Chapter 7: Girl's Choice


Beau's POV


My mind was totally not focusing the next day at school. When Jeremy approached me in the morning and asked about the girl's choice dance, I had to ask him to repeat himself three times. "Has anyone asked you to the dance yet?" He said again.

"The what?"

"The Spring Dance. It's next Saturday."

"Oh. Um. No."

Jeremy just shrugged. "Okay, cool. Just wanted to make sure no one had asked you yet."

"Were you planning on asking me?" I laughed. It was a joke but Jeremy looked offended. His eyes popped open and his lips spluttered. Whatever, dude. You couldn't handle this anyway. I sighed and wrapped my arms around my torso. "You're hoping that Mikayla will ask you right?"

He blushed. "That would be cool, you know."

I slapped him on the shoulder as we headed inside.

"Oh Beau." It was Jessica. She met me in the hallway before trig. "I was hoping to run into you."

"Well, we do have the same class." I gestured and we walked into class together.

"Yeah. So I was wondering." She twirled her finger around her hair. "Will you go to the dance with me next week?"

"Oh no." I sighed. Well how about that. Today of all days. "Sorry, but I'm not going to the dance."

"Oh." Jessica frowned. "Um, why not?"

"I'm just not going to the dance." I repeated. I was already a wall flower. I knew my place and that didn't involve going to a heteronormative dance function.

"Are you waiting for someone else to ask you?" I could tell she was trying to hide her anxiety in that question.

I began doodling on my notebook again, but I drew the lines too hard. "I promise you. I'm not waiting for someone else to ask me to the dance. Like I said, I'm not going."

"Has someone else asked you?" Her tone was accusatory.

"Jessica. I'm not going. Not with you and not with someone else. It's nothing personal. I'm busy that Saturday anyway." I shrugged. I wasn't busy, but I needed some excuse. Before she could ask for specifics I continued. "But you know who would really like to go with you? Mike. You should ask Mike."

I can't believe that I'm playing this game. Match maker.

"Oh, really?" Jessica chewed on this information. "Hmm. So what are you doing next Saturday?"

I rolled my eyes. "Not dancing." Thankfully, the teacher started and I turned my attention back to the front.

When trig ended I sprinted out the door. I wouldn't have to see her again until lunch and that was in a big group. I still had to prepare to break off the shopping trip I planned with Alice. I didn't want to, but I felt like I had to. I was not mentally prepared to deal with single straight white girls today. The school was suddenly full of them, around every corner.

The Cullens were back today. They sat in their normal table. I glanced up, out of habit. I was used to seeing them preoccupied with different points in the wall, not looking at anyone. I was used to Edward avoiding me, his face dark and glowering. But today, he was staring at me. Like the first day I saw him, Edward looked curious. Curious and frustrated, but not unkind.

I nearly dropped my tray when his dark golden eyes caught mine. I was about to go talk to Alice, my feet wavering when Mikayla grabbed my arm. "Hey Beau. Can I talk to you for a second?"

"Sure." This better be about how to ask Jeremy to the dance. I lost my resolve to go over to the Cullen's table.

We walked over to the other side of the lunch room. A few tables away from Edward.

"What's up?" I started when Mikayla just stared at her shoes.

She took a deep breath. "Will you go to the dance with me?"

"I don't dance." I said through my teeth trying to keep the bitterness out of my tone. "I'm not going to the dance."

"That's what Jessica said." Mikayla blushed.

"Then why did you. . . "

"I just thought maybe you were waiting to be asked out by someone else."

"Well, I'm not."

Unfortantely, she didn't seem fazed by my lack of enthusiasm. "You could still come with us, ya know. You don't have to go with someone. We'd all dance with you."

"Thank you. But I'm not going."

"Why not?"

"Why does it matter?" I was getting a headache. My head throbbed and it only got worse the more Mikayla talked.

She didn't know how to respond. So I stalked back to our regular table. I swore I could hear laughter at the Cullen table.

When I got to Biology Edward was already in his seat. I didn't know if I should try to say something to him. I did go to his house yesterday. Unannounced. And made plans with his sister.

"Hey, about yesterday. . . "

Before I could decide what to do, Erica walked over and sat on the edge of the desk. By now everyone was used to ignoring Edward as much as Edward ignored everyone else.

"Beau, I'm glad I caught you." She swept away a greasy strand of hair. Acne scars lined her cheeks. Been there before, the poor dear.

"Hey, Erica." My tone was cautious.

"Hey." She smiled. "So I was wondering."

I slammed my bag on the floor. "I'm not going to the dance, Erica." I didn't even wait for her question. My tone was sour. I had enough already.

"Oh, I heard. That's what Mikayla said. I just thought maybe if someone else asked you, you would be interested."

"I don't want to go to the dance with you, Erica." I couldn't hide my irritation anymore. "You're not my type."

"Oh." The hurt on her voice was palpable. "What is your type then?"

My eyebrows shot up. "You really want to know?" There was a pulsing headache in my temple and I lost it. I didn't think. I just blurted it out. "Do you have a dick, Erica? If not, then I'm not interested."

"Oh." She breathed. "Oh." Erica backed away, blushing. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I didn't know you were. . "

"Gay?" I provided loudly. The word hung in the air for all to see. I felt the eyes of everyone on the class zone in on me. Great. "Well. Now you know."

She nodded and her posture turned instantly uncomfortable. Erica turned around hurriedly and walked back to her seat.

I slumped down into my chair and put my forehead on the desk. I covered my head with my hands. I screwed up. I screwed up big time. "Fuck." I whispered.

"Huh." I heard Edward say under his breath.

I turned my head towards him. "Don't. Don't start. I really don't need you to be. . . all . . . you right now." I flipped my palm up and gestured to all of him.

I peeked from under my other hand, but Edward wasn't glaring. He looked sympathetic and concerned.

I straightened up. "What?" I hissed.

He smiled. "That probably wasn't the best way to come out." He whispered to me, with a joke on his tongue.

"You think?" I said sarcastically. I sank into my chair further and groaned. "I fucked up."

Edward was still looking at me. Old butterflies awakened in my stomach. Who am I kidding, I never stopped being obsessed with Edward.

"Did you mean it?" He asked, his voice low and quiet.

"Did I mean what?" I knew what he meant and Edward didn't clarify. I huffed. Might as well put the nail in the coffin. "Yeah. I meant it. I'm gay, alright. So what. Not like anyone here would reciprocate..." I shrugged my shoulders in a noncommital gesture.

He didn't say anything else for the rest of the class period, but he never stopped staring at me. Every time I glanced over at him, Edward was staring. I don't think he ever blinked. Even when the teacher called on him, he's eyes stayed on my face as he answered. "Krebb's cycle."

When the bell rang I was expecting him to run out like he normally did. I put my things up very slowly, trying to give him a head start, but Edward didn't move.

I sighed and turned towards him.

His honey eyes grabbed onto me. I was swirling in emotions the sensation of drowning in his eyes pulled me down. But I felt safe with him.

"You're wrong you know." He said through a small secretive grin.

"What do you mean?" My eyes narrowed.

"You said no one here would reciprocate your feelings." He cocked his head to the side. "You're wrong."

He winked. My jaw dropped. What the hell? Before I could try to dissect his meaning, he continued on.

"I wouldn't worry about the news outbreak." He informed me while my heart started racing. "You'll be okay. This town is more accepting than you think it is." He swung his backpack up on his shoulders.

"I don't understand you." I finally said when he didn't move.

His grin grew bigger. "I'm counting on that."

"So wait." I bit my lip. "Are you talking to me again?" It was exhausting pretending he didn't exist. I was bad at it. My whole life seemed to revolve around his perfect stupid shoulders.

"No."

"No, you're not talking to me again?" I questioned.

"Yes." His boyish features somehow enhanced as his expression turned mischievous.

"So what exactly are you doing right now?" I arched my eyebrows.

"Not talking to you."

"You're not doing a very good job of it."

Edward bowed his head thoughtfully. "No, I'm not. You're right."

"I usually am." I huffed. "Well, if you're going to continue to do a bad job of not talking to me. . . does this mean we're friends again?"

He cocked his head to the side. "Friends?"

"Or not." I eyed my shoe. Don't get your hopes up, Beau.

"I suppose we could try. But I'm not a good friend for you." His eyes flickered to the door then back to my face. "I'll see you later, Beau. We're going to be late for our next class." I stared open mouthed as he sauntered out of the room.

I was late to gym and scurried to change my clothes in the locker room. I kept missing the buttons. By the time I emerged into the gym, I was basically panting. Mikayla and Jessica were waiting for me. They seemed to be in the loop already.

"Why didn't you just tell us?" Jessica rolled her eyes, but she seemed to be in a good mood.

"Yeah, if I knew were . . . um. . . well, if I know you were. . . " Mikayla trailed off.

"Gay?" What was with that word and the girls around here being unable to use it. I had said it so often in my head, the "novelty" of it had worn off. Not around here though. I guess homosexuality was still a sparse phenomenon. Still taboo.

"Gay." Mikayla whispered in response. "I wouldn't have pushed it. I'm sorry."

"Well, you won't have to deal with that issue again. The whole school probably knows by now. Word travels fast. Man, I wish I could have seen Erica's face. Did you really tell her you weren't interested in less she had a dick?"

I shrugged and pretended to be suddenly interested in gym. I tried to escape back to the men's locker room when period was over but Jessica accosted me again.

"Will you go shopping with us?" Jessica asked. "We could really use your opinion. We're going to look for dresses for the Spring dance soon."

Great. From boyfriend to gay best friend, the new hunt was out.

I agreed though. Listen, I do love giving opinions on dresses. It's a weakness. I was mad at myself too.

On my way to my truck, I argued with myself. I slammed my car door after I got in. When I pulled out, I got trapped by Edward's car. I honked at him but he didn't move. I could see the rest of his family just now leaving the building. I eyed him in his rear view mirror. I could see a crinkle in his eye. At least someone was in a better mood. He winked again at me. Maybe this was just a twitch he had that I never noticed. My heart raced all the same.

There was loud tapping on my driver side window. I yelped. "Holy crow, Taylor. I didn't hear you come up." Her new car was idling behind me.

"Oh sorry."

"The traffic jam is Edward's fault." I glared at him but he just grinned back at me.

"OH, I know. I just wanted to ask you something." Taylor blushed. "Will you got to the dance with me?"

"Oh my god." I yelled. "No Taylor." My patience was on a thread and it had already snapped once today. "I'm not going to the dance. If you haven't heard yet, I'm gay." I grumbled.

"Yeah, I heard. But that doesn't mean you couldn't go with me. You could still take me. We could still have fun."

I punched the ceiling. My knuckles cracked. Ouch.

"Goodbye, Taylor." I started rolling up my window. She kept talking but I was done listening. The rest of the Cullens were piling into the car now. Edward was laughing. What the hell? I revved my engine. It sounded like a tank. Just one little bump to sweep that stupid silver paint off the bumper. My car would be fine. No blood no foul. It was like Edward knew Taylor was going to ask me. I knew he knew. He orchestrated the opportunity. I had it up to here with him. He was toying with me. He was some sort of super human and he was wreaking havoc in my life without a word. I didn't know if I wanted to kiss him or punch him.

Snap. I floored it. I rammed my car forward. Just when I was bracing for impact, I felt nothing. Edward and co were already zooming away.

I could almost hear Edward laughing, like an echo.


AN: Wow. I didn't expect anybody to read this. Thank you for following. And thank you for reading. - Rosalie