Disclaimer: Everything related to the Twilight saga is the property of Stephanie Meyer. Summit Entertainment owns all the rights to the Twi saga films. I only own writing this story, plot lines and all. No copyright infringement intended.

A/N: I hope I didn't make you readers wait too long for this next chapter! Admittedly, over the Thanksgiving holiday was very busy for my beta and I, and RL hasn't really stopped for either of us. But we've tried our best to bring this next chapter to you all as soon as possible.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and ate to their hearts content. I know my family did & my beta too. Here's looking forward to the December holidays! I know Hanukah/Chanukah (excuse me if I spelled it wrong) has already started.

Hopefully, the holiday season won't impede my writing groove. I've been trying to write as much as I can, whenever I can, so we'll have to see how well my beta can handle it-she also has a family and a busy life too. Again, no promises, but we'll try.

As always MAD LOVE to my beta, my Fic Wifey, Cheermom. No matter what, she always comes through for me!

Thanks for your continued reading and support!

The reviews have so far been very kind and lovely! Makes my heart swoon!

So, PLEASE KEEP REVIEWING!

Chapter 2-The Effect Of Minor Separation

"Okay then, I think I'll just catch you later when you're hopefully in a better mood," Jessica announced, clearly irritated at Edward's sour disposition.

Edward just shrugged, maintaining the scowl on his face, barely acknowledging Jessica's presence. Jessica stalked away, loudly clicking her high heels against the pavement, quite angry at Edward's lack of attention. Edward couldn't seem to care and didn't even bother to glance at her retreating form. He just waved her off.

As she walked away, Jessica passed by Edward's two brothers, a few feet away, sitting atop benches in the courtyard. They were understandably keeping their distance from their brother. It was an unusual sight to see as the three brothers were pretty much inseparable most of the time. Emmett and Jasper had grown weary of Edward's semi-permanent bad mood of late. Instead of getting angry themselves, they decided it would be best to just leave Edward alone and let him just stew in his own bad temperament, hoping he would cool at some point.

Jessica decided to stop and pose a question to them. This would be the first time she really talked to them, but she hoped that maybe they'd shed some light as to why Edward's been acting the way he was. She definitely would like to hang out with him later, but not when he was acting so cold towards her.

"Hey, Emmett and Jasper," Jessica called out to get their attention. "Are you guys having some sort of sibling chivalry with Edward? Is that why he's been such a pain in the ass lately?"

Emmett immediately processed her words and looked confused. "What the hell?"

Jasper thought about what Jessica said for a second before he began to laugh out loud. Both Jessica and Emmett looked upon him quizzically.

"Um, Jessica, I think you meant sibling rivalry, not sibling chivalry. They're completely different," Jasper communicated the reason for his outburst.

"Oh yeah. Okay. Whatever," Jessica quipped, quite embarrassed by her mistake. "Anyways, are you guys fighting or something? Is that why Edward hasn't been in the best of moods this morning?"

"Jessica, please don't tell me that you've only noticed now. He's been a proverbial grump all week. Why do you think we've been staying away? I'm surprised you haven't gotten the hint and left him alone, which is obviously what he's been wanting." Emmett responded.

"I'm not surprised that she hasn't gotten the hint," Jasper whispered to Emmett so Jessica wouldn't hear. "She's not exactly the brightest bulb. You know what I mean?" With that they chuckled to themselves, while Jessica just waited for their little secret exchange to be over before chiming in.

"I did notice that his mood just keeps getting worsest and worsest," Jessica began to say.

Jasper couldn't help but interrupt, "You mean, worser and worser." He found Jessica's obvious lack in intelligence quite amusing. Well, he surmised, what she lacks in brain power, she sure made up for it elsewhere, as he quickly scanned her curvaceous form.

"Okay. Worser and worser. Whatever. You get it. Anyways, I've just been putting up with him, but he's really being a total asshole today. Would you believe that he's so far gone that he didn't even notice what I was wearing today? You know, girls like appreciation for their efforts," she huffed, smoothing out her skimpy outfit, and twirling her hair. "What's his deal? What's the matter with him?" Jessica continued.

"What's the matter with him is that something seems to be seriously bugging him this whole week, but hell if we know what it is," Emmett replied.

Jasper continued, "But, hey, don't look at us. We're pretty sure that we aren't the reason for him being such a major pain. The problem is that when he's all moody like that, he tends to take it out on everyone else around him."

"So, a couple of days ago, we learned to keep our distance. You know, give him some space to be with his own bad temper," Emmett added.

"Jessica, a piece of advice. It would be wise for you, little lady, to just leave him alone for now. Be like us and keep your distance, and I mean just stay the hell away from him. Really, he's not fond of anyone at the moment," Jasper remarked.

"Well, I'm giving him some space now, but I'm his girlfriend. I can't just stay away from him and avoid him the whole day. We're supposed to be a couple, people will talk and think something is wrong between us. Besides, the dance is tomorrow, and there's still things we need to talk about like our outfits, which heels I should wear, and the entrance we're gonna make..."

Jasper just had to interrupt, "He'll use any excuse to unleash on you. Trust us, we know."

"And right now, Jessica, I bet the dance is the last thing on his mind," Emmett voiced.

"Just be glad that you don't live with him. He seems to be worse when he's at home. Why? We have no idea. Our mom and dad are thoroughly annoyed with him these days," Jasper continued on.

Emmett continued to remark, "Oh yeah, man, we have to deal with him all day. He's seriously getting on our nerves and deserves a good beat down. The only reason Jazz and I haven't yet pounded him is because we don't want to get into trouble and not be able to go to the dance. With the way Edward's been acting, I won't be surprised if he gets grounded. Our dad may just get fed up and punish him, finally."

"What? Really?" Jessica asked incredulously, for which Emmett and Jasper just nodded. "Shit! I hope he doesn't get grounded. I would've really wanted to go with him. It was suppose to be our official coming out as a couple, even though everyone already knows it. It just would've been nice to make such a grand entrance together. I guess if he can't make it, I'll need to make some additional plans."

"Wait a minute. You're still going to go, even if he can't?" Jasper asked, surprised.

"Well, duh, of course. It's not going to be my fault that he gets himself punished. He wants to go and act all pissy and ruin his chance to go to the dance then that's on him. I can't have him ruin my fun, too. I already bought this totally hot dress, as well as shoes and accessories to wear for this dance. I'm not going to let it go to waste," Jessica answered.

"Uh, okay, Jessica. Suit yourself. Do what you want. But, if I were you, I wouldn't mention anything to him about going to the dance without him, okay? You wouldn't want to stir him up more than he already is. Then it'll be a surefire way for him to really go over the edge and get himself grounded. Right now, our parents have been quite patient and understanding," Jasper responded.

"Yeah, well, I can't say that I'd blame your parents if they did get very mad. He's been pushing my buttons. But, anyways, I'll just check back with him later, and, hopefully, he's cooled off by then. You guys really have no idea why he's been so pissy?" Jessica inquired again.

Just then, Bella stepped out into the courtyard, and Emmett remarked, "No, but we can guess," nodding his head towards Bella's direction. Both Jessica and Jasper looked over, and then nodded their agreement.

"Well," Jessica started, "if they're having a friendly scrabble then I hope she fixes it soon, so that Edward won't be in a bad mood anymore."

"That's squabble, Jessica," Jasper corrected.

Just then Jessica spied a couple of her friends, and wanted to go join them. " Whatever. Listen, I gotta go. Maybe you guys should tell Bella to fix things between her and Edward, so that I'd still have a date to the dance, hmmm." With that, Jessica ended her conversation with the brothers and ran off to her awaiting friends.

"Damn! Edward sure has himself some chick," Emmett commented to Jasper, as soon as Jessica was out of earshot. "I honestly don't know what he sees in her. You know, Edward has also claimed that Jessica has been irritating him lately. I wouldn't be surprise if she's been the one that's made him all emo, and she probably hasn't taken the hint yet. He mentioned to me once that he dropped the Mallory chick for Jessica, because he felt like she would be more like Bella, and so they should have an easy relationship, like the friendship he has with Bella. But, seriously, I totally don't see the comparison, and I don't see their couplehood as smooth as his friendship with Bella."

"Isn't it obvious, bro?" Jasper voiced.

"What?" Emmett stated, confused.

"What Edward sees in her. Look at her. Decent body and face, nice ass, nice rack, long brown hair, brown eyes. She seems easy-going enough, she's not totally clingy, and she doesn't have a lot upstairs, but overall, she's pretty kind and decent. In a way, she is like Bella, just without the brains, wearing skimpy outfits, and more open to Edward's, um, male hormones," Jasper clarified.

Emmett glanced speculatively at Bella, who was making her way over to Edward, his thumb rubbing his chin, thinking over Jasper's words. "Hmmm...I can see what you're getting at. But, you can't tell me our little bro has the hots for his best friend," Emmett replied.

"Nah, not at all. Both Edward and Bella have kind of made it clear that they'd never be any more than friends. They just don't see each other like that. But, think about it, Em. Bella's practically the only girl Edward has known most of his life. She's not only a great friend, but, admittedly, she's also a knockout, albeit an understated one. Bella's got that natural beauty that most girls would kill for and she doesn't flaunt it around. I think Edward likes those qualities a lot. It's not a stretch to think that he's trying to find those qualities in a woman that he feels more romantically towards. It's the qualities in a girl he knows he'll be comfortable with, since he's so used to Bella," Jasper explained further.

Emmett acknowledged, "Yeah, I can see what you're saying. Hey, has it surprised you that he and Bella aren't more? I mean, they're so damn close, I always thought that it would turn into more eventually. Like these days, you know. I swear, Edward dating Jessica came out of left field for me."

Jasper responded, "Well, yeah, sort of. I began to think it, but then Edward's been so adamant about how he and Bella would never be, that I figured that he just doesn't see her in that way, and won't."

"Well, if there's anyone that could break Edward from his bad mood, or at least get to the bottom of it, it'll be Bella."

"True. But what if she's the cause? Although, I can't think why. She hasn't been around."

Emmett turned Jasper's attention to Bella and Edward, who were now engaged in conversation. "Well, I guess we'll know soon enough."

~*o*o*o*o*o*o*~

Bella, upon approach to Edward, could already see that he wasn't in the best of moods. He had the scowl on his face, like he always did, whenever he was upset about something. She wondered what could be the matter.

"Hey," Bella greeted warily.

Edward's eyes widened with surprise to find Bella standing next to him. He hadn't seen Bella in the courtyard before school started all week, ever since she suddenly became busy with her secret activities.

"What? No secret meeting this morning?" Edward said brusquely.

"Ooooh, ouch. You sound harsh. Woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?" Bella countered.

"Well, you wouldn't know, would you? You haven't really been around," Edward replied, annoyance clear in his voice. "I'm surprised you're here. So, really, no more morning meetings?"

"Actually, just taking a little break this morning. Um, a lot of progress was made, so a break was due. It happens, you know. Hey, you seem to be upset with me for some reason."

"You think?" Edward interjected.

"But why? I haven't done...Wait. You're not mad at me about having to abruptly end our call last night?" Bella asked, quite puzzled.

"Hmmphh...," Edward huffed in annoyance. "It wasn't just last night."

"But, Edward, I explained," Bella responded defensively.

"Yeah, sure, so you say. But, let's see, you've still been pretty evasive. Secret morning meetings, a sudden interest in the dance committee, and some mysterious progress. We've hardly talked at all since we finished our Bio project, and I've hardly seen you. The one class we do have together, and I thought would be the one thing I have to look forward to and actually get to be with you, you're gone. Again, that's curious. I can't help but feel that you're holding out on me, and it's never been like that before. So, excuse me, if I'm a little disturbed by that," Edward said heatedly.

"Oh, not this again," Bella replied with a roll of her eyes. "Edward, I thought we've been over this," her tone exasperated.

"No, Bella, we really haven't," Edward fired back coldly. "You've just obviously been avoiding me."

"I haven't been avoiding you. We've both just been busy."

Edward huffed again, "Hmmphh...You maybe."

"I'm sure you've been preoccupied with your new girlfriend. I kinda knew that, so I understand that we're not going to be spending as much time together, like we used to."

"Okay, I'll give you that. I have to spend some time with Jessica, but I never intended to be spending so much time with her that it took away from our friendship. At any rate, at least, you know exactly what's going down with me."

"And you don't? Geez, It's school stuff, Edward. It's not like I've gone undercover with the CIA or anything. You're obviously making this a bigger deal than it needs to be," Bella fired back with her arms crossed.

Just then, Edward's eyes flashed with anger, and with a raised voice, countered, "You might as well have become some fucking spy for the goddamn CIA with all the secrets you've been keeping of late. What's with the fucking secrets anyways?"

Edward's sudden outburst turned more than a few heads of nearby student body, including that of Jasper and Emmett's, who had been closely observing the two friends. Edward couldn't care less that he was now the center of attention and putting on a show; however, Bella was more than a little uncomfortable. Jasper and Emmett were ready to intervene, seeing the way Bella started to cower under Edward's heated gaze and knowing that Edward was once again being a first-class jerk, like he had been all week. However, Alice and Rosalie appeared seemingly out of nowhere and stopped them from interfering. Together, the four of them, just stood idly by and continued to observe.

"Shhh...keep your voice down, Edward," Bella pleaded. "I don't need the rest of the student body to know our business, and God forbid any faculty becomes involved. Really, Edward, for the sake of your relationship with Jessica, you need to stop acting like you're my keeper. You should really be more concerned with what your girlfriend is up to instead of me."

"Jessica," Edward muttered at an octave lower than it had been previously, "I can handle Jessica. She knows we're best friends and she knows better than to be giving me any flack about it. Anyways, she's not whom I'm concerned about. It's you. I'm worried, Bella. You're holding out on me and its not like you. Don't think I don't know that it's something major, and you seem to be the only one involved. I've been racking my brain for days now trying to figure out what school stuff you're exactly entrenched in and my mind isn't going to a great place. I know we've had trouble with James. Does all this secrecy stuff have anything to do with him? I'm sure Principal White will go through great lengths to protect his nephew, as well as his reputation."

"No, no...this has nothing to do with James whatsoever," Bella interrupted.

"Then what? Is someone else hassling you? Who's the guy? Any of those guys that asked you to the dance still bugging you about it? Or is it a bitchy, jealous girl? Is the reason you won't tell me is because you know I'd go do something about it, and you're trying to protect me from trouble? You know you don't have to do that. I can take care of myself and I'll happily step in for you. I can even get Emmett and Jasper to help. They think of you almost like a sister, already."

"No, no. Edward, you're getting carried away. It's nothing like that at all. Everything is fine, really. Actually, everything is great."

"Is it a guy then? Are you starting to see someone too?"

Bella chuckled at Edward's notion, "Uh, no. Please! Would that really explain everything? I'm not really the type to be ditching Bio for some new, mystery boyfriend." Bella chuckled some more and Edward also laughed at the ridiculousness of his theory.

Bella composed herself and tried to explain as best as she could, "Look, all this school stuff, is really only school stuff. Uh, sort of. Anyways, as much as I'd like to tell you more, I just can't elaborate on this whole thing just yet. I was asked to keep it a surprise and I gave the staff involved my word that I would. What I've been working on with the dance committee is a project in line with this surprise, okay. That's why I got involved with them. It's a lot of extra work, admittedly, which is all I can say for now without giving you too many more details. But everyone involved feels it's worth it, and that's also the reason why they've been very accommodating like letting me out of Bio until we present our project on Monday. Mr. Banner was kind of apprehensive, at first, but my grades were good, and I had told him that our project was already done, which impressed him, so he figured I could stand to miss a few lectures. Doesn't excuse me from the work, though. Mr. Banner has made sure that I've kept up with the rest of the class. I've stayed behind after school every day to receive his lecture notes, complete the labs I've missed, and make sure I understand the material. That along with meeting with the dance committee and continuing this special project, well, you can imagine why I'd been tired and lacking with our phone conversations. I really just head to bed soon after dinner and homework, especially since I also have to come to school early. Listen, I wish I could really tell you more, but unfortunately, I can't, at least not until after the assembly today."

"What assembly?" Edward inquired. "We're not scheduled for one today."

"Yeah, that's what you and the rest of the students think. It's going to be a surprise one, but don't say you heard it from me. That's as far as I go in telling you any more. Just don't worry about me, okay? It's nice of you to, but it isn't necessary. Everything is really great, really. Things are a bit hectic, busy, and taxing right now, but it's just for now. The assembly should explain a lot. I'll fill in the rest of the details later. I need to get going. Gotta do some business in the little girl's room and get myself organized for the day at my locker before homeroom. I'll see you later."

Bella gave Edward a brief hug and a high-five, like was their usual goodbye greeting, then began to run off. She turned around briefly to give Edward some parting words, "Focus on your girl," before she continued back into the school. Bella passed Emmett, Jasper, Rosalie, and Alice on her way, but knowing she didn't have a lot of time left to chat with them, just waved in greeting, before disappearing.

Edward wasn't really satisfied with what Bella had revealed to him. Furthermore, knowing that he was right in that Bella was deliberately keeping things from him, when they used to talk to each other about everything, including secrets, bothered him greatly. However, he understood. Bella had given her word that she would keep things, whatever it was, under wraps with the authority figures, and Bella was nothing if obedient. He'd just have to wait until the assembly to get more answers, and he could hardly wait.

~*o*o*o*o*o*o*~

The announcement for the assembly came just after lunch, and all the kids of Fork High filed into the gym, which had been converted into an assembly hall. Edward noticed that Bella was once again conspicuously absent during the lunch hour; however, figured that it had to do with the upcoming assembly.

Once Edward entered the gym, he found his brothers sitting by Rosalie and Alice, as well as Angela and Ben, and went to join them, choosing to forgo sitting by Jessica, who had been trying to wave him over to where she sat. Edward pretended that he didn't notice her. He was in no mood to have to deal with Jessica just yet. As soon as Edward sat down, he immediately engrossed himself in conversation with his brothers and friends, again ignoring Jessica, pretending he had yet to see her; however, all the while knowing that Jessica was desperately trying to make eye contact with him. He only paid notice to Jessica when Angela pointed out to him that Jessica was trying to get his attention, and then he finally looked over in her direction. Jessica looked quite upset at the fact that Edward wasn't sitting by her and her friends, and she gestured that the seat she had been reserving for him had been taken. Edward just shrugged in apology, then signaled he would text her. He took out his cell phone and fired a quick text Jessica's way. It was really a best way of communicating under the circumstances, instead of trying to understand one another across the gym, and Edward certainly didn't want Jessica joining him where he sat.

The texts fired back and forth between Edward and Jessica, while they waited for everyone to get settled and the assembly to formally start. The texts were mostly heated coming from Jessica's end, and Edward did his best to placate her with his texts back. He finally was able to satisfy her with a promised make-out session during their common study hall period, which should come after the assembly.

Rosalie had inadvertently seen the last text that Edward had sent to Jessica of the promised make-out session , and couldn't help but laugh. She then clued in the rest of the gang as to what she had found amusing, much to Edward's annoyance. However, Edward took the jeers and lewd comments in stride, surprisingly no longer being a hot head and blowing up at the unwanted attention. Somehow, Edward felt calmer, no longer as volatile as before, and it was due to the fact that all his questions about what was happening with Bella during the past week were going to be answered.