Author's Note:Again I've made a story. Sorry for those who've read about my other fanfic but... let's just see what happens first! :D

This is now my real first fanfic. I promise to update it more often.

I don't have any beta so any comment would be nice. :D

Summary: Bella could never ask for more from life. She has her family and all her friends around her. But just like what they say, "hitting two birds with one stone." What happens when that saying applies the wrong way? Now her best friend's dead and there's no one to suspect other than her boyfriend since she caught him on act. Hmm... OOC/AH, HEA? of course.

THE RULES OF DATING AND ITS ART

PROLOGUE

BPOV

I let my mind wander as the room started to fill. We've been sitting here for half an hour already. The longer we stayed here in this room the more it made me feel like time loves to fuck with us, so that every moment will be a torture.

I huffed. Fuck. I can't think straight. The trial has not even started but I know that the confliction in me that I've tried so hard to hide for the past few weeks in front of my friends is splayed all over my face. It's unstoppable, really. Just by being in this room and knowing that the man who I loved the most will be held into trial here in this damn court room. And as if that's not torture enough, I had to be here as the state witness. That's when it all came back to me. The moment as if everything happened all of a sudden. I tried to shove the memory in the back of my mind for now. Damn, just for a few more minutes, I hoped to forget the memory but it's very futile. Every vision that has flashed into my mind was so clear it almost felt like it just happened last night. Fuck me. It's not working. I tried to cover my frustration by burying my face into my hands.

I wanted to scream out loud. To cry. I imagined feeling Edward's arms surround me at the same time try to tell me that it'll be alright, that everything's going to be okay. He'd kiss the top of my head while I hold on to him like he's my life support. I let out an exasperated laugh. Of course, it had to be me. I had to be the one to have the double whammy. Already added to my fucking luck list.

I opened my eyes and blinked furiously. I didn't want to close my eyes anymore. More fucking visions will just enter my head.

I could see the room is almost full now. We all stood up. The Judge started his dialogue and then pounded the gavel after he'd finished. Juries sat on the side while each side's lawyers sat just in front of our seat, all prepared with their plans, evidences, questions, or just what-the fuck-ever they will use against each other's clients. I still can't believe we're all here right now. Hell, I can't believe I'm the reason to all this fuckery! Stop it, Bella. You weren't the one to fucking kill Jake! GODDAMN, I must be insane already!

I shook my head, willing sanity to somehow come back, as Alice whispered, "It's time," her voice barely audible. I looked at Esme and Carlisle. Esme tried to look as blank as possible but her eyes gave away her façade. Carlisle was holding close, like she's going to fall off if he lets go. He looked at me and nodded. Of course, he was also hurt but he was, like Esme, trying to look strong but unlike her, he was succeeding. It was excruciating to look at them, feeling and knowing that just by one statement, their son's whole life would change, for I am able to condemn him to hell-on-earth that we more commonly called jail.

I can't breathe. I swear everybody in this room can hear my heartbeat thumping against my chest. Blood rapidly pulsated through my veins, making my face heat up. Agitatedly, I walked forward while I tried my damnedest to not to look at my boyfriend turned to alleged murderer. I went to the small booth beside the judge and did the clichéd pre-court trial routine. I looked at my friends and the family I've come to acknowledge as mine. The Cullens can really be as solid as a rock when it comes to their family. I've seen that they've already put on a strong and determined front for their member. My partner. I swallowed hard. Neutral, Bella. You came here as the witness AGAINST him. Deal with it! Another long, dragging sigh.

God, this is so hard. Don't cry, Bella. DON'T YOU FUCKING CRY! Don't look at him. I almost said out loud that I can't. I continued my internal chant while I turned to face my best friend's family – my other second family. Rachel sent me an encouraging smile. I tried to reciprocate as best as I could, really, I did. And who the fuck are you trying to convince Bella? Ugh. I sighed, resigned. Fucking hell. Billy, on the other hand, just nodded at me, goading me to start speaking against my love. Somehow, I just can't do it. I cannot bring myself to make a statement. Up until now, there's been an internal war inside my head – one saying what I knew he did do and the other one asking me to see more sense into the world, to analyze the memory better. Because, fuck, I knew that somewhere in my mind, which ever part it is, can have the capacity to believe the opposite of what I know and my whole heart telling me that he did not do it. It was both overwhelming and conflicting. Trust me, you wouldn't want an experience.

Traitor tears wanted to fall so bad but I managed to swallow it away along with the anxiety. I had to be strong for this. Edward's life depends on what my statement would be.

As I sat on the tall chair, readying myself, a memory passed through my mind, as if I'm not conflicted enough. I remembered a moment four years ago during one of our umpteenth sleepovers. The "emergency" sleepover, as Rose would call, that is. That was the night we made our rules. SHIT! What if?

Jake's family's hired lawyer stood up from his seat and started interrogating me in front of hundreds of people. Questions we've already rehearsed before. Then he threw the biggest one of them. "Miss Swan, can you, then, please tell us everything that happened that night." he said, making it more like a command than a question.

He thought he knew everything about this case – hell, I thought I knew, too - but because I had new found information just about now… FUCK MY LIFE!

Everybody's waiting for my answer like it's the fucking continuation of a cliffhanger from some show they've been watching. I looked at Edward for the first time in weeks. I can feel big, chunky tears falling down my cheeks. I can't believe I've survived this long, not seeing him. He had the same expression in his eyes though his face looked neutral. Well, It's now or never, Bella. I made a deep breath before I spill all my guts.

To all of you, first of all, I don't have any whatsoever background about court trials. I've never experienced one, (YET!) so...

Reviews, please. I need it.

Thanks. XOXO.

:D