Chapter 15 It's Raining, It's Pouring: Part One
A/N: Who loves SM's Twilight and rewriting her characters? I do, I do!
I haven't ever really explained that this first ff of mine began as a writing exercise, pure and simple. I still do not know what I am going to write before I begin typing each new chapter. I mean, sure, we knew there was a party coming up and now a match, but beyond that I've only ever known who the characters were and let them just find a natural progression. Thank GOD I allowed myself to dwell in quiet inspiration for a while, though, because I now know where all of this is going and I am FREAKING excited. That said, I have no idea how to get there – so don't worry, if you've like the writing style so far, my recent plot epiphany won't effect the writing because I'm still working chapter to chapter. We have a ways yet to go in G&B, so hold on tight my bbs!
All of you blew me away by enjoying all of the characters equally (well, almost … lovely Edward), which I love, love, love! My goal here is to make this an ensemble fic - all six characters, all the time. So, let's see how I do …
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RPOV
"Alice, stop thrash- ALI, STOP." My voice was only a pitiful croak as my arm - half dead, half tingly from restricted circulation - flopped out to locate, and still, the restless form beside me. However, seeing as my king sized bed was ginormous and what my arm was searching for was a teeny, tiny pixie girl, it contacted with nothing and the restlessness continued.
I heaved a heavy groan, knowing I was being forced to sit up. Placing my hands on either side of my bra and panties laden body, I supported my weight so at least my upper body was suspended.
"Alice." I hissed. "She'll get here when she gets here."
I turned my head as the movements on my opposite side slowly calmed down. There was so much concern in her charcoal eyes.
"Did you sleep at all?" She looks too alert, like she's running on pure adrenaline.
"Yeah, in and out. But I woke up at every noise, thinking it might be her trying to sneak in."
"If Bella did sneak, it would be her prerogative, Alice. She doesn't owe us anything."
"I know, but you don't want to be her friend. I do. I care about her, Rosalie. Even if you don't." Alice's emphatic, tinkling voice filled my scantly lit bedroom.
Humph. I actually did care - hell if I'd ever admit it though. And, as Alice had found rest in and out, I had not. Not more than fifteen minutes of sleep occupied my night. And I fucking had no idea why I was this worried or felt so shitty. The weight of last night - Angela's words, everyone's panic, all of Fremont's inevitable inclusion - felt like a heavy, ever-growing burden with each passing hour of insomnia. Such wakefulness had left me worn out and grimy.
"I need a shower." Maybe the cleansing water will rid me of this guilt. I was out of bed and grabbing my silk robe before my balance was completely resolute. Steadying my vision and body, with a blink and a hand on the mattress, I continued, "Don't attack her the second she walks in. Okay?" The door slam we'd been waiting for all night finally sounded, punctuating my request. I still can't believe she stayed out … it's seven in the frickin' morning.
Alice was in her own robe, and by my side, before we walked out together into the still decorated sitting room to greet Bella.
She looked so quiet, so small in that moment. Just looking at the room around her, no doubt replaying last night. We seemed to startle her out of the unpleasant reflection.
"Bella-" Ali started off way too shrill and vigorous, and my hand went to her arm as a reminder. Understanding, she dialed it back, letting her concern, instead of impatience, flow forth. "Where have you been? We've been so worried." Bella's eyes shifted back and forth between Ali and me, taking in our appearances and Alice's words. Disbelief colored her features and the dark chuckle that escaped her lips was joyless.
"We? You I understand Alice, but We? Fuck if Rosalie cares anything about me. She did this." Both of her arms came out indicating to everything inside the suite and beyond.
Oh God. Her anger was late but also somehow right on time. I guess we're going to do this now, huh? Good.
"Yes, Bella, please blame me for all of your problems. If you had asked me I would have told you to stay the hell away from Edward Cullen and all the plagues he carries. " Liar. You would have pushed her closer to her demise. Why did that instinct feel wrong all of a sudden? This was how we were. Hate was what you heaped on your enemy. But is she really still that?
"Edward? EDWARD? What about Jasper, Rosalie, huh? What about the fucked up rumor you threw around to get at me using him in the process?" She was livid and pacing, and I knew this whole display wasn't about me, but rather, us. We needed this. Almost as much as she seemed to need it personally.
"Fuck you, Bella. Don't throw Jasper in my face like I give a shit. You took his attentions from me long ago. Hell, you are his twin, not me. You always had each other, You Still Do, and no insignificant rumor is going to take either of you from the other." I breathed in and finally took it There. "Not like death. Now, there's a pretty sure fire way of losing the person you love the most."
Bella's head was shaking back and forth in a mix of disbelief and disgust as she came up, getting as close to my face as her 5'4" frame would allow. "Don't. Fucking. Go. There." Her eyes were red and hands were shaking as she pointed her finger centimeters from my eye.
"Renee was all I had, at least you have something left." I knew the tears were streaming down my cold, ominous face; I knew their presence defeated the tough exterior I was so desperate to display. But I was powerless to stop their flow.
I had no idea what brought on all of Bella's sudden rage and need to explode this way. But it had been so long over due.
"You still have your mom and dad, Rosalie. Don't pretend to understand what I have and don't have." This was spat in my face and I took it because I knew she just didn't get it.
"I don't." These two words answered both of her statements, answered everything really. I didn't have parents, not in the legitimate sense of the word, and I really didn't know what love Bella felt her life still held. I only knew how much mine didn't.
"Don't what? Understand? Care? That's fine. Just stop fucking talking about me and hurting the only people you actually have a chance of having in your life. Because despite what a fucking bitch you are we are it; we're your only chance, Rosalie."
She was giving me the opportunity to really dick this up or finally set it straight. You left your throne days ago, remember? You have Alice now. And maybe Emmett. But Alice IS Jasper and Emmett IS Edward and Edward and Jasper ARE Bella. If I wanted in with any of them I had to join the unit. My sigh was dramatic and exhausted, my words condescending.
"I don't have parents Bella and, no, I don't understand you. That is so far beside the point. You being at Fremont is hell for me. Sure, it's a constant reminder of Jasper's preference, but really just you alone makes it too difficult. You are so much like her, you look like her and sound like her, you even swear like her. But you don't care one damn iota about me, and that's fine cause that has always been our rhythm. But just as you point out how very little I know or care for you, you regard me just the same. This is a middle of the road situation, Cousin. I make up lies about you that spiral out of control and you have my brother and bring back my pain. Stop being the victim." And I was spent. After no sleep and the heavy ass brick on my shoulder weighing me down I had nothing left, no more words of truth no more anything. So, I just sat down on the ridiculous dance floor.
Ali's hand was in mine before I realized she was sitting next to me and had pulled Bella down with her, all of us situated cross-legged on the floor, but I couldn't meet her eyes.
"I didn't ask to be a victim, Rose, just like you didn't ask to be a bitch. It's just the way it is."
"It doesn't have to be, Bella."
I had to finally look at her, because she needed to understand that I was trying, but not for her. I also wanted her to see my double meaning; it really was time for her to stop suffering from the past just as it was my time as well. We had both chosen to heal in a way that was now crippling us from moving forward. From finding new love.
But this was all a journey. Bella's arrival, my honesty, the six of us becoming something together. Change would be the bitch now. It was such a forceful motherfucker, stretching and pushing us even if we weren't completely ready.
And it seemed the spell was broken.
We hadn't really fixed anything, but we were at least caught up with unloading past shit. Our wheelbarrows were empty and waiting for us to heave more baggage into them now.
I felt lighter. And that made me smile. It had been so long.
Bella smiled slightly too. Not at me, or my own emerging smile, but I hoped she was feeling the lightness as well. Perhaps not as much, but at least somewhat. Although, it seemed this fight only took the edge off of whatever stress she was currently under. Just the icing on the cake.
Alice was worried and unsure of the current climate – I could tell by the rigidity in her shoulders and the uncertain set of her darting eyes. But her sympathetic tears had stopped flowing and her determination to just be here for us was paramount.
She just sat and held us for a while, rocking back and forth. My legs were falling asleep and as I went to suggest we start getting ready a humongous yawn escaped me.
"Did you two sleep at all?" Yes, the unpredictably sudden thunderstorm has passed just as quickly as it came and we could now get on with the day.
"Not really." Alice had waited to speak long enough and now seemed to be bursting as the heated temperature of our explosion had finally dissipated. "I couldn't wait for you to get back." She looked my way as she used "I" instead of the provocating "We" again. "I was worried and unbelievably curious, so Rose let me stay."
"And what in the world would you be curious about, Alice?" Bella was a devil girl, knowing full well the volume teasing Alice would elicit.
"YOU LEFT WITH EDWARD AFTER DANCING LIKE SEX! ARE YOU TWO TOGETHER? WHERE DID YOU STAY LAST NIGHT? WHAT IS GOING ON?"
She'd held back for so many hours. Really, I was proud of her for limiting it to three questions.
Bella's eyes grew big, but her small smile remained. "I stayed at Edward's last night. That is really the only question I have an answer to."
"You were there, if anyone knows it would be you!" I knew this wouldn't go father, because I believed Bella when she said she didn't know what was going on. We were talking about Edward.
"You'd think, right? Anyway, I don't have it all figured out yet, and really don't want to think about it anymore. Right now I could just really use a shower."
Truthfully, all three of us were a mess.
"We could all use one in a pretty bad way. Alice – Alice, we'll all get ready and hit the road. Red is waiting, as is the match. We need to go root on our men." I had to shake her so she'd accept the plan and just let it go for now. Her eyes told me she wasn't even close to giving up, but her following words rang with an air of patience.
"Fine. But if you aren't going to spill we at least get to dress you. You MUST look fierce going into the pit of evil that awaits us in Puyallup. Do you understand? No weakness can be shown today."
"I get it, Ali. Sure you can dress me. If I'm going down I should at least look hot." Bella's shoulders went up and down, like she didn't get how serious we were being.
"Hot, Bella? No … you need to look Best." That is the only suitable medicine for overcoming a rumor – making sure people know you are still better than them no matter the shit they think they have on you. That was always how I defeated everyone else; no one had the tricks I did for getting ahead.
Alice's eyes shimmered as she snapped to it, setting Bella up in a hot, fragrant bath.
Maybe I could right this wrong, maybe I couldn't. Either way, I'd be moving freer and charting new Rosalie territory. My thoughts went to Emmett, and last night, and his hands. I knew he loved my body, but I prayed he'd look for more than that in me. I was slowly beginning to think I could show him something worthwhile.
"Rose, only an hour left." Alice's voice carried out from behind the wall of steam and brought me back to the here and now.
Shit. There was so much left to do.
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EmPOV
Hell yes, Puyallup, Fremont's coming to town. And we are going to crash down on your asses.
Today's the maiden voyage of the Dual Cullen Crusade, I thought, as I hummed "The Brothers That Kick Ass" melody excitedly to myself.
It was a classic Seattle day as the team boarded up and headed out. Wet, windy and oddly picturesque. People just don't get how unparalleled this city is until they've traveled over I-5 themselves and seen the hazy city, looming in sepia tones and hugging the water – sure as hell beats Chicago. That's for damn sure.
Our team bus was sick, but the seventy-five minute trip to Puyallup really wasn't enough time to take advantage of its wide range of amenities. Fremont hooked its players up, and seeing as Water Polo was the god of all the Park's sports, they handed us an even thicker slice of goodness. Private bunks, plasmas with Guitar Hero, Rock Band, even fucking karaoke if we felt so inclined.
The kitchen held available pre-match approved snacks - much like the girls served last night - however Coach and I were in agreement that it wasn't kosher for the guys to swallow too much down before hand. Once we'd won, he'd unlock the pantry where the good food was kept. More often than not, we'd hit up a restaurant after, but I had a feeling tonight the guys would be most interested in heading straight back to campus. Well, Jasper and Edward at least.
Whipped bitches. And as far as I knew, neither of them had a legitimate claim on either of the girls that had their minds doing crazy eights. Hell, I didn't really know Jasper from Adam, but Edward was honestly beginning to feel like a tripped out clone; he looked like Edward, talked like him but as far as behavior went, shit, it was like he was shorting out. I wouldn't go as far as to say he needed to be deprogrammed, rebooted per se, he was just a pretty unfamiliar guy as of late.
When I'd arrived home – after breaking down the full-fledged information tug-of-war that had infiltrated my sexy-Rose evening – I found Edward's door closed. I even went as far as turning the handle - something men avoided for involuntary cockblocking purposes - and it was locked. Peculiar. He'd never cared to lock the door before, hell, sometimes he left it open even with a guest over.
Times were a-changin'. Edward seemed to give a shit now. Whisking Bella off to reconvene in his room. Hmmm. Jasper was sure to throw a fucking fit when he found out the details of their night. Together. Alone. Like he'd said, he is Edward Cullen after all.
Really, though, where else could they have gone? We live within the confines of gates and fences … that limits a guy's options.
But all that drama was a wash; today was match day and those fuckers seemed to finally have their heads in it when I rounded them up for the locker room pep talk.
"Men," I gave a moment for the melodramatic pause, "we're here to win." I threw my hand into the middle and ten hands joined mine in a pile. "One ... two ... three ... Break." I want to know who made that up just so I can let them now how lame it is.
We split off to grab our gear.
"Inspirational." Edward, always the wiseacre.
"I do what I can." I was securing my cap into place when I felt anxious tension creep up.
"Hey Edward, I want to talk to you after the match." Edward raised his eyes slowly, finally meeting Jasper's as he absorbed the blatant meaning in these words.
"Jasper, man, leave your personal shit at the door, alright? I need you rowing at full speed today. Got it?" I managed to stand between them, whether it was necessary or not, and gave a firm squeeze to Japer's shoulder reinforcing the sentiment.
"Yeah, Cap, got it."
I didn't miss the pointed glance Jasper left with Edward as he rounded the corner towards his borrowed locker.
"I hope you know what you're doing." At my words, Edward exhaled a huge gust of air and ran his hands over his face and through his mangy hair.
"I have no idea." He leaned himself unsteadily against the wall of metal and I stayed alert in case he toppled over - 'cause brother looked unsteady leaning like that.
"But you, like, like her – Bella – right? That's what last night was about? 'Cause I mean, you gave up a guaranteed fucking hot score, even by your standards, for her. I mean, seriously dude, the Angela bridge is more than burned, it's more like a crater now. I hope the sex was worth it."
He just looked hard at me, like he was torn.
Finally he stared off in the other direction. "We aren't having sex."
Whoosh. All the breath was out of me in one second, and I was immediately desperate to recover some air so I could unload my truck full of very obvious questions right on his crazy, perplexing head. You're talking to a girl, like spending time with her, and not having sex? Why the hell would you put yourself out there last night – in front of all the most fucking important people at school, your friends – without any promiscuous returns? Why was your damn door locked if you were just whispering and exchanging Eskimo kisses? Where the fuck is my brother?
"Leave it alone." He beat my recovery time, springing the worst words imaginable.
Leaving this unsolved was not an option, but it seemed he wasn't going to spill this shit to me. I'll get Alice to work one of her spells on him then make her relay back. That was a much better plan then following his complicated ass around constantly trying to have a fucking heart to heart.
I wandered after Edward and the rest of the guys out to the pool, twirling my goggles on my finger, when I my eyes locked on her. I honestly shouldn't have been looking into the crowd to begin with - that weakness always resulted in loss of focus - but after Jasper, and then Edward and my minimal sleep I was realizing quickly how off my ace game I had been already today. The universe was against me, apparently.
And now her. Rosie. She was the monumental distraction of a lifetime. Rosalie wasn't just a hot girl I tallied in my brain to catch up with post-match and retrieve a number from. Oh, I knew her enough by now to know - well, to realize - I wished to know her better. Know her most.
Her hair was curled, and looked silky even from here, illuminated by the overhead billiard lighting. The long wispy pieces, twisting around her index finger, suddenly bringing me back to the first time I'd touched it.
Flashback
"Tell me again why you're in a tenth year bio session, Emmett. You obviously know what you're doing - so you're not an idiot or anything - but, it has to be embarrassing being a junior and having to take this course with little old sophomore me." She fingered her blond locks and batted her sexy eyelashes, red pucker covering perfect white teeth just taunting and reeling me in.
Flirting with Rosalie in the back of Mr. Riley's remedial science class was a highlight everyday, even when she'd snark or bitch or suck up. It was simply our time to be together. We'd ask each other personal questions and laugh at stupid shit Fremont students found themselves getting into. Everything seemed fair game.
And I'd discovered, over the last two months, how much warmer Rosalie was than she'd ever dared to let on. A hell of a girl, actually. Although she may not have realized it, our banter was rooted in seriousness for me. Despite the small fact that I currently had a couple girls going at the moment, I'd take her on in a heartbeat. But somehow "part time" with Rosalie Hale didn't seem like enough. However, for me, anything more seemed impossible. "More" wasn't a specialty of mine. So, on with the flirting and fantasizing.
"I'm for shit at testing. So, to ensure I stay active on the team, I dumb down my course load and Coach pads the teachers when he can. There is a method to my madness."
"Well then, how come this is the only class I have with you? You'd think if the Coach can yank the teachers over testing, the least you could do would be to pick a more enjoyable schedule. I'm quite enjoyable, don't you think?"
She was a tease, and she was baiting me.
I reached out and brushed her busy hand as I wound a new strand over my own fingers. I tested the bounce of such perfect hair – if she's this well groomed on top … - and slowly lifted the piece I'd detained behind her little diamond-studded ear.
"As enjoyable as they come, Rosalie. Although, I don't know first hand."
She licked her lips wet and moved her hand along the inside of my leg. The double bell pulled us out of our lust-laden moment.
Grabbing her books, she walking past, bending low so her lips brushed my ear as she breathed out, "I'll be enjoying the thought of you until tomorrow, Emmett Cullen. See you then."
End Flashback
And so the term had progressed. I wasn't ever able to lock it down, because for some reason hitting it and leaving it felt wrong. Like a mistake. But now I had a real shot. Hell, I'd felt her wetness through my pant leg and on my fingers. I was so close I could almost literally taste her. Shit. Fucktard, don't get hard in your Speedo. There's no covering that evidence up.
A whistle rang out and I shook my multifaceted thoughts away determined to dispel the funk that was weighing me down. Narrow your mind man; your team is counting on you. You are the water. I felt like fucking Bodhidharma. Zen baby. This pool is my cave
Yeah, I know shit, I thought as I mentally patted my genius self on the back.
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APOV
I looked over at Bella as the three of us continued, one foot after the other, in resolute determination.
The entire section designated for the away team – which now held all of Fremont Park - shifted their attention towards us the moment we'd entered the thick, chlorine-clogged air of the Puyallup High School pool. Thank god she looks hot. And it was a good thing we took extra care primping, because with the looks and not so subtle whispers flying every which way it seemed news had traveled fast.
"So," I said quietly, as I turned to face my girls. "Just remember, you look fabulous." I turned by body so it appeared that we'd only paused to admire the luscious, half naked guys waltzing around right in front of us. "Because, Bella, you need to put all that confidence into channeling your inner parvenu. Everything about you needs to scream fierce and untouchable."
"Alice is right. Do not let anything get to you. No-thing." Rose was playing her part well as she eyed Emmett and moved her lips covertly.
"I can do fierce." Bella responded immediately, with a simultaneous flick to the hair, and subconscious straightening up of her shoulders. She sounds tired. Bella better not half ass this.
"On a normal day, you own fierce, but today's events have already tapped your energy. You're going to have to fake it. Just pretend everyone is me!"
I watched Bella and Rosalie have this brief moment, acknowledging their familiarity with one another and Rosalie's attempts at encouragement and support. Bella blinked back these words and, I'm sure, her fears and scattered thoughts. Soon enough, her head was up, chin leading her forward. "Good thing I look best." Her words were punched with bitch.
Rose smiled and chuckled a little while I was left soaring on the inside. She's going to do this; she's going to win.
We followed closely behind Bella, but let her lead our way. On the drive down, we'd decided Bella should be the shit. Rose had a hard time letting go, I think, because queen was her status. But she recognized fully the need to conquer this tiny society battle today if Bella was going to remain sane enough to make it out of Fremont with a diploma. Plus, no one had the power Rosalie did, so if she was backing up Bella there would be a few people to drop out of the fight immediately, strictly out of fear alone. At least, that had been her firm prediction.
So, Bella led us to the very front row of bleachers, which hugged the pool and gave us a choice view of our guys. Our selected seats screamed, "We aren't hiding, so do your worst."
The mummers at our backs increased and snippets of conversation swarmed over us.
"…. it has to be like being with your brother … but if my cousin looked like Hale I'd … that must be why she transferred, so they could be together … it's sort of cute … such a fucking slut … white trash, how could she taint Fremont by even being associated … they just let anyone in these days … Jasper is so quiet, I bet he's an animal in bed … maybe he's interested in trading up … I heard she left with Edward Cullen … is it, like, a three way thing? … I heard she started crying and throwing beer bottles all around the party … wait, Edward and Jasper are gay? … that isn't what I heard … Angela is pressing charges because the bitch up and clawed her fucking hair out - all because Edward chose her … I heard Edward tossed Ang to the curb … she was a timed out fuck …. and what the hell is Rosalie doing, associating with that … I guess she enjoys filth, she's been known to get in quite a few predicaments herself … Bella Swan, so pathetic … and now she thinks she's dating Edward Cullen … dream on bitch …"
Slowly, everyone's voices began fighting to be heard and the entire expansive room was filled with half-whispers, the harsh laughter resonating as the echoing exclamation point.
"Hey Bella, I may not be your cousin, but … I like myself a dirty girl." …
"Could you not get a real guy so you had to pay your relative to be your fuck buddy?" …
"You do know if you get pregnant, your children will be deformed right?" …
"I can see you now Bella, sprung around Jasper's hard dick, just grinding away. I have to admit, I don't hate it." …
"Alice, didn't I see you up on Jasper Hale for most of the party? Are you in with Bella too?" …
"That must have been why your dad left you; he found out your dirty secrets and disowned your filthy ass." …
Person after person was leaning close to us and running their mouths, just waiting for the rise and explosion. I clenched my fists - pushing every desire to defend everyone involved far from my mind - and willed myself to relax, all the while keeping my face perfectly poised. My hearing detected the ref's whistle but I was still resetting my resolve, too focused to care.
I could feel B shaking slightly beside me as Rose's breathing remained unfazed. But chancing a look, I realized it wasn't hurt that colored Bella's features, and caused her quaking, instead outrage was emanating from her every pore. Pure, unadulterated hate.
"Hey. It's good. Smile. Breath." Come on, girl … we've hardly just begun.
"We'll begin our assault soon, Bella. Keep your head cool, keep it in the game." Rose was a true aristocratic culture extraordinaire.
The match was beginning and, of course, Angela chose that moment to approach. Fried hair flipping behind her, a haughty air to her stride, her fake, perky boobs bouncing everywhere normal breasts wouldn't. The whole thing made me want to superglue her lips shut to avoid the forthcoming verbal shit dribble.
"Bella, poor girl, I hope you've recovered from last night." She was sickly sweet, flanked by Lauren and Jessica – her new post-Ben lackeys - looking desperately uncomfortable as they avoided any interaction with a deceptively calm Rosalie. My own normal energetic hum was now tapering out, feeling more like a twitch. This would all be easier handled if we'd slept at all last night.
"I had nothing to recover from. But thank you for your concern." Bella locked eyes with Angela, giving her a chance to back away. Idiotic, stupid girl. I silently wished Bella would just punch her straight in the saline inflatables, maybe rupture one in the process. Obviously, the stress from all this had worn my sanity down to a nub.
"Nothing to recover from … poor girl. Everyone heard me accidentally blurt out your "little sexual secret."" -Did the bitch seriously just fucking use air quotes?- "You must have spent the night humiliated now that we all know about you and Jasper's biblical relationship. I have to admit you are quite the little whore, aren't you?" Lofty arm gestures and enunciated words made this exchange aware to all ears and seen by all eyes. Yes, please, let's drag Podunk Puyallup into this while we're at it. Poor people have enough problems without heaping ours on them.
Bella leaned in close to Angela and delivered her most toying smile. I eyed Rose who was staring hard at her dismissed cling ons, looking like a huntress deciding which prey to consume first. Bella's proceeding growl was low but direct.
"Oh yes, Angela. I am. I'm the whore who left with Edward Cullen last night instead of you, after I believe, he threw you away. So, really hun, I hope your night has left you fully recovered, because besides a little lack of sleep I couldn't be more satisfied right now if I tried."
We'd missed the start of the match and our guys were fanned out in the pool. Angela stood tongue-tied, red and floundering for her next round of assault tactics. But I was done.
"You're in our way. Leave." I'd yet to talk, but I really just needed her gone and to move on. Without another word, the chorus line retreated.
-- We survived the preliminaries. Don't let down your hair until we're safely in our suite. R --
And Rosalie's text, that came only seconds later, was right. Bella and I exchanged a subtly victorious smile and tried to shake off our remaining nerves. It was time for the match.
But just as I finally turned my attention to the water activities before us I heard the shouting explode and the truth of the sight before me found meaning in my brain. An actual fight had broken out mid match.
"What is your fucking problem, man?" I know that voice.
"Arg. You, you are my fucking problem, douchbag." Panic coursed through me as I recognized the second voice as well.
A grouping of bobbing white caps, resting atop countless players, were unsuccessfully attempting to hold Jasper back as he flung himself wildly at Edward over and over.
"NO!" I rushed forward as I watched Jasper – eyes burning blind - attacking his teammate, and my best friend, throwing punch after punch and repeatedly holding him underwater. I could tell Edward wasn't fighting back, but defiantly struggling to breath as the turbulent water around him surged on his nose and mouth.
"Stop man." But he was submerged fully then - cap flying off, bronze hair sprawling and arms attempting to counteract Jasper's attacks.
"Jasper, stop!" I heard Bella ring out, from somewhere nearby, as some of the sub guys tried to keep me from the pools edge as I leaned over to pull the Neanderthals apart.
"Alice, let go. What the hell are you doing?"
Both guys went under before I could answer, Emmett choosing that moment to join the fight and dragging them all below the surface. But I'd had my hand on Jas's shoulder and with the force of their departure I felt my balance wavering. Everything we'd been trying to accomplish today was now ruined as the guys only made our messes bigger, and I flailed to find my footing knowing the whole of Fremont sat looking on.
And in that moment I was petrified, because the men I loved most were dueling it out - actually hurting each other - and I had no idea why.
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JPOV
I can't believe what I'm hearing. This is not you, Bella. No fucking way. I WILL KILL HIM.
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A/N: Okay, so I made it this far and realized I was nowhere near finished – I mean, we're like five minutes into the match. Has it gone the way you thought it would so far? I'd love to hear your thoughts! ~RAE
