Monday was uneventful aside from Mike Newton's unending and frequently annoying attention. To Bella's dismay, Tyler had rejoined his ranks and began hitting on her, too. When she got home, she was grateful to be alone for a few hours. Bella flew through her homework, ate some leftover stew, and was sound asleep in bed when Charlie got home from work.
Bella initially woke up excited on Tuesday morning, remembering the possibility of hanging out with Leah after school. That excitement got shot to hell as she undressed to shower, only to realize she'd started her period. It didn't take long for nausea to follow.
From that point on, nothing seemed to go her way. Again, her smokey eyeshadow got applied too dark as Bella hurried through her routine, making her appear paler. Blood-red lips further reflected her mood, and Bella tied her wild, wet curls into a high, messy ponytail. Paired with her tight black low-cut tank top, ripped jeans, and Converse, she looked like someone who crawled out of the grunge era and half-expected Nirvana to blare somewhere in the background. Just for the hell of it, Bella snuck into Charlie's room and stole one of his red and black flannel shirts. She rolled the sleeves to her elbows and left the shirt unbuttoned, hanging nearly to her knees.
For once, she almost looked forward to whatever Lauren's reaction would be when she got to school. Beginning to feel feisty, Bella was practically begging her blonde nemesis (or anyone, really) to cross her the wrong way. She hoped her appearance would suffice as a warning for Mike and Tyler, too.
She called to check on Jacob before leaving for school, but no one answered. That was another blow to her mood. A few minutes later, as Bella turned over the ignition of her truck, it started, sputtered, and died.
Great. My baby is on the fritz, and the one person I can't see right now is my mechanic. Fuck my life. She punched the dash in aggravation and hurried to shake the pain from her hand afterward.
This. Is not. My. Day. Fuck. Bella climbed out of her truck and stomped into the house to wake Charlie. He snorted at her appearance but said nothing critical as he picked up on her foul mood. He pulled a t-shirt over his sleep pants, slid his feet into some sneakers, and drove her to school in the cruiser.
As they approached the high school, he asked, "Do I need to pick you up later?"
Bella shook her head no. "I don't think so. Leah might get me, and if she doesn't, I'll figure it out."
"Call me if you change your mind. I'm off today, so I'll be farting around the house most of the day."
"See if I make you chicken stew again," Bella joked, making him cackle as she climbed out at the curb.
She groaned as she looked up at the front door, where Mike's crowd of friends hovered under the awning. Each turned to look at her simultaneously, and Bella bent down to see Charlie's face as she rolled her eyes.
"They're like sheep," he teased. "Ba-a-a-a."
Bella snorted. "This is my life, Dad. Classes I've already taken in Arizona and sheeple."
"I guess I see why you spend so much time in La Push," he said through his laughter.
"Shhh," she joked. "These fuckers get to vote for you next year."
Charlie cringed and shook his head. Bella laughed and shut the passenger door. She waved goodbye as he pulled away from the curb, still chuckling. She sighed as she realized he'd effectively lightened her mood.
Okay, so maybe I won't have to mentally strangle anyone today. Maybe.
Bella's school day was almost surreal. Multiple students complimented her appearance, but she couldn't have remembered their names if she tried. Mike and Tyler hovered closer than ever, though neither had much to say, silently appraising her as they whispered amongst themselves instead. She assumed the rare appearance of her sparse cleavage that day had a bit to do with it.
Angela sought Bella out at lunch for the first time in months, and they talked as if no time had passed between them. It didn't take long for Bella to understand why, as Angela explained that she and Ben had broken up. They were going to different colleges, and long-distance relationships made little sense to either. Everyone knew how deeply Bella Swan understood a broken heart. It made sense to her that Angela would find her an empathetic listener.
It was almost too bad that Quil was head over heels for Embry… Bella suspected Quil and Angela could get along well if the circumstances differed.
Eventually, Angela asked if Bella had been seeing anyone lately. Bella pretended she didn't notice as Mike and Tyler leaned closer from their seats at the opposite end of the lunch table, hoping to hear her response.
Carefully, Bella answered, "I…kind of? I guess? I definitely like someone. A lot. But we're only friends right now." She tried not to roll her eyes as Mike and Tyler each looked relieved. As if they were her friends. Bella sincerely hoped neither of them thought she meant one of them.
Rather than making her usual snide comments, Lauren seemed to have nothing to say. When Bella saw Lauren sporting red lips and a flannel shirt near the end of the day, Bella had to hide her face to stop laughing outright. Apparently, Bella's 'new look' worked for her enough that Lauren tried to emulate it.
Hmph. Who knew? She considered digging the old green bowling shirt out of her closet and pairing it with a short skirt, sarcastically wondering if Lauren would copy that, too.
As she exited the building after school, the sound of sneakers squeaking rushed toward her. "Hey, Bella. Wait, a second!"
She tried not to groan aloud as she stepped out of the mass of rushing students and leaned against a trophy case near the front door. Mike grinned, panting as he finally reached her and ducked against the wall at her side.
As he tried to calm himself, he asked, "What are you doing this evening?"
"My friend Leah and I have plans," she said, hoping her friend was outside. She had heard nothing from Leah all day, but no news was supposed to be good news, right?
Mike's grin lessened somewhat, but he seemed determined. "How about Friday night?"
Bella narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously. "I tutor on Fridays." It wasn't a lie, really. Just because Jacob was sick didn't mean she couldn't see Quil. Bella made a mental note to call and ask him about it.
"Oh. Well…" Mike scratched the back of his head nervously as he hesitated. "I wanted to see if you wanted to hang out. Maybe study for a while?"
Bella smirked. "Don't you usually team up with Tyler or Jessica for those things?"
"Yeah, Ty isn't as smart as you," Mike muttered and chuckled. "And he's actually throwing a small house party that night. I thought maybe we could go over there afterward?"
Bella tried to keep a straight face instead of immediately frowning at the idea. "Uh…" Shit. Actually, a house party could be just the thing to get Quil and Leah's minds off of everything. "I could come to Tyler's for a while. Can I bring some people with me?"
Nervously, Mike asked, "Uh, l-like what? A date?"
Bella rolled her eyes. "No. My cousin or a friend. Maybe both." To be clear, she added, "Besides, Jacob has mono. He's the closest I would have to a date if I had one to bring."
Mike's mouth opened and closed again quickly. "Still spending lots of time in La Push, I take it?"
"Yeah," she said unapologetically. "Whenever I can. I hang out with Jake, Quil Ateara, and Leah Clearwater most often lately."
Mike's grin returned. "I've met Quil. Funny guy."
"That's my cousin," Bella said, nodding.
Mike snickered. "No shit? So the other friend would be this Leah, then?"
"Yes, if she doesn't have to work. Look, can we talk about this tomorrow? I really need to go. She's waiting for me."
"Cool," Mike said and bounced on the balls of his feet as though Bella had just made his entire week. "Can I meet her?"
Bella blanched as she leaned to look out into the parking lot, hoping like hell that Leah had shown up. She noticed the usual students waiting around chatting, many openly staring toward the far end of the parking lot.
Bella followed their stares to discover Leah leaning against the outside of her car in all her statuesque glory. Her white crop top barely reached past her breasts as she arched her back, stretching her arms over her head. Her midriff was bare, her belly button poking over the top of her high-waisted and very short-legged cutoffs. Bluejean frays hung from random places around her thighs, drawing attention to Leah's long, muscular legs. Tiny white socks were barely visible at the top of her sneakers. The brightness of her clothing repeatedly pulled Bella's eyes toward the smooth, light brown sections of uncovered skin between them. Even from a distance, Bella could see the dark purple hue of Leah's lipstick, her black feather-duster thick lashes resting against her cheeks as she kept her eyes closed, face tilted toward the sunlight. Leah's sleek black hair gleamed, hanging like a curtain over her right shoulder.
Bella couldn't look away. She'd never seen a woman more beautiful in her life, and it made her feel oh so insignificant in comparison. No amount of makeup or designer clothing, not even with Alice's skills, could ever make Bella look that damn good. Her stomach tightened as she suddenly became nervous about spending the next few hours with Leah alone.
Pulling Bella from her sudden stupor, Mike asked, "Is that your friend?"
The tone of his voice as he gawked at Leah reconfirmed Bella's musings. One glance at Mike revealed he was nearly drooling as he stared. Leah was just too goddamn gorgeous.
A giggle slipped from Bella's lips as she told herself she was glad they were going somewhere to eat because she still kind of wanted to bite her friend. Cuteness aggression had never been a 'thing' for Bella, but now she understood the urge.
Leah's eyes fluttered open as she stood straight and looked directly toward Bella as though she'd felt the younger woman staring. She cupped her mouth with her hands and yelled, "Come on, bitch! I'm not getting any younger!" And then, Leah grinned, displaying her perfect, bright white smile.
Several people in the parking lot gaped in surprise over the 'bitch' comment and turned to stare at Bella in question. Bella snorted out a laugh, assuming some were expecting a fight - one Bella Swan obviously couldn't win. She told Mike, "Yep. That's her. So, can I bring her with me?"
"Uh, y-yeah," he stammered, still gawking. "Sure thing. Quil too. I'm sure Tyler won't mind."
"Cool," Bella said. "I'll see you tomorrow, then." She darted out the door without waiting for his response, practically skipping as she headed straight for Leah.
Leah's eyes gleamed with mischief as she glanced up toward Mike and back to Bella. Quietly, she asked, "Is that the Newton kid? I've seen him before. I should have realized that was him."
"Yes," Bella said as she rushed toward the passenger side.
Feigning offense, Leah yelled, "What? I don't get a hug or something?" She nodded toward Mike, who had caught up to Tyler just a few cars away. They leaned against the side of Tyler's van, staring.
Oh, what is she up to? Bella laughed as she backtracked to hug her friend. Leah tugged on the flannel sleeve, snickering.
"You look good, Swan. Steal that from Charlie, did you?"
"Sure did," Bella said as she pulled away.
"Those red lips are hot, Swan. You should wear that color more often." Leah glanced toward Mike and Tyler again, unable to stop grinning. Bella glanced toward them and snorted as they gawked. Now, both boys were practically drooling. Mike leaned over to whisper something to Tyler.
Tyler's eyes widened, and he yelled, " YES, BELLA! BRING HER! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, BRING HER …" He cut off with a laugh as Mike playfully backhanded him in the ribs. Bella hurried to the passenger side.
Once inside the car, Leah pulled on her seatbelt and asked, "What was that all about?"
Bella pleaded, "Fuck, Leah, please, please tell me you can go with me Friday night. Mike asked me to come to Tyler's house party, and the last thing I want is for him to think it's some kind of date."
Leah grinned. "It just so happens that I have this entire weekend off. If we can go over there later that evening, I can pick you up after work Friday night."
"Awesome," Bella said and sighed with relief. Leah laughed.
Before Bella could mention it, Leah said, "We should take Quil. He could use a good time, too."
"That's what I thought, too," Bella said and dug into her backpack for her cellphone.
Again, Leah laughed. "Are you calling him right now? Is he even home yet?"
"Shit," Bella said, deflating a little. Quil probably wouldn't be home for another hour or two. He always had something he had to do or somewhere to go.
"I'll remind you to call him when we get to the restaurant. We have about a forty-minute drive, anyway."
"Perfect." Bella pulled on her seatbelt as Leah started the car and carefully maneuvered into traffic.
"Before we go eat, there's something I need to do," Leah warned her. "It might take a little while. You game?"
Bella grinned. "I'm down for whatever."
"Good," Leah said as she pressed on the gas pedal and sped toward the outskirts of town.