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I'm A Creep

Chapter 14

I help Bella out of Sally, being extra careful with her as I do. I don't want her to trip and fall or anything. That's when I feel it. I can literally feel his creepy stare on Bella and me. I know he's going to start some shit over this today. I know today will be a very telling and trying day for Bella and me and our possible relationship.

Once I can tell that her feet are both firmly planted on the ground, by seeing her black rain boots with stars on them on the asphalt, I turn around to face him. I will not cower down to him. He's nothing, but a second string nobody here. Though, I've never treated him as such or looked down on anybody, that's about to change if he doesn't turn his creeper eyes away from my Bella.

I don't know why I'm suddenly this possessive jerk, but I am and I feel like a freaking dog peeing on her and marking my territory. Well, I won't literally pee on her of course, but he needs to back off.

I grab Bella's hand in mine, not even asking her if she wants me to, I just do so, then slowly lead us in Mike's direction. I'm setting him straight right now.

"Listen Mike, you mind taking your eyes off of us, please." I was trying to keep my cool and not come off as a total jerk in front of Bella.

I have to be careful too or I'll get benched for the next game or even the season. Hell, I might be already, since I just left practice like that last night. I never let anyone get to me like Mike did yesterday. I need to nip this in the bud and quick, before I lose everything I've worked so hard for.

I stand firm in front of him, towering over him a foot or so, I try to nonchalantly place Bella behind me as I do so. I don't want her in the middle of this. And now, I feel like a complete ass, for acting this way in front of her and for putting her in this situation. I should've waited until practice to confront him.

I take a quick look around and once again, I've placed the three of us at the center of attention and gossip. Maybe I should just leave Bella alone. I'll only bring her down it seems and she doesn't need drama. She's had enough and I know that.

But, then she squeezes my hand a little tighter, letting me know she's here with me and with that, I'm just gonna be a selfish bastard and enjoy every minute she allows me to be with her. I squeeze her hand back as Mike begins to lean forward and snarl at me.

"Listen Cullen, I wasn't looking at you. I was looking at that fine little ass behind you."

He glances behind me, shifting his eyes up and down, before asking, "How's it going Bella? Wanna help me with my English homework this evening."

Oh no he fucking did not. This guy has some balls for sure and if he wants to keep them, he better not try anything with my girl.

I should trust her more though and realize she can handle herself, because just as I'm about to lose my temper on him again, Bella chimes in.

"Listen Mike, I'm really not interested in doing homework or anything else with you, ever." I'm speechless and thinking she's done as I start to slowly pull her away towards the school building.

She stops and slightly pulls back from me, while still holding my hand. She gives him one last zinger before we go.

"Oh and widdle Mikey, if you harass me one more time or try to start shit with Cullen. She leans closer to him and whispers, "Well, let's just say I still remember the time I saw you making out with Alice Brandon's mom. Now, I know that wouldn't bother you if it got out," She tells him with new cockiness and I'm now salivating over this girl. I turn to face her full on now waiting for her to finish the sentence.

"But, I also heard her tell you to keep it quiet or you wouldn't be getting that full ride to Auburn in the fall."

He pales at her words and I'm stunned by her little admission over Mike and Mrs. Brandon. We all knew that Mike had been accepted to Auburn and he was bragging that he got a full ride, though he failed to mention how. None of us here at Brilliant ever get full rides, unless your lasts name's Brandon or you're the Valedictorian or something.

She turns us around, swinging our joined hands as we go, a sign for all to see that clearly we're something. Maybe we aren't boyfriend and girlfriend, but there is something going on between us.

I walk with Bella to her locker and try to help carry her books, but she shoos me away. "Look Edward, I'm not inept or one of those girls that likes guys doing things for them, that they can so clearly do for themselves, okay. Besides, we're just friends, right?"

I try to think of something to say. I try not to be a little hurt by her words. I mean my momma raised me to always treat a lady like a lady and do those small things for her. I wish she'd just let me do it, help her out a little. I can't help but feel like that wall that was starting to slowly come down last night, even this morning, is now firmly intact again.

I look down at her and offer her an apologetic smile. "Look I'm sorry Bella; it's just been drilled into me to be polite." She's the one offering an apologetic smile and maybe that wall hasn't gone back up completely. I'll just have to keep chipping away at it and find little ways to make her smile and learn to trust me.

"I'm sorry Edward that was rude of me. It's just that I've never really had a guy that cared or offer to do that for me before."

I'm mentally fist pumping, because this is such a score for me. I get to show her and teach her how she should be treated.

I give her a smirk as I say, "Well, Bella, you're in luck, because I've never done this for a girl before either. Now, would you please let me feel like a man and allow me to carry your bag?"

She rolls her eyes at me as I try to reach for her backpack. She holds her hand out to stop me though. "Now wait a minute Edward. Do friends really carry each other backpacks?" She's giving me the widest grin I've ever seen.

Why do I feel scared about where she's going with this? I take a big gulp before responding. "Um-ye-yeah, they do. Why?"

She reaches for my bag then as if to prove her point and this girl got me good. "Well, then friend, I guess that means, if you carry my bag, I have to carry your big ol' gym bag."

She knows I'll never let her lug that heavy thing around. I decide to let her have her way, just this once. I'm going to find a way to spoil her somehow though.

"Argh! You are so infuriating Bella. Fine, you can carry your own bag, for now." I say with a chuckle.

She giggles in response and surprises me by grabbing my hand again. I walk her to her class and tell her I'll see her later. It's a little awkward, because I want to ask her to sit with me, or better yet, ask if I can sit with her at lunch, away from the loud and crude football crew. I don't though, just offer a smile and head to my own class.

Lunch gets here all too quickly and I've still not made a decision about what to do about this seating arrangement. Will she think it too forward of me to just go and sit down with her and her friends? Will she feel offended or like I'm embarrassed of her if I don't offer to let her sit with me and my crew?

I've somehow made it to the cafeteria, while being lost in my thoughts. I stand in line to get my tray, trying to casually goof off with the guys. As we are about to walk out and towards our table, I'm thankfully saved from making this tough decision, when Garrett hollers at me and pats the seat next to him that just so happens to be right in front of Bella. My ears turn a little hot when Bella looks my why with her big brown eyes. My goodness, this girl is beautiful.

I start to make my way towards their table and what I'm now claiming as my seat, when I hear Jasper from behind me.

"Where ya heading, Cullen?" Crap! How do I answer this? I don't want to embarrass Bella and make it seem like it's a bigger deal than what it is, yet.

I think quickly on my feet for a response. "Ah, you know man, just heading over to chat with Garrett about something." I know he's not buying, but I just hope that Bella didn't hear and think that I'm ashamed to sit by her. I mean, I know everyone in school has seen what's been going on between us. I just don't want to draw any more attention to us, to her.

Jasper hassles me a little more and I clutch my tray tighter. "You sure it doesn't have anything to do with a certain person that wears black rain boots with stars and a leather jacket?" And shit, my ears are burning even more. I don't like a lot of attention on me either.

I start to walk backwards, towards Bella's table as I say, "Well, she may have something to do with it." To my surprise he doesn't give me anymore shit over it, just gives me a happy knowing grin and waves me off.

I waste no time in walking over, placing my tray down and sliding into my seat in front of my pretty new friend. She gives me a shy smile in return.

The conversation begins to flow easily and we're all laughing and having a good time. Even with Jacob Black here, he's a pretty funny little dude, actually.

A thought hits me and I feel like such an ass for not thinking of it sooner. I lean forward trying to talk to only Bella.

"Hey Bella, I uh—I forgot to mention that I had practice after school today." I want to ask her to come and watch, but I'm not sure how she'll take that. Would it be too soon or too much on the friend level?

Kate overhears and chimes in though, "Oh, no problem, I can take you home Bella. I'm sure we have lots to talk about." She put a little extra emphasis on the lots and it made Bella give her a playful shove in return.

While I should feel thankful that she has a ride, if she wants it and won't have to wait forever on me to finish practice, I'm a little sad over it. I kind of like the idea of Bella being in the stands and watching me in my element.

Garrett must have the same idea; he's just braver and voices it. "Or, you too could just come and watch our practice and Cullen can still drive you home afterwards, Bella."

I totally want to guy hug Garrett right now. Instead, I give him a grateful smile and he offers a wink in return.

Bella and Kate have their heads together in quiet conversation. It's kinda cute, really. It seems I think everything she does is cute. I'm getting it bad, that's for sure.

Garrett and I are waiting on their response, when they both turn to us with poker faces on. Bella leans forward again in attempt at a private conversation. "Well, I'd really like too, but I'll have to call my dad first and make sure it's alright. He's early shift today and I'm usually home in time to cook supper for him."

I think this over for a minute and then nod my head at her. "What about this then, how about you tell him that we'll pick up a pizza on the way home? This way, you won't have to cook, but you can still have supper at about your normal time, because practice will be over by 6:00.

It's her turn to think it over for a minute. "Well, it sounds good to me, but I'll have to let you know for sure after school, okay?"

And why wouldn't it be okay, I'm the same way with my mom. I'll always ask her permission before I do anything. I like her even more now, because she's the same. We both have one parent and we both know they are the most important people in our lives and we want to respect them.

I pick up her hand and give a good squeeze. We seem to be getting good and comfortable at this hand holding thing. Is it wrong that I wish we could be more than friends sooner and I could live up to my comment on the phone last night, about showing her what a good kisser I am?

I shake my head to rid it of those thoughts and remind myself that I need to go turtle slow with her. I realize I've yet to respond and she's biting her lip in nervous anticipation for some reason. "Oh, yeah, that's totally cool. I respect that actually."

She gives me her new wide grin, that I'm going to now say is my grin, it's officially the Edward Cullen grin, reserved only for me.

"The bell rings and I look at her one more time before gathering my tray and trash and making my way out of the cafeteria. I try to grab hers as well, but she stops me before I can and I relent and let her carry her own. I'm not pushing my good luck. If she wants to carry her own tray, that's fine by me, just as long as I see her sweet face up in those stands this evening at practice.

I tell her I'll meet her by her locker after school and we both head off to our next class, offering excited, but slightly shy smiles as we go.

I can't wait for school to be over, so I can see her again.

A/N: Next up we'll hear from Bella and how this friend thing is working out for her. Do you think she'll cave soon or is she already caving?

Thanks again so much for reading guys!