A/n Yea I edited this chapter a little, not much. You mightn't even notice the difference but I do.

Chapter two: A Masked Ball?

"Ssssttttoooooopppp!" Alice screeched. Emmett pressed on the brakes and we all went lunging forward. We hadn't even gotten out of my drive.

"What?" Emmett moaned.

"I have to get something." She said simply and jumped out of the jeep and ran into her house.

Oh! Did I mention the Cullens and I were next-door neighbours? Well, yes we are. Since we lived so close together, it's one of the reasons how we became such good friends. In fact we live so close, when I look out my bedroom window I can see into Edward's bedroom. I can sometimes hear Esme, their mother, yelling at Emmett because of the stupid things he does, like putting his fist through the wall or accidentally breaking Esme's priceless antique vase.

Alice came back a few moments later, tucking something into her bag.

"What did you forget?" I asked.

"Oh it wasn't me. Edward forgot his book."

"How did you know, though?" Emmett asked, confused.

"Twin intuition." She teased, tapping her head.

We all laughed and Emmett continued driving us to school. Alice and I chatted happily in the back when Emmett decided to pump up the stereo. It was so loud I felt like my eardrums were going to pop. They were still a bit sore after Alice screeching down the phone this morning.

"Emmett! Turn that down!" I yelled, barely able to hear my voice over the sound of his stereo.

"What's that Bella?" He yelled back, grinning at me.

I shook my head and leaned forward to turn down the stereo. Once the volume had been lowered to a reasonable level I repeated what I had said.

"I said, turn it down."

"But it's already turned down. If I turn it down anymore then you won't be able to hear anything." He laughed at me.

"Well that's because I turned it down since you couldn't hear me when I asked you first because the music was so loud."

"Okay, okay guys! It's too early in the morning to listen to your bickering. Save it until lunch" Alice intervened and lay back in the car seat.

"Whoa! Someone's crabby this morning. Missing Jasper already?" Emmett teased.

"Yeah. Where is Rose and Jasper this morning anyway?" I asked.

Alice smiled at me before answering. "He and Rose wanted to head in early to do some last minute cramming for their calculus test today."

"Emmett? Aren't you in their class too? Why aren't you cramming like them?" I asked, although I don't know why I bothered. Emmett's one smart cookie but he prefers to play sport instead. He gets good enough grades without doing any work. I think it would be cool to see how he gets on if he actually put in an effort like some of us.

"I'm a natural genius Bella. I have a brain like a sponge. It just soaks up all the knowledge." He grinned at me.

"Yeah. You're only problem is trying to remember all that knowledge when it matters." Alice teased.

"Hey!" He cried, reaching a hand into the back seat to swat at Alice, which caused the car to swerve onto the wrong side of the road.

"Emmett! The road. Watch the road" Alice and I screamed.

"Whoa! Calm down girls. I have it all under control." He took control of the wheel again and kept his eyes on the road this time.

I think it'll be a miracle getting to school in one piece. That's the thing about driving with Emmett. He's a great driver but he just can be a bit careless sometimes.

Finally, he pulled into the school car park and parked the car. I don't think I've ever been so happy to see the school before and judging by the look on Alice's face, she was too.

"Thank you for flying with Air Emmett today. Please wait until the vehicle has come to a complete stop before collecting your luggage and exiting the aircraft."

I collected my bag and hopped out of the jeep.

"Hey Bella."

I turned to greet the musical voice, I knew so well. It was Edward. He looked as he does every morning, like an Adonis. He was wearing a simple, tight black shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows to show off his toned and defined arms. His hair, the strangest shade of bronze, shone in the sunlight which was a rare phenomenon in Forks, the rainiest and greenest place on the continental US. He smiled his infamous crooked grin that made every girl within viewing distance go weak at the knees. His emerald green eyes settled on mine and I found myself finding it hard to breath. My body always reacted in this way to his smile or the way he would look at me sometimes. He made my breathing hitch and sometimes stop altogether.

Edward wasn't good for my health but I couldn't stay away from him.

"Hey Edward. How are things?" I smiled at him. I was always happy when he was around.

His face fell a little and I thought he glanced quickly at his car where Kate, his girlfriend was just getting out of it.

"Uh, yeah, things are good. I guess." He glanced at Kate again and then gave me this look which I think meant "Talk Later."

Kate walked over to us and Edward put his arm around her waist when she gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

"Hi Bella. You look nice today. I like your outfit." She smiled widely at me. I feel so bad because she's such a lovely person and I constantly wish that he was with me and not her because I'm so totally, madly and irrevocably in love with him.

"Thanks Kate." I said timidly and slightly embarrassed. It makes me feel even worse that I can't be proper friends with her because I don't think I would be able to bear listening to her talk about Edward and I'd feel so guilty for wanting her boyfriend for myself.

"Doesn't she look nice Edward?"

"Yeah she does, as always." He chuckled and put his free arm around me. "I bet Alice had something to do with it."

"Well, you know Alice." I joked.

"Is someone talking about me? I feel my ears burning." Alice bounced over to us and dragged me away from under Edward's arm.

"Yeah we were just discussing which would you prefer to be called: Pixie or Tinkerbell?"

"Ha! Ha! Ha! Very funny Edward." She said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I may be short but that still doesn't mean I can't take you on." She punched Edward on the arm and he cringed back.

"Hey! That hurt!" He cried.

"Serves you right." Alice huffed. "Come on Bella. Let's go or we'll be late. See you guys at lunch."

Alice grabbed my hand and dragged me off muttering something that sounded like "big baby" under her breath.

"Alice didn't you forget the book?"

"Aw jeez!" She marched back to Edward and Kate, took the book from her bag and shoved it into his hands. She was in even more of a huff now because her attempt at a dignified exit had been ruined. Alice grabbed my hand again and marched off while I waved a sad goodbye to Edward. He shrugged his soldiers in a "I'm sorry" kind of way.

The school bell rang and I still had to go to my locker. Alice and I rushed inside, went to our lockers and headed to homeroom, all before the tardy bell rang. After that the classes seemed to drag on until lunch. For second period Alice and I split up. She went to French and I to Spanish. We were together again in Trigonometry. Before lunch was one of my favourite times because it was in English where Alice and I were joined by Edward. Alice sat on one side of me while Edward sat on the other side. Little did he know that I had moved my desk just that little closer to his.

I know. I'm sad aren't I? But, when you've been in love with someone for nearly 6 years, you try and take as many moments as you can to be close to them.

That class flew by. It always does. They say time flies when you're having fun and it's true because Edward always finds a way to make me laugh or smile in that class. He might mock the teacher behind his back or make silly faces at me and it always worked.

Once the bell rang, I gathered up my books and walked out the door. Edward was already out in front of me and when I spotted him he was locking lips with Kate. I closed my eyes and turned away. You'd think I'd be used to it after all this time but as each day goes by my love grows stronger for him and the pain gets harder to bear.

Alice took my hand and leaded me away. "Come on Bella," she said softly, "let's get our lunch."

I allowed her to guide me to the canteen while I tried to block the image of Edward and Kate from my mind. While trying unsuccessfully to do that, I picked up some random items, not caring what, placed them on my tray, paid for them and went over to my usual table. Alice and Jasper were already there along with Emmett and Rosalie.

"Hi Bella. Did you hear about the dance the school is holding?" Rose asked me just as I was sitting down. "It's to raise money for the swim team."

"No. When is it on?"

"A week from Friday." Alice squealed. "I can't wait. This is going to be so exciting. We have to go shopping as soon as possible. We have to get our dresses and our masks."

"Masks?" I asked quizzically. What kind of dance is this?

"It's a Masked Costume party." Emmett said, as if it was the lamest thing he had ever heard. "It's going to be lame."

"Yeah" Jasper agreed. "Wearing a mask all night is going to be annoying. Plus, I wouldn't be able to see your beautiful face Alice." Jasper teased.

"Nice try Jazz" She smiled at him.

"Hey! Ouch! Rosie baby, what was that for?" Emmett cried, rubbing his head.

"Why didn't you think to say that to me? Don't you think my face is beautiful?"

"Oh of course I do sweetheart." He said, putting his arm around her. "You know I think you're the most beautiful thing on this planet."

She nodded her head in agreement and winked at me and Alice. "You got to keep your man in line girls."

"So when are we going shopping for dresses Alice?" Rose asked.

"Well tonight if possible. How about we go straight after school?"

"Perfect."

"Um, I'm not going guys." They turned to look at me.

"What?"

"Why?"

"I just … I don't really want to go and … you know me, walking disaster. I'd be risk to everyone there."

In reality I did want to go but I had no money for a dress and I didn't want to embarrass myself by the accident I know would be waiting to happen. Plus, all my friends are in couples and I know that nobody will want to ask me.

"Hey, if Bella's not going, then I'm not going. I don't want to wear a stupid ass mask." Emmett declared.

"Batman and Spiderman wear masks and they're not lame." Rose quipped.

"Fine then. I'll go if I can wear a batman costume and Jasper has to wear a Spiderman one."

"Why do I have to be Spiderman?" Jasper complained.

"Because I said so and it was my idea."

"Can't I be The Joker instead?"

"No dude! Then people will think we're a pair and that we're together. Plus if you be the joker that's the entire superhero theme gone out the window and then you'll just look weird beside me and Edward."

"Why? Who's Edward going to be? Mr Incredible?" Jasper joked.

"Well, I hadn't actually thought about it but now that you mention it Mr Incredible is pretty incredible. I think I'll be him instead. Edward can be Batman."

"I want to be Batman." Jasper whined.

"Fine you be Batman. I'll be Mr Incredible and Edward can be Spiderman. Are we all agreed on that?" Emmett looked around, seeking approval. "Good."

"I might have something to say about that." Edward's velvety voice cut in. "I don't get why I have to be Spiderman." He sat in beside me. I noticed Kate wasn't with him.

"I don't see what's wrong with Spiderman."

He turned and looked at me. "Why do you say that Bella?"

"Well, he's in pretty good shape. Everyone loves him apart from his boss which is pretty normal. He lives in a real city and not some made up place. He can climb up walls and fly. Batman can't fly. He only wishes he can. Plus, Spidey has the girl."

"Those are all very good and valid points Bella. I think I will go as Spiderman after all."

"Why are we talking about Spiderman?" Kate asked as she came towards our table and sat in beside Edward.

As Edward explained the whole story to her about the party and Emmett and Jasper's argument her face fell.

"I'm sorry. I can't go. I'm out of town that weekend. I'll be in Florida." Kate said, her voice full of sorrow. Edward froze and looked at her hard. He cleared his throat and removed his arm from around her. A dull atmosphere had settled in the group and it made me wonder what exactly was going on between Kate and Edward.

Looking down at his lunch tray Edward said quietly, almost to himself, "Oh, yes … of course. The dance is next weekend … when you're, in Florida."

What is the deal with Florida? She's only going away for the weekend, right?

Kate turned to me and said. "I hope you'll be going Bella. I'll need someone to keep an eye on Edward while I'm away or rather keep an eye on the Jessica and Lauren while I'm away. You never know what they might try and I know I can trust you."

"Oh I'm sorry. I'm not going."

"You're not going?" Edward exclaimed, snapping out of his mood. "You're going to leave me on my own while trying to fight of the evil advances of Lauren and Jessica. How could you do this to me Bella?"

"You know what I'm like. I'll fall flat on my face if I even try to dance."

"Please Bella. I really want you to go." He turned and released the full power of his puppy dog eyes onto me. I found my breath starting to hitch and I tried to calm myself down. It's not fair that he has this effect on me. I closed my eyes and once again turned away from him.

"I'm sorry Edward. I can't"

The truth is, I'm not sure I can trust myself while Kate is away.

Reivew please

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