I had a plan.

It was a crappy plan, of course, but a plan nonetheless. Since Bella seemed to think I had someone else on the side, I needed some way to show her she was that someone. The one on the side, the one in front of me, just…the one. I had to do all of that without scaring her or getting myself arrested for stalking.

Who was I kidding? I was going to lose the girl and go to jail. And my parents would probably laugh. I couldn't even imagine the teasing I'd suffer from my brother, but at least I'd managed to keep him out of things for the most part.

The thing about my plan was that it hinged on talking to Bella alone. Step one of that plan was proving impossible because Rosalie and Alice hadn't left her side since she'd stepped out of her truck that morning. I was stuck watching her and—let's face it—pining after her.

I took my time at my locker, hoping to catch a glimpse of her on the way to lunch. I didn't want to make her uncomfortable, so I planned to stay away. Just seeing her would have to do until biology.

"Where's your girl?" Mike opened the locker next to mine and tossed some books inside. "You're usually dry humping her right about now."

Before I could form a response, the rest of the guys joined him.

"Strike out, Cullen?" Tyler backed away after talking smack, probably worried I'd tackle him like I had on the first day of school, but the smirk remained firm.

I couldn't even muster the energy to deck him. All of my focus was on the plan—whatever the hell that was. The look on my face must have been as fierce as my fist, because he backed away even further and then dragged Mike and Eric down the hall.

The librarian looked shocked when I entered the room quietly and took a seat in the corner. The last time she'd seen me, I'd taken any book that had the word sex in it and moved them all to their own section. Mrs. Lindell eyed me for several minutes until she was satisfied I wouldn't move any of precious books and then left me to finish my plan.

What was my plan? It would have to be a note since Bella wouldn't talk to me. I'd have to make it the very best, sweetest, most sincere note ever.

Bella,

I've been looking at pictures of you for two years and wishing you were mine.

Well, that sounded pretty creepy.

Bella,

I haven't stopped thinking about you since the first time I saw you two years ago. I've filled out college applications for every college in Arizona, and I was just waiting for your Granny Edna to tell me which one you chose.

Also creepy. In addition to stalker, I could add pathetic to my title.

The bell rang, signaling the end of lunch period and the beginning of the longest hour of my life. I crumpled the note and shoved it in my pocket. With my luck, Tyler would find it and destroy me with it.

I trudged down the hall to grab my books, no further along in my plan than where I'd started. I was going to have to wing it. Come up with smooth words on the fly. That would work…I'd been super smooth so far. I smacked myself on the forehead and cursed.

God, help me.