Chapter 2

"Remember, honey, even though the rehearsals aren't technically part of the judging, they're always watching," Mom says as I walk through the doors.

That doesn't sound creepy at all. "Got it, Momma. I'm just heading in now."

"Good luck."

I follow the sound of the music to the main auditorium. All of the girls are sitting in the first few rows, chatting amongst themselves.

"Isabella!" Jessica ushers me into the seat beside her. "First day of rehearsals! So exciting."

"Ladies!" Mrs. Stanley claps her hands as she struts to the center of the stage. "We're going to start at the beginning with our opening number, but first I want to run through the schedule for that evening." She flips through a few pages. "We've got the introductions, Q and A, talent portion, evening gown presentation, and crowning."

Our choreographer, the high school cheer coach, pulls everyone on stage, pointing to each where they should stand for the opening number.

"Rosalie, here dear."

A pretty, blonde girl I recognize as Edward's sister emerges from the crowd. Most of the other girls snicker in her direction or ignore her completely. She takes her place, seemingly oblivious or uncaring of their antics.

"Isabella, you're here." I'm directed to the spot next to her.

Once everyone is placed, she leads us through the opening number a few times, which mostly consists of coordinated arm waves and foot taps. I was never the most coordinated person when it came to dancing, but even I could get it. Well, I could if this freaking spotlight wasn't pointing right in my eyes the entire time.

I put my hand up to my eyes, trying to signal whoever was running it.

"Edward, cut it out!" Rosalie shouts up toward the lights. The other girls fall silent and stare at her, mouths open and eyes wide.

Mrs. Stanley rises from her seat and glares up toward the back of the auditorium. The lights immediately flicker to their proper spot and stay there for the rest of rehearsal.

Once I've kicked and swayed and smiled my way through learning the routine, they call it for the day and we're done. I pack up my things and step outside.

"Nice moves, girl next door." Edward is leaning against the building.

"Thanks," I say. "What are you doing here?"

"Oh, I'm really into this type of thing." He smirks.

I roll my eyes. "I'm sure that's it."

"Community service, it's part of his probation," Rosalie says, passing by us without a glance in our direction.

"Bus-ted." I narrow my eyes at him and fight a smile.

"Wouldn't be the first time." He shrugs.

"Isabella, come to Mike's tonight," Jessica pounces on me, grabbing my arm and sizing up Edward.

"I don't think so, Jess. It's my birthday." I shake my head. I haven't even really seen my mom yet, although she barely mentioned it during our call earlier so I don't know that it's crossed her mind at all.

"Come on. It'll be a birthday party for you," she whines.

"Yeah, come on, Bella," Edward chimes in.

"Fine. I'll go," I give in. "If you go." I nod toward Edward. Why did I do that?

"It's kind of a private...party." Jessica eyes Edward. "Sorry," she apologizes, very disingenuous.

"Break my heart, Princess." He pulls a cigarette from his pocket and lights up.

"You said it's my birthday party right?" I ask. "So, I get to invite anyone I want. And I'm inviting him."

"Well. Fine." Jessica surrenders and makes a quick exit.

"You know that's like... really bad for you," I say, resisting the urge to flick his cigarette out of his mouth.

"A lot of things are, but life's short enough anyway, we might as well enjoy it." He pushes off from the building and throws his leg over his bike sitting in the front row of spaces. The next moment, he's gone with the burst of a rumbling engine.

When I get home, I spend some time with my mom, which involves her interrogating me about every single moment of rehearsal while she cuts me a slice of birthday cake. A very small one though. Can't have too many calories if I want to fit into my gown, she says.

I take a shower and as I finish drying my hair, down and straight like always, Momma steps in behind me, running her fingers through it.

"Don't ever cut your hair, baby. It's so beautiful like this." She kisses my head. "I have a good feeling, Isabella. I think we're going to win." A smile so big and bright crosses her lips and I wish just once she would smile like that for anything other than this pageant. Like when I made honor roll for the first time, or when I made captain of the tennis team, or was elected President of the National Honor Society.

"I have to finish getting ready," I say, almost fighting back tears as I dig in my makeup bag. Such a stupid thing to cry about. Isn't it?

"Okay. You have fun tonight."

I collect myself and finish my makeup. Jessica is downstairs already to pick me up by the time I'm ready, so I hop in her car and we're off to Mike's house.

He's already wasted by the time we get there, along with half of the senior class.

"Where are your parents this time, Mike? French Riviera? Italy?" I ask, pouring myself a drink.

"Skiing in the Alps." He raises his cup. "Cheers to that."

"Cheers."

He leans in, close enough to smell the booze on his breath. "Happy Birthday, Swan."

"Thanks."

I sit with Jessica and Angela, and listen to them go on and on about school this year, and dances and dresses, and what boys they want to hook up with. And I'm bored.

I look around the crowd anxiously, darting from group to group, doorway to doorway, and then I realize I'm looking for someone who isn't there. Is he coming? Probably not. I don't even know why I invited him. I don't really know him and this isn't his normal scene. I should have just kept my mouth shut.

I get my answer soon enough. The crowd falls nearly silent, which is strange enough for a group of teenagers, as he walks in the door, leather jacket slung over his shoulder. He looks so out of place here, and that's exactly why he stands out. In the best way.

Instead of hopping right up to greet him, I watch him for a few moments. I can tell he's looking for me too, but he's trying not to show it too much. Then, our eyes lock across the crowd, and he smirks, signaling with a salute.

"What's he doing here?" Angela asks.

Jessica scoffs. "Isabella invited him."

"Mike's going to be mad. You know how he feels about them," Angela says.

"Who's them?" I ask, keeping my eyes on him as he moves through the sea of people.

"The Pubbies." Public school kids. I shake my head.

"Well. He can just deal with it tonight." I smile. "Hi, Edward," I say, when he finally meets us.

"Bella." He nods. "Angie, Jess."

Their noses wrinkle like they smell something rotten.

"Do you want something to drink?" I ask.

"Sure."

I get up from the couch and lead him into the kitchen, where all of the drinks are. Bottles and bottles cover the island, barely leaving space for anything else.

"What's your poison?" I say, gesturing to the display.

"What are you drinking?" Without another word, he grabs my drink from my hand and takes a small sip.

"Jack and coke, hold the coke? Impressive."

I grab a cup and pour one for him. We head outside, and find a seat on a bench just a ways from the pool deck, which is a chaotic mess of people and clothes.

"I'm glad you came, I didn't know if you would," I say, smiling.

"Can't disappoint a lady on her birthday." He shrugs and takes a drink.

We make small talk, as much as you can make small talk in that situation, and I casually dance around the elephant...or the big spotlight, in the room. "So, what are you doing community service for?"

His eyes soften.

"Man, I thought I took the trash out before everyone got here, but I seem to have missed a piece." Mike slides obnoxiously in beside me, eying Edward.

"Newton," Edward greets him. "Nice place you've got here."

"Thanks. I don't remember inviting you though?"

"I invited him," I say, a little bold.

"Oh, Isabella. You've got to watch out for this one. Might end up with fleas or a permanent record." Mike watches Edward as he speaks, gauging his reaction.

"I think I know who to watch out for." I move closer to Edward, creating some distance between myself and Mike. Beyond his ridiculous behavior, he also smells like vomit.

"Maybe I should go," Edward says, setting his drink, barely touched, down on the ground.

"Maybe you should." Mike stands, puffing his chest like some gorilla in a battle for dominance.

"Back off, Mike." I try to stand to put myself in between them, but my foot catches on the bench and I tumble forward.

Edward catches me before I hit the ground and sets me back upright.

"You okay?" He asks.

"Yeah, thanks."

"Don't get her dirty, Masen," Mike says.

"Fuck off," Edward snaps at Mike. "I'm going to go," he says, turning back to me. "Thanks for the invite."

My cheeks grow warm, embarrassed by my so called friends and their judgmental behavior. Edward shakes it off and starts to walk away.

"Yeah, that's it, Masen, go cry to daddy." Mike taunts, following close behind Edward as he tries to leave. "Cry, cry to Daddy Cullen!"

Without breaking his stride, Edward reaches beside him and shoves Mike hard, right into the pool. I jump as the cold water splashes toward me and hop back.

"Oh, you're dead," Mike says, spitting out water. "You're dead, Masen! I'll see you soon!"

"Looking forward to it!" Edward yells, disappears through the crowd. Part of me wants to follow him.

"Mike! Are you okay?" Jessica rushes to Mike's side and helps him out of the pool. "What was his problem?"

My foot moves, and then the other, and the next thing I know I'm jogging around the house toward the front, where Edward just went.

"Edward?" I call. My voice is drowned out by the loud rumble of a motorcycle starting, and he darts from the line of cars back onto the road, nothing but tail lights in the dark.

"I'm sorry," I say again, out loud, to no one in particular. Because the one person I want to hear it, is gone.

A/N: Man, kids can be jerks. And adults for that matter, wtf Renee?!

Thank you so much for all of the love and support after the first chapter. I know a few of you have asked some questions about the level of angst and the all important will there be an HEA. To avoid spoilers and not taking away from those wanting to read the story as it should be, I'm not going to answer anything beyond what I say here. If you are unsure if this is the story for you, that is okay. I understand. If you need a trusted friend to read through it first and then tell you if you should read it, I encourage that if that's where you're at. I need to stay true to what this story is for me. I appreciate your understanding! I hope you enjoy watching these 2 grow together.