A/N: So, in my opinion, this isn't one of my best chapters... but hey, what do I know. I actually contemplated a lot if this is where I wanted my story to go and after a lot of... self-debates, the answer was, 'yes, sure, I can work with this.' So, I hope you enjoy this chapter.:)

Chapter 13 - Complications

Bella Cullen

What, Alice?

I was irritated, to say the least. I had always believed that Alice and I had a connection— one wherein we knew whether the other was in need of help or a distraction or whether they just wanted the other out of their hair. But now, I was starting to question that belief.

Finally! She answered back, her own mental tone, impatient.

Throughout the day, Alice's voice kept dimly echoing through my mind. Now, normally I would have immediately let her in. I would have answered her mental calls the minute the first reverberation was made. But now, I didn't. It was rude of me not to respond to her appeals but the times that she called on me to open my mind to her was extremely inconvenient and annoyingly untimely— times when I was with Edward.

Three days had passed since I came back to school after my departure to Denali. And one thing that was constant throughout those days, aside from the favorable overcast weather, was Edward's companionship.

I thought that our relationship, if we even had a strong enough foundation of acquaintanceship for it to be remotely considered as any kind of relationship then, would only go downhill since the symposium incident. But, not for the first time when it concerned Edward, I was mistaken. That first day back at Forks High, his concern on whether I was alright surprised me. I would have thought that his instincts would have told him to keep his distance from me, after being in contact with my venom-coated teeth. All the more that whatever normalcy that could have been achieved between us, could not be possible anymore. But it seemed like whatever was branded as 'normal' for humans, could not be stereotyped on Edward. He was different altogether.

Throughout these three days we were almost, according to Jasper, inseparable. True, we walked to whatever class we had together, together, we went to the cafeteria together, we ate lunch together albeit with the presence of my family, and we walked to our cars together. But I really couldn't see that as spending a lot of time with him. So I told Jasper that his opinion was an exaggeration of what he really saw, but as it was, he only smiled, smugly, at the rejection. Deep inside though, I found that I was pleased to have that kind of feedback from my brother.

And I found that, whenever I was with Edward, I became inexplicably irritated when a third party would intrude on our limited time together— may that intruder be family or not. Now, for example, Alice was again, intruding on a rather entertaining conversation we were having (at least, it was entertaining for me) by repeatedly banging on my mental doorway.

Just spit it out Alice. My patience is rather short today.

Just today? She raised an eyebrow and I narrowed my eyes in return, warning her to get on with it or I'll be slamming the door on her mental face within the next five seconds.

Okay, okay! I just thought you would want to know that I had a vision that concerns you and…

My head slightly jerked in her direction, my attention was now caught. And?

Well, see for yourself. She replayed the vision to me, and I instantly stiffened. I felt Edward shift slightly next to me as I did so.

When? I asked Alice, alarm now present in my tone.

Tonight.

Just him?

Yes. As I looked at Alice, I noticed how her eyes became blank, as if shielding herself from any emotion that she did not wish for me to see. Immediately, I grew suspicious.

Is there anything else that you want me to know of?

No, not necessarily. She sent in a firm, yet deviously humorous tone. You can go back to playing with Edward now.

And with that she stood up and went to dump her tray. Jasper followed suite, as did Rosalie, then Emmett. Edward made to stand but stopped when he saw that I was still sitting down. He sat back down, eyed me curiously as he placed his elbow on the table and rested his cheek on the palm of his hand and continued to watch me. Adrenaline, or something similar to it, rushed through my body. He looked so… adorable.

"We still have ten minutes before class." I answered his unvocalized question.

He simply nodded. His eyes danced as he continued to unwaveringly gaze at me.

"Is there something on my face?" I asked, grinning.

He sat up straight and merely shook his head.

I frowned at his slight lack of verbal response. "What, is there a non-talking deal between you and Emmett that I should know about?"

Surprisingly, Edward had warmed up to Emmett and Jasper and vice-versa due to his daily lunch rendezvous with my family. Emmett would untiringly make deals and bets with Edward and he would relentlessly lose too, and this kept him plotting more ways to find Edward's 'weak spot' as he called it. Jasper would join a few times, but he was not disheartened like Emmett when he lost. It was quite amusing, seeing them get along.

"No, I was just thinking…" he trailed off, unsure.

"About?"

He eyed me carefully, then shook his head. "No, it's nothing."

"Hey Edward!" An annoying, high-pitched voice sounded loudly.

I turned and saw Lauren Mallory walking towards our table, half- dragging Jessica Stanley along with her. Her voice softened in what I took as caution as she addressed me. "Isabella."

"Lauren. Jessica." Edward nodded, the unease in his voice was apparent to me. I simply smiled at the two of them, extremely displeased at their disturbance and frustrated at their use of my full name.

"You don't sit with us anymore." Lauren said to Edward, pouting in a way that maybe she thought was cute, but made my intestines roll.

"Yes, well…"

"You should make up for it." At that point, wary of what she was up to, I opened Lauren's mind and flinched at the loudness and piercing quality of her mental voice.

… said that Edward's a classic gentleman, so there's no way he would refuse me. That would only make him look bad.

"Um…" Edward's eyes shone with confusion, his fingers brushed through his hair, making some of his bronze locks fall over and frame his brow.

Oh my gosh! He did that hair thing again. God, he is so hot when he does that. Maybe he did that for me on purpose. Lauren's misled thoughts made me want to puke, but I struggled to keep a straight face.

"I mean, it's the least you could do, right? For keeping us hanging?"

Edward smiled politely, his unsure eyes flashed to me for the briefest moment. "What do you have in mind?"

I knew it! He is so into me. "Well, if you're not doing anything tonight, we could catch a movie." Or if you'd rather, you, me, some rope and whipped cream.

A familiar wave of jealousy flared at Lauren's invitation. My fists clenched as my eyes flashed with anger and disgust. I've had enough of this girl's perverted thoughts! I was aware of the misplaced protectiveness I felt for Edward, but I couldn't let him go out with someone as perverted as this high school girl.

But what could I do? What if Edward wanted to go with her?

The Stanley girl eyed Lauren with awe; probably either due to her bravery or her foolishness at asking Edward out. I observed Edward carefully and saw the tension in his body, the unease in his eyes. No. He couldn't possibly want to go out with this girl.

Why couldn't they see that?

"I'm sorry, but Edward already has plans for tonight." I smiled as politely as I could, answering her in the sweetest voice I could manage under such circumstances.

Edward's head snapped to face me, eyeing me questioningly. Lauren and Jessica faced me with their eyes as round as saucers, as if they had forgotten all about my presence up till now.

"He does?" Jessica asked warily, eyeing Lauren with speculation.

Lauren raised her eyebrow at him suspiciously. "With who?" Someone got to him first?! When I find out who that little slut is, I'm going to—

Edward's eyes flickered to mine, as he opened his mouth, unsure of what to say.

"With me." I smiled at the two prying girls.

I felt Edward stiffen, once again, beside me. Suddenly I became unsure whether it was right of me to act on impulse. What had I gotten myself into? Certainly, there would be hell to pay when Rose finds out about this.

What?! "Oh." Lauren's voice was filled with surprise as she exchanged glances with Jessica. "Well, we could go another time then." What, are they dating? But he's MINE! Oh my god, wait till I tell Mike and Tyler— they are going to blow when they find out. I can't believe he got through Isabella Cullen, of all people! Well, he is absurdly gorgeous, but still… And with that they retreated, heads bent together, talking about their newly learned gossip.

"So tell me, since when did I have plans tonight?"

I turned back to face Edward. His eyes still showed his uncertainty, but his grin showed his amusement.

"Don't tell me you've forgotten?" I winked at him, grinning back.

His smile was still in place as he sighed. "You shouldn't have done that."

"What, you wanted to go out with her?" I asked, incredulous. Did I make a mistake in interpreting his body language?

"No, it's just… you shouldn't have lied to them. Knowing Jessica and Lauren, they'll find a way to see if my 'plans' are authentic."

"Lied to them?" My brow furrowed in confusion.

He raised an eyebrow at me. "Don't tell me you're really going out with me tonight?"

I suddenly felt unreasonably disheartened. What if he didn't want this alternative? That didn't cross my mind. But surely an engagement with… a friend would be more agreeable than a date with someone who merely wants to use you for their own benefit? (of course, he doesn't know that.)

"Not unless you don't want to." My cheeks would have been flush red right about now, if I were still human.

"No, I… It's fine with me." I could have sworn that his eyes softened, infinitesimally. "Are you sure?"

"Hmm. Why do I feel like it seems so unbelievable to you?" I grinned slightly at his hesitance.

"Oh, it is." He laughed. I found myself in awe at the musical sound. "If you didn't intend to lie to them, then you don't have anything better to do tonight, do you?"

"Why would you deduce that?"

"Well I can't think of any other reason on why you would even consider making plans with me." A small smile appeared on his face. The trace of bitterness present in it, made my curiosity soar. Did he really think so little of himself? That was practically an insult to all his admirers in Forks High.

"You don't see yourself very clearly, do you?"

Edward started to shake his head slowly and as he opened his mouth to speak, the warning bell went off.

"We should go." I said, standing in complete synchrony with him.

We were almost to our biology class, when I suddenly remembered Alice's forecast on class today. They would be blood typing. And though I was sure my restraint would be well-off, I decided this morning that I didn't want to risk things with Edward's soon-to-be exposed blood. And frankly, I couldn't prick my finger— and if there was any possibility at all that that miniscule needle could even hope to puncture my rock-hard skin, there would be the question of the blood, thank you very much.

"I need to go." I told Edward, sounding somehow sad.

Edward turned back to face me, relatively startled. "You're not going to class?"

"It's healthy to ditch once in a while."

He smiled, amused. "Who are you and what have you done to Bella?"

I laughed, and then sighed. Walking away from him now would be hard. But waiting for tonight would be even harder. "I'll pick you up later at six."

Edward frowned. "Shouldn't I be the one picking you up? It's hardly proper to let a lady drive to a date." He paused, and he frowned deeper. "Is tonight a date?"

"Well, it is the most… appropriate term." My lips twitched as I fought the urge to smile, his uncertainty was comical. "And besides, I can't let you pick me up. For one, you don't know where I live."

"Oh." He raised an eyebrow at me. "And you know where I live?"

I stiffened. Idiot. Of course to him, I've never been to his house. He didn't know about the nightly visits I made. "Hmm… I think everyone knows where you live. Chief Swan is your cousin."

"Of course." He chuckled, and again my eyes slightly widened with awe at the enthralling sound. "I'll see you later, Bella."

I smiled back at him and watched as he sauntered toward the biology room, then turned and made my way to the car.

I wasn't at all surprised to see my siblings all assembled there when I arrived, leaning against my beloved car. They must have already been well informed about our visitor.

"Why did you do that?!" Alice all but attacked me as I reached the car.

"Do what?"

"Make plans tonight out of the blue! And with Edward Masen, of all people!"

My brothers and sisters straightened up from the car and looked at me with various expressions. Rosalie was, as expected, infuriated. "She what?!"

"I don't see what the big deal is." I answered in a flat tone.

"Don't tell me you forgot about who's arriving this evening, or did you think a nice little get-together between the three of you would have been nice?" Alice's eyes flashed with annoyance.

"I don't see why his arrival would be of any problem."

"Bella, isn't it a tad bit skeptical that Damien's visiting alone?"

Jasper looked at me with concern. "Alone? Why isn't Cadence with him? Rose, she's your friend right?"

Rosalie, still annoyed with my impulse action, answered in a hard tone. "The last I've heard of her, she was in Greenland, with some other male that she was infatuated in."

Cadence was, supposedly, Damien Roux's mate. And Damien Roux was a two century old vampire, an old friend of Carlisle whom we met on his visit to Italy a century ago, who liked to think of me as something worth possessing. To be frank, he was infatuated with me and he tried everything in his power to make me his… till Cadence came into the picture— a new, easier to get, shiny toy that he could do whatever he pleased. But now that Cadence was, according to Rose, off to Greenland playing with her new toy, it seemed like he was bent back on chasing after me.

An idiosyncrasy about him was that once he wanted something done, he wouldn't rest till it was finished. There were times when he was distracted from his course of action, but still, he would find ways around said distraction. He wouldn't care who or what stood in his way. And because of that, along with several other reasons, there was no way in hell that I would allow him to go even a mile near Edward.

Damien Roux was dangerous.

It didn't matter that he didn't have any supernatural power. The mere fact that he was a vampire that heeded no mind to anything other than himself was already enough reason for me to fly Edward to another continent and keep him as far away as possible from Damien Roux.

"Bella, Damien has been planning this trip for over a month. And believe me that it's you he wants to see, not the entire family." Alice told me, her eyes narrowing.

"If he wants to see me as badly as you imply, then he can extend his patience for a couple more hours."

Alice huffed in annoyance. "If Damien doesn't see you at home later, he will surely go and seek you out. You know how perseverant he is when it comes to you. Even before he met Cadence, it was you that he was enthralled with."

"Then I'll leave after I see him." Uncertainty started to flow through my skin. Alice was right; Damien was all if not persistent.

Alice narrowed her eyes, shaking her head slowly. "And you expect him to not follow you? All the more to let you go so easily?"

"I…" I stared at her, concerned. I didn't think of that. All I thought about was getting Edward away from that malicious girl.

"And what will you tell him when he asks you where you're going?"

"He shouldn't snoop around other people's businesses." I said weakly.

Alice's eyes flashed with contempt. "Bella, if Damien sees you with Edward… Well, let's just say that I wouldn't want to look into both of your futures when that happens."

A/N: Please read and review people. It does make my day.:) PM me if you had any ideas or if you want anything to happen. I'll try my best to include it... if I find it appropriate.;) Thanks!