Chapter Ten: Gossip and Girliness

Bella POV

Oh my dear lord, I think I had the best lunch of my entire existence. Although I barely ate or drank anything, I didn't speak to anyone or make any conversation and the fact that I had a full body blush like a sunburnt albino in the Caribbean, didn't matter. All that put aside it was undoubtedly the most memorable forty minutes of my life. And why you might ask? Edward friggen Masen of course! I knew Alice had planned it all. I was going to have to drill her on that later, although really I should bake her a cake or something, because she deserved it. Edward was pressed against my side on the, 'too many to fit,' square bench seat. The tingling sensation I felt around him was in over drive. I almost took my hoody off because my entire body felt like it was in flames from the feel of him next to me. And yeah it probably sounds pathetic and immature but I suppose that's just what I am. I have barely made it to first base with a guy. If you count Mike Newton laying one on me at a new year's party two years back, much to my disgust at the time. Sure I was lacking in experience but there was just something different about Edward. I had sat next to guys before, I had brushed shoulders with them in halls and hugged my guy friends when required but the feeling I got around Edward was like nothing else.

The sound of the bell shocked me out of my trance. I was in my own little head space, just content to be sitting next to him. I didn't even try to start a conversation with him in fear of ruining the moment. I practically jumped out of my seat like a freak. I eyeballed Alice, trying to ignore looking at Edward in case of a severe meltdown, and we left the lunchroom together.

"Alice?" I kept my pace slow hoping to interrogate her before we got to class.

"Yes Bells?" Her voice was sickly sweet. She knew exactly what was coming.

"What was that?" there was slight annoyance to my voice but I couldn't seem to wipe the stupid smirk off my face, which I hope she hadn't noticed.

"What was what?"

"Don't play dumb Alice. I know you told Angela to make room for me and Edward. There was plenty of room on the other side of the table why didn't you get Jas to move or something?"

Before she could answer, I was roughly bumped by Jessica as her and Lauren walked in front of us to our English class.

"I can't get over how hot the new guy is." Lauren spoke to Jessica, giggling and waving at her face as if she was hot. They were the ultimate in pathetic girliness. Jessica was the beautiful blonde cheerleader type, Lauren the giggle idolising friend. They had been close since Kindergarten. In fact Angela was part of their group until Alice saved her. They were the mean girls, well mean to me anyway.

"Lauren don't get your knickers wet, you sound desperate! Just shut up and let me do the talking when we see him. I'll have Edward eating out of my palm in no time"

Great, there was the nail to my coffin the prick to my lunchtime bubble. It was over. Jessica had every guy after her without even trying. If she planned on seducing a guy well let's just say he had no chance.

The girls entered the class and Alice and I followed making our way to our table. Alice nudged me when I sat down. I had forgotten we were in the middle of a conversation or, well I was in the middle of an accusation, and I was totally devastated overhearing Jessica's plans.

"Bells! BELLA!" Her bony elbow corked me in the bicep as she called my name low enough so the teacher wouldn't hear.

"Oww Alice, what the hell was that for?"

"You! You just completely shut down. Remember you were accusing me of something before 'bitch face' and 'giggle butt' interrupted"

"Yeah, well it doesn't matter now"

"What do you mean it doesn't matter, you mean my little plan to get you and Edward sitting cosy didn't work?"

"I knew it! You little deviant! What made you plan that little seating arrangement?"

"Can't you see it Bells. I just have this feeling you and Eddie would be perfect for each other!"

"No way" I blushed like an idiot, god my stupid open book face. Alice didn't need to be a mind reader to know exactly what I was thinking.

"Gawd Bells you're a terrible liar, you like him don't you?"

"No!"

"Aw shut up, now you're just being obvious. Everyone likes Edward Bella. Do you maybe 'more than like him?'"

"Alice!"

"Ok, ok I'll stop. But if you do like him Bells and you want to go down that path, I'm pretty sure he likes you back."

"What? How'd you figure that?"

"He asked about you."

Woah her answer totally threw me. I thought she was going to start rambling on about her gut feelings and seeing a sign or a premonition or some crap. "When? What did he say?"

"Last night. After we had a little family conference he asked me about you, he said that you probably thought he was a psychopath the way he ran from you that morning."

I laughed a little too loudly and Mrs Brady looked over arching her brow. I whispered back to Alice "What did you say?"

"Just that you were awesome of course and that you wouldn't think he was a lunatic or anything, because you were one too"

"WHAT!" I yelled. Big woops I covered my mouth but it was too late.

"Isabella Swan! Would you like to share with the rest of the class what you and Alice deem more important?" Mrs Brady was pissed.

"Ahh no Mrs Brady it was nothing. Sorry."

Mrs Brady returned to the board continuing to write notes. I noticed Jessica was eyeballing me, with a look of shock on her face. What was her problem?

Alice was furiously writing on a piece of note paper before she folded it and practically threw it at me.

I opened the note, seeing her bubbly scrawl.

I was joking you idjit. I just said you were nice girl and wouldn't take offense. No need to bust a gut. Soooo…… do you like him? & be honest I can tell even when ur writing if ur lying! xA

I read the note three times before sighing and writing my one word answer. Screwing it up and lopping it on her desk.

As soon as Alice un-scrunched the note she seemed to do a little happy dance on her seat before turning back to me and smiling at me with a big arse goofy grin. I couldn't help but chuckle to myself.