Disclaimer: All these characters belong to Stephanie Meyer.
It happened so fast that it caught me off guard. I flew into his room and turned to face him. "What on earth-"I was shocked when I looked up to meet Edward's cold eyes and expressionless face standing in front of his door.
"Is there something you would like to tell me?" He sounded just as coldly as he looked.
So he knew I was going to the dance with James, I figured. Well I wasn't going to be nice to him about this one. "Nope, I can't recall anything."
He let out a dark laugh. "There must be some kind of misunderstanding then because Emmett somehow believed that you were going to the Winter Formal this Saturday with James Woodsland. Funny right?" His eyes were blazing into mine.
I felt my blood rising and the anger taking over. I folded my arms over my chest. "Why is that funny?"
His eyes widened and then narrowed dangerously. "It's funny because the Bella Swan I know despises dances and has gone to one or wanted to go to one. I would know because I stayed home with her every single dance!"
Now I could feel my anger shooting out of my ears. I could picture him staying with me because of his pity for me, just like Victoria had said. "Well I guess its lucky day then Edward that you don't have to stay home this year with sad Bella Swan!" I shouted.
"What is that suppose to me?" He spat back.
"You tell me…. I'm done talking." I moved to open the door but his hand slammed it shut again.
"No you're not. So it's true then huh?" He looked down at me viciously now with our bodies at such close proximity to each other.
"Why do you care?" I hissed back.
He looked at me still with intensity in his eyes and didn't say anything. I turned to open the door again when he spoke abruptly. "I don't want you to go to the dance with him."
"Why?" I yelled frustrated.
He stared at me angrily. "Because I don't like him that's why!"
I was so sick of his brotherly attitude and his perverse answers. "Well that's not a good enough reason!"
"Like hell it is. I don't like him. I don't like the way he talks to you, I don't like the way he looks at you, and I don't like him near you."
Edward looked like he was rippling with anger. I didn't know what to say. Why couldn't he just tell me the one thing I wanted to hear- that he didn't want me going with James because he wanted me. Not the want of a friend but of something more. I didn't think I could take too much more of this. The frustration started to take its toll on me and I was sure that my eyes gave away the sadness that I felt. Edward's eyes slowly softened as he looked at me and then his voice lowered. "He's not good enough for you…"
I snapped out of my contemplation. I felt the tears starting to collect in my eyes. Edward thought James wasn't good enough for me…but I wasn't good enough for Edward. "Well then James and I have more in common then I thought." I answered back sarcastically.
He looked at me confused and then became rigid again. "So my opinion doesn't matter then?"
"You just have fun at the dance with your date Edward and I'll have fun with mine."
"What are you talking about?" He looked aggravated now.
"Oh that's great you get mad at me for not telling you about James when you do the same exact thing. Well then you're a hypocrite because I know."
"You seem to not know anything." He fumed. With his last comment I was done. I couldn't take him insulting me and lying to me all at once.
I turned and let his room. I stormed down the steps, thankfully not losing my balance or tripping. Luckily no one was in the living room as I went out the door and hurried to get to my house. Just as I was walking down the curb, Edward called out from behind me.
"Oh Bella?" He said in a sing song voice, the opposite of his cold demeanor just minutes ago. "It might not matter to you what I think of James but it will certainly matter what Charlie thinks….I might just have to fill him in a little bit about James ."
I whipped my head around and stared furiously at him. "You wouldn't dare." I knew that Charlie would never approve of me going out with someone he didn't think was worthy. I also knew that Charlie took Edward's opinion seriously, especially when it came to my safety or so called "best interest".
He stared back at me with a venomous smile. I glanced back at my house to see if Charlie was home yet and sure enough his patrol car was in the driveway. Just before I turned to look back at Edward, he flew past me, running straight for my house. I felt like an idiot running after him because it was pointless trying to catch up to him. I knew he would get to Charlie before I could. Sure enough when I ran into the kitchen out of breath and panting, Edward was already sitting down talking to Charlie at the table, as if he didn't just sprint as fast as he could. He didn't even look like he broke a sweat. He looked up at me and gave me a taunting smile letting me know that he had arrived to Charlie first. I was now more determined to go to this dance just because I knew Edward didn't want me too. I knew how stubborn he was to get his way but I was just as stubborn.
"Dad now before you say no, just because Edward doesn't like the kid doesn't mean what ever he says goes. I am your daughter and I think that you should hear what I have to say before anything else." Charlie looked up at me from his beer.
"Bella, what is it exactly that you think I am going to say no to?" He answered me completely baffled.
I looked at him confused. "Well wasn't Edward telling you about James?"
"No Edward and I were just talking about the Seahawks. Who is James by the way?"
I looked over at Edward who was smirking cold heartily at me. He was a little trickster. He knew that I would run in here thinking that he had blabbed everything about James to Charlie, but in reality he had just let me be the one to do it. I grounded my teeth in anger and then looked back at Charlie who was waiting for a response.
"James is a boy at school who asked me to the Winter Formal this Saturday, and I was kind of hoping to go."
Charlie seemed to be thinking something over in his head. "A dance huh? You must really like this boy if he talked you into going to a dance." I could see Edward sneering out of the corner of my eye. Charlie was completely wrong but I would keep my mouth shut to help my cause. "What's his name again?"
"James, James Woodsland." Charlie's eyes widened recognizing the name. "Oh yeah I know that kid. He's that good football player isn't he?" I just nodded my head and Charlie turned towards Edward. "So Eddie boy why is it that you don't like this kid?"
Edward took his opportunity now to voice his opinion. "I have a bad feeling about him Charlie and he is definitely not good enough for her." I glared at him the whole time and Charlie seemed to take in what Edward was saying. Edward threw me a smile just to piss me off.
"Thanks son I know that you have Bella's best interest at heart.-"
"But-." I interrupted. Charlie held a hand up to let him finished. "That being said, Bella you're eighteen years old, I think you can make your own decision now about going to a dance."
My eyes widened and a smile broke on my face. "Thanks Dad!" I looked over at Edward cockily now and he looked furious as his hands clamped down on the table.
I turned to leave when I heard Charlie's voice. "One condition though."
I stop and turned around waiting for him to reply. "I want to meet this boy before the dance. You said it's this Saturday? Then invite him over this Friday night for dinner." My face was horror stuck and I didn't know what to say. Have James over for dinner? That was the last thing I wanted to do. I didn't think that it would make a difference though about the dance situation. My dad was probably just curious about James I reassured myself, especially after Edward's comments about not trusting him. Edward got up and walked past me looking smugly. I turned and started to follow him into the living room where he sat down on the couch putting his hands behind his hand.
"What are you so happy about? I going to the dance with James remember?"
He looked at me with wicked smile. "Well we will see about that after Friday night. I'm sure Charlie will get a good idea about what James is really like." I didn't even want to talk to him anymore. He had thought he won the battle and that Charlie wouldn't let me go to the dance after meeting James. Little did he know that the battle was far from done.
I was still in a bitter mood but had to go over the Cullen's house and get my stuff. When I stormed back into Alice's room she was studying on her bed.
"I was wondering where you went off too. Why are you so angry?"
"Because of your stupid overbearing brother that's why."
She laughed at this. "Ha which one?"
"Edward of course. He's driving me insane." I scowled.
"How so?"
"He doesn't want me going to the dance with James Woodsland and he is trying to convince Charlie not to let me go." She seemed shocked and I went on to tell her about my conversation that had just happened in my kitchen.
She was enveloped in the story and when I was done she looked like she was contemplating something.
"Alice please tell me what you are thinking?" I asked frustrated after a minute of silence.
She looked up at me and then grinned. "I'm thinking that Edward is jealous."
This floored me. "Why would he be jealous?"
"Well let's face it, he spends all of his time with you and he has never had to compete with anyone for it. Maybe he thinks that if things with you and James were to progress, his friendship with you would be put on the back burner."
"That's crazy, he knows that I would never do that."
She shrugged. "I don't know it's just a theory. Anyway, I'm on you're side with this one. If Edward thinks that James is going to blow it in front of your Dad then you know what you need to do right?"
"No what?"
"Help him out. When he comes over for dinner talk him up. Laugh when he tells a joke even if it's not that funny. Look at him admirably through out the night. If your Dad thinks you're smitten then I'm sure Charlie will see that James has made quite an impression on you and whatever Edward said will be pushed to the side."
I didn't give Alice enough credit I realized. "Thanks Alice I'll try it out."
"And besides, you like the guy right so it shouldn't be too hard." I would definitely have to fill her in about that after the dance. For now on I knew that I could go to Alice with things, I trusted her and she really was a good friend.
"Yea should be a piece of cake." I lied. I would try my best though.
Edward didn't come threw my window until late that night. I think he knew I was still mad so was keeping a safe distance. I still couldn't fall asleep though without knowing that he was there. The next morning he still had a smug grin on his face when I got into the car but I didn't speak to him. Alice seemed to enjoy the silent battle between us especially since she saw how positive Edward was thinking that he had won but knowing I wasn't going to throw my towel in the ring.
When lunch period finally came I knew that I had to talk to James about coming over for dinner and I should do it soon. Edward and Emmett had gone up to get lunch and I was left sitting at the table with Alice picking at my lunch I brought from home.
"So did you take to James yet?"
"No not yet." I said without looking up.
"Well look he is over there paying for his food. Now is the perfect time." I looked up to see James walking with his food. He looked at me and smiled. I let out a defeated sign knowing what I had to do. I smiled back a fake warm smile and waved for him to come over by me. He seemed surprised but pleased and walked towards me right away.
"Hello Bella. Is this seat taken?" He was pointing at Edward's chair and before I could reply a cold voice sounded. "Actually it is." Edward pulled the seat back and sat down.
James seemed to snicker. "That's fine I'll just sit in this one." He took the chair across from me next to Emmett who had just returned with his food. Alice nudged me to talk.
"So James, I was wondering if you would like to come over to my house for dinner Friday night, my Dad kind of wants to meet you."
He seemed to be intrigued. "Of course, what time should I come?"
"Um I guess around 6 o'clock would be good."
"Excellent, I look forward to it." Edward was biting the side of his mouth and his eyes were a blaze. There was an uneasy silence.
"So Edward I hear that you and Victoria are going together, good for you." James added before looking down at his food with a sly smile on his face.
Edward gave him a death stare but before he could answer Emmett spoke up. "You didn't tell me that man! Nice, Victoria's pretty hot."
He still looked pissed and then turned to me to look at my reaction. I just met his eyes with an expressionless face.
"Well it was a last resort sort of thing, all the good dates seemed to be taken." He said this without breaking his stare. I felt like it was somehow directed to me but knew better then to read too much into it because I knew that he was going with Victoria before James had asked me, I heard her say it. He was probably just trying to get on my good side. My eyes left his when I heard James cut in.
"Well next time you should be faster then. I was fast enough to not let Bella get away."
Edward's eyes narrowed. "Oh believe me, I won't be unprepared next time." They glared at each other.
The rest of lunch period was pretty quiet and strange. Edward seemed to be aggravated about something and for the most part we avoided each other. I hung out with Alice after school and she seemed to be enjoying herself by giving me tips about tomorrow nights dinner. She wanted me to go to this dance badly and wasn't going to let anything get in the way. I started to regret my decision to go. I had agreed to go out of anger after learning about Edward going with Victoria. I was still mad but I started to realize what going to the dance would entitle. For one thing, it definitely encouraged James. By saying yes to him it would seem that I was interested which was definitely not the case. I dreaded that I would have to be close to him or have him touch me. Hopefully I could only dance with him a few dances so I didn't seem rude and then stay by Alice the rest of the night. Another fact that I didn't want to think about was that I would have to see Edward with her all night. The thought of them dancing and touching made my insides turn. Just hearing about them going had done a number on me and now I would have to see it with my own eyes. I would have to see her in the spot next to him that I so longingly craved to be in. I shook the feeling off knowing that it wouldn't do me any good to wallow about things I couldn't change.
Friday finally came and Edward and I were still distant. I thought that maybe he had accepted the fact that I would be going to the dance with James. James didn't come to our lunch table again but at the end of school as I was walking to Edward's car I heard him call to me.
"Bella!"
I turned around to look at him. He had a lascivious look in his eyes. "Can't wait for tonight." He then got into his car and drove away. When I turned around Edward was standing behind me with a torrid expression. He met my eyes with a dark look and then stormed off to get into his car without saying a word. Once I got home Alice came over right away but Edward retreated to his house.
"So are you excited?!"
"Not really." I admitted as I entered the house.
"Bella this is pretty big. It's the first time that you have ever had a boy come over for dinner before."
I turned to look back at her as I entered my kitchen. "Alice Edward is over here for dinner almost every other night"
She swatted a hand in the air. "Yeah but that doesn't count, this is like the first time that you are introducing your dad to a boyfriend."
My eyes bulged. "Whoa whoa whoa Alice James is not my boyfriend, not even close. I am just going to the dance with him and this is Charlie's little way of making sure I'm not going with some creep." I filled up a glass of water to get rid of the bad taste in my mouth of thinking of James as a boyfriend.
Alice waggled her eyebrows at me. "Yeah but this is just the first step. First he meets your dad, then you go to formal, then he's your boyfriend, and then… he makes you a woman."
I spit out the water that I was drinking knowing exactly what Alice was implying. "ALICE!! No that is definitely not happening!" The only person who I ever thought about giving myself to that way was Mr. Grumpy next door, and I wasn't ready to admit that to Alice. The last time I had talked to Edward about sex was when we were sixteen. We had both promised that we would tell each other if one of us did it. I knew for a fact that I hadn't and Edward never said that he had but I felt like there was so little I knew about him and Victoria that it could certainly be possible. He had told me about the time Emmett had confided in him about losing his virginity. Emmett had been drunk at a party and lost it to a college girl. I don't think that Emmett regretted it but I know that he wasn't just looking to get laid. Emmett is a sweet heart and I did hope that he would find a nice girl one day that could handle him. Edward had said that his first time wouldn't be like Emmett's first time. That didn't tell me much except for that Edward didn't want to lose it to a one night stand.
"I'm just saying, he could me that guy." Alice said interrupting my thoughts.
I rolled my eyes at her and then started to make dinner. I decided to make chicken with sides of mash potatoes, corn, and stuffing. It was one of Charlie's favorites so it would put him in a happy mood.
Alice helped me out and then insisted on picking out an outfit for me to wear tonight. She left shortly after telling me my outfit was lying on the bed for me when I went to go change.
I looked at the clock and saw that it was 5:45 already. Charlie had come home earlier and was sitting on the couch drinking a beer and watching TV. I still had an apron and my cooking clothes on and ran up stairs to change. The outfit she had picked for me was a hunter green sweater and dark skinny jeans. I changed quickly and then made my way back down stairs. When I entered the kitchen I stopped dead in my tracks. Edward was opening the oven and looking in.
"Mmm Charlie's favorite dinner tonight, good I'm starving." He looked up at me with a crooked grin on his face.
"What are you doing here?" I angrily whispered so Charlie wouldn't hear.
"I came over for dinner. You didn't think that I would miss this did you?" He titled his head playfully.
I huffed and made my way over to him so I was right in his face. "FINE! But no shenanigans!"
He seemed slightly offended. "Believe me, James isn't going to need my help burning himself down, he is capable of that on his own. I just came to watch for enjoyment." He had an excited glint in his eyes.
Before I could answer back at him there was a knock on the door. My eyes widened and Edward seemed to growl, knowing that James was here. I turned and headed to the door, extremely aware that Edward was right behind me. When I opened the door James was there with a predatory look on his face, like he had just spotted his prey. His eyes raked me up and down.
"Hello Bella."
"Hi James, come on in." He stepped in and looked around the house before taking in Edward. I noticed that Charlie had walked up and was standing beside me.
"Oh Cullen I didn't know you would be here, even better!" He was acting as if Edward was a dear old friend, which was strange since they seemed to hate each other but then I realized that he was putting on a show for Charlie. I needed to go a long with it if I intended to win this battle with Edward.
"Dad this is James Woodsland." James stuck his hand out and shook Charlie's hand. "It's very nice to meet you Mr. Swan."
Charlie smiled and nodded. "Good to meet you too. Bells is dinner about ready?"
"Yeah it's all done, we can go eat." We all made our way into the kitchen were the plates were set up. I had put out three plates but looking down at the four on the table I realized that Edward must have done that himself. Charlie sat at the head of the table and I went to the other end while James and Edward sat across from one another. I didn't know exactly what to talk about so told everyone they could dig in.
"So James I understand you play football pretty well, any plans to continue that in college?" Charlie said to strike up conversation.
"Oh yes sir. I'm looking to go play at USC. There was a scout at out last game so I'm waiting to see if I can get a scholarship from them."
Charlie seemed to be pretty impressed. He knew a lot about the different schools that Forks played against and the players. So for the next twenty minutes or so, I just sat there bored stiff as James and my father talked football. This was already going a lot easier then I had thought. I didn't have to help him out at all. Edward was just staring down at his plate, tense and white as a ghost. I think that he released James wasn't coming off quite like he had expected. Suddenly the conversation turned back to me.
"So James I'm quite impressed. No one has ever gotten Bella to go to a school dance before." Charlie said cheerfully.
James looked over at me. "Well sir I'm the one who is impressed that I got a girl like Bella to go with." I almost laughed at his ass kissing, but held my tongue. Edward on the other hand didn't. He let out a snort. James smiled and looked at Edward quickly before looking back at me. "She really is a special girl."
"We know that." Edward stated matter-of-factly. Then he added bluntly. "So what exactly are your intentions with Bella?"
It was complete silence and I didn't know what to say. I tried to think of Alice's tips on what to do, but none of them included what to do when Edward acts out. So I just laughed awkwardly to break the tension and make it seem that Edward was just joking around.
James looked deadly for a second at Edward and then turned to Charlie. "I have only the best intentions for you daughter sir."
"That doesn't really answer my question now does it?" Edward hissed. My eyes shot death rays at Edward to shut up and Charlie coughed.
"Sorry James, Edward is just protective of our Bella here. She means a lot to us." Charlie looked at James apologetically for Edward's outbursts.
"Oh of course I understand," James looked at Edward and stared him directly in the eye. "It's what any brother like figure would do, make sure that their sister's potential suitor is worthy." That hurt to hear him say that and Edward looked like he had taken a low blow too. For that reason I was not sure. He thought of me that way so why would James's words infuriate him. James was making his claim clear though, stating what Edward's position to me was compared to his own. I did get the impression though that he was taunting it in Edward's face.
Charlie seemed to get discomforted and stood up to take his plate to the sink. "Bella that was delicious thanks kiddo." I smiled a gratefully to Charlie.
"Yes Bella thank you for inviting me over, it was perfect." James gave Charlie a firm handshake and I walked him to the door. "It was nice to meet you again sir."
He then turned to Edward. "It was good seeing you again as well Cullen."
Edward scoffed "Sorry I can't seem to say the same." Charlie just looked embarrassed at Edward's behavior and I quickly moved James out the door.
When Charlie was out of sight, James's leer returned.
"Dinner wasn't the only thing delicious looking tonight." He took my hand and kissed me knuckles. I had to fight myself not to cringe. "I'm looking forward to getting to know you a lot better Bella." He said with a sickening emphasis on the word know. I tried to give a smile but I was repulsed by the idea of letting James anywhere near "knowing" me better.
"Until then…" he said in a raspy voice. He looked over my shoulder once and sneered and then was gone. I turned around to seem Edward looking on with a rock hard expression. His face was fiery red.
"Bella he seems like a nice kid. I'm calling it an early night so good night you too. Oh and Eddie boy turn it down a notch." Charlie chucked from the living room and headed up stairs to bed.
I knew that it was his seal of approval and I had won. I felt good putting Edward in his place but at the same time I wanted to go over and tell him that I didn't like James either and he gave me the creeps. I agreed with Edward about him. It would make me look bad though saying that and then I would look like an idiot going to the dance with him. As much as I hated to go and see Edward with another girl, in some sick twisted way I had to see it. I needed to know what he was like with her, how many times he would touch her, or whisper to her. I knew everything about Edward but this was one thing that I didn't know, and I needed to know it.
I walked past Edward without saying a word heading to the kitchen. I started to clean the dishes and felt his eyes boring into me.
"So you are going to the dance with him then?" He said darkly behind me.
"It looks that way." He was quiet for a couple minutes and this I felt in next to me. He took one of the dishes from me and started to wash it. We cleaned and dried the dishes together in silence. Just as I was drying the last dish he spoke up.
"Are you going to sleep with him?" He said his in a bitter tone.
I was astounded he would even ask me something like this. "Excuse me?"
He turned now and looked directly at me. "You heard me."
"I'm not going to answer a stupid question like that." I hoped he knew me better then that. I had told him before that I was saving myself for the first person I fell in love. Little did he know that that person was him.
"Answer me." He said firmly.
"No Edward I'm not going to sleep with him!" I snarled at him.
"Good." He said through gritted teeth and a cold pleased look in his eyes. My anger tipped over the edge.
"Edward, this isn't any of you business anyway. I don't have to tell you what I choice to do or choice not to do. And I certainly don't ask you if you and Victoria are romping it in the sheets. You know what, I had enough of you tonight." With that I turned away and walked up to my room leaving him down stairs. My eyes were filling quickly with tears and I let out an agitated groan. I changed quickly and brushed my teeth so I could go to sleep and forget about everything. I felt like Edward and I were breaking apart slowly. We had never fought so much in our lives. I laid in bed then wondering if he would even come to my room tonight. It bothered me to think that he would be angry enough to stay away. I couldn't fall asleep. I just laid in the dark thinking for what felt like forever. When I looked at me clock it read 1:35am. If he wasn't here now, he probably wouldn't come…. My stomach clenched and I felt my eyes water.
But then….the sound of my window opening slowly and footsteps on my floor sent a wave of comfort through me. Minutes later I was asleep.
Author's note: Hope you liked it. Please review.