AN: Ummmm, hey guys. I'm so sorry, it's been so long since I updated. I don't want to know how long. But yeah, really busy and not in the mood for writing. Really sorry. But it's a long chapter; if that makes it better... please don't kill me.

Chapter 7

That familiar feeling appeared. You know that one, the one you get when someone's staring at you? Yeah, well I get it a lot nowadays. Sighing I turn around.

"Yes?" I turned around smiling.

He didn't answer at first "Do you want to come around to mine to practice after school?" he asked whilst returning my smile with his brilliant one.

I bit my lip. They would be so pissed if I did. But, then again they did know I was partnered with him so they knew it wasn't exactly my fault or choice. But still.

Paul seemed to read my face and scowled "What, they're going to stop you passing English just to keep me away from you?"

"Not exactly but they still won't be happy. I just won't say anything unless they ask." I grimaced. This was all a bit sad but I knew where they were coming from.

"You know from the outside this all looks a bit controlling," he insinuated casually.

My glare had him backtracking "But... since when has what I say matter?"

I smiled sweetly. "Exactly, I'll meet you in the parking lot after school."

I wasn't sure he'd heard me because his eyes glazed over after I smiled. I really didn't get it, why did he look at me like that? Like I was the single most beautiful girl in the world? I wasn't ugly but I wasn't anything special either. Not plain even, just... normal. Like the rest of my life at the moment. I couldn't deny it, I was bored. I wanted adventure. So sue me for going after the oh-so alluring adventure in my life at the present- Paul. I knew I shouldn't be taken in by his charm that appeared once he dropped the asshole act. I shouldn't be so aware of how freaking hot he was. But as much as I cared for my friends, I cared for him as well. Wait, no! I don't like him. I'm just attracted to him. God knows, I'm not the only one. They may not actually approach him, not since Hannah, resident slut, had been rejected so harshly she burst into tears on the spot, but the talk that went on when he wasn't there! It was all too annoying.

It wasn't just him, all of his friends were regarded in the same way, but unfortunately for them, majority of them were in what seemed to be in deeply loving and serious relationships. It was pretty much Paul, Embry and Jacob left. And Jacob was becoming more and more emo-like because he was depressed about some girl from Forks, which kind of killed his hott-ness. So that left Embry and Paul.

Without knowing at all, I'd been walking to my next class. I was somewhat proud, yet disturbed at the fact I could walk through clustered corridors with mindless chatter surrounding me, and not even notice. But was being that oblivious a good thing? Who knows?

This class, Calculus (blah, I'll kill my mother for making me do it), I had with Alison. She was already seated and smiling in greeting at me.

"Hey" I returned the smile hastily as I got my books out.

"Hey, we're going down to the beach after school. Wanna come?" Oh god, of all the people to have to tell...

"Who's coming" I asked evasively, avoiding answering for as long as possible.

Her look was quizzical as she answered "The group- you, me, Nikki, Rochelle, Sasha, Sam, Mitch and Tom."

"Oh" my eyes were fixated on the pen I was removing the lid off.

"So, can you come?" She pressed.

I sighed heavily. "Actually, I can't." Please don't ask why, please don't ask why......

"Why?" Goddamit!

"I have to meet up with Paul for our English project." Why her? Of all people?

I cringed at the expression on her face. "I'm sorry, but we really need to get this finished."

She remained silent for a few moments before replying "No, it's alright." But the gritted teeth said otherwise.

She didn't talk to me for the rest of class and left without a glance in my direction. I huffed and shouldered my bag storming out of the room. It wasn't my fault I had a project with him. But it is my fault that I enjoy the excuse to talk to him. I really should stop doing this.

When I entered the cafeteria I was welcomed with death stares from Sam. The rest looked uncomfortable and unsure of what to do.

The option of walking out of the cafeteria was very tempting. But if I made it look like I have something to be guilty about they're more likely to think I do. I pay for my salad and water and walk over.

The tension in the air was confronting. I hesitated before taking my usual seat between Sasha and Tom.

"Hi guys" when they didn't answer I averted my eyes to my, now less appealing salad.

"What's your problem? What the hell do you think you're doing hanging out with him after school?"

The anger and accusation in this not-so true statement made my own temper flare "My problem? My problem is that I'm not even allowed to pass English if it involves Paul. I'm sorry, I know how you all feel about Paul, and with good reason, but there's not a lot I can do about it."

But Sam wasn't done yet "What happened to doing the assignment by yourself?"

I sighed in frustration and exasperation. "It's re-enacting a scene from Romeo and Juliet Sam! Not a research project. Kind of hard to explain where he put the work in don't you think?"

"Even better, he can fail." Sam shot back venomously.

"Okay you know what? This is getting weirdly controlling and I don't really think I want to be here when you decide to lock me in a closet to prevent me seeing him, so, until you figure out how weird and stuffed up this is, piss off! I'm sorry guys but I can't avoid him forever." I cast an apologetic look at Alison "I really am sorry."

I, for once, got up gracefully and departed. The grounds weren't too wet so to avoid their glares I went and sat on one of the deserted tables in the garden.

Sighing and staring dejectedly at my still untouched salad, I slumped onto the bench. Minutes after speaking those words I regretted them. They didn't need to hear that, even if it was true. And now they probably hated me. Joy. I was back to being the new girl with sarcasm and cynicism for friends.

Anger shot through, why did it have to be me? Couldn't he have picked someone else to talk to? Or picked some other group to hurt so badly. The anger needed an escape. That escape was tossing my lunch violently off the table, and chucking my water as far away as I could. I sat there just staring at the mess I'd just made before sighing, for what seemed the hundredth time today, at my shockingly childish and pathetic behaviour. Pushing myself off the bench, I bent down and picked up the ruins.

"Generally when we buy water, we drink it, not throw it." I started and swivelled, already knowing who it was.

"Jesus, Paul, don't scare me like that." I snapped, glaring at him venomously.

My expression seemed to hurt him "What have I done now?"

The hurt, so clear on his face and deep in his eyes, made me feel guilty. "Nothing, I just told them where I would be this afternoon, they got pissed, I reciprocated, and here I am."

He frowned. "Oh." Then he looked pained. "I'm so sorry, this is all my fault. Shit, um, what can I do?" he pleaded.

It really was his fault. Entirely his fault. But I couldn't bring myself to be angry at him. He may have been a complete dick to them but, so had I now so I guess I shouldn't criticise.

"Well, did you have any compelling reasons to go to the rest of your classes?" I smiled.

"Not really. What do you have in mind?" His grin was happy.

My eyes narrowed "Our project, genius" I said slowly so he'd process what I was saying.

He blushed. "Right. Well should we go in my car? Or yours?"

"I don't mind"

"Okay, we'll take mine and I'll get Embry to drop off yours later." He said decisively.

I hopped up "Well if we're skipping lets go now."

"After you, miss." He said, with his hands extended slightly in front of him.

I snorted "Don't ever do that again. You couldn't be a gentleman if you tried."

He feigned offence "I can so. You just haven't given me the opportunity."

I laughed. "Yeah, the opportunity to attempt to be one and make a fool out of yourself."

He pouted "You're mean."

I laughed again "Yep."

He sulked the rest of the way to his car.

"You finished?" I asked

He shook his head. "Not until you apologise and take it back."

"Okay, I'm sorry Paul. But I'm not taking it back until you prove me wrong."

"Fine, I will." And with that he marched over to my door and opened it for me.

I laughed again; this boy had a gift for making me forget my problems, even when he's the centre of them.

I sat down in the car. "That's a start" I allowed.

He walked around and got in on his side. "You'll see."

The drive itself was quiet, but in a serene way. Paul had this smile on his face; so beautiful and satisfied. It made me smile. I grimaced, ruining the happy picture; thoughts like that seemed to always pop into my head when they really, really shouldn't.

When the car finally slowed to a stop I looked out the window. A cute little two story cottage entered my vision. The garden surrounding it was picturesque. And I couldn't imagine Paul in this house one little bit. Oh well, I was about to see. My view was blocked by a very buff and hot torso. He opened my door and offered his hand to help me out.

I had to laugh at that. "I'm alright, thanks."

"Well fine then, reject my gentleman-like behaviour. Just the fact that I'm offering it proves that I am one." He announced while we were walking to the door.

"You can be one when you consciously try. By nature you're not though."

His eyes narrowed. "You'll see."

"I already have" I shot back.

"Example?" he was becoming a bit pissed off now. Not that that would stop me.

"Do you want a list?"

"Give me one example." Did he really think he could beat me with this?

"My first day, you knocked me over." Let's see how he tries to justify that.

"It was an accident."

"If it was an accident, the gentleman would apologise and help me up." I said, trying not to sound too resentful.

He was silent for a moment "Fine, you got me. I wasn't a gentleman then. But now that I've actually got a reason to be one I will be."

"What reason's that exactly?"

"You." He remarked promptly before pulling a chair out for me.

I remained standing, in slight shock. Why was I a reason for him to be a gentleman? Surely he didn't like me? He was so good looking, he could have any girl.

"And?" I enquired.

"What do you mean?" he seemed confused for some reason.

"What does my being around have to do with you needing to be a gentleman?" please don't say what I ludicrously want you to say....

PPOV

"What does me being around have to do with you needing to be a gentleman?" her sweet voice asked.

Did she seriously not know? Jared said I wasn't exactly subtle...

Well here it goes, the normal 'no imprinting' reason "Because I like you."

Please don't reject me or slap me or something.....

She seemed to be in shock. I waited as patiently as was possible in this particular instance.

"Paul, you can't like me. I can't like you, you can't like me. Ok?" her angelic voice was hard, like it was when she was trying to be ruthless.

"Why Alex, why?" this was not happening. I was not getting rejected by my imprint. I really hate my old friends. And myself...

She let out and exasperated sigh "Because Paul, they're my friends and whether you like it or not you hurt them. I can't have anything to do with you after this...." while she was pumping out the speech I'd heard many times from her I studied her guarded face carefully.

It was so hard to tell what she really thought and felt. But what was that? In her eyes, was it desire? Did she actually like me? Only one way to find out.

Interrupting her mid-sentence, I lowered my head to hers and kissed her. Our lips fitted together like a puzzle. Her lips were still for a moment before replying hesitantly. I couldn't believe this was happening.... she didn't hate me....

APOV

His lips were so soft... and hot. I was worried about his health, but a bit occupied at the present. Our lips moving together, it felt like the most natural thing in the world. Meant to be. His tongue glided along my bottom lip, asking for entrance. Against my better judgement, I complied. His tongue tangled with mine. My mind had went blissfully blank, letting me enjoy the kiss.

Several minutes later we stopped and my actions came to my attention.

"Shit! Jesus, Paul do you have any respect? You don't just kiss someone half way through a conversation!" I was on the defence now. No matter how much I wanted to kiss his irresistible lips again.

"Last time I checked, if someone objected to being kissed they didn't let it go on for five minutes." He returned, smirking. You could see the satisfaction radiating off him, the smug bastard. Why did he have to be so freaking perfect?

"Not the point! You shouldn't have done it in the first place! And like I could have stopped you anyway! You're unnaturally huge."I couldn't deny I didn't like it. I had been blissfully happy to be finally kissing Paul. So I changed the subject.

"You think I wouldn't stop." His murderous glare seemed to cover the pain and hurt from that assumption.

I sighed "No, I don't think that, I just... can't. They've been so nice to me, Sasha's my best friend." I finished quietly.

"If she was your best friend she'd understand." He said shortly.

That was it; I couldn't handle his insensitivity to my situation. 'Well Paul, we won't ever find out because, because I'm not risking it!" I shouted, before swivelling and storming out.

Totally overdramatic but I was pissed off and upset. I realised it was more than attraction, I actually liked him.

I heard quick footsteps following me. Then a warm hand reached out and grabbed me gently. "Wait! Alex! Just answer me this- do you like me? At all?"

The look on his face prevented me from lying "Yes, I do. But that doesn't change anything. I'm sorry."

Knowing I couldn't keep up the semi-composed facade for much longer I pivoted and ran away. As in literally ran. How extremely cliché and overdramatic. But he didn't follow. I knew because when I spared a glance back at him all I could see the broken look on his face. My stomach churned, knowing I had put that look there. But I kept walking. Just like I had my whole life.

AN: Not really sure about this chapter... so tell me what you think! Please?