Enemies In The Woods ~ Jacob Black

Kitchen duty

Jacob has been really getting on my nerves. It's been a week since he decided he'd spend every free minute of his day trying to 'protect me' from his own people. I can't stop thinking about what Seth said at the movie theatre, though. Jacob Black... jealous of Seth... because of me? I know that they can read each other's mind and all, but surely he's made a mistake there. I can't decide what to think about him, honestly. He tried to kill me. He probably tried to convince Sam to force me out of Forks. He wanted to drive me out of school. Now, all of a sudden, he's trying to keep me alive at all costs? This guy has to be bipolar or something. Why does Bella like this guy?

Anyway, I thought that getting a job would be a good idea. I get to do whatever I want with my money, and I will have some savings in case of emergency. Perfect. I thought I'd apply to the grill that's near college since I've only ever seen one employee there; he's a lovely old man, but he shouldn't have to be working at his age. I walk through the door, triggering a little bell, and the old man jogs happily towards me.
"Hello there, you must be Lorelei. Oh, how I love that name. I have a niece named Lorelei, you know."
"Really? That's so cool. Does she live around here?"
"No, my children all moved away from here long ago. Their children haven't visited in a long time either."
"Oh, I'm sorry Sir."
"Oh, it's no worry. They all have their own lives to live. And besides, I have my employees and customers to keep me company."
"Employees? I wasn't aware that other people worked here. Although I'm glad to not be alone here."
"Yes, Jacob is a wonderful young man. He'll be training you today."
"Did you say Jacob?" As the last word leaves my mouth, Jacob saunters into the dining area from the kitchen door with a napkin on his shoulder and food grease on his hands. He wipes the grease away with the napkin, and I can't help but notice the veins in his hands flex slightly as he does so. I cross my arms and try to look as irritated as possible.
"Hello, Jacob." He peers upwards with a slight look of shock on his face before exchanging it for a similar expression of annoyance.
"Lorelei," he greets coldly.
"You two are already acquainted," the old man asks whilst drifting his gaze between the two of us.
"You could say that." I don't like the mischievous look that he now wears on his face. He better not say what I think he's going to say.
"Well, you two will be working very closely now. So you should probably change your attitudes to each other. Don't want to scare away the customers," he adds whilst walking away and giggling to himself.
"I'm off to enjoy some Sudoku. Have fun, you two!"
"Wait, but I never-" and he's gone. I look to the side and see Jacob walking back to the kitchen. "Wait-"
"Yes, cupcake?" Cupcake? Who does he think he is?
"Don't call me that."
"No problem, cupcake." He's smirking now and leaning on a kitchen counter. He'd be cute if he wasn't such an asshole.
"Can you tell me what I'm supposed to do until we open? He didn't tell me anything. In fact, he didn't even tell me this name."
"Mr Masey is a little forgetful sometimes. Don't hold it against him. All you need to do," I don't like the smile that's creeping across his face as he's speaking, "is whatever I say." Great.

[Thirty minutes later]

I've been mopping these floors for fifteen minutes, and he's still not satisfied! I swear I'm going to kill this man if he says anything-
"You missed a spot."
"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!"
"Woah, what's with the hostility cupcake?" I think he's enjoying my reaction to his new nickname way too much. I take a deep breath and smile as widely as I can. I think I've successfully creeped him out.
"Thank you, Jacob, for being so insightful and making sure that I complete my job correctly."
"Whatever you say, cupcake." I groan.

[Fifteen minutes later]

Jacob finally opens the diner and helps a couple of old people into their seats. He seems so gentle and caring when he wants to be. I put on my best customer service smile and skip over to them.
"This is Carver's Café. What can I get you today?"
"You must be new here," the old man questioned.
"Yes, this is my first day. But don't go easy on me, " I chuckle, causing him to return my smile.
"I'll just have some bacon and eggs please, Jacob knows how I like 'em."
"Perfect. And can I get anything for you ma'am?"
"Well, I know it isn't on the menu, but Jacob always makes some peach cobbler for me. Could you ask him to make it today?"
"Of course." I walk over to the wall window that allows me to see into the kitchen.
"One bacon and eggs, and that lady over there asked for peach cobbler but it's not on the menu so I can tell her no if you want-"
"Of course not, tell her I'll make it just how she likes it."
"Uh, okay." I go and tell her and then return to the window curiously.
I hesitate before saying, "you're... nicer than I thought." He chuckles as if he doesn't believe what I was saying.
"You thought I'd be some sort of monster?"
"Well... no. But you weren't particularly nice to me before."
"I'm sorry about that." Did he just apologise? To me? Seriously?
"I just want to do what's best for my people. For the people of this town. I lost one friend to your kind and I refuse to lose another."
"You mean Bella, right?" He sighs deeply and I almost feel sorry for him.
"Yeah, Bella."
"Was the heartbreak that bad?"
"It wasn't just about hurting my feelings, cupcake. She was put in danger continuously by Edward and his toxic family. Then, she got pregnant with a demon vampire baby that almost killed her. And then she died. I watched her die." Silence fell between us until he finished making the food. I pick it up and quickly run it over to the customers before returning to see him leaning on the window sill, looking distressed. I place my hand over his and look up so that I can see his face.
"It's not your fault, Jacob. I'm sorry that you went through that... but I'm not like the other Cullens. I'm not going to try and intervene with the lives of any humans. I just want to live in peace: to finally have a family that understands me. You can sympathise with that, right?" He straightens up and a small smile appears on his face again.
"I suppose so."