Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.

Everywhere I went that day, people turned to look at me. Whispers followed me in the hallway. I honestly didn't understand why. I mean, this school must get new kids daily. And yet everyone seemed to be so interested in me.

It turned out that Alice was in most of my classes, English, science, lunch and history. After science, she walked me to the cafeteria, babbling the whole way. I didn't find myself tuning her out like I did with most people. I actually wanted to listen.

"And then I open the bedroom door and Rosalie and Emmett were making out on the bed," Alice said, giggling. She had been telling me funny stories like this all day. "So Emmett jumps about a mile in the air and starts stuttering and Rosalie is just glaring at me. Then I notice that Emmett has pink lipstick all over his face!" At this we both broke into laughter. "Let's just say I haven't let them forget that." We had made it to the cafeteria now and Alice was leading me to a table where I could see Edward and a few of his friends sitting, along with Jasper, Emmett and Rosalie. They all greeted us when we sat down.

"Hey," I replied shyly. Edward introduced me to his friends but I instantly forgot their names. After a moment of silence Rosalie whispered something to Alice and Alice jumped up and down squealing. Everyone stared at her.

"Oh my God!" she was saying. "I knew it! I totally knew it!"

"What?" Edward and I asked at the same time. He smiled his crooked grin at me.

"You two!" she said, as if stating the obvious. "I mean, I was hoping but I could see the connection and I just knew it was going to happen."

"What are you talking about Alice?" Edward asked, clearly as confused as I was.

"You two," she repeated, more frustrated now. "Don't play dumb! I know you guys are together." She smiled triumphantly. I stared at her dumbstruck.

"What? No we're not!" I said, glancing at Edward.

"Right. Bella has a boyfriend back home," Edward said quietly.

"What?" Alice said, confused now.

"We're not together," I said. Edward nodded in agreement.

"Yes you are," Rosalie cut in. "Everyone's talking about it."

"Yeah, I heard you two got caught making out in a janitor's closet," Emmett said, highly amused. I scowled at him.

"I heard you two got caught half naked in the girls bathroom," Rosalie added. I blushed, mortified.

"No, no," I said instantly. "Who said that?" Edward looked slightly embarrassed, but he seemed to find this whole thing funnier than I did.

"Lauren," Rosalie answered. "She's been telling everyone that she asked Edward out and you came over and started making out with him and screamed at her that she wasn't good enough for him."

"That's so not true," I said instantly. "Lauren had Edward cornered so I just went over and pretended to be his girlfriend to get her away. We didn't even kiss or anything. Right Edward?" I looked at him desperately.

"Right," he agreed.

"Oh," Alice pouted. "Are you sure?" She sounded hopeful. Edward chuckled.

"We're positive Alice," he said, still laughing. I joined in and soon enough everyone was laughing.

"So that's why everyone was staring," I mused. "Cause I was going out with Edward."

"Well he is only the hottest guy in school," a voice came from behind me. Edward groaned softly at the sound of Lauren's nasally voice. "And it's good to hear that was all a misunderstanding." She walked over and plopped herself on Edward's lap. He pushed her off without thinking and she fell onto the floor. We all burst out laughing.

"Oh, um, sorry Lauren. Just don't sit on me," Edward said, holding back laughter. Lauren pouted and picked herself up off the floor and half ran away, back to her friends.

"That poor, delusional girl," I muttered. Edward shook his head. The bell rang and we all headed off to our classes. I found out Emmett was in my Italian class and that instantly became one of my favorites. Emmett was so funny that he made it so much more enjoyable.

When I finally got to my last period, my free block, I was loaded up with textbooks and homework. I remembered Edward was in this class and a wave of happiness came over me, causing a smile to creep onto my face. I hurried to class and saw Edward talking to a boy with spiky blond hair. I walked over to him and he grinned when he saw me.

"So this is the girlfriend?" his friend asked. "She's a pretty one." I laughed uncomfortably.

"She's not my girlfriend," Edward corrected instantly, winking at me. I grinned back.

"Oh so you're single," the boy said. He stood up and offered his hand and I shook it. "I'm Mike Newton. And you're beautiful." I fought the urge to roll my eyes.

"I'm Bella Swan. And no I'm not single. I have a boyfriend back home," I said instantly. Mike's face fell. He turned and walked away, leaving Edward and I alone. He smiled his beautiful, crooked smile.

"So Bella how was your first day?" he asked.

"Pretty good. Aside from the fact that I got piles of homework," I replied.

"And the fact that everyone thought you were dating me," he added with a laugh.

"That wasn't really a bad thing," I said truthfully. Edward gave me a confused look and I quickly added, "I mean it kept people like Mike away from me all day." He nodded.

"So did Alice tell you embarrassing stories about us all day?" he asked nervously. I grinned.

"A bit," I admitted. "But I never heard any about her."

"I can fix that," Edward said with a wicked grin.

"Do tell," I said in an intrigued voice.

"Well it was Thanksgiving Day and there was one of those huge sales at three in the morning at Alice's favorite store," he began. "So Alice gets there the night before and camps out in front of the door, waiting. When she finally gets into the store she starts piling up all these clothes, grabbing anything in sight. Then she saw this silver dress that she had to have. She ran over to it but another lady grabbed it off the rack before she could get to it." He was fighting back laughter now. "So an hour later we get a call from the police telling us that Alice had been arrested for assault on the woman, trying to get the dress." We both burst into laughter.

"I'll be sure to mention that to her," I chortled. Then my cell phone rang.

"Jacob?" Edward asked coolly.

"Yeah," I admitted guiltily. I shouldn't feel guilty though, he's my boyfriend, I quickly reminded myself. "Hello?" I answered.

"Hey Bells."

"Hey Jake."

"Schools over."

"Not for us," I replied bitterly. "We don't get out for another half hour."

"Well then why aren't you in class?"

"Free block," I explained.

"Call me back when you get out of school okay? I'd like to hear your voice," he said sadly.

"I will. School's almost over though. Don't worry," I assured him.

"I miss you Bella. It's not the same without you."

"I know Jake. But I really have to go. I love you," I said, glancing apologetically at Edward. He was watching my face, examining my reactions to Jacob's words.

"Love you too Bella," he said sadly. "Bye."

"Bye." I hung up and turned back to Edward. "Sorry."

"You miss him," he replied. It wasn't a question.

"Yeah."

"You love him." Another statement.

"Clearly." I mean I had just said that. Edward grimaced.

"Sorry, but sometimes people just say that they love someone when they really don't. I was just making sure," he said. I nodded. "Would you like to hang out at our house tonight? I'm sure Alice and Emmett would like you to come too," he asked quietly. I thought about it for a minute.

"Sure," I agreed. I found myself actually wanting to go too, I was looking forward to it. My new friends were making life a lot easier.

"Good. And even if Alice begs you to shop, don't go. It's not worth it." He shuddered, probably remembering a past shopping trip and I laughed.

"I'm not much of a shopper," I told him.

"Alice will be disappointed to hear that," he chuckled. Suddenly the bell rang, causing both of us to jump. Had it been a half hour already? We both quickly packed our bags.

"What time should I come over?" I asked Edward.

"Anytime. Maybe after you call Jacob," he said casually, a knowing look in his eyes.

"How'd you know?" I asked.

"I could tell," he shrugged. "Come on let's get to the car so you can get home."

"Okay." We headed to our lockers, chatting quietly when Alice came dancing over to us.

"Hey you two," she trilled.

"Hey Alice," I said.

"So you're coming over today right?" she asked.

"Yup. I have to make a phone call first though," I said.

"That's okay you'll be over before dinner I'm sure," she replied with a grin. "Maybe we can go shopping? You could probably use some more summer clothes."

"Not tonight Alice. Another time," I said. She pouted.

"Fine. Let's go home," she added to Edward. He nodded.

"Where's Jasper?" Edward asked.

"He's meeting us at the car," Alice replied.

The car ride home was short, filled mostly with Alice's chatter. When they dropped me off Edward gave me a cheerful, "See you soon!" and pulled into his driveway across the street. As soon as I was inside I pulled out my phone and called Jacob.

"Bella," he answered gratefully.

"Hey Jacob," I replied.

"What's up?"

"Nothing. I'm going to a friend's house this afternoon."

"Who's?"

"My neighbor, the one I told you about this morning."

"Oh yeah. What's her name again?"

"It's not a her, it's a he," I replied nervously. Jacob was prone to jealousy and overreactions. "But he also has a sister my age. And another brother who's a year older."

"Oh." He sounded cold, trying to cover up his anger. "What're their names?"

"Edward, Alice and Emmett," I replied.

"Oh."

"Are you mad at me?"

"No." I sighed.

"He's just a friend, Jake," I said softly.

"I didn't ask. Guilty conscience?" he asked sarcastically.

"Jake come on. Don't do this. I knew what you were thinking," I said, still using my careful, soft tone.

"What are you a mind reader now?" He was still angry.

"No I just know you. I'll be hanging out with Alice mostly, don't worry. Emmett will probably be at his girlfriends house," I explained desperately. A fight was not what I needed right now.

"Does Edward have a girlfriend?" he asked, almost hopefully.

"No," I said quietly. Jacob was silent. "Does it matter though? He knows I have a boyfriend. Don't you trust me Jake?"

"I trust you," he said. "But not him."

"It takes two to tango Jake. He won't do anything unless I let him, which I won't. Plus he's popular and all the other girls like him, he doesn't even look at me, not in that way."

"Fine. I trust you." His voice softened. "I love you Bella."

"I love you too."

"How much do you love me?"

"So much," I said instantly, confused. "Why?"

"Enough to stay away from your neighbor?" This got me furious.

"No Jake. He's my friend; his sister and brother are my friends. I'm not doing that. You just need to trust me," I snapped.

"I do, I was just hoping…" he trailed off. "Never mind. I gotta go Bells. I love you."

"Bye Jake." I hung up, still angry. I turned and walked out of my house into the dazzling sunlight, across the street to the Cullen's. I knocked and Esme was at the door almost instantly.

"It's so nice to see you again Bella," she said sincerely. "Come on in. Alice, Emmett and Edward are down in the basement with the Hale's." She pointed out a door, slightly ajar, that led to a staircase.

"Thanks Mrs. Cullen," I replied.

"Call me Esme dear," she said.

"Okay, Esme. Thanks."

"Have fun." I nodded and walked down the stairs, hoping not to fall.

"Hey Bella!" Alice greeted as I came downstairs. "How'd the phone call with your boyfriend go?" she asked instantly.

"How did you-" I cut off, looking at Edward.

"Guilty," he admitted apologetically.

"That's okay," I said. "It was fine," I lied, not wanting to get into it. Alice seemed to believe me but Edward was watching me curiously.

"Let's play truth or dare!" Emmett announced suddenly. Everyone instantly agreed but I stood back nervously. "Oh come on Bella," Emmett said, pulling me over to sit with them.

"Okay," I said reluctantly. Emmett grinned and Alice winked at him, which made me much, much more nervous.

"I'll go first," Emmett said. "Bella truth or dare?"

"Dare," I said.

"I dare you to…" he trailed off, thinking. Alice nodded once. "Kiss Edward."

"I have a boyfriend," I said instantly. "He wouldn't like this."

"Oh come on it's for truth or dare! You don't have to tell him," Alice said instantly.

"Oh come on!" everyone begged, except Edward. He looked kind of nervous but something else was hidden in his eyes, something I couldn't quite decipher.

"I wouldn't get mad if Jasper kissed another girl in truth or dare," Alice piped up. "It's just a game, it doesn't mean anything."

"I don't know," I said, still nervous. I knew if Jake found out he'd be pissed. But then again, I'm the only one who would have to tell Jake. And I'd never admit it but I kind of wanted to kiss Edward. I'd never kissed a guy that gorgeous.

"You don't have to if you don't want to Bella. It's up to you," Edward said calmly. Then his lips pulled into that gorgeous crooked smile and my mind was made up.

"Okay," I said finally. "I'll do it." I walked over to Edward and sat next to him. I closed my eyes as he leaned in toward me…

A/N: Cliffy yay! Please, review they make me happy! And thanks to kaylee1038 for telling me people don't stare so much in big schools, I live in a small town so I didn't know that. REVIEW PLEASE!!