A/N - Hello, lovely people! Happy Autumn! Enjoy this little bit of summer... ;)

Chapter Four: Wet

Esme greeted us with an "I'm glad that none of you wore white today," and a cheery smile.

I automatically glanced down at my own outfit - a floaty, dove gray sun dress that Alice had coerced me into wearing – as if that could give me any indication as to today's activity.

"I'm taking you all on a little field trip," Esme announced smugly. "And remember – all the other classes are stuck inside, so don't brag when you see them. Just because we have the coolest class doesn't mean they have to know. If anyone from administration asks, we're contemplating Emerson's view of natural beauty versus our modern ideal of the outdoors and man-made structures."

With that explanation, she led us outside.

I was wedged in between Alice and Rosalie, happily far away from Lauren, and Eric. Though I liked my two friends very much, I just couldn't seem to focus on their discussion of the dance when I had Edward's butt to focus on not six feet in front of me.

The more I thought about it, the more I really did have Alice to thank for her little stunt with the spoons. Now I had a bona-fide excuse to stare at him wherever I wanted, whenever I wanted, for any length for time. Not that I would tell her – confirming the success of her matchmaking schemes on any level would be disastrous.

I was busy admiring the way his t-shirt clung to his back, and the defined line that ran down the center of his musculature beneath the cotton, when we paused at the fountain.

"We're having class here?" Eric said incredulously.

Esme merely smiled mischievously.

"Hell, yeah!" Emmett whooped, running down the steps to the vast, shallow basin and jumping right in. After his impulsive move, he paused, and looked back at us sheepishly.

Esme waved her hand indulgently. "At least one of us has the right idea."

With that permission granted, everyone – save for Lauren, who wrinkled her nose with the protest that 'little kids probably pee in there' – streamed toward the fountain and entered the water in various states of undress.

Determined to show Edward what a cool, fun loving girl I was, I ran right into the water and jumped around laughing under the stream.

"Nooooooo," Alice cried, lamenting the ruination of my dress. Served her right for stuffing me in it.

Thoroughly soaked, and wet, I was beginning to regret my decision. The light breeze picked up and I looked around for Edward, who was nowhere to be seen.

And then I spotted him on the other side of the fountain. He was standing at the edge, barefoot, though still wearing his jeans. His hands were on the bottom of his shirt, and he pulled it over his head, rippling his biceps and revealing a smokin' hot body that made me even wetter.

"Da-yum," I whispered. I just wanted to jump on him and lick him from head to –

"We're playing a game now," Emmett announced.

I furrowed my brow. "We're already playing a game," Rosalie pouted for me, brandishing her plastic spoon.

"This game is called Silent Football," Jasper instructed, sitting down in the water, and gesturing for us to form a circle around him. "It is neither silent, nor football." As fascinated by Edward as I was, I did not fail to appreciate the way the water soaked through Jasper's shorts and clung to his own not-unremarkable body. I was a lucky, lucky girl.

"Silent Football is played by passing the football by tapping your knee. Tapping it once will send it one player in whatever direction you pass it. You may pass no more than three spaces in any direction. Another way to pass," he made a fist and pointed it across the circle at Edward "is a 'zoom'. You may pass it to anyone in the circle with a zoom. A pass can be rejected with a shrug. Now that you know the basic rules, the most important part of the game is screw-ups."

Emmett grinned and took over. "You are now all part of the Universe. I am the Dictator of this universe. In order to report a violation of the rules, you must raise your hand and address me as 'Mr. Dictator'. Additionally, you may not use pronouns when speaking. You may refer to yourself and other players as 'this player' and 'the player three spaces to this player's left', etc.

"Breaking the rules will earn you points. Points are bad; three points loses the game. The person who is first to earn three points must perform a dare determined by the rest of the universe. There is nothing outside of this circle. Anybody that acknowledges anything outside of the circle will receive points at my discretion. That's about it. Free speech is now revoked."

Jasper raised his hand. Emmett nodded.

"Mr. Dictator, this player believes that Mr. Dictator forgot to assign nicknames."

Emmett nodded again. "This is correct. Everyone must pick a nickname. The player formerly known as 'Jasper' will now be known as 'Cockbite'. Cockbite will receive one quarter penance point for pointing out Mr. Dictator's error."

Jasper's jaw and eyes tightened, but he wisely remained silent.

We went around the circle, and Alice became Shoe Crazy, Eric was designated 'Brovaries' by Emmett, Edward became The Puma, and James became Ginger James because of his redhaired girlfriend. When it was her turn, Rosalie rolled her eyes, and Emmett explained that she would now be referred to with an eyeroll. She flipped him the bird.

I was panicking because I still had no name when it came to Lauren, who was unfortunately right by me. Emmett nodded at her.

"Um," she said, apparently having the same trouble I was.

"Interesting choice, player Um," he said with a straight face.

Then it was me. My eyes widened.

Alice raised her hand. "Mr. Dictator, it is Shoe Crazy's request that the player formerly known as Bella become known as Baby Plum."

Emmett raised an eyebrow. "Interesting suggestion, Shoe Crazy. Please explain your – shit, one point to Mr. Dictator's self for pronoun use – please explain Shoe Crazy's rationale."

Alice smiled sweetly. "Mr. Dictator, this player believes that the name Baby Plum would be an appropriate choice due to the said player's general innocence and tendency to turn purple when embarrassed."

Thanks.

Emmett considered her. "It is true that the said player does turn an interesting shade found in the red-violet family, though it is Mr. Dictator's opinion that the hue is closer to strawberry. However, due to the pleasing brevity of 'Baby Plum', this player's request shall be granted. Play shall now begin. Baby Plum is in possession of the silent football."

Panicked, I tapped my left knee, passing it to Alice. It stayed away from me for a while, while Jasper and Emmett engaged in a shrugging war. This allowed me to drift back to staring at Edward, who was now dripping and whose plaid boxers were poking over the top of his completely-drenched jeans.

I didn't notice when Lauren raised her hand. I only heard her nasally voice.

"Mr. Dictator,"

"Player Um has spoken out of turn," Emmett admonished. "One half penance point. Continue."

"Mr. Dictator, Baby Plum has dropped the silent football."

My eyes snapped up and around the circle as I turned apologetically pink. "Sorry," I whispered.

Lauren's hand flew in the air again. "Mr. Dictator, Baby Plum spoke out of turn."

Emmett looked grave. "This is very serious. Baby Plum has two accusations against Baby Plum. It is true that Baby Plum did drop the silent football, and Baby Plum also whispered out of turn. However, due to Baby Plum's innocent and adorable looks, she should – dammit, one half point to Mr. Dictator's self – Baby Plum should receive no penance points. Furthermore, Um also spoke out of turn. How dare Um attempt to get such an adorable player as Baby Plum in trouble! Um will receive 2.5 penance points."

I barely stifled my grin. Lauren was so going to lose.

She would have, too, if stupid Victoria – Ginger James' girlfriend – hadn't skipped up and planted a big wet one on his neck. He turned, unfortunately catching Emmett's attention.

"Ginger James, you – fuck, half point – Ginger James seems to be acknowledging a hallucination," Emmett announced with glee.

James was instantly contrite.

"Doesn't Ginger James know that gingers are soulless? Does Ginger James have anything to say before penance points are awarded?"

James raised his hand, thoroughly ignoring Victoria, much to her annoyance.

"Mr. Dictator, Ginger James needs to leave the Universe to shower."

Dead. Silence.

"Shower," Emmett repeated in a dangerously soft voice. "What is this 'sho-wer'? Please enlighten Mr. Dictator."

"Mr. Dictator, a shower is when one gets wet in order to clean oneself."

"Wet?" Emmett echoed. "Wetness is not tolerated in this universe. Ginger James will receive fifty penance points and a ginger punch, and therefore loses the game. Free speech is reinstated."

I continued to stare at Edward's magnificent abs while the others haggled over punishments.

"I think you should go up to all the cafeteria workers and ask them for five pieces of bacon – tell them you're on the ginger diet."

"No, that's stupid, you should shake the hand of everyone you see."

"What about skipping everywhere and singing 'Twinkle, Twinkle' for the rest of the day?"

"Edward's suggestion wins. Start skipping, Ginger James."

I was perfectly content when James splashed Edward in retaliation, and Edward shook his hair out, dripping, and flashed a grin at me. Oh, the loveliness of water.