Playing With The Boys Chapter 1: Sign Up, a twilight fanfic

Hey guys, here's the first chapter of Playing With The Boys. I've had this idea running around my head ever since I watched Mulan with my sister… The story will mostly be run in Bella's POV, but Edwards POV will be at the end ok? It's set in 1918 Australia (soz, I wanted to have it there) and there ALL HUMAN ok?

I don't own Twilight OR Mulan… which this is sort of based around…. Mwahaha.

Chapter 1

BPOV

A loud knock started banging on the door bringing me out of my deep sleep. I looked outside my window, it was barely daylight. I groaned but stepped out of bed and stumbled out to the front door. I opened the door to find my best friend Alice bouncing on the front step. "Alice, what is it? The sun has even risen yet." I said while rubbing sleep from my eyes.

"Bells, have you already forgotten what today was?" she questioned. I racked my brain to remember the date. 16th of December… now what was so special about that date. I gasped when I realized.

"Oh no Alice, you can't make me go! You know I hate these sort of things!" I yelled while trying to shut the door on her. She had obviously realized what I was about to do because she had her foot in between the door and the doorway.

"Bella, it isn't that bad," she protested.

"Only for you! You're so gorgeous it doesn't matter, you're picked every year!" I groaned.

"Bells! I am so not picked every year!" she yelled.

"Ok then, tell me one time you weren't." I smirked knowing that I had won.

"Umm, well… there was… no, not that year… umm." she stuttered.

"Exactly Alice, so what makes you think I'm going to bother competing in this year's beauty contest?"

"Because it's held at the carnival and I promise to let you go and compete in the sparring rings as well." I looked out the door to make sure she hadn't crossed her fingers.

"You promise?" she always played the sparring card to get me to go with her to all sorts of girly things that I hated. Fighting with the swords was the only thing I ever felt comfortable, and my older brother Ben used me to train him. Well, that was before the accident.

"Yes I promise, now go wash up. I'll be in your room waiting for you; did you end up buying that really nice outfit I picked for you? You better have." she said as she pushed past me to my room. I sighed and walked to my family's small washroom; I dipped a rag into the water bucket and wiped my face, arms and legs. When I felt slightly more awake, I walked back to my room. I was attacked by a ball of energy; I was pushed onto the bed and my brown hair started to get pulled back.

"Alice, just don't go overboard please." I asked.

"When do I ever go overboard?" she asked. I just raised an eyebrow at her, "Ok just a little bit." She sighed.

"Thank you." I replied, relief colouring my tone. The sun had started to rise over the horizon when Alice finished. She handed me dress made of yellow silk. "Alice," I gasped, "How did you manage to get hold of yellow?" I asked.

"I made it, duh." I looked at her in surprise, with these colours and designs she could make a fortune. She walked out of my room to get changed into her own dress. Once she was gone I quickly changed into my own dress, and checked my reflection. When I did I had to shake my head then look again, the girl that looked back was breathtaking. Her brown eyes sparkled and her brown hair was pulled back into a messy French braid. It took me a little while for me to understand that it was me in the reflection. I walked out of my bedroom to see if Ben was up and attempting to make a form of breakfast, Alice was sitting at the table in a white and red dress that contrasted against her hair perfectly. (A/N: Both outfits on my profile pictures.)

Ben turned from the fire stove with a plateful of food, only to almost drop it when he saw me. "Wow, Bells you look," he struggled to find the right words.

I laughed, "I know, but I look plain compared to Alice." I winked at him; he had a little crush on her. He blushed at my comment.

"No Bella, you look breathtaking." He protested.

"It was all Alice." I shrugged as I sat down, careful not to crumple any part of the dress. "I know it isn't easy to make me pretty, she must have used all her make up!" I joked, but to be honest… I was being truthful. Ben limped over to the table and placed the eggs and ham down in front of Alice and I, we both shovelled in the food. Today was going to be very long and tedious. "Ben, maybe you should sit down," I suggested.

He shook his head as he took the dirty plates to wash them, "Sorry Bells, a man has gotta do what a man has gotta do." He joked. I gave him a disapproving look, but had Alice started to drag me out the front door.

"This isn't over!" I yelled at him.

"It never is," I heard him mumble while chuckling.

I was about to reply but Alice had grabbed my waist and dragged me backwards, giving me a perfect view of the house. Our house from the outside looked worn but comfortable; it was a ground floor with a kitchen, washroom, two bedrooms and a small room for the table. The walls were never covered with paint; both my brother and I had loved the colour of the wood too much. The front path was made of mismatching cobble stones that led to the dirt road. We started to follow the dirt road into town, and the carnivals festivities were already begging to show. Small children were pretending to fight with wooden sticks, actually, that reminded me. "Alice, did you bring me a change of clothes?" I whispered into her ear.

A look of confusion crossed her face but then it cleared, "What? Oh right, yes I have. It's waiting behind the stage for the beauty contest." She whispered back.

"Thanks, what number am I?" I asked in my normal volume.

"That's OK, and your number three." She read out from a little sheet in her hands.

"Who's the person before me?" I enquired.

"The town bicycle." She replied with a blank look. Whenever she put on that face I knew she was hurting, this time it was because the town bicycle – aka Lauren Mallory – stole her fiancé from her. Now Alice was always suspicious of a lot of the male population in our town, because you never actually knew what they were doing behind your backs. I put my hand on her shoulder as we walked; she gave me a weak smile.

By then we had reached the carnival, all the cooked food wafted over to entice us. I started to make my way over, "I'm just going to," I never got to complete my sentence because I was pulled back.

"No Bella," Alice scolded, "You might stain you pretty dress, who knows? Maybe a rich lord will see you and want to marry you?"

"Alice," I sighed, "I would kick them in the manhood and run for my life." She looked at me in disbelief and my cool was lost, I started to laugh. "I'm joking Alice! You should have seen your face," I was cut off by a slap to the face, "I'm partly serious though, why would they choose me when you're here?" I asked.

"Bella I have told you a thousand times, you are way prettier than me." She yelled.

"I definitely agree," a rough voice said behind me. A hand went onto my shoulder and I felt a head rest on the other, "I would want to marry you." I turned around to see Mike grinning like an idiot, but the grin went away pretty quickly after I punched him in the nose.

"Oh Mike!" I yelled, "Are you OK?" he was rolling on the ground holding his nose in his hands, a group had started to form around us. "I don't know what happened! One minute ago we were just talking then the next someone ran up and punched him in the nose!" I said hysterically, Alice was next to me and trying to keep a straight face. Somehow it was failing. Mike tried to get up, "Mike did I see that right?" I asked.

He looked at me warily for a moment, "Yes," he finally said, "That's exactly what happened. I breathed a sigh of relief, and tried to stop my grin. The beauty contest organizer started calling for the competitors. I flashed an apologetic smile to Mike and left him to the questions of the people watching.

As soon as we were an acceptable distance from Mike, Alice and I looked at each other and burst out laughing. "You are such a good liar!" Alice gasped out. I could only nod. We managed to get ourselves under control and started to walk into the little cottage that would serve as our changing room. I didn't really understand why we needed to get ready again, but Alice insisted so I followed. But not without a fight.

"Alice what's the point? All we are going to do is walk up and down a wooden platform." Unfortunately I had managed to say this as we were walking into the cottage and all the girls in there stopped applying random things and stared at Alice and I. As predicted, I blushed and ran to a secluded room that was thankfully empty of bimbos. "Ok can you answer my question now?" I pleaded.

She sighed before answering, "Bells, it may not seem like it but…" she bit her lip in hesitation.

"But…" I prompted.

"I really enjoy this sort of thing, you know… like a profession… I just thought that I could get you to help me…" she trailed off. I had to blink quickly to stop the few tears that threatened, if she was joking then so help me…

"I'm so sorry Al, I'll do it for you."

"Thanks." She said warmly. I somehow got the impression that I had been conned after all. I couldn't think of it anymore because a lady had just come in calling for all the competitors.

"Okay ladies," she called out, "I'm going to need Angela, Lauren, Isabella, and Josie." She turned around without waiting for us. Alice nudged me and whispered.

"I think that means you should follow her," she gave me a push and grabbed a few things out of her bag and walked away, I sighed.

I followed the lady, I found out she was called Matilda, to the back of the stage. "Ok ladies, there are four judges there and the fifth one is going to arrive shortly. We have a band that will play backstage; all you have to do is sing along to the unknown song until you know the lyrics." I gulped at her words; Alice had never said anything like this was going to happen. "You will be marked on how you look, how quickly you pick up on the songs and if you include any dance moves. This is a new addition, we felt we weren't gaining enough people to watch and raise funds so we added in this twist. Angela you will go first." Angela nodded at Matilda and wiped her hands on the waist of her dress, apparently I wasn't the only one that was nervous. "Ok then, start walking in… 3… 2… 1." Angela walked up the short steps and walked on bravely.

(A/N: LOL! I will put in modern day songs; I'm hoping to have each song going with their personalities… mwahhahahahaaha…)

A few seconds later a song started to filter through the curtains, I took a peek to she Angela swaying confidently… she knew the song. LUCKY!

Waking up I see that everything is ok
The first time in my life and now it's so great
Slowing down I look around and I am so amazed
I think about the little things that make life great
I wouldn't change a thing about it
This is the best feeling

This innocence is brilliant
I hope that it will stay
This moment is perfect
Please don't go away
I need you now
And I'll hold on to it
Don't you let it pass you by

I found a place so safe, not a single tear
The first time in my life and now it's so clear
Feel calm, I belong, I'm so happy here
It's so strong and now I let myself be sincere
I wouldn't change a thing about it
This is the best feeling

This innocence is brilliant
I hope that it will stay
This moment is perfect
Please don't go away
I need you now
And I'll hold on to it
Don't you let it pass you by

It's a state of bliss, you think you're dreaming
It's the happiness inside that you're feeling
It's so beautiful it makes you wanna cry

It's so beautiful it makes you wanna cry

This innocence is brilliant, It Makes you want to cry
This innocence is brilliance Please don't go away
Cause I need you now
And I'll hold on to it, Don't you let it pass you by

This innocence is brilliant
I hope that it will stay
This moment is perfect
Please don't go away
I need you now
And I'll hold on to it
Don't you let it pass you by

After the last note was played the whole area went up in thunderous applause. "Angela that was fantastic!" I all but screamed at her when she walked back down.

"Thank you," she said while looking nervously at Lauren who had a smirk on her face.

"Well if everyone sings and looks like you, I'm sure to win." I looked at Lauren in shock; I should've guessed she'd say something like that. She swayed off trying to look pretty; I turned back to Angela to see her nearly on the verge of tears.

"Angela! Don't cry over her words!" I said, trying to comfort her. "We'll watch her and laugh along everyone else watching, ok?" she nodded timidly.

"Thank you," she whispered, I gave her a hug. We turned back to the stage to see Lauren jumping up and down, and happening to look a lot like a hippo. The song started and she smirked and winked at one of the male judges, he gulped in response.

It's Lauren Bitch
I see you,
And I just wanna dance with you

Everytime they turn the lights down
Just wanna go that extra mile for you
Public display of affection
Feels like no one else in the room (but you)

We can get down like there's no one around
We keep on rocking, we keep on rockin'
Cameras are flashing while we're dirty dancing
They keep watching, keep watchin'
Feels like the the crowd was saying

Gimme Gimme more
Gimme more
Gimme gimme more

The center of attention, even when we're up against the wall
You got me in a crazy position (uh huh)
If you're on a mission (ooh)
You got my permission oh

We can get down like there's no one around
We keep on rocking, we keep on rockin'
Cameras are flashing while we're dirty dancing
They keep watching, keep watchin'
Feels like the the crowd was saying

Gimme Gimme more
Gimme more
Gimme gimme more

I just can't control myself, more
They want more?
Well I'll give them more (ow!)

Gimme Gimme more
Gimme more
Gimme gimme more

Gimme more gimme more
Gimme more gimme more babe
I just want more

Gimme gimme gimme gimme gimme

The whole way through the song Angela and I were trying to stop laughing at the faces of the audiences, pure shock. Lauren had thought this was a good thing because she started to do even more prerogative dances. The laughter died down when I realized it was actually my go… oh crap. Lauren sauntered off stage, and smile sweetly at me, "Good luck twerp," she said. Angela and I gagged at her back.

"Isabella," I turned to see Matilda running at me, "You're supposed to be on now," she said breathlessly. I nodded numbly and turned to the stage.

"Good luck," Angela whispered. I walked on and stood nervously for a moment, looking at the swarms of people in front of me. I gulped. The music started to play, and I smiled. I had recognized the drum line.

"This is for two very special people who deserve each other very much," I don't know where the new found courage came from, and I didn't care. "Their names are Lauren and Mike." Everyone laughed at that, then my cue came up for me to start singing.

Hey there, you there
Yeah, yeah, yeah you there
talk of the town
Don't come near me
I can't stand it
You just get me down
You just get me down

And your heads full of one thing
and your mouth's never shut
let it loose, all the juice
about your own good self

so keep on lookin'
at your face in the mirror
there's never ever gonna be
anyone nearer to you, than you
and kiss yourself
when you wake up in the morning
another night spent with one who
was dearest to you and that's you

Isn't it fun, being so dumb?
Isn't it fun being so dumb?

Isn't it fun being so dumb?

I say, oh ok
if you really are so cute
then how come
no-one, ever goes near you
ever touches you, no, no-one

And your heads full of nothing
and it's all lips have glum
who would guess, self obsessed
could turn you out so dumb

Isn't it fun, being so dumb?
Isn't it fun being so dumb?

Isn't it fun?

The applause I got sounded so loud compared to the other two, I was shocked. Even the judges were clapping and smiling… that's weird. I quickly rushed off stage, only to trip running down the stairs. I landed in a set of sturdy arms, but my motion had pushed them over as well. I looked the persons face, it was Ben. "Ben! What are you doing here?" I exclaimed.

"Well, I came here to congratulate you on your singing, It was really good," he glanced around before continuing, making me suspicious. "And I uh… well… met Angela and we… um… got talking…" he trailed off. I grinned at him.

"I'll let you two continue talking then, I've got to go to Alice or she'll have me for dinner." I walked off to the little cottage, but found no-one. I decided to check out the very large audience that was forming around the stage, I found all the girls from the cottage standing on upturned buckets trying to get a good view. "Alice!" I hissed. A little bundle of red and white flew towards me.

"Oh Bella! You were so fabulous!" The bundle shouted. How she managed to keep all that white on the dress clean was beyond me, the dirt road had covered most of me already.

"Alice I want to go know," I hinted. She sighed but led me behind the shed, where a bundle of clothes were waiting. She pushed a few of the clothes at me and told me to change, "What here? Right now?" I asked incredulously.

"Yes here and now, oh Bella get over it." She snapped. I quickly changed, hoping Mike or Tyson wouldn't come looking around the corner. The clothes were plain but the chain mail that slipped over it wasn't. It had belonged to my Grandfather who fought in the war regularly, and had been passed on to my brother. But since his accident he didn't use it, so I did. The metal gleamed in the sunlight, in the same condition it was when Grandfather had made it.

"Alice when are you up on stage? I don't want to be waiting all by myself!" I whispered fervently.

"ALICE!" a voice called, "YOU'RE ON NOW SO HURRY UP!"

"It's my turn now in case you hadn't heard," she said cheekily before running off on her tiny feet. I walked over to the stage and waited for her turn, she walked out pristine as ever and started to sing with the music so confidently, it was like she owned the world.

Stand up
Like your mama said
You can be a mouse or
You can be a man

I don't have the time for
A little boy like you
Respect just ain't a word
It's something that you do

You need to prove
She's everything
She's a goddess and a queen bee
Show your loving boy and you'll be king

Come on!

Kiss your mama
Give me everything I'm waiting for
Kiss your mama
Show respect
Go and unlock the door
Kiss your mama baby
That's what I'm praying for
You'll be mine
When I see you act like a man

Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah
I know you can
Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah
Be a man
Nah nah nah nah nah nah
So tell me who kisses your mama now?

I'll break it down so
You can understand
I'm independent
But I want a man

If you think I'm uptight
Baby think again
Maybe time to grow up
Stop acting like a kid

Oh what's the problem
Can't a woman be a woman,
and a man be gentleman?

Kiss your mama
Give me everything I'm waiting for
Kiss your mama
Show respect
Go and unlock the door
Kiss your mama baby
That's what I'm praying for
You'll be mine
When I see you act like a man

Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah
I know you can
Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah
Be a man
Nah nah nah nah nah nah
So tell me who kisses your mama now?

You need to prove
She's everything
She's a goddess and a queen bee
Show your loving boy and you'll be king

Come on!

Kiss your mama
Give me everything I'm waiting for
Kiss your mama
Show respect
Go and unlock the door
Kiss your mama baby
That's what I'm praying for
You'll be mine
When I see you act like a man

Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah
I know you can
Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah
Be a man
Nah nah nah nah nah nah
So tell me who kisses your mama now?

She got into the song so easily and did her own little complicated step dance that made everyone's jaw drop, with a pop. As the song finished up I ran to the back to grab her from her admirers. "Alice come on let's go!" I said while trying to pull her.

"What no 'congrats you were so awesome and you will totally win'?" she asked, folding her arms across her chest. "Anyway I want to find out who wins." She said stubbornly with the puppy dog pout. I was done for.

"Fine! I said," her face lit up, "But on one condition." her face suddenly turned sour.

"And that is?" she asked tersely.

"You get changed as soon as you win." her face lit up again.

"Sure, but there's no guarantee that I will win." she stated.

"Oh yes there is," I said coldly before shoving her into the crowd again. Matilda walked up onto the stage and started to speak, the crowd went silent.

"The winner of this year's Brisbane Beauty contest is…"

EPOV

Once the little black haired girl had stopped screaming her head off and hugging everyone, I politely excused myself from the crowd and made my way over to the fighting ring. I was coming around the corner of one of the tents when Lauren ran over and crushed me into a hug. "Edward! I can't believe I finally found you! You were always good at hiding! Why didn't you vote for me in the beauty show? I was so better than that pixie!" she yelled in one breath.

"Lauren, I did vote for you. Why wouldn't I?" I only said it so she would let go, I thought the brown haired angel did it much better than anyone else there. But Jasper was practically in love with the 'pixie' as Lauren put it, and was a sucker for the wink she sent to the judges table after her performance. He claimed that he didn't even know who she was and had never spoken to her, but I think he's going to pretty soon.

"Of course you would Edward! That's why you are the world's best fiancé!" I pushed her away this time and started to back away.

"Lauren I never asked you to marry me." I stated slowly.

"Yes I know, but you were going to weren't you?" she asked with a pout, and she took on the appearance of someone with constipation.

"Lauren, I was never going to." Realization dawned on her face and she scowled at me. Her palm connected with my cheek as she stormed off, I rubbed my cheek as I walked around the tent into the crowds to find the seats for the army. Lots of girls made their way over to me but I dodged them as quickly as possible, and sat down next to Jasper. "Hey Jasper," I whispered. He threw me a scowl and I realized my slip up. "Sorry General."

"Your excused Commander," he muttered.

"Do you expect to find any good talent?" I enquired. He gazed thoughtfully at the contestants lining up, I cast my eyes there too. Most of the boys were the usual candidate's; tall, eager and willing to hurt people. In the line were what seemed like two very out of place boys, even though they acted like they belonged there, there was a sense of nervousness around them. They were much smaller than any of the other boys and very slight, for some reason I was afraid of them being hurt.

"No more than the usual," he replied.

The tournament began soon after and both Jasper and I kept our eyes on the sparring pair, trying to look for any potential. What scared me the most was seeing the small boys fight, and that I was scared for them. I looked at Jasper and saw he was experiencing the same emotion. Neither of us had need for worry because both small boys were top fighters, and very strong. The smallest of the pair defeated a man at least twice his size without breaking a sweat over it. The tournament finished and the larger of the two was crowned champion of the year, much to the bravo of the spectators.

Jasper and I walked over to the crowed of fighters and picked out our selections. They all looked at us with wide eyes. "Men," I announced. There was a laugh somewhere in the group and I saw the little boy elbow the other one, I raised an eyebrow in their direction. "You have all been selected for the army training program, if you wish to attend, please fill out your name and address on the sheet of paper next to the General," I motioned to where Jasper was standing. "If you don't want to please leave now." I looked around. No-one moved, I smiled. Then some-one did move, I turned to see one of the small boys trying to pull the other one away but he wasn't moving.

The group lined up and everyone did as they had told, 'they'll be good soldiers.' I thought. When the line ended the two boys were all that were left, one walked proudly forward while the other slowly walked forward. He wrote down; Albert Brandson, 34 Walkway Cresent Brisbane. The other walked forward and wrote; Brian Swan, 59 Forbes Creek Brisbane. "Welcome aboard," I said looking at the boy, the boy gasped and ran away. This was going to be an interesting group of soldiers.

Hope you guys like it alright, I want to make long chapters so it might be a while before the next one comes out OK? Songs if anyone wants to know are: (Angela) Innocence by Avril Lavigne, (Lauren) Gimme More by Britney Soears, (Bella) Dumb by Lash, (Alice) Kiss your Mama by Vanessa Amorosi... Also I have another story so I want to keep dong that one as well… see ya'z l8r! xxoo