Bella seemed to be getting better slowly but surely, hanging out with Jake at every opportunity she had. Charlie and I could tell just by looking at her. She organised with her friends to go to the movies, and she asked me to tag along. I decided to do so, it would be suspicious if her sister didn't show up. She drove us home, and she spotted someone in the driveway leaning against a car. "No way!" Bella shouted, racing up to the boy right as the truck turned off. "You're done! I can't believe it! You finished the Rabbit!" I got out of the truck and approached the duo.
"Just last night." Jacob said with a smile. "This is the maiden voyage."
"Incredible." The two high-fived.
"So, do I get to drive it tonight?"
"Definitely." Bella sighed.
"What's up with you two?" I asked.
"I'm giving up. I can't top this one, so you win, you're oldest."
"You're…betting on who's older?" I confirmed, raising an eyebrow.
"Based on skills alone." Jake said. "And, of course, I was older." We were distracted by a suburban as it turned onto our street. "I remember this guy. The one who thought you were his girlfriend. Is he still confused?"
"Some people are hard to discourage." Bella told him.
"Then again, sometimes persistence pays off."
"Yeah, that checks out." I muttered.
"Hey Bella, hey Alex." Mike greeted. He then turned to Jake, having to look up to see him.
"Hi, Mike." Bella replied. "Do you remember Jacob Black?"
"Not really."
"Old family friend." The two shook hands with more force than I expected. When they let go, Mike flexed his fingers. The phone rang inside and Bella turned to it.
"I'd better get that." She said. "It might be Charlie." Bella dashed inside. I turned my head toward the house, deciding to ignore the fact that Mike and Jake stepped away from each other. Bella arrived about five minutes later with a sullen look on her face. "Ang is sick." Bella told us as she returned to us.
"I guess the flu is making another round." Mike suggested. "Austin and Conner were out today, too. Maybe we should do this another time."
"I'm still up for it." Jake said. "But, if you'd rather stay behind Mike-"
"No, I'm coming. I was just thinking of Angela and Ben. Let's go." Mike gestured to his car.
"Hey, do you mind if Jacob drives?" Bella asked. "I told him he could, he just finished his car. He built it himself."
"Fine." Mike spat.
"Alright then." Jake's tone made it sound as if he was preening. Mike and I climbed into the back seats of the car. Bella, Jacob and I chatted until about halfway through the ride until Mike leaned forward, resting his chin on Bella's seat.
"Doesn't the radio work on this thing?" Mike asked.
"Yes." Jake replied. "But Bella doesn't like music."
"Bella?"
"He's right." Bella muttered.
"What about you, Alex?"
"I always preferred live music." I said, looking out the window.
"How can you not like music?"
"I don't know, it just irritates me." Bella said.
"Recorded music sounds too scratchy for me." I added.
"Hmph." Mike huffed, leaning back in his seat. We arrived at the theatre not long after. Jake handed Bella a ten dollar bill.
"What's this?" Bella demanded.
"I'm not old enough to get into this one." Jake admitted.
"Seems Bella beats you in actual age." I joked, folding my arms.
"Is Billy going to kill me if I sneak you in?" Bella asked.
"No. I told him you were planning to corrupt my youthful innocence." We got into the movie easily, no one questioned Jake's age and we took our seats. My face was a mask of calm as I watched the movie, with explosions and people being stabbed. This wasn't so different from some of the wars I had witnessed.
"I think I'm sick." Mike groaned beside me. He stood and bolted out of the room. Bella stood, prompting Jake and I to do as well.
"No, stay." Bella whispered to us. "I'll make sure he's ok." We followed Bella anyway. "You don't have to come. Get your eight bucks worth of carnage." We continued through the theatre.
"That's ok." Jake assured. "You can sure pick them Bella, this movie realy sucks."
"There's no reason for me to be there without you guys." I said, following behind everyone. We walked out of the theatre, unable to find Mike in the hallway. Jake walked into the men's room and came back a couple seconds later.
"Oh, he's in there alright." Jake told us. "What a marshmallow. You should hold out for someone with a stronger stomach. Someone who laughs at the gore that makes weaker men vomit."
"I'll keep my eyes open for someone like that." Bella said.
"I'm gonna head to the bathroom myself." I said. Before anyone could respond, I walked off. Heading into the bathroom, I put my purse on the counter, sighing. I looked at myself in the mirror, taking in an unnecessary breath. My eyes flicked to my hair, a matching shade of red that I shared with my daughter. I pulled my hair up into a ponytail as the door opened and someone walked into the bathroom. I grabbed my purse and left the bathroom. I met up with Bella and Jake, noticing Mike with them clutching a popcorn bucket, with Bella leading him out. "Is Mike ok?" I asked as I approached, stepping next to Jake. I then frowned, I felt some serious heat coming from him.
"He caught something." Jake said. I sighed, crossing my arms. I followed the group as we headed back to the car. I pressed myself to the side of the car, far away from Mike in case he puked.
"Bella, tell Dad I'm taking Mike home." I said to her as we got out. "And tell him I'm taking Jake home too, but I'll find a way home." Bella nodded. I took Mike back home in his suburban, and then when I got back to my place, I forced Jake into the passenger seat of his rabbit and drove him home myself. Jake was vibrating as soon as I pulled up to the forest. I shoved Jake. "Out, out!" I shouted. Jake almost ripped the door handle of his car before he fell out. He shook and then exploded. In his place stood a large reddish-brown wolf. "Jake, get to the woods, now! I'll get someone to come." Jake whined, bolting into the woods. I tucked my hands into my pockets as I walked towards the Black household. I knocked on the door, and after a minute, Billy answered. He glared up at me, gripping his armrests.
"What are you doing here?" He snarled. "You shouldn't-"
"I think making sure your son didn't explode into a wolf in the middle of a movie theatre gave me some leniency today." I said.
"What?" Billy breathed.
"You might want to tell Sam." I went to leave.
"Wait, Alex." I turned my head. "..thank you."
"Yeah, yeah, don't mention it. Just call me when he's back to normal." And with that, I ran off the Reservation.