Disclaimer – Stephanie Meyer owns all Twilight themes. Not me. =(

Chapter Ten – Rumours

I pulled on my black skinny jeans and a blue hooded top. My hair was scraped back into a high ponytail and I had smudged on a little eyeliner to give me extra confidence. My satchel was swung over my right shoulder and I glided through the school hallways in an almost arrogant way. John jogged next to me in an attempt to keep up,

"Slow down Alexis," he panted as he dodged a trash can. I stopped suddenly as four vampires came into view. John skidded to a stop beside me, "what's wrong with you today?" he asked cheerfully. Ignoring him, I made my way to Emmet, Rosalie, Alice and Jasper.

"Hello," I said briefly, looking them over.

"Hi," they muttered darkly, all with permanent scowls on their faces. I was surprised to say the least; I had thought that they would react to me differently now they knew about my connection to Edward and Bella. I stretched out my mind,

I wonder why she ran off last night. She still has not explained about her hatred for Bella.

What did she say to Bella to make her so upset last night? I don't understand what's going on.

She is such a bitch! I growled out loud at Alice. Oops she can read my mind. Ha, well I think you're a bitch Alexis – Bella's never done anything wrong in her life. You are probably just jealous of her.

"Where are Edward and Bella?" I asked curiously, pulling my shield back in. I hated prying into other peoples minds as often they held the advantage. They were able to give you insults or messages without you being able to return any of them.

"At home" scowled Alice, "not that it's any of your business."

"Whatever" I said, rolling my eyes. I pushed past them, making sure to walk into Rosalie's shoulder. Hard.

"What was that about?" said John as sure as we where out of earshot. Well human earshot – they could still hear.

"Their sister Bella."

"What about her?"

"She's a slut," I laughed. John frowned, finding it hard to comprehend the quiet, very much in love, Bella as a slut. "She got pregnant" I explained. His eyebrows shot up.

"What?" he asked.

"Well, she got knocked up a while ago, had the baby and then put it in a home or something. I think she must have moved schools. Is she a transfer?"

"Yeah, she moved about a year ago." I nodded knowingly, and turned to face him as we reached my locker.

"Well, see you later," I smiled, hoping he would leave me in peace. John, taking the hint, left me armed with extra gossip.

***

I had English Literature first, it was easy for me and I genuinely enjoyed it, but most importantly there was no vampires in my class. I took a seat beside Beth

"Hi" she smiled. I grinned at her

"Hello, have you heard about that Isabella?" I chuckled as I got my pens out. She shook her head so I repeated what I had told John. Her mouth dropped and I could tell she was desperate to tell Sophie. That was good; once Sophie knew the whole school would know.

I carried on like that throughout the day, smiling and avoiding the Cullen's at all costs, occasionally spurring on the rumours.

In Chemistry I knew I was in trouble.

Reluctantly, I took my regular seat beside Josh, moving my chair as far away as possible. As I got out my pens Josh shot me the dirtiest look which I tried my best to ignore. A blonde girl, who was in Gina's clique, strutted over and sat down on mine and Josh's desk. She was fairly pretty but I was sure that Josh would not be even slightly interested.

"Hey Josh" she said huskily, showing off her padded chest and fluttering her mascara clad eyelashes. I coughed to cover a laugh; how she thought that was seductive was beyond me. Not that I can blame her – Josh was gorgeous.

"Hi Lola," he grinned. I stopped laughing; he could not possibly find her attractive could he? When I had tried my hand at seducing him he had proved that he was immune to my charms and this girl, this human girl, had him grinning and staring at her chest. I let out a low hiss that she could not hear but Josh did and he smiled smugly.

"So I was wondering... " she said hesitantly, clearly she was not expecting this response either.

"If I would go on a date with you?" interrupted Josh confidently as he flashed Lola his perfect smile. "Friday, I'll pick you up at six." He winked cockily. Lola blushed crimson and looked nervously to a group of friends who were watching her intently.

"Actually no" she said, "I have a boyfriend." Josh's mouth dropped and he let out a low

"Oh."

If Josh could have blushed he would have been bright red now. I snorted to myself.

"I was just wondering if it's true about Bella?" Lola asked eagerly.

"No" hissed Josh angrily and she stood nervously up from the desk.

"Actually it's very true Lola," I smiled. Josh glared at me and Lola made a quick exit to report back to her friends.

I burst into hysterics, clutching my side as I laughed uncontrollably.

"That was smooth," I laughed.

"Shut up" snapped Josh, annoyed. "And why the hell have you been spreading rumours about Bella?"

"Rumours? Me? No, I've told only the truth."

"So you've not told everyone that she got pregnant?" he asked. I chuckled to myself,

"No, I've said that. But, that's the truth."

"It's not and you know it! She can't even possibly get pregnant."

"Is that what she's told you? Well go and ask her for yourself, maybe she will trust you enough to share her little secret, then again maybe not," I snapped. I was still annoyed that Bella and Edward were trying to hush it over and had not even told their family.

"Oh for god sake Alexis grow up!"

"Whatever" I scoffed, "have you ever considered that maybe I might be right and Bella isn't all that seems to be?"

"No," he said confidently, "I trust Bella completely, whereas I don't trust you."

"Have you even asked her about this?" I frowned. Was she denying it?

"No" he admitted, "but I don't have to."

"Just ask" I whispered lowly as the teacher started the lesson.

Fortunately, there was little chance for talking so we sat in not so comfortable silence rather than arguing. When the bell rang I tried to rush out for the classroom but Josh caught my elbow.

"Come round tonight" he asked, in a non-question way. I shrugged, but contemplated the idea. Perhaps it would be better to get everything off my chest. To let it all out so everyone knew the truth.

***

I set off to the Cullen's at about one am. I was careful to shut my window behind me and check everyone was asleep before leaving. It took me about five minutes as I could run at full speed since there was no one about. Running seemed to give me courage and I was sure this was the right thing to do. I needed to get over this and get on with my life.

I slowed once I got to the huge white house. Nerves hit me, but I was ready to do what I had come here to do: to face my fears.

"Alexis?" questioned Josh as he stepped out of the porch. I half-smiled and followed him inside. He squeezed my hand reassuringly, pleased that I had decided to come.

"Alexis!" screamed Bella suddenly and she threw herself at me in a bone crushing hug. I could tell that she had been dry crying. Ha! Finally, she was starting to feel guilt for what she had done to me all those years ago. "Is it true? Are you?" she whispered in my ear excitably.

I pushed her away gruffly.

"Don't touch me" I spat at her. The rest of the family entered the hall, Alice looked livid,

"How could you?" she shrieked, "how could you lie about Bella like that?"

"Wh-What did she say?" stuttered Bella.

"That you are a whore who got knocked up and then abandoned your baby" I said emotionlessly.

"I didn't" she whispered, loud enough for everyone to hear. Josh smirked at me, satisfied with her answer.

"You lying bitch" I shouted. A few people gasped but Bella just started sobbing again, hugging herself as if she was keeping herself from breaking. "I hate you" I cried, "you ruined my life!" I blinked away the tears unsuccessfully as they flooded my face.

"I didn't" she whimpered again and Edward captured her in a hug.

"Bella sweetie it's ok" Edward said reassuringly.

"No it's not ok" I screamed, "It's wasn't ok then and it's definitely not ok now!" I brushed away my tears.

"What the hell is going on?" asked Rosalie. Bella ignored her and turned to me,

"I'm sorry" she sobbed, "I didn't know. She said. I thought. I'm sorry Alexis."

"That doesn't make it better" I yelled.

"What. The. Hell. Is. Going. On. ?" shouted Josh. We all turned to face him. His face was screwed up into confusion and his midnight hair flopped over his eye. He blew it away angrily.

"They're my parents!" I half laughed half cried.

Everyone's mouths dropped. They all looked between us slowly, trying to comprehend what I had just said. Edward nodded slightly at them as they looked to him for reassurance.

"How is this possible?" asked Carlisle.

"She left me" I wailed, "She didn't want me. She didn't love me. She was ashamed so she left me."

"No. No – Alexis," said Bella quickly, "it wasn't like that. I didn't know."

"Don't lie" I snapped, "you knew exactly what you were doing!"

I turned to leave the house,

"I thought you were dead!" screamed Bella hysterically.

I froze.

A/N Thoughts? That was a quick update I think. :) – perhaps deserves some reviews? Ha ha.

Susie xx