Chapter 1

"Peaches!" Emmett booms to get my attention.

My cheeks flush red as I walk towards him. I literally have no clue how I'm friends with the three most popular boys in school.

How do I even start?

Edward Cullen, Emmett McCarthy, and Jasper Whitlock are the most sought after guys in all of Forks. Emmett is you're not so typical jock. He's sweet and down to earth; with curly brown hair, dimples and bulgy muscles. A total linebacker. Jasper's a southern boy through and through, with curly blonde hair and blue eyes it was no wonder why girls love him. Then of course there's Edward. Edward Cullen is the hottest of them all. He's tall with a wild mess of copper hair, thick brooding brows, full lips and piercing green-blue eyes. Not to mention the sexiest smirk I've ever laid eyes on.

"Emmett I would appreciate you not bringing attention to me. Please." I hiss.

"Relax Angel, he didn't mean anything by it." Edward soothes.

My heart beats faster at the sound of his voice. I have such a massive crush on Edward and he doesn't even know. Over the summer we became closer than ever since Em and Jazz went away on trips. My crush developed seemingly overnight. One minute we're trying to playfully drown each other at the beach the next thing I know I'm picturing him giving me mouth to mouth.

"I hate attention. You guys know that." I mumble petulantly.

Edward barks out a laugh and ruffles my hair. My heart gives a jolt.

"Yea Peach. I'm sorry. I just wanted to get your attention!"

"You know Em is a peanut brain." Jasper chuckles.

"Alright alright! No need to gang up on me."

"You're my girl Bells. Get over it." Emmett grins.

"I'm not your girl."

"Technically you belong to all of us." Jazz says off handily as he eats his lunch.

I look up expectantly at Edward. I know him well enough to know that sophisticated shit is an act. He's just as dumb as the rest of them.

"You don't want to be my girl Angel. I know you want to say yes." He breathes as he tucks my hair behind my ear.

Before I can even come up with a response Emmett punches Edward in the arm. "Dude what the fuck! No seducing Peaches."

I swallow but my throat is still dry. I gaze up and give Edward the dirtiest look.

"Haha real funny." My tone drips sarcasm.

As much as I fantasize about Edward and I getting together all they'll ever be is fantasies. I love him so much but I'm realistic. Edward Cullen is a womanizer. He goes for girls the total opposite of me; girls that were plastic, fake, and sexual. I was more introverted and cared about books, learning, and my future. Everything about me is the total antithesis of his usual. I'm curvy but not excessively so, with long wavy brown hair. I have big chocolate brown eyes in a heart shape face. I'm not ugly. I'm just generic. With a sigh, I let my hair fall into a curtain between us. He always says my face is an open book and right about now I don't want him knowing what I'm thinking or feeling.

"Hey, hey, hey, none of that." He chastises as he moves my hair back.

"Edward please leave me alone." I groan.

His thick brows furrow as he lowers his face closer to mine. I know he doesn't want the other two to hear.

"You know I hate when you hide from me. What's wrong? Was it what Emmett said? Fuck was it what I said?"

"I don't want to say I get embarrassed by you calling me baby in front of everyone but it makes it feel like more."

"More?" He murmurs to himself.

He appraises me silently and then completely pulls away. My breath catches before I quickly look at the table. I'd be lying if I said that didn't hurt.

"What are you two lovebirds whispering about over there?" Jaspers eyes narrow.

"Bella was just saying she wants me. So ya know, same old same old." Edward chuckles.

"EDWARD!" I screech.

The boys start cracking up while I turn tomato red for the umpteenth time. I sigh; throwing myself back into my seat and glaring at them.

"Relax peach fuzz. It's just a joke."

"We didn't mean to hurt you." Em mumbles, looking down.

I flick them off, rushing away as the bell rings. The perfect excuse to escape. I'll catch up to the three stooges later.

"Hey Bella! Wait up!"

My whole body tenses at Jessica's nasally voice. Oh god what the hell does she want?

"Jessica what's up!" I leak fake enthusiasm into my tone.

"Well if you must know, I'm having a party this weekend. Now I need something from you. I need you to spread my invitation to the boys, most importantly Edward."

"Why don't you just ask them yourself? They don't bite."

"Oh naive Bella." She giggles. "Don't you know I'm playing hard to get? It'll only make Edward want me more. You wouldn't know anything about that since boys don't want you." She ends with a sneer.

I give her the most hateful gaze. Where the fuck does she get off talking to me like that? Especially since she wants such a huge favor from me.

"You know what, fuck off Jessica. Either tell them yourself or get bent." I hiss, my voice pure vitriol.

"What the hell Bella. You can't just hoard them; hoard him all to yourself. They don't belong to you, you selfish slut!" She shrieks.

I fume as I clench my fist back to punch her. I'm going to teach this bitch a lesson. I throw my arm out but Edward easily catches my punch before it lands it's target; Jessica's artificial face.

"Oh Edward my savior!" Jessica bats her eyes at him.

"What's going on here?" He looks between the two of us.

"Oh Edward it was awful! I just asked her politely to invite you, Emmett and Jasper to my party. She called me names, told me she wanted all of you to herself, then she tried getting violent! I'm so glad you rescued me." She squeals dramatically.

"Babes?" He looks at me now.

His green eyes penetrate me. Obviously he doesn't believe her bullshit story.

"She called me a slut. None of that other shit is true." I huff looking away.

Suddenly those pools of green darken. His eyes look mossy. He's furious, jaw clenched so tight you'd think he'd crack his teeth. His back straightens as he whirls around to face Jessica. She flinches away from him. Honestly I don't blame her. He's pure rage.

"You called her names? Do I have that right?" He snarls.

"No no! I didn't call her anything, I swear!"

"Peaches isn't a fucking liar."

Jessica is on the verge of tears. As much satisfaction as I would get seeing her cry in the middle of the hall, it's best to pull him away. I put my hand on his heaving chest.

"Edward it's ok, I'm fine. I'm just annoyed you didn't let me land the punch." I giggle.

He rolls his shoulders releasing tension. Rolling his eyes he smirks down on me.

"Only you babes would be more upset about not punching someone over them calling you a name."

I shrug. He's not wrong. He glares at Jessica, his eyes cold steel.

"If I catch you saying shit about her again I'll ruin your life and reputation faster than you can fucking blink."

She nods her head jerkily looking like a bobble head. I have to bite my lip from cackling out loud. Edward grabs my hand pulling me away. When I'm sure he's not paying attention I flick Jessica off while sticking my tongue out.

"Peaches are you ok?"

"Edward told us what Jessica said to you."

Emmett and Jasper give me concerned looks. We were hanging out in the courtyard trying to figure out our after school plans. I shoot Edward a baleful stare. He shrugs, taking another drag of his cigarette.

"I really wish he hadn't told you guys. It's not big deal. It's actually kind of embarrassing."

"We're your best friends. We should know! I mean how messed up would it be if we continued being friendly towards her?" Jazz stresses with wide eyes.

"Seriously peach fuzz, it's our job to protect you." Emmett says flexing.

I laugh, shaking my head at them.

"We'll next time tell Turdward not to get in the middle of my punch."

Edward flicks his cigarette butt and stalks toward me. His tall figure looms over me, dwarfing me in comparison.

"I was saving your ass ok."

"From what?"

"If you must know Jessica has a very unscrupulous reputation. One that involves sleeping with men of power to get what she wants. I don't doubt for one second she could, unfortunately, seduce one of these teachers into doling out an unjust punishment on you. Or a just punishment in the case, since you would have cold cocked her." He gives me a big toothy grin.

"Did you two know about this?" I question Em and Jazz.

"About her sleeping around?" Jazz clarifies.

"Yes duh!" Obviously.

"I mean yes, that's what that whole little clique is all about. Tanya, Lauren, Jessica, Jane; they all just sleep around to get up in the world. Hell even Ed has had a pass."

I go cold as Edward levels Emmett with a lethal stare. He's been giving everyone hostile eyes all day. He slept with Tanya? Tanya is the schools popular girl and she was definitely Edward's type; strawberry blonde, built, and mean. I always wonder why she has a problem with me. I didn't understand but it all makes sense now. She must be jealous of my relationship with Edward, which seems foolish considering she's clearly sleeping with him. I'm hurt, I can't lie about that. It feels like I was being hit by a train. I know Edward isn't a saint; but Tanya? It's easier to deal with when they're faceless.

"How long have you been sleeping with her." My voice trembles.

"It was nothing." His voice is ice.

"Peaches?"

"Are you ok?"

Leave it up to my sweet older brothers to look out for me. Emmett and Jazz are the best pseudo siblings a girl can ask for. I nod my head absentmindedly trying to hold back tears. Why was I even feeling this way?

"Tell her the truth Edward." Jasper hisses.

"Before I fucking punch you." Emmett threatens.

"Oh alright. What the fuck ever. Tan and I have secretly been seeing each other for roughly a year. It's not even exclusive. She knows I'm not like that nor interested in her like that. I was keeping it a secret so other girls wouldn't get ideas. I also didn't tell you so there'd be no beef between you two if you interacted."

A year.. wow this whole time. I straighten up and walk past him without another word. I climb into my car to drive home. I don't even bother looking out the rear view mirror. I know I shouldn't be upset. Edward and I were just friends, but this summer everything changed. At least it felt that way to me. Our relationship grew more intimate. He gave me cute nicknames, looked at me different; with a hunger I couldn't explain. This blow only stung so deeply because like I told him it felt like there was more. How could I ever be near him again? All I would think at the sight of him was the hurt I was feeling. There was only one logical conclusion. I needed to stay away from Edward Cullen.