Bella's POV
I felt both invigorated and nervous in the morning on the first day of school. Alice and Rose had helped me pick out a kick-ass outfit: a short grey skirt, black stilettos and a blue fluttery top that exposed just enough cleavage.
I took a long shower, appreciating my now even smoother skin. Rose had dragged me to a salon for a leg and bikini wax. Although it was a hell of a lot more painful than shaving, the results made my skin feel like cream. I'd have to tell Laurent when he called later; he'd been begging me to wax since I met him.
I took the time to brush out my hair before blow-drying it. I admired my new highlights- Alice had suggested adding more blond, and the color made my skin tone seem warmer. I quickly applied a light sweep of eyeliner and mascara, pursing my lips to apply some peach-toned shiny gloss. I tousled my hair, curling the ends with an iron. Usually I didn't put so much effort into my appearance, but today was a special case: today was my reintroduction to Edward Cullen.
I looked at the clock: 7:05. "Fuck…" I muttered, running late. Alice and Rose had promised to pick me up right now. I heard a knock on the door as I dashed to get my toothbrush. Shoving it and some toothpaste in my mouth, I shouted down "JUST A MINUTE!" while trying not to splatter my new sexy outfit. I ran downstairs, grabbing my bag before I went. I hopped into the backseat of Rose's cherry-red BMW convertible.
"You ready for today?" Alice said, turning in her seat to smile at me. I groaned.
"As ready as I'll ever be."
She smiled encouragingly before chattering away about parties going on this weekend, who I should meet, and who I should avoid. I was grateful for the distraction. As we pulled into the parking lot, I began to steel my nerves. I had to be strong for this. I'd waited too long to fuck this up. I slowly exited the car.
I saw him before he saw me; for that I was thankful. Rosalie and Alice flanked me on either side as we walked towards the front of the school. I felt like "Mean Girls" personified. Except I wouldn't be cruel to anyone…. save a certain bronze-haired jerk. Oh, and Lauren. Bitch's ass was mine. I could hear Rosalie cackling with glee already. I sighed, and that caused Alice to playfully nudge my side.
"Go easy on her, Bella. No one's ever knocked Edward Cullen down from his pedestal before. Be glad I talked her out of bringing the video camera."
I smiled at that, biting my lip in concentration. I had waited so long for this moment. Debated on whether to be icily aloof or to smash his beautiful face in with my fist. I settled on a happy medium. Both Alice and Rosalie had advised me on how to conduct my revenge, and I couldn't be more thankful for both of them.
As we walked closer, I donned my Ray Bans with a smirk. The whispers were starting already. I was watching him, of course. He'd tilted his head towards us, ignoring the hulking guy that stood next to him.
"Emmett's on his left," Rosalie whispered in my ear. I raised my eyebrows.
"Damn, girl." I said lightly, and she giggled, slapping my arm lightly.
"Bella, how did we ever get along without you?" Alice asked, placing her tiny arm around my waist. Rose nodded as we neared our destination.
"Go get the fucker," she hissed as we paused in front of the growing crowd, led by none other than Edward.
He looked good, but what else could I expect? He'd grown taller and more muscular, but he was the same green-eyed asshole who made me feel worthless.
"Ladies," he nodded.
I had to stop myself from shuddering at the sound of his voice. Damn, it hadn't gotten any easier. He had the most smooth, seductive voice. Completely unfair. Rose and Alice waved slightly, but I did nothing.
He stared at me intently, curiosity in his expression. Pretty boy's waiting for the new girl to fawn over him.
I casually took off my sunglasses, pushing them up so they laid on top of my perfectly coiffed hair. I made eye contact for a fraction of a second before looking around, boredom in my expression.
"Hey," he spoke to me.
I raised an eyebrow before scoffing as I continued perusing my new school. I could hear him exhale angrily. Clearly, he wasn't used to being ignored.
"Bella!" James' merry voice called out as he came barreling towards me. I wanted to be angry, but the boy was too goddamn cute. I smiled as he charged over and picked me up, swinging me around. I laughed, surprised. I hugged him before pulling back. He held me at arms' length.
"It's been for-fuckin'-ever." He said with mock-sincerely.
I cracked up again. I could feel rather than see Edward's perplexed frown.
"Bella?" he said. I looked closely at him. He seemed to be trying to place me, but still didn't get it. I rolled my eyes. How many Bella's has he met in Forks?
"That's right. Bella Swan," I said smoothly. His eyes bugged out ever so slightly. There we go. His eyes burned up and down my torso, down to my stiletto-clad legs and back up again. I smirked.
"Bel-la. Swa-an." I spoke slowly, "You remember me, don't you Cullen?" His mouth opened, but made no sound. I smirked, stepping closer to him, "You're still as pwetty as a little pwincess!" I pinched his smooth cheek while pursuing my lips.
Emmett let out a loud guffaw and Alice and Rose both dissolved into giggles. Still speechless, he brought a hand to the bright pink spot where I'd pinched him.
"What, nothing to say?" I ran my hand down his chest, tracing my thumb sideways across his thin cotton shirt. He hissed in a low breath, pupils dilating. I met his gaze, looking up seductively from under my lashes. I knew that look. I couldn't count the number of times I'd seen boys in Phoenix watching me that way: with lust. I inwardly cheered. Gotcha, fuckface.
I stepped back and flicked my hand towards him as if shooing a fly. "So, James, mind showing me my first class?" He smirked, offering his arm gallantly. I took it. Edward was standing still, gaping after me.
I paused, scrutinizing the guy who had just arrived. His dark blond shaggy hair was carelessly ruffled. Blue-gray eyes widened as he took me in. I bit my lip as I scanned his features, even more gorgeous with age. The years had definitely treated him well, or I'd never taken the time to look at him all those years ago.
Alice was right: yummy. Is he still Cullen's bff? I wondered, smiling widely when Jasper began to whisper to Edward. Bingo.
"Jasper," I called as James started to lead me away, "We should catch up. Leave your hubby behind, though."
Jasper's face turned quizzical, curious, and undeniably turned on as he tried to get Edward to tell him who I was. I winked before sashaying away on James' arm. I could hear Alice and Rose cheering.
"You… are a troublemaker." James said, his handsome features awestruck. I shrugged.
"If you'd seen what they did to me five years ago, you'd know that they deserve it," I smiled.
He matched my grin before wrapping a possessive arm around my waist as we parted the crowd like the fuckin' Red Sea. I raised a skeptical eyebrow. He matched my earlier careless shrug.
"You are Forks' hottest piece of ass now," he said, by means of explanation. I laughed, leaning into his shoulder.
"I don't do the whole boyfriend-girlfriend thing." I noted lowly in his ear.
He groaned, "Stop, please. If you say one more perfect thing I'll have to bend you over the closest desk."
I laughed, nipping his ear playfully with my teeth as he guided me towards my first class.
Alice's POV
Bella was everything Rose and I had been looking for in a friend. As we walked towards the entrance of Forks High, I felt better than I had for years. It was like she composed our missing piece- we were now a trio to be reckoned with. And Rose made fun of my "feelings". Bella proved her wrong.
As we walked to the front of the school, we paused. Of course, Edward was there. It's sink or swim time now, baby. I squeezed her waist before letting her go.
Whoa. She completely owned him. Cullen looked as if he was about to hump her in the street. I'd never seen him look so horny or so embarrassed. The best was when Bella sashayed away with James.
"When the fuck did she meet him?" Rose whispered, impressed. I shrugged. James was one of the notorious school players. Seemed like Bella had him under her thumb as well.
Atta girl.
The crowd buzzed with giggles and murmurs after Bella left. Edward was still standing motionless, and Emmett was laughing his ass off. "DUDE, you got OWNED!" He bellowed, slapping Edward on the back. Edward scowled and started walking towards his Volvo (or as Rose and I dubbed it, the Hobiscuit-Mobile). Jasper was still confused, badgering Edward with questions.
I took a second just to take in the situation around me. Edward Cullen and Jasper Hale. Both hot and bothered. Girls buzzing with envy and jealousy. Rose and I made eye contact before grinning.
This year was going to be amazing.
Edward's POV
I pulled on a t-shirt and jeans, pausing to make sure my hair was in its usual state of disarray in the mirror by the door. I grinned, pleased. Watch out, ladies. I ran out the door, smiling at my Volvo, glinting in the sun. My smile faltered as I saw a piece of paper under a windshield wiper. Apprehensively I snatched it up, reading the bright pink pen:
Eddie! I missed u last nite. Where were u? O well, see u at skool!3 3 3 3 ;) Lauren
P.S. I miss u!
I rolled my eyes, crumpling it. Bitch could not take a hint. All I did was give her the privilege of fucking her twice two months ago, and she turned into a fuckin' psycho. I needed a more direct approach: maybe a singing quartet of "Leave me the fuck alone" in B minor. I filed that away into my mental to-do list as I climbed into the car.
The short drive to school was spent winking at girls in other cars and checking out my reflection in the rearview. As I slung my backpack over my shoulder, I leisurely strolled towards school. Slapping high fives with the males and eyeing the females, I felt good. I stopped near the entrance of the school, waiting for Hale to make his fuckin' presence known.
"Edward, hey." Jessica Stanley appeared right in my face. I took an instinctive step back before raising a single eyebrow at her gall.
"Lauren's been asking about you, she'll die when she hears I saw you first! She went to look on the field, and in the stands… and I think in some closets…" She blabbed on. I ignored her, a red streak catching my eyes.
Ah, Rosalie Whitlock. Miss Unattainable. Maybe she'd finally stop being a frigid bitch this year. I watched appreciatively as she exited the car. The movement of another person caught my attention.
Of course Alice Wells was with her. Yet another girl who refuses to let me conquer. At least that one wasn't such a blow to my ego, considering she wasn't into dicks. My eyes widened as I saw a third figure emerge from the car and get in line with Alice and Rosalie.
What the fuck?
Alice and Rosalie were the most popular girls here, but also the most elite. Girls had done ridiculous things to try to catch their attention. They never paid any attention, though. This girl had to be something to infiltrate that tight little duo.
I squinted my eyes slightly, trying to see her better.
Oh. Oh. Fuck. Me.
She was gorgeous. Blond hair, but not platinum like Rosalie's. More of a dirty blond, highlights over a light chestnut color. Her face was beautiful- heart-shaped with big eyes. She reached to put on sunglasses as Alice and Rosalie joked with her.
I had to restrain my mouth from dropping open at how comfortable they all seemed together. I mentally cursed myself for pushing Alice and Rose so far… Looked like I would need to be in their good graces to get closer to the new girl.
As they got closer, I subtly cleared my throat. "Ladies," I purred, trying to suck up to Alice and Rosalie. They gave me small greetings, but nothing else. Bitches. Guess I'll have to introduce myself.
"Hey," I said, trying to sound cool, aloof, seductive and noncommittal at the same time. My usual.
She ignored me, putting her sunglasses on top of her beautiful head. Wait, she ignored me? Hell, no. She looked around like I was just a piece of gum on her shoe. What the fuck? I knew that I was the best looking guy here. Alice and Rosalie had to have told her something. Damage control time.
Just then, James Fuckhead Collich came running towards her. She greeted him like an old friend. I huffed angrily before I processed what he called her. Bella. I said it aloud, wondering where I'd heard that name before.
As she told me her name was Bella Swan, I could almost feel my eyes pop out of the socket. I scanned up and down her body… long, delicious legs barely hidden under a short skirt, sexy top that showed just enough of her perky tits, black stilettos that I would definitely make her leave on as she rode me… no, this couldn't be. I tried to remember Bella Swan. Dorky, plain, not ugly, but sure as fuck not this.
Don't forget Esme grounded you for all of eighth grade because of what you did. Oh, fuck. Suddenly everything I'd done to her came flooding back. Teasing and sneering while she looked up at me with those-
I looked up and the eyes were the same as I remembered. A light brown, almost almond brown.
It really was her.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. …Fuck.
Then she proceeded to speak to me. Asking me questions while I sure as hell wasn't capable of saying anything that wasn't a string of vowels. And when she touched me. Jesus. She looked up at me, touching my shirt with those pretty little hands. I almost groaned.
As quickly as she'd come, she asked James to show her to class. I could hear the roar of my classmates around me, but I couldn't respond. I heard Jasper finally get his lazy ass to school. He tugged on my sleeve, asking what was going on. Then she went and did it.
She talked to Jasper. Practically invited him to a fiesta in her panties. My best friend Jasper. Jasper who never conquered before me. I felt an odd mixture of jealousy, anxiety, guilt and excitement. As I walked towards the Volvo, I could still hear the laughter of my classmates as well as Jasper now asking Alice who that was.
This was too bad to be true. Like a fucking after school special. Why couldn't Bella grow up with a hunchback, or maybe some extra facial hair? I knew I wanted her, and she must know it, too. But this presented a great challenge.
As I stepped into the Volvo, I rested my forehead on the steering wheel. Closing my eyes, all I saw was her smirk, her face, her legs.
Clearly, Bella Swan's purpose in life was to torture me.
Fuuuuck.