Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight

Chapter 22 – High School Drama

I wake up in the same position, still clutching Lynn's hands. We haven't moved the whole night. I murmur her name and kiss her cool ivory skin.

"Good morning Brandon." She whispers in my ear. Her hair rustles against my neck as she shifts position.

"I'm glad you're still here," My voice is garbled with sleep, "but you didn't budge an inch…. It must be so boring to just wait for me to wake up…"

"No, don't say that. I'm with you. I'm where I want to be. I'm happy." Her lips tantalizingly dab at my earlobe. I moan. "But it's morning and you'll have to do your human thing. I'll get the car I parked near here and wait for you downstairs."

"Okay." I do need some privacy just about now.

After taking care of some early morning business and brushing my teeth I have a quick breakfast. Of course by the time I run out Lynn is waiting for me in her BMW. We hold hands all the way to school, where we park and get out. We meet in front of her car, as per our tradition, and I throw one arm over her shoulders while she grabs my waist with one of hers. That, and the identical crescent moons we wear over our tops, leave the numerous bug-eyed bystanders no doubt about our relationship status. Some of my friends, huddled near Jessica's car, gawk at us as we walk over. Lynn bids them good morning with a radiant smile and they mumble soft, dazed greetings in return.

Most of the group consists of couples this morning. Mike hovers near Jessica but their body language seems to indicate their relationship is still in a tentative stage. Jeff and Lauren are as cozily wrapped around each other as Lynn and I are, and I notice that Eric and Angela, while less eager to display signs of affection, look quite smitten.

"Morning." I say brightly. "I was wondering if the trip to La Push you were planning for this weekend is still a go…."

"Yes, it is. I didn't think it interested you…." Mike seems a little surprised by my question.

"It's definitely a go man. Finally. For one reason or another we had to postpone it a few times already." Eric is definitely a lot more enthusiastic about it. "I can't wait to ride the waves…."

"Dude," Jeff drawls, "You only stood up on your board once… and it was still on solid ground at the time."

Despite the presence of the mysterious Lynn Cullen, Jeff's comments draw a few scattered laughs. Eric looks embarrassed, but Angela tells him not to listen to Jeff and he perks up immediately.

"Why do you ask?" Jeff continues. Lauren's head rests on his shoulder. "You guys want to join us?"

"Actually, yes. If that's okay, of course." I wink at him.

"Yeah, sure. Anything for an old friend and teammate. Are you into surfing as well as soccer then?"

Lynn and I just look at each other and smile. I know I'll have to field this one.

"No, not really. Swimming was okay in Phoenix's hot weather but there's no way in hell I'll jump into the freezing local waters. But I was thinking that I don't hang out with you guys as much as I used to these days, and that it could be fun to go down to the beach for a change."

Jeff dredges some kind of bravery from the depths of his soul, considering how roughly Lynn probably turned him down in the past, and addresses my girl directly.

"How about you, Lynn? Fancy a dip in the Pacific with a surfboard?"

She smiles sweetly.

"No, Jeff. I share my boyfriend's aversion to icy waves. We'll both cheer you from the shore, maybe shoot some videos of your prowess." She replies, wiggling her eyebrows as if amused by the prospect.

"I won't be doing any surfing either." Angela says meekly. "But I'm curious to watch Eric in action and we might get lucky and see some whales. I'm glad you guys will be joining us." The others voice their agreement and it seems like we are all set.

All too soon we all have to head to class. Lynn and I only part on the threshold and throughout the morning we make sure we briefly meet at every break for a quick hug and some hand-holding.

In my classes, however, I'm assaulted by a barrage of new questions and some old ones since everybody thinks the answers will be different. The boys, especially Mike and Jeff, mostly want to know whether I finally kissed Lynn. My blush answers for me and they mercilessly drill me for details. I have to consider my words carefully; I know Lynn is probably listening, temporarily inhabiting one of their minds. If I knew who her host was I could probably wave at her and say hi. Anyways, my questioners won't be easily sidetracked and I have to give them something, so I confess I finally kissed Lynn on our hiking trip, and a few more times after that, but skimp on details. I demurely maintain that they know how kissing works, and as for how it felt the only word that comes to mind is 'heavenly'. After that I clam up and they soon give up. I blithely forget to mention we spent every night together as well; that would start a new round of questions and an exponential increase in the gossip already surrounding the new couple of the hour.

Angela and Eric look forward to the trip and getting to know Lynn a little better. On that topic, Jeff and Mike admit they're surprised I asked them to let us join them. They thought we'd rather spend time on our own. They're not completely wrong, of course, but since I can't really explain the reasoning behind it I just maintain that since Lynn is now officially my girlfriend she wants to make an effort to get to know my friends too. We figured the trip to the beach could be a good opportunity to do just that.

Jeff and I also have to discuss soccer a little. He hopes I will rejoin the team soon but I will only be able to resume training in a couple of weeks. He seems unhappy with my reply because I'm a definite upgrade on the other available right back but there is nothing we can do about it; the coach won't let me train until I'm officially cleared to play.

Finally, in the last period of the morning Jessica bombards me with more questions about the weekend. Relentless and impossible to deny, she eventually forces me to reveal that Lynn and I went hiking on Saturday, after which she met my father, and that on Sunday I went to the Cullens' residence where she introduced me to her parents. Jessica seems a little surprised our relationship is progressing so quickly. Maybe she thinks I'm holding out on her and we've been secretly dating for much longer than I let on. I tell her that Lynn and I have a special connection and that I'm also amazed things are going so fast but everything is really great. That seems to satisfy her for now. Maybe Lynn will tell me more about it later.

At lunch, Jasper and Alice join our table. Rosalie just scowls at all of us from a distance while Emmet hugs her and winks at me without being seen. She's the only one upset with me but I pay her no attention for now. Alice asks me about my tastes in clothing and hints that I could use a new jacket. I can sense gears starting to turn inside her head.

"He could also use a new car…" Lynn mutters, a little snide if you ask me.

"We could always get him one…" Alice jests…. I think. I'm not sure. Money doesn't mean much to them. Thanks to her talent they can always acquire more.

"Let's not get carried away guys. I will accept a parka for my birthday, a shirt, or some other small present, but I draw the line at anything too extravagant. Someday I will upgrade on my truck, I hope, but I want nothing to do with the fancy cars you all love so much. That stuff doesn't interest me. As long as Lynn is with me I don't need anything else."

"Lynn, you really found a keeper. Don't ever let this boy go." Alice trills, full of verve and obviously pleased. Jasper chuckles. He seems in a much better mood when he's around us. Lynn only looks at me and dazzles me with another smoldering smile.

Alice goes to work and after a lengthy third degree manages to dig up a few answers about my style preferences, apparently disgusted by my love of simplicity. She promises she will devise something that will suit me, and improve my wardrobe, while respecting my wishes to stick to a fairly casual look. I roll my eyes and pretend to have a heart attack, making everybody laugh.

"You know, Brandon, your friends are just shocked. They had never seen anybody become so close to us Cullens. And of course they are also busy with their little slice of high school drama." Lynn chirps, obviously entertained.

"Really? What are they thinking?"

"Jessica is still upset with me." Lynn says with a ruthless smile. "She can't believe that the ice queen, as some of them call me, suddenly decided to go after the one guy she was interested in. She's doing a lot of mental cursing I won't report in detail. Mike's obviously besotted with her, and that helps a little, but she still wishes I was as uninterested in dating as they originally thought I was."

"How about Mike?"

"He's starting to wonder whether Jessica really likes him. I think he knows something bothers her and he's considering other options. He still can't wrap his head around the concept that the freaky Cullens have accepted you in their midst and you don't mind it in the slightest. That really ties him up in knots."

"Angela and Eric?" I ask, thinking that Lynn's skills can be rather handy at times although I feel bad about snooping on my friends.

"I really like them. They seem genuinely fond of each other. They haven't kissed yet, though. I think they're both very shy. I'd never paid them much attention but they make a lovely couple. Also, they're not as intimidated as the others by my presence. Despite their initial surprise they can see how happy we are and they are pleasantly surprised that a Cullen is finally showing some interest in the rest of the school."

Her expression changes, turning a little sour.

"I have to confess, though, that I don't like your friend Jeff very much. He has a good opinion of you, as a friend and as a soccer player, but he still indulges in filthy fantasies about any girl he finds attractive and he clearly doesn't care for his gilfriend as much as she thinks he does. When it comes to romance, he's a manipulative creep."

"Some guys are like that, Lynn." Alice interjects. "You'll have to accept it."

"Yes, I suppose." Lynn replies blandly. "Also, Rachel, his sister, seems a little torn. On one hand she's grateful for my intervention in Port Angeles, but on the other hand she thinks Carlisle might adopt you too and that really bothers her. If she wasn't so distracted by those childish thoughts she might have figured out that Tyler has a bit of a crush on her."

I had noticed he seems to spend more time at their table and now I know the reason.

"Well," I say, "if they don't like how close I am to you guys it's not my problem. I am proud to call all of you my friends…"

Lynn hugs me and seems to like my words, but her mood turns sour when Alice decides to speak up.

"Brandon… Your friends might not be too far from the truth when they think you will become part of our family. I'm aware you don't want to hear this, Lynn, but you know what I've seen." Alice reminds her, eyes narrowing meaningfully.

"What have you seen, Alice?" I ask her, ignoring Lynn's frantic attempts to hush her up.

"In one future, maybe the most likely, I see you become one of us…. You know what I mean by that. But to be fair there are still many other possibilities. Some futures are not clear to me yet. I think they will be influenced by factors outside our agency." Lynn gives up on her attempts to interfere with Alice and casts a worried glance in my direction.

"Brandon, I…" she starts saying before I interrupt her.

"No, Lynn, I needed to hear that. I've been thinking about our differences, and turning me would solve most of our problems. You wouldn't find my blood attractive anymore, and we could explore our needs more freely…" She looks worried now, but can't hide the hope that goes with it.

"Anyways, that is not a decision I am ready to make just yet. I would want to finish high school first, and of course I would want your parents' approval. There are many things to consider. Let's not discuss it here." I manage to put together a few more words but it wasn't easy. I squeeze Lynn's hand a little harder, as ever confident I won't hurt her.

"It sounds like someone is finally starting to make some sense." Rosalie suddenly hisses in our direction, drawing concerned stares from Alice and Jasper, a glower from Lynn, and a hurried hug from Emmet.

She stands up, Emmet still holding on to her, and she approaches our table.

"Have you all gone insane? If you really have to indulge in these sick plans of yours do it somewhere else. This is neither the right place nor the right time." She growls in a low, threatening voice.

"This seems rather uncalled for…" I reply under my breath.

"I wasn't talking to you." She spits out, still irate. Emmet comes to my defense before Lynn can say a word.

"Look, hon, I think you're being too harsh here. We talked about this. We all know this bothers you, and I'm trying to be as supportive as I can, but our sister has a right to choose her own partner. Besides, if he becomes one of us it would solve a lot of problems. You also wouldn't have to worry about a human being privy to our secrets anymore."

Rosalie glares at him.

"He doesn't know what he's doing."

"That may be true." Jasper, surprisingly, decides to reply. "But it doesn't change the fact that it's his life we are talking about and it's his right to choose to spend it with the woman he loves, no matter the cost. If you could sense their moods, like I do, you'd know that they belong together."

Rosalie shakes her head.

"This is useless. Let's go Emmet. Let them play with their pet human."

"You know I'll always be by your side." Emmet tells her, walking away with her. "But I really think you're being too hard on them. Don't you want our sister to be happy?"

Her reply his lost, to my ears at least, in the cafeteria din.

High school drama appears to be contagious after all… But I tell the others that for now we should just forget about Rosalie's tantrum and Alice's visions. There will be better opportunities to discuss all this. They all agree and we banter about something inconsequential before heading to class. Jasper seems sorry our small group will have to part.

When the last class ends, Lynn drives me home and we hang out in my simple living room, chatting about music and guitar techniques, until my father returns. I convince her to stay for dinner one more time and after eating dad lets us go to my room, where she actually makes sure I do my homework. Before ten she pretends to leave and bids a polite good night to my father. She meets me in my bedroom soon after. Once again we lay chastely in bed, cuddling and talking about many topics.

At times Lynn looks worried, and I know she's thinking of our talk in the cafeteria. She never says anything about it, and I don't bring it up either. In fact, I avoid the topic as best as I can. There are many implications I will have to consider carefully before the future Alice has seen in her visions comes to pass.

The rest of the week glides by in a haze of ecstasy and agony. It's ecstasy because Lynn and I are together most of the time; we only really separate when we are in different classes. It's also agony because our needs are growing stronger, harder to ignore. We both want more, but we have to take things slowly for very practical reasons, such as avoiding my accidental death. My human frailty is a real drag.

Meantime, on Tuesday Jacob informs me Lynn has permission to accompany me to the beach. Jacob and Rebecca will hang out with us. It's a nice gesture, but I'm just not convinced Becca and Lynn will get along. When I suggested the trip I was hoping Jacob would choose some other buddy to chaperone us. I had just learned Lynn has reasons to dislike his sister.

Most of my friends will go there too, despite the forecast of rain. They ramble excitedly about their future adventures when I chat with them in our classes but I keep reminding them that Lynn and I will just enjoy the show from the beach. The guys tease me a lot and I stoically let them. I don't even blush or stutter. My world revolves around Lynn now, and she will be there with me. That's all I really care about.

Saturday morning comes around soon enough and I get up early, eager to start the day. Lynn spent the night but she has left already; she needs to get her car before we head to the rez. She left me a note; it simply says: 'See you soon', penned in her beautiful handwriting. Dad's gone fishing again, so I cobble together breakfast and pack some water, sandwiches, and granola bars for my trip. It's a pretty simple task. Since I have no intention of swimming I don't need a wetsuit or any other gear, and Lynn is an easy date; I don't have to worry about bringing food to share with her, maybe just enough to pretend she has human needs. Dating a vampire can be daunting but it does have some benefits.

She picks me up at eight and after greetings and a painfully short kiss she drives toward the reservation. Our plan involves meeting our escorts, Jacob and Becca, at the very edge of their land and then driving to the beach to meet my other friends. We hold hands and talk about the day ahead of us lightheartedly. If our relationship is still fraught with uncertainties about the future this is not the time to delve into them.

When we get to the sign that announces we are about to enter Quileute territory, Lynn pulls over by the edge of the road and we wait. I brought my phone today, fully charged, in case Jake and Becca are late. I didn't need to worry; within a few seconds they come into view and approach the car. Lynn and I get out and meet them halfway, near the ferns teeming along the shoulder. Jacob looks relaxed, his usual half-smile firmly in place. Rebecca seems tense.

"Lynn, these are my friends, Jacob and Rebecca. Guys, this is Lynn."

She shakes their hands. They flinch a little when their skin makes contact with hers, but otherwise seem untroubled. Despite my introductions, the situation is still awkward. Lynn has already seen them near my place, but the Cullens usually communicate with the Quileutes, whenever necessary, by telephone. Jacob saw them a few times, from a distance, and of course noted their unique scent, but he never really talked to them.

"Well, we finally meet a bloodsucker in person. You are very attractive, Lynn, I can see why Brandon likes you….." Jacob finally says, "but you're lucky humans don't have our sense of smell… You stink." He smirks at her, silently daring her to disagree. She can tell this is Jacob's sense of humor, and, smiling, she replies in kind.

"The way I see it, so do you, mutt." She wrinkles her nose and pinches it. Becca and I just look at them, wondering where this is going, but we both exhale, relieved, when they start laughing. Lynn stares at Rebecca next, while I hold her hand so hard I'm hurting myself. Rebecca frowns at her. Jacob and I exchange worried glances; the hostility in their eyes is unmistakeable.

"Brandon says you have known each other all your life…."

"Yes, that's true." Rebecca intones with a shrug. "It's the only reason we welcome you here today. Don't make us regret it…"

"I won't." Lynn replies. Her left hand disengages from mine and holds my waist, pulling me slightly closer to her.

"Has Brandon told you about my special talent?"

"No." Rebecca replies, puzzled. Jacob nods and she gives him a peeved look.

"I can read minds." Lynn says, still smiling. "So I know you are not happy to see me here because of reasons that have nothing to do with the treaty, Rebecca."

"Is that a problem?" She replies defiantly. "Because if it is, I have to warn you; I haven't given up.…"

"Yes, I know, but only until you imprint on whomever your instincts pick. It won't be him. You'd know already if that was the case."

"It's not an exact science; I might never have to." Jacob and I roll eyes at each other without them noticing; women are a mystery. "Is there any way I can convince you to leave him alone?"

"Only one person can make me do that." Lynn says sternly.

"Who would that be?"

"Brandon himself. If he ever wants me to leave, he only has to say so and I will be gone."

I turn toward her.

"Never." I say, my voice strong and clear. Then I look at Rebecca, now making ironic gagging sounds. We all laugh at that and our collective mood finally lightens up.

"Rebecca," I can't resist adding, "I thought we had already talked about this. You know how I feel…"

"Brandon, don't be so serious. I just wanted to be sure there are no misunderstandings between your girlfriend and me. Like Jacob, I'm not particularly fond of the Cullens, but we both respect their…" she hesitates, looking for the right word. "Ethics, I suppose, and their desire to coexist peacefully with humans. And of course we are both grateful you saved him from that van." She adds speaking directly to Lynn.

"Enough chit-chat ladies." Jacob rumbles, his lips curling into a lopsided smile. "Let's go have some fun."