2 new+moon新月-第18部分

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〃I　went　this　way；〃　I　murmured；　pointing　straight　ahead。　

〃Hmm；〃　Jake　muttered。　

〃What？〃　

He　looked　at　the　direction　I'd　pointed；　then　at　the　clearly　marked　trail；　and　back。　

〃I　would　have　figured　you　for　a　trail　kind　of　girl。〃　

〃Not　me。〃　I　smiled　bleakly。　〃I'm　a　rebel。〃　

He　laughed；　and　then　pulled　out　our　map。　

〃Give　me　a　second。〃　He　held　the　pass　in　a　skilled　way；　twisting　the　map　around　till　it　angled　the　way　
he　wanted。　

〃Okay—first　line　on　the　grid。　Let's　do　it。〃　

I　could　tell　that　I　was　slowing　Jacob　up；　but　he　didn't　plain。　I　tried　not　to　dwell　on　my　last　trip　through　
this　part　of　the　forest；　with　a　very　different　panion。　Normal　memories　were　still　cangerous。　If　I　let　
myself　slip　up；　I'd　end　up　with　my　arms　clutching　my　chest　to　hold　it　together；　gasping　for　air；　and　how　
would　I　explain　that　to　Jacob？　

It　wasn't　as　hard　as　I　would　have　thought　to　keep　focused　on　the　present。　The　forest　looked　a　lot　like　any　
other　part　of　the　peninsula；　and　Jacob　set　a　vastly　different　mood。　

He　whistled　cheerfully；　an　unfamiliar　tune；　swinging　his　arms　and　moving　easily　through　the　rough　
undergrowth。　The　shadows　didn't　seem　as　dark　as　usual。　Not　with　my　personal　sun　along。　

Jacob　checked　the　pass　every　few　minutes；　keeping　us　in　a　straight　line　with　one　of　the　radiating　
spokes　of　his　grid。　He　really　looked　like　he　knew　what　he　was　doing。　I　was　going　to　pliment　him；　but　
I　caught　myself。　No　doubt　he'd　add　another　few　years　to　his　inflated　age。　

My　mind　wandered　as　I　walked；　and　I　grew　curious。　I　hadn't　forgotten　the　conversation　we'd　had　by　the　
sea　cliffs—I'd　been　waiting　for　him　to　bring　it　up　again；　but　it　didn't　look　like　that　was　going　to　happen。　

〃Hey…　Jake？〃　I　asked　hesitantly。　

〃Yeah？〃　

〃How　are　things…　with　Embry？　Is　he　back　to　normal　yet？〃　

Jacob　was　silent　for　a　minute；　still　moving　forward　with　long　paces。　When　he　was　about　ten　feet　ahead；　
he　stopped　to　wait　for　me。　

〃No。　He's　not　back　to　normal；〃　Jacob　said　when　I　reached　him；　his　mouth　pulling　down　at　the　corners。　
He　didn't　start　walking　again。　I　immediately　regretted　bringing　it　up。　

〃StillwithSam。〃　

〃Yup。〃　

He　put　his　arm　around　my　shoulder；　and　he　looked　so　troubled　that　I　didn't　playfully　shake　it　off；　as　I　
might　have　otherwise。　

〃Are　they　still　looking　at　you　funny？〃　I　halfwhispered。　

Jacob　stared　through　the　trees。　〃Sometimes。〃　

〃AndBilly？〃　

〃As　helpful　as　ever；〃　he　said　in　a　sour；　angry　voice　that　disturbed　me。　

〃Our　couch　is　always　open；〃　I　offered。　

He　laughed；　breaking　out　of　the　unnatural　gloom。　〃But　think　of　the　position　that　would　put　Charlie　
in—when　Billy　calls　the　police　to　report　my　kidnapping。〃　

I　laughed　too；　glad　to　have　Jacob　back　to　normal。　

We　stopped　when　Jacob　said　we'd　gone　six　miles；　cut　west　for　a　short　time；　and　headed　back　along　
another　line　of　his　grid。　Everything　looked　exactly　the　same　as　the　way　in；　and　I　had　a　feeling　that　my　silly　
quest　was　pretty　much　doomed。　I　admitted　as　much　when　it　started　to　get　darker；　the　sunless　day　fading　
toward　a　starless　night；　but　Jacob　was　more　confident。　

〃As　long　as　you're　sure　we're　starting　from　the　right　place…〃　He　glanced　down　at　me。　

〃Yes；　I'm　sure。〃　

〃Then　we'll　find　it；〃　he　promised；　grabbing　my　hand　and　pulling　me　through　a　mass　of　ferns。　On　the　other　
side　was　the　truck。　He　gestured　toward　it　proudly。　〃Trust　me。〃　

〃You're　good；〃　I　admitted。　〃Next　time　we　bring　flashlights；　though。〃　

〃We'll　save　hiking　for　Sundays　from　now　on。　I　didn't　know　you　were　that　slow。〃　

I　yanked　my　hand　back　and　stomped　around　to　the　driver's　side　while　he　chuckled　at　my　reaction。　

〃So　you　up　for　another　try　tomorrow。'〃　he　asked；　sliding　into　the　passenger　seat。　

〃Sure。　Unless　you　want　to　go　without　me　so　I　don't　tie　you　down　to　my　gimpy　pace。〃　

〃I'll　survive；〃　he　assured　me。　〃If　we're　hiking　again；　though；　you　might　want　to　pick　up　some　moleskin。　I　
bet　you　can　feel　those　new　boots　right　now。〃　

〃A　little；〃　I　confessed。　It　felt　like　I　had　more　blisters　than　I　had　space　to　fit　them。　

〃I　hope　we　see　the　bear　tomorrow。　I'm　sort　of　disappointed　about　that。〃　

〃Yes；　me；　too；〃　I　agreed　sarcastically。　〃Maybe　we'll　get　lucky　tomorrow　and　something　will　eat　us！〃　

〃Bears　don't　want　to　eat　people。　We　don't　taste　that　good。〃　He　grinned　at　me　in　the　dark　cab。　〃Of　
course；　you　might　be　an　exception。　I　bet　you'd　taste　good。〃　

〃Thanks　so　much；〃　I　said；　looking　away。　He　wasn't　the　first　person　to　tell　me　that。　

9。　THIRD　WHEEL　

TIME　BEGAN　TO　TRIP　ALONG　MUCH　MORE　QUICKLY　than　before。　School；　work；　and　
Jacob—though　not　necessarily　in　that　order—created　a　neat　and　effortless　pattern　to　follow。　And　Charlie　
got　his　wish：　I　wasn't　miserable　anymore。　Of　course；　I　couldn't　fool　myself　pletely。　When　I　stopped　
to　take　stock　of　my　life；　which　I　tried　not　to　do　too　often；　I　couldn't　ignore　the　implications　of　my　
behavior。　

I　was　like　a　lost　moon—my　pla　destroyed　in　some　cataclysmic；　disastermovie　scenario　of　
desolation—that　continued；　nevertheless；　to　circle　in　a　tight　little　orbit　around　the　empty　space　left　behind；　
ignoring　the　laws　of　gravity。　

I　was　getting　better　with　my　bike；　which　meant　fewer　bandages　to　worry　Charlie。　But　it　also　meant　that　
the　voice　in　my　head　began　to　fade；　until　I　heard　it　no　more。　Quietly；　I　panicked。　I　threw　myself　into　the　
search　for　the　meadow　with　slightly　frenzied　intensity。　I　racked　my　brain　for　other　adrenalineproducing　
activities。　

I　didn't　keep　track　of　the　days　：hat　passed—there　was　no　reason；　as　I　tried　to　live　as　much　in　the　present　
as　possible；　no　past　fading；　no　future　impending。　So　I　was　surprised　by　the　date　when　Jacob　brought　it　
up　on　one　of　our　homework　days。　He　was　waiting　when　I　pulled　up　in　front　of　his　house。　

〃Happy　Valentine's　Day；〃　Jacob　said；　smiling；　but　ducking　his　head　as　he　greeted　me。　

He　held　out　a　small；　pink　box；　balancing　it　on　his　palm。　Conversation　hearts。　

〃Well；　I　feel　like　a　schmuck；〃　I　mumbled。　〃Is　today　Valentine's　Day？〃　

Jacob　shook　his　head　with　mock　sadness。　〃You　can　be　so　out　of　it　sometimes。　Yes；　it　is　the　fourteenth　
day　of　February。　So　are　you　going　to　be　my　Valentine？　Since　you　didn't　get　me　a　fiftycent　box　of　candy；　
it's　the　least　you　can　do。〃　

I　started　to　feel　unfortable。　The　words　were　teasing；　but　only　on　the　surface。　

〃What　exactly　does　that　entail？〃　I　hedged。　

〃The　usual—slave　for　life；　that　kind　of　thing。〃　

〃Oh；　well；　if　that's　all…〃　I　took　the　candy。　But　I　was　trying　to　think　of　some　way　to　make　the　boundaries　
clear。　Again。　They　seemed　to　get　blurred　a　lot　with　Jacob。　

〃So；　what　are　we　doing　tomorrow？　Hiking；　or　the　ER？〃　

〃Hiking；〃　I　decided。　〃You're　not　the　only　one　who　can　be　obsessive。　I'm　starting　to　think　I　imagined　that　
place…〃　I　frowned　into　space。　

〃We'll　find　it；〃　he　assured　me。　〃Bikes　Friday？〃　he　offered。　

I　saw　a　chance　and　took　it　without　taking　time　to　think　it　through。　

〃I'm　going　to　a　movie　Friday。　I've　been　promising　my　cafeteria　crowd　that　I　would　go　out　forever。〃　Mike　
would　be　pleased。　

But　Jacob's　face　fell。　I　caught　the　expression　in　his　dark　eyes　before　he　dropped　them　to　look　at　the　
ground。　

〃You'll　e　too；　right？〃　I　added　quickly。　〃Or　will　it　be　too　much　of　a　drag　with　a　bunch　of　boring　
seniors？〃　So　much　for　my　chance　to　put　some　distance　between　us。　I　couldn't　stand　hurting　Jacob；　we　

seemed　to　be　connected　in　an　odd　way；　and　his　pain　set　off　little　stabs　of　my　own。　Also；　the　idea　of　
having　his　pany　for　the　ordeal—I　had　promised　Mike；　but　really　didn't　feel　any　enthusiasm　at　the　
thought　of　following　through—was　just　too　tempting。　

〃You'd　like　me　to　e；　with　your　friends　there？〃　

〃Yes；〃　I　admitted　honestly；　knowing　as　I　continued　that　I　was　probably　shooting　myself　in　the　foot　with　
my　words。　〃I'll　have　a　lot　more　fun　if　you're　there。　Bring　Quil；　and　we'll　make　it　a　party。〃　

〃Quil's　gonna　freak。　Senior　girls。〃　He　chortled　and　rolled　his　eyes。　I　didn't　mention　Embry；　and　neither　did　
he。　I　laughed；　too。　〃I'll　try　to　get　hin　a　good　selection。〃　

I　broached　the　subject　with　Mike　in　English。　

〃Hey；　Mike；〃　I　said　when　class　was　over。　〃Are　you　free　Friday　night？〃　

He　looked　up；　his　blue　eyes　instantly　hopeful。　〃Yeah；　I　am。　You　want　to　go　out？〃　

I　worded　my　reply　carefully。　〃I　was　thinking　about　getting　a　group〃—I　emphasized　the　word—〃together　
to　go　see　Crosshairs。〃　I'd　done　my　homework　this　time—even　reading　the　movie　spoilers　to　be　sure　I　
wouldn't　be　caught　off　guard。　This　movie　was　supposed　to　be　a　bloodbath　from　start　to　finish。　I　wasn't　so　
recovered　that　I　could　stand　to　sit　through　a　romance。　〃Does　that　sound　like　fun？〃　

〃Sure；〃　he　agreed；　visibly　less　eager。　

〃Cool。〃　

After　a　second；　he　perked　back　up　to　near　his　former　excitement　level。　〃How　about　we　get　Angela　and　
Ben？　Or　Eric　and　Katie？〃　

He　was　determined　to　make　this　some　kind　of　double　date；　apparently。　

〃How　about　both？〃　I　suggested　〃And　Jessica；　too；　of　course。　And　Tyler　and　Conner；　and　maybe　
Lauren；〃　I　tacked　on　grudgingly。　I　had　promised　Quil　variety。　

〃Okay；〃　Mike　muttered；　foiled。　

〃And；〃　I　continued；　〃I've　got　a　couple　of　friends　from　La　Push　I'm　inviting。　So　it　sounds　like　we'll　need　
your　Suburban　if　everyone　es。〃　

Mike's　eyes　narrowed　in　suspicion。　

〃These　are　the　friends　you　spend　all　your　time　studying　with　now？〃　

〃Yep；　the　very　ones；〃　I　answered　cheerfully。　〃Though　you　could　look　at　it　as　tutoring—they're　only　
sophomores。〃　

〃Oh；〃　Mike　said；　surprised。　After　a　second　of　thought；　he　smiled。　

In　the　end；　though；　the　Suburban　wasn't　necessary。　

Jessica　and　Lauren　claimed　to　be　busy　as　soon　as　Mike　let　it　slip　that　I　was　involved　in　the　planning。　Eric　
and　Katie　already　had　plans—it　was　their　threeweek　anniversary　or　something。　Lauren　got　to　Tyler　and　
Conner　before　Mike　could；　so　those　two　were　also　busy。　Even　Quil　was　out—grounded　for　fighting　at　
school。　In　the　end；　only　Angela　and　Ben；　and；　of　course　Jacob；　were　able　to　go。　

The　diminished　numbers　didn't　dampen　Mike's　anticipation；　though。　It　was　all　he　could　talk　about　Friday。　

〃Are　you　sure　you　don't　want　to　see　Tomorrow　and　Forever　instead？〃　he　asked　at　lunch；　naming　the　
current　romantic　edy　that　was　ruling　the　box　office。　〃Rotten　Tomatoes　gave　it　a　better　review。〃　

〃I　want　to　see　Crosshairs〃　I　insisted。　〃I'm　in　the　mood　for　action。　Bring　on　the　blood　and　guts！〃　

〃Okay。〃　Mike　turned　away；　but　not　before　I　saw　his　maybeshe'scrazyafterall　expression。　

When　I　got　home　from　school；　a　very　familiar　car　was　parked　in　front　of　my　house。　Jacob　was　leaning　
against　the　hood；　a　huge　grin　lighting　up　his　face。　

〃No　way！〃　I　shouted　as　I　jumped　out　of　the　truck。　〃You're　done！　I　can't　believe　it！　You　finished　the　
Rabbit！〃　

He　beamed。　〃Just　last　night。　This　is　the　maiden　voyage。〃　

〃Incredible。〃　I　held　my　hand　up　for　a　high　five。　

He　smacked　his　hand　against　mine；　but　left　it　there；　twisting　his　fingers　through　mine。　〃So　do　I　get　to　drive　
tonight？〃　

〃Definitely；〃　I　said；　and　then　I　sighed。　

〃What's　wrong？〃　

〃I'm　giving　up—I　can't　top　this　one。　So　you　win。　You're　oldest。〃　

He　shrugged；　unsurprised　by　my　capitulation。　〃Of　course　I　am。〃　

Mike's　Suburban　chugged　around　the　corner。　I　pulled　my　hand　out　of　Jacob's；　and　he　nude　a　face　that　I　
wasn't　meant　to　see。　

〃I　remember　this　guy；〃　he　said　in　a　low　voice　as　Mike　parked　across　the　street。　〃The　one　who　thought　
you　were　his　girlfriend。　Is　he　still　confused？〃　

I　raised　one　eyebrow。　〃Some　people　are　hard　to　discourage。〃　

〃Then　again；〃　Jacob　said　thoughtfully；　〃sometimes　persistence　pays　off。〃　

〃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　olderlooking　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　guess　the　flu　is　making　another　round。　Austin　and　Conner　were　out　today；　too。　Maybe　we　should　do　
this　another　time；〃　Mike　suggested。　

Before　I　could　agree；　Jacob　spoke。　

〃I'm　still　up　for　it。　But　if　you'd　rather　to　stay　behind；　Mike—〃　

〃No；　I'm　ing；〃　Mike　interrupted。　〃I　was　just　thinking　of　Angela　and　Ben。　Let's　go。〃　He　started　toward　
his　Suburban。　

〃Hey；　do　you　mind　if　Jacob　drives？〃　I　asked。　〃I　told　him　he　could—he　just　finished　his　car。　He　built　it　
from　scratch；　all　by　himself；〃　I　bragged；　proud　as　a　PTA　mom　with　a　student　on　the　principal's　list。　

〃Fine；〃　Mike　snapped。　

〃All　right；　then；〃　Jacob　said；　as　if　that　settled　everything。　He　seemed　more　fortable　than　anyone　else。　

Mike　climbed　in　the　backseat　of　the　Rabbit　with　a　disgusted　expression。　

Jacob　was　his　normal　sunny　self；　chattering　away　until　I'd　all　but　forgotten　Mike　sulking　silently　in　the　
back。　

And　then　Mike　changed　his　strategy。　He　leaned　forward；　resting　his　chin　on　the　shoulder　of　my　seat；　his　
cheek　almost　touched　mine。　I　shifted　away；　turning　my　back　toward　the　window。　

〃Doesn't　the　radio　work　in　this　thing？〃　Mike　asked　with　a　hint　of　petulance；　interrupting　Jacob　
midsentence。　

〃Yes；〃　Jacob　answered。　〃But　Bella　doesn't　like　music。〃　

I　stared　at　Jacob；　surprised。　I'd　never　told　him　that。　

〃Bella？〃　Mike　asked；　annoyed。　

〃He's　right；〃　I　mumbled；　still　looking　at　Jacob's　serene　profile。　

〃How　can　you　not　like　music？〃　Mike　demanded。　

I　shrugged。　〃I　don't　know。　It　just　irritates　me。〃　

〃Hmph。〃　Mike　leaned　away。　

When　we　got　to　the　theater；　Jacob　handed　me　a　tendollar　bill。　

〃What's　this？〃　I　objected。　

〃I'm　not　old　enough　to　get　into　this　one；〃　he　reminded　me。　

I　laughed　out　loud。　〃So　much　for　relative　ages。　Is　Billy　going　to　kill　me　if　I　sneak　you　in？〃　

〃No。　I　told　him　you　were　planning　to　corrupt　my　youthful　innocence。〃　

I　snickered；　and　Mike　quickened　his　pace　to　keep　up　with　us。　

I　almost　wished　that　Mike　had　decided　to　bow　out。　He　was　still　sullen—not　much　of