2 new moon新月-第25章

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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　Suburban。　

〃Hey；　do　you　mind　if　Jacob　drives？〃　I　asked。　〃I　told　him　he　could—he　just　finished　his　car。　He　built　it　
from　scratch；　all　by　himself；〃　I　bragged；　proud　as　a　PTA　mom　with　a　student　on　the　principal's　list。　

〃Fine；〃　Mike　snapped。　

〃All　right；　then；〃　Jacob　said；　as　if　that　settled　everything。　He　seemed　more　comfortable　than　anyone　else。　

Mike　climbed　in　the　backseat　of　the　Rabbit　with　a　disgusted　expression。　

Jacob　was　his　normal　sunny　self；　chattering　away　until　I'd　all　but　forgotten　Mike　sulking　silently　in　the　
back。　

And　then　Mike　changed　his　strategy。　He　leaned　forward；　resting　his　chin　on　the　shoulder　of　my　seat；　his　
cheek　almost　touched　mine。　I　shifted　away；　turning　my　back　toward　the　window。　

〃Doesn't　the　radio　work　in　this　thing？〃　Mike　asked　with　a　hint　of　petulance；　interrupting　Jacob　
mid…sentence。　

〃Yes；〃　Jacob　answered。　〃But　Bella　doesn't　like　music。〃　

I　stared　at　Jacob；　surprised。　I'd　never　told　him　that。　

〃Bella？〃　Mike　asked；　annoyed。　

〃He's　right；〃　I　mumbled；　still　looking　at　Jacob's　serene　profile。　

〃How　can　you　not　like　music？〃　Mike　demanded。　

I　shrugged。　〃I　don't　know。　It　just　irritates　me。〃　

〃Hmph。〃　Mike　leaned　away。　

When　we　got　to　the　theater；　Jacob　handed　me　a　ten…dollar　bill。　

〃What's　this？〃　I　objected。　

〃I'm　not　old　enough　to　get　into　this　one；〃　he　reminded　me。　

I　laughed　out　loud。　〃So　much　for　relative　ages。　Is　Billy　going　to　kill　me　if　I　sneak　you　in？〃　

〃No。　I　told　him　you　were　planning　to　corrupt　my　youthful　innocence。〃　

I　snickered；　and　Mike　quickened　his　pace　to　keep　up　with　us。　

I　almost　wished　that　Mike　had　decided　to　bow　out。　He　was　still　sullen—not　much　of　an　addition　to　the　
party。　But　I　didn't　want　to　end　up　on　a　date　alone　with　Jacob；　either。　That　wouldn't　help　anything。　

The　movie　was　exactly　what　it　professed　to　be。　In　just　the　opening　credits；　four　people　got　blown　up　and　
one　got　beheaded。　The　girl　in　front　of　me　put　her　hands　over　her　eyes　and　turned　her　face　into　her　date's　
chest。　He　patted　her　shoulder；　and　winced　occasionally；　too。　Mike　didn't　look　like　he　was　watching。　His　
face　was　stiff　as　he　glared　toward　the　fringe　of　curtain　above　the　screen。　

I　settled　in　to　endure　the　two　hours；　watching　the　colors　and　the　movement　on　the　screen　rather　than　
seeing　the　shapes　of　people　and　cars　and　houses。　But　then　Jacob　started　sniggering。　

〃What？〃　I　whispered。　

〃Oh；　c'mon！〃　he　hissed　back。　〃The　blood　squirted　twenty　feet　out　of　that　guy。　How　fake　can　you　get？〃　

He　chuckled　again；　as　a　flagpole　speared　another　man　into　a　concrete　wall。　

After　that；　I　really　watched　the　show；　laughing　with　him　as　the　mayhem　got　more　and　more　ridiculous。　
How　was　I　ever　going　to　fight　the　blurring　lines　in　our　relationship　when　I　enjoyed　being　with　him　so　
much？　

Both　Jacob　and　Mike　had　claimed　the　armrests　on　either　side　of　me。　Both　of　their　hands　rested　lightly；　
palms　up；　in　an　unnatural　looking　position。　Like　steel　bear　traps；　open　and　ready。　Jacob　was　in　the　habit　
of　taking　my　hand　whenever　the　opportunity　presented　itself；　but　here　in　the　darkened　movie　theater；　with　
Mike　watching；　it　would　have　a　different　significance—and　I　was　sure　he　knew　that。　I　couldn't　believe　
that　Mike　was　thinking　the　same　thing；　but　his　hand　was　placed　exactly　like　Jacob's。　

I　folded　my　arms　tightly　across　my　chest　and　hoped　that　both　their　hands　fell　asleep。　

Mike　gave　up　first。　About　halfway　through　the　movie；　he　pulled　his　arm　back；　and　leaned　forward　to　put　
his　head　in　his　hands。　At　first　I　thought　he　was　reacting　to　something　on　the　screen；　but　then　he　moaned。　

〃Mike；　are　you　okay？〃　I　whispered。　

The　couple　in　front　of　us　turned　to　look　at　him　as　he　groaned　again。　

I　could　see　the　sheen　of　sweat　across　his　face　in　the　light　from　the　screen。　

Mike　groaned　again；　and　bolted　for　the　door。　I　got　up　to　follow　him；　and　Jacob　copied　me　immediately。　

〃No；　stay；〃　I　whispered。　〃I'll　make　sure　he's　okay。〃　

Jacob　came　with　me　anyway。　

〃You　don't　have　to　come。　Get　your　eight　bucks　worth　of　carnage；〃　I　insisted　as　we　walked　up　the　aisle。　

〃That's　okay。　You　sure　can　pick　them；　Bella。　This　movie　really　sucks。〃　His　voice　rose　from　a　whisper　to　
its　normal　pitch　as　we　walked　out　of　the　theater。　

There　was　no　sign　of　Mike　in　the　hallway；　and　I　was　glad　then　that　Jacob　had　come　with　me—he　ducked　
into　the　men's　bathroom　to　check　for　him　there。　

Jacob　was　back　in　a　few　seconds。　

〃Oh；　he's　in　there；　all　right；〃　he　said；　rolling　his　eyes。　〃What　a　marshmallow。　You　should　hold　out　for　
someone　with　a　stronger　stomach。　Someone　who　laughs　at　the　gore　that　makes　weaker　men　vomit。〃　

〃I'll　keep　my　eyes　open　for　someone　like　that。〃　

We　were　all　alone　in　the　hallway。　Both　theaters　were　halfway　through　the　movie；　and　it　was　
deserted—quiet　enough　for　us　to　hear　the　popcorn　popping　at　the　concession　counter　in　the　lobby。　

Jacob　went　to　sit　on　the　velveteen…upholstered　bench　against　the　wall；　patting　the　space　beside　him。　

〃He　sounded　like　he　was　going　to　be　in　there　for　a　while；〃　he　said；　stretching　his　long　legs　out　in　front　of　
him　as　he　settled　in　to　wait。　

I　joined　him　with　a　sigh。　He　looked　like　he　was　thinking　about　blurring　more　lines。　Sure　enough；　as　soon　
as　I　sat　down；　he　shifted　over　to　put　his　arm　around　my　shoulders。　

〃Jake；〃　I　protested；　leaning　away。　He　dropped　his　arm；　not　looking　bothered　at　all　by　the　minor　rejection。　
He　reached　out　and　took　my　hand　firmly；　wrapping　his　other　hand　around　my　wrist　when　I　tried　to　pull　
away　again。　Where　did　he　get　the　confidence　from？　

〃Now；　just　hold　on　a　minute；　Bella；〃　he　said　in　a　calm　voice。　〃Tell　me　something。〃　

I　grimaced。　I　didn't　want　to　do　this。　Not　just　not　now；　but　not　ever。　There　was　nothing　lett　in　my　life　at　
this　point　that　was　more　important　than　Jacob　Black。　But　he　seemed　determined　to　ruin　everything。　

〃Wh