Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight and all of its beautiful characters. This story is loosely based off of plot lines from the original Beverly Hills, 90210 TV series. I have taken many liberties with them. No infringement is intended to any media franchise. The remainder is my original work.

Previously on The Little Fish:
"I see. Another piece of the puzzle falls into place."
"You find me puzzling?" He looked amused by this concept.
"A little bit, yeah. I don't know why, but everything new I learn about you surprises me."
"Huh. I don't mean to be puzzling. I'm an open book. You can ask me anything you want."

Chapter 7
"Sweating it Out"

"So what else about me has puzzled or surprised you?" I asked, using her words from our conversation a week ago.

"What?" she asked, looking caught off guard by my question before she turned her focus back on her textbook and began fidgeting uncomfortably with the edge of the pages. "Umm… We're supposed to be studying. I really don't understand why the French insist on using so many accent marks," she said, trying to change the subject.

"Bella," I said, drawing out her name and whining playfully, "Please tell me. I wanna know." We were seated next to each other at a large rectangular table in the local public library branch that I'd only recently discovered Bella worked at three nights a week. It was close to school and her suggestion for a meeting place for me to tutor her in French. I had offered up my house and even suggested going to hers if she was more comfortable, but she had declined and I was really in no position to refute her. If this was the only way I could spend additional time with her, I would take it, simple as that.

It had been just over a week since Tanya had boarded a plane and flown out of my life—for good. After her betrayal, I didn't see any chance or reason for us to even attempt a friendship. She was my past, and my only hope for her was that she would straighten out her priorities before she got herself irreparably hurt. But she wasn't my concern now; Bella was, along with the heartache I knew the past couple weeks had caused her. It was time to set things right, grovel, and woo her as Alice had put it.

Bella had been keeping her distance from me, and I understood and did my best to respect her need for both time and space, but I also wanted an opportunity to apologize and discuss everything that had happened. She hadn't given me that. Instead, she'd stayed diligently focused on the task at hand, throwing herself wholeheartedly back into her school work and The Blaze. She was dedicated to a fault, though in this instance I suspected it was somewhat intentional.

We spent very little time alone together any more. She no longer hung out in the newspaper office at lunch, and it didn't take long for me to realize that it was likely because she didn't want to be trapped by herself with me. I assumed the only reason she even granted me the few tutoring sessions was because she was so focused on maintaining her grade. We were still friendly, though, and got along well enough when our friends were present, and for that I was grateful.

There were still a few bright moments between us. Unable to control myself, I had found excuses to reach out and touch her a few times. Nothing too forward, just putting my arm around her or gently touching the small of her back whenever I could justify it. Those seemingly insignificant moments were heaven to me. For the most part, she had been accepting of my gestures, but it only took one time of her flinching away when I'd reached out to brush a wayward lock of hair from her face while she was writing out her French homework for me to stop completely. The confused look she gave me was enough to bring me to my knees and beg her forgiveness, but before I had a chance to, she had mechanically redirected us back to her school work. The prospect of experiencing the sting of rejection again was enough to keep me from trying anything further.

"You really want to know?" she finally asked, rightfully assuming I wasn't going to let the subject drop since I was still staring at her.

"Yeah, I do."

"Okay, fine. Let's see… The first time we met I was surprised that a guy like you would even take the time to stop and help me or talk to me."

"What do you mean… a guy like me?"

"You know… cute and popular. The whole school was talking about you on your first day. You had the entire female population in a tizzy."

"So… You think I'm cute?" I asked brazenly, fighting back the shit-eating grin threatening to escape and maybe a fist pump.

"Oh, shut up. I'm not stroking your ego for you. Let's get back to work."

"I'm only teasing. So, you were surprised that I was nice?" I clarified, genuinely confused by her statement.

"Well, yeah. I mean… I know you heard what Lauren and Jessica said about me, but you still took the time to help me. Most guys around here wouldn't have bothered—not for me." I didn't like her tone one bit. She sounded so factual, as if she was just accepting of people ignoring her or thinking she was beneath them. I wanted the chance to prove her wrong.

"Well, that doesn't speak very highly of the general male population at school," I said in an attempt to lighten the mood, she huffed a small laugh in reply. "What else?"

"I was taken aback when I found out that you were joining the school paper, and then pleasantly surprised when I read your writing. You're so talented, and… I know it's stereotyping, but I honestly thought you would be… well, more of a jock, I guess. Sorry."

"No, it's okay. I get it. Anything else?"

"Um, just the big one… When I found out about Tanya..." she trailed off, staring blankly down at the table. That was the punch to my gut that I had been expecting since I started in on this line of questioning, but I knew we needed to talk it through.

"Bella, I…" I started and stopped trying to organize my thoughts, knowing I would likely only have this one opportunity to get everything out and in the open. "You have to know how sorry I am that you found out like that, and not from me. I know I should've told you from the beginning, but things with you… It wasn't fair to you. I know I was sending you mixed signals, and I'm so very sorry. I know sorry doesn't seem like enough, but I don't know how else to say it."

"You're right. You should have told me, but you didn't and I came out looking and feeling like a complete fool. But, it's okay. I already forgave you for that the night of the bonfire." She finally looked up at me as she continued, "You know, Tanya was right about one thing. You're so genuinely kind and sweet that it can be a little confusing. I don't think you know the power you hold over… some people." She blushed as she was talking. "But I don't want you to change, just maybe be more aware of what you're saying. Perhaps if there were more people like you in this world we wouldn't fall over ourselves assuming it meant something more when one person treated us like we were special."

"But you are special, Bella." I'd unconsciously leaned in as I spoke to her, willing her to believe my words, so I was startled when she suddenly cringed back.

"Stop. You're doing it again."

"Doing what?"

"Being sweet and confusing the hell out of me so I look like an ass."

"What are you talking about? Why would you look like an ass?"

"Because when you say things like that it's too easy to pretend that you might… that maybe you could actually be interested in someone like me…" As she rambled, becoming more and more flustered and visibly upset, I remembered something Alice had told me the day after the bonfire, about how Bella had taken the misunderstanding all upon herself. Suddenly, I understood the problem. This beautiful girl—that I was borderline obsessed with—had no idea that I wanted her.

"Bella, listen to me. I don't treat every girl like this. I'm not a flirt like Jasper or Emmett, not that there's anything wrong with that, but it's just not me. I meant every word I have ever said to you, every affectionate gesture. I was trying to get you to notice me. You didn't misunderstand anything. I think you're—" I stopped short when Bella gasped like she was in pain.

"You mean you were intentionallyhitting on me?"

"Yes."

"This whole time?"

"Yes." I became leery as her voice grew progressively louder and angrier.

"Why? Why would you do that? Is this all a game to you? Is it fun for you to watch me squirm? Making me fall for you and then using it against me to make me feel stupid for ever thinking that I could be with someone like you."

"What? No! That's not what I meant at all."

She began frantically gathering her papers and books and shoved them in an unorganized stack into her bag. "I have to go. I can't do this right now," she choked out, her voice angry and thick with emotion.

"Wait, Bella. Please let me explain. Bella…" I called after her, but was aggressively shushed by the surrounding library patrons. I gathered up my own belongings and tried to catch up with her before she made it to the parking lot, but her big orange truck was already pulling out of its spot as I came bursting through the front doors.

That was not at all how I'd imagined this conversation going. Maybe it was naive of me, but I thought I would apologize, profess my feelings for her, and begin working toward earning her affection in return. It's not that I'd expected her instant forgiveness or some dramatic moment where she'd launch herself into my arms like a romantic movie, but I hadn't expected her to completely shut me down either. I was now, more than ever, afraid that I'd never get a real chance with her, and it caused an intense ache deep inside my chest.

I went home and plopped down on the couch in a futile attempt to distract myself with some mindless television. Alice and my mom both gave me worried looks when they noticed that I was home so early from my study date with Bella and watching a reality show that I'd adamantly claimed to detest in the past. I shrugged off their concern while I watched the characters on TV play shallow mind games with each other, reminding me of Bella's words. I'd been so careless and it was going to take a lot of kissing up and effort on my part to get back in her good graces, but she was worth it.

My dad came home a short time later, before dinner was ready for once. He was a renowned cardiovascular surgeon, and his new job bringing up the new Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute scheduled to open in a year had kept him busy and working long hours since the moment he arrived. It was taking a toll on the entire family to have him gone so much during this life altering transition, but no one more so than my mom. I supposed it was one of the reasons she had thrown herself so fully into decorating and furnishing our new home. She didn't have any friends here yet, so other than the house, all of her time was dedicated selflessly to nurturing Alice and me. While her constant concern could be interpreted as slightly overbearing, I indulged her considering how lonely she must be feeling right now.

After he greeted my mom in the kitchen—rather eagerly judging by the giggles and noises coming from that direction—he joined me on the couch. He furrowed his brow questioningly at the show I was watching.

"Well, this is… interesting?" He said it like a question and I couldn't hold in my laugh.

"You can change it if you want."

"Nah, it's okay." He toed off his shoes and kicked his feet up on the new coffee table reclining back into the couch. "So how was school today?"

"Fine, I guess, nothing too exciting. Have a big test coming up in chemistry at the end of the week. Found out I get to report on the playoffs for the basketball team, so I'm pretty excited about that. And, um, I tutored Bella after school in French. That's about it."

"Bella, hmm? I've been hearing that name a lot lately. Your mom says she's a sweet girl, cute too." He raised his eyebrows suggestively and I couldn't fight off the grin that the thought of her brought on. My dad seemed to catch on to my crush, because he chuckled softly and nodded his head in approval. "So you're tutoring her in French, huh? Good move, Son."

"It's not a move. I mean, that wasn't my intention."

"Uh-huh. Well, I almost believe you, but that grin on your face clearly indicates otherwise. You don't think it's moving a bit fast after you just broke up with Tanya though?"

"No. I mean, maybe, but… She's part of the reason I broke up with Tanya. Actually, she's the main reason."

"Ah, I see. Well, in that case I can't wait to meet her," he said with a smirk as he slapped my leg. "Come on, I think your mom has dinner about ready. Let's go set the table and sit down like a real family for once."

The next day at school I was resolved to start proving myself to Bella. I would show her that I could not only be a patient and caring friend, but that she was also truly special to me even if she had balked at the idea. I continued to build on the chivalrous efforts that I had already been doing like opening doors for her and walking her to class, and started to pay more attention to other ways that I could demonstrate my feelings to her.

My first attempt was at lunch, when she politely announced to the table that she was going to get a soda from the machine. I immediately offered to go get it for her, and for a moment she looked happy and maybe even a little impressed until Mike Newton had to jump in and also offer to go. She just looked back and forth between the two of us with her brow furrowed and shook her head as she stood to go get the soda herself. I shot Mike daggers from across the table as soon as she walked away. Was he trying to make a move on Bella too?

The next day I was proactive and decided to stop and grab her signature Diet Sunkist from the machine on my way out to the courtyard. I smirked with pride as I sat beside her and plopped the can down in front of her, until I noticed that she was already sipping a soda—a Pepsi. My smile fell as I watched her set the can down next to the one I had just bought. She bit her lip and looked up at me apologetically.

"Sorry, I uh… I thought you liked Diet Sunkist. I didn't realize… You don't have to drink it," I said quietly trying to conceal my disappointment.

She smiled brightly at me before cutting her eyes to Mike who was involved in a conversation with Emmett. "I do like it. It's my favorite, actually. Um… Mike gave me the Pepsi." Her eyes narrowed as she spoke and I caught on instantly to what she was implying. Mike made his move, but he hadn't impressed her with his Pepsi. No, she wanted my Diet Sunkist. "Um… I'll keep this one for later, if that's okay?" She asked as she stashed the can in her backpack.

"Of course, I got it for you."

The rest of the week I bought her a Diet Sunkist without question and had it waiting on the table for her every day when she arrived for lunch. Mike never did buy her another Pepsi. I had won this round. Mike Newton didn't stand a chance. She always sat right next to me and we chatted contentedly. A small tradition had begun and I embraced it, because apparently Diet Sunkist equaled a happy Bella. Neither of us ever brought up the way she stormed out of the library earlier or the confrontation that led up to it. We allowed it to fade into the past as we worked on our friendship, and I continually watched for new ways to win her over and convince her of my affection.

Lunchtime continued to become more and more eventful; starting the following Monday when I realized I had more competition for Bella's attention than just Mike.

"Hi, Bella." I looked up to see some kid with a goofy grin gazing at Bella like she was his own personal goddess.

"Um, hi, Seth. What's up?" she inquired sweetly.

"Nothing really, I just wanted to say hi." He shot her a million dollar smile and a flirtatious wink as he shoved his hands in his jean pockets and turned to walk away, glancing back over his shoulder multiple times and grinning unabashedly at her.

"Dude! Who was that?" Alice burst from next to me as soon as he was out of earshot. Bella blushed furiously as she stared down at the sandwich in her hands.

"That's Seth Black. He's related to Jacob Black, the actor. And it appears he has a bit of a crush on our fair Bella," Rose replied with a proud smirk.

"Oh my god! He's frickin' hot, Bella," my sister exclaimed not so delicately.

"Um, yeah... he is, I guess, but he's a freshman. He's like fourteen or something."

"Ooh, Bella's a cougar, robbin' the cradle," Angela teased in a sing-song voice.

"Maybe you can get him to introduce you to his cousin, because Jacob Black is majorly swoon inducing." I shot Alice a 'what the hell' look after that suggestion.

Bella shrugged off their teasing and continued eating her sandwich, but I noticed a small smile playing on her lips. My heart sank a little more as the girls all conspired and joked about ways to meet Jacob Black. Bella looked a little embarrassed about the situation, but not necessarily put off by the idea.

"I don't get why you girls all get your panties in a wad over this Jacob guy. He's not even a very good actor," Mike contributed, unable to disguise the jealousy in his voice. The girls giggled and rolled their eyes at his whining, but continued on fawning over their Hollywood heartthrob.

"Oh, that scene in his last movie, where he's out in the rain and the water is cascading down his hard, rippled body… So hot!" Rose enthused.

"I can show you what a real hard, rippled body looks like up close and personal if you want, Rosie," Emmett said with a wink.

"Yeah, yeah. Keep your clothes on, Em."

"Maybe if you go out with Seth he can get us all hooked up for Jacob Black's next movie premiere. It comes out in a couple months I think," Alice suggested. My sister and I would be having a serious heart-to-heart tonight.

"Hey, I can get us hooked up for premieres. My dad is a producer ya know," Emmett offered.

"Yeah, but it would be so much cooler if we were invited by Jacob Black," Rose sighed.

"Whatever."

The next day was even worse when Alice, Bella, and Rose all three showed up for lunch with matching mischievous grins on their faces. Jasper cocked an eye brow at their suspicious behavior as they approached the table. Rose was loudly humming that one Katy Perry song about kissing a girl.

"I kissed Bella!" Alice burst as she took a seat between Jasper and Angela. Jasper choked on his water at the same time that I gasped for a breath, feeling like the wind had been knocked out of me at my twin's abrupt and highly unexpected statement.

"Alice! You just couldn't wait could you," Rose admonished, shaking her head and laughing to herself.

"Are you serious?" Jasper managed to gasp out between rough coughs. Alice nodded her head fiercely in response with a joyful grin on her face. "Holy shit! Tell me someone filmed that."

"God, I hope not!" Bella exclaimed from the other side of me where she had quietly taken a seat. I turned to look at her, trying to figure out if this was just some weird dream. Her blazing blush and the way she was violently chewing her lip indicated reality—an odd alternate reality where the girl of my dreams made out with my sister.

"You… W-what? I mean why? When? How? Fuck!" Bella's eyes widened at my outburst.

"Are you okay?" she asked with a purposeful and slow delivery.

"I… I… No. You kissed my sister?"

"Well, technically she kissed me, but yes." I don't know what I expected her to say, but I really didn't want her to just admit to it. What did this mean?

"Seriously?" I looked back and forth between Alice and Bella pleading with my eyes for one of them to tell me it was all a big joke.

"Jeez, Edward, relax. You look like you're about to have a stroke. It was just a kiss," Rose said coolly.

I looked up, finally taking in the expressions of everyone else at the table. Emmett was trying to hold in his laughter while wiggling his eyebrows suggestively at both Bella and my sister. Jasper looked delighted and I really wanted to smack the smug smile off his face. Rose appeared a little proud which only served to confuse me more. Angela and Ben were huddled together giggling like a couple of little kids that were talking about their friends having cooties. Mike Newton was practically undressing Bella with his eyes—again. And Bella looked a little embarrassed but also happy, perhaps? That had me more concerned than anything.

"Oh my god, Edward! It was just for our drama class. We were practicing stage kisses and the teacher asked for volunteers," Alice finally explained. I sighed in relief, feeling like I could breathe again without having to think about it. That was supposed to be an involuntary bodily function, right?

"So, the teacher made you kiss a girl?"

"Uh, no. That was all Alice. I think she was hoping to kiss Mr. Brody. When that didn't work out, she tried to use me as a means of seduction. I'm just an innocent victim in all this, you see." I laughed at Bella's response. That was so like Alice to try and pull a ridiculous stunt to seduce her teacher.

"I see. It's still kind of weird though."

"What is with you girls and Mr. Brody? He's old… and married," Jasper complained.

"He's hot," Alice stated matter-of-factly. "And he's not that old. He's in his early thirties." Jasper just rolled his eyes and continued to pout.

"So, Edward, is your fantasy of two hot girls making out completely ruined for you now that your sister made out with your girl?" Rose asked.

I chuckled and replied without thinking, "Um, yeah, kinda."

Rose looked pointedly at Bella as if trying to convey something important before she continued.

"Would you feel better about it if I kissed your girl? A little something for the spank bank perhaps?" It was then that her words finally registered—my girl. I liked the sound of that.

"Rose, stop. That's crass. Plus, I'm not his g… We're not... Never mind." Bella huffed out an annoyed breath and got a faraway look on her in her eyes as she stared at her can of Diet Sunkist—that I gave her. Rose watched her for a moment before narrowing her eyes at me, even though I wasn't sure why. The rest of the table moved on to the next topic of conversation while Bella and I sat quietly next to each other. After a few minutes, she stood and dismissed herself to head to The Blaze office under the guise of needing to pick up a flash drive that she supposedly left in there before class.

I sat and stewed for a moment, trying to understand what just happened. I was sick of the awkwardness between us whenever our relationship was called into question. It was time to clear the air once and for all. Bella needed to know how I felt, and then I would leave the ball in her court.

I entered the small newspaper office and quietly closed the door behind me, the click of it shutting alerting Bella to my presence. She was standing behind the big desk facing me.

"What are you doing here?" she whispered.

"Can we talk?" I requested in a hushed tone.

"What's there to talk about?"

"You're upset," I stated. She looked down and refused to respond so I pushed forward. "You're upset that Rose called you my girl."

"I'm not upset, I'm just… Look, this is already embarrassing enough without having to talk about it. We all know I'm the fool here." She huffed out a breath of frustration and then looked up at me. "Rose thought you would be jealous or something. Ridiculous, right? Anyway, I'm fine… I just need a minute."

"Well, Rose was right, and I think you're under a misconception."

"Huh?" I walked around the large desk and stepped right in front of her. She leaned back on the desk putting a little more distance between us.

"Bella, my belle Bella, do you honestly have no idea of my feelings for you? I care about you… so much." I unconsciously leaned in to her as a spoke, my words quiet but intense with emotion. "I want more with you."

"What?"

I brought my hand up to stroke her soft tresses as I explained. "I want to be with you Bella. It's all I want. You're all I think about."

"What… Why are you saying this?"

"Because it's the truth, and it has been for a while now. Don't you feel this? This thing between us, it's so strong and overwhelming sometimes that it feels almost tangible."

"Edward… I don't know what you want me to say."

"You don't have to say anything. I just needed you to know everything. It's up to you now. Where do we go from here?"

"I don't know. I just… wow. I mean, a couple weeks ago to hear you say these things to me would have been like a dream come true, but now… I don't know. I'm not sure I can do this. Since you've moved here everything has gotten so complicated and distracting and… I have other things I should be focused on right now. I just don't think the high school dating game is for me. I just—can't."

"Bella…" I said in a strangled whisper, pleading with my eyes for her to reconsider.

"I'm sorry," she sighed as she rose up on her toes and kissed me softly on the cheek. I froze stock still, swallowing thickly against the tightening in my throat, and relished the momentary feeling of her warm lips against my skin. I watched her warily as she pulled back, fidgeted with the strap of her backpack, and then gently pushed past me to leave. She glanced back over her shoulder as she opened the door and I realized that I still hadn't budged. I was just standing there stricken, and I couldn't find the will to move.

xxx

A/N: *Tear* Poor Edward. I don't think that boy has much experience actually working for it. Looks like this may take a little more effort than he thought. This was a shorter chapter than usual, but it felt like a natural place to end it. Next up we will find out what's going on with Bella and just how she was able to resist being pinned against a desk while Edward professed his feelings for her. It would of have made me swoon-just saying. Hope you all enjoyed the chapter. I definitely had fun writing certain parts. Heehee!

Thank you to all of you for taking the time to read, review, tweet, pimp and PM me. Your support means the world to me, and I am so very happy you are all along for this ride with me. Thanks to Hibbleton78 and Hollister1980 for their dedication and the tremendous effort they put into helping me out with this little endeavor. Love you girls!

I will get through review replies for the last chapter right now, but do to unforeseen circumstances last night you are getting this chapter with no RR teaser. I am so sorry. No matter what, I will always reply to your reviews... even if I am late now. As a long time reader myself, I know all to well that you don't have to leave them.

Love, Shell