A/N

I do not own the characters. I just stay up all night writing about them.

Chapter 5 Bust a Move

PE was even worse than usual. I kept thinking about my little encounter with Edward. What the hell did he mean, he didn't want to stay away from me? Does that mean he wants to be near me? Ughh, boys are so confusing.

Mike asked me if I was going to the dance, and I didn't even hear him. "Bella, can you save me a dance? Bella?" Mike called out to me because I was staring across the gym. Edward was in a tank top. Mmm.

"Sorry, Mike. I'm a little preoccupied."

"Yeah, I noticed. Does that have to do with Cullen? I saw you talking to him before class. Are you guys together?"

"What? Be serious, Mike. Why would you say that?"

"I saw the way he was looking at you. And you are always staring at him," Mike said sadly.

"Come on Mike, he was just introducing himself because we have some classes together. He would never be interested in me."

"As much as I wish that were true, I know that look. Half the guys at this school look at you like that, including me."

"Oh, Mike. You know we're friends, right?" I sighed. I didn't want to hurt his feelings.

"I know, Bella. I'm not complaining. My friends are jealous that I even talk to you. You are really doing wonders for my rep. So, about that dance. . ."

"Of course I'll dance with you, but I have to warn you.. "

"I know, two left feet. You're not that uncoordinated. You just have some self-esteem issues. Get over it, like you told me to do."

"How did you get so smart for a sophomore?" I asked laughing.

"Well, I do have an IQ of 149," he said matter of factly.

I couldn't wait to discuss this new Edward development with Alice. After the infamous 5th period look and the walk to class, my mind was a mess. I walked quickly to the parking lot after PE.

"What? Something happened, I can tell by your face," Alice looked at me waiting for an explanation. Damn, that girl knows me too well.

"He walked me to class. He said he didn't want to stay away from me anymore."

"What! Tell me everything. Word for word," she commanded.

I explained what Edward said as we drove home. I also told her about what Mike said during PE. "Edward can't be interested, can he, Alice? What about Tanya?"

"I'm rethinking my whole opinion on this, Bella. These events are unprecedented. No one has broken through the Cullen barrier in two years. And please, she-who-shall-not-be-named is no competition. I'm sorry I made you feel weird when you asked me about her. We both are going to get what we want. I think we need a new strategy for the dance. And starting tomorrow, Hot Bella will be in full effect." Alice was in deep thought.

I could see she was planning a full night of strategizing. I actually was looking forward to it. It couldn't hurt, right?

EPOV

I fairly skipped to my car afterschool. I was free from Tanya, and I talked to Bella. I almost told her how much I liked her.

"Hey Ed, why are you grinning like a fool? Aren't you supposed to be crying over your breakup?" Jasper wisecracked as he climbed into my Volvo.

"Yes. Please hold me, Jazz. Make it better."

"Dick. Seriously, you promised me some answers. Tell me about Tanya."

I told Jasper everything, including my conversation with Bella.

"So, Tanya was your beard?"

"Yeah, but I'm not gay."

"You lonely fuck. You pretended to have a girlfriend so you would be left alone?" Jasper was incredulous.

"I…yeah," I muttered. I know it sounded ridiculous.

"And now you want to hook up with Bella."

"I don't want to hook up, I want a relationship with her. Now, it's your turn to explain about Alice. I know you like her, so spill it."

Jasper told me about the mistake he made, thinking Alice was a guy. I sat in disbelief for the whole story.

"Dude, you really screwed up."

"No shit, Sherlock. Tell me how to fix it."

"Well, you haven't done anything to try. How about you man up and apologize? All you do is stare at her when she isn't looking," I explained.

"You're right. I've been a total pussy," he admitted.

"We both have, Jazz. But we know that now, and we can still do something about it."

"What do I do? Say, 'Hey Alice, sorry I called you a dude. I have fantasies about you, be my girlfriend.'"

"I have an idea. You talk to Alice about getting Bella and me together, and I talk to her about you and Alice. That gives us lots of excuses to talk to them."

"That's good, Edward. It could work," Jasper said with a smile.

Alice and I looked through my mother's 80s clothes she had stored in the garage. "Your mom had some good taste in clothes, Bella. These outfits aren't as hideous as I though they would be. Oh my God. You have to wear this for the dance. It will be perfect!" she squealed while holding up a plaid skirt. "And look at these boots!"

"Check this out, Alice. It would be great for you." I held up a tiny black dress.

"Oh, it's perfect. I know exactly what accessories to wear. I can't wait for Saturday!" She said excitedly. "Come on, let's go watch the movies and try on the outfits."

After watching Pretty in Pink, The Breakfast Club, and Dirty Dancing, we had OD'd on the 80s. My mom had dropped in occasionally to comment on her favorite scenes and help us perfect our 80s looks. "Oh, I love when Duckie sings in the record store!" my mother gushed. "Why don't they have record stores anymore?"

Alice and I laughed at my mother's comments, and proceded to practice our 80s dance moves. She also helped me find an outfit for school that would 'accentuate my assets' as she put it. I called it 'flaunting my ass.' What the hell, I'd been doing things my way for sixteen years and I haven't even had a date. I let Alice do her magic.

The next day Alice and I were dressed to kill and feeling pretty confident. She hadn't said anything about going after Jasper, but I knew that's what she really wanted. I had no idea on how to approach Edward, so I decided to just go for it. During first period Alice and I talked about our outfits and what we thought other people would wear to the dance.

"I think we should make a bet on how many girls will come dressed like Madonna," joked Alice.

"Definitely at least eight Madonna wannabees, and five Michael Jacksons."

"What do you think Edward and Jasper will wear?" Alice sighed.

"What if one of them showed up dressed like Tom Cruise in Risky Business?" Swoon. Button-down shirt and underwear. Hot. I loved 80s Tom Cruise, now, not so much.

"No more, Bella. I won't be able to concentrate," whined Alice. "Now remember, just be confident when you see Edward in class. Don't go overboard with the flirting."

Overboard? I had no idea what to do!

When the bell rang to go to second period, I got butterflies in my stomach. It was time to see Edward. You can do it, I told myself. I walked carefully, so I wouldn't trip. That would be really attractive. God, I hope Tyler leaves me alone.

Edward wasn't in class yet, so I released the breath I was holding. Whoosh. Calm down, Swan. You don't even know him very well. You basically stare at him, listen to him talk during class, and have PG-13 dreams about him (I don't know enough to make them rated R). I decided that I needed to write something about Edward to calm me down and also to prove to myself I wasn't delusional. I made a list of the things I like about him.

Why I Like Edward

1. Super hot -OK that's pretty shallow.

2. Green eyes -I want to see them close up. Like right before he kisses me.

3. Intelligent -Big turn on. He always has the right answer.

4. Loves to read -That really should be number one. He always has a book during lunch. I almost jumped him when I saw him reading Pride and Prejudice.

5. His voice - Gah. It's like velvet and sex (well, what I think it's like)

6. Doesn't act like the typical guy. -He's thoughtful, polite, and well-read.

7. His body -Seriously, he's like an Abercrombie model.

8. His smell -It's like vanilla and soap and all delicious. I hope he hasn't noticed me sniffing him.

9. He's perfect. -Except he's taken. Sob.

"What are you working on, Bella?" Crap, I know that voice-velvet and sex. I shoved the paper into my pocket as quickly as possible, hoping he hadn't seen anything.

"Um, just a shopping list. There are some things I want to get. I um, really need them, badly," I giggled nervously as I looked up at his perfect face. Super cool flirting there, Bells.

"I was wondering if I could talk to you about Alice," he asked. Wait, what?

"Sure. What do you want to know?" I gulped. This was not going as I hoped.

"Do you think she has feelings for Jasper?" YESSSS! I screamed in my head.

"Are you kidding?" I replied, incredulous.

"Is that a no?" he looked perplexed.

"Edward, Alice has been in love with Jasper since freshman year. You do know the story of how he destroyed her, right?"

"Yeah, that sucked. But Jasper feels awful for what happened. He has never forgiven himself. He's been pining for her for years."

"Wow, so what do you want me to do with this information?" I asked.

"I was thinking that you and I can push them in the right direction. They obviously are crazy about each other, but are scared and embarrassed to do anything. You and I know them best and we can help them see they belong together."

"I have an idea. . . can you get Jasper to wear something special to the dance?" At that moment the teacher cleared his throat so we would stop talking.

"Give me your number," whispered Edward. I gave it to him, silently cheering in my head, and he texted me instantly,

What should he wear?

I texted him back with my idea. He seemed to think he could get Jasper to go along with it. During class we gave each other flirty looks, well I was going for flirting, but Edward probably thought I was constipated. We talked while he walked me to my next class. Tanya, who? Suck it, amazon. We continued to text the rest of the morning. It was effortless to talk to him this way. He was funny and interesting. Hmm, I should put that on my list. I reached into my pocket for it, but it wasn't there. I looked frantically in my purse, my backpack, and folder. No list. NOOOOO! Wait, my name wasn't on it, no one will know that I wrote it. I'd shit twice and die if Edward found out.

At lunch, I noticed that he wasn't sitting with Tanya and the others, only Jasper. She kept shooting him dirty looks, yay, maybe they got into a fight. I saw him wink at me. The plan must be going well. He and Jasper kept looking over at our table.

"Alice, tell me what happened with Jasper today."

"Nothing. I didn't even see him until now."

"I talked to Edward," I could hardly contain my excitement.

"What! Spill, Swan," Alice demanded.

"We talked about lots of things, and he asked for my phone number. We've been texting all morning."

"Bellllaaa! I'm so happy for you!" Alice beamed.

"He also said that Jasper was interested in you, but too embarrassed to make a move."

"Oh. My. God!"

EPOV

Wow, did she get better looking overnight? She was sitting there, lost in thought, scribbling furiously on a sheet of paper. I walked over to her quietly, trying not to disturb her. I asked her what she was doing. She looked surprised to see me, and shoved the paper in her pocket. She said she was making a list of things she really wanted.

I told her my idea about Jasper and Alice, and she seemed eager to help me. She really cares about her friend. That made her even more attractive to me. When the teacher made us stop talking, I asked for her phone number so I could continue our conversation. When she pulled her phone out of her pocket, the paper she was writing on fell out. I saw that she didn't notice it, so I covered it with my foot, and picked it up. I slipped it into my pocket to read later.

I walked her to her next class, completely awed by how smart and funny she was. Every minute I spent with her, I liked her more and more. I was past the point of just interested. I had to do something to make her mine.

As soon as I was out of her sight, I took out her list. Holy crap! What she 'wanted to get badly' was me! She made a list of what she thought were my best qualities. I was feeling pretty awesome until the last item on the list. She still thought I was with Tanya. Damn.

We texted all morning. Her idea for Jasper's outfit for tomorrow was brilliant. He was already thinking about something similar anyway. She also gave me an idea for my clothes as well, though she didn't know it. I didn't mention my feelings to her, but I could feel us getting closer through our conversation.

At lunch, I sat with Jasper. I didn't want to sit with Tanya and her crowd ever again. She sure looked pissed. I really wanted to sit with Bella, but I had to get Jasper settled with Alice first. I couldn't help looking at her, and I winked when she caught me staring.

"You seem pretty happy, there Eddie boy. Did you talk to anybody special today?" Jasper teased.

"Yeah wuss, unlike you. I got her number and we've been talking all day. I also put in a good word for you. Apparently Alice does like your sad ass. She's just scared you're going to reject her again."

"I would never do that. I adore her. God, Edward, I totally screwed myself all these years."

"Trust me, dude, I know what you are talking about." I told him what Bella suggested he wear to the dance, and some tips to talk to Alice. Lunch went by quickly, which was good because my next class was with Alice and Bella. I decided to sit with them again. We talked the whole period. I hoped Jasper could get his head out of his ass long enough to get Alice to forgive him. I realized it would be really fun to go out on dates with Bella and our friends. I never had that type of relationship before. Actually, I really hadn't had a real relationship, ever.

When class ended, Alice walked in the other direction, and Bella and I walked together to PE. I decided it was a good time to make my move.

"Bella. I really want to spend more time with you. Do you think we could go out sometime?" I asked nervously.

"Edward, don't you have a girlfriend? I don't date cheaters. You need to break up with her before you ask me out," she said, looking me straight in the eye.

"Good news. I already did."

A/N

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