2 new+moon新月-第15部分

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〃I　would　say…　that's　too　bad；　but　I'll　bet　we　could　figure　out　something　else　to　do。　If　we　got　really　
desperate；　we　could　even　do　homework。〃　

Jacob　smiled；　and　his　shoulders　relaxed。　He　sat　down　next　to　the　bike　and　picked　up　a　wrench。　〃So　you　
think　you'll　still　e　over　when　I'm　done；　then？〃　

〃Is　that　what　you　meant？〃　I　shook　my　head。　〃I　guess　I　am　taking　advantage　of　your　very　underpriced　
mechanical　skills。　But　as　long　as　you　let　me　e　over；　I'll　be　here。〃　

〃Hoping　to　see　Quil　again？〃　he　teased。　

〃You　caught　me。〃　

He　chuckled。　〃You　really　like　spending　time　with　me？〃　he　asked；　marveling。　

〃Very；　very　much。　And　I'll　prove　it。　I　have　to　work　tomorrow；　but　Wednesday　we'll　do　something　
nonmechanical。〃　

〃Like　what？〃　

〃I　have　no　idea。　We　can　go　to　my　place　so　you　won't　be　tempted　to　be　obsessive。　You　could　bring　your　
schoolwork—you　have　to　be　getting　behind；　because　I　know　I　am。〃　

〃Homework　might　be　a　good　idea。〃　He　made　a　face；　and　I　wondered　how　much　he　was　leaving　undone　
to　be　with　me。　

〃Yes；〃　I　agreed。　〃We'll　have　to　start　being　responsible　occasionally；　or　Billy　and　Charlie　aren't　going　to　be　
so　easygoing　about　this。〃　I　made　a　gesture　indicating　the　two　of　us　as　a　single　entity。　He　liked　that—he　
beamed。　

〃Homework　once　a　week？〃　he　proposed。　

〃Maybe　we'd　better　go　with　twice；〃　I　suggested；　thinking　of　the　pile　I'd　just　been　assigned　today。　

He　sighed　a　heavy　sigh。　Then　he　reached　over　his　toolbox　to　a　paper　grocery　sack。　He　pulled　out　two　
cans　of　soda；　cracking　one　open　and　handing　it　to　me。　He　opened　the　second；　and　held　it　up　
ceremoniously。　

〃Here's　to　responsibility；〃　he　toasted。　〃Twice　a　week。〃　

〃And　recklessness　every　day　in　between；〃　I　emphasized。　

He　grinned　and　touched　his　can　to　mine。　



I　got　home　later　than　I'd　planned　and　found　Charlie　had　ordered　a　pizza　rather　than　wait　for　me。　He　
wouldn't　let　me　apologize。　

〃I　don't　mind；〃　he　assured　me。　〃You　deserve　a　break　from　all　the　cooking；　anyway。〃　

I　knew　he　was　just　relieved　that　I　was　still　acting　like　a　normal　person；　and　he　was　not　about　to　rock　the　
boat。　

I　checked　my　email　before　I　started　on　my　homework；　and　there　was　a　long　one　from　Renee。　She　
gushed　over　every　detail　I'd　provided　her　with；　so　I　sent　back　another　exhaustive　description　of　my　day。　
Everything　but　the　motorcycles。　Even　happygolucky　Renee　was　likely　to　be　alarmed　by　that。　

School　Tuesday　had　its　ups　and　downs。　Angela　and　Mike　seemed　ready　to　wele　me　back　with　open　
arms—to　kindly　overlook　my　few　months　of　aberrant　behavior。　Jess　was　more　resistant。　I　wondered　if　
she　needed　a　formal　written　apology　for　the　Port　Angeles　incident。　

Mike　was　animated　and　chatty　at　work。　It　was　like　he'd　stored　up　the　semester's　worth　of　talk；　and　it　
was　all　spilling　out　now。　I　found　that　I　was　able　to　smile　and　laugh　with　him；　though　it　wasn't　as　effortless　
as　it　was　with　Jacob。　It　seemed　harmless　enough；　until　quitting　time。　

Mike　put　the　closed　sign　in　the　window　while　I　folded　my　vest　and　shoved　it　under　the　counter。　

〃This　was　fun　tonight；〃　Mike　said　happily。　

〃Yeah；〃　I　agreed；　though　I'd　much　rather　have　spent　the　afternoon　in　the　garage。　

〃It's　too　bad　that　you　had　to　leave　the　movie　early　last　week。〃　

I　was　a　little　confused　by　his　train　of　thought。　I　shrugged。　〃I'm　just　a　wimp；　I　guess。〃　

〃What　I　mean　is；　you　should　go　to　a　better　movie；　something　you'd　enjoy；〃　he　explained。　

〃Oh；〃　I　muttered；　still　confused。　

〃Like　maybe　this　Friday。　With　me。　We　could　go　see　something　that　isn't　scary　at　all。〃　

I　bit　my　lip。　

I　didn't　want　to　screw　things　up　with　Mike；　not　when　he　was　one　of　the　only　people　ready　to　forgive　me　
for　being　crazy。　But　this；　again；　felt　far　too　familiar。　Like　the　last　year　had　never　happened。　I　wished　I　had　
Jess　as　an　excuse　this　time。　

〃Like　a　date？〃　I　asked。　Honesty　was　probably　the　best　policy　at　this　point。　Get　it　over　with。　

He　processed　the　tone　of　my　voice　〃If　you　want。　But　it　doesn't　have　to　be　like　that。〃　

〃I　don't　date；〃　I　said　slowly；　realizing　how　true　that　was。　That　whole　world　seemed　impossibly　distant。　

〃Just　as　friends？〃　he　suggested。　His　clear　blue　eyes　were　not　as　eager　now。　I　hoped　he　really　meant　that　
we　could　be　friends　anyway。　

〃That　would　be　fun。　But　I　actually　have　plans　already　this　Friday；　so　maybe　next　week？〃　

〃What　are　you　doing？〃　he　asked；　less　casually　than　I　think　he　wanted　to　sound。　

〃Homework。　I　have　a…　study　session　planned　with　a　friend。〃　

〃Oh。　Okay。　Maybe　next　week。〃　

He　walked　me　to　my　car；　less　exuberant　than　before。　It　reminded　me　so　clearly　of　my　first　months　in　
Forks。　I'd　e　full　circle；　and　now　everything　felt　like　an　echo—an　empty　echo；　devoid　of　the　interest　it　
used　to　have。　

The　next　night；　Charlie　didn't　seem　the　smallest　bit　surprised　to　find　Jacob　and　me　sprawled　across　the　
living　room　floor　with　our　books　scattered　around　us；　so　I　guessed　that　he　and　Billy　were　talking　behind　
our　backs。　

〃Hey；　kids；〃　he　said；　his　eyes　straying　to　the　kitchen。　The　smell　of　the　lasagna　I'd　spent　the　afternoon　
making—while　Jacob　watched　and　occasionally　sampled—wafted　down　the　hall；　I　was　being　good；　
trying　to　atone　for　all　the　pizza。　

Jacob　stayed　for　dinner；　and　took　a　plate　home　for　Billy。　He　grudgingly　added　another　year　to　my　
negotiable　age　for　being　a　good　cook。　

Friday　was　the　garage；　and　Saturday；　after　my　shift　at　Newton's；　was　homework　again。　Charlie　felt　
secure　enough　in　my　sanity　to　spend　the　day　fishing　with　Harry。　When　he　got　back；　we　were　all　
done—feeling　very　sensible　and　mature　about　it；　too—and　watching　Monster　Garage　on　the　Discovery　
Channel。　

〃I　probably　ought　to　go。〃　Jacob　sighed。　〃It's　later　than　I　thought。〃　

〃Okay；　fine；〃　I　grumbled。　〃I'll　take　you　home。〃　

He　laughed　at　my　unwilling　expression—it　seemed　to　please　him。　

〃Tomorrow；　back　to　work；〃　I　said　as　soon　as　we　were　safe　in　the　truck。　〃What　time　do　you　want　me　to　
e　up？〃　

There　was　an　unexplained　excitement　in　his　answering　smile。　〃I'll　call　you　first；　okay？〃　

〃Sure。〃　I　frowned　to　myself；　wondering　what　was　up。　His　smile　widened。　

I　cleaned　the　house　the　next　morning—waiting　for　Jacob　to　call　and　trying　to　shake　off　the　Litest　
nightmare。　The　scenery　had　changed。　Last　night　I'd　wandered　in　a　wide　sea　of　ferns　interspersed　with　
huge　hemlock　trees。　There　was　nothing　else　there；　and　I　was　lost；　wandering　aimless　and　alone；　searching　
for　nothing。　I　wanted　to　kick　myself　for　the　stupid　field　trip　last　week。　I　shoved　the　dream　out　of　my　
conscious　mind；　hoping　it　would　stay　locked　up　somewhere　and　not　escape　again。　

Charlie　was　outside　washing　the　cruiser；　so　when　the　phone　rang；　I　dropped　the　toilet　brush　and　ran　
downstairs　to　answer　it。　

〃Hello？〃　I　asked　breathlessly。　

〃Bella；〃　Jacob　said；　a　strange；　formal　tone　to　his　voice。　

〃Hey；　Jake。〃　

〃I　believe　that…　we　have　a　date〃　he　said；　his　tone　thick　with　implications。　

It　took　me　a　second　before　I　got　it。　〃They're　done？　I　can't　believe　it！〃　What　perfect　timing。　I　needed　
something　to　distract　me　from　nightmares　and　nothingness。　

〃Yeah；　they　run　and　everything。〃　

〃Jacob；　you　are　absolutely；　without　a　doubt；　the　most　talented　and　wonderful　person　I　know。　You　get　ten　
years　for　this　one。〃　

〃Cool！　I'm　middleaged　now。〃　

I　laughed。　〃I'm　on　my　way　up！〃　

I　threw　the　cleaning　supplies　under　the　bathroom　counter　and　grabbed　my　jacket。　

〃Headed　to　see　Jake；〃　Charlie　said　when　I　ran　past　him。　It　wasn't　really　a　question。　

〃Yep；〃　I　replied　as　I　jumped　in　my　truck。　

〃I'll　be　at　the　station　later；〃　Charlie　called　after　me。　

〃Okay；〃　I　yelled　back；　turning　the　key。　

Charlie　said　something　else；　but　I　couldn't　hear　him　clearly　over　the　roar　of　the　engine。　It　sounded　sort　of　
like；　〃Where's　the　fire？〃　

I　parked　my　truck　off　to　the　side　of　the　Blacks'　house；　close　to　the　trees；　to　make　it　easier　for　us　to　sneak　
the　bikes　out。　When　I　got　out；　a　splash　of　color　caught　my　eye—two　shiny　motorcycles；　one　red；　one　
black；　were　hidden　under　a　spruce；　invisible　from　the　house。　Jacob　was　prepared。　

There　was　a　piece　of　blue　ribbon　tied　in　a　small　bow　around　each　of　the　handlebars。　I　was　laughing　at　
that　when　Jacob　ran　out　of　the　house。　

〃Ready？〃　he　asked　in　a　low　voice；　his　eyes　sparkling。　

I　glanced　over　his　shoulder；　and　there　was　no　sign　of　Billy。　

〃Yeah；〃　I　said；　but　I　didn't　feel　quite　as　excited　as　before；　I　was　trying　to　imagine　myself　actually　on　the　
motorcycle。　

Jacob　loaded　the　bikes　into　the　bed　of　the　truck　with　ease；　laying　them　carefully　on　their　sides　so　they　
didn't　show。　

〃Let's　go；〃　he　said；　his　voice　higher　than　usual　with　excitement。　〃I　know　the　perfect　spot—no　one　will　
catch　us　there。〃　

We　drove　south　out　of　town。　The　dirt　road　wove　in　and　out　of　the　forest—sometimes　there　was　nothing　
but　trees；　and　then　there　would　suddenly　be　a　breathtaking　glimpse　of　the　Pacific　Ocean；　reaching　to　the　
horizon；　dark　gray　under　the　clouds。　We　were　above　the　shore；　on　top　of　the　cliffs　that　bordered　the　
beach　here　and　the　view　seemed　to　stretch　on　forever。　

I　was　driving　slowly；　so　that　I　could　safely　stare　out　across　the　ocean　now　and　then；　as　the　road　wound　
closer　to　the　sea　cliffs。　Jacob　was　talking　about　finishing　the　bikes；　but　his　descriptions　were　getting　
technical；　so　I　wasn't　paying　close　attention。　

That　was　when　I　noticed　four　figures　standing　on　a　rocky　ledge；　much　too　close　to　the　precipice。　I　
couldn't　tell　from　the　distance　how　old　they　were；　but　I　assumed　they　were　men。　Despite　the　chill　in　the　
air　today；　they　seemed　to　be　wearing　only　shorts。　

As　I　watched；　the　tallest　person　stepped　closer　to　the　brink。　I　slowed　automatically；　my　foot　hesitating　
over　the　brake　pedal。　

And　then　he　threw　himself　off　the　edge。　

〃No！〃　I　shouted；　stomping　down　on　the　brake。　

〃What's　wrong？〃　Jacob　shouted　back；　alarmed。　

〃That　guy—he　just　jumped　off　the　cliff！　Why　didn't　they　stop　him？　We've　got　to　call　an　ambulance！〃　I　
threw　open　my　door　and　started　to　get　out；　which　made　no　sense　at　all。　The　fastest　way　to　a　phone　was　
to　drive　back　to　Billy's。　But　I　couldn't　believe　what　I'd　just　seen。　Maybe；　subconsciously；　I　hoped　I　
would　see　something　different　without　the　glass　of　the　windshield　in　the　way。　

Jacob　laughed；　and　I　spun　to　stare　at　him　wildly。　How　could　he　be　so　calloused；　so　coldblooded？　

〃They're　just　cliff　diving；　Bella。　Recreation。　La　Push　doesn't　have　a　mall；　you　know。〃　He　was　teasing；　but　
there　was　a　strange　note　of　irritation　in　his　voice。　

〃Cliff　diving？〃　I　repeated；　dazed。　I　stared　in　disbelief　as　a　second　figure　stepped　to　the　edge；　paused；　and　
then　very　gracefully　leaped　into　space。　He　fell　for　what　seemed　like　an　eternity　to　me；　finally　cutting　
smoothly　into　the　dark　gray　waves　below。　

〃Wow。　It's　so　high。〃　I　slid　back　into　my　seat；　still　staring　wideeyed　at　the　two　remaining　divers。　〃It　must　
be　a　hundred　feet。〃　

〃Well；　yeah；　most　of　us　jump　from　lower　down；　that　rock　that　juts　out　from　the　cliff　about　halfway。〃　He　
pointed　out　his　window。　The　place　he　indicated　did　seem　much　more　reasonable。　〃Those　guys　are　insane。　

Probably　showing　off　how　tough　they　are。　I　mean；　really；　it's　freezing　today。　That　water　can't　feel　good。〃　
He　made　a　disgruntled　face；　as　if　the　stunt　personally　offended　him。　It　surprised　me　a　little。　I　would　have　
thought　Jacob　was　nearly　impossible　to　upset。　

〃You　jump　off　the　cliff？〃　I　hadn't　missed　the　〃us。〃　

〃Sure；　sure。〃　He　shrugged　and　grinned。　〃It's　fun。　A　little　scary；　kind　of　a　rush。〃　

I　looked　back　at　the　cliffs；　where　the　third　figure　was　pacing　the　edge。　I'd　never　witnessed　anything　so　
reckless　in　all　my　life。　My　eyes　widened；　and　I　smiled。　〃Jake；　you　have　to　take　me　cliff　diving。〃　

He　frowned　back　at　me；　his　face　disapproving。　〃Bella；　you　just　wanted　to　call　an　ambulance　for　Sam；〃　he　
reminded　me。　I　was　surprised　that　he　could　tell　who　it　was　from　this　distance。　

〃I　want　to　try；〃　I　insisted；　start　ing　to　get　out　of　the　car　again。　

Jacob　grabbed　my　wrist。　〃Not　today；　all　right？　Can　we　at　least　wait　for　a　warmer　day？〃　

〃Okay；　fine；〃　I　agreed。　With　the　door　open；　the　glacial　breeze　was　raising　goose　bumps　on　my　arm。　〃But　
I　want　to　go　soon。〃　

〃Soon。〃　He　rolled　his　eyes。　〃Sometimes　you're　a　little　strange；　Bella。　Do　you　know　that？〃　

I　sighed。　〃Yes。〃　

〃And　we're　not　jumping　off　the　top。〃　

I　watched；　fascinated；　as　the　third　boy　made　a　running　start　and　flung　himself　farther　into　the　empty　air　
than　the　other　two。　He　twisted　and　cartwheeled　through　space　as　he　fell；　like　he　was　skydiving。　He　
looked　absolutely　free—unthinking　and　utterly　irresponsible。　

〃Fine；〃　I　agreed。　〃Not　the　first　time；　anyway。〃　

Now　Jacob　sighed。　

〃Are　we　going　to　try　out　the　bikes　or　not？〃　he　demanded。　

〃Okay；　okay；〃　I　said；　tearing　my　eyes　away　from　the　last　person　waiting　on　the　cliff。　I　put　my　seat　belt　
back　on　and　closed　the　door。　The　engine　was　still　running；　roaring　as　it　idled。　We　started　down　the　road　
again。　

〃So　who　were　those　guys—the　crazy　ones？〃　I　wondered。　

He　made　a　disgusted　sound　in　the　back　of　his　throat。　〃The　La　Push　gang。〃　

〃You　have　a　gang？〃　I　asked。　I　realized　that　I　sounded　impressed。　

He　laughed　once　at　my　reaction。　〃Not　like　that。　I　swear；　they're　like　hall　monitors　gone　bad。　They　don't　
start　fights；　they　keep　the　peace。〃　He　snorted。　〃There　was　this　guy　from　up　somewhere　by　the　Makah　
rez；　big　guy　too；　scarylooking。　Well；　word　got　around　that　he　was　selling　meth　to　kids；　and　Sam　Uley　
and　his　disciples　ran　him　off　our　land。　They're　all　about　our　land；　and　tribe　pride…　it's　getting　
ridiculous。　The　worst　part　is　that　the　council　takes　them　seriously。　Embry　said　that　the　council　actually　
meets　with　Sam。〃　He　shook　his　head；　face　full　of　resentment。　〃Embry　also　heard　from　Leah　Clearwater　
that　they　call　themselves　'protectors'　or　something　like　that。〃　

Jacob's　hands　were　clenched　into　fists；　as　if　he'd　like　to　hit　something。　I'd　never　seen　this　side　of　him。　

I　was　surprised　to　hear　Sam　Uley's　name。　I　didn't　want　it　to　bring　back　the　images　from　my　nightmare；　so　
I　made　a　quick　observation　to　distract　myself。　〃You　don't　like　them　very　much。〃　

〃Does　it　show？〃　he　asked　sarcastically。　

〃Well…　It　doesn't　sound　like　they're　doing　anything　bad。〃　I　tried　to　soothe　him；　to　make　him　cheerful　
again。　〃Just　sort　of　annoyingly　goodytwoshoes　for　a　gang。〃　

〃Yeah。　Annoying　is　a　good　word。　They're　always　showing　off—like　the　cliff　thing。　They　act　like…　like；　I　
don't　know。　Like　tough　guys。　I　was　hanging　out　at　the　store　with　Embry　and　Quil　once；　last　semester；　and　
Sam　came　by　with　his　followers；　Jared　and　Paul。　Quil　said　something；　you　know　how　he's　got　a　big　
mouth；　and　it　pissed　Paul　off。　His　eyes　got　all　dark；　and　he　sort　of　smiled—no；　he　showed　his　teeth　but　
he　didn't　smile—and　it　was　like　he　was　so　mad　he　was　shaking　or　something。　But　Sam　put　his　hand　
against　Paul's　chest　and　shook　his　head。　Paul　looked　at　him　for　a　minute　and　calmed　down。　Honestly；　it　
was　like　Sam　was　holding　him　back—like　Paul　was　going　to　tear　us　up　if　Sam　didn't　stop　him。〃　He　
groaned。　〃Like　a　bad　western。　You　know；　Sam's　a　pretty　big　guy；　he's　twenty。　But　Paul's　just　sixteen；　
too；　shorter　than　me　and　not　as　beefy　as　Qu