..And here we are. Enjoy!

CHAPTER 7 | BEACH, PLEASE!

BPOV_

He had short, brown, unkempt hair and tan skin. He was wearing a wetsuit, only it was unzipped so that he was semi-nude, with the top half dangling below his waist. He had the body of a greek god, and an allure about himself that has grabbed everybody's attention. He looks at everyone, confused as to why the fuck we're staring. Excuse me, you just so happen to be the apple of nature's eye. Let us fucking stare. We have the RIGHT to fucking stare. I cross my legs after feeling my bikini bottoms dampen a bit. What? Oh, fuck off. It's natural.

"Sheesh, he's gorgeous," Alice coos, "it's almost unreal." She looks over at me and my spellbound expression, my mouth agape. "My goodness woman," she laughs, "leave some mystery about yourself. You look as if someone just shot your fucking cat!"

I close my mouth and look at her incredulously, "I.. do not! And shut up, he's not even all that hot," she stares at me as if I had a cock for a nose. Yeah, I knew that wouldn't work either, but it was still worth a shot. "Horse shit. He is a fucking masterpiece," she returns her gaze to him, "plus, we both know what it means when you cross your legs," she smirks. Bitch!

"Oh, screw you! So, he holds genes I find favorable and would like in my offspring, it's science. It's natural. Don't judge me." I rebut. "Not judging. We're in the same slutty boat, sister." Who is this mysterious guy? Jasper? Shit, it is him isn't it? Alice said Jasper was cute, not genetically fucking exceptional. "You were right, Jasper is... really cute." I say, investigating the means behind this madness. "That's not Jasper..." Yes!

"Who is that, then?" I ask, watching him waltz toward the ocean. "Good fucking question.."

"I'm gonna go find out." I stand up.

"Bella! He's surfing. Let the guy breathe before you assault him! You can't show too much interest just yet. Come on, you know three minutes is pathetic." Calm your tits, woman. I'm not that crazy. "I'm not going to talk to him! I have to stalk him first, silly! I'm just going to go ask Adelaide, who he is!" See. Not crazy at all. "Oh," Alice breathes out, "you had me scared there for a sec." We're not normal.

I go over to the benches near the sand volleyball court and sit next to Adelaide. "Hey Laide," I smile. "Hey Bella," she smiles brightly, "are you enjoying the party?" Oh, am I? "I'm having a blast, thank you for inviting us," I offer cordially. "Of course," she says, "you guys help make the party what it is." She's so sweet. "I've got a question," I pause and look out into the ocean, "did you invite that guy?" I nod toward the mystery man gliding across the tide. "Oh, my." her eyes light up, delightfully. Hey now, mine. Mine. "No, I don't, but my goodness. I will definitely be finding out." Damn it, now I'm going to have to kill Adelaide. "Okay," I get up to leave, "let me know if you do," I smile sickeningly sweet before walking away.

I head over to the bar next to Rose. "Hey babes," she says as I sit down next to her. "Hola, how are things progressing with you know whom?" I ask and quickly glance in his direction. "He hasn't put down that fucking football yet!" she scowls and takes a sip of her drink. "We'll devise a plan. I will see to it you get this man, woman." I notice out of the corner of my eye that mystery guy is taking a break from surfing and was walking past us, heading over to the spot he'd set up. Roses catches me looking. "What the hell are you looki—" she starts, then witnesses him firsthand, "have mercy." Oh my gosh. Do you hoes understand the concept of dibs? HE. IS. MINE. "That's what I've been working on, in case you're wondering." I sigh. "Well, go get him tiger! Please. For me," she says wholeheartedly. Will do," I purr back at her, smiling.

I'd worked up enough courage to go talk to him and started walking, but then I detour back over to Alice. "How do I look?" I stop and do a spin. "Sexy. Are you going to go talk to McHotass?" McHotass. Haha, so fitting. Or McFuckingBeautiful. That's also fitting.. But entirely too long. I like McHotass.

"Yes. And I'm extremely nervous."

"Don't be. What could go wrong?" After thinking for a second, she continues, "actually, don't think about that. Just... subtlety go make a move. I'm not suggesting you sloot it up, of course. Get to know him, start a relationship with him, blah blah blah, then you tap into that inner sloot. Embrace it. Revel in sex. Lots of great sex." Would it come off that slutty if I just went ahead and slightly whore'd it up, just to stake my claim? Sigh, morals. "Bella, this is your chance. Go talk to him. Just be yourself. Remember, you're Bella fucking Swan."

"Be myself," I chant internally, " Okay, I've got this." I put one foot in front of the other. Here goes. I walk over to the guy and silently sit down next to him. I could feel the intensity of his presence. His aura. His eyes were closed, so he hadn't detected me yet. I'd started to speak, but notice he was asleep. He looks so peaceful and relaxed. My fingers were twitching, aching to touch him. I just really, really need to touch him. To caress him lightly, and run my hands through his hair as he..

Wait. Stop. Normal, Bella. I reach in gently to wake him, but something grabs my wrist. I glance back up at him to a pair of golden eyes, wide open, staring at me completely mortified.

Shit.

EPOV_

"Can I help you?" I ask, confused as to why I'm about to get sexually assaulted. I look up to a surprised, blushing face of a familiar-looking girl. Her mouth opens to speak, but no words. She continues to try to speak, but still, nothing. "I..." I begin to speak but am interrupted. "You're right, we're moving too fast. Get away from me," she says as she abruptly yanks away, rises and hurries off.

What the fuck?

I scrambled to my feet and start to follow the creeper, but stop when I recognize who she's with. Alice Brandon. Wow. I can't even. No surprise there; she was a fucking nuisance in ninth grade, and is probably just the same. But the chick sitting next to her was not Rosalie Hale. I'm thinking way too deeply into this. I'm gonna go get a drink. When I was about thirty yards out from the bar, I sense an object darting toward me. I turn around and lift my hands slightly, and seconds later, I'm casually holding a football.

"Dude, perfect catch!" A tall, burly, brown-haired guy exclaims from across the beach. I toss him the ball as he's jogging over toward me. Another guy, the one he'd originally been throwing with I presume, begins his trot over. "You should totally join the football team," He pants out once he finally reaches me. Fucking shit! It's Emmett! "What's up, I'm Emmet, and this is Jas—," he stops, his eyes wide open. "EDWARD?" He screams happily and nearly tackles me for a hug. "What's up, big guy?" I laugh. The other guy finally makes it to the both of us. He was about my size, with short, disheveled hair. I take a second look and notice that it's Jasper. Holy crap, we're getting the band back together. "What's going on," he laughs, "what'd I miss?" He looks at Emmett and then over to me. I swear, it was Deja Vú. Like Emmett, his eyes too light up and his smile stretches wide. "Holy shit," he says, "this is honestly one of the best days of my life." We all chuckle and begin walking toward their setup. "Edward, what the hell, man?" Em asks, "we've missed you. And look like you've been lifting quite a bit, brother. I'm impressed." I shrug, "Maybe just a little," we all burst into laughter. "So, why Italy?" Jasper asks, "I mean, I remember you saying your dad made you go, but you never told us specifically." We sit down at the spot and relax. Emmett distributes beers as he waits for me to answer.

"Yeah, sorry about that, by the way. I mean, you guys remember how I was. A bit lanky. Uncool. I just needed a fair chance to start fresh, I suppose. And Carlisle noticed that, and acted on it, quick. Abroad I went." They both look understanding. "Well you had us," Jas says. "Yeah, we didn't give a shit if these other ass-wipes thought you were uncool or whatever. To us, you're were our best friend. You still are," Emmett says honestly, "And don't think because you're all handsome and cool now that you're going to ever get rid of us." I laugh, "Cheers to that," we raise our bottles, "wouldn't trade you guys for the world." I forgot how amazing it felt to have genuine bros.

"Eddie, you ever think about joining the football team? I mean, from the looks of it, you'd make one hell of a wide receiver."

Football, eh? I've never really thought about it.. "Nah, football isn't my thing, y'know?" Funny how tables turn. I mean, me? A football player?
"Aw, come on!" They both beg. "That'd give us more bro time. Plus, we could really use you." I sigh, "I will.. consider trying out. "Yes! That's enough for me," Em punches his right fist in the air, "now we can get rid of that worthless piece of shit Mike Newton."

"Mike Newton?" I ask. I'd forgotten all about that cock snack. "Yes, the biggest asshole in the entire school," Jasper says. "Yeah, fuck that guy," Em adds, "he goes around harassing and sleeping with everyone, as if he's some big shot. I've been tempted to strangle him many a time, but coach absolutely forbids me from doing so."

"I can't stand him, he's so cocky, for no viable reason, whatsoever. He sleeps with the school sluts and brags about it in the locker room to everyone, knowing damn well he's not capable of actually scoring some quality ass," Jasper rants, "and we'll tell you which girls to steer clear of, by the way, because surely the girls are going to swarm you. We've got your back."

"I'd really appreciate that," I laugh, but am completely serious, "Actually guys, who is that chick over there sitting next to Alice Brandon? She was eye-fucking me while I was tanning, and probably would've raped me if I didn't stop her from touching me." They both turn towards the direction of my gaze, and observe the girl wearing a large, floppy straw hat and huge Dolce & Gabbana shades. At least she has decent taste.

"I'm not sure. Clearly, she's trying to disguise her face with those gargantuan sunglasses," Emmet shrugs," but I'd just let it go. I've been creeped on by so many girls lately that I just consider it a usual thing. Some women are fucking crazy, man. Don't phase yourself trying to understand them." We've all polished off our drinks. "You're probably right. I'll just shrug it off.. Hey fellas, I'm gonna go grab us a few more beers. Be right back." I walk up to the bar and request three coronas.

As I reach for our beers, some guy bumps into me. He turns, "Hey, guy, watch where you're going," he says, poking my chest. Who does this guy think he is? I swat his hand away. "Sure buddy," I scoff sardonically and grab my beers. I start to walk off. "Whoa, now," he steps in front of me, "don't use that tone with me," he moves in closer. Mike fucking Newton. That's the same line he pulled before cheap-shotting me a few years back. "Mike Newton," I say calmly. "Damn right, motherfucker. You'd better know who I am. I'm a legend, I'm fucking infamous," he rants. Well, at least he's modest. He continues, "I'm I'm—" I interrupt him. "Shut your fucking mouth," I spout, "You're a pathetic, loud-mouthed bitch suffering from delusions of grandeur." Welp, we seem to have made a scene. I try continue this conversation in a non-confrontational manner. "You're a fucking plague to everyone around you, and I hope you get violated in jail and end up with the clap." I tried. The look on his face was absolutely priceless. Figuring I'd said my piece, I decide it's time to go on about my way. "Cheers," I smile, raise my beer to him and start to walk away. And, like clockwork, I feel a hand on my shoulder. I turn and calmly catch his punch with my free hand. "Now Michael," I scold him mockingly, "this isn't two years ago." His face conveys his realization. "Cullen," he says.

"You've royally fucked up, Newton," I smirk, "royally."

A/N: Hope you're finding the story enjoyable so far. Let me know what you think!