A/N
If you haven't seen Pretty in Pink or Sixteen Candles, what the heck is wrong with you? Go now and rent them. Oh, and thank you for reading my silly story.
I own nothing except a Jake Ryan t-shirt and the DVD.
Chapter 4 Love Is a Battlefield
"Bella! Did you hear the news?" Alice squealed. "The Back to School dance is going to have an 80s theme!"
"Really? That's like totally awesome," I said sarcastically.
"Come on Bella, you know you love the 80s."
"Yes, I love the 80s, but I hate dances. You know that."
"That's just because you were slightly awkward and refused to conform to traditional styles of dress."
"Ha! I was a huge geek with no friends and a balance problem. But thanks for sugar-coating it, Alice."
"Anyways, we sooo have to go. I've been thinking about possible wardrobe choices. How do you feel about Madonna?"
"Old, weird English accent, freakish muscles…"
"Shut up, ass! I meant as a costume," Alice rolled her eyes. "You're right, it's too cliché. Oooh, I'm thinking Flashdance, maybe Molly Ringwald in Pretty in Pink."
"I love that movie. But you know that her prom dress was hideous. Keep thinking Alice."
"You know you want to find a Duckie of your own, " teased Alice.
"I already have a Duckie. You've seen Mike following me around. I want a Jake Ryan from Sixteen Candles." Mmmm, Jake Ryan. Wait, he kind of looks like…. Nah. Edward is prettier. "You know, I bet my mom has a whole bunch of her old outfits in the garage. She was a total 80s fashionista."
"That's a great idea. Hey Bella, what is up with you and Mikey? You know dating a sophomore would be social suicide."
"We're just friends, Alice. I know what it's like to be a geek. Besides, you know I don't date."
"You don't date because you won't talk to boys."
"Leave it alone, Alice. Come on, we'll be late for first period." There's only one boy I'd like to date, and he is taken.
EPOV
"So, Ed, have you thought of a costume for the dance, yet?" asked Jasper.
"What the hell, Jasper? Am I a girl or something? You can be in charge of my outfit, sweetheart," I snapped at him.
"Relax, dude. I guess Tanya will pick out something for you guys, huh?"
"Crap. I need to take care of that. Hey, Jasper, what do you think about Bella Swan?"
"Huh? Why are you asking?" Jasper looked at me curiously. "She's pretty hot, but I don't need to be set up."
"Not for you, ass, for me. I can't stop thinking about her. I catch her looking at me all of the time in class. She looks at me like she's in love with me. I . . . I . . . want to be with her," I stuttered. What the hell, I am a girl.
"What about Tanya? Are you going to break up with her? You've been with her for over two years, and you've known Bella for four days. Do you even talk to Bella?" asked Jasper.
"Well, once when she was on my lap."
"What?" Jasper looked right at me.
"She tripped. Seriously. Jasper I want to tell you everything, but I have to take care of this Tanya thing first."
"So Tanya is a thing now?" Jasper laughed. "Would part of this thing have to do with a certain smokin' hot brunette?"
"Yeah, who also has a smokin' hot petite friend," I smirked knowingly and Jasper looked away. I laughed. "Don't act like you don't want to date Alice. Just like I'm not going to pretend about Bella. Did something happen between you guys?"
"I'll tell you when you tell me what's up with Tanya."
"Fair enough. Let's go to class."
The rest of day I thought about Bella-her smile, her eyes, her blush. I thought about the huge difference between her and Tanya. Ugh. Warm vs. cold. Real vs. plastic. Why did I ever get myself into this charade? Right. Because I don't like to deal with others. I am a coward.
Two years ago.
"Jessica, do you mind not hanging all over me?" I asked, exasperated with her constant pawing. Christ was that girl an octopus?
"Aww, come on Eddie-poo. I promise to be very naughty…"
"You know he doesn't want to touch those fake boobs, Jessica," Lauren snapped. "He wants the real thing." She was purring like a cat in my ear. I threw up a little in my mouth. Gross, I thought. Can't these girls get the hint that I just want to be left alone?
"Leave Edward alone, Jessica and Lauren. He's mine," said Tanya with authority. "We're dating."
I looked gratefully at Tanya. "Come on, Edward," she said.
And so it started. We actually did date for a while, and then we both realized there was really no spark between us. But we didn't break up. I liked the fact that I could have a date when I wanted and no other girls would paw me. I could study in peace. She kept them all away from me.
In return, she had me as her "boyfriend", and the popularity it brought her. I knew she didn't like me anymore; in fact, she had someone on the side. I can't blame her, I wasn't giving her any. She had to get it somewhere. But both of us kept up appearances for over a year. This whole farce was actually perfect for both of us during that time. But this year Tanya was unbearable. She had let her popularity go to her head. And now I realized I wanted Bella. I had to break up with her.
"Tanya, can I take you home today? We need to talk." I said at the lunch table.
"Oh, I have to give you your costume for the dance. Good idea. My parents won't be home… Eddie," Tanya purred at me. God, I have to get this over with.
"Lucky Tanya," Jessica muttered.
"Jealous much, Jess? You know Eddie only has eyes for me," Tanya said with her trademark fake sweetness.
Jasper choked out a laugh. I elbowed him in the ribs and gave him a dirty look. "Yeah, he can't stop thinking about you, Tanya," Jasper nearly lost it. Tanya glared at him.
"Don't you have a midget to stare at, Whitlock?" she nodded in Alice's direction.
Oh shit, Jasper's gonna freak.
"F-off, trannie. Jealous because you have to shop in the big and tall store?" Jasper had a point, she had huge feet, and was like 5 foot 10.
Thankfully the bell rang for fifth period before there was bloodshed. "So, I'll meet you by my car," I said. Suddenly, she grabbed me and planted a wet kiss on my mouth before everyone started walking away. They started whistling and yelling, "Get a room!"
"What the fuck?" I hissed in her ear. "Knock that shit off." I glanced hurriedly in Bella's direction. Damn, she saw. Her eyes looked sad, then she looked down as she went to class.
"Oh, hell no, Edward. You were not just checking out the new girl," Tanya said in my ear, still holding me in a death grip to her.
"Why the hell do you care? You know this is all for show and I know you have a guy on the side," I pushed her arms off me.
"But no one else does, and you better not ruin my reputation, Eddie."
"When did you turn into such a bitch, Tanya? You used to be cool. You know, forget after school. We're done Tanya. I can't pretend to like you anymore. Not even for two more periods."
"You can't break up with me, Edward," she screeched. "My parents won't let me go out with my real boyfriend. You are my cover, and I'll be damned if you end up with the new girl. You're going to ruin the dance, and homecoming, and prom!"
"I don't give a shit, anymore. I'm tired of playing games. I want someone who is real, and likes me for me. Good luck with your old ass loser boyfriend."
"We're not through, Cullen. You'll see."
"Um, I think we are. Bye, Tanya. It's been real." I walked away with a smile.
Yes. I'm free. And the next two periods are with Bella. The best part of my day here I come. I practically skipped to class. She was sitting and talking with Alice when I finally got there. I flashed her a huge smile and winked at her. She made a face and looked away. Way to go, Cullen. You haven't even really talked to her and now you're winking and grinning like an idiot. I decided to text Jasper.
I did it. Broke up w/T. Free 4 Bella. Hook u up w/Alice?
Not wasting time E?
Nope. U shouldn't either. Meet me afterschool. Full story.
I walked to PE following Bella. Yeah so I was checking her out. It's a nice view. I caught up to her to start a conversation. "Hi, I'm Edward Cullen. We have a few classes together and I wanted to introduce myself. Um, how do you like the weather here in Forks?" What a loser I am. She makes me lose coherent thought.
"You're talking to me about the weather?" she asked with a strange expression.
"Yeah, I guess I am," I laughed.
"Well, I don't like the rain much," she scrunched up her face. It was adorable.
"Then you're in the wrong state," I chuckled.
"I moved to make my family happy."
"What happened?"
"Why are you suddenly talking to me, Edward?" she sounded confused.
"I don't want to stay away from you anymore, Bella."
BPOV
Ugh. I saw them kissing. Until then I was pretending she didn't exist. But now I know that it's for real. I feel like I got punched in the stomach. Get over it, Swan.
"I tried to tell you, Bella. I'm sorry," said Alice as we walked to class.
"I know. It's not like he even knows I exist," I sighed.
"Anyways, I have a great idea. Let's watch your mom's 80s movies and we can get some ideas for the dance Saturday!" Alice bounced excitedly. We found our seats.
Edward walked into class late. Great, they must have been making out for a long time. He looks really happy. Wait, he just smiled at me and winked. What's that about?
"Alice, did you see that?"
"Umm, yeah. What the hell? That looked like his panty-dropping smile, Bella."
"No way, he's just all excited from his make out session with Tanya."
"Whatever." She made a "W" with her fingers. "You are in denial. Remember when I said he's taken? I may have to change my mind."
I walked out of class as soon as the bell rang. I felt like someone was following me, then suddenly Edward was next to me talking.
"Hi, I'm Edward Cullen. We have a few classes together and I wanted to introduce myself. How do you like the weather here in Forks?" I stared at his beautiful face for a second, not believing he was starting a conversation.
"You're talking to me about the weather?" I asked dubiously.
"Yeah, I guess I am," he laughed. It sounded musical.
"Well, I don't like the rain much." That's an understatement. Way to make with the witty repartee, Swan.
"Then you're in the wrong state," he chuckled and I shivered.
"I moved to make my family happy," I stated truthfully.
"What happened?" Wow, he actually sounded interested.
"Why are you suddenly talking to me, Edward?" I blurted out.
"I don't want to stay away from you anymore, Bella." He walked away after giving me another heart-stopping smile. I almost did drop my panties.
WTF? Am I in a parallel universe?
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A/N
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