Hola! So just a heads up, I am going to be leaving town this weekend... including Sunday, so i probably won't be updating then.

No updatey Sundaytey. Okie dokie, enjoy this chapter!

Reviews are lovely, by the way.

-Cullen-Style

Chapter 8

Bella's POV

When I got back to my dorm room I immediately went to work on my homework, having nothing else to do. After almost an hour of excruciating Pre- Cal homework, I was finally finished. I took a look at the clock on my front of my phone… it was only 4:30, Rosalie and Alice still weren't back yet.

They'd told me that they may be spending time with Jasper and Emmet after school, so I wasn't stressing too much. I was glad they were finding people to hang out with, especially now that I was going out with Tristan.

I decided to call my Dad, Charlie, I haven't had time to talk to him since I left so I thought now would be a good time; I dialed his number on my cell phone.

"Hello this is Charlie Swan," his 'business voice' answered. He sounded like home.

"Hey Dad, its Bella," I smiled into the phone.

"Oh hey, Bells! How are you?" I could practically see his crinkly smile that was most likely on his face.

"It's great, everybody here is really friendly," I replied conversationally.

"That's good," he commented.

"How's Phoenix without me?" I questioned happily. Charlie sighed,

"Well, not as good as when you are here, but I've been managing." Charlie's voice was especially bright today. I laughed,

"Don't adjust too much, Dad, you might not want me back," I joked. I heard Charlie's familiar chuckle on the other line.

"Sure, Bells. Hey I have to go, I have a another meeting in a few minutes. I'll talk to you later, sweetie," he seemed a tiny bit reluctant.

"Okay, bye Dad. Love you."

"You too, Bells." And with that he was off of the phone. I missed my Dad, although he wasn't there as much as another father, he was just as great. I couldn't wait until Thanksgiving break with I got to go back down to Phoenix for a week and a half. If this is what going away to school did to you, my dad would be extra pleased.

My phone began to vibrate softly in my hand, I looked at the now lit up screen… Tristan was calling.

"Hello?" I immediately picked up.

"Hey, Bella beautiful," he said, pairing the words. I laughed once,

"Hello Tristan tremendous," I replied, thinking quickly, but laughing because I knew how stupid and idiotic it must have sounded.

"Are you calling me fat?" he questioned. I giggled, he always had the funniest reactions… they were so random and made no sense at all.

"Yes Tristan tremendous, I am calling you fat," I stated firmly.

"Good, because I'm coming to pick you up for dinner," Tristan informed me. I laughed but also was confused; could we go out on school nights so late; I knew that there was a curfew on when you could leave campus…

"Can we go off campus?" I wondered out loud.

"Yeah… well I can," Tristan answered, hiding something. I immediately was suspicious.

"What does that mean?" I asked.

"Well… if you are so desperate to know, Isabella, it means that I have special connections," Tristan said very punctually, he sounded like a strict teacher scolding a misbehaving child.

"Yes sir!" I said very military like. I heard Tristan's laugh.

"I'll be there in twenty minutes," Tristan said.

"Okie dokie!" I replied, Tristan started to laugh again.

"See you then, Bella."

"Bye." I hung up my phone and ran to jump into the shower before dinner.

After pulling on a pair of light wash, destroyed jean capris, a pink Lacoste polo, and a pull over red hoodie I was ready. There was a knock on the door at the exact moment I got out of the bathroom; I walked briskly to open it.

"Hola Senorita," Tristan greeted me. I smiled brightly and held out the door for him, letting him come in. He came in and took a seat on the sofa and relaxed.

"I have to go get my stuff, be right back," I smiled and left the room to grab my shoes, purse, and cell phone. I swiftly put on my white slip-on vans and the rest of my stuff. I glanced at myself in the mirror before going back out to Tristan.

"Okay, ready." I announced and he stood up off of our brown sofa. He looked at me and shook his head disapprovingly, I looked down at myself- was I forgetting something? Did something get on my shirt?

"What?" I asked after I found nothing wrong with me.

"Bella beautiful… you do realize the attention you attract dressing like that…" Tristan replied with a smile on his face. I rolled my eyes at him,

"You do recognize that I'm wearing jeans and a sweatshirt, right?" I tried to clarify. This time Tristan gave me a look like the answer was obvious… how obvious could it be, I'm a normal, plain Jane girl.

"It doesn't matter what you wear… you are just too Bella beautiful," he stated, I sighed and blushed. Tristan had to be one of the sweetest, thoughtful, and wonderful boy in the world. When I just stood their embarrassed, Tristan continued talking,

" 'Bella beautiful'… Bella is a perfect way to describe how beautiful somebody is… and you can only be 'Bella beautiful' if you are stunning on the outside and inside…"

I raised an eye brow at him, curiously,

"Is that a new term?" I asked him; Tristan smiled and nodded in return,

"Of course, it's the best one I've ever come up with." I dropped my head, to hide my bright red face; there was a shy silence in the air,

"Come on lets go eat, you must be starving from football practice," I broke the quiet space between us and pulled him by his hand out of the door.

We walked hand in hand all through the school campus, until we got to the parking lot where I stopped at the side walk. Tristan turned around,

"What's wrong?" he asked, concerned. I assessed his face for a second, he would do this… I knew he would.

"Can we take my car?" I asked, curious of how he would react to this. If he was anything like Rosalie the answer would be a definite 'no.' Tristan just shrugged as if it was no big deal, because evidently to him it wasn't a big deal.

"Sure, but I don't think that you're in any shape to be driving a car…" he noted. I nodded, agreeing.

"I know… I've been told; you could drive if you want," I offered. Tristan nodded,

"Sure, where's your car?" he asked, looking at the vast parking lot. I searched for a short second and then saw it; it was parked right on the sidewalk a little bit to the left of us.

"It's this way," I pointed a finger in the direction of it and led the way, Tristan a half a step behind me. I hobbled towards it and then stopped when I was in front of it. I dug through my purse that was on my shoulder and tossed him the keys after unlocking the doors. The lights inside the car lit up when I pressed the unlock button.

"This is your car?" Tristan said, surprised and slightly awed. I shrugged and nodded it off like it was nothing, though I loved it when I got compliments on my precious baby Audi A5.

"Yup," I answered and got inside, where the black leather felt like home. It still smelled like the dry desert. Tristan stood outside for a moment, frozen then hurried into the driver's seat.

"Nice, Bells. This car is off the hook," he laughed. He moved his hand to the bottom of his seat to adjust it and frowned. I looked at him, worried.

"Was Rosalie driving your car earlier?" he asked, completely serious. I had no idea what was going on… what was wrong with my car?

"No…" I said, confused, while shaking my head. Tristan pursed his lips together,

"Then why is the seat so far back? Your legs can't reach this far…" Tristan's eyes looked hurt, he couldn't possibly think… he didn't actually suppose that I...

"NO! Edward was driving my car when we all went the mall, we didn't have enough room for all of us to go in one car and I let him drive mine," I quickly explained. Tristan sighed deeply, relieved.

"Oh, okay," he beamed at me. I just smiled back, eased also. Tristan started up the car and looked behind him before pulling out of the parking spot. We got to the gate where security was, they motioned for us to stop. Tristan rolled down his tinted window and smiled at the scary, large man.

"Good evening, Mr. Wood, I was just going out to the store for some more athletic tape, I was pretty sure that it would be alright if I got some dinner while I was out. You know how old that cafeteria food can get, sometimes." Tristan talked so smoothly and calmly. The frightening man's face softened instantly,

"Sure, Ashburn, go ahead. You just make sure to get enough athletic tape to last you to the big game next Friday night," his deep voice answered. On his face was a smiled.

"Yes sir, I will make sure to do that. Have a good night, Mr. Wood," Tristan said his goodbyes and rolled his window back up before driving off the school grounds. As soon as he were completely out of hearing distance, I started to laugh hilariously. Tristan gave me a funny look,

"What I told you that I had connections," Tristan grinned. I shook my head,

"Connections? No, more like sucking up to the school staff," I corrected.

"I guess you're right… but it helps in times like these, doesn't it?" Tristan laughed along with me, turning up the radio at bopping his head to the music.

When we got back from dinner Tristan invited me over to his dorm room to hang for a while, it was only 7:30 so I thought it would be fine. When we were on the elevator and about to get out he put a hand out to stop me right as I was about to get out.

"Wait," he instructed while sticking his head out, looking for something it seemed. After a couple of seconds he put his arm down and turned back to me,

"Okay, the coast it clear," he stated and we walked out of the elevator freely.

"What was that?" I asked.

"Well last year our floor got in trouble with… girls, so we aren't allowed to have any in our rooms at all," Tristan enlightened me while opening his door to his dorm room, which was on the right side of the hall.

"Really? Did you get into trouble?" I asked, looking at him intently. Tristan stopped in the middle of opening the door and gave me a stern look.

"No. I am not like that," he answered, deliberate with each word, especially the 'no' part. I nodded, believing him. Tristan continued opening the door and leading me inside.

"Well this is it," he opening an arm, waving it towards the room. I assessed it. The furniture was definitely more masculine… it seemed as if dark colored metal was more of the trend in here.

"Very nice…" I smiled at him, the room wasn't too messy as I was expecting it to be, considering they were a bunch of teenage guys rooming together. Tristan chuckled lightly at my flattering remark. He took my hand,

"Come on, I'll show you my room," he said and pulled me to a short hall with a door at the end and opened it. The walls in Tristan's room was a light gray that went well with the metal furniture and his bed coverings were a midnight, navy blue.

"I like it," I grinned at him and sat down in his twirling desk chair and spun around. Tristan walked over and collapsed onto his bed, his face in the duvet cover. After a second, Tristan turned back around and sat up.

"So I wanted to talk about the people who asked you to the dance," Tristan said to me. Still spinning in circles, I answered,

"Sure, whatever is good." I was a little dizzy. I couldn't tell exactly what was happening, but I knew that Tristan was moving; I stopped spinning, interested in what was happening. I had to wait to see clearly for a moment; everything was blurry and swaying from side to side.

When I could finally see what was going on, I saw Tristan had the notebook open and was marking it all up with a black pen. He had a scrutinizing look on his face, it was obvious that he didn't like what he saw.

"Soooo?" I asked him, wanted him to voice his opinions. Tristan looked up from the spiral notebook and sighed.

"I can't believe how many perverted guys asked you out," he laughed though he sounded angry still. I couldn't quite comprehend his tone of voice.

"Sorry?" I shrugged; I didn't know what to say. Tristan just chuckled,

"Don't worry; lucky for you, I narrowed down your invites to a three guys," Tristan announced, getting up to hand me the corrected notebook of names. I took a look at it, almost all of the names were vehemently crossed out, except for three as Tristan mentioned.

The guys were Alex Craft, Logan Davis, and Ryan Connings. I looked up at Tristan's face,

"What am I supposed the tell the other guys when they ask me tomorrow?" I questioned him, estimating exactly how guilty and horrible I would feel the following day. Tristan gave me a comforting look,

"Don't worry about it, I'll take care of is. After all, this was my idea," he smiled a little, knowing how much I didn't like to hurt their feelings. I gave him the biggest smile I could manage back, which wasn't that big. He put his finger under my chin and lifted it up to give me a small, reassuring kiss.

"You still have until the end of the week, don't forget," Tristan breathed onto my lips. I sighed, sadly.

"I won't even know the person that I am going with, how much fun could the dance be? Maybe I should even go…" I replied quietly. Tristan pulled back his face to look at me. I tried to twist away from his evaluating gaze.

"I'll take care of everything, I promise. Before the dance, I assure you, that you are going to get to know who ever your date is, better. If you aren't going then neither am I," Tristan said just slightly louder than me. Feeling overwhelmed by this whole production, I wrapped my arms around his neck and buried my face into his tee shirt covered chest, hoping the water in my eyes didn't over flow.

Tristan wrapped his arms around my waist, rubbing my back soothingly. I don't know how long he just held me, but by the end of it, I was feeling better… ready to try and have a fun time with this.

"Okay, I'm ready," I declared, "How are we going to do this?" I asked, pulling myself back so I could look into his light- grayish blue eyes. Tristan seemed relieved that I was taking everything well once again.

"Well, I was thinking that we'll wait it out until this Friday, then you can make a choice," Tristan suggested. I nodded, I didn't really want to pick anybody just yet, somebody that I actually wanted to go with- if I met any new people- might ask me just yet.

"Is there anybody that you wanted to go with in particular, you know a friend or somebody?" he asked, I was beginning to think that Tristan could read my mind. Sadly, I had to shake my head.

"Not really, I don't know anybody that well yet," I admitted, a little ashamed. Here, Tristan was, the epitome of the 'popular high school student' and here I was, just as I said before, I normal plain Jane girl. Tristan wrapped me up into another warm hug, and whispered into my hair.

"I'll take care of you, everything will be perfect…I promise." I looked up into his beautiful blue eyes that were partially obscured by his dark brown hair.

"Only if you promise." I smiled softly, Tristan nodded then continued with his plan,

"So over the weekend, maybe you could hang out with your date. If you don't think you like them, you can cancel and find somebody else the next week, too." Tristan was deep in thought, considering every option available.

"Who do you want me to go with?" I asked, wondering if he had a friend in particular that would be fun for me to go with. Tristan evaluated my expression before answering,

"I was thinking Alex. He's a pretty good friend of mine and everybody always has a good time with him, you wouldn't try anything with you either, he's a good guy," Tristan said and I laughed, remembering how he asked me; the writing on the chest, 'I love Bella.'

"What's so funny?" Tristan asked, happily confused. I laughed once more before answering.

"He asked me at lunch today, he was shirtless and wrote on himself with paint 'I love Bella.'"

Tristan laughed with me,

"Some how that doesn't surprise me… Alex is one of a kind," Tristan breathed.

Tristan walked me back to my dorm room around 9:30, promising to the guys that had asked me, their answers. I wasn't going to answer anybody for sure yet; I wanted to see who else would ask me. It was only Wednesday, after all.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

The next morning, I woke up very early and found that I had a voice message on my phone. I didn't recognize the number so I called my voice mail box. After entering my password, I listened to the message.

"Hello Miss Swan, this is Mrs. Cope calling from Dr. Cullen's on-campus practice. We just wanted to see how your recovery is coming and if possible, perhaps a quick check-up to see that everything is going smoothly. So if you could just give us a call or drop in, we're open from 6am- 11pm. Okay, see you dearie," I heard Mrs. Cope's girlish voice say. I sighed, I was probably going to have to go in, I wanted to anyways just to make sure everything was fine.

I went back to my missed calls list and called Dr. Cullen's office. After only two rings, Mrs. Cope's voice answered.

"Hello, Dr. Cullen's office."

"Hi, this is Bella Swan," I replied.

"Oh, hello Bella, how is your ankle feeling?" Mrs. Cope asked sweetly.

"It's feeling good, am I supposed to come in?" I asked, wondering if it was required or anything.

"You don't have to, but it is highly recommended," Mrs. Cope answered, it sounded like she was trying to get me to go in.

"When do you have an opening?" I sighed, I didn't like going to the doctors, it was embarrassing, especially when I was always injured.

"We have time right now, can you come in?" I looked at the clock on the wall, it was almost seven a clock, if I went now, I could go straight to class after.

"Sure, I'll be there in a few minutes."

"Okay, dear, I'll let Dr. Cullen know." Mrs. Cope sounded excited to talk to Dr. Cullen, I could see why. I said my 'thank-you' like I was taught by my mother and hung up. Quickly, I got dressed and grabbed my stuff.

"Hey Rose, I'm going to go to the on-campus doctor before class, I'll call you later," I told the blonde beauty while shaking her sleeping form.

"Hmm, okay, whatever Bella," she said, half asleep. I exited her room, closing the door behind me and went to Alice's room. I shook her once and she woke up, wide awake.

"Morning," she yawned.

"Hey, I'm going to the on-campus doctor for my ankle before class so I'll see you later." I said quietly. Alice pulled the covers off of her and walked to her closet.

"What are you doing?" I asked, confused why Alice was even up thinking about getting up this early. Alice began changing her clothes, pulling on a pair of jeans and a cute top.

"Coming with you," she stated as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Alice you really don't have to, it's early," I tried to convince her, I didn't want her to think that she had to, though I would like the company.

"Stop it, Bella. It's fine, I'm supposed to meet Jasper for breakfast before class anyways," Alice checked herself in the mirror quickly and grabbed her back pack, putting the strap on her small shoulder and walking out of her room, I followed, tentative still.

Alice turned around, impatient,

"Hurry up, Bella. You're going to be late," she huffed, opening the door and walking down the hall behind her, trying to keep up.

Alice forced me to keep pace with her grueling speed the entire walk to the doctor's office; I was sweating by the time we got there.

"Good morning, Bella." Mrs. Cope greeted me when I walked into the waiting room.

"Morning," I smiled back, trying to catch my breath. Alice snickered quietly… she was enjoying watching me struggle. That evil little midget.

"Why don't you come back into a room, Dr. Cullen will be right with you," Mrs. Cope began walking down the hall I was now familiar with; Alice followed behind me. When Mrs. Cope turned around to open the door for me, she finally noticed Alice.

"Oh, Bella, you brought another friend today. Hello, dear," Mrs. Cope smiled friendly. Alice gave her a sweet, delicate grin back. Ha! Alice was such a little, no tiny, suck up.

"It's nice to meet you, I'm Alice Brandon," Alice stuck out a slender hand for her to shake. Mrs. Cope shook it.

"Like wise." Mrs. Cope broke her gaze from the utterly cute Alice and turned back to me, still in the doorway of the room.

"Dr. Cullen will be a short minute." And Mrs. Cope departed, back to her station at the front desk. Once we got inside and shut the door, Alice snorted.

"Did you see what she was wearing? Pink and floral are spring time patterns." Alice criticized. I thought I heard her mumble "Amateurs" but I could have just been imagining it. I took my seat on top of the table that was once again covered in white, sterile, paper.

When we got out of the doctor's office, Dr. Cullen told me that I could begin walking around without my crutches because I was healing unusually fast. I thought it was because it never was that bad in the first place; doctors always diagnose worse than the case usually is.

When we exited the office, Alice seemed a whole lot chirpier… I was guessing it was the breakfast with Jasper.

"Excited much, Alice?" I mumbled when she started to skip instead of speed walk. Very childishly, she turned around and stuck out her tongue at me. I rolled my eyes. Beaming, Alice opened the cafeteria door for me, and then raced ahead of me to find Jasper.

"Oh my god…" I breathed when I looked up. Stacked upright were multiple cafeteria tables, each with a giant paper letter on it, spelling 'HOMECOMING?' Right after the question mark stood tall blonde Jasper, holding a bouquet of red roses. When Alice's eyes met his, her face softened. Then she sprinted over to him and jumped into his waiting arms.

"So you'll go with me?" Jasper asked the obvious. Alice pulled back to look at him,

"Of course," she gave him a kiss, "Of course," she gave him another kiss, "Of course!" and with that she kissed him and didn't let go. All of the girls in the cafeteria sang a chorus of "Awwws!" I stood there for a minute, watching them. They were so… connected, I couldn't figure out what exactly it was, but I knew there was something.

"Cute, aren't they?" a familiar voice asked from behind me. I didn't turn away from gazing at my best friend and her new Homecoming date.

"Yeah." I replied halfway focused on the conversation. Finally, Alice untangled herself out of Jasper's arms and they went to sit down at a table, I turned around to the bronze haired, green eyed boy.

"Jasper can't stop talking about her," Edward stated, looking over at his best friend also.

"He knows exactly what to say though," I commented, smiling.

"He made Emmet and I get up at 6am to help him put this together," Edward frowned, I gave him a look,

"But I was happy to help," he continued, grinning ear to ear like a child in trouble. I snorted.

"So who are you going to the dance with?" I asked, pondering how many girls asked him. Edward shrugged,

"I don't know, still haven't asked anybody yet," he answered nonchalantly. I was surprised; a popular guy like Edward usually had their dates planned a year in advance.

"Who you going ask?" I questioned. Edward's eyes met my own, I couldn't understand the emotion in them, but he looked away quickly. He was reluctant to answer, obviously debating something in his head.

"Well, I was going to ask you," Edward said quietly. At first I thought that he was joking. I laughed once.

"Are you kidding?" I was completely serious, why would he want to go with me when he had the pick of pretty much the entire school? Edward nodded slowly, looking away from my intense gaze. I thought about it for the moment… if Emmet asked Rosalie, we could all go together. And Edward was… Edward. I couldn't describe him.

"Sounds good." I smiled at him. He looked almost shocked at my answer.

"What did you say?" he squinted his eyes as if in doing so he could comprehend my reply coherently.

"If you are asking me, I would love to be your date to the Homecoming dance," I said very formally. A beautiful smile spread across his face.

"Good, because I would love to be yours," he picked up a hand that was resting on my crutch and kissed the back of it. I blushed, and Edward gave me another unidentifiable glance. It was quiet for a moment… well until I broke the silence at least.

"You do know that you're probably going to have to buy a new tie, right?" I warned him. Edward looked confused. But that could be easily cleared up, I could explain in one single syllable… so I did.

"Alice."

Edward smiled once more and shook his head side to side, laughing musically before answering.

"Wouldn't have it any other way."