Twilight Fan Fiction / Twilight Fan Fiction ❯ An Ugly Fact Of Life ❯ Chapter 2

I was staring at myself in the mirror holding my phone in one hand and tugging at the hem of my sweater with the other. I should call and cancel. I was all ready to go, but I knew I should cancel. My fingers kept finding the numbers only to shy away before I could press them. It was wrong to plan over previous engagements, even if I hadn't really agreed to them in the first place.

My first week of school had gone by as unsmooth as it possibly could. In fact there was probably only one thing that went by well. It had been one of my biggest worries, finding and remembering where all my classrooms were. That was effortless given the small perimeter of the building; being in the rooms themselves was the hard part. As I expected the teachers had me stand by their desks in front of the class as they signed my transfer slip, slowly dotting their I's and crossing their T's and instead of allowing me to flee safely to my seat afterwards some teachers insisted that I give the class a brief introduction. I sputtered and blushed my whole way through them only to find out later how unnecessary it was. I had already been the town's center of gossip for the past week.

“There's a car out front Bella!” Charlie yelled from the bottom of the stairs. He didn't bother coming up to make sure I'd heard and I had to admit I liked that. Though I loved Renee, it was nice not to have someone prying into my business every second of the day anymore. I put the phone back on the receiver roughly, as if to prove something. It was decided then; I wasn't going to cancel on them. It didn't really matter anyways, I tried to reassure myself. Jacob had probably forgotten about our plans, if they could even be called plans. I squished some gloves into my pocket for later incase I got cold and scurried down the stairs telling Charlie I'd see him in a while but not explaining where I was going.

I opened the car door and was disappointed to see that I would be sitting next to Mike Newton the whole way. He smiled reassuringly at me, probably mistaking my displeasure for fear of traveling somewhere I had never been. I got in and scooted my body as close to the door as I could. It was a plus that Mike didn't seem to notice. I fastened my seatbelt and the car backed up, rolling into motion. I leaned uncomfortably onto the cool leather of the door, popping an earphone into my ear and adjusting the volume of my music. I'd been hoping that if I had to sit beside Mike the entire way with Jessica leering at me from the opposite side of him that I'd at least get some quiet. But Eric who had been sitting in the front seat rather quietly until then seemed to take the cars movement as his cue and turned around, assaulting me with a thousand different questions. As though it were the first time we'd met. And it definitely was not.

I hadn't really been looking for friends at forks high school but they'd found me nonetheless, and I accepted it just as easily, without a struggle. It wasn't that I didn't want any friends, just that I was never good at taking the first step. It was the same way I found my friends in phoenix, a lot of luck and acceptance. Though those were the same reasons I'd gotten into such a terrible mess back home I tried to shake the thought from my mind, my old life no longer existed here.

I seemed to be pushed through the week with a new “friend” at my side after every class. Though I struggled to remember more I could only recall about four or five names of those people. and really, that was only because they had sort of forced their way into my life. Take for instance Eric who had a new round of questions based on different aspects of my life waiting for me after biology class every other day. Or Mike, who seemed convinced that my skills in volleyball would grow dramatically if I spent most of our phys ed. class off to the side training futilely with him. But there was also Angela, the only person so far who seemed genuinely curious about my reasons for being here or my feelings even when they were based on the smallest things, like the weather.

“So I bet coming from California you've seen a lot of wakeboarding in your time huh Bella?” Eric asked enthusiastically, as he always did. I answered absentmindedly not entirely listening. “Huh, oh yea I have.” Though I wasn't sure at all what I was agreeing to. And then someone, a girl, was adding as though she'd lived with me in phoenix. “Of course she has, Bella's probably seen enough bonfires to last her a life time too.” I hadn't and I was glad they never asked. I wasn't in the mood to explain exactly what went down at bonfires in larger cities.

We drove by a small bundle of houses and Eric turned around to let me know where we were, as though it were his job to be the tour guide. “That's the Quileute reserve, a lot of the guys from there come join our bonfires, I wouldn't be surprised if you met a few tonight.” I froze and then forced my self to answer. “Sounds good.” I lied; I really hoped I wouldn't see any at all. I felt the pang of guilt in my stomach grow as the reserve behind us slowly blurred out of sight. The image of Jacob waiting for me in his house, brows furrowed in confusion as he wondered where I was, stayed with me longer then I wished it would have. I had to remind myself that Jacob wasn't a child and he would be smart enough to call my house if he really was waiting. Charlie would let him know that I'd gone out with my friends and he'd make other plans.

It was later when we had all settled by the fire, and the boys had finished their wakeboarding that I'd seen him. The bonfire itself wasn't much at all, just a simple campfire. Nothing like the bonfires kids in California would have, in fact I wasn't sure this alcohol free gathering fell under the category of bonfire at all. But it was comforting to know how quaint the people of Forks were, even during their times of no supervision.

I'd been pushing Angela to pursue her interests in Eric when the three of them approached; I knew right away from their russet skin that they were Quileute. It took me a longer time to realize that one of them was Jacob, the boy I had probably stood up that afternoon. He looked tired and annoyed like being here was the last place he wanted to be. He purposely turned his attention away as Mike greeted the three boys, making his feelings far more evident. He scanned the group idly, his eyes landing on me. I looked down quickly hoping he wouldn't recognize me through the shadows of the fire.

I breathed heavily, my head still down as the sound of crunching rocks came closer. I imagined it was Mike bringing me a drink, I even imagined him coming over to offer me a walk along the shore together. I wanted to believe it was anyone but Jacob. I knew exactly who it was but when the crunching came to a stop I looked up anyways.

There he was, frowning down at me; the fire's glow reflecting off of his copper skin and shame visibly printed on his face. I smiled sheepishly at him, trying to appear a lot less guilty about the situation then I did. He bent down and whispered in my ear harshly. “Ditching a guy you made plans with to hang out with a bunch of people you barely even know? That's definitely minus a year Bella.” I shivered at his closeness and looked down, not only was I ashamed I was embarrassed.

I tried to piece together an acceptable apology but I couldn't even start to think of one before Jacob was yanking me up roughly and pulling me away. He stopped and smiled warmly at Angela who seemed to be wondering why this Quileute boy was trying to kidnap her friend. “My dad knows her dad.” He explained. His voice sounded much more welcoming now that I wasn't the only one listening. “She didn't tell him where she was going tonight and he got worried so he called my dad and asked if I could check around the beach for her. Anyways I promised him I'd get her home safely if I saw her so tell your friends.”

And then we were off, in the same direction the boys had come. I saw Jacob nod at one of his friends and they smiled back I almost tripped and decided that at the pace Jacob was going I couldn't take the chance to glance around at anything other then the ground unless I wanted to see blood tonight. We continued to sift through the sand at Jacob's impossible rate until the glow of the fire was completely out of sight. His hard grip on my hand softened and then he let go altogether, I took advantage of my luck not exactly sure if he had meant to let go and bent down breathing heavily.

When he didn't start yelling I looked up curiously, my hands still resting on my legs as I tried to catch the remainder of my breath. Jacob didn't look at all like I thought he might. He wasn't mad, or disappointed, just sad. He looked really hurt. It had me instantly searching for words that would bring some kind of comfort. “Jacob I…” He cut me off, not willing to hear an apology. “Why didn't you come today?” he asked unhappily, staring at the rippling water beside us.

I wanted to give him an answer, but I wasn't sure myself. It would have been easy for me to say no to them. He was right, I barely knew them. It wouldn't have mattered if they thought I was just saying no to avoid them. I had said yes to them because the situation was so similar, like my ghosts had followed me. Choosing a boy over your friends never got you anywhere good. When I thought of it like that, I probably did know why I picked the others. But I couldn't see myself explaining it to him properly so I dodged the question all together. “You told Angela my dad was worried right? We should get going.” I said, inelegantly. I heard rocks being kicked lightly beside me. “No, I was lying. I just needed an excuse to get you away.” Jacob answered weakly. I glared at him accusingly. “That's rude Jacob, why would you lie about something like that?” He stared up at me astounded. “THAT was rude? THAT was? And ditching me wasn't? Avoiding an explanation isn't? God Bella you're so childish.”

he started walking off and I followed a few seconds later, realizing that if he left I would be lost somewhere in the middle of La push beach. “Wait Jacob.” I pleaded. He turned sharply on his heal and I bumped into him painfully I would have fallen if he hadn't grabbed my wrist. “So tell me then. Just tell me why you didn't come today Bella.” He asked desperately, again he looked hurt and I suddenly felt like he was taking more offense then he should be. “I don't really have a reason Jacob. I wasn't trying to hurt you. I just…I decided the people from my school wouldn't understand if I told them I was turning them down for a boy.” His eyes still seemed puzzled but his face softened. “And you thought I would understand?” he questioned. I shuffled my weight a little, realizing how close I was to him. “I wasn't sure how you'd respond. I guess that's why I didn't tell you.” I tugged at my wrist still held tightly in his grasp and he let go.

“Well at least you didn't blow me off to be with some other guy.” Jacob stated humorously as he started walking again. I frowned, not seeing the humor in his words. “Alright Bella,” he said turning around as he walked backwards. “I'll forgive you this time if you promise to work double time as my supervisor.” I stumbled, following him closely as I considered my options, I still had no idea what I'd be doing for him and the possibilities of getting invited to another gathering was high, but I recalled the ache in Jacobs expression and decided I owed him something big. “Alright I promise, I'll work extra hard for you.” I smiled reassuringly and then he grabbed my hand dragging me along the beach again. “Where are we going?” I huffed. “You just promised to work extra hard didn't you? Your job starts now.” Jacob answered jokingly.

_________________________________________

We got to the reserve in no time. Even after Jacob had slowed his pace to something a non-athletic girl could keep up with, I felt like we'd made it within seconds. I was shocked as he guided me into the garage revealing his pride and joy. I didn't really know what to expect when he asked me to accompany him, but it certainly wasn't this. “Wow Jacob, this is definitely worth a year.” I praised, still standing at the door in shock. He walked ahead of me pulling up a stool and motioning for me to sit. “I thought you might think that.” He grinned proudly as I approached him, taking the seat distractedly.

It was a small red car that had us both so in awe. The paint was chipped and faded and the front window had a large crack down its left side but it was beautiful because I could see what was behind the damage, what it was slowly becoming. “I know it isn't much.” Jacob began. “Not much? Have you seen the car I drive?” I joked lightly. Jacob laughed and added warmly, “The truck suits you.” I smiled, “It suits you too.” I said, staring at the car.

“Yea, well.” Jacob said opening up the hood. “Once it's fixed it'll run real smoothly. I'm already working on putting in the new engine now and once I'm done with the insides Embry'll help me paint it.” His eyes sparkled as he talked about the car and I could tell that he would genuinely be happy working long hours if it meant he could see his hard work in action sooner then later. “So this is what I'll be supervising huh?” I asked, though it was more of a statement then a question. “Oh yeah,” Jacob said happily, as he reached for a wrench and began tinkering under the hood. “And trust me Bella, the hours will be long and the work will be harder. You'll have to…” he paused, reaching for another tool beside him. “Give up a lot of your free time.” He seemed to come up with a better idea and added. “Actually, you should be here during all of your free time.”

I frowned at that requirement but didn't complain. He had no idea when I was or wasn't free, and though I'd probably be free more often then not I decided instantly that I wouldn't dedicate as much time as I could to him, no matter how interested I was in the project or how friendly Jacob seemed. “Hey, you okay?” Jacob asked peaking out of the cars hood worriedly. “Yea I'm fine.” I smiled, and then I stopped, realizing that wasn't completely true. “Actually I'm pretty tired. And I lost my ride home thanks to you.”

Jacob closed the cars hood. “Am I not a good enough chaperon for you?” he frowned playfully, pretending to be hurt. “You'd be an even better one if you were old enough to drive.” I said quietly, hoping he wouldn't take offense. “But I am old enough remember?” He smiled charmingly as he wiped off the little grease he had on his hands. “You just gave me another year tonight!” I frowned in realization. “But Jacob it isn't real.” He walked to the door, probably expecting me to follow but I sat still not willing to go anywhere with a license-less driver. He turned around, staring at me seriously. “Come on Bella I might not have a license but it isn't like I don't know how to drive. I've driven Billy around plenty of times and besides, its nighttime the roads are clear. I know what I'm doing.” I clung to the stool looking for an alternative. “Maybe I should just call Charlie, I'm sure he wouldn't mind.” Jacob sighed dramatically, walking over to me and grabbing my hand. “Come on Bella were leaving.”