Hey Everyone! So, this is the third chapter! I hope you like it! Oh, Stephanie Meyer owns all...sadly.BPOV

"Bella, are you ok? You're staring off into space again." I heard Alice tell me.

I just smiled and said, "Yeah, I'm fine. I just had a little bit of a late night." I had kept thinking of Edward and the worry or pain or something that I saw in his eyes. It was driving me crazy that I couldn't figure it out. I'm normally really good at stuff like that—no, I'm great at stuff like that. I'm the person everyone comes to when something is wrong. If they don't admit it, I can always tell what they are feeling by looking at them. So you can see why it was driving me crazy that I couldn't figure it out.

It's not like I wanted to think about Edward Masen this much. I mean, don't get me wrong, he is incredibly amazing to look at, but I don't even know him. It's making me feel all stalker-ish that I keep thinking about him.

I glanced around the courtyard, determined to stop thinking about that look in his eyes. God, I just want to know what it was—no. No, I don't. I don't care what Edward was thinking about. He's not my friend.

I looked over at Rose and Emmett, who were of course cuddling up next to each other and sharing an intimate conversation. I heard Alice tell Jasper that she was running to the bathroom. I turned and took a seat next to him, figuring it was time to play Dr. Phil again.

"Jasper, you have to tell her how you feel," I told him quietly. I didn't want him to think I was forcing him or anything, but I knew they both wanted it. I wish I could just tell Jasper this, but Alice would kill me if she ever found out that I told him.

Jasper sighed and looked down into his hands. "I don't know Bella. I mean, I really want to. Alice is the sweetest and most amazing girl I've ever met, but she's one of my best friends. I know that if things didn't work out, our group wouldn't be the same." He put his head in his hands.

It hurt me to see Jasper so upset and torn. I knew he really had no reason to feel this way since Alice clearly liked him, but boys are oblivious to those kinds of things. "Jasper," I sighed, "You have to tell her how you feel. You know no matter what happens between you two, we would all still be friends. And besides, I think you guys would be great together. You are so similar and you are best friends." He picked his head up and looked at me, but he still had discouragement in his eyes. I knew it was time for a serious threat. "Fine, don't talk to her. But when you don't ask her out, what are you going to do when Tyler or Mike comes along and asks her out. By that time you won't be able to tell her how you truly feel. You know, the homecoming dance is coming up…" I know that's a low blow, but seriously, something needs to happen.

That definitely caught his attention and I saw a look of determination in his hazel eyes. "Those pieces of scum don't deserve a girl like Alice." He sighed as he saw Alice walking back toward us. His face broke out into a grin when she smiled at him. "You're right Bella. I'm going to talk to her."

"Hey guys!" Alice called cheerfully. "Did you miss me?"

"Every moment without you is like a personal hell," I replied sarcastically. I noticed Jasper's nervous fidget and decided to make my exit. "I forgot something in my locker for first period, so I'll catch up with you guys later." I knew it was a lame excuse, but whatever. Jasper looked up at me and I gave him a smile of encouragement before I left.

I shook my head as I walked. Those two, they are so in love with each other but so oblivious to the fact the other feels the same way. I twisted my lock to put in the combination. I really hope Jasper goes through with it. I know the remark about some other guy going out with Alice was the only way he would do anything about it. I started digging through my locker, making sure I had everything—after all I was supposed to have forgotten something.

"BELLA!!" I heard Alice's soprano voice shriek.

I turned around with the shock probably plastered on my face. Alice was literally sprinting toward me with an almost scary smile on her face. I was afraid for my life at that moment. "Alice…what's wrong?" I asked her.

"Wrong? Nothing could possibly be wrong at this point!" She beamed at me and I noticed Jasper slowly making his way toward us; he walked to meet us, unlike Alice. I smiled slowly, knowing what Alice was about to say. "Jasper asked me to go to the homecoming dance with him!"

I smiled as she pulled me into a hug. "Wow, that's great Alice. I told you you had nothing to worry about." I winked at Jasper over Alice's shoulder and he smiled a big, goofy smile back at me.

"I know! It's so wonderful! I can't wait! We'll have to go shopping this weekend. I can't show up on the arm of Jasper Hale looking like last season!" I laughed. Only Alice would immediately think of what she was going to wear literally moments after being asked to the dance.

"Don't worry, Alice. You'll find the perfect dress. We'll even go this weekend." As I said this she beamed at me. We both groaned as we heard the bell. "Alright Alice, I'll see you at lunch. Bye Jasper."

I heard them both yell goodbye as I turned to walk toward my first period class. I couldn't help but smile for my two best friends. If anyone deserved happiness, it was definitely Alice. And I was incredibly happy it was with someone like Jasper. I walked into my Trig classroom and took my usual seat. I took out Edward's pencil that I borrowed yesterday and set it on his desk—he wasn't here yet. I turned back to my desk and began taking out the things I would need for this class.

EPOV

Today was just like any other day. I woke up on time and got to school on time. And just like every day, I had the hyena pack waiting for me at my locker: Jessica, Lauren, and Tanya. With that stupid homecoming dance coming up, those three never left me alone. I knew they were all waiting for me to ask one of them, but I had no desire to. I quickly went to my locker, said hello and then tuned them out when they all started talking about the dance. I grabbed my things as quickly as I could and made some excuse about needing to go to the library. I walked off before any of them had taken a breath.

I walked out to the courtyard, sitting on bench under a tree. I forgot how nice it is out here—when it's not raining, which it hasn't for the last two days. The sky, however, was completely gray, but it wasn't too cold. I looked around the courtyard, looking at all the people who congregated out here.

I immediately saw her, Bella, sitting with her friends. There was that Rosalie girl practically intertwined with Emmett. Emmett was pretty cool—we were on the football team together. I always wondered why he hung out with the people he did, instead of me and my "friends." But seeing those two together, you know they are completely in love. Emmett would do anything for Rosalie. I looked over and saw that faerie girl; I think her name is Alice, sitting next to that other boy. What's his name…Jason, Jackson…no, Jasper! And there was Bella, standing next to those two, talking about…whatever it is they were talking about.

I really wanted to go over there and talk to her. Yesterday was one of the only real conversations I've had since being at this school—which says a lot because it was about a damn pencil. I looked around, thinking to myself. It wouldn't be so horrible if I talked to her, right? I mean, it's not like it's against the law or anything. It's just against Jessica and her pack's stupid rules.

As I was contemplating this, Alice walked away from the group and I noticed Bella and Jasper begin talking. It looked like they were talking about something serious, so I decided to just wait here. I mean, I didn't even have anything to talk to her about. I'm still kind of embarrasses that I told her I needed to use a pencil for my math notes too. Which, I know I shouldn't be, especially since she just told me the exact same thing.

I got up from my bench and started making my way inside. I knew the bell was going to ring soon and figured I would start making my way, slowly, towards class. As I was walking through the hallway, I heard someone yell Bella's name. I turned around to see that Alice girl running toward her with a huge smile on her face. Obviously, something good had just happened. I watched the whole exchange of Alice talking excitedly, Bella winking at that Jasper guy, and the look her gave her back. My guess was that he just asked Alice out or to the dance or something.

I just stood there, watching her walk away before I realized that I needed to actually get to class. I turned and headed in the same direction Bella took off in. I walked into the classroom and took my seat. I noticed that she had already placed my pencil on my desk.

I turned to her and whispered, "You didn't have to return it so quickly. I mean, if you still need it or something, which would be fine." I smiled at her. Part of me wanted her to keep the pencil, just so I would have something to talk to her about in the future. Wait, what am I saying? I can still talk to her in the future, whether or not she has my damn pencil.

She smiled back at me. "It's no problem. I normally have a few extras on me, but I think I gave them to Emmett yesterday for something. Thanks again, Edward."

I felt my smile grow as she said my name. It sounded perfect coming from her—like it was supposed to. "Oh, yeah…sure. No problem. So…what was it that you orchestrated this morning for that Alice girl?" I asked her, wanting to keep talking.

I saw her blush slightly, which made her even more beautiful—God, I'm turning into such a sap. She smiled slyly, "Oh, nothing really. I just finally pushed Jasper into asking her to the dance." She laughed quietly. "They've liked each other for two years now and neither one of them have said anything—except to me that it is. So I talked to him and got him to do it." She shrugged.

"What did you say to get him to ask her out?" I don't really know why I asked this question, it really wasn't any of my business, but now I really was interested.

"Well, I kind of said something that I knew he wouldn't like. I told him that if he didn't do anything now, some other guy was going to swoop in and take her away." She smirked. "He, of course, had no idea that Alice would have turned down everyone because she only wants Jasper."

"That was really nice of you—stepping in like that to help your friends." Wow, could this girl be more amazing. She helps her friends out and acts like it's nothing. Most girls would flaunt that over everyone to get everything they could out of it.

She just shrugged again. "It's nothing. I love Alice, she's like my sister. I would do anything to see her happy." She smiled and then pointed to the board, signaling that class was starting and Mr. Smithe hated when students talked in class. I nodded and smiled to her.

That's it. I know I want to know more about her—I want to know everything about her. I feel more like myself around her than I've ever felt with anybody else. Which is weird because we've only had two conversations total and I haven't even really told her anything about myself. But I don't feel like I have a script or lines set aside that I'm supposed to say. I don't have to ask what she picked up from the store; I don't have to ask what she thought of the game. I can just ask her what's on my mind—nothing is expected from me. It's a nice feeling.

Before I knew it, the bell was ringing signaling the end of class. Had I really spent the whole hour thinking about Bella? Weird, I never do that. I quickly gathered my things and walked after Bella to the door.

"So, since you hooked up two of your friends, are you excited about homecoming?" I asked her. I secretly hoped she said that she didn't have a date or she wasn't going. I didn't want to think about her with another guy. Why am I thinking this? She has a right to do whatever she wants—she's not mine.

She rolled her eyes. "Ugh, I'm so tired of hearing about homecoming. Yeah, I'm excited, but I'm not bouncing off the walls—it will be the same as the other two years I've gone. Honestly, I don't see why some girls make such a big deal about it." She smiled at me.

"I know exactly what you mean. It's all my friends ever talk about. And the girls, they never let it go. Jessica, Lauren, and Tanya are swarming around me like animals around their prey. They are just waiting for me to ask one of them." I sighed and shook my head. And then I realized what I just said, and to Bella. Why should she care what's going on in my life.

"Yeah, that must really suck for you. I know my friends talk about it, but the only one really going crazy is Alice." She laughed. "Sorry about the girls though. That's probably hard for you too, having to pick one when the other two want you to pick them."

I nodded. "Right! Wouldn't you think it's odd that they all wait around for me at the same time, knowing full well I wouldn't ask one of them with the other two present." I sighed. "But, I really don't want to go with any of them. They actually really annoy me." I can't believe what I just said; why had I told her that? If word got around that I said that, my whole world would blow up around me. And Elizabeth—who knows what she would do. Probably find some ridiculous punishment. But Bella wouldn't tell anyone. And she probably thinks that I tell everyone this.

She nodded and looked at me with her dark chocolate brown eyes full of complete understanding. "You could always just tell them that, you know? I mean, the dance is about a week and a half away."

I nodded and looked around. The halls were starting to clear as students started making their way to their second period classes. "Yeah, maybe. Thanks." I smiled at her. She looked around too, probably noticing the same thing I was. "Well, we should probably get going to class." I told her.

She nodded. "Yeah. I guess I'll see you around." She told me, smiling.

"Sounds good. Have a good day Bella." I told her. She nodded and turned away as she started to make her way down the hallway. I shamelessly watched her walk away from me. As I watched her, I noticed that Jessica and Lauren were watching her too, their faces not masking the rage. I wanted to do something to help her, but I had no idea what. I just walked behind her, getting close enough to hear Jessica say, "Watch it, bitch," before pushing Bella out of her way.

Bella stumbled slightly but kept her balance. I watched her shake her head and continue on toward her second period class. I was worried about her because obviously Jessica and her little posse were starting to get jealous of Bella. I talked to the girl twice! What is with girls anyways?

Sighing, I made my way to my class thinking about the mess that would be waiting for me at lunch. Ugh…girls.

A/N: So, please review!! I really love getting reviews--good, bad, and in-between! I'm not sure if you want me to keep going! So please please review! :)

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