f。〃
〃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
ing 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 ing。〃
〃I gue