Chapter 3

Charlie enters my room at 10am that morning, poking me. "Bella? What are you doing here?"

I merely groan. He pokes me again. My head feels like it's being attacked with spears on fire, but I somehow manage to open my eyes to greet Charlie.

"Sorry, Cha- Dad. I was just wondering if I could stay here for a while… you know, catch up?"

He smiles at me knowingly, "Another fight with Renee?" I nod. He analyses me for a few moments in silence. "You can stay here. But I think you should be going back to school. That's the deal. Agreed?" I consider for a moment before nodding again.

"Hang on- Rose said you weren't coming back til tomorrow…"

My statement hung in the air for a moment before he sighed, "Renee rang. Gave me a heads up. She said you had probably run off with some guy… I gave you the benefit of the doubt and came home." Oh Charlie…

He pats my leg before leaving the room, shutting the door considerately behind him. School. I had dropped out of school just over a month ago. That's why Renee and I weren't talking. I didn't really have a problem with going back. I only left it to irritate Phil… but if I wanted to stay with Charlie, then I'd do pretty much whatever he wanted me to.

He enrolled me that day, ready to start school the next day with the Blonde haired twits. Rose engulfed me in a bone-crushing hug when she found out.

I was still in bed, collapsing under the combination of her weight and her exuberance. "So, where did you end up last night? You got drunk, ended up at the bar with some guy and disappeared again, and didn't get home this morning til after 5am. Spill…"

"A gal doesn't kiss and tell, dear Rosie," I said patting her cheek.

"Like hell she doesn't. Who was he, and more importantly how was he?"

"I have no idea who he was," at this Rose's eyes widened significantly. She's never approved of my one night stands, especially if I don't even bother to learn their name. "Don't look at me like that, it's not like I do it all the time… but what I do remember is that he was definitely worth it!"

I laughed a little, rolling myself out of bed, heading for the shower, knowing that Rose was dying to press me for the details. Twenty minutes later she was still sitting on my bed, waiting like an obedient dog.

I rolled my eyes, and picked up my purse "C'mon Rosie, lets get Jasper and go out somewhere. I'm starving…"

I woke up early the next morning, an hour before anyone else would even think about getting up. So taking full advantage of the bathroom, I took a long and scalding shower, only getting out when the heat went. I spent a few minutes applying some make-up, not to mention trying to hide the large and obvious hickey on my neck, and choosing my outfit. I hadn't brought that much with me, so I barged into Rose's room, chucking a shoe at her to rouse her from her sleep, before rifling through her wardrobe. I eventually chose a pair of skinny jeans, and a skimpy top, to pair with a gorgeous pair of black heels of hers. I think I'll like living with another girl my size…

Rose had migrated to the bathroom during this time. Now for Jasper's wake up call!

I snuck into his room. He was lying half naked on his back, his sheets wrapped around his waist, with one leg propped out to the side. Perfect. I sat down beside him on his bed and took his foot in my hand, slowly tracing my fingers up and down the bottom of his foot. He jumped immediately at the contact, and tackled me off the bed. He landed on top of me with a loud oomph emitting from my lips.

"Bella."

"Jasper."

"You will pay for this."

"Can't wait."

Rose drove us to school, and like a good step brother, Jasper messes up my hair and sprints away. Rose accompanies me to the office. Together we look through my schedule, and not one class do I have with her. She points me in the direction of my class and we make plans to meet each other at lunch.

First two periods are a bore. I sit at the back with my head in my hands and try to keep my eyes open. It proves extremely difficult.

I ignore the stares I receive as I walk through the hallways. I wander around for a while, looking for my classroom. The hallways population is depleting rapidly as they all get to their classes. I'm almost relieved when some guy approaches me. "Need some help?"

I smile gratefully at him. "Yeah, I can't find my English class."

He smiles back at me. "That's where I'm headed. Mike Newton, by the way." He holds his hand out chivalrously and I shake it trying to hide my smile.

"Bella Swan." We continue to make small talk as we head towards class.

"Know anyone around here or… anything?" His not so subtle attempt at asking me if I have a boyfriend. I smile lightly at him, but remain silent. He goes on. "Just in case you wanted someone to sit with at lunch or something…"

"I've already made plans. Maybe some other time…"

We are entering the class by this time, and I follow him inside the door. He walks to his seat at the back while I approach the teacher. He nods quickly, and points behind me, "Just take a seat there."

By lunchtime I'm starving and I walk to the cafeteria quickly, waiting in line for Rose. I stand behind some guy who was wearing a pair of low riding jeans, and a football jersey. Hello, number 18.

After a few moments he turns around and looks at me, noticing me checking out his backside. "See anything you like, honey?"

"Nah… I'm actually blind. I can only see with my hands. Do you mind?" His lips widen.

" Not at all… you have free reign!" I move myself closer to him, teasing him. I move my mouth centimetres from his lips, and hands reach down to cup his ass. He jumps slightly, clearly not expecting me to actually touch him. I lean my head up to whisper in his ear.

"Not bad, but I've felt better." He looks astounded, excited and crestfallen all at the same time. But I don't care because by this time we had reached the front of the line. I move ahead of him while gapes wordlessly at me, and pay. I see Rosalie waving from the other side of the cafeteria, already sitting down. I start to walk over. I look behind me and his eyes are still following me. I swing my hips from side to side as I walk, and wink. "See you later…"

I sit down at the table and Rosalie just stares at me. "What was all that about?"

I shrug, "Nothing. Just having a bit of fun."

Emmett joined us then, swinging down into his seat, "Tyler is going to be following you around like a puppy, you know that right?" He continued to pull Rose into his side for a "quick" kiss.

While they were busy, I looked around the cafeteria, noticing that most people were looking at me, guys and girls alike. My eyes continued to scan the room. And then I saw her. It was the girl from his house. The one with the black hair, who caught me sneaking out of the house. I may have been drunk but I definitely remembered her face.

My heart sped up. Please tell me that doesn't mean that he is here to? What are the chances of that? But then again, I am in Forks now- Forks with a limited population. Oh God. How awkward. Talk about making a good impression on a town.

I watched her as she moved. She wasn't watching me, she was looking around frantically for someone. When Jasper walks up behind her and picks her only to swing her back down again. He kisses her sweetly and with his arm in the small of her back, leads her towards our table. Oh God- don't tell me that Jasper's new girlfriend is the sister of the guy I just had a one-night stand with? Great work, Bella.

I look down at my lunch as they approach, taking a large gulp of my coke.

"Bella- this is my girlfriend Alice. Alice, Bella." I look up at her slowly, and I can see in her eyes that she remembers too.

"Nice to see you again… Bella."

I grimace, but try to hold it back for Jaspers sake. "You too, Alice."

Jasper looks between us, his eyes darting around. "You know each other?"

They are sitting down by then, opposite me. "We… have had a brief encounter."

"Very brief. But you're looking a lot better than you were last time, Bella." But she says it with a smile, and I know it's in good humour.

"Encounter? When?" Jasper still hasn't caught up.

But apparently Alice doesn't waste a second. "About 5am on Sunday morning. Doing the walk of shame out of our house." Jaspers eyebrows crease in confusion. "She hooked up with Edward, and I caught her sneaking out."

"Score! Good work, Bells!" Emmett's hand reached out and hi-fived mine. I roll my eyes a little, but I can't help but laugh at him. I scanned my eyes around the cafeteria looking for sign of him. He wasn't there. But I couldn't quite work out if I was relieved about that… or disappointed.

"Hang on a second. Edward? As in your Edward, Edward?"

"That's the one..."

"But i thought that he's not... oh whatever."

The bell signalling the end of lunch rang earlier than I expected. None of the others had Biology with me so I went alone. Even though they pointed out the general direction, I have never been that great at directions, and ended making a few wrong turns. Eventually I found it, being only one or two minutes late.

I stumbled into the classroom and the first thing I saw was the boy with the bronze hair. He wasn't looking at me though, not yet. He was talking to some guy animatedly about something, making overly large gestures. And then he turned on his side, and saw me. His eyes lit up in recognition. We didn't smile at each other, but we didn't glare. Neither of us knew how to react.

"Can I help you?" I turned abruptly when the teacher greeted me. I handed him my slip, and he said his name was Mr. Banner. He looked around the room then, searching for a place to sit me. There was only one chair left. Next to him. He nudged me towards the table.

AN: OK, what did you think? Not much happens in this chappie, but Im nearly finished with the next and its definitely more interesting. And we get to find out what happens when she talks to him! let's see who can guess what will happen. Some of you might pick up on the little clue. It's not very obvious though, oh well. There will be virtual prizes... And thanks again to all the people who reviewed... keep em coming! please?