Chapter Forty Nine

Bella

Well I'd wished for school to start again so I guess I had only myself to blame when it did. Most of my friends were busy checking out colleges or talking about what they wanted to do but my closest friend Jess had moved away. Her father got a promotion which meant moving to New York. I still had Angie and the guys but it wasn't quite the same.

Charlie had been afraid Renee might cut short her extended honeymoon and come back for me but it seemed she was having just too much fun with Phil who was at a training camp in Australia teaching baseball to youngsters. Over the year Charlie and I had become much closer and although I would never admit it to my mum I was glad to have the extra time with him. I spent most of my time studying at home or at the library so we didn't see that much of each other, except at mealtimes and I noticed him watching me sometimes as if puzzled.

To make matters worse since the Cullens had left Billy and Jake Black were making their presence felt at home. At least once a week they would come over for the evening and if Charlie didn't go to the reservation at the weekend they came here, sometimes with Harry and Seth Clearwater.

Given the choice I would have preferred Seth, he seemed a nice enough guy if a little immature for me but Jake was becoming a pain. He hung around trying to get me to go out with him and refused to take no for an answer. I'd tried everything, diplomacy, ignoring him and even a blunt no but nothing made any difference, he just kept coming back.

I longed to hear from Alice again so I could unburden myself to her, surely she would understand, because none of my school friends did. They thought Jacob Black was HOT, and I was lucky he was interested in me, not even caring that he was almost three years younger than me. Admittedly he didn't look it, he had the physique of an older guy but even so…..

I still had my job at Newtons which gave me an excuse to be out of the house weekends, especially as I offered to help with stock, display building, and refilling shelves. Then Jake started coming into the store and no one was going to throw one of the Quileute elders sons out even if he was more interested in me than buying anything. In fact Mrs Newton thought it was romantic and "really sweet" and used to disappear if I were working with her when he appeared which drove me mad. There was always the spectre of the Cullens between us although he had never mentioned them until now.

I was leaving the store after work, glad to be going home and planning on a long soak in the tub, supper and an early night with Bleak House, a book we were studying and probably the only Dickens I hadn't read which was a relief. Leaning against the hood of my car was Jake smiling broadly and I was forced to admit he was good looking. He straightened up when he saw me and his smile broadened even further,

"Bella, you ready?"

"For what Jake? I just finished work."

"I know but Charlie said it would be OK to take you to dinner as he's on the res this evening. Save you cooking and being on your own. He thinks you're on your own too much. personally I think you're suffering from withdrawal symptoms."

"What?"

"The Cullens leaving. You shouldn't be upset about it they did you a favor."

It was the first time he'd brought them up and even alluded to them being bad for me but I tried to ignore it, I wasn't going to break my promise and admit I knew what they were.

It was more than an hour before I got rid of him and even then I had to push him out and shut the door in his face and he was not happy. He banged the window at the side of the door to get my attention,

"Too good for me Bella? Is that what you think? maybe you'd think differently if you knew what your precious Cullens were."

I ignored him pulling the drapes even though it was still light outside, it was the only way to stop him peering in at me. I would have to speak to Charlie about Jake harassing me. It was all very well for him to suggest Jake take me to dinner but if Jake wouldn't take no for an answer from me then Charlie would need to tell him to back off.

I went upstairs, at least he wouldn't be staring in up there and sat on my bed picking up a book although I didn't feel like reading, in fact I didn't feel like doing anything. That impending thunderstorm feeling was back, more strongly than ever and I went to the window looking out in case there were thunder clouds in the distance but it was one of those rare dry evenings in Forks so that wasn't the reason. I felt something was coming, something not necessarily bad or dangerous but possibly, it was a feeling I couldn't put into words and still make sense.

The feeling had me thinking about the Cullens once more, I would never forget the family and felt very sad that I would in all probability never see any of them again. I wondered if they would ever come back to Forks and if they did some time in the distant future if they would even give me a thought. I certainly hoped they would continue to be safe, aided by Carlisle's friend Aro Volturi. It was still strange to think a whole other race lived alongside us unseen and unknown.

I was still not asleep when Charlie got back and tapped on my bedroom door,

"You still up Bells?"

"Yeah dad."

"I made hot chocolate."

Now this was a turn up for the books, my dad never made hot chocolate, I was amazed he even knew how so I followed him downstairs and sure enough two mugs of steaming chocolate and a plate of cookies lay on the table. I looked at him suspiciously,

"Is there something you need to tell me? You're getting remarried or something?"

"No, don't be silly Bella, I'm a lifetime bachelor since your mother."

I nodded and slid a chair out Charlie sitting opposite me and sipping his chocolate in silence for a while.

"Sue made the cookies."

"Well that's a relief, I thought you'd taken up cooking too."

He laughed then sighed,

"I wanted to talk to you, well to apologize really. I shouldn't have asked Jake to come over. I only did it to ease my own conscience and when he got back he was mad. I guess you told him you weren't interested in him and I should accept that. I know he's a bit young anyhow. I just…..well I'd like to see you go out, have fun Bella. You don't go out much since the Cullens left. You all right? I thought you and Edward were through anyway."

"We were, I miss the others. I liked them but I'm a bit like you Dad, I prefer my own company and I really do not fancy Jacob Black."

"I think we both got that message loud and clear this evening Bells. Promise I won't be making any more suggestions to him. OK?"

He really was worried I might be upset at him so I grinned,

"OK, now if you don't mind I'll take a couple of Sue's cookies and go to bed. No more cupid."

"Sure Bells, no more cupid promise."