Disclaimer: I do not Twilight or any songs!
Chapter 6: Happy Sixteenth Birthday Jake
"Take me to Happy Birthday Land. Its open 364 days of the year, and the one day of the year it's closed for cleaning happens to be my birthday. "
― Jarod Kintz, at even one penny, this book would be overpriced. In fact, free is too expensive, because you'd still waste time by reading
It had been a week since I had that dream of Jacob and me kissing. Things had been awkward between us since. Jacob did not understand why I was being weird. I realized how stupid was being.
A dream kiss did not mean anything important. It was just a dream.
After I realize that, it became easier to hang around Jacob again. Soon I decided to forget about the kiss because Jacob was my best friend and it was wrong of me to be weird around him because of something I had dreamed.
I was so distracted by trying to forget it that forgot to keep track of the days.
So I was surprised by the date when Charlie brought it up during breakfast.
"You know Jacob's birthday is next week right?" Charlie asked.
I froze and stared at him in shock.
Charlie raised an eyebrow.
"You forgot?" he asked surprised.
I nodded.
"Well, I feel like a schmuck", I mumbled.
Charlie sighed and got up, downing his coffee, and headed for the door.
"Don't feel bad. You've got week to get him something." Charlie said.
After he was gone I stood there for a while trying to think of the perfect present for Jacob.
He was my best friend and he deserved the best gift ever. I could not think of anything that would be good enough for Jacob but I knew two people who could.
I headed to the phone and dialed Harry Clearwater's phone number.
"Hey Charlie" Harry said.
"No, it's Bella" I said.
"Bella?"
I knew why Harry was shocked. I never called him.
"Hey…um…do you happen to have Quill and Embry's phone number." I asked.
"Sure" Harry said.
After he gave me their phone numbers, I decided to call Embry first.
"Hello?" he said.
"Hey Embry this is Bella" I said.
"Oh", Embry said.
I could hear him mumble something that sounded copiously like "Jacob is not going to like this" after he got back on the phone I asked him what he thought I should get Jacob for his birthday.
"Um…I don't know…how about you make him dinner?" Embry said.
I shook my head even though I knew he could not see it.
"I do that almost every night," I said.
Embry got quiet.
"Maybe you could buy him a part for the rabbit?" Embry suggested.
"Maybe" I said.
We hung up soon after that and I called Quill.
"You should throw him a party!" Quill said.
I shuddered.
The last party I had been too ended with me getting stitches.
"I'll think about it," I said.
I hung up and thought about what Quill had said.
Throwing Jacob a party did seem like something he would like. I broached the subject with him later while we were working on are homework together in the living room
"Jacob how do you feel about parties?" I asked.
Jacob looked up from his math homework and shrugged.
"They're nice as long as the person throwing them knows what they are doing" Jacob said.
I did not know the first thing about throwing a birthday party for a sixteen-year-old boy.
I was not about to give up though.
I made a few phone calls and made arrangements. If I was going to throw a party then I was going to do it right. I talked to Billy about it and he agreed to help. Soon I had Sue Clearwater, Harry, Charlie, Seth, Quill, Embry, and surprisingly Leah. When I asked her about it, she shrugged and said that she had nothing better to do.
Sue and Leah did the cooking. Billy found the place. Charlie got the decorations. Embry and Angela invited the guest. Quill and Seth picked out the music and got the entertainment. I only had one task. I was supposed to distract the birthday boy.
The day before his birthday, I was driving down the north lane of Russell Avenue when I noticed something sitting in the yard of the Marks's house.
It was just a big piece of cardboard leaning against their mailbox post, with black letters scrawled in caps across it.
Was it a coincidence? Or was it meant to be?
I did not know, but it seemed somewhat silly to think it was somehow fated, that the two shiny new motorcycles sitting in the Marks's front yard beside the hand printed FOR SALE; sign were serving some higher purpose by existing there, right where I needed them to be.
One of those bikes would be the perfect present for Jacob. I pulled over quickly in front.
I ran to the Marks's front door and rang the bell. One of the Marks boys opened the door, the younger one, the freshman. His sandy hair only came up to my shoulder. He had no trouble remembering my name.
"Bella Swan?" he asked in surprise.
"How much do you want for the bikes?" I asked, jerking my thumb over my shoulder toward the sales display.
"Are you serious?" he demanded staring at me as if I had lost my mind.
"Of course I am." I said.
He thought about it for a minute.
"Forty bucks" he said holding out his hand. I reached in my wallet pulling out my checkbook.
"I was just kidding." He said surprised I was willing to pay.
"If you really want one, just take it. My mom made my dad move them down the road so they would be picked up with the garbage. She thinks motorcycles are reckless and stupid." He said.
I nodded in understanding. Charlie always said the same thing.
"Okay" I said.
He stepped out on the porch.
"Want me to help you?" he offered.
"They are not light." He warned.
"Okay, thanks. I only need one, though." I told him.
The boy shrugged.
"Might as well take both," the boy said.
He followed me and helped me load both of the heavy bikes into the back of my truck.
"What are you going to do with them anyway?" he asked.
I smiled.
"Tomorrows my friend's birthday so I thought I would surprise him." I said.
He waved as I pulled away. I left and he was still smiling and waving.
I guess he was a friendly kid. Maybe I should've invited him to the party too.
I drove quickly and purposefully now, in a hurry to get home before there was the slightest chance of Charlie.
I hid the bikes in the shed and started making dinner. I felt good knowing that I had got Jacob an awesome present. I made baked potatoes with broccoli and cheese and chicken thighs with olives and tomatoes.
It hit me after I finished making dinner something else I could do for Jacob's birthday. I started making a small personal cake for Jacob. He was always going on and on about how much he loved my cooking. It seemed wrong if I did not cook anything for his birthday.
After I finished the cake, I put it up and served Charlie dinner. I woke up extra early the next morning I drove over to Jacob's place.
I stopped at a bakery on the way and picked up a bag of cinnamon rolls and bagels. Billy had given me a key to the house so I snuck in and sat the bag of food next to Jacob.
I shook him awake and laughed when he jumped out of bed.
"Happy birthday!" I said handing him the bag.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
I pouted.
"So you're not happy to see me?" I asked pretending to leave.
Jacob grabbed my arm.
"Wait, thanks for the food," he said.
"You're welcome," I said.
Jacob smiled and ate one then handed me a cinnamon roll.
After he ate, Jacob took showed and changed clothes. While he did that, I decided to straighten up. After I picked up Jacob's dirty clothes and put them in the washing machine Jake came out of the bathroom freshly showered and dressed in black jeans and a dark blue T-shirt.
"So birthday boy, want to go see a movie with me?" I asked.
Jacob nodded.
"Okay." He said and because it was his birthday, I let him drive.
When we got to the movies, we decided to see an action movie. I brought popcorn and we enjoyed the movie. There was a bit of romance between the hero and the bad man's daughter but Jacob distracted me during those parts. After the movie, we went to the park and made up stories about the other people there.
"See that old couple sitting over "Jacob said.
I looked to where he was pointing and noticed an old man giving a flower to an old woman.
I nodded.
"Well, that old man has been in love with that woman for forty years and she didn't know it. So, twenty years ago, he decided to tell her how he felt and it turned out that she loved him too." Jacob said.
I looked at the happy couple and I could picture what he was saying.
"So now every year on the anniversary of the day he confessed he takes her to the park and confesses all over again." He said.
I looked at him and found him watching me with this look of pure affection that made me nervous.
"Jake?" I asked trying to snap him out of it.
I was surprised that it worked.
"Yes Bella" he said.
I shook my head.
"Never mind," I said standing up.
It was almost time for the party so I had to get Jacob to the beach.
"Let's go," I said.
We joked about the movie during the drive to the party. I could not wait to see the look on his face when we got there. Jacob was curious as to why I was in such a hurry to get to the beach but I managed to keep my mouth shut.
I was not going to have the surprised ruined because I could not lie to save my life. Once they got there, I pulled out a blindfold.
"What's that for?" Jacob asked confused.
I ignored his question and waited until he got out of the truck to blindfold him.
Quickly before Jacob could ask questions, I dragged him over to the party. The others looked up when they saw us and I gave the signal.
After everybody was in place, I yanked the blindfold off.
"Surprise!" Everyone yelled.
Jacob looked around shocked. He turned to face me
"You did this?" he asked.
I shook my head.
"I just made a few phone calls everyone else did all the work." I explained.
Quill came over and punched Jacob in the shoulder.
"Happy birthday man" he said.
Jacob punched him back.
"Thanks" he said.
Harry came over and pulled Jacob into a hug.
"You're finally a man now!" Harry said.
I watched as he led Jacob away to go mingle. I smiled and watched as people crowded around Jacob and congratulated him on turning sixteen.
I was amazed by how many people showed up. I looked around noticing how everyone had set up.
There were three picnic tables, one was covered with food, and another was presents. Tiki torches were lit, there was a bonfire going, there was a grill fired up and balloons all over the place. There were even two piñatas.
I went over to Embry.
"Did you invite all these people?" I asked looking around.
There must have been seventy people here.
"Angela helped too," he said and I noticed he was blushing.
I was impressed.
"Thank you guys" I said gratefully.
Quill who was walking past wrapped his arm around my shoulder.
"No problem Bella. I know you're amazed at my awesomeness," he said.
I tried to speak but he cut me off.
"No, you don't need to say it out loud. You may thank me with your body," he said.
Jacob punched him in the back of the head.
"That's enough Quills," he said.
Sue, who was serving food, shot us an amused look as she handed me a plate of vegetable pasta medley.
"Enough rough housing, go grab a plate before the food is all gone," she said.
"Well that is my cue to leave" Quill said hurrying after Sue toward the food table.
Jacob laughed.
"That's one way to get rid of him," he said.
I smiled and handed him my plate.
"The birthday boy should get the first bite," I said.
He took the plate happily.
"Thanks Bells" he said.
"Sure, sure" I said trying to imitate him.
Jacob took my hand and led me over to the food table. We sat down and Leah came over to our table. Quill was stuffing his face when he saw her.
"This is such an awesome sandwich. That I could kiss you," he said.
Leah snorted at him.
"Oh, please" she said chugging her strawberry lemonade and throwing the empty plastic cup at his head.
"You're still a kissing virgin", she said.
Quill glared at her.
"Shut up, I've kissed lots of girls," he said.
Leah raised an eyebrow.
"Name three" she said.
Quill laughed nervously.
"There was…um… Betty…and…um..." Quill frowned.
Leah laughed.
"Ha! It is Just as I thought." She said.
Quill stormed away angrily.
Leah turned to face Jacob.
"Happy birthday brat" she said handing him a cup of lemonade.
Jacob ignored the insult.
"Thank Lee", he said.
Leah slapped him on the shoulder and gave me a nod of acknowledgement before she left our table.
I waved at her and took a bite of one of the sandwiches she made. My eyes widened.
"These are amazing," I told Jacob.
Jacob nodded.
"Leah has always been an amazing cook." Jacob said.
"She plans to open a restaurant someday," he explained.
I stared at Leah who was arguing with Seth at the grill.
"She'd make a great chef." I said as Leah shoved Seth aside and took over.
Billy wheeled himself over with Charlie.
"Hey son" he said.
Jacob smiled "Hey dad, what's up?" he asked.
Billy looked at Charlie. Charlie put his hand on Jacob's shoulder.
"Time to hit the piñata!" they shouted handing Jacob a bat.
Jacob stood up.
"Alright then" he said excited.
I followed them and watched Jacob tried to hit it. He got it on the third try, and then Charlie blindfolded me and made me take a turn. I missed, a lot, and then I tripped and fell.
"Did I get it?" I asked as Jacob was helping me to my feet.
Jacob shook his head.
"Not even close honey." He said.
I shrugged and went over to where Embry and Seth were playing limbo.
"How low can you go?" Seth asked me wagging his eyebrows.
I crossed my arms.
"Lower than you" I said.
As it turns out Seth was the ten-time limbo champion and I was the limbo joker. I rubbed my sore back and sat down.
"Wow you stink at these games" Jacob commented.
I glared at him.
"Shut up Jake," I said.
Jacob moved my hands and took over rubbing my back.
"That's okay honey. I like you anyway" he said.
I relaxed and leaned back. Jacob was very good with his hands.
"How does that feel?" Jacob asked.
"Good" I moaned.
Jacob chuckled and started to massage my lower back.
"You are really good at this." I said once Jacob stopped.
Jacob shrugged.
I remembered the present I had for him and stood up.
"Come on Jacob" I said grabbing his hand and dragging him behind me.
"I have to give you your birthday present." I told him.
I led him to a secluded part of the beach.
"Why are we here?" Jacob asked.
I pulled the tarp off the bikes because of this!" I said with excitement. Jacob looked at the bikes in surprise.
"You got these for me?" he asked.
I nodded.
"Happy birthday Jake" I said.
Jacob pulled me into a bear hug and spun me around.
"I love you!" he yelled.
I felt my heart flutter for some unknown reason but I just laughed it off.
"I love you too." I said.
Jacob's eyes lit up and opened his mouth to say something, but his words were cut off.
"Time to cut the cake" Billy shouted from across the beach.
Jacob was given the knife and told to blow out the candles.
"Make a wish," Charlie said.
Jacob looked up and made eye contact with me before blowing out the candles.
"Thanks everybody for making this the most awesome birthday ever!" he shouted before cutting the cake.
Everybody cheered and Jacob said started saying stuff in Quileute that made everyone clap.
Jacob was very popular.
I felt envious of the easy way Jacob acted around people. Angela came over and gave me a hug.
"Hey Bella" she said.
I gave her a small smile.
"Hey" I said.
"Where is Ben?" I asked.
Angela frowned.
"He was busy so I came alone," she said sadly.
We chatted a bit before Embry came over and asked her to dance. Jacob came over with a slice of cake for me.
"Saved you a piece" he said.
I took the piece and smiled brightly.
"You must be Bella," someone said from behind me.
I turned around and found a woman standing there. He had long dark hair, and brown eyes.
"Jacob has told me so much about you," the woman said hugging me.
"Bella this is my sister Rebecca," Jacob said.
I smiled but inside I was a little angry.
This was one of the sisters, who left Jacob to take care of his father by himself when he was only thirteen.
Before I could say anything people started coming up to me and thanking me for throwing a great party. I was confused.
"Why does every one keep thanking me?" I asked.
"Because Jacob told them that this was all your idea and that they should all show their apperception" Rebecca said.
"Why did you do that?" I asked Jacob.
He shrugged.
"Because you deserve to be appreciated" he said and gazed at me with such adoration that I blushed.
Rachel smirked.
"I think I hear dad calling me" she said leaving us alone.
Jacob smiled suddenly
"Do you want to dance?" he asked.
I was about to decline until I saw the hopeful look in Jacob's eyes.
"Okay" I said slowly.
"But I should warn you. I am not good at dancing." I said.
Jacob laughed.
"Don't worry, I'll teach you" he said and grabbed my arm leading me to the dance floor.
Jacob and I turned out to be the perfect dance partners. Because of Jacob's amazing growth spurt and my balance issues, neither one of us could dance.
That did not mean that we did not try.
We kept each other laughing with our poor attempts to be graceful on the dance floor.
Once during our dance I tripped and took Jacob to the floor with me. We both ended up laughing our butts off holding on to one each another.
We danced until sunset and then the music suddenly slowed down and Jacob held out his hand for her to take. He pulled her closer and we began to sway to the music.
Some enchanted evening
You may see a stranger,
You may see a stranger
Across a crowded room
And somehow you know,
You know even then
That somewhere you'll see her
Again and again.
"This is nice," Jacob said softly.
I closed my eyes and leaned into Jacob's warmth.
"Yes, it is nice" I murmured.
He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me against his warm chest. For a while, we just swayed with me being held gently in his solid arms.
Some enchanted evening
Someone may be laughin',
You may hear her laughin'
Across a crowded room
And night after night,
As strange as it seems
The sound of her laughter
Will sing in your dreams.
Jacob pulled back enough to look me in the eye. His dark eyes were warm and friendly as always, but there was another emotion, that I could not name, shining in them.
"Bella you have made this the best birthday ever," Jacob said and his smile sent a flutter through my heart.
A, pretty, dazzling smile, it brightened his already handsome face.
"I'm glad you're happy." I said quietly.
"Are you happy Bella?" Jacob whispered and brushed a strand of hair behind my ears.
I nodded.
Who can explain it?
Who can tell you why?
Fools give you reasons,
Wise men never try.
"Yes, I'm very happy" I said amazed.
For the first time in a long time, I felt at peace, as though I was where I was meant to be.
Jacob suddenly got a mischievous look on his face.
Before I could say anything, he picked me up and twirled me around.
I squealed loudly.
Then he dipped me backwards and I held on to his strong arms feeling my face blush.
Some enchanted evening
When you find your true love,
When you feel her call you
Across a crowded room,
Then fly to her side,
And make her your own
Or all through your life you
May dream all alone.
Our eyes met and my heart pounded.
"Bella" he said softly.
His voice was husky almost raw. I knew what he wanted to kiss me.
I also knew that he would not do it unless I gave him a signal that I wanted him to. I could see the fire in his eyes and feel the tension that crackled in the air between us. Then he lifted his hand and cupped my cheek.
Once you have found her,
Never let her go.
Once you have found her,
Never let her go!
I could feel his hand shaking and I knew he was just as nervous as I was. He leaned down and his face was so close, his lip simply an inch away.
All the other dancers around us seemed to become invisible.
I could still pull back.
I did not have to let this happen.
I should not let this happen.
However, suddenly I wanted to kiss Jacob more than anything.
When I did not protest he closed the distance and kissed me lightly on the mouth. The kiss was filled with tenderness and love.
When he pulled away, I put my fingertips to my lips and stared at him dazed.
I did not know what to say. The kiss had been perfect. It had not been to rough or too soft. It was just perfect and so much better than in the dream.
I did not know what to say. I could not look at him anymore. Things were going to change now. Jacob was not going to want to be my friend. He was going to expect more. I was not ready for that.
"I have to go," I said turning away from him.
"But about the kiss" he stated ready to face this head on.
"It never should have happened." I said sadly.
I could not say regretted it though. I could never regret that kiss. It was special. I thought Jacob would be upset but instead a slow smile spread across his face.
"The kiss was nice." He moved a step closer.
I took a step back.
"Can we talk about this later?" I asked.
Jacob sighed and stepped away from me.
"We don't have to talk about it at all, Bells," he said calmly.
Then he grabbed my hand.
"Let's go see if there's any cake left." Jacob said dragging me toward the food table.
I relaxed.
The rest of the night went by quickly after that. Jacob helped me win at least one of the party games.
I noticed Angela and Embry talking quietly in the corner. I wondered if something was going on there. Quill and Leah were arguing over something. Harry and Billy were looking at all the boys with sad eyes. I wondered why.
Charlie was talking with Sue about something. Seth was break dancing by himself on the dance floor.
I have to say he was good.
Jacob never mentioned the kiss that night but I did catch him staring at me with such longing that it made my chest ache.
Why did I feel so guilty?
I knew I was not ready for a relationship with anyone. I was still in love with him. I looked at Jacob who was watching me intensely from across the table.
At least I thought I was.
Author's note: Hi everybody! I know a lot of people are probably mad at me for the way the kiss ended but you have to understand that Bella thinks that she is still in love with Edward. I won't have Jacob be a replacement! She has to fall for Jacob before they can have a relationship. Thanks to everyone who reviewed. I'm in a good mood today so I'll be updating another chapter today! Don't expect this everyday though. I'm in a really good mood because my birthday tomorrow! Thanks to those who reviewed. I love you guys!
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