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FOUR; THE FIRST FEVER

"HEY, YOU TWO. I can see you're getting along just fine."

Imogen grinned as she walked up to Mike and Jacob, who were standing in front of Bella's front door. Jacob's whole face lit up at the sight of her, and Mike offered her a quick nod.

"Where's Quil? You know, the actual love of my life," Imogen chuckled.

"He got grounded," Jacob muttered in response. "He was fighting at school."

"My big strong man," she joked, clutching her heart. Mike was fidgeting around awkwardly, clearly not understanding the joke between Jacob and Imogen. "Where's Bella?"

"Taking a phone call," Mike answered. Jacob shot him a glare when he wasn't looking. "Conner's not able to come, but he told me to send his regards to you."

Imogen rolled her eyes. "Of course."

Bella stalked back into the room. "Ang is sick," she informed the three. "She and Ben aren't coming."

Imogen's figure slumped. She was really hoping Angela could make it. "I guess the flu is making another round. Austin and Conner were out today, too. Maybe we should do this another time," Mike suggested.

Imogen was about to agree until Jacob spoke. "I'm still up for it. But if you'd rather to stay behind, Mike-"

"No, I'm coming," Mike said, suddenly alert. "I was just thinking of Angela and Ben. Let's go."

Mike began walking towards his car, but Bella interrupted him. "Hey, do you mind if Jacob drives?" She questioned. "I told him he could — he just finished his car. He built it from scratch, all by himself."

"Fine," Mike snapped. Imogen raised an eyebrow at his tone.

"All right, then," Jacob said.

Mike climbed in the backseat of the Rabbit. Bella was about to take the front seat, but an excited Imogen beat her to it. Bella could see Jacob's face light up when Imogen sat down next to him, so she decided to opt out and sit next to Mike.

Bella was a bit uncomfortable being seated next to Mike, who was getting more comfortable than necessary. Imogen was so thrilled that she was almost jumping in her seat.

"You okay there?" Jacob chuckled, amused. He kept his eyes on the road, but threw glances at Imogen every few moments.

"Just excited. I'm so happy you finally finished fixing up this old thing."

Jacob grinned, but it slightly faltered when Mike leaned forward to interrupt the conversation. "Doesn't the radio work in this thing?" Mike asked.

"Yes," Jacob answered. "But Bella doesn't like music."

Bella was surprised by the answer and Imogen felt her heart sink slightly. She shouldn't have been so upset by something so unnecessary. She should've expected that Jacob would remember little things about Bella.

"Bella?" Mike asked as if he wanted confirmation.

"He's right," Bella mumbled.

"How can you not like music?" Mike questioned, upset that Jacob knew this fact and he didn't.

Bella shrugged. "I don't know. It just irritates me."

"What about you, Imogen? You like music?" Jacob asked.

"Whatever's on the radio is fine with me," she responded.

Jacob hummed, as if he was storing that information in his memory as well. Once they arrived at the movie theatre, Jacob slipped some money into Imogen's hands. Her eyebrows furrowed. "What's this for?"

"I'm not old enough to purchase my ticket," he muttered bashfully.

Imogen grinned and pinched his cheeks. Jacob rolled his eyes and swatted her hands away. "Poor Jacob. Too young for this scary movie, huh?"

"Just buy my ticket for me, nerd."

She laughed but listened to him. Eventually, they all settled in the movie theatre, despite Mike's sullen behavior. The movie was a typical murder movie, but Imogen still jumped in her seat a few times. Jacob chuckled whenever that would happen to her, and leaned over to whisper a few jokes. He would point out the ridiculousness of the movie to ease Imogen's nerves a little bit, and she smiled gratefully whenever he did so. Bella sunk in her seat, feeling like it was a mistake to invite herself and Mike along to the movie. Clearly, Imogen and Jacob were having a good time without anyone else.

Halfway through the movie, Mike released a sickening groan. Bella asked if he was okay, but once he groaned again, he bolted out the door. They all exited to check if he was okay.

Mike was nowhere in sight, so Jacob checked the bathroom for him. He came out a few seconds later.

"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," Bella replied.

Jacob went to sit on the bench against the wall, and Bella and Imogen sat down on both sides of him. "He sounded like he was going to be in there for a while," he said, stretching his legs out in front of him.

It seemed as if Jacob had forgotten that he spent most of the night conversing with Imogen. When Bella took her seat, Jacob swung an arm over her. "Jake," Bella protested, leaning away. He dropped his arm, not even noticing Imogen's sudden spiral downwards in mood. He reached out and took Bella's hand firmly, but she pulled away again.

"Now, just hold on a minute, Bella," he said in a calm voice. "Tell me something."

Imogen stood up, knowing that the two would want some alone time. She kept in range, however, to hear what they were saying.

"What?" Bella muttered sourly.

"You like me, right?"

"You know I do."

"Better than that joker puking his guts out in there?" He gestured towards the bathroom door, talking about Mike.

"Yes," Bella sighed.

"Better than any of the other guys you know?" Jacob continued to press.

"Better than the girls, too," Bella pointed out. Imogen tried not to be hurt by the blunt statement.

"But that's all," he stated.

"Yes," she whispered.

He grinned. "That's okay, you know. As long as you like me the best. And you think I'm good-looking — sort of. I'm prepared to be annoyingly persistent."

"I'm not going to change," Bella said sadly.

"It's still the other one, isn't it?"

Imogen winced at the mention of Edward. Bella still had a vivid struggle in speaking about him.

"You don't have to talk about it," Jacob added. Bella nodded gratefully.

"But don't get mad at me for hanging around, okay? Because I'm not giving up. I've got loads of time."

Bella sighed. "You shouldn't waste it on me."

"It's what I want to do, as long as you still like to be with me."

"I can't imagine how I could not like being with you," Bella told him. Jacob beamed. Imogen frowned. "I can live with that."

"Just don't expect more," Bella warned.

"This doesn't really bother you, does it?" he asked, squeezing Bella's fingers.

"No."

Imogen finally tuned out of what the two were conversing about. Her pain was taking over her emotions. She kept to her own thoughts until Mike finally came stumbling out of the bathroom, face pale.

"Oh, Mike," Bella gasped.

Imogen ran to his side. "Mike, are you okay?"

"Do you mind leaving early?" he whispered.

"No, of course not," Bella and Imogen chorused.

"Movie too much for you?" Jacob asked with no remorse laced in his voice.

Imogen sent him a pointed glare, indirectly telling him that he was not being supportive. "I didn't actually see any of it," Mike mumbled. "I was nauseated before the lights went down."

"Why didn't you say something?" Bella scolded.

"I was hoping it would pass," he said.

Before they all left, Jacob grabbed an empty popcorn bucket from the concession stand. The girl behind the counter gladly gave it to him after observing Mike's current state.

The group left the theatre and gathered in Jacob's car. Jacob quickly thrust the popcorn bucket at Mike with a serious face. "Please," Jacob begged.

He rolled down the windows, hoping that the cold air would soothe Mike. Imogen shivered slightly at the wind, and Jacob asked if she was okay.

"I'm fine, Jake."

"No, c'mon," he prodded. He curled an arm around Imogen, but she felt slightly guilty since that same arm was just around Bella earlier.

Once Imogen realized he was warmer than should be possible, she brought her hand up to his forehead. "Woah, Jake!" She exclaimed, feeling him burning up underneath her touch. "I think you have a fever."

"I feel fine," Jake shrugged in response.

They arrived to Bella's house without another word. Mike threw up a few times along the way, but Imogen tried to ignore the sound and smell.

Bella drove Mike home in his car, and Jacob and Imogen followed her in his Rabbit.

"You're too nice to me, Imogen. Do you know that?" Jacob asked when they were alone.

She turned to him, eyebrows furrowed. She was no longer tucked into his side, the windows now rolled up. "What are you talking about?"

"I keep putting all of my focus on Bella when she's around. It's not right or fair. I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Jake," Imogen brushed off. "I know you really like her."

"Thanks, Imogen. You're a good friend."

She ignored the blatant sting piercing through her heart. "I think you should go home, Jake. Your fever is really concerning me."

He smiled at her. He finally agreed, and they both bid their goodbyes to Bella once Jake drove her home. "I'm going to drop off Imogen and head home, okay? I think she's right — I might be coming down with something. I feel a little off."

Bella nodded in understanding, waving at them and watching them drive off. Imogen watched Jacob shift in his seat, something obviously bugging him.

"Jake, are you sure you'll be alright? You really don't look good."

He still kept the same smile. "I thought I always looked good."

She giggled. "Only some days."

After giving the proper directions, Jacob pulled up to Imogen's house. "I'll be fine, okay? I'll call you later to set up our weekend lunch date."

"Promise?" She asked timidly, stretching her pinky out.

He chuckled and locked his pinky with hers. "I promise."

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Imogen didn't hear from Jacob in a week.

Bella was trying her best to get in contact with him, calling his home phone number almost everyday. But as if it was a routine, there would either be no answer or Billy would adamantly deny her request to visit. From Imogen's point of view, it sounded like Jacob was ignoring the both of them. However, Imogen wasn't as persistent as Bella. Bella didn't want to invade Billy's privacy, but Imogen wasn't as patient.

She found herself driving over to Jacob's house after school one day, angry that Jacob would ignore Bella after everything she had been through with Edward.

More importantly, she was quite upset that Jacob chose not to contact her either.

"I tried my best, Im," Bella informed her that day during lunch. The two girls were sitting apart from their group for the first time, choosing to talk about the recent development in their mutual friend. Angela assured that she would cover for the both of them, knowing that Conner would interrupt if he knew that Imogen was speaking about another guy.

"I don't understand," Imogen shook her head. "If Jacob was really sick, he'd still call us. He's not the type of guy to just flake out."

Bella nodded, agreeing with her. "Something's definitely going on." She leaned forward, checking her surroundings to see if anyone was listening to the both of them. Their friends seemed to be focused on something else — Lauren looked like she was sharing a top secret story to the group. "I think Sam Uley's gotten to him."

"Sam Uley? What does that guy have to do with anything?"

"Jacob told me once that Sam recruits guys into his group. The guys he takes in immediately drop the rest of their friends and responsibilities for Sam. They also become extremely buff, and get the same tattoo. Embry left Jacob and Quil for Sam."

Imogen leaned back, trying to take in the new information. "And you think Jacob is with him now?"

"It's possible," Bella said.

That's when Imogen made the decision to go see Jacob for the sake of saving him from the reins of Sam Uley.

She pulled up to the small, red house, taking a deep breath. She didn't know what to say to Jacob. She wanted to yell at him, that was for sure. Even though Bella wasn't there for her as much as she would like, Imogen still considered her to be a friend. Jacob was putting her through hell and back again after everything that happened with Edward.

Imogen walked up to the front door, hands getting slightly clammy with nerves. She knocked and Billy answered the door a few seconds later.

"Imogen?" He spoke with shock, not expecting to see her behind the door. He had been getting frequent calls from Bella, but none from the girl standing before him.

"Hello. May I see Jacob?"

"Um," Billy stuttered, checking behind him. "He's not available right now. Try calling back later."

Billy tried to shut the door, but Imogen wouldn't have his silly excuses anymore. She shoved her foot in the door entrance, preventing him from denying her entrance. "Please. I really need to talk to him, and I know he's been dodging all of Bella's calls."

He sighed. "Look, Imogen, Jacob's really sick. I don't think it's in his best interest to be having friends around at the moment."

"I just want to talk to him, Mr. Black. It'll be really quick, I promise."

"Imogen?" Jacob's voice called around the corner. Billy's eyes widened at his sudden presence while Imogen perked up.

"Jacob, go back to your room," Billy instructed in a stern tone.

Imogen shot a quick apology to the man and entered the house without another warning. She dashed to Jacob's room and was about to open his door before it swung open on its own.

Jacob stood in front of her, eyes scanning over her small frame. He looked like he was about to say something when their gazes locked together. He immediately paused, his orbs glossing over.

"Jake?" Imogen asked, confused by his odd behavior. She waved a hand in front of his face. She was trying to comprehend the sudden changes in him.

Jacob had been taller than her before, but now, he was towering over her. His muscles were also more defined, peeking out through his tight shirt. The most noticeable thing about Jacob was the lack of his long mane. His hair was cut short, and Imogen couldn't believe how different he looked.

Once he snapped back to life, he could only breathe out one word.

"Imogen."

!!!! i'm so glad you guys are as excited for this story as i am !!!!