A/N: Hey hey, I'm back with the second chapter! I updated early but I couldn't help myself. Fanfiction just makes me so excited. Edward makes an appearance in this one, and we find out just exactly what people Bella thinks of him. This is longer than the last one and I'm thinking that all chapters will probably be this length. I'll stop chatting away and just say one more thing; enjoy the story!
Disclaimer: My ID card says my name isn't Stephenie Meyer so I'm pretty sure I don't own Twilight. Disney owns Prom.
Chapter 2
"Jasper said that there was no way he was gonna wear a magenta tie, but I threatened him with a talk to his Mom and that definitely changed his mind. Seriously, he's so scared of her its ridiculous, he does everything she wants. She's sort of my inspiration."
Angela and I giggled at Alice, amused at the thought of manly Jasper bowing down to his Mom and Alice at the same time, whilst also wearing a magenta tie. I wished him good luck.
"Well I'm not making Ben wear a matching tie. He can wear whatever he wants, just as long as he still likes the colour of my dress," Angela added.
"You know, I still can't get over that. You're so quiet and shy, Ang, I never thought you'd go for a red dress. Alice's magenta I can believe, but you? I always imagined you in something...pastel." I explained thoughtfully.
I saw Alice make a face at the mention of pastel as we continued walking down the crowded hallway before school on Tuesday morning. Today's main mission was finding someone to help me with the decorations this afternoon, seeing as Alice and Angela both had afterschool commitments. They had apologised profusely and I shushed them quickly, but inside my stomach was fluttering with nerves.
"I guess that's why I chose it," Angela's voice interrupted my thoughts. "I wanted to surprise everyone and show that I'm not always so predictable. Besides, it's our senior year and it's prom! It's time to go a little crazy and get wild."
See, this is what I loved about prom. It made the quiet girls gain confidence and lose inhibitions. I had no doubt that on the night Ang would be that insane girl doing crazy and embarrassing moves on the dancefloor.
"Well when you put it that way I guess it's perfect. You're gonna look so good, I just know it," I stated with absolute confidence. There was absolutely no doubt in my mind that Angela and Alice were going to look amazing.
"You're gonna look amazing as well, you know." Chirped Alice while Angela nodded emphatically.
I grimaced. "I'd look even better if I had a date by my side."
They both groaned simultaneously.
"Bella! I swear Mike is going to ask you soon. He'd be crazy not too! And really, you don't need a date to have a good time or to make you look good," Alice reasoned.
I rose with indignation. "That's easy for you to say, Miss I've-had-a-boyfriend-for-two-years! There was never any thought that you'd be dateless."
Alice opened her mouth to retort but Ang butted in before anything could be said.
"This is all a moot point anyway, because Mike Newton is standing right next to your locker."
I looked up sharply to find that Ang's words were correct. Mike was standing there looking all cute and adorable and the realisation that the perfect moment I had been dreaming about forever was about to happen. Mike was going to invite me to prom, I could just feel it.
I beamed at my friends and they squealed before all of us dissolved into giggles. I told them to stay there while I went to talk to him, then quickly half ran - half walked to my locker, trying to appear casual.
"Oh, hi, Mike. Didn't see you there," I commented breezily.
He smiled at me, showing off his boyish dimples before running a hand through his blonde hair.
"I just came over here to ask you something about prom," he beamed.
This is it, the moment that will make this the best day of my life.
"What about it?" I asked coyly.
As if I don't know!
"You see, I'm not gonna be able to make it, 'cause I've got an interview for a football scholarship that's out of town," Excuse me? "But I've already promised Ms Cope that I would take a few photos for the yearbook. I know you love this kind of stuff, so I was wondering if maybe pretty please you could do it for me?" He pushed this out all in one breath.
The disappointment and shock swirled in my stomach as I stood there dumbly for a few seconds, trying to comprehend his words. Things had just taken a turn for the worst.
"Bella?" he asked worriedly.
I snapped out of my coma-like state and nodded my head rapidly.
"S-sure, Mike. Would love to do it," I stammered, not even positive what I was agreeing to.
His face broke out into a large grin and he clapped me on the shoulder.
"You're the best, Bella!"
I returned a timid smile and swallowed deeply, trying to dislodge the sudden lump that had formed in my throat.
Dependant and reliable Bella Swan had lost the game again.
I stared at my sandwich glumly as I tried to ignore the sympathetic and concerned glances coming from everyone at the table. The cafeteria was crowded and noisy but I tuned everything out, replaying the scene over and over again. There were less than two weeks until prom and I didn't have a date, and the likliness that I would never get a date had just gotten larger. Was there really something so wrong with me? Even Ben and Jasper were looking at my with weary eyes and I suddenly couldn't take it anymore. I wasn't hungry and I just wanted to be alone so I could wallow in my self-misery.
I pushed out my chair gently and tried to leave with as much grace as possible, not meeting anyone's eyes. I dumped my tray before smoothly leaving the room. It was once I got outside into the hallway that I stumbled and my eyes filled with tears. No one followed me out, but I knew it wasn't because they didn't care, just because they knew that this was a time where I really didn't feel like talking and spilling my feelings of rejection and misery and hurt. Most would probably say it was silly to cry over something so insignifacant and petty, and I agreed wholeheartedtly. But the tears were still there and I couldn't stop them even if I tried.
Since the moment I had entered high school I had dreamed of this event. I was supposed to look gorgeous in my brand new dress with the guy of my dreams hanging off my arm with the most contented smile on his face. My dad was supposed to be so proud of me and approve of my date with enthusiasm, snapping pictures before shaking my dates hand and kissing me on the cheek, telling me to have fun and be safe.
I'd decided that Mike was to be that dream guy pretty quickly. We were so much alike; responsible, studious and reliable. Well, at least I thought he was reliable.
I leaned against my locker and wiped the last remnants of tears off my cheek with the sleeve of my shirt. It wasn't his fault, really. It was mine, for building up this perfect image and not expecting it to ever fail. I had depressingly done this to my self.
I startled at the the sound of my name being called from further up the hallway and hastily wiped my hands over my face, panicking to hide any evidence of my sobbing. I turned to find Mr. Greene, the school principal, rushing towards me with a determined look. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion and my heart started thumping, wondering if something had happened or gone wrong.
"Isabella," he sighed. "Just the person I was looking for. I need to speak to you in my office."
"Of course, sir. Did I do something wrong?" I asked wearily. I couldn't recall anything but maybe I hadn't...
Mr. Greene laughed and shook his head. "Always filled with doubt aren't you, Isabella. Of course you haven't done anything wrong. I just need to have a discussion with you regarding prom."
I nodded and followed silently behind him back to his office. His secretary smiled warmly at me but I couldn't shake the butterflies. Something bad was going to happen, I knew that much. Mr Greene opened his office door wide and held out a hand, signalling me to enter before him. I hesitantly stepped inside and my eyes went wide at the sight before me.
I knew that face, but it didn't make any sense that he should be invited in here as well.
Edward Cullen was sitting in one of Mr. Greene's chairs which was placed in front of the big oak desk, bouncing his leg up and down in a clear sign of irritation. He ran a hand through his hair and huffed, purposely ignoring the new addition, being me, to this impromptu meeting. I heard the door click shut and Mr. Greene shuffle around me and plonk into the chair behind his desk. I stood there, staring at Cullen with a mix of bewilderment and astonishment.
Edward Cullen was nortorious here at Forks High School. He was the resident handsome bad boy, the troublemaker that all the girls swooned over but never had the actual guts to strike up a conversation with. He had moved here two years ago with his mom who was apparently cheap and flighty, but we had never exchanged words. He generally ignored everyone and skipped class, and he definitely wasn't someone that I wanted to get to know. We were complete opposites in every sense of the word and I had no desire to strike up a friendship with him. He was dangerous and I was safe. He was dark and I was light. He was bad and I was good. I mean, he drove a motorcycle for goodness sake, if that didn't scream 'don't mess with me' then I didn't know what did. That's why I couldn't understand why the principal had even organised for us to be in the same place at the same time.
He looked pretty comfortable in this office, most likely because he had been in here so many times for causing trouble around the school. I had only been in here a few times, mainly to recieve congratulations on awards or to discuss the budget and issues involving prom. I had never been called to the principals office because I had done something wrong. I had never even so much as recieved a dentention.
Mr. Greene cleared his throat and I embarrassingly realised I was still standing. I uncomfortably rushed to the seat next to Cullen and gingerly sat down, scooting my chair as far away from his as possible. Something about his presence made my heart beat faster and my body start to sweat. I deduced it was probably just nerves.
"Mr. Cullen, Ms. Swan, you are probably both wondering why I have gathered you here today. It comes down to one simple matter: discipline. Mr. Cullen, repeatedly skipping lessons and having an overall bad attitude towards your studies has got to stop. Suspensions and detentions are obviously not working so hopefully my next method will."
I looked over to see Cullen roll his eyes and slouch even further in his chair, and I absentmindedly wondered if he slouched any further the armchair would swallow him whole. I sat up straighter and knotted my hands together in my lap when Mr. Greene started speaking again.
"Ms. Swan here is one of our best students. She is on the Honor Roll and is currently preparing the prom which is to be held in a week and a half's time. Unfortunately her organisation partner Eric Yorkie has become unwell which has left her with the task of completing the decorations by herself," he informed, staring at both of us with his hard 'principal eyes'. I was confused and flabbergasted as to why he was telling Cullen things about me, things that certainly did not concern him and his underachieving ways.
"And this is where you come in, Mr. Cullen."
Oh no, oh no, oh no...
"I am placing you in the care of Ms. Swan to offer your help. Each afternoon on Ms. Swan's schedule you will meet and help her complete the decorations in time for prom. Hopefully her studious behaviour will rub off on you and you'll learn a thing or two."
I could not handle this.
Cullen jumped in his seat with an outraged look on his face that I was sure reflected my own. I didn't want to work with him as much as he didn't want to work with me.
"This is a complete load of-" he started yelling, but I cut him off before he could continue.
"This is really not a good idea, sir." I protested, trying to stay calm. Edward glared at me for interrupting him but I knew he'd thank me later. Well actually he wouldn't, but whatever. "Edward and I don't get along and I doubt he'd even show up. I need someone who is serious about this and who's actually willing to help me. Even if he did show up he'd probably just stand there and do nothing."
Mr. Greene eyed Cullen before sliding his gaze back to me."If Mr. Cullen fails to show then do not hesitate to inform me. I am going to be very strict about this. As for your other apprehensions, Ms. Swan, I truly believe that this will work. My decision is final."
I groaned and shoved my face into my hands.
"But-,"
"I said my decision is final, Mr. Cullen." The principal growled.
I nodded my head resignedly, knowing when an argument had been lost.
"I understand, sir. Let's hope this all works out." I murmured.
Cullen's head shot towards me in disbelief, unbelieving that I had given up so easily. I had no choice. This was the principal, I had to listen to him.
"Excellent, Isabella." Mr. Greene encouraged. "Everything will work out perfectly, you'll see."
I didn't believe him one bit.
"Mr. Greene?" The secretary stood at the door and informed that there was someone on the phone that was waiting for him. He instructed us to stay put while he took the call and quickly waddled from the room.
An uncomfortable silence enveloped us. I didn't dare look at Cullen, instead staring down at my hands that were twisting nervously in my lap from a combination of anxiousness and a little bit of anger. Why me? Why did I have to get put with the slacker? Why couldn't stupid Edward Cullen just be well behaved and do what he was told?
I looked at him then, really looked at him. His bronze coloured hair was wild, flying in all different directions that made my hand itch to run my hands through it and straighten it up. He was wearing a white t-shirt with his signature leather jacket over the top and darkwash jeans. His face was pale and angular, with a jawline that was apparently why all the girls fell at his feet. He was tall and lean, not overly muscular but definitely not shaped like a string bean. I guess he was handsome, but I really didn't see the appeal. He wasn't my type, if I even had one.
"He would've listend to you, you know," he piped up.
I shot him a look of confusion.
"Excuse me?" I asked testily.
He sighed like I was so stupid for not knowing what he was talking about. Yeah, like I was the stupid one here.
"Mr. Greene, he wouldn't listen to me because he hates me, but you could've really argued. I think he would of given up eventually," he explained.
"I wasn't going to argue with the principal. That's just asking for an expulsion." I counted back.
He chuckled darkly and shook his head, though nothing about this was even remotely funny. "You care way too much, Swan."
Okay, that was it. Edward Cullen was stupid, life was stupid, this whole thing was stupid. A mix of emotions were bubbling in my chest and I felt so frustrated I started to shake.
"Listen here, Cullen," I growled, catching him off guard. "Since we're being forced to do this, you are going to show up at the storage room every afternoon at exactly 3:15pm. If you are late or can't be bothered to show, I'm not going to be 'cool' and cover for you; I will tell Mr Greene and you will be punished. I take this stuff seriously and if we want to get along, then you better learn to take it seriously too. And quick."
He appraised me for what felt like ages, just staring at me as if I was the most insteresting thing he had ever stumbled upon.
"Whatever, Swan." He finally said disinterestedly.
I rolled my eyes and took a deep breath in before exhaling it in one big 'whoosh.' Life just got a whole lot more interesting, and in the worst way possible.
"He's the biggest idiot I've ever met, Dad." I ranted, furiously chopping the carrots that were in front of me.
My knife was slicing through the vegetable so fast my hand looked like a blur. I had chopped up food too many times to be unpracticed and the thought of cutting off any fingers didn't really register in my mind. My brain was clouded with annoyance.
My Dad eyed the knife worriedly, glancing from the utensil to my face and back again.
"He doesn't care about his grades or his permanent record or anything. He's a total...total...delinquent!" I cried, throwing my hands up into the air. He cringed and I could tell he thought I was going to peg the knife at the closest person to me. I wouldn't chuck it at him, but if Edward Cullen was nearby then I wouldn't hesitate the tiniest bit.
"Now I don't like that Cullen boy anymore then you do, Bells, but I think you need to calm down." He proclaimed.
I gave him a look and grabbed a tomato to start hacking in to.
"Calm? I am calm," Hack. "I'm perfectly calm," Hack. "I just don't understand why I have to babysit a teenage boy who is going through his rebellious stage," Hack. "In my own time, while I'm trying to do something that's super dooper mega important to not only me but every-"
"Isabella!"
I stopped abruptly and looked up at the sound of my father's yell. He had one eyebrow raised as he sat at the kitchen table, his hands clasped together in front of him.
"That boy is no good, but the principal obviously put you two together for a reason. Be the better person and try to be friendly with him," he grumbled. "But not too friendly, if you get what I'm saying."
Like the lady I was, I snorted and slapped my free hand down on the kitchen counter.
"Trust me, you do not have to worry about that. It's never going to happen," I vowed.
That was the only thing I was certain of right now.
A/N: Edward, you bad boy! Please please please hit me up with a review, they mean so much! I almost pissed my pants when I got my first one, I was so so so excited! They mean so much to me and really motivate me to finish each chapter. I'll always try to reply. Okay, I have a physics assignment I have to do now, no more typing. Update next Tuesday, or I guess whenever the hell I feel like it.
REVIEW!
