New Moon

'Oh, well, if that's all…' I took the candy. But I was trying to think of some way to make the boundaries clear. Again. They seemed to get blurred a lot with Jacob.

'So, what are we doing tomorrow? Hiking, or the ER?'

'Hiking,' I decided. 'You're not the only one who can be obsessive. I'm starting to think I imagined that place…' I frowned into space.

'We'll find it,' he assured me. 'Bikes Friday?' he offered.

I saw a chance and took it without taking time to think it through.

'I'm going to a movie Friday. I've been promising my cafeteria crowd that I would go out forever.' Mike would be pleased.

But Jacob's face fell. I caught the expression in his dark eyes before he dropped them to look at the ground.

'You'll come too, right?' I added quickly. 'Or will it be too much of a drag with a bunch of boring seniors?' So much for my chance to put some distance between us. I couldn't stand hurting Jacob; we seemed to be connected in an odd way, and his pain set off little stabs of my own. Also, the idea of having his company for the ordeal—I had promised Mike, but really didn't feel any enthusiasm at the thought of following through—was just too tempting.

'You'd like me to come, with your friends there?'

'Yes,' I admitted honestly, knowing as I continued that I was probably shooting myself in the foot with my words. 'I'll have a lot more fun if you're there. Bring Quil, and we'll make it a party.'

'Quil's gonna freak. Senior girls.' He chortled and rolled his eyes. I didn't mention Embry, and neither did he. I laughed, too. 'I'll try to get hin a good selection.'

I broached the subject with Mike in English.

'Hey, Mike,' I said when class was over. 'Are you free Friday night?'

He looked up, his blue eyes instantly hopeful. 'Yeah, I am. You want to go out?'

I worded my reply carefully. 'I was thinking about getting a group'—I emphasized the word—'together to go see Crosshairs.' I'd done my homework this time—even reading the movie spoilers to be sure I wouldn't be caught off guard. This movie was supposed to be a bloodbath from start to finish. I wasn't so recovered that I could stand to sit through a romance. 'Does that sound like fun?'

'Sure,' he agreed, visibly less eager.

'Cool.'

After a second, he perked back up to near his former excitement level. 'How about we get Angela and Ben? Or Eric and Katie?'

He was determined to make this some kind of double date, apparently.

'How about both?' I suggested 'And Jessica, too, of course. And Tyler and Conner, and maybe Lauren,' I tacked on grudgingly. I had promised Quil variety.

'Okay,' Mike muttered, foiled.

'And,' I continued, 'I've got a couple of friends from La Push I'm inviting. So it sounds like we'll need your Suburban if everyone comes.'

Mike's eyes narrowed in suspicion.

'These are the friends you spend all your time studying with now?'

'Yep, the very ones,' I answered cheerfully. 'Though you could look at it as tutoring—they're only sophomores.'

'Oh,' Mike said, surprised. After a second of thought, he smiled.

In the end, though, the Suburban wasn't necessary.

Jessica and Lauren claimed to be busy as soon as Mike let it slip that I was involved in the planning. Eric and Katie already had plans—it was their three-week anniversary or something. Lauren got to Tyler and Conner before Mike could, so those two were also busy. Even Quil was out—grounded for fighting at school. In the end, only Angela and Ben, and, of course Jacob, were able to go.

The diminished numbers didn't dampen Mike's anticipation, though. It was all he could talk about Friday.

'Are you sure you don't want to see Tomorrow and Forever instead?' he asked at lunch, naming the current romantic comedy that was ruling the box office. 'Rotten Tomatoes gave it a better review.'

'I want to see Crosshairs' I insisted. 'I'm in the mood for action. Bring on the blood and guts!'

'Okay.' Mike turned away, but not before I saw his maybe-she's-crazy-after-all expression.

When I got home from school, a very familiar car was parked in front of my house. Jacob was leaning against the hood, a huge grin lighting up his face.

'No way!' I shouted as I jumped out of the truck. 'You're done! I can't believe it! You finished the Rabbit!'

He beamed. 'Just last night. This is the maiden voyage.'

'Incredible.' I held my hand up for a high five.

He smacked his hand against mine, but left it there, twisting his fingers through mine. 'So do I get to drive tonight?'

'Definitely,' I said, and then I sighed.

'What's wrong?'

'I'm giving up—I can't top this one. So you win. You're oldest.'

He shrugged, unsurprised by my capitulation. 'Of course I am.'

Mike's Suburban chugged around the corner. I pulled my hand out of Jacob's, and he nude a face that I wasn't meant to see.

'I remember this guy,' he said in a low voice as Mike parked across the street. 'The one who thought you were his girlfriend. Is he still confused?'

I raised one eyebrow. 'Some people are hard to discourage.'

'Then again,' Jacob said thoughtfully, 'sometimes persistence pays off.'

'Most of the time it's just annoying, though.'

Mike got out of his car and crossed the road.

'Hey, Bella,' he greeted me, and then his eyes turned wary as he looked up at Jacob. I glanced briefly at Jacob, too, trying to be objective. He really didn't look like a sophomore at all. He was just so big—Mike's head barely cleared Jacob's shoulder; I didn't even want to think where I measured next to him—and then his face was older-looking than it used to be, even a month ago.

'Hey, Mike! Do you remember Jacob Black?'

'Not really.' Mike held out his hand.

'Old family friend,' Jacob introduced himself, shaking hands. They locked hands with more force than necessary. When their grip broke, Mike flexed his fingers.

I heard the phone ringing from the kitchen.

'I'd better get that—it might be Charlie,' I told them, and dashed inside.

It was Ben. Angela was sick with the stomach flu, and he didn't feel like coming without her. He apologized for bailing on us.

I walked slowly back to the waiting boys, shaking my head. I really hoped Angela would feel better soon, but I had to admit that I was selfishly upset by this development. Just the three of us, Mike and Jacob and me, together for the evening—this had worked out brilliantly, I thought with grim sarcasm.

It didn't seem like Jake and Mike had made any progress towards friendship in my absence. They were several yards apart, facing away from each other as they waited for me; Mike's expression was sullen, though Jacob's was cheerful as always.

'Ang is sick,' I told them glumly. 'She and Ben aren't coming.'

'I guess the flu is making another round. Austin and Conner were out today, too. Maybe we should do this another time,' Mike suggested.

Before I could agree, Jacob spoke.

'I'm still up for it. But if you'd rather to stay behind, Mike—'

'No, I'm coming,' Mike interrupted. 'I was just thinking of Angela and Ben. Let's go.' He started toward his