Disclaimer: I've put up enough disclaimers, I think you guys pretty much get the point right? (go check last chapter, or the one before that…)

Author's message: Okay, I know its been more than a week…I did warn you guys. But I'm sorry for the late update all the same. Anyway, I've decided to write shorter chapters, I realized that having very long chapters can be very daunting, I really hope you guys can understand. If I can't read it, then I can't put it up. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this! Thanks for everyone who reviewed this story last time!! I really hope this story isn't too uneventful, I'm trying to build it up slowly. Anyway, here's chapter 10, and don't forget to REVIEW! Or I'll go on strike! (Grins)

Rumours

Part 10

March 1 (In the library)

I always thought I had the worst luck in the world, but come on, this is just getting ridiculous! I'm not having a very good day at the moment so please excuse the theatrics.

First of all I woke up to find half of my closet soaked infinitely, the overboard pipes had burst sometime over the night, and it just so happened that right beneath it were my clothes. All of the clothes I considered all right smells like mouldy crap that had been stored under a rock for millions and millions of years.

I didn't even bother to take them out. After yelling and going crazy, Charlie finally called up the plumber and took out all of the dirty clothes out of the closet. There was one part of the closet that wasn't soaked. Unfortunately they were the clothes Alice had brought me in Forks during one of her random shopping sprees.

I never touched them mostly because I took one look at the label and knew that they had cost a fortune. They were seriously ranging from American to Italian brands, I even spied a custom designed Jacket from Finland!

Now when I said one half of my closet got soaked, that included my normal shoes as well. I had no other choice but to use my extra pair of expensive clothes. I sullenly put on a pair of navy blue skinny jeans, two layers of t-shirts, then finally the most simple jacket I could find. I felt warm and comfortable, even warmer when I wore the snug winter boots.

When I ran down the stairs Charlie had been reading the paper, he looked up and smiled. "You look good Bells, it's a good thing you had extra clothes" he said encouragingly. I frowned at him and took a breathe. "Are you kidding? This little ensemble cost more than my old Chevy truck!" I said sullenly.

I took one bite off the toast and kissed Charlie on the cheek before heading out. I sullenly jumped inside my car and let out a sigh. Things can't get any worse than this, I thought to myself. Gosh, was I mistaken.

I could see that the parking lot was filled with students chattering, but as soon as I walked out of the car, the whole place kind of went quiet. I saw some of the girls giving me a dirty look, while the others smirked. "That's her" I heard someone said. I looked down feeling a little paranoid. I walked out of the car park as quickly as I could, avoiding everybody's gaze.

I don't know what the hell was going on, but I was about to find out.

I walked through the entrance just like usual, keeping my eyes to the ground, trying to keep the attention away from myself. I walked past reception and gave Candy a smile, but instead of getting one back, the receptionist greased me off. I walked off absolutely bewildered.

I started walking really fast, not really paying much attention to where I was going. I walked past the double French windows and tried not to mind all of the weird looks I was getting, and trust me, I was getting a lot; they were mostly evil glares from the young freshmen girls, and curious looks from the much older kids.

I looked down and upped my pace until I smacked face first in to someone. I felt someone's warm arms snake themselves around me, but what got me frozen was the beautiful familiar scent. I slowly looked up with a sheepish grin.

Edward was looking down at me with a small smile on his face. "You know Bella, you really should stop throwing yourself at me" he said jokingly, setting me straight, making sure that I didn't topple over in the process.

I lightly punched his arm as I pulled at my jacket. "Ha ha, very funny" I said rolling my eyes slightly. Edward was wearing a white long sleeve top under a grey t-shirt that said 'Mr. Darcy ain't got nothing on me', that made me crack a smile involuntarily. But my smile went away as soon as my eyes travelled down his taut physic. I swallowed slightly and counted to five before meeting his gaze again.

He was looking back at me, smiling slightly. I could see that he had a firm grip on his books, I practically saw his knuckles whitened slightly. "So…Hi…How are you?" I said awkwardly, when what I really wanted to say was "I want to eat you. NOW".

He smirked slightly as though he could read my mind, the sides of his lips quirking up slightly. I blushed slightly and focused my eyes on something that wasn't his chest, his eyes, his lips, or his stomach. I noticed Alice standing there smirking at the two of us. She looked at me and gave me a teasing smile. "So if you guys are done having eye sex, I'd really like to get to my locker" Alice said, chuckling.

Jasper who stood behind Alice gave her a small nudge to shut her up. My blush grew even more obvious. I looked around to see if Tanya was anywhere near Edward. I was surprised when I saw that she clearly wasn't. Tanya had pretty much stands by Edward like a watch dog now a days. I could tell it bothered Edward, but to my annoyance, I often overheard him talking gently to Tanya as though she was a fragile thing.

Tanya was anything but fragile, actually she looked like the type who would punch me square on the face without breaking a nail. But I'm guessing he enjoyed her overbearing behaviour…

Alice was still chuckling, while Edward was blushing slightly. But Alice's chuckles stopped and she stared at something behind me. I felt someone tap me and I turned around not really knowing what or who to expect.

"Hey Bella" Alec said brightly, I nodded. He didn't stop though, he just kept walking. Some of the sophomore girls hanging about saw our little exchange. I don't know, but they must've seen my red cheeks and thought they were because of Alec.

One of the girls who wore a rainbow scarf nudged her other friend who shrugged slightly and looked straight at me. "I guess they are together then" rainbow scarf's friend said casually, her brown eyes trailing after Alec dreamily then focusing her cold gaze at me.

I looked away and tried to tune them out, but they were talking loud enough that even Alice and Edward were listening in intently. .

"Who is she anyway?" one of the three girls said.

"I heard she's the chief's daughter" rainbow scarf said.

"Well I don't care who she is, but damn, is she wearing prada?…" another voice said.

I blushed furiously again, I could feel their gazes from the back of my head. When I looked up I realized Alice was staring at me with a bewildered expression. I turned to Edward, he also had a hard expression on his face.

"Bella?" Alice said in a funny voice. Jasper was also staring at me with a funny expression that his baby blue eyes reflected. I stared from one to the other in confusion. "What?" I said to the both of them.

Then it dawned on me. "Wait…what? No!" I said with conviction. They thought that what the sophomore girl said was true. I looked at Edward, his face looked like it had turned to stone. I looked back at Alice again, then let out an impatient sound.

What the hell. They actually believed that I was dating Alec the big man in the campus, sarcasm injected on the last bit.

"You can't honestly believe that!" I said in an annoyed voice. I watched Alice shrug, I could tell she wasn't convinced.

"Well the last bit was true, you are wearing Prada" she said, staring at my clothes, "So why can't the other bit be true?" Alice said rationally. I gave her a shrewd look, I could feel my anger bubbling up. I mean, I already had such a shit start of the day, I really didn't need this too.

"Why can't it be true?" I said sarcastically. "Well lets me see, he's an idiot, loves himself too much, he has a penis growing out of his head, and his ego is the size of China. Have I left anything else out?" I said venomously. The frustration was starting to build up, and I felt like I was about to explode.

"Besides Alice, you already know who I li-" I started to say like, but I stopped abruptly before anymore of my real feelings leaked out. I looked at Edward, giving him a filthy look. "I have to go, I'm going to be late for English" I said sharply and turned to go.

But I stopped once again and looked back at Edward crossly, "Idiot" I said in a sulky voice.

"Wait, Bella-" he started, but I didn't give him a chance. It was a nasty thing to say, but hey it made me feel good, but…I kind of regret saying it now…NAH, not really, and you'll see why.

I walked straight to my locker, ignoring all of the whispers. At first I didn't know just how bad the situation was until I heard at least ten more people say my name and Alec's name in one sentence, and that was just between the space of about five minutes.

I hurried to my English class and cursed when I found Maya and Jill's spot still empty. They've been away for about a week or so now. I know I didn't know them that much, but they still made better company than my actual friends at the moment.

I sat on my usual seat at the back and ignored Alice when she walked in. I stared at the wall blankly when I felt her sit next to me. Mr. Hill wasn't in the room just yet, and the students were just coming in one by one. I felt a tap on my shoulder, I knew it was Alice. I shrugged her off and continued to look at the wall as though it was the most amazing thing I had ever laid eyes on.

I felt Alice tap my shoulders once again, still I kept on ignoring her. She finally jabbed me fully on the shoulders and I let out an angry yell. When I spun around Alice was putting her whole puppy dog eyes on full for me. I groaned and whined.

"That's not fair! Don't make that face!" I half pleaded. But unfortunately Alice kept the puppy dog eyes. I growled slightly and looked away instead.

"Bella…" Alice started saying in a small voice. She could tell that my defence was weakening. She poked my arm once again, but I kept my eyes away. I heard a thump and a bag of jelly beans landed in front of me.

"Jelly Belly?" Alice said cutely. I groaned loudly and took the jelly bean pack and frowned unhappily at her.

I knew she felt guilty, I could tell whenever she felt guilty. Her lips would start to quiver, her eyes would go round, and if the occasion calls for it, a little moisture. I faked some sniffles before looking at her again. "I'm sorry Bella. I know we were idiots, sorry…" Alice said sincerely, looking utterly bombed.

I shrugged, "Well I can't say its fine…" I started slowly, I watched her straighten a little and she focused all of her attention on me. An idea was forming in my mind, and who knows, maybe I'll need it one day.

"But you can make it up" I added, twirling my pen around, a small smile pulling at the sides of my lips. I gave my best friend a sideways look waiting for her reply.

She was looking down, as though contemplating her next words. Then she looked up and smiled at me. "Yeah…okay" she started, her voice getting louder, "I, Alice Brandon Cullen owe you a favour, but it has to be reasonable" she added the last bit as a last thought, then she held out her hand.

I smiled evilly taking her hands, for a second Alice looked uneasy. "This is going to be fun" I whispered, so only she could hear me. I didn't really mean anything by it, but in a way it was my way of revenge…(Insert evil laughter)

As soon as Mr. Hill walked inside the room, we got carried away with Shakespeare's sonnets, mostly because Mr. Hill was not in a particularly good mood. The class passed by way too quickly for my liking, soon enough it was gym class. Another chance for me to show the world…just how hazardous I am…Oh yeah, I'm so bad to the bone, so bad in fact that I'll probably break other peoples bones in the process.

Alice and I headed out towards the gym. I haven't talked much about the dance lessons, but it just can't get any worse. Edward was always in his dance mode, he was always too engulfed, a little too detached from reality and frankly, I preferred him that way.

I guess he never noticed just how much I ogled him…

Alice and I walked in and headed straight to the change rooms. It looked like Alice and Jasper had done the dirty deed indeed, but of course she wouldn't let me call it that, she said doing the dirty deed with Jasper was special. Gosh, I can't believe they've done it already, I guess it is pretty special for them.

Alice and I changed near the back, so we were uninterrupted. As Alice motioned to change her clothes I saw a blue foil packet drop out of her t-shirt breast pocket. My mouth hung open and I blushed furiously. Alice noticed my face and instantly looked confuse. "What?" she asked, her eye brows furrowing slightly.

I coughed awkwardly and pointed at the condom packet on the floor. Her gaze followed my finger and she blushed furiously. "oh…right, well…ahem! Not a word to anyone" she said awkwardly. I just agreed, I mean what do you even say to that?

We silently piled out of the change rooms. I went and met Edward at our usual bench, but I stopped abruptly when I saw him talking to Tanya. It looked like they were having a heated row. Edward tried to grab Tanya's hand gently, but she pulled it away angrily. She spun around and stopped when she saw me standing there.

She gave me a smile completely void of humour, she turned back around and grabbed Edward's face and kissed him, she whispered something in his ears. I watched Edward's face fall slightly. I couldn't believe the fact that he just stood there and took that.

I watched Tanya stalk out of the room, followed by her sleazy dance party. Jeremy tried to give her a one arm hug, but Tanya slugged him roughly. Jeremy let out a groan and kept his distance. I closed my eyes as the door slammed. Everybody's attention were on Edward. I opened my eyes and met Edward half way.

"Are you okay?" I said softly, looking up at him. Edward put on a happy smile and shrugged.

"I'm alive aren't I? All my limbs still intact?" he said jokingly, but I didn't find it funny. I looked at him unhappily. "Why?" I asked him, but he just brushed my question away. He looked at me fiercely then looked away. "Edward…Just tell me the truth" I said softly, touching his arm. I half expected him to brush it away, but he kept my hand there.

He looked at me wistfully for a while, for once he looked exhausted, I wanted to stroke his face and get rid of the lines that appeared on his perfect face.

He paused for a bit, then finally took a deep breath. "You can't handle the truth Bella" he said softly. He turned around and sat on the bench. I was speechless, I didn't know what to say. It hurt, it really hurt a lot. He was pushing me away, but then again, I had no right to feel anything, he's just a part of my past after all.

I felt him put up a wall around him, he looked so out of reach. I didn't know what else to do, or what else to say, I just walked out of the gym quietly. I wandered around the school for a while, and somehow finding myself in the same room I had found myself in only a couple of weeks ago.

The same beautiful room where I had spoken to Jane about Edward. I sat by the window and just looked out over the forest and the small little town around Volterra Prep. I leaned my head against the window and didn't see the door opening up.

My head snapped up when I heard it slam. There were three senior girls who I had seen sitting around the popular table. I had no idea who they were, but I could tell they didn't come by to say 'hi'.

The girl in the middle had a pixie haircut that was nothing like Alice, her cold eyes glinted malice as she stared at me. The other two that stood at her flanks looked insignificant by comparison.

"Well, well, if it isn't little Ms. Isabella Swan. How's daddy's little girl doing?" Looks like you've got the whole school talking" the girl with the pixie haircut said. The other girls right next to her smirked at me, and they all started walking towards me slowly.

"Wow I don't get it. How did you end up getting Alec Volturi, who is obviously a hottie, when you're obviously so not" she said sassily.

I stood there staring at them warily. Looked like the rumours really were bad. The girls cherry bomb hair colour looked faded and teased under the natural light, but her face looked like it was about to eat me.

She was standing right in front of me when the other two started shoving me around like a rag doll. I tried to keep my baring, and tried to yell out, but the only thing that came out of my mouth was 'Leave me alone!' I sounded so pathetic, that I had wanted to hit myself afterwards.

"How about no slut! Not enough you've pretty much got the whole school fooled with your designer clothes, but I know that the town is pretty much feeding you right now…" she said sassily. I wanted to scream bloody murder, but I got the feeling that that would have been a very bad idea.

One of her cronies shoved me to the ground, and I fell down face first. I felt my face hit the ground, and I could have sworn I heard something crack. Blood started oozing out of my nose, the girls started laughing like hyenas, all the while the disgusting smell of rusting metal started to fill up my senses.

I could feel my delirium coming on strong. I was about to slump on the floor in surrender when I felt somebody pull me up. I pinched the bridge of my nose and looked up to stop the blood from pouring everywhere. I held back the nausea as I tasted the blood in my mouth. I was starting to feel dizzy, and just when I was on the edge of consciousness I looked at the person holding me up to find Alec looking down at me worriedly……

I woke up inside a small white room. Nobody else was inside the room, but I could hear muffled voices outside. I realized that the smell of blood was finally gone, but I still felt nauseated somehow. I got up too quickly, I felt the room spin around. I felt myself falling once again. I let out a curse and got up slowly this time.

I looked around the white room and found photos of baby animals on the sides, I realized that I must've been inside the nurse's station.

I massaged my head and started for the door. I could still hear the voices from the other side, but I couldn't make out what they were saying. My pace quickened when I heard shoving and pushing coming directly from behind the white door.

I quickly yanked the door open and was shocked by the sight that greeted me. Edward had Alec pinned against the wall and it looked like he was about to plant a punch on Alec's face. My brain worked fast and I yanked Alec away from Edward.

Edward looked at me in surprise, and I looked back at him in anger.

"What the hell are you doing!" I said angrily. Edward let out a frustrated sound when he saw my hand clutching Alec's hands. Already I could see wrong ideas planting themselves inside his head. Edward shook his head at me and stared back angrily.

"God Bella! You are such an idiot!" Edward yelled out. I flinched slightly, dignity over took and I lashed back at him.

"I'M THE IDIOT?" I said coldly. I laughed humourlessly at that. "Alec saved me from bullies, what have you done other than leave?" I said frostily.

He looked back at me with a mixture of guilt and hurt. I knew that was low, and I shouldn't have said it…there's no use in crying over spilt milk. I turned away from him and yanked Alec out of the room.

We were inside the nurse's office. The school nurse was no where to be found. I walked out of the room seething.

Alec and I ended up in the library somehow. We sat in the classical fiction area and just stayed there while I cooled off. I can't believe Edward actually did that!

I looked at Alec and he was looking back at me. "How's your nose?" he asked casually, pointing. I shrugged, it felt weird, just like every time I got a nosebleed, not to mention it hurt like a cow. I knew it was going to bruise.

"Thanks a lot for saving me back there" I said, referring to the incident with the three girls. It was his turn to shrug. "Meh, it's what I do for friends. You are…my friend right?" he said, confirming as though his life depended on my answer.

I shrugged, I mean the guy really wasn't that bad after all. "Yeah, I guess" I said, smiling finally. Alec nodded and patted my head. "Now that's a good girl" he said jokingly. I swatted his hands away and took a deep breath.

"Gawd, you and Edward are such maniacs" I said roughly. Alec looked offended at that.

"I don't get how you classify Cullen and I under the same species, that's just completely bonkers. Besides, don't you know that I am the epitome of perfect?" Alec complained. I just rolled my eyes and ignored him.

March 1 (At home)

Okay, Edward's been sending me messages apologizing, and begging me to pick up my phone. The boy needs to take a hint. All he's ever done to my sanity was break it, and now I am edging towards insanity...again.

The rumours are driving me crazy, everybody thinks Alec and I are together. It probably didn't help considering he and I spent the rest of the day behind the library just talking about nothing in particular. And to add to my little catastrophe, I think I may have a stalker.

I just received a message from a private number. "It's not over until the fat lady sings" and with it came a little animation of a lady who looks a lot like me getting her head chopped off. I felt the shivers running up and down my back.

I don't get it. I honestly don't! Which concept of I want to stay invisible is so hard to understand? I don't know what to do. Should I show Charlie? I mean it could just be a stupid prank someone is pulling on me, but then again, knowing my luck, it could also be an axe murderer waiting to pounce on me.

What to do, what to do.

Reviewers corner

Since i couldn't answer you guys through email, I might as well reply on her :0)

lost-girl666- Hey, thanks so much for your review! That was so sweet! Hope you liked this chapter! Tanya+Pregnancynever going to happen

Bethi-woo- As much as I am itching to answer your questions...We both know we can't give anything away now, can we? Anyway, hope you had a fun holiday :)

edward-luver961- LoL! You make it sound so predictable...but hey, maybe, maybe not. You are just going to have to wait and see :0)

Minniluna- Hey, i think you're misunderstanding something. Edward wasn't the one who told on Bella, somebody else told the principle and the principle confronted Edward. The school principal is weird that way though, you will see more of her personality later, and hopefully you will understand her character more :) And Jane...we all know she's up to something...well, just wait and see :) Thank for the review!

Cherrios!!- LoL, you're not the only one who thinks that :D

Rachelandthecupcakecrusades- He's also fun to write :)

edwardandbellabelong2gether- Hahaha, I don't think you give Edward enough credit. Oh well, you'll know soon enough, its not like he has any choice...

kayPOTTER x- Ahh, questions, and more questions, just wait and see, but you wont find out anytime soon :p, just keep reading and keep showing love :)

Luvntwilight- Well, she is a hottie superbomb :) doesn't explain anything AT ALL

dueling in shadows- right on!

flower123- Hmm I'm afraid you are going to have to find that out for yourself

peace.love.and.edward.- Do you have any idea how many people asked me if she was pregnant? nope?

lol good, neither do I.

vampire-luver101- Thank you :)

therese23- Edward...has to deal with a lot, you'll find out sooner or later

Rhea Bleu- hmm i agree with you... muhahhhaahahhhaaa (evil laugh)

jaydeesgirl- oohh awesome, you have kickass psychic powers!!

margaritama- LoL as much as Bella loves to think she's a wilting wall flower, that could never happen to her, i mean look at the people that surrounds her :D