A/N

I don't own the characters, but I do own a Team Edward t-shirt and a laptop so I can read fanfiction.

Chapter 3 Every Rose Has Its Thorn

Alice and I walked slowly over to our next class. We had independent study together. We discussed the day's events and she continued to point out people to me. Soon I would know everyone, but that wouldn't be much of an accomplishment considering how few students there were in this tiny school.

As soon as I walked into class I heard, "What's up, Bella?" I turned quickly to see Tyler waving, and then I tripped and fell headfirst onto someone's lap. I heard a low chuckle, and a musical voice say, "You sure know how to make an entrance, Ms. Swan."

I looked up into the most beautiful green eyes I had ever seen. I stopped breathing when I realized whose arms were now wrapped around me, holding me from certain disaster. Oh god. Kill me please. I just made a spectacular fool out of myself by falling on Edward.

Alice giggled and yanked me up, too soon if you ask me. I could've stayed there all day, but that would be pretty embarrassing. "How did you know my name?" I stammered.

"Oh, I think everyone here knows your name, Bella," he replied softly. "Besides, Mr. Banner called roll during English class."

Of course. Stupid Bella. I practically ran to my seat, forcing myself to look away from his face. When we sat down, I glanced at Alice and mouthed 'Oh. My. God.' She shook her head and laughed, "Nice landing."

What the hell? I knew that I was awkward, but I've never been clumsy. Humiliating.

The rest of the class period was uneventful except for the glances I couldn't help but throw Edward's way. I learned that I was responsible for a senior project, hence the purpose of independent study. Finally, an intellectual challenge for me. I was actually excited for the first time today. OK big lie, I meant excited about school.

Alice and I discussed possible projects. She wanted to do a business plan for her own fashion design company and I wanted to publish my writing. I had been working on my journals for years now, and I had an idea to turn them into a novel. This could be a great class if I could tear my eyes away from Edward.

The bell rang, stopping our conversation. I groaned when I realized it was time for gym, the bane of my existence. My kryptonite. Hopefully I won't have to dress on the first day. Alice and I parted ways. I walked behind Edward trying not to get too close, so he wouldn't think I was stalking him, but he seemed to be going in the same direction I was. He couldn't have gym with me too, could he?

Yeah, so here I am in gym with someone's old gym clothes on because I didn't have any. Apparently here in Forks, gym is a big deal. That's why I had to take it again as a senior. And Edward Cullen is here too, of course he looks like an ad for Calvin Klein sportswear, not like a yard sale reject. Thank god he is on the other side of the gym, practicing with the basketball team. I can stare without him noticing.

The teacher partnered me up with a young blond-haired boy with braces. He had blue eyes, a baby face, and would be considered by most people as the quintessential geek. To me, having been in those shoes not so long ago, he was my peeps. Strangely, he stared at me like he just won the lottery. Wait, he can't think I'm good at sports, can he?

"How you doin' beautiful? " he asked like Joey from Friends' illegitimate son. "I'm Mike Newton," he said with a smirk. He held out his hand. Seriously, he smirked. Where does this kid get the balls?

"Hey, Mike. I'm Bella." I reached to shake his hand, and then he quickly pulled mine to his lips and kissed it. I couldn't help but laugh. "Smooth move. I should tell you in advance that I totally suck at every sport so you are doomed as my partner. I have trouble walking and not falling down over my own feet. You may want to talk to the teacher about switching partners."

"Are you kidding? This is the greatest day ever. I get to be partners with the most beautiful girl in school. My friends are peeing on themselves. They can't stop texting me. Can't you hear all of my alerts?"

I laughed at his joke. I heard some music from his pocket, the Star Wars theme. "Star Wars, huh, cool. That's one of my favorites. Last year I dressed like Princess Leia for Halloween. "

He got a pained look on his face and started sweating. "Will you marry me, Bella? You are awesome."

I laughed and patted him on the back. I made it through PE with no major problems; it was just the warm up exercises, though. Mike was really sweet, but he wasn't much better than I was. We talked about his friends, the geek squad, and how he was sort of the leader since he was a sophomore. He had skipped a grade like I did. PE mercifully ended pretty quickly thanks to Mike. "See you around, Mike," I said. He grinned and waved.

I changed back into my clothes and walked out to the parking lot to meet Alice. I noticed Edward and Jasper getting into a silver Volvo. Hmm, I expected him to have a flashier car.

On the way home, Alice and I chatted about how my first day was. She told me that she had sixth period with Jasper. I told her how I had sixth period with Edward, and my run in with Mike. She laughed at his cheesy lines. "He's a sweet kid. The popular crowd treats him and his friends like crap," she said. "He said hi to Tanya one time and she yelled at him."

I scowled at the thought of Tanya. "What does Edward see in her, Alice?"

"Honestly I don't know. Lots of girls liked him our freshman year and they got together sophomore year. I've never seen him with anyone else since. That's why I said he's taken."

"Are they like all lovey-dovey and making out everywhere?" Please say no.

Alice thought for a moment. "Huh. I don't think I've seen them together that way. They go to school events, like dances and stuff, but they don't really touch. Maybe they're not into PDA. Anyway, let's change the subject. Did you get your final fitting for your dress yet?"

Ughhh. The dress. For the wedding. Excuse me, THE WEDDING. My sister Rosalie was getting married next week to her college sweetheart. On my birthday. What a bitch. She gets everything, - looks, popularity, guys fawning all over her, and she has to steal my birth date forever. Well, at least until her second marriage. She doesn't exactly have the best track record with guys. The problem with being so unbelievably gorgeous like her is there are so many men to choose from. I give it five years.

"Bella, are you still pissy about the whole birthday thing?' asked Alice.

"A little. I think she did it on purpose."

"You know that was the only date she could get that hotel while Emmett was on vacation."

"Yeah, whatever, " I rolled my eyes.

"I still can't believe how they got engaged. It was like a fairytale," sighed Alice.

"Nightmare for me, more like it," I grumbled. How does anyone compete with someone like Rosalie? First of all, she's blonde, tall, gorgeous, and smart. Now she has the perfect soon-to-be-husband. And the proposal-unbelievable.

January 1, 2009.

There are nine seconds to go. The Huskies are down by four points in the fourth quarter. The quarterback goes back to pass. He fires the ball into the end zone hoping for a miracle. McCarty grabs the ball out of a crowd of players and he scores. "McCarty has won the Rose Bowl for the Huskies!" the announcer screams. "I can't believe it!" The game was over, everyone is screaming.

Then Emmett, still holding the game-winning ball, runs to the sidelines where Rosalie is jumping up and down in her cheerleading uniform. He gets down on one knee and says into the microphone (of course every camera crew in the stadium was following him) "Rose, you are my best friend, and the love of my life, I can't think of a better place for this than the Rose Bowl to ask you, will you marry me?" Then the effing Husky mascot hands Emmett the ring, and Rose screams, "Yes!" And the crowd goes wild.

I know the whole thing by heart because my parents watch that crap all of the time, because it's Tivoed. I know, un-freaking-believable, right? I mean how do you compete with that shit? The whole world revolves around Rose. That's why we moved to Forks, to be closer to her while she finished college and planned the wedding. She and Emmitt were going to continue to live in Seattle after the wedding. He had been drafted by the Seahawks and would be playing football professionally. I swear I'm not making this up.

So, after a few months of job hunting, my mom and dad found jobs in Forks. My dad Charlie is Chief of Police, and my mom Renee found a job as a teacher at the elementary school. Forks isn't super close to Seattle, but it was a hell of a lot closer than Arizona. And my parents made a bundle of money selling their house, so we actually came out ahead in the deal. We moved here in June, I met Alice, and that's where I arrive at the present. A week away from my birthday and my sister's wedding.

"Bella? Do you want me to take you the dressmakers for your fitting? I have to go to the mall anyway to get my dress," Alice brought me back to reality. "The wedding is going to be so much fun. I can't wait to shop in Seattle."

"Yeah, it's going to be great," I grumbled.

"Don't be such a party pooper. You are the Maid of Honor, you know. Put on a happy face," scolded Alice.

I gave her a half-hearted, fake grin. "Happy?"

Alice laughed. "It won't be that bad. Didn't Rosalie tell you that Emmett has a really hot brother? Maybe you can hook up with him at the wedding. And maybe he'll bring some cute friends."

"And maybe I'll be homecoming queen and get a perfect boyfriend, too," I snapped sarcastically.

Alice paused, "Hmm. I'd say the odds of that are pretty good. I can feel it."

"Whatever, Miss Psychic Hotline. Let's go to the mall."