The rest of the day, after lunch had gone by smoothly for the most part. I kept to myself mostly, only speaking to Tanya and Alice or when somebody spoke to me. People didn't actually come up to me and ask about my father or what happened, they stuck to talking behind my back—which was fine with me. I didn't exactly want to explain to everybody, that there assumptions were right—that my father was in fact an alcoholic.

By the time biology came around, the whispers had pretty much stopped. Edward came to class, much like he did his first day but I had been completely oblivious—keeping myself busy with work I had missed the day before. But me being oblivious to my surroundings didn't mean that I didn't feel Edward's gaze on me every once in a while, or I didn't notice when he would angle his body to or away from me.

Class soon began, which I thankful. Edwards eyes turned to the teacher for the afternoon lecture. We copied down stuff from the overhead and were informed about a test in a couple weeks. When the teacher signaled that the lecture was over and we were free for the last couple of minutes to chat amongst ourselves, an awkward silence fell upon me and my lab partner. I waited for Edward to say something, but he didn't. So we sat there, not really saying anything. I anxiously tapped my foot on the stool bar, and Edward flicked in his pencil back and forth on his note book. It was really awkward. We stayed like that for what seemed like ten minutes until the silence and awkwardness between us was deafening. I couldn't take it anymore.

"So, where'ya from?" I asked, trying desperately for a conversation.

"I thought my sister would of told you." I shook my head, putting my loose papers into my binder and packing it in my bag. "Oh, well, we're from Phoenix."

"Really?"

"Yeah." He nodded slowly.

"That's where I'm from," I laughed. "Originally."

"Really?" He asked, angling his body towards me.

"Yes." I nodded, a small smile spreading to my face at the coincidence. "Such a difference, isn't it." I said, referring to the climate.

"Tell me about it. I can't do anything without sweating at least a little. I hate the humidity." I grimaced, he wasn't talking about sports or doing housework.

The bell rang shortly after and I headed to my next class after saying a quick goodbye to Edward.

School for the rest of the day was like any other day. After school, I grabbed my bag and jacket from my locker before walking to the parking lot to meet Tanya at Edward's car. I took a little detour, lighting a quick cigarette at the bike racks. Tanya waved me over a couple minutes later, but I wasn't done smoking so I held up my finger, telling her I would only be a couple more minutes. After I was done, I budded it out on the wet pavement and walked over to Edward's car where Tanya sat in the front seat, her head turned down, playing with her cell phone. I happened to notice that Edward was nowhere in sight.

"Where's your brother?" I asked, as I hopped into the back seat.

"No idea. I think he's somewhere with some Jessica girl." Tanya mumbled with her head still down, still messing around with her cell phone.

"Stanley?" I asked, grimacing making a low gagging sound.

Tanya laughed.

"Yes, I think so. Do you not like her?"

"Not even close," I frowned, as Tanya swiftly turned around in her seat.

"How come?" She asked genially curious, her eyes sparkling with interest.

"She's just gross, she fucked my boyfriends so—" I stopped myself quickly, "—younger brother and gave him chlamydia." I wasn't lying. I was actually at Peter's place—it was Tuesday of this year and I had my free period at Peter's that morning. Seth called, practically crying and freaking out on the phone saying that his girlfriend—Jessica—had cheated on him and gave him and STI or some sort. I guess Jessica had actually waited for him in the morning, and told him when he arrived at school. Seth demanded that his father come get him at school, so I had to leave early that morning. A couple days later, Seth was treated and him and Jessica haven't really spoken since—not for Jessica's lack of trying, anyway.

"Really?" I nodded, playing with a button on my bag, "ew." She muttered, shaking her head and turning back around in her seat. We waited for Edward then, who took his old sweet time. He ended up being ten minutes late—the school parking lot had already emptied. Me and Tanya talked aimlessly about school and random stuff. Finally, I saw him, walking from behind the building, Jessica Stanley in tow. I groaned, knowing that she was coming with us. "What the fuck?" Tanya said, her eyes narrowing in on her brother.

"I'm giving Jessica a drive, she missed the bus." Edward said nonchalantly, hopping into the front seat. Jessica got into the back, sitting behind Tanya. I groaned silently again, moving as far as I could away from her.

"Hey Bella." Jessica said softly, not looking at me. I nodded, showing her that I acknowledged her.

The car ride was short, and nobody talked. Edward kept his eyes on the road mostly, except for glancing back at me every couple of minutes. I made the mistake of looking at him in the rear view mirror, and he winked at me—fucking winked at me. I rolled my eyes, turning my head out the window. I leaned my elbow on the window ledge of the car and rested my head on the palm of my hand, until the ride was over. Tanya and Edward seemed to be having some kind of an argument in the front seat—Tanya arms flaring and her face twisted in anger. But I couldn't tell what they were saying as they were whispering and the radio was turned up to loud. When we pulled up to Jessica's small two story home, she quickly got out, saying a quick goodbye to everybody. I nodded, not saying anything. She left then, disappearing behind her front door. I happened to notice that Edward didn't get out with her—they were fucking, the decent thing to do is walk her to the door. I ignored it though and didn't say anything. What did I care anyway, it wasn't my business whether Edward treated Jessica good or not, I didn't even like Jessica.

"So where too?" Edward asked, looking at me in the rear view mirror as we pulled out of Jessica's driveway and onto the busy afternoon street.

"Um, it's just a couple minutes down the road. Turn right on the last street, it's the brown house with the red door." I mumbled, leaning on the back of Edward's seat, pointing which way to go out the front window. It look a little less then ten minutes to get there. I noticed Peter's car in the driveway—Leah's was not. I shifted uncomfortably in the leather upholster. It would be the first time, I would really talk to him after my father was hospitalized.

"Do you need help getting everything?" Tanya asked politely, turning around in her seat.

I shook my head. "No, um. Just stay here, I'll be back in um, a minute." I said nervously, opening the car door and getting out. I could feel Edward's eyes on me the whole time, as I walked past him and up to the front door. I knocked once, before it was opened swiftly.

"Bella." Peter said, a big grin forming on his lips—but quickly disappearing when he noticed the car behind me. It didn't go unnoticed that he was just wearing a towel, hung low on his hips. I swallowed hard, now nervous to get back into the car with Tanya and Edward. Peter gripped the towel around his lower half, sort of angling his body behind the front door, before motioning me to come in. I followed, quietly and silently until we were safely in the house, hidden behind walls and doors and curtains. "Who the hell was that?" He asked, now furious, pacing in front of the television. I sat on the couch—my bed, from last night.

"Friends. And I left you a message."

"What message!" Peter almost yelled. "Do you want to get caught. What about my wife—"

I cut him off. "What about your wife, Peter?" I was yelling now, my emotions getting the best of me. "Look, I love you. And I appreciate what you and your wife—" I spat the last word— "are doing for me, but I didn't want this! Do you think I like being in the middle of your relationship, knowing that I can never be with you, like really be with you. And that every night after you leave, you go home to her!"

Peter was silent for a long moment, just standing there staring at me. His eyes slowly blinking at my random outburst. He sighed, softly before coming over and sitting beside me. "I'm sorry. You're right. I love you too, Bella." He kissed me then, softly at first, and eventually it got a little harder and rougher. It didn't go unnoticed that he didn't correct me, in by saying that he would be with me, eventually and leave his wife, but I let him kiss me anyway.

"Mm." I said, between kisses. "We have to stop." I smiled against his lips, remembering that I had Tanya and Edward outside waiting for me. I cradled his face in the palms of my hands, pushing his face back just slightly.

"Mm, okay." He moaned, giving me a quick kiss. Once we had gotten our breaths back, Peter gently kissed me on the forehead and wrapped his arm around me, pulling me into his naked chest. I curled his chest hairs around in my finger. "What did the message say, and wait—whose car is that outside?"

"I meant to tell you about her—Tanya. She's new at school. Anyway, she asked if I wanted to spend the night, she heard about what happened to Charlie." I frowned, thinking of my father in the lonely hospital bed. "I wonder if her brother will take me to see him."

"Her brother?" Peter questioned, his eyebrow raising slightly and sitting straight.

"Yes, her brother." I nodded, a smile spreading to my lips at his jealousy. "He means nothing, I swear." I joked, raising my palms up.

"You better keep it that way too, Missy." Peter scolded. He laughed slightly, trying to play it off as a joke, but I could see in his eyes, that he was serious. I grabbed my bag of clothes beside the couch, and said a quick goodbye to Peter, and gave him a small kiss on the neck before leaving out the front door. I practically skipped down the walk way to the car, with a smile on my face.

"What the hell took so long?" Edward grumbled out the window as he gripped the steering wheel. He scared me, making me jump slightly. I hopped into the back seat, throwing my bag full of clothes over to the next seat before pulling my seat belt securely around me.

"Edward shut up." Tanya scolded.

"Fuck off Tan." Edward growled, revving the car and spinning out of the driveway. Tanya turned around, mouthing an "I'm sorry," as we speed now the street.

"Sorry," I mumbled to Edward. I could feel his gaze on me in the rear view mirror, but I didn't look up. "I had to pack my shit.." I said quietly, looking out the window.

The rest of the car drive was in silence, as the radio played quietly in the background. The rain beaded down on the windshield, making it hard to see. Which would probably make me extremely nervous, but for some reason, I felt safe. I trusted Edward. We were on the highway soon enough, we stayed on it for a long while, eventually pulling off onto a dirt road. It didn't surprise me when we pulled into a long driveway with a fairly large house at the end of it. It was two or three stories—depending on if they had a basement or not. A small balcony was attached to the top floor. A green front door was in the center of the house with white trimming. It was an older house but it was beautiful. Edward and Tanya seemed to fit here.

When the car abruptly pulled to a stop, I was slightly flown forward as I was to busy admiring the house to pay attention to my surrounds. Edward then hurried out of the front seat, slamming his car door and walking up the long pathway to the house.

"What is his problem?" I frowned, glaring at the back of his head as he retreated into the house.

"I have no sweet clue," Tanya said as we both got out of the car. I grabbed my bags, carrying them into the house. I wasn't surprised by the inside, though I can't say that I enjoyed it. Sadly, I was hoping for something a little more homey. That would probably make me feel a little less intimidated. The inside was just as beautiful as the outside—except the inside looked a bit more modern. Every wall had white crown molding, the living and dinning area's were huge. Large leather couch's crowded the den and large paintings covered the walls. I wondered, when they exactly moved in? Because it couldn't of been this past week. I felt uncomfortable as Tanya left me standing in the middle of the entryway, when she went to get her mother. I wiped my sneakers on the ends of my jeans, not wanting to get their fancy hardwood floor dirty.

Soon a petite beautiful women with caramel colored hair walked through the doorway—Esme, was her name after we were introduced. She walked to me, with a wide grin on her face. She wore a cupcake apron around her tiny waste. She was breath taking—like her daughter and she had her sons intense eye color. I felt uncomfortable in her gaze as I felt when Edward looked at me. She was a nice enough women, shaking my hand and pulling me into a quick hug. I tried to hide how uncomfortable I really was. Esme was cooking supper, so she left soon after introductions. She apologized for her husband—apparently he was still at work. He worked as a pediatrician a little ways out of town and had a long commute so he was home a little later everyday. I smiled, telling her it was fine and I would meet him some other time.

Tanya showed me her bedroom then. It was downstairs in the finished basement. I noticed a door a couple doors down from hers. I assumed it was Edwards because of the loud music coming from it. Tanya's room was as big as mine, if not a little smaller. Which made me less intimidated by these people. Her twin sized bed, with a yellow comforter and pink sheet sat in the very corner of her room. Tanya walked into her bedroom, and I followed in tow, setting my school bag and bag of clothes on the floor beside her dresser. We talked for a little bit, before she left. I stayed in her bedroom, sitting awkwardly on her bed until she came back. She returned with a set of silver keys in her hand.

"Does he know you have them?" I joked, referring to her brothers car.

"No, silly Bella. It's my car too."

"Oh," my lips formed.

"Let's go get sleepover food." She grinned.

The rain had stopped, making me less nervous driving with Tanya. We listened to old music, singing loudly and obnoxiously. I asked Tanya if we could stop by and see my father before we go to the grocery store. I felt okay with her meeting my father—she already knew my situation and I felt comfortable with her, as much as her house intimidated me. She obliged, happily.

When we got to the hospital, Tanya quickly found a parking space close to the front and we hopped out of the car and walked into the hospital through the front sliding doors. Charlie was sleeping when we first got there, and he looked so content, I decided the best thing for me to do was leave him a quick note, saying that I was here. I missed him, and I was staying at a friends house tonight instead of Peter and Leah's. I borrowed pen and piece of paper from the nurse and just as I was about finished, he stirred awake. We ended up chatting for a bit. He told us about his day with the nurses and doctors and had said Peter had just visited and, and had actually just left. Tanya and Charlie seemed to hit it off, she made him blush a couple times. He asked the normal father questions—where do you live, what do you parents do, etc. We left shortly after, because Charlie seemed to be a little bit drowsy. I said a quick goodbye, kissing his head and hugging him tightly before we left.

Next stop was the grocery store—well, to the extent of my knowledge, so I was confused when we ended up driving right past it.

"Where are we going?" I asked, raising a brow at her. She smiled slightly, not taking her eyes off the road. We soon drove down this empty street and into the parking lot of a small park—not really much of a park. A couple swings and a teeter totter. "What are we doing here?" I asked, confused. Tanya stopped the car, and grabbed her purse from the back seat and pulled out a rolled cigarette. I smiled, grabbing it from her. I brought it to my nose and smelt it. Marijuana. "Where did you get this?"

"I stole it from Edward's room." She laughed, I laughed along with her. "Please tell me, you have a lighter." Tanya practically begged me with her eyes. I shook my head, frowning as I remembered that I left my pack of smokes and lighter in my school bag back at Tanya's place. "Shit."

We looked around the car after that. I remembered Edward having a joint tucked behind his ear—I knew he smoked. He had to have one somewhere. We looked in the dashboard and in all the other car compartments, and eventually we found one tucked in the upholster of the car in the backseat. I grabbed the lighter perched between Tanya's fingers, and hopped out of the car. I sat on the empty swing set, wind swirling my hair around, making me shiver. I placed the smoke on my lips and lit it with the lighter. I inhaled—holding it in as long as I could, until I couldn't bare it anymore. I coughed and sputtered, while Tanya laughed at me. I smiled through my cough induced haze. I took a couple more drags before Tanya grabbed the joint from me and brought it to her own lips. We switched a couple more times until it was gone.

We sat there for a long while after that, just gently swinging, our heads rested on the chains. We didn't really talk, maybe a couple words here and there. I felt calm and relaxed, while Tanya laughed every once in a while—I laughed with her, not being able to help it. "Your dads really nice, Bella." Tanya whispered after a long while of silence.

"Uh, thanks?"

After Tanya was able to drive again, we were on our way to the grocery store with the major case of the munchies. We ended up grabbing some ice cream, cookie dough and chocolate. Tanya paid—of course, because I had no money. We couldn't stop our giggles at the cash register, nothing about it was funny—we just laughed. The younger boy around our age, gave us a knowing look. Once we paid, we were on our way back to Tanya's place. I held the grocery bag tightly in my fingers, not being able to wait to dig in. The drive back, seemed a little bit longer as I was half asleep. I had my head tilt back on the seat, trying my hardest to keep my eyes open. I was so completely burnt out, the radio music in the background working as a lullaby.

When we pulled into their driveway, I noticed another car that hadn't been there before. I figured it was Tanya's father, back from work. I carried the bag downstairs into Tanya's bedroom, while Tanya got drinks from the kitchen. She came back shortly after, and I had already dug into the cookie dough. We decided that we would watch a couple movies and munch on our food before bed. We had been laying there—sprawled on her bed, for quite a bit already half way through movie number one, when I heard a door shut down the hall. Edward's room. A couple minutes later, loud music started blasting from his room, along with girlish giggles and his laughter. I placed the cookie dough back in the grocery store bag, feeling nauseous and suddenly not so hungry anymore. Their laughter and giggles, got louder and louder, I layed my head down, clenching my eyes closed, willing the noise to go away. Eventually I passed out, Edward quickly forgotten.

I awoke a couple hours later, feeling very thirsty. The room was dark, except for the light coming from the television. Tanya was still asleep, snoring quite loudly. I softly crawled off the bed, grabbing the bottle of grape pop off the floor and practically downing it. I grabbed my pack of smokes from my bag and my mp3 player, deciding that a cigarette would feel great right about now. As I quietly passed Edward's bedroom door, memories were brought back of him and Jessica in there, fooling around. I frowned and kept walking.

I tip toed upstairs and out the front door, taking a seat on the front step. I happened to notice Edward's car was not in the drive way—rolling my eyes, I pulled a cigarette from the pack and quickly lighting it, while I put my ear plugs in and turned my music on low. I must of sat there for a couple minutes before I saw bright lights in the distance. I knew who it was before they even got into the driveway—the moonlight sparkling on the silver car and the obnoxious loud bass music. He was soon in the drive way, and eventually his car turned off—the yard feeling quiet and eerie now. He got out of the car, slamming the door of course before walking over to me. I took a drag of my cigarette, looking in the other direction as he walked towards the step. I could feel him standing over me.

"Can't sleep?"

"Nah." I mumbled, shaking my head and taking out an ear plug, so I could hear him better.

"Want some company?"

"I guess. How's Jessica?" I muttered, frowning and wrinkling my nose at the thought of them going at it. Edward sat beside me on the cement step.

"Good," he laughed, winking at me. I gagged and turned my head, taking a drag of my cigarette. An awkward silence fell on us then, my brain searching desperately for something to talk about. "So," he mumbled, obviously he was having the same problem as me too. "You said you're from Phoenix originally?" I nodded. "Why did you move here?"

"My dad just out of police academy and was offered a job here." I said simply. "Why did you guys move here? You're mothers beautiful by the way."

"Thanks." He breathed, "and because she wanted a change."

"Oh.." I said, unsure of what to say with such a vague answer.

"Look, Bella. I'm gonna be honest with you."

"Okay.."

"I like you." He whispered, brushing the loose strand of hair from my ponytail off of my shoulder. I shivered when his fingers brushed against my bare skin. I wrapped my sweater tighter around my body.

"You don't know me."

"I want too." I looked at him then—shocked and completely caught off guard by what he had just said. Maybe I shouldn't of looked at him though. He looked at me, just stared. His eyes darting between my lips and my eyes. His face inched closer then, and his eyes darted closed. I gawked at him—oh, no he wasn't. But he was. Edward puckered his lips just a little bit, his face inching closer and closer.

"What are you doing?" I whispered, watching his lips.

"Kissing you." He said simply, and before I had any time to object, his lips were on mine. His hand holding my head in place. I tried to move my lips from his, but his strong hold held me in place. I threw my now forgotten cigarette on the ground and started pushing at his chest, eventually he got the picture and stopped. "What—" He started to say, but I cut him off with my fist, slamming as hard as I could into his face. I cringed the moment my fist connected with his face, a sharp pain shooting through my wrist and arm. "What the fuck?" Edward fumed, standing quickly and cupping his jaw.

"What the fuck, what, Edward? What is wrong with you!" Now I was yelling and standing, cradling my wrist in my opposite hand.

"Don't act like you didn't want it!"

"I didn't!" I screamed, my face twisting in anger. "You can't go around kissing random girls!"

"I already told you, I fucking like you Bella."

"And I said, you don't fucking know me!"

"I would fucking like too!"

"To bad Edward. Did you even take into consideration that I might have a boyfriend?"

"Do you?" Suddenly his voice went quiet.

"Yes!" I scowled, "who wouldn't mind kicking your ass, if I told him about this either."

"Bring him here, I could take him," he scoffed, kicking the step.

"Ugh!" I screamed in frustration, "you have a girlfriend Edward. Jessica, remember!"

"Jessica isn't my girlfriend!" He pleaded.

"What is she then!" I didn't need to ask, I knew the answer.

"Just an easy fuck."

As soon as the words left his mouth, I slapped him. As hard as I could. My hand stung, and it didn't help the soreness in my wrist, but I was so mad. I was fuming with anger. No girl should be treated that way. Sure—I didn't like Jessica as a person, but I'm sure she actually liked Edward. She wasn't really that much of a slut, and she's only been with three guys that I know of—including Edward.

"You're disgusting," I spat, grabbing my pack of cigarettes off the ground, and practically stomping up the cement porch steps. Once inside, and safely separated from Edward via the front door, I leaned my head against the wall, taking deep breaths to calm myself down. Right about now, I could use a smoke, but unfortunately that wasn't an option.

Once inside Tanya's bedroom, I gently climbed into her bed after I put my smokes in my bag. I laid on my back, on the other side of the bed, just watching the ceiling fan go around over and over. I thought of Edward, and how disgusted I was, and how he kissed me. I wanted to say, his lips were cold and felt terrible and disgusting on mine, but that wasn't the case. They were warm, and felt nice. And just maybe if I didn't have a boyfriend, and he wasn't a disgusting pig, I might of actually thought about kissing him back. Just maybe though. I clenched my eyes closed, once I heard Edward's door slam shut. I didn't want to cry, I desperately didn't. But I couldn't stop the tears from spilling over. Eventually I fell asleep, after laying in bed for a long while just thinking.