A/N:I know it's been longer than usual since my last update. Real life is getting in the way so unfortunately, I think I'm gonna have to change to weekly updates. I'm not saying positively, hundred percent, only once a week updates, but that's what it will be most of the time. I'm sorry:(. I liked the reviews! Thank you so much! But there were soooo many less reviews than my previous chapter. What happened guys?

Bella was still for a second before speaking. "Let go of me," she says calmly. Maybe it worked.

Her hand came down hard and fast against my right cheek, stinging immediately. She slapped me. Bella slapped me. I was caught off guard and definitely did not expect that. She's never...violent. I don't think I've seen her even threaten to hurt someone.

She shakes her head at me, biting her lip. "You can't do that. You can't fucking do that. You can't just do and say all of that yesterday, hell the last three years, and say that! Don't you fucking say that to me." She's breathing unevenly, despite the cold, she's blushing. Her hands are shaking. She ran her hands through her hair. All telltale signs of a flustered Bella.

But her eyes, the normal chocolate-brown orbs that are always so lovely and caring, even when she's angry, are enraged. Not yesterday, not last Friday, not in the beginning of the night, not ten minutes ago did her eyes look that hateful and full of disdain.

My fingers grazed the side of my face where her hand had skillfully striked. And my heart sank. What the fuck did I expect? When does she ever fucking do what I expect?

She's completely and utterly pissed.

"Bella, let's go." Leah had come up behind Bella, encasing her hand, trying to pull her away.

"He's not worth it. Let's just go, come on." Bella finally let Leah tow her away.

I stood there and watched her walk away, not sure what to do. I didn't pay attention to how the clusterfuck surrounding us reacted to our argument.

I pushed and shoved my way through the mob of drunken teenagers to reach my car down the street.

I put my head down on the roof of the car, my mind racing through the last ten minutes of my life.

Again. I just HAD to fuck it up again. Now she's pissed and I've scared her off.

I start to walk around to the driver's side, ready to go home when I hear people shouting my name.

"HEY! Edward! You better not fucking leave without me" I look up to see Rosalie jogging toward me. Even in the dark I know it's her.

"Fucking hell, you were gonna leave me here weren't you?"

"Sorry. You coming home?"

"Yeah, I guess. You're not gonna tell Liam you're leaving?"

"He's not my fucking girlfriend, Rose."

"Whatever." She slides into the passenger seat, me in the driver's. I start the car and pull into the road when Rose screams on the top of her fucking lungs.

"WAIT!" making me slam on the brake, throwing us both forward.

"ROSALIE! WHAT?!" I scream.

"Are you too drunk to drive?"

"I'm not drunk, I can drive." The screaming match with Bella definitely sobered me up. Two nights in a row. Hurray.

"Yeah, right. The scene I just saw thirty seconds does not look like a sober Edward."

I don't feel like arguing, so I give her the keys and we switch places.

When we get onto the main road, Rose speaks her mind.

"So, what'd you say that deserved a slap on the face?" she asks, turning down the music in the car.

I slam my head on the window. "I told her," I mumble.

"Told her what?"

"I told her, Rose. Like really told her what I wanted."

"Are you saying what I think you're saying?"

"Yup."

"Ughhh, jesus christ Edward, no wonder she slapped you. You couldn't have waited for a better time?"

"I don't know. I just kissed her and then it just came out! At least I didn't let anyone else hear. We're gonna be the talk of the school on Monday without everyone hearing my little confession."

"Will she remember?"

"Huh?"

"Like, is she too drunk to remember?"

"I really doubt it. She seemed coherent enough to me."

"She was very...vocal. It was unnerving"

I chuckle quietly. "You could say that." It's funny how I don't even find it odd that Bella was able to have a full-out fight with me, screaming and everything. I'm so used to her being more open with me, I forget how shy and timid she appears to the people she's been going to school with these past years.

"I still can't believe you did all of that tonight. You looked like a psycho, carrying her out of the house for kissing a boy. And then you kiss her. You might as well pee on her leg."

I scowl in the darkness of the car. "I wasn't trying to stake a claim on her. I just wanted to kiss her...but on the other hand, now that you pointed it out, no other guy will come near her."

Rosalie laughs at my train of thought. "Don't get ahead of yourself. I don't know about you, but a slap to the face is a clear-cut rejection."

Before I could process what she said, she started again. "I don't know about Bella, but, and if you let this go to your already big head I swear I will bring a pushpin to it myself to deflate it, most girls do like a jealous man. They can deny it all they want, but it's pretty hot when your guy gets all bent out of shape when he sees you with another man. It shows that you're wanted."

I opened my mouth to speak, but she started speaking again. "But then again, there's a fine line between treating her like your girl, and treating her like your property. You were leaning of the possession side tonight. She's right about that."

I wait a few seconds before talking incase Rose decides to start up again.

"Okay, so what the hell are you trying to say? Will she love me for what I did, or want to kick me in the balls?"

"I don't know. If it were me, you would have groveled on your knees for weeks before I even spoke to you. But then again, that's just me...Actually, hmm, it would be extremely hot if Emmet did that. But we don't have the history you and Bella do."

"Dammit, you're all over the place. Did I screw up tonight or not?" I run my hands through my hair, frustrated with circling logic.

"Oh no, you definitely screwed up tonight. Even if she did like it, there's no way in hell she's gonna tell you that. She's gonna be pissed no matter what. I'm just saying that after she cools down and thinks about it, it may not be all bad. If I were her, I would be fucking Queen Bitch to you for the next three months. You royally fucked up."

"So what the hell was the point of telling me all the other stuff?"

"I don't know, I thought you-"

"Since Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, way before Nirvana. There was U2 and Blondie..."

Fucking hell, my phone starts ringing obnoxiously. With the alcohol still in my system, it takes so fucking long for me to find it.

"Will you just answer it?!" Rose yells at me.

"I'm trying!"

I finally manage to get my hands on my cell, my still very much shattered cell.

"What?"

"Where the hell are you and Rose?"

"On our way home," I answered lazily.

"And what about me?!"

"Well, didn't you invite Alice? Just have her drop you off."

"Her friends drove. I already asked. Get your asses back here." I sigh at his request. I just wanna go home.

"No, we're almost home, find another ride," and I hang up.

My phone starts going off again, making me groan and hit my head against the headrest.

"WHAT?" I yell into the stupid piece of shit.

"If you guys don't come back I'm gonna keep calling your phone." I contemplate just turning my ringer off, but think better of it. What if Bella calls, albeit it's a small chance but still.

"Fine," I tell him in a clipped voice. "Turn around, Rose. We gotta pick up Jazz."

"Gotcha." She made an illegal U-turn, eliciting multiple honks from the drivers on the road, and headed back where we came from.

The three of us FINALLY made it home a half hour later.

Mom and Dad were curled up on the couch with a movie and barely acknowledged us when we walked in.

"I'm calling it a night," I told the other two. Rose was already chatting away on her phone with Emmet and hardly paid attention to me, walking into the guest room and shutting the door. Isn't there a time difference from here and New York?

I'm pretty sure Jasper is sneaking out right now to go see Alice. They're both obsessed.

I snort to myself. Like I'm one to talk. I literally took her away from a guy. Straight up carried her away. That's obsession.

But it could also be...dedication. Twisted, demented dedication. I chuckle at myself. I don't even have it in me to feel bad for myself.

I strip down to my boxers and plop down under covers. I automatically run through the events from today.

Even after I've cooled down, things aren't looking too good. I might have been just a bit too over bearing.

But I was being protective. With her drinking, I don't care what Bella claims, I was watching out for her. And did she know that majority of the males in that house wanted to end the night getting laid?

So really, the only part I messed up was the yelling at her in front of everyone.

Who am I kidding? Yeah, I didn't want her to get drugged, but when that douche was wrapped around her, all I could think was 'MINE'.

But that kiss. Damn. She was good. Our lips were perfectly synchronized, even when we're both pissed and mad at the world. They molded to mine without hesitation.

I grinned as I thought about it more and more. She didn't not kiss me back. She kissed me. She might have pushed me away after, but fuck BELLA KISSED ME. She still moved her lips, she let my tongue glide over her bottom lip for a fraction of a second. Hell yea, she liked it.

I'm tired of looking at the negative aspects of everything, of being so pessimistic. This could change tomorrow when I'm sober and hung over, but for now I'm gonna be happy with what I got. Which is a kiss from Bella.

The slap really hurt, though. My hand started to unconsciously trace the side she hit. I wonder if she left a mark. I didn't think she had it in her. I laugh thinking about the irony of the situation.

Bella was just going on and on about how it would be practically suicide to confront me publicly, and that same day slaps me across the face for the world to see.

Oh shit. She will get hell for it. We'll be the talk of the school on Monday, probably the whole week. I can't tell if it's gonna affect her. Will they just whisper and point from afar, or walk up and give her a hard time?

And to think that I already know no one would dare give me any trouble. I can't say the same for Bella. I can't exactly follow her around all day, scaring everyone off. I know Liam will help her out, maybe Jasper too. I can ask him. I wish Rose went to our school, no one dare upset her.

I suppose I can start spreading the word that Bella's off limits. I wonder if it would actually work. Bella would be happy. Hah! Yeah right, she would bitch at me for pitying her or something. Or something. Mmmmh, it's really hot when I kiss her when she's mad at me. That has to go on the list. To kiss her every time she gets angry. It might earn me a slap in the face, but definitely worth it.

But back to the school thing. Should I give her a head's up? Of course I should, I'm her friend. I hope I still am.

I doubt she'll actually pick up. She didn't pass out, did she? No, she didn't drink that much.

I dialed her number, the light on the screen hurting my head.

It rang and rang and rang and I was about to hang up when someone answers.

"Bella?! Wow I didn't think-"

"Don't call me," and the line goes dead. Shocker. At least she answered.

I rang her again, but this time it went straight to voicemail.

I got up to find my headphones, but the fuckers were all tangled up. My hands and brain were just not gonna be able to untangle them so I threw them on the floor and crawled back into bed.

I could go sleep. Or, I could go to Bella's house. I'm definitely sober enough to drive.

I chuckle and throw my jeans on, not bother with a shirt. Hopefully, I won't be standing outside for very long. And who could resist these abs?

I jog down the hallway into the guest room where Rose is. She still has my keys.

I walk in without knocking, hopefully she's decent.

"Babe, you better not be.." she's still talking on the phone with Emmet, but turns and glares at me when I walk in.

"I need the keys."

"Hold on a sec Em, it's Edward," she lowers the phone, "What, why?"

"I just do. Where are they?"

"Tell me why."

"Liam called, it's an emergency."

She raised her eyebrow at me. "So you're not gonna wear a shirt? In the winter? In Washington?"

"I just said it was a fucking emergency give me the keys"

"No."

"Give them to me," I demand, holding me palm out to her.

"No. You're still drunk anyway."

"I'm practically sober. Give me the fucking keys." I rummage through her purse but all I find are a few tampons, eyeliner, and some other crap.

"No. Edward, leave, I'm busy," she waves me away with her hand. Like that's gonna stop me.

I crawl over to her and yank the phone out of her hand. "She'll call you back," I tell the other end.

"Hey! Give it back!"

"Give me my keys," I place her phone in my back pocket and sit normally so that the only way she can have it is if she pushes me over.

Which is exactly what she tries to do, but I won't budge.

"I'm not giving you the keys, Edward," she tells me, her arms crossed, "Where do you need to go so badly anyway? I'm sure it can wait til morning."

"I need pot. I'm out"

"No you're fucking not."

"Ughhh, fine. I'm going to Bella's house!" My head falls onto her lap. Why does she have to make my life so difficult. What is she? My mom? I wonder how long she's actually staying.

"That is probably the worst idea ever."

"Why?" I mumble, not lifting my head.

"Well, you're still drunk. Don't even argue because you're sitting here with your head in my lap like a five-year old. And her dad is a cop. I think he would be able to tell if you've been drinking. Then there's the fact that Bella most likely will not let you into her house...Oh, and you're not wearing a fucking shirt. Do you want to get hypothermia?"

"You're annoying. You know that?"

"I'm practical."

I laid there for five minutes while we went back and forth with insults until I decided to trek back to my bed.

Stupid Rose getting in my way. I could steal Mom and Dad's keys, but I can't remember where they are.

'Since Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, way before..." What?!

Don't get excited, Edward, don't get excited. I scramble to find my phone buried in my sheets. Why the fuck does it always take me so long to answer my phone?

I'm too anxious to look at who's calling, and instead jab the green button to accept the call.

"Bella?"

I hear some giggling and a faint "This is a bad idea," in the background.

She clears her throat before speaking. "Um yeah. Why'd you do that?"

"You're talking to me?"

"Well I'm calling you am I not? You're on speakerphone with Leah. Why did you do that?"

Holy hell, Bella Swan is drunk dialing me.

"So, why didn't you bring that fucker Jacobs tonight?"

"That's none of your business. And it's Jacob. J-A-C-O-B."

"You didn't answer my question."

"Well you didn't answer any of mine, so. You're annoying. I hate you so much do you know that?"

I smirk at her even though she can't see me. "I'm smirking at you. And says the girl calling me in the middle of night."

"You called me. And like eight thousand times last night. And ten more this morning."

"Eight thousand? Your math really does suck."

"I'm hanging up."

"No! Don't. I'm sorry. You're math doesn't suck that bad."

She ignored my jibe. "Why did you do that?"

"Do what? You gotta be more specific here."

"I want to know dammit!" she screeched into my ear.

"Goddamn Bella calm down. Does your dad know you've been drinking Bella? Because that's against-"

"Jesus Christ Edward pipe down. I told you you're on speaker."

"Alright alright, I'm sorry."

"Start talking."

"Take me off speaker."

"There, you're off."

"How do I know you're not lying?"

"You don't."

"Fine. So princess, where do you want me to start?"

"The beginning. Asshole."

"You're quite a bitch tipsy. Anyway. There's not much, I was looking out for you. There are some weirdos out there."

"Yeah, weirdos that carry girls away against their will? Or don't let other people have fun? I know the type," "Jackass," she mutters

"What was that? I didn't catch it."

"JACK. ASS. That loud enough for you? Jackass. You're not taking me seriously."

"Why does everything have to be so serious? Let's just talk, it's more fun," I insist. I really should sort through everything with her, especially now that we're finally having a somewhat civil conversation. But then it will just turn to yelling and I rather like the bitchy and non-yelling Bella.

"No. You're annoying."

"You already said that."

"What are you? Like the word tracker person? Why did you kiss me? Again? Is one rejection not enough for you?"

"Technically, you didn't reject me. You kissed me back," I state with a smug grin on my face.

"No I didn't!," she exclaims.

"You definitely did. I wasn't kissing a statue."

"I did not."

"Deny it all you want, it's true. I bet you're blushing right now. Are you blushing, Bella? I like it when you blush."

"I did not kiss you Edward Cullen. Why am I even talking to you? I'm so gonna regret this tomorrow."

"Probably. But I'm fun to talk to so it's okay. You're fun to talk to too."

"You're not always fun to talk to. Most of the time you're really mean to me."

"No I'm not. I'm more nice to you than mean now."

"Have you not been here the last two and a half years?"

"Well a little birdie told me that we've only known each other for six days, and that was..a couple days ago. So we didn't really know each other before the couple of days ago...plus the six days."

"What?"

"I don't know. I tried."

"Why did you kiss me?"

"You really like asking that, don't you?"

"I would really like an answer."

"I just wanted to. I wanted to kiss you for awhile, so I just did it."

"In front of everyone?"

"Um, yeah. I wasn't thinking about that."

"Sure you weren't. You're a jerk."

"Keep the insults coming, baby, they won't affect me."

"Don't call me that."

"I'm imagining ruffling your hair right now."

"I'm imagining smacking your head right now."

"The last one wasn't enough? And that was across my face."

"Yeah, well I'm not sorry. You shouldn't have said that to me." I laugh at her nonchalant response. Asked me two weeks ago if I thought Isabella Swan would be capable of slapping me across the face and then be a total bitch afterward. I would have said you got the wrong Swan.

"Why not?"

"Because it's rude. Dick."

"How is it rude? I think it's called honesty. And haven't you ever heard people say the truth hurts? Though I don't see how that would apply in this situation."

"Stop toying with me!"

"I'm not! I meant everything I said."

"Bull shit. I hate you."

"Stop saying that, no you don't."

"Why shouldn't I? You're a jerk all the time. Right when I think everything will stay good, bam! You bring out your arrogant dick side. Loser."

"These are really direct questions."

"That wasn't even a question, it was a fact. That needs explaining."

"You're pretty hot when you're a bitch. But you're hot when you're quiet too. Are you blushing again? Did I say how I like when you blush?"

"Stop! Stop doing that."

"Doing what?" I ask knowing fully well what's bothering her. She's not used to me being so direct with her, or at least not like this.

"That. Whatever you're doing. Stop, it's weird."

"I don't know what you're talking about. Do you not like me being honest?"

"You're not being honest, you're being difficult. I had alcohol not LSD. I'm not stupid."

"I'm being completely honest."

"You're not being a very good friend right now. You don't even want to be friends so-"

"So we are still friends."

"Ugh! No, just stop. Bye, this is goi-"

"No! Don't hang up. I'm sorry."

"Stop avoiding the question then!"

"What exactly is your question?"

"Edward I swear to fucking god I-"

"Okay, okay! I got it. So where should I start? Yes, I do wanna be friends. If I thought you were a loser, I wouldn't be spending my time talking to you right now. I like being friends. You're really pretty. And hot. And when you blush-"

"Edward?!"

"Sorry, off track, I know. But I do like you. I like how, I don't know. I've never actually had to explain why I liked someone before."

"Well you are now."

"Fine." I start to list everything off without thinking, just whatever pops into my head, "I like how you almost completely block out all the shitheads at school. I like how I never affected you, or at least you never let me see how I affected you. I like how you didn't tell everyone about your friends and your personal life just to get them off you're back, because you knew it would be pointless. I like how when you read, you don't even pay attention to where you are. I like how outspoken and stubborn you actually are, even though you seem so shy and quiet. I like how you don't give a shit of what other people think of you. I don't exactly like this, but I respect the choices you made with your family. I respect how you thought of how it would affect your parents by leaving Forks. I like how you read the same stupid, idiotic book over and over for no goddamn reason. I like how you suck at lying but try anyway. I like that you blamed the girls in my previous...dates, just as much as you blamed me. I like how you blush, a lot. I like how-"

"STOP!" she screamed, making me jump on my bed.

"Holy fuck Bella, what?"

"Just stop."

"Why, you're the one that just told me to!" I say frustrated and confused. What the hell did I do now?

"Just, no. I don't want to talk about this."

"Why not? You're the one that brought it up."

"I know. I don't trust you."

"What does that have to do with anything?" Why doesn't she trust me? Huh, I wonder why? It can't have anything to do with the fact that I went thermonuclear on her two nights in a row.

"How does it not? I never know when you're gonna flip out on me for no reason. We both know you didn't mean what you said today, so I-"

"I did mean it. I do want you," I argued.

"No you don't, you're drunk."

"Barely. And then so are you."

"Fine, let's say you weren't just being a jerk, why would I ever want to be with you?"

"If I ever need you to be open with be, I'll be sure to just tip some alcohol into your drinks. You're singing like a canary, you know that?"

"Whatever, you're still a jerk when you're tipsy."

"I like to think of myself as a protective gentleman when I'm intoxicated. I keep what's mine safe."

"I'm not yours."

"Not yet."

"Get over yourself. I'm not just some game you're gonna win. Just because you're good looking doesn't mean I'm gonna fall for it."

"You think I'm good looking? You like my hair too. And I saw you ogling my stomach at lunch that day."

"I'm perfectly mature enough to admit you're attractive looking."

"Hah! Attractive looking? I believe you're exact words were 'sex hair'. I don't-"

The line cut off. I scowled at screen. She hung up on me.

I dialed her number. Then I dialed again, and again, and again. She picked up the fifth time, but didn't say anything. "I'm sorry, I was just teasing," I apologize sincerely.

"I'm still pissed at you."

"For what?"

"Are you serious?! For everything! For last night, for today. One minute you're saying you want to be friends, then you're telling me you don't, then you want to be friends again, then you tell me you want to be with me. It's too frustrating to figure out what you want by myself, and that's why I called you."

"So I can tell you? If you think this is confusing for you, try being me. And I've already told you, fuck being friends, let's just date."

"No."

"Why not?" I ask rejected.

"Because I said so."

"Original. Tell me why." I should not have asked that. I just opened up a black hole for myself.

"WHY?! You're asking why? Hmmm, let me think. You just called me a coward and then spent ten minutes yelling and blaming me for everything. Then the next day you act like a complete caveman. Then you kiss me and confess your undying love for me in front of an entire crowd which proves what? That you're setting me up for humiliation, staking your claim on me, or trying to win a game you've created in your head? Yeah, I really wonder why I don't want to date you."

"Actually, I made sure no one else could hear what I said. And I would hardly call it undying love. I told you that what I did last night was stupid, I didn't think and I didn't mean it. I wish I could take it back. And again, I was just looking out for you today. I am sorry for everything. I wasn't setting you up for humiliation, and I'm not playing a game." I told her truthfully. Well, almost truthfully. The looking out for her may have been a stretch, but she would blow up on me again if I told her I was making sure people wouldn't touch what was mine. That would have been hard to explain when you consider the fact that she isn't technically mine. Yet. I'm not giving up.

"That's what you keep saying."

"It's the truth. So are we, like good now?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know, friends? I know you don't want to-"

"Wait, wait, wait. I told you I called you to figure out what happened, and I got my answer. I'm just as mad at you now as I was before."

"So I'm not forgiven? I thought I explained everything" I ask surprised. I thought we just sealed the deal.

"Go to hell Edward. I'm not a doll for you to play with. Just because I got your excuses doesn't mean you're off the hook."

"Bella, please! Come on, I thought-" Ughh fuck she hung up.

I redialed, and she didn't answer. Of course. I waited for the beep to leave a message.

"Dammit Bella. I don't know what you want me to do. Please call me back."

Ten minutes later I left another message, aggravated. "Bella, you know me. This is all new to me, I'm gonna screw up. I screwed up last night, I know that. And I screwed up again today. I know that, I'm-"

"Beep" Mother fucker. I call back to finish my message.

"As I was saying, I am sorry for this weekend. I just get really hot-tempered sometimes. Not that I'm making excuses. I know you won't call me back, so I'll see you Monday."

Damn. I thought we were all cleared up. Maybe I shouldn't have pushed her to get together. But she can't deny she's attracted to me. She kissed me back for god's sake. I guess I'll just have to see how this plays out on Monday. Tomorrow is gonna be a long fucking day.