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TWO; A NEW FRIENDSHIP

     "AM I HERE EARLY?" Imogen asks tentatively as she stands underneath Jacob's doorstep, bag slung over her shoulder.

     Jacob's eyes brighten at the sight of her, which caused Imogen to flush a deep shade of red. Bella told her they'd be visiting Jacob again today, and Imogen insisted on driving over herself, secretly hoping that she could stay later again.

     "Technically, yes. For you, I'll make an exception," he grins back, enjoying how flustered she got when she was embarrassed.

     "Opposed to what? Standing out here until Bella comes?" Imogen shoots back, a smile tempting to rise upon her lips.

     He pretends to linger over the idea, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "You know, that doesn't sound so bad." He starts to close the door before Imogen is prying it open, pushing at his chest playfully.

     "Jacob! Who's at the door?"

     Jacob, through a fitful of laughs over Imogen's behavior, shouts back at his father. "It's just Imogen, dad!" He then leaned down to whisper something to her, causing her cheeks to blush again. "Bella's dad called my dad up to go watch a game at Bella's house. Harry Clearwater is coming by to pick him up any second."

     Someone cleared their throat, and Imogen and Jacob turned to see Bella standing in front of them, drenched from head to toe because of the rain. The pair blushed when they realized how close they seemed in Bella's eyes, and the girl raised an inquisitive eyebrow.

     "Hey, Bella," Jacob chuckles. "Good call on inviting Billy up."

     The two exchange a high five before Bella steps inside. Imogen avoids her gaze, feeling awkward that Bella caught her and Jacob in an intimate moment.

     There's a brief moment of silence, and Jacob closes the front door. "How about we take a tour of my room until Harry comes to pick up Billy?"

     "Sounds good," Imogen smiles shyly up at him.

     Jacob's room was quite small, but it was expected due to the size of the house. Imogen liked how quaint and personal the room felt. Jacob explains the features of his room before they hear Billy shouting his goodbyes and the front door closing.

     "So where to, Mr. Goodwrench?" Bella asks.

     "Yeah. Will Quil and Embry be making an appearance today?" Imogen teases, knowing how annoyed Jacob was yesterday over Quil's flirty persona.

     Jacob rolls his eyes and pulls out a piece of paper from his pocket. "We'll start at the dump first, see if we can get lucky. This could get a little expensive," he warned the two girls. "Those bikes are going to need a lot of help before they'll run again. I'm talking about maybe more than a hundred dollars here."

     Imogen's eyes widen, but Bella just pulls her checkbook out, fanning herself with it. "We're covered."

     Jacob wasn't joking when they said they would start at the dump. Bella drove both Imogen and Jacob in her truck, and the three had to squeeze together to fit in the front. When they arrived at the dump, Bella and Jacob decided to head out and sift through piles of trash in the rain and mud. Imogen chose to watch them from the driver's seat of Bella's truck, laughing whenever Jacob would almost fall and blushing when he glanced back to glare at her.

     Next, they wanted to head down to Checker Auto Parts in Hoquiam. It was a two hour drive, but Imogen didn't even notice how long the drive was when she was with Jacob and Bella. Jacob chatted about his life at school and outside experiences, such as Quil trying to ask out a girl who was already with a senior.

     "I'm doing all the talking," he groaned after a while. "Why don't you guys take a turn? What's going on in Forks? It has to be more exciting than La Push."

     "Wrong," Bella sighed. "There's really nothing. Your friends are a lot more interesting than mine."

     "Yeah," Imogen chimed, agreeing. "Quil sounds really funny and I like all of the stories about him."

     Jacob glances at her, frown clearly visible on his face. "I think Quil likes you, too."

     "I think Quil's a little young for Imogen," Bella chuckles. Imogen nods in agreement.

     Jacob's frown deepened. "He's not that much younger than you. It's just a year and a few months."

     The conversation eventually leads them to debating over their mental age. They continued the light argument until they came back to La Push. By the end of the drive, Bella was twenty-three, Jacob was thirty, and Imogen was twenty-one. She was clearly disappointed by her age, but Jacob teased her further by saying she wasn't even confident enough to step into the mud with him and Bella.

     Luckily, since Billy was gone, the trio didn't have to sneak around with their parts or bikes anymore. Imogen was slightly disappointed when she realized that Quil and Embry really weren't coming around the garage. She would never tell Jacob, but she actually found them both really entertaining.

     Jacob still continued to work on the bikes as Bella and Imogen watched. "Are you excited for your senior year, Jacob?" Imogen questions. "I actually feel really upset about leaving Forks."

     "Really?" Jacob laughs, shooting her a look. "I pegged you as the kind of girl who wants to get as far away from here as possible."

     "Well, that's partly true. Still, I grew up here and leaving home will be extremely hard," Imogen muses.

     "You know the community college is around the corner, right?"

     "Are you just saying that because you want me to be closer to you? Or even better, Quil?" She raises an eyebrow, and Jacob catches the mischievous glint in her eyes.

     Bella's eyes shift around, feeling a little weird about Imogen and Jacob's sudden friendship.

     "You know what? I should tell Quil to ask you out on a date and you can judge how much you like him after that."

     "Bet I'll like him more than I like you," she challenges.

     Jacob grins. "Impossible."

     And deep down, Imogen knew it was true. She barely knew Jacob, but she had a feeling that they would be in each other's lives with or without Bella.

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     "Are you sure Ben's alright, Angela? I don't mind you ditching if you want to take care of him."

     "It's really fine, Im. It's a stomach flu, and I'm sure it'll pass," Angela persists, even though Imogen can see the worry reflecting in her eyes.

     Imogen hisses when Conner begins throwing pieces of his salad at her, and she counters by lunging for him across the table. Mike snickers at her actions and she sticks her tongue out at him.

     It seems like Imogen is the only one who notices Bella taking a seat next to Mike instead of sitting at the Cullens' old table.

     "You should come cheer us on at a game, Imogen," Conner suggests, waggling his eyebrows. She could already see what he was implying. "You'd look super cute in one of those short skirts."

     "And you'd look super attractive once my fist connects with your face."

     "What did you two do this weekend?" Jessica asks Angela about her and Ben. She completely ignores Bella, and Imogen's eyes narrow at her blatant rudeness.

     "We were going to have a picnic Saturday, actually, but we changed our minds," Angela said. There was an edge to her voice, pushing the conversation further.

     Jessica didn't notice. "That's too bad."

     "What happened?" Lauren questioned, curiosity laced in her voice.

     "Well," Angela began tentatively. "We drove up north, almost to the hot springs — there's a good spot just about a mile up the trail. But, when we were halfway there, we saw something."

     "Saw something? What?" Lauren continued to press. Even Imogen was on the edge of her seat, despite sitting right next to Angela. She felt like she was at a bonfire and Angela was just about to tell the first scary story of the night.

     "I don't know," Angela responded to Lauren's question. "We think it was a bear. It was black, anyway, but it seemed too big."

     Lauren snorted. "Oh, not you, too!"

     It sounded as if she was mocking Angela, as per usual. Imogen rolled her eyes at Lauren's behavior. Bella obviously didn't miss much of her when she left the group.

     "Tyler tried to sell me that one last week."

     "You're not going to see any bears that close to the resort," Jessica said, taking Lauren's side.

     "Really," Angela argued, defending herself. "We did see it."

     "No, she's right," Bella interrupted. "We had a hiker in just Saturday who saw the bear, too, Angela. He said it was huge and black and just outside of town, didn't he, Mike?"

     Everyone was shocked at Bella's words, surprised she decided to speak. It had to be months since the whole group last heard her engage in a conversation with them.

     "Mike?" Bella repeated, diverting her attention to the blonde. "Remember the guy with the bear story?"

     "Sure," Mike said after a brief pause. He was confused at Bella's sudden change of behavior, but Imogen knew it was partly because of their sessions in Jacob's garage. "Yeah, there was a guy who said he saw a huge black bear right at the trailhead — bigger than a grizzly."

     Lauren still refused to believe the claim, turning back to Jessica. "Did you hear back from USC?"

     The rest of the group tried to act like they weren't just staring, except for Mike, Imogen, and Angela. Both Angela and Imogen smiled at Bella, glad to have her back in the group again. Imogen was thrilled to see Bella back up on her feet and interacting with her old friends. Although, she guessed that Bella didn't really miss Lauren.

     "So, what did you do this weekend, Bella?" Mike asked. He wasn't being very nonchalant with his curiosity. Everyone's attention was once again brought back to Bella, except for Lauren.

     "Friday night, Jessica and I went to a movie in Port Angeles. And then I spent Saturday afternoon and most of Sunday down at La Push with Imogen."

     Then, every pair of eyes were flickering from Jessica to Imogen. Imogen didn't mind everyone knowing her and Bella were hanging out again, but Jessica seemed irritated by Bella's confession. Imogen rolled her eyes at how dramatic she was.

     "What movie did you see?" Mike asked, ignoring Jessica's heated glare.

     "Dead End — the one with the zombies." Bella added a grin with her statement.

     "I heard that was scary. Did you think so?"

     "Bella had to leave at the end, she was so freaked," Jessica finally spoke about the event. Lauren looked slightly displeased.

     Bella was embarrassed. "It was pretty scary."

     Mike continued to pester Bella with questions, interested in what she had been up to since they last talked to her. Halfway through lunch, Imogen received a text from Jacob, which stated how bored he was in class.

     She rolled her eyes at him, a smile creeping on her lips.

     "Who's that?" Angela inquired.

     Imogen was quick to shove her phone back into her pocket. "Nobody. Why?"

     Angela snickered playfully. "Because you're blushing like you did when Eric took you to your first homecoming here."

     Imogen sighs at the mention of her first dance. Going with Eric Yorkie was definitely not a good idea and the night did not end like she was expecting it to. Thankfully, Eric was with Katie Marshall now and all qualms were long forgotten.

     "It's just a friend of mine."

     Angela hummed. "Sure it is."

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     "Early again? I'm starting to think that you're trying to spend extra time with me."

     Imogen was greeted by Jacob's lazy smirk. She chuckled dryly, refusing to tell him how much his expression actually had an effect on her.

     "I'm only ten minutes early, Jake. Don't get too excited."

     "Yeah, but last time, you were only five minutes early," he clicks his tongue. "Ten minutes this time? I'm tempted to leave you out on the porch and wait for Bella."

     She chose to step inside and ignore Jacob's teasing. "What's going on with you and Bella anyways?" She asks carelessly, but her question seems to weigh more heavily on his mind.

     "Why would you assume that there's something going on?"

     "I'm not blind, Jake. I see the way you look at her," she tries to mock him, but her voice sounds more strained.

     His tone sounds upsetting in Imogen's ears. "She'd never go for me. Always telling me I'm too young, even though I'm just a few years younger than her."

     She shrugs. "Well, in high school, Jake, the difference between a senior and a sophomore is very obvious."

     He glares at her. "But when you look at me and Bella, could you ever tell there was an age difference?"

     She concedes. "Fine. I guess you're right, but Bella doesn't see it that way, you know? For some reason, age is really important to her."

     "Trust me, I know how much age really means to her. She won't even give me a chance."

     His words slightly sting Imogen for reasons unknown. She doesn't really understand why Jacob can't find someone different for him. He was an amazing guy — sweet to talk to, a patient listener, and very easy on the eyes. Bella was obviously a little blind. Edward was handsome, sure, but in Imogen's eyes, Jacob was clearly the better choice.

     "Maybe you should move on, Jake. You're still in high school, and I'm sure plenty of other girls are drooling over you." She places her hand over her heart dramatically, which makes Jacob laugh.

     "Let's just wait for Bella, yeah?"

     She nods, ignoring the feeling deep in her stomach. A relationship was something Imogen definitely did not need right now, especially with college approaching. She could not be distracted by Jacob and his spectacular muscles.

     When Bella arrives, she smiles at the sight of Jacob and Imogen waiting for her.

     "Hey, Jacob and Imogen," she greets, waving to Billy, who was by the window.

     "Let's get to work," Jacob says eagerly.

     Bella laughs. "You seriously aren't sick of me yet?"

     Jacob leads the both of them to the garage. "Nope. Not yet."

     "Actually, I'm a little irritated," Imogen jokes. Bella pushes her playfully.

     "Please let me know when I start getting on your nerves. I don't want to be a pain," Bella requests to Jacob.

     "Okay." He laughs at her. "I wouldn't hold your breath for that, though."

     Imogen ignores the harsh pain in her chest when she speaks the words. When the three make it to the garage, both girls are surprised to see the old piece of scrap metal is now a beautiful motorcycle.

     "Jake, you're amazing," Bella whispers.

     "Seriously, I can't believe you fixed it up so well," Imogen adds.

     "I get obsessive when I have a project." He shrugs. "If I had any brains I'd drag it out a little bit."

     "Why?"

     He takes a huge pause, looking like he was trying to compose what he was about to say. "Bella, if I told you that I couldn't fix these bikes, what would you say?"

     Bella doesn't respond immediately, and it makes Imogen worry that she's going to say something that would hurt Jacob. "I would say that's too bad, but I'll bet we could figure out something else to do. If we got really desperate, we could even do homework."

     Jacob smiles, and Imogen has to look away at his sunshine grin. "So you think you two will still come over when I'm done, then?"

     "Is that what you meant?" Bella shook her head. "I guess I am taking advantage of your very underpriced mechanical skills. But as long as you let me come over, I'll be here."

     "So will I," Imogen says, wondering if her opinion is even relevant in this conversation now.

     "Hoping to see Quil again?" Jacob laughs.

     "Obviously."

     "You really like spending time with me?" He looks like Bella had just gave him a winning lottery ticket.

     "Very, very much. And I'll prove it. I have to work tomorrow, but Wednesday we'll do something nonmechanical."

     "Like what?"

     "I have no idea. We can go to my place so you won't be tempted to be obsessive. You could bring your schoolwork — you have to be getting behind, because I know I am."

     "Homework might be a good idea." His facial expression indicated that he was slightly behind on schoolwork, and Imogen could see Bella was guilty over it.

     "Yes," Bella nods. "We'll have to start being responsible occasionally, or Billy and Charlie aren't going to be so easygoing about this."

     "Homework once a week?" He proposes to her. Imogen begins feeling smaller and smaller.

     "Maybe we'd better go with twice," Bella suggests. She turns to Imogen. "Would you like to tag along too, Imogen?"

     Imogen knows this is Jacob's big chance to get closer to Bella. She shakes her head. "No, it's alright. I usually study with Angela anyways, and I love hearing about all the weird stuff Ben does in their relationship."

     She fakes a smile. Both Bella and Jacob fail to notice.

     Jacob pulls out three cans of soda from a bag in his toolbox, cracking two open and handing it over to them. He held his up in the air.

     "Here's to responsibility," he toasts. "Twice a week."

     "And recklessness every day in between," Bella chuckles. He returns her smile and touches his can to hers.

     Imogen quickly takes a sip of hers, feeling left out and forgotten.

JACOB SHE'S RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU OK LOOK AT HER