"Come on, Rosalie! Don't be mad! Please…Can't I be friends with Alice and you?" I pleaded for the millionth time with my goddess roommate. She turned away, huffing. I sighed.

"This whole Preppies-versus-Punks thing is stupid, Rosalie. What if you're missing out on some great friendships because of it?" She spun around, stomping her foot.

"WHAT friendships, Bella? What could I possibly have in common with those-those-those FREAKS!" She screeched. Emmett, who was standing behind me, cowered, but I held my ground.

"A lot more than you would think, Rosalie. But no. You all refuse to break past these stereotypes!" My voice was louder than I thought it could go. The only time I had ever reached the level was…that night…

"These 'stereotypes', as you so tactfully called them, were laid down decades ago by some of the most successful artists and musicians in the world! It's tradition! It keeps us from mingling with scum."

I pinched the bridge of my nose, taking a deep breath. "Do you really believe that, Rosalie? Am I scum? Do you regret having me as a roommate?" That hit the mark.

"You bitch! I've been nothing but nice to you since you got here, and then I hear you're out traipsing around with Brandon, like you're old buddies! You betrayed me, Bella. You are scum." She stormed out of the room, tears in her eyes.

I flopped back on my boring bed, sighing. So much for liking my roommate…

Emmett sat next to me, running a hand through his curls. "Don't hate her, Bella. She's just…troubled. She doesn't like people betraying her, no matter how petty the matter is. Just, let her steam for a bit. Come on, we've got a free period now. Let's go chill somewhere."

I let Emmett lead me out of the room, out the building, and into the courtyard, where a group of kids lounged, reading fashion magazines and playing hackysack.

"Hey, guys! Rose'll join up later, so I brought Bella!" Emmett boomed, flopping down on the grass next to another burly boy. They bumped fists, then pulled me down to sit between them. The other boy smiled and shook my hand. "I'm Tony. Or BT. Whatever floats your boat."

I nodded, looking around at the circle. Some of the faces I recognized from dinner yesterday, but the others were new to me. Rosie G and Hartzie were there, glaring at me, along with Josie, who waved cheerfully. BT and Emmett chatted animatedly, leaving me to sit all alone like a loser.

"Hey, Angelina! Or, what is it you insisted on, Dawn-chan?" Josie shouted at a figure approaching us. I looked up curiously. One of the angel twins…

"Hey, guys! Ooh! Is this the newbie?" She asked, pointing at me. I blushed, nodding.

"Yup! Come meet her!" Angelina strode over gracefully, plopping down next to me. Her black hair was pulled into a pony-tail, the pink tips dancing in the breeze cheerfully. She smiled at me, winking one of her pink eyes.

Wait.

Pink eyes?

"You're eyes…?" I stuttered, gaping. She giggled, patting my head.

"They're contacts, silly. I think they're cool." She said, shaking my hand. "I'm Angelina. You must be Bella."

I nodded, suddenly feeling stupid. Contacts. Duh, Bella…

"So how're you liking Cully?" She asked, picking a flower from the ground and sticking it behind her ear.

"Oh, it's great. I really like my Creative Writing class. Mrs. Platt is so nice. And I ran into an old childhood friend there. Small world, huh?" She nodded, smiling as she placed a flower behind my ear.

"Now we match! So you're a writer? That's cool." She said.

"Angelina! Quit fooling around! We need to work on our project!" A girl screamed, yanking Angelina up. I recognized her as Angelica, her sister.

"Oh, alright. Bye, Bella! See you later!" Angelina got up, dusting off her jeans. Angelica studied me for a second, then asked, "Didn't I see you with Brandon and Whitlock last night?"

"Uh, yeah. Why?" I replied, pretending to not know why she asked. Everyone froze, staring at us. Angelica scanned me, then allowed a small smile on her face.

"Oh, no reason. Come on, stupid girl. We need to finish our project," She said, yanking at her sister's arm, who seemed oblivious to the uncomfortable silence spreading through the group. "Bye, Bella. See you around."

The others just stared at me, then exploded. "YOU WHAT?" "YOU BETRAYED US!" "HOW COULD GO HANG OUT WITH BRANDON?" "ARE YOU INSANE?"

I stood my ground, as I had with Rosalie, simply saying, "What does it matter to you who I hang out with? It's not hurting you. I happen to enjoy hanging out with them, and you. Where's the crime in that?"

Silence fell over them, until Rosie G piped in, "But-but it's tradition! Choose a side, traitor. Us, or them."

Emmett frowned. "Wait a second! You can't just give her that ultimatum! She's a cool kid! You're missing out!"

Josie jumped up, agreeing with Em. "Yeah! And she's got a point! Why can't she be friends with both?"

"Josie!" Hartzie shouted. She stood up with a group of others, surrounding Rosie G. Josie moved over to stand next to me and Emmett, glaring at her friends. A few others joined us, including a brown-haired girl with a "G" necklace. But we were still outnumbered.

"What, Hartz? I'm not allowed to agree with her? Cut the tradition BS. You all know it's just a stupid excuse to hate people different than us. C'mon Emmett, Bella, Genevieve. Let's go." She said, walking away. I sighed, hating to cause a scene.

"The nerve of some people…" Josie said, running a hand through her reddish-brown hair. Genevieve turned to us, smiling.

"Don't worry, Bella. Josie and Hartzie are best friends. This wont come between them." She patted my shoulder reassuringly.

"Hey, Gen! You taking Jacob to the dance?" A guy sitting on the wall next us shouted. She blushed, nodding.

"Unfortunately, yes. My parents love him." Jacob? My Jacob?

"Jacob who?" I asked, confused. Preppies wouldn't date Scholarship kids, would they?

"Jacob Bowen. Your typical ass-hole all wrapped up in a sporty package," she said bitterly, playing with her necklace. So this is what it's like to be a high-class kid…match-maker parents, no say whatsoever.

"Is the dance upon us already? I haven't had my tux cleaned yet," Emmett asked, grimacing. I shot him a questioning look.

"Oh, right. Newbie. Every semester there's a HUGE dance, fancy dresses, caviar, the whole-shebang. Dates aren't mandatory, but you look like a fool if you don't have one. I suggest finding a boy-toy, and fast. But sorry," he said in a mocking tone, "I'm already taken. I know, you're crushed."

I grimaced. A dance. Ugh. My parent's used to have parties like that all the time. He had always kept me company, until…

"I don't do dances. Or parties. Or dresses. At all," I said, tripping over a rock. Emmett reached out to catch me, only to be beat by none other than Jasper.

"Wow, Bella. Again? I know you're falling head-over-heals for me, but I didn't think that meant literally," he joked, winking. I blushed. Emmett growled.

"Whitlock."

"McCarty."

"C'mon, Bells. Let's go to class." Emmett yanked me away from his roommate, storming off towards the main building.

"Stupid, punk-ass, good-for-nothing druggie," he muttered, dragging me behind him. "Anyways, Bella. You have to go to the dance. You don't think you can get out of giving me the honor of a dance, do you? No, no. Once Rose is over being mad at you, she can help you get a dress."

"Uh, huh. How about I take a rain check on that dance, and I skip the party?" I asked, grinning hopefully.

"Fine. But you owe me that dance. Hey, Ronald! Turn up that boom box! I need a good dancing song!" A boy with slick, blonde hair nodded at him, turning up the volume.

"What? Emmett, not now! Not in the middle of the courtyard!" I practically shrieked. He grinned mischievously, taking my hands.

"Why not, Bells? Ooh, good song! One of my favorites." A familiar song started playing, and Emmett twirled me around, spinning me back and forth.

"When the road looks rough ahead, and you're miles and miles from your nice warm bed, just remember what your old pal said: Boy, you've got a friend in me. You've got a friend in me…"

"Ack! Emmett! I. Don't. DANCE!" I squeaked, concentrating on my feet. I didn't trust them.

"C'mon Bells. It's now, or at the dance."

"Can't it be neither?"

"No."

"PLease?"

"Just come to the dance, Bells."

"No."

"Come on."

"No."

He dipped me dangerously low, my head nearly touching the ground.

"Eek! Emmett! Put me down!"

"Come to the dance."

"All right! All right! I give up! I'll go, I'll go! Put me down!"

He chuckled, lowering me gently on the grass. I smacked his leg, glaring at him. But the big teddy-bear just laughed and walked away, practically singing, "See ya later, Bells!" Don't forget to find a date!"

Hey, sorry for the wait! So, whatdya think? R&R pleez!

BTW, if anyone needs FF ideas, I gots plenty!

ANna