Disclaimer: All things Twilight related belong to Mrs. Meyer, the rest of it is mine.

Chapter four

Emma's pov

I stood on the porch, watching Ethan drive away. My lips were still burning from that last kiss. Part of me was giddy over him kissing me, but the other part wondered if he would still talk to me in school.

I walked into the house, in search of my mom so I could talk to her about what happened. I stopped just outside the living room when I saw mom and dad dancing together. He held her so tenderly, like she was made out of the finest glass and she would break if he put too much pressure on her.

I smiled in the dark. Of course I knew how much my parents loved each other, but seeing them like this always made me a little happier. At least I had parents who still loved each other. From what I heard around school not everyone was quite as lucky.

Just as I was about to move away and go upstairs, dad looked up and gave me a lazy smile. He held out one of his arms to me in an invitation to come to them. Smiling, I snuggled into his side. Mom winked at me and together we danced until the song was finished.

"So," dad started when we sat down together. "What happened to your date?"

I could tell he was fighting the urge to spit out the words and I had to smile at that. "Ethan and I couldn't find a good movie, so we drove back and decided we were going to try again later. We'll check next time, though."

"Anything else happen?"

"Dad! Come on."

"Emma, please just tell me honestly. If I get the feeling you're keeping things from me, I'll only imagine worse things."

I huffed, rolling my eyes. "So I need to tell you every detail?"

"No, just tell me if he behaved himself and if there comes a time that he doesn't I want you to be honest with us about it, okay?"

"Sure, dad. He kissed me, but that's all that happened, okay?"

"Thank you. I don't need the details, you can talk to your mom and aunts about that stuff, but I appreciate you being honest about this."

He pulled me into his side and kissed the top of my head. I loved that gesture, it was typical for him. It made me feel loved.

"I love you Emma and I know I might be a bit overprotective, especially now that you're starting to discover boys, but I just want what's best for you. And if I am being a douche, just tell your mom and she'll kick my ass for it."

I laughed as mom winked at me again. "I'm going to head upstaris and read for a bit."

"Sure honey. I'll be up in a minute. I need to talk to you too, you know," mom mockingly warned.

"Sure, sure. I'll see you in a bit."

I left my parents behind, who no doubt would discuss their tactics with regards to my dating after I left, and went up to my room. I plucked out one of the classics my mom always recommended and flopped down onto the bed.

My phone beeped when I was completely emerged in the story. I grumbled at whoever it was that bothered me at this time of night before tossing my book aside and grabbing my phone to see who had texted me.

I saw you with my brother tonight. Stay away from him or I'll make sure you never be able to kiss another boy again.

Charlotte

I resisted the urge to throw my phone against the wall. Why did that brat have to ruin every thing for me? I wanted to punch something, or better yet, punch her.

~*~

The following morning I barely missed the bus, so I hitched a ride with my parents. When we arrived at school and said a quick goodbye and hurried inside towards the library. I didn't want to see Charlotte or Ethan, I was not ready for any of the two confrontations this early in the morning.

I reached the end of the hallway and was about to turn the corner when someone grabbed my arm and turned me around. I blinked in surprise, partly because I was still standing and partly because I was facing a very happy looking Ethan.

"Hi," I said shyly.

"Hi beautiful. You okay? I called you when you crossed the lot, but you didn't seem to hear me."

"Ethan, we'd better not do this. Last night was wonderful, but it would never work."

I saw his face fall and I felt my own stomach drop at the sight.

"What, did you regret what happened or something? Why did you change your mind?"

"I just did, okay?" I said, trying my damnedest not to cry.

"Fine. You know what, just fine! Last night I finally decided to take a change and come see you, but apparently you're not worth the trouble. Just forget it ever happened."

I bit my lip to keep from blurting out the truth about his sister and that she had seen us. I didn't want him to hate her, it was better if he hated me instead.

Ethan stared into my eyes for another moment before he angrily huffed and stomped off towards his first class. I slumped against the wall, breathing deeply to keep the tears at bay. I so did not want anyone to see me cry.

Charlotte and her posse traipsed in and she nodded haughtily in my direction to let me know she knew I followed her directions.

Ethan's words from last night popped into my head and I cringed. This was the first time I changed myself for what someone else wanted. My stomach churned. It did not feel good. It didn't feel good at all.

My first two classes were okay, but between my second and my third I saw Ethan in the hall. I wanted to apologize to him, but once he saw me, he turned towards the girl he was standing next to and kissed her. Right in front of me he kissed her!

For the second time in as many days I wanted to punch someone. How could he be so mean?!

Well, Em, you were the one who said you couldn't be together, my conscience reminded me.

I shook my head to shut it up. The fact that that little voice was right didn't mean it hurt any less to see him shoving his tongue down someone else's throat the day after we kissed. So instead of going to class, I turned right around and headed to the nurse's office. I was not staying in this shitty school any longer.

When I got to the office there was an elderly couple talking to the secretary, so I took a seat and waited for them to finish. When they had left, I stood and explained I wasn't feeling well and wanted to go home.

The nurse was out sick herself, so Mrs. Jennks wrote me down as sick and sent me home. She offered to inform my parents, but I decided I would do that myself. Dad's classroom was closest to the office, so I went there.

I nearly chickened out when I saw that Ethan was in his class and sitting right up front. Taking a deep breath, I calmed down my pounding heart a little and knocked on the door. Dad looked up from his piano and saw me standing there. He immediately excused himself and headed for the door.

"Hey, sweetie. What's wrong?"

"I'm not feeling too good. I'm heading home, I thought you should know."

"Okay. I'll get your assignments from your teachers for you. Do you need me or mom to bring home something after work?"

"Nah, I'll be okay. If I really do need something I'll text either of you, okay?"

"Okay. Be safe, baby girl."

"I will dad, promise."

I kissed his cheek and turned without peeking at Ethan like I so desperately wanted.

Ethan's pov

Emma had told me she had changed her mind and I had felt like she had punched me in the gut. I didn't understand my violent reaction to what she said, but I felt so betrayed and so deeply disappointed that it almost physically hurt.

My friends were riding me during the first two classes on why I was in such a sour mood, so I walked Chelsea to her next class to take my mind of things. Chelsea was always hanging on my shoulder, hoping for some attention, so I gave her just that, attention.

But then I saw Emma in the hallway looking sad and apologetic and I just wanted to hurt her like she hurt me, so I lashed out in the worst way possible, I kissed Chelsea. I didn't mean for it to be quite as intense as it turned out to be, but Chelsea practically forced her tongue in my mouth.

When I looked up again all I could see was the back of Emma's head as she walked in the wrong direction for her next class. I felt like an ass. Hell, I was an ass.

Chelsea tried to kiss me again, but I simply excused myself and went to music class. Great, Emma's dad taught this class! Another reminder of my stupid behaviour. God, why didn't I just tell Emma I wasn't giving up and that we should try to make it work before giving up? Why did I have to turn my pain back on her? I hated myself when I slid into my seat in the front of the class.

Mr. Cullen explained a new piece we were going to study and sat down at the piano to play it for us when there was a knock at the door. I looked up and saw Emma standing there, looking pale and fidgety. I wanted to get up and ask her what was wrong, but knew I couldn't.

I watched as Mr. Cullen talked to her. I wondered what was wrong? Was she ill? She kissed him goodbye and then quickly rushed out of sight without so much as looking at me. She was avoiding me. Great.

Mr. Cullen walked back in, but the entire class he was distracted. He shot me two questioning glances, but didn't ask me anything other than class related things, not even after the bell rang.

Not sure whether or not it was a good idea to ask him what was wrong with Emma, I just picked up my stuff and left. Chelsea was right outside the door and launched herself at me when I walked out. Her lips were plastered on mine before I could stop her en from the angry growl I heard behind me, I knew I was seriously fucked.

I turned around, ready to apologize and explain, but Mr. Cullen was already walking towards the teacher's lounge.

"Shit, Chelsea! Could you not do that?!"

Chelsea staggered back a step, looking confused. "Excuse me? You were the one that came to me last period. I thought you wanted it."

"No, I don't. It was a mistake and I'm sorry I did that to you. I shouldn't have."

"What? Why was it a mistake?"

"Because I only kissed you to piss someone off, I'm sorry."

Chelsea snickered. "So I did see it right, then?"

"Huh?"

"You are crushing on the Cullen girl and for some reason she's not that into you."

"Yeah, sort of."

"Come on, we've got a free period, talk to me. Maybe I can help."

"You would do that for me?"

"Hey, I like you. Yeah what you just did was shitty, but if I understand one things it's making other people jealous for a reason. Besides, I think that Cullen girl is picked on way too much by that bitchy sister of yours. Maybe getting together with you will put a stop to it."

I gawked at her like she had dropped in from another planet. She was totally not what I had expected.

So we walked outside together and planted our asses on the damp picknick benches. Without much prompting I spilled about my night before, this morning and the resulting attempt to take revenge.

"Ah," Chelsea sighed. "I think Ms. Cullen might have been trying to keep herself out of trouble."

"What are you talking about?"

"I overheard your sister yapping in the bathroom after first period. It didn't make sense at all, but now that I know this..."

"Chelsea, come on! Tell me."

"She was talking to one of her croonies about texting Cullen last night. She said it had the desired effect. I had no idea what she would be texting her 'enemy' for, but now it kind of makes sense. She must have seen you and warned Cullen to stay away from you."

"Come on, Emma would never give in that easy."

"Hey, I didn't read the text. Your sister can get quite vicious. I saw her pull a girls hair out once, it was scary as hell."

I sat back, dazed after what I heard. Could Emma really be brushing me off because of my sister?

A/N: It's been a couple of days, but here's another chapter. I hope you guys like it. From here on out things should get a little better for Emma. There is a new group of students coming and those kids might make some difference for our Emma.

Drop me a review and let me know what you think.

If you're reading any of my other stories, things have been a bit hectic, so I'm not updating as much as I would like. An unexpected new beginning is being updated more frequently, but only because I already have several chapter finished and ready to update. Hang in there, I'm working on the rest.

Hugs and kisses,

Mo