Thank you to those who dropped a comment on the previous chapter. I enjoyed reading your thoughts.

Disclaimer: All characters, plots, and settings related to Twilight are the property of Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended by the author.

Chapter 13

Create Some Smoke

I was quite distracted by the smudge of brownie on the corner of Bella's mouth, but didn't dare interrupt her blabbing about school and Seattle and Alice Brandon. It was only when she laughed and I saw her teeth all covered with chocolate that I hurriedly took out my phone and took a photo of her. It was funny, and a lot gross. Photographic evidence is a must.

"Give it, you ass!" She struggled to take the phone away from me, but it was a sure victory from my side. I laughed, and I had to admit that it felt fucking great being here. Lounging on a couch, eating chocolate and making fun of Bella may be completely far-off from my usual afternoon activities, but I was having fun.

I raised the phone above our heads while she continued to struggle to have it in her grasp. I looked down at her with a smirk. Still with that bit of brownie on her face, she's like a little kid.

It was only when she was almost sitting on my lap that the image of that little kid burst like a watery bubble. It was only for a moment, but I felt oddly freaked out when I realized I was visualizing her grown-up features. Definitely not a kid. I shook my head, willing those thoughts to go away.

I safely put my phone back inside my jean pocket and glared at Bella. "This is what you get for making me eat your mom's beet shit yesterday."

She huffed, "Oh, please, you liked it! You're just being a big baby. Plus you love it when Mom fusses over you. And it was beet sorbet!"

That was not true. I hated being fussed over. However, there was something about Renee that I just couldn't say no. She and my mother may not seem at all alike, but one reminds me of the other.

And I did not like that beet sorbet. Not at all. I was close to tears trying to stuff it all in my mouth all the while faking a big smile for Renee. Bella was amused. She scooped more of that disgusting shit into my bowl with a huge grin on her evil face.

"Don't play innocent, Swan. You're playing this game along with me. If you're gonna fight dirty, then so am I." I happily imagined uploading the newly taken photos in Facebook.

The rest of the afternoon was spent trying to take humiliating photos of each other, and we were still at it when Bella's father came home. Shit shit shit. I haven't notice the time. I quickly contemplated exiting through a window and run, but it was too late. I was stuck.

"Stop it, Edward. You look like a chicken with its head off."

I was tempted to flip her off, but I couldn't, not when her Police Chief of a father was just steps away from me. I sat back down, trying to look calm and at ease. I wasn't chicken, I told myself.

After a few calming breaths, I heard the door opened and closed. Then I saw him, Charlie Swan in his uniform with his badge and gun and maybe even a taser. I saw how his eyes zoomed in on me the moment he walked inside the house. I immediately stood up, my mouth suddenly dry.

Bella stood beside me. "Hey, Dad."

That was when I noticed Billy Black behind Bella's dad, wheeling himself into the living room. I knew him from the many days I've spent on the reservation. He's a pretty cool old man. "Hey, Billy." I gave him a smile. It only took a second before it hit me. Oh, shoot. I cringed. Why did I have to greet his friend first when he was right there in front of me? "Chief Swan." I wanted to introduce myself, but I had no fucking clue how.

"Edward," he greeted back, and I let out a small sigh of relief. At least he knows my name.

Renee then came down from upstairs, disrupting the painful tension looming inside the room. "Oh, Billy, I wasn't expecting you today. How are you?"

They made small talk while I just stood there and avoided Charlie Swan's stare.

"I just made a huge pot of baked Mac. It's nothing fancy, but it's still warm…"

"It's fine, Renee. We passed by Sue's place and got ourselves a bag of her homemade fish fries. This should be good enough." It was the Chief who answered, and he already has his hand around the flat screen's remote control. I could see Billy opening his mouth, but the Chief interrupted again. "The game is about to start."

"Oh. Well, how about some beer or I can prepare some iced tea…" Renee waited by the stairs, her eyes still on her husband.

"I'd love to have some of your baked Mac, Renee." I could feel all eyes were on me, especially the Chief's. I wasn't sure if I just insulted him, but that wasn't my intention at all. "Please."

"Me too, Mom," Bella echoed beside me.

Renee gave us both a grateful smile. I was glad I asked.

After a hefty serving of baked Mac, Bella loudly announced to everyone in the house that she was taking me to her room like it was some sort of Presidential Decree. I raised my brow at her, but she just took my arm and pulled me upstairs. I could smell something fishy, and it wasn't from the fish fries.

"Is this where we take our clothes off and make loud sex sounds to give your dad a heart attack?" It was obvious I caught Bella off guard as I watched her blush. I smirked, feeling smug I could make her feel uncomfortable.

"Nope, that's not scandalous enough. We need to give him visuals. I was thinking of getting dirty on the couch someday soon just in time for my dad to come home."

Thank God I wasn't drinking anything, or I might have spat it out. I let out a cough, not letting her see my shock. "Nice. Just tell me when so I could prepare my own funeral beforehand."

She just rolled her eyes. "I just want to create some smoke. The fire will come later," she said cryptically.

"So, now, what? Are we painting our nails?" I asked, grinning.

"Oh, that's a good idea!" She made a horrible squeal of false excitement. "Metallic silver would totally look so good with your red hair!"

"My hair's not red!"

"Whoa, that's quite a reaction there. Your hair's a sensitive subject, huh?"

I took a pillow and threw it on her head. "Shut up."

We ended up on her bed, fully clothed of course, discussing epic tales of Bulfinch mythology and her recent obsession with the 'A Song of Ice and Fire' books. The door was closed but not locked, so it was no surprise when the door suddenly opened revealing a very displeased Charles Swan with a finger pointing at me.

"You! Get out, now!"

I hurriedly got off the bed, nodding at him with my mouth open. I looked like chicken shit, I was sure, but the man can do that to you.

I saw Bella standing, too, at the corner of my eye. "Dad, what is wrong with you? Edward's not a dog! You're totally being rude."

"Your dad's right, Bella. I have to go home. It's getting late." I wanted this as painless as possible. I still had no clue what the protocol is to meeting your girlfriend's father for the first time, but I was sure it does not include staying when he clearly ordered you to leave immediately.

"No, Edward, stay!" If we were in a less tense circumstance, I would have pointed out that she, too, made me feel like a dog.

"Bella, don't be difficult. You can't just bring a boy inside your room at night and expect me to go along with this."

"I'm not being difficult, and you let me take him upstairs. I told you earlier, and you just kept watching TV…"

"That doesn't mean I approve this behavior of yours. You have to take responsibility for your actions."

They glared at each other, both stubborn and headstrong. I was just thinking this could take a while when Bella let out a sigh before pulling my arm. "I'll walk you to your car," she told me.

"You stay right here, young lady. We're not done talking yet."

"Dad, we weren't doing anything wrong. Both you and Mom knew we were here, and don't forget that you barged in without knocking and saw us doing nothing!"

"Well, there are rules in this house. You may be a college student, but when you're staying under my roof, you will follow my rules."

"Rules, Dad? Really? Does that include being in La Push more often than being at home? Or when you do come home, all you do is watch TV or bring along a friend and some other woman's cooking then shoves it in your wife's face? If those are your rules, Dad, I'm not following them."

She tightened her grip on my arm and pulled me out of her room.

"Are you alright?"

She nodded. "I feel great."

"Really?"

She nodded again. "My dad's being a pain, but it feels good to get it all out."

"That's good. Cathartic, huh?"

We walked quietly towards my car, and when I turned to say goodbye, I saw her eyes brimming with tears.

"Hey, what's wrong?"

She shook her head. "I'm just a bit overwhelmed, I think. I'm alright, really." A tear fell from her eye, but she immediately brushed it away with the palm of her hand. "Ugh! I hate this! It feels good, but I feel guilty as well. Did you see his face before we left? I did that to him." And now she was full-on crying. I patted her shoulder, but it was awkward as hell, so I gently pulled her in my arms. That was when she wailed against my chest. Shit.

"You only told him what he needed to hear, Bella. I doubt he's mad at you for that."

I could feel her nod, all the while sniffling and gulping for air. "I hate what he's doing to Mom. How can he not see that he's hurting her?"

"I don't know, Bella, but now he knows, so it's better, right?"

She pulled away from me; her hands still busy wiping away her tears. "God, I hate crying," she mumbled. After a taking in a huge breath, she smiled at me. "Thanks, by the way. Mom's baked Mac was nowhere near Esme's, but you ate it all."

I shrugged. "Nah, it was no big deal. If I could stuff my face with that beet shit, I could definitely eat some baked Mac."

"It was like glue, though," she complained as she made a face.

"More like library paste," I added, and we both laughed. I was glad I survived the night.

I fished out my car keys from my pocket. "Well, see you tomorrow, Bella," I said before turning to my car.

"Edward, wait..."

I turned back around to see her looking nervously at me. "Hmm?"

"You see… I – I think…" She hesitated.

"What is it?

She puffed up her cheeks before she huffed. "Edward, I…"

I rolled my eyes. This girl was driving me nuts, I swear. "Just fucking say it, Swan."

She took a step towards me, and before I could say anything else, she said, "Kiss me."

"What?"

She took another step closer. "I need you to kiss me." Her voice was stronger this time, the hesitancy gone.

"What are you talking about?"

"Now, Edward," she ordered. She closed the gap between us and now we were standing face to face – well, face to chest, really. I nervously glanced back at the house, noting that I couldn't see the Chief and hoping he couldn't see me as well, especially now when his daughter was demanding me to kiss her. I could see a shadow against the curtain, though.

"Bella, I don't think this is such a good idea," I said, holding her shoulders with both hands, trying not to let her get too close to me.

She huffed again. "Kissing your girlfriend goodnight is always a good idea."

"I know, but…" I took a glance back at the window again, imagining Charlie Swan getting his shotgun to aim at me.

"Oh, come on, Edward! It's just a kiss!"

I glared at her. "It's not just a kiss if I end up dead!" I hissed. "What is up with you? There's no need to even play pretend now. Just go inside, Bella." I quickly turned around, wanting to get safely inside my car before Bella can have more ideas. She was faster, though. She slammed the door of my car close before I could get in.

"Oh, don't be such a coward, Edward."

"What? This isn't part of the deal! Whatever rebellious streak you're going through with your dad, I am not going to be a part of it!"

"This isn't about that!"

"Oh, so you really just want to kiss me?" I gave her a smirk. "I know how your mind works, Swan. Creating smoke, playing with fire? You just want attention from your dad because he's pissing you off, and you don't know what to do about it. You feel fucking helpless." I knew how it works. I did the same with my parents back when I was in high school. "Flaunting a relationship with a guy your father clearly despises won't make your parents' marriage work, Bella."

She shook her head. "Don't make this any bigger than it is, Edward. A kiss is a kiss. You had no problem doing it in front of Newton last time, and now you go all prudish on me!"

Shit. I was hoping we would never have to discuss that kiss - a kiss I couldn't even rationalize in my own head why I did it. Sure, I got a kick knowing Newton saw it and probably cried in envy afterwards, but...

Bella interrupted my thoughts. "You know what, never mind. This really is all for show, anyway. I really don't want to kiss you. Go home, Edward."

Okay, now I was really annoyed. This girl was just begging me for a kiss earlier, and now she's acting all snotty. She wanted a kiss, then she'll get one hell of a kiss. I reached out and grab a fistful of her shirt, pulled her to me, and planted my mouth on hers. It might have been a little rough, but there's no way I'm giving her a sweet peck now.

What I intended to be a short hard kiss turned longer. I couldn't stop, not when Bella was kissing me back. For a split second, I wondered when did she place her arms around my shoulders, but I lost that train of thought when I felt her tugging my hair. My hands automatically grasped her hips tighter, my fingers searching for her skin. It all became too much when I realized I was tasting her tongue, my own inside her mouth. Our breathing was strained, and I could feel my heart go above the normal beating rate.

Fuck.

With my eyes still closed, I slowly pulled away. She let me. I waited for a slap or a scream from her; I expected it. When a moment passed and there was nothing but our still uneven breathing, I opened my eyes to see her flushed cheeks and wide eyes. We stared at each other for a second before she suddenly turned and ran inside the house without any word.

That night I drove myself home in a daze.