Back to the Start
Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to SM.
Tit for Tat
Bella shivered where the ice-cold mist clung to the exposed skin on her face and neck. Jacob quickly shrugged off his jacket and offered it to her. Bella took it gratefully, slipping her arms into the too-long sleeves, pushing them up so that her hands were free. The jacket was warm and cozy, still retaining the heat from Jacob's body. She wrapped it around herself, inhaling the slightly earthy scent, with its hints of cedar and oak wood.
"Do you feel better now?" Jacob asked in concern. The color was coming back into her cheeks now that Edward Cullen was gone.
"Yes." Bella felt the relief wash over her again. There was something about Jacob that was comforting, that gave her strength. Like an earthbound sun, whenever someone was within his gravitational pull, Jacob warmed them. It was natural, a part of who he was. He had literally saved her twice. First from Tyler's van and now from Edward Cullen. He always showed up just when she needed him. "Thanks, Jake. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't come. You are becoming a regular superhero."
Jacob's smile stretched wide across his face, the bright teeth standing in vivid contrast to the deep russet color of his skin.
Bella returned his smile with one of her own, leaning her head back to get a better view of his face. It struck her once again how tall he was getting, and how quickly he was maturing. In just a short frame of time he had grown into some of his potential. He'd passed the point where the soft muscles of childhood hardened into the solid, lanky build of a teenager. Without his jacket, he was just wearing a plain black tee. Bella could see the tendons and veins had become more prominent under the red-brown skin of his arms and hands. His face was still sweet, though it had hardened, too – the planes of his cheekbones' sharper, his jaw squared off, all childish roundness gone.
"What are you staring at?" Jacob asked, wondering why she was scrutinizing him so hard. "Do I have something on my face?" He rubbed his cheek absently as if getting rid of some imaginary dirt.
Bella laughed awkwardly, embarrassed that she had been caught staring. "I was just wondering was it ever going to stop?"
"What?"
"You grew again!"
Jacob laughed along with her, his smile widening impossibly. "Almost six five." He announced with self-satisfaction. "Still a beanpole, though. So, what now?"
"What do you mean?"
"Are you still intending to go to school?" Jacob asked.
Bella grimaced. Just the thought that she might potentially have another run in with Edward Cullen made her shudder. "I don't know." She felt a little like a lost moon. She wanted to stay near her earthbound sun, but she knew Charlie wouldn't be happy if she skipped school.
"Of course, I'm grateful that you showed up, but what about you?" She turned the question around on Jacob. "I can't imagine Billy being pleased that you're missing school."
"I've got a free first period." Jacob revealed. He lowered his head slightly and avoided eye contact. "And I just thought I'd come by to check on you…you know…after last night. I was worried."
Bella felt pink kiss her cheeks. As with Charlie, it felt nice, knowing that there was someone else out there in the world who cared enough to worry about how she was doing. "I always seem to be thanking you for something." She said softy. "But thanks, Jake. Thanks for being there and for caring."
Jacob's eyes sparkled at her praise. "Anytime, Bells."
It was so easy to make Jacob happy. Bella felt her heart lift, all the stress she had been carrying melting away. "Come on, I'll drop you home before I head to school." She suggested reluctantly. "I'm going to be late anyway."
"Okay." Jacob sighed, seeming as unwilling to part as she did. "I suppose I better show my face. Even though my grades have started to improve, I know Billy is still been keeping tabs on me on the sly."
Bella began shrugging off his jacket. "You'll need this back."
"No. You keep it." Jacob insisted.
"But you'll get cold." Bella worried.
"I don't really feel the cold anymore." Jacob admitted with such sincerity that she believed him.
"Thanks, Jake." Bella said again without thinking.
They stared at each other and then burst into laughter at the same time.
Bella loved the sound of Jacob's laughter. It was so free and pure. It was like auditory caramel to her ears.
"Come on." She gasped after her mirth finally ebbed away, reaching for his hand automatically as if it was the most natural thing in the world. "We better leave now or the morning will be over before we know it."
Under the shelter of the cafeteria roof's overhang Jessica was waiting. Over her arm was Bella's jacket.
"Hey, Jessica." Bella greeted her less than enthusiastically. "Thanks for remembering my jacket." She may not consider Jessica Stanley as her friend anymore, but she was still willing to maintain some form of politeness, more for their mutual friends' benefit, then for Jessica's sake.
Jessica handed Bella the jacket, seemingly having difficulty meeting her eyes. "Er…I just want to say…to say…that I'm sorry." She answered stiffly. "You'll be happy to know that my parents have grounded me for the rest of my entire life."
Bella suppressed a sigh. Jessica was being dramatic as usual. It was probably no more than a couple of weeks- a punishment she richly deserved. She refused to feel sympathy for her. Jessica had brought it all on herself. "I'll see you in Trig, Jess." She said, having nothing more to say to the girl, she headed off to her next class without looking back.
Bella hurried into class, flushed and irritated after her run in with Jessica. She sat in her usual seat, slamming her bag down in aggravation.
"Morning, Bella." Mike said from the seat next to her. She looked up to see an odd, almost resigned look on his face. "How was Port Angeles?"
"It was…." Bella had no honest way to sum it up without going into too much detail. "Average. Jessica and Angela bought a few things. I didn't."
Mike's eyes lit up with interest at the sound of Jessica's name. "Did she say anything about Monday night?" He asked.
Bella really didn't want to talk about Jessica Stanley, but Mike was so eager she couldn't disappoint him. "She said she had a really good time."
"She did?"
"Most definitely."
Mr. Mason called the class to order, asking then to turn in their papers. Then Mike whispered something to Bella that set her nerves on edge. "So, you and Cullen, huh?"
"There is no me and Edward." Bella said sharply. "Where did you get that idea?"
"Oh, its just a rumor that's going around- that you were seen looking cozy together in Port Angeles." Mike had the grace to look abashed.
Bella's face turned stormy. There was only one person who could have spread that bit of fiction – and it wasn't Angela.
English and then Government passed in a blur, with Bella silently fuming to herself as she waited impatiently to confront Jessica.
Even the weather was imitating her mood, Bella thought sourly, as she looked up at the sky. The fog had almost dissolved by the end of the second hour, but the day was still dark, with low oppressing clouds.
When Bella walked into Trig Jessica was sitting in the back row, trying to look nonchalant, and failing miserably.
Bella went to sit by her, trying to convince herself not to tear out every curly strand of hair on Jessica's head. "You just couldn't help yourself." She snapped.
Jessica glared at her, affronted by her harsh tone. "What are you accusing me of doing now?"
"Spreading malicious lies about me and Edward Cullen."
Jessica's eyebrows puckered in confusion. Bella could see that she genuinely had no idea what she was talking about. "It wasn't me." She denied hotly. "I'm in enough trouble already without looking for more."
"Then who -? "Bella paused, knowing full well that left only one other culprit. She put her hand to her aching forehead and groaned internally. She knew what the rumor mill was like at this school. Everyone would be linking them together in their minds now, thinking they were a proper couple. She would be fielding questions from the other students for the rest of the day.
Damn Edward Cullen to hell! He had gone too far this time!
"Are you alright, Bella?" Jessica asked, sounding genuinely concerned for once. "You look awful."
"I'm fine." Bella muttered, turning away from Jessica before she could ask anymore probing questions.
By the time the bell rang for lunch, Bella's headache was turning into a migraine. She stood up slowly from her seat, shoving her books roughly in her bag. She lingered, letting Jessica and the other students go on ahead of her, making her the last one to leave.
Outside of the door, leaning against the wall, was Edward Cullen. "Hello." His voice sounded irritated and amused at the same time.
Bella glared at him. "Why?" She demanded.
"Why what?" Edward asked as he fell into step beside her.
Bella sighed impatiently. "Don't play dumb. You're the one behind the rumor that's spreading like wildfire through school."
"Oh, that?" Edward said dismissively as if it was no big deal.
"And now you've made sure the whole student body will see us together so they'll think its true!" Bella accused. Walking with Edward through the crowded lunchtime rush was a lot like her first day at school, everyone stared.
Edward led the way into the line, not speaking, though his eyes returned to Bella's face every few seconds, their expression speculative. It felt like he was trying to read her mind, becoming frustrated when he failed to work out what she was thinking.
Bella fidgeted with the zipper on her jacket, keeping her eyes down to avoid everyone's stares. She felt defeated. He had done it again, manipulated the situation to his advantage so she was forced to spend time with him. Every time she tried to outwit him, he always managed to outmaneuver her.
Bella watched as Edward stepped up to the counter and filled a tray with food. "What are you doing?" She objected. "You're not getting that for me."
Edward shook his head, stepping forward to buy the food. "Half is for me, of course."
Bella gave him a baleful glare as he led the way toward the end of one of the long tables. A group of seniors gazed up at them in amazement and started whispering among themselves. Edward seemed oblivious as he pulled out a chair for Bella and waited for her to sit down.
Bella's head was throbbing and she felt unsteady on feet. With great reluctance, she took the seat he offered her and put her bag on the floor by her feet.
"Take whatever you want." Edward said, pushing the tray toward her as he took the seat opposite hers.
"I'm curious." Bella said as she picked up the can of soda.
"About?" Edward prompted.
"Why you lied today? About disabling my truck? About why you won't leave me alone?"
"So many questions." Edward said grimly. "You might not like the answers."
Bella just glared at him.
Edward glanced up at her from under his lashes with troubled eyes. "I care about you, Bella. Your safety is important to me. I have never known someone so prone to life and death jeopardy. Protecting you, even if its from yourself, is becoming a full-time occupation."
Bella stared at him in disbelief, struggling to think clearly. He was utterly absurd. She searched for the right words to ward him off, only to find she had run out of all the ways to tell him to leave her alone. She could see he was getting impatient, frustrated by her silence. He started to scowl.
"Let me think." She insisted, holding up one finger. His expression cleared, now that he was satisfied that she was planning to answer. She reached for the soda can, curling her fingers around it tightly. "Well, Edward, I've come to the conclusion that no words of mine are going to put you off."
"Perceptive." Edward agreed succinctly.
"So, you leave me no choice but to let my actions speak for me instead." Bella quickly shook the soda can, making the contents fizz inside. Then she popped it open, watching in delight as the soda sprayed all over his face and hair.
The extreme pleasure she got out of the startled look in his eyes was much stronger than the embarrassment she felt at making a spectacle of herself. As she cast her eyes around the room, she caught the eyes of his sister, Alice, staring at her. The others were looking at Edward-the blonde ice princess appeared to be smirking. Bella looked away swiftly, back to Edward, his face and body were completely rigid.
"Have a nice lunch." She said coolly as she bent down and retrieved her bag from under the table. Then she made an abrupt exit, the sound of hooting and clapping (mainly from the boys), ringing in her ears.
Jacob's head peered out of the window before she could even get out of the truck. No doubt the familiar roar of the engine had tipped him off to her approach. Not wanting to be alone in the house until Charlie came home, Bella had driven to La Push, seeking solace from her best friend.
Jacob met her halfway to the house.
"Bella!" His excited grin stretched wide across his face. He had his hair loose again. It fell like black satin curtains on either side of his broad face.
"Hey, Jacob!" Bella felt better immediately at the sight of him. "I thought I would come to you for a change and we could study here."
"That's fine with me." Jacob said cheerfully. He led the way into his house, twisting his hair in his big hands as he walked. He pulled a rubber band from his hip pocket and wound it around the bundle.
"Hey, Dad." He called as he ducked to get through the front door. "Look who stopped by."
Billy was in the tiny square living room, a book in his hands. He set the book in his lap and wheeled himself forward when he saw Bella.
"Well, what do you know! Its good to see you, Bella."
They shook hands. Bella's was lost in his wide grasp.
"I should thank you for the transformation in my son's grades." He grinned widely as Jacob rolled his eyes in exasperation. "Anyway, Bella, what brings you out here? Everything okay with Charlie?"
"Yes, absolutely."
"Good, good." Billy said brightly. "I thought Jacob was supposed to be going over to study at yours tonight."
"Oh, I thought I would save him the trip." Bella laughed.
Jacob's eyes brightened at her words. He was smiling so big it looked like it would hurt his cheeks.
"Can you stay for dinner?" Billy asked.
"I would, but I've got to feed Charlie."
"I'll call him at the station now." Billy suggested. "He's always invited."
"Okay, then. Thanks, Billy."
"You're welcome, Bella." Billy rolled his chair over to the phone.
When his father was out of earshot Jacob asked how her day had gone. "I hope Cullen kept his distance."
"He tried to take advantage again." Bella confessed grimly.
Jacob's eyes darkened. "What do you mean?"
"I don't mean like that, Jake." Bella quickly corrected him when she saw where his thoughts were heading. "I mean he spread some stupid rumor at school-making the other students believe we were a couple or something- but I soon put that rumor to bed. Quite publicly in fact." She smiled at the memory of the startled look in Edward's eyes when the jacked-up soda sprayed him in the face.
"How?" Jacob relaxed; his tone curious.
Bella described in detail exactly what she had done to thwart Edward's plan, making Jacob roll up with laughter.
"That's ingenious, Bella, honey." He held up his hand for a high-five.
Once again, Bella had to stretch to the tips of her toes, so she could tap her palm against his.
"What's ingenious?" Billy asked, overhearing the tail end of their conversation.
"There's been a guy hassling Bella at school." Jacob explained, still laughing. "But Bella put him right in his place."
"Oh, good for you, Bella." Billy praised her. "Although I'm glad that you've been able to stand up for yourself, you should really tell Charlie about it."
"Oh, I already have." Bella revealed. "My dad went over to the Cullens house this morning to talk to Edward's parents."
All the humor drained from Billy's face. "Did you say the Cullens?" He asked.
"Yes. Why?" Bella asked, exchanging a quick glance with Jacob.
"No reason. Excuse me, I have to make a call." Billy replied, wheeling his chair back over to the phone.
A/N-thanks for reading!