Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight and I'm not making any money from this. I do own my original character Ella and anything else you don't recognise.

AN (updated 24/1/17): I don't usually update chapters unless I'm editing but I had a couple of guest reviews for this chapter (on Oct 22) that I wanted to address. I usually ignore guest reviews because 90% of them are flames. I was told this story was 'cringe worthy' because no one would ever cheer in school over petty drama. That the main character was a mary-sue, a martyr & again cringe worthy. The reviewer then told me it wasn't a flame but an honest opinion for others and myself.

I can think of plenty of times during my school time when petty drama was cheered by others. So that point is moot. A 'Flame' implies that you've insulted someone electronically and while I'm sure in your head you meant it to come across as an honest opinion I'm telling you that it comes across as a flame. The only issue I have with is that people seem to not understand how to write a good review – I'm not slamming everyone under a generic banner here because there are many people who give great reviews. Neither am I an angry author who can't take criticism. I love criticism – constructive – criticism otherwise what is the point of it. I've never thought much about mary-sues, in my opinion the more stories written on certain fandoms the easier it is to create a mary-sue without realising it. Everything has been so overdone that even an original plotline can fall short. I wouldn't say Ella is a martyr, she hasn't killed someone for her beliefs or vice versus. Obviously the person behind the review – whoever you are – doesn't like this type of story. That's fair enough, I commend you for getting to chapter 13 before you made that decision.

'Something about this story is awkward to read' could mean many things. I've spoken before about how this story isn't edited. If anyone wishes to be my beta or knows someone who would like the job, please let me know for I don't have the time to do it myself.

Up Next: Chapter Thirteen – People's Meddling Fingers

I honestly couldn't have thought of a better ending to being reunited with the Cullen's. It was Monday morning but I was still high as a kite with the memory of dancing with Edward clear in my mind. I'll admit that dancing with him was the moment that solidified my feelings for him. I mean really it was inevitable that I would fall for Edward as he represented everything I looked for in a man. I wasn't going to be one of those people who dallied with their feelings and brushed them aside in one stroke of denial. I knew how I felt about Edward, I knew I wanted more than the friendship he offered but I wouldn't do anything to push him away.

With the return of the Cullen's in my life I didn't want anything to disrupt that. Biding my time was easy, I could win Edward's friendship before moving further. It would have been humiliating to walk straight in and admit my feelings only for him to reject me. I was confident but not that confident. I didn't even know how he felt about me. Besides Dad always said that the best romances started as friend's first. I was content with being Edward's best friend until I could call him something else.

Still the memory of him twirling me around the dancefloor, his hands around my waist and his eyes looking intently into mine, was a memory I wasn't likely to forget in a hurry. My mood had done a one eighty in a matter of hours and while others might be surprised by that, I was used to my ever changing feelings.

I had dressed to match my mood this morning and ended up looking like the topping for an ice cream sundae. From top to toe I wore; a pale yellow chiffon shirt with a bright purple hoodie that I teamed with pale pink skinny jeans and white flats. Bella just rolled her eyes at my outfit and mutter something about only me being able to pull it off.

My sister had been in high spirits since the Fair as well and I had Adrian to thank for her happy smile. However, her happiness with Adrian hadn't stopped her from digging into his past and trying to work out his secret. It was a venture I was regretting agreeing to help her with. I was sure that no good would come of it.

Bella it seemed, was on a mission the moment she parked the truck in the school car park. I rolled my eyes are her behaviour but panicked when I saw where she was heading.

A bust up between my sister and the Cullen's was the last thing I needed. What if she drove them away? What if they hurt her? What if I was stuck in the middle?

I couldn't bear to have another confrontation so soon after things had been sorted so I quickly hurried after my sister's determined steps and hoped to put a stop to things before they got ugly. It appeared however, that I had arrived a little too late as Bella had already started her clearly prepared speech to the Cullen's.

"It's great that you are all friend's again and I'm happy that Ella is happy but that doesn't solve the problem. You all took your sweet time decided whether my sister was worth being in your life and that's unacceptable. She hasn't told me all of what happened and I understand it's your secret to tell but if you ever decided to freeze her out again, you'll be looking at more trouble than you can handle."

"We didn't mean anything by it. The decision was carefully assessed before we came to a decision. It was a delicate situation that needed to be thought about before we came to a conclusion," said Alice.

"My sister's happiness will always be one of my top priorities and you hurt her happiness. Try anything like that again and I'll gut you like the fish my Dad catches."

I was surprised by the level of intensity in my sister's voice and by the genuine feel I saw on the Cullen's faces. I didn't want to part with either sides of this confrontation but recognised that if I did have to pick someone I would pick my sister. I would always pick my family over the other people involved. My family meant everything to me. I'd sacrifice the Cullen's if it meant I'd keep my sister and my Dad.

"We understand and are sorry for any harm we have caused," said Edward.

"Look I'm not asking you to stay away from Ella as that would hurt all parties involved. I'm just saying if you ever feel you have to cut her out of your lives or know something will happen to hurt her inform us first. Ella's a strong person but even she falls down at times. It's not fair on Dad and I to have to pick up the pieces without knowing what has happened. Give us the chance to look after Ella."

There were solemn nods all round from the Cullen's and Bella seemed satisfied from all that had been said. I myself felt mortified by what had been spoken about. They all knew I was there and yet I felt as though I was a small child who couldn't function without help. I knew I had issues with life and they were well founded and I knew my sister meant well in all that she had said. However, I was feeling rather exposed from the experience and felt very vulnerable knowing that everyone had been exposed to my weaknesses. It was unnerving.

Bella gave me a strong hug as she left me with the Cullen's. I struggled to know where to look because my face was still red with my embarrassment. I wrinkled my nose and looked anywhere but the Cullen's in an attempt to brush off what had just happened. Determined as I was to move on from this and prove to everyone that I could look after myself, I didn't notice the looks the Cullen's shared but I did feel the cool embrace that Alice pulled me into and the comforting presence of Edward's hand in mine.

It didn't last long, Edward's hand in mine and I had to concentrate on not blushing when he finally let go. It was comforting, a feeling that I wanted more of.

People seemed in high spirits. The Renaissance Fair had rejuvenated the population of Forks and put a smile on everyone's faces. My face shone brighter than everyone's, a fact that my friend's outside of the Cullen's had picked up on. They were happy that everything had been sorted and that I was once more friend's with the Cullen's. Though the definitely delivered their own set of warnings, similar to the ones Bella had issued this morning. Instead of feeling more embarrassment I felt proud that I had such amazing friend's. It was my hope that I could one day merge the two friendship groups together but I could understand the Cullen's resistance in that fact and didn't want to push them into something they didn't want.

The teachers had picked up on my happier mood. In art we'd been paired up again but not in groups. I had been paired with Jasper, while Alice had been paired with Angela. We were to do portraits of each other but not just one. The teacher wanted three portraits each done in a different medium and style. I was quickly realising just how overboard our art teacher went with her projects, the woman really enjoyed pushing us with our artwork. Similarly, in music Edward and I had been partnered together. The guidelines were much vaguer in this instance and we had been instructed to create a piece of music between three and five minutes long. The piece of music had to represent an emotion but other than that we were free to decide.

While I was also doing well in my other classes, I seemed to have hit a brick wall when it came to Biology. The science subjects had always been a bit of a weakness for me. The terminology used had always confused me and as I wasn't particularly interested in the subject matter, my learning had suffered. It seemed I would have to find a tutor if I wanted to avoid my average suffering through this one subject.

That was an annoying thought and I rolled my eyes at the idea.

I had noticed that I was on the receiving end of some very vicious glances during the course of the day. At first I'd noticed the three cronies glaring at me but I'd thought nothing of that behaviour and brushed it aside. Yet, when I saw others looking at me with the same glances I began to take notice and wondered what had happened.

As was quickly becoming the norm for my life, the fallout of these glares and resulting confrontation took place during lunch. I was happily absconded once again at the table that the Cullen's sat at. Wedged between Edward and Rose I was happily chatting to the latter about how I'd settled into Forks and how much I liked fashion.

It was really only when I saw the group of angry snarling people walking determinedly towards the table did I suddenly have a glimmer of what this may be about. Though part of me was wanting to run, hide and have a panic attack the other more confident side of me was chanting 'bring it on'. With the Cullen's surrounding me I felt a lot more confident than I usually was and I could clearly see my sister and other friend's making their way over.

Childishly I wished for one normal day where I could sit and eat my lunch without interruption. However, it seemed that normality was not something that could be slotted into my life. I'd try and embrace it rather than let it hinder my life.

"We have words for you Swan," sneered Mike.

I blinked slowly, adopting an innocent expression as I gazed over the troublemakers that had approached us.

"You know words?"

The sarcasm that came across in my 'shocked' words had the table laughing.

I'd noticed that the entire cafeteria had gone silent. It was once more a reminder that my life was more like a teenage film than I'd previously thought.

"That's not what I meant I—"

"Shut up Mike," hissed Jessica.

"I don't know where you get off running to Daddy like some little baby. We ain't done nothing wrong and slandering our names isn't fair."

"I can honestly say I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Don't play dumb with us. Your 'Daddy' Stupid Chief of Police Swan called us out for bullying others at the Renaissance Fair. Not content with that he dragged us over to our parents and proceeded to list off everything we'd done wrong. I didn't know you were such a liar making stuff up like that. Did you think it would make you more popular? Get it through your skull, you might sit with the Cullen's but you're nothing. We run the school here," said Lauren.

I laughed. Not just a quiet chuckle but like a full on loud laugh. Their words at one time would have had me suffering an attack but this time I just found things so humorous I couldn't not laugh. They were so far up their own arses they had managed to convince themselves that they weren't the bullies everyone knew them to be.

I mean, how stupid can you be to forget what your own actions truly mean!

"Stop laughing you stupid bitch."

I stopped immediately. Not because I'd been told to but because those words hurt. Without the swearing those words were so similar to what Renee would say to me and they were said in a similar tone of voice as well.

"I had nothing to do with my Dad calling you out. It's a well-known fact down at the Police Station that you three are known as bullies within this school. I'm not your only victim and I'm not the only person who talks about your behaviour. I didn't know what my Dad wanted to talk to you about at the Fair but I can see now. He's been watching your behaviour. Gathering evidence if you will. I know the school said they couldn't do anything without evidence of your crimes and who better to provide that evidence that the Chief of Police. Whatever trouble you got into with your parent's isn't my fault. You got yourselves into that mess by being terrible human beings. You think you 'rule this school' but really everyone hates you. You aren't nice people and using fear and hate towards others has only alienated you further."

"High School is a small pond. It's easy to make a name for yourself here but as soon as we enter the real world, your names will mean nothing. No one cares for this sort of behaviour in the real world. This is your peak; this is the best your shitty little lives will get if you continue on your current paths. You won't find any chances from anyone at this table and we won't give you one till you learn the error of your ways. Look around you, everyone is staring at you but it's not in awe or fear, it's in disgust," said Bella.

"You wonder why we never offered our friendship to you. You were quick to say it's because we were different and weird but in reality we knew what kind of people you were and didn't want to get involved. We've made friend's here that will last lifetimes, can you honestly say the same?" asked Alice.

"Everyone here has been really kind with their comments. They don't want to stoop to your level but I have no problems in doing just that. I've had to put up with the three of you since our education began and for years I stayed quiet and let you terrorise everyone. Not anymore, I have friend's now that know the importance of being just that. Friends who care for each other and share a bond that will only grow stronger with time. I wish I'd had the confidence to stand up to you sooner but I lacked the confidence I have now. You're all shit. Mike, you think your god's gift to women but really you're like a limpet who doesn't back down even after being rejected. Jessica, were there more than mere fluff between your ears you might be worth more than the airheaded gossiping bitch that you are. You had so much potential but you aligned yourself with Lauren and sadly you don't have the brains to notice that she's just using you. Lauren, you're the girl who wears more make up than anyone ever should. You have more rides on you than a school bicycle and the sad thing is, you think that's a good thing. You get high off tearing people down and in your own little world you think you are the best things since sliced bread. News flash, you aren't and most people here hate you!"

Silence reigned supreme across the cafeteria. I'd never thought Angela had that much anger in her. Of course she'd known the three cronies the longest but I'd never realised how angry she was at them or how much passion she had in her soul. She was the firecracker surprise that no one had thought would appear.

I don't know who first started the applause but soon everyone had joined in and the three cronies had made a speedy exit from the cafeteria. I'd like to say that this would put an end to their stupidness and their bullying but I doubted it would. They were the kind of people who would always come crawling back out of the hole you put them in. Like the villains in comic books they were never really defeated!

With the latest confrontation out of the way I was looking forward to a stress free week with my friend's. However, a certain pixie haired Cullen seemed to want to put a stop to that. I knew she meant well, it was hard to stay angry at Alice because she looked to adorable and innocent but I was going to have to have words with her if things continued.

Hanging out at the Cullen's house was becoming a regular occurrence for me. I always made sure not to eat too much on days when I'd be going to theirs after school. Both Esme and Rose loved to experiment with cooking in their under-used kitchen and I'd feel terribly guilty if I denied them that pleasure.

I'd been warned on multiple occasions by most of the Cullen family how much Alice liked to meddle in the lives of others. It was all done in good intent but you had to make sure you told her when you wanted her to stop. She was like a bunny, always hopping onto the next thing unless you dangled a carrot in front of her face and forced her to a halt.

Alice's determination to force Edward and I to spend more time together was quickly becoming annoying. At this rate Edward would be put off me before we had a chance to explore things. I wanted to make our friendship stronger but worried Edward would get sick of my presence if Alice continued the way she was right now.

We were sitting in Edward's room, his door was open and we were discussing music. His room was unlike anything I'd expected him to have. He had a whole wall of bookcases devoted to music and books. There was a writing desk against the floor to ceiling windows that dominated another wall and an impressively sized double bed that looked like it had never been used and knowing what they were, she knew without a doubt that he'd never use the bed.

We were trying to map out what we wanted to create and get out of our latest music project. Both of us were serious musicians so we didn't want to do a half arsed job when we could do one that would see us earning a top mark.

After receiving the third not so subtle text from Alice, I turned towards Edward in annoyance.

"Would you be offended if I paused our session here? I need to talk to Alice now or I feel I will go insane."

He chuckled and a warm smile graced his features. My heart was doing summersaults.

Did he have to hit every perfect mark?

"She's downstairs I believe. Try not to do too much damage or Esme won't let you have the brownies she's cooking."

I looked at Edward with the most innocent puppy dog look I could muster.

Brownies? I loved brownies and their chocolaty goodness. Esme made these amazing ones that had milk and white chocolate chunks in them and just melted in your mouth. Mmmm brownies…

Edward clicking his fingers in my face bought me back to the present and I blushed realising I'd gone into a dream land thinking about Esme's brownies.

"Thought I'd lost you there."

"Never but I might give you up for a plate of brownies."

I was out the room like a shot then. I knew he could easily catch up to me if he wanted but I was quite proud of my witty remark.

It looked to me like Alice was trying to get away but for a vampire she was moving ridiculously slowly. I managed to grab her wrist and pull her firmly back into the sitting room. Her expression of innocence did nothing to make me forget what I'd come to talk about.

"Lay off Edward and I."

"Ella I don't know what you're talking about."

"That expression might work on people who are easily influenced but it doesn't work on me. Stop trying to push Edward and me together. I know you probably mean well and I don't know what's caused you to do what you're doing but you're in a danger of pushing us further apart instead of together."

"What do you mean?"

"Edward and I are just discovering our friendship but give us a chance to do it our way. If you keep pushing us together we might get sick of each other and throw the towel in before anything begins."

I could see Alice was thinking over what I was saying but hadn't really understood. I decided I needed to take a leap which was saying something considering I hadn't even confided in my sister yet. However, I realised to get Alice off my back I needed to get things through to her. Obviously with vampire super hearing I couldn't just come out and say things, I had to be subtle instead.

"Edward is different from anyone I've ever met. I think there is potential there for us to be great friend's. Please let us have this chance."

As Alice stared at me I tried to convey what I was feeling with my eyes. When that didn't work I pointed upstairs towards where I knew Edward to be sitting and then constructed a crude wobbly heart with my fingers.

"You love him?" mouthed Alice silently.

I shook my head.

"You could love him?"

I waved my hand in a so-so movement.

"You have a crush on him?" she mouthed.

I nodded.

Smirking triumphantly Alice held her hands up in a sign of surrender. Beet red in the face it was hard to accept it when I knew what I'd just admitted. I was saved further embarrassment however, by the arrival of Esme and a certain delicious tray of brownies. The rest, as they say, is history.