The Learning Curve: Chapter 19
Port Angeles
I thought I might escape from the clinic, prescription in hand, without any further comment from Edward, but he followed Alice and I to the parking lot.
"Can you give us a minute?" Edward asked Alice. She cocked an eyebrow at him, but went quietly to the car.
"Uh, hi, Edward," I said lamely.
"Bella, does Alice know?" he demanded immediately. I turned red.
"Yes, she knows, but I told her what I was doing before you made the rules. Can't we just...grandfather her in?"
He barked out a laugh. "Yeah, we can do that. Do you trust her?"
"Of course. She's my best friend."
"Okay. Sorry. I don't mean to be overbearing."
"What does it even matter?" I asked. "Are you that ashamed of me? I mean, why would you punch Mike like that if you don't even want to be associated with me?"
Edward looked at me like I'd sprouted wings and done the chicken dance. "Bella, it's not for my sake that I don't want anyone to know. It's for you. The minute your name is paired with mine, your reputation is ruined."
I gaped at him. "I don't know if you noticed, but the whole school already thinks I'm a slut."
"No they don't. No one believes Mike or Jessica. But if they think you've been with me, they'll start believing."
"That's stupid, Edward."
He scowled and ran a hand through his hair. "It is not. I've spent a lot of time and effort protecting your reputation as it is. I don't want to toss it all out the window now."
"Fine," I agreed, tired of arguing. What could I tell anyone, anyway? That Edward was my sex tutor? That would go over well.
"Will you come over after school Monday? My mom will be out again."
"Okay. Yeah. I'll be there."
He smiled, and it just about blew my socks off. "Okay. I better get back in there before my dad notices I'm gone. See you Monday."
"Monday," I echoed, and then I joined Alice in her car. Sunday had never seemed so tedious.
A/N: Probably only one update for 11/12/11, and then the mythical chapter 21 on Sunday. ;)