Chapter 11

As Jacob walked to Algebra II class, the weight of shame hung heavy on his shoulders. The encounter with Edward in the cafeteria had left an unforgettable mark, and the bent bench served as a tangible reminder that the vampire was right.

Despite the embarrassment, a flicker of defiance burned within Jacob. His loyalty to his pack and the Quileute traditions ran deep, and he couldn't fully accept Edward's perspective. In his mind, there was a crucial distinction – unlike vampires, Quileutes were still human. They lived with the duality of their existence, unlike vampires, whose existence depended on the blood of humans, proving they were as far from human as possible.

Entering Algebra II with a conflicted mindset, Jacob forced himself to focus on the lesson in front of him, which now seemed so trivial compared to the supernatural conflict he was facing.

The minutes seemed to drag on endlessly as the class progressed, with every tick of the clock feeling like an eternity. The students shifted restlessly in their seats, their eyes glazing over as the teacher droned on and on, struggling to keep their focus and stay engaged. It felt like the class would never end, but eventually, it did, and the sound of the bell pierced through the suspension.

As Jacob entered the gym, his sullen mood didn't go unnoticed. The ordinary sounds of students engaging in physical activities seemed distant as he moved with a heavy demeanor. Bella, perceptive as ever, picked up on the change in his energy and approached him with a concerned expression.

"Hey, Jake," Bella said, her voice carrying a note of worry. "Is everything okay? You seem a bit off."

Caught off guard by Bella's attention, he managed a half-hearted smile. "Just dealing with some stuff, you know? It's nothing to worry about."

Her concern deepened, and she pressed gently, "Are you sure? You can talk to me about it. We're friends, right?"

He hesitated for a moment, debating how to discuss the trouble without revealing the supernatural world to her. "It's just... it's nothing." He stammered awkwardly.

Bella, though puzzled, remained attentive. "Try me. I might surprise you."

Jacob took a deep breath, deciding not to reveal anything. He would break the treaty if he revealed too much.

When he didn't answer, she spoke again. "What did Edward say to you earlier? It looked pretty intense between you and him."

Jacob wavered. "Just some unimportant Quileute drama, you know?"

Bella raised an eyebrow, a mix of intrigue and concern in her eyes. "I do. The Quileutes don't like the Cullens, and the Cullens seem to feel the same way."

Jacob was both surprised and intrigued by her perceptiveness and decided to give her a simplified version. "We were discussing that territory. It got a bit heated."

Bella's expression shifted to one of sincere curiosity. "And what is going on between the Cullens and the Quileutes?"

"I can't tell you that." He said.

Bella rolled her eyes. "Of course not. You are being just as cryptic as Alice."

Coach Clapp's authoritative voice echoed through the gym as he began rounding up the class for the day's activity.

As the class assembled into teams, Bella and Jacob exchanged a knowing glance. With a shared understanding, they discreetly scooted closer, aligning themselves on the same team.

Coach Clapp, focused on organizing the class, didn't pay much attention to their whispers. Mike Newton, however, threw a disparaging look in their direction. Jacob could smell the hormone of territorial outrage emanating from him, even across the court.

He chuckled. "Your boyfriend is angry that I've stolen you." He whispered to her.

"He's not my boyfriend." She waved a dismissive hand, "Anyways, what did Edward say that bothered you so much?"

Jacob glanced around the room momentarily before meeting Bella's gaze. "It's just frustrating. The drama between us and them. I can't go into detail, but that's all."

Bella, though not fully grasping intricacies, sighed and nodded. "Fine. You won't tell me about it. Just know I'm here if you ever want to talk."

As the gym activity progressed, a subtle cold distance settled between them.

His werewolf athleticism made the routine exercises far too easy for him. However, his attention shifted towards Bella, who seemed to be having a harder time than the other humans in the class. The distance that had momentarily settled between them during their conversation gave way to a sense of concern.

Without a word, Jacob subtly adjusted his approach to the badminton game, aligning himself with her movement. His werewolf instincts allowed him to gauge her struggles, and with silent understanding, he offered assistance. Whether it was providing a steadying hand, offering guidance on technique, or offering a supportive presence, he ensured that she didn't hurt herself and navigated the game with more ease.

Appreciative of Jacob's unspoken assistance, she met his gaze with a small but grateful smile. The silent collaboration between them spoke volumes. The ebb and flow of their interactions were smooth and effortless, a reflection of their relationship as children. It was so easy being around Bella. He had forgotten how compatible they were with the passage of time.

After the gym class concluded, they found themselves walking together towards her truck.

"Thanks for your help, Jake." Bella sighed in relief. "If it weren't for you, I would have clobbered myself with the racket. And several other people."

He laughed, the feeling spreading warmth through him. "I forgot how clumsy you were, Bells."

Bella aimed for his shoulder, but her short height only allowed her to reach his elbow, so he felt a light slap on his elbow instead.

Their laughter echoed through the ordinary surroundings of the parking lot. Jacob, with all the supernatural drama going on, couldn't help but revel in the joy of an ordinary moment shared with Bella.

As they reached her truck, the laughter subsided, giving way to a comfortable silence. Leaning casually against a nearby vehicle, he glanced at her with a warm smile.

Unlocking her truck, she met Jacob's gaze. "Thanks again. And–" She paused.

He raised a questioning brow at her.

"Just think about what I said. I'm Alice's friend, but I'm your friend too, okay?"

Before he could think of a response, she closed the door and started the engine with a deafening roar.

As Bella drove off, Jacob couldn't help but let out a sigh.