Ness' Comet

Ch 14: Cheering Up

I was laying on my bed, reading Wuthering Heights for the millionth time. It was Bella's old tattered copy and for some reason it held sentimental value for me (even if I was annoyed with her at the moment). I kept thinking about the conversation I'd had with my parents, replaying it over and over again in my mind. Suddenly, I heard a knock at the door.

"Come in," I called, my tone emotionless. I didn't even look up from my book, expecting it to be either Edward or Bella, but to my surprise what I heard was, "Hey Ness."

I immediately sat up. "Jacob?"

"Yeah. I heard you and your parents got into it. What was it this time?" he asked, trying to seem cheerful. I knew what he was doing and I appreciated it, but I wasn't sure if he was the person I wanted to talk to at the moment.
I sighed, deciding it was better to resign myself to the fact that Jacob was here and ready to talk to me. I figured I would only make things worse if I acted strangely or anxiously.

"It's nothing. They're always in my business and it's tiresome to say the least."

Jacob laughed. "Yeah, I know what that's like. I'm sorry you feel so crappy Ness. You wanna go do something?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Like what?" I asked.
Jacob shrugged. "I could drive us over to the Diner and get some ice cream in town. I think it's still open," he suggested hopefully. "It's at least something to do."

The proposition was tempting. I needed to get out of the house for a bit, and even though I felt a little weird going with Jacob alone, I decided it was better than being here after fighting with my parents.

I nodded. "Alright."

Jacob and I poked out heads into the living room where Bella and Edward were lounging, sitting beside each other holding hands. I rolled my eyes. They were so in love it was disgusting. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy whenever I saw my parents so happy together. I always felt like I would never have something like that. I was the product of something great, but the product never gets their own something great. That would be greedy to expect from the universe.     

"Ness and I are going out for ice cream," said Jacob.

Bella and Edward exchanged weird looks with each other before nodding in understanding. It would have been ridiculous for them to expect that Jacob would ask permission to take me anywhere anymore. I knew what that look was about though, but it visibly confused Jacob before he decided to shrug it off.

We walked out of the house and into the garage where all the cars the rest of the Cullen's didn't take with them stayed, and Jacob's motorcycle.

"Can we take the motorcycle?!" I begged, suddenly and unexpectedly enthusiastic. Jacob hadn't taken me on the motorcycle in a long time. Not since he got in trouble with Edward for doing so.

Jacob laughed. "As much as I would love to do that for you, I think we shouldn't push your parents any further tonight. You know how protective your dad gets and he hates the motorcycle. The fact that it's also raining buckets right now won't make him any warmer to the idea."

I sighed. "Yeah you're right. Let's just take the Volvo then."

Jacob looked very saddened by my being unhappy about the motorcycle. "I'm really sorry Ness. I promise I'll take you sometime this week."

I gave him an encouraging smile, trying to assure him that it was really okay that we couldn't take the motorcycle. "Thank you Jake."

He returned my smile, satisfied with my answer. I knew Jacob wouldn't rest until he was assured that I was content with something. It always looked like it broke his heart whenever he had to refuse me anything. I'd never thought about it much in the past, but lately I was seriously noticing all of the wonderful things Jacob had done for me over the years.

We hopped in the car and Jacob turned on the ignition. As we drove down the woodsy pathway that led to and from the Cullen house, I cranked the heat up in the car. I didn't usually get cold very easily, being part vampire and all. But, something sent a sudden chill through me and I needed the warmth.

"You okay?" Jacob inquired, his eyes full of genuine concern.

I nodded. "It's fine. I promise. I was just thinking."

"About what?" he asked casually, trying to make conversation. Jacob was never the type to pry at my business for the sake of his own curiosity.

I tried to think of something to say that wouldn't sound weird. "Um, learning to drive. It's getting kind of troublesome and embarrassing having to be dropped off and picked up everyday like a little kid. Especially when we have so many cars in the garage already."

Jacob chuckled. "Yeah, I see your point. You're growing up, kid. I'm so happy for you."

This caused me to blush. I felt an odd twinge of pain when Jacob said the word "kid" to me. I wasn't a kid. Not anymore. I had known Jacob my whole life, and I knew it was a long shot, but I didn't want him to see me as a little kid. I knew I was being a bit ridiculous with how upset I was by the offhand comment. It was only a term of endearment, and as far as Jacob knew, I only ever saw him as a big brother or a friend. How could he have ever thought I would feel anything else towards him? I honestly questioned how I could think that I had any other feelings towards him!

"Thanks Jake," I offered.

"I could teach you to drive if you want. I'm probably the best person. Vampires aren't the greatest at teaching human driving," Jacob joked.

I giggled. He was right. Both my parents drove like lunatics. It was a vampire thing.

"Okay," I said without thinking. I immediately regretted it. This would put a serious dent in my plans to avoid him (so I could also avoid confronting my feelings.)

Jacob's face lit up, like I had just made his whole year. I was sure this was because I'd agreed to spend time with him after being cold towards him for a week. As my parents confirmed, he was getting worried, and I had eased him.

"Cool!" Jacob exclaimed. "We'll work on it this weekend since you're in school most of the week."

I nodded in agreement, trying to hide my trepidation. I felt a strange and unfamiliar mix of emotions flooding me all at once. It was excitement, fear, anxiety, guilt, and good old fashioned happiness.