I enter my office to find Alice sitting primly legs crossed, her face expressionless but her dangling foot fidgeting betrays her calm façade.

D: Alice

A: D

D: This is an unexpected surprise what can I do for you this evening?

A: Well D, I am trying pretty damn hard not to rip your damn heart out right now but I will be honest I am unsure if I will be succeeding at this point.

D: Ok then, what is it that is upsetting you?

A: Well, Bella and Edward are kind of in a holding pattern don't you think? It is hurting them both and they made no progress in the last chapter!

D: I disagree Alice, I think that the conversation Bella had with you was pivotal and necessary in order for her to realize that she cannot see a future without Edward. She needed to realize that in order to commit to a relationship with him wholeheartedly instead of because she can't help herself or her hormones don't you think?

A: Shut up

D: Laughs

A: I am hurting for them D.

D: So am I Alice but I have a good feeling about how this is going to turn out although I really shouldn't need to re-assure you I mean do I need to write in a tune up of your psychic abilities or something?

A: Very fucking funny D!

D: Just trying to be helpful Alice!

A: Stalks angrily to the window and jumps out.

D: (Mutters) Dramatic much?

A: I can still hear you!

******

Chapter 10

Deal Breaker

As I drove to school Monday morning I could not stop yawning, I stayed up until about 2AM talking with Edward on the phone until the battery of my phone finally started dying, I need to get a back up battery before I do that again, I could have stayed up all night talking to him. We did not talk about our relationship and avoided any topics that were sad or heavy. We caught up on family news, school stuff and we laughed a lot. Sure, I am exhausted but it's totally worth it because I can't wait to see him again. Edward said he wasn't coming back to school right away but Alice would be there, I did not ask why nor did he offer an explanation, I think he wanted to give me a little more space and I appreciated his thinking of me.

I didn't even have a chance to turn my truck off and my door was being practically being ripped off the hinges, I started when I took in Angela's expression, "Oh my god Angela, are you ok?" She grabbed my arm and started pulling me out of the truck, I barely had a chance to grab my backpack and slam the door, "Ang what the hell?" "Oh I dunno Bel my mom told me you stopped by my house last night and this morning I get to school and there is a certain silver Volvo in the parking lot and I have called you about 6 times in the last 20 minutes and you did not pick up so tell me everything before I totally lose it and beat you to death!!!"

I looked at her for several long seconds and than burst into laughter, she looked even angrier for a moment but than started laughing too, "I guess that little outburst was out of character for me huh?" "Yeah Ang, just a little!" Angela touched my arm reassuringly "I'm worried about you Bella, please tell me your ok!"

I took a deep breath and smiled shyly, "I am confused, angry, excited, happy, sad, in love but one think I can definitely say is I am ok!" Angela let her hand drop from my arm and returned my smile, "I'm sorry I was not there when you needed me Bel, promise me you will call me on my cell next time!" "Ang, it was no big" Angela interrupted me impatiently, "Promise me Isabella Marie!" I tried to reign in my irritation, "OK ANGELA, if you promise to not call me Isabella Marie I will promise to call you next time!" Angela smiled and held up her pinkie, I wrapped my pinkie around hers, a silent promise. "Better get to class Swan, your going to be late!" "Take your own advice Webber!"

I endured the gossip, whispering and curious looks all morning, on my way to lunch a warm arm made its way around my waist, I looked up with a start as Brad leaned down and whispered in my ear, "You look really pretty today Bella!" I stepped backwards out of his grasp as if to get a look at him, "You look good too Brad!" I said as I continued walking, his arm came around my shoulder this time, "So I am going to hang out with some friends at the park after school today, there is a new café that just opened near there and I was wondering if you might want to come along?"

I groaned internally, this was going to suck! "As friends?" I asked looking up at him meekly through my lashes. He stopped looking at me exasperated, "Bella you can't look at a guy like that while trying to tell him you just want to be friends!" "How was I looking at you?" I asked confused, he began walking again and put his arm around my shoulders, people were staring, "You can't look at me all shy and sexy like that and tell me your not interested, it's confusing, as hell!" I bit my lip trying to figure out what I was doing wrong, he was making me feel really uncomfortable so I shook his arm off my shoulders "I'm sorry Brad" I started but he cut me off, "Is this about Cullen cause I heard he was back!" And there was his arm again around my shoulders; "I suggest you get your arm off of her if your intention is to keep it Brad!" We both turned to see a very angry pixie eyes narrowed lips curled slightly over her lips eyes boring into Brad, I was frightened by how angry she looked, it was not healthy for Brad, Alice looked like a vampire!

"Alice!" I hissed as quietly as possible, "Calm down!" Alice shot me a scathing look, I don't think I will calm down Bella, you removed his arm from you several times and he does not seem to get the hint so maybe someone needs to spell it out from him and since you are clearly to polite maybe that someone is me!" Brad's arm had fallen off of me when we turned to look at Alice but in a completely idiotic move he put it around my shoulders and brought me into his body tight again smiling at Alice in a taunting manner if possible Alice looked even more furious for a moment and than her expression completely changed and she smiled angelically at him. I was really scared, "Brad" I started nervously, "maybe you . . ." and than I was interrupted by the reason Alice's demeanor changed so quickly "WELL IF IT ISN'T HELL'S BELL'S!!!!!!" A booming voice echoed through the hall, everyone stopped and stared as Emmett pulled me up into his arms spinning me in circles, I was way past scared into petrified for Brad. "Down Emmett now!" I ordered, he put me down with a chuckle and than his glance shifted from Alice to Brad several times going from friendly to anxious to angry with each pass and than he stopped and glared at Brad, "So Belly, who's your friend?" he asked folding his arms in front of his chest flexing his biceps. I stepped in front of Brad, "Down boy!" I whispered to Emmett, and in a move I can only call suicidal, Brad circled his arms around my waist and pulled me into his chest, "My name is Brad and I am dating Bella, who are you!" he spat at Emmett. I opened my mouth about to tell him to pipe down and get off of me but Emmett's face was right beside mine and only an inch in front of Brad's and in what can only be described as a growl he said "Alice forgot her wallet today Bella," translation, Alice saw this happening as well as a need for his intervention to keep it from going somewhere it shouldn't because vampires never forget anything! "I wanted to make sure she would not have to go without lunch but as long as I am here I can take out the trash too!"

I started shaking, I was frightened, really frightened, I had never seen Emmett this angry before and the fact that he was doing it in the presence of so many humans made it even more frightening. "Move you fucking arm's Brad!" I whispered, but being the idiot that he truly is he answered, "Nope, I am pretty fucking comfortable!" so in a last ditch effort to save him I twisted around in his arms and kneed him in the groin stepping back to allow him to bend at the waist as I knew he would than I brought my foot up to his chest and shoved HARD causing him to slide backwards across the slick linoleum. I walked over and kneeled down beside him, he had tears in his eyes and he looked really scared as he stared at me, "When a lady tells you to remove your hands from her it would be wise for you to show some interest in your self preservation and do it!" He nodded quickly, "I am really sorry about that but it would have been a lot worse if it were Emmett, I know it's hard for you to believe right now but I just saved you!" and I stood up and walked back towards Emmett and Alice, "We are leaving now!" I hissed at them and continued walking towards the exit, "Bye Bye Bradly, nice to meet you, we should do Sunday brunch, call me!" Emmett choked out in laughter. When we got to the parking lot I walked towards my truck and whispered, "I will see the 2 of you at the house!"

I drove slowly to the Cullen's trying to allow my anger to dissipate but it just kept getting worse and worse so detoured to Charlie's but I wasn't sure why, I ended up pacing in the living room but it only made me more upset. I sat on the couch and my angry tears reared their traitor ass heads! "Bella, you have to calm down! Oh fuck, Bella I'll settle for you not talking out loud to yourself like a fucking crazy person!" I leaned back into the sofa and closed my eyes taking deep breaths and started laughing at the ridiculousness of the situation that just went down, who would have ever thought I would be capable of saving ANYONE from Emmett! I headed out to my truck knowing it was time to confront my vampire brothers and sister but also, I want to see him, I need to see him!

I pull into the drive and feel the anger rearing it's ugly head, I slammed the door as hard as I could and stomped up the front steps and barged in to find the 5 of them waiting for me. Rosalie relaxed on the sofa flipping through a fashion magazine, Emmett, Alice, Jasper and Edward standing behind the sofa eyeing my warily. I let my gaze roam over each of them individually leaving Edward for last. FUCK ME I wanted to launch myself across the room at him and lick that clenched jaw until it relaxed. I threw a warning glance at Jasper who was smirking at me knowing exactly what I was feeling. I rushed to Emmett grabbing him by the front of his shirt and hauled him over the stairs, I climbed to the 2nd step and then pulled him down to my eye level. "Repeat after me big brother, "Bella, I over reacted but I can now clearly see that you can take care of yourself" say it now!" Emmett smiled at me which really freakin irritated me and said, "Jelly Belly, after what I saw today, I am convinced that you can take care of yourself in most circumstances!"

I recognized that was about as good as I was going to get so I released his shirt only to have him drag me into a warm hug. "I'm proud of you Bella, you have changed so much I barely recognized you today, but in a good way!" He set me down and I walked over to Jasper, "Do I need to repeat that exercise with you?" Jasper smiled lazily at me, "No Ma'am" he drawled out sexily, so I moved on and stopped at Alice. "Don't even start with me Bell. ." I clamped my hand down on her mouth to muffle her outburst, "Zip it Tinkerbell! You know your wrong, you should have given me the opportunity to handle my own problems, and if you want me in your life your going to have to find a way to do that because this is a DEAL BREAKER do you understand what I am saying?" I let my hand drop to my side freeing her mouth, she stared at me for a long moment and than her head fell as she stared at her feet, nobody ever put Alice in her place, this was very difficult for her because she always got her way, until now. "Understood" her answer came in a whisper, my guilt finally got the best of me and I hugged her tightly to me. "Thank you Alice, you trusting me is more important than you will ever know!"

I broke our embrace and walked over to Edward and stopped right in front of him, I felt so shy for some reason and than I felt a familiar calm wash over me and I thanked Jasper silently. Edward leaned down and murmured, "Are you ok Bella?" softly in my ear, I took the opportunity to wrap my arms and his neck and than tapped his shoulder. He chucked at the familiar signal and straightened up taking me with him my legs circling his waist. "Are you hungry beautiful girl?" I was going to say no because all I wanted was some alone time with him but my stomach growled, of course! I felt a cool hand on my back and Esme asked, "How about some soup and half a sandwich Dear?" Where did she come from? I smiled warmly at her, "Esme I can make my own lunch, you don't have to go through any trouble for me! Esme smiled, "Don't ruin my fun Bella, I don't get to take care of my other children like this!" "Ok Esme" I smiled stomach rumbling. After finishing every bite of my huge lunch Edward took my hand and pulled me off the stool, "Come of sleepy, lets take a nap", my eyebrow crooked and he laughed softly, "You know what I mean!" and we started up the stairs to the third floor.