You Don't Have to Try So Hard (I Like You Just the Way You Are)

Summary: Because all everyone ever cared about was Bella's story, no one ever paid attention to mine.

Chapter Three: Why should you care, what they think of you, when you're all alone, by yourself, do you like you... Do you like you?

"If you're angry at a loved one, hug that person. And mean it. You may not want to hug - which is all the more reason to do so. It's hard to stay angry when someone shows they love you, and that's precisely what happens when we hug each other."
― Walter Anderson, The Confidence Course: Seven Steps to Self-Fulfillment

Lauren's alarm goes off at 5:30 and, for the first time since she got to high school, she hits dismiss. She wakes up at 8:00 and takes a basic shower.

She doesn't put on makeup, she doesn't try to style her short hair, and she doesn't even pay attention to what clothes she picks out of her drawer.

She eats waffles, fuck carbs! She even adds extra syrup and whip cream.

She drives herself to school, half an hour late, and dares her teacher to say something. People glance at her. But no one says anything and she's glad because she doesn't know what she would say.

After school, she sees Jacob again and, when he waves, she mouths "Fuck off,"

He gives her disapproving look and starts walking in her direction but she speed-walks to her car.

She really doesn't want to talk to him.

…..

"You're avoiding me?" he says, dryly and Lauren gives him a dirty look.

"Who told you where I live?" Lauren inquires, and Jacob rolls his eyes.

"It's a small town and my dad's friends with the chief of police. You do the math," Jacob states, "Can I come in?"

"No," was her instant reply.

"Ok, then we could talk out here,"

"Or I could close the door?"

"And I could yell from the porch and attract the attention of your neighbors,"

"My parents are home," she lies.

"Your parents are never home,"

Lauren huffs and moves to the side so he could come in. Jacob smirks and, as soon as the doors clothes, Lauren punches him in the face.

Jacob's head goes back, and she shakes out her hand.

"Good punch," he comments, rubbing his jaw.

"Thanks," she says and heads to the kitchen to get some ice for her hand.

"So, the reason I came over is because…"

"Because you have a hero complex and only feel good about yourself when you're saving self-destructive women?" Lauren finished, and Jacob chuckled.

"Maybe," he said, and Lauren wanted to punch him again.

"Why aren't you angry? I've insult you every time we talk and you always shrug it off. What's wrong with you?" Lauren asks.

"You don't really mean it," Jacob waves her off.

Lauren wishes she hadn't cut off her hair just so she could pull it out now.

"So, you look different," Jacob said, and Lauren looked down at her baggy, grey, Mickey Mouse shirt, and Minnie pajama pants.

"Yeah, what of it?"

"I notice you haven't been coming out with the rest of Bella's friends lately and I was worried about you?"

"Why? Because in a minor moment of weakness I confessed to being a little insecure. I'm fine. I don't need you!"

"I know," Jacob butted in, "that's why I'm here. Because you need someone."

"Not you,"

"Why not me? I'm here and I want to help."

"I'm not pathetic like Bella. I don't need your pity!" Lauren spits, and Jacob rubs his hand down his face.

"I can't win with you, can I?" Jacob asks.

"Nope," Lauren quips, "Now that we've established that, you can show yourself out,"

"Okay," Jacob says, turning to leave, and Lauren sighed in relief.

"Thank Go-" she's cut off when Jacob turned back around, placed his hand on her shoulders, "Wha…?"

Jacob pulls her into a tight hug, and Lauren stands there, her hands hanging limp at her sides. Jacob is warm and Lauren fights the urge to rest her head against him and cry. Her eyes narrow and she brings her arms up, as if to hug him, placing her hands on his shoulders to brace herself…before bringing up her leg and kneeing him in the balls.

Jacob lets her go with a pained yelp, and Lauren glares at him, hands on her hips.

"Fucking moron!" she hisses, and Jacob let out a strained laugh.

"You got them good," he chokes out and Lauren rolls her eyes.

"Masochist," she mutters, before passing him her bag of ice, from where she'd sat it on the counter.

"Thanks," Jacob says, holding the ice to his injured area.

"It was my pleasure," Laruen said, rubbing her temples, "Look; can we just go back to when you wouldn't so much as glance in my direction?"

Jacob shakes his head.

"I don't think I can," he admitted, and Lauren sighs.

"I can't do this right now," she says, flatly, and Jacob looks confused.

"Do what?" he asks.

"Whatever this is," she growls, "All the talking and now the hugging. I'm sick of it, okay?"

Jacob stares at her, and then chuckles.

"Okay, well then I guess I better go," he says, and before she could say anything, he gives her another hug, and then jumps back before she can knee him in the balls again. "Later, Lauren,"

Lauren slams the door behind him, and leans with her back against it.

What was he thinking hugging her like that? Was he crazy?

The next time she sees Jacob Black she's going to punch him in his stupid face.

But if she goes to sleep with a smile on her face that's nobody has to know