Chapter One
Preteen. Adjective or noun, pertaining to a child under the age of thirteen. Which is also probably the hardest part of any child's life. I know it was for me, my friends probably not so much. I wasn't always the tall, strong line backer that I am today. Once upon a time I was just as scrawny as the next kid. My face breaking out, bad case of BO, tripping over my own feet because I couldn't keep up with the growth spurts. Not to mention eating my parents out of house and home. Man, that was rough. But, the only one out of my group of friends that didn't have it rough during puberty was Isabella Swan. My neighbor, best friend, and the love of my fucking life.
Of course, she has no idea that she's the love of my life. I'd prefer to keep it that way, it would cause our entire dynamic to shatter. But growing up, she was always there. We've been neighbors ever since I moved here in the fourth grade. She was my first friend, and from the moment I saw her I knew she was going to be trouble for me. Sure, when we were in elementary school she was geeky and had glasses but that never stopped me from thinking she was the most beautiful human I had ever laid eyes on. As we grew up, she ended up adopting contacts and got rid of her old black framed glasses. Her hair got longer and crazier, it wasn't as well kept as when we were younger. Now it was full of volume and it was long and all I wanted to do was play with it. Her deep brown eyes remained the same, always so bright and full of life.
All of that changed when she started dating Edward. Sure, she was still bright and happy Bella. But she didn't laugh the same, her smile didn't reach her eyes like they used to. Her eyes weren't as bright. None of our other friends noticed, but I did. And I hated every second of it.
Edward moved to Forks last year with his twin sister Alice. Bella being the way she is, welcomed them to our group without hesitation. And from there, the relationship bloomed. Alice eventually began dating our friend Jasper shortly after, and they were as annoying as they were cute. They made each other happy, and that's all that mattered. And then there was Rosalie. Bella's other best friend and Jasper's twin sister. There was a time that Rosalie had a crush on me and had tried to date me, but I couldn't. Not when I was so hung up on Bella, something I don't think would ever change.
I took a deep breath and focused my attention back to the scene in front of me.
The six of us were sitting in my living room, and we were having a good time watching some lame zombie film when Bella and Edward began arguing over Lauren texting him, again. I bawled my hands into fists under my chin and rested my elbows on my knees to refrain from saying or doing anything I would regret.
"Y'know… that's not what an apology sounds like." Bella glowered up at Edward and crossed her arms and tapped her foot impatiently. Edward pinched the bridge of his nose between his fingers and took a deep breath before responding.
"Well, I don't know what else you expect me to say, Bella. I'm sorry she's texting me. It's not like I ever respond."
"And it's not like you've ever told her to stop either."
Alice and Jasper let out 'oooooh' sounds and Rosalie held back a laugh. I rolled my eyes at them and fisted my hands together tighter, feeling my nails dig into my palms calming some of my anxiety but not nearly enough.
"Bella, you're right. I'm very sorry, I'll make it very clear the next time she decides to text me that she needs to let go of her little fantasy. I love you and only you, and that's not going to change." Edward slowly wrapped his arms around Bella who stupdily returned it! This shit was annoying. I narrowed my eyes at the display and spoke up.
"Great, now that you guys are done fighting can we please get back to the movie?" I took several calming breaths as they moved to the corner love seat and cuddled up to watch the rest of this movie. Jasper pressed play on the movie and soon the room was filled with the noise of gunshots and screaming as people were attacked by zombies.
When the movie was over, everyone said their goodbyes and made their way home. Except for Bella, she always stayed after to help clean up and to hang out a bit more. Especially since things at home have been getting rockier for her.
"Thanks for hosting movie night, Em. You always have the best snacks." She said, putting away the opened bags of chips and cookies and tossing the leftover popcorn.
"Oh whatever. You know everyone loves when you host and you make your amazing peanut butter cookies," I smiled wide at her showing off my single dimple I knew she loved. Her cheeks colored slightly as she let out a too loud laugh, showing she was embarrassed by the compliment. But that's how she always was, always denying everything and claiming she was boring. I beg to differ. A comfortable silence fell between the two of us as we continued to fold up the blankets and move the furniture back where it belonged.
"Are you excited about our first day of senior year tomorrow?" Shit, that was right, I almost forgot. I groaned and dramatically fell back onto the sofa.
"Don't remind me, I've been so busy with doubles every single day for football that I forgot we actually have to go to school." She giggled at me and flicked me on the forehead. "Ow, Bella! Kiss it better?" I joked, making her laugh more. I always loved her laugh.
"You wish! I better get home, but I'll see you in the morning? You're giving me a ride as per tradition, right?" She smiled at me and it reached her eyes, I wish she smiled like that all the time.
"Of course, B. Like that'll ever change. Eddie's not mad?" I got to my feet and followed her to the front door.
"Even if he is, it's not like he has a right to be jealous or anything. You and I are just friends, and we have been since fourth grade." I wish we could be more than friends.
"You got a point, I just wouldn't want to see you guys fighting, again." I rolled my eyes and opened the door for her and we shuffled out to the porch. She sighed and looked toward her dark house. Her parents weren't home, as it was the new normal it seemed like. Her dad was the chief of police, so late nights and early days were normal for him. But lately it seemed as though he was avoiding home at all costs. Her mother was the same, throwing herself into work at her office at the district building.
"I love him, Emmett. And he loves me, I know we argue a lot. But isn't that what couples do? Fight sometimes?" She sounded so sad, so defeated.
"I mean, I guess. But it's not my place. As long as you're happy, B, I'll support you."
"Thanks, Em. I'll see you in the morning." She smiled at me as she turned to leave, except this one didn't reach her eyes.
~~Girl Next Door~~
Our last first day of high school. Thank the fucking lord. Bella strolled over across our joined lawns and onto the porch, a chipper grin on her face.
"Good morning! Are you ready to get this show on the road?" I grinned down at her, I wasn't a morning person but Bella was, and her chipperness was contaigious. I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and escorted her off the porch and toward her side of the jeep.
Literally, it was her side. When I first got the thing she ordered a personalized sticker form one of those websites that custom make shit all the time and put it on. It read Bella's Seat. It had been two years since then and the letters were starting to come off, but I didn't dare take it off. The ride to school was a short one, small town and speeding is both a curse and a blessing. Right now, it was a curse.
I pulled into the car lot and parked between Edward's stupid volvo and Rosalie's BMW. Bella hopped out of the jeep and rushed to Edward's side, and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. I was so proud of myself.
"Hi, Emmett!" I looked to my left and saw Jessica Stanley and Lauren Mallory walking by, each giggling and waving like they thought they were the cutest things alive. I gave them a polite smile and wave and turned to my friends.
"I never understood why you never dated anyone before, Em. You're hot." I scoffed at Alice's comment.
"No one here is good enough for him, Ali. He's a picky one." Rosalie's words were bitter and full of resentment.
I sighed. "It's just no one as caught my eye yet. Who knows, maybe we'll get some new girls this year." The words tasted weird on my tongue and all wrong. It was a lie. There was someone who caught my eye, but I couldn't have her. "Come on, otherwise we'll be late."
~~Girl Next Door~~
Fuck this school. Fuck the teachers. Fuck the students. Fuck Edward. I slammed my tray on the cafeteria table and all but collapsed in my chair next to Bella.
This year was supposed to be GREAT. This was THE year. But noooo. First, Edward had been placed in mine and Bella's homeroom, and he took MY seat next to her. So I had to sit next to Jessica, who would not stop flirting with me the entire time and constantly trying to grab my attention. Mrs. Coleman, who was the resident hottie Spanish teacher, is on maternity leave so we got stuck with Mr. Banner, who doesn't know a damn thing about anything that isn't biology. AND THEN I dropped my phone, and the screen shattered so I couldn't even text Bella back when she had asked me what was wrong.
"You okay, Em? Rough day so far?" Jasper asked, sliding his cupcake toward me. I snatched it off the table and shoved it in my mouth mumbling a thank you around the sugar.
I swallowed the lump in my throat from lack of water and took a giant chug. "If today is any constellation to how our senior year is going to go, I want to drop out." Bella's small hand rubbed soothing circles on my back and I tried really hard to control the hormones in my body.
"Well, Emmett. I'm sorry to hear about your awful day. But! There is some good news at least. We got a new girl today. I guess her name is Tanya something? She's in my history class, she's tall and blonde and a total hottie. You should ask her out!"
I groaned and dropped my head on the table with a thud and tried to block out Alice's squeals of excitement. At the news Bella's hand faltered on my back, and then continued the cycle but with more pressure.
"She's also in my language arts class. Edward was more than happy to introduce himself." Bella grumbled, her nails lightly digging into my back.
"Ow, killer. You need to cut your nails or something, B. Those fuckers hurt!" I joked. She yanked her hand off my back with a huff, but her cheeks were flush with embarrassment.
"He's probably just being friendly, Bella. I wouldn't worry about it. That boy is crazy about you." Alice smiled lightly at her, it should have been reassuring but it looked forced. I scoffed and laid my head back down on the table. My lunch forgotten and the words I wanted to speak left on my throat.
Even if he was crazy about her, he's not nearly as crazy about her as I am.
~~Girl Next Door~~
R&R