D: Disclaimed

Chapter One

"I would hardly call it a debate Isabella. He was hardly fit to state his case." I mocked my best friend. "Besides, it wasn't my intentions to humiliate him, I was just… merely stating the truth that happened to benefit me."

"Don't call me that," she gave a friendly shove for addressing her by her birth name, "and you totally burned him. Did you see how pissed he was?"

"Yeah," I scoffed at the thought before shoving my history books in my locker. "I'm definitely not looking forward to the confrontations that will ensue after my outbursts."

"It's about time you told that jackass off," she gloated, "Emmett had it coming."

"Please Bella," I sighed, "can we ignore the fact that I just set my fate for the rest of my school year and act as if I won't be facing it in fear. I mean, it's only been the first week of the curricular year and I already made an enemy. Not a good start."

"C'mon Eddie," She smirked at the nickname I despised, "it's our last year, at least you're going out with a bang."

"Pfft." I scoffed once again. "At least you'll see graduation. Me, I'm not exactly sure."

"Quit being a drama queen Edward and just accept that you won't be forgotten." She giggled and wrapped her arms around my right; "people will be talking about this until, and maybe after. Edward, the one who put the ignorant, self-centered, asshole of a jock known as Emmett McCarty in his place, what more could you ask for?"

"A new identity?"

I've known Isabella Swan since preschool, if it hadn't been for her determination to be my friend, I wouldn't have been a part of the friendship that we held onto for years. Everyone knew her as the daughter of Chief Charlie Swan of Forks Police Department, which sadly was the probable reasons neither of us were invited to any events slash parties that were hosted by the popular kids in the student body.

It hadn't really bothered me, but Bella seemed willing to fit in with the crowds at any chance given. Unfortunately, none have made the effort to send her an invite she so desperately craved. I'd be the shoulder she'd cry on when it came to the constant obsessions for her to fit in with the crowds.

She had always wanted the experiences of a high school student. The typical days of skipping class, hanging out with her best friends on weekends on shopping sprees and a day of checking out boys she hoped she could have, and of course actually having a boyfriend. None she could obtain because she was my best friend, and I was her only friend, as it seems.

We weren't exactly on the popular route when it came to fitting into cliques, but in a way, our army of two seemed enough for me. There had only been one other that pertained to be our third wheel: Seth Clearwater. He's known as Leah's kid's brother, one of the plastics of high school. The only reason Seth tagged along at times was for the reason of Bella; poor guy had a crush on the girl who was oblivious to the interest of the opposite sex. I hadn't told Bella because I knew she would badger the poor kid.

Though, just like Bella, Seth tried his best to fit in with any group, but being the shadow to his sister, it was a difficult task. He had told us of her rule that he couldn't be friends with her friends, so that kind of left it to just Bella and me. The jocks wouldn't even give the poor kid a chance. I guess it would be awkward to hang out with Leah's boyfriend and his group of idiots.

Leah's is dating Paul Lahote, one of obnoxious idiots that try to make my life a living hell along with Emmett McCarty, Jared Cameron, Mike Newton and Jacob Black. Each of them fitting into their own world, claiming they're the life of this school. Emmett's girlfriend was just as self-centered as he is, Rosalie Hale, cheer-captain and Leah's best friend. Then there's Kim Trail, Jared's girlfriend and third in command to their group of dimwits. I was sure they'd be the cast of Mean Girls if the movie had been made with them in mind.

I, of course kept to myself, for my own personal reasons of course. Reasons I can't seem to admit to myself. A secret I keep to myself. Bella hadn't even known because I didn't want her to know, she's tends to blow things out of proportion and will treat as if I was fragile being that deserved to be catered to. It's just who she was.

But I promised to tell her someday, hopefully soon.

My father has faith that one day I wouldn't need to hide it, or go through it. He's very passionate to his job. Being the pastor's son hasn't really been a walk in the park; in fact, it was more of a burden. But I would never change it for the world. My father always told me to have faith, and I've been living with the guidance since then.

Edward Masen SR, my father had been married to my late mother, Elizabeth Masen. Cancer took her from me at the age of three, and the only memories I have of her are the ones my father had given me. Like any widowed father, he hasn't met anyone that could seem to amount to my late mother. I knew he still loved her and thought about her everyday.

Growing up hadn't been that difficult, but it has been lonely. It was always just I and dad, and sometimes Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins from the church that would often invite us to their family events. They were the only people I had known from the reservation and they were the reason that the kids on the reservation are able to still go to school.

I'm guessing one of the teens thought it would be fun to light the school field on fire not really thinking that the school next to it was just as flammable. Now thanks to Mr. Jenkins, he was able to get a school bus route for the kids to come to our school in Forks. But I guess there was one positive thing that came out of all of this, reconciliation built friendships between the kids in town and the kids out on the rez; excluding Bella and me.

I knew of one teenage boy that Bella has a crush on. The fact is, she just doesn't feel that she's pretty enough to ask him out, that and she's far too shy to, and I can't blame her. Jacob Black is just as intimidating as the other jocks he hangs with.

Since Charlie had become friends with Billy Black and Harry Clearwater, Bella was introduced to the kids that lived there. The only one that seemed to be friendly with her was a girl named Emily. She was home schooled until she finished and married her best friend Sam Uley. Since then, Bella has kind of based her happily ever after on the couple's relationship.

Of course there's me. Edward Masen JR. Not much I could say other that the fact that I've been raised under my father and his strong beliefs as a strong Christian. Prayers are used daily in our house, and he strongly believes in the man upstairs. But me, I haven't been entirely faithful to my father's beliefs. My father used to be the stereotypical homophobic pastor, and it even got worse after I admitted to him that I am gay, but it sort of changed a couple months ago.

His only wish is that I am able to experience love and life like any other person in this world, which is why he depends on his faith to help me out.

"Have you made your decision son?" He asked, slouched and exhausted in the sofa beside me.

"I'm not going." I muttered.

~:~:~: Lake Pleasant :~:~:~

The gathering grounds for many of Forks High school students, almost every clique found their place here. Tonight was the night that Seth would take up on his initiation to be finally welcomed into the jock circle, but little did the teen know, this was just for their mere entertainment. The only reason Jacob was there was to make sure that his friend wouldn't be harmed.

It had been Emmett's idea to send Seth out to the docks. There were three docks in different distances out on the lake, Seth's dare consisted of him retrieving the flags placed on each before coming back to shore in the time-span given.

Seth's determination always got the best of him, and his main focus was to finally take his place in the group of popular teens. Paul would be taking Leah out so she had no clue of the ritual, which meant that only a few would be able to witness Seth make a fool of himself.

No one but Seth knew that he wasn't a good swimmer, which is why the teen was far too stubborn to give up. The only lights to guide Seth to his destinations were the headlights of the cars at shore and the moon that shone above them in the starry night.

Emmett and his group watched carelessly as the teen began to walk past the shoreline and dive into the lake to make his way to the first dock. Jacob had been the only one worried for the boy as he watched Seth struggle to get to the first dock. His fists clenched and his heart skipped a few beats, the anxiety was getting to him as he thought how stupid it was for Seth to go forth with the dare.

The first flag had been gathered and everyone could see that Seth was already exhausted, but that hadn't stopped him from jumping into the cold water once again to race to the next. Screams and shouts bellowed across the group as they cheered on the teen, urging him to keep going while Jacob hoped that the whole thing would be over and done with.

It wasn't until the last dock that sirens could be heard from a distance that sent everyone in a panic, including Seth as he dived back into the lake to swim to shore. Just as everyone scrambled to their vehicles, Seth's anxiety took hold of him and began to fill his lungs with unwanted water. Jacob took it as a sign to rescue his friend before he ended up drowning in the lake.

As the vehicle's pulled out one by one, Jacob had already been close to reaching Seth before the water pulled him below the surface.

"Hang on Seth!" Jacob shouted above the sirens blaring, "I'm coming, hang on!"

"I can't hold on much longe…." Seth struggled to paddle until he felt to weak to continue and began to disappear in the water.

"SETH!" Jacob worried as he dived under to grab his friend.

Jacob pulled the younger teen to the surface and raced to shore realizing that Seth's breaths were no longer there. At the same time Jacob had pulled Seth to shore, the police had arrived. Jacob had already been performing CPR on his friend by the time Chief Swan had reached them.

"What happened Jacob?" The chief asked as he pushed the teen aside to take over.

"He was swimming…" Jacob began to stutter as he continued to worry for his younger friend, "he didn't make it… when he heard the sirens…. He… he raced back."

"C'mon Seth." Chief Swan pleaded as he pumped the teen's chest. "Breath for me kid…"

As a tear fell down Jacob's cheek, Seth's body jerked forward as he spat out the water that blocked his breathing, making the boy gasp for air while Chief Swan pulled him forward to breath.

"Take it slowly son." The chief urged him, "Bridges?"

"Yes sir?" The other officer replied.

"Call the ambulance while I contact his parents."

Jacob knelt next to Seth for comfort. Though not much people knew of their friendship, they knew that they could count on each other. Some may wonder why they both associated with different groups, but it was Seth's idea for Jacob to have something that he couldn't. It's just who Seth was, caring and very considerate to his best friend.

"This isn't worth it anymore Seth." Jacob mumbled. "Screw all of this bullshit."

"I'm fine Jacob."

"No, you're not." Jacob growled, "I almost lost you to a bet. I'm done with them. I'm done with all of them."

It was the promise Jacob had made to himself at that moment. He was no longer going to be playing the jock that the school labeled him as, he was going to better himself for his friend and for those who were around him.

This would be the moment Jacob's life would change.