Thanks to thalia_csiny & daniwerner for betaing this chap and for their help with my grammar! Big thanks to Bonnysammy for validating my story!
Many reviewers want to know if this is a B/J or B/E story. I will say this; I wrote this story with the intention of exploring the "natural path" eluded to in Eclipse.
I own nothing! SM owns all these characters!
My first night in Forks was restless. I went through my usual night routine, but it wasn't my usual bed, and it wasn't my usual room, so I felt a little uncomfortable trying to settle in. Eventually I managed to fall asleep, but I didn't feel fully rested when I awoke at 8:00am. I stumbled into the shower and used my favourite strawberry scented shampoo to try to relax my tense muscles. I didn't bother drying my hair and pulled it up into a messy bun. If it was going to get wet again at the beach, there really wasn't any point in drying and straightening it.
I went back to my room and tried to decide what to wear. I looked out my window and was shocked to see the sun shining down. Maybe this day at the beach would turn out all right after all. I settled on shorts and layered two tank tops. I was determined to soak up as much sun as I could in Forks, when it showed itself. I debated with myself on whether to bring a bathing suit. I didn't really think the water would be warm enough for me to want to swim, but I didn't want to be unprepared. I settled on a halter style two-piece Renee had insisted on buying me a few months ago. I grabbed a bag and threw in my suit, a long sleeved tee, and jeans. I remembered enough of my childhood to know that just because it was warm now, didn't mean it would stay warm. I also grabbed a blanket, a big towel and my sunscreen…just in case.
After a quick breakfast, I ran upstairs, brushed my teeth and grabbed my bag. I settled in my truck and started it up, only to realise I felt like a loser again. Poor Jake. Having me thrust upon him because Charlie and Billy were friends must suck for him. I was sure he would have rather been hanging out with his friends on this beautiful day. I pulled up to his house about fifteen minutes later to find Jake out front waiting for me. He probably heard my monstrously loud truck miles away.
"Hey Bella, glad you made it!" Jake reached my door and pulled me into another big hug. It was so nice of him to make me feel so welcome when our parents were making him hang out with me. "Ready for some fun at the beach?" He flashed his white teeth at me in a huge smile. "The water is actually pretty nice today; you should be able to swim!"
"Hey Jake!" I couldn't help but smile in response to his. "This weather is making think I made up grey skies and pouring rain the last time I was in Forks."
"I know – it hasn't been this nice in ages! Forks must be welcoming you home." He grinned at me. Home. I guess that's what Forks would be from now on, but it didn't feel like it yet.
"I should uh…probably change if we're going to go straight to the beach." I grabbed my bag from the truck.
"Sure sure," Jake replied. "I'll grab some snacks and drinks for us to take down. C'mon in, you can change in the bathroom." He led me inside their house, past the tiny living room, and showed me the washroom. I changed quickly into my suit and threw my clothes back on. I shoved my underwear and bra to the bottom of my bag and put my towel neatly on top for easy access. When I emerged, Jake had a towel and a cooler all set by the front door. "Ready to go?"
"Um, yeah, I think so." Jake led us out of the house and down the path to First Beach. I somewhat remembered taking this path before, realising it must have been when I was much younger and with Charlie. As I was lost in thought, I stumbled on some loose rocks and pitched forward. "Oomph, oh!" Surprisingly, instead of being on the ground I was half dangling from by elbow where Jake had caught hold of me.
"Whoa, easy, Bella." He set me upright and I flushed a bright crimson. "Eager to get there, are we?" He chuckled and grabbed my hand. "Clearly, the only way to get you there in one piece is for me to hold on to you." And with that, he pulled me forward by the hand, and led me down the path.
Who was this confident boy who was completely unfazed by my clumsiness and was now holding my hand?
I felt a little surprised. No boy in Phoenix had ever paid any attention to me, or held my hand for that matter.
I guess it's because he's younger?
He must have been really concerned that I could not have made it there under my own powers and was just being nice. Jake led me along the beach until we came upon a big, white driftwood log. He set down the cooler and laid out his towel in front of the marooned tree. I followed suit and pulled my towel out of my bag, as well as the blanket I had brought. As soon as Jake saw the blanket, he smiled.
"Great idea, Bells!" He threw his towel over the log, and laid the blanket out in its stead. Then he grabbed the cooler and put it along the top edge of the blanket – presumably to stop it from flying away. Then he kicked off his shoes and sat down on the blanket. I did the same as Jake rummaged around the cooler, fishing out two root beers. We sat in silence for awhile, sipping our sodas. I was actually getting a little warm sitting on the blanket, and was considering asking Jake when we could go swimming, when he stood up. "Okay Bella, it should be warm enough for you to swim now." It was like he could read my mind.
He offered his hand to help me get up - not necessary but a nice gesture. Then Jake took off his shirt, and I felt my jaw drop open and make a little 'pop' sound. He was gorgeous…and ripped. And not just 'worked out now and again' ripped, but 'freaking movie star' ripped. His broad shoulders led into lean, rippling muscles down his arms and back. He had the most defined six-pack I had ever seen, and just above his board shorts, there were these muscles on either side of his hips that looked like they'd make a V below his pants.
Mmm…below his pants. Holy crow!
What was I thinking? I shook my head a little and felt the hot blush creep up into my skull. I had never, never thought about a boy that way, let alone one who was right in front of me. What was wrong with me? All I could think about was seeing more of the V muscle.
"Uh…Bella? Are you okay? Do you not want to go swimming anymore?" Jake looked at me somewhat concerned. Evidently in all my ogling, I had frozen stiff, and had not made any progress towards taking off my clothes.
"Oh…uh…fine Jake! Um…just debating uh…whether I'd need um…sunscreen."
I may possibly be the lamest person in the world right now.
I hurried out of my tank and shorts and dove into my bag to fish out my sunscreen. I quickly slathered some cream on my arms, legs and stomach, and then remembered about my back. I was positive I was eighteen shades of red when I turned to Jake and asked, "Hey, um, do you mind getting my back?"
Jake was now the one who looked frozen as I held out the bottle to him. I quickly turned around and lifted some stray hairs off my neck. There was a moment of silence, and then I felt a big warm hand gently rubbing cream along my neck, shoulders and then down and around my back. It felt much nicer than I expected, and a small moan escaped my lips. Then I heard the bottle drop to the sand, and Jake was off running.
"Last one in has to make lunch!" I heard him holler while running towards the water at full tilt.
"No fair!" I called back. "You got a head start!" Jake didn't stop until he was waist deep in the water. I charged in after him, and when I reached the water, it was a little chilly, but much warmer than I had remembered. I bee lined for him and he scooped me out of the water, and then threw us both sideways into an oncoming wave.
Today was going to be better than I expected.
