Disclaimer - We still do not own Twilight and we still do not have any kind of email about Tent City from Summit! We do have the chouxrouge, though! 50 points to any SoCo reader who can remember what that is!

Chapter 25 - Just the Two of Us

(BPOV)

I just want to go on my date with Edward tonight and forget all about how shitty my week has been. I know Emmett warned me, and I'm sure he wants to tell me he told me so, but he's such a good friend, he hasn't brought it up.

When Edward, Emmett, and Jasper saw what Jessica and her minions did to the Homecoming posters, they quickly assembled a group and removed them from every wall and locker in the entire school. By the time lunch rolled around, there wasn't a trace of the humiliating display from that morning.

The boys wanted to do something to retaliate, but I tried to convinced them that it would only make matters worse. I'm not sure they bought it, and I can't guarantee that they're not coming up with something on their own, but they agreed to not do anything unless I asked them to.

I'm a firm believer in karma and Jessica will get what's coming to her. I'm not usually a revenge-type person, but this is getting out of control. I won't let her walk all over me or insult my friends. It's time for me to start defending myself but I refuse to sink to her level.

I take in a deep breath and let it out slowly, calming my nerves.

Focus, Bella. It's time to get dressed, because Edward will be here any minute.

I'm not nervous about my date, but I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I was worried about Edward meeting my parents. After dropping the "I met my boyfriend in detention" bombshell on my mom the other morning, I had to sit down with both my mom and dad and do some more explaining. I told them that Edward recently moved here from Washington and was living with the Cullens, which made them relax somewhat. But, when I told them he was in detention for fighting and pulling the fire alarm, they were less impressed.

I wasn't about to say anything to them about what happened to Edward before he moved here. If his own parents don't understand why he did what he did, then I, seriously, doubt my parents will. I am not looking for their approval of him or of the two of us being together, but I do want them to be nice to him. He doesn't deserve their judgements. If they can't see how good he really is and that he makes me happy, then screw them.

My eyes inspect my makeup and sweater-dress, before my hands fluff up my hair. I put a tiny bit of gloss on my lips, just enough to entice Edward, but not too much that it gets in the way of feeling his mouth on mine.

I shiver a little. I can't freaking wait to feel his mouth on mine.

(EPOV)

Tonight's the night. I finally get to take Bella out on a real date and, after the week she has had, I want it to be something special.

I could tell that something was bothering her earlier this week, but she didn't want to talk about it, so I left it alone. I assumed it was her Richie friends giving her a hard time, but I figured, if it was bad enough or if she wanted my help, she would've talked to me about it.

When I walked into school a couple of days ago and saw that the Homecoming posters with Bella's face on them were drawn on with markers, I was pissed. No, actually I was furious.

Then after seeing the words that were scribbled on the posters, calling Bella "The Ugly Duckling" and other horrible things, I immediately started seeing red. I ripped off every poster I could find until Emmett grabbed my hands to stop me. He thought I'd lost my mind or something and was taking it out on the Homecoming decorations.

Once I showed him the posters, though, he was just as mad as I was. He grabbed Jasper from another hall and the three of us quickly rid the entire school of the hateful trash.

Since then, I've been keeping a watchful eye out for anything else negatively aimed at Bella. She knows about the posters and that we threw them away, but I know it still hurts her. She's not a fucking robot; she has feelings, but she's trying so hard not to show them.

I get it, I do. She doesn't want her old friends to think they are winning, but sooner or later, she's going to have to face them and put an end to this shit.

I run my fingers through my hair a few times to help calm myself down. I don't want to be all worked up when I go to pick her up. I want us to be able to relax and have fun, forget about this past week.

I check my reflection and laugh when I remember what Bella told me after I asked her how I should dress, considering I'd be meeting her parents for the first time. She said she wants me to dress like "me." "Don't dress up just to impress them; be yourself. And, if you feel like wearing leather and studs, then do that."

She's pretty damn amazing.

I decide to compromise: long-sleeved blue button-up shirt and jeans tight-rolled over my black leather boots. I'll bring my leather jacket, too, in case it gets really cold tonight.

I decide that I am ready to go, but when I grab my keys, I freeze. Not once, when planning this date, did I think about what I'd be driving. I mean, I love my bike, but I'm not sure it's appropriate for a first date. I can pretty much guarantee that Bella's parents won't approve, and although I know they give her a hard time, I don't want to add to that pressure. I'm going to be on my best behavior, until they give me a reason not to be.

So, that's one strike against the bike. The next thing I have to consider is, do I want Bella to ride my bike. Okay, that's just stupid. Of course, I want her to ride my bike. Can I handle her on my bike, is the better question. I pause for a minute, allowing the image of Bella on my motorcycle float through my brain. Bella...in a skirt...straddling my bike, with her arms wrapped around my waist so tightly I can feel her tits against my back...

Hell no, I'm not ready for that.

I adjust my painful erection and breathe deeply through my nose, willing my body to calm down, before I walk down the hall and bang on Emmett's door.

"Yo, Em, can I borrow your car tonight?"

I am more than surprised when Rosalie opens the door. "Hey, Edward, come on in," she smiles at me, then walks back into the room.

"Uh, sorry for interrupting," I stammer.

I follow her inside and stop when I see my cousin standing in front of his mirror with his body covered with different types of fabric. I look over at Rosalie and see that she has measuring tape draped over her shoulders and a needle and thread hanging from her mouth.

"What the hell is going on here?"

"Dude, don't freak out. Rosie is making my vest and tie for the Homecoming dance next weekend. We're trying to decide on colors and patterns," Emmett answers.

I can't think of any kind of response to make so I just nod my head and say, "Cool. Do you mind if I use your car for my date with Bella tonight?"

"Sure, man, just don't get too wild and crazy in it, if you know what I mean."

Rosalie hits him in his shoulder at the same time I flip him off. Emmett just keeps laughing, while he grabs his keys and tosses them at me.

"Have fun meeting Mr. and Mrs. Swan!" Emmett yells, as I close the door behind me.

~~~~~~~~UP~~~~~~~~

I was hoping Bella would be answering the door, but of course, it was her dad who was the first to greet me, after I rang the doorbell.

"Hello, Mr. Swan. I'm Edward Masen. I'm here to pick up Bella for our date."

Mr. Swan is a very intimidating man. I'm not sure if it is his height or the Tom Selleck mustache he is sporting, but he has me feeling desperate for a cigarette as he looks me up and down.

Finally, he opens the door wider and steps to the side, allowing me to enter.

He doesn't say anything, just stands there staring at me.

"I, uh, I won't have Bella out too late."

"Mmmm hmmm," he says, showing no expression.

"I'm guessing her curfew is..."

"Eleven. Not a minute after," a woman walks into the foyer, who I can only guess is Bella's mother. I see the resemblance. They have the same brown eyes, but Bella's are kinder.

"Of course, Mrs. Swan."

I hear footsteps coming down the stairs. Saved by Bella.

"Hi, Edward!" She looks gorgeous. Her chestnut-brown hair lays in soft curls on her shoulders and her lips are pink and shiny.

"You look so beautiful," I say in a low voice, not thinking about her parents standing there.

Mr. Swan clears his throat.

"Well, we should go," Bella says, sliding her hand into mine and turns around toward the door.

"I'll have Bella home by 11:00," I say to her mom and dad.

Bella and I walk out the door. She stops when she sees Emmett's car sitting in the driveway.

"I asked Em if I could borrow his car. I didn't think the motorcycle would make a very good first impression."

"I was kinda hoping for the motorcycle," Bella says, looking up at me through her lashes.

"Uh, well, we can take the motorcycle on the next date." I say, adjusting myself, as I walk behind Bella towards the car. When I open the passenger side door for her, she gives me a soft, sweet smile.

I get in the car and back out of the drive. I can feel Bella looking at me, as we begin to drive down the road.

"You never told me where we're going."

"I want it to be a surprise."

A/Ns:

Jenny Kate: Well, here we are again, posting late. We'd like to blame it on Summit. They have kept us waiting...and waiting...and waiting. Originally, it was Tuesday, then on Tuesday, they said Wednesday...and then today, they released a statement saying that the random lottery would start tomorrow. UGH! Make up your damn mind! It's enough to drive us to drinking! We are to the point where we would like to just tell them to take their Golden Ticket and shove it, but we want to go so bad!

Jiff: It's true! We were even going to play a drinking game to pass the time until we received our email tonight. Guess we'll play it tomorrow!

Jenny Kate: At this rate, we could be drinking until Sunday...passed out on the floor and not even be coherent when our email comes.

Jiff: Oooohh, that's not a good idea. Maybe we should drink in shifts...good thing we have 5 more people in our group!

Jenny Kate: True dat. I'd be going crazier than I already am, if we didn't have our support group.

Jiff: One more thing before we go: The Fandom for Suicide Awareness compilation was emailed out tonight, bu, if you didn't donate, you still have until November 1st to do so. There are some amazing authors in the compilation and they let us write something for it, too! LOL

Have a good one, everyone! We'll see you tomorrow with THE DATE!