Chapter 8

Boys Don't Cry

APOV

Time stood still. I was in a vacuum where only Jasper and I existed. I knew I had a strong attraction for him, but I didn't realize that he was it for me. No one could make me feel like this. I stood there dumbstruck until I noticed him moving towards me. Do you know those sappy movies where the characters are running towards each other in slow motion? Well, it was like that except there was nothing corny about it. The anticipation burned through every cell in my body. I could taste it.

Suddenly the star of every fantasy of mine for the last four years was holding both of my hands and looking deep into my eyes. No, wait, into my soul. We stood there for moments, hours, I don't know, just communicating with our eyes until Jasper broke the silence.

"Alice, I've been a fool. I'm sorry. How about a d-"

"Stop, Jasper. Let me enjoy this moment." He wrapped his arms around me. "You don't know how long I've waited for you," I whispered to him.

We danced and talked in our own little world for several songs. He told me how sorry he was for what happened between us, and I forgave him. I asked him what changed, and he said, "Edward." He explained how Edward got the courage to get the girl he wanted, and that inspired him to do the same.

"Where are those two lovebirds, by the way?" I wondered.

EPOV

"Get your skanky hands off of me, Tanya! Don't you understand what 'over' means? Someone's going to get the wrong idea about us."

"I told you we weren't finished. And by the way, 'someone' went crying into the restroom when she saw us," she gloated.

"You are evil. You did that on purpose to hurt Bella."

"You bet your sweet ass I did. You think Miss Nobody is going to take my place? Over my dead body."

"That's the only way you could tempt me to get near you."

"It's not over Edward," she said as she sauntered away. What a vindictive witch. What the hell was I thinking for the last two years?

I rushed to the bathrooms to find Bella. Crap, I can't just barge in there. Where's Alice to help me? I scanned the crowded dance floor and spotted Alice and Jasper slow dancing. I didn't want to intrude, so I waited outside the restroom. I stood there running my hands through my hair nervously until I saw her walk into the gym. With the blonde guy. His arm around her. SHIT.

I walked over to Bella and the George Michael reject and tried to apologize. "Bella, please listen. I'm so sorry you had to see-" She cut me off.

"Forget it Edward. You don't owe me anything. We are not dating, and she is your girlfriend. Have a good time." And she walked away with that tight-jeaned wearing pretty boy. Could things get any worse?

I leaned against the gym wall trying to figure out what to do. She didn't want to talk and I had no clue how to show her how I felt.

"Edward?' Someone was talking to me. Thank God, Jasper and Alice finally broke out of their trance long enough to see something was up. "You look like someone kicked your puppy," joked Jasper.

I sighed. "Bella saw Tanya molesting me and now she won't talk to me. I tried to explain, but she thinks we're still together. I'm screwed. Then she took off with America's Next Top Male Model. Look at them." I nodded my head in their direction as Bella and that dude were dancing to some Madonna song. Alice was talking to her on the dance floor and she gave me a dirty look.

"Crap. Now Alice is mad at me, too."

"Relax, Ed. I'll talk to Alice. But don't you think you better explain this whole Tanya thing to Bella? I mean all she knows is that you just broke up with her after two years. She doesn't know you didn't have any feelings for Tanya."

"You're right, Jazz. But what do I do? She won't listen to a word I say."

"Two words: Say Anything. You need to go all Lloyd Dobler on her ass," explained Jasper.

"You got a trench coat and a boom box handy?" I joked. "Isn't that a little desperate and cliché?"

"Don't be a dick. I mean make a grand gesture. Chicks love that sappy shit. Alice told me Bella loves those 80s romantic comedies. If you want her, don't take no for an answer."

"Right, I can do this. Bella is worth it."

BPOV

How did I let myself trust him? Easy. He's beautiful and he charmed the pants off of me. Now I'm in the restroom humiliated. I guess I should have been more careful. He just broke up with that, that, female. Ugh. I shouldn't even be mad, really. I knew it was too good to be true. Maybe he talked to me to get her jealous or something.

I went to get a breath of fresh air, and sucked it up. That is my mantra. Suck it up and deal. Alice was in her circle of heaven and I didn't want to ruin her good time, so I decided to stick it out. Edward Cullen who?

Outside, I found James who was dressed as George Michael in the Faith video. Totally perfect for him. He'll probably find a boyfriend here before me. We decided to drown my sorrows in some punch and dancing. We were 'getting into the grove' when Alice came over to us.

"Have you talked to Edward yet?" she asked.

"No, and it's not going to happen." I explained the situation to her. She turned to give him a dirty look.

" 'e iz a deek," commented James. " 'E doez nut know how to act weeth weman."

"Let me find out what happened," said Alice. "Jazz is talking to him right now."

"Don't bother. So you and Jazz? You looked pretty cozy," I teased.

"Yes, he's perfect," she gushed. "But don't worry about me now."

"Alice, I'm fine. I'm going to dance and have fun, and pretend Edward was never born." Yeah, right. That wasn't happening, but I had to try for Alice's sake. "Go be with Jasper. One of us should be happy. Besides, James is here, and Ben and Angela."

"You are my best friend, Bella. I know things will work out. I can feel it."

I tried to keep up with James as we danced, but that Euro boy toy could move. I made it through "Push It" and "Thriller," but then he found a guy that interested him. They took off in search of a private place. Hmm, I didn't even know that guy was gay. Alice was with Jasper, so I danced with Angela and Ben, who made a really cute couple dressed in preppie clothes. They had matching plaid shorts and Polo shirts and sweaters tied around their necks. Now and then I would glance around to see what Edward was doing. I couldn't help it. He seemed to be alone or with Jasper every time I saw him. I wondered where Tanya was?

Tyler came to cut in, "Bella, you look hot, wanna dance?" What the hell, why not? I don't have any other prospects, right?

"Sure, Tyler." I think that boy watched some old 80s videos, because he launched into a craptastic Kid 'n Play routine. Can you say awkwaard! After that sad display, I decided to take a break.

"Thanks, Tyler, but I'm a little tired."

"Later I'll show you my best moves," he hissed in my ear. Eew, gross. Definitely not. I sat on the bleachers on the side of the gym furthest away from Edward. I watched other people dance and have fun. I admired their fashion choices and laughed at some of the crazy outfits people had on. Boy George, Michael Jackson, Cyndi Lauper. A whole crapload of Madonnas.

I was feeling pretty lonely when I noticed Mike walk in. He grinned widely and walked over to me. "Mike! You made it! Oh you look so adorable." He was dressed like Zach from Saved by the Bell.

"Thanks, Bella. You look beautiful." I blushed. "Are you ready for our dance?"

"Sure," I answered. "Oh, I love this song. Let's go." It was "Should I Stay or Should I Go." I knew what the Clash were singing about. I was living that feeling. I wasn't sure if I wanted to leave, or stick around and have to watch Edward and Tanya.

We were dancing and having a good time when Mike asked me, "Bella, do you think we could be more than friends?" He had that look in his eyes-you know admiration, lust, desire. I know I only looked at one person that way, and it wasn't Mike.

"Mike, I'm sorry, but it wouldn't be fair to you."

"You like Cullen," he said dejectedly.

"I can't help it," I blinked back a tear.

"You can't blame a guy for trying. How about some tongue, or maybe your underpants? It'll help me save face with my friends," Mike teased.

"You are going to make some girl very lucky, Mike." I hugged him and went to sit down away from everyone.

EPOV

"This better work, Jasper. If I see her dance with one more guy, I'm going to lose it." I had to see her with the blond model, then Tyler, then Mike who was totally into her. She even hugged him. That wasn't even counting the guys staring at her in that outfit-I should kill Alice-pink plaid schoolgirl skirt and scraps of fabric for a top. And the boots, holy crap, I imagined her legs. . . Calm down Cullen, not the right time for that. I wanted to throw my jacket over her to mark her as mine.

"I told Alice the situation, and she agreed that honesty is your best friend. She also said that your idea is perfect," said Jasper. "And you owe me $20, that James guy is totally gay."

"We didn't bet, Jasper."

"So what, you owe me more than that for putting up with your sad act." I playfully punched him. "Seriously, Ed, it's going to work out, I can feel it."

"You're psychic now?" I joked.

"Kiss my ass, Emoward."

I went to talk to the DJ about my special request. He said he wasn't doing dedications. "I just heard you dedicate "Hungry Like the Wolf" to Nessie from Jacob, you liar."

"He paid me $20."

"I'll give you $50, but you better say what I want you to say."

BPOV

I walked to the back of the bleachers to be by myself, but I wasn't. I could hear some moaning and whispering. I couldn't help but be nosy and sneak a peak. I walked quietly to the far corner where I heard the sounds. It was some greasy looking guy swallowing some girl's face. She was in some tacky Madonna outfit. OMG, I recognized that ugly skirt. It was freaking Tanya making out with another guy. I tiptoed out of there, although they were pretty oblivious to everything. Poor Edward.

Should I tell him what I saw? I was really hurt by him, but I didn't want him to be hurt, too. I cared for him too much. Maybe they broke up again? But Tanya looked and sounded like she really knew that guy. She kept moaning 'oh baby.' I had to tell him.

I walked out from behind the bleachers to the sounds of "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel. I love that song. When Lloyd held up the boom box playing that song to show how much he loves Diane, I cried. It's so romantic. Maybe I can pry Alice away from Jasper to slow dance with me.

"This song is dedicated to Bella from Edward. He says it's for you and only you," the announcer's voice echoed through the gymnasium. My head snapped up and I looked frantically around the gym for Edward. There. He was standing by himself holding something small over his head. My friends and Jasper were close by, but I only had eyes for Edward. He looked hopefully at me as I almost ran to him. When I got close, I noticed what he was holding. I threw myself into his arms. He staggered a bit at the force of my embrace.

"I didn't have a boom box, so I hoped my iPod would do the trick," he whispered into my hair.

A/N

Those crazy teens!

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