Moving

Teeny Tiny Twilight

Today had been…interesting. The highest point in my day probably would have been that my last class was gym so I did not have to run half way across the school to get to practice on time. It wouldn't be good to be late when I was acting as coach. They might notice my absence.

Edward happened to be in gym too. He thought very highly of himself right now. He nearly floated into the change room; a smug gloating smile lighting up his face.

I probably should have told him that I suck at soccer. The only decent position I could play was goalie. It was just too ingrained in me to catch the ball with my hands instead of kicking it. I did not tell Edward though; let him walk away with at least some pride at the end of the day.

Some of the girls who had seen his brilliant smile—having though I'm sure it was directed at them—smiled back just as brightly, eyes a little unfocused. I shook my head, grinning. It was actually somewhat funny to watch all of this from a distance, no wonder Edward liked to flirt so much. All the reactions were hilarious.

It picked at something in the back of my mind. I wanted to put myself between the girls and him, as if I wanted to protect him. I tried to shake the thought away. I had spent too much time away from Renee; I was looking to someone to take care of now. How pathetic. Then again, if the girls rallied together, they could probably form quite a mob. Then he might need some protection.

Thinking of Renee had made me sad. I missed my mother dearly, and though Charlie and I had never been very close, I missed my time with him now. I would not even get to see him during the summers any more.

Boarding school sucked. It would have made sense if I had done something so horrid that my parents had wanted to send me away. Never have to deal with the troublemaker anymore, but it was not like that. I was behaved, I did what I was told, and I loved my parents. Not a bad daughter. Not the best, but not bad.

It probably would have made sense too if I was exceptionally smart or gifted or something along those lines, but I was plain, normal, average. Nothing to stand out about me, except maybe basket ball, but that was not where I wanted my life to take me anyways, only a fun past time.

"Helloooo? Bella? Earth to Bella. You in there?" Alex asked, tapping his fist lightly against my skull. "Echo, echo, echo."

I laughed, smacking his hand away. "Sorry, what's up?"

He laughed, his head tilting to Seth, "The boy needs some help."

"The boy has a name," I muttered under my breath as I walked past him.

Seth was taking shots from the corner, none of them going into the basket. I cocked my head to the side a little, watching how he placed his legs, the way he shot the ball, and found the problem immediately. I smiled walking over, "Hey," I said happily, grabbing a ball as I made my way over to him.

He nodded back, his usual smile a little off with annoyance in his inability to make one good shot. I liked Seth, he was fun and light, and he did not get down too easily. I did not say anything else as I started to take shots with him. After a few seconds of my baskets making it, and his arcing too far, he started to watch me, how I bent my legs, how I curled my wrist.

I watched him set himself up out of the corner of my eye, and then he took his shot. He gapped in amazement as the ball made a satisfying swish and made the basket. I smiled at him, and went to go help Jared with his three pointers.

"Bella!" Tyler yelled, nearly snarling at me.

I sighed. Temper, temper…

Tyler was trying for a three pointer shot too, but he did not have as much tolerance for his lack of success, especially when other people were improving. I walked over; forcing a smile that made me feel like my face would crack. What I really wanted to do was snarl right back at him.

Edward—despite what I had recommended—had stayed to watch practice again. He looked just as put out as I felt about Tyler. Neither of us said anything, and for that, I was thankful.

Tyler tried to make another shot, but Seth's ball—that would have surly gone in with out Tyler's interference—knocked it out of the way. Tyler barked a remark about Seth's mother.

I froze. Maybe it was the sleepless night, or maybe Seth was growing on my like he had on everyone else, but I lost it.

"Sit down!" I snarled at him. My voice echoed around the suddenly quiet gym. I was too angry to be embarrassed.

Tyler snorted, taking another shot. Ignoring me.

I could feel the heat rise in my cheeks, and my teeth gritted together. "Tyler, sit down now. I don't think you should be playing if—" I did not even get to finish my sentence.

Tyler was in my face, towering over me. "You have no authority over me. You're just a little girl who thinks she's better then everyone else because she can throw a damn ball. You shouldn't even be on the team! Unless of course you have a certain part of your anatomy that we should know about." He turned me around, patting my bottom as he did, "Go off, paint your nails or something."

That did it. "Sit down now. If you did not learn not to take temper tantrums in kindergarten, then you're going to learn now. What happens when you get frustrated when were playing Tyler? You gonna throw a punch? Start yelling like a fool? Part of being a good team player is a good attitude. You could learn something from Seth." the team had stopped playing and were starting to watch us.

My nostrils were flared and I glared defiantly at Tyler, daring him to speak.

"Man, she's right, just listen to her." Mike spoke softly from behind me.

"Though you were gay, Mike." Tyler sneered.

Mike answered coldly, he raised his chin defensivly. "I am,"

"So if that's the case, then why you trying to get something with Bella? We all know it would be easy any way, but you're boyfriend might not like it."

Jared took one-step forward. Tyler had crossed the line, his temper had gotten him into trouble, and I for one, did not feel sorry for that. I hopped it hurt. I hoped it hurt a lot.

The second that thought passed through my mind, I was extremely guilty. Horrified. How was I any better then Tyler? How callous was I?

I put my hand on Jared's chest, stopping him. His body shivered at my touch, obviously uncomfortable. I took my hand away quickly.

"Tyler go sit down. When—" I started, my voice softer then before, but I was interrupted.

"C'mere you little…" Edward grabbed the top of Tyler's arm, dragging him back to the bench with him.

Tyler, for once, did the right thing. He did not fight back, not even making a snide remark. Edward was a good half a head taller then him, his muscle more defined. Tyler would not have a prayer in a fight with Edward.

I felt a sudden relief to have Edward here. The first time to really feel that way. It was odd. Comforting, but odd.

I sighed. Well this was just great. Apparently, I couldn't even handle a group of boys for a couple hours. Coach was going to be thrilled.

I focused myself on helping everyone with their individual needs. Trying to make up for thoughtlessness before. Tyler eventually came back onto the floor, silently. I caught a few harsh glares from him through out the rest of the practice, but I would gladly take that rather then have him attacking the others.

I sighed with relief when the practice ended. I realised, a little late, that Mrs. Springett had not come to supervise us. I shook my head indulgently, from what I already knew of her, she was a little air headed. She reminded me of my mother in that way. I smiled as I made my way to the locker room.

"Bella?"

I turned to Jared, my hand on the change room door. He looked a little nervous. I frowned, concerned, "Hey, what's up?"

He shrugged, "N'much" he mumbled, then a little more clearly, "Just wondering what you were doing tonight." His eyes flickered to Edward suspiciously.

"I…Moving, I guess." I stuttered, taken off guard.

"Oh, that's cool," he muttered. "See you Thursday then." He waved, jogging back to the court.

I looked after him for a second, still frowning; then I went into the change room.

I was still trying to decipher Jared's odd curiosity when Tyler walked in. I sighed, pulling my jeans on. He scowled at me. "Coach is going to be pissed with you." He said, as he pulled his shirt off.

I sighed nodding my head. I already knew that my temper had gotten me into trouble. His eyes narrowed farther, "He won't like you flirting with his boys." I could hear how he purposely said boys to snub me, but I was so taken off guard that I could not even focus on it.

"Flirt?" I squeaked. Then Jared's conversation and mine came back to me. Had he been going to ask me out? I worried my lip as I thought about how I was going to handle that, if that had been what Jared was asking.

"Coach is going to kick you off if you keep that up. Not that I would mind, just say'n" I turned my eyes away as Tyler stripped for the shower. I walked quickly out of the change room, a little miffed that he could not have waited a few more seconds to finish our conversation before doing that.

When I walked over to where Edward was waiting on the bench, I forgot about Tyler. Who cared anyways? He was an idiot if he thought I was flirting. I could not flirt to save my life. I would explain to Coach that Tyler must have been mistaken. We had in fact, only been talking.

"You ready?" I asked Edward. He nodded, looking deep in thought as he grabbed his books.

I called a farewell to the guys before we walked out the door. "So, that Tyler kids a nice piece of work." Edward muttered sarcastically, sending a glare back towards the gym doors.

I shrugged, "I try not to let him bug me too much." I grimaced. "Coach Clap is going to be pissed that I lost my patience with him." I groaned quietly as I imagined his face Thursday.

"I think you did a great job. I would have taken a swing at him though." He threw a few mock punches. I laughed, shaking my head.

"So," I sighed as my building came into view, "You ready to help me move, or have you decided yet?" I desperately hopped Edward would help. I was exhausted. I wanted to go home and get a good 16 hours of sleep before I did anything. God help anyone who wakes me.

Edward smiled, opening the door for me, "Love too."

I unlocked my room door after stepping off the elevator. Edward held that door open for me too. I raised an eyebrow at him. Where did all the chivalry come from?

He grinned, "Ladies first?"

I indicated that he proceed, "Age before beauty." I joked. He chuckled, pushing my gently through the door.

"Bella?" a soft female voice called from down the hall. Edward froze. I turned quickly to see Millie staring at Edward.

I shifted uncomfortably. "Hey Millie."

"Hey, I was just about to ask where you've been." Her voice was distant. She had not taken her eyes off Edward yet though she was talking to me.

I swallowed, "I was at basket ball practice."

Silence.

"Edward was just coming to help my move."

Silence.

I bit my lip, twining and untwining my hands. I don't think Edward was breathing. Once I had heard somewhere—probably on the discovery channel—that you were supposed to move as little as possible when confronted with a predator. I wondered idly if that's what Edward was doing, hoping that Millie would not see him if he kept still enough.

"I'll, uh, get started with the boxes." I murmured quietly, trying to make my escape. Edward didn't move.

I did not go get my suitcase right away, as I probably should have done. Instead, I stalled in my room, more then a little nervous about going back into the hallway.

"Why didn't you call me?" I heard Millie say to Edward. I sat down on the couch, just out of view from the door, while still able to hear their conversation through the still open door. It is not that I meant to eaves drop, I just wanted to know when it was safe to leave my room. Or that's what I told myself. In truth, I was curious to find out who was telling the truth. Was Edward really in the right, or had he lied about Millie calling him?

"Because we broke up. You were the one to give me the booty call. Not the other way around." He murmured in a soft voice that contradicted the accusation of his words.

I listened intently to her answer. "Didn't you have fun?" she asked. So, Edward had been telling the truth. I should have given him more credit.

"Yes, it was great. I enjoyed myself, but that doesn't mean anything Millie. It was sex."

"So," Millie said quietly after a small pause, "do you have a girlfriend? I wouldn't mind you staying over again."

I could feel my heart tearing for Millie. She really did like Edward, apparently though, she liked him in the wrong way. I couldn't believe she was setting herself up again.

I closed my eyes, waiting For Edward's answer. "No. Thanks, but no." his voice was hesitant, as if he was still wavering on his decision.

My eyes fluttered open.

"What?" Millie mirrored my surprise.

"No. I don't think so." Edward's voice was surer now.

"You already have a girlfriend?" I could hear her hurt. I swallowed, biting my lip.

"No… but I have someone in mind." He hesitated a second, and when he spoke again it was more to himself. "She doesn't know yet. At least, I don't think she does."

"Oh…Good luck then. Any girl would be lucky to have you. And if you ever change your mind…"

Edward chuckled darkly, "I'll be sure to tell you. I better see what Bella is up too."

I scrambled from the couch trying to be fast and silent as I moved to a less conspicuous hiding place.

I knelt down in front of my suitcase, pretending to finish packing it. He walked into the room, smiling at me as he leaned against the doorjamb.

"Hey, you two okay?" I tried to sound casual.

He chuckled, not convinced, "Don't you know it's rude to eavesdrop?"

He took my suitcase, leaving me red-faced behind him.