All copyrights, trademarked items, or recognizable characters, plots, etc. mentioned herein belong to their respective owners. No copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without their express written authorization.

not beta'd

storyline - Malicious

prompt - mug

After my horrible date with Peter (who I had to let down easy when he tried to kiss me yet again outside my house) I did some serious soul searching.

While Edward's actions were certainly reprehensible and mind-blowingly juvenile, if I was right and he did in fact have a crush on me, then I could sort of understand. I mean, I didn't agree with how he'd been treating me, but I got it.

Say the situation was reversed, and I'd been the one with crazy feelings for him. After hooking up in the bathroom, maybe I too would've feel crappy and used if he acted like business as usual afterward. Maybe I'd have been a little vindictive or passive-aggressive.

I explained this to Alice and Rose via Gchat one night, but they still both felt Edward was out of line.

After they had a good laugh at my movie story, that is.

"good intentions don't excuse bad behavior", Alice typed. "the result is still the same, regardless of why he does what he does. It still hurts."

This was totally true, and it was with that mindset that I approached Edward before school on Tuesday morning. I waited in my truck until he parked his car and got out.

"Edward."

His steps faltered, and he turned around, narrowing his eyes when he saw me. "What's up?"

"I wanted to talk to you for a second."

He raised his eyebrows. "'Bout what? Saturday? I already said I was sorry about that."

"Um, actually … no you didn't. But-"

"Sorry for ruining what looked like a lame date?" He smirked.

Ignoring the flash of irritation I felt, I took a deep breath. "Whatever. That's not what I wanted to discuss."

"Well, hurry it up because first bell's about to ring."

Okay, so, this wasn't going as planned. He was being his usual difficult self.

"Do you have feelings for me?" I blurted. My face heated up immediately.

He frowned. "What, like romantically?"

I nodded, biting my lip.

"Why, do you want me to?" he asked, leaning closer. "Could it be that you like me, Bella?"

"No, I –"

"Hell no I don't like you," he scoffed, taking a step back. "All it took was one night to know that for sure."

Frowning, I shook my head. "Then what's your deal? Why do you treat me like this?"

"Because I can," he said, already walking away. "And because you always react so perfectly."

In church we'd learned that thinking a sin was akin to doing it. Well if that was the case, Edward was a dead man.

Many, many times over.

He made me seethe. His voice got on my last nerve and I could hardly stand to look at him; even his face annoyed me.

Ever notice how a good looking person can be so damn butt ugly when their personality sucks?

Practice was always a battle of my will. Instead of regarding Edward at all, I channeled my annoyance in speed, marinating in satisfaction when my time was better than his. Whenever he won I just let it fuel my determination to be better next time.

Honestly, he barely paid me any attention either – unless he absolutely had to.

We completed our bio lab and then got permission to partner with other people. We ignored each other at meets, parties and school. If people knew, they let it alone, probably sensing things had hit an all time low.

One night at Emmett's, a bunch of us were watching movies in the den. Rose left the room to get more popcorn with Alice and Jess – who was speaking to me again – and everyone else was talking amongst themselves.

Emmett sat down beside me so hard the couch cushion nearly bounced me off.

"What's up with the mean mug?" he teased, pinching my arm.

"What?"

He poked my cheek. "If looks could kill…"

"I just don't know why you had to invite him," I whispered.

Emmett chuckled. "I invited him because he's my friend."

"He's an ass."

"Has he been messing with you lately?"

I started to say yes, but then realized that outside of practice and a couple of classes, Edward and I had barely even crossed paths, let alone spoken.

"I guess not."

"I told him to knock it off," Emmett said, leaning back.

"See, but you shouldn't have had to. He should've just known," I complained.

Emmett sighed. I could see he was tiring of the conversation, and probably the entire situation. "Just let it go, jeez. So he should've known, so what." He rubbed his hand over his face. "The point is he gets it now, okay?"

I nodded, properly chastised. Emmett was one of those people who were so cool, and so chill, that if he was annoyed you know you were acting dumb. He was right in this case, anyway. Being pissy because Edward was around was pointless.

He leaned even closer, and then paused, like he wanted to say more. "He told me what you asked him a couple of weeks ago and what he told you back. Just… remember guys have pride, Bella. You can't wound it and expect him not to retaliate."

"But I didn't mean to wound it!" I whispered.

"I know, which is why I told him to stop being a dick."

I thought about that for a while, letting it sink in.

"Okay?" asked Emmett.

"Yeah."

"Good. Now stop pouting and let's watch this movie." He stood up, rubbing his belly caveman style. "Rose! Where's my popcorn?"

"You got legs!" she yelled from the kitchen. "Use 'em!"

I laughed, loving her brand of snark, at the same time Edward did. Our eyes met for just a second and then I looked away, like I'd been burned.

And in a way, I had been. Over and over.

turning point time...

also, the variety of opinions concerning windchimes is hilariously fascinating. ;)

so. ever have an emmett in your life? i had a couple throughout the years, one of whom, alex, ended up being my brother in law.