Tripping The Prom Queen
Chapter 10: Poker Faces
Author's Note: Just a quick thank you to the review crew: Slower Than Stampeding Turtles, Stacy Sapphire, EsmeAliceRose, IKNOWIMWEIRD1117, jayd-n33, MadTwilighter, Mittenz, Lexa295, TwilightMunchkin-X, and Mrs. LoganHuntzberger
I know we all want to get right to the action: Edward and Rosalie… Emmett and Bella… Cue the drama!
Chapter 10: Poker Faces
Four sets of eyes stared at each other, total silence belying a range of inner emotions.
I don't believe this! Bella thought disgustedly. Rosalie's going out with Edward! That bitch!
She doesn't know how you feel about him. she remembered. You never told her!
Yeah! Because even then, I knew she couldn't be trusted! Backstabbing skank!
Pot calling the kettle much…
You did do it first…
She really did it! Rosalie thought, taking in Emmett and Bella. I can't believe it!
Victoria was right! Bella was after him all along!
That two-faced slut! How could she do this to me!
I was right to dump her ass!
The increasingly awkward silence dragged on, as each of them remained absorbed in his or her own thoughts.
Why does this feel so wrong? Edward wondered. Rosalie asked me out. I said yes. She's not dating anyone and neither am I.
You just said yes to take your mind off Bella and Emmett…
True!
Emmett's thoughts were less conflicted. He felt just a twinge of easily dismissed jealousy.
Rosie can date whoever she wants!
Well, this is awkward! And getting really ridiculous!
Somebody needs to say something!
"Hey, Edward!" he said plainly.
"Hey" his cousin replied cooly.
"Bella… Rosalie… I believe you two know each other."
"Not really!" Rosalie snapped back.
"Not at all!" Bella retorted.
Well… that went well!
"Oh, no!" Alice thought, hurrying over.
"Bella!" she called.
"We have to go!" Bella announced, tugging at Emmett's hand. "Jasper and Alice are waiting for us!"
"Have a good night!" Emmett called back at Edward and Rosalie, eager to escape with Bella.
"That was surreal!" Alice said to Bella at the boutique the next morning.
"Yeah!" Bella agreed. After the movie, she and Emmett had gone for pizza with Jasper and Alice. The two girls hadn't had any time to talk privately.
Emmett hadn't said anything about the scene in the theater. However, he then proposed that they drive to Port Angeles to eat, claiming that the pizza was better there. Bella thought that he was just trying to avoid running into "Redward" again. She had been only too happy to agree.
"Yeah" Bella repeated, then exploded.
"I just can't believe it!"
"Me neither" Alice agreed.
"Edward is sooo nice! What the hell does he possibly see in that coldhearted bitch!"
"The three B's." Ali remarked.
"Three B's?"
"Beautiful, Blonde and Built!"
"That's all most guys need." Bella concurred.
"I just thought Edward was different… That he'd want… need … something more!"
"I didn't realize you knew him so well." Alice said, curiously eyeing her friend.
"I don't!" Bella replied defensively. "Edward can date whoever he wants!"
"I see." Ali answered.
"I see."
"Tell me about the rest of your date with Emmett."
"There's not much to tell." Bella told her. "You were there for most of it."
"So…" Alice smiled wickedly. "What I saw was it? Everything?"
"Whatever do you mean…"
"Bella Swan! You know exactly what I mean!"
"Do you want me to draw you a picture?'
"If you want…"
"Alice! You are almost as bad as Jacob!"
"That's a compliment!" Alice smiled. "So? No more stalling! Confess!"
"Okay" Bella agreed, recapping the end of the night for her friend.
Emmett and Bella drove the fifteen miles from Port Angeles, back to Forks. He had turned the radio on; music filled the car, eliminating the need for conversation.
Tired, Bella leaned her head back against the seat. Emmett appeared just as weary. Soon enough , he stopped the car in front of her house.
She turned towards him.
"I had a great time…" she said automatically.
"Me, too." Emmett smiled, running one long finger down the side of her face.
"You're really beautiful…" he murmured.
"Um, thanks."
"So? About that second date?"
"I guess…"
"You don't sound too convinced…" Emmett said softly, leaning towards her.
"Maybe this will change your mind…"
His lips met hers, moving gently, but expertly.
Umm… Nice!
Bella responded in kind. Their kiss lasted for several minutes. When it ended, Emmett grinned smugly.
"I'll take that as a yes."
"Yes"
"Sweet!" Alice trilled. "You have another date with him!"
"Yeah…" Bella's voice trailed off wistfully.
"So? You like him. He likes you! That's what you want. Right?"
"Right."
"Right!" Alice echoed, not fooled for a moment.
"Where's Esme?" Bella abruptly changed the subject. "I haven't seen her at all today!"
"And we may not!" Alice grinned. "She's in the back. Trying on dresses. She has a date tonight!"
"With whom?"
"Dr. Carlisle Cullen!"
"No way!"
"Way!" Alice replied triumphantly.
"That's so great!" Bella said enthusiastically.
At least… someone's happy!
Before either of them could say anything else, the door burst open, admitting four customers to the store. The girls hurried to help them. The remainder of the day was just as busy . When the shop closed, Alice hurried to get ready for another date with Jasper. Bella spent the evening hanging out with Jacob.
Monday morning was frigid and stormy. Reluctantly, Bella dragged her sluggish body from the warmth of her bed… and her dreams. Her eyes barely open, she noted the rain falling outside and dressed quickly in a warm sweater, jeans and boots. Downstairs, she drank a cup of coffee and ate a piece of toast.
She stood waiting, watching through the window. Finally, Alice's car pulled up, its bright yellow hue radiating through the grim grayness. Calling goodbye to her father, Bella pulled on her anorak and raced outside.
Alice drove carefully through the storm, the rain putting a damper on even her ebullient spirit. Both girls were grateful to reach the school, and walked quickly through the halls, anxious to rid themselves of their drenched coats.
Bella froze, just a few feet in front of her locker. Large, bright red letters marred its metal surface.
SLUT!
"What the…" Bella shrieked. "I don't believe this!"
"I do." Alice said, quickly whipping out her phone and snapping pictures.
"Evidence. Just in case." she explained.
"Now, we're going to report this… Let's go!"
Bella couldn't move. She stood there, completely horrified, and feeling sicker by the second.
"Bella. We need to go!" Alice said, frightened by her friend's stiff, pale face. "We need to tell the principal. You need to come with me."
"I can't leave you here alone!"
"I'll stay with her." a deep, resonant voice intoned.
"Thanks, Edward!" Alice said gratefully, speeding gracefully down the hall.
"Are you okay?" he asked Bella.
Of course she isn't… How could she be!
"No" Bella whispered.
Edward slipped a comforting arm around her shoulders.
"We'll find out who did this."
"That's not it…"
"Then, what is it?" he urged gently. "You can tell me."
"No…"
How can I tell you…
"It's going to be okay." he reassured her. "No one thinks you're a slut. How could they?"
How could they?
"It's just… I can't believe anyone would do this." Bella said.
"Neither do I" Edward agreed.
"It's so… unnecessary." she added, leaning toward Edward, as his arm drew her closer. She breathed deeply, trying to steady herself.
He even smells incredible…
"Bella!" a stern voice remarked.
"Principal Garrett" she said respectfully, lifting up her head and stepping away from Edward. She saw Alice and Mrs. Cope, the principal's secretary standing with him.
The principal surveyed the scene, securing Bella's locker with yellow tape.
"Go back to the office. Call the police!" he demanded.
"Right away!" Mrs. Cope replied obediently, scurrying off to do the job.
"The police" Bella exclaimed.
My father…
"Is that really necessary?" she pleaded.
"Yes." Principal Garrett replied firmly. "Vandalism is a crime. It must be reported and the perpetrator located and punished."
"Bella, you and I will go back to my office to discuss this. If you know anyone who might have done this, I need to know about it."
"I don't know!" Bella cried out. "I don't!"
"Let's talk about it." the principal insisted.
"May I come too?" Alice asked politely, knowing that Bella needed support.
"Yes" the principal agreed. "Perhaps you can help us sort this out."
"Edward?" Principal Garrett asked then. "Do you know anything about this?"
"No, sir." he replied. "I was just walking by and saw Bella standing here. I didn't even see it, until she did. "
"I see." the principal was appeased. He didn't really think that Edward could have had anything to do with it.
"Very well. Edward, you may go to class. Bella and Alice, you two come with me."
News of the vandalism spread rapidly through the school. Bella and Alice's absence from classes were noted and remarked upon. Gossip spread rampantly as students speculated.
In her third period history class, Victoria eyed the two empty desks with satisfaction. In front of her, Jessica and Lauren eagerly discussed the situation.
"I wonder who did it?" Jessica was saying. "Who would do that?"
"Who wouldn't!" Lauren said nastily, flipping her long blonde hair back. "She is such a slut! Hooking up with two guys in one weekend. Emmett and that guy from the reservation… what's his name?"
"Jacob" Victoria offered tensely, as Lauren and Jessica swiveled to face her.
Although she'd seen him around town, Victoria hadn't spoken to him since their one night together. However, she kept thinking about him…
"She deserved it." Victoria pronounced.
"Will you all just shut up about it!" Rosalie snapped, walking over to take her seat next to Victoria.
"Defending her?" Victoria taunted.
"Hardly!" Rosalie snapped. "It's just boring. Not worth talking about."
"You're right!" Lauren quickly agreed.
"Sorry" Jessica apologized, as the bell rang and class began.
The period dragged on. Compared to the juicy drama unfolding that day, Mr. Jefferson 's American history lecture was even duller than usual. The rain kept falling outside, rendering the students drowsy.
All were grateful when, twenty minutes later, a freshman boy unexpectedly interrupted class.
"Yes?" Mr. Jefferson said.
"Principal Garrett needs to see Rosalie Hale in his office immediately." the boy announced importantly.
"Very well" the teacher agreed, nodding at Rosalie.
"What's going on?" Victoria whispered innocently.
"I have no idea." Rose answered haughtily, gathering up her belongings. "I'll talk to you later."
She followed the anonymous monitor down the hall. She felt her classmates eyes follow her, all intrigued and wondering the exact same thing.
"What doe s Principal Garrett want with Rosalie?"
She couldn't imagine why she had been summoned. Curious, but not concerned, she strode into the front office and sat down on the long wooden bench. Seconds later, Mrs. Cope appeared.
"Ms Hale… Principal Garrett will see you now!"
Rosalie entered the inner office.
"Sit down, Rosalie!" an angry voice commanded.
Her confidence shriveled.
What the…
"Do you know why you are here?" Principal Garrett barked.
"No, sir."
"Isabella Swan's locker was defaced this morning." he stated. "Did you know that?"
"Yes." Rosalie answered unthinkingly, as the principal frowned. She then realized why she was there.
She didn't… He can't think… No!
"I mean, that I know what happened. Everyone's talking about it." she said.
The principal nodded, encouraging her to continue.
"But I didn't have anything to do with it!"
"Are you sure?" Principal Garrett asked.
"Of course, I'm sure!"
Wouldn't I know if I did something like that!
"Then, how do you explain these?"
He held out several photos.
"They are rather incriminating." he added ominously.
Rosalie looked at the pictures. All depicted her with an aerosol can in her hand, standing near Bella's locker.
"That's not…" she began.
"I didn't do anything! Those pictures are fake!"
"Really?"
"Yes. Hello! Photoshop! Ever hear of it?"
"Don't speak to me that way!" Principal Garrett warned.
"I'm sorry!" Rosalie immediately apologized.
"I'm just upset. I didn't do anything! I'll prove it! Take my fingerprints!"
"That's for the police to handle."
"The police?" Rosalie said nervously.
"Yes. They are on their way. So are your parents."
"And I know they will all have a lot of questions for you…"
In the privacy of the shower, Victoria smiled as the blistering hot water seared her skin, soothing her stretched muscles. Cheerleading practice had just ended, and it had been their most vigorous… and best session ever!
Naturally! she gloated. And there will be plenty more just like this! With me in charge!
Fully satisfied, she turned off the water, and wrapped herself in a towel. Stepping out of the stall, she saw that most of the other girls were almost ready to leave.
"Great practice!" Tanya squealed. A slew of other voices chorused their agreement.
"Thanks, everyone!" Victoria said. "Same time tomorrow!"
Everyone else left the locker room, except for Jessica and Lauren. They were very anxious to talk to her.
"That was the best it ever was!" Lauren cooed.
"We totally nailed it!" Jessica agreed. "Too bad Rosalie missed this!"
"Next time." Victoria said cooly.
Or not…
"What happened to Rosalie, anyway?" Jessica wondered. "I hope she's ok. No one's seen her since third period."
"She just disappeared." Lauren remarked. "I called her, but she didn't answer."
"Me too." Jessica agreed, checking her phone again. "Still nothing."
"Have you heard from her?" Lauren asked Victoria.
"No" Victoria said.
"I wonder where she is?"
"She was arrested." Victoria said calmly, pulling on her shirt.
"Arrested!" Jessica shrieked. "What for?"
"For messing up Bella's locker."
"But… she didn't do that!" Lauren protested. "Did she?"
"I really can't say." Victoria answered smugly.
"She would never do that!" Jessica announced. "It's so stupid!"
"It is." Victoria agreed, adding.
"Rose would be so grateful to hear you say that. She's lucky to have friends like you. So loyal!"
"Of course. We've known her, like forever!" Lauren boasted.
"We'd never do anything to hurt her!" Jessica cooed.
"That's so great!" Victoria said. "That you still feel that way. Even after what she did to you!"
"What?" Jessica stared vacantly at her.
"She stole your boyfriend."
"Edward wasn't my boyfriend."
"But you wanted him to be." Victoria insisted. "And you still do."
"Well, yeah..." Jessica confessed.
"And Rose knows that. And she went out with him anyway. She just took him from you. She doesn't care!"
"Yeah… but…"
"A real friend would never do that..." Victoria continued. "Lauren wouldn't do that to you."
"Of course not!" Lauren agreed.
"And I would never do that." Victoria promised. "You are so sweet to care about Rosalie that much, when she obviously doesn't care about you at all."
"I… never thought about it that way." Jessica said weakly.
Or at all! Victoria thought viciously, before saying sweetly.
"I guess… You are just much more forgiving than I am."
She slammed her locker shut.
"I've got to go. See you both tomorrow!"
Triumphantly, she strutted out of the school.
Those idiots! They'll believe anything I say!
The rain had stopped, but the bitter cold remained. Quickly, Victoria unlocked her car and slid into the driver's seat. She kept laughing as the car sped away.
So pathetic!
Her favorite song came on the radio.
"I wanna hold em' like they do in Texas, please"
"Fold em', let em' hit me, raise it baby…"
"I love it!"
"Luck and intuition, play the cards with Spades to start…"
It's really too easy! she thought. Boring!
"Can't read my…"
"Can't read my…"
"Poker Face!"
Maybe… we'll have to change things up a little…
The song played on, suddenly inspiring her.
"I wanna roll with him, a hard pair we will be."
"A little gambling is fun when you're with me!"
"I love it!"
I love it!
"Russian roulette is not the same without a gun…"
Yes!
Perfect!
