Chapter 8: Understanding and The plan

~*~ BPOV ~*~

"Bella?" I heard my name. I didn't respond hoping they would leave… Nope. "BELLA!!!! Wake up!" Alice yelled jumping on me.

"OK, OK" I say sitting up. I look at the clock. "Its 5:30!! Why did you wake me up so early?"

"Because me and Rose are gonna do you up for school." she said.

Oh great. Bella Barbie time. I got up and went to the bathroom, grabbing a towel from the closet on the way. Alice gave me a confused look.

"What?" I asked.

"Your not going to fight with me?" Alice said.

I laugh. "No, I've learned its easier to go alone with whatever you say. Plus its to early to fight with you."

She nodded and smiled. I laughed again and went to take a shower. I made it quick, washing my hair and shaving my legs. With my luck Alice would put me in a skirt. I was in-and-out of the shower in 10 minutes. I wrapped the towel around me and realized I didn't have any cloths. Great. I tightened the towel and opened the door, getting ready to run to Alice's room. Right as I step, I slip on the bathroom floor. I close my eyes, waiting for impact.

"Bella" I hear a breathy laugh "You should really learn to be more careful."

I open my eyes and look up. Then Blush. "Oh, I'm sorry." I say, Blushing deeper. "Good morning Edward"

"Yes indeed, It is a good morning." he flashes a crocked smile.

I hear someone clear their throat. I look over to see Alice, one eyebrow is raised. I quickly compose myself and excuse myself from Edward and go to Alice's room. Holding on to my towel.

"What was that?" Alice asked. Closing the door behind her.

"Well, I forgot to take clothes with me to the bathroom. So I was going to run to your room but I slipped and Edward caught me…" I say.

Alice rolls her eyes and sits me in the chair in front of her. She blow dries my hair and has started on my make-up when Rose comes in. She starts curling my hair while Alice finishes my make-up. The whole procedure took an hour. AN HOUR!!! Before they decided that I was good to go, and they could go get ready. They threw me some clothes before they left.

I look at the clothes. Ok, so I was wrong. She's putting me in shorts. I sigh and go change. The outfit was actually really cute. The shorts weren't too short and the shirt was long, it came down to my upper thigh, and was pink with a V-neck type thing going on, and had thin straps.

I walk down to the kitchen to find Edward, Jasper, and Emmett eating breakfast. Jasper looks up first and drops his spoon in his cereal splashing milk on Edward.

"Dude!" he shouts looking up from his bowl "What the hell?!"

Emmett just laughs until he sees me. "Whoa, Bella you look hot!" he shouts. I laugh and roll my eyes.

Edward looks at me, spitting out the juice he had just drunk all over Emmett. Jeez, do I look that bad every day?

"Oh, sick dude!" Emmett exclaims, standing. He goes upstairs to change his shirt.

"Wow, Bella" Edward says "You look great."

I blush. "Thanks" I sit next to Jasper. "Good morning Jasper."

"Morning Bella" He smiles "and who, might I ask, are you trying to impress this morning?"

I roll my eyes "No one that I know of, but your evil girlfriend must think differently" I laugh. He chuckles and gets back to his cereal.

Edward stands abruptly. I give him a confused look. "Excuse me" he says. And leaves.

I look at Jasper, he just laughs and shrugs. Now I'm way confused. I make some toast and just finished when Edward came back into the kitchen. I look up and smile, he smiles back, but it doesn't reach his eyes.

"Hey, Alice says you'd better be outside and in her car in two minutes." he says. I moan.

"Great" I say. I head to the door and look back at Edward. "Aren't you coming?"

"No, I'll meet you there in a bit." he says and then goes up the stairs. I shrug and head to the car.

~*~ EPOV ~*~

I woke up feeling well rested. I got up and took a shower, taking longer then necessary since I woke up a little early. I got out and chose what to wear. I chose some dark faded jeans and a moss green shirt. Then went to get breakfast. As I walk out into the hallway, I breathed in the most delicious scent. Strawberries? I walk further down to find the smell coming from the bathroom.

Just when I'm about to walk past, the door swings open and I see Bella slip. I catch her a couple feet from the ground. Her eyes are shut tight, waiting for impact.

"Bella" I say, laughing "You should really learn to be more careful." My laugh sounds breathy. I hadn't realized I had been holding my breath.

She opened her eyes and looked up at me. Then Blush. "Oh, I'm sorry." she says, Blushing deeper. "Good morning Edward"

"Yes indeed, It is a good morning." I say smiling at her.

I hear someone clear their throat, and look over to see Alice, one eyebrow is raised. She quickly composes herself and excuses herself grabbing her towel tighter.

"Good morning Alice" I say, still smiling.

"Mhm" she replies, giving me a look, and then walking to her room.

I laugh and go downstairs. When I get down their Jasper and Emmett are at the table eating.

"Morning" I say. Sitting next at the end of the table.

"Hey, can we talk to you for a sec?" Jasper says

"Sure.." I reply. What's going on?

"So, Alice told me about Bella" he starts.

"What about her?" I say nonchalantly.

"Cut the crap, we know you like her." Emmett said. Eating cereal.

"No I don't." I say. is it that obvious?

"Sure, whatever Edward." Emmett says, mouth full of food. "You think we're stupid?"

"Well…, I…" Crap.

"Mhm, that's what I thought" He said. "Whatever man, I don't care as long as you don't hurt her, you hurt her, I'll break your neck" he said and continued to eat his cereal.

"And I'll help" Jasper said "Not to mention Alice will kill you."

I get up and get a bowl. "It's not like that ok? She's different." I sit down and pour a bowl of cereal and a glass of juice. "I really like her."

They didn't look convinced. We sat In silence for what seemed like forever. I didn't look up from my bowl until Jasper splashed milk at me.

"Dude!" I yell "What the hell" I brush my shirt off, Jasper doesn't say anything. I roll my eyes and sip my juice.

Emmett is laughing uncontrollably, until he suddenly bursts out "Whoa, Bella. You look hot! "

I look up to see Bella laughing and dressed in the sexiest outfit I'd ever seen. I spit my juice out and it lands on Emmett.

"Oh, sick dude" he says, getting up and leaving the room.

I continue to look at Bella, mouth slightly open. This girl will be the death of me. "Wow, Bella" I say "You look great."

She blushes. I love that blush. "Thanks" She sits next to Jasper. "Good morning Jasper."

"Morning Bella" He smiles "and who, might I ask, are you trying to impress this morning?"

She roll her eyes "No one that I know of, but your evil girlfriend must think differently" She laughs. He chuckles and gets back to his cereal.

God damn it Alice. Who the hell is she trying to set my Bella up with?

I stand. Bella gives me a confused look. "Excuse me" I say, then leave. I need to find Alice.

I go up the stairs and to Alice's room, not bothering to knock. She's there in front of her vanity table fixing her hair. She turns to look at me and then rolls her eyes.

"What do you want Edward?" she says, standing up and going over to her closet.

"I need your help" I say. She looks at me waiting. "look I really like Bell¾"

"OH No!" she says putting on her shoes. "I will not help you break my best friends heart."

"No, I wont, Its not like that, I really like her." I say. She shakes her head. "Please Alice? I promise not to hurt her."

She stops to look at me. Then sighs "Fine, you have my permission to date her. But I wont help you, you got to do it all on your own."

"How?" I ask, remembering what Bella said to them about Jacob. Then I remember Mike. "What about Mike?" she doesn't respond "What happen, Alice?"

Alice stops her movement. That's when I know something's wrong. "Alice?" I say, warningly

"Nope, you have to ask her" she says.

"Alice, I know something happened. You know you cant hide things from me." I say

She sighs. "Edward, you know how Mike is….., they had sex. And she didn't want to."

"What?!" I shout, I am going to fucking kill him.

"Don't say anything! Bella will kill me" she says looking like she's about to cry.

"Well, what are we going to do?" I say, trying to calm down.

"No Edward, we aren't doing anything, this is Bella's choice." she says. I sigh, I cant just do nothing.

"Plus," she said "you got other problems."

"Like what?" I reply

"Two words" she says "Jacob Black" she gets up and is about to head out the door when she says "Oh, and tell Bella to be in my car in two minutes or else" then she leaves.

Great, how the hell am I going to get rid of Jacob? I sigh. First things first.

"Mike." I spit his name like acid.

~*~BPOV~*~

(At school)

I sit in the car, not wanting to get out. I watch as Mike talks to Tyler and Ben. I wonder what he's telling them. Is he telling them what happened Friday? What if it gets around school? What am I supposed to say to him?

"Bella?" Alice sighs "You have to get out of the car."

I sigh and grab my bag. Here goes nothing. I get out and grab onto Alice and Rose's arms and rush them up the steps to our first class. We take our normal seats in the back. Alice gets up and pulls Rose.

"Bella, we'll be right back, I need to go to the bathroom." Alice says, I nod and they leave.

I do my normal routine. Taking out my I-pod and shutting out the world till the bell rings. I had just put my ear buds in and was leaning back, eyes closed when I felt two hands cover my eyes.

"Edward, stop" I giggle. Moving his hands.

"Edward? It's Mike" he says, sounding annoyed. I look up to see a slightly pissed Mike.

"Oh, hey Mike. Sorry" I say, looking back at my desk.

"It's fine" he says, still sounding annoyed. He sits in Edwards seat. "So you didn't answer any of my calls, I just wanted to check up on you."

"Oh, ya sorry, I was kinda busy this weekend." I reply, wishing he'd go away.

"Oh ya? Doing what?" he said, I could feel his glare.

"Well, my dad had company over on Saturday and I was with Alice yesterday" I reply, speaking of Alice, Where is she?!

"Oh, that's cool" he says sounding more calm. I look up to see him smiling in a way that I think is supposed to be seductive. "So how bout you and me go out tonight?"

"Oh,…ummmm, I don¾"

"She's busy" Edward says, cutting me off, oh thank god. "your in my seat Newton. Bells bout to ring, why don't you move along." Edwards glaring at him now.

"Ya" Mike says, glaring back. "see you at lunch Bella." he says then he leaves.

I breath out a sigh of relief. Thank god for Edward. I think. Edward takes his seat just as Alice comes in. I look at him and mouth a Thank you. he nods and gives me a crocked smile.

"You ok?" Alice asked, "I saw Mike"

"I'm fine Edward saved me" I say smiling at him.

"ok, good." she says, taking her seat.

My morning classes went by pretty fast. Edward walked with me to all of my classes even when Alice told him to stop. He was acting strange, but I didn't think much of it. Lunch was growing closer, and I was growing more nervous. Alice had a club she had to run today, Jasper had a tutoring thing, and Emmett had to talk to the coach about something, Rose had cheer practice. I didn't even know if Edward was going to be there today, And I had to face Mike.

The class ended I left hoping Edward would be waiting for me. No such luck. Maybe I could go hide by the tables outside? Mike never goes over there. I made my way threw the crowd, making sure to avoid the cafeteria. When I got outside I chose the farthest table from the school, near the forest.

"Pst" I heard from the trees. I jumped, slightly startled.

"Hello?" I said to the forest. Great, I look crazy.

"Bella" I heard the familiar voice.

"…Jake?" I say. What the hell is he doing here?

"I knew I'd find you here" he said chuckling, "Sometimes I think I'm psychic"

I rolled my eyes. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to bust you out." he said "I had a feeling I would need to save you from Mike."

I look out to the yard and see not happy looking Mike come out of the cafeteria. I get up quickly, grabbing my stuff. And go to Jacob.

"Nice call" I say, laughing "maybe you are psychic."

He chuckles and we walk deeper in the forest. When we reach the dirt my phone rings.

"Hello?" I say.

"WHERE ARE YOU!?" Alice shouts

"I'm with Jake" I say

"What? Why are you with Jake?" she said confused.

"What?!" I hear Edwards voice.

"Well I went out to the courtyard to avoid Mike since everyone was busy with something, and Jake surprised me. He was in the forest and I ditched when I saw Mike come outside. You know Mike never eats in the courtyard." I say.

"Damn it, Edward! You were supposed to be with her! Your lucky Jake was there." She yelled at Edward.

"I tried! When I got to her class she already left, and she wasn't in the cafeteria!" he said. "I'm so sorry Bella."

"Don't yell at Edward, Alice." I say, "Its fine, I'm safe. Its all good."

"Well, be safe ok?" She sighs "Oh, and have fun" I could here the double meaning in her voice.

I laugh. "Shut up."

"Edward will call you when schools out to come get you ok?" she says.

What? "Oh, ok"

"K, bye" she said before hanging up.

Edwards picking me up? Since when does Alice think that's ok?

"Who was that?" Jake asked

"Oh just Alice wondering where I am." I reply.

"I'm glad you have Alice. She's a good friend" he says

"Ya, she's really great" I reply.

There was an awkward silence that seem to last for hours. We continued to walk until we reached a beach. He sat on a log and patted the space next to him. I sat next to him and took off my flats, burying my feet in the sand. It was a nice day today, the sun was out and there was no sign of rain. The heat felt good on my legs. I leaned back and close my eyes, absorbing what sun I could.

"Bella?" Jake said, I could feel his gaze on me. I kept my eyes closed.

"Mhm?" I say.

"I'm sorry" he says, now I looked.

"For what Jake?" I ask confused. He looks out to the shore line.

"For Saturday" He said "I shouldn't have kissed you like that. I just¾ I don't know. I've liked you since forever, like from the mud pies," he laughed, I did to. "and I just I love you Bella"

Oh. Crap. "Oh, Jake… I¾" I started

"No Bella let me finish." he said, I nodded. "I love you, but that kiss made me realize that maybe I'm not in love with you… I mean your absolutely gorgeous, and smart and funny and sexy…." he trailed off.

"Jake" I laugh, playfully hitting him in the arm.

"Oh, right, back to what I was saying." he laughed "What I'm trying to say is your great but, I only see you as… kinda like a sister." he looked down at his feet, looking embarrassed.

I giggle, jumping on him and giving him a hug. He gives me a confused look.

"Your not upset?" he asked

"No, I feel the same way" I say sitting back on the log next to him.

He smiled. I'm glad we got that awkward conversation out of the way. I mean Jacob is amazing but, it just wouldn't work out. We hung out at the beach for a little while longer until my phone rang. It was Edward.

"Hey you." he says when I answer. "Where are you? So I can pick you up."

"I'm at first beach. I'll walk to the flower shop. You can pick me up there ok?" I say.

"k. No problem, I'll be there soon" He said and then hung up.

Does no one say bye anymore? Jeez. I hung up the phone and told Jake where he was picking me up. We walked to the flower shop. I give him a hug.

"Thanks Jake." I say.

"No, thank you for understanding. I'm glad we don't have to be awkward" he said, still hugging me. A car horn made us jump apart.

I turn to see Edwards Volvo. I say bye to Jacob and get in. I look at Edward, but he doesn't look at me. Just stared straight ahead at the road.

"So you and Jacob?.." he asked. What?

"What about me and Jake?" I say. He doesn't respond just grabs the wheel harder. "There isn't anything between me and Jake. I told you last night remember?"

"Ya, well I saw you and him hugging like that. I just assumed…" he said.

"Well, now. Is Edward Cullen, The Edward Cullen, jealous?" I mock. He smirks, just as we pull up to my house.

"Alice says she'll be here at 4:30 sharp, that gives you an hour and a half of you time." he says.

"Great, thanks for the message" I groan.

"Hey Bella?" he says before I open the door, I turn to him. "I….. I'm gonna pick you up for school tomorrow k?"

I nod and go into the house. Edwards been acting weird lately. Maybe he likes me? No. why would he like me? Plain-Jane Bella. I sigh and decide to do some homework before Alice gets here. By the time I finish Trig, its 4:20. I put on my I-pod and 'Crazy For This Girl' by lifehouse comes on. It one of my favorite songs. I get up and start singing and dancing along with the music.

"Wow, I didn't know you could dance" Rose's voice startled me, causing me to trip.

"Owww." I say standing up "Hey Rose, Alice."

"Suppers" Alice says sitting on my bed.

"So what brings this meeting together?" I say, sitting on the floor. Rose sits next to Alice.

"Oh, we just wanted to talk to you about… Edward" Rose said. My heart skipped a beat.

"What about him?" I say, trying to play it cool.

"Well, we've noticed something different about him." Alice says.

"Oh, ya?" I say.

"Yup" Rose says. "Today, after you left, you know what he did?" I shake my head

"He 'broke up' with Lauren and told her, and every other girl, that he isn't a player anymore."

"Really?!" I say shocked.

"Ya!" Alice shouts, "It was amazing. You should have seen Laurens face!" They giggled

"That's great!… but what does that have to do with me?" I say.

"Oh, come on Bella, We know you like him. And I happen to know for a fact that he likes you too." Rose exclaims

"Ugh I DON'T LIKE HIM!" I shout. "Wait, he likes me?"

Rose smirks. And Alice says "He came to my room this morning, asking for my help to get you to like him, pledging that he's changed and how much he likes you."

"But… why would he like me?" I say.

"You don't see yourself clearly Bella" Alice sighs. "So what are you going to do about him?"

"What do you mean?" I say.

"I mean, how are you going to get him to ask you out?" she says.

"Ummmm,… I'm not. I don't like him."

"Bella, your so full of it" Rose says. I snort at her.

Alice laughs. "So here's the plan ……."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Yup, that's right, I went there.

I'm sorry to leave the cliff hanger, but you know. Gotta let the anticipation grow!

So leave a Review, let me know what you think.

Next chapter Edwards gonna show Mike who's boss. Yay!!! Action. LoL

Mucho Love,

Tasha Waffle