Disclaimer: I own nothing. (I'm all out of witty remarks about this. *Shrugs* Sorry.)

AN: I wasn't sure if I wanted to do this in Edward or Bella's point of view…. So I did both. J hope you like it! (Shinedown/ the cure/ creed)

BPOV

Edward walked me to lunch again. I had been kind of nervous walking into biology that day. I hadn't known what to expect but nothing had really changed. Edward said hello when I sat down, we did our assignment, and then he offered to walk me to the lunchroom. We were both going to the same place and we were even going to sit at the same table so it made sense.

As we were standing in line Emmett came up behind us and said something too low for me to hear. Edward cocked an eyebrow and Emmett walked off with a sly grin.

"I'll be right back." said Edward with a slightly confused look on his face. "save my place?"

He grinned and all I could do was nod numbly. As he walked to the table towards Emmett I released a breath I hadn't known I was holding. I was going to have to learn how to control my motor skills when he was around if I didn't want him thinking I was completely obtuse. Maybe if I just didn't look at his eyes…

With Edward's absence I finally remembered how to safely navigate through the lunch line. I didn't even walk into the person ahead of me! I did, however take a peek at the Cullen's table. Alice was clapping, Emmett had a knowing smirk on his face, and Edward was scowling at Emmett. Rosalie didn't seem to care what they were talking about one way or another because she gave an indifferent shrug and flipped the page in the magazine she was reading. I didn't know what they were talking about but I felt a nonsensical pang of jealousy that I wasn't in on what they were discussing. They were just so close. You could tell, even with Edward scowling at Emmett and Emmett clearly doing something to aggravate Edward they were close. They each had a spot in the group and suddenly I felt like an intruder.

"Bella. Line's moving."

I felt my blush creep across my cheeks and turned towards the front of the line again.

"Sorry." I mumbled.

Mike huffed. His tantrum from this morning was still in progress. I didn't know what all this attitude was about. Okay… I was a little enamored with Edward Cullen and I really liked all of them but couldn't he see this was a one sided thing? They already had their group, so close knit it was more like a family even if Edward, Alice, and Emmett were the only ones truly related.

I sighed because even if Mike Newton couldn't see it I saw the truth in my idle wonderings.

"Hey guys." I said quietly. I felt bad about interrupting their conversation.

Alice bounced in her seat and waved.

"Hi Bella! Saved you a seat!"

I couldn't help the little smile that spread across my face as I saw her pointing to the chair between Edward and Emmett.

I slipped into the seat and sent her a small smile of thanks.

"I was just telling the gang here about your little pest Bells."

I looked up at Emmett and he nodded towards Mike who was just passing our table, scowl in place. I rolled my eyes.

"It's no big deal."

I didn't want to cause trouble and it wasn't like Mike was a threat to me or anything. He was just really annoying.

"If he isn't taking the hint he should be set straight Bella." Quipped Alice, nodding at Emmett in silent agreement to a conversation I had missed.

Wait! Was this the conversation I had just watched with envy? They had been talking about me?

I smiled a little to myself and out of the corner of my eye I saw Emmett reach behind me and smack Edward on the back of the head. Edward just rolled his eyes and began playing with his hands… almost nervously. Did I miss something?

"Hey Bella…" Emmett leaned over to whisper something in my ear and Edward cleared his throat.

He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and leaned over to me so we were eye to eye.

"I'm going to get something to eat. Save my seat?"

I blinked a couple of times but couldn't even answer him. His warm breath was hitting my neck and I was super conscious of his arm around me.

I took a shaky breath.

"Uh hu…"

Emmett laughed and throw his hands down on the table top, making me and Edward jump.

"Ya okay there Bella?" he boomed.

I tore my gaze away and stared at my hands on the table top.

"Yep. I'm fine."

I could have sworn I heard Edward chuckle as he made his way to the lunch line. What was going on here?

Emmett laughed and wrapped his arm around Rosalie. She didn't take her eyes off of her magazine but she smiled. I looked to Alice for some backup or maybe a hint; I was so lost. But she just grinned and winked before she turned her attention back to Jasper.

EPOV

"Can you come join us when you're done staring at Bella? You're going to want to be in on this one."

I turned to Emmett who had snuck into the lunch line behind us. What was he up to now? He had a mischievous grin on his face that I found disturbingly unsettling. I raised an eyebrow in question. I rarely got involved with his plots without rallying the details. His "operations" rarely ended well. As a matter of fact they almost always ended with one or both of us getting into trouble with Esme, Carlisle, and on occasion the Forks Police Department.

I sighed and turned to Bella. She hadn't been exceedingly verbose this morning but that was okay with me. I enjoyed watching her facial expressions. She would chew on her bottom lip or grin slightly as she thought. I found myself wishing I had telepathic powers. Alas sense I could not read minds I was left with an odd mixture of frustration and fascination.

I suppose I would have to follow Emmett. Despite what my logic was telling me I was curious to see what he had to say. There was no telling what he would purpose.

"I'll be right back. Save my place?"

I grinned in appreciation but all she did was blink a few times and nod. Maybe my intensity this morning had bothered her. I would have to back off some. I didn't want her to run screaming. I don't know what came over me this morning. I had previously been determined to keep things lights so it wouldn't be awkward. Yeah, I thought sarcastically. That went well. When I saw her being so nonchalant about her near death experience my previous plan went out the window. Did she have no self preservation instinct at all? Or did she really just value herself so little?

"What are you up to Emmett?" I snipped as I sat down.

I had become progressively more irritated as I made my way to our table. I could not figure this girl out and that was not something I was used to. Most people were easy to read.

"We're taking down your competition!" Announced Emmett.

I just stared at him, now even more confused than I had been a moment before. Rosalie rolled her eyes and picked up a fashion magazine. She never participated in Emmett's plans. But then again she had never had to call Carlisle from the police station at 2am. It turns out if you follow people at 2 in the morning to see how long it will take them to freak out they will eventually call the police. Who knew? I should have known better when Emmett started honking the car horn in his made up morse code at every stop sign. That was a fun night. I looked at my brother dryly as I remembered.

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

He beamed, knowing he had my attention.

"Mike Newton." He said plainly and then he smirked at me. "Catch up Eddie or we may not tell you the plan."

I hated that nickname which is why he used it. I turned my attention to Alice.

"What is he talking about?" I smirked at Emmett before turning my attention back to the pixie sitting across from me.

"'The man is too cunning to be understood.'"(AN: it's from Much Ado About Nothing. Yea, Edward quotes classics… because he's smartiful. =P)

Jasper chuckled and shook his head. He was the quietest in the group by far. He was happy to sit back and watch our insanity from the side lines. In all probability he was safer there.

"Mike Newton is after Bella." explained Alice.

My jaw clenched and I shot a look at Mike who was standing right behind Bella in the lunch line.

"I noticed that." I told them remembering earlier when he reached for her hand in the hallway.

Who hadn't noticed? Subtly had never been Newton's strong point.

"So what we need to do is make sure he knows you're interested." Alice continued excitedly. She was already in full fledged plan mode.

I felt my jaw unclench and drop open.

"Wait." I held up my hands and starred at my cousin who was bouncing in her seat. "Who said I was interested?"

Even Rosalie scoffed at that.

"Please Edward."

Rose glanced up from her magazine for the first time sense she had sat down to give me an unbelieving look.

"I am not interested."

No one looked convinced. Rose still hadn't broken eye contact.

"I want to be friends with her. She seems like she needs someone to look after her." I defended myself.

They must recognize this! The girl couldn't walk over a flat surface without tripping. Plus there were those times when she got a hurt look in her eyes and you could just tell she has had to go through something. There was an evident kindness about her. She should never have to go through whatever she did alone.

I was leaving in a couple of months time… it wouldn't be fair to either of us to be together now but there was no harm in befriending her was there? You could never have too many friends right? No. I sighed. I wasn't sure who I was trying to convince any more.

Rosalie snorted and turned her attention back to the magazine, clearly not believing me but not bothered enough to press the matter further.

"Whatever you say Eddie." Emmett clamped a hand on my shoulder and grinned. "Are you in or not?"

"You haven't even told me what the plan was yet Em." I sighed.

He leaned back in his chair and folded his hands together behind his head.

"There isn't really a plan yet per say." He said.

Of course.

"Really we just play it by ear." He explained. "If you see something that will drive little Mikey crazy do it!"

He shrugged and Alice clapped. I couldn't deny I was entertained by the thought of driving Newton the rest of the way towards crazy. It definitely was an enjoyable prospect.

"If Bella doesn't want Mike's attention she'll tell him." I said. After all it wasn't really our business.

Alice huffed and crossed her arms. Jasper looked down at her, concern creasing his brow. Even with the most nonsensical things if it bothered Alice it bothered Jasper.

"She doesn't want any attention from Mike." She reprimanded me as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"She seems very shy." Jasper spoke for the first time and all heads swung in his direction. That was one perk of saving your voice for special occasions. When you did speak it always meant something.

"She probably just doesn't want to tell undo attention to herself by telling Mike off." He explained, shrugging.

That made sense. She was shy, that much was obvious. Plus she was kind and soft spoken and probably didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings. I loved that about her. Wait! Love? It's just a figure of speech I thought shaking my head at myself.

Emmett took my head shake as rebellion to the plan or disagreement to what Jasper had said.

"Fine Edward."

He glared at me. This did take me by surprise. Emmett was never mad… especially at me. Usually he was too busy annoying me to be angry with me.

"So you don't love her or whatever. But Newton is making her uncomfortable. He's not taking the hint and he needs to be set straight."

I felt my anger flair. Bella was so shy and fragile. How dare Newton make her feel uncomfortable.

… All I'd really be doing was watching out for her. That was a friend like thing to do right? I had already promised myself after that van almost crushed her that I would watch after her. Well, I had vowed it as soon as I could regain any logical thought process anyways.

"If you're not up for it Eddie I'll find someone to replace you."

Emmett smirked.

"Mike's not the only one that's noticed Bella."

There was no trace of a frown on his face by the time he had finished because he knew he had me. I scowled because I knew it too and Alice clapped, smelling an easy victory.

"We'll meet after school to start planning in depth." Alice announced and I knew it was out of my hands.

I knew I should probably go get some food but I was too busy thinking. Too busy thinking of all the ways to make Newton crazy. It was going to be just too easy and I must admit very enjoyable.

"Hey guys."

I looked up at Bella who was standing there clutching her tray, looking exceedingly nervous. I immediately wanted to jump up and run to her; to comfort her. I found myself staring at the side of her face, trying to read her mind again even though I knew it was a futile effort. Alice said something to her that I didn't catch and she smiled. I relaxed in my seat, sending a thankful glance at my cousin.

Bella sat beside me and I realized I was still staring at her. Not that it did any good; she never made eye contact. It was almost like she was intentionally avoiding looking in my eyes.

"I was just telling the gang here about your little pest Bells."

Mike passed by the table just as he finished his sentence. He scowled at Bella and I stared at him until he made eye contact, daring him to stop or say something to her. He looked like a two year old who desperately needed to be placed in the corner. Or in Newton's case flung against the corner with a sickening thud. He wouldn't sustain any lasting effects. It would just serve as a reminder not to mess with someone as fragile and delicate as my Bella. I mean my… friend Bella.

"it's no big deal." she whispered.

I frowned a little, trying to figure her out. It was so frustrating! Why did she always edit her thought? Did she like Newton and she wanted us to back off? That thought made my fist clench and my jaw tighten. Or maybe she was just being Bella and she didn't want to cause any trouble for anyone. That seemed like something she would do. She did try to apologize to me this morning about the accident. I had a feeling I would never know what was going on in that head of hers.

"If he isn't taking the hint he should be set straight Bella." Quipped Alice nodding her head, silently agreeing with Emmett and his plan.

Emmett thinking he was being stealthy pretended to yawn, reached his arm behind Bella and smacked me in the back of the head. I looked over at him slightly frustrated. Was this the best way to get my attention? Really?

He nodded his head ever so slightly to the right and I saw Newton out of the corner of my eye. He was watching my every move. Even if I do not see this as a competition he clearly saw me as a rival. He shifted his eyes to Bella who was sitting beside me and I rolled my eyes. He was practically drooling.

Emmett raised his eyebrows and looked pointedly at Bella trying to signal faze one of the plan. I just looked at my hands. Shouldn't we discuss this with Bella first?

Emmett flicked me on the back of the head again and mouthed, 'I'll replace you.'

He wouldn't dare. He smirked and started to lean over to Bella, like he was going to whisper in her ear.

I cleared my throat and shot Emmett a pointed glare.

Then I wrapped my arm around Bella's shoulders and leaned over so we were eye to eye. I couldn't help breathing in her sent. She smelled so good… like freesia and strawberries.

"I'm going to go get something to eat. Save my seat?"

She blinked a few times and said, "Uh hu."

It wasn't exactly the response I had been hoping for but at least she had made eye contact. Come to think of it I was realizing there was an abundance of eye contact now and I had a little trouble looking away from her breathtaking chocolate orbs.

Emmett decided to help me out a little and smacked the table top making me and Bella jump.

"Ya okay there Bella?" He chuckled.

I looked around the table at my family and friends, all of which had smug expressions on their faces. You could almost hear them chanting in their minds, "I told ya so. I told ya so."

I decided this was a good time to make my exit. I glanced at Mike's table as I made my way to the lunch line and couldn't help but chuckle a little to myself. Emmett had timed it perfectly. Newton had been watching and he shot daggers at me. He absolutely loathed me. Good.

AN: So what do you guys think? If you read it please review it. Good or bad. Thanks! J Next chapter Emmett get's to scare "Little Mikey" so check back