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THREE; CHINESE RESTAURANTS

"MAYBE HE'S PLAYING hard to get," Angela suggested as she collapsed next to Imogen on her bed.

Imogen rolled her eyes. "I doubt it. You should see the way he looks at Bella. It's like he's so in love with her, but I know how much she loves Edward. The love for him will never surpass her love for Jake."

"There's hope in that statement," Angela teased as she brought her backpack over to where the two were laying. "He'll realize soon enough, Im. Plus, you're too pretty to be chasing around ignorant sophomores anyway."

Imogen giggled at the comment, but her grin faded when she saw Angela pulling up assignments. "Wait, are we actually studying? I thought we were going to bitch about our love lives."

"Well, that's a second priority. The first is getting through this year and moving on with our lives."

Imogen sighed at the thought. It would be the last time she would have to deal with deadlines and stress-filled homework at Forks High, and she couldn't decide if she was going to miss it or leave it behind her.

Once Angela began explaining theories of physics, Imogen slammed the palm of her hand on her forehead. Yes, leave it behind — that was truly the right answer.

"You missed what Conner was saying after school today," Angela said, although there's a hint of a smirk gracing her lips. Imogen rolled her eyes at thought of Conner. He had been a menace to Imogen ever since her arrival in the group. During lunch, he liked to bug her by throwing parts of his food at her face or her hair. He had more than once taken a cheerleader's uniform from the lockers to give to Imogen because he insisted she would look drop dead gorgeous in it.

Imogen knew the last part of that statement was wholly true, but she didn't need the blatant reminder.

"What was he talking about this time? I swear, there's nothing in that small head of his."

"I think it's kind of cute the way he chases after you," Angela smiled innocently.

Imogen raised an eyebrow mockingly. "You know we're talking about Conner, right? The same Conner who asked Lauren to prom and is giving Bella the complete cold shoulder right now?"

Angela shrugged, sitting up. "People change, Im."

"Not people like Conner or Lauren. They're the worst, I'm telling you," she huffed at the mention of the two people. "I don't even know why I still put up with them everyday. Lauren's voice is like a stinging noise in my ears."

"You still hang out with them because it's our last year together. Come on, you probably won't see me or Ben again after we head onto Washington State."

"Don't remind me, Ang," Imogen cried out in semi-fake horror, clutching onto her friend's arm desperately. "I can handle Ben leaving, but you? No way!"

Angela smiled at the girl's overdramatic nature. Even she had to admit that she would miss Imogen more than anything. Imogen was one of the people who Angela wholeheartedly loved. She wasn't a Jessica or Lauren — Imogen was such an easy person to love and get along with.

"So you're not going to miss my boyfriend?"

"I mean, Ben's great and all and hey, Asians have to stick together-"

"Alright, alright. Enough judging my boyfriend," Angela laughed, suddenly throwing all work aside. "Let's talk more about this Jacob guy."

Imogen groaned. "Why not Ben? Ben and his graphic novels! Ben and his excruciatingly painful amount to detail about action movies! Ben, Ben, Ben! When have you ever not wanted to talk about him, Ang?" She shook the girl's body, attempting to coax her into changing the subject.

Imogen did not want to think about Jacob Black at this current moment. He was probably hanging out with Bella now, drool escaping the side of his mouth because he was so enraptured by what Bella was saying.

And no, she was not jealous.

"Ever since I found out that you have a crush on someone! You may not admit it to yourself, Im, but I haven't seen you act this way since-"

"Since the Eric Yorkie homecoming incident, I know, I know. To be fair, Jake is way cuter than Eric. He's incredibly built too. There's no way he's younger than me, Ang. I bet he's undercover for something at the police station!"

Angela snorted at Imogen's theory. "So what? Charlie hired Jacob to flirt with his daughter and fix up some motorcycles?"

Imogen tapped her chin. "Yeah, maybe you're right. I still demand an explanation as to why he could beat up every guy on the Forks' football team without hesitation."

Speaking of the devil, Imogen's phone rang loudly throughout the room. Her ringtone echoed for a bit while Imogen and Angela stared at each other with wide eyes. They could both clearly see Jacob's name flashing across the screen.

Angela was the first to act — grabbing Imogen's phone, answering the call, and pressing it to Imogen's ear.

"Hey, Imogen."

Jacob's voice sounded so sweet in her ear. She had to calm herself down for a second, unsure of what to say to him.

"Imogen, you there?"

"Yeah," she coughed. "Sorry. What's up?"

From beside her, Angela is jumping up and down on her bed with joy. "I realized how selfish I was today when you weren't there with Bella and I. You should've totally joined us today, Imogen." Jacob's voice sounded sincere and guilty, but Imogen didn't really want to hear his apology.

"No, Jake, it's fine. I know you needed some time with Bella so you could make your move," she chuckled dryly.

"That's not important, Imogen. Really though, I apologize for being such an ass."

"Really, Jake, I don't mind."

"Can I make it up to you? Do you want to grab lunch with me tomorrow at Port Angeles?"

Imogen paused, glancing back at Angela. Her friend is practically glowing, dying to know what Jacob was saying from the other line.

"I would love to."

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"This place is adorable. How did you manage to find a restaurant like this?"

"Chinese restaurants aren't uncommon, Imogen."

"Yes, but they aren't usually as cute as this one."

Imogen marveled at the scenery around her. The small Chinese restaurant was decorated with lanterns and all sorts of the color red, dragons popping up here and there. When Jacob said he would be introducing her to a new restaurant that just opened up in Port Angeles, she didn't think it would become her new favorite place to eat. Imogen also found it quite cute that there were pictures of families lined up against the wall, indicating that the business was kept close.

"Hi, party of two?" A woman asked, approaching them.

Jacob flashed his signature smile. "Yes, please."

The pair are seated in a booth in the back. Imogen was still glancing around her, smiling at how pretty everything was. Jacob stared at her with pure adoration. He had never seen someone so fascinated by something so simple.

"So, how's progress with Bella?" Imogen hummed lowly under her breath once she took her eyes off of the scenery and glanced at her menu.

"Good as it can be, I guess," Jacob shrugged. He would normally love to talk about Bella nonstop but with Imogen sitting in front of him, the topic felt bland to him. "How are you? How's your last year of high school coming along?"

"It's going okay," she responded. "I just wish that teachers would assign less homework and more fun, but I understand. They're just trying to prepare us for college."

"As good as Forks High can."

"Hey, you're just extremely biased to La Push."

"We are better, Imogen. Don't even try to deny it," he smirked. She rolled her eyes. "Imagine how heartbroken Quil would be if I told him you didn't want to live in close proximity to him."

She grinned. "Who said I didn't? All I said was that you're biased to La Push High, while I'm strictly Forks. It would be nice to live near Quil, though," she teased.

Jacob chuckled. "He'll be thrilled once I tell him you said that."

     "You should've just brought him along," she stated as the waitress approached with two glasses of water. "I'm sure he would've been nice company today."

"It's sort of sad how you completely remove Embry and I from the equation." Jacob's mood seemed to darken at the mention of Embry, but she shrugged it off.

"What can I say? Quil's got me hooked," Imogen continued to tease, eyelashes fluttering at him. Jacob thought she was going to be the death of him. All remnants of Bella had completely vanished from his memory, which was an odd image to picture. Usually, his whole life revolved around Bella.

"What would you like to order?" A different waiter approached. His expression suddenly changed when his eyes landed on Imogen. "Im! What brings you here today?"

Jacob raised an eyebrow. "I thought you said you've never been here before."

"Imogen works at the small Chinese restaurant in Forks," the waiter explained. "The owners of both of these restaurants are friends."

"Our restaurant isn't as cute," Imogen whispered. The waiter laughed.

"Yeah, we spend a lot of money on decorating. Well, it's nice to see you, Im. What do you want to order?"

Jacob interrupted, ordering for the both of them. He also handed the waiter his credit card, and Imogen's eyes widened at the sudden gesture. "And put everything on here."

"Jake-"

"Don't worry," he winked. "It's my dad's card. Couldn't take you out and let you pay, could I?"

"Uh, yeah, you actually could. I'm more than capable of paying for my own meal." She raised an eyebrow, challenging his motives.

"Oh, trust me. I know," he chuckled.

The waiter tipped his head at both of them. "Your food will be out in a moment. Say hello to your sister for me, Im."

Jacob could see Imogen's body visibly tense at the mention of her older sibling. She offered the waiter a fake smile. "Sure, of course."

A few moments pass while the waiter walked back to the kitchen. Jacob finally decided to ask the question that was leering in the back of his mind. "Do you not like your sister very much?" He felt as if he was prying into something very personal about Imogen. After all, he didn't know much about the girl.

She hummed quietly. "It's not that I don't like her, she's amazing. She really is a great sister when she comes to visit, but I always hate being in her shadow. My parents treat her as if she's already conquered the world and I can never measure up to what she's accomplished."

Jacob wished he could relate to her problems, but he didn't understand. He was usually praised because he was the only son in the family, and Rachel and Rebecca were never in La Push because the town reminded them of their late mother.

"I'm sorry. If it's any consolation, I don't know your sister, but I can tell you that you're better than her. You're better than everyone in this town, Imogen."

She chuckled, feeling bashful by the sudden attention. Imogen never liked to talk about such personal things because she felt that it was her problem, not anyone else's. She wanted to deal with everything herself instead of pouring out her feelings to others.

"When did this conversation turn so sappy?"

He grinned. "Hey, come on. You know you can tell me anything, right? We may not be super close but I'll always be here if you need me."

She felt her heart flutter at the words. Jacob Black had easily turned her into putty in his hands.

"I'm holding you to that."

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"Conner, I swear-"

"You shouldn't be swearing, Imogen. The principal might call you into his office," the boy laughed, dangling Imogen's backpack over her head. Considering that the boy was remarkably taller than her, she was having quite the struggle.

"Imogen?"

The girl paused at Bella's small voice. Although Bella had reconnected with her friend group once again, she and Imogen didn't really spend time alone together. The only connection holding them close was Jacob, who spent hours after school working with Bella and weekends having lunch with Imogen. However, Bella didn't know of Jacob and Imogen's usual weekend lunch in Port Angeles.

"Yeah?"

"Uh, can you come with me outside for a second?"

"I don't think you can take her, Bella," Conner interrupted their conversation. Imogen bit on her bottom lip, trying to prevent herself from committing a murder in front of the school. "You see, Imogen's my Valentine's Day date. We have to be glued to each other's sides."

"Just because you bought me roses does not mean that we're together," Imogen hissed at him. Once his attention was diverted elsewhere, she snatched her backpack from his hands. She grumbled lowly at him before following Bella outside.

She stopped in her tracks when she saw Jacob standing there, holding a bouquet of sunflowers.

"Jake?"

"Hey," he stuttered, standing straight. He was clearly nervous, and Imogen ignored Bella's curious gaze at the two. "Sorry. I just wanted to give you these."

Imogen was already carrying two other bouquets of flowers in her hands, courtesy of Conner and Eric. The latter thought it would be funny to get the girl he used to chase after flowers on Valentine's Day, but Katie Marshall did not take the gift too lightly.

"Thank you," she blushed, taking them from Jacob's hands. "Can I ask what it's for?"

"Valentine's Day," he pointed out obviously. "I saw them at the store and thought of you. I hope that's okay."

Imogen's smile was sparkling. "That's wonderful."

Jacob stole an awkward glance at Bella, who fidgeted uncomfortably in front of the two. She was still quite affected by couples, only reminding her of Edward.

"We still on for Saturday?"

"Maybe. I might be too tired, though — we're going to watch a movie on Friday," Imogen mentioned, acknowledging Bella in the conversation.

"Yeah," Bella nodded. "I probably can't work on the bikes either."

Jacob was disheartened, and he didn't bother to cover it up. "You should come," Imogen said, still smiling. "Bring Quil too, just for fun."

Jacob chuckled. "You sure you want me there?"

"Of course!" Imogen said just as Bella muttered, "Sure."

There was a glimmer in Jacob's eyes. "It's a date, then."

fun fact: imogen is exactly like me and everything i'm writing about her is actually characteristics of myself!!