The Date
I was over at Bella and Edward's cottage place waiting impatiently to see Renesme, and raiding the fridge for anything still in date. Reneseme was supposed to be home from school by now and was half an hour late.
"I'm getting worried." Bella said anxiously, glancing out the little curtained window. "Jacob, call her cell again."
"I called it exactly two minutes ago." I said, finding an old peanut butter pie at the back of the fridge and carrying it into the little family room to talk to Bella. Edward came in then, an irritated expression on his face.
"She's back." He stated disgustedly.
"Why the tone?" I asked thickly through a mouth full of pie. Edward shook his head and sat down on the couch next to me.
"She's been at the school for half an hour talking to that-what's his name? Ryan? Simpson?" he grumbled and then Renesme bustled in, looking the picture of happiness.
"Why didn't you answer the damn phone?" I barked, spraying bits of pie everywhere. Renesme smirked and shook her head at me. I put my fork down and stared her in the eye so I'd look serious, concentrating only on her.
"I still had it turned off for class, you slob." She said with a laugh. Edward sniggered at me then he and Bella left the room. Probably going to get in on, I thought with a disgusted shiver.
"We were worried, Renesme." I said, sounding more like her father than her best friend. She rolled her eyes and sat down beside me, picking up the fork and helping herself to my pie.
"Guess what?" she chimed happily. I smiled reluctantly, unable to stay upset with her for long.
"What?"
"I've got a date with Ryan Simpson this weekend!" She squealed. My smile vanished instantly. "I can't wait! We're going to see that new action movie-I'm not too excited about that. I'd rather see something more meaningful. But as long as it's with Ryan…" she stopped abruptly when she saw my dejected expression. "What's the matter? I thought you'd be happy…" I sighed and gave a half hearted smile.
"I am happy for you." I lied.
"You don't look like you are." She accused, setting the empty pie pan on the end table. "What's wrong, Jake?" Renesme put her hands to my cheeks, showing me the sadness on my face. I could smell the sweet scent of her skin and feel the cool touch of her hands on my face, sending me into a peaceful state. I sighed.
"I'm sorry-I just want you… To be safe and with someone who really cares for you." I stammered. I sat back and felt a heavy weight on my shoulders. I knew I had to tell Renesme about our connection and soon. Nobody had before because we all wanted her to live a normal life as long as she could without worrying about commitment until it was necessary. The only problem with our decision was that we were left to monitor her relationships with boys, making sure they didn't get too serious or 'involved'. This was always tough for me and turned me into a nervous wreck.
"We are just going out on a date." She consoled. "There aren't any real emotions involved yet."
"Yet?"
"Well I kind of hope we'll hit it off!" she said in exasperation.
"I wasn't only talking about emotional hurt-Do you even know this guy well?" I inquired, looking her straight in the eyes and feeling my stomach turn to jell-o, seeing how lovely they were. "What's his reputation? Is he a player? Does he smoke or drink or have a tattoo-"
"Jake!" Renesme interrupted, covering my mouth with her soft hand. I swallowed hard, noticing how very beautiful she was… She giggled and shook her head at me again, causing her curls to bounce.
"He's on the football team," she began, wrapping her arms around my neck; I couldn't breathe suddenly. "He doesn't smoke or do drugs or drink." Since she was touching me, I saw the picture of doubt about the drinking issue in her mind. "He's had a few girlfriends," I saw their many faces flash across her mind. "But I can change that."
"I don't see what's so great about him…" I pouted. She laughed.
"You sound like you're jealous." She teased. I was but she couldn't know that yet. To her I was just a really cool friend whom she never got tired of. Would she ever see me as more?
"Why don't you tell him you'd rather watch a different movie?" I asked after a moment, catching her off guard.
"Uh, well…I want to start off on good terms. It's okay…" She said, now resting her head on my shoulder.
"If he had any manners, he'd have asked you, the lady, what you wanted to see." I said, matter-o-fact. She seemed to think on my statement for a moment, and then she shrugged. "Don't let him choose or pick everything because you want him to like you. Have a say so."
"Jake," she said sitting up and playing with her necklace. "You used to be so-happy and easy going. You've become kind of serious lately. Especially when it comes to who I date." What she said stung my heart.
"You don't think I'm fun anymore?" I said, the hurt in my heart coming out in my voice.
"Yeah you're fun!" she said quickly, seeing my sorrowful face. "It's just you've been different lately. That's all Jacob." She nuzzled my cheek with hers. "Daddy's afraid of losing his little girl and you're afraid of losing your best friend." I sighed, thinking I was losing the love of my life.
"I guess so." I said. Let her think that.
"You'll always be my Jacob." She whispered. I felt a lump in my throat but swallowed it quickly.