A/N: It has come to my attention that I made a few errors in this chapter (thanks lifeisruff4 ). So I had to fix it! :)

hey everyone! Thanks so much for reading this story. I'm starting to add a little drama--you know how high school is! Sorry for the shorter chapter--it's like 2 in the morning here. I'll probably update again tomorrow or Sunday!

Stephanie Meyer owns all things Twilight

Edward's POV

I groaned as I made my way to the lunchroom. I knew what was coming up for me; I'm going to have to face Jessica, Lauren, and Tanya as they interrogate me and threaten me. I have no desire to listen to them or answer to them. Who the hell do they think they are anyways? I have a right to talk to whomever the fuck I want to! My mind flashed to Elizabeth and what she might do if she found out.

Elizabeth tends to threaten me with loads of different punishments. She threatens to ship me off to military school—but I know this is one threat she would only resort to if nothing else would help. How would it look if your son was sent to military school; that wouldn't help with her "perfect" image. I tried to clear my head of the other punishments as I walked to my table.

I took my usual seat next to Mike and began eating my lunch. I no sooner took one bit of my pizza before the ambush started. I couldn't really even make out what any of them were saying because they all talked at the same time. But I think I got the main point of what they were saying: why was I always talking to Bella Swan, why did I smile at her the way I did, why doesn't she back the fuck off, and lastly, my personal favorite, they wanted to make sure I wasn't going to ask her to homecoming.

Although, when they said that, I couldn't help but think about being able to go to a school dance with Bella. Normally, they are so awkward because you have to find something to talk to your date about because you can't just dance and eat in silence the whole night. I thought about the things we could talk about and how it would feel to hold her in my arms as we swayed to a soft, romantic song. A harsh voice slapped me back to reality.

"Edward Masen," Jessica hissed. "You had better wipe that smirk off your face this instant. Don't you dare think about her." She emphasized her with a sneer. "She's just a stupid whore and you deserve better than that." She tried to smile at me, but her rage contorted her face into a grimace. I wanted to slap her for saying that about Bella, but I knew I couldn't do that because she would make my life living hell. As if sensing I was thinking that, Jessica leaned toward me to whisper in my ear. "If you don't cool it with her, I'm going to tell Elizabeth and we'll see just what she says. I'm sure she'll think I'm a much better match for you then Bella." She smiled triumphantly. I noticed Lauren and Tanya slink away from us, looking even angrier that Jessica had stepped in and left them out.

I sighed. She had me there. For some reason, during the beginning of sophomore year, Jessica had come over for something and Elizabeth was there. Jessica heard Elizabeth tell me to ask Lauren to the dance—Elizabeth thought it would make a nice image. Jessica was shocked the next day when I asked Lauren to go with me. Ever since then, she's figured out that I do almost anything Elizabeth tells me to do.

I looked at Jessica. "Jess, we were just talking. It's not a crime." Shit, I wish I wouldn't have said that. That viper look came onto her face; she was up to something.

"Edward, I would highly recommend that you stop talking to her because if you don't, we will no longer be your friends. And you know what type of image that would make for your dear old mother…"

Fuck, now I was screwed. I couldn't let that happen. Elizabeth would make my life a living hell if Jessica followed through on that threat. I just nodded and looked down at my hands. "Fine."

She patted the top of my head and smirked. "There's a good boy. Now, when are you going to ask me to the homecoming dance? It's only a week and a half away. I'll need to go accessory shopping this weekend. I need to find things that match my dress. It's a really pretty rosy pink color. It's long and has a big poufy skirt. I know, that's normally prom style, but I'm going to look so gorgeous and you, of course, will have to get a pink shirt and things like that. I really want…"

I finally tuned the bitch out. God, I didn't ask her to the dance and she's already telling me what I'm going to be wearing to the dance. Why can't she take a hint—I DON'T WANT TO GO WITH HER!

After a few endless minutes of her talking, the bell finally rang and I literally ran to class. There was no way I wanted to listen to another word out of her mouth. I just wanted to get through this day without another ambush.

Bella's POV

I dragged my feet to the lunch table. Today was a horrible day. I mean, I talked to Edward, which was fun. I finally have someone to share my Jasper and Alice story with. But no sooner had we left the classroom had Jessica Stanley called me a bitch. As if that wasn't bad enough, Tyler and Mike had both hinted at going to the dance with me, but thankfully neither one of them asked me—yet. And Lauren met up with me in the hall between third and fourth period telling me to leave Edward alone because he's hers. And just now, on the way to lunch, I got to run into all three of them who all yelled at me and told me I better watch what I'm doing or they would put me in my own personal hell.

Needless to say, by the time I got to lunch, I was exhausted. It's not like I don't know how to stand up for myself. I'm not a coward—I just don't know what to say to them. I mean, I'd like to tell them to fuck off and stuff, but I don't see the point in wasting my breath on them—yet.

I sat down next to Alice, who was already intertwining herself with Jasper. I smiled at the sight of them—they were definitely meant to be together. Alice looked up at me and her eyes instantly filled with concern. "Bella, what's wrong?"

Damn, she can read me like an open book. I sighed, there was no use lying to Alice. "Nothing really, Alice. Just the skank clan telling me to stop messing with Edward Masen." I shrugged.

Alice squealed, "You're messing around with Edward Masen? Oh my god, he's like the most popular guy in the school! How on earth did you manage that?"

Emmett, who's always been very protective of me and Alice, took a completely different reaction. "No, Bella. I don't like him or the idea of you doing anything with him. He'll just hurt you because he'll never be able to be with you. That's not the way this school works. You have to stop…messing around with him," he said the last part with a grimace. Emmett has always thought of me as his little sister ever since Alice joined him and Dr. and Mrs. Cullen. Alice and I are a packaged deal.

I just laughed at them because they took my words in the literal sense. "No….guys, I'm not doing anything with Edward. I'm just talking to him in first hour and then for a few minutes after." I shrugged again—it's what I do when I don't know what else to do. "It's not a big deal or anything; they're just feeling threatened by me even though they all know he would never ask me."

Alice shot her eyes downward. "Well, it's not too late. You guys would be so adorable together and would perfect for each other." She sighed as Jasper took her hand in an attempt to comfort her. She immediately smiled and turned to him.

"Alice, Edward and I…we're like on different continents. People like him just don't go for people like me. It's just how it is." I told Alice truthfully. As much as I wanted to think Edward liked me at least as a kind of friend, I knew that was probably next to impossible.

Emmett relaxed by this of course. "Well, Bella. Just don't let those girls get to you. Just bitch slap them or something next time you see them." He smiled.

I laughed. "Alright Emmett, I think about it if I need to." Just then the bell rang signaling the end of lunch. I said a quick goodbye to my friends and started towards the door. I caught a glimpse of the skanks watching me with their beady little eyes. Their faces were the epitome of anger and rage. I looked away, hoping I wouldn't have to use Emmett's advice.

A/N: So, what do you think? Please review...they make me want to keep going!

MelissaMasen: thanks for the love and the review! 3

Jaspermytwin: don't worry. Bella will stand up to them! There will most definately be some sort of confrontation--probably! :)