I own nothing...it's all Stephanie Meyer's, still.
I stood frozen; staring at Emmett's very sculpted chest and the dog tags that hung there. I couldn't help but wonder what the story was behind them.
"Bella?" Emmett's worried voice snapped me from my thoughts. I looked up at his face and tried to hide the hurt, I'm sure, was written there. "I can explain this," he pleaded, causing Alice to frown and look at me worriedly.
I cleared my throat, "There's nothing to explain. I understand perfectly," I stated, calmly, looking straight into his beautiful, blue eyes. His brow furrowed at that, "Please, Bells, just one minute."
I was about to respond when Lauren cut me off, "Its okay Emmy, you have nothing to explain to her. It's none of her business anyway," she said, clinging to his sexy, muscled bicep.
He went from upset to pissed in the blink of an eye and pulled his arm out of her grip as if he just remembered she was there. They started arguing again, so I grabbed Alice's arm and started walking up the steps around the two, just trying to get out of there.
I had reached the top when Emmett realized I wasn't waiting at the bottom anymore. He turned and grabbed my arm, "Please, Bella," he begged.
"It's not that hard to understand. Really," I said harshly and followed Alice the rest of the way to her room.
Alice closed the door and turned to me, "Are you okay?"
"Of course I am, Alice. Why wouldn't I be? I mean I hate Lauren and wish Emmett had a little more class than that, but it's his herpes," I stated, causing Alice to burst into giggles and even I cracked a smile.
"So, which color do you want me to paint your nails?" she asked excitedly.
We had just eaten pizza and now me, Alice, Emmett, Jasper, and Edward were all sitting in their huge living room about to watch a movie. Of course we couldn't decide on one that we all wanted to watch.
Jasper and Edward had shown up about an hour ago, which caused Alice to get all giggly the moment she saw him. I just rolled my eyes. I would have to talk to her about that. Their mother, Esme, had also come home, stating that Carlisle would have to work late. She was really sweet and I instantly liked her.
Things with Emmett were slightly awkward. Jasper kept sending me weird looks, trying figure out what was going on, but Edward was completely oblivious to it. It was only 7, so I figured I could stay for at least one movie before having to go home, since there was yet another day of school tomorrow.
"I'm gonna go make some popcorn, while you guys figure out a movie. Want to help me, Alice?" I said dragging her with me to the kitchen without waiting for an answer. Alice started getting the popcorn together, since I had no idea where anything was.
"So, Jasper huh?" I asked her. Her cheeks immediately turned a rosy color, causing me to chuckle.
"What are you talking about?" she said not looking at me.
"Oh, come on, Alice! You can tell me," I said getting in front of her so I could see her face. She looked at me skeptically, but then let out a deep sigh, "I can't help it!" she shouted, "Every time I see him, I just get nervous and he's so sweet to me, even though he's a player…I just…I can't stop thinking about him and…ugh, I don't know!" she said, looking helpless.
"It's okay. And don't worry, I got this. Come on, surely they've figured it out by now," I said as she grabbed the popcorn and followed me out.
"Hey, Bella, wait," she said stopping me right before I went in, "Thanks. A lot."
"What are friends for?" I smiled at her. "So what is it?" I asked the guys.
"Tropic Thunder!" Emmett yelled with a big grin. I just rolled my eyes, smiled, and took a seat on the couch next to Jasper. I would talk to him tomorrow about Alice. I was almost positive that he had feelings for her as well.
The rain woke me the next morning at 5am. This was really getting old. After the movie had ended I headed home with a promise to Alice to help with Jasper.
I got up and stretched and went to wash my face and brush my teeth. I put on a gray sweater with ripped shoulders and some black skinny jeans. I went to the bathroom and curled my hair, swiped on some makeup and threw on my red converse. I grabbed a granola bar on the way out and took a deep breath before hopping in my truck to begin the third day of hell. However on the way there I ended up thinking that maybe this place wasn't too bad after all.
I pulled up and noticed that Alice's bright yellow Porsche was already sitting in the parking lot. I parked next to it and hopped out. I spotted Alice sitting at one of the tables with Edward and made my way up there.
"Hey guys," I said as I sat down next to Alice and put my bag on the table. Edward just nodded and laid his head on the table looking exhausted. Alice was bouncing up and down on her seat and I looked at her questioningly.
"Oh my gosh, Bella! Today's going to be great. I just know it," she gushed.
"Yeah okay, Alice. Whatever you say," I laughed a little at her energy, "So, where's Jasper and Emmett?" I asked her with a eating grin on my face. Her grin grew bigger at the mention of Jasper.
"They had to talk to the coach about something," she said just as the bell rang. Me and Alice got up while Edward was still lying there. "Hey Edward! Wakey, wakey," Alice shouted right in his ear. He groaned and lifted his head. "Come on, get up. It's time for class." He slowly stood up, grabbed his stuff, and followed us into the building.
"Well, see ya later, Bella," she said as we split to go to our classes. I headed to my locker before I made my way to trig. I still hadn't seen Emmett and I couldn't help but wonder if he had gotten any 'favors' this morning. I shook away that thought and walked into the classroom. Jasper was already there, so I took the seat on his left, closest to the window.
"Hey," I said and decided now was as good a time as any to talk to him about Alice.
"Hey, Bells. So, you wanna tell me what was going on between you and Emmett last night?" he asked with raised eyebrows.
"I don't know what you're talking about," I said, widening my eyes to look innocent. I really didn't want to talk about Lauren and Emmett and what they had been doing yesterday.
"Yeah, okay. I'll figure it out sooner or later, you know?" he said, looking at suspiciously.
"Mkay," I laughed, "So, Jazzy, how do you feel about Alice?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.
He laughed, "Jazzy?"
I giggled, "Hey, don't try to change the subject. And what's wrong with Jazzy? I like it. But that's beside the point! We were talking about Alice."
"Uh, right. She's hot, I guess," he shrugged. I looked at him incredulously, "Jasper! Come on, I know you think more of her than that. You can trust me."
"Maybe, I kind of care about her, but I don't want to hurt her and," just then Mike and Tyler plopped down in the seats around us. Jasper looked at me apologetically and turned to talk with Tyler.
"Hey Bella," Mike with a grin. I just smiled at him and turned to the teacher that had just walked in.
English flew by and before I knew it, I was walking with Jessica to Home Ec. She was once again going on about Mike. I didn't understand the appeal.
"Oh hey, Emmett's actually here today," she said surprised as we walked in the room. My head snapped up and focused on him. Lauren and Ben were there too and Ben was talking animatedly to Emmett.
"Hey everyone," she said while I just smiled and took my seat. Emmett was wearing faded jeans and a blue plaid button up with the sleeves rolled up. I couldn't help but notice how great he looked in that color. I realized that they were talking about the first big football game, which was apparently the following Tuesday.
"Omg! I can't wait for the game. I know you guys are gonna win," Jessica said excitedly. I just rolled my eyes.
"Who are you guys playing?" I asked them. Emmett's eyes met mine, "Seattle Prep. You coming to the game?" he asked and I could have sworn I saw hope in his eyes.
"Um, I don't know yet. I haven't decided," I answered back, knowing I would probably end up going if it was up to Alice.
"Well you should," he said with a soft smile, "I'd like you to." And I knew I would, just because he wanted me to. Though, I wasn't about to let him know that,
"Maybe," I shrugged. He graced me with a dimpled grin, then and I was thankful that the teacher started talking, saving me from embarrassing myself.
Turns out, Emmett cannot cook spaghetti. It was hilarious watching him try though. He ended up throwing noodles at the wall and cussing out the pan of sauce.
The bell had just rung and I was getting my stuff together. When I looked up, I saw Emmett waiting for me with a big grin on his face. I returned it and walked out to the hallway with him following.
"You should sit with me at lunch," he stated, throwing his huge arm around my shoulders.
"Oh, don't worry, we are," I heard Alice chirp from beside me. I let out a laugh, when had she gotten there? Jasper and Edward were waiting for us at the cafeteria doors. I noticed Jasper's eyes were glued to Alice the entire time, proving what I had already thought.
We all got our food and sat down at the same table we were at yesterday. Tyler and Mike joined us and thankfully, Mike didn't ask me out again. Nothing unusual happened and I was on my way to biology with Edward. He slept through the whole hour and when the bell rang, he offered to walk me to French.
"Why are you so tired?" I asked him on the way.
"It was a long night. I was very busy, if you know what I mean," he winked.
"That's disgusting. I don't even want to know." He busted out laughing, "I'm just kidding!" he put his arm around my shoulders and pulled me closer, since I had backed away a little when he told me that, "I just couldn't sleep."
"Mhmmmm, alright, Edward," I said as I walked into the room and I faintly heard him chuckle.
French went fast and Alice went on about Jasper all hour. Gym was gym, though there were no injuries this time and I didn't even trip.
I was walking around the school to the football field after gym; Alice was making me watch the guys practice, but on the way there I saw an old door with a giant window to the right of it. I went to look in the window, but it was blocked off.
Curiosity got the best of me and I went to the door.
At first I thought it was locked, but I jiggled it a little and it opened.
"No way," I muttered to myself, "Oh my gosh," I gasped. This place just kept getting better.
Chapter 9 finally! I have no excuse as to why I haven't updated and I give all of you full permission to be irritated.
I have a question for all of my faithful readers, though:
Do you guys want Rosalie to be mean or do you want her and Bella to be friends? Let me know and REVIEW! Hope you all like this chapter.
wtdancer18
