Disclaimer: Don't own.

Warning: All human, nothing to do with the plot of the books.


Nick had decided he wanted to ask Jasper about it when they drove home that day, but on the way, he forgot. As he got inside, his father surprised him by explain to him that he had left work early for the day, so they could spend the rest of the day together. It wasn't until later that night, after Emmet had gone back to his apartment and Jasper knocked on the door to wish him a good night that Nick again remembered Edward.

"Jasper? Can I ask you something?" Nick said, and Jasper stepped inside.

"Sure thing, shoot."

"You know Edward?" Jasper raised his eyebrow but nodded, "What would happen to him if his mother couldn't take care of him anymore?" Jasper just stared at him.

"Where did that come from?", He asked curiously, "I didn't think you would care much about him, considering…"

"It's just that I overheard this guy blackmailing him 'cause he has work outside school, and he claimed it was because he had to pay for his mothers hospital bills. I mean, I realize it's probably a lie. He would go to stay with some relatives or something then. Right?" Nick couldn't help but keep the anxiety from his voice.

Jasper frowned at that. He appeared to be thinking a while before saying:

"Actually when you mention it, I know something that might even back that theory up. Dad's really secretive about it, but I've noticed how he always leaves from home at the 1st of every month. Have you?" Nick shook his head. He hadn't but it wasn't like he had paid any attention to it.

"Well, I did, so I confronted him about it once. And he told me something about Edward's mother and a debt." Nick looked surprised at his brother. "I know, I was surprised to find out dad helped them too, but I figured it was kinda natural. I mean, Edward is his son, even if mom killed herself over him, and you can't really blame the kid for being born." Jasper reasoned. Nick nodded. Of course it was reasonable, he just hadn't thought his father would think that way. The affair with Elisabeth and the suicide of his wife had made him a bitter man, and he hadn't tried to hide that he blamed his ex-mistress and her son for most of it. Nick actually felt a little better knowing that his father still had a heart and hadn't shut out his other son completely.


Edward Masen was struggling to keep his eyes open as his math teacher passed out the results of last weeks test. He was so concentrated about staying awake that he didn't notice his teacher stopping in front of him before the test was laid at his desktop. When he didn't move on, Edward glanced up to meet the older mans face and was greeted with an annoyed look.

"Honestly, Mr. Masen, did you try to read the materiel beforehand? I'm impressed with the creative way you found your answers, but if you'd just learned the formulas like you were supposed to then you might just have had time to finish the entire test." His math teacher said before moving on to the next unlucky student. Briefly, Edward looked at the grade marked in red at the front. B-. How was that so horrible? He didn't do well in math and his best grade this semester was a B+. With this test he thought he'd set a new all time low, seeing as he'd slept through half of it. He never understood why his teachers still bothered being disappointed in him. In eight grade (1) he had tried his hardest to keep up at school, studying whenever he had the time or the energy. But all that had gotten him was frustrated outbursts and calls home about goofing around whenever he had a bad day and messed up a test. So he'd stop aiming for anything other than B/maybe C, a safe mark not too high and not too low. With his eyes locked on the red ink of his grade, Edward's eyelids started feeling heavy again. He was just about to nod off when the bell rang and lunch break started.

"Coming Edward?" Tyson suddenly stood before him, bag already packed and ready. Edward gave a half-heartedly nod while gathering his papers and following Tyson.

As they were entering the cafeteria, Edward had to restrain himself from turning around and running away as the smell of newly cooked food hit him. Lawrence was gonna come collect his money the same day, and in a desperate attempt at gathering the final dollars, he had had to cut down on his food-budget once again, leaving his stomach painfully empty. But despite his despair, he dutifully followed Tyson to their usual table.

"Aren't you going to eat anything today either, Edward?" John asked loudly as he sat down, trayless, at the table, much like he had the previous day.

"Yeah, you better watch out, you're nearly as skinny as that pixie-girlfriend of Jasper Cullen!" Another boy chimed inn, Edward couldn't really remember his name. He opened his mouth to answer, but had to wait till a sudden moment of dizziness overwhelmed him. Waiting calmly till it passed, he laid on a mock tired and sad face and answered in a frustrated, jet calm voice, staying true to his character:

"It's just, I really want that car, and mom won't have anything to do with it. So I figured lunch money was the best way to save up."

"Oh, man, you really must want that car! I would never have managed skipping lunch over anything!" The nameless boy exclaimed, and the other boys at the table joined in agreeing. Edward just smiled his famous half-smirk, glad that the room had stopped spinning. It never ceased to amaze him how easily the boys where side-tracked when asking uncomfortable questions. As he continued watching the others, something gently touched his fingers, and when he glanced down, there was half a sandwich laying in front of him. A little surprised, Edward looked up and into the slightly irritated and accusing eyes of Ben Cheney. He had to scratch the part about easy side-tracked boys, when he reminded himself that Ben never seemed to buy his lies like the others. Edward was always a little frustrated about that, because he really liked Cheney better than all the other boys around him put together. The fact that he had a steady girlfriend in Angela Weber, and had absolutely no interest in the swarm of girls that seemed to be constantly following him might have something to do with it. In the end, after a brief hesitation over the sandwich, Edward picked it up and started eating, giving a thankful nod across the table at the brown-haired boy. The boy smiled relived and asked casually, low enough for not the entire table to hear:

"Was it late last night? You couldn't really keep your eyes open in math. Or English for that matter."

"Nothing out of the ordinary, just the weather affecting my mood" Edward shrugged, as honest as he could. Ben didn't look satisfied, but let it go for this time around. A new wave of dizziness, not as big as the first one came over him once again, and he decided to end the meal while he could still get out of the cafeteria by himself. He quickly finished his sandwich and mumbled something about going to the bathroom before walking towards the door leading to the hallway.

He was halfway there when someone called him. He glanced around, but couldn't make out where it had come from in the noice of his fellow students.

"Masen!" Someone yelled again, and Edward caught the hand of a smiling Jacob Black waving for his attention from his table a little back. With an expressionless face, he went over to the table and stopped directly opposite of the tall, lean-muscled and really tanned boy with black hair.

"Yes?" Edward said in a politely curious voice, or so he hoped. He really didn't know Black and had no idea what he wanted with him. Of course, they were in the same class, but they never really spoke about anything other than school-related things, and although he actually liked Jacob better then most of the boys at his own table, they had never really bothered being friendly with each other. What could he possibly want with Edward? Jacob only really cared about his athletic career and his girlfriend. Wait. Athletic career… Basketball! Of course.

"Newton told me you were on the class-team for basketball, and I was wondering if it was okay with you to practise some after school tomorrow?." Jacob explained while smiling excitedly. He continued before Edward got the chance to reply. "You know, I really think we have a shot at winning this year! Not just for our grade, but against the seniors as well!"

Edward was about to answer when one of the other boys cut in, Andrew-something.

"You seriously think you have a chance against class 3-D? They ARE practically the entire school basketball-team! And who do you think is good enough to take out big brother Cullen?" he said the last bit in a mock terrified voice, holding his hands on each side of his face, resembling the painting "Scream" by E. Munch. Edward's stomach tightened as he remembered that he would be playing against his older half-brother. Lawrence wouldn't like it one bit. If he found out. He got brought back to the cafeteria by Jacob's voice.

"Non of you have seen Edward play yet. If he really tried, I think he could tie with Jasper in a couple of years! He's amazing." Edward didn't hear the praise, just stared at Jacob with a growing sensation of dread in his gut. He had completely and utterly forgotten that Jasper was playing. Shit. He suddenly noticed that they were watching him expectedly, waiting for an answer to a question he hadn't heard. And sitting right in front of him, on his side of the table, Nick Cullen watched him, waiting for the answer like the rest. Right, Jacob was friends with Nick. That's why he hadn't made an effort to befriend the boy. It would have been awkward. Really awkward.

"I'm sorry, what was the question?" He asked politely, trying to focus again. Nick repeated:

"I said: why haven't you joined the school team if you're so good? Jacob doesn't usually exaggerate about skills." He said patiently.

Because of you, of course. What do you think? Edward swallowed back his answer and settled for another, slightly less biting but still not untrue:

"I don't really have any extra time for practise and games." He stated calmly.

"Why not? Surely the bar you work in doesn't open until late, right? You should still have time after school!" The Andrew-something boy asked loudly. Jacob raised his eyebrow at the boy, while Nick mumbled something that could have been "Oh, shut up!" if he had listened closely. But then he looked up at Edward again and asked quietly:

"Is that true? What Mike said yesterday in the hallway, I mean." His question had been low enough for the others not to catch it, and for that Edward was thankful when the next bit came: "Dad never said anything about it. You need help or anything?"

Unsure of what to say, Edward just blinked and stared at his brother. What the hell did he mean by that? Was it meant sarcastic? Being the son of Lawrence it defiantly could have been. But somehow the slightly concerned, yet awkward look Nick gave him told him he was being sincere. Startled, he answered tightly:

"No, thank you. I'm fine." Nick just looked at him. Okay, now he really needed to get out of here. As on cue he got dizzy again, and was about to turn around when Jacob asked again:

"So can you come to practise after school tomorrow?"

Someone must have been planning this, Edward thought, as he remembers his boss at the café ordering him to take a day of tomorrow.

"Sure. In the gym at 3 p.m. then?" He said while fighting for the room to stop spinning.

"Great! See you then!" Jacob seemed satisfied and turned away, so Edward was about to do the same when he caught the look on Nick's face, eyebrows frowning with a disbelieving look on his face. In a flash, he strongly reminded Edward of his father, and he got reminded of the monthly visit Lawrence was going to make the very same afternoon. With a cold pit in his stomach, Edward hoped he would feel well enough to practise tomorrow.


1) I'm Norwegian. We don't get "grades" as in letters for you (we're graded from 1-6, 6 being the best) until we start middle school, that being when we are 12 or 13. That's why I pretend he doesn't get grades until then. Okay?


A/N:

I'm still not native English. Sorry about spelling and language-mistakes!

Thanks for the guys who reviewd, they made me write another chappie=)