Life is still good though it's getting ready to get a lot more complicated.

Don't Own Twilight.

Brian POV

School on Monday was awesome. We came back as the victorious heroes. It was hard to get to each of our classes without being carried. It got so bad I couldn't even talk to Mel. At lunch I actually considered sitting with the creepy Cullens as the school came to call them. I wouldn't say they were creepy there was just something off about them. The thing I desired that they had right now was some peace and quiet. Even that however was not enough to conquer my nervousness around them. I couldn't call it anything else. Why else would I ignore four of the most beautiful girls in school, and I wasn't alone in that. Sure some guys had taken a shot with the youngest of the siblings only to find her brother Edward staring them down with an almost feral look even the bravest couldn't endure for long.

After lunch I realized I had chemistry with Mel. We had been silent and yet polite lab partners for the whole year but now I knew we would have a chance to talk. My pace quickened when the minute bell rang and I entered the class with no time to spare. When I made my way to the desk in the back I had to look twice and nearly tripped over my own feet. Mel was already getting ready for the lab that was scheduled every Monday, evil teacher, and the tight denim pants she wore almost knocked me off my feet. She was stretching to try and get a beaker off the highest shelf and her cute light green sleeveless shirt was riding up her sides and that was the end of standing. I collided roughly with the lab table in front of ours and crashed down to the floor still in a daze laying on my back trying to remember how long it had been since I saw Mel's mid section. Having a cheer leader girlfriend was definitely paying off. She doesn't usually dress like that though I thought to myself.

I'm not sure how long I laid there with my books strewn about staring at the ceiling of the classroom when her head appeared in front of mine only upside down.

"Are you ok?" she asked kindly ignoring the laughter that filled the class.

"Saved all your grace for last night's basketball game eh?" Mr. Aldaine said with amusement, "I hope you find some for todays titration or poor miss Roberts is going to have a long day."

It took me a lot of effort to keep from laughing when she covertly shot him a glare from behind her hair which she had let spill around her face. Then I realized she was still bending over looking me in the eyes and I had yet to get up when Dave kicked me softly. I quickly jumped up narrowly avoiding a head on collision with Mel that would have been catastrophic and picked up my books swiftly murmuring Dave a thank you. I quickly moved around a amused Mel who had taken her seat and reached up to grab the beaker she had been reaching for and place it on the table. I wasn't short per say but when your 5'10 that's not a plus on a basketball team, but compared to Mel's 5'2 I was pretty tall.

In all my other classes I had ended up falling asleep but Mr. Aldaine was a particularly brutal teacher and I was happy Mels presence wracked my nerves enough to make sleep not an issue. I watched as she deftly mixed the solutions and wrote out not one but two outlines. It took a little while for me to realize I had been staring but when I did I quickly took out a pencil and took the outline she had been doing for me. I was about to start erasing the work to start my own so she didn't get in trouble but her beautiful hand writing caused me to hesitate. My jagged unreadable scrawl wasn't worthy to replace the perfect curvature that could only be known as "girl handwriting".

"Did I miss something?" Mel asked softly. Her voice was just the perfect pitch and I found myself dazed once more. I shook my head and flipped the pencil around and started writing where she had left off. Common pull it together you idiot I began chanting to myself. I had kept my cool for a four year obsession without getting lost in her eyes, her hair, her voice, the perfect way her navel…. Dang it I thought shaking my head again taking a deep breath to calm myself. If I couldn't get my head together my heart was going to burst from my chest. Chest? My eyes wandered over timidly and I damn near fell out of my chair shaking my head once more. I had spent so long trying to ignore her and not bother her I had desensitized myself to her beauty, but when did she fill out so perfectly?

If I hadn't been so lost in my own personal struggle to function and sit next to the most beautiful girl in the school I would have noticed the small smile that played at her lips behind her blushing.

In a sole hour I worked in all the clumsiness and awkwardness I had ever felt towards her in the last four years, but after chemistry everything smoothed out. Somewhere in the class my right hand found her left and I couldn't help but be happy she was left handed. With the lab prepared for tomorrow we put our things away safely and continued on to our next classes never really letting go until we had to.

With both sport seasons I participate over school began to blur by. Except for lunch and chemistry but it seemed to me that whenever I was with Mel my world slowed down and every second was worth more than I could imagine. I can't say how many times I scolded myself for being so head over heels. What would I do if she got tired of it one day and dumped me? She was already not herself most of the time. She was acting like a more tolerable version of my sister at the beginning of every chemistry class but by the end she was her normal self that I could get enough of. The way she was acting was making my head spin but I couldn't build up the courage to ask her. Better to be able to be around her than risk losing her, but she wasn't mine to lose I thought bitterly. I knew firsthand the resentment that could build when someone thought they owned you thanks to my sister as I have been christened her henchman since I was six years old.

I was thinking things through about two weeks after state when I collided with who I could only think was one of the linemen on the football team. I fell easily on my butt and I stared up. There Bella Cullen stood looking startled for a split second before she herself "fell" but Edward caught her swiftly. Bella was a known book worm and other then being attached to Edward by the hip that was pretty much the only common knowledge that found its way around the school. Around eight books were spread across the floor and I scrabbled to pick them up murmuring apologies.

"I'm sorry I wasn't watching where I was going," I said with a weak attempt at humor. I got six of the books before Edward had set Bella down and bent over to pick up the other two. I motioned to give them back to Bella but Edward took them from me receiving a rueful glare from Bella before she turned to me.

"No no it was my fault. I have no excuses for not paying attention to my surroundings," Bella said sweetly and a small frown found its way to Edwards face. For some reason most of the Awkwardness had dissipated and only now did I realize just how beautiful the couple really was. There yellow eyes caught my attention first and then I remembered how I had felt like I hit a very solid wall when I ran into Bella. Now that I think about it seemed more like she decided to fall more than just being surprised. I noticed Edward tense up and saw his intense stare as though he was looking at my soul. My pride was a little bruised but she must have fallen just to keep me from feeling like a total weakling. Surprisingly Edward calmed as I cast off the thought.

"You sisters Violin solo was awesome Edward," I said rubbing the back of my head to try and ease the atmosphere. The entire hallway had gone silent and few people were staring at the kid who dared to talk to the Cullens.

"You should tell her yourself," he said with a little regret, "It seems she doesn't fit in very well in this school." I knew what he was talking about but it was partially his fault. He seemed decent now but whenever anyone approached his sister he went demon on them and even the air was hard to breath. He sighed for some unknown reason.

"Oh ah sorry for bumping into you Bella and for taking up your time. I'll try to tell Renesmee like you said," I said in such a way it sounded more like I was asking permission than anything else and Bella surprised me with a laugh. She was usually very quiet. All smiles sure but I had never heard her beautifully high voice laugh before.

I didn't know how I was going to manage it because Mel shied away from the Cullens and making her uncomfortable made me uncomfortable. The cache 22 she presented in my head only started my old thoughts up about how I needed to talk to her. A slight chuckle from Edward snapped me out of my daze.

"Oh ah sorry," I said sheepishly but he only nodded knowingly and Bella giggled softly when the minute bell rang, "Uh oh gotta go." I said moving past them to head to my next class.

As much as I was worried about Mel I felt a strong need to somehow congratulate Edwards sister. I couldn't stand the fact that our entire school was so shallow to isolate her just because her family was a little weird and that was before I thought about how her parents had died. I couldn't fathom the kind of pain that could cause someone and for that I was thankful.

When lunch finally came I tuned out my sisters friends, whom I had come to sit with because Mel sat there, and kept shooting little glances towards the Cullens table. Now that I really focused on them they didn't seem so bad. The big one who I thought was Emmett was always laughing and keeping everyone else smiling and they all seemed pleasant to each other. There emotionless response to all the other students could easily be caused by the rumors and negative remarks that flowed around the school. I spent most of my middle school career ignoring the remarks about Becca's weird kid brother and I hadn't seen a need in getting to know people who thought that kind of thing. But I still couldn't figure out what to do to show Renesmee some appreciation for the beautiful music she could create. She had completely outshined the entire strings section with effortless ease and when her solo started not even a grasshopper chirped.

"Hey," Mel said nudging me playfully, "Whats on your mind?"

"Oh yea. What do you do for someone who just gave a great performance?" I asked Mel intently. I should have known better than asking that kind of question on this table.

"Just make sure they know you enjoyed it," Becca said with a shrug.

"Just give her a bouquet," Mel said into my ear under some five other girls trying to give their opinions. My eyes narrowed a little and I started to worry this was a trap. I looked at her with what could only be a pained expression.

"I'm not oblivious Brian," she said with a small smile, "and everyone heard about what happened earlier. You should be happy to know people now count you as one of the braver of the class of 2010," she said in a prideful tone.

"But…" I started when she put her index finger on my lips and warmth filled my cheeks.

"Calm down. It doesn't sit well with me either. She really was great," Mel said but after a bit of doubt flashed in her eyes and she tentatively looked at Renesmee from over her shoulder she unconsciously bit her lower lip softly. God this girl turned me mind into a pretzel before chucking it into a mine field and hoping for the best. One of these days if I wasn't careful I was going to step on a mine and boom she would be gone.

The rest of the day was a blur. The awkward silent had returned between Mel and I. Why should I care if another girl gets what she deserves if it's going to hurt Mel. I hadn't actually hurt her but I never wanted her to look confused when thinking about me. I was hers as long as she would have me and that was that, but for some reason I couldn't forget the look Renesmee had even as she was being praised by her family. There was a hollow sadness that had been there that I was too caught up in the basketball season to really see then. I was headed towards my 7th hour when someone grabbed me by the shoulder. I turned and to my surprise it was Edward who looked me square in the eyes.

"Tell her," he said and then he was gone. As quickly as he had came. I started down the hall watching him go in a bit of confusion. Could he see how tangled my emotions were through my face so easily? Had he gone through the same thing with Bella? Either way he was right and I needed to make how I felt clear to Mel.

"Hey Brian," I heard behind me and turned to see Deacon jogging down the hall, "I'm trying to put together a camping trip for the team and the girls considering we haven't had much time to ourselves lately and I thought you and Mel mite want to come."

He was definitely right that we hadn't had any time alone, but I wasn't sure I wanted time alone especially after lunch today. The whole thing seemed a bit forced and I was beginning to worry that my sister was forcing Mel to go out with me.

Deacon saw my hesitation and took away my worries, "Don't worry I got the coach to come as a choffer so there won't be any booze or any gender reliant extracurricular activities. Oh and your sister is going to come with me so she says she will bring you and Mel along," he said with a smile his hand scratching the back of his head almost in apology, " Well I'll see you Friday," and he bounded off towards his own class and I stared after him. Soon Becca would be buying the ring and telling me how to propose.

When the bell rang to go home I knew I had to do something. I found myself standing outside drawing 2 waiting for her to come out. When she did she was flanked by two of her own friends but they calmly walked right past me. I looked after them a bit confused before turning my attention to her.

"Want to come over to my house?" I asked.

She hesitated for a moment and I thought she would say no, "Won't your sister be there?" she asked with a wary expression.

"Oh," I hadn't thought of that. "Well we could go to your place. I ride the bus with Tim all the time so it should be ok."

"Ok," she said suddenly happy. She took my hand and led me down the hall. Tim met up with us as we headed towards the bus and I couldn't help but smile. I wouldn't rather be pulled around by anyone else. We chatted about music, bands, hobbys, and sports on the way to her house. I called mom and told her where I was and then sent Rebecca a text before turning my phones power off completely. Mel apparently thought this was the funniest thing she had ever seen. I glanced back and rolled my eyes at Tims thumbs up.

We got off at her stop and walked through her house to get to the back yard.

"Hey Brian. Good game on Sunday," Mels father said with a grin.

"Thanks Mr. Roberts," I said mustering all the politeness I could.

When we got into the backyard both of us let out a sigh of relief. We had both grown up in northern Washington and found the forests relaxing. The clouds always protected us from the bright rays of the sun and the green foliage gave a feeling of serenity to us. We had always been friends and talked about the forest. Until we got to middle school where our relationship suddenly became awkward. We hadn't really talked for four years and Tim quickly got tired of playing messenger boy. Not like we used to. But I brought her here for answers.

"So what did my big sister do to make you go out with me?" I asked almost jokingly.

She slapped my arm and gave a half hearted laugh.

"She's right though. You can be thick headed, but then again that's what makes you cute," she said with a tentative smile.

"So if you are going out with me because you want to what's wrong then?" I asked. I knew her for who she was and that was the girl I had a crush on. Quiet and assertive but lately she had been acting more like my sister than anything else.

"What do you mean?" she looked over to me holding back a grin.

"Before we got cornered at the parlor you were more relaxed. More like you. Right now everything seems forced," I said as we stood at the tree line looking into the forest.

"Thick headed in all the wrong places," she laughed as she shook her head and became somber.

"Your sister can be pretty intimidating you know," I shook my head with a frown and she laughed and continued, "I think I started liking you in earnest in 8th grade, but it was a widely known fact amongst us girls that there was an interview with your sister," she said while holding up her index finger with her eyes closed as though it were a essential fact.

"I thought there was something like that," I said with a sigh looking up into the angry clouds.

"Well I knew she wouldn't accept me so I joined cheerleading in high school and worked to try and be more like her when I was around her. It worked well enough but whenever I was around you I always fell back to my old self. I guess I'm comfortable around you," she said smiling at me.

"So you're still trying to be good enough for my sister?" I asked with a tad bit of sarcasm in my voice and she blushed slightly.

"I was worried that you liked the me that I have been pretending to be," she said timidly.

"Honestly you were a much less scary version of my sister and that was creeping me out a bit," I said with a smile, "but that wasn't the girl I was crushing on."

"Honey! Is Brian staying for dinner?" Mels mom called from in their house.

Mel looked at me hopefully and I nodded, "Let me call my mom to tell her," she bounced up and down and suddenly leaned over and pecked me on the cheek and my insides melted. As soon as my mom got my attention from my trance like state I asked and it was ok.

Suddenly I noticed her happy mood drained away a little. That same confused look clouded her beautiful hazel eyes.

"I'm sorry," I said sitting down in the grass. She turned to me with a surprised look.

"I don't know why but I can't look the other way when something so unfair is happening. I mean Jamie had a party for her average performance but Renesmee doesn't get anything for bringing down the house. I have you but I keep messing up."

Mel sat next to me and whistled softly.

"It's not your fault. It's who you are. There is just this small part of me that sees Renesmee and… Well you have seen her. She is the most beautiful girl in the school."

"I guess, but she doesn't hold a candle to you. She is definitely not my type," I said with a flustaered look and Mel punched me playfully in the arm but that doubt was still in her eyes and I sighed.

"Mel, can you come help me please?" her mom called from in the house and we both jumped up and walked towards the house with a little less tension in the air. I would have to find a way to fix this.