A/N: I do own a copy of Twilight; however, I don't own the actual rights to said book … :(

This chapter is dedicated to nobodyparticular for being brilliant! And BitNByTheBeatles for being super nice! And my two 'sisters' :-P And, as always, to all my reviewers! 323 reviews! That's AMAZING!

Chapter 7: The Book with the Yellow Cover

Mikes POV

"Hello Sir, anything I can help you with today?" A middle aged woman asked as I walked into Borders.

"Um, no thank you. I am just looking around" I quickly lied and walked to the Psychology and Self Help section of the store.

When I got there I picked up the yellow-covered book I came for and sat down in a secluded corner and began to read, making mental notes as I did so.

It was quite informative, and had ideas and techniques I'd never even thought of. I soon became very absorbed in the text, picturing Bella doing everything the book was describing. I was so focused on the mental images of Bella and what we were doing later tonight that I didn't notice someone walk over, and stop so that they were standing right in front of me.

"Mike, Mike Newton?" he deep voice asked.

I instantly looked up only to see the guy I ate lunch with a couple days casting a shadow over me. "It's Jasper, right?" I questioned.

"Yea," he said clenching his fists. What is his problem? I thought. I then saw him look down at the book I was holding and then back up at me. "Sex for Dummies?" Jasper questioned, chuckling.

I felt my face turn a bright red and stammered "Um, well you know, I was um, just reading it for fun, you know? It's not like I'm a virgin or anything, please! Lost that when I was practically 13 to a super model from… England. Yea, that's it – I was just bored and decided to do a little reading. It's so um, funny the things they write in these books, don't you think?" Jasper looked at me questioningly while I mentally slapped myself and decided to shut up before I made things worse.

"A super model from England, hu?" He asked and I just nodded my head. "What's her name?" he asked slyly.

"She um, her name was … Kate"

"Kate? Kate Moss?" Jasper said skeptically.

"Yea, totally" I said, grinning.

"You had sex with Kate Moss when you were thirteen. Right" Jasper said rolling his eyes.

"Whatever man, you don't have to believe it, don't mean it isn't true" I said getting defensive. No way in hell was I about to admit to him that I was a virgin, especially when I'd been dating Bella for so long. Everyone back home just assumed we'd done it, well maybe I hinted that we had, but still, no one had ever questioned my sex-life, or lack there or, and I didn't like Jasper's questions.

"Right, so you read Sex for Dummies in Borders in your free time?" Jasper said.

I felt the red creep back up onto my cheeks again "Well, no. I don't even know how I ended up with this book actually, I came here looking for a book for my history class and then thought I'd get a laugh or two by reading it" I lied through my teeth, while I stood up and put the book carefully back on the self and stepping away from it.

"You sure seemed pretty engrossed in it when I walked up here," Jasper said. Why can't he just leave this alone? I thought, frustrated.

"Yea, well" I was cut off by my phone vibrating. Saved by the bell! Or in this case, phone!
Jasper noticed my phone going off, rolled his eyes and walked away, fists clenched again while laughing to himself. He is one weird guy I thought while I pulled my phone from my pocket.

I flipped it open to see a picture message from Bella. I smiled to myself, and opened the text. What I saw shocked me. It was Bella, my Bella, lying on my bed looking beyond hot and oh my god. I pulled the phone closer to my face and confirmed what I thought I saw earlier, Bella was wearing a black lacy bra that was easily visible in the picture. There was a message at the end that I eagerly scrolled down to read: Mike, everything is ready for you baby. Open the curtain to your bed when you get to your room for a surprise.

I starred wide-eyed at the message and then scrolled back up to look at the photo again. I was the luckiest guy in the world. I quickly snapped my phone shut and practically ran out of Borders and to my car.

On the ride back to campus, I tried remembering everything I had just read. Man, I wish I could have read more, I thought to myself, cursing Jasper for interrupting me.

The ride to campus flew by, probably because I was going easily 40 miles over the speed limit. Once I was parked I sprinted to my dorm room, stopping before I entered to catch my breath.

"This is it, Mike" I said, talking to myself, "Don't screw it up. Remember what the book said." I took a deep breath and turned the handle to my room. When I opened it I gasped.

My room was transformed. There were rose petals everywhere, candles lit up the room and I smelled the distinctive scent of cinnamon; my favorite.

"Bella?" I said, in what I hoped what a seductive tone. "Baby, I'm here."

No response. That is strange, I thought. Wait, she said open the curtain, I remembered so I began to walk over to the curtain, preparing myself for the great night I was about to experience. I was about to pull back the curtain when I suddenly thought twice and quickly pulled of my shirt, throwing it onto Tyler's bed.

Then I slowly opened the curtain, smiling a seductive smile. When the curtain was fully pulled back, I looked up and felt all the color drain from my face.

In front of me was not Bella in sexy lingerie, but blown up pictures of Jessica and me making out. Shit.

EPOV

I was sitting at my desk trying to concentrate on this book I was supposed to read for my History class, when Jasper burst through our door laughing.

"What is it Jasper?" I asked while he continued to laugh, his face turning red from lack of oxygen, "Jasper, you okay?" I asked, now concerned.

"Oh.My.God. Edward! You are not going to believe who I just ran into!" Jasper said between deep breathes.

"Who?" I asked, truly curious.

"Mike Newton," he said before breaking out into laughter again.

I clenched my jaw and narrowed my eyes in Jasper's direction "How is that funny Jasper?" I asked, "Did you forget what he did to Bella?"

"No, no. Give me a minute" He said, holding up a finger and taking a couple more breathes before proceeding with his story "So, remember how I told you I was going to go to Borders to look around at books?" he asked.

I nodded while he continued his story "Well, I walked into the store and started browsing around and when I walked past the self help section I saw Mike sitting in the corner reading… reading Sex for Dummies." He barely got out before he started to laugh again. "So I walked up to him and asked him what he was doing and the idiot tried to convince me that he had sex with Kate Moss when he was thirteen and that he just reads sex books for fun."

I couldn't help it; I started to laugh with Jasper. As mad as I was at Mike right now, the mental image of him sitting in a corner in Borders desperately flipping through the pages of Sex for Dummies, probably taking notes, was too much to handle with a straight face.

"Anyways," Jasper said after a couple minutes of laughing, "He got a text mid-conversation with me and then ran out of the store. I figured it was from Bella so he's probably at his dorm by now, realizing his surprise isn't exactly what he thought it was."

My face quickly dropped from a smile into a tight line as I remembered exactly what he did to Bella. "I'm going to go drop him a hello" I said bitterly, "Be back later."

"Want me to come?" Jasper asked.

"No, I can handle it," I said as I walked out of our room and made my way to Mikes.

I didn't bother knocking as I opened the door to see Mike, shirtless, starring at the pictures on his bed, with a look of horror in his eyes.

"Mike" I said roughly.

He turned around immediately and was greeted with my fist. "This is for Bella" I said punching him again, "This is for the tears she spilt last night over you" I said throwing another punch, "And this is, well this is for being a complete ass" I said kneeing him in his groin, making him fall to the floor in pain.

I didn't even give him a chance to get up or respond, I kicking him one last time in the stomach and walked out the door, slamming it on my way out.

As soon as I shut the door my phone started to vibrate. I looked at it and saw I had a text from Bella. Curious, I thought but quickly opened it. What I saw made me literally freeze in my tracks.

Bella was lying on a bed, looking extremely beautiful and glancing up at the camera, penetrating it with her deep brown eyes. Why would she send this to me? I thought, not that I minded. It just didn't seem like a very Bella like thing to do. I saved the picture and quickly made my way back to my room.

"How'd it go?" Jasper asked as soon as I got inside.

"He'll have a black eye by morning, and quite a few bruises." I said solemnly.

Jasper nodded and then said "So want to call the girls and see what they are doing tonight?"

"Um," I thought back to the picture I just received, "I don't know, don't you think Bella is going to be worn out after today?"

"I'll call Alice and ask" Jasper said and before I could stop him he was on the phone with Alice.

I pictured Bella on that bed again, grinning up at the camera and couldn't help but smile. She was so gorgeous and she didn't even know. Then suddenly insecurities and doubt came flooding into my mind.

Did Bella want me to see the picture? What should I do when I see her? Act like a gentlemen and not mention it. Maybe she didn't mean to send it. But then if she did and I just act like nothing happened, will she get hurt?

"Edward, earth to Edward" Jasper said waving his hand in front of my face.

"Sorry, kind of zoned out for a minute. What's the consensus?" I asked.

"They say to come on over in thirty minutes. So I was thinking we could stop by the ice-cream store on the way over and pick them up some."

"Good idea, Jasper, let's go" I said putting $20 in my pocket as we headed out the door. Jasper was silent on the walk over to Scoops, the local campus ice-cream shop leaving me alone with my thoughts. Eventually I came to the conclusion that I would judge Bella's reaction to me and then act accordingly. If she acted like nothing was weird or wrong I'd just be normal old friend Edward, but if she showed even the slightest bit of liking to me I'd tell her my feelings.

We walked into Scoops and went to the counter to look at the variety of ice-cream flavors available.

"May I please have a plain medium chocolate ice-cream in a bowl?" Jasper spoke to the girl behind the counter.

After she quickly got his ice-cream she asked "Anything else I can get for you?"

"Yes, um, we'll also get rainbow sherbet, medium also" Jasper said and then turned to me saying "Alice's favorite, learned that last night" I nodded and continued searching for the ice-cream I wanted.

Once the girl handed Jasper the sherbet she turned her attention towards me, "And what can I get you, sir?" she said politely.

"I'll have the mint chocolate chip, same size" While she was getting me my order Jasper suddenly turned to me.

"We don't know what ice-cream Bella wants. Think we should just get her a vanilla? Everyone likes vanilla, right? Or we could call her, it'd ruin the surprise, but maybe we should…" Jasper said while scratching his head.

"Chocolate chip cookie dough," I said without thinking "that is her favorite."

"What? How in the world do you know that?" Jasper asked, incredulously.

"Um well," I started shyly "As you know already, Bella and I used to be friends a long time ago. Well, I remember one day in particular, we'd just finished running through the sprinklers in her parents' back yard when we heard the ice-cream truck's music. So of course we dashed into her house to beg her mom for money. She gave it to us after a minute of pleading and we sprinted outside to catch the ice-cream man. Once he stopped we walked up to the side of the car and ordered. I ordered first and got the screwball, you know the ice-cream with the gum at the bottom?" Jasper nodded and I continued my story "Well, I remember Bella getting extremely happy because the truck as selling chocolate chip cookie dough ice-cream and after she paid for it she turned to me and said 'This is my favorite ice-cream ever' and took a giant bite out of it, only to get a brain freeze" I chuckled at the memory.

"What a Bella-like thing to do," Jasper commented.

"Sorry to interrupt, but here is your mint chocolate chip and chocolate chip cookie dough." I raised an eyebrow to her and she continued "Sorry, I couldn't help but hear your story and decided to get it for you without interrupting." She smiled sheepishly.

"Oh, well thanks then" I grinned at her "Here you go" I said handing her the $20, "Keep the change"

We walked out of the shop and began our walk to Bella's dorm. "Yep, she's practically the same as she was back then," I said continuing our conversation, "of course she has matured a little bit."

"You mean she is now a total hottie?" Jasper said winking at me.

I blushed and stammered "W-well, I guess"

"It's okay man, I won't tell her, but you are pretty obvious about it." Jasper said as we walked up to the girls' dorm room and knocked. Soon I heard the twisting of a door handle and looked up to see Bella and Alice smiling at Jasper and me, ushering us inside.

"We brought ice-cream" Jasper said holding up the cups.

Alice took hers from him and kissed him lightly on the lips, "You are too sweet Jasper," she said "You too Edward" she said winking in my direction.

"Here is yours, Bella," I said giving her the cup and spoon.

She looked inside and gasped "Chocolate chip cookie dough! My favorite! Thanks Edward!" she said ecstatically, and hugged me tightly. I grinned widely and looked over at Alice who I saw was studying me. I threw her a curious glance and then, slowly, pulled away from Bella's hug.

"Hey Alice, can you help me get napkins?" I asked her, she nodded as I pulled her into the hall saying a quick "We'll be right back" to Bella and Jasper.

"What's up, Edward?" Alice said innocently.

"What are you up to Alice?"

"Why, Mr. Mason, I have no idea what you are talking about." She said, batting her eyelashes.

"Alice…" I said warningly.

"Fine." She sighed "I sent you that picture from Bella's phone. It was used as part of our plan to get back at Mike. I was just trying to gage your reaction to it when you came in."

"And?" I asked.

"You like her." She said simply.

"No really Sherlock?" I said sarcastically. Hoping she was just talking about liking as in friends.

"You like her as much more then a friend Edward," she said as if reading my mind "I know you do, question is" she paused for dramatic effect "what are you going to do about it?"
I let out a deep breath and said "I don't know. She probably doesn't even like me like that."

"She does, she just doesn't know she likes you like that yet" Alice said matter-of-factly.

"So what am I supposed to do then, All Knowing Alice?" I said.

She laughed "I like that name, but make her fall for you, romance her"

She made it sound so easy. "And how exactly am I supposed to do that?"

"That's for me to know and you to figure out." She said quickly running into the bathroom to grab some paper towels to use as napkins and then briskly walked back to the room where Jasper and Bella were sitting talking.

I hesitated momentarily behind her, thinking about what I should do before resolving that I'd figure out a plan later tonight. As for now, I'd just act normal.

"We have napkins!" Alice announced like it was a huge accomplishment.

"Yay," Bella giggled and took one.

"So, Bella, how are you?" I asked as I sat next to her.

"Good. It feels so good to be done with Mike. It hurts what he did, and my heart still aches, but having closure is nice" she sighed contently.

"Oh, Bella. I have a funny story to tell you." Jasper said and then told her and Alice about his meeting with Mike earlier in the day. By the end of the story they were both laughing so hard they had tears in their eyes.

"Oh my god, Bella. How were we ever friends with him?" Alice laughed.

"I have no idea," Bella said between laughs as she continued to eat her ice-cream.

"All I know is that Mike better never show his face around us again." Alice almost growled.

"That wont be a problem" Jasper said "I doubt he'll want to show his face to anyone for some time." He laughed.

"Why?" Alice and Bella said simultaneously.

I threw Jasper a glance, that he ignored, since he went on to say "Well, Edward paid Mike a visit after you all left and I have a feeling he's gonna have one heck of a black eye by tomorrow"

"You did what?" Bella said, shocked. "Edward, you didn't have to get involved. I handled it." She said quietly.

"I know Bella, and I'm sorry. I just felt like I had to do something and I couldn't control my anger." I said eyes downcast.

"I'm not mad Edward! You fought for my honor, how noble" she said sarcastically "I am just surprised that's all. I don't remember you being the violent type."

"I'm not usually. I just felt like I had to do that though, no one hurts you and gets away with it" I said before thinking about it.

She gave me a curious glance and searched my eyes for something, after a minute she sighed and responded "Well, thanks for sticking up for an old friend"

"What are friends for?" I said, slightly wincing at the word friends.

Alice seemed to notice the awkwardness that just filled the room so she suddenly suggested we watch a movie.

After all agreeing on a movie, 1408, we all moved up to the beds to get comfortable.

Jasper automatically went over to Alice's bed and snuggled in beside her, leaving me with only one option, to sit with Bella on her bed.

Bella patted the empty space next to her and wiggled her finger signaling for me to come over. I quickly obliged and got settled in. It was only after settling in that I noticed for the first time in my life exactly how small twin size beds were. Bella and I were practically pushed up against each other; I was so close that I was able to smell her strawberry shampoo. I was beyond tempted to turn towards her and run my hands through her long, brown hair and kiss her deeply. I knew, however, I couldn't and I resisted the urge by shifting as far away from her as the small bed allowed and clenching my fists.

Alice turned off the lights and began the movie as I sighed and prepared myself for the longest two hours of my life.

A/N: Hey all! I am SOOOOOO sorry for taking so long to update! I can't say I'm sorry enough! I had a super long Lit paper to write (twelve pages and that's a lot for me… especially a boring research paper!) Anyways – please comment, they really do mean a lot and only take a minute :)