Disclaimer: Only the plot is mine. Anything else you recognize from the Twilight Saga belongs to Stephenie Meyer. The song belongs to Kelly Clarkson.

Maybe I was wrong for tryin' to pick a fight

I know that I've got issues

But you're pretty messed up too

Either way I found out I'm nothing without you

-My Life Would Suck Without You, Kelly Clarkson

Chapter 10: My Life Would Suck Without You

Bella

I gritted my teeth, swallowed my pride, and went after him. Right now, he was the only chance I had of finding out where Alice lived, so I could help Angela.

"Wait, Edward!" I attempted to run to him, which was not an easy feat in high heels. I had managed to make it about two-thirds of the way to him before I tripped and fell flat on my face. Edward, with his impeccable timing, chose to turn around just in time to see me sprawled ungracefully on the sidewalk in front of him.

I suppose that being the ladies' man he was in high school must have come with some sense of courtesy and charm, because the next thing I knew, two strong hands gripped my upper arms and I was being helped up.

Since he was holding me, and I knew I had his attention, I groveled. "Please, Edward, just hear me out. I'll explain everything, and then you can do whatever you want. But just let me explain." I felt like crying because of all the stress and drama. One of my best friends was being abused, I didn't know where to find her, my feet hurt like hell, I had just gotten beaten up by afore mentioned abuser, and here I was, begging for Edward Masen.

My emotions must have shown on my face, because he gave in. "Okay, fine. I'll listen to what you have to say, but don't expect me to do anything for you." He released my arms and stepped back to give me some space.

That was good enough for me. I began my story.

"Edward, the reason I've been treating everyone like I was, like I am- being a bitch- was because of the things they did to me in high school. Do you know what they did to me?"

He shook his head.

"They made my life a living hell. Remember James? He was constantly teasing me because of my looks. And then Victoria- she was the worst. By the time she was finished with me, everyone was calling me a slut and writing things about me in the girls' bathroom. Dear old Victoria- she cornered me, Edward! Cornered me and threatened to ruin my life- little use that was." I laughed ruefully.

"She had already made me afraid to go into the girls' bathroom; I was afraid to go to my locker because I knew I would see something there- in permanent marker, in lipstick, spray paint. No matter what the medium was, I knew it was something horrible about me. I couldn't leave any of my things around in case someone would steal them, or vandalize them. If I as much glanced away from my homework for a second, it would be gone. By the end of the year, I was too terrified to even step foot inside school."

I closed my eyes, and then looked at him.

"So do you see, now, Edward? Do you see why I'm doing this? I doubt you'd understand my feelings back then, since you were practically one of my torturers!" I was shouting now. All the pent-up emotions I felt tonight came pouring out of me at Edward.

Unfortunately, Edward decided to let out some of his emotion as well.

"What do you know!" he yelled at me. "Do you think that I just liked watching you be hurt? I tried to help you! But you never noticed. I was always the one who stopped them from doing some of the worse things, but do you care? Do you even think about thanking me? No, you didn't!"

"Why didn't you stop them completely, then?" I bellowed at him, chest heaving. "Why did you let them make my sorry excuse of a high school social life like that?"

"Maybe it was because I care!" he roared at me. "I cared about you, Bella, and that was the most I could do. I tried to stop them before, I swear! But they wouldn't listen to me! And even though they wouldn't stop, I still cared about YOU!"

"You- you cared about me?" Suddenly, I felt very small and insignificant.

He slumped, defeated. "Yes, Bella."

My head was spinning. The popular, pretty-boy player Edward Masen had cared about me? Little, unpopular, gawky me? He had actually been attracted to me? The bookworm, the nerd… Me?

I was at a loss for words. What do you say when the guy of your dreams admits he liked you? Liked, my brain whispered. He said he cared- that's past tense, Bella. He's probably moved on by now. Don't show that you still like him- just be his friend.

"Well then," I said, in as cheerful a tone I could manage. "Truce, then?" I held out my hand. "We're friends now, right?"

He hesitated, and then shook my hand. "Truce." He agreed.

"So will you bring me to Alice's?" I asked quickly.

Edward put a finger on his chin in mock consideration. "Hmm, let me think about it," he replied. "No."

"What? I thought we had a truce!" I protested.

"Geez, I'm just kidding, Bella! Can't you take a joke?" His jade eyes were sparkling. Damn those wonderful, beautiful eyes! I had no control over my own- they were lost inside pools of sea green.

I managed an undignified "Hmph!" and walked toward my car.

Edward was faster. Pulling open the passenger door, he gestured. "My lady."

I rolled my eyes. "Cut the act, Masen. I'm not one of those girls who will fall just for your pretty speeches and looks. I know you, remember?"

Inside, my brain was screaming, Yes, you are! You even just fell for him harder than ever! His charming words and hotness totally make him attractive to you!

Shut up, I told my brain. Sometimes it was so darn uncooperative.

I looked at Edward and thought I saw a flicker of disappointment in his eyes, but then it was gone. Must have been nothing, I thought.

"Oh, no you don't," I stated firmly. "My car, I drive. Nice try though."

Edward pouted and gave me the 'puppy-dog eyes look.'

"No!" I said, steadfastly, pointing him to the passenger seat.

"Fine," he grumbled, and dejectedly got into the car.

When I reached the other side of the car, I saw Edward grinning, sitting in the driver's seat.

"Move over," I ordered, starting to get aggravated. What was it with boys and cars?

He pouted again. "Please? This is like the most AMAZING car ever! Emmett and Jasper will be so jealous if they knew I was even in the car. Driving it would be heaven…" His voice trailed off wistfully.

"Maybe later," I told him, knowing it would be the only way I could keep him in the passenger seat.

"Fine. But I'm holding you to that promise," he said.

I smiled to myself and slid into my comfortable seat.

"So where are we going?"

This was going to be one heck of a crazy ride.

*~*~*

Ben Cheney

That stupid Swan woman! How Angela could be friends with someone like her, I would never know. But she knew I had- disagreed with Angela, and that was bad, especially for me. She also knew about Heidi.

Why Angela would tell Swan about her, I would never know. True, she was hotter than Ang, but she was a mistake, and it was a relationship formed out of lust.

I had ended it, and yet Ang had to go around blurting about it to everyone.

My hands tightened into fists. I was going to give that stupid Swan girl what she deserved, and teach a little lesson to Angela about blabbing along the way.

I was going to get my revenge.