "Get Bells out of here. Leah can go with you."
Seth nodded. Bella glanced back at Jacob nervously as Seth led her away, Leah joining them. Sam came to stand by Jacob's side as Emily and Kim left too, Jared taking them home. It was a delicate situation; Quil was on the verge of phasing, they could see the sweat beading his forehead. He wiped at it unthinkingly.
"The girls are gone now guys." Embry came up to join them.
Hearing that Bella and the others were out of harms way made Jacob relax. He strode over to Quil and faced him down. "I know you're feeling angry and confused right now, Quil but you just need to let us explain." He said coaxingly.
"Yeah dude. It's not what it seems." Embry interjected.
"That's funny coming from my so called best friends who have ignored me completely for the last few weeks." He seethed. His shaking increased. They knew he was just about to burst out of his skin as his rage boiled over just enough to trigger the change.
"Quil, listen to what your friends are telling you." Sam said sternly.
Quil didn't listen. He strode forward,pushing past Embry and Jacob so that he could confront Sam directly. "This is all your fault, Uley." He poked his finger in his chest as he spoke causing Sam to bat his hand away. This small action set Quil off and right before their eyes his form shimmered and he cried out as his spirit wolf broke free. In his place stood a chocolate brown wolf, his face a lighter shade of brown. He let out a confused howl and bolted off across the sand.
Jacob glanced at Embry and Sam. "Looks like it's gonna be a long night." He sighed.
The others nodded their agreement. They phased one by one and tore off after Quil, calling out to him through the pack mind and trying to calm his panic.
XXXXXX
Bella looked nervously at her dad as he dropped her off at school. "Want me to come in with you, kiddo?" He asked.
"Err no..." Bella said quickly getting out of the police cruiser. The car was already drawing too much attention as it was. Charlie had insisted on driving her to school, he was still fussing over her even though she was now feeling perfectly well. Jacob couldn't come with her as he was still dealing with the fall out of Quil phasing. Leah had called her to give her an update on the situation. Apparently he was struggling with having his life turned upside down and was having difficulty phasing back into his human form. Leah told her Jacob would see her after school instead.
"I'll pick you up after school, Bells." Charlie finally realised that she was feeling a bit embarrassed as he saw the other high school kids pointing over at them.
"Thanks dad," Bella replied distractedly as she shut the door. She waved to him as he headed off.
It began to rain lightly as she walked slowly toward the double doors that led into the school building. Bella pulled her hood over her head to stop her hair getting wet. She was soon surrounded by other teenagers and was swept inside along with them. She managed to break free from the throng and head toward her locker. She shrugged off her rain mac and stuffed it inside her locker, along with some of her text books.
"Hey Bella," Mike Newton's voice made her drop some of the books onto the floor.
"Damn," she muttered.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you." He apologised quickly as he bent down to help her retrieve them.
"What do you want, Mike?" She asked him irritably as he handed her the books and she shoved them in the locker; slamming it shut afterwards.
He shuffled in front of her awkwardly for a moment. "Well I just want to apologise for what happened between us. I've had time to think things over and I realise now I overstepped the mark. I was just wondering if you could maybe forgive me and we could start again...as friends."
Bella stared at him, he sounded sincere. She didn't have many friends left at school. The only other person she got on with was Angela. Jessica was still pissed at her for the whole Eric thing. She gave him a weak smile. "Okay, that would be great."
Mike smiled at her happily. "That's awesome. I have another thing to ask you."
"What?" Bella frowned.
"There's an opening at my parents store now that Jordan has left. I remember you asked me once about a part time job. If you're still interested it's yours." He told her.
Bella smiled genuinely at him this time. This was exactly what she needed, a part time job that she could fit around school. She would be able to start saving some money. "Thanks Mike."
"No problem," he replied. "Would you mind if I walked you to class."
Bella laughed. "There's no need to be so formal." She joked.
"Just keeping on your good side." Mike laughed.
Bella rolled her eyes at him as she led the way toward the science labs.
XXXXXX
The day passed slowly for Bella, she felt her mind drifting off during her calculus class and she was sent to the office for not paying attention. As she had a recent suspension under her belt the principal expressed his disappointment and handed her a week's lunchtime detention. She couldn't believe it. She stormed out of his office almost ready to ditch school altogether; that was until she got her first bout of morning sickness.
Bella ran to the school toilets and threw up several times, she lay back against the tiled wall feeling absolutely drained. While she was resting in the cubicle she heard the rest room door open and Jessica Stanley's voice talking to someone. Bella frowned, what was she doing out of lessons? She couldn't hear anyone answering Jessica so she had to presume she was on her cell phone.
"It's getting too much." Jessica sounded very upset. There was a moment's silence before she spoke again. "I need to get away. My mom's new boyfriend is freaking me out. I really don't like him at all."
There was the sound of sobbing as Jessica began to cry. "I have nowhere to go. I have no real friends and I'm pregnant with Eric's baby and he doesn't want to know."
Bella's eyes shot open when she heard this piece of news. She couldn't remain hidden any longer. Pulling herself up she opened the cubicle door to see an astonished looking Jessica clutching her cell phone in her hand. "What the hell? Have you been eavesdropping?" She said accusingly.
Bella shook her head. "Not intentionally. I was feeling ill and have just been sick, then you came in."
"You heard?" Jessica sounded horror struck.
"Yes," Bella admitted softly.
"Nana I have to go." Jessica ended the call. She sagged against the wall and began to cry. Bella immediately went over to her and embraced her. "I don't know what to do."
"It's going to be alright, Jess. I'm here for you, in fact we actually have something in common."
"What's that?" Jessica sniffed.
"I'm pregnant too." Bella admitted aloud for the first time to someone other than the pack.
Jessica's head shot up and she stared at Bella. "By who? That hot guy you've been seeing."
"Yes, Jacob Black." Bella gave her a hesitant smile.
"Did he ditch you too?" Jessica's expression darkened.
"No, he's been great actually. I'm sorry you've had so much trouble with Eric. I thought he was one of the good guys." Bella replied.
"I did too. When I told him he accused me of sleeping around, he said it could be anybody's." She confessed bitterly. "I eventually confessed to my mom but she went mental. I'm not sure I've even got a home to go back to. That's why I rang my nana, she offered me a place to stay but she lives out of state and is getting on a bit. She doesn't need this kind of hassle."
Bella was stunned. When she thought of how much support and love she had received when she had told everyone it showed just how lucky she was. "You can come stay with me until you get something else sorted out. Maybe your mom just needs time for it all to sink in."
"Can I? Really?" Jessica checked hopefully.
"Yes." Bella gave her another hug. "It's all going to work out, Jess you'll see."
Jessica nodded into her shoulder, her burden lightening for the first time in days.
XXXXXX
Charlie was surprised to see Bella waiting for him with Jessica Stanley by her side. He thought the two girls didn't get on, but here they were chatting away easily to each other. His eyes landed on the hastily packed holdall by Jessica's feet.
"Is everything alright?" He asked, his suspicions already aroused.
Bella asked Jessica to stay where she was while she pulled her dad aside. "I'm going to be honest and I know it's a huge favour I'm asking but Jess is desperate and needs a place to stay."
"Why?" Charlie demanded.
"She's pregnant too, Dad. I found out today. Her mom has more or less chucked her out and she has nowhere else to go. Can she please stay with us until she sorts things out with her mom?" Bella pleaded.
Charlie ran a hand through his greying hair. He glanced over at a tearful looking Jessica and sighed, how could he say no. He knew the girl's mother; she had a new boyfriend, a right waste of space. "It'll be cramped but yes she can stay for a while."
Bella flung her arms around him. "I love you, dad." She cried out.
Charlie patted her on the back awkwardly. "Alright, kiddo. Let's get your friend's stuff loaded into the car."
Jessica approached cautiously. "Thank you Chief Swan." She said gratefully.
"No problem." He took her bag and wondered how he was going to cope with two hormonal teenagers in the house.
XXXXXX
Bella was just settling Jessica in when Jacob arrived with Quil in tow. It seemed his friend had finally managed to phase back. She immediately went over to Jacob and clung to him as he kissed her; neither of them caring that they had an audience. "Missed you." He breathed.
"Me too." Bella finally pulled back and introduced Jessica. "Hey Jess is going to be staying with me for a while."
"Oh," Jacob felt a bit irritated, it meant that there would be no late night visits while she had her friend with her. He grudgingly said hi.
"Nice to meet you at last. Bella is always talking about you." Jessica gave him a big smile.
"This is Jake's friend, Quil Ateara." Bella pointed him out.
Quil stood there gaping at Jessica as if he had never seen a girl before. His lips were slightly parted as if he wanted to speak but no sounds were coming out. Bella glanced at Jacob. "What's wrong with him?"
Jacob studied his friend closely. His eyes were huge, the pupils slightly dilated. He had the most daft smile on his face as he kept staring at Bella's friend. Jessica was getting uncomfortable under his scrutiny.
"Dude." Jacob cuffed Quil on the back of his head. "What's up with you?"
This action brought Quil out of his stupor. He shook his head as if trying to clear it. "Sorry," he mumbled. His eyes drifted to Jessica again and the same worshipful light filled his eyes as he gazed at her. He shoved past Jacob as he strode over to her. "My name is Quil Ateara, but you can call me Quil." He took her limp hand in his own and kissed the back of it.
Jessica snatched it back. Was this guy for real? She looked at Bella for help, but she too seemed puzzled by this strange boys actions. He may be hot looking but he was making her feel very strange indeed as he kept staring at her like she was a goddess or something. "It's great to meet you, Bill."
"Quil," he corrected her.
"Right, Quil..."Jessica felt flummoxed. "I'll just take my bag up to your room, Bella."
"No allow me." Quil said quickly as he took Jessica's bag and waited for her to take the lead.
"Err...thanks Bill." Jessica said uncertainly as she began to head up the stairs.
"Quil. My name is Quil." He reminded her again.
"Yeah,Quil..." Jessica replied distractedly as she climbed the stairs.
Bella pulled Jacob to one side and whispered. "What's wrong with him?"
Jacob sighed in frustration. This was the last thing any of them needed. Quil had only just phased! "I think Quil has just imprinted on your friend." He confessed.
A/N-thanks for reading!
