AN: Wow I'm so glad I got so many reviews on the first day. I was worried that people wouldn't have noticed I even posted early, but then I remembered fanfic . net sends emails. I was thinking I was going to post this on Friday, but then you guys will wait extra long so I'm posting one now and there will be another chapter on Friday. Anyway I hope you continue to love this story as much as I do. Thanx to all who make their voice known. Don't forget to review.

I don't own Twilight or Bad Reputation.

Chapter 14 Rosalie's Back, Well Almost

The next day Rosalie rode with me. She was so nervous about returning to school. We tried to cover up her facial injuries with opaque foundation, but it was still noticeable. And it did nothing for the pain. She was given heavy pain killers at the hospital, but those were prescription doses and the over-the-counter versions weren't quite up to par. She had spent last night baking muffins for her rescuers to thank them.

I drove up to the school asking her before I parked if she was ready. I warned her about some stories floating around about what happened to her and we both worried about her heightened fear response, but she thought if she doesn't go today she may never do it. The school counselor had phoned her during Rose's absence and Rose knew at any point in the day she was allowed to leave.

"Remember what the counselor said, 'One class at a time,'" I told Rose.

"Yes. I can do this."

I parked the car and we grabbed our book bags and the basket of muffins.

We entered the school and headed toward her homeroom. As we passed from classroom to classroom, eyes slowly began to turn to us. I took her hand, but she just kept her eyes forward. Her pace quickened and I notice why. Emmett, James, and Paul were at the far hall. They were laughing at some freshman stuck in a locker. He was calling for help. Victoria came over and let the freshman out. The boy scurried off. It looked like she was upset when she walked away. James was calling out to her. I guess he knew his behavior disappointed her. The other two called him "whipped" as he went after Victoria. As soon as we walked up to them, Emmett and Paul halted their laughter.

Rose held out the basket as she spoke. "I baked these for you and Volcano, to thank you for saving me. If you hadn't intervened, I don't know what would have . . ." Her eyes welled up and she couldn't continue.

Emmett slowly took the basket not knowing what else to do. She quickly headed for the ladies room behind us.

I stared at him as he kept his eyes on the basket. "Excuse me," I said and walked into the ladies room after her.

I could hear her soft sobbing behind one of the doors and I left her alone for the moment.

After a few minutes she came out of the stall. "I'm sorry. I thought I could handle it."

"You have no reason to apologize," I assured her. "What happened wasn't your fault. You deal with it the way you can."

"He's probably laughing at me."

"I doubt it. Royce is sitting in a jail cell. He has no reason to be laughing."

"No, not that monster. Curly," she mumbled.

"Oh. I don't think he thinks there is anything to laugh about either. I bet you he is stuffing his face with your muffins. I have to admit, they smelled appetizing. There probably won't be any left for Volcano. It's no wonder he is so big and muscular. Speaking of which, he goes by the name Muscles, remember?"

"Muscles," she repeated. "I don't even know his real name. Do you?"

I was going to tell her, but I held my tongue. "Why don't you ask him?"

"Why would he tell me? Does Superman tell people his real name? And he was just like Superman, too. He and Volcano came and pulled the fiend off me. Then two other guys pulled me to the side and joined Volcano and Muscles in thrashing the guy. They were all pouncing and I couldn't move. I thought I was going to pass out, but then Muscles just scooped me up. He was so strong and I felt safe. I didn't want to let go. The next thing I remember I was with you and the ambulance guy on the floor."

*0*

We headed off to her first period class. I assured her I would have my cell phone on the whole time if she needed me.

"I will be a phone call away."

She managed to make it to lunch without too much fanfare.

At lunch she admitted people asked her how she was doing and about her incident. She just shrugged them off with an "I'm fine" and "It was scary." She was glad nothing really set off any fear triggers.

"I can't believe it. Volcano and Muscles really saved you?" Ben asked sitting beside Angela today.

"Yes. I don't remember the exact details, just the gist of it," Rose explained.

"Wow. I could never have done that. I don't have the guts to stop a guy like that. I mean I would call the police, but to actually involve myself—whoa!"

Angela declared, "At least they used their bruteness for good this time. It's amazing how many bullies are really cowards, but they aren't."

"It's because Volcano's dad is a cop. It's ingrained in him to protect people," I suggested. "I'm not excusing his assertive behavior at school, but I don't think he could ever really hurt anyone without just cause."

"What about Felix?" Asia quested.

I instantly remember what Jacob said. He insulted you! "Felix threw the first punch. He was defending himself."

"Some defense," Asia uttered.

"Look," Rose spoke up, "Let's not think ill thoughts about one of my saviors. Can we change the subject?"

"Sure," Angela agreed. "I heard the Social Club discussing themes for the Junior Prom. Plans are underway. What type of dress you planning on wearing?"

"I might not go," Rose said with a frown.

"What?" we all replied. "Why not?"

She just shrugged.

"There is still plenty of time. Maybe you'll change your mind. I wonder if Volcano will ask me or will he just assume I'll go with him?" I questioned out loud.

"You think he's into Dances?" Angela mused.

My memory flickered back to junior high when we danced together at the Teen Center. The corners of my mouth unconsciously lifted. "He's into dances all right."

"Well are you planning to go to Katie's party this Saturday night?" Asia asked Rose. "We could all go together. What about that?"

"I guess," she responded.

Something was off about Rose's personality. At school she was usually flamboyant, a smile always on her face. Now it was replaced with a frown. She had completely lost that side of her. I knew she needed time to recover from the attack, but how long? The rest of lunch she was silent and the rest of us filled the time with conversations about classes and homework.

*0*

The weekend came sooner than usual due to Thanksgiving weekend. This was our chance to bring back the old Rosalie. We made plans to all go together in Asia's Jeep with Angela and me meeting our guys at the party. Jacob told me he would have a surprise. I spent the Friday morning at the mall searching for this simple blue knee-length dress I saw on the Forever 21 website. I stopped at Hot Topic afterward to get a royal blue hair spray can to match. Saturday I dressed early to allow time for my hair. I didn't know what I should do. I finally settled on streaking my right side and leaving the left untouched. I gathered my hair to a low pony, twisted it clockwise and flipped it up along my scalp. I held it in place with an alligator clip. The twisted hair alternated blue and brown like a candy cane. I wasn't sure if I was completely satisfied and so I stuffed the can into a plastic bag and put it in my large purse for the occasion. I put navy blue shadow over my eyelids, pinked up my cheeks and glossy dusty-pink lipstick. I walked down the stairs and was out the door before my dad spotted me. I waited outside for the girls who informed me they'll be on time.

The girls were there at six and we headed to Katie's straight away. I looked at Rosalie in the backseat with me. She didn't get fancy dressed. She just wore a black sweater and black jeans, none of which accentuated her figure. She matched it with plain white sneakers and her Isaac Dole coat. She hadn't a single spot of makeup on her face.

"Rose, did you forget we were going tonight?" I asked.

She shrugged her shoulders.

"Don't bother," Angela uttered. "We already tried."

Asia parked her Jeep in a parking space not far from Katie's house. Before we had a chance to all get out, Rose spoke.

"Guys I'm really not in the mood. Is it okay if you just took me home?"

Asia looked at Angela and me. "I guess. You two go to in." She looked at Rose then back to us. She mouthed, "I'll talk to her."

When Angela and I entered Katie's house, we were shocked at how loud everything was. The music and the laughter were unbearable. I couldn't stay inside. Angela went to find Ben and left me behind. I kept peeking in to spot Jacob with no success. Asia walked up the block ten minutes later.

"How is she?" I quested.

"Rose's all right. I think the idea of the crowd might have scared her. She told me she needs a few mellow days to recuperate."

"What do you think?"

"I think if she doesn't get back on the horse, sort-a-speak, she may never," Asia suggested. "Angela's inside?"

"Yes. Partying away," I smiled. Asia headed in.

I shivered in the night air peeking inside again, when I heard a familiar vroom. I looked down the block and saw it, the Harley Davison with Jacob sitting on top of it.

"Hey little lady. Want a ride?"

I smiled a toothy grin and hopped on. He took his helmet off his head and after pulling out my clip placed it on mine. I wrapped my arms around and held my body close to his. I heard the engine rev and we were off.

He took me around from road to road and stopped at the empty park.

"Nice hair," he said as I pulled the helmet off.

"Thanks. I was thinking about spraying a little on the other side."

"You have the spray here?" he uttered excitedly.

I nodded.

"Could I do it?"

"You need to press lightly and move around so it isn't concentrated in one spot," I instructed.

"Sure, sure." We sat on a bench and I took the can out and he sprayed my left side including part of my face.

"Oops," he laughed.

I pulled out my makeup remover wipes, along with a mirror. I tried to clean off as much of the blue without ruining my makeup.

"There, much better. How's it look?" I asked.

"You're still blue over here," he pointed out. He took the wipe and started cleaning my face. "You're so beautiful." He leaned placing his lips on mine. I gave a cold shutter that I couldn't control.

"You must be really cold. I didn't think of the temperature. I was just so happy I got my motorcycle fixed, I wanted to share it with you."

"Jacob, what exactly is your draw to me?" I voiced.

"What type of question is that?" he asked confused.

"I just want to know if sex is a factor."

"Hell yeah!"

My lips pouted.

He bit his lip. "I mean . . . I do like you enough to stay with you if sex was taken out of the equation, but it would put a damper on things. Why are you asking?"

"It's the whole pregnancy situation with Jane. It worries me and I kind of feel bad for her."

"Well I don't."

I gave a frustrated sigh.

"She tried to pin it on me. I never touched her. Why couldn't she pick someone she was actually with?"

"She was drunk Jacob, she thought she was with you. I can't blame her for her viciousness. If I got pregnant, I make sure you knew about it. I wouldn't want to bear it alone."

"See, that's why I use condoms. I wouldn't want to bear it at all."

"You know, condoms aren't a hundred percent effective."

"Yeah, but it's not like we are having sex a hundred times a day to worry so much of the few times it won't work. Besides, having sex that much lowers the sperm count so, wouldn't that decrease the chance?"

"Where did you learn all that?" I mused.

"I had biology last year and then got expelled. My mom filled me in. I think she said it as a joke. She was laughing at the time. She was probably trying to lighten the tension of having to teach me about contraception. She didn't realize I would be paying close attention that day."

I smiled and moved in to kiss him. My hands held his face, keeping me connected to his mouth. Our tongues rotated and twisted in the shared intimacy. I pulled him in deep, moving to make out mode quicker than usual.

"What was that for?" he panted.

"It turns me on when you say smart things," I answered and repeated the maneuver.

"Smart things . . ." he mumbled into my mouth. He pulled back. "The human head weighs eight pounds."

I giggled. "I saw that movie too."

He chuckled and pulled me back in.

My phone sang as someone was trying to reach me. It went silent for a moment when the caller was sent to voicemail, but the music began again. I tried to ignore it, but it annoyed Jacob.

"Just get it."

I pulled out my phone buried in my purse. "Hello," I said into the cell.

"Where are you?" the irritated voice screamed.

"At the park with Volcano. Why?" I answered Angela.

"Thanks for telling me you left. I was frantic. Katie's party was raided. I guess the noise was too much for the neighbors. People started scrambling. I thought you might've gotten arrested."

"Omigosh! Seriously?"

"What?" Jacob asked.

"Hold on Angela." I pulled the phone away from my lips. "Katie's party was raided," I uttered.

He laughed. "That's so funny. Imagine if we got arrested, then my dad would have to come down to get us released. He'd be so embarrassed."

"So Angela," I spoke back into the cell. "What are you going to do now?"

"I guess we'll just head home. You think Volcano could bring you back?"

"I'm sure he could just take me home," I indicated. He nodded. "I'll speak to you tomorrow, Angela."

"Bye." She hung up.

"Jacob I need to get home now. My parents knew I was going out with the girls. If we are not back at the same time, it will look suspicious."

He pouted his lower lip. "Okay." We hopped onto his bike. He put the helmet securely on my head and ignited the engine.

We got to my house and he kissed me goodnight. Though it was a risk, I couldn't pass up a chance to kiss Jacob.

*0*

That night Jacob called me. He wanted to reinstate tutoring after school. He wanted me to help him in all his classes not just in chemistry. Even if I hadn't taken them yet, he didn't care.

"We could read through the textbook and go through my notes. You're really smart. You could figure it out and it will help you later when you do take them," he claimed.

"Why are you so gung ho about this?" I asked.

"Well if you like me saying smart things, I need to smarten up. If I impress you, what will you give me?"

"If you want me to be impressed, you need to break ninety. Then I'll give you a special treat. Think you could do it?" I wagered.

"Piece of cake. Oh by the way, thanks for the blue hair. My mom was thoroughly freaked."

"What do you mean? She never saw me."

He chortled. "Yeah, but the blue spray transferred to the inside of my helmet. It left my hair blotted blue. I took a look in the mirror. It was fantastic."

I giggled with him. "I guess you're welcome."

AN: Did you like? Tell me if you did or didn't. I'm kind of stumped on what his treat should be. I have an idea, but I wonder what you guys suggest. I really want to know.