A/N: Welcome to the joint production "Little Fish, Big Fish"! Bella is written by the gorgeous and talented Paige Parkker (link to her profile in my profile) and Edward is written by me, Michelle M Marie.

Although neither of us own Twilight or any related characters, we do own this crazy ass plot. You know, come to think of it…Edward is lucky we don't own him. I don't know if cannon Edward would be into BDSM… :)

One of our wonderful readers started a thread for this story on Twilighted. We would love if you would go there and play! Paige and I will leave fucking sweet teasers… www (dot)twilighted (dot)net/forum/viewtopic (dot)php?f=44&t=7505

Thank you to those of you who leave reviews or have this story on alert/favorites. You all are wonderful! As wonderful as gummy worms, seriously.

EPOV

I wasn't able to sleep much that night, so when I woke up the next morning, I was beyond groggy and in no shape to communicate with humans. If I had half a sense left in me, I would have informed Esme that I was taking a mental health day and skipped school. But because I was clearly a dim witted masochist, I dragged my ass out of the bed that I did not sleep in and threw myself into the shower.

It was then, while in the shower, that I realized I had missed football practice the night before.

Fuck! Looks like I won't be captain, huh?

I shrugged my shoulders. As if it fucking matters. Esme is right...it isn't making me happy anymore.

I got out of the shower and dressed myself...in what, I have no idea, because my eyes were still half closed. Unfortunately for me, I wasn't even all that sure that my shirt was on the right way.

Like I fucking care; it doesn't matter what the fuck I look like at school.

I wandered down the stairs and poured myself a cup of coffee. I drank it quickly, poured myself another cup, and pulled out a travel thermos. I finished what was left in the coffee pot before turning to grab myself a couple of Red Bulls from the garage fridge.

I am going to need a shitload of caffeine if I am going to be able to last through today.

I didn't remember the drive to school. My first few classes passed by in a complete blur, as did my classes that led up to lunch.

Should I be worried that I don't remember a single thing that has happened so far today?

Nope. It's the second day of class, retard. Whatever you have missed can't be that important.

I stood in the lunch line and grabbed a tray of whatever the fuck looked halfway appetizing and walked over to my normal spot at my lunch table.

I wonder what the fuck all these cronies will do when they overhear that I want Isabella Swan.

It didn't take me by surprise when I realized that I didn't fucking care. I didn't fucking care what any one of them thought about me, just like I didn't care what my father thought of me.

Thanks, Esme, for helping me realize this.

I placed my lunch down on the table and chanced a glance over at Bella's lunch table. She was there, of course, and sitting between Jasper and Jacob. Bella was wearing what looked like two skirts - a short one over a long one with a long tunic sweater cardigan over a striped v-neck shirt. The buttons of her cardigan were undone, which revealed a shit ton of necklaces. Her beautiful hair, which had resembled dreadlocks as of recently, hung down low and very sexily on her back. She was most likely high, given her current carefree attitude, but I was unable to tell for sure because of the fact that she was wearing sunglasses.

I felt my jaw instinctively clench as I took in the scene in front of me. Bella, beautiful and most likely stoned, was sitting between her best friend and apparently her new love interest. The v-neck shirt that she was wearing was one wrong move away from moving completely aside and exposing her pert breasts, and Black seemed to catch on to this. Fucker was trying to get her to move around as much as possible, I swear to fucking God.

Does she really like Jake? Did she seriously get over you that quickly? For Christ's sake, it was only a couple of fucking days, and here she is, getting felt up by some dickwad!

Okay, so she wasn't getting felt up by Jake, but as far as I was concerned, she may as well have been. I saw red -- and every other fucking color in the God-damned rainbow -- as I tried to control my anger, which had flared up at an alarming rate. The fact that I had a sleepless night had fucked up with the "keeping Edward in control" center of my brain and was making it nearly impossible to keep myself from hauling off and kicking the shit out of Jacob Black. I know that I wasn't just mad at the display in front of me, but fucking saddened by it. Unfortunately, I knew there was nothing that I could do about it.

Yeah, it may have only been one day, but I am pretty sure that you lost her.

I was two steps away from standing up, walking over to Bella, grabbing her face, and kissing her within an inch of her life in front of the entire lunch room. But the idea of her punching me, and then Jasper and Jacob punching me, held me back from doing so.

But that doesn't mean that I can't go over to her and try to talk.

My sleepless brain had me walking over to Bella's table before I was even aware that I was doing so. I stopped when I was standing directly in front of Bella, plastered on my best crooked grin, and leaned over to whisper in her ear.

"I'm not giving up," I said to Bella before I directed my gaze towards Jacob.

Jacob let out a guttural growl after hearing my statement, while Jasper stood up and gave me a death glare. Bella, however, leaned back in her chair before she straightened up, got up, and left the lunchroom.

I didn't know if I should be offended or saddened or happy that Bella left the lunchroom so abruptly. I settled on being indifferent. I mean, sure, she didn't act overly happy and wrap her arms around me or anything like that, but I still considered this a winning situation. Because, simply said, she didn't hit me or spit on me or have an overly negative response to my actions.

I walked back to my lunch table and ignored the stares that I was getting, both from Bella's lunch table, and my own lunch table. I sat back down and grabbed my tray of food and readily dug in.

"What the fuck, Cullen?" Mike asked, putting his sandwich down on his lunch tray.

"Hmm?" I asked nonchalantly, my eyes not leaving the table.

"Why in the hell were you talking to Bella Swan?"

"Fuck off," I said calmly, lifting a forkful of food to my mouth.

"Ex...excuse me?" Mike choked out.

"Mike, I said fuck off. None of your business." I looked up from my tray.

Mike looked at me like I had just punched his mother. His eyes were large, his jaw had dropped to the ground, and his face had turned red.

"I mean, no offense, but it's none of your business," I quickly added before I turned back to my food.

"Okay, I mean, I guess..."

"Cut the bullshit, Newton. Edward was slumming, and he won't tell us why, huh? Well fuck that, I'll figure it out. Don't you worry your little nappy head," Rosalie snipped, tossing her hair over her shoulder.

I tuned my gaze to Rosalie. "Good. Figure it out, you stupid bitch. I can't wait until you know about my little 'secret'," I stated, taking another bite of food. "And for the record, while Mike's hairstyle is not my taste, you should know that it is anything but nappy. So lay off him, especially since he is supposed to be your fucking 'friend'."

I got up with my now empty tray and walked over to the garbage can before putting my tray where it belonged. I could hear some hushed talking going on at my lunch table, most likely because of my rude comments to Rosalie and my abrupt departure, but I didn't give a shit.

I walked outside and lit up a cigarette before the door even closed behind me. Sure, it was a risky move, but I didn't give a flying fuck whether or not I got caught. To be truthful, I did what I came to do at school, which was to tell Bella that I wasn't giving up. Now that I had told Bella that, I could get fucking detention or whatever the fuck else and I wouldn't give a shit. Senior year was fucking bullshit, no matter which way I could slice it. And as long as I graduated on time (which would happen regardless, due to Daddy's deep pocketbook), I didn't give a shit how I got to graduation, just as long as I got there.

Trying to calm myself as I walked around outside, I stopped in my tracks when I realized that I wasn't alone.

It shouldn't have surprised me that Bella was laying near the woods in a pile of leaves smoking a joint, but of course I was taken off guard when I saw her.

You saw her leave the lunchroom, genius. You had to have figured out that she was coming outside to get high or something along those lines.

Okay, so maybe I had figured that she had done something like that. Maybe I subconsciously wanted a cigarette just so I could catch a glimpse of her or something along those lines. I walked back towards the building and stayed hidden behind the bushes by the front door as I admired Bella's perfect figure from afar. She seemed so carefree, so in her element at the moment. Her hair was scattered across the leaves as she smoked, and I felt little Eddie stand to salute the beautiful woman in front of me.

Bella was so unbelievably fucking gorgeous. Bella, so in her element...Bella the Earth Goddess.

Wait...did I really think that?

Yep. Must somehow be too close to Bella or something, because I think I am getting high too.

I wanted so badly to walk up to her and take her in my arms and hold her close to my body. I wanted to kiss her, to fucking mark her as my own, but I knew that I couldn't do that to her, not yet. Because I was too late, and she isn't mine for the taking anymore. Either Bella lost her trust in me, or she had already moved on, but either way, she isn't mine.

My God I want her so badly. How is it possible for one creature to be so...perfect?

I waited until just before the bell rang before turning to leave the outdoor space that Bella had unknowingly shared with me.

But I mean, Bella's beauty is almost too much to handle right now, too much to walk away from. I seriously think that I may die if I turn away from her right now. Fuck, I need her. I need to touch her; I need to taste her.

Honestly, the only thing that saved me from running up to her and launching myself at her at that moment was the fact that I would see her in our next class together. I was so completely unwilling to let her out of my sight that I had to grind my teeth and turn away, ignoring the fact that the object of my affection was only feet away from me.

I walked to class with my head hung low. I wasn't about to make eye contact with any of my peers that overheard the lunch room situation, so I figured that if I ignored the shit out of everyone, I could dodge the situation until hopefully later on in the day.

After I hopefully talked to Bella.

I sat down in my assigned seat and was displeased with the fact that Jacob Black was already sitting in the seat right behind me.

Fucking douchebag.

Bella slipped in to class a few seconds before the bell rang. I looked over at her, and she turned around and smiled at Jake.

Of course she ignores you and smiles at the fucking dog sitting behind you. She moved on, remember?

I couldn't help the sudden feeling of dread that washed over me. Shape up, Cullen. But you already knew this; the game hasn't changed.

You just have a little of proof now that you are going to have to step up your game with Bella. I mean, yeah, the smile that she tossed at Black looked like a friendly one, not an overly romantic one...not the kind of smile that screams "I wanna fuck you." But it's still a smile, which is much more than what you got.

I grabbed out a piece of paper from my folder and composed a small message on it.

I meant what I said at lunch
-E

I passed the small note to Bella and waited to see what she would do when she got it.

She carefully opened the note, taking her time and seemed to read the message. She took out a pencil and wrote something below before taking her time refolding the paper.

I meant what I said in the car.
-B

I pursed my lips and chanced a glance over at Bella. She was looking straight ahead at the front of the classroom, as if she was focusing on what Mr. Marcus was writing on the board. I gripped my pen and scribbled out another note.

What, that you won't be kept a secret? Bella, if you gave me the chance to explain, you would know that I am not asking you to be a secret. If you want me to kiss you in front of the class to prove my point, I will.
-E

I put the note on her desk before Mr. Marcus noticed.

Bella grabbed the note, read it, and turned to me. She took off her sunglasses and arched her brow in a way that said you aren't serious before stashing the note away and returning to her doodles.

I growled and ripped out another piece of paper.

Oh, but I am so serious. Call my bluff, Bella, and I will sneak out of this room and pull the fire alarm. And once everyone is gathered outside, I will lift you up in front of the entire school and kiss you to within an inch of your life.
-E

Bella looked at me like I was crazy before offering me a gummy worm. Before I could even answer her, she tossed it on my desk.

I greedily ate the gummy worm, taking it as some kind of olive branch, even though I knew it wasn't.

She was probably really freaked out by the note that you wrote her that she did whatever she could come up with on a whim.

I didn't care...Bella's gummy worm was delicious and it reminded me of what she tasted like.

I ripped out one more piece of paper.

I'm not kidding, Bella. I am not giving up on you. And I will do what it takes to prove that to you.
-E

I knew that writing that last note would probably be overkill, but I also knew that in some cases, persistence was key. And because I didn't know what else to do, I figured that I may as well drive my point home.

Bella quickly scribbled down a reply.

Sure thing Shags
-B

I frowned when I read the note.

Fuck. She doesn't think that I am serious.

I crumpled up the piece of paper until it was as small as it could possibly be. I was torn between feeling mad that she wouldn't listen to me, and sad that she didn't believe me.

You have to try harder, Cullen.

I turned to face the front of the classroom, resigned to the fact that writing Bella notes seems to get me...nowhere.

"...So I have your project partner's names already assigned," Mr. Marcus finished, smiling as he heard the sea of groans erupt from the students surrounding me. "And the partner pairings are as follows..."

It appeared that when I was lost in my head, Mr. Marcus had been assigning a project that would be done as a partner activity. And none of my fellow students seemed to like that our teacher was the one assigning our partners.

Fuck, I'll probably be partnered up with Jacob or something equally as nightmare-worthy.

I was brought out of my inner thoughts when I heard my name.

"Edward Cullen will be paired with...Isabella Swan," Mr. Marcus said, placing his pencil behind his ear.

The entire classroom erupted with laughter, and I had to hide the smile that was playing on the corners of my lips. Mr. Marcus eyed everyone back into silence.

Bella put up her hand.

"Mr. M?"

"Yes, Isabella?"

"So, I'm clearly cool that you have this master plan orchestrated. I mean, everyone needs a master plan to get shit done, right?! Where would Dr. Claw have been, or Cobra Commander without a master plan? Not that I'm saying you're evil." She paused a moment, and her brows furrowed. "What the fuck was I saying?" she whispered to herself. "Oh yeah. So, I'm thinking though that your plan would be more wicked awesome if I could join forces with Jacob instead of Shags over here."

I heard Jacob agree from behind me, and I bit on the inside of my cheek so hard that I drew blood.

I cannot punch Bella's new boyfriend in front of the class. I simply cannot do that.

...Right?

"Ms. Swan, I appreciate your input, but I must say that I had a reason for partnering you up with Mr. Cullen. And besides, Mr. Black has a partner of his own," Mr. Marcus said, frowning.

"But, Mr. M, we have to create an energy and a flow, find that stream of consciousness, and work as one. Jacob and I could be like Sonny and Cher or Simon and Garfunkel or peanut butter and jam. Always superb pairs! Don't think I could get that with Shags. Sometimes you feel it and sometimes you don't, dig? Don't wanna jeopardize artistic fucktasticness on uncomfortable pairings. So any chance for rethinking your plan?"

Mr. Marcus shook his head. "No, I am sorry, Isabella. I know that you and Mr. Cullen can have some chemistry; I saw it as a by-product of your entry of the photograph of him last semester in the student art show. Just because you won't be partnered up with your boyfriend doesn't mean that you won't end up making fantastic art with Mr. Cullen. Just trust your talent, Bella. Oh, and please try to keep your swearing in the classroom down to a minimum, okay?"

"Dude... universe always raining on my parade," she said to herself. "You win this time, Mr. M."

It did not escape my attention that Bella didn't deny that Mr. Marcus called Jacob her boyfriend. I slipped down into my seat, upset with her outburst at not wanting to be my partner for the project.

Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck.

"Okay class. The rest of the class period I want you to break up into the partners that I just assigned. I want you all to talk with your partners about what your ideas are for the project. Use your class time wisely, students." Mr Marcus looked at the class and narrowed his eyes. "Remember, the more time you waste during class, the more time you will have to work on the project in your own free time."

I looked over at Bella and felt my heart drop to the floor. She still did not look happy whatsoever about the prospect of being partnered up with me.

My heart fucking hurts.

I scooted my desk over after I decided that I had to make the first move. Because if I hadn't moved over to Bella, she would have stayed seated in her spot and we wouldn't have talked about the project one bit.

"Listen, I..." I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I'm sorry that you have to be partnered up with me. I know that you wanted to be with your boyfriend, so I am sorry that you had to settle with working with me."

"Here's how it's gunna go down, Shags. We're gunna be a team on this project. You gotta be a cool cat; I gotta be a cool cat. I just ask that you don't cockblock my creative faeries when they come knocking. I take my art serious like. Got it?"

"Bella, I may fuck with my own grades on account of not giving a shit about how my report card looks, but I am not going to fuck with your grades... no way, no how. I will do whatever you need me to do for this project, even if it includes you wanting me to beg Mr. Marcus to switch partners with Black." I hung my head low in semi-defeat; as much as I wanted Bella, I was not about to let her despise me for being her partner in class when she clearly did not want to be partnered with me.

"It's not about grades, Shags. It's about creating shit that matters. I can't be stifled by you livin' in your head."

I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. "I may not look like much, Bella, but I take art very seriously." I've taken art seriously since I met you, of course.

"Right... between your jock fests and beer drinking?"

"Because I go to jock fests so often," I replied sarcastically, rolling my eyes. "Listen, Bella, what's your problem with me? I am fucking trying here, and you are just purposely fucking getting under my skin."

"My problem with you, Shags?" She stopped and took a deep breath. "Listen, I'm finally havin' an okay day. I'm baked up tight. I don't wanna fight with you."

"I'm not trying to argue with you, either. Just...fuck, Bella. This is hard for me in the first place, and you are making it so much more difficult. Why? You didn't answer my question."

I was alternating between extreme sadness and extreme anger. I am going to have a fucking coronary, I just know it.

"Cause I stepped out on a limb, Shags, and you sawed it down," she whispered.

My heart clenched. "And I realized that it was a fucking huge mistake. The biggest mistake I've ever made, and I am trying to make up for it," I stated calmly, trying to even my breathing.

"Yeah, well, Shags. It's not that easy for me. K?"

"I'm not asking for you to forgive me now, Bella. I am just asking for the chance -- eventually -- to make it up to you." I looked sadly down at the blank piece of paper in front of me, waiting for Bella's response.

"Who knows what the universe will bring, Shags. I'll just continue capturing my moments and let them come together how they may."

Typical Bella response. "I'm not leaving this up to the universe, Bella. I am not giving up, even if you are with Jacob Black." I leaned in closer to Bella and licked my lips as I enjoyed her scent. "I will have you, Bella. This is meant to be."

I backed away from Bella just a little bit, and noticed Bella staring at me hard as she struggled to catch her breath.

It's almost as if that last sentence left Bella fucking turned on or something.

Ha. I fucking wish.

"I'm not with Jacob," she whispered.

I let my breath out with one big whoosh. "Well, that's one less thing that I have to worry about, I guess. I mean, it would probably be hard to try to convince you that Jacob's not for you," I rambled, unbelievably excited that Bella hadn't completely moved on.

"Who I do and who I don't fuck is none of your business, Shags. I just wanted to clear up the Jacob thing. He's a good guy and doesn't deserve your shit."

God, you are such a fucktard, Cullen.

"No, Bella, I didn't mean it that way. I'm sorry, I just..." I back pedaled and closed my eyes. "I'm just relieved, so that came out wrong, Bella. I am not trying to dictate who you can and cannot have sex with."

Even though I don't want you having sex with anyone but me.

"Good. 'Cause it isn't any of your business."

You know what the saddest part of all of this is, Cullen? If you had come to the magical realization that Esme prodded you into just a few days earlier, you wouldn't be having this conversation. Because who Bella has sex with would completely be your business...the only person that she would be fucking would be you.

I sighed and turned to Bella, resting my hand on her desk. My God, I want to reach out and touch her in some way.

I leaned in and lowered my voice. "Well, I don't know if you care, but I am not fucking anyone either. There is only one person that I am interested in, and I am not going to have any kind of interactions with anyone but her."

"Let's talk about the project."

Smooth deflection, Bella. I turned to face the front of the classroom as I studied Bella out of the corner of my eye. She was playing with her necklaces, almost as though she was nervous about something.

Am I making her nervous? I mean, what the hell would she have to be nervous about?

I turned my head slightly to look at her a little better. Yeah, she's definitely nervous. But probably because she wants to talk about the project that she is so worried about you fucking up on.

I placed my hand on Bella's knee and gently rubbed it. "Hey, I'm sorry if I am making you nervous. Yeah, we can talk about the project, babe. No more personal talk if you don't want it."

Bella jumped and sucked in a breath. Her reaction alarmed me, until I realized that my hand was still on her knee.

"Oh, fuck. I am so sorry, Bella," I said, immediately removing my hand from her knee.

"S'ok, Shags. Just surprised me is all. Gave me the ting-" she stopped. "The project. The project." She bit at her bottom lip. "Any ideas?"

A piece of Bella's hair had fallen in front of her face and I immediately reached up and brushed it behind her ear. She closed her eyes. My hand lingered by her face and I gently cupped her cheek before I pulled my hand back and placed it on my lap.

Not good, Cullen! Focus, jackass!

The intimate contact that I felt with Bella for that quick moment left me momentarily dazed. "I'm sorry...what did you say?"

"The project," she whispered, opening her eyes.

"Right," I sighed, tapping my foot nervously. "Any ideas?"

Please have an idea. I have no fucking clue what this project is even about because I haven't been paying any attention to anything but you.

"Uhm, we gotta combine some sort of lit, music, and visuals. Maybe make a movie?"

Bella's skin was flushed and I wanted to take her right then and there, regardless of the fact that we were in the middle of the classroom.

My hands twitched at my sides, itching to touch Bella in some way. "Yeah, I like it. A movie sounds like a fucking great idea." Yeah, pretty sure Bella could have said that she wanted to have a huge orgy using claymation and marionettes and I would have still told her that it sounded like a fucking great idea.

"Some live footage, stills, set to music, maybe voiceover. You got a favourite short story or poem or something? Music we should use? Ideas about footage?" She seemed distracted.

"Nothing in particular is really coming to me at the moment. Hey," I said, grabbing her wrist. "Is everything okay? You seem...a little out of it."

"Shags, I..." she took a deep breath "I can't do this when you touch me."

"Sorry, Bella, I...I wasn't thinking." Why the fuck am I making her so uncomfortable?

"I just need to be able to think 'cause when you touch me ..." she laughed to herself. "I just .. you know .. asshats."

"Asshats? Are you making some sort of reference towards me being an asshat? I...why?" I furrowed my brow, completely and utterly confused now.

"Not you, Shags, me. I can't think when you touch me, and I need to be able to think 'cause you say all the pretty words, but that's what they are... just pretty words. And I can't let those pretty words through, dig?" She licked her lips.

"I'm not saying anything that isn't true, Bella. I mean everything that I say." I leaned in closer to Bella, making sure that she was looking me in the eyes. "And if you ever 'let those pretty words through', I promise you it wouldn't be a bad thing. I'd never make you regret it."

Holy shit...as tough as Bella is trying to be right now, she isn't completely impervious to me.

I wonder if she is as miserable as I am.

"I can't do it again, Shags. Put it all out there, you know? Maybe we should take a breather. I need to go visit Myrtle, clear my head. Maybe if you aren't doin' stuff later tonight you could come to Chez Fuzz and we could go over the project."

She needs a breather from me? Fuck.

"Yeah," I stated dismissively, "we can get together later. I'll come over after football practice, okay?"

"Sure, Shags. You remember where Chez Fuzz is?"

Is she gonna let me in her house? In her room, perhaps?

"Of course I do, Bella. How could I..." I paused as I registered her tone, and then I took a huge breath. "It's only been two days since I have been over, B. I wouldn't have forgotten, no way."

"Right, right. So yeah, come over when you're done. Jazz and Pixie will probably be there, but they'll be cool."

I gulped. Of course Jasper is going to be there, dickhead. Be read; he will probably have some choice words for you, too. "Of course they will be there; Jasper lives with you." Big gulp. "Uh, did you want me to bring anything?"

"Bring anything? Uhm, no, unless you eat strange things."

"Strange things? Like, not gummy worms or orange things?" I lightly jibed, poking Bella in the side.

"Hey! You leave the gummy group alone!" she smiled.

"I'm not dissing it. I'm just upset that I have lived so long not following the guidelines of your food pyramid."

"It's a well guarded secret, Shags. Can't have the riff raff in on it."

Don't be upset that she just called you riff raff...don't be upset that she called you riff raff...don't be upset that she... "Yeah, I get it. You discover something good, you gotta keep it to yourself."

"Well, if everyone knew the benefits of gummy and orange and chocolatey-goodness, the prices would go up and then what would we eat?"

I couldn't contain the smile that overtook my face. "Touché, Bella. Touché."

My God, this woman is amazing. Beautiful, smart, a great sense of humor, and the sexiest fucking creature I have ever met in my entire life...fuck. I want her so badly right now.

"Alright, Shags. I'm gunna jet, and I'll see you when you are done huggin' other dudes."

Huggin other dudes? Thanks for the boner shrinker, Bella.

"I'll see you after football practice, Bella."

Bella got up from her chair and by God's wonderful grace, accidentally flashed me. I had to grip the sides of my desk to prevent me from coming in my pants right at that moment.

Oh my God. Bella's pert nipple...it was just begging for me to put it in my mouth, I swear to God.

Of course, the bell rang, and I had to think of dead kittens laying across an old, wrinkly, and naked Lauren Mallory before I could get up from my desk.

I don't think that Lauren would appreciate knowing that I picture her when I need to control a raging boner in my pants.

Somehow I couldn't make myself care about what Lauren thought. Or what Jessica, or Rosalie, or Tyler, or Mike, or....anyone thought.

The only person that mattered to me was Bella.

XXX

"Cullen! What the fuck, man! Get your head into the game before you get injured!" Tyler ran up to me and threw the football into my hands.

"Yeah, uh, sorry," I said, taking off my helmet and scratching my head. "I guess my head's not in the game right now."

'Cause I was totally picturing Bella naked and writhing beneath me.

"Well, you skipped practice yesterday, man. Unless you want coach to get pissed, you need to get your head in the game. Stop thinking about Swan," Mike joked, hitting my arm with his elbow.

I blanched. "Swan? I don't know what you are talking about..." How the fuck did he know that I was thinking about Bella? Am I that transparent?

"Cut the shit, Cullen. You know exactly what I am talking about. I mean, I guess I can see it. Swan is pretty hot..."

I growled and shoved the football squarely into Mike's gut. He groaned as a gust of air left his lungs.

"You'd be smart to not talk about Bella in that way, Newton," I remarked, walking towards the water cooler and away from conflict.

"How could I not talk about her that way? Shit, man, did you even see what she was wearing today? A shirt that was just aching to be taken off and thrown to the floor of my bedroom. God, her breasts looked fucking fantastic," Mike said, jogging up to Tyler, and coincidentally, closer to myself.

Don't you dare talk about her breasts. Those breasts are mine.

Fucking MINE.

I felt my hands ball up into tight fists. I'm gonna punch the bastard. I mean, fuck it; it's been awhile since I have gotten into a fight, and I am in the mood to fucking beat someone's face in right about now.

"Oh yeah, man. I don't think she wears any fucking underwear. Girls who wear underwear have lines showing. This girl has no lines, ever." Tyler fist-bumped Mike, just as I ran and charged at them both.

Goddamn bastards think that they can talk about my Bella that way? Fuck that, over my dead body.

I got a good couple of punches in on both Mike and Tyler before they both realized what was happening and were able to pin me down.

Okay, so maybe I shouldn't have decided to punch two of my teammates at the same time. 'Cause two against one just...never works out to the one's advantage.

Because Tyler was so good at taking orders, he held me down while Mike pummelled the shit out of my face.

It wasn't long before some of my teammates noticed the commotion and ran over to the area where I was getting my ass kicked. Luckily for me, someone was able to pull Mike off me before the coach blew his whistle.

"Newton! Crowley! Cullen! What in the hell do you think you are doing? Get the fuck away from each other!" Coach yelled, speed-walking to the place where we had been fighting.

Mike and Tyler stood up immediately, whereas it took me a little while to get up after the beat-down I had just taken. Benjamin, a fellow teammate, reached down a hand to help me up.

Why do I taste blood?

"Cullen! Now why do I have a feeling that you are the one behind this?" Coach growled, poking a finger into my chest pads.

I didn't answer the clearly rhetorical question, so I narrowed my eyes and looked at the ground in front of me.

"You know, Cullen, if you weren't fucking captain of this team, I would have your ass for this. Go...hit the showers or something. Get outta my sight so I don't have to deal with you and the fact that the better Cullen, your older brother, isn't here anymore."

This was the first I had heard that I was officially team captain, and as nice as the idea was, coach had to go and ruin it by reminding me that Emmett was a better player than I was and he would be sorely missed.

I jogged off the field and into the locker rooms. I paused and looked at myself in the mirror and noticed some slight swelling around my mouth, and a split lip with a formed scab was pretty prominent.

No wonder I could fucking taste blood.

I punched the locker closest to me and felt my hand throb as soon as it made contact with the metal.

I don't give a flying fuck about anything at this moment. Life is just...too fucked up for me to care.

I was in such a foul temper that I momentarily forgot that I was supposed to be meeting Bella at her house after practice.

Fuckkkk. I can't go over to her place looking all fucking beat-up, now can I?

I jumped into the shower quickly and washed my body and face off, even though the cuts on my face and hands stung. Fighting through the pain just made the shower that much more worth it, like I was actually working for my shower.

You are gonna look like a meathead when you go over to Bella's. You better bring her something to take the focus off your ugly mug.

I frowned, immediately regretting the action as I felt my lip threaten to split open and start bleeding again.

Okay, it's not like you can buy her roses or anything. She just doesn't seem like the kind of woman who would appreciate anything like that, Bella is anything but cliché.

I quickly formulated a plan and jumped out of the shower to towel off.

Hopefully I don't get my ass kicked for the second time today when I go over to Bella's house, 'cause that would just be my luck.

I ran the few errands that I needed to run before I arrived at Bella's house with gifts in hand that would hopefully deflect attention from my face and the fact that Bella and I are on uneven ground at the moment.

Hopping out of my car, I straightened out my shirt before walking to Bella's front door. I was excited to see what Bella's house and bedroom looked like. If I was lucky enough to see what her bedroom looked like, of course.

I walked up to the door and debated on knocking or ringing the door bell.

Well, here goes nothing, I thought as I knocked on the door.

E/N: Reviewers get a teaser! Chapter 11 is the shit you guys...so leave us some love, and we will leave you some love too!