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ONE; SECRETS & LIES

     "THIS IS SILLY," Jake remarked, watching June's reflection in the vanity mirror. She was braiding his long hair, persisting that he would look handsome if he allowed her to do it. She rolled her eyes and brushed through his messy strands.

     "Relax, Jake. Embry and Quil aren't here to judge you." The two boys would often join June and Jake, even when they wanted them to leave to have some time for themselves. June watched as her boyfriend observed her careful movements. "Would you rather have it in your face all the time?"

     "No," he grumbled. There was a knock on the door and June turned, seeing Billy Black push it open. He raised an eyebrow at the scene before him.

     "Hey, Billy," she greeted. The man smiled fondly. He knew that June and Jake were perfect for one another. He couldn't ask for a better girlfriend for his son. "Just doing Jake's hair."

     "I see that," he spoke, amused. "Are you joining us for dinner, June?"

     "I can cook it if you'd like. I'll start as soon as this one," she nudged the russet skinned teenager. "Is all touched up and pretty." Jake rolled his eyes. His girlfriend had a habit of embarrassing him in front of others. He learned to get used to it, mostly because he loved June with all of his heart.

     "Thank you," Billy nodded. He couldn't lie; he enjoyed her meals. The taste and flavor were like fireworks shooting in his mouth. If the couple ever got married, Billy would be eternally grateful that Jake found someone who was so good at cooking. He wheeled away from his son's bedroom to give them some privacy.

     She started to divide Jake's hair into three sections before crossing them over. He examined the way her face twisted as she concentrated. He smiled at how adorable June was. He leaned his head back and before she could protest about him ruining the hairstyle, he brought her head down and pressed his lips to hers. She giggled at the sudden action. "What was that for?" She asked breathlessly, pulling away from him.

     "For being the best girlfriend ever," he explained, interlocking his fingers around hers. She felt her heart skip a beat at the compliment. He sure knew how to make a girl feel special. "Now, can we stop the braid? I'll have to live with my hair being in my face."

     The common haircut for guys around La Push was to keep it long. Jake's was at his shoulder, along with Embry. Quil had his short, often complaining that he hated when the wind would blow and his hair went flying. Personally, June liked Quil's hair lessened. The trimming suited his face better.

     "Alright," she reluctantly agreed. She let go of the plait, combing through his mane to return it to the normal style. A knock was heard from downstairs, and she heard the door unlatch. Cackles filled the air and June sighed. "Guess I'm making dinner for an extra two." Jake smiled apologetically before the two boys entered, disrupting the quiet atmosphere.

     Quil marveled at the sight of his friend's girlfriend. He swore that June was the most gorgeous girl on the reservation and Jake was a lucky man. He would kill to date a lady like June Haight. Embry pushed him playfully, taking him out of the vivid trance. "Jake, please tell Quil that he's a moron."

     Jake didn't skip a beat. "You're a moron, Quil." Embry pushed his hair behind his ear, laughing. Quil was focused on the brunette hovering over her boyfriend. She was stroking his locks absentmindedly and he desperately wished he was in Jake's place.

     Quil wasn't idiotic. He knew that when girls glanced at the trio, the first acclamation was thrown towards Jake or Embry. He always felt like the runt of the litter. He even had to take his cousin to prom because nobody desired to date him.

     "And you're an asshole," he retorted to Jake's insult. "You don't mind if we join you for dinner, do you?" He knew it was Billy's house, but he felt inclined to ask June. He understood that she would be the one to make dinner. The men of the house couldn't cook for the life of them.

     "Don't ask me," Jake shrugged. He kissed the back of June's hand and Quil felt a pang in his heart. "Our famous chef is preparing the meal tonight." Embry cheered at his words.

     "Thank you so much, June," he praised. "I've been starving since four o'clock."

     "You're always hungry," she noted. She leaned down to give Jake a quick peck. Quil clenched his fists. Usually, he was able to control his temper when it came to June and Jake. He had to remind himself that he wasn't interested in her. He couldn't be attracted to Jake's girlfriend. That would be a definite violation of the bro code. "I'll get started on it." She moved past the rowdy boys and Quil cleared his throat.

     "Thank you."

     She grinned and squeezed his arm. The small touch didn't go unnoticed by him. He felt sparks from the graze. "No problem, Q."

     After she left, Embry collapsed on Jake's bed. "What are we doing this weekend?" He inquired, kicking his feet in the air. "Don't you have to go dress shopping with June for prom?" Quil stood in the middle of the room, hands dug into his pockets as he swayed awkwardly. Jake threw his head back on the chair he was perched on, throwing a paper ball in the air and catching it when it returned.

     "No, she's got a dress. Went shopping last week with her friends. I think Bella Swan is stopping by this weekend. She wants me to help her fix up a few bikes."

     "Bella Swan? You like her?" Quil raised an eyebrow. Jake rolled his eyes at Quil's suggestion. He placed the crumpled piece of paper on his desk.

     "Don't be stupid, Quil. I have a girlfriend."

     "So you told June about hanging out with Bella?" Embry stopped the movements of his feet. He had known Jake's girlfriend for a long time, and it wasn't fair to her if Jake was going to treat her like dirt.

     "Not in so many words," Jake mumbled. The room grew quiet. "Look, June is totally fine with me hanging out with Bella. Just like I'm okay with her spending time with you guys."

     "The difference in those situations is that everyone knows we wouldn't make a move on June, Jake," Embry scoffed. Quil shuffled his feet. Embry's statement wasn't entirely true.

     "And you think I'll try to make a move on Bella?"

     "Hey," June knocked on Jake's door. She frowned at how tense they appeared, their shoulders hunched and eyebrows furrowed. "Do you guys want mashed potatoes?" When June asked Billy in the living room, he almost fell over at the thought of her famous potatoes. They tasted heavenly.

     Quil cleared his throat. "Yeah, June. Thanks."

     "Is everything alright?" Over the years, she had learned the signs of Jake's emotions. With his lip curled and fists clenched, he was definitely angry at someone.

     "Fine," Jake responded gruffly. She exited down to the hallway, not wanting to get in the way of what was about to occur. Jake scratched his leg, afraid he might take a swing at one of his friends if he didn't distract himself with another action. How absurd and dense could they be to make an accusation so far from the truth? "I love June. Bella Swan means nothing to me."

     They left it at that.

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     June shuffled through the racks of the boutique, waiting for her eye to catch something she liked. She bought her prom dress a week ago, but Jake informed her yesterday that he would be busy. She picked up a white top on one of the hangers, examining the fabric carefully. She once bought an article of clothing that was so itchy she kept scratching herself all day.

     "June?"

     When Emily departed her house that day, she wasn't expecting to see the notorious girl of La Push. Sam often kept her occupied at home with various duties, but Emily decided to have a day for herself.

     "Emily!" June cheered, wrapping her arms around the woman. She laughed and pulled away. Emily had been a dear friend of hers since she met her last spring when Emily stopped by to visit the Clearwater family. They hadn't gotten around to divulge in new secrets because Emily was so engrossed with her new fiancé, Sam Uley. "How are you?"

     "Good! Other then freaking out over wedding arrangements, I should be fine." June had no doubt in her mind that Emily would make a beautiful bride. Her eyes ran over the three scars on Emily's face, but she quickly looked away to avoid being disrespectful. She was present during Emily's recovery from the bear attack and it was quite gruesome to see. The scars back then were so red in color, and it made a big indent into her cheek. They had mostly faded since then, but are still very visible. "I meant to ask you if you wanted to be a bridesmaid."

     June gasped and Emily giggled at how startled she appeared. "I would love to! I swear it will be the best wedding in the history of weddings." Emily smiled. She had forgotten how amazing it felt to be around June. The teenager gave off this aura that coerced you to always want to be around her.

     "How are you and Jacob?" She questioned politely. Besides Sam and herself, she believed June and Jake were the cutest couple on the reservation.

     "Good," she nodded, grinning. "I actually am going to stop by his house later today to deliver him some food. He said he was preoccupied with something, but I'm assuming he's working on his bike."

     "Do you want to meet up later this week? I'd love to discuss the wedding with you." Emily pushed aside the fact that she missed Leah, who used to buy bridal magazines and mark dresses for her own wedding to Sam.

     "Of course!" She hugged Emily again and said a quick farewell. She departed the store, heading towards Jake's favorite place to eat. Port Angeles was bright in the afternoon. Constant chatter filled the air with people lined on the sidewalks. June recognized some familiar faces from school and said a quick hello.

     As soon as June picked up Jake's favorite burger, she drove back to La Push. She heard the tapping of tools coming from his garage when she left her car. She strode over to the entrance, freezing as she took in the display before her.

     Jake's head darted up, his mind racing when his eyes landed on June. She was holding a brown paper bag in one hand, the logo of his favorite restaurant stamped on the texture. He quickly moved away from Bella, who was speaking to him in a low manner. They were sitting too close to one another, especially when Jake had a girlfriend. He started to regret lying to her yesterday about being tied up. Quil and Embry were right.

     June threw down the bag in frustration, stomping away from the setting. "June!" Jake yelled after her. Bella fidgeted in her seat, uncomfortable at what she had done. She was only trying to fix up the bikes to catch a glimpse of Edward, not ruin her friend's relationship.

     Jake caught up to his girlfriend, taking ahold of her arm. She smacked his hand away, betrayal washing over her features. "I can't believe you, Jacob." He winced at the use of his first name. She only spoke in that tone when she was absolutely done with him. "You lied to me! Are you with Bella now?"

     "No!" He denied. They stood in front of the red colored home, Billy looking out the window to witness his son's mistake. "Of course not, Junie!" She had been dubbed the nickname when she was born as a June baby. Her mother thought it would be hilarious to name her such a thing, which was a better outcome than her father's choice, Hurricane. "I love you. I don't love Bella. I was just helping her repair these old bikes."

     "So why did you feel the need to lie to me?" She asked, crossing her arms. Jake stuttered, not knowing what to say. Why didn't he tell June about Bella? Nothing was going on. He's loved June for as long as he could remember. When Bella moved back to Forks, something ignited in him. He didn't know what it was, but he concluded it was far from good.

    "Goodbye, Jacob," she hissed, walking to her car.

     "June, please reason with me," he followed after her, preventing her from opening the car door. "I don't have any feelings for Bella, okay? We were just talking like friends. Like you and Quil."

     "The contrast is that I always tell you when I'm hanging out with Quil or Embry. You decided to lie to me, your girlfriend."

     "June-"

     She pushed him away, getting into her car and slamming the door. She stuck the keys into the ignition, her eyes narrowing at Jacob. She drove away from the Black home with a heavy heart.

tsk tsk shouldn't keep secrets from your girlfriend jake