A/N- Thank you everyone who read and reviewed and added this story to their favorites or alerts. That is really awesome:) and makes me so happy. If you like this story and you want to read another good one, try reading my other story- The MisAdventures of the Cullen Kids. It's buckets of fun. Again, thanks, and please let me know what you think!

Ch. 2 Dinner

Edward wrapped his arms around my waist as we walked up the steps to Big Hall. We opened the doors and stepped in after Jasper and Emmett. I stopped and grabbed my stomach as it growled loudly. Edward stopped beside me and started to snicker.

"Hey," I lightly smacked Edward's shoulder, "I haven't eaten since last night. I can't help it."

"Then why don't we get you to the table so we can eat? It's just over there." Edward said snickering as he pointed over to the table Jasper and Emmett were already seated at. It had a green table cloth and a green banner hanging above the table. Even the cups and plates were green.

"What, are we at Hogwarts or something? What are with the color coordinated banners and place settings?" I said before I looked around to the other tables.

All around the room tables with similar settings in different colors were already filled with the occupants of their respective cabins. I noticed two things very quickly. One is that the other tables were much larger and had about twice the amount of occupants as my cabin's table. And two is that every pair of eyes in the room was directed at me and Edward. Edward placed his arm around my waist once again and led me to the table under the watchful eyes of every male at this camp.

As I took a seat across from Emmett and Jasper someone in the room yelled out, "Is that a girl?!" I rolled my eyes. Great, this again.

"NO! I'm just a really clean, good smelling guy with breasts and no penis." I said as I glared at the table where the comment came from. One of the boys ducked down with red cheeks. He looked kind of young, and I figured he was probably a freshman. The other guys at his table laughed at him as his cheeks burned. I heard one of the other boys around the table say to him, "What's the matter Jacob? Haven't you ever seen a girl before?" I turned around in my seat when a voice spoke from the middle of the room, instantly halting all the remaining laughter.

"Hello everyone," It was Carlisle, my cabin head. He was standing beside a large round table. It looked like that was the councilor and staff table, seeing as every chair was occupied by men wearing white button up shirts with a WH emblem on the breast pocket.

"It seems that you have all noticed Ms. Swan. She will be attending camp here this summer, and we expect there to be no problems resulting from this decision. Please, we encourage you to treat her like you would any of your peers. Now I would like you to all listen to her as she introduces herself." Carlisle sat back in his chair while everyone in the room returned their attention to me. I felt a blush coming on but cooled it with a deep breath as I stood.

I opened my mouth to speak, but I didn't like that I couldn't see everyone. My range of vision was only the few tables closest to mine. I started to step onto my chair and Edward gave me his hand to steady me. I smiled at him as he removed his hand from mine and grabbed my leg to hold me steady. I finally turned my attention back to the room.

"Alrighty then," I said with a big fake smile glued to my face, "Thanks for the warning Carlisle. If you had asked me before putting me on the spot, I would have been able to share the lovely anecdote about my unfortunate experiences with public speech making. Luckily for everyone, I haven't eaten anything yet today." I heard some laughter as Carlisle got a worried look on his face.

"Anyway, I guess you'd like to know my name, huh? Well, it's Isabella. If I catch anyone utter that name though, heads will roll. I prefer Izzy, but seeing how my cabin-mates have adopted Bella, and it actually sounds better, that'll work too.

"And guys please. My face is up here," I said pointing up at my face, "Yes I mean you, creepy blond dude at the blue table, and while you're at it, please close your mouth and get a mop for that." I said gesturing to the table where a small puddle of drool had gathered. Emmett and Jasper snickered at him as well as the other boys at his table.

"Gross. Hmm, well, I can't really think of anything else to share. Does anyone have any questions?" I asked, folding my hands together in front of me. I pointed to someone at the purple table who had their hand raised.

"What's your bra size?" He asked, causing laughter to come from the surrounding tables. Carlisle had risen out of his seat to say something to the boy, but I was too quick.

"Fuck off. Anyone else have any questions?" There were about seven other hands in the air. "Really? No more questions? How sad." I turned on my chair back to Carlisle. "Was that an adequate enough introduction Carlisle?" He cleared his throat as I returned to my seat.

"Um, yes, Bella… quite the introduction, although I do have one request. Could we maybe keep the swearing to a minimum please?"

"Sure thing." I said with my smile still glued to my face.

"Now that that is settled, dinner is served." Carlisle took his seat for the last time, I was hoping, as a procession of servers brought out platters of food and pitchers of drinks to each table.

"So, that was a fun little speech." I said to the guys.

"Oh, it was very entertaining." Edward said. Emmett and Jasper nodded their heads in agreement with very amused smiles on their faces.

"You do have quite the mouth on you." Emmett laughed rather loudly. I had my mouth open to emit my witty comeback, but before I got the chance to speak, a boy at the table behind me leaned over to me and said, "Yes, quite the mouth. It seems you use it entirely too much by talking. I've got something to stuff in there that'll keep it busy if you're interested." I shivered at the malice in his voice.

Edward stood up and walked over to the boy, and before I could do anything, he jerked the boy out of his seat and shoved him onto the ground. "Do not ever talk to
Bella that way, James!" Edward yelled.

James scrambled to his feet as other boys gathered around to watch. Carlisle and the other counselors hurried to the conflict and stepped between Edward and James.

"Edward, stop! There is no fighting in this establishment. If you do not abide by the rules than you will have to be sent home." Carlisle said, trying his best to hold Edward back.

"He can't speak to Bella the way he did though. You would agree I'm sure if you had heard what he said. Carlisle, you can't let him treat her like that." Edward said through clenched teeth.

"Then that is a problem you will have to let me solve. Why don't you all go back to your cabin and I will have food sent out there? I will handle this Edward." Carlisle said, turning Edward away by his shoulders and giving him an encouraging push toward the exit. Edward took the hint and grabbed my hand as he walked past me. Emmett and Jasper fell in step behind us as we left the Big Hall.

I tried to hide the fact that I was starting to shake as we walked up the path to our cabin, but Edward noticed.

"Bella, are you ok? I'm so sorry that happened." Edward stopped before we ascended the steps to our front porch and pulled me to him. Jasper and Emmett continued to the cabin to give us some privacy. I took in a few deep breaths, happy to have Edward's arms wrapped around me. I could smell him and it helped to calm me as I continued to take deep breaths.

"I'm fine Edward. That guy was just such a creep. And I can't believe that you stood up for me like that. I mean, you don't really even know me. I don't want you to get in trouble for me, especially if you still might decide that you can't stand to be around me." I said into his chest.

"Bella what are you talking about? You are smart, and witty, and beautiful. You can put Emmett in his place quicker than anyone I've ever met and you got Jasper to admit that he is in love with Alice Brandon in four seconds flat. You are amazing and I don't think I could stand to be away from you." He pulled me closer to him and I sniffled a little before I pulled away.

"Thank you. That is really sweet." Edward put my face between his palms and wiped away my single tear with his thumb.

"How about we go inside and get you ready for bed? You can take a shower and the food will be here by the time you get out." I nodded at him and gave him a small smile before we turned to go into the cabin.

We walked in and Emmett and Jasper both walked out of the bathroom with green and black flannel pajama pants on and simple white T-shirts. I couldn't help but notice that they matched.

"Awe, did you guys go shopping together to coordinate your pj's? How cute!" I smiled at them and laughed.

"No, Alice bought everyone in our cabin matching pajamas. They're hanging in our closets in the bathroom. I think you even have some. It seems like she found out you were going to be here before anyone else. But that's Alice for you. She knows everything before it happens." Jasper said with a cute, mushy smile on his face. I smiled at him and thought about how well the 'in-love' look suited him. I laughed at Jasper's expression on my way into the bathroom. Once I stepped through the little wooden door, I gasped at the sight before me.

There were white marble floors and along one wall there was a matching marble counter top with four sinks lined up and a wall to wall mirror above it. I also noticed a stall that was surrounded by beautiful mahogany wood walls and matching door with gold handle, and had to assume it was the toilet. Across from that there was a large, glassed in shower area that looked bigger than my closet at home.

Along the wall beside the shower there were four large cubicle-like areas with shelves and drawers built in as well as a rack full of hangers. Above each closet were letters painted on a plaque to show which closet belonged to which boy. One said 'Jazz', one said 'Em', and I had to chuckle when I read Edward's whole name spelled out above his closet. It looked to me like he doesn't like nicknames.

The last closet in the row had no name above it but I could see a pair of what looked like green flannel cheer shorts and a white silk cami. I hurried over to inspect the pajamas and noticed that they were my size. I took a moment to praise this mysterious, omniscient Alice's good taste and vowed to thank her grandly whenever I got the chance to meet her.

I placed my toiletry bag on one of the shelves in the cubby and grabbed my shampoo and conditioner, a washcloth, and my favorite strawberry scented body-wash. I stripped out of my clothes and hurried into the shower to wash away my worries.

When I finally finished in the bathroom, I stepped out into the main area of the cabin with a towel around my head. I was instantly drawn to a table set up in the middle of the room with four chairs and three boys in matching pajamas around it. I took a seat beside Edward and he smiled at me.

"Jasper, remind me to thank Alice for the pajamas the next time I see her." Edward said without taking his eyes off of me.

"Sure thing, Edward, can we eat now?" Jasper said. Edward smiled at me and nodded.

"Yeah, now that Bella is here." Again, he didn't take his eyes off of me. I looked down in my lap, trying to hide my blush. Finally, Edward turned his attention to the platter of food in front of us. I looked too and saw that we had a platter of steak and potatoes and what looked like steamed broccoli as well as some chocolate moose. I piled some meat and potatoes on my plate and then reached over to the broccoli. After I had a substantial pile of food, I started to cut into it with my fork and knife. The steak cut like butter and tasted delicious. I couldn't wait to get to the moose so I started to eat faster.

"Mmm. This is really good." I said after I had tasted some of the roasted potatoes. Edward laughed at me as I scooped more onto my plate.

"What?" I asked him.

"You can't really eat all that can you?" He asked, smiling amusedly at me.

"Watch me."

"But you have almost as much food there as Emmett. There is no way that can all fit under your tiny belt, Bella. It's physically impossible." Jasper said. I ignored him for a moment while I stuffed my face with food. I hadn't eaten since dinner last night and I was starving.

Once I swallowed and had taken a sip of my drink I spoke again, "Never underestimate the amount I can fit inside me." Emmett started to choke on his food and Jasper's eyes widened as he started to laugh. Edward looked at me and hid his face behind his hands, trying not to laugh at me and he groaned. I realized right away what I had said and laughed.

"Dear, lord! You know that is not what I meant. I just meant that I can fit a lot in my mouth." A new wave of laughter came over the boys as I covered my face with my hands.

"Damn it! I didn't mean that either. Ignore me; I'm just going to die of embarrassment now." I sunk down in my chair.

"Oh, Bella, what are we going to do with you?" I heard Carlisle say as he entered through his bedroom. I turned around to look at him.

"So, what happened? I'm sorry I caused such a mess at dinner." I quickly started to feel the guilt from earlier wash over me.

"Don't be sorry. That boy causes trouble every year. Some of the other boys told me what he said. They agreed that you shouldn't be treated like that. In fact they wanted to come apologize in order to 'show you that not everyone here is a Neanderthal'." Carlisle used air quotes. I smiled at him and felt my guilt wane.

"So what happened to him? Is he in trouble?" Emmett asked eagerly listening for James' punishment, probably to decide if it was harsh enough. He struck me as the big brother type and I was proven right when Carlisle announced that he only got a warning.

"WHAT?!" All three boys screamed at once.

"That's not fair Carlisle. He shouldn't be allowed to get away with talking to Bella like that. If he gets away with it, someone else is going to decide that he can treat her poorly too. You should have made an example out of him." Edward continued. He had stood and was now pacing across the room.

"Guys, really, it's no big deal." I said, trying to get Edward to calm down. No one even heard me. Emmett was seething behind me. Jasper was talking to Carlisle about possible ways to show the other boys how they should act with me. I couldn't believe they were all so worked up about this.

"Edward, please sit down." I grabbed his arm and pulled him over to his bed. I sat next to him and he pulled me closer to him with his arm wrapped around my waist again.

"Bella, we can't let anyone get away with treating you like that. If he does it and gets away with it, someone else is going to try, and that's unacceptable." He held onto my hand.

"Edward, I can take care of myself. All he did was say some stupid remark about me sucking his dick. It's so not a big deal. I've had guys try and treat me like that before. I don't think it would have become such a big deal if you had let me say something to put him in his place. There is always going to be some guy somewhere that thinks he can treat me poorly and I have an arsenal of insults and I even have a black belt in karate thanks to my hair-brained, spontaneous mother." I smiled at him. He looked astonished. "Really, Edward. I can take care of myself. You just have to give me a chance to before you go and try to knock someone out for me." I smiled at him before I rested my head on his shoulder.

"Bella, it's just that I can't just stand by and not defend you… neither can Emmett and Jasper. You've enthralled us with your wit and charm," he laughed and pulled my face up to look into his eyes, "and they already think of you as a little sister that they love and need to protect. And it's only been a day." I noticed that he left himself out of the 'brotherly love' category.

"Well, I can say that I think of you guys as brothers also," Edward looked defeated by my lumping him in with Emmett and Jasper as brothers, "but I can still take care of myself. How about we make a deal? You guys can be my backup. If I need you, I will call, okay? You have got to give me a chance to show that creep that I can take care of myself so that he doesn't think he can mess with me if I don't have one of you guys around to stop him." Edward thought for a second and nodded in agreement. He still looked defeated and I knew I had to set him straight.

"Oh, and Edward?" I leaned in and captured his lips in mine. He started to respond immediately, but I wasn't done, "You, I think, are more like a protective friend than a brother. I'm sure that you can raise your status from friend though, if you want, eventually."

I smirked at him and his face brightened as he returned my smirk with his own lopsided one. I patted his thigh and rose from his bed to make the short walk to my own. He grabbed my hips before I could make it further than a step and pulled me back onto his lap. I could feel him harden beneath me as his lips found their way to my ear.

"I definitely want to be more than just a friend." I felt a shiver run down my spine as he kissed my neck gently below my ear. He released me and it's a wonder that I didn't collapse before I could take the ten steps to my own bed. My knees felt weak and the butterflies in my stomach thrashed uncontrollably.

I found myself realizing that Edward and I were teetering dangerously on that sheer cliff between friendship and dare I say it…love. We had already fallen over the edge more than once and I couldn't understand why we kept holding ourselves back.

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