Chapter Sixteen: Human Plans

Edward and Alice met us at my truck in the school parking lot the next day. Emmett stiffened in reaction to some untold danger he was picking up with his strange ability. I took his hand and tried to distract him.

"Hey, guys." Alice trilled as she linked arms with me. I still wasn't used to her acting like we had known each other for years but I liked her and their cold skin didn't bother me as badly. "Em, chill out. Nothing major's going to happen." She scolded him playfully.

I thought he was going to make a joke like: 'too late. I'm already a block of ice." But he didn't.

"Then why do I have a bad feeling?" he said instead with a scowl and gripped my hand firmly.

"You're becoming a tinny bit paranoid." Alice teased him in a sisterly way.

"Actually," Edward broke in before Emmett could reply. "It's probably because Bella has other plans tonight and you won't be able to be with her."

"I do?" I asked him. Maybe Alice wanted to take me on another shopping trip. Emmett would come with us for that, wouldn't he?

"You'll find out in Trig." Edward replied with a sly smile.

"Cant I get a little heads-up?" I pleaded. I didn't like surprises.

"How fair would that be if I tell you?" he asked, feigning innocence.

"No, what's not fair is you not telling me what you know. I hate surprises." I argued with him, a bit annoyed. Emmett chuckled.

"Do you two have to argue every other time you talk? Just tell her, Edward?"Emmett groaned in mock exasperation.

"I will." Alice sang and Edward grimaced. "You're going shopping with Jessica and Angela tonight, Bella. Helping them pick out dresses for this weekend, it looks like."

I guess I was going shopping, just not with Alice. I suppose they wanted me along for my opinion. That seemed easy enough.

"Does it have to be with Jessica?" Emmett complained, looking like a five year old. I giggled, it was so cute.

"What's wrong with Jessica?" I asked as soon as I stopped laughing.

"She had a crush on me when we first moved here. It was so annoying." Emmett explained. I couldn't blame Jess for having a crush on Emmett but I was glad that he hadn't liked her. Poor Jess, I'd have been heartbroken if Emmett had rejected me.

I looked over at them and saw that Edward had an odd expression on his face, like he was trying to stifle a laugh. "What?" I asked, wondering if I had something on my face or if my shirt was on backwards.

"Nothing, Rosalie's just waiting for me. See you all at lunch." He said and gracefully loped off towards the woods. I had a feeling that what he was thinking of had nothing to do with Rosalie.

Alice left us at the door to my class. Again, Emmett pulled us out of view so he could kiss me. We had an unspoken agreement to not attract attention to ourselves yet since I hadn't told Charlie about my dating Emmett. I could tell that if this was his way, he would have told everyone in town that we were together. It gave me a warm feeling to know how much he wanted people to know that he loved me. We could yet though because of Charlie; he would go ballistic.

As soon as I took my seat in Trig, Jessica was all chatter. Apparently mike had taken her out to dinner last night. Good, he had taken my hint. I hadn't talked to him in English but he hadn't looked upset. This was definitely a good thing.

"So I'm definitely going to need something hot to wear at the dance. Ang and I are going to Port Angeles today after school. Lauren can't go and that'll be a bummer. Do you want to come with us, Bella? We could use another opinion." Jessica paused in her own monologue to get my answer.

"Sure. That sounds like fun." I said, not really meaning it. I would rather be with Emmett but it seemed rather rude to reject her invitation. That and I can't spend every minute with Emmett even though I'd like to. I'm sure he'd enjoy time to himself or with his brothers.

"Great. I'll come pick you up from your house right after school. This is going to be so much fun." Jessica said and continued on like that for the rest of our free time in Trig.

In Spanish class, she switched to a new topic. We had walked to class together from trig and on the way Emmett had passed us with Alice and Jasper. They all waved at me and Emmett had winked and smiled warmly at me. Jessica had obviously noticed this.

"So what's with you and the Cullens?" She asked with a searching smile. "They never acknowledge anyone much less wave at someone. They seem really friendly with you."

I shrugged. "They're my friends." I said simply.

Her mouth dropped open. "But they're so reclusive! They've never made a friend outside their family before!" Jess exclaimed, sounding surprised and kind of jealous.

"I'm just as surprised as you are, Jess. They must really like me." I sounded really calm and almost blasé.

"Or someone specific." Jess nudged me playfully. Come on, I saw that look Emmett Cullen gave you. Spill!"

I was kind of irritated the way she demanded me to tell her. But I decided to be nice about it. "Yeah, it does seem like Emmett really likes me."

"It's not a question of if he likes you because he clearly does. Do you like him?" she said all owl-like.

"Yeah, I do."I said, blushing.

"How much do you like him?"

I wanted to say: 'enough to write poetry about him and not care that he's a vampire.' But I couldn't. "A lot," I said simply.

Jessica looked like she wanted to press me for more information or a better answer but our Spanish teach called on her to answer a question and wasn't able to bring the subject up again.

Emmett met me outside to walk me to lunch. "Hi Bella, Jessica. Ready for lunch?" he asked and extended an arm for me to take. I wrapped both arms around his big, stony bicep.

"I'll see you after school, Jess." I called to her and waved. I just barely glimpsed her jealous face before I turned back to Emmett.

"Ok, s-sure." She spluttered as we walked away.

"So what are you going to be doing while I'm in Port Angeles?" I asked Emmett while we waited for 'our' food.

"Oh, I'll be hanging around. He said in a tone that made me suspicious.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked with narrowed eyes.

"Nothing. Just be careful tonight, love." He said and brushed his lips on mine. Emmett payed for 'our' food and we went to sit with the other Cullen while I was still in a stunned silence.

* * *

"I'll see you tonight."Emmett said as we drove to my house. Jessica was picking Angela up first before coming to get me.

"10:00, right?" I asked as I parked the truck. Charlie would be asleep and I would be missing Emmett by then. If I wasn't before then.

"Yep, have fun tonight, love. I'll miss you." Emmett said as we walked up to the front door.

I stopped him midstride by taking his face and kissing him. He grabbed me by the waist to hold me to him and pulled us to the door. Somehow, he managed to get us inside while we were still kissing. I was starting to feel dizzy but I didn't care.

"shit." He said, pulling away. "Jessica's almost here."

Emmett tried to set me down and away from him but I started kissing him again. He laughed and kissed me back. I didn't want to leave anymore. We were completely alone and I just wanted to be in his arms.

I heard Jessica honk twice and knew it was time to go. "Dang it. Did she have to come so early?" I said, frustrated as I slid out of Emmett's arms.

"You have to go." Emmett whispered as he kissed me again.

"I don't want to." I said, kissing him back.

"I'll be here when you get back." Emmett promised in a slightly suggestive tone.

"Ok, tonight then." I said with a smile.

I put my wallet into my back pocket before hurrying outside. Emmett would lock up. I was already missing him as I walked down the drive way. Jessica's car was parked behind my truck with Angela in the passenger's seat. Here we go.