Disclaimer: All these characters belong to Stephanie Meyer.

The next morning I woke up to Alice shaking me. I groaned and tried to go back to sleep, but she threw my blanket off of me. "Alice what are you doing here so early!"

"I am here to help you get ready. Today everyone gets to see your new look and I want to make sure you look your best." She dragged me out of bed and told me to jump in the shower. After a quick shower, she threw me my clothes at the door. Once changed, she sat me down in a chair and gave me a coffee. Then Alice went to work on my hair, combing it through and blow-drying it this way and that way, and running a flat iron in different sections. Next came the makeup. Blush was added to my cheeks, mascara to my eyes, and tinted lip balm to make my full lips poutier. Alice stepped back and looked at me with a smile. "I did it more natural, just like you like, but it definitely enhances your features."

"Alice do you plan on coming over here every morning and doing this to me?"

" No, just the first few days until you get the hang of it. I wrote everything out for you though so that you know what to do." Of course Alice would write out detailed instructions for me about how to get ready in the morning.

"Oh and you wont be going to school with Edward and I today." She added nonchalantly.

"What! Why not?"

Alice pursed her lips. "Bella you are never going to give James the right impression of you if you are clinging on to Edward constantly. You need to show that you are a strong independent woman who can drive herself to and from school."

"Alice I do not cling to Edward and the only reason that I get a ride from him is because we live right next door to each other and its stupid to drive two cars when we are going to the same place."

"Okay I understand, but just for this first day can you show up on your own please? Also… I know it will piss off Edward and he was a grouch this weekend to me for no reason." She added that in slyly with a little smirk.

I shook my head at her and rolled my eyes. "Fine just this one day that's all." She clapped her hands and left to head to school.

I looked out my front window to see Edward waiting by the car. He had his black ray ban sunglass on and was leaning against the car with his hands in his pockets. When Alice appeared and took the front seat he looked baffled. I couldn't hear what he was saying but he looked back at my house aggravated. He got into the car and sped off, faster than normal.

I went back into the bathroom to look at myself in the mirror for the first time and was shocked with what I saw. It wasn't normal baby face Bella anymore. I looked older and edgier. My skin looked clear and smooth and my oval eyes popped out from under my thick long lashes. The deep blue neck shirt I wore accentuated my neck and collar bone and cut down to show a hint of cleavage. The outfit was very different from my standard big baggy sweatshirt over a pair of old jeans look. I actually looked very feminine.

I didn't want to get to school too early and took my time leaving the house. When I pulled up in front of the school I didn't see anyone walking in and the parking lot was full. Luckily there was a spot in the far back of the lot that I took.. I realized then that I must be later than I had expected and rushed inside. The halls were empty except for the last couple of kids staggering into class and I sped to my locker to get my books and put my jacket away. Suddenly the final bell rang and I sprinted as fast as I could to my first class.

I was winded and out of breathe when I opened the door and didn't realize that the room fell silent suddenly. The teacher looked at me as I started to apologize.

"Sorry Mr. White, I was running a little late today."

Mr. White then looked at me a little confused. "I'm sorry but who are you?" Now I was the confused one. Mr. White knew who I was.

"Um.. Bella, its Bella."

His face soon turned surprised then apologetic. "Oh my. I'm sorry Bella, I didn't recognize you. Go ahead and take your seat, just be here on time next time."

I nodded and made my way over to my seat with every pair of eyes in the class staring at me. I kept my head down embarrassed by the stares and whispers and took my seat. The rest of my day went pretty much the same way in every single class. Many people even came up to me and asked if I was new. I was bewildered that so many people didn't recognize me or even know who I was when I told them my name. I finally got frustrated trying to explain that I had been going to school here for the last four years and just said that I was the girl who hung out with Edward Cullen. Once I said that recognition clicked in their brains and they seemed even more surprised.

Now it was time for lunch and I longed to see Edward up close again. This weekend had been tough and I did miss him. I turned the corner and saw him leaning against my locker with his head down in thought. The butterflies in my stomach began to go nuts. As I got closer he snapped his head up and looked me directly in the eye with astonishment. He blinked several times in surprise and stood up straighter. His eyes bore into me and I felt helpless under his stare. As I approached him I saw that his normally emerald green eyes looked darker. He had never looked at me this way before. I was usually able to read his emotions quite easily but I couldn't pick up on it now. I finally broke the stare and opened my locker to get my books. He just stood there silently looking at me. When I turned my eyes to look back at him he was closer to me then I had realized and he looked as if he wanted to say something but was holding back.

"So how was you weekend?" I asked nervously.

He seemed to snap out of his daze and stepped back. "It was ok, how about you?"

"It was alright I guess." I closed my locker and Edward took my books for me. As we walked to the cafeteria I felt him walk closer to me than he usually did but he remained silent. I was disappointed that I didn't get a better reaction from him than I was hoping for. This was all for him in the end and I suddenly felt discouraged. Alice was waving over to us as we entered the cafeteria and I took my seat next to her. Edward sat down and still didn't speak a word but looked deep in thought.

Alice grabbed my arm just then to get my attention. "Bella! Look who is walking over here with Emmett!" I looked up to see James approaching with a sadistic smile on his face. Edward heard what Alice had said and looked to see who was walking with Emmett. The second his eyes saw James looking at me I felt his chair inch closer and his arm drape on the back of it. Emmett sat down and James pulled up a chair next to him looking at Edward for the first time and then back at me. Emmett was the one who spoke first.

"Looking good Bella! I almost didn't recognize you. Doesn't she look good James?" I looked over at James who was smiling at me as if I was a piece of meat. He even licked his lips. "You are looking…very good Bella." I felt Edward stiffen up at my side.

"Thanks" I murmured. Emmett and James finally got up to go get lunch. I was surprised when Edward didn't follow and stayed rooted to his seat. I looked over at him and noticed his jaw was clenched and hands were in fists. I had never seen this kind of reaction from him before and didn't know how to react. Just then Alice made matters worse.

"Bella! He said you looked very good! I wonder when he will ask you out." Edward grunted at my side and I turned my eyes to him.

"Like Bella would ever go out with him", he said sarcastically.

"Why not? She likes him and its pretty obvious that he likes her too." Alice defended. I would have to tell her that I didn't like James soon, because she wasn't helping me out in the Edward department at all.

This made Edward laugh fool heartedly. "I seriously doubt that and I'm pretty sure that I would know before you would know Alice." I wanted to let him know that I didn't like James that way but his cocky attitude and words made my emotions boil over. Alice looked hurt too because she knew that Edward was right but that was a sore spot for her.

"How would you know if I liked him or not, that's not an area that we talk about remember!" I growled at him.

He seemed shocked by my words and then his eyes narrowed at me. "Because we tell each other everything. I would think you would have mentioned it to me it you did have feelings for the guy."

"Well we certainly use to tell each other everything, but it has been made obvious recently that there are some things we don't share."

He face looked angry and he sneered at me. "Oh is that how it is now then?"

I looked away from him afraid that my sudden emotions and his anger towards me would make my traitor tears escape. I certainly didn't want it to be like that from now on with Edward. Emmett returned then with his food and without James. He seemed to be oblivious to the hostile energy at the table.

"So Bella I'm trying to help you out with James if you can tell, but you don't seem to need any help from what I'm hearing from James." He chuckled. I groaned and put my head in my hands knowing that was just another spark to the fire.

"You too!! You've been trying to set her up with James Woodsland?!" Edward roared.

"He's not that bad of a guy and he asked about Bella a while ago. I thought Bella would have told you." Emmett just ate his food still unaware of everything.

Edward looked over at me with hooded eyes and then stood up. "I guess she just doesn't tell me things after all." Then he stormed off and left the cafeteria. I was still shaken by his sudden anger since I had never seen this side of him before. We never fought like this and he never raised his voice to me.

"Whoa what is his problem?" Emmett asked while devouring his food and now aware of the swirling emotions.

The rest of the day was very weary. I just wanted to get out of there. Alice and Angela tried to cheer me up in psychology but I was dreading my last period gym that I had with Edward and James. Hopefully Edward had calmed down by now and would talk to me. I was mad though too. I did not react quite like he did when I found out about Victoria. I was hurt, but he acted enraged. When the final bell rang I grabbed my gym bag from my locker and made my way over to the gym. I realized though that I had forgotten to pack clothes to change into. The second I made it into the locker room I ripped open my gym back and checked to see what I had. Alice had seemed to have packed an outfit for me. I picked out the shirt and pants and held them up. What the? It was tight black workout pants and a light pink cotton tee. The pants were skin tight and the cotton shirt looked too little to fit me. I also knew that we would be going outside for gym today and I would probably freeze in the t-shirt. I shoved it into my locker and bite my lip. I'm going to kill Alice.. I walked out into the gym hoping that I could get a sick pass to the nurse so I wouldn't have to change. My gym teacher Mr. Moore was checking over names when I went over to him.

"Ms. Swan why are you not changed?" He said looking up from his clipboard.

"Well Mr. Moore I wanted to talk to you about that, see I'm not feeling.." He cut me off just then.

"Ms. Swan you have used that excuse far to many times to get out of class, now go in there and get changed or I will have to fail you." He was right about me using the nurse excuse. I was terrible at sports and gym class was hell. I had used that excuse almost everyday when we were playing volleyball.

"But sir..."

"No buts, now go get changed."

I looked around the gym and saw Edward sitting with his head down. He looked up at me with an apologetic expression and mouthed the words "I'm sorry". I gave him a reassuring smile knowing I couldn't be mad at him for long. I missed him and didn't want to be in a fight. I got changed into the outfit and looked at myself in mirror. I had never worn pants these tight and the thin cotton tee clung to my curves and rose a little to show a hint of my stomach. I felt like I was really going to be sick just walking out there like this. I peaked around the gym door and saw that they were making there way outside to the practice field behind the school. I took a deep breathe and stepped out into the gym. Everyone was just outside and I walked behind the group hoping to not be seen. It was colder then I had expected and instantly covered my chest with my arms so other people wouldn't see how cold I actually was. So far I was going unnoticed until a vile boy named Mike Newton let out a whistle. Emmett turned around and looked at me then punched Mike hard in the arm. Mike already got the others attention however and soon everyone was looking at me. James had his devilish grin on his face and was staring at me intensely. The only eyes I was searching for however I couldn't find. Just then I turned toward the corner of the field and saw Edward. His jaw line looked tight like it had in lunch and his eyes smoldered into me. He looked frightening but I didn't want to be anywhere else but by him. As I neared him he shifted in his spot away from me slightly.

I was hurt by this, thinking that he was repulsed by me and looked down at my hands.

"Not your usual gym outfit I see?" He said through clenched teeth. Usually I wore baggy sweat pants and an old t-shirt. I felt my eyes tear up. I had had enough of being scrutinized for the day.

"Alice packed it for me…". I whispered.

He snorted. "Figures, here you look like your cold, put this on."

I looked at his hands in front of him and he had his sweatshirt in them. I grabbed it without saying anything and put it on. After the sweatshirt was over my head I breathed in his crisp, clean scent and felt instantly comfortable and warm from his left over body heat. I was relishing in his smell when I noticed that he only had a long sleeve shirt on now and I was worried he would be cold. "Are you sure you won't be cold?" He gave me a sober smile and rubbed both my arms to warm me up. "No I'll be fine I just don't want you to freeze."

A boy named Tyler made his way over and looked at us smugly. "Oh come on Cullen your covering up the view for the rest of us."

Edward's hands fisted at his sides and he snarled at Tyler. "Get the hell out of here before I make it so you never view anything again." Tyler backed off right away. We made our way over to the rest of the kids. Emmett and James were captains and had to pick the teams. Emmett picked Edward right away. He stood by me hesitantly before going to stand next to Emmett. We both knew that Emmett would pick me right away when he got the chance because the three of us stuck together during gym. Even though I sucked at physical activity, Emmett or Edward never let me be the last pick of the draw. What we didn't expect was James picking me first to be on his team. Edward's nostrils flared and Emmett looked shocked. I slowly made my way over to his side just as shocked as everyone else.

James breathed down in my ear in a raspy tone. "I didn't know if I wanted you on my team or the other so I could tackle you myself."

My eyes widened and I shivered from fear not the cold. Edward kept his eyes on me the whole time with a curious yet rigid expression. For most of the game I sat on the sideline while the other players got put in. That was fine by me. It was starting to get windy and chilly so I hugged my knees to my chest and continued to watch the game. James seemed to be playing pretty fiercely for a gym game and Edward was just as tough. James played determined and fearless when he got the ball and many of the other boys backed off when he plowed through. The only two players on the other team that went after him were Edward and Emmett. Edward and James showed the most aggression towards each other the whole game and it looked more like a competition between the two than the teams. I looked at my watch and saw that the there was only ten minutes left in class. Emmett's team had the ball and there was a long pass to the right where James was blocking Edward. Edward got around him and caught the ball and took off. When Edward starts to run there is no one who can catch him. I've known that ever since we were little but he would let me win in a race regardless. He was one of the fastest people I had ever seen. Sure enough James wasn't fast enough for him and Edward scored a touchdown. His face was beaming and he looked over at me to see if I was watching. I gave him a thumbs up and he flashed me his crooked grin. James looked like his face was on fire. He was snapping at his other teammates for not helping him out and then turned in my direction with a dangerous look on his face. He pointed his index finger at me and bent it to beckon me over. I stood up slowly and made my way to him.

"Bella I'm going to put you in alright?" This caught me off guard and I fumbled for an excuse to get out of it.

"But we are losing, I don't think it's a good idea."

"No don't worry just run down the center and I'll pass you the ball."

There was not way of getting around it and the coach blew the whistle. Edward looked at me cautiously, probably as surprised as I was that James put me in. When the ball was served I ran down the center with Edward at my side covering me. He stayed close by me almost like a safety net to catch me if I were to trip. When I ran far enough I turned around to see James looking for open people. I doubted he would throw it to me since Edward was right there but then his eyes flicked toward mine and he gave me a nod. Ohh no, please don't throw it to me.. The ball went flying into the air and I closed my eyes and put my hands up. I felt something hit my hands and when I opened my eyes I looked down at the football.

Edward whispered in my ear. "You caught it Bella, now run." He wasn't going to tag me after I actually caught a pass for the first time in my life and I started to run. I felt him running a few distances behind me, pretending that he couldn't keep up. I suddenly saw one of his teammates Ryan by my side reach out about to tag me when Edward sped up and shoved him out of the way.

"Cullen! What the hell I'm on your team!" He shouted angrily behind me. I finally made it to the end zone without tripping over or falling on my face. Edward was there with a big smile from ear to ear and I jumped up into his arms. "I scored a touchdown can you believe it!" He spun me around and then put me down.

"You were great!" He was still holding me in his arms and I looked up at him. I looked into the depth of his eyes and he started to lean his head down towards me. My heart felt like it was going to leap out of my chest as his face got closer and closer while never breaking eye contact. His forehead was wrinkled in nervous anticipation. Was he going to kiss me? Just then the coach blew the whistle and Edward dropped his arms around me and stood back. I stood frozen in shock until he picked up the ball and handed it to me. I walked back with Edward to our teams' huddles. He acted like our previous close proximity never occurred.

"So you tackled one of your own players huh?" I playfully nudged him.

Edward shrugged. "He was running at you way too fast ." I shook my head at him for his over protectiveness. Emmett ran over to him just then.

"Edward I don't know if you know this but your not suppose to tackle the players on your team. I think you successfully got Coach Moore off your back now about joining football." They both laughed and I made my way over to James.

Everyone was setting up into their next positions and I handed him the ball before turning to walk off the field. He wasn't looking at me but staring over at Edward.

"Good job Bella. See, I knew I picked you for a reason." Then he slapped my ass as I was walking away. I stopped dead in my tracks but before I could even turn around, Edward had run across and rammed his body into James tackling him to the ground. The coach blew his whistle and Emmett pulled Edward off of James before anything escalated.

"Edward your out of the game, this is touch football and the game wasn't even in play." The coached yelled and made his way over to James who was still on the ground.

"James how you doing?" It took James a second to get up but his ferocious face soon turned calmed as the coach appeared. "Don't worry about me I'm alright, good tackle though Cullen, I didn't know you had it in you." He jokingly sneered.

"You're a good sport James." Coach Moore seemed to have missed the sarcasm in James's words.

Edward's eyes were full of fury and he ripped out of Emmett's grasp and walked towards the school. I looked over at Emmett who just shrugged. When I turned around to run after him, Edward was already gone. After school was over I found Alice in the parking lot in a pissed off mood.

"He left without me!" Alice shouted.

"Don't worry I'll bring you home ok?" She huffed but then sat down in my car.

"So how was James in gym?" She asked suddenly in a better mood.

I made a scornful face remembering the ass slap. "He slapped my ass."

Alice burst out laughing. "What?" She asked through teary eyes of laughter.

I gave her a pointed look. "Its not funny. I scored a touchdown and as I was walking off the field he smacked my ass."

"Oh well that's not a bad thing." Alice said somewhat relaxed.

Now I was even more annoyed. "Not a bad thing? It only degrading and sexual harassment."

"No no no Bella, athletes do that all the time to each other when one of their teammates does well. Its like their way of saying way to go."

"Well he already said good job, he could have left it at that." She thought that was funny and laughed into hysterics again. Soon her laughter had me joining in.

When we got home Edward's car was no where to be seen. I let out a frustrated sigh and made my way into the house. I sat in the kitchen and waited. Ten minutes went by and there was a knock at the door. I ran to it and threw it open to see Edward standing there in all his glory.

"Hey" I replied trying to contain my happiness.

He smiled my favorite smile and walked in with a movie in his hand. "Here I rented this for us to watch, its new but the rental guy said it should be scary."

I went to the kitchen first and got Edward a coke out of the frig before making my way into the living room. He was sitting on the couch instead of on the floor like he usually did. When I sat down next to him he lifted his arm up to put behind the couch in back of me. I saw him wince out of the corner of my eye and turned towards him fast. "Are you hurt?"

"No no its nothing." He said avoiding eye contact.

"Edward Cullen you better tell me right now." I huffed while he smiled at me for my commanding tone.

"Its just my shoulder is a little sore from hitting James with it." I looked at him with wide eyes forgetting for a moment about the tackling incident. He looked at me anxiously with a worried expression.

"Your not mad about that right?"

"No I'm not mad, let me get you ice." He gave me a relieved smile.

I stood up to go get ice out of the kitchen and continued to talk. "Speaking of that though, you really didn't need to do that, I could have handled it."

Edward's voice raised from the living room and I knew he was angry. "Of course I did! He treating you like a piece of meat slapping your ass like that." I came back into the room with the ice.

"Alice said that is how athletes tell each other good job." I teased.

Edwards face furrowed. "Well I sure as hell didn't see him slapping any of the other guys asses after they scored a touchdown. The asshole even had the nerve to stare me dead in the face before he did it." I was about to thank him for protecting my honor but the last comment changed my reply.

"Why would he look you in the eye before doing something like that?"

Edward had an expression of uncertainty and looked away before he spoke.

"I don't know…maybe he thought that it would bother me in particular." I slowly lifted up his shirt as he spoke to see his shoulder. The sudden sight of his bare skin and chest left me dumbfounded

"Did it… bother you?" I stammered. Before he could reply though I had a visible view of his black and blue shoulder.

"Oh God Edward! You did a number on yourself. Sit on the floor so I can hold this on you." He did as I said and sat in-between my legs.

"Are you in pain?" I asked as I snaked my fingers with my free hand through his hair.

He leaned back and closed his eyes and then murmured, "Mmm no not anymore." He said it so low that I didn't know if I was suppose to hear it.

We sat and watched the movie while I rang my fingers through his hair and had my legs resting on either side of him. The both of us were so relaxed and comfortable sitting like this but my hormones were starting to get the best of me. I barely paid attention to the movie and just stared down at him. Slowly I removed the ice from his shoulder, longing to touch his bare skin, and placed my hand there. His body tensed at the sudden warmth of my hand, but he didn't turn around to meet my eyes. His hand rose up and he placed it on the top of mine before turning slowly to meet my gaze. "Bella.."

The front door suddenly shot open and Charlie came barreling in with bags in his hands. "Hey Bells can you give me a hand with this?" He turned towards us to see Edward standing next to me with his shirt off.

He looked surprised at us and then laughed. "If it was any other boy but Edward standing in the living room with his shirt off, you would have been in big trouble miss. Why do you have your shirt off?"

Edward fumbled for his shirt and carefully put it on over his bad shoulder. "Well Charlie I busted up my shoulder in gym class and Bella got me some ice for it."

I went over and helped Charlie with the bags of food and Edward followed. "Dad you didn't have to go food shopping, I just went the other day."

"Yea I know, I just picked up a few things that weren't on the list that's all." Edward helped me unpack and then stayed afterward to help me with homework. He left before dinner though, saying he promised Esme he would eat at home tonight. Charlie and I were left alone in our quiet dinner.

"Char.. Dad what did you mean about- if it was any other boy but Edward I would have been in trouble?" I asked while forking around my food on my plate.

Charlie took a swig of his beer and set it down. "Well I know I don't have to worry about stuff "happening" with Edward and you because you guys are like siblings."

I frowned a little and looked down at my plate. "Oh"

I was sick of everyone seeing Edward and I as just best friends. Who was I kidding, Edward probably saw me the same way too. But I couldn't over look the butterflies I got in my stomach every time he looked at me or the tingling sensation I got whenever he touched me. He had such a strong pull on me, it was almost like a magnetic force. I couldn't give up the hope that he would one day see me differently. He had definitely acted differently to me today and I had the sense that something was happening between us. I couldn't fall asleep that night until I heard him come through my window. It felt better knowing he was there with me. I went to sleep that night excited for what tomorrow might bring.