A/N: I had a LOT of hands up in the last chapter… you guys are so easy to please!! big smile
(I couldn't think of what to name this chapter, so I chose to use the name of the band that I'm listening to right now… they RULE!)
Beyond All Reason.
(Bella POV)
"Bella? You gona eat that?" Emmett's animated voice reached my ears and I turned my gaze from staring at the far wall of the cafeteria to look down at my tray. His quick, hungry eyes had spotted my untouched pizza.
Turning silently back to look at the wall I pushed my tray forward slightly, knowing that Emmett would understand that it was his for the taking. "You're the best Bells" he spoke distractedly as I heard him pull the tray nearer to him.
I could feel a pair of eyes burning into my side and knew that Edward was looking at me for the third time this lunch time even though my eyes had been glued either to my lunch tray or the wall at all times. I couldn't understand why I was so hyper aware of him. I'd thought about it every now and again, and came to a conclusion that perhaps it was like some hidden sense within me, like a primitive reflex. Edward was danger, an enemy and so my subconscious was always alert when he was around. Always ready for an attack.
Lessons were the worst; Mrs Reynolds had seen the room we'd painted and had thickly concluded that our good progress at managing to paint over half the room together was a sign that we'd 'gotten along famously' as she'd put it. In light of our good team work, she'd taken it upon herself to pair us up together in English, and dropped a hint to Mr Banner that we'd do well to work together in biology.
The memory of my ruined, paint stained clothes, the hours I spent washing beige out of my hair and the agony of scrubbing my skin red raw to get the paint off boiled my blood. All because he'd been too idiotic to understand the works of Shakespeare.
I decided to take my leave, even if I would be early for my next lesson, it was better than sitting, staring at the mockingly beige coloured cafeteria walls and feeling Edward's hate filled eyes burning into me once more.
Picking up my tray, I made my way to drop it off with the others. Thoughts of what I'd be doing tonight entered my mind; cooking a meal for Charlie, Jasper and myself, doing some homework, perhaps talking to Alice, who had fast become a best friend of mine and Rose's over the past week, then fall asleep which would undoubtedly be a nightmare like any other night; having Edward interrupt each dream was loosing me sleep. It wasn't enough that I couldn't escape him each school day, but I had to suffer his presence when I should be able to escape.
"Hey, Isabella right?" I heard an enthusiastic, confident voice speak from behind me. I could feel my face frowning in thought of who it could be talking to me. Most people over looked me, Emmett, Jasper and Rose had been the only exception until Alice and Edward moved here.
"Bella" I corrected as I turned. My breath caught in my throat as my eyes rested on Mike Newton.
"Bella… right" he smiled, leaning casually against the wall, his eyes running from my face to my feet. "I was wondering…" he stared, his eyes finally coming back to my face "are you busy tomorrow night?"
Mike Newton was asking me if I was busy tomorrow night... I thought as I helplessly starred at him, wondering what kind of sick joke he was playing. Mike was the school's most popular guy; girls fawned over him and the boys begged for his attention. I for one had given up much hope years ago that Mike would notice me; I'd taken to watching him from a distance while he talked to girls like Lauren and Jessica, who radiated a trying, fake beauty and confidence.
"Um… n-no, I'm not busy" I stammered to answer him. He probably just wants you to do his homework for him while he goes out on some date my brain reasoned with me.
"Great" he spoke, his baby blue eyes looking almost angelic, except for the determination that I could read within them. Why would he be determined? "I'm having a house party and I'm inviting you" he paused, a highly satisfied look on his face as he spoke of the privilege he was giving me "as my date" he added, his smile broadening at my blush and shocked expression.
He pushed himself from the wall, a smug smile settled on his face "You can bring your friends if you want, come over by 8pm" he added before shocking me once more, placing a chaste kiss to my blazing cheek, sending a wink my way as he exited the cafeteria.
(Edward POV)
I pulled up next to Emmett's jeep, trying to remember why it was I was really here tonight; to look out for Alice my mind told me while a niggling feeling within me told me that it wasn't true. The logical part of me knew that Emmett, Rose, Jasper and Bella could easily do that.
I shook my head and got out of my Volvo. I watched as Emmett helped Rose out from the jeep and as Jasper and Alice rounded the front to join them, laughing together at a shared joke. See? Alice is safe! I told myself as I took a step toward them, wondering when Jasper or Emmett would turn around to help Bella down.
I made my way over to where Bella was, the back door open, revealing her sat there, in a pair of heeled boots, tight jeans and a simple fitted t-shirt. The simplicity of her look hit me, she didn't need to wear frilly dresses or be adorned by any ridiculous accessories; her natural beauty was all she needed.
She swung her legs back and forth as she looked from Emmett, Rose, Jasper and Alice to the ground beneath her feet, biting her bottom lip relentlessly with a frown clouding her pale face. I knew that she was probably, by now battling internally with herself over whether she should call out and ask Emmett or Jasper to help her down, which would cause embarrassment all around over the fact that she'd been forgotten, or chance it and try her best to get down from the jeep on her own, in high heeled boots and with a faulty gene that made her the klutz she was.
She hung her head and I couldn't help the feeling of protectiveness that ran through me. Even though she could be a fiery imp when she wanted to be, she could also be just as vulnerable. I reasoned with myself before I went to help her that I was only looking out for her because she was my friend's sister… and my sister's friend I reasoned when I thought of it. Alice had surprised me when she became so close to Bella and Rosalie in a matter of days, she'd also let Emmett and Jasper into her little selective friends group at which in my opinion, they should all be very grateful and proud. At the last school we were at, I was Alice's only friend. She didn't make any effort to make friends and shot anyone's attempt at doing so within a matter of seconds.
I took a deep breath as I held my hand out before Bella, readying myself to which ever reaction my helping hand would ignite within her. Would she be grateful? Ashamed at looking weak before me? Maddened that I thought she'd want my help above no one's at all. My hand shook as it waited outstretched for Bella to make some sign of recognition toward it and I couldn't help but begin to feel slightly nervous.
Warmth wrapped around my hand, steadying it. I looked up at Bella to see her eyes filled with caution. I knew not to rile her now while she felt defenceless; I could do that when she was safely on the ground beside, me in one piece.
I gave her a weak smile as I tightened my hold on her hand and reached my other out to wrap around her waist. She stiffly leant into me and let me help her down. Her feet finally touched the ground and I kept a hold of her while she steadied herself. Once I felt her stiffen again I unwrapped my arm from around her and let go of her hand, taking a slow step backward, as if I were retreating from a wild, protective lioness.
She took a few seconds to compose herself, brushing her hair back from her face and straightening her t-shirt before she turned to face me, her head bowed down as she whispered "Thanks".
I kept silent as I watched her, confused at why she was so shy and uncomfortable standing before me. Did she really hate being so vulnerable before me? I knew that I disliked it, but was glad that I could rectify the situation by helping her.
Under my silence she looked up at me, holding me prisoner as if with metal chains with her eyes. I noticed her biting her lip again, in anxiety.
"No problem" I spoke softly, feeling slightly uneasy with the strange tension that had fallen between us. Bella must have felt it too as she shuffled on her feet and played with her hands before her. I decided to do the only thing I could think of to rid us from the tension "I didn't really fancy a trip to the emergency room, it's too early don't you think?" I spoke, a reflexive smile taking over my lips as I watched the blood rising in Bella's cheeks, drowning them in a rosy blush of anger.
Her head snapped up, eyes alight under the glow of the stars, moon and the house's lights which shone from behind me, glowing with disbelieve, relief and wrath.
She didn't speak a word as she turned around, slammed the door of Emmett's jeep shut with an echoing bang and stormed off toward the house after Emmett, Jasper, Rosalie and Alice.
I made my way after her slowly, feeling immensely relieved that I had managed to get her back to where I felt comfortable to be with her, fiery and dangerous.
- - - - -
I propped myself against the door frame and watched as Emmett beat yet another puny boy at an arm wrestle.
"Next" Rosalie called from where she was sat, looking half bored and half amused next to Emmett, calling the next challenger to take a seat in an attempt to win against her boyfriend. I couldn't blame her for being bored; Emmett was about seven times bigger as the children that were eagerly using all their strength against him in hopes of winning. I could tell she was getting her amusement from Emmett, from the beaming smile on his face as he beat each kid and the fake look of effort he plastered over his face against the most frail looking geeks to give them some false sense of a chance at winning.
I turned and made my way down the hall, rolling my eyes as I noticed the queue to battle against Emmett was now forming out the door and almost all the way to the study down the hall.
During my short walk from the front door to the back room which was where the kitchen was situated, I could see the geeks getting drunk and becoming rowdy and the jocks chasing after the giggling cheerleaders. Here and there kids were like leeches, all over each other, sucking and slurping at each other's faces as the alcohol kicked in and impaired their decisions and visions.
I entered the vodka and beer storage space that was the kitchen and felt a spark run through me. Shrugging it off I walked in and picked a bottle of beer from the kitchen counter top, taking a slow look around the room to see if I'd notice anyone. I noticed a few kids from a couple of my classes here and there and waved back to them once they'd noticed me. There was no sign of Alice or Jasper so I concluded that they must have been hanging out somewhere together in the crowd that had filled the house to almost over brimming capacity.
I decided that I needed to head outside and get some air, more and more kids were entering the kitchen with three guys rolling a barrel of beer in though the back door. As I turned to leave, I spotted someone faintly familiar in a darkened corner, tall, lanky with spiky blonde hair looming over someone.
I didn't have to question who it was; I knew it was Bella he was looming over and it was the cocky kid that had talked to her yesterday as she'd dumped off her lunch tray.
Something bubbled within me that I didn't like, and I didn't want to pause to work out exactly what it was either and so I took slow steps toward them, waiting to see if Bella needed my protection or if she was handling things okay on her own.
"No, really Mike I'm fine. I don't really drink" I heard her say as she held her hands up before her, a weak smile on her face that I could tell was fake and was hiding the tinge of annoyance that was evident in her voice.
"Come on! It's a party, everyone is drinking. Just have one, its not strong, I promise" Mike pleaded, pushing an alcohol filled cup toward her.
Didn't he hear her saying no? I took a step forward, standing just behind Mike and spoke "Bella, Emmett wants to speak to you" I knew she'd understand my words as 'I want you to come with me so that you and I can talk, and you can thank me for saving you from this slimy creature' and I knew that Mike would decode my words as "If you don't step away from her, then the big muscle man that is Emmett, will come hunt you down and beat you into a bloody pulp".
(Bella POV)
How dare he? My mind roared as I let Edwards word sink in, along with his chilling glare. He thought he could boss me around, Mike too?
"I'm fine here thanks" I muttered, trying best to keep my voice even, void of my rage. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction.
Shooting a quick, yet meaningful look at Mike, he turned and focused his emerald eyes on mine, raising one of his arched brows "Bella" he simply stated my name, yet his voice rang with disbelief and anger.
Why did he think he had the right to tell me what to do! I argued as I kept my eyes locked on him, wondering why it was he was acting like my protector all of a sudden. Wants to spoil your night my mind reasoned.
I peeked a look at Mike who was leaning against the counter top beside me, drinking heavily from his cup while his blurry eyes danced between Edward and me.
Think you can order me around do you? I'll show you. Spinning around I grabbed the cup brimming with alcohol from Mike's hand and downed the fiery contents, willing myself not to stop until I'd finished the lot, just so that I could see Edwards's expression.
Swallowing the last drop of the liquid foulness I tried my best to control my expression, blocking out the sound of Mike and a few others's drunken cheers at my show of idiocy and faced Edward.
It was as if I'd slapped him; his eyes were locked, starring at me, his mouth slightly agape in shock and his right hand suspended in the air before him, as if he were going to take a hold of me.
I took a deep breath, beginning to feel a bit dizzy and hot in the middle of all the drunken kids… or was it because I was under Edward's gaze? I wondered.
His expression darkened, his mouth clamping shut like a vice, the vain in the side of his neck pulsating, his eyes narrowing to threatening slits as he directed his hate ridden glare fully at me. I felt myself shrinking under his eyes, ashamed of my actions. Why did I do that? I asked myself as I felt my head begin to spin. Because he stared it! My mind slowly caught up and reminded me, pushing my guilt away and filling me with confidence.
I took an unsteady step toward him, wondering why the floor resembled that of a bouncy castle and pressed myself up against his ridged body, silently glad that his solid form would keep me steady and still for a moment. Smiling smugly up at him I leant closer and whispered "Checkmate", grasping his forearms when I suddenly lost my balance after taking a slow step back.
His hands grasped my waist and I watched through hazy eyes as he leant down, the look in his eyes ashamedly petrifying me by their hostility, "Check again Bella. I think you'll find that you've made a bad move".
A/N: Now then… who's waiting on tender hooks for the next chapter??