Recap -

I stood in there and let the hot water wash over me, then I washed my hair with my strawberry shampoo, brushed my teeth, and went to bed. Charlie wasn't even home yet but I sure hoped he'd be home soon. I fell asleep and dreamed of Edward and Jacob all night. I was kissing one then he would turn into the other.

'What weird dream,' I thought as I woke up at five in the morning.

Chapter 9: Dress shopping with the Enemy

Charlie was in his room snoring so I felt safer knowing that he was home. I freshened up and made my way downstairs to start breakfast for Charlie and I. I was going to make eggs and bacon with some whole wheat toast. I put the coffee on and got to work, I knew Charlie had to get up soon and I wanted everything ready for us when he did.

"Hey Bells, what smells so good?"

"I made us some breakfast, dad. I hope you're hungry. What time did you get in last night?"

"Around 2AM Bells, there were loads to do, I have to go back today. Are you going to be alright again tonight? I can call and see if Jake and Billy can come up and keep you company."

"No dad, I'll be fine, I have plans to go dress shopping with Jessica Stanly tonight, if it's alright with you. It'll be a girl's night out, dad. You don't care if I go, do you?"

"No Bells, that sounds great, have fun. Do you need any money for a dress? Has anyone asked you to homecoming yet?"

"No dad, I don't need any money and I'm not going to the dance. Me and dancing, not too good of an idea....I already have a hard time walking and trying to not fall while dancing will take a miracle, or a few. I'll see you when you get home dad. Be safe."

I went and brushed my teeth, put my shoes on, gathered all my school things, and was out the door and off to school. I was starting to blend in more and didn't have so many people staring or pointing at me and that makes me happy. Alice was waiting for me with Jasper when I pulled in the parking lot.

"Hey Ali, what's up? Thanks for coming over last night and helping me with homework." I looked around and asked where Edward was. I never asked about Rosalie she just didn't like me at all. Emmett now, he was a hoot and I really liked him.

"Bella chill, we all had fun last night, thank you for having us over." Then she shot Jasper a look and he waved and said he had to get to class. "Bella, can I ask you something? It's very important, alright?"

I nodded for her to go ahead and ask, I really like her and would share anything with her.

"Bella, how close are you and your boyfriend Jacob?"

"Well Ali, he's my best guy friend and we're very close but nothing physical though. I'm not ready for that with anyone."

She smiled at me and said "Great, that leaves some room."

"Hmm, I don't know what you mean Ali?" Then the first bell rang tell everyone to get to class. "I'll talk to you later, Alice," I said as I ran off to my first period class.

"Hello Bella, are you ready for shopping tonight with me and Lauren? I can't wait to buy a super sexy dress for my man MIKE." Jessica asked in a nasally voice.

"Yeah, I asked Charlie and he said I could go. I bet Mike will love whatever dress you pick out. You're very beautiful Jessica; anything will look good on you."

She smiled and told me she knew and then she took her seat. I still really didn't care too much for her but Mike's my friend and I would try for him.

"Miss Swan, can you please tell me what last night's homework was?"

"Yes sir, it was to read pages 185-210 and do the worksheet that you gave us yesterday in class that covered the reading."

"Very good Miss Swan."

I stuck my tongue at him in my mind but I was too much of a chicken to do it for real. Alice started to laugh; she smiled at me, stuck her tongue out at me, and smiled again.

If I didn't know better, I would say she knew what I was just thinking. There was no way she could have. Class finished without any more fuss and the day passed by about the same. At lunch, Edward asked me to sit with him again and I was very happy to oblige.

Jessica was a little upset that she wasn't invited to have lunch with us. I don't care, I like spending my time with Edward. And no one was going to take that away from me, as long as Edward wants to be my friend and wants spend time with me.

Lunch time flew by way too quick, at least in the next class I got to spend with him too. I had to admit, at least to myself, that I was falling for both Edward and Jacob. I know that Jake likes me that way but I don't know how Edward feels. I know he likes to kiss me though because we've kissed a few times and he started it.

The teacher came in with an old TV and DVD player and said that we were going to watch a movie today. The lights went out and the movie came on. Edward brushed my hand with his before he interlocked our hands together

"Bella, is this okay?"

"Yes Edward, I am very comfortable with you. You make me feel safe," I whispered to him.

"I only wish I was safe for you Bella. You make me feel very comfortable around you too. If I let my guard down it's especially not safe for you, love."

"Quiet please, Mr. Cullen, let's watch the video and not Miss Swan please."

'How did I not know that he was listening to us?' Edward thought. "Bella, we'll talk later but can I still hold your hand?"

I smiled at him and squeezed his hand. It felt hard as a rock but I didn't care, his hand was in mine and I loved it.

Right before the teacher turned the lights on Edward kissed my hand and then let go of it. I don't want this class to end because I knew that I would not see him anymore today. My last few classes were at the other end of the school and he had Spanish and the last period was free for him.

I finished the school day and started getting ready for my shopping trip with Jessica and Lauren. I don't think they like me but I guess they're turning over a new leaf. 'I'll try to make this work,' I kept telling myself.

"Bella, I'll follow you to your house so you can drop off your truck. Then we'll drive down in my car, Lauren will already be with me, okay?"

"Okay Jess, I just live up the road. Thanks."

I climbed into my truck and watched as Jessica and Lauren followed me to my house. I put my school bags inside and ran to get into Jessica's car. I rode in the back because Lauren didn't move for me to get in. The ride took forever, they talked back and forth.

They spoke to me here and there but I was glad to just be quiet. I had a lot on my mind, like about Jacob and how I wanted to spend time with him but I wanted to spend just as much time with Edward and maybe more even.

"Bella, we're here, are you awake?"

"Yeah I'm awake, where are we heading first Jess?"

"To that dress store right over there. I forgot to get my money though so I need to run to the bank, I'll be right back okay."

"Okay Jess, I'll go look around that book store right there and I'll meet you at the dress shop in an hour?"

"Sounds great Bella, Lauren has to get some money too, so she's going with me, see you soon."

They were laughing as they drove off. I rolled my eyes and went into the book store. I was glad to get some alone time, besides I really needed a few new books.

I looked at my watch and saw that I had been in the book store for almost two hours so I quickly paid for my things and ran over to the dress shop. No Jessica, no Lauren, and the dress shop was closing at 7. I asked the sales lady if she had seen the girls, I told her what they looked like, and she said no but there was another dress shop around the corner, maybe two blocks away.

I thanked the lady and went to find the other dress shop. Maybe I went the wrong way and got lost. I walked down the left side of the street close to the bay and there were a couple of guys there that looked kind of like a couple of college guys. I walked the long way around them not wanting to get in their way.

"Hello beautiful, what's up?"

I looked up but tried not to make eye contact with them. I picked up my pace, for "Bella speed" I was already walking pretty fast.

"Beautiful lady, I got something that you need, come here and give me a kiss."

"No Larry, she wants me, come here and give me a kiss, baby."

"Frank, she's going to be mine tonight, not yours."

At this moment, I was never so glad that Renee had dates a Tae Kwon Do guy that had taught us both self-defenses. The next step Larry took brought him closer to me, I shoved my hand so hard at his nose, he'd probably be smelling his brain for a week.

"What the hell baby, we aren't going to do you too much harm, we just want to have a little fun. Now be a good girl and tell Larry you're sorry and we won't have to make you play more than a couple of times."

Then Frank stepped closer to me, I broke his arm and kicked him so hard in his knee it may have cracked as well.

Just then, I saw a car swing around the corner and I set myself up for another fight. No one was going to take me down without a fight. The car was a shiny Volvo. Was that Edward's car? He stopped the car and got out, I think he growled at the two guys that were now pulling themselves up off the ground and were running away as fast as they could.

"Bella, are you alright? I'm sorry I didn't get here faster. Alice saw that you were in trouble only a little while ago."

"Edward, how did you know where I was? Alice did what? She saw me? Did she know that I would lose Jessica and Lauren and would be lost?"

I was getting really mad at this point, not at Edward or even Alice, none of this was their fault. "I'm starting to think this was a setup the whole time, by Jessica and what's her name, yeah, Lauren. Edward, I'm so going to get them back."

"Back down tiger, let's get you some food first, then I'll get you home. What do you want to eat?"

"How about Gyro's? They serve my favorite foods. Thanks Edward, I owe you one big time."

"No Bella, I didn't do anything, you took down those two losers and didn't even break your hand. I'm impressed." Then he smiled his crooked smile and asked me if he could kiss me.

"Yes, anytime Edward, anytime."

"Bella, I need to tell you something important after dinner, alright?"

I smiled at him and then tangled my fingers into his hair as he pulled me closer and into a deep kiss.

We made our way to the Gyro shop and I ordered a gyro platter and a sierra mist.

"Edward, aren't you hungry?" I asked.

"Nope, special diet here. I ate a bite before I came to meet you." He said as he added mentally, 'I always try to so I can keep you safer.'

I ate all my food and drank my soda along with the two refills that they had brought me. Edward paid for my dinner and asked if I was in a hurry to get home.

"No Edward, I'd love to spend some more time with my buddy. I really like hanging out with you."

"Thanks Bella, I was kind of hopping that I was more than just your buddy. I want us to be closer than just buddies."

I swallowed hard and had to fight to keep the world's biggest and stupidest smile off my face. Bella, calm down, he'll hear your heart beating, heck the people in the next booth will hear it beating.

"Edward, what did you mean that Alice saw that I was in trouble? And how did you know where to find me?"

"Well Bella, I shouldn't tell you the truth, it'll cause trouble for my family and Rosalie will then be angrier with me. But Bella, I felt drawn to you and I can't bear the thought of not being nothing but honest with you. I must say before we start and I do hope that you take what I say to you very seriously, your life might depend on it."

"Alright Edward, I will but I'm sure that whatever it is, I'll still feel the same way about you and your family."

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Thanks for reading. Please review. Big thanks sent to Strawberry9212 for the proof read and all her work. And a thank you to all who reads and reviews.

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or no part of it SM does.