One

We were on fire…

Bella had never been much for parties. Maybe it was something she had gotten from her father, Charlie, or maybe they were just something she had grown to dislike on her own. Her mother, Renee, had insisted that they were essential to the college experience, and although Renee never went to college, Bella somehow did not doubt that she went to her fair share of parties. Even if Bella wanted to avoid this particular party, she couldn't. It was at her sorority house – the one that Bella insisted on living in to save her parents money on a dorm room. It had seemed like a good idea at the time. She was never one for girlfriends or sleepovers, but why couldn't she start now? She was twenty years old, after all, and these were the kinds of connections and friends that would last a life time – or so the brochure said. The sorority, Alpha Chi Omega prided itself on academia, and they had a sworn aversion to hazing. All in all, Bella had thought it would be a good fit. For the most part, it was. She had met wonderful girls like Angela Webber, her partner in avoiding crime. Sure, like any society, it had its fair share of power hungry people at the top – in this case it was Lauren and Jessica. They were the ones that decided the 'small get together' would be good for Alpha Chi Omega. Their small get together had somehow evolved into a couple of hundred teens and young adults shoving their way into the house.

The music was nearly too loud – shaking the pictures of the founding sisters that hung precariously on the wall and over the fireplace. Every available flat surface was covered in cliché red solo cups and glass shot glasses that the youngest of the sisters, Bri, prided herself in collecting. Jessica and Lauren must have raided her room for them, something Bella was sure that Bri would be upset about come the following Monday when she returned from her parent's house.

Bella pushed her way through the swarms of unidentifiable body parts as the music seemed to thump loudly through her veins. She screamed when a hand caught her arm, but there was no chance of it being heard of the noise. Bella placed her free hand over her chest to calm her rapid heart as Angela smiled apologetically before leading Bella by the arm to a clearer section of what was once their living room. The DJ said something that Bella was almost sure wasn't even English, but the crowd cheered nonetheless.

"This is insane!" Angela screamed over the bass of the music, a half-empty cup in the hand that wasn't gripping her forearm. The slight blush across Angela's tanned cheeks told Bella exactly where the other half had gone. Bella had considered sending in an anonymous tip to the police, but she wouldn't be brave enough on her own, and it seemed her partner had deserted her. "Can you believe this is an Alpha Chi Omega party? We're going to be legends!" She cheered, hardly audible even though Bella was sure she was screaming at the top of her lungs. "Oh! Now I remember why I was looking for you!" Angela declared as she pulled Bella in close enough for her to smell the alcohol on Angela's breath. "Edward is here looking for you!"

Edward Cullen was the perfect boyfriend – on paper at the very least. He was smart, and handsome, and was a shoe-in for the premed program in the fall. He was one of the senior members of the Delta Kappa Phi fraternity. Bella still wasn't completely sure why on earth he had chosen her, but she wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth. Excusing herself from Angela, Bella attempted to make her way through the crowd once more. At one point, she nearly sighed in relief at the blare of police sirens before realizing they were overlaid on the repetitive track the DJ chose to play. As she passed a group of particularly sweaty students, she couldn't help but think that the chiffon of her favorite pink dress would hold the smell of smoke and alcohol for weeks – maybe indefinitely. Finally spotting Edward against the archway that led to kitchen with his frat brothers, Emmett and Jasper, Bella nearly smiled to herself.

Any relief she might have felt was snuffed out as something – no, someone, that could have very easily double for a wall pushed past her, knocking her shoulder so hard that she nearly toppled over. The man, who she realized was the wall in question, placed a large, hot hand on her shoulder to steady her. Without so much as an excuse he turned to continue on his way when Bella grabbed a fistful of his worn leather jacket. "Aren't you even going to apologize?" She asked, her cheeks turning red in anger. She didn't want this party, and she didn't even know these people. At the very least, they could be respectful.

It was when the leather-clad wall turned that Bella realized her mistake. It was Paul Lahote – one of Brigeton University's supposed gang members. No one knew for sure if they were really a gang, but there were rumors. The guys kept to themselves, having gotten in on respective scholarships. They were all native and as tall as they were broad. There was talk of them using steroids, but that was just another rumor… Bella hoped. She had seen Paul in one of her classes during the previous semester, but he stayed in the back with his friend, never talking unless prompted by the professor.

Bella found that she nearly had to tilt her neck all the way back just to look at his face – and it was beautiful face – not that she would dare to say that out loud. He wasn't beautiful in the way a flower or a certain color was beautiful. He was rugged and worn, like a painting lost to time by a tortured artist that nobody quite understood or respected. When Paul's deep brown eyes, nearly black in the haze of low light and smoke, met hers Bella felt her breath catch. The air around them seemed to turn to static, and for one bliss-filled moment, the music and people seemed to die away. Her hand tightened slightly on the leather of his jacket, the smooth fabric molding to her touch before her fingers fell away. The only indication that their interaction had any effect on Paul was the slight furrowing of his brows as those endless pools of black moved fluidly over the curve of her cheek before landing on her eyes once again.

She was so wrapped up in the oddness of the moment, Bella hardly realized when Edward's arm draped protectively over her shoulder. Instead of looking to her boyfriend, she watched as Paul's gaze moved from Edward's arm back to her face. "We got a problem here?" Edward's voice seemed to bring the music with it, and suddenly, it was deafening again.

Paul didn't look to Edward. He didn't even acknowledge he had said anything. Instead, he leaned in, bending at the waist so that his face was only a foot away from Bella's. She was sure she felt Edward's arm tighten around her, but she was too distracted by the vibrancy of Paul's features as one corner of his mouth lifted in a crooked smile, his teeth impossibly white and straight. "Sorry." He said simply before straightening. He watched her for on a moment longer before turning and continuing on his way. Just as quickly as he had come, Paul Lahote disappeared back into the crowd, like a dream you couldn't quite remember fully upon waking.

Through the haze Paul Lahote left in his wake, Bella could just make out the sound of Edward's voice. Shaking the fog from her mind, she frowned as she tried to make out his words over the thumping of the music and her own heart. "Bella! Are you listening to me?" He spoke close to her face, trying to be heard over the music. "What was that about? He practically kissed you!"

The sound of disbelief and humor that bubbled past Bella's lips could only be heard by her. Shaking her head, she quietly wondered if Edward really knew what kissing was. Sure, they had kissed and even made out, but being a preacher's son, Edward took his promise of celibacy very seriously where Bella was concerned. "He just apologized!" She justified. "That was the first conversation I've ever even had with him."

He didn't look like he believed her. She didn't know why, but Edward was always so possessive of her. Even with her childhood friend, Jacob. Bella and Jacob had grown up next door to each other, even attempting to date in middle school before realizing they were a horrible match. When Jacob got into Brigeton University a year behind Bella, she was ecstatic. Little did she know it was the beginning of the end for their friendship. First, Edward would never leave Bella and Jacob alone. It was like he expected Jacob to jump Bella the second he wasn't around. Then, Jacob met Sam's gang. Apparently, he and Sam were distant cousins, so Bella didn't think much of it when they started to hang out. Slowly, Jacob phased Bella out, blaming it on Edward and his time hanging out with 'the guys'. They hadn't really spoken much in the last year…

"I'm going to go get a drink." Edward finally sighed before turning from her. Bella attempted to follow, but Angela popped up in her path, restraining her with both hands on her arms.

"Is it true?" They girl asked excitedly over the constant blare of sounds that didn't come from any instruments Bella knew. "That Paul Lahote and Edward Cullen were fighting over you? Everyone is saying that Edward almost punched Paul!"

Bella laughed, porcelain brow furrowing. "No! What is it with people?" She asked, looking around to find that several sets of eyes were indeed on her.

"So, Paul didn't call Edward a scrawny pale-face?" She asked, a bit disappointed.

"No! Paul bumped into me and apologized. That's all!" Bella waved her arms, worried for Paul's reputation, though he didn't have a great one as it was.

"Now that I find hard to believe." Angela giggled before spotting someone over Bella's shoulder, waving a quick hello before wordlessly leaving Bella's side.

Sighing to herself, Bella looked around the room, hardly able to see through the sea of people much taller than her. Spotting Jasper on the other side of the room where he was when she entered, Bella pushed her way to him. Out of all of Edward's friends, Bella liked Jasper and Emmett the best. Emmett was a goofball, but he was a good guy underneath it all. Everyone thought he was a dumb jock just coasting by on his football scholarship, but he was actually really smart. When Bella failed first year calculus, he tutored her for free until she pulled her grade up to a low A. Jasper was easy-going, and was always a good person to talk to. He didn't force his personal opinions on people, he just listened to their problems. His twin sister, Rosalie, was less likable. Bella had only had a few encounters with Rosalie Hale, but none were pleasant. She seemed to think because the library was named after her grandfather, she was campus royalty. Bella tried to avoid her most of time.

"Have you seen Edward?" She asked, looking around for any sign of him. "Where did Emmett go?" It was rare that she ever saw Jasper without Emmett or Emmett without Jasper. The two were best friends.

Jasper sighed, a large hand running through his corn-silk locks. "You'll hear about it eventually, so I guess it should be from me. Edward stormed off upstairs after his run in with Paul. When Emmett went to look for him, he found him in one of the rooms… with Rosalie."

Rosalie and Emmett had been dating since their freshman year. What Emmett saw in the blonde beyond pouty lips and long legs, Bella would never know. "What were they do- oh…" Realization hit her like a brick wall.

"I'm sorry, Bella. They left a few minutes ago…"

Bella frowned, her stomach clenching. Edward was… doing that with Rosalie? He would hardly touch Bella and after one small misunderstanding, he cheated on her? "I have to find him." She breathed as she moved away from Jasper. She needed to know the truth – to give Edward a chance to explain his side of the story, though she wasn't sure she wanted to hear it.

The night air prickled her skin like small needles. Whereas the thin dress had been perfect for the heat of the party, it was impractical for a New England fall. Still, as the noise of the party died away with each click of her polished heels, Bella couldn't bring herself to go back for a sweater. The Delta Kappa Phi house was only a few blocks away, anyway. Her steps slowed as the constant chatter and thumping from the party faded into the sounds of the gentle fall breeze and the crunching of fallen leaves. It was peaceful – nearly cathartic compared to the chaos raging on insider her mind. She didn't want to believe that Edward would cheat on her, especially not with his friend's girlfriend. He was a Christian after all. He had the highest morals of anyone that Bella had ever known. And her mother loved him! It was hard for Renee to love anyone, but she loved Edward. And Charlie… well, Charlie would come around.

"You shouldn't be out here alone." The deep voice from right beside her made Bella jump with a scream, nearly toppling her over before hot hands steadied her.

She hadn't heard Paul approach, and he had been right at her side. If he had been a rapist, she would be done for. Then again, how did she know he wasn't? She knew nothing about the man. "You scared the heck out of me!" She breathed, a hand over her racing heart that she swore had nothing to do with the dark, sultry chuckle that passed through the man's lips.

"Didn't mean to scare the heck out of you." He teased lightly, a crooked, dimpled smile settling on his dark lips as he pocketed his hands. "But I meant what I said. You shouldn't be out here alone. Didn't you ever read Little Red Riding Hood?"

Bella's brows furrowed in frustration. "These aren't the woods, I'm not on my way to grandma's, and there are no wolves in Maine."

"There are." He countered simply, the smile dropping from his face. "Wolves, I mean. Gray ones especially."

Bella sighed, wondering why she seemed to be frustrated every time Paul popped up. It was his fault all this happened anyway. If he had just apologized like a normal human and walked away, Edward wouldn't have gotten mad. Folding her arms that were covered in goosebumps, she turned and continued on her way without a word – the way she should have done earlier in the night.

It only took Paul two long strides before he was at her side again. "What are you doing?" She asked, glancing sideways at him, but not giving him the curtesy of actually turning her head.

"I'm escorting you." He said simply. From the corner of her eye, she could see his lips twitch into a small smile. "It's not safe, and I want to be there when you kick his ass."

Bella stopped, turning her body fully towards Paul's. "I don't need an escort, and I'm not kicking anyone's… butt." She finished lamely. "How do you know where I'm going anyway?"

"I was there when your supposed boyfriend flew out of the house half naked with the slutty blonde." He eyed her carefully, those impossibly black eyes nearly swallowing her whole. She wasn't sure if it was his gaze or his words that made her stomach sink.

"You're wrong…" Even Bella could hear how weak her voice sounded. "He wouldn't…"

Paul frowned, those bottomless pools of black softening before looking away from her face with a sigh. He shrugged his large shoulders once, allowing the thick leather jacket to slide down his arms before tossing it around Bella's shoulders. She wanted to protest, but she was cold, and the jacket was just as warm as his hands had been. It smelled masculine, like the woods in spring and an aftershave Bella couldn't quite place. "He's an ass." Paul said simply, his gaze turning down the empty street. "You shouldn't waste your time with a guy like him."

"I…" Bella wanted to protest, to stick up for Edward, but her head was confused, and her feet hurt. "I should go back… I need some... peace." She would talk to Edward in the morning, when her head was clearer and her heart wasn't as broken.

"The party will be going on a while." Paul offered, his eyes moving back to her face. He stood stoic for a moment, as tall and ridged as one of the street lamps that lit the profile of his angular face. "Come on." He nodded his head, stepping in the direction they had been heading. When he realized she wasn't following, he turned back to her with an impatient look.

"I'm not going home with you!" Bella scoffed, mentally cursing herself for leaving her phone at the sorority house.

He chuckled again, deep and nearly echoing in the silence of the night. "We're not going to my house, Swan. You want some peace and quiet, right?" When she nodded lightly, he jerked his head in his direction again. "Then come on."

Biting her lip, Bella weighed her options before slowly moving to his side. She wasn't sure where Paul was leading her, or why she was okay going off with a supposed gang member, but anywhere away from the mind-numbing party or with Edward was a better option. "If you murder me, I'll haunt you." She mumbled. Paul laughed outright this time, his wide shoulders heaving with the movement as those sparkling black eyes found hers. It was enough to make the corners of Bella's lips lift just the slightest bit.

AN: If you follow my All Roads story, then you already got a little taste of this chapter. This one is going to be ongoing and I plan for it to be long. I know people prefer longer chapters, so the time between chapters will be a bit of a wait, but I'm trying to make it more story-like in the sense that the chapters are long and not just because of filler bs. I was going to wait until All Roads was finished to begin posting this one, but I love it already and wanted to share the first chapter with you guys! Reviews are loved!