~A/N Sorry it's been two weeks, I'll try and do better. I can't believe this story is well over 100,000 words long and is nearing 700 reviews. Thank you, thank you.

Copyright disclaimer: Twilight and all recognizable characters are sole property of Stephenie Meyer.

Chapter 28: Friend or Foe

I knew I was breaking a couple of rules and promises, but it was a necessary evil. I wasn't about to let Jacob be pulled into a scandal or criminal investigation that he had absolutely nothing to do with. So much of the situation felt like my fault. I let Evette get to me, and I acted like a maniac in front of my co-workers, Jacob and my father even knew now I had a screw loose. She was still in a hospital in Seattle barely clinging to life. Apparently, the machines were keeping her systems steady and her injuries had been mainly above her neck, the baby was still undisturbed by the whole traumatic event. I wasn't fired either. That was a shocker, but Octavio didn't get into club drama. He told me as long as I did my job and didn't let it happen again, we were good.

Once I allowed possible scenarios run throughout my brain, I realized perhaps my blame ran even deeper. I didn't care for Evette. That was obvious. She was not directly a threat, but just imagining her being the one Jacob turned to all those times to have his needs met, made my stomach twist. I think it's normal to be a little jealous of any ex and I wouldn't be going overboard if she hadn't been following him around, trying to reel him back in. I understood that somewhat now. She must have felt desperate in some ways. Of course, Jacob would be an ideal solution to her dilemma. I'm just glad he had the resolve to resist her. She had all the physical attributes most men would desire. I'm thankful everyday, Jacob had a change of heart about the way he was living before I ever came to town. He said his wolf had been secretly preparing him for the real deal. That seemed silly, his wolf didn't even know about me, but Jacob kept insisting he knew me now and he was very happy I was theirs.

I had to consider my dislike for Evette was somehow made known to a certain someone that thought he'd do me a favor. It was by no means a favor and I wasn't expressing gratitude, but I really wanted him to fess up. Was it possible for him to grow up and finally catch a clue as well? And if he actually hurt her, he most definitely should face the consequences.

My idea was going to take perfect timing, but Collin had finally stopped talking to his friends in front of my locker and had gone to class. I saw Edward round the corner. I basically had seconds, but grasped onto his jacket and pulled. He could easily escape my feeble attempts at getting him alone, but perhaps his curiosity was peaked.

I shut the door to the infamous AV closet.

He furrowed his brow. "What in the world?"

"You and I need to have a chat."

His crooked lips widened into a full on smirk. "Is that so, Miss Swan? This is a plot to end my existence." He sniffed the air. "I don't smell them yet, but I'm sure as soon as you scream they'll be in here, ready to tear me apart."

"No, the guys aren't coming. Well, at least not until they realize, so we need to be quick. Evette Prestwich."

"Excuse me?"

"You were following her last week."

He chuckled and slightly shook his head side to side.

"No, I don't follow people. I take drives frequently." I rolled my eyes. He knew exactly what I was referring to. He'd practically stalked me at times. "I've only watched out for you out of concern, there's a unique difference."

"Cut the crap, Edward. Somehow, you knew Evette had it in for me. You followed her into the darkness on a lonely road and now she's in the hospital fighting for her life. She's pregnant too. Jake warned me you were a monster, but this is incomprehensible. Wait until I tell the pack, then you really will be shredded. They might not like her, but they vow to protect all humans."

"Oh dear, Isabella, every time we're close, I mourn the friendship we were robbed of having. You've been warned time and time again about me and yet I feel your trust for me. Doesn't that puzzle your mind, that you're not the slightest bit frightened of me even as you accuse me of a heinous crime?"

I didn't like the way he was attempting to read me even when I knew he couldn't. Was anything he said actually true? I wouldn't call it trust, but I still never could convince my mind to be afraid of him like I was supposed to be.

"Why'd you hurt her?"

"Have you not paid attention? My family honors human lives. We feed off animals even though it's never quite as satisfying. All the while, our natural instinct pulls us in dangerous, repulsive directions." He was taking steps towards me. I hadn't even realized we were backing into the wall. Okay, maybe if he was going to go all creepy I could muster up some fear. My heart started to quicken. The blood rushed at an accelerated pace through my veins. He was liable to spot my pulsing jugular. In fact, I saw him clearly stare directly over my neck. His cold hand pushed my head to the side. I should be doing that screaming thing, but I couldn't. It was like I was paralyzed. I didn't know if it was fear or sorcery. Edward was so close. If Jacob saw this scene, he would either believe I was about to be murdered or seduced. With Edward, those two extremes felt eerily similar. He leaned in even closer. I felt his nose brush against the throbbing vein in my neck.

Then in an instant, he was across the room hunched over like an athlete that had just finished a marathon. He looked up with blackened eyes. "See, absolute control. I have it despite my most primal urges. I'm not the perpetrator of these crimes you speak of."

He'd just toyed with me in such a creepy and sinister manner, but I suddenly believed him. I had no idea why.

"Then I'll keep looking. I'm sorry if I offended you."

He turned, but paused most likely checking for a possible ambush on the other side of the door. He didn't face me, but right before he stepped out he made a remark that might be an unexpected confession. "Don't worry yourself any longer, sweet Bella. The real monster has been dealt with and I don't leave loose ends."


I was carefully trying to sneak into my next class. Seth came out of nowhere. "You're in big trouble, missy."

"I can explain."

"Nope, I don't want to hear it. Skip study hall and come to drama with me this afternoon. I'm not letting you out of my sight, then we're going to go out to the shop and you're going to tell Jake everything."

I was sure to get detention if I got caught but I scooted in the back row of the auditorium. The drama crowd was a bit chaotic, trying to figure out what they were going to focus on last hour. Seth found a seat next to me.

"I thought we were friends."

"We are, the best of friends."

"So, why do you insist on seeing my ass kicked by
Jake?"

"He won't and I don't."

"Really? When he finds out I allowed you to spend half a class period locked in a closet with Edward."

"It was all my idea and Collin was the last one with me."

"Oh, believe me, he and Brady are both out there sweating bullets. We're all up shit creek."

I told him, I had to make Edward confess to protect Jake. I knew he was involved somehow when Evette was attacked. Seth was so angry. He couldn't believe I took that chance. "Have you even talked about this with Jacob or Charlie?"

"No, I needed to get to Edward first. He responds to me in a very unique way. No one else would be able to get any information out of him."

"So, he legit confessed?"

"Yes and no... not directly. Here's what I think. Edward followed her for some reason, but he didn't do the damage. However, I'm not certain what he allowed or prevented. What I do know is he killed whoever did this to Evette and that's one body that'll never be found."

Seth was visibly shaken. He couldn't believe that I deduced all that from a few minutes alone with Edward. He didn't say any of those things outright, but I still believed my assessment was accurate. I left out the hazy moments when he basically hypnotized me into thinking him biting my neck might not be the worst fate ever. My stomach turned at the fuzzy memory. Becoming Jacob's natural enemy was a sentence worse than death now that I was thinking clearly. Seth said he needed to get back to the stage, but he told me again in no uncertain terms, I wasn't to move until he came and got me.

I stopped him. "Seth, you know we can't keep up our farce. It's messing with everyone's mind. I adore you. You're amazing, and I know you were only trying to help, but you should be free to do what you want." I meant free to date, hopefully date and stop crushing on me.

"This is the lamest breakup in history."

"I'm sorry."

He leaned in and kissed my forehead. "I'm not. Having you as my girlfriend through the toughest weeks of my life was a blessing." He patted my shoulders. I touched his hand with mine and gave a gentle squeeze. "Friends?"

"Always. Now go break a leg or whatever you showbiz types do. I want to see you do some acting, singing or dancing," I shouted out to him. He flashed me the dimply smile I loved and I sat back and got comfortable.


He left me there in the back and the music started up. They were consumed with rehearsals and I enjoyed myself watching all of it. I would never be that brave, but I guess in a way, my exercise and dance classes weren't that different. I almost didn't notice a new person two seats over. I looked over and smiled at a girl I didn't recognize.

"Hi, they're really good, huh?"

"Yep, Darlene wouldn't settle for anything else."

I wasn't sure what she was talking about. "Who?"

"The drama teacher."

"Oh, do you go here?"

"Nope, I graduated last year, but not from Forks. My parents insisted I go to a performing arts school back east. No offence, but the small program here isn't good enough for my family's standards."

"Oh, well, I'm new to this school too, but I think they have a pretty good reputation for putting on quality plays and musicals. I'm sorta biased, on account one of best friends is up there."

"Where?" I pointed out Seth. "Wow, cute or maybe that's not good enough. He's hot. Is he a senior?"

"Yep."

"And you're only friends?"

"Yes, we tried being a little more, but we're best suited for friendship only. We have all the same friends too."

"Hmm, maybe you should introduce us." I took a good long look at her. She was stunning. She had dark hair, which bounced at her shoulders and bright green eyes. She was even paler than I was. I swear if she put on a red headband, she'd be a clone of Snow White. I told her Seth was my ride to work, so if she stuck close, I'd introduce them. "I'm Bella by the way."

"Sage."

"Nice to meet you, Sage. Um, are you just visiting?" Maybe it wasn't smart to introduce her to Seth if she was leaving abruptly.

She let out an exaggerated sigh. "It's a long story, but it's most likely longer than a brief visit. I screwed up." She pointed to her foot. I finally noticed a boot on her right foot and crutches next to her. "There goes my scholarship. We're all still grieving."

"Oh, what did you do?"

"I'm a dancer. It was a stupid accident. I didn't have my parts down pat and I was trying to impress some bigwigs. This injury has sidelined me at Julliard and I don't even know if I can rehab it enough to get back to where I need to be." I wasn't sure how she'd gone from Julliard to Forks or why she was even sitting in the Forks High School auditorium. I noticed they were wrapping up. I told Sage to wait there. I didn't want to make her walk unnecessarily.

I was already waving to catch Seth's attention, but that cunning cougar was trying to hold him back. She had her claws into his arm, so to speak. Maybe I'd broken up with him too soon. I still needed Mrs. Roberts to back off. My need to protect my friend was strong. I started towards the front. He saw me and seemed relieved.

"Gotta run, Mrs. Roberts. Bella and I have work."

Her sultry voice echoed and bounced across the stage. She was asking him about extra practices over the weekend. Sage didn't listen and was hobbling her way down the aisle. "Oh, your pal seems to be the star pupil."

"Yeah, he's great, but that freaking man-eater thinks he's up for grabs. Gosh, she's not even discreet about it. Her poor husband, I pity him. Seth knows better. He's got a good head on his shoulders."

Seth jumped off the stage. I quickly introduced him. I was mentally high-fiving myself because he had a true glint in his eye. Sage shook his hand. She seemed equally pleased to meet him. Jake was going to be so proud of me. I might have made my first love connection and Seth was probably the best place to start. Although when Seth told him about my stunt with Edward, he was going to be off the charts pissed at me too. Hopefully, my stupidity and good deeds would balance each other out. We obviously stood there too long because Mrs. Robust... Roberts was clacking her heels towards us. I glared at her. She wasn't my damn teacher.

She walked up and put her arm around Sage. Holy shit. They knew each other? Damn, I'd just spoken so harshly about her too. Where was my mouth filter? "So Seth, you've met my daughter? Seth's my best prospect two years running."

Sage looked at me and I wished I had the power to become invisible. Mother and daughter. I was so stupid. "I bet he is. Well, nice meeting you guys. I promised to help Mom with with a few drama folders. Maybe I'll catch you again soon. Bye Bella, Bye Seth."


We got in the truck and Seth was in a much better mood. "That chick was hot, but damn, is it weird she's Mrs. Roberts daughter?"

"Yeah, maybe now it is."

"What does that mean?"

"Seth, I did a very bad thing."

He started laughing at me. "Oh yeah, well I've got 27 messages from Jake to prove it. I guess Brady or Collin ratted you out. Are you ready to face the music?"

I was as ready as I'd ever be. Jacob was going to be so mad at me and I possibly found the perfect distraction for Seth, but then I proudly outed her mother as a tramp to her very own daughter. I secretly wished I could turn back the clock and erase the entire day. Maybe if I imagined hard enough, I was still cocooned tight in Jacob's arms early this morning and none of this even happened.

Edward stopped right in front of us as we were leaving the school. He pointed to me and gave me a little wave. He looked as happy as a fat cat that just devoured the canary. Suddenly, I felt much like a lost, little yellow bird with a bad lisp. Screw this day. It actually happened and I couldn't take any of it back.

~Thanks for reading.

Oh Bella, what have you gotten yourself into? How mad is Jacob going to be? Important question that may or may not influence future chapters: Bella and Edward are creepy together or is there a possible friendship like Edward insists there is?

Don't hold back, PJD, I want your true opinion.