A/N: Nita-jua requested that I write Chapter 13 from Edward's POV. So, I reworked the plot and spent my time fulfilling this wish. Hope you all enjoy Edward's mind...

Oh, and thank you for the reviews, all fabulous!

Chances

EDWARD

I was heading down the hallway to meet Bella, when someone got in my way. I hung back, knowing that I might have been intruding.

But seeing how Bella was smiling at the boy, a part of me wanted to intrude, intervene, and take her with me. But that wouldn't be right. A friend wouldn't do that.

But would I?

She saw me. Now, I knew I couldn't it. I sighed, significantly slowing my pace as I came to her.

She was smiling, radiant. And somehow, I couldn't keep myself from smiling back. "What did you do?"

"Nothing." She was such a bad liar, it was almost cute.

"So, that guy came to talk to you about nothing? Bella, you can lie better than that."

"Oh, so you noticed?" Her smile widened as she looked up to me with her deep chocolate eyes.

"How could I not notice? My best friend is moving through the hallway and a guy comes up to her." I definitely couldn't miss that.

"Well, Dan asked me to accompany him to the movies on Friday." Right now, I hated Dan.

"What about Charlie?" That was my only pretext to what I was really feeling.

She looked up at me again as we headed through the hallway with no intention. "What about him? I think Charlie is going to let me off the hook soon. I mean, I have served my time without complaint."

"Except that you snuck out," I pointed out to her.

"Shh," she hissed at me. "Don't say that."

I laughed, forgetting that Bella was still a little jumpy about that. "Okay, so where do I fit in with all of this?"

"Okay, so you need a date."

I frowned. At first I thought this was a joke, but Bella was really taking this seriously. She didn't my face as my eyes feverishly inspected the selection of females in the hallway. "I don't if I can find someone that fast," I said, trying to buy some time. But time wasn't needed when I saw my date: Brandy. She was in one of my classes and I knew she had a thing for me back in ninth grade.

I veered towards her and her friends. "Hello, ladies," I charmed.

"Hey, Edward," they replied, obviously surprised by my appearance.

I turned to Brandy whose smile was overly grand. "So, Brandy, are you doing anything this Friday," I started, smiling at her.

She giggled. "Nooo," she whispered, twisting away in anticipation.

I sighed mentally. This was just too easy. "I was wondering if you would like to see a movie with me."

"Okay. Sounds great."

"Then, I will see you in class," I closed.

"Bye." As soon as I was heading back with Bella, I knew Brandy and her friends would start whispering excitedly about me.

"That was quick, Casanova," Bella muttered.

"Is that a complaint I hear?" I smiled at her again, trying to make light of what we were really doing.

"I will see you at lunch," she said as she walked away.

I came to my math class with Alice in a rotten mood. I took the seat next to her and smiled her way, but that didn't do anything except make it worse. She scowled at me before whipping her head around to the front of the class.

Though it was unusual, I swirled in my seat to face the lecture as well – something I don't normally do.

Class was slower that usual as my mind drifted. Mostly to Bella.

Lunch was one of my favorite parts of the day because I was one of the only times I had with Bella. I came and sat next to her, pushing her with friendly affection. "What's up, friend?"

"Nothing, bud," she said as she tried to push me back. I suppressed the laugh that built up in my chest. Rosalie was always smacking Emmett, but he always laughed it off. But that was their thing. "So, what movie do you want to see?" I asked.

"I don't know. What do you want to see?"

She shrugged. "Nothing scary."

I chuckled as I thought that most guys would want to take a girl to a scary film so that she could jump into his lap. I whispered against her neck – secretly smelling her shampoo (strawberries) – just to distract her from my hands. "Why? Are you afraid of vampires? Ghouls? Goblins? Zombies?"

She jumped as I tickled her sides. "Stop…tickling…me," she giggled out as she twisted from my touch. When I was done tormenting her, she said, "I am more afraid of what you would do."

What could I possibly do?

"But I don't want to see any chick flicks. I don't want to have you or Brandy crying all over the place," I joked.

But in truth, I didn't mind it. Being closer to Alice than Emmett, I was forced to sit through my share of Lifetime movies. Now, she had Jasper for that.

"Brandy?" Bella was nodding. I didn't miss how she emphasized the name. "Nice name. But I will have you know, Dan will be my shoulder to cry on."

"What about action?" I knew a 'no' was coming. First thing I thought of was a ninja film.

"No. Comedy?"

I wouldn't be in the mood to laugh. "No. Documentary?"

We both just stopped and broke out into laughter. Okay, so that suggestion was a little out there.

"What are you thinking?" Bella laughed. Truthfully, I was thinking about how I was going to have to watch a movie with Bella attached to another guy. "I think we should just settle on suspense. That provokes thought and it wouldn't be like it is straight from the set of Thriller."

I smiled. Bella was always the one for movies that encouraged the use of your brain. She probably has already seen Primal Fear. "That's fine. How do you plan on getting there?" I asked.

"My truck if Charlie lets me out. You, if he doesn't." She seemed so sure of sneaking out again.

"So, what time?"

"No idea. I will ask Dan later. But Edward, you really don't have to go. I will be fine."

"Nonsense. This is our…" I was searching for the right word. "Duty to each other. Double dating will be fun."

I knew my siblings have been acting weird lately. But Bella noticed as well.

"Awkward," she sung as she giggled.

"Cat got all of your tongues?" I joked while looking at everyone, trying to gain insight on what was going through their minds.

Emmett said "No." He would answer.

"Pawns, knights, king, and queen," Alice murmured. I knew what she was referring to. And it sent my mind zooming back to the conversation we had at the party. Which category did Dan fall in: a pawn or a knight?

"I think you are missing some pieces," Bella said. So, she didn't know about the conversation.

"And you guys are missing the opportunity," Alice answered back. She was asking for it.

But Bella dismissed Alice and turned back to me. "So, Edward, what are you going to wear?"

"I hope you don't plan on wearing that skirt," I said as my memory flowed back to the outfit she had worn.

She was surprised by my answer. "You said you liked the nice change! What's wrong with my skirt?"

I knew she was going to ask that. "Did you ever consider that it is too short? I mean, you were showing more leg than Tina Turner."

"There is nothing with that skirt," she argued back. Always so stubborn. "What do you suggest I do? Go in jeans?"

"It can't hurt," I shrugged, trying to hide my real feelings behind my answer. Movie theaters were notorious for ungodly acts in the seats. I didn't want to imagine my friend participating. "Besides, if you don't want to do that, we can go shopping."

She scoffed. "Shopping? With you, Edward?"

"What's wrong with me? I hang around my sister enough to know how to shop," I announced.

"So, that's what you want to do…be my personal shopper?" I could see the doubt in her face.

So, I smiled at her confidently. "Precisely. Your friendly, personal shopper."

Bella looked away from me and I knew then she noticed what my siblings where doing.

During dinner time, Emmett and Alice snapped out of their observant states and actually participated with conversations. Esme was passing the salad when Alice smiled, "Mom, Edward has a date this Friday."

"Really?" Mom beamed as she looked at me. "With Bella, I presume."

"Nope," Emmett answered. "Guess again."

Carlisle looked over my way as I piled my plate with vegetable greens. "Edward? If you're not going with Bella, then who are you going with?"

I chuckled lightheartedly. "It's not a big deal. I just invited a girl to the movies this Friday. Just fun."

"Does Bella know about this, dear?" Esme asked. She was always concerned about the welfare of others.

"Yes, mom. She is okay with it."

"Actually," Alice started again. "Bella is double dating with Edward."

I was going to kill her.

Carlisle put his fork down to stare at me as Esme stopped passing food. No one was looking at the messenger, just at me.

"So, you and Bella aren't together?" Carlisle asked me to clarify.

"Bella and I are only friends," I muttered, piercing a salad green with my fork. I put it in my mouth when I remembered it was dry – no dressing.

"But you guys were so close," Esme whispered. "I thought as soon as you would break up with Tanya that you and Bella would be together."

"By the way, how did that work out?" Carlisle asked.

I swallowed. "Oh, it was fine," I answered softly. I shoved another dry leaf into my mouth.

Alice turned to Esme. Her eyes were sparkling. "Mom…it was great! She hit him and –"

"May I be excused?" I place my cloth napkin on the side of my plate.

Carlisle nodded and I proceeded up towards my room, hoping the limelight wouldn't follow.

After fussing with Bella on the way to the mall, we finally arrived. I just wanted to reach out and grab her hand, but I didn't. We just walked side by side as friends. She pointed to the nearest department store and we entered.

When we walked in, I couldn't resist the urge to touch her. So, without thinking, I found her hand in mine. It felt like it belonged there. But too soon, she let go as she went for the regular shirts in the casual wear.

"Now, this is more like it." She was praising the selection and about to reach for a shirt when I swatted her hand.

"No. You will not be wearing that." I put some authority behind my tone.

And just like she was programmed to do it, she took a 'Are you kidding me' stance. "Okay, Mister Fashion Police. What should I wear?"

I grinned. She used to ask me that when we were little – back in the days of Garanimals. "New rule: We can dress each other."

"Nope. Don't like it." She was walking away when I captured her swinging arm.

"Now, you know that is not fair. You made up almost all of our rules, but when I have one, you don't like it. Now, why is that?" Calmness was slipping as my voice rose.

"Because your rules are ridiculous!" she cried.

"My rules! You are the one who wanted this arrangement. You couldn't just wait? You had to do something. So, now, we are both in this predicament!"

Then, she smiled. And my anger couldn't hold on when she did. "You could…simply quit. Bow out, Cullen."

"Never," I growled with the last of my ire. "But my rule stands…unless you want to quit."

I knew she wouldn't – too stubborn for her own good. So, she huffed as she went back to the place we started. "Unfair," she pouted.

"Who said life would be?"

Once, we were done fussing over what went with what, Bella and I finally decided on a nice vibrant top with one of my favorite colors in it: brown. It reminded of her eyes and her hair. She even was going in a pair of jeans.

Then, we took a trip into men's department. I couldn't stop smiling when I looked over at Bella's face. She hated this. Or she hated me. To make life easier on her, I picked out my own clothes.

But we had to do something interesting before we left. So, before we headed over to the food court, I looked for one of my favorite stores in the mall: "Grandma's Attic."

Bella and I used to rummage through old clothes of my parents and put them on, pretending to be someone else. Maybe she would find as much enjoyment in this store as I did.

"Ooo, let's try this one," I said, trying to sound excited. I took her hand again and ran into the costume shop. "Pick out something that you like," I told her before I searched over the store for something what would make her laugh.

The next time she saw me, I was completely transformed into Austin Powers.

"Oh," she mouthed before laughing. That was what I wanted.

I struck a pose and asked her "How do I look?"

"Smashing."

"Groovy, Baby," I smiled. Then, I attempted to do my own interpretation Austin Powers in the form of dancing. "Now, you try something on."

I was looking for something else to try on when Bella came back to me with Dorothy dress on. Her voice was high-pitched as she said with innocence. "Edward. I don't think I am in Kansas anymore."

I laughed.

"Okay, Bella, I'm ready," I called to her after I had my last outfit on. I was Sonny and Bella was wearing that resembled Cher. "Great choice," I said, but I wasn't really paying attention to the outfit.

I was looking at the girl in it. It didn't matter what Bella was wearing, she was beautiful.

"We can go eat now," I said as I went back to the dressing room to keep my thoughts from wandering to dangerously. I changed quickly so I wouldn't have to think about it anymore, but then I heard Bella.

"Uh…Edward, could you help me?" Her voice made it seem like she was timid to as me what she wanted.

"With what?" I asked right outside her dressing room. My mind drew a blank, so I wouldn't think about what I could assist her with.

But her voice appeared right by the curtain as she whispered to me. "My zipper is stuck. I need you to help me get it down."

That's a nice friendly request. She wanted me to help her. I sighed and peeled back the curtain. Edward, you can do this, I coached myself. This is not that big of deal.

I saw Bella's face and she looked worried. You are just helping out a friend, the voice in my head said. "Okay," I answered as she turned around. I had to work to keep my hands from shaking as I took the zipper in my hand and brought it up. It was an easy catch, no big deal.

But it took me way too long to bring the zipper back down. All the while I was thinking that Bella trusted me to do this and not the female clerk. I held my breath as if she was an anticipated prize. Edward!, the voice yelled.

I didn't listen. Edward, don't touch her. That is uncalled for. Before I knew it, my hand was on her back, trailing up. I was touching her, feeling her. She shivered, but I didn't know if it was from me. I could see the veins under her pale, delicate skin as I traced it up. I wondered if I followed it, would I end up by her heart. Then, I hit a roadblock: her bra.

There were only two hooks; no problem. But that was forbidden territory. That task was only reserved for the guy she decided to give that honor to. So, I raised my index finger over that covered area and trailed up to the rest of her neck. There was a clasp there as well. I unhooked it and her top tumbled past her shoulders as she caught it.

So many things I wanted to do to her right now – all of them socially indecent. And she and I weren't like that. If I didn't leave now, something could slip. I came to her ear and spoke softly, "I got you, babe." Then I left.

I hustled out of the store with my purchases, feeling like a jerk for what I just did to my best friend. I just touched her – inappropriately.

I shouldn't have done that. I should have just unzipped her and left. I pressed my back on the entrance, rushing to come up with something to fix this.

A voice came and shouted, End the stupid game and tell her what you want to do. That voice sounded like a pig.

I wasn't going to disclose what I was thinking as she waited for me to undress – unzip her. I sighed. I was just going to apologize. I was going to apologize for everything I had caused and will cause, because I was ready to call it quits.

The door of the store opened and out came Bella. I called out her name but she didn't answer; she just kept walking – away from me.

"Bella," I called again. She must be upset with what I did. I was right behind her, but didn't let her know. Obviously, she was upset.

I saw her venture off towards a pretzel shop. Without following right away, I saw her talk to the employee. But Bella looked nervous.

It was now or never to make this right. "There you are," I said coming up behind her. Subconsciously, my hands were on her waist again. That was another strike.

But as soon as I let her go, she sprinted to the first vacant table.

"Bella," I called again and she stopped. She was waiting for me. "Bella, that back there was –"

I didn't get to finish before Bella interrupted. "I know, Edward. You broke the rules one more time. What else is new?"

And I knew she was right. I had broken the rules. But how many chances would she grant me before I strike out?