Alright, I'm sorry I haven't gotten to update this for awhile. Emmett's Undoing is kinda getting all my ideas for now. I'm trying.

It's been a hard week. I had a death in the family, and I'm also having some serious "me" issues. So if this sucks, sorry.

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Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, any of the characters in Twilight, or anything related to the books and/or movies. If I did, I would be way too busy- doing dirty things with the Cullen boys- to sit down at my laptop and write this story. The scenes and general plot ideas that I did borrow from Stephenie Meyer have been revamped to fit my story.

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Learning to Live Again

Chapter Forty-Nine: It's All Downhill From Here

This was not good. I was late for school again. As I predicted, Jasper and I were both ready for another round this morning, needing to feel our closeness as much as possible. Jasper had heard Charlie leave early for work and had immediately pounced. I didn't complain. I had only missed my first class, so it was better than the last time this had happened.

Jasper and Edward were scouting the woods, trying to pick up the scents of any newborn vampires that Victoria had working for her. They were hoping to take a few out before the upcoming fight. Cameron had wanted to go with them but we thought it best he lay low. Victoria already wanted revenge on him; he should try to stay out of harm's way. Rosalie and Alice were probably coddling him anyway, helping him get situated in the house and their new lifestyle.

Emmett had volunteered to be my chaperone to school today. And that's where I was now. We were pulling into the parking lot in his monstrosity of a car. Normally the radio would be blaring; however, this morning Emmett chose to tease me mercilessly instead.

"You know, Bella, I could write you an excuse for your teacher," he said with a smirk on his face. "I could just explain that you had to spend the morning in bed." I knew he wouldn't stop there. "Humping my brother like crazy."

"You're one to talk, Emmett. I know what you and Rosalie do to pass the time," I replied back.

"Touché," he said with a shrug of his shoulders. "So what's it like, Bella? Having sex with a vampire?"

"You tell me," I said. I could feel the blush rising on my face. Even amidst all the impending doom, he could find ways to tease me. I was thankful for it. He was trying to put my mind at ease. And also entertain himself.

"That doesn't count. I'm one myself." He stopped for a moment as he whipped the Jeep into a parking space near the front exit. I noticed a few students staring out of the corner of their eyes. Great, what rumors would be starting about me and Emmett today?!

"I'm not talking with you about this, Emmett. It's none of your business," I said as I reached into the back to grab my backpack.

"Come on, Bella. I'm your big brother. If you can't talk to me about this stuff, who can you talk to?!" I'll give him credit. He was trying awfully hard.

"Jasper," I said with a shrug.

"What?! You can't talk to Jasper about having sex with him!" Emmett yelled, too loudly for my liking. I saw heads turn toward us and knew that everyone in school would know by the end of the day that Jasper and I were having sex. Just what I needed right now.

"Shut up, Emmett!" I yelled back. "I tell Jasper everything, so yes I can talk to him about it. And thanks to you, all I'll be doing for the rest of the day is talking about Jasper and I having sex now. Or trying to avoid it anyway." I opened the door and jumped to the ground, slamming it shut behind me. Damn him!

I stormed to the building, passing my peers with my head down. Of course, we had to arrive right as everyone was outside, walking to their second hour class. Great timing. I walked into the building but not before I heard Lauren behind me. I couldn't make out her entire sentence, but the words 'home-wrecking slut' were heard loud and clear.

I sat through second hour in a daze. I have never really cared what people thought about me, but it still hurt to know that they were judging me behind my back. I had expected it from Lauren. She was a bitch. But I just hoped that Angela and Jessica would look beyond her cruel words long enough to hear my side of the story.

I found out at lunch. My human group of friends was all sitting at their table by the time I walked into the cafeteria. I grabbed some fruit and a soda and walked over to the table. I was terrified. I had been up against a crazy vampire and was being hunted by a group of newborn vampires, but neither were scarier than high school.

As I approached, I saw Lauren's eyes narrow in my direction. Eric and Mike both started blushing and couldn't make eye contact with me. Tyler and Jessica just smirked. Angela was the only one who didn't react. She moved her chair over to allow me room beside her, between her and Mike.

"Hi, Bella," she said in her gentle voice. I smiled at her and nodded my head. I was worried that my voice would crack if I tried to reply.

"Bella, when were you planning on telling me?" Jessica half whispered across the table to me. I looked at her with a blank expression. Maybe I could play dumb.

"Jessica, that's none of our business," Angela tried to be discreet in whispering to Jessica but unfortunately the entire table already knew what she was talking about.

"Oh, come on, Angela, like you don't want to know. I know that you used to have a crush on Jasper," Jessica said, dismissing our friend. She turned toward me again. "Spill. Was it amazing?"

"Jessica, my relationship with Jasper is private. You know that I've never been one to like the spotlight," I said with a shrug of my shoulder. I was praying that they would let this slide.

"Isn't it weird?" Lauren decided to throw her two cents in. "You were with his brother for almost a year. Now you're suddenly with Jasper and already sexing it up with him. Aren't you worried about what people will think? Or if they'll end up hating each other?" I didn't appreciate that her tone became accusatory toward the end of her questioning.

"Lauren, you don't know anything about Edward, Jasper, or me," I said with an edge to my voice. I normally wouldn't bite back to her comments, but I was getting very frustrated with her. She was always trying to judge me but never turned it around on herself. "For your information, Edward is extremely happy for Jasper and me. Jasper and Edward are getting along fine. And I'm completely in love with Jasper. Does that answer all your questions? Or are you even more wrapped up in my life instead of your own?"

I stopped my rant and noticed that all my friends were staring at me in shock. Mike and Angela both had smirks on their faces, obviously glad that someone had finally put Lauren in her place. Eric and Tyler were both silent in their seats, not wanting to be involved. Jessica and Lauren were sharing looks of bewilderment. Maybe I used too many big words.

"Yeah, Bella, your life is so interesting. Like I care," Lauren said with a flip of her hair. I shit you not. She actually flipped her hair. "Where is your little posse today anyway? Don't you usually eat with them?'

"Their family went camping," I said automatically. It was the candid excuse to use when there was good weather outside.

"So why did Emmett drop you off this morning?" Jessica asked.

"Jeez, Bella, are you screwing him too?!" Lauren said, raising her voice. The tables around us all turned to look at me, and I immediately felt my cheeks get hot.

"That's enough, Lauren," Mike said as he stood from his seat. He grabbed my arm and pulled me up with him. "Come on, Bella, let's go."

I followed him without thinking, without looking back. My face was still flushed and I could feel tears forming in my eyes as we made it out of the cafeteria into the quad. I stopped walking and just stared out at the forest. I knew that Emmett was out there somewhere, looking after me. Jerk. It was his fault this was happening anyway.

"Thanks, Mike, but I think I'm just going to head home. I don't really want to put up with everyone staring at me all day long," I whispered, not turning to look at my friend.

"Bella, I know that it hurts, but you can't let that bitch get to you," he said, trying to cheer me up.

"I know, but I really just don't want to deal with this right now." I walked away from Mike, shrugging my backpack onto my shoulder as I walked across campus toward the parking lot. I didn't bother to look for Emmett, because I knew that he would be close behind me. He had probably taken his Jeep home so that he'd have more freedom.

When I reached the clearing in the forest, I stopped at what I saw. Emmett was there waiting for me, but he wasn't alone. There was a group of about eight vampires- probably newborns- surrounding him. I didn't see Victoria, but that didn't mean that she was far away. That bitch was stealthy if nothing else.

Emmett turned toward me with worry on his face. He didn't look scared, and I wasn't surprised by this. Emmett was always itching for a fight, but even I knew that he was outnumbered. I reached into my jeans pocket and hit the 'send' button on my cell phone. I knew that Jasper's phone number was the last dialed, and we needed reinforcements.

The newborns picked up my scent then. They all turned to look at me, venom dripping from their mouths. It was now or never.