Circus ▷ Jacob Black

THREE

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THREE; CHINESE RESTAURANTS

"MAYBE HE'S PLAYING hard to get," Angela suggested as she collapsed next to Imogen on her bed.

Imogen rolled her eyes. "I doubt it. You should see the way he looks at Bella. It's like he's so in love with her, but I know how much she loves Edward. The love for him will never surpass her love for Jake."

"There's hope in that statement," Angela teased as she brought her backpack over to where the two were laying. "He'll realize soon enough, Im. Plus, you're too pretty to be chasing around ignorant sophomores anyway."

Imogen giggled at the comment, but her grin faded when she saw Angela pulling up assignments. "Wait, are we actually studying? I thought we were going to bitch about our love lives."

"Well, that's a second priority. The first is getting through this year and moving on with our lives."

Imogen sighed at the thought. It would be the last time she would have to deal with deadlines and stress-filled homework at Forks High, and she couldn't decide if she was going to miss it or leave it behind her.

Once Angela began explaining theories of physics, Imogen slammed the palm of her hand on her forehead. Yes, leave it behind — that was truly the right answer.

"You missed what Conner was saying after school today," Angela said, although there's a hint of a smirk gracing her lips. Imogen rolled her eyes at thought of Conner. He had been a menace to Imogen ever since her arrival in the group. During lunch, he liked to bug her by throwing parts of his food at her face or her hair. He had more than once taken a cheerleader's uniform from the lockers to give to Imogen because he insisted she would look drop dead gorgeous in it.

Imogen knew the last part of that statement was wholly true, but she didn't need the blatant reminder.

"What was he talking about this time? I swear, there's nothing in that small head of his."

"I think it's kind of cute the way he chases after you," Angela smiled innocently.

Imogen raised an eyebrow mockingly. "You know we're talking about Conner, right? The same Conner who asked Lauren to prom and is giving Bella the complete cold shoulder right now?"

Angela shrugged, sitting up. "People change, Im."

"Not people like Conner or Lauren. They're the worst, I'm telling you," she huffed at the mention of the two people. "I don't even know why I still put up with them everyday. Lauren's voice is like a stinging noise in my ears."

"You still hang out with them because it's our last year together. Come on, you probably won't see me or Ben again after we head onto Washington State."

"Don't remind me, Ang," Imogen cried out in semi-fake horror, clutching onto her friend's arm desperately. "I can handle Ben leaving, but you? No way!"

Angela smiled at the girl's overdramatic nature. Even she had to admit that she would miss Imogen more than anything. Imogen was one of the people who Angela wholeheartedly loved. She wasn't a Jessica or Lauren — Imogen was such an easy person to love and get along with.