Rating: T, possible bad language and nondescript adult themes.

Disclaimer: Even though I've seen Eclipse three times and loved it, I still don't own it. :(

Esme and Renee were best friends in school and Bella and Edward grew up together. Bella's feelings for Edward are more than friendly but she worries about ruining their friendship and then there's the added problem of Tanya, Edward's new girlfriend.

You Belong with Me

Chapter 12

"I swore I knew the melody that I heard you singing,

And when you smiled you made me feel like I could sing along,

But then you went and changed the words,

Now my heart is empty,

I'm only left with used-to-bes and once upon a song."

-When there was me and You, Vanessa Anne Hudgens.

Bella's POV

I had a bit of a strange week. I spent a lot of time with Alice and went out on my first date with Emmett. The time I spent with my new boyfriend was a little awkward to say the least; I tried so hard to act like I liked him and even tried to enjoy the time I spent with him but I kept comparing him or everything he did with Edward which soon made me realise that he was the only guy for me.

On Saturday afternoon I went round to the Cullens' to see Tanya storming out the house. I must admit that I got a bit hopeful; perhaps Edward had seen sense and finished with her. However, it just wasn't to be. I watched episodes of 'Friends' with Edward all afternoon, happy to forget about arguments and school and Tanya and Emmett.

The following evening, Esme had arranged for us to go for dinner. As well as the Cullens and myself and my parents, she had invited Emmett, Tanya and Tanya's parents. I ended up sat between Emmett and Edward. On Edward's other side was Tanya and then her parents. Mom sat next to Tanya's dad, Jimmy and Esme. Esme was by Alice and Jasper. My Dad and Carlisle sat at the head of the table.

As Esme served drinks, the conversation was on the summer concert and everyone asked Edward and Tanya about the piece they were practicing. Tanya answered everyone's questions as if she had written the piece herself. Bitch. I wasn't asked about what I would be performing although Edward had been teaching me a piece to sing. I wasn't sure if I would be brave enough to sing it but I did enjoy the time at the piano with Edward, where I pretended that I was going to perform it.

Talk about the piece inevitably led to talk about colleges. Esme bragged to Tanya's parents about Edward's ambitions to go to Music College and study composition. We all knew Edward was going to make it big in the music world one day. Tanya's parents then explained that Tanya also had plans to study violin in the same college as Edward. I was shocked because I hadn't thought Tanya was that interested in music really, I thought she just used it as another way of attracting boys to her.

After we'd discussed Edward and Tanya's plans, Mom and Esme insisted on telling everyone about mine. I wasn't particularly impressed with this because compared to Edward my plans seemed so small and insignificant. I had decided I wanted to study English Literature at college and once Tanya's parents heard this they were desperate to know what I planned to do after I left college. This is when Mom brought up my dream to write a novel which I knew Tanya would ridicule for days on end.

They also commented on my singing and how it was a shame I didn't want to study in college considering I had such a beautiful voice. I didn't believe them for one second, I really couldn't sing that well. Edward gave me a gentle smile when they said this however I couldn't tell if it was a due to sympathy or whether he agreed with our Moms and was proud.

Tanya's parents were really strict. They chided Emmett for using a really minor swear word and refused to have any more than a glass of wine with their meal. I mean I know my parents aren't exactly the most nonchalant parents in the world but compared to Tanya's they didn't give a shit. I couldn't understand how two such people could have a daughter like Tanya. And the funniest thing was, they didn't have a clue! They were shocked that Edward gave her a peck on the check before dinner. How could they not know? How could they be so blind to the actions of their daughter?

Mom and Esme were out to get Tanya though. They kept making comments that suggested her bad behaviour such as asking just how many boyfriends she had had before Edward. I don't think her parents picked up on it. Edward did though and was furious. I think what got to him most was the way they kept hinting at the fact that he'd slept with Tanya. I don't know if it was because he thought it was none of their business or because he was scared that her parents would do something horrible to him but he was really pissed off. Dad and Carlisle were completely polite but I don't think they were impressed by our Moms' behaviour.

Tanya was livid. But I suppose I would be too if I had such strict parents and my boyfriend's Mom and her best friend were out to ruin my life. As much as I was annoyed that she was here with Edward, I was glad to be able to watch such an amusing scene happening. After all it wasn't everyday Tanya Denali got put in her place. Especially not by someone such as dear, sweet Esme.

Alice and Jasper stayed pretty quiet for most of the evening. I was a little annoyed because I could've really done with Alice's help in front of Tanya, particularly since she knew my feelings for her younger brother. But I supposed the conversation topics weren't really things she could talk about. She didn't really know what Edward or Tanya or my future plans were. Still it would've been nice if she could join in Esme and Mom's boasting and make me seem good in front of Tanya and her parents… and Edward, of course.

When the end of the evening came, I walked Emmett to the door and bid him a hasty goodnight. We stood on the doorstep, an unexpected chill misting our breaths.

Emmett took his keys out of his pocket and fixed me with a thoughtful gaze, as if he was considering whether to say something or not. Finally he threw caution to the wind. "Can we go for a meal or something tomorrow night?"

"Umm, sure," I replied shyly, anything but sure. I could see Edward saying goodnight to Tanya and her parents by their car. I sighed, wondering what my friend saw in her.

"Cool," he said, "I'll make reservations for seven." He bent to kiss my cheek.

"Okay," I said in the same subdued manner, my eyes still on my friend and his girlfriend.

"See you in school," Emmett said quietly, getting into the car. I heard but didn't see him drive off and then I quickly made my way back into the house, where I could hear my parents and Edward's parents talking.

"…was a complete disaster," Esme was saying.

"It would have gone better if the two of you hadn't spent the whole evening terrorising that silly girl," Carlisle commented and I heard him place a mug on the kitchen worktop.

"You know we'd do anything to get what we want," my Mom added.

"Yes," both men answered in unison.

"But," Carlisle continued, "is it really worth ruining a young girl's future for when they will break up soon enough?"

Esme sighed and I could see her reflection in the kitchen window, showing her face that clearly said 'yes'. "I suppose not," she told her husband.

"We'd better get home," Dad said and I rushed to the door to pretend I hadn't been eavesdropping. "Let's go, kid," Dad said and we went to the car in silence.

My mind was rolling in waves of confusion. What did Esme and Mom want so badly that they were willing to ruin a 'young girl's future'? I was also unbelievably anxious about the following evening's date; I could tell that Emmett and I were beginning to reach a new part of our relationship from the manner of Emmett's looks all evening. They were just different. I was terrified, the future was moving forward so quickly and I wasn't really sure of my place in it because what I wanted seemed too far away to reach.

"Strangers waiting

Up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searching in the night
Streetlight people
Living just to find emotion
Hiding somewhere in the night

Don't stop believin'
Hold on to that feelin'
Streetlight people"

-Don't Stop Believing, Journey

Emmett's POV

Bella was late. Over twenty minutes late.

I gave a groan as I checked my watch for the tenth time in twenty minutes. Well if I hadn't been sure of my suspicions before, I certainly was now. I mean, she couldn't like me that much if she was so late for a date that I had to suggest that we went on.

I was stood just outside a nice little Italian restaurant in the most central part of Forks town. I'd been here with girls several times before. It was the perfect little romantic setting that had couples flocking to it. And here I was standing in view of the windows, obviously waiting for someone. It probably looked like I'd been stood up. Perhaps Bella was standing me up. I saw several sets of headlights pass me but none of them were Bella.

It was drizzling lightly and the sky was grey. It was that annoying type of rain that you can hardly feel but still end up soaked and feeling cold. I was just glad that there was a small overhang of the roof that I could stand under and avoid actually getting wet. It was for this reason that I was standing where everyone could see me and not just along the street. The restaurant didn't have a parking lot and I'd had to park around the block on the side of the street. Hence the reason I wasn't sitting in my lovely warm car.

Finally I saw Bella's slim figure approaching me at a run. She had a guilty look on her face as she came up to me.

"I was with-" she said breathlessly when she reached me.

"Edward," I finished for her.

"How did you know?" she asked.

"I'll tell you later," I said smiling, "let's go and find our table. They said they'd keep it for us." I placed my hand on the small of her back and guided her to wait for a waiter to take us to the table.

A young man with several large spots and baggy clothes came to the desk. "How can I help you?" he asked in a slightly squeaky voice.

"I've booked a table for two under the name 'McCarthy'," I said.

"No problem, sir, come with me," he said, picking up two menus. We ordered two cokes and read over the menu in silence. When the drinks came we ordered our meals and then made small talk until they arrived.

After a couple of bites of my pizza, I placed my fork down and looked at Bella carefully. I gave a deep sigh and pursed my lips together, not sure how to bring up the subject that I knew I must. I decided just to be blunt; there was no other possible way to say what I had to. Bella felt my gaze and looked up from her ravioli questioningly.

I took a deep breath. "You're in love with Edward," I told her.

I expected her to deny it but she stayed silent, regarding me with sorrowful eyes. "How did you know?" she asked after a moment's deliberation. "And for how long?"

"I was only certain last night when I saw you guys together at the meal. But I've suspected for a while," I admitted. "You're always with him... You're drawn to him… You're always aware of him… And when I saw how jealous you were of Tanya."

"I'm sorry, Em," she said, biting her lip. "I didn't mean for you to get involved in this. I should never have gone with Alice's stupid plan."

"Alice's plan?" I questioned. "This was Alice's idea?"

"Yes, Alice thought I should go out with one of Edward's friends to make him jealous. I guess I was so desperate for something that was never going to happen that I was willing to hurt anyone." Bella explained, shifting nervously in her seat.

"It will happen, you know," I said softly. "I know Edward and I know you're the only girl for him in the end. I've never seen him care for anyone in the way he cares for you. He does love you, he just doesn't realise it yet…" I paused. "And I don't think Alice's plan is entirely bad, it just has a few flaws… Such as not letting your friends know what the plan is."

"What are you saying, Em?" Bella asked.

"Just that I don't mind continuing to tell Edward I'm you're boyfriend until he realises that he likes you," I said smiling.

She smiled back at me, looking almost relieved. "Thanks, Em. I could really use your help."

"It's all gonna be okay," I told her, squeezing her hand from across the table.

We continued to talk, joking and laughing like good friends and I was glad that Bella wasn't trying to be someone she wasn't anymore.

"So, do you want to tell me why you're really working in an underwear department, Em? Because I know for a fact that there were plenty of jobs in the sport's gear shop over the summer," Bella said, smiling. "Do you have a bit of a fetish for woman's underwear?"

"No!" I exclaimed, blushing slightly. "It doesn't matter!"

"Oh, come on, Emmett!" she said, laughing loudly. "You know my deepest, darkest secret that only Alice and you know."

"But I had to work it out for myself," I argued.

She glared, "You can tell me you know!"

"Oh, fine," I gave in. "But if I tell you, you can't tell anyone- not even Edward!"

"Alright, Emmett," she agreed, still laughing.

I took a deep breath and blushed slightly. "I saw Rosalie in there a couple of times and one day I followed her in there a saw her buy this totally gorgeous bra and panty set… she comes in quite a lot to buy underwear."

Bella looked shocked at my confession. "One minute… Rosalie? Rosalie Hale?"

I nodded, sheepishly.

"I didn't know you liked her!" Bella exclaimed. "But she's such a bitch!"

"I don't think she really is… I mean I've had a couple of really nice conversations with her when I've been serving her. It's just Tanya who's the bitch!" I shot back.

We didn't talk about Rosalie after that but I could tell that Bella wanted to return the favour and help me get with her. I was patient. I could wait for Rose to realise what we had.

I drove Bella home who was going to ring Alice and tell her about the change to the plan. Before I left, I told her to believe in the love between her and Edward. I left realising that something new was about to begin. Something between Edward and Bella.