Chapter 7
Monday morning found Mike waiting for her against her locker. Bella rolled her eyes and waddled forward.
"So. Paul Lahote," he said.
"Yep. I believe we covered this on Saturday," she responded as she opened her locker.
"So, you're dating him now."
"Have been for months." She slammed the metal door and turned innocent eyes on her friend. "That's not a problem, is it, Mike? I mean, I can date whomever I want."
Jasper, who heard the exchange, chuckled and threw his arm around Bella's shoulders. "Let's go, little mama. We're gonna be late for English." He steered her away from Newton. "Lahote finally caught you, huh?"
"What you mean, Jas?"
"Bella, he's been crushin' on you for the past coupla years."
"Why hadn't he said anything before?" She slid into her seat as much as she could.
"His reputation was cemented by the time we were 15. He didn't, and doesn't, think he's good enough for you."
"He's not," Edward butted in. "He's quick to temper and uses women atrociously."
"Did Tanya cry that he did a pump and dump, Edward?" Bella asked innocently. Again, she turned on the doe eyes.
He sat up a little straighter, as if that was possible. "Tanya would never stoop to the level to have promiscuous sex, especially with that Res rat. She's a lady, and still a virgin."
Jasper snorted. "Is that what she told you? Okay."
Edward ignored him. "Please tell me you're not sullying yourself with that Neanderthal."
"Wow, Edward." Bella rolled her eyes. "Are you going Victorian on us? Well, if you must know, we've been seeing each other since late October and even. . . Well, a lady must have some secrets." She blushed, looking away.
"Way to shut him up, Bells," Jasper said quietly. "So, you know about Tanya?"
"And Lauren and Katie and several others." She turned to her cousin's best friend. "Believe it or not, Jasper, I know him. We talked extensively about his past. Jas," she laid her hand on his arm, "I'm happy."
He smiled at her. "I know. You've been positively radiant for a while now."
**TPP**
"Oh, Bella," Ms. Simmons called to her. "I have something for you." She caught the teenager's arm when she began to walk away. "Emmett told me that your boyfriend from La Push wanted to participate along with you. You may share this information with whomever you'd like. Or you could just surprise everyone."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Wha'cha got there, Bells?" Emmett asked.
"Don't know." She set down her books and leveled a stink-eye at her cousin. "Paul wants to participate along with me? What the hell, Emmett?"
"Hey. He came up to me yesterday, told me he wants to do this with you. Ms. Simmons is actually going to meet with him after school."
She sat down in shock. "Wow."
"I heard that Ms. Bella put Newton and Cullen in their places today," Jane said with a smirk.
"About time," Felix said as he set his girlfriend's books down.
**TPP**
In the lunch line, Tanya slipped in behind Bella, close enough for her to feel the "baby's" movements against her back. "Can I help you, Tanya?"
"You know your ass will be dumped after the prom, don't you?" the blond sneered.
"And it matters to you, how?"
"I'm just giving you a warning. He's not a staying type of man. I wouldn't be surprised if he's been hooking up with random girls since he started 'dating' you."
Bella finally turned around. "Wow, Tanya, I didn't realize green was your color. How long did your 'relationship' with Paul last? Long enough for him to toss the condom, or did it last a few more times after that? It really chaps your ass that my time with Paul has lasted way longer than yours."
**TPP**
Bella was clutching the rail of the front steps, trying to see where she was stepping. The sound of a motorcycle brought her head up. The parking lot came to a stand-still as Paul rode up on a sleek, black Harley. He pulled up to the sidewalk and cut the engine. A smile spread across his face when he noticed her. Paul quickly dismounted the bike, and hurried up to Bella.
"Hey, babe," he said, placing a kiss on the corner of her mouth. "I need to see your teacher, I'll be right back."
She grabbed his arm as he passed by. "Paul, you don't have to do this. I mean, it's not even your project." He just smirked and disappeared into the school.
"What was that about?" Angela asked.
"He's doing the project with us," she answered.
The tall brunette stared at her, her face registering her surprise. "Are you serious? Your boyfriend, who doesn't even go to your school, wants to do the project?" She lowered her voice. "I heard Rosalie and Alice earlier. Royce doesn't even want to see Rose as long as she's wearing the suit."
Bella's eyebrows rose. "And the baby? Seven weeks is a long time not to see your significant other. Even if he does go to college."
"Bella, you know Royce's reputation. It makes Paul look like a choir boy. Rose doesn't believe them, she just discounts them as rumors."
"Ready to ride?" Paul queried when he came up behind the girls. Taking Bella's hand, he steered her to the bike.
"You want me to ride on that? You can forget about a job with Forks PD if my dad catches us."
"Already spoke to him." He handed her a helmet. "I only have one and promised that you'll wear it."
"Where are we going?" she asked as she strapped the helmet on.
"Time to meet the parents. Nana's expecting us."
