"Good for me? Who the hell does he think he is?" Bella fumed as she stormed down the corridor towards the lunch hall.
With her mind still reeling from her altercation with Edward in Biology, there was zero concentration to be had during English – the only subject she enjoyed and was actually good at. With her train of thought consisting of the various places she wanted to shove every pen Edward had stolen, Bella had conjured up a whole myriad of ways to torture him by the time the bell rang to signal the end of the lesson – the encore being a highlighter-slash-flashlight shoved up where the aliens like to probe to see if it made his eyes light up.
Oh the eyes...
Shaking her head to clear her brain of the unwanted images, she pushed her way into the hall and spotted Alice sitting at their usual table picking through a perfectly arranged, very colourful, salad. Her head was bowed, clearly engrossed in a book propped on the table next to her lunch.
Grabbing two bowls of crunchy potato noisette balls– the only thing fit for human consumption- and some ketchup, Bella made her way towards Alice. She threw her heavy bag on to the table with a heavy jolt, which caused one of Alice's grape tomatoes to roll off her plate and into her friend's lap. A small shriek left Bella's mouth at the sudden lycopenic intrusion.
"Ugh!" Bella huffed and glared at Alice as she slumped in her seat. She squished the unsuspecting sphere effectively ending its short life by sending its seedy guts spewing in a quick spurt, then flicked the mangled fruit under the table.
"Wow, feeling homicidal much, Bells?" Alice asked, taking in Bella's stormy demeanour.
"I hate this place. It's only been one frickin morning, and I'm already wanting to burn it down with all the idiots still in it," she groaned and picked up the ketchup bottle. Sticky red globs squirted all over her entirely potato based meal and a good portion of the table, making a loud gassy sound. Bella didn't care, nor was she in the mood to let her inner twelve year old snicker at the offensive sound.
Alice's right hand shot to her chest over her heart with a shocked expression on her face. "Bella, I'm hurt," she cried in mock upset, before breaking out into a mischievous grin and throwing a piece of cucumber at Bella's forehead.
"Okay, Al. I'll spare you," Bella laughed simultaneously dodging the veggie disc, and chewing and savouring all the greasy goodness. "And, maybe Jasper. If he gets his butt in here and brings his smokes."
"What a good friend you are, Bella," Alice smiled, whilst giving a sly kick under the table. "So, what's put you in such a such scratch-n-snark mood this morning?"
"One word. Banner," Bella sighed, glancing around the room to see him standing in the corner talking to another teacher. Just the mere sight of him made her body go rigid and the hairs stand up on the back of her neck. Alice could see the obvious change in body language, and spun her head around to see what caused the obvious irritation.
"Oh," was her only response when Alice saw the source of Bella's mood.
"Yeah, Oh."
"So, what's he done this time?" she asked through a mouthful of lettuce.
"Banner made me sit at the front of the class so he could keep an eye on me," Bella mumbled, looking down at the table.
"Ha!" Alice laughed. "So you're getting the real, naughty school girl treatment this term?"
"So not funny, Alice," she warned. "It's really not good having him within arms reach, when all I can think of is punching him in the throat, or ramming a test tube through his eye socket."
"Now that I'd like to see! I bet he'd squeal like a pig!" Alice guffawed, before promptly choking on the rabbit fare in her mouth.
"That's not the worst of it though, Al," Bella sighed. She dropped her head on her forearm, completely ignoring her friend's hacking. She figured if Alice was coughing, she could still breathe.
"It's who I have to sit by..."
"Who?"
"Ugh, I can't even explain. He's so ridiculously infuriating, and I don't even know him..." Bella startled when a pair of arms wrapped around her shoulders almost scaring her half to death.
"Who's infuriating?" Jasper asked, letting go and plonking himself down next to Bella. He then took his life in his own hands and reached for her bowl of spuds.
"You," she groaned, pushing his grubby digits away from her coveted potatoes, and punched him right on the inside meat of his thigh. She had a good idea where his hands had been...
"Aw jeez, Bells! What's the dead leg for?" Jasper whined while he rubbed and pushed on his sore flesh quickly.
Bella eyed Jasper rubbing his leg a little too long. "You know, Jasper? More than a few rubs then you're just playing with it."
Jasper guffawed and made a few more passes for good measure.
"Our Bella's not in the best of moods right now, Jazz," Alice explained, waving a celery stick in Bella's direction.
"You don't say," he dead-panned back. "So what caused the beast to leave the cage today?"
"Someone she has to sit by in Biology apparently," Alice replied, shrugging her shoulders.
"Who?"
"No idea, but whoever it is certainly pressed the big red button we try to avoid," Alice said, sighing.
"Hello? I am still here you know," Bella said, looking up from the table and turning to glare at Jasper. "And it's not just someone. He's a complete tool."
"What kind of tool?" Jasper joked.
"I don't know. A big red screwdriver kind of tool."
"Back in a minute," Jasper mumbled, before bolting from his seat and heading across the room; probably for something to eat for himself rather than stealing everyone else's food as per usual. A girl could always hope, Bella thought to herself.
"Charming," Bella groused as she watched him disappear into the crowd. "Good to know my best friend is interested in my troubles."
"So who is it? Newton? Jessica? No, hang on, you said he's a tool, a big red screwdriver to be exact," Alice mused, frowning in concentration, as she tapped her chin with her thin index finger.
"Well I wouldn't be surprised if she had a little something extra under her skirt," Bella laughed, subsequently causing Alice to have mild hysterics at the thought of there not being a 'Twinkie' Jessica was smuggling in her obscenely stunted gym shorts.
"He's some new dude who's really hot, but the most irritating person I have ever..." Bella explained, before being stopped, mid-slandering, by a tall figure standing next to Alice. Scanning her eyes upwards, and spying the mop of auburn hair, she couldn't stifle the groan clawing and escaping her throat.
"Oh just brilliant," she hissed under her breath. "Hedge-Boy."
"Edward, my friend Alice," Jasper introduced proudly, pointing between the two of them. "Edward, Bella."
Bella scowled at Edward when he took the seat next to Alice, then at Jasper too when he settled back beside her.
"Edward just started here today. And, he's just moved over from England." Jasper revealed that news like it was a breaking head-liner.
"Nice to meet you, Edward," Alice gushed, shaking his hand, practically convulsing with excitement.
Much to Bella's amusement, Jasper's face publicly registered his annoyance over Alice's obvious smitten enthusiasm.
"You too, Alice," Edward replied politely, trying to extract his hand from her firm grasp and wipe it on his trouser leg. He noticed Jasper's back had straightened, and noted the jealousy rolling off of his body in almost palpable waves. Not wanting to make another enemy on his first day, Edward shuffled in his seat slightly to put some space between himself and Alice. No need to stoke the furnace any further.
"Edward, this is Bella," Jasper repeated, trying to divert attention from Alice.
"Yes, we've already met," Edward replied, shooting a cheesy grin in Bella's direction and winking. Bella's blood began to boil, and it took all her effort not to jump across the table ninja-style, and chop him straight in the larynx. He was getting off on this.
"Unfortunately," Bella grumbled, not breaking her death glare stare.
"Huh? How have you already met?" Alice asked, the cogs whirling furiously in her head. "Oh, oh, you're the big red screwdriver from Biology!" she exclaimed, pointing at Edward with her mouth agape. Under her breath, Bella thought she heard Alice say, "More like a hammer drill."
"It appears so," Edward laughed, but not quite understanding the inside joke, settled back in his chair and stretched.
"Whatever. I'm sorry but I don't have anything for you to steal right now, Edmund," Bella sneered, giving him the dirtiest look she could manage.
"Firstly, it's Edward," he began as he leant towards her and rested his elbows on the table. "And secondly, I didn't steal your pens. I just confiscated them because you were being an irritable little shrew."
"No, it was petty larceny since you took them without my permission," she retorted, crossing her arms over her chest. She fought the urge to stick her tongue out at him. Bella had no idea what it was about Edward that made her act like a child, but it soon dawned on her it had nothing to do with him. It was just the way she was hard-wired.
Edward laughed and ran his hand through his hair. Whilst leaning into Bella more, he locked eyes with her. She glared back, noting the green of his eyes seemed even more vibrant than earlier, and she found herself transfixed.
"Let me ask you one thing, Bella. Were you born a bitch, or did you perfect it over time?" Edward inquired venomously, keeping his eyes trained on hers, his head perfectly still.
That comment was enough for Bella to snap out of her trance. No matter how pretty he was, as far as she was concerned he was still a jerk. Narrowing her eyes, she leaned towards him, and grasped at the first thing coming to her mind. "Are your pubes ginger too?" she asked, her voice full of venom.
"You kiss your mother with that mouth?"
Alice hovered on the pair's peripheral vision, her head darting back and forth between them as the exchange continued. With her mouth agape, and eyes bugging out of her head, she was doing an impeccable Wimbledon impression. If it continued, she was sure Edward would be calling for a change of balls. If Bella had anything to do with it, he'd need a ball change right now.
"No, but I tongue my father with it," Bella retorted, trying to be as deadly serious as possible. As her final remark sunk in, she could see Edward's face contort slightly, and did a small victory dance in her head. Then she realized what she just said, but it was too late to take it back.
Edward's head snapped back, his face screwing up in a look of disgust. "Uh, nice mental imagery, Bella. Thank you, I'm going to have to go watch a bull fight to get that out of my mind!"
Alice's eyes narrowed and centralised on Bella. Her equilibrium restored as she struggled to comprehend what her vindictive friend had just word-vomited. "Bella, I can't believe you said that," she gasped with her mouth still hanging open as the horror for her friend set in.
"You see, Edward, Bella has this glitch in her brain. She's missing that vital filter needed to make her acceptable in polite society," Jasper joked, as his hand plundered her lunch once again.
"Oi! Hands off my crunchy balls!" Bella scolded and slapped his hand, which caused the contents to fly across the room. Within a split second, Jasper wrestled her onto his lap with his hand slapped firmly over her mouth. No matter how much she struggled, there was no getting away. She eventually managed to get her left arm free and reached for what she knew to be his weak point.
"Holy shit, Bella! Get off my balls!" he shrieked, when she applied even more pressure. "You win. You fucking win," he groaned, as he released his arms from around her small body. "Must you always go for the nut sack? Seriously!"
"You touch my balls, I touch yours," Bella smirked, feeling smug as she slid back into her seat. The first warning bell rang to signal the end of lunch.
Throwing her hands in the air. "See what I have to contend with on a daily basis?" Alice asked Edward, then rolling her eyes.
He was just staring in Bella's direction, but had a look on his face she hadn't seen before. Maybe it was horror, or maybe it was disgust. There was a curiously unreadable look behind his eyes.
"You know you love me, Al," Bella said, as she got up and grabbed her bag from under the table. "I'm off for a smoke before trig. Jazz, you coming?"
"Yup," he replied, jumping up and following close behind. "Edward, I'll call you later."
"See ya later, Alice," Bella hollered as the pair made their way to the doors. There was no point in asking if she wanted to come; she wasn't not known as the 'Tobacco Nazi' for nothing. If anyone was to ever spark up in front of her, she'd spend the whole time coughing and waving her hands in front of her face.
Bella marched down the corridor with Jasper lagging behind, trying to subtly re-arrange himself in the pants department. She could hear his heavy footfalls some distance behind when she rounded the corner to the courtyard. Jasper finally finished his cock-jockeying arrangement, and beat feet to catch up. When he did, he flung his arm over Bella's shoulders – almost knocking her over in the process.
"So," he began. "What's the deal with you and Edward?"
"I don't know what you mean," she replied, trying to keep her balance while keeping her voice even and as light as possible.
"Don't give me that, Bells. I can read you like an open book," he sighed, steering them both around the corner to their smoking spot. Leaning against the wall, he stood in front of Bella and handed her a lit cigarette for which she was thankful. Adrenaline and frustration coursed through her veins causing her hands to tremble. There was no doubt she'd struggle to light up herself.
Taking a long drag, Jasper exhaled and sighed. A billow of smoke gathered around his curly hair and caught the sun. The rays of light shone through the thin smoky haze, giving the stark impression of a halo. A halo for a Guardian Angel.
Shifting closer to Bella, he tilted her chin, forcing her to look at his face. His eyes were pleading as he stared intently into her eyes.
"I honestly don't know what you're getting at," she said, taking a drag from her cigarette, enjoying the feeling of the smoky goodness invading her lungs.
"You looked like you wanted to rip his throat out back there. I haven't seen you worked up like that since last year during that night at Soli House."
Looking in his eyes, Bella could see the genuine concern they held. She knew her reaction was extreme, but couldn't tell him why. Hell, she didn't even really understand it herself. How could one person have such a dramatic effect on her in such a short period of time?
It was true though. The last time he'd seen her so worked up was that night.
Every year the school arranged for the student body to go on a religious retreat at Soli House for a week. It was supposed to be a time for reflection, but for most pupils it was always just an excuse to get away from the parental units and have some fun.
"Bells, what happened last year? Does it have something to do with Edward?" Jasper asked. Throwing his cigarette butt on the floor, he held onto Bella's waist, and pulled her slightly towards his body.
"Huh? What? No!" she shouted, louder than necessary shaking her head vigorously in denial.
"Sorry, I just wondered..." he began, looking around to check if any teachers were making their rounds.
"He just got my back up this morning, that's all. Asshole shouldn't have stolen my pens." Bella reasoned while rolling Jasper's tie around with her fingers.
"You sure?" he asked, still not convinced.
"Of course I'm sure," she snapped, pushing him backwards slightly away from her. "This morning was the first time I'd ever seen him. I promise."
Bella felt instantly guilty for pushing him away like that. Putting a fake smile on her face, she pulled Jasper back and leant her cheek against his chest. As he relaxed, he wrapped his arms around Bella's shoulders. His hands began to play with Bella's hair, which in turn, caused her to relax in the process. As Jasper kissed the top of Bella's head, she could feel the smile on his lips as he made contact. There was just something about being embraced by Jasper; it always felt completely safe and secure, and their combined body warmth felt like home.
Bella settled into Jasper's body knowing her heart was torn; she hated lying to him, but at the same time, couldn't admit everything just yet. She'd tell him eventually, but it would have to be when she was completely ready, both physically and mentally.
It was true she had never met Edward until that morning, but the lie came in the fact he was stirring up feelings in her she'd had only ever felt once before in her brief existence. Something she had pushed to the back of her mind, in the vain hope it would be forgotten over time. Something she didn't want to feel again.
"Bells, can you do something for me?" Jasper asked, holding onto her shoulders and leaning away slightly so he could look down into her eyes.
"Depends on what it is. If it has the word 'anal' in it anywhere, the answer will be a resounding no with a swift kick to the groin. You understand me, Whitlock?" she joked, poking him the chest.
"I promise," he vowed. There was a mischievous glint in his eye, and Bella was sure he had his fingers, or some other part of his anatomy crossed making his promise instantly invalid.
"Fine."
"Okay, well it's erm...it's just that...well, Edward," he stammered.
Crossing her arms and raising her eyebrow's, Bella had a vague idea of what was coming next, and just wanted him to get to the point.
"Well Bells, he's an awesome guitarist. I swear you should have heard him nail 'Freebird' in music before lunch. I really want to get my band sorted, and I think he'd be the key."
"So what your asking is for me to be nice to him for the sake of you and your band?" Bella verified.
"Please, " he begged, grabbing her tie and knotting it tight around his knuckles. "It would really mean a lot to me, and I can't be stuck in the middle having to choose between you and the band."
Bella knew just how much this actually meant to Jasper; his whole life had always revolved around music, and once he'd got his first guitar at age ten, there was no going back for him. He practised constantly, becoming quite accomplished in a relatively short amount of time . As much as it would grind on her, and undoubtedly test their friendship to the limit, Bella couldn't find it in her heart to do anything that would make things more difficult for him. She would do this for her best friend, whom she loved more than most anything or anyone.
"Fine..." she groaned, resting her forehead against his chest, rolling it from side to side.
Looking up, Bella pointed her finger at him and scowled. "I'll do it for you, but let me make one thing quite clear. I. Still. Hate. Him."
"I wouldn't expect anything less, Bella-Bug," he laughed, then pulled a serious face. "Oh, and can you please let me know if you change your mind about the whole anal thing?"
Jasper was completely giddy when he grabbed Bella's hand just as the late warning bell sounded, and marched the pair of them towards trig class.
Why did the summer suddenly feel so much further away to Bella?
