Disclaimer: I dreamt my story, just like Meyer. But in her story, Edward's gayer.
She owns it, loans it, and so much more

*I would finish the Disclaimer, but I am so overcome by grief that I can't bear to write any more – sorry*

Chapter four

A Friend in need is a friend indeed

Bella's POV

After I left the dojo I remember thinking about Edward. He was a prick, but a handsome one. I don't believe I told you what he looked like. Well, he had emerald eyes and bronze hair. Strong cheekbones and those abs? I mean OH MY GODNESS they were H-O-T!

I remember the next day quite well. I got up at 0500 hours and met up with Rose, my best friend at the foundation. Scratch that, my best friend ever. We went for a jog around campus, came back, got changed and had coffee.

Back in my room I gave her the rundown of the newbie's. She oohed, ahhed and tsked in appropriate places, but I could tell she only wanted to know one thing.

"So...are they hot?" She asked when I was done.

"Aren't you off market? Don't you have your eyes set on getting Emmet?" Emmet was her all time crush, and she was his, but neither had the guts to make the first move. It was rather cute.

Rosalie blushed. She actually blushed! "Doesn't mean a girl can't look." She replied defensively, but her response didn't matter, I spent the rest of our time teasing her about that blush!

"Ok." I sighed. "Class starts in ten minutes." It was 0700 hours and time to start class. We quickly got dressed and hurried to the buzzer. People started running around, scared to be late for fear of unleashing Sensei Isabella's wrath.

Ten minutes later and we were still waiting on two people. Two guesses as to whom? Yep, Edward and Jasper. They came limping into class 45 seconds late, obviously sore from last night. They groaned when they saw that everyone else was there.

"Jasper, Edward, you are late. I do believe I gave you specific instructions yesterday. We are going to start the class by watching a recorded fight between a vampire and a human. Then, you will tell me what the human did well, what the human did not, and why the outcome was like it was. Edward and Jasper will do this from Shiko Dachi, Sumo stance."

Eyes of sympathy were sent their way, but it wasn't by any means the hardest punishment I had given. That would've been Jessica, who never showed up on time or participated. So, I made her stand on one leg whilst balancing 45 kilos on a bamboo stick for half an hour then stand in Shiko Dachi for five minutes in the mud and finally lashed her ten times with wet bamboo strips. Not that it worked. No, then she tried reporting me and getting out of class by saying she was too sick and refused to do anything. But everything I do is within the range of what I am allowed to do.

The fight was of Sensei Jeremy, he was my Sensei. He taught me how to fight vampires and in three months we were side by side, fighting them. A deadly team. He died when I was separated from him and individually fighting another vampire.

The constructive critics went well. They were able to identify the main things he did wrong and what he could've done instead.

Edward and Jasper were allowed to get out of Shiko Dachi.

Next we did combat training. The system that was you pair up with someone and fight, if you win you moved to one half of the room, you lose and you stay there and fight with those there. The winners fight amongst themselves. From there the winners are again separated and the losers fight amongst themselves. The winner of these winners, (which, generally is only one person) fights me. You beat me and I usually pass you by the next lesson.

This way you typically fight someone of similar skill.

Emmet and Rose were fighting each other, they had beaten everyone else and whoever wins was to fight me.

Emmet won. Rose seethed but turned around and fought the next person. Rose and Emmet were the best in my class and I was this close to passing them. But they just couldn't beat me.

I remember this well. Emmet was a big, muscular bear of a man. He used to use his strength to beat nearly everyone. Though, over time, he learnt to be agile and quick, deadly and accurate, as well as strong. He had been training for five months now. I remember everyone stopped to watch us fight. People even made bets as to who would win.

We stood there watching each other for a moment, when it became obvious I was not going to attack first he feigned right, then punched left, followed swiftly by a roundhouse kick. He had the advantage because I was only defending, while he was attacking. Finally I was able to start on offense and we both had a fair share of blocks and attacks from then. The fight lasted at least ten minutes before I spun around and kicked him, but he blocked me and swept his foot across mine before I could react and I was on the ground. He had won.

No-one cheered. No-one congratulated. Winners of bets collected money quietly. I lay there, staring up at Emmet. He helped me up and I looked over at Rose. The mood was indeed sombre. She had tears in her eyes.

"Class dismissed." I said in a small voice. Rose ran from the room as soon as I uttered those words. Emmet followed her immediately. I just stood there, staring after them.

Everyone except Jasper and Edward were left when I snapped out of my trance. I started packing up.

"Sensei Isabella..." Jasper begun, but I cut him off in a timid voice.

"Bella."

"I am sorry, what?"

"Outside of class, my name is Bella. I am not your teacher now. I am just another sorry ass who landed this sorry gig."

"Bella, why is everyone so upset? I mean, that guy beat you! Shouldn't people be happy?" Edward asked.

"No-one is happy because there is no reason to be happy. He beat me, which means the next time either side launches an attack he will fight with me. No one expects him to live past his first battle. If he does they don't expect him to live past the next and so on. Everyone here has lost someone to the secret war. And the worst part is that we are to only ones who know! By beating me, Emmet signed his death certificate." Tears stung my eyes, but I blinked them back.

"Then why do people try to beat you?" Jasper asked softly.

"Because they will die either way. If the government does not think the person is trying they will kill that person. Jessica is the exception because her daddy works in the government for sector 5. Everyone here has resigned themselves to dying. And it is much better to die for your country than as a coward. If there is a hell, you may want to go there for some R&R." (AN/: Avatar quote ) I quietly passed them and left the dojo.

I hurried to my room and I cried. I cried for my friend, of whom I was certain to die, I cried for Rose, I cried for the life we should be having. Most of all, I cried for my parents. I missed them now more than ever. I needed to feel safe again. And the place I always felt most safe was in their arms. I wanted them to hold me as if I were a little girl again. I wanted to be ignorant and naive of the stupid mythical creatures that caused this.

There was a soft knock and Rosalie walked in. We sat on my bed and cried together. There was another knock, this one a desperate, hard knock. Emmet came in. He took one look at us that scooped us into a massive hug. This was second best to a hug from my parents. He made it seem as though he would go through heaven and hell to keep us safe when he hugged us like this. And we believed him.

"It'll be alright Rose. Bella will take care of me. Won't you Buffy?" I sniffled and laughed softly, Buffy was his nickname for me. He would call me 'Buffy the awesome as Vampire slayer'. I was soon serious again.

"I would die before letting anything happen to him. But, I am too stubborn to die, so we will both be fine." But I was still trying to convince myself of that.

I got up and poured myself a glass of water from my water jug; and one for Rose too. When I turned around Emmet and Rose were still hugging, then Emmet kissed her nose and she cried even more. Feeling like I was invading their privacy I left.

I remember walking around aimlessly. Still in my dojo clothes with my arms wrapped securely around my torso I just walked. Unfortunately, I walked into Mike. Not literally, but as soon as he saw me he chased after me like a dog and bone. So long as the dog wanted to fuck the bone.

I remember him calling after me, "Bella, Bella wait!" and when I didn't respond he changed tactics. "Buffy! Wait up!"

I started seeing red. I turned around calmly. He stood behind me smiling triumphantly, until, that is, I had him by his throat up against the wall. "You do not call me that. Ever. Emmet calls me that. Not you. Do not think that just because he has passed you can take his place. You don't call me that." I let him go and threw him on the ground. "What do you want Mike? Is it important?" He shook his head. "Then I will see you in class." I turned around and there was Edward, looking awfully amused. I pushed passed him and kept walking.

He followed. "Buffy? Really? Emmet calls you Buffy?" He laughed a bit and then sobered. "I...I am sorry Bella, about Emmet. I met him just before. He cares a lot about you."

"But that's the problem isn't it? If it was Mike...well, he could die for all I care. But Emmet? If anything happened to him... I... I just wouldn't be able to forgive myself." I kept walking. Never stopping. Never looking Edward in the eye.

I remember the next part well. Just as I thought he was getting all deep and meaningful he said: "Well if you ever need to forget I am good with one night stands. You just give me a call and I'll have you screaming my name so loud you'll forget all that guilt."

I remember struggling to think clearly. But he wounded my honour and my pride. So, I punched him. I remember smiling as a satisfying thwack sounded in the corridors as my fist connected with his jaw. "No thanks." And I walked off.

Did I consider Edward a friend at that stage? No, definitely not. In fact, I rather hated him.