Chapter Four
Bella watched as Edwards sneer changed into a smile as his eyes found hers. "Are you ready Bella" his voice betraying no inkling at what had just occurred. He almost purred, pure liquid silk.
Bella felt a small shudder go through her body and her stomach was in overdrive, what just happened here? She could also feel the heaviness in the air, there was something almost not right with this picture.
"Um, sure Edward" she answered quickly. She noticed that he was looking at her differently now, not like the boy she had met only an hour before. She sucked in a deep breath as she heard him begin.
"I hope you don't mind me giving you a bit of advice Bella," Edward said, "but, um, Jake Black is not someone you should hang around. He really is bad news, comes from the reservation and has a terrible reputation. It would only make sense, seeing that you're the Chief's daughter and all, that you stay away from him." Edward had taken Bella's arm as they walked down the hall and somehow it felt more possessive than helpful.
"How terrible could his reputation be if he is the captain of the football team" Bella asked "doesn't he need to stay out of trouble or he gets suspended from the team?" She felt Edward clutch her arm a bit tighter as he pulled her closer so that he was almost whispering in her ear.
"He is, well, how do I put this, he is not kind to the girls he dates," Edward hissed in her ear. "There are a few girls that he might have even hit, although I can't say for sure, but, he has a bad temper. Don't let him fool you into thinking otherwise."
Why was Edward trying to convince her to stay away from a boy she had just met, she wondered? True, Jake had not made a good first impression, but she had put in him in his place. Obviously Edward had no idea that Bella could defend herself quite well, guess he hadn't heard about the incident in the parking lot yet? If Jake had really hit a girl before wouldn't he have tried to smack her back? She had never actually felt any kind of real threat from Jake, even though at that time she thought he was a teacher or at least an adult. And, besides that, Jake had seemed to sincerely apologize to her for being an ass. Why would Edward be putting so much effort into keeping them apart? This made no sense to her at all. It was all so odd.
Bella had never had a boyfriend, or really any experience with boys. But then again, she was only sixteen and had been so busy raising her Mother that she didn't really have time for boys. Hell, she'd never even been on a real date. In Phoenix she had her group of friends and they would go out together, but none of those boys held any special interest for her. Other than a few games of spin the bottle she had barely been kissed, and those quick ones didn't do much for her. She often wondered if she would ever experience the kinds of kisses she read about in her romance novels. The ones that took your breath away, that made you ache in places you didn't even want to think about.
How could it be then that Edward felt the need to warn her when he didn't even know her? Maybe he was interested in her? No, she thought, shaking her head at the idea, why would he be? She looked at him as he continued to bad talk Jake, his perfect face, that toned body, she felt herself flush red. Bella just knew that Edward could have anyone he wanted, yes, he was that gorgeous. Why would he even look twice at her? In her mind she was just average, mousey even, and there was nothing special about her at all. So why then did he seemed compelled to warn her about another boy? With all these thoughts running through her head she almost didn't realize they had come to a stop.
"Here we are Bella," Edward told her, his hand still holding her arm tightly. "I might as well take you to all your classes today, if you want?' he was looking at her with anticipation. Maybe he is interested in me, she thought as she smiled back and nodded her response to him. "Ok, see you in a bit." Edward said as he walked away with a grin and a wink.
As she stood there watching him walk away she scolded herself, stop over thinking everything Bella. This is suppose to be a new start for you. New start means taking chances. If only that feeling in her stomach would cooperate. So she did the best she could to push that feeling aside and made herself stand tall and take in a very deep breath, you are just being silly, she rationalized, if a boy that gorgeous wants to take you to all your classes, and take you to lunch, he has got to be at least a little interested. Don't let your lack of experience or that feeling in your stomach take away from that fact. New start Bella, she told herself, new start.
As she sat in class her thoughts went from Edward to Jake. Bella had felt Jake reach out to her, making her wonder why he too seemed to find her appealing. Why would these two boys, both way too handsome to fall for some plain Jane, be so interested in her, no, scratch that, why would they be interested in her so quickly might be a better question? They had no real reason to like her, since she had barely spoken to either of them. And that whole run in with Jake this morning was weird, after that you would have thought he would do anything to avoid her. But then he did apologize, said it was how people expected him to be. If anything Bella knew all about being what others expected you to be. She could relate to that. Jake, Jacob Black he had said. Remembering that low voice of his made her shudder again. Maybe she should give up the romance novels, she thought laughing to herself.
Again, she wondered, how weird that Jake had apologized, was it because she had made him feel guilty, or was it something more? He did a complete one-eighty from just this morning. And that low sexy voice he used, the way he said her name? Was that just one of his many charms? Charms used to get what he wanted. And if so, why would he want her? Why would two such handsome boys be so interested in her?
As the light bulb went off over her head Bella let out a large snort and threw her hands up in the air. All eyes in the classroom turned to her as she tried not to giggle behind her hand, she let her hair fall over her bright red face. She got it now, damn, how silly of her not to see this right away. She was the new girl, plain or not. Shaking her head she thought to herself, this may be high school but it might as well be kindergarten, and she was the new toy in the room.
Coming to the realization somehow calmed Bella, she knew now that this was really just a game. Wonder if there are going to be any other players, she laughed to herself. She knew now that if she played her cards right she might be in for a bit of fun. I might get a few dates out of all this and who knows maybe one of the players would even be good first boyfriend material.
She chewed on her bottom lip and wondered if she could keep a straight face when she saw Edward again. She just knew he was too handsome to really be interested, but that didn't mean she couldn't take advantage and see how far he was willing to take this whole charade.
She glanced up towards the powers that be and thanked them for giving her common sense.
As promised Edward came around the corner as Bella stood in front of the class waiting for him. She watched as he walked towards her and smiled back as he caught sight of her and gave her his best Colgate smile. Oh yeah, she thought, two can play this game. She hooked his arm and fluttered her eyelashes at him.
"Edward, I can't tell you how much I appreciate your helping me out today, it really is so great that I bumped into you." she let out a little giggle. She had seen girls flirt before and hoped she was doing it right. She felt like a first class idiot but she might as well play along, right?
Edward was smiling ear to ear, this was just too easy. Damn, he smirked, I might score this one faster than I thought, and I wouldn't mind rubbing ole Jake's nose in how fast I did it too. He remembered that odious look on Jake's face when he retrieved Bella from first period. He figured even Jake would know this was a done deal. Score; Edward 13 - Jake holding steady at 12.
Edward almost laughed out loud at that thought. Edward knew that this score meant so much more than just lucky number thirteen to Jake, he had wanted Bella in retaliation for all the tickets he had received from her Father. But there was no way that Edward could let him win her, revenge or not.
Edward looked down at Bella and he was sure that she was smitten with him, and it was never long after smitten that he had them purring like a kitten. Ha, he was going to use that as his motto from now on. He knew that this score, Bella, would be the crowning jewel in his virgin crested crown. Someone to hold over Jake's head, this one was one they both really wanted, the others didn't even come close.
As he deposited her at her third period class he reminded her that lunch was next and he would be by to collect her straight away. She just smiled, thanked him and watched him walk away. His backside looked almost as good as his front. This was going to be fun she thought.
She took the seat that the teacher pointed to and was surprised with a "Well hello there new girl" from a puppy-eyed looking blonde guy. Oh goodie she thought player number three. "I'm Mike, Mike Newton," he trust a hand in her direction.
"Bella, Bella Swan," she said in her best flirty voice, "nice to meet you." she took his hand lightly and gave him her best smile. She was rewarded with what could only be described as a moan of delight from suitor number three. This one she could handle, all American boy next door, no problem.
The teacher called the class to order before either could say another word, but Bella felt Mike's eyes on her all hour. Jeez, she thought, when was the last time these kindergartners had a new toy to play with and smiled at her own joke.
At the end of the hour Mike jumped up and reached for her backpack, "Lunch hour Bella, want to sit with me, I mean us, we sit at a big table, I can introduce you to all my friends, I could buy you lunch too if you want, my parents own Newton's Sporting Goods so I work and I have money and, um, do you wanna," Mike's ramblings made him sound nervous and that just made Bella smile. She didn't think she had ever made anyone nervous before. The feeling of power was amazing.
"Oh, Mike I wish I could, but I already have a lunch date." Bella stated with a smile. She did have a lunch date, and that was a first too. Actually now that she thought about it she had been invited to lunch by three different boys today, talk about an ego boost, even if it was only a game.
She took her backpack from him and heard the now familiar voice call her, "Bella?" She turned and smiled at Edward. As she walked away she heard Mike mumble "Cullen, damn," under his breathe.
After they had made their choices and Edward had insisted on paying, he led her to a table in a far corner. Bella noticed that every eye was on them as they crossed the cafeteria. She knew this was a small school and they all knew each other, but could she really be the only topic of interest? She decided to just smiled and play along.
Once seated she listened to every word Edward spoke, she wanted to give him her full attention. If she looked around she might become distracted and that would not do. He needed to believe she was unaware of this game they were playing. If she played this game right she would be the winner, regardless of the outcome for the potential suitors.
Hell, if this worked she might actually have the self confidence she would need to go away to college. How wonderful it would be to not be afraid of the outside world any more.
So, she nodded, asked the appropriate questions, and gave all the right answers to his questions. By the end of lunch she knew he was the son of a local doctor, had two brothers and two sisters and they lived just a short drive outside of town.
Daring to flirt again she asked "Edward, can I take you out for a soda after school, to thank you for buying me lunch, I have a new car and I am happy to drive," she smiled at him.
"Oh, Bella that sounds great, but I have basketball practice every day after school until 5pm," he replied.
Basketball she thought, not track and field, but she had guessed correctly that he was an athlete. "Oh, not a problem, rain check?" she asked.
"Absolutely," he purred back at her. Silk, pure liquid silk.
The lunch hour over, Edward was again walking her to class. "Back in a flash" he whispered in her ear. She shuddered again, this time from the feel of his hot breath on her ear. Who needs romance novels any more she thought.
The day flew by and as Edward was taking her to her last class of the day he reminded her that he had practice and that he wouldn't be able to take her to her car. She thanked him again for all his help and reminded him that she owed him a soda. He assured her he would not forget.
Bella made her way into her last class and once again found those intense dark brown eyes watching her. This time the smile seemed genuine, no hint of a smirk and she found herself smiling back. The teacher welcomed her and told her to take any open seat. Just her luck there was one open next to Jake.
"Hi" he whispered to her in that low voice.
"Hi back" she openly flirted now that she was on to the game.
She saw his eyebrow twitch, he noticed she was flirting, good. Time to step up my game, she thought. Balls in your court, let's see what you do with it she mused. She felt his eyes taking her all in as she pushed her hair behind her ear, slowly removed her hoodie, hanging it on the back of her chair and then she stretched her arms above her head showing a good bit of skin as her tee rode up a bit, take a good look there Jake, she could not believe how brazen she was. I am on my way to confidence city she thought proudly.
She couldn't believe it when she saw him squirm a bit in his chair. No way, she thought, oh my, girl power is a wonderful thing. Guess she did learn a few tricks from those romance books and movies. She felt his eyes on her the rest of the hour, she even saw him shift in his seat more than once.
He seemed relieved when the bell rang and he turned to her. "Good first day?" he inquired.
"Not too bad," she said slowly. "You off to football practice?"
"No, Mondays we get a break cause we have games on Saturdays." he said back just as slowly.
They were still in their seats, just looking at each other, both smiling. Now that she had it all figured out and she knew that he was her age, she could not deny the chemistry she felt. Not to mention that he knew she would kick him in the balls should he cross the line she had drawn. It gave her all the self-assurance she needed and as she slowly felt herself sweeping her tongue around her dry lips all the while never taking her eyes off his. She watched him react to her as he breathed in deeply.
"So, tell me Bella, how's that new car run?" he said in his low whisper.
"Why don't we take a drive and you tell me." she whispered back.