HAPPY AMERICA DAY! :D And to anyone who saw the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, EFF YES CHESNUT. USA, BABEH.
Tension! 8D I bet alla you are pissy from the cliffy so you aren't reading this A/N, but it's IMPORTANT. Well, kind of. I made a typo in the story thing where I gave the spiffy background (or as marykat called it, a 'tease' :P). Edward's last name is MASEN in this. Oopsies. Read on gallantly, my friends.
In Sacrifice,
False Pretense, you'll learn again.
Stop pretending, don't deny,
False Pretense, you'll learn again.
False Pretense, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
After briefly tearing up the halfpipe, he joined the rest of his friends (and skater kids for that matter) in glaring at the prep kids that dare step onto their territory. The mall was the preppy kids' (except for Hot Topic, that was the goth kids' (they were sort of their allies) and Zumiez). The skate park was theirs.
Emmett stood in front of the bench where his friends tensely sat. The different stereotypes weren't gangs necessarily. More like tight, territorial groups. But if they were, Emmett would be the skaters' leader. Jasper and Ed stood behind him, flanking him; Jasper to his left, Ed to his right. Normally, Jake would be to his left, but since he wasn't there, Jasper filled in for him.
They had their arms crossed, though Emmett's hung carelessly at his sides. The five of them were the first group near the entrance, so they got a good view of the alien group.
The usual offenders where there; Mike Fruit-ton, Jessica Manly, Whoren Malory, Sam Ugly (used to be a pretty kick-ass skater, but "found the light" at some stupid summer camp), Leah Clearwater (who they couldn't insult, since she was Seth's sister… and nothing was funny with her name, anyhow), Tyler Fowley, and a bunch of other douches.
But the new girl… the new girl was beautiful. Not hot; no, she was too intense and… just, powerful for that title. Her proud posture demanded respect, and her slightly pointed, perfect chin stuck out. Jewel-like blue eyes were in slight slits and her dark, full lips where pursed. Emmett had never felt so attracted to someone before, and couldn't take his eyes off of her.
Although she just moved there, it was obvious that she'd taken command of them, and would be the new queen bee. And just his luck; Emmett was the king of the skate park.
As if their cue, the other skaters filed behind Emmett, group by group. He moved to the middle of the park, right into Rosalie's line of vision.
Her eyes widened at him, then returned to normal. Pale, delicate hands rested at her waist, almost accentuating the curves that were already emphasized by a short (but not skanky short) white skirt and a blue top that were the same color as her eyes.
Then, Emmett realized that everyone was waiting for him to make a move. He stepped forward. "You must be the new girl," he raised an eyebrow at her, fighting the urge to grin like an idiot.
Her sneer turned to a smug smile. "You've heard of me," her musical voice made it a statement rather than a question.
"Of course," he smirked. "We're always alerted when more trash comes to pollute our neighborhood."
There were 'ooh's behind him, giving him power and confidence that stopped his knees from shaking at her widening smile. "I take my friends and I aren't welcome here."
"Friends? More like clones," he turned to Jessica. "Jessica, didn't you used to have brown hair?"
The now beach-blonde Jessica shrank back into Mike.
"I don't know if they should be insulted or not," she said, amusement lacing her tone.
"Oh, you're one of those girls," Emmett guessed. He couldn't fight the disappointment that boiled inside of him. "A self-obsessed, spoiled, rich bitch, who needs everyone following her, then complains about it to her minions disguised as friends. One of the girls who spends more than a regular kid's month's allowance on a pair of shoes," he scrunched his nose in disgust. "Take your Channel number five, and get your plastic ass out of here. No, you aren't welcome. Didn't Whoren or someone give you the memo?"
"Yeah, this is a skate park," someone from another group shouted. "Emphasis on skate."
He stepped forward a little bit, and put a hand out to stop Ed and Jasper from trailing behind him. "The mall is your turf," Emmett said coldly. "Stay on it."
Rosalie stepped forward too, making the same motion Emmett did to stop Lauren and Leah. "Emmett, is it?" she asked lightly. After he nodded stiffly once, she laughed elegantly once with her mouth closed. "Well, Emmett. Let's get one thing straight here. You 'skaters'," she used air quotes, "have been ruling this neighborhood for too long for my taste. And I just arrived."
"I hate you, and you hate me. Let's keep it like that," he injected, feeling the statement true. All prior feelings of affection were long gone.
"Oh, of course," she nodded, smiling graciously. "But damn, do I respect you. It's almost an indignity that a leader as good as you will fall," she pursed her lips again, frowned lightly, then shrugged a shoulder and flipped her golden hair over the other. "Shame you had to choose a low-life lifestyle."
"Skating is my life. This park," he motioned about them, "is my home. I'm not giving up without a fight. If it comes to that, so be it."
"Oh, ew," she scrunched her nose. "I am not going to fight. Literally, at least. Plus, in my old neighborhood, skaters and preps were," she twisted two of her fingers together, "like this."
"Not here they're not. This is Brooklyn, sweetie. Not Cali."
"Oh, I know. It's much too musty to be California. But Rosalie Hale does not adapt to a new environment. A new environment adapts to Rosalie Hale."
"No need to talk in third person, Elmo," Alice muttered.
There were stifled laughs from their side. Emmett just smiled. "We've got the picture, Rosalie, don't worry. But we do not adapt either. We stay on our side. Just like you should. Movie theater and diners are neutral. So's school. But besides that, we stay with our own."
"Vaguely like West Side Story."
"Yes. But skaters and preps do not fall in love."
Rosalie smiled at him, so that he forgot that there were masses of kids that hung on his every word; forgot all of the tension that hung over the two of them; forgot the hatred that he had felt for the girl. There was just he and Rosalie, the Icy Goddess. "Yet."
He had to clear his throat so we wouldn't choke, and agreed quietly, "Yet."
She bit her bottom lip, looking just as shaken as he felt, and turned around. Regaining her strength and confidence, she ordered, "Let's go." The pastel colored mass started retreating slowly, and Rosalie was directly behind them. But she turned around and said wistfully, "Goodbye, skaters." It seemed directed at Emmett.
"Goodbye, preps," he smiled respectfully at her, and he could almost swear she blushed as she turned away.
"What a ho," Alice started ranting as soon as they were out of earshot.
The other kids took her outburst as a dismissal. "I'd like to cut all of that pretty little blond hair off," she said angrily.
"Calm down, Alice," Jasper put his arm around her. "She's gone."
"I don't get why we have to hate each other," Ed said quietly so that he thought no one heard.
"That's just the way it is," Emmett responded at the same volume, frozen in place, gazing at the last place Rosalie had been.
Ed seemed to jump, but his expression softened slightly as he went to stand next to his best friend, rather than behind him. "Can't someone change it, though?"
"I don't think so, Ed," Emmett sighed and tore his eyes away from the spot. "It sucks, but it's gotta be this way."
"But why?"
"Well, some of them just plain suck. Like Mike, Tyler, Lauren and Jessica."
"Yeah, they do, but some of the people here suck too! Some I can't stand being near."
"I know what you mean, bro, but… it's just like this. Maybe someday somebody'll change this. But for now, let's stick to one side." Raising his voice and standing on top of a bench, he said, "With that new girl, they'll be more ruthless than ever. And not stupid, petty hatred and rumors anymore, either. We've got to stick together and stay on our toes. Got me?"
Everyone in the park quieted down to listen to him. After he finished, everybody cheered. "Can we jump them?" someone called as Ed and Jasper climbed up next to him.
"No!" he said a bit too quickly. Emmett cleared his throat, trying to cover up his panic. "Okay, everyone knows how much I'd kill to punch one of their faces in. I love to fight as much as the next guy-"
"And then some," Jasper added.
Emmett elbowed him and continued, "But we can't risk any of the blues getting suspicious. Let them throw the first punch." The thought of one of the people here hurting Rosalie, even thinking of hurting her, made his blood boil. "But… don't hit girls. That isn't cool."
"Waddaya mean, 'don't hit girls'? Us girls can't fight?" Alice demanded. Emmett wanted to pick her up and punt her.
"No, Alice."
A bunch of girls cried out against that. "No one's fighting anyway! Hey- hey!" everyone started talking and complaining to each other. "HEY! SHUT THE HELL UP!" he shouted over the roar.
They shut the hell up. "No one's fighting anyway!"
"What if it comes to a fight?" Ed asked, looking at Bella protectively.
"If it comes to a fight… it'd probably be guys verses guys and girls verses girls."
"They don't have a chance!" someone cackled.
"Stop with the fighting! It won't get to one! Peaceful hatred!" he tried to tell them, but they were all riled up for beating the hell out of someone. He shot pleading eyes at Ed.
He jumped up next to Emmett. "How about instead of fighting, we prank them or something?" he offered loudly, finally getting their attention. Emmett gave him a look.
"Yeah? Like what?" a girl asked loudly.
"Like… well, I don't know," he looked over to Emmett.
"What are we, your mothers? Get creative, make something up. But-" he said sharply, interrupting the soft rumble that started over them. "No physical harm."
"Yeah, give peace a chance," Jasper said, teasing Emmett as he and Ed hopped down from the bench.
"Hey, shut it, Volcom. Do you want to get in trouble with the cops? I didn't think so," he bluffed. "So, what are you all pissed at me for? I did what was necessary."
Alice shot him a raised eyebrow that said, 'You will tell me what's up.'
Ignoring her, Emmett hopped on his skateboard.
A few hours later, the sun started to set and the streetlights came on. "The Park Patrol's gunna be coming soon," Bella warned, glancing towards the gate.
"Oh, no. The Park Patrol. What ever shall we do?" Emmett asked sarcastically.
"Oh, come on, Em. I don't want to get in trouble."
Shaking his head, he started walking toward the exit. "I'm starved anyway. Let's go get some pizza."
"Pizza again?" Jasper asked. "Pizza, pizza, pizza, that's all we ever eat. How about a burger and fries once in a while?"
"Jasper, be serious," Emmett stopped walking and rolled his eyes. "Burgers and fries are bad for you."
They all snorted. "Plus, it's where Em and I work," Ed explained. "We've always worked there. Eating somewhere else is like being traitors to Carl."
"That, and Cullen's Pizza is easily the best place in all of Brooklyn," Alice added, skipping ahead.
"I couldn't have put it better."
Emmett practically bounded through the door. "Emmett, Edward!" the young man smiled kindly behind the cash register. "And Alice, Jasper and Bella. I wish I could say I was surprised to see you," he laughed.
Ed didn't really mind when Carl, or his wife Esme called him by his real name, Edward. They were probably the only ones, though. The group of them walked up to the register. "Hey, Carl, what's up?" Emmett asked casually as one of the guys who had his shift the days he didn't have work put their usual pie in the oven (one forth pepperoni, one forth sausage, one forth mushrooms, one forth extra cheese).
"Well, my niece moved into town," he said, beaming. "Rosalie Hale. I don't think you've met, you don't seem like the same crowd."
The four people behind Emmett tensed, while he stayed relaxed, wanting to melt at the sheer mention of her. Just as he was about to say, "Nope, we haven't met," a familiar, musical voice came, asking, "Uncle Carlisle, are you sure that I don't have to pay? I really don't mind-" Rosalie stopped dead, seeing the group of them.
Alice, Bella, Ed and Jasper's heads whipped around to stare at her immediately. Emmett's was much slower and more easy-going, even though he wanted to see her as quickly as was physically possible. "Oh, you know them?" she asked him quietly and innocently.
"Yes. I didn't know you knew Emmett, Ed, Bella, Alice and Jasper though, Rosalie."
"They welcomed me here," she said. She was almost visibly straining to not use sarcasm and roll her eyes.
"Really? How nice of you guys. Well, your pie's ready. To stay or to go?"
"To go," Emmett said. He was also straining to stay polite and friendly. Taking the box from Carl, Jasper walked curtly out with Alice on his heels. Bella hesitated, looking at Ed, then following. Emmett smiled again at Carl, then turned to his "enemy". "Nice seeing you again, Rose." And walked out the door, wishing that he could say more.
"Stupid twot," Alice said under her breath as they skated under the streetlights, through the pools of yellow light and traffic.
"You really don't like her at all, do you?" Jasper asked.
"I don't know why. Maybe because I don't not like her," Alice wondered aloud.
"Okay, that made no sense at all," Ed shook his head.
"No, it totally does. Because she seems like my kinda person, but she's a dumb bitch prep, so I hate her stupid dumb bitch guts."
"Hey, come on," Emmett said, offended on Rosalie's behalf. "Quit talking about her like that."
"Why?" she asked. Knowing Alice, she probably wanted him to admit some huge confession that would have her flipping out for a week straight.
"Look around you, babe. They're everywhere. She's good, let me tell you. On every street corner, in every diner, she has some of them; waiting, listening, for a sign of something," Jasper said, unintentionally saving Emmett's sorry ass. "It's a brilliant strategy. Emmett's just thinking. For once."
Although he wanted to jump off his board and hug Jasper like he was all out of testosterone, he just threw him an exasperated look. "Enough with the 'Emmett's an Idiot' please?"
Grinning, Jasper said, "Only if you stop with the 'Jasper's an emo'."
"Okay, never."
"We're on agreement then."
Ed and Bella left to his car a little while later. Then, Alice and Jasper split to Alice's house. Any other person would think they were doing nasty crap, when Emmett knew that Alice would be making him try on clothing with the promise of playing World War II video games with him until the wee hours of the morning.
Emmett, however didn't plan to go home. No, he planned to skate around the neighborhood, being a "menace to society", as the old man called him, and then crashing his associate, Chris' party. Maybe booze a little bit, hit on a few girls, skate around until the morning. Go home and sleep until three. 'Oh, how beautiful a time summer is,' Emmett thought while smiling to himself and pulling out his iPod.
Just as "Stacy's Mom" by Fountains of Wayne ended, Emmett arrived at Chris' house. It was pretty huge, and by the noise, the party was in full swing.
Emmett slipped through the front door and surveyed the place. The rap that pounded through the speakers made the floors shake. Kids of all groups where there; gangsters, preps, skaters (with whom he exchanged head nods with), and basically everyone who was anyone was there. "Chris, man!" Emmett shouted over the roar as he spotted his blond head bobbing through the crowd. They exchanged pleasantries and had a short conversation. Thankfully, they parted ways soon.
"Emmett, my bro!" a familiar voice called nearby. Turning around, Emmett saw Jacob's beaming face over other people's heads. Seth was probably with him as usual, although he was most likely hidden by the other kids.
"Jake! Where's Seth?"
"Asleep," he answered, both of them still screaming. "I snuck out. Man, no way am I messing around with drugs ever again. It's bat shit. Anyway, wanna go somewhere to talk? I hear from Ben that he heard from Joe that I need some über updates."
"Yeah, for totes."
"What the hell did you just say?"
"Your face. C'mon."
"For totes" is something stupid that sounds like something Emmett would say, although in ma region of BK, people say totes to sound like idiots in a funny way. It's short for totally, and you usually put "for" in front of it. If you live in other regions of the country, perhaps WORLD, then ask me wudda eff some things mean. I might have let my Brooklynossity get all up in yo' grillz. ;)
EG: "Dude, did you see that new f'epic Chuck Norris joke?"
"You mean 'Chuck Norris' butthole is a lethal gun in Zimbabwe?' Yeah, man, (for) totes!"
And I hope everyone knows that bat shit=crazy, and über means either "a lot of" or "very".
