A/N: First, I want to grab this opportunity to thank everyone who continued to read, review, and put this story on their alerts or favorites list. Seriously, all your reactions give me that tingly, warm feeling in my chest and though I try, I really couldn't properly express how grateful and happy I am right now.

Before this author's note ends, I just want to give a little shoutout to ReLees for pointing out my mistakes in my earlier chapters and correcting them. Thank you, girl. I truly appreciate it. :)

So, shall we go on with the ninth chapter?

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.

Chapter Nine: Worst Start, Better Ending

BPOV

Monday was a dreadful start. It was unsurprisingly sullen and dark, heavy clouds threatened to crowd the vast horizon. The leaves outside continued to sway and the trees violently shook with the wind's harsh rhythm. Clearly, it was going to rain and just the thought made me sigh in disgust. If there was anything I hate besides Alice's favorite pastime, it was the consistent cold, freezing weather this little town had to offer.

For a girl who had spent her entire life under the scorching heat of the sun, Forks would certainly be her worst, horrendous nightmare. And, admittedly, it really was. To see green and wet everywhere was an absolute downer. It was like capturing an image with the same bland background over and over again. Nothing special, nothing new. But, as the days went by, waking up and hearing the pattering of the rain on the gutter was something I had eventually grown accustomed to.

I groaned inwardly as a light drizzle soon started and droplets of rain began to mark themselves on the window panes of the classroom. The unsettling feeling in my stomach became even more pronounced as the sound grew louder and louder. Great. Could this day get any worse?

As if hearing my unspoken question, a boy with neatly gelled pale blond hair and light baby blues strutted his way towards my desk, a grin stretching across his face. He stopped directly in front of me, only to sit on the edge of my table to talk. "Hey, beautiful. I'm guessing you already noticed that little note I placed inside your locker?"

Apparently, it would only get worse and worse.

I forced a fake smile at his direction before answering, "Yes, Mike. I did. And it's, uh, so nice of you to ask me to the school dance."

"So, I'm taking that as a yes?" he questioned giddily.

I sighed. This guy just doesn't get it, does he? I've turned him down on several occasions, refused his attempts to take me out even for a simple lunch date, but he just wouldn't leave me alone. What part of 'I already have a boyfriend' can't he understand? His stubbornness to accept rejection was one of a kind. It was totally infuriating.

"Mike, I—"

He rudely interrupted before I could even finish, "I know you already have Jacob, but that guy's probably too busy to even take you to the dance! Unlike your boyfriend, I, at least, have more than enough time to ask you out."

My blood boiled as soon as those words escaped his lips. I didn't need anymore reminders on my boyfriend and his lack of time for me and our relationship.

"What do you say, doll?" he asked again, a smirk etched on his features.

My patience was slowly slipping away and, for some unknown reason, I just felt the urge to rip that smirk off his face. Never had I came across someone who's as determined as him, and though it's an obviously commendable trait, it doesn't work out for him in that way. 'Mike Newton' and 'determination' can never, never be a good combination.

I sucked in a deep breath to calm myself down. Getting annoyed wouldn't help me the least bit in this situation. "Mike," I started, "I really think it'll be better for the both of us if you invite someone else to the school dance. Besides, there're still lots of girls who haven't been asked yet," I finished with a smile, hoping he got my message perfectly clear.

"Like who?"

My mind hastily worked double time to name someone in particular. It was terribly hard since almost all the girls I know already had their dates for the school dance. A victorious grin started to creep its way on Mike's features as I found myself mentally searching for an available prospect, each torturous second ticking by. Disappointment raced through my veins, and I felt utterly defeated in my own game. God, why couldn't I get my brain to work when I needed it to? I saw him waiting for me to answer so I decided to just speak up, my thoughts still rambled into one big mess, "Uhm…"

"Jessica," I heard someone say behind him. I shifted my head only to meet a pair of forest green orbs looking at me. Mike turned around after he consumed my surprised expression, his features contorting incredulously as soon as he did.

"Cullen," he sneered.

"Hello, Newton," Edward greeted, his returning smile seemingly genuine.

"So, have you gotten yourself a date for the dance yet?"

"Well, I already have one in mind," he answered. I caught his emerald eyes flitting in my direction for a split second before they returned to gaze at Mike once again. "How about you?"

Wait. He isn't planning to ask me to the school dance, is he?

Of course not, silly! That's just totally absurd. Why would you think of such impossibility?

I inwardly kicked myself for even entertaining that thought. It was absolutely ridiculous, thinking that Edward might ask me to accompany him to the dance. It was almost next to improbable, if not impossible. You shouldn't even bother considering that to happen, Bella. And besides, if there's anyone I'll be going with, it's Jacob and no one else.

God, this is really depressing. First, I couldn't get my boyfriend to pay enough attention to me; second, persistent Newton still couldn't get a freaking life; and third, my messed up brain continued to scream insane and far-fetched ideas about me, Edward, and the upcoming school dance. Really, how irrational could I still get?

Thankfully, Mike's response abruptly pulled me away from my thoughts. "I tried to ask one," he looked at me meaningfully, as if his blue-eyed gaze would pierce me from the inside out, "but I'm guessing she already made plans with someone else."

My cheeks turned beet red, knowing fully well that it was I who deterred his plans. Edward, on the other hand, tried to keep a straight face at his disheartened tone, but his willful reactions still gave him away—the smirk on his face seemed complacent, almost blinding.

"Well, there's always Jessica," Edward suggested.

Mike deliberated for a second before he spoke, "Do you think she'll come with me?"

He beamed a reassuring smile at him. "I'm positively sure."

"Thanks, man! And good luck on finding that date, too!" With that, Mike finally turned his heels and left. Edward settled on the empty seat beside me, that smug smirk still adoring his gorgeous face.

As soon as we were alone, away from anyone's interference within earshot, I asked, "Are you sure Jessica's still dateless for the school dance? I mean, knowing her, she must've already prepared a lineup of possible dates for that day."

"Well, I don't think she won't bother asking me if she already has, won't she?" Edward questioned back, his arms folded over his well-built chest.

My jaw fell open at his words. So, Jessica already asked him to the dance. That explains why he knew. My eyes automatically darted across the room and found her glaring at me, her hazel eyes sharp and daggering. I still couldn't figure out how someone like her could hold such grudge against me. She was once a good friend and I can't remember having done anything to deserve this kind of resentment and hostility.

Edward must've understood the dismayed expression written on my face as I felt him rest his hand on my shoulder, his touch—impossibly sending me jolts of electricity—was enough to bring my consciousness back to reality. "Bella, are you alright?" he worriedly asked.

I nodded in response as I saw his emerald orbs bare with perturbation. Mr. Banner stepped inside the classroom just in time to cut our conversation, thick reference books and other reading articles in hand.

He started the class with an announcement. "For your final project this year, you will have the chance to choose your own partners to work with. Pick one organ system of the body and prepare an interesting output that you could make out of your choice."

The loud buzzing of students soon filled the classroom, each one busily asking another to be their partner. Despite the rowdy commotion around us, Edward and I remained calm and motionless, as if nothing was happening before our very eyes. As if this project didn't matter even the tiniest bit.

"So…" My head whipped to look at Edward as he spoke, his voice almost inaudible for me to hear. "Can we be partners?"

"Of course," I answered simply. I kept my response as short as possible, fearing he might discern the enthusiasm in my voice. He didn't need to know how relieved and ecstatic I felt the moment he asked me. His returning smile made my heart pound heavily in my chest. I ducked my head down as heat simultaneously flooded on my cheeks, giving them a light tint of red.

Stupid, unruly reactions.

"Hello, Edward," a voice greeted. I looked up and saw Jessica hovering at his side, her features arranged into a nice, seductive smile. Her eyes didn't flit to look at me; they were only transfixed on Edward. "I'm just wondering if, maybe, we could be partners for this project?"

"Oh. I'm so sorry, but I already have Bella as my partner. Maybe next time?"

Jessica glared at me before throwing a sugary smile at his direction. "Alright. Next time it is."

"I don't think there'll be a next time, though," he whispered to me as soon as she left. I could hear Edward laughing silently at his own ploy, his shoulders rising up and down in tune with his soundless laughter.

"You are impossible." I shook my head while giggling. Who knew Edward could act like a total jerk at certain, needed times?

Mr. Banner continued to drone on and on about another dull topic. Since I knew the lesson very well, I needn't attend to his lengthy discussion. Feeling bored, I shifted my head to look out the window, expecting a heavy downpour to catch my attention. But the next thing I saw was completely unexpected—the once violet sky already cleared up and the sun shone brightly in greenish yellow beams like it never did before. A band of colors also adorned the plain horizon.

Ah. The day turned out pretty good, after all.

Hell, yeah. Mike joins in on the fun. The guy just gives us too much entertainment on this story, yeah? Anyway, though the chapter's a bit short, I've left you with a couple of things to dwell upon--Bella's reaction regarding the school dance? Hers and Jessica's broken-beyond-repair friendship? And, -le gasp- Edward's terribly deceitful and funny behavior to turn down the hazel-eyed girl.

Tell me all your thoughts--I'm excited to know every bit of them. :)

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